"The addition of Steve to the 'RL family represents a next step in 'RL's goal of becoming a listening post and sounding board for the New York market," WWRL program director Rennie Bishop said Friday. "The morning show will continue its upbeat urban talk format bringing fresh, diverse and balanced viewpoints to the audience."

And with Malzberg on board, WWRL is likely to be making some news. Known as one of the most prolific newsbreakers at WABC, his interviews were regularly covered by the New York Post and the Daily News.

Months before anyone had ever heard of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, for instance, Malzberg got word they were organizing from Vietnam veterans expert B.G. Burkett, and gave his audience a sneak preview on what turned out to be the most politically significant story of the presidential campaign.

When media mogul Steve Brill announced that Sen. Hillary Clinton had fudged records of her meetings with 9/11 families, he dropped the bombshell in an interview with Malzberg.

When firebrand New York City councilman and would-be mayor Charles Barron explained that it was merely "black hyperbole" when he told an audience he wanted to "slap" a white person for his own mental health, it was because Malzberg had him cornered.

And the conservative talker was the only interviewer to confront Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger about his former boss's admission that he turned down a chance to arrest Osama bin Laden - more than a year before the 9/11 Commission put the same question to Clinton himself.

Malzberg's confrontational style makes him unique in his industry. He's willing to apply the rhetorical rubber hose to guests - but somehow manages not to alienate them. So Democrat and Republican newsmakers return time and again to his microphone to break stories.

The veteran talker promises to keep the excitement going at his new home, explaining Friday, "Karen Hunter and I disagree on most major issues, and we plan to present those disagreements in a very passionate, informative and entertaining way. ... When folks tune in ... they won't want to tune out."

To get Steve Malzberg's exclusive NewsMax.com column e-mailed directly to you, go to www.newsmax.com/malzberg.

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