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
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.
Luxe LAX lounge to help VIP passengers avoid paparazzi
Complete with federal TSA and customs officials paid for by a private operator, the remote passenger lounge would earn LAX about $34 million over the next 10 years.
Porter Ranch gas leak rotten-egg smell could cost SoCal Gas
While each verified nuisance smell complaint could carry a maximum $1,000-per-day fine, an out-of-court settlement is the most likely outcome, an AQMD spokesman said.
Porter Ranch leak has upped state's methane emissions by 25 percent
The month-long leak coming from Southern California Gas Co.'s Aliso Canyon natural gas field is increasing the state's methane load by 25 percent, air regulators say.
LAX People Mover to be privately built, financed and operated
Private industry would also build and operate a new rental car center. It's part of a growing trend of governments sharing the risk and rewards of building projects.
Declaring an emergency before El Niño rains start
It may not be raining yet, but local governments are already declaring emergencies, citing the imminent threat of El Niño's potentially devastating floods and mud flows.
SoCal Edison says mismanagement led to Long Beach outages
SCE explained that "improper operation and insufficient management oversight of the system" caused the failure of the downtown power network.
LA council members balk at shifting sidewalk repairs to property owners
Council members appear to veer away from a proposal for the city to make homeowners bear the cost of future repairs once the first round of fixes is done.
7 things to know about LADWP's new rates proposal
The DWP says its rate increase for those who use the least amount of water and power is modest, but those who use more will pay more
CSULB memorial recalls Paris terror victim Nohemi Gonzalez
They called her Mimi at home, but in the Cal State Long Beach industrial design studio, she was a take-charge person. She went to Paris to hone her design sense.
Paris attacks: Local Muslims speak out against terrorism
Speakers at the Islamic Center of Southern California said actions like the terrorist attacks in Paris have no place in Islam.
Feeding, housing Angelenos in a disaster to be outsourced
If L.A.'s resources are depleted or destroyed in a disaster, two private companies would step in and provide food, tent shelters, toilets and other aid.
Consumer advocates attack DWP overbilling settlement
Consumer Watchdog called the $44 million settlement a sweetheart agreement that lets the DWP off too easy for thousands of inaccurate bills
Some Metrolink trains still lack anti-crash system
About one-third of the miles Metrolink trains run on do not yet have the positive train control system installed to slow trains in unsafe conditions.
LA crossing guard shortage reflects city's hiring problems
Retirements among Los Angeles's aging workforce means the city's total number of crossing guards is falling just as the city has more money to fill vacancies.
