MOLINE, Ill — Ava joined the WQAD News 8 team in May 2024 after graduating from Temple University in Philadelphia.
Born and raised just outside the city of brotherly love, she’s lived on the East Coast until now. For someone who spent 4 years in Philly for college, moving to the Quad Cities was a bit of a culture shock. While she’s ready to adjust to life in the Midwest, (with the help of cheese curds and bratwurst) she’s not willing to give up her loyalties to Philadelphia sports…ever. And says she will probably defend a Philly cheesesteak “to the earth’s ends.”
And for as long as she can remember, Ava always wanted to be a news anchor and reporter. Here at Channel 8, Ava co-anchors our GMQC morning shows with Devin Brooks and meteorologist Andrew Stutzke, and occasionally anchors GMQC at 11. When she gets the chance she still loves to to be out and about in the community reporting, she’s incredibly grateful to see her dreams and ambitions come to life at WQAD.
Ava says she could not have done any of this without her colleagues and the community—everyone has been so kind, patient, and willing to help as she finds her way at channel 8, and out in the community.
And if you see her out in the community, say hi! Ava loves meeting new people and is always looking for new places to go for runs.