Monica Vaughan
Reporter
Reporter
Monica Vaughan is a freelance investigative reporter and community engagement specialist based in Fresno. Previously, she served as interim engagement editor at the Center for Health Journalism in 2022. She has reported on rural communities in California for nearly a decade as a local newspaper reporter. She covered water for Fresnoland at The Fresno Bee, county government for The San Luis Obispo Tribune and criminal justice for the Appeal-Democrat in the Sacramento Valley. In 2019, she was awarded a McClatchy President’s Award for coverage of the health effects of bad air quality for her reporting as a Center for Health Journalism 2019 California Health Equity Fellow. In 2021, she won first place for Public Service Journalism from the California News Publishers Association and the George F. Gruner Award for public service for a series of stories about contaminated drinking water. She holds a master's degree in communication and society from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and an undergraduate degree in media studies from Southern Oregon University.
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Monica Vaughan, a participant in the 2019 California Fellowship....
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Monica Vaughan, a participant in the 2019 California Fellowship....
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Monica Vaughan, a participant in the 2019 California Fellowship....
The California Department of Parks and Recreation could face sanctions or forced closures at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, after the state agency failed to follow scientists’ recommendations to reduce dust emissions from the popular park.
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Monica Vaughan, a participant in the 2019 California Fellowship.
Other stories in this series include:
Oceano Dunes stays open to off-roading. But California still says big changes must be made
Health alert: Air quality warning issued for
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Monica Vaughan, a participant in the 2019 California Fellowship.
Other stories in this series include:
Health alert: Air quality warning issued for Nipomo Mesa advises residents to stay inside
Live updates: Will off-roaders be banned from Oc
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Monica Vaughan, a participant in the 2019 California Fellowship.
Other stories in this series include:
Live on or near the Nipomo Mesa? We’re investigating air quality and need your help
This story was produced as part of a larger project led by Monica Vaughan, a participant in the 2019 California Fellowship.
Other stories in this series include:
Oceano Dunes stays open to off-roading. But California still says big changes must be made
Live updates: Will off-roaders be banned from O
Do you live or work on the Mesa? Did you know the air quality is sometimes unhealthy? It can trigger a persistent cough, asthma attacks, and even lung disease after prolonged exposure.
In the midst of my reporting on the health effects of bad air quality downwind of an off-road park along the California coast, our newsroom was confronted with another pressing public health tragedy.