Recall Efforts, A Failed Sales Tax Proposal, An Ongoing Deficit: Fullerton’s Wild Ride
Fullerton leaders are struggling to balance the city’s budget amid a series of problems with their roads and efforts to launch a recall campaign against the mayor.

“Local investigative journalism is critical and in short supply. It’s important and needs to be supported.” -Diana M., Donor
How Much Money did Irvine Spend Remodeling City Hall?
City leaders are weighing a review of how much they spent remodeling city hall amid questions on the multimillion dollar renovation.
Judge Calls Out OC Education Trustee For Failing to Report Millions in Income
OC Board of Education Trustee Mari Barke, one of the county’s loudest voices on education reform, is facing six figure fines after she lost a court battle for failing to report millions of dollars in income.
Stanton Continues To Crackdown On Homelessness
Stanton officials are continuing their homelessness emergency despite city staff reporting improvement within the city.
Will Costa Mesa Ditch License Plate Surveillance Cameras After Cop Stalking Scandal?
A coalition of Costa Mesa residents have spoken out against automated license plate readers, known as Flock cameras, after a former police officer used the technology to stalk women.
Fullerton to Defund Staff Positions and Consider Sales Tax Increase to Curb Deficit
Fullerton City Council members face a tough choice Tuesday when they’re expected to adopt a budget that slashes vacant positions while considering the idea of a sales tax increase.
Santa Ana Looks to Formally Oppose County’s Planned Halfway House
Elected officials representing Santa Ana at various levels of government are raising concerns about a planned halfway house in the city and what they say was a failure by county leaders to engage city officials about the proposal.
Irvine Asks Voters to Change Election System While Budget Deficit Looms
Irvine voters will be able to weigh in during November’s election about whether or not they want their city to start using ranked choice voting in 2028.
Santana: Is OC Public Works Declaring War on the San Juan and Trabuco Creeks?
After creek team activists convinced OC officials earlier this summer to authorize a year-long pilot studying how the creek thrives without herbicides, officials announced they’re going to start cutting back vegetation July 21.
OC Animal Care’s Dogs and Cats Are Looking For Homes This Summer
As of July 16, there are 73 dogs and 220 cats at OC Animal Care in Tustin waiting to be adopted.
Orange Turns to Voters on Charter City Proposal
Another OC city could be joining the ranks of charter cities in the county, seeking increased local control and revenue as officials in Orange stare down a structural budget deficit.
Orange County’s Biggest Civic News as the OC Fair Opens
The Orange County Fair opens with higher prices that officials say are from increased costs, more Airbnb regulations could be coming to Newport Beach after the Fourth of July chaos – these are some of OC’s biggest civic headlines.
INSIDE THE NEWSROOM
Voice of OC Wins Six First-Place Awards from State Publishers and Four Second-Place Awards from LA Press Club
News staff was recognized more than 50 times in 29 categories including Photojournalism, Public Service, Breaking News, and Local Government.
Voice of OC: A Pioneer in Nonprofit News
Voice of OC Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Norberto Santana Jr. selected as winner of the 2026 INN Service to Nonprofit News award.

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