Warner Saunders Nearing Retirement

WMAQ-Ch. 5 lead newscaster Warner Saunders, who's been part of Chicago's television landscape for 40 years, expects to leave the station he has called home since 1980, retiring at the end of May from the 10 p.m. newscast he has co-anchored for 111/2 years.

Although WMAQ has yet to make any formal announcement, Saunders, who turns 74 in January, said by e-mail that he signed a brief contract extension that smooths out the transition for the NBC-owned station's newscasts.

Saunders intends to move off the station's 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts with the new year, while remaining on Channel 5's marquee 10 p.m. broadcast alongside Allison Rosati for another five months. Barring something unexpected, Saunders indicated he looks to retire June 1.

Nothing is set in stone, but Channel 5 4:30 p.m. anchor Bob Sirott, the former CBS News correspondent and "Chicago Tonight" host who doubles as host of a noon show for Chicago Tribune parent Tribune Co.'s WGN-AM 720, is expected to land in Saunders' spot on the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. programs.

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