Michelle Zacarias

Michelle Zacarias is an award-winning journalist and the lead Political Correspondent for the Courier California. As a 2023-25 UC Berkeley California Local News Fellow, she covered politics, immigration, civic engagement, and equity throughout Southern California. Michelle is also the host of The Latino Newsletter Podcast and a two-time cancer survivor.

Have a story tip? Reach Michelle at michellezacarias@couriernewsroom.com. For local reporting that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for her free newsletter here.

Latest from Michelle Zacarias

Local

July 2, 2026

In a redrawn district, California’s 48th carries national consequences

Come November, Republican County Supervisor Jim Desmond will face off against Democratic San Diego City Councilmember Marni von Wilpert in California’s 48th Congressional District.
Civil Rights

June 30, 2026

Tenured California professor wins job back after being fired for pro-Palestine advocacy

Dr. Sang Hea Kil is the first case nationally of a tenured professor fired for criticizing the genocide in Gaza, although similar cases have occurred across the state for non-tenured faculty.
Economy

June 26, 2026

Billionaire tax moves to the November ballot, Newsom proposes national wealth tax instead

If passed, the proposal would impose a one-time 5% tax on any California resident with a net worth exceeding $1 billion.
Economy

June 25, 2026

San Francisco wants to break up with big banks and start its own bank

San Francisco could become the first major city in the US to open its own public bank—and voters will get the final say in November.
Crime & Safety

June 23, 2026

Here’s what’s on the California ballot in November

The California primaries are over, but the election season is not over yet. With November just months away, candidates and campaigns are kicking into high gear ahead of the general election.
Healthcare

June 22, 2026

LGBTQ advocates fight to pass healthcare protections into California law

California legislators and LGBTQ+ advocates are fighting to protect queer and transgender Californians from being discriminated against by pushing for the passage of the Fair Care for All Act.
Business

June 22, 2026

Tech is booming in San Francisco. So why do the layoffs keep coming?

Salesforce, Cloudflare, and other tech giants have cut more than 118,000 jobs this year—despite record revenue growth
Healthcare

June 22, 2026

Why giving birth in the Central Valley is becoming a luxury

All eight counties in the Central Valley are federally designated as “medically underserved areas”; however, labor and delivery services are even scarcer.
Economy

June 22, 2026

For California Latinos, the grocery bill beats immigration as the top priority

According to a poll of voters in California published by UnidosUS, many Latino families are living under severe economic strain and growing disillusioned with broken promises from Washington to improve the economy