Jason DeRusha

11/04/2025

People should know that Tim Timothy Blotz Fox 9 may be the nicest man in the news business. When I was a reporter in Milwaukee in 2000, I reached out to him about anchoring advice - I think he was in New Mexico at the time - and he generously shared insight. Fast forward a decade and we were both nominated for an Emmy award for anchoring. Who sends me a hand-written congratulations note? Blotz. I know he’s done that for other nominees for years. It’s a reminder that being kind and being excellent are not mutually exclusive. So congrats to Tim - who’s always using his light to lift up others. Pretty amazing.

I want to take a moment to praise and thank my colleagues. I’ve been away for a couple of weeks and returned to find my peers in the television industry presented me with the Emmy Awards in the Upper Midwest for craft achievement as and news anchor and writer. I’m very touched. But none of this happens alone. Television is the ultimate exercise in collaboration. I’m extremely fortunate to work with a team of photographers, producers, and managers who rarely say no when approached with a crazy idea on how to tell or present information or a story. I have a managing editor who’s not afraid to suggest changes to a script—and make it better. What an incredible gift. They are all champs and I’m grateful to be allowed to work with them.

11/03/2025

Such a nice feature in Maple Grove Magazine by Mollee Francisco - and these photos by are fantastic!! Love talking about my career shift and taking a (calculated) risk at mid-life!!

11/01/2025

On Dia de Los Mu***os, a moment for the artists. In the bottle: .azulejos is particularly beautiful. On the bottle: both Azulejos and Tobalá are hand-painted by artisans in Mexico. I love these works of art - it reminds me of the artistry that goes on in the creation of Tequila and Mezcal as well. Appropriately our “La Patas de Popote” watches over us as well! Swipe to see which bottle I was sipping on last night!

10/31/2025

Whoa. Zen Box Izakaya is closing. Best ramen in town, great people, a tremendous loss. Details in my newsletter:

Full-Size or Fun size candy bars? New Burgers at Parlour, Fulton's Cooking, Meet 2 Minneapolis Mayoral Candidates, the Minnesota Women of Mezcal

10/31/2025

Another reminder that IKEA furniture can destroy relationships. Thanks to Jason Shoultz for saving my marriage in 1998.

Jason tells the story of nearly messing up his marriage over an IKEA bookshelf on Drivetime with DeRusha!

10/30/2025

The Saint Dinette burger rides again! What a night at Nova Bar in Hudson - so many familiar faces all capturing the memories that come with that one bite of decadent beef and cheese. Legendary burger - you can get it through Friday at Nova. Thanks Splinter & Niver for bringing it back - I loved that burger but it’s a reminder that the food just triggers the memories of the amazing people.

10/29/2025

HOW CAN WE HELP? As SNAP benefits are stopped this weekend, we need everyone’s help to keep food shelves stocked. $1 = 3 meals at Second Harvest Heartland. You can donate food to your local food shelf, volunteer, call your U.S. Rep or Senator. We are all needed in this time of potential hunger crisis. Thank you. Spread the word!

10/28/2025

Jerry Taff was my mentor. Took me on as an intern when I was in my second semester as a freshman college kid. Got me hired at WEMP radio to board op his Elvis Hour radio show. Got me an internship at ABC News by calling Peter Jennings’ assistant every week - “Did you hire Jason yet?” He taught me to be myself, that if you were most loved and most hated you were getting it done, he taught me when to fight management and when to just go along. We solved the world’s problems at Miss Katie’s Diner and he came to visit me in New York to watch Jennings do the news. Jerry introduced himself, then I did the same and Peter said, “I know who you are Jason, you’re here every night.”

Jerry had a catch phrase which he told me I could use, I never felt comfortable because it was HIS. But to Jerry I now say, Good night and better tomorrows.

He was a one of a kind. Jerry Taff was a fixture at WISN for 26 years. He had a wonderful life in retirement and I am glad we kept in touch. Jerry loved Milwaukee and loved all of you. Jerry passed away last night at his home in Lubbock, Texas. Good night and better tomorrows to you, JT.

10/27/2025

Brandi Carlile fans: we're giving away a pair of tickets to her Target Center show which will certainly sell out. Every day this week during DriveTime with DeRusha on WCCO Radio - we play a snip of a song and you Name It! 3-6pm: we stream live on YouTube and Facebook at the WCCO Radio page - that's live and gives you a little advantage over people listening on 102.9 - HD-2 or streaming online.

10/25/2025

I can’t even argue with this

SisQo, Maple Grove's most-famous resident (sorry, Jason DeRusha), will host a celebrity go-kart event at the Mall of America this weekend.

More details: https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/celebrity-go-kart-race-with-sisqo-will-benefit-annunciation-fund

10/23/2025

💙 SANTORINI 💙 It’s easy to fall in love with Santorini, the blue domed churches and the whitewashed buildings on the edge of the cliff carved out by the collapse and explosion of a volcano. There’s history here. Romance. Magic. We had our best meal in Greece at a mom & pop spot in Fira (Salt & Pepper). Literally: husband and wife, that’s the team. Delicious seafood and grilled octopus, but it was the love that really came through. Our group had a ton of fun too - some are pictured here, but we really enjoyed everyone. Now it’s back home and back to reality! What an amazing trip to a beautiful country!!

10/23/2025

I'm writing about Salt & SALT & PEPPER-Greek Restaurant Santorini for my website, but this is the cutest thing ever. They take a picture of all their diners and post it to their page. This is an ultimate mom + pop restaurant, and frankly a can't miss when you're in Santorini.