Velena Jones is an award-winning reporter born and raised in the Bay Area. She reports for NBC Bay Area’s weekday newscasts covering Oakland and the East Bay.
Velena was raised in Concord and is thrilled to be back home reporting in the communities she grew up in. No surprise she is a huge Warriors fan and grew up rooting for both the A's and Giants.
Before coming to NBC Bay Area, Velena served as a reporter and fill-in anchor at CBS Sacramento. During her time in Sacramento she covered historic wildfires, worked on special projects highlighting community members working to unify the region, and covered stories that impacted the city including the 2022 mass shooting in downtown Sacramento and Church shooting.
Prior to her time in Sacramento, Velena worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor in Portland, Oregon and Madison, Wisconsin.
During her time in Portland she worked on countless stories including major protest, including an anti-ICE protest that shut down the building for days.
While in Wisconsin, Velena worked on many major stories including police protests and a University of Wisconsin student charged with sexually assaulting over a dozen women. She was also the first reporter to get an exclusive jail interview with Joseph Jakubowski, a man who led authorities on a 10-day nationwide manhunt after stealing over a dozen rifles and sending a 161- page manifesto to President Trump.
Velena is a recipient of a Midwest Regional Emmy for her role in the coverage of the Tony Robinson shooting in Madison in 2015.
Velena previously was the main anchor and reporter at WBKB in Alpena, Michigan. During her time there she also hosted a weekly newsmagazine highlighting important local and state issues. She won a Michigan Broadcasting Award for a program she hosted, "Insights into Northern Michigan."
She began her career as a News Assistant and Traffic Producer at KABC7 in Los Angeles. During her time in LA she interviewed Smoky Robinson, covered the 25th anniversary of the LA riots, and the Conrad Murray trial. He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of singer Michael Jackson.
Velena earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in Broadcast Journalism from Biola University in Southern California.
In her spare time, you can catch Velena hiking, doing yoga, paddle boarding and exploring wineries and restaurants. She is also an active member of the National Association of Black Journalist.
The Latest
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Oakland mayor, Alameda County DA on track to being ousted. What's next?
While the counting of ballots continues, the results are clear. Voters overwhelmingly support the recalls of both Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price.
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Overwhelming support continues for Oakland mayor, Alameda County DA recalls
Current election results show there is overwhelming support for the recall of both Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price.
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Oakland Mayor, Alameda County DA recall organizers happy with early results
Recall organizers for Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price are looking toward the future as early results show East Bay voters are poised to oust both.
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Thieves steal tens of thousands of items from Boys & Girls Club in Oakland
An organization built to help others is in need of some help of its own.
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Police body camera footage appears to show intoxicated Alameda councilmember
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‘Anti-Trump carnival': Alameda home's Halloween decorations feature a political twist
A house in Alameda County was decorated for Halloween but with political tones.
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Community unites to support family who lost home in Oakland Hills fire
The Oakland community has rallied behind a family that lost their home in the Oakland Hills fire earlier this month.
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Thao, Price recall efforts: Tensions rise between supporters, opponents
The ballot battle over whether to recall both Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price turned into more than just a political debate Tuesday.
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Oakland to receive $2 million grant to tackle gun violence
Oakland is about to get millions in grant funds to battle gun violence.
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Election officials reassure public of voting safeguards ahead of election day
With election day less than two weeks away, the federal agency tasked with preventing cyber, physical, and operational security risks said voters should feel secure in casting their ballots.
