Elaine Alfaro
Gloria Penner FellowElaine Alfaro is the KPBS Gloria Penner Fellow. She's honoring the legacy of senior political correspondent Gloria Penner through producing and reporting on topics related to democracy, politics and civic engagement.
She recently 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
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Allyson Ford’s suit details widespread sexual harassment in the police department. She claims that culture enabled her then-husband to abuse her. Then, reporter Alexander Nguyen checks in with the new mayor of Encinitas. Plus, Pope Francis named San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy as the next archbishop of Washington, D.C. A local religion professor shares how McElroy, a Trump critic, could challenge Catholics nationwide. -
Former San Diego County Supervisor and board chair Nora Vargas announced her surprise resignation on Dec. 20. The board will be selecting a new chair on Jan. 7. Then, a new study shows the challenges women at the Las Colinas jail face when trying to access reproductive health care. Plus, a judge has ruled that part of the San Diego Humane Society’s community cats program is unlawful.
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After months of failed contract negotiations, Scripps Health has been removed from the Anthem Blue Cross insurance networks of 125,000 San Diegans. Reporter Melissa Mae shares what could happen next. Then, a Catholic school in El Cerrito is fighting to keep its doors open after the diocese of San Diego said it could no longer cover its budget deficit. Plus, reporter Amita Sharma shares how people are navigating dating in a deeply divided time.
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California launched a new program offering vouchers for electric bikes. The vouchers were exhausted in a matter of minutes, but more could be made available in the new year. Then, car insurance minimum coverage limits are increasing. The new requirements take effect Jan. 1. Plus, law enforcement officials are reminding San Diegans not to drink and drive on New Year’s Eve. Free public transportation via bus and trolley will be available starting at 6 p.m.
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The FBI detained Alexander Paffendorf on Tuesday. He was allegedly plotting a mass shooting with the Wisconsin school shooter Natalie Rupnow. Then, a controversial provision in next year’s defense budget will strip coverage for gender-affirming care for military family members under the age of 18. Plus, Sweetwater Union High School District moves forward with new cuts to the schedule at Chula Vista High. Students, parents and teachers are worried those changes will hurt the school’s arts program.
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The San Diego City Council is forming a special committee focused on lowering housing, transportation and food costs. Then, city staff are recommending removing a footnote from San Diego code, after community pushback and KPBS coverage. Plus, portable classrooms at Ramona Elementary School have needed to be replaced for decades. Voters in Ramona had the chance to fund renovations in November, but they voted not to.
MORE STORIES FEATURING WORK BY THIS AUTHOR
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The San Diego State men's basketball team will play the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Spokane, Washington, on Friday.
- Two San Diego nonprofits are poised to lose promised environmental justice grants — but the EPA has yet to tell them
- Bob Filner, disgraced ex-mayor of San Diego, dies at 82
- Trump administration considers immigration detention on Bay Area military base, records show
- San Diego County releases dashboard compiling on South County sewage
- California sent investigators to ICE facilities. They found more detainees, and health care gaps