Anaheim Councilman Jordan Brandman Resigns After Vulgar Text Controversy
Brandman’s vulgar and disparaging texts about former colleague Denise Barnes sparked criticism from residents across the city, with Barnes demanding an investigation.
South Coast Repertory Creates a New ‘Normal’ in Its 2021-22 Season
A pared down season, including two plays featuring SCR’s artistic director David Ivers in acting roles, has been announced.
Every County in So Cal Offers Residents Public Updates on Covid, Except OC
It’s been more than eight months since OC held a news conference to update residents about the pandemic, and over a month since county supervisors were publicly briefed on the most recent surge.
OC Schools to Follow Mask Mandate as COVID Surges, Some Parents Rally Against Rule
Rallies are planned at school districts across the county this month as a parent group and the OC Board of Education moves to sue Gov. Gavin Newsom for the statewide school mask mandate.
Taxpayer Groups Demand Transparency on How OC Spends Hundreds of Millions in COVID Money
Over the past year, Orange County officials have spent massive amounts of federal coronavirus recovery dollars – all without a public presentation about where it’s all gone so far.
Santa Ana Officials: Police Union Boss Threatens to ‘Burn the Place Down’ to Boost His Pension
Top city officials, in a set of documents obtained by Voice of OC, allege an intimidation campaign by Gerry Serrano to get a bigger pension he’s not entitled to.
Elect or Appoint? After Filling Tito Ortiz Vacancy, HB Officials to Examine City Charter
Following a two month council vacancy debate after the resignation of Tito Ortiz, a citizen driven commission will review the charter to recommend changes on how to fill future vacancies.
Santa Ana to Host Forum on Creating Police Oversight Commission
The Santa Ana City Council is looking to gather resident input in its efforts to create a police oversight committee, after years of political battles over the issue.
INSIDE THE NEWSROOM
Voice of OC Public Town Hall: Get Your COVID-19 Questions Answered by Public Health Experts
Voice of OC continues to make it possible for Orange County residents to ask questions and get answers in live public town halls.
TRENDING
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
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CIVIC NEWS
OC Board of Education Looking to Sue Gov. Newsom Over Classroom Mask Mandate
It’s not the first time the board members took a stance against masks — last year they made national headlines when they recommended schools reopen without any pandemic safety measures.
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CORONAVIRUS
As of the weekly update on Tuesday, July 27, the OC Health Care Agency reports 453 daily new cases, 1 new daily death over (5,140 cumulative) and 212 current hospitalizations (48 of those in ICU). As of the most recent vaccine data through July 22, 1.8 million people are fully vaccinated (56.5% of OC’s population) and 1.9 million people have had at least one dose (63.7% of OC’s population).
ARTS & CULTURE
Art is a Welcome Alternative at the OC Fair
The Visual Art Gallery at the OC Fair serves as an air-conditioned respite from the crowds, rides and fried junk on a stick.
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COLUMNISTS
NORBERTO SANTANA, JR.
A pioneering leader in the nation’s rising nonprofit news movement and an award-winning journalist. Santana has established Voice of OC as the county’s civic news leader, uncovered the truths across Southern California governments for more than two decades and reported on Congress and Latin America.
ANNE MARIE PANORINGAN
Voice of OC’s food columnist — reporting on industry news, current events and trends. Panoringan has been writing about food for 8 years — interviewing more than 330 chefs and industry professionals. She has been recognized by the OC Press Club and is a recurring guest on AM 830’s SoCal Restaurant Show.
JULIE LEOPO
An award-winning photojournalist and visuals director. Leopo has captured a wide array of photographs visually documenting the news and soul of Orange County local government and community. Her work has also appeared in Vice, KCET, Ed Source, The California Endowment and OC Weekly.
PAUL HODGINS
An award-winning arts journalist, co-founder of Voice of OC’s Arts & Culture section and a USC professor. He was previously, an arts writer and critic at the OC Register and San Diego Union-Tribune. He holds degrees from USC, the University of Michigan and the Royal Conservatory of Music.
