Dave Kinchen
Dave Kinchen is proud to be back home in Metro-Detroit and reporting for Fox 2 after spending more than a decade covering news in Philadelphia.
The Farmington Hills native served Philly’s Fox station as a reporter from 2011 through 2019, where he covered the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal and trial at Penn State, the criminal prosecution of Bill Cosby, Hurricane Sandy, the riots in Baltimore after the police custody death of Freddie Gray, the deadly 2015 Amtrak derailment, the Eagles Super Bowl victory and Pope Francis’ historic visit to America, among other national and international stories.
Viewers have spotted Dave’s reporting on prime-time FOX News Channel shows, along with Inside Edition, Dr. Phil, 60 Minutes, CNN and MSNBC.
In 2017 Dave began a side career as a music journalist, landing exclusive interviews with two of his heroes: Paul Stanley of KISS and former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar. This led to formation of the classic rock podcast "Rock of Nations with Dave Kinchen" which broke numerous stories featured in Rolling Stone, Variety, NME and other music publications for interviews with guitar virtuosos Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Michael Schenker and legendary members of Toto, Yes, Judas Priest, Whitesnake, Blue Oyster Cult and more.
He stepped away from news for nearly two years to serve as spokesman for Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and his administration, focusing on criminal justice and public safety, where he wrote speeches and statements for the Mayor and senior administration officials.
Dave then returned to Fox 29 with a broader perspective on the issues he covered, before moving to Detroit.
He studied Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy at Michigan State University’s James Madison College and spent summers in between semesters as a writer and production assistant for WXYZ-TV. During his freshman year in 2001, he launched the successful Student Reporter series at Channel 7, discussing news and events from a youth's perspective. Industry veterans said Dave was one of the youngest on-air presenters in Detroit history at the time.
It was at Lansing's WLNS where Dave started his full-scale reporting career. He'd go on to spend several years covering Michigan’s auto industry and state politics, with additional stops at WNEM in Saginaw and WEYI in Genesee County. The latter saw Dave contributing as a weather forecaster and weekend anchor as well.
Dave’s return to covering Michigan news also means a return to hometown community service - the roots of which date back to the mid-90s when he did volunteer video filming for Father Cunningham’s Focus Detroit, and for sporting events with the Farmington Area School District.
That led to him starting a youth issues-focused cable TV show called "Teen-Age" at the age of 14, which aired in Farmington, Farmington Hills, Novi and surrounding communities. Later, Dave was appointed to the Cable Access Committee of the Southwest Oakland Cable Commission (SWOCC) and the Farmington Hills/Farmington Commission on Children, Youth and Families.
He furthered this work on the national level when appointed by then-Detroit Mayor and National League of Cities President Dennis Archer as a member of the National League of Cities Council on Youth, Education and Families, chaired by then-Boston Mayor Tom Menino.
In 2001, Dave testified before both houses of Congress in a congressional briefing on the state of after-school funding, and led non-partisan efforts to get young people engaged in public affairs at the state level as Youth Coordinator for the Michigan Municipal League, representing the organization on the Michigan After-School Initiative Task Force, Michigan Ready To Succeed Partnership, and the 21st Century Community Learning Centers committee.
When not chasing down the latest breaking story, he’s working to book the next interview with his favorite rock icon, catching live music somewhere around town, or cheering on his beloved Spartans along with Detroit’s legendary teams.
Email him at David.Kinchen@FOX.com and follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveKinchenUSA and his Rock of Nations podcast Twitter account HERE.
The latest from Dave Kinchen
Detroit's mayoral candidates gather in heated forum ahead of election
The Detroit mayoral election is heating up as two panels of candidates faced off in a forum at Wayne County Community College District's Northwest Campus Thursday night.
Clinton Township neighbors argue against proposed power lines on 19 Mile Road
Henry Ford Macomb Hospital has expanded its campus and that means it needs more power lines for more power. Neighbors say they do not want the lines installed between their homes on 19 Mile Road.
Midland area floods: Victims still searching for justice 5-years-later
Five years ago Monday night, many in Metro Detroit with property in the Saginaw and Midland areas lost everything as historic floods raged from a staggering dam system failure.
Detroit substitute teacher under investigation, accused of assaulting students
A substitute teacher at a Detroit charter school is out of a job after parents say they allegedly got physical with their kids when they wouldn't behave. Meanwhile, another mother says another teacher at the same school did the same thing.
Two dead in Detroit shooting on Patton Street, suspect in custody
Two people are dead after a shooting involving two groups took place in a Detroit neighborhood on Friday evening.
Detroit mayoral candidates speak during forum, months before election
Detroit voters are three months out from choosing the next mayor in a crowded race. Meanwhile, the long list of candidates is making their voices heard.
Attorney General Nessel hosts townhall surrounding hate speech in Michigan
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was taking part in a West Bloomfield town hall on hate and extremism with security so tight, organizers asked the press to not disclose the meeting location.
'Tweed' a film made in Michigan gets Hollywood style premiere in Dearborn
A Michigan-based feature film is getting a Hollywood-style premiere in Dearborn on Friday night.
Thousands protest on May Day across Metro Detroit against President Trump
Scores of protesters hit the streets on International Workers Day, or May Day, taking a stand against the Trump Administration.
Detroit woman faces charges in deadly car crash that killed husband and wife
A Detroit woman is facing charges for causing a crash that killed a husband and wife loved by the community, who were also the parents of five young children.