Al Allen, FOX 2 reporter for decades, dies at 79

The legendary reporter Al Allen passed away after decades of broadcasting. He covered a wide range of stories throughout the city of Detroit throughout his years with FOX 2.

DETROIT (FOX 2):Al Allen, a cherished FOX 2 family member, has died.

Allen died Tuesday night at a hospital in Metro Detroit, a family representative informed FOX 2. Allen was seventy-nine.

Allen was a regular on FOX 2 for almost 30 years, covering corruption and crime while showcasing Metro Detroit’s finest citizens.

He was always present, providing viewers with weather and traffic updates in a way that was all his own.

Allen found himself in a familiar position in front of the camera in 2023 when he and

Before moving to Detroit at the age of 13, Allen, whose real name was Andrew Long, lived in Little Rock, Arkansas. As a journalism student, he began his broadcasting career at a campus radio station, where he would scrub the floors and wash the windows before taking the mic and telling the audience the news.

Allen began his career on television in 1984 and was employed at WJBK until his retirement in 2012.

His book, which he would publish six years later, would include experiences from his life as a broadcaster as well as his work.

It included personal accounts of his mother feeding him and other crews while he waited to report on the death of former Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, as well as his coverage of the 1967 Detroit riot and the funeral procession for Rosa Parks in Washington.

“After preparing the toast, omelets, and hash brown potatoes, she had my two sisters bring the meal over there. “That’s my mom!” he exclaims.

Allen received numerous honors both locally and nationally, particularly for his coverage of Jimmy Hoffa’s passing and the problems facing Detroit’s African American population.

Eventually, the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame inducted him.

He soon met his wife Alfreda in Detroit, and the two of them produced a son named Andrew Long Jr.

Details of the visitation and funeral are still pending.

What you are able to do:

Even though FOX 2 is still learning more about our dear buddy, we are aware that his presence on TV and his talent for bringing stories to life had an influence on the lives of many viewers. Go to if you had a happy time with Allen and have a picture you’d want to share with our audience.