Meet the Team

Erik Aker

Web Developer

Erik Aker grew up in San Diego and was educated in the Bay Area after which he worked as an English instructor at various community colleges in San Diego. During his time as a teacher, Erik also worked as a freelance writer, but gave up both occupations in order to take a job in the corporate world, where he soon discovered a passion for computer programming. He's a San Diego native and he spends a lot of time at the beach and area tidepools.

RECENT STORIES ON KPBS

Environment

Lemon Grove residents make their Broadway just a bit greener

Elaine Alfaro

Volunteers gathered last weekend for a day of planting at Promenade Park near downtown Lemon Grove. It's part of a broader revitalization effort.
A GROWING PASSION: Big Trees: Giants Among Us

We search out some of the champion trees listed on the California Big Tree Registry. From San Luis Obispo where the Registry is housed, all the way to Los Angeles where, with the help of a big tree hunter, we climb a giant floss silk tree to measure and crown it as a new champion.
Education

Is It OK To Lie About Santa And The Tooth Fairy?

Cory Turner

Anya Kamenetz

Magical thinking is part of childhood, and when it comes to characters like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, parents often play along with elaborate charades. Here's what to do when kids start aging out of the magic and asking tough questions.
Quality of Life

As California prisons face ‘wave’ of sex assault lawsuits, new audit highlights slow discipline

Nigel Duara

A new report on discipline in California prisons highlights slow handling of several sex assault cases filed against officers. In lawsuits, women have accused 83 officers of sexual misconduct.
National

NTSB warns that defense bill could undermine aviation safety changes after DCA crash

Joel Rose

The head of the NTSB is voicing strong opposition to provisions in the defense policy bill. The NTSB says the House bill would undermine safety improvements made after the mid-air collision near DCA.
Politics

Young voters could be key to midterm success, but they've soured on both parties

Elena Moore

As Republicans and Democrats gear up for next year's midterm elections, new polling shows they're losing ground with a powerful and growing bloc of the electorate: young voters.