CBS Stations Create New Government Accountability Initiative

CBS Stations today unveiled a new California-based investigative initiative, CBS News California Investigates, and appointed longtime journalist Julie Watts as the regional CBS California correspondent.

Through CBS News California Investigates, Watts will uncover and raise awareness of serious issues impacting Californians, hold local officials accountable, obtain answers for viewers and provide solutions. The segments will air weekly on the CBS-owned stations in Sacramento (KOVR and KMAX), San Francisco (KPIX/PIX+) and Los Angeles (KCAL and KCBS 2) and will be available across streaming channels and digital.

Watts will be based in state capital of Sacramento. Her responsibilities will span from Northern to Southern California, collaborating closely with CBS Sacramento, CBS Bay Area and CBS Los Angeles. Together, Watts and the newsroom investigators across the state will conduct in-depth investigations into issues impacting these communities. CBS News California Investigates “aims to empower the communities with knowledge and foster transparency, accountability and, ultimately, a stronger, more informed public.”

Jennifer Mitchell, president of CBS Stations (West Coast—Midwest), said: “We are taking a closer look at the intricacies and issues facing our local communities through a California legislative and accountability lens. With this dedicated investigative news role, we aim to uncover the stories shaping policies and impacting the lives of Californians. Julie is a well-known, award-winning investigative reporter in the region, and we have complete confidence she is the perfect journalist to delve into issues and hold government officials accountable.

Watts said: “We’ll be telling stories from our local communities through the lens of government accountability and solutions-based journalism. I think many Californians will be shocked to learn how our state government is really working, or isn’t working, to address the issues that matter most to them. Our goal is to ultimately increase transparency and accountability at the state capitol, not just from lawmakers and elected officials, but also from state agencies, appointees and the government staffers behind the scenes.”

Watts is a national investigative correspondent who has covered California for CBS for 15 years. Most recently, she was an investigative reporter/anchor at CBS in Sacramento, where she built an award-winning California Capitol Accountability franchise. Previously, she was the consumer-investigative reporter at KPIX San Francisco, where her Consumer Watch stories aired statewide.

The 14-time Emmy-winner has also been honored with several national journalism awards, including a Society of Professional Journalists SDX Award for public service and multiple National Gracie, National Headliner and National Press Club Awards. Watts’ work has also garnered over a dozen regional awards, including several Sacramento Press Club, Associated Press and Edward R. Murrow Awards.