Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Jake Ploeger considers himself lucky to be working in his hometown.

Originally hired as an anchor/reporter in the WTAE Channel 4 Action Sports department, Ploeger eventually moved into news, where he has won numerous awards for his reporting, including the prestigious National Headliner Award and an Emmy.

Ploeger says one of the best aspects of his job is that he does something different every day, and that means he has a chance to meet a lot of people throughout the region. Some of the memorable stories he has worked on include the Quecreek mine rescue, the homecoming of Pfc. Jessica Lynch and the Sago mine disaster.

Ploeger grew up in the North Hills and graduated from Shady Side Academy and Allegheny College in Meadville. He now lives in the South Hills with his wife, Abbey, and three children.