Tim Rudell

Senior Reporter

Tim Rudell has worked in broadcasting and news since his student days at Kent State in the late 1960s and early 1970s (when he earned extra money as a stringer for UPI). He began full time in radio news in 1972 in his home town of Canton, OH.

In 1976 he moved to television and for the next dozen years did double duty as an anchorman and the news director for TV stations including the NBC affiliates in Youngstown, OH, Grand Rapids, MI, and Buffalo, NY. He then became Vice President of Consulting, and later Executive Vice President for one of the TV industry's leading research and consulting firms, Reymer & Gersin, Associates, with direct consulting assignments including newsrooms in New York, Los Angles, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, and Kansas City,.

In the 1990s, he was Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief for TVDirect, a joint venture of The Associated Press and Conus Communications that provided live and custom reporting from the nation's capital. Later he was promoted to Senior Vice President and division General Manager of Conus Washington, and eventually to Executive Vice President of Conus. He then move over to the AP to become a member of the senior management of Associated Press Television News, responsible for advancing APTN's downstream businesses in North America.

From 2004 through the end of 2008 he was Managing General Partner and CEO of a Washington area consulting group including Media Services Co. of America, and Independent Business Advisors of Virginia.

In 2009 Tim and wife Fran decided to return to their roots in northeast Ohio: "to go home, and do some things we wanted to do." He joined WKSU and became a reporter again, resuming the role that originally drew him to news.

Ways to Connect

Wooster is Optimistic About the Akron Brass Sale

By Tim Rudell • Feb 6, 2016

Akron Brass nozzle — Akron Brass Company website

Another of those special companies in northeast Ohio that has long been a world leader in making an important precision product has been sold. But WKSU’s Tim Rudell reports that may not be a bad thing.

Akron Brass began in 1918 in Akron, later moving to Wooster. Its precision fittings for everything from fire hoses to marine equipment are considered top of the line.

Since the 1990s it has been owned by a British company, though it remained in Wooster.

Canton's Budget Problem Gets Bigger

By Tim Rudell • Feb 4, 2016

The City of Canton’s projected $4.1 million budget shortfall this year is now a $5.1 million shortfall. WKSU’s Tim Rudell reports on a growing problem with the general fund.

Expenses to be paid out of the city’s general fund-- for services like police and fire — were projected at $55 million. And, revenue was projected at $51 million --down due to businesses leaving and the energy slump.

National Banking Analyst Sees National Trends in the Huntington-FirstMerit Merger

By Tim Rudell • Feb 1, 2016

A national banking analyst with ties to Northeast Ohio, says the merger of regional powerhouses Huntington Bank and FirstMerit is catching industry-wide attention.

Rick Parsons grew up in Avon Lake before 30-plus years in banking that took him to an executive vice

Akron Mayor Talks About FirstMerit and Other Unknowns

By Tim Rudell • Jan 28, 2016

Akron State of the City Address — Tim Rudell

Just 28 days into the job, Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan gave his first State of City Address. WKSU’s Tim Rudell reports.

Among his major points in the speech, Mayor Dan Horrigan said he’ll make sure the war — as it’s been called at times — between the city and the EPA and courts over the big sewer project, is over.

He expressed outrage at the high infant mortality rate in Akron and vowed to help improve health care.

And he said he has met with representatives of Huntington Bank about their takeover of Akron-based First Merit.

Investigation of Sebring's Water Problems is Continuing

By Tim Rudell • Jan 26, 2016

Sebring’s water superintendent is on administrative leave. And, bottled water is still being distributed to residents of the village and surrounding communities as the Ohio EPA runs more tests. WKSU’s Tim Rudell reports.

About 8,000 people living in and around Sebring, Beloit and Maple Ridge -- just east of Alliance -- are hooked up to Sebring water. Last week they were told to stop drinking it after sample testing showed lead contamination at half a dozen houses and a business.