Dave McElhatton was born in Oakland and graduated from San Francisco State College. He became well-known as a television news anchor on KPIX-TV, but he built his career as a radio talent.
McElhatton started at KCBS within weeks of receiving his degree from SF State. He was a host of the overnight show Music ‘Til Dawn, handing it off to Ken Ackerman when he became the host of the KCBS morning broadcast.
McElhatton In The Morning was a variety program blending music and comedy, held together by McElhatton’s easygoing style and wit. McElhatton would also host Viewpoint, a news-focused call-in program. McElhatton eventually was named news director at KCBS.
Meanwhile, he was edging into television, hosting TV Bingo on KTVU.
McElhatton navigated the 1968 change from variety programming to all-news on KCBS, remaining the station’s morning anchor until it was announced in December 1976 that he’d be leaving for KPIX-TV.
“Mac” anchored the evening news at Channel 5 from then until his 2000 retirement.
Dave McElhatton died in 2010 at age 81.
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