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.
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
Residents to vote on electing Whittier city council by districts
Some on the council felt pressured. "We've got to get the city of Whittier out of the way of the cross-hairs of this gun that has been pointed at us," Mayor Bob Henderson said.
Whittier answers Latino lawsuit with district voting plans
Either plan on Tuesday's council agenda would shift city elections away from its at-large system, which critics say has prevented Latino representation.
DOT: Bus company in 210 Freeway crash has record of citations (MAP, PHOTOS)
The company involved in Thursday's crash has been cited three times for moving violations. The owner ran a similarly named company that lost its federal permit.
In the Inland Empire a Congressional race is in full swing
Republican Gary Miller is being challenged by a trio of Democrats including Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar and former Congressman Joe Baca.
Long Beach flies Gold Star flag honoring war dead, families
The tradition of putting a flag with blue or gold stars in the window started in the First World War and is kept alive by the American Gold Star Mothers.
Long Beach adopts policy calling for city docs in other languages
The city of Long Beach has adopted a new policy that calls for translating city documents and services into Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog.
Whittier to discuss changing elections after Latino group suit
"We’ve been very thorough in our deliberations, which have led to a decision to review the issue of district elections at our next council meeting," Mayor Bob Henderson said.
Critics rally to expand Long Beach language services
Critics say a plan to add language services for residents who don't speak English well should include Tagalog, Vietnamese and phone lines for other languages.
State audit: $22M spent on voting machines that can't be used
Riverside County alone spent $13 million on the high-tech voting systems, but got burned when the state changed the rules for the machines.
Whittier Latinos sue city to force district elections
The Whittier Latino Coalition recently agreed to hold off on the lawsuit, but then the city hired a law firm that has defended at-large systems.
Venice Boardwalk: 16 confirmed hit, driver possibly jailed in Colorado (updated)
Police have raised their estimate of the number of people allegedly struck in Venice by a driver who may have been arrested several times in Colorado.
Spike in marriage licenses follows Prop 8 demise
July numbers were up in several So Cal counties. The hottest spot, no pun intended, was Indio, which has the nearest clerk's office to Palm Springs.
Turmoil in San Bernardino a year after filing bankrupty
Angry residents are trying to recall three council members and the long-serving city attorney. Pensions and spending priorities still spur debate.
Inland area runoff election may impact Assembly supermajority
The Sept. 24 runoff election will be closely watched because the Democratic supermajority in the Assembly could be affected by the outcome.
Prop 8: Calif. court rejects bid to stop gay marriages
California's highest court still must consider a petition arguing that a voter-approved gay marriage ban remains valid in all but two counties.
