Who left the WCCO morning show?

Q: Is Jason DeRusha leaving?

Its not goodbye, Mr. DeRusha. Its see you around. You will always be a part of the WCCO family, as well as on the hearts and minds of our viewers.

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His last day anchoring WCCO This Morning will be June 23.

WCCO

His last day anchoring WCCO This Morning will be June 23.

Jason DeRusha, the popular morning news anchor at WCCO-TV in the Twin Cities, is stepping down from his role.

"My first day at WCCO was April 1, 2003. My last on the anchor desk will be June 23, 2022," DeRusha announced Tuesday morning. "I've had an unbelievable run and am not totally walking away from here - they’ve asked me to stay as a special correspondent."

In a press release, WCCO-TV said DeRusha will transition to a contributing role for station events and special projects, noting that DeRusha's decision was fueled by the desire to "explore other opportunities that allow for a more regular schedule and time with family."

He has been anchoring the morning news for the past nine years, currently alongside co-anchor Heather Brown and meteorologist Riley O'Connor.

“In many ways, I have the job I dreamed of when I was a young kid watching the news every day from my family's living room. I've met people and gone places I'd never imagined, thanks to WCCO-TV,” DeRusha said in a prepared statement.

"And still – like many of you, there's been a stirring in my soul: what if I tried something different? After 19 years of opening the same door, what doors might open if I tried a new one?”

The Minneapolis CBS affiliate has not announced who will take over co-hosting duties for DeRusha on WCCO This Morning, which airs weekdays 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. Nor has the station announced plans to replace DeRusha on WCCO Mid-Morning from 9-10 a.m. weekdays.

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Jason DeRusha, a staple of Twin Cities morning television since 2013, announced Tuesday that he's leaving his morning anchor seat next month at WCCO. He told his audience he'll be staying in Minnesota and pitching in from time to time as a special correspondent.

On his Facebook page, DeRusha wrote: "After 19 years at WCCO, and 9 years on this morning show, I've made the decision to take a leap and try a new adventure. I'm not leaving Minnesota, and not totally leaving WCCO — they asked me to occasionally pop back in as a special correspondent. In many ways, I'm living the job I dreamed of when I was a middle-class kid watching the news from my family's living room. I've met people and gone places I'd never imagined."

He went onto say that there has been "a stirring in his soul" and that he wants to try something different.

In an interview with the Star Tribune Tuesday, DeRusha said the time has come for him to take a chance. "It is weird to walk away from a job you love. But ... what if there's another job you'll love?" he asked.

DeRusha was emphatic that he was not leaving Minnesota for another market.

Since joining the local CBS affiliate nearly 20 years ago, the Illinois native has become one of the Twin Cities' most affable media personalities. In addition to co-hosting "WCCO This Morning," he serves as a food critic for Minnesota Monthly and is a regular presence on the social scene.

"We have a strong team because you put us there," co-host Heather Brown said Tuesday morning on the air.

Before working the morning shift, DeRusha, 47, inherited the station's "Good Question" segment. He has also been a leader in connecting with his audience through social media.

In a 2021 profile for Star Tribune magazine, DeRusha talked about the importance of adjusting to the times.

"To me it's always been a long game, where you think, OK, a lot of the younger people that I'm hanging out with on social media are probably not watching the news," he said. "But in 10 years, when they start watching the news, I hope that they feel like I've been a part of their life for decades."

DeRusha said Tuesday that his last day on the anchor desk will be June 23.

Staff writer Joy Summers contributed to this report.

After announcing his impending departure from WCCO-TV last month, Jason DeRusha has revealed his new broadcast home: News Talk 830 WCCO Radio.

The 47-year-old will take over the 3 to 6 p.m. weekday shift starting June 27, just four days after his final shift serving as a morning anchor on WCCO-TV. (While CBS once owned both the television and radio stations, the network sold WCCO Radio to Entercom in 2017.)

Jason DeRusha (Courtesy of WCCO-TV)

“I have always loved the creativity, the unpredictability and the interactive qualities of radio,” DeRusha said in a news release. “I can’t wait to bring my love for Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, as well as my two decades of curiosity about our neighbors and our news to WCCO Radio. Not many people get to have one dream job, let alone two. I’ve loved my time in television and can’t wait to dive into a new dream job in radio and podcasting.”

DeRusha’s arrival at the station will coincide with some other changes in its lineup. Current afternoon hosts Paul Douglas and Jordana Green will remain at WCCO Radio, with Douglas becoming the station’s chief meteorologist and Green joining Adam Carter to cohost the 9 a.m. to noon shift. They fill the time slot that’s remained vacant since February, when host Cory Hepola left the station to launch what became a failed bid for governor.

The Chad Hartman Show will remain in the noon to 3 p.m. position and Vineeta Sawkar will continue to host mornings, a position she assumed in January.

DeRusha, an Illinois native, joined WCCO-TV in 2003. He took the morning anchor role in 2013 after serving as the reporter for the station’s “Good Question” segment and working as a weekend anchor. Thanks to his active and frequent social media participation, he’s become one of the highest-profile names in local television news.

“Jason’s not only a beloved and trusted Minnesota broadcaster, he also has the rare ability to truly connect and engage with everyone he talks to,” said WCCO Radio brand manager Brad Lane. “Whether he’s delivering breaking news, telling a family story or giving a restaurant recommendation, people trust him like a friend, and that’s exactly what the legacy and future of WCCO Radio is all about.”

A Minnesota native, Ross Raihala joined the Pioneer Press as pop music critic in 2004, after stints at The Forum in Fargo, N.D., and The Olympian in Olympia, Wash. He covers local and national music as well as some theater and other arts and entertainment topics. His favorite part of his job is reviewing, and live tweeting, Twin Cities arena concerts. And, yes, he saw the same show you did.

Where did Jason DeRusha go?

DeRusha will get a three-day weekend before debuting as the new afternoon drive host at AM 830 WCCO radio, where he'll host Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m., taking over the time slot currently hosted by Paul Douglas and Jordana Green.