Veteran reporter Russ McQuaid edifies Carmel Rotarians with news, scoops & wit

By DUBBIE BUCKER
Carmel Rotary Club Vice President

Veteran news reporter Russ McQuaid provided insight and information about news reporting, delivered with sides of dry humor, when he addressed the Rotary Club of Carmel at its recent meeting.

McQuaid shared highlights of his lengthy career, including his early radio days in Michigan where he performed radio comedy with fellow college buddy and then aspiring Hollywood superstar Tim Allen, and moving on to his imbibing encounters with Dolly Parton and other A-Listers. He shared memorable news stories and changes in news reporting that he’s seen over his more than 45 years in broadcasting, which took shape before office and home computers, cell phones, social media, or AI.

McQuaid said he turned his back on celebrity fame and riches so he could report stories of crime, corruption, and hope from Indianapolis, guided by his journalistic mantra from H.L. Mencken who said the goal of the reporter is to “comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

McQuaid talked about his early radio reporting days in Indy, being mentored by the late award-winning WIBC news reporter Fred Heckman, and coverage of the infamous October 1977 Tony Kiritsis case. He highlighted the importance of fact-based reporting and gave “off-air” comments about major stories he’s covered during his career in the Indy metro area, including the Delphi murders.

He shared some startling realities and major concerns about AI (artificial intelligence), and the value of gum-shoe investigative reporting – going to real, first-hand sources and talking with real people – and lamenting that such “old-school” reporting is slowly fading into the impersonal, and unverifiable, global haze of AI.

He also mercilessly interjected some fun poked at a few Carmel Rotarians he’s known professionally for nearly 40 years. He candidly answered members’ questions about current and past high-profile news stories and concerns about the questionable credibility of information being consumed today by the masses.

Following his presentation, Carmel Rotary President-Elect Tyler Smith presented McQuaid with copies of the children’s book The Sherlock Society to autograph which the club will donate to Carmel elementary school libraries.

McQuaid, a reporter for FOX59/CBS, was honored for his 30th anniversary at Fox 59 with a composite video clip compiled by the station which can be viewed on Facebook.

About the Rotary Club of Carmel
The Rotary Club of Carmel, founded in 1972, supports local community projects including the Merciful H.E.L.P. Center, Crooked Creek Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Carmel Summer Lunch Program, Trinity Free Clinic, and many others.

Carmel Rotary’s youth outreach include Leadership Connection, a leadership skills development and scholarship program for Carmel area high school students; Interact, a Rotary-sponsored service club for youth ages 12 to 18; and the Youth Exchange Program, hosting foreign exchange students and sponsoring Carmel High School students studying abroad. Carmel Rotary presents Carmel’s annual 4th of July parade and celebration, CarmelFest.

Carmel Rotarians are also involved in Rotary International’s global service projects focused on Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution; Maternal and Child Health; Basic Education and Literacy; Economic and Community Development; Water and Sanitation; and Disease Prevention and Treatment with its longstanding goal of eradicating polio on earth. For more information visit CarmelRotary.com.