Ryan Gabrielson
@ryangabrielson.bsky.social
Investigative editor at the San Francisco Chronicle. Past life at ProPublica. Bear down, Arizona.
Pinned
By the time 15-yr-old Jázmin Pellegrini was found dead in an SF driveway last April, Chronicle reporters Cynthia Dizikes and Joaquin Palomino had already spent months investigating California's for-profit psychiatric hospitals.
They soon found her story epitomized the crisis inside these facilities.
They soon found her story epitomized the crisis inside these facilities.
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
November 1, 2025 at 12:31 AM
We have progressed from data collection to data analysis.
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
In January while reporting on the Palisades Fire, @mgafni.bsky.social and I heard from fire survivors about a coincidence. The Palisades Fire started in the same spot as a fire that burned less than a week earlier on New Year's Day. They wondered if the two fires might be connected 🧵
October 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
In January while reporting on the Palisades Fire, @mgafni.bsky.social and I heard from fire survivors about a coincidence. The Palisades Fire started in the same spot as a fire that burned less than a week earlier on New Year's Day. They wondered if the two fires might be connected 🧵
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
This exists! It’s called Local Matters. We are sponsored by @ire.org & @knightcolumbia.org. Local Matters is a free, weekly newsletter that is curated by myself and three other working journalists. This is our 8th year!
Anyone can sign up here: visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin...
Anyone can sign up here: visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin...
October 10, 2025 at 2:54 PM
This exists! It’s called Local Matters. We are sponsored by @ire.org & @knightcolumbia.org. Local Matters is a free, weekly newsletter that is curated by myself and three other working journalists. This is our 8th year!
Anyone can sign up here: visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin...
Anyone can sign up here: visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
Whoa.
Looks like Exeter Finance, the subprime auto lender I investigated with @ryangabrielson.bsky.social for @propublica.org, is under investigation by 42 state AGs. www.propublica.org/article/tom-...
Looks like Exeter Finance, the subprime auto lender I investigated with @ryangabrielson.bsky.social for @propublica.org, is under investigation by 42 state AGs. www.propublica.org/article/tom-...
Portland Trail Blazers Buyer Tom Dundon Built His Fortune on Subprime Loans
In 2020, the state sued Santander Consumer USA for allegedly preying on Oregonians through high-interest car loans they couldn’t afford in a case involving more than 265,000 borrowers nationwide.
www.propublica.org
October 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Whoa.
Looks like Exeter Finance, the subprime auto lender I investigated with @ryangabrielson.bsky.social for @propublica.org, is under investigation by 42 state AGs. www.propublica.org/article/tom-...
Looks like Exeter Finance, the subprime auto lender I investigated with @ryangabrielson.bsky.social for @propublica.org, is under investigation by 42 state AGs. www.propublica.org/article/tom-...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
Congrats to my former student @susien.bsky.social for investigating how a flawed estimation tool leads to victims of California wildfires being under-insured businessjournalism.org/2025/09/2025...
Public-health focused investigations take top awards in the 19th annual Barlett and Steele Awards | The Reynolds Center
Promoting the importance of business journalism among journalism students, giving journalists tools to improve their business coverage, and helping
businessjournalism.org
September 30, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Congrats to my former student @susien.bsky.social for investigating how a flawed estimation tool leads to victims of California wildfires being under-insured businessjournalism.org/2025/09/2025...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
In 2000, rookie Oakland cop Aaron McFarland wrote report saying he arrested man w drugs.
His probable cause for stop: the man had crossed a solid red light.
The problem: At that time of night the lights blink red.
Katey & I obtained new records:
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
His probable cause for stop: the man had crossed a solid red light.
The problem: At that time of night the lights blink red.
Katey & I obtained new records:
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
An FBI agent killed a man after the Boston Marathon bombing. Oakland PD had helped hide his past
A trove of internal police files provides a more complete accounting of the early episode that could have jeopardized Aaron McFarlane’s career before a high-profile shooting.
www.sfchronicle.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
In 2000, rookie Oakland cop Aaron McFarland wrote report saying he arrested man w drugs.
His probable cause for stop: the man had crossed a solid red light.
The problem: At that time of night the lights blink red.
Katey & I obtained new records:
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
His probable cause for stop: the man had crossed a solid red light.
The problem: At that time of night the lights blink red.
Katey & I obtained new records:
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
Texas is about to give more than $1 billion in public money to private schools. We found that they routinely engage in nepotism and enrich insiders in ways that would be illegal for public and charter schools. Just out @propublica.org @texastribune.org:
www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/t...
Texas private schools hire relatives and enrich insiders. Soon they can do it with taxpayer money.
An investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune found more than 60 instances of nepotism, self-dealing and conflicts of interest among 27 private schools that likely would have violated state law...
www.texastribune.org
August 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Texas is about to give more than $1 billion in public money to private schools. We found that they routinely engage in nepotism and enrich insiders in ways that would be illegal for public and charter schools. Just out @propublica.org @texastribune.org:
www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/t...
www.texastribune.org/2025/08/13/t...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
A shuttered Oakland school was slated for affordable housing. Then squatters moved in, @maggieangst.bsky.social reports: www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/arti...
Shuttered Oakland school was slated for affordable housing. Then squatters moved in
The former Oakland school was to be redeveloped into affordable housing, but years of delays and inaction have made the campus susceptible to illegal encampments, drug dealing and fires.
www.sfchronicle.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A shuttered Oakland school was slated for affordable housing. Then squatters moved in, @maggieangst.bsky.social reports: www.sfchronicle.com/eastbay/arti...
"Trevor, who asked to be identified by his first name only while acknowledging illegal conduct ..." Fun read via @stjbs.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
A Bay Area man’s trip to Nevada explains why local skies are about to burst with illegal fireworks
On a recent day, Trevor made the same drive he’s made every year for the past decade. Four and a half hours later, he pulled into Bad Jack’s Fireworks in Schurz, Nev.
www.sfchronicle.com
July 3, 2025 at 3:34 PM
"Trevor, who asked to be identified by his first name only while acknowledging illegal conduct ..." Fun read via @stjbs.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
New:
Beryllium, a metal so toxic that breathing in a minuscule amount over time can cause a chronic & fatal illness, is being found in homes after the LA wildfires.
Nobody knows where it's coming from. Few are testing for it.
w/ @meganmunce.bsky.social @sfchronicle.com
tinyurl.com/4pkefbfx
Beryllium, a metal so toxic that breathing in a minuscule amount over time can cause a chronic & fatal illness, is being found in homes after the LA wildfires.
Nobody knows where it's coming from. Few are testing for it.
w/ @meganmunce.bsky.social @sfchronicle.com
tinyurl.com/4pkefbfx
Toxic metal found in L.A. air after fires. No one knows where it’s coming from
A little-known and highly dangerous earth metal used to craft spaceships has been found in wildfire-ravaged homes and in the air in Los Angeles. Experts are shocked — and alarmed.
www.sfchronicle.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
New:
Beryllium, a metal so toxic that breathing in a minuscule amount over time can cause a chronic & fatal illness, is being found in homes after the LA wildfires.
Nobody knows where it's coming from. Few are testing for it.
w/ @meganmunce.bsky.social @sfchronicle.com
tinyurl.com/4pkefbfx
Beryllium, a metal so toxic that breathing in a minuscule amount over time can cause a chronic & fatal illness, is being found in homes after the LA wildfires.
Nobody knows where it's coming from. Few are testing for it.
w/ @meganmunce.bsky.social @sfchronicle.com
tinyurl.com/4pkefbfx
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
Must read: A dangerous, little-known substance has been found in dozens of homes in the Eaton and Palisades fire zones, test results obtained by the Chronicle show. www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
Toxic metal found in L.A. air after fires. No one knows where it’s coming from
A little-known and highly dangerous earth metal used to craft spaceships has been found in wildfire-ravaged homes and in the air in Los Angeles. Experts are shocked — and alarmed.
www.sfchronicle.com
July 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Must read: A dangerous, little-known substance has been found in dozens of homes in the Eaton and Palisades fire zones, test results obtained by the Chronicle show. www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
How the Fed decides its highly influential "dot plot" rate projection (basically).
www.wsj.com/economy/cent...
www.wsj.com/economy/cent...
June 18, 2025 at 12:19 PM
How the Fed decides its highly influential "dot plot" rate projection (basically).
www.wsj.com/economy/cent...
www.wsj.com/economy/cent...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
Polite request to please credit the photographers whose L.A. photos you’re sharing. They’re out there risking getting their shins exploded by police munitions to get those shots.
June 9, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Polite request to please credit the photographers whose L.A. photos you’re sharing. They’re out there risking getting their shins exploded by police munitions to get those shots.
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
“One day before the Trump administration deployed U.S. Marines to confront protesters in Los Angeles, [DHS Sec] Kristi Noem asked Defense [Sec] Pete Hegseth to direct the military to detain or arrest “lawbreakers,” a move one expert called “a grave escalation.’” www.sfchronicle.com/us-world/art...
Exclusive: DHS secretary seeks military arrests in Los Angeles in leaked letter
The military is generally barred from domestic law enforcement. Kristi Noem’s request may be a step toward the Trump administration sidestepping those laws by invoking the Insurrection Act.
www.sfchronicle.com
June 10, 2025 at 2:13 AM
“One day before the Trump administration deployed U.S. Marines to confront protesters in Los Angeles, [DHS Sec] Kristi Noem asked Defense [Sec] Pete Hegseth to direct the military to detain or arrest “lawbreakers,” a move one expert called “a grave escalation.’” www.sfchronicle.com/us-world/art...
One day before the Trump admin deployed U.S. Marines to confront protesters in LA, DHS Sec. Kristi Noem asked Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to direct the military to detain or arrest “lawbreakers.”
by @mgafni.bsky.social, Cynthia Dizikes, @sophiabollag.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/us-world/art...
by @mgafni.bsky.social, Cynthia Dizikes, @sophiabollag.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/us-world/art...
Exclusive: DHS secretary seeks military arrests in Los Angeles in leaked letter
The military is generally barred from domestic law enforcement. Kristi Noem’s request may be a step toward the Trump administration sidestepping those laws by invoking the Insurrection Act.
www.sfchronicle.com
June 10, 2025 at 3:01 AM
One day before the Trump admin deployed U.S. Marines to confront protesters in LA, DHS Sec. Kristi Noem asked Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth to direct the military to detain or arrest “lawbreakers.”
by @mgafni.bsky.social, Cynthia Dizikes, @sophiabollag.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/us-world/art...
by @mgafni.bsky.social, Cynthia Dizikes, @sophiabollag.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/us-world/art...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
EXCLUSIVE:
CA National Guard troops sent by Trump to LA amid immigration protests are sleeping on concrete floors. No fed funding for food, water, fuel, equipment or lodging.
Source: “Currently, there is no plan for where everyone is sleeping tonight”
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
CA National Guard troops sent by Trump to LA amid immigration protests are sleeping on concrete floors. No fed funding for food, water, fuel, equipment or lodging.
Source: “Currently, there is no plan for where everyone is sleeping tonight”
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
‘Wildly underprepared’: National Guard troops seen sleeping on floors in exclusive photos
State troops sent to Los Angeles by the Trump administration, without the approval of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, were expected to sleep on floors or outdoors, a source told the Chronicle.
www.sfchronicle.com
June 9, 2025 at 6:54 PM
EXCLUSIVE:
CA National Guard troops sent by Trump to LA amid immigration protests are sleeping on concrete floors. No fed funding for food, water, fuel, equipment or lodging.
Source: “Currently, there is no plan for where everyone is sleeping tonight”
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
CA National Guard troops sent by Trump to LA amid immigration protests are sleeping on concrete floors. No fed funding for food, water, fuel, equipment or lodging.
Source: “Currently, there is no plan for where everyone is sleeping tonight”
www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
It turns out that overall, the academic disparities between the lottery and merit students were relatively small.
While the lottery had little impact on academic markers, it did have an impact on student demographics, ... significantly increasing the number of Black and Latino students.
While the lottery had little impact on academic markers, it did have an impact on student demographics, ... significantly increasing the number of Black and Latino students.
The two years of lottery students at Lowell High School could help answer a burning question: What if the SFUSD randomly admitted students to one of the top-performing high schools in the country?
These graduating Lowell students were called ‘lottery kids.’ The stigma never went away
The two years of lottery students at Lowell High School could help answer a burning question: What if the SFUSD randomly admitted students to one of the top-performing high schools in the country?
bit.ly
June 6, 2025 at 6:02 PM
It turns out that overall, the academic disparities between the lottery and merit students were relatively small.
While the lottery had little impact on academic markers, it did have an impact on student demographics, ... significantly increasing the number of Black and Latino students.
While the lottery had little impact on academic markers, it did have an impact on student demographics, ... significantly increasing the number of Black and Latino students.
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
New from me and @meganmunce.bsky.social: Three major insurance companies have been accused of systematically under-insuring LA wildfire victims via flawed software, following our @sfchronicle.com investigation into the issue.
Gift link: tinyurl.com/4dmpcb25
Gift link: tinyurl.com/4dmpcb25
3 big California insurers accused of underinsuring L.A. fire survivors
These allegations come after the Chronicle published an investigation into how flaws in software and the way insurance companies use it have left California homeowners underinsured after wildfires.
tinyurl.com
June 6, 2025 at 4:55 PM
New from me and @meganmunce.bsky.social: Three major insurance companies have been accused of systematically under-insuring LA wildfire victims via flawed software, following our @sfchronicle.com investigation into the issue.
Gift link: tinyurl.com/4dmpcb25
Gift link: tinyurl.com/4dmpcb25
I can't recommend this #ire25 class highly enough, taught by two of the best investigative storytellers in the biz!
There are still spots in our Writing The Investigative Narrative class at @ire.org!
Come talk craft with me & @rwoolington.bsky.social ✨📰
Sign up here: www.ire.org/product/ire2...
Come talk craft with me & @rwoolington.bsky.social ✨📰
Sign up here: www.ire.org/product/ire2...
May 30, 2025 at 5:20 PM
I can't recommend this #ire25 class highly enough, taught by two of the best investigative storytellers in the biz!
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
Remember: underinsurance isn’t unique to CA—most major insurance companies operating in the U.S. use the same flawed software. Time for other states to follow suit and investigate to make sure their policyholders are protected 🔎
May 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Remember: underinsurance isn’t unique to CA—most major insurance companies operating in the U.S. use the same flawed software. Time for other states to follow suit and investigate to make sure their policyholders are protected 🔎
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
After every major wildfire in California, vast numbers of survivors have found themselves underinsured & unable to rebuild their homes. I'm here at a California Board of Equalization hearing discussing the issue and exploring solutions. Watch the meeting here: boe.ca.gov/meetings/
May 28, 2025 at 8:40 PM
After every major wildfire in California, vast numbers of survivors have found themselves underinsured & unable to rebuild their homes. I'm here at a California Board of Equalization hearing discussing the issue and exploring solutions. Watch the meeting here: boe.ca.gov/meetings/
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
UC San Diego maintains 1,000+ fire-monitoring cameras across CA. The footage is typically publicly available. That was until the Palisades Fire, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives intervened.
@sfchronicle.com fought for months for this footage. See it for the first time ⬇️
@sfchronicle.com fought for months for this footage. See it for the first time ⬇️
Exclusive footage: Deadly Palisades Fire may have grown from this Jan. 1 blaze
YouTube video by San Francisco Chronicle
youtu.be
May 20, 2025 at 4:58 PM
UC San Diego maintains 1,000+ fire-monitoring cameras across CA. The footage is typically publicly available. That was until the Palisades Fire, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives intervened.
@sfchronicle.com fought for months for this footage. See it for the first time ⬇️
@sfchronicle.com fought for months for this footage. See it for the first time ⬇️
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
See for yourself: Side-by-side footage shows the start of the Palisades fire in Los Angeles and small fire that broke out in the same area six days earlier. Did it rekindle?
An exclusive, with @mgafni.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
An exclusive, with @mgafni.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
Exclusive footage: Deadly Palisades Fire may have grown from this Jan. 1 blaze
Footage obtained by the Chronicle shows the deadly Palisades Fire in the Los Angeles area may have grown from earlier blaze.
www.sfchronicle.com
May 20, 2025 at 3:41 PM
See for yourself: Side-by-side footage shows the start of the Palisades fire in Los Angeles and small fire that broke out in the same area six days earlier. Did it rekindle?
An exclusive, with @mgafni.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
An exclusive, with @mgafni.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
Another entry in the breaking State Farm saga:
A new filing submitted this afternoon reveals State Farm is pursuing its original 30% rate hike request at the full rate hearing slated for this fall. That would cumulatively be an 11% increase on top of the emergency 17% they were granted last week.
A new filing submitted this afternoon reveals State Farm is pursuing its original 30% rate hike request at the full rate hearing slated for this fall. That would cumulatively be an 11% increase on top of the emergency 17% they were granted last week.
State Farm asks for another double-digit California home insurance rate hike
Under State Farm’s new request, its condo rates in California would soar, and homeowners rates would jump an additional 11%.
www.sfchronicle.com
May 20, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Another entry in the breaking State Farm saga:
A new filing submitted this afternoon reveals State Farm is pursuing its original 30% rate hike request at the full rate hearing slated for this fall. That would cumulatively be an 11% increase on top of the emergency 17% they were granted last week.
A new filing submitted this afternoon reveals State Farm is pursuing its original 30% rate hike request at the full rate hearing slated for this fall. That would cumulatively be an 11% increase on top of the emergency 17% they were granted last week.
Reposted by Ryan Gabrielson
Imagine being Thomas Keller and thinking this was a normal way to behave!!!!!! www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaur...
This is what happened when Thomas Keller asked me to leave the French Laundry
Thomas Keller is a legendary chef. Chronicle critic MacKenzie Chung Fegan hadn’t met him, until she went to the French Laundry and he asked her to leave.
www.sfchronicle.com
May 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Imagine being Thomas Keller and thinking this was a normal way to behave!!!!!! www.sfchronicle.com/food/restaur...