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

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.
National

Video shows Department of Justice official urging Jan. 6 rioters to 'kill' cops

Tom Dreisbach

The Department of Justice hired a former Jan. 6 defendant who was caught on tape urging rioters to "kill" police. The department calls him a "valued member" of the administration.
Federal records contradict what FEMA leader told Congress about Texas flood response

Rebecca Hersher

Funding for FEMA's disaster survivor hotline lapsed the day after the Texas floods, federal records show. It took DHS Secretary Kristi Noem five days to approve more money.
National

It started with friends at home. Now Dungeons & Dragons is in its stadium era

Scott Greenstone

In the past decade or so, actors and comedians have adopted D&D as a performance medium. Podcasts and web series have expanded into stadium tours – and fueled growing interest in the game more broadly.