A native Angeleno who grew up in Boyle Heights, Hector Becerra’s first foray into journalism was as the editor of the University Times at Cal State Los Angeles. He started his career at the Los Angeles Times in 1999 and was a general assignment reporter until 2014, covering everything from wildfires to crime to Latino cultural trends. He has been among the first to a murder scene as part of a ride-along in South L.A. and has tried his hand as a field worker, picking strawberries in Santa Maria. Becerra was part of the team of reporters that won the Pulitzer Prize’s Public Service award for its coverage of the city of Bell corruption scandal. He was city editor for the California section until 2022, when he was promoted to deputy managing editor.
Latest From This Author
California firefighters criticized President Trump for a tweet Saturday that incorrectly stated that this week’s devastating fires were the result of poor forest management.
Nov. 10, 2018
The mountain lion did not commit the perfect crime.
April 24, 2017
When your parents are immigrants, you generally grow up speaking their language, be it Cantonese or Mandarin, Korean, Armenian or Spanish.
Sept. 25, 2016
Seven Latino gang members have been charged with firebombing the homes of black families living in a Boyle Heights housing project, an attack that federal prosecutors allege was designed to drive African Americans out of the neighborhood.
July 7, 2016
Remember those monstrous storms that bore down on Southern California this year courtesy of El Niño, and how they caused mudslides, mass flooding and general pandemonium on the freeways?
June 9, 2016
In the 1980s, my boyhood best friend in Boyle Heights and I chatted about gangs.
May 12, 2016
In Hollywood, there is no Magical Latino.
Feb. 27, 2016
Tired of watching baseball players spit tobacco all over the dirt or pristine grass (or their uniforms) at Dodger Stadium?
Jan. 26, 2016
After burglarizing a home in Fresno of $4,000 worth of jewelry and electronics, two thieves peeled off in an SUV.
Jan. 14, 2016