CBS News Anchor Scott Pelley Knows Oklahoma

Nathan Elliott, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley has traveled all over the world as a correspondent for "60 Minutes," covering the biggest stories of our time.

Pelley knows Oklahoma pretty well too and visits often.

Pelley has family in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Broken Arrow. His parents were born and raised in Pottawatomie County and were married near Maud. Pelley's wife and her family are from northeast Oklahoma.

Pelley was born in San Antonio and attended Texas Tech University, but says Oklahoma holds a special place in his heart.

COVERING THE MURRAH BOMBING

In 1995, Pelley reported on the Alfred P. Murrah bombing in Oklahoma City and later, covered the trial of bombing co-conspirator Timothy McVeigh.

"There are few stories in a reporter's career that will break his heart and that was certainly one of them," Pelley told News 9's Kelly Ogle during an interview.

"What I take from that day is how brilliantly and bravely Oklahoma City recovered from that and the triumph that is the Oklahoma City Memorial. It is a great testament to American courage and American patience in recovery, and so Oklahoma City has a very, very fond spot in my heart because of those days."

OKLAHOMA VALUES ON CBS EVENING NEWS

Pelley becomes managing editor of the "CBS Evening News" along with being the anchor. He said CBS has the "best journalists in the world," and he plans to add the sensibility of 60 Minutes to the broadcast.

"Our goal is to tell the story fairly. To be fair to everyone involved and to give the audience the information they need to make a decision for themselves, which is very much kind of an Oklahoma value, if you ask me," Pelley said.

Scott Pelley can be seen on the "CBS Evening News" Monday through Friday at 5:30 p.m. on News 9. Pelley will continue to report for "60 Minutes."