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Rina Palta
Correspondent, Investigations
Rina Palta is a correspondent on KPCC's investigative team.
Prior to that, Rina covered California's social safety net for the station, with a particular focuses on homelessness. She's also served as a news editor for the station and covered crime and public safety as a reporter, looking at the systems designed to help people who fall into poverty, social welfare, public mental health systems, or criminal justice system — and help many get back on their feet.
Rina came to L.A. from the Bay Area, where she launched the Informant, a digital collaboration between NPR and KALW. Her reporting there focused on California's prison, jails, and law enforcement agencies, and the effect of crime and the criminal justice system on communities.
Palta is a graduate of Haverford College and UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism. In her spare time, she's a world-class eater and aspiring surfer.
Stories by Rina Palta
Talks break down over solution for overcrowded prisons
Talks have broken down between state officials and attorneys representing California prison inmates in a case that went before the U.S. Supreme Court.
4 major public safety proposals in Brown's budget
Governor Jerry Brown's proposed budget, released Thursday, contains a host of public safety proposals, some more daring than others.
Process to pick LA County Sheriff Baca's interim successor is underway
There are laws about certifications a sheriff must have. County supervisors and lawyers are working to determine the qualifications for whoever will complete Baca's term.
As Baca withdraws, his possible successors line up
With the L.A. County Sheriff's sudden decision to retire, declared candidates prep for the fight while others consider a run in the June primary.
Update: Sheriff Baca to retire; LAPD deputy chief considering run
Embattled Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca announced his plans to retire at the end of the month at a press conference Tuesday morning.
Crime down, officer-involved shootings up in Long Beach
Initial data from 2013 show the lowest violent crime numbers for the city in 41 years. But the number of officer-involved shootings more than doubled in a year.
5 theories explaining the great crime decline
Nationwide, crime has declined massively over the past two decades. And there are plenty of theories on why crime has dropped so much.
Crime rate in Los Angeles continues downward trend
If the statistics hold through the end of Tuesday, Los Angeles will see crime decline for the eleventh straight year in 2013.
Easing the transition for juveniles in custody back to their homes
LA County probation says many kids in custody perform well in juvenile camps, but too many go home and return to juvenile court. Officials seek to lower the recidivism rate by helping ease the transition.
Witness in Venice Beach boardwalk auto rampage: 'He didn't stop'
A witness in a court hearing Tuesday described the driver swerving from side-to-side on the pedestrian walkway.
$1.1 million in funding for crime victim centers coming to LA
The Victims Compensation Program awarded two grants to groups in Los Angeles County Thursday to bring medical and mental health services to crime victims.
Debate over how to best oversee the LA County Sheriff's Dept
Five indictments involving 18 deputies sparked questions over how to effectively oversee the department that runs the largest jail system in the United States.
LA County social workers strike, citing high caseloads
L.A. County social workers say their strike was a last resort after petitioning for months for lower caseloads. Officials say they're already hiring more social workers.
LA County social workers begin strike over caseloads, pay
The union representing about 4,000 social workers in LA County says the county won't hire more employees to deal with under-staffing and unmanageable caseloads.
LA County social workers likely to go on strike Thursday
Negotiations have broken down, at least temporarily, between county executives and the union representing county child welfare workers.
