Jala Washington is an Emmy award-winning bilingual journalist who speaks English and Spanish. She joined the NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 team in January 2026.
Jala has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, telecommunications and Spanish linguistics from Ball State University.
Before moving to North Texas, Jala was the weekend morning anchor at the NBC affiliate in Austin.
Though born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Jala considers Texas her home away from home, as she’s spent almost a decade chasing and telling impactful stories across the Lone Star State.
Her career in broadcast journalism has taken her around the world, beginning in Amarillo as a bilingual multimedia journalist. She would go on to work as a bilingual multimedia journalist and fill-in anchor on the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso. Later, in Austin, Jala was also a Texas political correspondent for local TV news stations across the state before becoming an anchor.
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Aside from daily news and politics, Jala, a former Division I gymnast, also enjoys covering sports. Most notably, she covered the 2024 Minneapolis Gymnastics Olympic Trials, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
She’s worked on countless special projects, documentaries and news specials, some of which have aired across the country. From covering the El Paso Cielo Vista Walmart and Uvalde Robb Elementary mass shootings to the July 2024 Kerr County floods and high-profile trials, Jala finds true purpose in keeping communities informed and holding those in power accountable.
In addition to the big stories, Jala is especially passionate about telling positive stories in minority communities.
She’s known for her bubbly personality and is committed to serving the communities she joins.
When Jala’s not on TV, she’s likely trying a new restaurant, shopping online, looking for a good show to stream, traveling, or exploring nature with her pup.
Don’t hesitate to connect with Jala on her social media or via email!
The Latest
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Man's truck shocked by falling utility pole in hailstorm in Mansfield Friday
Watch the video and hear the driver describe what happened when a utility pole fell near his truck during a Mansfield hailstorm.
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Man's truck shocked by falling utility pole in hailstorm in Mansfield Friday
Watch the video and hear the driver describe what happened when a utility pole fell near his truck during a Mansfield hailstorm.
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UTA professor reflects on surviving the Pentagon attack on 9/11
For a University of Texas at Arlington professor, the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is a time of deep reflection after surviving the attack on the Pentagon. His survival story also marked the beginning of a new path in his life.
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General admission guests must make Grand Prairie stop before RNC convention
General admission ticket holders heading to the RNC Midterm Convention at the American Airlines Center must first make a required stop in Grand Prairie. NBC 5’s Jala Washington explains what attendees need to know before heading to the convention site.
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Final preparations are underway ahead of first-ever RNC midterm convention
Thousands of visitors are arriving to Dallas ahead a first-time Republican midterm convention. NBC 5’s Jala Washington has details ahead of the event, which begins Sept. 9.
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Ahead of GOP midterm convention in Dallas, road closures begin
Ahead of a first-ever midterm convention at the American Airlines Center, people who live and work in the area are expressing concern about traffic troubles and security delays.
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Father killed in wrong-way Duncanville crash with stolen car, alleged intoxicated driver
A family is grieving after a 29-year-old father was killed in a wrong-way crash in Duncanville. Police say the wrong-way driver was behind the wheel of a car stolen out of Irving. NBC 5’s Jala Washington spoke with the victim’s family about their loss.
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Duncanville father killed in wrong-way crash by accused intoxicated driver in stolen car
Kenan Ellis, 29, was with his two cousins less than five minutes from home when their vehicle was struck.
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Missing man's remains found; Family wants answers
The remains of a man missing since June were found inside an abandoned energy plant in Fort Worth. His family and friends are searching for answers, though police said they have found nothing suspicious.
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Missing Air Force veteran, father found in pipe in Fort Worth
39-year-old Adam McClure White went missing on June 1, his body was later discovered on an abandoned property.
