Dave Kenney

Dave Kenney is a novelist and freelance writer specializing in Minnesota history. After earning degrees from St. Olaf College and the University of Missouri-Columbia, he established a career in television news--first as a reporter in Asheville, North Carolina and Norfolk, Virginia, and then as a senior writer for CNN in Atlanta. In 1997, Dave moved back to Minnesota to begin a new career in publishing. His debut novel, Helium, will be published by Atmosphere Press in 2026. His articles on state and regional history have appeared in Minnesota Monthly, Mpls-St. Paul, Minnesota Medicine, and Minnesota Law & Politics. His books for Minnesota Historical Society Press include Northern Lights; Minnesota Goes to War; Twin Cities Album; and Twin Cities Picture Show. He also has chronicled the histories of significant Minnesota institutions including Gustavus Adolphus College, the Minneapolis Grain Exchange, the Minnesota Telecom Alliance, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Northern Star Scouting. He is a two-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award. Dave is married to retired broadcast journalist Nancy Lebens. They have two daughters.