63° Partly CloudyAmita 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
San Diego Law Enforcement Groups Push For Death Penalty Reform
By most accounts, California's death penalty process takes too long and costs too much, but public safety groups in San Diego County believe there might be a way to fix the state's broken death penalty process.
Potential Drone Test Site Spurs Concerns In San Diego Back Country
San Diego County is on the federal government's list of potential test sites for drones, and while local business leaders are on board, at least one community is opposed.
John F. Kennedy's Legacy In San Diego
Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. We explore his legacy in San Diego.
Covered California Mulls Extending Cancelled Health Policies
California's health care exchange says it will likely decide by the end of the week if it will honor President Obama's request and reinstate 1 million cancelled policies.
Public Hearing Set For San Diego's Proposed Water Rate Hikes
San Diego's water rates have gone up dramatically in the past decade and water officials predict increases are likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Somalis Receive Federal Prison Terms For Sending Money To Al-Shabab From San Diego
The Somali immigrants were convicted earlier this year of sending money to al-Shabab, an extremist Islamist group seeking the overthrow of Somali's weak government.
San Diego Judge Denies New Trial For 4 Somali Men Convicted Of Supporting Terrorism
Defense lawyers argued secrecy surrounding NSA surveillance hindered discovery and violated Fourth Amendment rights of the defendants, found guilty of aiding terrorist group. Three of the four men are scheduled to be sentenced Monday.
Fletcher's Mayoral Candidacy Creates Crack Among San Diego Progressives
Nathan Fletcher’s candidacy as a Democrat in the special election to replace disgraced former San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has created a division among progressives.
Poll Shows Kevin Faulconer Is Front Runner In San Diego Mayoral Race
In the latest U-T San Diego/10News poll, Councilman Kevin Faulconer has gained a double-digit lead over the previous front-runner Nathan Fletcher.
Education, Colonization And The Law: Native American History In San Diego
Thanksgiving was one of the few bright spots in the history of whites and Native Americans in America. We discuss education, colonization and the law in Native American history and how that played out in San Diego County.
