By: Joe Strupp The two reporters who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Tiger Force" series for The Blade of Toledo, which sparked a federal investigation into claims that an elite Army unit abused Vietnamese civilians in 1967, have left the newspaper for editing positions elsewhere.
Mike Sallah and Mitch Weiss, whose 2003 series touched off a wave of controversy and inquiries, spent several months in 2004 writing a book on the subject for Little Brown & Co., which is due out next year. Most recently, however, each announced he would leave the Toledo paper for other opportunities.
Sallah departed first, taking the job as head of the investigations unit for The Miami Herald, a position he started on July 5. Weiss followed late last week, announcing he would become deputy business editor at The Charlotte (NC) Observer, a job he will begin in August.
"Hopefully I can help light a fire under some of the reporters and help them do some investigative reporting," said Weiss, 45, who spent seven years at The Blade, and eight years covering Toledo for Associated Press. "This is a good fit. The Observer has an excellent reputation."
Weiss said he was leaving The Blade on good terms and chose, in part, to take the new post so his wife, Susan, could be closer to her family in Greenville, N.C. The couple has four children.
Sallah, 48, also praised his former employers, saying the Blade had become a real groundbreaking investigative paper. But, he said it was time to move on. "It is an opportunity as I get more into editing, becoming more of a player/coach," he said, noting he will oversee three reporters in the unit. "I will also be able to do some writing."
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here