Joe Marusak is a reporter covering breaking news, development, highways, local government and Lake Norman for McClatchy. He graduated with a BA in Communication Arts from Villanova University, joined McClatchy in 1989 and has 41 years of experience in journalism.

Joe grew up in Rhode Island and has been a Tar Heel by choice since 1989. He enjoys swimming, hiking, traveling, reading, spending time with cats and dogs, building his faith, and volunteering and leading through Rotary International.

Joe was a Pulitzer finalist and has received several journalism awards, including second place for the 2025 Email Newsletter, first place for the 2025 Breaking News Coverage, second place for 2021-2022 Deadline News Reporting and first place for 2015 Business Reporting from the North Carolina Press Association. He also received first place for 1987-88 Breaking News Reporting from the Keystone Awards in Pennsylvania.