Few cities are fortunate enough to have a broadcaster with the longevity, integrity and respect that Bob Mueller has. For more than four decades, Middle Tennesseans have counted on him to deliver news that is fair, compassionate and tough — when necessary — as anchor for WKRN-TV News 2. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including 10 Emmy Awards, the coveted George Foster Peabody Award for investigative reporting and induction into the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame.

Ever since watching coverage following President Kennedy's assassination, Bob wanted to pursue a career in journalism. He started at a local radio station at 15, and in college, he was at NPR covering the Watergate hearings. Since arriving at News 2, he has reported on the first space shuttle launch; reported from Plains, Georgia, when then-President Jimmy Carter arrived after the hostage release; and spent two weeks with the 101st Airborne in Kandahar, Afghanistan. But closer to home, it’s “meeting the people we cover and the folks whose lives we’ve touched [that] is really the best part of the job,” he says.

At 1:30 every weekday afternoon, Bob starts his days in meetings with the respective producers of News 2’s broadcasts at 5, 6 and 10 p.m., going through the basic blueprint for each show, inevitably making changes as stories develop. He tracks down, writes and edits his own stories for the evening news while working on his Sunday morning political show, This Week With Bob Mueller, which he also produces and hosts. Additionally, he manages his four social media accounts — as much a part of his job as anchoring the news.

“You make time for what’s important,” explains Bob about his history of community involvement. “Those of us with visibility have a duty to show that we care and give back. It sets a good example.” Among the nonprofits he’s served are Second Harvest Food Bank and Rocketown, and his golf tournament, the Bob Mueller MS Celebrity Golf Scramble, has raised over $1.5 million to fight the disease.

“It’s really been an interesting life,” reminisces Bob. “I’m a farm kid from the Midwest, [and] my dream came true. I’ve never really had a day of work. I’m still as passionate today about coming in here as I was then.” It sounds like Middle Tennesseans can look forward to many more years of him sharing special events and covering history from behind the News 2 anchor desk.