Jessica Kartalija, reportedly born on January 1, 1979, is an American journalist and national correspondent for NewsNation.
She is an Emmy Award-winning reporter who built her name as an anchor in Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Today, her work reaches viewers across the country from New York City.
Who is Jessica Kartalija?
Jessica Kartalija is a television journalist based in New York City. At NewsNation, she reports for both daytime and primetime programs.
Before that, she spent 12 years at WJZ-TV in Baltimore. She then co-anchored the evening newscasts at CBS3 in Philadelphia for six years.
That climb took her from local news to a national stage. Kartalija also teaches.
From 2023 until her move to New York, she served as an adjunct instructor of journalism and public speaking at Villanova University.
She has also appeared on screen. Her credits include Servant, House of Cards on Netflix, and the film Transformers.
Early Life of Jessica Kartalija
Jessica Kartalija was born and raised in San Diego, California. Her family has strong roots on the East Coast, especially in Pennsylvania.
Her mother was raised in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Jessica father was reportedly raised in Fayette County, near Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania would play a big part in her story. Jessica reportedly has one brother. She grew up in San Diego before heading east for college.
Jessica Kartalija Age
Jessica Kartalija is 47 years old as of 2026, reportedly born on January 1, 1979. She currently works as a national correspondent for NewsNation.
Jessica Kartalija Ethnicity and Nationality
Jessica Kartalija is American by birth. She was born in San Diego, California. Her family roots reach back to Pennsylvania.
Jessica Kartalija Height & Weight
Jessica Kartalija stands at an estimated height of 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) and maintains an approximate body weight of 60 kg (132 lbs).
Like many high-profile broadcast journalists, Kartalija keeps precise health and lifestyle metrics private, so available figures reflect consistent biographical profiles and media estimates.
Known for her polished, camera-ready presence across CBS and national networks, she maintains an active lifestyle alongside her demanding broadcast schedule.
Jessica Kartalija Education
Jessica Kartalija studied at Penn State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism at its Bellisario College. Her minor was Spanish.
Later, she studied at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. In 2016, she earned a master’s degree in marketing communications and media studies.
Her education gave her the tools for a long broadcast career. Kartalija now shares that knowledge with students.
At Villanova, she taught journalism and public speaking as an adjunct instructor. She said she hoped to bring Villanova interns to New York after her move.
Jessica Kartalija Career
Early Career
Kartalija began her career at KYMA-TV in Yuma, Arizona. She worked there as a weekend anchor and reporter.
Next, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. She anchored News at Nine on KASA Fox 2 and reported for sister station KOB-TV.
Later, she anchored the 4 p.m. news at KOB-TV. Her next move would be a big one.
Major Positions Held
In summer 2006, Kartalija joined WJZ-TV, the CBS News Baltimore station. She spent 12 years there as an anchor and reporter.
During that time, she earned a Leading Women Award and a Baltimore Rising Star honor. Both awards recognized her work and her service in the community.
In fall 2018, she moved to CBS3 in Philadelphia. There, she co-anchored the 5, 6, 8, and 11 p.m. newscasts with Ukee Washington. Philadelphia became her next big chapter.
Kartalija left CBS3 in September 2024. The exit came during companywide cutbacks ahead of the Paramount and Skydance merger.
She joined 6abc Action News in late 2024 as a freelance reporter. As Jessica said in the Philadelphia Business Journal, she was “so grateful to be on this team and working for Philly’s legacy station.”
Current Role
In September 2025, Kartalija joined NewsNation as a national correspondent. She is based in the network’s New York bureau.
She left 6abc after less than a year. As she told The Philadelphia Inquirer, “My dream has always been to go to New York.” That dream is now her daily reality.
Since the move, she has reported from the field on major national stories. She has also reported from Qatar while covering a war.
Jessica Kartalija Notable Coverage
At NewsNation, Kartalija covers national stories from New York. Her reports appear on the network’s website and on MSN.
In February 2026, she reported on the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. Investigators were working with Walmart management to develop leads in her disappearance.
Court cases and breaking news now fill her schedule. She has also covered New York court hearings, including the pretrial hearings in the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing case.
Her year-end reporting looked at extra security planned for New Year’s celebrations.
Jessica Kartalija Awards and Recognition
Jessica Kartalija is an Emmy Award-winning journalist. Her other honors span both Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Her biggest recent honor came in 2024.
- Television Broadcaster of the Year, Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (2024)
- Leading Women Award, The Daily Record
- Baltimore Rising Star, Living Classrooms Foundation
She shared the 2024 broadcaster honor with KYW Newsradio’s Denise Nakano. The Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters presents the award each year.
Jessica Kartalija Husband
Jessica Kartalija is married to Brian Anecharico. He is a graduate of Saint Joseph’s University and reportedly works in sales.
The couple reportedly married on October 10, 2009. They reportedly met when she covered a Black Friday shopping story at a mall in Towson, Maryland.
Their partnership has lasted through several career moves.
Brian is not a public figure.She reportedly credits him and their son with keeping her grounded.
Jessica Kartalija Children
Jessica Kartalija and Brian Anecharico have one son. His name is Drew, and he was born in 2010.
Drew was born while Jessica worked at WJZ in Baltimore. The family later settled in the Philadelphia area after she joined CBS3 in 2018.
Drew is now a teenager. Even as her career has changed cities, her family has stayed at the center of her story.
Jessica Kartalija Net Worth
Jessica Kartalija’s estimated net worth is $1 million as of 2026. Her income comes mainly from her work in television news.
Her long run in broadcast news is the base of that wealth. She has earned salaries as an anchor at WJZ and CBS3, and later as a reporter at 6abc.
As a national correspondent, she now earns a network salary at NewsNation.
Teaching at Villanova added to her income from 2023 until 2025. She is also listed with speaking bureaus for events and appearances.
Jessica Kartalija Salary
Jessica Kartalija’s exact annual salary is not publicly disclosed, but her annual earnings from television news broadcasting are estimated to be around $150,000.
Kartalija Social Media
She is active on X as @JessKartalija. Her profile describes her as a national correspondent at NewsNation.
She shares updates from her reporting there. She has posted about covering a war from Qatar and thanked followers for following along.
Her posts give viewers a closer look at her work. Her profile also links to a Linktree page.
She has used Facebook and Instagram to share career news, including her move from 6abc.
The Bottom Line
Jessica Kartalija turned years of local news work into a national correspondent role.
Her move to New York shows what steady work and a clear dream can do.
