Funded in part by a grant from the Knight Foundation, the Center for Investigative Reporting recently announced the hiring of 11 reporters, multimedia producers and editors for the creation of a new watchdog initiative called California Watch:

‘This dynamic and accomplished group of journalists will drive our latest entrepreneurial venture and focus on solutions to improve the quality of life in the state,’ said CIR Executive Director Robert J. Rosenthal.

California Watch is being launched at a time when the state is confronting one of the worst budget crises in its history, the recession is inflicting pain and hardship on millions of Californians, and the need for oversight is greater than ever. …

California Watch is a response to the diminished capacity of newsrooms in the state to cover critically important issues affecting all Californians. These include the state of our public schools and community colleges, the impact of budget cuts on the health and welfare of individuals and communities, and the influence of money on politics. Other beats will be added within the coming year.

‘Working collaboratively with news organizations around the state, our reporting team will help Californians become engaged and participate more fully in the democratic process,’ said California Watch Director Louis Freedberg.

Take a look at the team CIR has assembled. It’s a very impressive group.