Kori Suzuki
South Bay and Imperial Valley ReporterKori Suzuki covers South San Diego County and the Imperial Valley for KPBS. He reports on the decisions of local government officials with a particular focus on environmental issues, housing affordability, and race and identity. He is especially drawn to stories that show how we are all complicated and multidimensional.
Kori first joined KPBS in 2023 as part of the inaugural California Local News Fellowship and was hired as a staff reporter in 2025. Previously, he worked as an associate producer for Reveal and as a visual journalist at The Seattle Times and KQED. Before that, he worked for The Washington Post’s audio team, the weekly environmental public radio Living on Earth, and KALW. As an editor at his college newspaper in St. Paul, Minnesota, he helped lead a team covering the murder of George Floyd and the yearlong Black Lives Matter uprising that followed.
He has a master’s degree in journalism from UC Berkeley and bachelor’s degrees in environmental studies and media studies from Macalester College. He is a member of Diversify Photo.
Kori was born and raised in Berkeley and Richmond in Northern California, across the bay from San Francisco. He is a proud, fourth-generation Japanese American and loves foggy mornings and cooking with the radio on.
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Port officials said they’ve significantly reduced sources of particle and nitrogen oxide pollution. They’ve made little progress on encouraging adoption of heavy-duty electric trucks. -
Following reporting by KPBS, California Assembly Public Safety Committee Chair Nick Schultz said temperatures at the San Diego prison were a source of “grave concern.” -
The Board of Supervisors also voted to reinstate a temporary freeze on data center development Tuesday. -
Three incarcerated people said officials at the San Diego County prison restricted access to large fans and ice water last month, even as temperatures rose above 90 degrees indoors. -
Get to know Ruble Mitchel Beauchamp, Marcus Bush, Jacobb Castrejon and Jose Rodriguez as we explore their backgrounds, their top priorities, and what is at stake for voters in this election. -
A KPBS investigation earlier this year found the nonprofit owner of the Imperial Regional Detention Facility had avoided millions in taxes by operating as a charity.
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Three people at the center were killed in a shooting Monday afternoon. Police said they found two teenage suspects dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds in a vehicle nearby. -
The largest rally and march took place in downtown San Diego at Waterfront Park next to the County Administration Center. It was one of more than 20 protests held across the county. -
Life changed in an instant one morning in February for the Olivo family. Their father and brother were arrested by ICE agents. The following weeks were filled with fear, confusion and anger.
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