By Caitlyn Petty | BG Falcon Media intern
BG News alumna Lisa Halverstadt has been working in the ever-evolving landscape of journalism for many years. During her time at BGSU, she held many positions with the BG News including Editor-In-Chief, City Editor, Reporter, and Copy Editor. She is now one of the two senior investigative reporters for Voice of San Diego, a non-profit online news source. Lisa’s fascination with the West Coast began at a young age, igniting a desire to explore new opportunities. This led her to cross paths with Voice of San Diego during her college years at BG News, now part of BG Falcon Media.
Lisa interned at The Arizona Republic, applying at the urging of BG News alum Tracy Collins, who worked there for many years. The Republic internship turned into her first full-time job
During her time at BG News, Lisa recognized the significance of Voice of San Diego’s model within the journalism community and advocated for Voice of San Diego to speak at BGSU, highlighting their innovative funding approach and commitment to telling the most important stories, although it did not work out.
At the Arizona Republic, she honed her skills as a journalist and deepened her understanding of pressing social issues. Lisa eventually found her way to Voice of San Diego. In her role there, Lisa has made a mark by delving into issues of homelessness and the behavioral health system, as well as covering the housing crisis plaguing San Diego. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the truth, she strives to provide a holistic perspective on pressing regional issues, offering insights that transcend individual narratives.
Reflecting on her work, Lisa emphasized the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives.
“In my day to day I can speak to everyone to the mayor to somebody living in a tent on the side of the street and that’s something I really enjoy about the job, since i get a variety of perspectives,” she said.
She said journalism is about giving voice to the voiceless and shining a light on the issues that matter most. She added that one of the core principles driving her work is her belief in the importance of including the voices of the homeless in her reporting. Recognizing that they are living the crisis firsthand, she said she feels a deep sense of responsibility to ensure their stories are heard. Through her empathetic approach, Lisa strives to bring attention to the struggles and challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, giving them a platform to share their experiences and perspectives.
During her time at Voice of San Diego, Lisa has tackled numerous important stories, one of them being her coverage of a hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego County. Investigating the crisis, she uncovered the startling lack of resources available to those living on the streets, including a severe shortage of handwashing stations. Her reporting shed light on the dire situation and spurred action from city officials, leading to a series of measures to address the outbreak and improve conditions for the homeless population.
In addition to her work on the hepatitis A outbreak, Lisa has tackled complex and controversial issues, such as the series of building acquisitions from the city during 2017. Delving deep into the intricacies of these deals, she uncovered a web of financial entanglements and political maneuvering, revealing the true cost and impact of these projects on the community.
Reflecting on her career, Lisa emphasizes the importance of experience in shaping one’s passion and career path.
“In my career I have covered a lot of things I’ve never considered like homelessness, commercial real estate, ownerships of hockey teams,” she said. “You never know what you’re going to get thrown into or the people you get to meet.”
As she continues her journey as an investigative reporter, Lisa remains dedicated to uncovering truths and amplifying voices that often go unheard. Her advice to students – find your passion.
“Experience is the most important thing and that’s how you find your passion,” she said. “I thought I wanted to be a magazine editor but after joining BG News I discovered that breaking news and public safety is my passion.”