Hi! I’m a climate reporter at The Sacramento Bee, where I cover California’s environment with a focus on water, energy, carbon emissions, and extreme weather. My work has earned recognition from Best of the West, the California News Publishers Association, the Sacramento Press Club and others.

I started out as a web editor for Haaretz newspaper and freelance reporter in Israel-Palestine for outlets such as Public Radio International and Washington Post’s The Lily. I also reported on local government and education for the Los Angeles Daily News in my storied home town, the San Fernando Valley.

I hold a master’s degree in public policy from UC Berkeley and am happiest diving into a long story, a crossword puzzle, or a California river.

Reach out at ariellaplachta@gmail.com