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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The study is part of a binational effort to examine how pollution travels across the U.S.-Mexico border. -
A June resolution shows, however, that board members intended to turn over inquiry findings "to any branch board member who wishes to receive a copy." -
The City of Encinitas has extended the public comment period on a proposal to restaurants and other businesses from using styrofoam containers for take-out food and drinks. -
The inaugural Maker Faire gets underway this weekend in Balboa Park. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has named it the Fall Centennial Event of 2015. -
The YMCA is mum on whether the findings will be revealed.
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The YMCA of San Diego County is facing turmoil at the top. KPBS previously reported that the YMCA’s corporate board had hired a consultant to oversee an investigation into mismanagement allegations. Here are edited excerpts from an interview with KPBS Investigative reporter Amita Sharma.
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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.
- In Escondido, a school board member changes her name but not her politics
- Community reacts after school board member comes out as transgender
- SCUBA divers volunteer at San Diego's Birch Aquarium
- San Diego City Council approves parking fees in Balboa Park
- San Diego Unified is getting rid of some K-8 middle schools