Meet Cece Woods | Investigative Reporter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cece Woods and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cece, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk is a big factor in everything I do in my career – especially as an investigative reporter. Decisions are very intuitive for me. If something doesn’t feel right, I won’t do it or something will energetically stop me from doing it. I pay very close attention to my intuition.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am an independent investigative journalist. I founded multiple news platforms after being heavily involved in Malibu politics and the environment starting back in 2011.
A few years later, in 2014, I founded The Local Malibu, an activism based news platform where I published my articles on local politics and other important issues affecting the community.

In 2018, the community woke up to jarring news that a young father murdered in his tent at Malibu Creek State Park while laying next to his two young daughters. That event led to me meeting Dr Ronda Hampton and Alex Villanueva who was running for sheriff of LA County at the time and breaking important news stories about the shootings in Malibu Creek State Park.

My relationship with those two led to me covering politics in LA County and starting the news platform The Current Report.

In 2020 I was approached by whistleblowers from LA Metro. I started working with them and reporting on the corruption under Philip Washington’s leadership. Within 24 hours of my first article being published, two federal investigations were opened.

In 2022, Washington was nominated by President Biden to head the FAA. Shortly after I was contacted by a DC watchdog organization who saw my reporting on Washington’s corruption. They asked me to work with them and senators to provide them with all of the documents and evidence I reviewed for my articles.

In March of 2023, under intense pressure from the Senate during his confirmation hearing, Washington withdrew his nomination.

My news platforms are supported by people who care about truth and transparency in government which is critical because in cases like Philip Washington, it can affect change in the highest levels of government.

I am very proud of my work and very passionate about it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Manhattan Beach – The Strand House and Esperanza
Malibu – Bui Sushi (where true locals go) and Kristy’s in Trancas
Beach walks on the Strand in South Bay
Drinks and appetizers at Gulfsteam Newport Beach
Mexican Food at Javier’s in Newport Beach
Malibu Country Mart for coffee at Alfred’s Coffee and to people watch.
Calamigos Ranch for a fun staycation.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr Ronda Hampton and former Sheriff Alex Villanueva. They are the reason I am an investigative reporter today. They both mentored me early on and gave me the confidence to grow in this politically charged profession.

Website: https://cecewoods.com

Instagram: instagram/thelocalmalibu

Twitter: https://x.com/ceceswoods

Other: https://thecurrentreport.com

Image Credits
1. Red State article, Dec. 2024
2. LA Times article Nov. 2024
3. x.com/ceceswoods Breaking News story
4 California Insider Show Dec 2023
5. Hall of Justice with Dr Ronda Hampton and Sheriff Alex Villanueva, March 2019
6. Actor Cary Elwes and Malibu Mayor Jefferson Wagner for The Local Malibu
7.With Alex Villanueva during the Malibu Creek State Park Shootings
8. With Dr Ronda Hampton advocation for Malibu’s missing and murdered.