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
Hundreds of Fairfield apartments still sit empty a decade later
Governmental red tape has kept 300 affordable housing units standing as a ghost fleet of former military homes with no concrete plan forward.
'Oakland looks like a trash can': Neighbors form vigilante patrols to curb crime
For months, neighbors have complained to the City of Oakland about crime, encampments, prostitution and illegal dumping, but with little change, they've decided to take matters into their own hands.
New requirements will keep phone and internet going in wildfire zones
The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to require communications companies to provide 72 hours of back-up power for wireline services in fire-prone areas.
Despite pandemic eviction bans, people are still losing their homes
The California eviction moratorium currently expires on January 31. Some people are losing housing despite the moratorium, and others who can't pay are harassed by landlords.
Ghost Ship master tenant pleads guilty to 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter
Derek Almena is expected to be sentenced to 12 years in prison, but because of good behavior and time served, the 50-year-old artist and former master tenant of the Ghost Ship warehouse will not be spending any more time in custody.
School credit cards charged for hot air balloon ride, oysters and trips
Records show Mill Valley School District credit cards were charged for lavish lunches, groceries, high-priced hotels and luxury transportation. Between 2014 and 2019, more than $163,000 was spent, concerning some parents.
Homeless hotels closing in Alameda County amid COVID-19 surge
Most hotels will close to those experiencing homelessness in early 2021, according to Alameda County, as funding runs short and efforts focus on permanent affordable housing.
California EDD whistleblower blames management for unemployment fraud
An employee with the California Employment Development Department said thousands of fraudulent unemployment claims are being processed because of lax management, little oversight and an inability to properly flag suspicious claims.
Oakland inspection failures persist 4 years after Ghost Ship fire
An audit found the city of Oakland let 2,400 buildings go unchecked, violating state law and potentially putting people and businesses at risk.
California prison officials blasted over lax COVID-19 protocols, broken thermometers
Broken thermometers, no mask mandates, a lack of training and lax screenings may have contributed to COVID-19 outbreaks at several California prisons.