Laura Palka joined Channel 9 on August 8, 2000 as Weekend Co-Anchor/Reporter. She came to WSOC-TV from KVIA-TV in El Paso, Texas where she worked for 8 years as an anchor/reporter. Before El Paso, Laura was a reporter with WTVG-TV in Toledo, Ohio. She also worked at WDIV in Detroit, her hometown, as a news production assistant.

Laura has received numerous awards including Texas and New Mexico Associated Press Awards for Best Reporter, Spot, and Feature News.

She was a contributing correspondent for "Race Relations," a series that won an Emmy Award. In addition, Laura received the Vivian Castleberry Award from the Association for Women Journalists in Dallas.

A cum laude graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism.

Laura enjoys figure skating, travel, golf, and weight training. Laura lives in Charlotte with her husband Jim and their two daughters, Zoe and Daphne.