Derek Staahl

Derek says he's a big believer in the motto "once family, always family," and his career is pretty compelling proof.

In September 2022, Derek rejoined Arizona's Family as an anchor/reporter, reuniting with the station where he covered memorable news

Derek is thrilled to be back in the Valley of the Sun and grateful to share the anchor desk with Arizona's preeminent team of journalists. From 2015 until 2019, Derek circumnavigated the state for Arizona's Family, reporting and anchoring on everything from the search for a serial killer to protests downtown that spiraled into a scandal for Phoenix police. He also contributed occasional live reports on CNN and HLN.

One of Derek's proudest achievements was receiving a regional Emmy and an award from the Arizona Education Association for a series of investigative reports about conflicts of interest within the Scottsdale Unified School District. Following his reports, four administrators resigned, and legislators changed state laws related to school spending. Derek was also invited to testify in the Arizona State Senate about his investigative reporting on the state's medical marijuana industry.

In 2019, Derek joined ABC 10News in San Diego as an anchor and reporter, his second stint in "America's Finest City." During his time at KGTV, he held several roles, including Live Center Anchor and primary news anchor. Derek also launched a long-form storytelling brand called "In-Depth" that explores nuanced topics. Derek trained other employees in the techniques of "In-Depth" storytelling, and his brand became the model for 60 television stations across the country.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Derek began his reporting career at the ABC affiliate in Madison, WI, in 2010 after graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Southern California. He traces his interest in TV news back to his parents, discerning news viewers who both had long careers in "show business." Derek's mom toured as a backup singer for Grammy-winning R&B artist Lou Rawls. His dad performed sketch comedy in Chicago's famous Second City theater alongside John Candy and Bill Murray before launching a career as an actor and screenwriter.

After Derek's first journalism stop in Madison, he moved to San Diego from 2011 to 2015, where he reported for San Diego 6 the CW and rose to weekend anchor and investigative reporter. During that span, Derek earned his first regional Emmy for wildfire coverage and launched a reporting partnership with the U.S. Marshals that led to the arrests of numerous violent felons. He also broke major stories in the Mayor Bob Filner scandal, and his investigative efforts were featured in a UT San Diego article.

Derek enjoys golfing, hiking, and cheering on his USC Trojans when he's not out reporting or anchoring. Don't be surprised if you see Derek playing drumset in a rock cover band. Derek played quads in the Trojan Marching Band's drumline and continues to have a passion for music, although he now mostly plays an electronic drum kit for the sake of his neighbors.