Josh Hinkle

Josh Hinkle is KXAN’s director of investigations and innovation, leading the station’s 13-person investigative team on multiple platforms. He also leads KXAN’s political coverage as the executive producer and host of “State of Texas,” a weekly program focused on the Texas Legislature and elections, seen in 14 markets statewide.
His work surrounding investigative journalism, political reporting and multi-platform storytelling has been honored in recent years with an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, an IRE Award, six national Edward R. Murrow Awards, three Walter Cronkite Awards, an SPJ Sigma Delta Chi Award, six National Headliner Awards, a National Press Club Award, three NLGJA Excellence in Journalism Awards and the American Legion’s Fourth Estate Award.
Josh was named Reporter of the Year by the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters in both 2012 and 2013 and also earned an Emmy as Best General Assignment/Spot News Reporter in Texas. In 2024, the Texas Association of Broadcasters recognized him with the Jason Hightower Award for Broadcast Excellence. Before coming to Austin, Josh worked as a reporter, anchor and producer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Columbia, Missouri; and Oklahoma City.
In addition to serving as IRE Board president, he serves on the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas board of directors. He has chaired IRE’s training and member services committees, along with leading a recurring master class on managing investigators. Additionally, he sits on the board of governors for the Lone Star Emmys, teaches as a faculty member for the NPPA News Video Workshop, serves as a journalist of color fellowship mentor for the Maynard Institute and is a member of IRE, SPJ, NPPA and NLGJA.
Josh earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in journalism and Spanish from Oklahoma State University, where he returned in 2024 as the Paul Miller Lecture Series speaker. After OSU, he gained his master’s degree in journalism and public policy from the University of Missouri – where he was also a graduate assistant in the political radio reporting program.
Josh teaches broadcast journalism at St. Edward’s University in Austin. X: @hinklej