Point Park University's Elena LaQuatra '14 Named Co-Anchor of WTAE-TV's Morning News Alumni Profile

Highlight your career path and the significance of being promoted to morning news anchor at WTAE.

While in school at Point Park, I took advantage of any and all opportunities to be on camera or public speaking. Whether it was hosting promotional videos for the Meadows Casino or Tanger Outlets, or emceeing charitable events with hundreds of guests, these experiences were invaluable for me. I also interned at KDKA and WPXI (WTAE didn't have an internship program at the time).

One of the most valuable experiences from my time at Point Park was having Michelle Wright as one of my professors. While all of my professors were wonderful, informative and passionate, the fact that Michelle was actively working full-time as a news anchor for WTAE while serving as a part-time instructor provided me with invaluable insights and a connection to the Pittsburgh news industry. 

Upon graduating, I landed a part-time digital role with WTAE's "4the412," an online lifestyle and entertainment channel. I was part of a team that created content for WTAE's social channels about Pittsburgh. It was my foot in the door to the future of my career — I developed relationships with management, including with the news director at the time, Jim Parsons. After about 16 months, the program ended, and Jim encouraged me to move to a small market to get some much-needed reporting experience. I landed a role as a general assignment reporter in Erie, Pa., where I quickly became the fill-in anchor, including for three months when the morning anchor was on maternity leave. 

After a little less than two years, I came home to Pittsburgh, and Jim hired me back at the station that felt like home, WTAE, as a general assignment reporter. I began filling in on the anchor desk and as the morning traffic anchor after a few months and shortly before my three-year contract was up, I was promoted to morning traffic and noon news anchor. 

I spent almost five years in the studio with Michelle, working alongside her during our morning newscasts every day. In early 2026, with Michelle announcing her much-deserved retirement, I was promoted to her morning anchor role alongside Janelle Hall for our 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. weekday newscasts. It is both surreal and an honor to be trusted to continue building on the incredible legacy Michelle is leaving behind. 

What are your key responsibilities as a Morning News Anchor?

Janelle Hall and I will help our viewers wake up and get their weekday mornings started on the right foot. We'll let them know about any breaking news from overnight, important headlines, trending topics they might hear about in the office and stories that might impact their families. We'll bring the positive stories, too, and hopefully, our viewers start their days off with a smile. I'll also continue putting together a variety of stories — I especially enjoy those that are health- and consumer-focused — and be part of our special projects, like "4 The Record" and "Chronicle," among others. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Specifically, at WTAE, I love the people I work with each day. We have such a wonderful team. My colleagues are more than people I work with; they are truly my friends with whom I spend time outside of work.

As far as what I enjoy most about the career, connecting with our viewers is incredibly fulfilling. There's something about Pittsburgh and the people here that make this city so special — granted, this is coming from a girl born and raised in Pittsburgh! The viewers I interact with — whether it's through my charitable work, while I'm out on stories or over social media — feel like real friends of mine. It makes the work I do so enjoyable knowing my "friends" are on the other side of the camera, trusting our team for their news, weather and traffic updates.

In what ways did Point Park’s B.A. in broadcast reporting program prepare you for your career?

Point Park was the perfect university for my path in broadcasting. Apart from the class choices, smaller, more intimate setting and new, beautiful facilities, the opportunities I had at Point Park were instrumental while starting my career.

With the campus in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, I was able to shadow several local journalists and, with the help of my professors, secure internships with two news stations while completing my classes.

What advice do you have for a prospective student interested in broadcast journalism?

Take advantage of all opportunities. There are many skills that journalists must possess to succeed in this industry — confidence on camera and in approaching strangers, ability to work quickly, flexibility, strong listening and speaking skills, a knack for writing and storytelling, etc. However, in this industry, you can have all these skills, but without real-world experience and connections, it'll be difficult to get far.

Take advantage of all internship opportunities. Shadow anybody who is willing to let you tag along for the day. Stay in contact with those people you meet who are working in the industry — and not just reporters and anchors, but also producers, news directors, the web team, etc. Ask for feedback on your regularly updated demo reel. It's those things that will get you far.

In the News

• "WTAE's Elena LaQuatra: How a Cochlear Implant Helped New Pittsburgh Morning Anchor Rise to the Top," TribLIVE.com.
• "TV Talk: WTAE Promotes From Within, Names New Morning Co-Anchor," TribLIVE.com.
• "Elena LaQuatra Promoted to WTAE-TV Morning Anchor, Succeeding the Retirement of Michelle Wright," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

 

More About: alumni, School of Communication Alumni, journalism, School of Communication, WTAE, broadcast reporting, success story, Mt. Lebanon High School