Josh Hinkle is an award-winning American investigative journalist, television news anchor, producer, and media innovator best known as the Director of Investigations & Innovation at KXAN-TV (NBC) in Austin, Texas. He leads KXAN’s nationally recognized investigative unit and serves as executive producer and host of State of Texas, a weekly political affairs program covering the Texas Legislature, elections, and public policy.
Throughout his career, Hinkle has earned a reputation for producing impactful investigative journalism that has prompted legislative reforms, improved government transparency, and received numerous national journalism awards. His work has been recognized by organizations including the Society of Professional Journalists, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), the Radio Television Digital News Association, and the National Press Club.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Josh Hinkle |
| Profession | Investigative Journalist, Television Anchor, Producer |
| Nationality | American |
| Age | Not publicly disclosed |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) |
| Marital Status | Not publicly known |
| Wife | Not publicly disclosed |
| Known For | KXAN-TV, State of Texas, Catalyst Podcast |
Early Life and Family
Josh Hinkle has maintained a relatively private personal life despite his public career in journalism. Publicly available information about his parents, siblings, and early childhood is limited, as he has chosen to keep those details out of the spotlight.
Outside of work, Hinkle has shared that he enjoys traveling, watching movies, and exploring the Austin area with his dog, Betty Blue, a companion frequently mentioned in his professional biographies.
Education
Josh attended Oklahoma State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Spanish. He later completed a Master’s degree in Journalism and Public Policy at the University of Missouri. During his career, he has also served as a guest lecturer at both the University of Texas and the University of Missouri, sharing his expertise with journalism students.
Journalism Career
Before joining KXAN, Hinkle worked as an anchor, reporter, and producer in several television markets, including:
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Columbia, Missouri
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
These roles helped him develop expertise in investigative journalism, political reporting, and public affairs coverage before moving to Austin.
Josh Hinkle at KXAN
Josh joined KXAN-TV in April 2009. After working as a reporter, he became an Investigative/Special Projects Reporter before being promoted to Director of Investigations & Innovation in 2013. In this leadership role, he oversees KXAN’s award-winning investigative team while expanding its digital and multimedia storytelling efforts.
He also serves as:
- Executive producer and host of State of Texas
- Host of the investigative podcast Catalyst
- Leader of KXAN’s investigative and innovation initiatives
Under his leadership, the investigative team has produced numerous projects that influenced state legislation and public policy, including investigations into hospital billing transparency, toll road billing practices, mental health, missing persons systems, and public safety.
Notable Investigations
Some of Josh Hinkle’s best-known investigative projects include:
- Medical Debt Lawsuits, which contributed to a Texas law requiring greater hospital billing transparency.
- TxTag Troubles, a crowdsourced investigation into Texas toll billing that helped inspire legislative reforms.
- OutLaw: A Half-Century Criminalizing LGBTQ+ Texans, an award-winning multimedia documentary.
- A Hanging on Backbone Creek, a documentary and podcast examining Texas death investigations.
- Locked in Limbo, focusing on mental competency issues within Texas prisons.
- Mayberry Texas, investigating flaws in the state’s missing persons system.
These projects have received national recognition for investigative reporting and innovation.
Awards and Recognition
Josh Hinkle has received numerous honors throughout his journalism career, including:
- Multiple National Edward R. Murrow Awards
- Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists
- Three Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television Political Journalism
- National Press Club Consumer Journalism Award
- Multiple Emmy Awards
- Numerous Associated Press and Headliners Foundation of Texas awards
He also serves in leadership roles within investigative journalism organizations and has been elected to the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Board of Directors.
Josh Hinkle Age
Josh Hinkle has not publicly disclosed his date of birth, so his exact age is unknown. Based on his education and career timeline, many media biographies estimate that he is likely in his 40s, though Hinkle himself has not confirmed this.
Josh Hinkle Wife
Josh Hinkle keeps his personal relationships private. As of 2026, there is no publicly verified information confirming that he is married or identifying a wife or partner. While many biography websites speculate about his relationship status, Hinkle has not publicly commented on it.
Josh Hinkle Family
Very little public information is available about Josh Hinkle’s parents or siblings. He has consistently chosen to keep his family life separate from his professional work.
Josh Hinkle Salary
KXAN does not publicly disclose employee compensation. Based on estimates published by media biography websites for senior investigative journalists in major television markets, Josh Hinkle’s annual salary is estimated to range between $45,000 and $120,000. His actual compensation has not been publicly confirmed.
Josh Hinkle Net Worth
As of 2026, Josh Hinkle’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million. His earnings come primarily from:
- Television journalism
- Investigative reporting
- Producing and hosting television programs
- Speaking engagements
- Teaching and journalism training
Because Hinkle has never publicly disclosed his finances, these figures are estimates rather than verified amounts.
Josh Hinkle Twitter (X)
Josh Hinkle is active on X (formerly Twitter), where he shares investigative reporting, political coverage, and updates on KXAN projects.
His official account is: @hinklej
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Josh Hinkle?
Josh Hinkle is an American investigative journalist serving as Director of Investigations & Innovation at KXAN-TV in Austin, Texas. He also hosts State of Texas and the Catalyst investigative podcast.
How old is Josh Hinkle?
Josh Hinkle has not publicly disclosed his birth date, so his exact age is unknown. Most public biographies estimate he is likely in his 40s.
Is Josh Hinkle married?
Hinkle has not publicly revealed his marital status, and there is no verified information identifying a wife or partner.
What is Josh Hinkle’s salary?
His annual salary is estimated to be between $45,000 and $120,000, though KXAN has not confirmed this publicly.
What is Josh Hinkle’s net worth?
His estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million, based on publicly available estimates.
What is Josh Hinkle’s Twitter?
His official X (formerly Twitter) account is @hinklej, where he shares investigative journalism, political reporting, and updates on KXAN projects.