Reporter

Allyson Vergara

Allyson Vergara is the Demographics and Equity team editor for the Southern California News Group, leading coverage of race, culture, diversity and inclusion across Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire. She hopes to share stories that make way for underrepresented communities to feel seen in their local news. She's written extensively about diversity; from covering Asian and Latino American communities in California, to religion in Brooklyn and Queens. Allyson covered the Inland Empire with The Press-Enterprise before starting her new beat in 2023. She's written for outlets including NBC News, the LA Times, Angelus News, KCETLink, The Daily Pilot, America Magazine, National Catholic Reporter, The Tablet and Asian Journal. She earned a master's degree from the CUNY Newmark School of Journalism in New York, after attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles for undergrad. She loves hiking and a good game of Scrabble.

Cultural events and community prayers celebrating the Festival of Lights are set from Chino Hills to Pasadena.

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Where to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Southern California this weekend

November 9, 2023 at 4:04 p.m.

Cultural events and community prayers celebrating the Festival of Lights are set from Chino Hills to Pasadena.

Locals with ties to Israel, Gaza and other parts of the Middle East say the anger that's risen locally since Oct. 7 is less about short-term right and wrong than it is about long-term survival.

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As Israel-Hamas war rages, tension rises in Southern California

November 5, 2023 at 7:00 a.m.

Locals with ties to Israel, Gaza and other parts of the Middle East say the anger that's risen locally since Oct. 7 is less about short-term right and wrong than...

"Our conversations have shifted from daily vacation updates to proof-of-life updates," family members of Palestinian Americans trapped in Gaza said.

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Daughters of Palestinian Americans trapped in Gaza plead for humanitarian aid, families’ safe return

October 27, 2023 at 7:12 a.m.

"Our conversations have shifted from daily vacation updates to proof-of-life updates," family members of Palestinian Americans trapped in Gaza said.

Author Rachel Montez Minor swill be in conversation with Debbie Allen at Vroman's Bookstore on Oct. 25.

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Born out of grief, this children’s book ‘See You on the Other Side’ explores loss

October 24, 2023 at 1:57 p.m.

Author Rachel Montez Minor swill be in conversation with Debbie Allen at Vroman's Bookstore on Oct. 25.

Although climate change "often disproportionately impacts communities of color, these communities are often left out of the conversations on solutions," conference organizers said.

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Hit hard by climate change, Asians and Pacific Islanders grapple with solutions

October 20, 2023 at 4:36 p.m.

Although climate change "often disproportionately impacts communities of color, these communities are often left out of the conversations on solutions," conference organizers said.

Hundreds gathered Tuesday at the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County in Irvine for a gathering to show support for Israel.

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OC Jews, Palestinians mourn those killed following surprise Hamas attack

October 17, 2023 at 12:06 p.m.

Hundreds gathered Tuesday at the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County in Irvine for a gathering to show support for Israel.

The Soboba Reservation in Riverside County is hosting a session where tribal members can file reports, get case updates and even give DNA samples.

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Local tribe spotlights helping families of missing, murdered Indigenous people

September 29, 2023 at 8:41 a.m.

The Soboba Reservation in Riverside County is hosting a session where tribal members can file reports, get case updates and even give DNA samples.

The visit to Terminal Island federal correctional institution in San Pedro was one of several by rabbis at prisons nationwide, hoping to bring the message of Yom Kippur — a day of atonement and self-reflection — to inmates.

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During Jewish High Holidays, rabbis bring message of forgiveness to those behind bars

September 25, 2023 at 9:38 a.m.

The visit to Terminal Island federal correctional institution in San Pedro was one of several by rabbis at prisons nationwide, hoping to bring the message of Yom Kippur — a...

Passing out pride flags was one of several student-led efforts to protest the new policies that some believe ban the flags -- and target LGBTQ+ students -- altogether.

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Temecula student passes out pride flags to protest ‘targeted’ school policies

September 21, 2023 at 10:43 a.m.

Passing out pride flags was one of several student-led efforts to protest the new policies that some believe ban the flags -- and target LGBTQ+ students -- altogether.

Some community leaders believe Kennedy Jr.'s campaigning in L.A. could be part of a strategy to get more Latino votes.

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pitches tough immigration policies to LA Latinos

September 16, 2023 at 11:08 a.m.

Some community leaders believe Kennedy Jr.'s campaigning in L.A. could be part of a strategy to get more Latino votes.

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