Meet the Team

Elaine Alfaro

Reporter

Elaine Alfaro is a reporter at KPBS and part of the California Local News Fellowship program. She primarily covers San Diego's East County and specializes in investigative and accountability journalism.

Elaine graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a degree in multimedia journalism. At PLNU, she served as the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper.

As someone who grew up in San Diego, Elaine cares deeply about storytelling that reflects the local community. She's covered the San Diego community through her freelance work and internships at a variety of publications including the San Diego Community News Group, the Filipino Press, NBC7 and the PB Monthly.

In her free time, you can usually find her hiking local trails, checking out bookstores or trying a new recipe!

MORE STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR

The Defense Department settles a lawsuit on anti-LGBTQ+ policies

Debbie Cruz

Elaine Alfaro

During the last days of the Biden administration, the Pentagon agreed to help LGBTQ+ veterans fix their so-called “bad paper” discharges. The settlement still needs court approval, but the Pentagon should have an online process in place this summer. Then, sci-tech reporter Thomas Fudge checks in on how UCSD’s technology has helped monitor the recent So-Cal fires. Plus, San Diego Restaurant week is back. We spoke to two chefs who are participating.
Trump administration suspends refugee resettlement

Debbie Cruz

Elaine Alfaro

The administration has canceled all refugee flights – including those for people already vetted and approved to come to the U.S. Military reporter Andrew Dyer spoke to one group who assists Afghan refugees navigate the immigration system. Then, SANDAG plans to replace the more than 100-year-old San Dieguito rail bridge next year, but the Del Mar City Council wants to wait a little longer. Plus, local therapists are offering free therapy to first responders in Los Angeles to help them cope.
Migrants’ appointments canceled with CBP One shutdown

Debbie Cruz

Elaine Alfaro

In one of the first acts of his presidency, Donald Trump cut off access to the CBP One program for asylum in the United States. Migrants who had appointments scheduled at the San Diego-Tijuana border are now stranded. Then, Public Matters reporter Amita Sharma speaks with three local voters about their thoughts on the presidential inauguration. In other news, today marks one year since the catastrophic flooding that affected many San Diegans. Our reporters spoke with communities who are still rebuilding.
Trump’s promises of mass deportations could impact San Diego’s economy

Katie Hyson

Elaine Alfaro

A UCSD immigration policy professor shares more about the impact of potential mass deportations to the San Diego community. Then, the Imperial Beach City Council considers new tenant protections, following mass evictions in two large apartment complexes. Plus, plans for a protected bike path from La Mesa to central San Diego hit a setback. The construction bids came in over budget, so the San Diego Association of Governments is tweaking the project's design.
Mayor Gloria warns of steep cuts in his state of the city address

Debbie Cruz

Elaine Alfaro

For next year’s budget, the city has to cut more than $258 million from its spending or about 12% of the total city budget. The mayor said Wednesday he intends to do away with the one-time budget tricks and make some tough choices. Then, residents in North County are calling attention to potential fire hazards in the proposed Harmony Grove Village South development. Plus, Voice of San Diego editor and CEO Scott Lewis explains how an ongoing dispute over Padres ownership could impact the team and the city.
County supervisors call for a special election to fill vacant seat

Debbie Cruz

Elaine Alfaro

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of a special election to fill the District 1 seat left vacant by Nora Vargas. Then, the National Weather Service forecasts low temperatures in the 40s Wednesday and Thursday night, leading the city to activate their inclement weather shelter program. Plus, we hear about Imperial Valley’s political shift in the last election cycle.