Business reporter Jeff Clabaugh dies at 63 after delivering DC money news on WTOP for 30 years

Jessica Kronzer | jkronzer@wtop.com
September 19, 2025, 5:39 PM


WTOP business reporter Jeff Clabaugh has died at 63 following a battle with cancer.(Courtesy Russ Rader)

WTOP business reporter Jeff Clabaugh, whose steady-paced voice conversationally delivered money news to the D.C. region for three decades, has died at 63.

Following a yearlong battle with cancer, Clabaugh died Thursday night in his home, with his long-term partner, Russ Rader, at his side.

A master of consumer business news, Clabaugh gave reports twice an hour on WTOP’s airwaves and wrote punchy, popular stories for WTOP.com.

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Jeff Claybaugh reported some of his money news reports on WTOP from his home in St. John. He jokingly referred to it as the "WTOP Caribbean Bureau." (courtesy Russ Rader) Courtesy Russ Rader

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Jeff Clabaugh (right) smiles for a photo during a midday newscast with anchors Debbie Feinstein and Mark Lewis. (Courtesy Debbie Feinstein)

Jessica Kronzer
Jessica Kronzer graduated from James Madison University in May 2021 after studying media and politics. She enjoys covering politics, advocacy and compelling human-interest stories.
jkronzer@wtop.com
@kronzer_news