Reporter / California Local News Fellow
Before I became a journalist, I researched aquatic ecology in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Now, I’m bringing that same curiosity and data-driven ethos to report on Santa Cruz County’s most complex issues, including climate change, housing insecurity and public health. As a reporter with Santa Cruz Local, I write stories that explain local issues, explore possible solutions and empower community members to get involved.
I’m part of the inaugural cohort of the California Local News Fellowship at the UC Berkeley School of Journalism. I graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a master’s degree in science communication in 2020. My work has been published in Mercury News, Hakai, Audubon Magazine and other outlets.
I live in Santa Cruz with my partner, dog and cat.
Have a question you’d like me to answer? Reach me at [email protected].
Recent stories by Jesse Kathan
How (and why) to run for school board in Santa Cruz County
Aug. 9 deadline for 32 seats
Homelessness dips in Santa Cruz, rises in Watsonville
The 2024 point-in-time homeless census in four charts
Santa Cruz County voters asked to fund more forest management, environmental projects
Explainer: The Water and Wildfire Protection Act on the Nov. 5 ballot
Scotts Valley city staff were mistakenly overpaid, report states
Plus: Your thoughts on the county’s future and public transit
Explainer: Santa Cruz County’s road problems
County tax hike for roads possible in 2025
Watsonville voters could open city commissions to non-citizens
Two questions to appear on Nov. 5 ballot
Proposed rail-trail route could divert onto streets across Live Oak-Capitola border
Explainer: The rail-trail’s proposed path through Santa Cruz County
Inside the plan to expand Downtown Santa Cruz
Input on downtown expansion plan wanted at June 18 meeting
Psychiatrists, firefighters are top earning Santa Cruz County public employees
Top 20 salaries include law enforcement, county administrators
Less money for road maintenance in approved Santa Cruz County budget
Smaller overall budget, more debt
Capitola adopts city budget
Money for roads, bike track, pensions
Santa Cruz reaches housing goals while county, other cities fail
Capitola, Scotts Valley make least progress on affordable homes
How to find home insurance in Santa Cruz County
Practical tips to reduce costs, navigate brokers and seek new options
How to get involved in budget hearings in Santa Cruz, Capitola, Scotts Valley, Watsonville
Speak out on public spending in May and June
Second apartment complex proposed on Almar Avenue in Santa Cruz
Developer describes new affordable housing