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David Washburn
News & Investigations Desk Editor
As the news and investigations desk editor, David oversees the newsroom's investigative reporters and works with other KPBS journalists to develop investigative and explanatory stories. David has been practicing the art and craft of journalism for 25 years, always with an emphasis on investigative and explanatory news. He first came to San Diego in 2000 to join the San Diego Union-Tribune’s I-team. While at the UT, David produced award-winning stories on San Diego’s high rate of officer-involved shootings, corruption involving contractors in Iraq, and misuse of donor funds at the local Red Cross.
In 2008, he joined Voice of San Diego, the pioneering local nonprofit news start-up, as a senior reporter and assistant editor. During his time there, David wrote and edited investigative pieces on San Diego City Hall, the local biotech industry, and charter school operators. He left VOSD in 2009 to help launch Voice of OC, an Orange County-based nonprofit newsroom. For eight years David supervised a team of staff writers and freelancers focused on investigating Orange County government and politics.
Most recently, he’s worked at EdSource, a nonprofit newsroom focused on statewide issues in education. He produced an in-depth series on chronic absenteeism in rural school districts.
Early in his career, David worked as an assistant producer for Dateline NBC. He earned a B.A. from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Recent Stories by David Washburn
SDPD Identifies Man Shot By Officers, Releases Bodycam Video
- June 28
- By David Washburn
The shooting victim is 25-year-old San Diego resident Leonardo Hurtado Ibarra who officers recognized from a wanted poster, according to a police statement. He is in a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
San Diego Grocers Scrambling To Comply With County Mask Order
- April 3
- By David Washburn
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.
County Ratchets Up Coronavirus Response As First Local Death Reported
- March 22
- By David Washburn
The coronavirus tightened its grip on San Diego Sunday, with the county reporting its first death and a significant increase in cases. This news came as state and local officials took a series of dramatic steps to combat the exploding pandemic.
San Diego Unified Officials Detail Plans For School Closures To Stem Coronavirus
- March 13
- By David Washburn, Joe Hong
Schools will provide breakfast and lunch to students who are on free or reduced-cost meals, through eight different drive-thru sites.
Join KPBS For A Weeklong Look At San Diego's Climate Crisis
- Sept. 16, 2019
- By David Washburn
When many of us think of climate change, we still too often think of polar bears and the year 2100 — things far away and long into the future. But climate change is impacting us here and now.
Ratepayer Lawsuit Claims New Wildfire Fund Law Unconstitutional
- July 19, 2019
- By David Washburn
Gov. Gavin Newsom says the law is needed to protect consumers from skyrocketing wildfire costs. Former City Attorney Michael Aguirre calls it an unlawful gift of public funds.
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AMERICAN MASTERS: Unladylike2020
Airs Friday, July 10, 2020 at 8 p.m. on KPBS 2 + Monday, July 13 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV + PBS Video App
