Brooks Jarosz
Call me a watchdog, detective, or just a nosy neighbor. I can’t stand cheaters, schemers, and those who take advantage of others.
If you value hard work, respect and kindness, we’ll get along just fine. Maybe it’s my Midwestern roots that motivate me, or my passion to spark change, expose problems, and get people talking.
I grew up near Toledo, Ohio, where most of my family still lives, but have lived in the Bay Area for a few years. Admittedly, it took time to understand the politics, culture and lifestyle. Personally, I’ve grown as a person, and as a journalist. It’s exciting to do the job I love, in a place I love exploring.
I’ve found Bay Area people lead interesting and exciting lives. I like to think I do too. If you’ve met me, you know I like to talk and am unafraid to ask questions. Truthfully, I want to make a difference.
The best part of being an investigative reporter is getting to learn something new, nearly every day. I’m constantly seeking the truth, being relentlessly persistent, and reporting the facts. I call it real journalism.
My friends would tell you I’m very competitive. I’ve earned five regional Emmy awards and numerous other Society of Professional Journalists’ awards for investigative, enterprise, and consumer reporting.
Before KTVU FOX 2, I was an investigative journalist at WSYX ABC6/WTTE FOX 28 in Columbus, Ohio. Proud is how I’d describe the investigative work that has brought about sweeping changes and helped change laws, or improve lives.
Prior to 2013, I was a jack-of-all-trades reporting, shooting video, producing, editing and anchoring at WSAZ NewsChannel 3 in Charleston, West Virginia.
I’m a proud honors graduate from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, where I first got my start at WOUB-TV in Athens, Ohio.
In 2008, I earned a prestigious fellowship with the Brian Ross Investigative Unit at ABC News, which inspired me to become an investigative journalist.
I can trace back my interest in television news, productions and journalism to my high school, St. John’s Jesuit. That’s also where I was introduced to the sport of rowing. So if I’m not at work, I’m usually on or near the water, out and about with my little dog, Rufus, or sipping on a glass of California wine, and enjoying the fantastic food and arts scenes.
If you have suggestions on where to eat, what to do, or more importantly an investigative tip for 2 Investigates, drop me a line at Brooks.Jarosz@FOXTV.com.
The latest from Brooks Jarosz
PG&E employee: wildfire safety complaints lead to firing
Wildfire safety complaints voiced to PG&E by a veteran lineman were ignored and led to his termination, according to a $7.6 million lawsuit filed against the bankrupt utility.
Rental scams linked to fake ads targeting millennials
The study, released Tuesday by the Better Business Bureau, found that bogus listings were seen by 43% of people looking for long-term housing or vacation rentals.
State regulators call communications companies to task for service failures
Representatives from major communications companies in California were blasted for their performance and response to the October public safety power shutoffs.
Emergency warning systems present patchwork of problems
During a power shutoff or disaster, advanced warning is expected, but the patchwork of technology and lack of uniformity causes confusion across the Bay Area, forcing many alerts to be missed, delayed or lost.
Despite plans, hundreds of cellular towers still went down during power shutoff
Wireless companies are not forced to keep you connected during a public safety power shutoff or natural disaster, which recently left thousands cut off -- unable to receive texts, calls, or contact 911.
PG&E confirms its equipment may have been responsible for two more fires over the weekend
PG&E confirmed Monday that its equipment may have been responsible for two more fires that broke out in the Bay Area during its Public Safety Power Shutoff over the weekend.
Kincade Fire ignited four minutes after malfunction on PG&E transmission tower
A few miles up a private road in Geyserville is where an equipment malfunction occurred on a Pacific Gas and Electric transmission tower, just minutes before the Kincade Fire started.
Millions spent on fixing Bay Area homeless crisis, but where does the money go?
A big chunk of money spent in the Bay Area's three largest cities aimed at trying to tackle the homeless crisis doesn't actually trickle down to the people seen living on the streets. And 2 Investigates found, that's by design.
Bay Area Homeless Crisis: By the Numbers
Homelessness is a growing problem in the Bay Area, and the proof is in the numbers.
Parents fearful of ticks found on athletic fields
Parents tell 2 Investigates that they've come home finding several ticks on their children, and feel the school district isn't doing enough to address the problem. Despite having a pest management program, all families could still be at risk from getting bit across California and even contract Lyme Disease, which is on the rise.