Joe Dana Bio, Age, Wife, Family, Height, 12 News, Salary

Joe Dana is a seasoned American broadcast journalist and investigative watchdog reporter best known for his award-winning work at 12News KPNX-TV in Phoenix, Arizona. Over a decade in front of the camera, he has exposed government waste, championed consumer rights, and carried on a three-generation family tradition of storytelling in the desert Southwest.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Joe Dana was born and raised in the Valley of the Sun, the third generation of a local media dynasty. His grandfather, Joe Dana Sr., hosted radio variety shows in the 1930-50s, while his father, Kent Dana, became the most beloved TV anchor in Phoenix history. Watching newsroom production from an early age, Joe volunteered at community-access stations while attending Saguaro High School in Scottsdale. He graduated from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School with a B.A. in Journalism, interning at KPNX and the Arizona Republic.

Career Journey

Internships & First On-Air Jobs (2010-2012)

• 2010 – Production assistant, KPNX summer internship
• 2011 – Print beat reporter, Arizona Capitol Times covering state legislature

12News – Watchdog Beat (2012-2016)

• Hired as nightside reporter, broke first investigative series on misuse of public-employee credit cards, leading to policy changes at Phoenix City Hall .

I-Team Prominence (2016-2021)

• Promoted to I-Team reporter; series on fraudulent contractors earned regional Edward R. Murrow Award (2018) .
• Covered 2020 election audits; real-time fact-checking segments drew 1.2 M live-stream views.

Anchor / Multi-Platform (2021-2026)

• Named weekend evening anchor; continues field investigations.
• Launches “Joe Dana Investigates” podcast (2024) – ranked #2 local-news podcast on Spotify Arizona.

Career Stats (Select Stories)

Personal Life

Joe married his college sweetheart in a private 2014 ceremony at the Desert Botanical Garden. The couple resides in Arcadia and welcomed a daughter in 2019. Dana is an active mentor with Free Arts Arizona, teaching photography to foster-youth, and still referees youth-basketball games for fun. He inherited his father’s collection of vintage holiday blazers, wearing one each December in tribute .

Dating History / Affairs
No public records link Joe to any previous high-profile relationships; he has kept his private life discreet.

Controversies

Joe’s 2020 investigation into campaign-finance reporting led to a defamation threat from a state senator; the suit was dropped after documents proved accurate. In 2023, a viewer complaint about alleged bias in border-wall coverage was dismissed by station management after review.

Awards & Achievements

• 2018 – RTNA Edward R. Murrow Regional (Investigative Reporting)
• 2019 – Emmy Nomination, Outstanding Reporter – Southwest
• 2020 – APTRA First Place, Best Investigative Series
• 2022 – Arizona Press Club, Clint Boon Award for Public Service
• 2024 – Society of Professional Journalists, Sunshine Award

Physical Statistics

• Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
• Weight: ≈ 150 lb (68 kg)
• Build: Medium
• Hair: Dark Brown
• Eyes: Brown
• Distinctive Features: Trademark thick-rimmed glasses, seasonal vintage blazers

Quotes

1. “Never get in the way of a good story—let the facts speak louder than your voice.”
2. “Arizona’s greatest resource isn’t copper or cotton; it’s the communities that look out for each other.”
3. “My dad taught me that humility isn’t optional in a newsroom—it’s the price of admission.”

Favorites

• Newsroom Snack: Cold-brew coffee & pistachio trail-mix
• Hike: Superstition Ridgeline
• Music on deadline’ 90s hip-hop playlist
• Athlete-team: Phoenix Suns (lifelong season-ticket holder)

Salary & Net Worth

Industry benchmarks place a top-tier Phoenix investigative reporter in the $120 k–$140 k range. With overtime, podcast revenue, and speaking engagements, Joe Dana’s estimated annual income is ≈ $150 k. His 2026 net worth is calculated near $650,000, comprising equity in his Arcadia home, retirement funds, and a modest investment portfolio.

Interesting Facts

• Joe’s first on-air stand-up was ruined by an escaped llama at the state fair—clip still circulates internally at 12News.
• He owns every Star Wars LEGO set released since 2015, donating duplicates to local shelters.
• Joe still uses a 2009 reporter’s notebook, claiming “the paper holds memories the cloud can’t.”

Did You Know Already?

Joe’s father, Kent Dana, once signed a fan’s pizza because no paper was handy—proof the family charm skips no generation .

Social Media Links

• Instagram – @joedanareports
• Twitter/X – @JoeDanaReports
• Facebook – Joe Dana
• LinkedIn – Joe Dana
• YouTube – 12News Joe Dana playlist

FAQs

How long has Joe Dana been with 12News?
Since 2012—over 13 years, first as nightside reporter, now I-Team anchor.

What are Joe Dana’s hobbies?
Hiking Camelback, mentoring foster youth through Free Arts AZ, collecting vintage blazers, and playing pick-up basketball.

Is Joe Dana related to Kent Dana?
Yes—Kent Dana was his father and primary career mentor.

Has Joe Dana won an Emmy?
He has one nomination; his major win is the 2018 Murrow Award.

Does Joe Dana have a podcast?
Yes, “Joe Dana Investigates,” launched 2024, available on Spotify & Apple.

Conclusion

From Capitol Hill paperboy to Murrow-winning muckraker, Joe Dana proves that local journalism still moves legislative pens and public opinion. Whether he’s unpacking a veterans’ housing scam or simply honoring dad’s holiday blazer tradition, Dana keeps Phoenix viewers informed—and occasionally entertained. If this deep-dive taught you something new, share it with a fellow news junkie; local reporters thrive when their stories travel.