Dean Reynolds

With two weeks to go before the launch of its three-hour nightly newscast from Chicago, WGN America has tapped network news veteran Dean Reynolds as national political correspondent for “News Nation.”

Reynolds, who most recently was Chicago bureau correspondent for CBS News, is the first nationally known broadcast journalist to sign on with the Nexstar Media Group cable news startup.

Until now, "News Nation" has been drawing its talent from the ranks of local stations, including WGN-Channel 9. The team includes news anchor Joe Donlon and reporters Nancy Loo and Tom Negovan, all from WGN.

A Nexstar spokesman confirmed Reynolds's hiring Monday, first disclosed in a tweet: "WELCOME TO THE TEAM! Dean Reynolds joins NewsNation as our national political correspondent. Reynolds brings decades of journalism experience to the team, including coverage of many presidential campaigns. Watch Reynolds' NewsNation reports starting Sept. 1 on WGN America."

In May Reynolds told colleagues he was planning to retire after 49 years in journalism following companywide layoffs at CBS. His 13-year run at CBS News came after 23 years at ABC News. Earlier, Reynolds covered the White House for CNN and United Press International.

A native of East Chicago, Indiana, and graduate of Wabash College, Reynolds is the son of Frank Reynolds, the late ABC News anchor who launched his career at the former WBKB in Chicago.

Asked for comment Monday, Reynolds said: "Just got started today. Can’t say much."

Monday’s comment of the day: Mike Braden: Glenn Beck gets into the Radio Hall of Fame but Bob Stroud doesn't? Bizarroland.