Jalea Brooks helps wake the River Region up with a smile weekdays from 5-7 am on CBS 8 and ABC 32, alongside co-anchor Andrew James.
She’s is a proud graduate of Georgia State University in Atlanta where she was a cheerleader – though one of her most memorable moments was traveling to Jacksonville, Florida to report from the sidelines as the basketball team made its first appearance in the 2015 NCAA tournament.
Jalea joined the Alabama News Network Team as a general assignment reporter in November 2016 — covering a wide range of topics from Alabama politics and local education to severe weather and plenty of breaking news in between.
In the wake of Hurricane Michael in 2018, she traveled to some of the hardest hit areas in Mariana, Florida giving live coverage of the wreckage and devastation left behind. She covered the clean-up and relief efforts in the Wetumpka community after the 2019 tornado tore through the town. Jalea was also apart of Alabama New’s Network’s team coverage of President Donald Trump’s visit to Lee County, after a deadly EF-4 tornado devastated the Beuregaurd Community.
She’s witnessed several communities come together to rebuild after destruction, but has also has a front row seat to history. Jalea is proud to have met a few prominent civil rights leaders as they passed through the Capitol City; and from ground-breaking to grand-opening she covered the Equal Justice Initiative’s first memorial dedicated to victims of lynchings – located in downtown Montgomery.
She was recognized by the Associated Press for her profile of Montgomery’s oldest restaurant, Chris’ Hot Dog’s as they celebrated 100 years.
Jalea has a passion for meeting new people and telling stories that matter. She loves covering fun and exciting things happening around the River Region, especially those that promote youth empowerment.
When Jalea is not on air, she loves trying new foods, traveling to new places both near and far, and shopping for items both old and new.
If you have a story idea (or restaurant, or thrift/antique store you think she should check out) please reach out via email
You can also connect with Jalea on social media!
Facebook: Jalea Brooks – Alabama News Network
Twitter: @JaleaBrooks
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