ATLANTA -- Ashley is a Marietta native and joined WSB-TV in October 2007.

She came to Atlanta from KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah.

While out West, Ashley covered a range of stories from the state’s dramatic snow storms and wildfires to the Trolley Square Mall shooting and, most recently, the Crandall Canyon Mine disaster.

Before leaving her southern roots for the Beehive state, Ashley worked as a general assignment reporter and anchor at WECT in Wilmington, North Carolina. Ashley covered hurricanes, murder trials, and just about everything in between while on the Carolina coast. She has been recognized by the Carolina AP and the Radio Television New Directors Association of the Carolinas for her investigative and general news pieces.

Ashley earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Georgia where she started her career working for NewSource 15.

She is a proud UGA football fan and is thrilled to be within driving distance of Dawg home games.

Ashley is also an avid equestrian and enjoys spending time in Alpharetta with her Quarter Horse, May.

She is glad to be back in the South where sweet tea and grits are menu staples.

You can e-mail Ashley at ashley.hayes@wsbtv.com.