Dan Spindle Will Join Today in AZ Morning Team
The Arizona native is set to begin his role as the new morning co-anchor for 12 News.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People
Dan Spindle will officially debut as the new morning co-anchor for Today in AZ on 12 News on October 12, 2026. He joins the Phoenix station following the departure of former host Allison Rodriguez.
Why it matters
The appointment marks a shift in the morning broadcast lineup for the Phoenix station. Spindle brings extensive broadcast experience from multiple markets to his new position alongside Emma Jade.
Spindle joins the 12 News team after previous tenures at five different broadcast stations, including outlets in Tucson, Salt Lake City, and Medford. This vacancy follows the departure of the previous co-anchor earlier this year.
The players
Dan Spindle
An Arizona native and professional broadcaster, he has held previous positions at KGUN, ABC 15, Fox 10, KSL, and KOBI.
Emma Jade
She is a broadcast journalist and co-anchor who will be working alongside the incoming morning anchor.
12 News
This is a Phoenix-based television station that broadcasts the morning show Today in AZ.
Allison Rodriguez
She is a former television news anchor who previously hosted the morning program before her departure in June.
The details
Dan Spindle will serve as co-anchor alongside Emma Jade on the Today in AZ program. His hiring follows the vacancy left by Allison Rodriguez, who departed the station in June.
Timeline
Allison Rodriguez left the station in June 2026.
Dan Spindle begins his first day on the air on October 12, 2026.
Market Landscape
This hiring follows the established pattern of local news anchor rotations in major metropolitan markets where stations cycle talent to refresh morning broadcasts. The move allows 12 News to maintain competitive staffing levels in the Phoenix media market.
Viewers of Today in AZ will see a new face on the morning news starting in October. This change marks the latest update to the regular morning broadcast lineup for the station.
The takeaway
The addition of a familiar regional name like Spindle reflects a strategy of prioritizing local roots in news broadcasting. Viewers can look forward to a revised chemistry on the morning desk when the transition completes in October.
Further reading
For more updates on professional movements in the region, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZ Central.
