Warner Saunders, the co-anchor of NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5 flagship 10 p.m. newscast, has been selected as one of the Chicago Defender newspaper's "Men of Excellence." The honorific acknowledges and celebrates African-American men who personify the qualities of respect, responsibility, passion, brotherhood and leadership.

Saunders anchors WMAQ's 10 p.m. newscast with Allison Rosati, and they are the longest-running 10 p.m. news team in Chicago. Saunders is expected to step down from his anchoring duties at WMAQ later this year. In his 30-year career, Saunders has won more than 20 Emmy Awards for his work in news, sports, documentaries, talk shows and community town meetings. A reception is slated for the Hotel Allegro in Chicago, on Jan. 15, to honor the Defender's 2nd annual group of Men of Excellence.