Eyewitness to History: A look back at the storytelling of ABC7's Paul Meincke

CHICAGO (WLS) -- This coming week, one of ABC7's best reporters will step away from the daily grind of covering news in Chicago.

Paul Meincke covered the first Gulf War, the arrest of the "Unabomber," and the trials of not one but two Illinois governors. He can tell a story like no one else; with heart and soul and just the right words.

Meincke says his favorite stories weren't the biggies. They were profiles on ordinary people who have done extraordinary things.

Like this 1996 report on the last flight of the first black pilot at United Airlines.

Since that story aired, Captain Norwood retired from Chicago's suburbs out to Arizona. He's written a book about his experiences.

As for Meincke, you'll still see him on the air contributing special stories.