Derek James

Derek James anchors Saturday and Sunday evening newscasts and contributes stories during the week on "The 4."

Before joining WCCO, Derek spent almost 18 years at WCCB-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more than a decade he worked as a morning co-anchor and is excited to no longer have a 1:30am wake-up call.

This is a return to the Midwest for the Wisconsin native. The move brings Derek closer to his family and friends in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Wisconsin is where Derek developed his passion for news and broadcasting. Derek began his broadcasting career at the age of 15 as host and executive producer of "Video News Live," a live weekly cable access program. Shortly thereafter, he was hired as a radio news anchor for WDUX AM/FM. While a sophomore in high school Derek gained national exposure for his coverage of a propane train tanker derailment/fire and 18 day evacuation of residents in Weyauwega, Wisconsin in 1996. He also hosted morning radio shows in Green Bay & Wausau before moving to Charlotte in 2000.

Derek has a certificate of Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Derek has received a Best Weathercast Award by the Radio and Television News Directors Association of the Carolinas (RTNDAC) and a Best Sports Reporting Award for a story on how weather impacts NASCAR teams. While in Charlotte, he was also regularly voted "Favorite Anchor" by magazine readers.

Derek enjoys volunteering and hosting events for charities, especially those that support children and animals. He also enjoys coaching youth running and flag football.

Derek, his wife Kristen and their teenage sons live in Maple Grove with their rescue dog, McGregor, a Staffordshire Terrier.