Former Dateline correspondent and WBBM-TV reporter Rob Stafford was recently named weekend co-anchor for WMAQ-TV.

NATAS recently sat down with Rob for his take on the Chicago market.

Before working for the CBS O and O in Chicago, he anchored the morning newscast at WFTV-TV in Orlando and founded the station's award winning investigative unit. Stafford also held various anchoring and reporting positions at WFRV-TV in Green Bay, Wis. and KBJR-TV in Duluth, Minn. He was honored with four Emmy Awards in the Chicago and Florida markets and received six Emmy nominations as well. Stafford is also the recipient of four Associated Press awards, an Iris Award and an RTNDA Award. It's a return to local news for this National Emmy award winning journalist.

NATAS: First of all, welcome back to local news Rob. With your reputation and awards, you could have gone anywhere. Did you want to stay in Chicago?

Rob: Chicago has been home since 1992. My children have grown up here. My wife has a business here. I can't imagine living anywhere else. Well maybe Florida in January.

NATAS: I expect the switch to local news will be something of a change from network having several field producers working with you and more turn around time for stories. What do you think will be your biggest adjustment?

Rob: Telling a story in 90 seconds instead of 30 minutes will be a big change but I'm told it's like riding a bike.

NATAS: In the years since you were a local reporter at WBBM-TV (CBS), how would you say the gathering and reporting of local news has changed?

Rob: The internet is now an even greater source of information and misinformation. The web can help you gather information much faster but you can easily get burned if you don't verify your facts with a phone call or face to face.

NATAS: What were the stories you did as a local reporter in Chicago that you are proudest of and are there any you would revisit?

Rob: I would have to say the Consumer Unit I started at Channel 2 with producer Roy Santoro. We exposed quite a few scams and gave victims a voice. We won a local Emmy for our work in that unit.

NATAS: Do you have any comments on the emphasis to all crime stories on national magazine shows as opposed to politics, the economy and human interest?

Rob: All reporting is investigative by nature. I think I'm a good interviewer and storyteller and the key to any story is getting great characters to open up and share details and emotion. ///Nice try.

NATAS: Tell us about your new anchoring job. Do you think people who front the news should have some time in the market as reporters first or does it matter?

Rob: I'm co-anchoring with Anna Davlantes at 5 and 10pm on weekends. She's a real pro, very down to earth and a pleasure to work with. And yes, in Chicago I think viewers are much more welcoming to anchors they've seen reporting on the street during a blizzard in January.

NATAS: Your family has strong roots in the western suburbs. How did they react when you were offered the job at WMAQ?

Rob: "You mean we don't have to move!! Dad you're awesome!" That will last about a week.