Niala joined 12 News from KNSD, the NBC affiliate in San Diego, where she was a general assignment reporter, covering a mix of breaking news, investigative, health, and consumer stories.
She previously served as a reporter/anchor at WPEC, the CBS station in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she covered such high-profile stories as the Parkland school shooting, Hurricane Dorian, Florida’s midterm election recount, President Trump’s visits to Mar-a-Lago, and Patriots Owner Robert Kraft’s prostitution arrest.
Niala started her journalism career reporting for KTTC, the NBC/Fox duopoly in Rochester, MN. While in Rochester, she investigated discipline disparities in Minnesota schools.
A graduate of Pepperdine University, Niala earned her Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Journalism and Economics.
Niala’s reporting has been recognized with two 2017 Society of Professional Journalists Awards (1st Place Hard News Report and 1st Place Spot/Breaking News). She also received a 2016 Upper Midwest Emmys Best Evening Newscast nomination.
A member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Niala is proficient in French.
FUN FACTS:
- Niala’s parents recently relocated to Tucson.
- Her name is her father’s name backwards.
- Niala has had tickets to every Drake tour.
- Niala loves fitness, hiking, and going to the beach.