The Visalia Times Delta

The Visalia Times-Delta, where this reporter is based, is owned by Gannett. The California News Desert Initiative aims to promote content sharing among newsrooms so residents in under-covered communities get the news they need. 

Current Position

Location: Visalia, California

Beat: Tulare County

Position:

This reporter covers California's Central Valley South with a focus on Tulare county. Tulare is home to the World Ag Expo, former Congressman Devin Nunes and some 70,000 people – and its growth-minded leaders envision it spreading wider across some of the world's most important farmland. Tulare's elites are wealthy and powerful. Deep-rooted ag families have amassed fortunes. Yet more than one in five residents live at or below the poverty line. Just 11 percent of Tulare residents have a college degree. Sixty-one percent are Latino and 45 percent speak a language other than English. This reporter will focus heavily on local government accountability and water availability/issues related to growth, development and farming. Spanish skills preferred but not required.

Reporter: Jorge Garcia