Marielena Castellanos
South Bay Engagement ProducerMarielena Castellanos is the South Bay engagement producer at KPBS. She brings experience in outreach and engagement, politics, and communications as well as radio, print, broadcast, and multimedia journalism.
Prior to joining KPBS, she produced a daily radio newscast for San Diego’s Jazz 88.3 FM KSDS. She also wrote community-focused stories for the local bilingual community newspaper, La Prensa San Diego.
Marielena was born in Chula Vista and raised along the border in the South Bay/Tijuana region. Her education includes attending both Southwestern College and San Diego City College. She is a first-generation college graduate from UC Berkeley with degrees in ethnic studies and English.
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Valentine’s Day may have passed, but love is always in the air — and we’re always here for your stories. While our call for Valentine’s submissions is now closed, we’re keeping the form open so you can share your San Diego love stories anytime. -
Shortly after being sworn in for his second term, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, set plans in motion to deploy troops there and vowed to deport millions of people living in the U.S. without legal status. -
The resource center opened in 2019 at the San Diego State University campus, on the ancestral lands of the Kumeyaay Nation. -
Towards the end of October, the flower of the dead will take its place on altars to celebrate Day of the Dead. Here's a guide on how to plant, grow, care for and eat the marigolds. -
Submit photos and memories of loved ones you've lost to celebrate them. -
This weekend the annual Pacific Islander Festival returns for the 30th anniversary celebration.
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Indigenous people across North America are demanding sustained responses to violence in their communities. In San Diego County over the weekend, a summit was held to raise awareness about indigenous people missing and murdered in the region. -
Border Investigative Reporter Gustavo Solís breaks down the impact of Mexico's upcoming election in our region during KPBS' first virtual bilingual conversation with politics experts. -
Homelessness in the region increased by at least 14% this year, according to the results from the 2023 WeAllCount Point-in-Time Count released Thursday.
- Satellites show damage to Iran's nuclear program, but experts say it's not destroyed
- Pentagon says Iranian nuclear capabilities are 'devastated' after U.S. strikes
- Trump administration defends Iranian strikes as some lawmakers question its legality
- The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's first images are stunning — and just the start
- As Israel recovers the bodies of three more hostages, how many are still in Gaza?