
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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But with elder care facilities nationwide becoming hot spots for outbreaks, experts say it is very likely too little too late to prevent COVID-19 in local centers.
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At Barona Casino on Wednesday, scores of people played blackjack and the slot machines despite county rules banning large gatherings of people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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An expert says its crucial for friends and family to stay in touch with home-bound seniors during outbreak.
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Caregivers and other essential staff will be allowed onto sites but only after their temperature is taken and they've answered questions about coronavirus exposure.
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Democratic California Assemblyman Brian Maienschein faces Republican challenger June Cutter in Tuesday's primary.
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A California Western School of Law Professor Emeritus Jan Stiglitz says Shawn McMillan's sharing of controversial Facebook posts shows that he lacks the respect and open-mindedness that a good judge needs.
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The legal dispute over police drone footage stems from a lawsuit filed by Arturo Castanares, publisher of La Prensa San Diego.
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KPBS Midday EditionAn investigation by CapRadio and NPR's California Newsroom has found that Gov. Newsom overstated, by an astounding 690%, the number of acres treated with fuel breaks and prescribed burns in forestry projects aimed at protecting the state’s most vulnerable communities.
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This is a breaking news blog for all of the latest updates on the conviction of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin on murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd.
- 'Good Trouble Lives On' events to be held throughout San Diego County
- San Diego residents to choose their trash can size and cost
- Senate panel approves federal judge nomination for Emil Bove, who defended Trump
- City Council revives controversial housing project in southeast San Diego
- Hundreds protest Trump administration in El Cajon 'Good Trouble Lives On' rally