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
Dearborn police searching for missing mother, Tyra Bailey
Dearborn Police say they are searching for a mother last seen dropping her children off at a McDonald’s.
Rolled semi-truck crash closes westbound I-696 at Hoover
A large cleanup is underway with materials the truck was hauling.
Metro Detroit experiences damage amid tornado, severe weather
Heavy storms and a tornado have caused damage throughout Metro Detroit, including Macomb County.
Ramp metering begins on I-96 in Oakland County
A new traffic flow system is now in effect across major parts of I-96, and drivers are trying to get used to the whole thing.
Michigan lawmakers respond to being on alleged Minnesota shooter's list of targets
The man now charged with shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses in their own homes had targeted dozens of democratic officials, according to Vance Boelter's "hit list".
'No Kings Day' protests fill Michigan streets
Saturday is a big day in American democracy as thousands of "No Kings Day" protests are set to take place around the country, with many across metro Detroit slated as well.
Detroit anti-ICE protests: Demonstrators take to the streets amid LA protests
All eyes were on Los Angeles as anti-ICE protests continued into day 6, and now demonstrators in Detroit are lending their voices to the fight.
'Do Not Knock' ordinance may come to Hazel Park as city council decides
It is a common annoyance that everyone can relate to; solicitors knocking on the door trying to sell you something, but in one community, that could soon be a thing of the past.
University of Michigan severs ties with security company after personnel followed students
The University of Michigan says they have severed ties with several private security companies hired to patrol high traffic areas on campus, but many students, including pro-Palestinian demonstrators, say their actions have amounted to surveillance.
Grandmother of suspect in school graduation shooting plot: 'I think it's crazy'
Lavonda Newburn finds it hard to believe her grandson, 20-year-old Jamarion Hardiman would be wanted for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a Pontiac high school graduation.