Dwight Lauderdale is one of the most respected journalists in South Florida. He joined the Channel 10 News team in 1976 and presently co-anchors weeknights at 5, 6 and 11 p.m.

Dwight and his wife Minnie enjoy traveling and playing tennis. Dwight is also a collector of old music -- progressive jazz and 40-year-old rhythm and blues are among his favorites. His reading preferences include non-fiction works that he can learn something from, like autobiographies and texts dealing with sociology.

Dwight was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and graduated cum laude from Ohio University in 1973 with a degree in Communications. He began his career in broadcasting before he even entered college, at the ripe old age of 17, at WSYX-TV in his hometown. Dwight did everything from processing black and white film to news writing, producing and substituting for on-air talent.

Dwight quickly adopted South Florida as home when he began reporting for WCKT-TV in 1974. The area was a perfect fit for him. Since his arrival, he has rejected several opportunities to work in larger cities, saying, "I love this community, and all that it has to offer."

Among Dwight's many awards and honors are the N.A.T.A.S. Silver Circle Award, the prestigious Ohio State Award and two Florida Emmy's. In 1998, readers of the Sun Sentinel voted Dwight the number one anchor in the market and South Florida Magazine named him best news anchor in 1990.

You can e-mail Dwight at dlauderdale@click10.com.

.:: Our Interview with Dwight Lauderdale ::.

Q - What do you like most about South Florida?
A - I moved to South Florida from Columbus, Ohio nearly thirty years ago chasing the sun.. and found it!! Add the incredible salad bowl of people and you have the reason I love living here! I'd had offers to leave.. and turned them all down.

Q - What is your favorite food?
A - Italian.. preferably from a Trattoria in Florence or Capri.. but if not.. from one of the many great South Florida Italian restaurants.

Q - What do you do for fun?
A - Travel.. as often as I can.

Q - What is your favorite restaurant?
A - Caffe Abbracci... Ana Capri.. Caffe Vialleto.. and many others.

Q - What kind of kid were you growing up?
A - Inquisitive.. I always wanted to know why... and if the answer didn't make sense, I would let you know. I was also the kid who got check marks on his report card for talking too much!! I was just practicing.. but my teachers didn't know it at the time.

Q - Is there anything about you people don't know that may surprise them?
A - I'm don't relish attention and don't accept compliments easily. it's not about me and I know it.

Q - Do you have any hidden Talents?
A - I'm not sure if I really have any un-hidden talents!!

Q - Growing up, what did you think you'd become?
A - A lawyer

Q - What advice would you give someone interested in your field?
A - Do thorough research on the probability of finding a job in this business. There are tens of thousands of students graduating from colleges and universities every year seeking a job as a news reporter or anchor. There are NOT tens of thousands of jobs open every year, and something has to happen to the person who has the job now, before you can get it. Have more than one option available because you can't control the dearth of jobs in this business... have a backup.. and a backup to the backup.