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We hope you are enjoying hearing from some of the key people involved with the San Francisco Public Press. Today our series continues with two intrepid beat reporters who lead our coverage on housing & homelessness and transportation.

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Make a boat like Jerold Chinn's (right) or a fish like T.J. Johnston's (left).

T.J. Johnston, Housing & Homelessness beat reporter

How did you become interested in this topic?

In 2000, I took an intro to journalism class at Media Alliance. We did an investigative piece on nonprofits that serve homeless and impoverished people through city contracts. Only, these nonprofits paid their executives six-figure salaries. The story ran in a zine published by the Raising Our Voices program at Media Alliance, Street Sheet and Street Spirit. I started focusing on housing and poverty issues after that.

What have you learned from covering your beat?

I've become more aware of the civil and human rights components inherent in homelessness. Any coverage on homelessness benefits from information that is truthful and accurate, as well as inclusive of the homeless community. Media that provide such coverage, like the Public Press, deserve support.

Jerold Chinn, Transportation beat reporter

Why do you enjoy writing about Muni?

I'm always learning something new about Muni, whether I'm muninjudahlearning about sander hoses or how the Muni Metro operates. Through my reporting, I'm able to provide riders who can’t attend Muni meetings the latest news about service delays, budget plans, upcoming projects and other important announcements.

How would additional funding help with your coverage?

It would give me time and resources to do more investigative pieces. I would also be able to add more visual elements to my stories, as I did with my video series “Can S.F.'s next mayor save Muni?” which included interviews with almost all of the mayoral candidates on their positions on the city’s transportation system.

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