Ken Rice KDKA-TV Biography: Age, Wife, Husband, Height & More

Ken Rice: Veteran Anchor at KDKA-TV | Biography & Career Highlights

Ken Rice is a seasoned journalist and anchor at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He co-anchors the weeknight editions of KDKA-TV News at 5, 6, and 11 PM.

Ken has been with KDKA since 1994, bringing a wealth of experience and a calm, steady presence to the newsroom.

Originally from Chicago, Ken began his journalism career while studying at the University of Wisconsin, reporting and anchoring for Wisconsin Public Radio.

He later transitioned to television, working at Madison’s WISC-TV before moving to Pittsburgh.

Throughout his career, Ken has covered numerous significant events, including the Quecreek mine rescue, the G20 Summit protests, and the Tree of Life synagogue shooting.

He has also moderated political debates and hosted various programs, such as the high school quiz show “Hometown HiQ” and the public affairs show “KD-PG Sunday Edition.”

Additionally, Ken’s contributions to journalism have been recognized with multiple awards, including a national first-place Associated Press award and several Golden Quill awards.

He is also actively involved in the community, supporting organizations like the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Literacy Pittsburgh.

Here are some additional personal details about him:

• Native of Chicago: Ken Rice was originally born and raised in the Chicago area.

• Education: He attended the School of Journalism at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. During his time in college, he gained early experience in broadcasting by reporting and anchoring newscasts for the statewide Wisconsin Public Radio network. 

• Early Career: Before arriving in Pittsburgh, Rice worked as on-air talent at WISC-TV in Madison, where he eventually anchored the evening newscasts. He then moved to Pittsburgh and spent six years reporting and anchoring at WTAE-TV, where he launched their 5 p.m. newscast in 1992 alongside Sally Wiggin.

• Joined KDKA-TV: Ken Rice joined KDKA-TV on June 13, 1994. Due to a non-compete clause from his previous employer, he initially worked behind the scenes for a year before becoming an on-air presence in June 1995.

Career Highlights:

• Anchor Roles: Ken Rice currently co-anchors the weeknight editions of KDKA-TV News at 5, 6, and 11, as well as the KDKA Ten O’Clock News on Pittsburgh’s CW.

• Live Coverage of Major Events: Throughout his tenure, Rice has anchored KDKA’s live coverage of numerous significant events, including:

• • The Quecreek mine rescue in 2002.

• • The protests at the G20 Summit and the police shootings in Stanton Heights in 2009.

• • Stanley Cup and Super Bowl championship parades for Pittsburgh teams.

• • The Squirrel Hill synagogue shooting in 2018.

• • The Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in 2022.

• Moderating Political Debates: Rice has moderated numerous debates among candidates for various important offices, including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Executive, Allegheny County District Attorney, and Mayor of Pittsburgh.

• “KD-PG Sunday Edition”: For over 20 years, he co-hosted “KD-PG Sunday Edition,” a weekly public affairs program produced in partnership with KDKA and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where he interviewed local and national newsmakers.

• “Hometown HiQ”: He hosted KDKA’s long-running high school quiz show, “Hometown HiQ,” for 11 seasons.

• National Recognition: Rice is one of the few local television journalists who have reported live on the CBS Evening News, including during the Richard Baumhammers murder spree in 2000 and after the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in 2022. His live reports from the scene of the US Air Flight 427 crash in 1994 were carried nationwide by CBS and across Canada by the CBC.

• Awards and Honors:

  Ken Rice has received numerous local, state, and national journalism awards, including:

• • A national first-place Associated Press award for “Harrisburg Paydirt,” an investigation into Pennsylvania legislators’ perks.

• • Golden Quill awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.

• • Awards from the Radio-Television News Directors Association for investigative reporting.

• • The Media Association of Pittsburgh’s Outstanding Achievement in Media award in 2021.

• • Regional Emmy awards for coverage of the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023 and the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in Pittsburgh in 2022.

• • Induction into the Mid-Atlantic Emmy chapter’s Silver Circle in 2024.

• Community Involvement:

Rice is actively involved in the Pittsburgh community. He developed and taught a TV news reporting course at Point Park University and frequently speaks at local schools and organizations.

Rice has served on the board of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and is the long-serving Honorary Chair of Pittsburgh’s annual MS Walk.

He has also served on advisory boards for Pittsburgh Cares and Literacy Pittsburgh and is a past board member of the Southwestern PA chapter of The American Red Cross. 

• “Off the Record”: Every October, Rice serves as emcee and delivers a monologue at Pittsburgh’s “Off the Record,” a musical featuring local journalists and actors lampooning city figures to benefit local charities.

• 30th Anniversary at KDKA-TV: In June 2024, Ken Rice celebrated his 30th anniversary at KDKA-TV, marking a significant milestone in his distinguished career in Pittsburgh journalism.

Age:

Ken Rice is 66 years old as of 2025, having been born in 1959 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Additionally, Ken is of White ethnicity and holds American nationality.

Wife:

Ken Rice is married to Lauren Rice. Together, they have two children. While Ken is well-known for his work as a news anchor, he tends to keep his family life private.

However, he has occasionally shared glimpses of his family on social media, showing a close-knit and supportive household.

Height, Weight:

Ken Rice is estimated to be around 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters) tall and likely weighs approximately 70–75 kilograms (154–165 pounds).

Career and Background:

Ken Rice began his career in journalism with a strong passion for reporting and storytelling.

Over the years, he has worked in various roles within the news industry, eventually becoming a prominent anchor at KDKA-TV, CBS Pittsburgh.

He joined KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh in 1994 and has since become one of the station’s most recognizable faces.

Before joining KDKA, Ken worked at WTAE-TV, another Pittsburgh station, where he honed his skills as a reporter and anchor.

Wisconsin Public Radio (Madison, Wisconsin):

Ken Rice began his journalism career while studying at the University of Wisconsin.

He worked as a reporter and anchor for the statewide Wisconsin Public Radio network, where he honed his skills in delivering news with clarity and precision.

This early experience laid the foundation for his transition into television journalism.

WISC-TV (Madison, Wisconsin):

After his time in radio, Ken moved into television, joining WISC-TV, a CBS affiliate in Madison, Wisconsin.

At WISC-TV, he reported on various local and regional stories, showcasing his ability to connect with audiences.

He eventually became an evening news anchor, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable and engaging journalist.

WTAE-TV (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania):

Ken’s career took a significant step forward when he joined WTAE-TV, an ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh.

Over six years, he served as a reporter and anchor, covering major stories and local events.

In 1992, he co-launched the station’s 5 p.m. newscast alongside Sally Wiggin, demonstrating his leadership and versatility in the newsroom.

KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania):

In 1994, Ken joined KDKA-TV, the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, where he has become a cornerstone of the station.

He co-anchors the weeknight editions of KDKA News at 5, 6, and 11 p.m., delivering news with professionalism and depth. Ken has covered numerous major events, including:

• The Quecreek mine rescue in 2002.

• The Squirrel Hill synagogue shooting in 2018.

• The Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in 2022.

Ken also hosted KDKA’s high school quiz program, Hometown HiQ, for its first 11 seasons, engaging with the community and inspiring young minds.

His reporting assignments have taken him to significant events such as the White House, Super Bowls, and the disputed presidential election in Florida.

Ken Rice has covered numerous significant news stories throughout his career at KDKA-TV. Some of the notable events include:

• Quecreek Mine Rescue (2002): Ken reported on the dramatic rescue of nine miners trapped underground for over 77 hours.

• G20 Summit Protests (2009): He covered the protests and police actions during the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh.

• Stanton Heights Police Shootings (2009): Ken reported on the tragic shooting of three Pittsburgh police officers.

• Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting (2018): He provided coverage of the mass shooting at the synagogue in Squirrel Hill.

• Fern Hollow Bridge Collapse (2022): Ken reported live on the collapse of the bridge in Pittsburgh.

• 9/11 Terrorist Attacks (2001): He anchored coverage of the attacks and their aftermath.

• L.A. Fitness Shooting (2009): Ken covered the shooting spree at a fitness center in Collier Township.

• Super Bowl and Stanley Cup Parades: He has been part of the coverage for multiple championship parades for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ken has also moderated numerous political debates and hosted various programs, including the high school quiz show “Hometown HiQ” and the public affairs show “KD-PG Sunday Edition.”

Awards and Recognitions:

Ken has received numerous awards for his work, including:

• A national first-place Associated Press award for investigative reporting.

• Multiple Golden Quill awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.

• Regional Emmy Awards for his coverage of significant events like the East Palestine train derailment in 2023 and the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse in 2022.

• In 2024, he was inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Chapter’s Silver Circle, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the industry.

 Here are some of the well-known ones at KDKA-TV (CBS Pittsburgh):

• Kristine Sorensen: Co-anchors with Ken Rice and is known for her engaging style.

• Kym Gable: Known for her work on evening newscasts.

• Meghan Schiller: A versatile anchor and reporter.

• Jessica Guay: Another prominent anchor at KDKA.

Net Worth and Salary:

Ken Rice has an estimated net worth of $1 million to $5 million, primarily earned through his successful career as a journalist and news anchor.

His annual salary at KDKA-TV is reported to be in the range of $70,000 to $100,000, depending on his experience and role.

Is Ken Rice Married:

How Old Is Ken Rice:

Ken Rice was born in 1959, making him 66 years old as of 2025.

Where Is Ken Rice Working?

Ken Rice is currently working as a news anchor and reporter at KDKA-TV, the CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He co-anchors the weeknight editions of KDKA News at 5, 6, and 11 p.m. and has been a cornerstone of the station since joining in 1994.

He continues to be a key figure in the station’s news team, delivering news to the Pittsburgh community.

Ken Rice, the respected news anchor at KDKA-TV, is active on several social media platforms:

• Twitter: @KenRiceKDKA – He frequently posts updates and engages with his audience.

• Instagram: @kenricepgh – He shares photos and moments from his professional and personal life.

• Facebook: KenRicePittsburgh – He maintains an active profile here as well.