Announcing the 2026 California Local News Fellows and Newsrooms

The California Local News Fellowship has selected its 2026 cohort of journalists and partner newsrooms, advancing an innovative state-funded initiative dedicated to strengthening local reporting across California. This year, the fellowship is expanding its impact with the launch of two new programs: an editing fellowship in partnership with the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education and a health reporting fellowship in collaboration with the California Health Care Foundation and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. The cohort brings 36 new journalists reporting on critical issues in communities that have historically lacked sustained local news coverage. Together, this new cohort of fellows and newsroom partners will continue the program’s mission of supporting emerging journalists and ensuring Californians have access to the information they need. “We’re excited to welcome the next generation of journalism leaders,” said Monica Campbell, director of the California Local News Fellowship. “This is a mission-driven group dedicated to reporting that is relevant and rooted in listening. California has renewed its commitment to local journalism through this fellowship, and we're thrilled  to grow the program with our first editing and health reporting fellows. We look forward to seeing this entire cohort build trust and deliver reporting that helps people navigate their daily lives.” Fellows and partner newsrooms are selected through a rigorous and competitive process. More than 300 people from across the country applied this year, and 80 newsrooms applied to host a fellow. Biographies of the fellows and newsroom details will be announced in September. Editing Fellows: Editing fellows will join newsrooms across California to strengthen local journalism from the inside out. Through the fellowship, participants will receive intensive training, mentorship and hands-on support in the craft of editing, along with the leadership skills needed to guide teams, support reporters and foster strong newsroom cultures. The editing fellowship is offered in partnership with the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. Meet the Editing Fellows:  Fellows                                Newsrooms Shefali S. Kulkarni              Long Beach Post Sharon K. Sobotta              American Community Media Vanessa Ochavillo              North State Public Radio    Health Reporting Fellows: In a public-private partnership, the California Health Care Foundation will help support five two-year health reporting fellowships beginning this September. The initiative will expand critical health coverage in communities across California that have historically been underserved by local media, equipping fellows with the tools and expertise to report on the issues that most directly affect residents’ lives. In addition to newsroom placements, health reporting fellows will receive specialized training and mentorship, including access to the UC Berkeley School of Public Health’s Continuing Education Specialization program. Fellows will also benefit from guidance from UC Berkeley Journalism professor and public health expert Elena Conis, along with dedicated support from the California Local News Fellowship team, including an editor with experience covering health and public policy. Together, this new fellowship track will help cultivate the next generation of journalists prepared to deliver rigorous, community-centered reporting on health issues throughout California. Meet the Health Reporting Fellows: Fellows                               Newsrooms Albert Chern                       Lake County News Christopher Salazar          Inland Empire Community News Renée Bartlett-Webber    The Intersection Nova Blanco-Rico              Coachella Valley Independent Sydney Fluker                    The Pajaronian   Reporting Fellows (General Assignment): The California Local News Fellowship’s general assignment reporting fellows will join newsrooms across the state to deliver timely journalism that keeps communities informed, including reporting on breaking news, local government, public safety, education and other issues that shape daily life. While some fellows work in newsrooms focused on enterprise reporting, others are embedded in fast-paced environments where they develop the versatility and judgment needed to report on important community-centered stories on deadline. Fellows primarily focus on a core storytelling medium, writing, audio, video or photography, but often employ a range of multimedia skills in traditionally under-resourced newsrooms. Meet the General Assignment Fellows: Fellows                                        Newsrooms Alexa Vazquez                              Mid Valley Times Alia Yee Noll                                 Lookout Santa Cruz Allison Hunter                             SJV Water Alonso Daboub                            Santa Cruz Local Amaray Alvarez                           KVPR | Valley Public Radio Andrea Jiménez Hernández     Mission Local Andres Larios                              El Tecolote Aneela Mirchandani                  AsAmNews Anusha Bayya                             Shasta Scout Caleb Kaufman                           Los Angeles Blade Carly Heltzel                               Tahoe Daily Tribune Charis Johnston                         The Inyo Register Chris Ramirez                            The Silicon Valley Voice Chrissa Olson                            Monterey County Weekly Daniel Ekonde                           The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Desmond Bracken                    Alameda Post Ella Carter-Klauschie               Lodi News-Sentinel Griffin Mancuso                       North Coast Journal Haydee Barahona                    The Imprint Jaelyn Rodriguez                     Ojai Valley News | Ventura County Sun Jariel Arvin                               MindSite News Joey Izzo                                   The Union Justin Agrelo                           The LA Local Katherine Kihiczak                 ChicoSol Negar Ajayebi                         Nowruz Media Neha Gopal                            The Contra Costa Pulse Rami Alarian                          KVCR Public Media Reia Li                                     Capital & Main  

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