Hello, I'm Magaly

I'm a reporter based in Northern California covering all things local politics, education, homelessness and more.

Recent Articles

Undocumented Workers Are Struggling to Feed Themselves. Slashed Budgets and New Immigration Policies Bring Fresh Challenges

Up and down the streets of the Fruitvale neighborhood in Oakland, immigrant workers head to empty parking lots and street corners waiting for a job. Some are as young as 14 and as old as 60. 

Diego, a man in his late thirties, is a construction worker who arrived in the United States nine months ago. He, like many of the men standing beside him at the day laborer site, came to the U.S. in the hopes of providing a new life for his family. Now, Diego and other immigrants are worried as threats...

Oakland Leadership Shuffles with New Interim Mayor and D2 Councilmember | Post News Group

By Magaly Muñoz
Oakland has officially begun its new leadership era as newly elected council members are introduced and incumbent members take on new roles following the fall recall election.The council selected Kevin Jenkins, who represents East Oakland in District 6, as the new council president and therefore interim mayor, succeeding former colleague Nikki Fortunato Bas who left to serve on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
Jenkins will temporarily serve as Oakland Mayor until this spr...

An Inside Look into How San Francisco Analyzes Homeless Encampments | | Post News Group

By Magaly Muñoz
Dozens of unhoused people are camped at Sixth and Jesse streets in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood. Tents made of tarps and blankets, piles of debris, and people lounging alongside the allies and walls of businesses are seen from all angles.These are some of the city’s hotspots. City crews have cleared encampments there over 30 times in the past year, but unhoused people always return.
But it’s normal to have tents set up again within less than 24 hours after an enca...

“Two things can be true at once.” An Afro-Latina Voter Weighs in on Identity and Politics | Post News Group

By Magaly Muñoz
On a sunny afternoon at Los Cilantros Restaurant in Berkeley, California, Keyanna Ortiz-Cedeño, a 27-year-old Afro-Latina with tight curly hair and deep brown skin, stares down at her carne asada tacos, “I’ve definitely eaten more tortillas than plantains over the course of my life,” says Cedeño, who spent her childhood in South Texas, among predominantly Mexican-American Latinos. As she eats, she reflects on the views that American politicians have of Latino voters.“As a Puerto...

History is Made: Oakland Youth Cast their Ballots For the First Time for School Board Elections | | Post News Group

By Magaly Muñoz
Dozens of unhoused people are camped at Sixth and Jesse streets in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood. Tents made of tarps and blankets, piles of debris, and people lounging alongside the allies and walls of businesses are seen from all angles.These are some of the city’s hotspots. City crews have cleared encampments there over 30 times in the past year, but unhoused people always return.
But it’s normal to have tents set up again within less than 24 hours after an enca...

Last City Council Meeting of the Year Ends on Sour Note with Big Budget Cuts | Post News Group

By Magaly Muñoz
In the last lengthy Tuesday meeting of the Oakland City Council for 2024, residents expressed strong opposition to the much needed budget cuts before a change in leadership was finalized with the certification of election results.In a five to one vote, with Councilmembers Carroll Fife and Janani Ramachandran excused, the council passed a plan aimed at balancing the $130 million deficit the city is facing. Noel Gallo voted against the plan, previously citing concerns over public s...

A little bit about me.

Originally from the Central Valley, I graduated from CSU Sacramento in 2022 before moving to the Bay Area to start my journalism career. 

I've interned at NPR's All Things Considered and am currently working under two fellowships, one with UC Berkeley and a six month grant with USC's Center for Health Journalism.

When I'm not chasing down a story, you can find me at a concert, restaurant or reading a really good book. 

Because of the nature of this work, being in a space that allows me to unwind and forget about my job for a few hours is of the utmost importance for my work-life balance.