Professional Role and Current Position
Kenny Choi serves as a prominent morning and noon co-anchor at KPIX 5 (CBS San Francisco), having joined the station in April 2016. His role primarily involves delivering key local news segments during high-viewership daytime hours. He is routinely preparing very early in the morning, reportedly arriving at the station by 3:30 a.m. to begin his broadcast duties, which demonstrates a strong commitment to the demanding schedule of live news anchoring.
Career Background and Experience
Before joining KPIX, Kenny Choi amassed substantial broadcasting experience, including a 10 p.m. anchor position at KITV in Honolulu, Hawaii (2010–2016). His career has also included roles at Fox23 News in Tulsa, Oklahoma, KTBZ-1430 Radio, and KVEW-TV in Kennewick, Washington, evidencing a breadth of regional media experience across different markets and formats. Additionally, his background in sports journalism began with a sports internship at KCAL 9 in Los Angeles, where he interviewed some of the most notable figures in sports such as Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and Phil Jackson.
Kenny Choi is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles, which has contributed to his strong foundation in broadcasting.
Content and Coverage Focus
His reporting repertoire covers a broad range of local interest and societal issues. Recent examples include stories on:
- Local business ecosystems, such as supporting food truck owners aspiring to establish brick-and-mortar businesses.
- Environmental and urban development topics, exemplified by coverage of the transformation and ecological innovation of San Francisco's Treasure Island neighborhood.
- Social issues and community-oriented stories, including features on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline team and disability support initiatives in Northern California.
- Economic trends impacting local consumers, such as used car price increases and regional cost-of-living challenges.
This diverse portfolio indicates versatility and a focus on stories with direct community impact and relevance.
Community Engagement and Personal Interests
Kenny Choi is consistently involved in community activities, reflecting a professional commitment beyond news anchoring:
- Active participation with organizations like the Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Club.
- Service occasioned with the American Lung Association of Hawaii, highlighting a history of community service and advocacy.
- Involvement in local fundraising and awareness campaigns for mental health and crisis intervention, such as highlighting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Additionally, his public social media presence (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) shows engagement with followers and coverage of informal interactions, including discussions about historic sports figures and local cultural events, which may foster a relatable and trusted public persona in the Bay Area market.
Professional Network and Influence
With 500+ LinkedIn connections and over 870 followers on professional platforms, Kenny Choi maintains a significant reach within and beyond the Bay Area media environment. His LinkedIn profile and social media accounts reinforce his status as a well-connected media professional in San Francisco.
Operational Insights
- Kenny manages a rigorous early morning routine and is dedicated to live on-air performance. This suggests strong time management and dependability.
- His anchoring roles have included sharing the daily news desk with other established anchors, such as Michelle Griego since his start at KPIX.
- The wide-ranging subjects he covers, touching on public policy, local business, social issues, and human interest stories, imply a broad editorial mandate and adaptive communication skills.
Summary
Kenny Choi is a seasoned news anchor and reporter at KPIX CBS San Francisco with a decade-spanning career, anchored by solid academic credentials from UCLA and enriched through multi-market experience. His professional focus spans morning/noon news anchoring and comprehensive community-focused reporting. He is deeply engaged in local issues spanning economic trends, social services, urban development, and public health, reflecting both a broad editorial scope and a commitment to impactful storytelling. His community involvement and social media presence amplify his role as a trusted Bay Area media figure, well-positioned within the local public communication ecosystem.
