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Amita 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 by Amita Sharma
State Lawmakers Ask Newsom To Grant Special Coronavirus Legal Immunity For Businesses
- May 21
- By Amita Sharma
The immunity would apply to businesses that adhere to safety standards in protecting workers and customers from COVID-19.
Viejas Worker Quits Over Casino's Plans To Reopen Next Week
- May 16
- By Amita Sharma
The former security guard said he's scared he would have caught COVID-19 and passed it along to his family if he had stayed on the job.
Volunteers Serving As Lifelines To Isolated Seniors Amid Pandemic
- May 14
- By Amita Sharma
A new program is meant to stave off senior loneliness — already widespread before COVID-19 but now intensified amid strict stay-at-home orders.
County Vows To Fight Plans By Tribal Casinos To Reopen Next Week
- May 13
- By Amita Sharma
Sycuan, Viejas and others have announced plans to reopen. County health officials say they’re working with the CDC to “address the issue.”
City Heights Senior Croons Through Lockdown
- May 8
- By Amita Sharma
Esmerelda Sanchez misses her freedom and her friends, but with the help of song she’s discovered another side of herself.
State Ready To Pay Assisted Living Facilities To Take Coronavirus Patients
- May 6
- By Amita Sharma
The California Department of Social Services is offering to pay facilities up to $1,000 if they take infected patients. Doctors and nurses say the move is dangerous and unnecessary.
Elder Advocates: Newsom Close To Giving Health Care Providers Legal Immunity During Pandemic
- April 29
- By Amita Sharma
Nursing homes and other providers have been lobbying Gov. Gavin Newsom for immunity from prosecution and civil lawsuits, saying it's vital to saving lives. Advocates say such an order would excuse reckless conduct.
California Now Lists Coronavirus Cases In Assisted Living Communities, But Reporting Gaps Remain
- April 23
- By Amita Sharma
State officials are now disclosing cases and deaths from COVID-19 at assisted living facilities. But advocates for the elderly say the true spread of the disease in these homes is still underreported.
Senior Care Facilities Seek Legal Immunity During Coronavirus Pandemic
- April 21
- By Amita Sharma
Groups representing California nursing homes and assisted living facilities, along with other health providers, say such protections are needed. Advocates say they would excuse elder abuse.
State Releases List Of Nursing Homes With Coronavirus Cases
- April 18
- By Amita Sharma
The state released the list after weeks of complaints by families, doctors and advocates for the elderly. But the list is not complete — it doesn't include assisted living facilities and is based on self reporting from skilled nursing homes.
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Latest on kpbs.org
Feed the Need Drive-In Concert: B-Side Players, SM Familia and Los Sleepwalkers
Sunday, June 7, 2020 at noon
AFRICA’S GREAT CIVILIZATIONS
Airs Saturday, June 6, 2020 from 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on KPBS 2 + PBS Video App
