Steve Simpson, a longtime staple of WCCO Radio’s morning show, signs off for the final time Thursday after nearly a dozen years at the heritage Twin Cities station.
The 62-year-old news anchor and editor, known for his dry humor, deep knowledge of the news, and steady presence during breaking stories and severe weather, announced his retirement in April. He cited being “worn out” and a desire to pursue other interests after a broadcasting career spanning more than 40 years.
Listeners have flooded the station with messages of appreciation in recent days, a response Simpson described as humbling. “I’ve always been fascinated by the connection, the intimacy and camaraderie you get from radio,” he said in a recent interview. “But you can still forget that people are sometimes listening to every word you say.”
Simpson joined WCCO in October 2014 after more than two decades at WIBC in Indianapolis. He quickly became a key part of the morning team alongside host Vineeta Sawkar, delivering news at the top of the hour while contributing commentary and asides that listeners grew to love.
He stood out during the COVID-19 pandemic as the only on-air personality consistently coming into the studio for his shifts. “I was grateful to have some normalcy that a lot of people didn’t have,” Simpson recalled. “The reason we got into the business is not to cover the bad things, but to cover the big things.”
Colleagues praised his professionalism and insight. “He’s my brother from another mother,” Sawkar said. “That dry sense of humor made it so much fun to come to work every morning.” She planned to dedicate the final hour of Thursday’s 6-9 a.m. broadcast to him.
WCCO legends including Dave Lee, Mike Lynch, and John Hines have called in this week to pay tribute. “Steve doesn’t just read any of that news,” Hines said. “He knows that news.”
Simpson grew up in the Philadelphia area and built much of his career in Indianapolis before moving to Minnesota. He has not detailed firm retirement plans but expressed interest in becoming a tour guide for visitors to the Twin Cities — a role inspired by a Gray Line bus tour he took shortly after arriving.
He has also said he will not miss the 2:45 a.m. wake-up calls required for the early-morning shift.