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The end of the year brings the finale of a longtime legacy, as Darren Danielson is set to retire from the WDIO anchor desk after almost 15 years.
Danielson began his journalism career in 1981 at KMOT in Minot, North Dakota. He covered Duluth news beginning in 1986 at both KDLH and WDSE, until joining WDIO in 2011.
Danielson has been granted numerous accolades, including Eric Sevareid awards, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) awards, and an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy as a newscast anchor.
Danielson recalls a number of memorable stories, including a two-part series on the deteriorating 14 miles of steel break walls in the Duluth-Superior harbor, the story of a young man who became paralyzed after a skiing accident, even a conversation through history with former WDIO evening anchor Dennis Anderson about the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
“My favorite part of reporting is when the 'TV' part of TV news is able to really shine,” said Danielson. “My favorite stories are when our cameras take viewers into places that are unique, personal, emotional, inspirational, and makes viewers stop and say, ‘Woah, look at that! Turn this up, I need to watch this!’”
“We are so happy for Darren and his wife Vicki to be embarking on their great adventure of retirement,” WDIO General Manager Deb Messer said. “We are also so very thankful for his professionalism and steady support of our community; dedicated to trusted journalism day in and day out. Darren, we wish you the very best.”
Soon standing in Danielson’s spot at the news desk will be Dillon Morello, returning to the Twin Ports after two years in Buffalo, New York.
“Returning to Duluth, and more importantly WDIO, is a blessing my family and I are super excited for,” said Morello. “Learning from Darren to start my career, to now continuing his and the stations' goal of providing the Northland with news that matters is a dream come true.”
“Great adventures are also new beginnings. We are so fortunate to have Dillon choose WDIO and Duluth to call home,” said Messer. “Dillon brings his experience back to Duluth with a big smile and big shoes to fill. He has the support of the entire WDIO news team behind him – welcome Dillon.”
Danielson’s final newscast will be 10 p.m. on Friday, December 5. Once officially retired, the Danielsons are planning to spend their free time camping, kayaking, hiking, biking, and traveling to catch up with family and friends.
In a world that rewards volume and flash, Danielson’s strength has always been restraint.
He’s that rare anchor who disappears into the story instead of standing in front of it. Watch him on a difficult night — a missing child, a police shooting, a winter tragedy — and you’ll see the quiet choreography of professionalism. No dramatics, no self-promotion. Just gravity and care. That’s harder than it looks.
Ask younger reporters at WDIO and you’ll hear the same thing: “He’s steady.” That’s newsroom gold. Anchors set the tone — if they panic, everyone else follows.
Danielson carries himself like someone who’s seen it all, not because he’s jaded but because he understands the job: deliver facts, keep calm, let the viewer feel safe.
