Meet the Team

Dara Joan Dela Cruz

Accounting & Finance Assistant

Dara Joan Dela Cruz formerly worked in the KPBS newsroom as an assistant and call screener for Friday's Midday Edition. Dara attends San Diego State University where she plans to graduate with a business degree in accounting. She is a current member of the University Honors Program, which has encouraged her to also pursue a minor in interdisciplinary studies. After graduation, she later hopes to obtain an MBA, become a certified public accountant, and eventually manage her own firm. Before coming to San Diego, Dara lived in the Silicon Valley, where she grew up and graduated from Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California. In her spare time, Dara likes to explore the city, watch films, and play the flute, as she is also a member of the university's wind symphony.

RECENT STORIES ON KPBS

Politics

Trump wants a new U.S. census to exclude people here illegally. It'd be unprecedented

Hansi Lo Wang

Trump is calling for a "new" census that excludes people in the U.S. without legal status. The 14th Amendment requires the "whole number of persons in each state" in a key set of census results.
Health

Congress looks to ease veterans' use of health care outside the VA

Tony Leys

It can be difficult for veterans to use their health benefits for care outside the federal system. A bill in Congress could ease that. Opponents are wary funds being "siphoned" away from the VA.
Health

Trump cuts threaten access to birth control for millions of women

Katia Riddle

Birth control is routine for many Americans and polls show it's popular across party lines. Now, the Trump administration is withholding funds that provide contraception for low income people.
Economy

11 ways NPR readers resist the impulse to shop (plus, a poem for inspo)

Malaka Gharib

Buying something new can be thrilling in the moment, but will you still be glad you bought it after the fact? NPR readers share their top tips for mindful shopping to avoid regret and overspending.
National

Nebraska's Mike Flood got an earful from voters. He's still standing by Trump's agenda

Steve Inskeep

Obed Manuel

After his town hall this week wrapping with chants of "Vote him out!" Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood told Morning Edition he understands it is "cathartic" for constituents to voice their opinions.
Recession-era recipes flourish on TikTok

Anastasia Tsioulcas

Influencers on TikTok and other social media platforms are going back to recession-era recipes for nutritious and filling food — and building new communities online.