Deputy Editor

Matthew Leonard

Matthew Leonard is the data editor for Civil Beat.

He joined the newsroom after more than a decade working in upstate New York and in Nashville. As the Investigations and Special Projects Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Matthew supervised investigations into policing and justice, racial and health disparities and social and environmental justice issues across New York state. He was heavily involved in overhauling the organization’s coverage of public safety issues to be more equitable and inclusive.

Born in Sydney, Matthew worked for Australia’s national broadcaster and for several Indigenous media and cultural organizations, including in remote homeland communities. He spent five years at Radio New Zealand where he was able to pursue his interest in the cultures of the Pacific. A major project completed during his time in Aotearoa/New Zealand documented the last remnants of old growth forests and their cultural and ecological significance

Matthew originally studied music composition and performance before making his way into public broadcasting, and continues to have a strong interest in music, sound design and audio production. He is a keen ocean swimmer, amateur musician and cooks a mean chili. 

Follow Matthew on Twitter @mleonardmedia or email him at mleonard@civilbeat.org. Contact him for how to share news tips securely.

Matthew Leonard: The End Of Pandemic Assistance Hit Households Hard Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023

Matthew Leonard: The End Of Pandemic Assistance Hit Households Hard

Financially precarious families still face the end of expanded federal child care funding and medical coverage.

Unsafe Water Advisory Lifted For Most Of Upper Kula Provided: County of Maui

Unsafe Water Advisory Lifted For Most Of Upper Kula

Residents should flush their faucets for 10 minutes to discharge standing water.

Matthew Leonard: A Kula Resident Digs Into Data To Make Sense Of Water Testing David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023

Matthew Leonard: A Kula Resident Digs Into Data To Make Sense Of Water Testing

Update: The Unsafe Water Advisory Was Lifted For Most Of Upper Kula Late Tuesday.

State Electrical Grid To Receive Injection Of Federal Funds Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

State Electrical Grid To Receive Injection Of Federal Funds

The White House said the money will improve service and limit damage during future events.

See You At Manoa Public Library For Civil Beat’s Next Pop-up Newsroom

See You At Manoa Public Library For Civil Beat’s Next Pop-up Newsroom

Meet with reporters and editors Friday July 28 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Here’s What You’ve Been Telling Us At Our Pop-Up Newsrooms Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2022

Here’s What You’ve Been Telling Us At Our Pop-Up Newsrooms

Rural areas feel left out of conversations that many of you say are too Honolulu-centric.