Sharon McNary Politics Reporter
- @KPCCsharon
- Phone: (626) 583-5126
Sharon McNary is a Politics Reporter for Southern California Public Radio. She uses public records, public engagement sourcing and other methods (like good old fashioned shoe leather) to help draw stories from the experience, expertise and concerns of our communities as well as from political agendas. These days, she is covering the built environment around Southern California -- sidewalks, water and sewer systems -- to find out what's working, what's broken, and who's fixing it.
In her first three years at KPCC, Sharon launched KPCC’s Public Insight Network, a group of several thousand people who — by sharing their experiences and expertise — help the newsroom cover Southern California. People who respond to Public Insight Network questions have been included in many KPCC award-winning news reports, including investigative coverage of prison conditions, long-form narratives, and talk show segments.
A military veteran, McNary was a computer programmer before she was a journalist, so she has always sought out tech-savvy and creative ways to cover news.
McNary has worked in TV news and documentaries, radio, wire service and newspapers in the Southern California news market, developing award-winning investigative and computer-assisted reporting projects.
Following a mid-career public service break with the Peace Corps in Bolivia, McNary returned to print and multimedia reporting. She has covered disasters, government corruption, growth and immigration, often using databases, mapping and other technology tools to break news.
McNary is an avid cook, seamstress and knitter while her outdoor pursuits are competing in marathons and triathlons
Stories by Sharon McNary
Porter Ranch gas leak: Gov. Brown declares the leak an emergency
Brown declared a state of emergency over the natural gas leak that has driven thousands from their homes in the Porter Ranch neighborhood over the past two months.
El Niño: Tracking at-risk areas in Southern California
See areas that are vulnerable to El Niño storm damage. We'll keep it updated as the season progresses.
El Niño rains test flood and mudslide prevention work
Clearing debris basins in mountains and foothills, raising the height of channel walls and constructing beach berms along the ocean -- will it be enough protection?
Private partnership recommended for LA Convention Center expansion
The old-school method is to borrow money to build the expansion. But a city administrator proposes putting the project in private hands to limit taxpayer investment
Assemblyman calls for investigation into Porter Ranch gas leak
Mike Gatto plans to use his status as newly-appointed chairman of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee to head up a probe into the leak.
Porter Ranch leaking gas well detected underground
Special equipment was used to locate the well shaft thousands of feet underground, a first step to plugging it. That could take months.
Gigantic cargo ship to call at Los Angeles port
The Benjamin Franklin, if stood on its stern, would tower 200 feet above downtown Los Angeles' tallest building and is too big to fit through the Panama Canal.
Some in Porter Ranch fear reaction is as bad as gas leak
Thousands of families have left to avoid the smell and potential health risks. As lawsuits mount, some worry the community will never be the same.
LA pushes to force faster relocation after Porter Ranch gas leak
On Tuesday, L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer's office announced it is seeking a temporary restraining order against Southern California Gas Co over the gas leak in Aliso Canyon.
LA County declares emergency over Porter Ranch methane leak
Unlike the county, however, state officials say the massive gas leak doesn't rise to the level of an emergency, mostly because Southern California Gas Co. is paying most costs.
LADWP board approves water rate increases
The DWP's new rates follow a sliding scale of increases, depending on how much water a customer uses.
SoCal Gas delayed telling locals of massive methane leak
The company faces growing criticism that it notified state authorities of the natural gas leak, but delayed telling local residents and governments.
El Niño: FEMA says coastal residents, buildings at risk
Water treatment facilites, power plants, schools, hospitals and airports are among the structures vulnerable to coastal flooding caused by El Niño storms this winter
Watch: Infrared video shows Porter Ranch methane leak
Environmentalists shot the video using special cameras and are showing it to residents to illustrate the volume of methane leaking near their homes
Sewer plant hid syringes, other waste before Dockweiler Beach spill
Two separate spills a week apart left Dockweiler Beach covered in tons of medical and personal hygiene waste, a new Los Angeles city report says.
