Bob Black, veteran broadcast journalist, has died

YOUNGSTOWN — Bob Black, the longtime news anchor for 21 WFMJ-TV, who retired in 2015, has died. The cause of his death is not known now. Services are pending.

Black's broadcasting career began in 1978. After graduating high school, Black would then go to Penn State University, where he earned a degree in education in 1970.

At his wife’s urging, Black applied at Pittsburgh and Youngstown television stations. He landed a job as weekend sports anchor at WKBN-TV in 1978. Shortly after, the station expanded its noon news to 30 minutes and named Black the anchor.

He was let go by WKBN after that station changed ownership in 1997 but was quickly hired at 21 WFMJ-TV and took over as co-anchor in early 1998.

Black had done some special assignments for 21 WFMJ, including some commentary during last year's presidential election and serving as a panelist in the U.S. Senate race debate between GOP incumbent Rob Portman and Democratic challenger Ted Strickland.