Jessica Kartalija
Jessica came to Philadelphia in 2018 from Baltimore, where the Emmy-award winning journalist anchored the 5 p.m. news. Prior to that, she worked in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Yuma, Arizona.
Although Jessica was born and raised in San Diego, her family is originally from Pennsylvania. She graduated from Penn State University, majoring in Broadcast Journalism and minoring in Spanish. While in college, she completed a semester abroad, living in Sevilla, Spain, and became fluent. She also has her Master's in Communications from The Johns Hopkins University.
Jessica is on the Dean's Advancement Council for the Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State. She is also on the advisory board of Horizons Greater Philadelphia, a camp for children with cancer. She has worked with the Special Olympics, The House of Ruth Maryland, The Women's Initiative Network (WIN) at Kennedy Krieger Institute, and was on the Board of Trustees at the Irvine Nature Center.
She also teaches a Journalism and Public Speaking course at Villanova University.
Fun fact: viewers can see Jessica in the Philadelphia-based TV series "Servant," "House of Cards," and the movie "Transformers."
Jessica lives with her husband and son just outside of Philadelphia. They have two rescue dogs from the PSPCA. On weekends, you can find her on the sidelines at lacrosse games, reading, and traveling whenever she can.
Jessica's Stories
Family mourning loss of Camden star football player killed in shooting
Authorities say there were multiple juveniles inside the home when the gun went off.
Emotional vigil for 3 students killed in Limerick crash
Hundreds came out to say their goodbyes, including teachers and the school principal.
Philadelphia teacher loses hundreds of dollars after theft in Manayunk restaurant
A local teacher and her roommates were out for a fun night in Philadelphia's Manayunk neighborhood when she became the victim of a brazen theft.
Man shot while in bed with wife after neighbor accidentally fires rifle from unit above
Police say the 65-year-old victim was on the first floor of a rooming house when a 52-year-old man living on the floor above him was handling a rifle, possibly cleaning the gun, and it went off.
Madden 26 cover: Geno's transforms into 'Steakquons' to honor Eagles star RB
The iconic Geno's Steaks in South Philadelphia is lending its facade in honor of Eagles fan favorite, Saquon Barkley, turning it into "Steakquons."
Child safe after car stolen with 6-year-old asleep in back seat in Philadelphia's Germantown section
Police said the mother left the engine running and the child asleep in the back seat while she made a quick stop at a grocery store.
Video shows Philadelphia restaurant owner being robbed at gunpoint with her children nearby
Police say the owner's three children were inside the restaurant at the time.
Memorial Day weekend: Forecast, travel tips, events & fun at the shore
In all, AAA estimates that 525,000 Philadelphia-area residents will travel over the long weekend, a 3% boost in Memorial Day travel from last year.
Members of the Philadelphia Jewish community react to fatal shooting in Washington, D.C.
News of the fatal shooting in Washington, D.C., had the Jewish community in Philadelphia on high alert Thursday.
Men armed with rifles rob armored truck outside business in New Castle, Delaware
Police are searching for the suspects who held up an armored truck on Wednesday in New Castle, Delaware.