Jim Kenyon
Chief Investigative Reporter

jkenyon@CNYcentral.com

School: Morrisville State University
Hometown: Wilmington, Delaware

Jim Kenyon is the Chief Investigative Reporter on the Action News I-Team.

Jim Kenyon earned an associate degree in journalism from Morrisville, and started his career at WTLB-AM in Utica. In 1970 he started at WNYS-TV in Syracuse, and then he moved to WTVN in Columbus, Ohio. In 1976, he returned to Syracuse and joined WSTM.

Jim specializes in investigative and environmental reporting. He has won numerous awards including more than 40 local awards from the Syracuse Press Club including the career achievement award and the 1992, 1994, and 1995 state awards for investigative journalism from the New York State Broadcasters Association. In 1998, Jim won the Primary Care Journalism Award from the Pew Foundation. In 2002, he received recognition from the U.S. Justice Department for his reporting on victims' rights. In 2007 he was nominated for a New York Emmy Award, and was honored with the NAACP Community Service Award.

Jim has been married for 34 years and has a daughter who lives in New York City. His hobbies include motorcycling, hunting, fishing, skiing and competitive shooting.

YEAR HIRED AT CHANNEL 3: I was hired at Channel 3 in 1976 after 6 years in the business with 3 year stints at Channel 9 in Syracuse (’70-’73) and Channel 6 in Columbus Ohio (’73-76)

MEMORABLE STORY: In 1991 I uncovered widespread fraud among a number of companies in the local trash hauling industry. My reports directly led to an FBI investigation which resulting in federal prison terms for 6 executives, about 30 guilty pleas among public employees for bribery, and a million dollars in fines and restitution. The reports won several state local and national awards including the coveted IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors) award from the University of Missouri.
More recently, I’ve been involved in a 15 year investigation into the wrongful conviction of Roy Brown for the 1991 murder of Sabina Kulakowski. Brown gained national attention when he was recently set free after DNA evidence proved his innocence. Brown feels my reporting contributed to his exoneration.

MEMORABLE INTERVIEW: A bizarre and sometimes confrontational jailhouse interview with serial killer Nicholas Wiley on the day he was convicted of killing three women in Syracuse.

DREAM INTERVIEW: To me there are no “dream interviews”. Though I try to treat everyone with respect, as a journalist I am not in awe of anyone.

DREAM JOB: To head up a significant archeological dig that uncovers radical revelations about an ancient civilization. Just a dream. I’ve always had a fascination with history.

ROLE MODEL: Jesus Christ - I’m not all that religious, but I can’t think of anyone better

WHY I’M A JOURNALIST: It’s a job that allows me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. By bringing an issue to public attention, I play an important role in our way of life. Now that I head up the I-team, I can dig deep into stories to expose the truth.

COLLEGE: I have an Associates Degree in Journalism at Morrisville State University with which I remain in close contact. The Journalism Department hands out an award in my name each year.

HOMETOWN: I was born in Wilmington Delaware, but moved to Syracuse when I was 6, so I consider Central New York my “hometown”.

CURRENT RESIDENCE: Salina

ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Cancer — At least that was the line I used to impress girls in the ‘70s.

FAMILY: I married my wife Janice in 1973, we have a daughter Gina who’s married to a wonderful man, Brian. They live an incredible lifestyle in Manhattan. Did I mention our French bulldog Chloe?

HOBBIES: Motorcycling, Hunting, Fishing, Competitive Pistol Shooting, Reading

FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Buffalo Bills - not the Jets and CERTAINLY NOT THE PATRIOTS!

FAVORITE MUSICIAN OR GROUP: It changes almost daily, what used to be the Beatles is now Coco Montoya

FAVORITE BOOK: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

FAVORITE MOVIE: All the Rocky Movies except V

FAVORITE TV SHOW: Friends

FAVORITE FOOD: Slow Roasted Chicken

FAVORITE DESTINATION: The Adirondacks, stunningly beautiful twelve months of the year.