John Dimsdale

Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief, Marketplace

SHORT BIO

John Dimsdale has spent almost 40 years in radio. As the former head of Marketplace’s Washington, D.C., bureau, he provided insightful commentary on the intersection of government and money for the entire Marketplace portfolio.

As Dimsdale notes, “Sooner or later, every story in the world comes through Washington,” and reporting on those issues is like “… going to school with all the best professors and then reporting to listeners what I found out at the end of the day … Can you believe they pay me to do that?”

Dimsdale began working for Marketplace in 1990, when he opened the D.C. bureau. The next day, Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, triggering the first Gulf War, and Dimsdale has been busy ever since.

In his 20 years at Marketplace, Dimsdale has reported on two wars, the dot-com boom, the housing bust, healthcare reform and the greening of energy. His interviews with four U.S. Presidents, four Hall-of-Famers, broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite, computer scientist Sergey Brin, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson and former U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey stand out as favorites. Some of his greatest contributions include a series on government land-use policies and later, a series on the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste disposal site.

Before joining Marketplace, Dimsdale worked at NPR, the Pennsylvania Public Television Network, Post-Newsweek Stations and Independent Network News.

A native of Washington, D.C., and the son of a federal government employee, Dimsdale has been passionate about public policy since the Vietnam War. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Washington College in Chestertown, Md., and a master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo.

Dimsdale and his wife, Claire, live in the suburb of Silver Spring, Md., and when not working, he enjoys traveling, carpentry, photography, videography, swimming and home brewing.

Latest Stories (983)

Congress wary of 'emergency' spending

Jun 13, 2006
President Bush's spending habits in Iraq are getting a closer look on the Hill. More than four years and $400 billion later, Congress appears ready to put its foot down on the use of emergency budget requests for the war. John Dimsdale reports.

A new line for auto workers

Jun 12, 2006
The United Auto Workers president had a tough message for his union's members today: The auto industry is changing, and some of those changes won't benefit auto workers. John Dimsdale reports.

Farm lobby sour over budget compromise

Jun 12, 2006
The farm lobby is looking to regroup after winding up on the losing end of a Congressional compromise to provide emergency funding for the war in Iraq. John Dimsdale reports.

Internet's future in hands of Congress

Jun 8, 2006
Congress is set to vote tomorrow on a telecom bill that could have big implications for how the Internet works. It's setting up a big fight: phone and cable companies on one side — Internet firms on the other. John Dimsdale reports.

Estate tax vote coming up

Jun 7, 2006
The Senate again takes up repealing the estate tax this week. But in a time of rising deficits, will lawmakers really sign off on a permanent tax cut? John Dimsdale reports.

The minimum wage play

Jun 6, 2006
Democrats are taking a page from the Republican playbook, trying to ensure big voter turnouts in key states with ballot initiatives aimed at Democratic-leaning voters. John Dimsdale reports.

Politicking reigns as midterm elections near

Jun 5, 2006
Democrats accuse President Bush of trying to rally his conservative base with a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. But Republicans say Democrats are doing the same thing by trying to hike the minimum wage. John Dimsdale reports.

Wal-Mart shareholders meet

Jun 2, 2006
Dissident shareholders put forth a slate of provocative corporate governance resolutions at today's annual meeting. John Dimsdale has the details.

Who's getting Wal-Mart's money?

Jun 1, 2006
Wal-Mart shareholders meet tomorrow. One item on the agenda: A controversial vote that would require the company to reveal all political giving from corporate funds. John Dimsdale reports.

US extends conditional offer to Iran

May 31, 2006
In a major policy shift, the United States said it is willing to talk with Iran — if Iran suspends its nuclear fuel enrichment activities. John Dimsdale reports.