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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Testimony continues in Yella Beezy murder trial
The second day of testimony in the murder trial involving two rap artists continued on Wednesday. Prosecutors are trying to prove that Dallas rapper Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, hired a hitman to kill fellow local rapper Mo3.
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Yella Beezy murder trial enters second day as witnesses describe MO3's fatal shooting
Rapper Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, is the second of three men to stand trial in the alleged murder-for-hire plot
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Yella Beezy murder trial begins as witnesses describe MO3's fatal shooting
Witnesses described gunfire and frightening moments along I-35E as prosecutors presented evidence in the 2020 killing of Dallas rapper MO3. Yella Beezy is accused of hiring the convicted gunman, while his defense disputes the allegations. NBC 5’s Jala Washington has the story.
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Why you're getting so many political spam texts and how to stop them
Voters are frustrated by unwanted political messages as Election Day approaches. A data privacy expert explains how personal information reaches political texting operations and what consumers can do to limit the messages. NBC 5’s Jala Washington has the story.
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Fed up with political spam texts? Here's how to stop them
An expert says weak U.S. data privacy protections help fuel unwanted campaign messages.
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Yella Beezy murder trial begins as witnesses describe MO3's fatal shooting
Rapper Yella Beezy, whose real name is Markies Conway, is the second of three men to stand trial in the alleged murder-for-hire plot
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TxDOT Canyon Project disrupts I-30 traffic through downtown Dallas
Traffic headaches in downtown Dallas are nearing the finish line — but what will the morning commute look like? Major closures have affected both directions of Interstate 30 between I-35E and the I-45 interchange as part of TxDOT’s Canyon Project. NBC 5’s Jala Washington reports on the impact of the closures and what drivers can expect during the morning rush...
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Masked stranger's bizarre doorbell camera encounter leaves Watauga family uneasy
A masked stranger’s bizarre behavior outside a Watauga home left a family uneasy. Police say no crime was committed. NBC 5’s Jala Washington has the story.
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Doorbell camera captures unusual late-night visit at North Texas home
Police say no crime was committed, but the encounter left a family shaken.
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Retired pastor narrowly escape house fire in Fort Worth
A husband and wife in their 70s narrowly escaped their longtime North Texas home Monday afternoon before flames engulfed the property. NBC 5’s Jala Washington spoke with the family.
