Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has signed a deal with a California firm to become a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist, starting next week.

...Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but an official for the syndicate confirmed the arrangement Wednesday and said Dean's weekly column would be sent to 700 newspapers beginning next week.

...[Laura Gross of DFA] said Dean's new undertaking would not take away from his work with Democracy for America and that he continues to look at other prospects, including hosting a talk show.