Christina Giardinelli

Writer/ Reporter

United States

Christina is an award winning Writer and Reporter at KATU News in Portland Oregon. She has expertise covering everything from local, state and national government to breaking news and wildfire season. She prides herself in leaving no stones unturned and knocking on every door to uncover the truth especially when that involves holding the powerful accountable through tough questions and/or record requests.

Christina was born and raised in the Lazio region of Italy. She moved to the United States with her family in 2007 and graduated from Wallington High School in New Jersey before moving to Salt Lake City, Utah. She grew up speaking both languages.

She obtained her bachelor's degree in International Studies with a minor in Political Science and French from the University of Utah where she began her career as a journalist at the university's independent student newspaper.

When she's not at work, Christina can most likely be found covered in neoprene from head to toe kooking around one of Oregon's cold water surf breaks. A perpetual surfing beginner, she believes the best surfer is the one having the most fun. Her friends say she is a bit of a snob when it comes to food but she prefers to think of herself as having a refined pallet. She loves to travel and speaks fluent English, Italian, French and Spanish.

Portfolio

Hard News: Writing

KATU
07/22/2025
Families lose everything in Burdoin fire

Gazing out across the Columbia River, Katie and David Curran watched their home in Lyle, Wash., reduced to nothing more than rubble by the Burdoin Fire.

Government/Policy: Writing

Investigative: Writing

KATU
01/28/2025
Since drug recriminalization, 10 people in Oregon completed deflection successfully

Oregon has been experimenting with programs that offer substance use services instead of drug possession charges for almost five months. Data obtained through records request shows that from September to December, 410 people were referred to deflection, just under half of those in Multnomah County Of those, 21% ended up not qualifying for deflection mostly because of other crimes, 19% of those who qualified chose not to enter deflection.

KATU
12/20/24
State verifies many sex abuse allegations at Oregon schools

KATU News has been one of several media outlets in the last few months to report on sex abuse cases filed across multiple Oregon school districts, but the events are not isolated. State reports show credible abuse allegations in school districts are far from uncommon. Quarterly reports from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Training, Investigations, and Safety (OTIS) show in 2024 alone the state investigated 260 allegations of abuse in Oregon schools and verified 61 of...

KATU
11/29/2023
Oregon could lose thousands of shelter beds without ongoing operating funds

A needs assessment conducted by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and obtained by KATU through a records request revealed that thousands of shelter beds statewide are at risk of closingand some have already closed because of a lack of operation funds to pay for things like rent, staffing and utilities.

KATU
04/06/2023
Oregon's Early Learning Division responds after millions spent on unfilled preschool slots

Oregon lawmakers questioned the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) director during a hearing shortly after a KATU investigation uncovered millions of taxpayer dollars spent on unfilled preschool slots. "I do think that we need accountability, especially in our government, especially when you are dealing with taxpayer funds," said Rep. Tracy Cramer, R-Salem, to DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee.

Feature/creative: Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2JI0f5bZPI
KATU
07/07/24
Former NFL running back Ricky Williams eyeing psilocybin partnership in Oregon

On a rainy Thursday afternoon in Salem, former NFL star running back Ricky Williams and Travel Weekly's Editor and Chief Arnie Weissmann could be seen strolling into a bright green warehouse a stone's throw away from the Oregon State Penitentiary's western fence line. Banners strung along the building's façade reveal the cannabis dispensary owners Sammy Kahuk and wife, Dina Odeh, latest venture, The Psilocybin Service Center, one of Oregon's newly licensed legal magic mushroom therapy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNZaIzPm_bU
KATU
03/08/2025
Oregon residents urged to prepare for REAL ID enforcement deadline

As the May 7 deadline for REAL ID enforcement approaches, Oregon residents are being urged to prepare for changes at airport checkpoints and certain federal facilities. Starting on that date, individuals aged 18 and older will need to present a REAL ID or a federally accepted alternative, such as a passport, to board commercial U.S. flights and access specific federal sites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHRqH4r6XIM
KATU
07/01/2024
Surfers have safety advice as heat drives crowds to Oregon's treacherous ocean waters

Triple-digit temperatures in the cities mean one thing on the Oregon coast, people are going to be flocking out to enjoy some reprieve from the heat. But don’t let the water's seemingly calm appearance fool you. Every year the Oregon, Washington and northern California coastlines take two or three lives when people get swept out to sea. The U.S. Coast Guard does not recommend wading or swimming on this coastline as conditions can be treacherous and unpredictable, but if you are going to...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5l2hNLIX7g&t=7s
KATU
06/14/2024
Kelso High School students beating the odds while experiencing homelessness

The calendar on Makoa Perez's phone could likely compete with a CEO's. His phone tracks everything from prom to a double shift at one of his two jobs and speaking engagements at Kelso High. For the past year he has been one of Washington State's roughly 33,476 McKinney Vento students who are experiencing homelessness with their families or living without a parent or guardian.

Investigative: Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLPV35Kcd0s
KATU
01/28/2025
Since drug recriminalization, 10 people in Oregon completed deflection successfully

Oregon has been experimenting with programs that offer substance use services instead of drug possession charges for almost five months. Data obtained through records request shows that from September to December, 410 people were referred to deflection, just under half of those in Multnomah County Of those, 21% ended up not qualifying for deflection mostly because of other crimes, 19% of those who qualified chose not to enter deflection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAJ947n8E8
KATU
4/05/2023
Oregon's Early Learning Division responds after millions spent on unfilled preschool slots

Oregon lawmakers questioned the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) director during a hearing shortly after a KATU investigation uncovered millions of taxpayer dollars spent on unfilled preschool slots. "I do think that we need accountability, especially in our government, especially when you are dealing with taxpayer funds," said Rep. Tracy Cramer, R-Salem, to DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee.

https://youtu.be/rg-OxBHo4Rg?si=nbYVSq2XOvs0Rzwp
KATU
11/13/2024
Tri-county taxpayers foot $30M in inmate medical expenses since January 2023

In just under two years taxpayers in Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties have paid roughly $30 million to cover the cost of medical expenses for jail inmates. The counties' combined maximum funded jail capacity is 2,193 beds but actual capacity varies widely depending on the day. Information KATU obtained through records request shows medical spending in county jails varies widely from county to county, with officials saying the biggest cost burdens often fall on rural counties...

https://youtu.be/bHUaO8GdQYs?si=yM1rrdlMmSCey8Dz
KATU
08/04/2024
Multnomah County's approach to deflection for people using drugs

Multnomah County officials have four weeks left to implement a plan to offer a deflection program to people caught with illegal drugs for personal use. Leaders held a news conference last Wednesday to assure you that Multnomah County will be ready on September 1 with a deflection program. KATU News reporter Christina Giardinelli was at Wednesday's news conference with county leaders. She's also been following how counties are preparing for deflection programs. Christina joins Steve...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3Ew_zoILmU&t=11s
KATU
12/20/24
State verifies many sex abuse allegations at Oregon schools

KATU News has been one of several media outlets in the last few months to report on sex abuse cases filed across multiple Oregon school districts, but the events are not isolated. State reports show credible abuse allegations in school districts are far from uncommon. Quarterly reports from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Training, Investigations, and Safety (OTIS) show in 2024 alone the state investigated 260 allegations of abuse in Oregon schools and verified 61...

Accountability Reporting: video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnFuoUdB1NE&t=55s
KATU
02/06/25
Former St. Helens police chief accused of misconduct in damning report

The city of St. Helens is once again embroiled in scandal, this time involving former Police Chief Brian Greenway. An outside investigator looked into complaints against Greenway. A lengthy and damning report outlined the allegations against the former chief. The findings include some that the investigator says would have likely led to disciplinary action against Greenway had he not resigned in Oct. 2024.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt1uMeU62BI&t=2s
KATU
11/26/24
St. Helens District, new acting Superintendent refuse questions at press event

St. Helens School District's newly-appointed acting superintendent, Dr. Steve Webb, spent a portion of his first day on the job dodging questions from members of the media at a press conference. "Today is my first day on the job and like you I have many questions. I ask for your patience as I navigate this challenging situation," he said reading from a prepared statement to a handful of members of the media that had been invited to a press conference and had not been advised that questions...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLqUyNwT2MU
KATU
10/31/24
Multnomah County chair responds to deflection center loitering concerns

The latest data shows that since drug possession charges took effect on Sept. 1, Multnomah County has deflected 89 people -- most through mobile units. Since the county's deflection center opened on Oct. 14, the county has brought 16 people there. Of those, only seven accepted free transportation away from the center to a location of their choice. The data confirms fears expressed by people who live and work in the neighborhood who worry that most people would not take advantage of the...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-j_N5meyVE
KATU
03/14/2025
Appeal filed in 13-year legal battle over access to Oswego Lake

Though not uncommon for web-footed Oregonians to be observed braving a rainstorm in a kayak, the image of a pair of kayakers putting in at Millennium Plaza Park in Oswego Lake is novel. A couple of weeks ago, ignoring the "private lake" and "no access" signs and pushing past the metal art structures and boulders meant to block lake access would likely have resulted in a stern talking to from Lake Oswego Corporation (LOC) patrols.