The following excerpt was sent out from The Washington Post’s national editor Matea Gold, deputy national editor Philip Rucker and health and science editor Stephen Smith:
David Ovalle
We’re delighted to announce that David Ovalle, who had a distinguished two-decade run chronicling the characters and crimes of South Florida, is joining The Post’s Health and Science team to cover opioids and other aspects of America’s pressing substance-abuse crisis.
In this new position, David will cover the plight of people with substance-abuse disorders and hold to account the forces that have fueled their addiction.
David will also collaborate on coverage of the Food and Drug Administration, including the agency’s continuing efforts to regulate tobacco and e-cigarettes.
David, who is known for his versatility, strong sourcing and compelling storytelling, has chronicled the fallout of addiction as a crime and justice reporter for the Miami Herald. During his 20 years at the Herald, David reported on crime, courts and natural disasters – just about everything Florida can throw at a journalist.
He graduated from the University of Southern California with degrees in print journalism and Spanish.
Please join us in welcoming David. His first day in the Washington newsroom is Feb. 6.