Amita Sharma
Investigative ReporterAs the public matters investigative reporter, Amita leads KPBS’ coverage on efforts to undermine democracy, including threats to public officials, bolstering the Big Lie, chipping away at voter’s rights, attempts to overturn election results, eroding institutions and weakening the government's capacity to do its job, as well as civic efforts to engage people with opposing views without rancor.
The goal of the position is to report on the stakes, from a San Diego County perspective, on the United States’ current political moment.
She has spent the last two years reporting on local threats to democracy, including regional extremism, the shrinking of local news coverage while the number of hyper partisan “news” websites grow, censorship at libraries and incivility at public meetings.
Her previous coverage includes: exposing abuses in local nursing homes at the height of the pandemic, including a serial rapist who had worked in several El Cajon facilities and was arrested following her reporting; unearthing a contract between the city of Chula Vista and Motorola that allowed the company to sell data collected by the Chula Vista Police Department; and reporting on discrimination and retaliation in the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office that led to court settlements and the retirement of the Public Defender.
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Additional San Diegans could be charged with raising money for the Somali Islamist terror group al-Shabab. -
Two San Diego men pleaded not guilty today to charges they gave money and other support to the Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab.
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A federal grand jury has indicted three San Diego men with providing money and other support to the Somalia-based terror group al-Shabab. Federal agents arrested the men this week following a lengthy investigation by the Joint Terrorism Task Force. -
Two weeks after San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis promised a review of her office's handling of a domestic violence case. KPBS has learned the findings won't be made public. The lessons of the review against a man now charged with killing his wife will remain within the DA's office.
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The case of Diana Gonzalez, the San Diego City College student found murdered on campus, was not sent to the city attorney for prosecution. But such domestic violence cases can be referred to the city attorney for misdemeanor prosecution. -
Sex abuse victims are urging the public to carefully read newly released records detailing molestation cases dating back decades in local Catholic churches.
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County requiring employees of grocery stores and many other retail outlets to wear masks as of midnight Friday. That’s a tall order, says the California Grocers Association.
- California bans masks meant to hide law enforcement officers' identities
- Defense Secretary Hegseth requires new 'pledge' for reporters at the Pentagon
- Trump nominates White House aide to be top U.S. prosecutor for office probing Letitia James
- Earlybirds Club: for ladies who want to get down and also get to bed on time
- Social media is shattering America's understanding of Charlie Kirk's death