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Jason DeRusha filed his first report for WCCO-TV on April Fool’s Day in 2003. Since then, he’s earned five Emmy Awards, the Jaycees named him one of the Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans, and the city of Minneapolis proclaimed Sept. 21 “Jason DeRusha Day.” No fooling.
Today, Jason co-anchors “WCCO This Morning” weekdays from 4:30 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. and “WCCO News At Noon” with Jamie Yuccas. He is also the station’s food reporter, producing “DeRusha Eats” for WCCO Saturday Morning.
While at WCCO, he was among the first television reporters on the scene and on-the-air at the Interstate 35W bridge collapse. He’s covered flash flooding, tornadoes and school shootings. He answered “Good Question” for 5½ years. In 2013, he was named one of the “40 under 40,” the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s list of young community leaders.
Minnesota Monthly named him to the “Power 75″ list, writing, “If anyone understands where mass media is going … it’s DeRusha.”
Marquette University named him the Young Alumnus of the Year in 2012.
Before coming to WCCO-TV, Jason spent three years as a reporter at WISN-TV in Milwaukee. Prior to that, he anchored the weekend news at KWQC-TV in Davenport, Iowa, reported for WREX-TV in Rockford, Ill. and interned at “ABC World News Tonight” in New York.
Jason’s been nominated for 15 Regional Emmy Awards, and he’s won Regional Emmys for Anchoring coverage of the 2010 blizzard, Online Personality (twice), Health Reporting, and On-Going Feature Series.
In the Twin Cities, Jason serves as President of the Board of Governors of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He’s a frequent speaker and host for charity fundraisers.
He joined Minnesota Monthly as a food/wine columnist in 2009, and now writes for Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine as a contributing editor. Jason’s a glass art collector, and he’s been a judge for the Uptown Art Fair. He’s also tried to blow a couple glass art pieces, with limited success.
Jason graduated from the Honors program at Marquette University with political science and broadcast communication degrees, magna cum laude. Jason lives in Maple Grove with his wife Alyssa (a Wayzata High graduate), and their sons Seth and Sam.
Good Question: Reply All: The Oklahoma Tornado
It’s important to remember that sometimes there’s nothing anyone could do. Tornadoes are powerful, and mysterious, and random. But many of you had good questions related to the tragedy in Oklahoma. Why aren’t there basements in Oklahoma? – Betty Cozatt. Nationally only 31 percent of newly constructed homes have basements.
DeRusha Eats: MN Monthly’s Grill Fest
It’s not exactly grilling weather this weekend with the rain, but that won’t be stopping Minnesota Monthly’s Second-Annual Grill Fest on Saturday and Sunday. The best lesson? Everything can go on a grill, from vegetables to meat, say the executive chefs at The Dakota.
Good Question: ‘Reply All’: Where Does Minnesota’s Gas Come From?
Tom and Marcia Sheppleman asked: Where does Minnesota’s gas come from?
Good Question: How Often Are Women Taking Their Husbands’ Names?
In a time where much has changed about marriage, one thing has not: the decision to keep your name, take your husband’s, hyphenate, or do something else. Are women taking their husbands’ last names as often as they used to?
New All-Natural MN Sports Drink Better Than Gatorade?
With the weather heating up, two Minnesota businessmen hope you fill up on their new sports drink — it’s called Aspire and it comes in three flavors.
Good Question: Is The Legal BAC Limit Too High?
Saying they could save hundreds of lives every year, the nation’s highway safety advocates want states to reduce the legal blood alcohol limit for driving by 35 percent — from 0.08 to 0.05.
Good Question: Does Insurance Cover Freak Weather Damage?
The cell phone video of a wall of ice marching towards Izatys Resort on Lake Mille Lacs is amazing. The slow-motion avalanche pierced the wall of at least one home. When the weather gets crazy, does insurance cover it? Much like the winds of a tornado tossing objects into homes and causing damage, the winds from the ice tsunami destroyed at least two boat houses, and sent ice inside at least one resort condo along Lake Mille Lacs.
DeRusha Eats At Nadia Cakes
Nadia Cakes in Maple Grove has people lining up for their delicious cupcakes. And the story of how the shop’s owner ended up in Minnesota is perfect for Mother’s Day weekend.
Good Question: Same Medical Procedure, Different Price Tags?
When you have a heart attack and are rushed to the hospital, you’re not usually thinking about doing some comparison shopping on price. But for the first time Thursday, the U.S. government released pricing information from hospitals around the country. And that data showed vast disparities in the amount hospitals are charging for the same procedures.
Good Question: What Do We Tell Our Kids About Staying Safe?
The kind of kidnapping that captivates the country — and the media — is thankfully very rare. On average 115 children under the age of 18 are abducted by strangers each year, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Good Question: Why Do We Remember Some Things And Forget Others?
Maybe you remember Joe Mauer’s batting average, but forget your boyfriend’s birthday. Or you always remember a face, but never remember a name.
Good Question: Can You Be Fired For Off-The-Job Comments?
Whatever the real reason the Vikings had for cutting punter Chris Kluwe, every employee and employer struggles with the line between at-work conduct and off-hour behavior. Can you be fired for what you say outside of work?
DeRusha Eats At The Nook
It’s been two years since a St. Paul institution re-opened after a devastating fire. An electrical fire in the kitchen burned almost the entire inside of The Nook, but two lifelong friends have brought it back to life.
Good Question: ‘Reply All’: Sidewalk Patios & Funny Bones
Heidi Jensen in St. Paul wondered: Can restaurants just put chairs and tables wherever they want?
Good Question: Should We Force People To Save For Retirement?
In a time where individual choice rules the way Americans save for retirement, Americans are making a lot of bad choices.
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