WHIPPING UP A NEW CAREER
WTAE reporter Ashley Zilka leaving journalism to join family business
When Ashley Zilka first arrived at WTAE-TV more than two years ago, she told the Post-Gazette that she wanted Pittsburgh to be the “fifth and final spot” of her journalism career.
Well, mission accomplished.
The Rostraver native announced Sunday evening via social media that Thursday will serve both as her last day as a WTAE reporter and her exit from journalism. She also revealed that the next stop on her professional journey will be with Zilka & Company, the local bakery supply company her greatgrandfather founded in 1923.
“As a journalist, I have spent the past 14 years working at different stations across the country,” Zilka wrote on X. “From Cincinnati to Minneapolis, every city will hold a special place in my heart, but ending my news career in my hometown, specifically at WTAE, has been the biggest blessing.”
Zilka is a Belle Vernon Area High School and Duquesne University graduate who worked at WHIZ-TV in Zanesville, Ohio; WROC-TV in Rochester, N.Y.; WCPO-TV in Cincinnati; and KSTP-TV in St. Paul, Minn., before starting at WTAE in October 2021. She told the Post-Gazette then that it had always “been a dream of mine to work in my hometown” and that landing at Channel 4 was the “icing on the cake.”
Her WTAE swan song also coincides with meteorologist Kasey Reigner’s final day at Pittsburgh’s ABC affiliate. She announced her departure from Channel 4 and her decision to remain a Steel City resident earlier this month.
“Sooooo proud of you!” Reigner wrote under Zilka’s Facebook post Sunday night. “You were a phenomenal asset to WTAE. I’m thrilled for you and this new chapter all about family…it doesn’t get any better!”
She also received well-wishes on social media from WTAE colleagues such as news anchor and sports director Andrew Stockey, who assured Zilka that “your talents will be missed by both us and our viewers,” and anchor Elena LaQuatra, who called Zilka “an awesome journalist and even better friend!!”
“Lots of love, Ashley!” chimed in fellow WTAE reporter Tori Yorgey. “I’ll miss seeing you and your cute coats across from me everyday. Thank you for all the advice and guidance over these past two years.”
Zilka returned the love in her farewell post by calling WTAE’s team “the best in news the business” and declaring that “I will be a viewer for life!”
As for her fellow Pittsburghers, Zilka thanked them for “trusting me to tell your stories” and expressed how special it has been for her “to develop relationships with the same community where I was born and raised.”
“Please don’t hesitate to say hello if you see me out and about,” she wrote. “This local girl isn’t going anywhere!”