Investigative reporter Gina Barton covers criminal justice, police brutality, custody deaths, domestic violence and sexual assault. Gina also hosts the national Edward R. Murrow Award-winning true crime podcast Unsolved. Her other honors include the George A. Polk Award and the Hillman prize for newspaper reporting. A Chicago-area native, Gina holds a bachelor’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and a master’s degree in liberal studies with concentrations in criminal justice and creative writing from Indiana University-South Bend. Got a tip? Contact her at @[email protected] or on Signal at (262) 757-8640.
Our journalists adhere to the USA TODAY NETWORK Principles of Ethical Conduct For Newsrooms.
My Recent Work
Sheriff Nick Smith loses reelection bid amid jail death investigation
A sheriff clings to power after a man froze to death in his jail
Cedarburg person of interest in Brown University shooting released from custody
Person of interest in Brown University shooting will be released from custody
Brown University shooting: What to know about the person of interest
DNA tests match thousands of rape suspects. Few are prosecuted. DNA tests match thousands of rape suspects. Few are prosecuted. DNA tests match thousands of rape suspects. Few are prosecuted.
How Diddy and Tupac-Biggie rivalry shaped rap's legacy
Did Diddy put hit on Tupac? Grand jury transcripts reveal new details
Man charged in Tupac's death claims Diddy put out $1 million hit
'We are heartbroken': Texas flood victims remembered
Diddy trial: Jurors shown 20 minutes of footage of apparent 'freak offs'
Judge boots juror in Diddy trial over 'lack of candor'
Diddy trial recap: Why was a juror removed from the sex-crimes trial?
Judge leans toward dismissing juror in Diddy trial; Ye shows up
Diddy trial reveals authorities found hundreds of bottles of baby oil
Diddy judge moves to dismiss juror; Ye shocks in court
Testimony from Witness Jane wraps
Trial recap: Diddy blew up over 'Jane' going to rapper's 'freak off'
Witness Jane testifies in Diddy trial
Diddy trial recap: Jane alleges she was 'made to have sex' with 3 men
Witness Jane tells court Diddy's favorite show
Sean 'Diddy' Combs' eerie favorite TV show revealed at trial
Diddy's ex-lover 'Jane' says he's a 'cuckolder'
Prosecutors focus on Diddy's controlling behavior in appeal to judge
Diddy trial testimony: Ex details him choking her in a 2024 argument
Witness Jane testifies in Diddy trial
Diddy's ex reveals he still pays her $10K rent: See testimony highlights
Witness testifies on relationship with Diddy
Why the Diddy trial judge threatened to oust music mogul
As Diddy's empire crumbles, the woman at the center may take the stand
Diddy trial: Ex says Combs pressured her to have sex with male escorts
Witness says Diddy held her over balcony
Diddy allegedly held woman over balcony, told her 'I'm the devil': Recap
Diddy trial replay: Witness says Diddy handed him $100K in a paper bag
Diddy trial: Ex-aide says Diddy assaulted Cassie at Brad Pitt premiere
Exclusive: Man's rape allegation against Diddy is false
Prosecutors allege conspiracy. So why is Diddy the only one on trial?
Detective Annie Harrison tracks a serial sex offender in new podcast
In Untested, Detective Annie Harrison tracks a serial sex offender
Detective Annie Harrison tracks a serial sex offender in new podcast
His DNA wasn't at the scene. How is he still serving life for murder?
How did prisoners die? USA TODAY won a lawsuit to get this hidden data
Photos show a bloody bathroom in Diddy's studio, but LAPD didn't ask him
Whistleblower who leaked police video is no longer facing charges
How untested rape kits may leave the innocent in prison, rapists free
How USA TODAY's rape kit series has officials calling for change
Behind the story: How a reporter tracked a cold-case rape
A cold case, and 8 things it reveals about America's rape kit backlog