R.I.P.: Jeff Clabaugh, WTOP Washington Business Anchor

Jeff Clabaugh, business reporter for WTOP News, passed away last Thursday at the age of 63, following a yearlong battle with cancer. 

He died peacefully at home in Annapolis, Maryland, with his partner of 35 years, Russ Rader, by his side. Just two days earlier, on September 16, Clabaugh delivered his final on-air money news report, capping a career that spanned more than three decades of informing D.C.-area listeners about economic trends, financial markets, and consumer business news.

Jeff Clabaugh ('62-'25)

Born on September 11, 1962, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Clabaugh showed an early flair for broadcasting. As a toddler, he would mimic reporters by running around the house with an empty toilet paper roll as a microphone, delivering playful updates on neighborhood happenings—like "Now our neighbor is in his backyard."  His sister, Becky Nash, recalled this as a clear sign he was destined for radio. 

Clabaugh pursued a career in journalism, starting in Omaha where he reported on commodities markets for WOW-AM radio.

His early professional journey took him across the U.S. and abroad, including stints at USA Today, Sky Radio, and Radio Netherlands in Holland. These experiences honed his skills in delivering clear, concise economic insights.

Career at WTOP and BeyondClabaugh joined WTOP in the 1990s as a news anchor, quickly becoming a fixture on the station's airwaves. He later moved to the Washington Business Journal, where he covered Greater Washington's economy for over 20 years, while continuing to provide freelance business reports for WTOP. In 2016, he officially returned to WTOP as its in-house business reporter, delivering twice-hourly updates that became a staple for commuters and professionals alike.