A routine check of government records can pay big dividends when it comes to breaking news and staying ahead of the competition. It paid off big for 6News reporter Norman Cox when he discovered that a state auditor who was running for Congress hadn't submitted the necessary paperwork, was out of town, and couldn't meet the state's filing deadline.

Cox's story earned him the first of two Emmy nominations he's received since joining RTV6 in December 1976 as the Statehouse reporter.

"I love my job," Cox said. "The Legislature is the best part of the Statehouse."

Cox's other nomination came for live reporting as police lobbed a smoke grenade into the cab of a suspect who refused to surrender after officers surrounded his semi on Interstate 465. Cox also has received awards for excellence from The Associated Press, United Press International, Society of Professional Journalists and the Indianapolis Press Club.

Before coming to Indianapolis, Cox also worked for WTOL-TV in Toledo, Ohio, the state he still considers home.

Cox has a bachelor of arts and master's degree in journalism from The Ohio State University.

Cox is an astronomy buff who counts "Star Wars" as his all-time favorite movies.

He's also an avid sports fan. He and his wife live in Indianapolis with their two cats and a rabbit. Their son, also an OSU graduate, is a practicing attorney.

Want to drop Norman a line? You can e-mail him at norman_cox@theindychannel.com.