67° A Few CloudsAmita Sharma
Investigative Reporter
Amita Sharma has worked at KPBS since 2000 and has covered a wide range of stories for TV and radio. She is part of the KPBS Investigative Reporting unit and occasionally hosts KPBS Evening Edition.
Among the reports Amita has produced are a three-part series on child sex trafficking in San Diego, a two-part series on how the state is using survivors' benefits for foster children to pay for their upkeep, and a four-part series on the Port of San Diego's finances. Other investigations include the San Diego angle to the U.S. attorney firings, private security firm Blackwater’s controversial training camp proposal, and the Sunroad development controversy. Amita has also interviewed a number of local and national newsmakers including former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, Wisconsin Congressman James Sensenbrenner, and fired U.S. Attorney David Iglesias. In 2005 she landed an exclusive interview with three federal prosecutors who worked on the bribery investigation resulting in the guilty plea of former San Diego Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham. She also covered the murder trial of David Westerfield, the 2001 shooting at Santana High School, and how three of the 9/11 hijackers spent their time in San Diego.
Amita has also worked as a newspaper reporter. She has degrees in journalism and international relations from the University of Southern California.
Recent Stories
Clearing The Air About Marijuana Use Among San Diego Teens
A forum tonight will address the impacts of chronic marijuana use among San Diego County youth. We take a look at how many teens are using marijuana, at what age and what effects it can have on academics.
San Diego Teen Eagle Scout Weighs In On Resolution To Allow Gay Scouts
The Boy Scouts of America's national council meets in Texas next week to consider lifting the ban on gay scouts.
Former Freddie Mac Chief Economist Says Housing Finance Model Can Be Found Outside The U.S.
What to do about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac: that's the focus of housing finance reform. Dr. Michael Lea, director of SDSU's Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate, was Freddie Mac's chief economist in the 1980s. Next month, he heads to Washington where he'll testify on housing finance reform and, more specifically, what to do about Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
From 'The Cooked Seed,' Writer Anchee Min Sows A Path In America
Bestselling author Anchee Min's second memoir "The Cooked Seed," tells the story of Min's life as an American immigrant.
Hotly-Contested District 4 Election Less Than A Week Away
Next week voters in San Diego's southeastern neighborhoods will pick a new city council member and there's a lot at stake.
Has The Job Market Rebounded For San Diego's 2013 College Grads?
As the 2013 college grads get ready to grab their diplomas, many will also be hitting the streets in search of that perfect job. What does the job market hold for new grads in light of the economic downturn of the past few years? We take a look.
Gonzalez, Castaneda Ramp Up Campaigns
One week before the May 21 special election, candidates for California's 80th Assembly District race to connect with voters.
San Diego Sues State Regulators Over Kinder Morgan's Water Discharges Into Murphy Canyon Creek
The city the California Regional Water Quality Control Board of abusing its discretion. The board says it's confident in how it has regulated the cleanup.
How Will Gov. Jerry Brown's Plan To Overhaul Education Funding Impact San Diego?
Governor Jerry Brown wants to give more money to school districts that serve large numbers of poor and non-native English speakers. But critics say there may be some unintended consequences.
Junior Seau's Death Keeps Spotlight On Brain Injuries
The death of Junior Seau, a year ago, put a spotlight on brain injury and added momentum to a lawsuit against the NFL.
