Matt Alba

A native Philadelphian, Matt Alba returns to his roots to report in the city he knows best!

Matt prepared for his career in journalism by earning a degree from Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication.

Prior to joining PHL17 News, Matt worked for WCBD, NBC News 2 in Charleston, South Carolina, where he covered several award-winning stories. Matt was one of the first reporters on the scene the night of the Mother Emanuel massacre, which left nine African-American parishioners dead inside the basement of their church. Matt extensively covered the controversial shooting death of Walter Scott by a North Charleston Police Officer. During his time in the south, Matt was nominated for a Southeast Emmy for his breaking news coverage during the historic South Carolina floods of 2015.

Matt also enjoyed working at two northern NBC affiliates. As a general assignment reporter for two years at WMGM, NBC40 in Atlantic City, NJ, he covered Hurricane Sandy and other breaking stories, periodically as anchor. While part of the news team at NBC10 in Philadelphia, Matt was a Production Assistant and Assignment Manager.

A lifelong sports enthusiast and athlete, Matt is thrilled to be back in the City of Brotherly Love covering his hometown teams. Let’s go birds!

Matt invites story ideas, and volunteer opportunities to his social media pages.
Don’t hesitate to say “Hi” if you see Matt around town as he makes Fairmount his new home.

Recent Articles

  • Via Veneto Pizza & Italian Ice to Expand in 2020; A Brief History of a Local Legend

    NORRISTOWN, PA – After closing their pizza shop doors at 1803 Markley Street in Norristown in 2013, Via Veneto Pizza and Italian Ice owner, Domenic Stabile, vowed to his customers, “We’ll be back!” Now, after six years in a shopping center off Rt. 202 in East Norriton, the longtime Montgomery County favorite will be opening a second location, again on Markley St., sometime next year. For 46 years, Via Veneto Pizza and Italian Ice has been a staple in Montgomery […]

  • Townsends Inlet Bridge to Remain Closed Until “Late Summer”

    CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ – For the third summer in a row, the Townsends Inlet Bridge, which connects Sea Isle City to Avalon, will be closed for a portion of the summer. Engineers from Cape May County say the going repairs, and replacement of seven spans of the bridge, are taking longer than expected, and the vital connector to both shore towns will not reopen until “late summer.” Officials say the nearly 80-year-old bridge cannot open until late summer because […]

  • Wings Lacrosse Player Faces his Brother in Another Match of their ‘Lifelong Sibling Rivalry’

    PHILADELPHIA, PA – On Saturday when the Philadelphia Wings take on the Calgary Roughnecks, the Josh and Zach Currier will be guarding each other, as they play on opposing teams. The Currier brothers explained to PHL17 how this game is just another chapter in their lifelong sibling rivalry! They both played NCAA lacrosse, Josh at Virginia Wesleyan and Zach at Princeton. Currently, Zach is a Transition player for the Roughnecks. Josh is a Forward for the Wings! Catch them facing […]

  • 2019 Cherry Blossom Festival to Feature a Pop-up Sake Garden at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

    PHILADELPHIA, PA – For the 21st annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, the Shofuso Japanese House and Garden will feature a pop-up beer garden, presented by Parks on Tap! The Sake Garden is Philadelphia’s take on the Japanese tradition of cherry blossom picnics. Guests can enjoy beer, cocktails, and Asian food beneath the blossoming cherry trees in Fairmount Park. On Wednesday morning Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney kicked off the festival with members of the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. Festival […]

  • Local Cyclist Meets Newborn Nephew After 9,225 Mile Journey From Philly to Panama

    PHILADELPHIA, PA – Over the past seven months, West Chester native Tom Yost rode his bicycle from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, straight across the country, down through Mexico, and eventually ended a 9,225 mile trek in Panama. When Yost arrived home to Philadelphia International Airport this week, PHL17 was there as he met his newborn nephew for the first time! Yost describes himself as a structural engineer and a cycle tourist who decided to pack up his things and […]

  • UPDATE: Burned Firefighter Heads Home From Hospital

    CHESTER, PA – After nearly two weeks recovering at the Nathan Speare Regional Burn Treatment Center at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Captain David Smiley Jr., headed home. With dozens of his fellow firefighters, friends, family members, and other emergency responders standing by to applaud his heroism, Smiley climbed into his Engine 23 truck and thanked everyone for their support. Smiley told PHL17 he expects a long road of physical therapy, but anticipates returning to the Minquas Fire Co. within 6-8 months. After […]

  • Wings Players Learn How to Make Wooden Lacrosse Sticks

    PHILADELPHIA, PA – Frank Brown is a transition player on the Philadelphia Wings and says ever since he was a young child he always owned a wooden lacrosse stick. Brown told PHL17 he is a member of the Seneca tribe and was given a traditional wooden stick by his uncle at the age of seven. Although Brown says only played in leagues with the stick for two years, Brown says the stick was always with him. Brown says he still […]

  • Police K-9 Demos at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children

    PHILADELPHIA, PA -Some wide-eyed patients at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children saw some special demonstrations from different units with the Philadelphia Police Department Wednesday morning at their Police Appreciation Day breakfast. Inspector Altovise Love-Craighead of the Philadelphia Police Department’s community relations unit explained, “We actually have highway, canine, crime scene unit, our community relations unit, and the victim services unit here to interact with the kids.” For about two hours several dozens patients and their parents were able to ask […]

  • Behind the Scenes at Stutz Candy Company’s Irish Potato Factory

    HATBORO, PA – In the Philadelphia region, almost everyone knows what an Irish Potato is…but not everyone knows how they’re made! On Thursday, Kristie Knappick of Stutz Candy Company showed PHL17 Morning News how they make their famous Irish Potatoes.  

  • Hundreds of Students Participate in National History Day at the National Constitution Center

    PHILADELPHIA, PA –  On Wednesday, over 400 high school students presented entries on the theme “Triumph and Tragedy in History” for the National History Day Philadelphia citywide competition at the National Constitution Center. First and second place winners received a full scholarship, funded by community fundraising efforts, to attend the statewide competition as the Philadelphia delegation.  About National History Day Each year, more than 500,000 students across the country participate in the National History Day contest. The NHD program received […]

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