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.
MORE STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR
-
Thinking about making an altar for this year's Day of the Dead? Here are some tips on how to get started. -
From the South Bay to the North County Día de Muertos — or Day of the Dead — festivities are already underway in some places and others are expected in the coming days throughout the county and across the border in Tijuana. -
As the flow of migrants across the San Diego border continues to increase, a key shelter operator is on the brink of shutting down. -
October marks the start of National Bullying Prevention Month. It’s considered a time to raise awareness of the harmful impacts bullying can have. -
Mayor John McCann, the leader of the region’s second largest city, gave his first state of the city address on Tuesday, highlighting the city’s progress and aspirations. -
Chula Vista Mayor John McCann will share his vision for the region’s second-largest city and provide an update on projects in his first State of the City address on Tuesday.
MORE STORIES FEATURING WORK BY THIS AUTHOR
-
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.
- Rail advocates fear Del Mar project could lock in slower, more polluting trains to LA
- Ariane Fire stopped at 5 acres with all evacuation orders lifted
- Escondido's first 'fire resilient' community a 'bonus' for homebuyers
- Iranian-Americans in San Diego fearful for family in homeland
- Advocates want new Del Mar train tunnels electrified