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
Trump auto tariffs: Impact on the Big Three and consumers
President Trump announced the next round of tariffs, this time targeting the auto industry and cars brought into the U.S. Experts say the entire industry will feel it.
Duggan's final State of the City looks toward an optimistic future for Detroit
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered his final State of the City address, focusing on the city's improvements during his time in office, and the possible future he believes will be bright.
Farmington Hills leaders meet on what to do amid deer overpopulation
The overpopulation of deer in Farmington Hills is becoming an increasing problem for residents which has led to car crashes and chewed-up gardens.
Detroit suspected thief arrested after string of break-ins
Credit cards, social security cards, driver's licenses. West Bloomfield police say they found these on a suspect who broke into targeted vehicles.
Ypsilanti standoff ends peacefully, leaving neighbors shaken
Residents at a Ypsilanti apartment complex are on edge after police swarmed the property on Wednesday following reports of an active shooter who had barricaded himself inside the complex.
Explosion at Garden City home previously investigated in neglected cats case
A home security system captures a car bashing through the garage of a Garden City house and taking off moments after a big bang on the 6500 block of Silvio Street.
90-year-old man dies after falling through ice on Lake Chemung while wind surfing
The man who fell through Lake Chemung on Wednesday has been identified as a 90-year-old man from Howell.
Wayne County community concerned over rough state of Beck Road
It was a rocky drive across Beck, a dirt road in Van Buren Township, right where Eagles Headquarters is located.
Multiple hospitalized after Macomb Correctional Facility brawl, lawmakers demand change
Multiple corrections officers and a prisoner were sent to the hospital after a fight broke out at the Macomb Correctional Facility Monday.
Madison Heights resident display vulgar anti-Trump signs, sparking controversy
It was part of a collection of anti-Trump lawn signage with some language we can't show you on television. So neighbors along Osmun Street don’t want their kids to see it either.