Arden Margulis — Reporter
Featured Work
At The Almanac, I've worked on enterprise and investigative pieces that have shaped local decision.
Reporting on sexual abuse
By digging through hundreds of pages of court documents, I learned in early 2026 that a part-time, on-call East Palo Alto city employee was charged with sexually abusing an eight grade boy. As I was looking into the case, I learned that a current councilmember had written a character reference in support of the employee on letterhead with the city's emblem. After my article was published, two of the councilmember's colleagues called on him to resign and the reporting is still discussed in East Palo Alto.
Atherton anonymous donor
After seeing that an Atherton City Council agenda included an item about the town accepting an anonymous donation to pay for new police motorcycles, I wanted to find out who donated to the town. I submitted a California Public Records Act request for more information on the donation. When the town refused to turn over the documents I sought, I published an article to inform readers. Shortly thereafter, the town finally released the records and I was able to identify the donor.
Las Lomitas credit card usage
After allegations of financial impropriety against the Las Lomitas Elementary School District superintendent during tense union negotiations, I compelled the district to turn over hundreds of pages of district credit card statements. During my review, I calculated that the district spent over $38,000 on catering and food. I also found spending at Michelin guide restaurants and the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. Following my reporting, the superintendent resigned early and the state and county launched an audit.
