Joe Dana Bio, Age, Wife, Family, Height, 12 News, Salary in 2026

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

Full Name	Joseph “Joe” Dana
Nick Name	Joe
Profession	Broadcast Journalist / Investigative Reporter
Birth Date	≈ 1988-09-15 (est.)
Age	38 years old
Birth Place	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Nationality	American
Known For	12News I-Team watchdog reports
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Zodiac Sign	Virgo
Height & Weight	5 ft 7 in (170 cm) ≈ 150 lb
Hair Color	Dark Brown
Eye Color	Brown
Qualification	B.A. Journalism & Mass Communication (ASU)
Religion	Christianity
Marital Status	Married
Spouse	Mrs. Dana (name withheld)
Children	1 daughter
Family Tree	Grandfather Joe (radio 1930-50s) → Father Kent Dana (legendary Phoenix anchor) → Joe Dana
Hobbies	Hiking, mentoring youth, vintage blazers
Current Work	I-Team reporter / anchor – 12News NBC
Years Active	2012 – present
Net Worth	≈ $650 k (2026 est.)

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)

Year	Story / Series	Award / Impact
2014	Police body-camera loophole	City ordinance amended
2016	HOA embezzlement	3 indictments
2018	Contractor fraud	Murrow Award
2020	Voting machine security	Emmy nomination
2022	Veteran housing scam	$1.3 M restitution
2024	Heat-death data gap	State emergency rule change

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

“Never get in the way of a good story—let the facts speak louder than your voice.”
“Arizona’s greatest resource isn’t copper or cotton; it’s the communities that look out for each other.”
“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 .

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.