OC Sheriff Employees Placed on Leave Amid Investigation Into Potential ICE Cooperation
OC Sheriff Don Barnes pledged to investigate the incident after questions emerged over sheriff’s employees speaking with immigration officers shortly before an arrest.
How Cooperative Are Santa Ana Police With ICE? Oversight Commission Calls For Probe
For the first time publicly, police officials in OC’s only sanctuary city answered questions on why they arrested two ICE observers last month while tracking federal agents.
2026 Election
Overspending Questions Raised on Buena Park’s $700k EV Purchase
Buena Park officials moved to fund the cost of five electric vehicles and nine charging stations for city use, with some city council members questioning if they can afford the price.
Irvine Looks to Relocate Great Park Live Amphitheater
Irvine leaders are set to evaluate if relocating Great Park Live can help the city reverse a projected budget deficit.
Lake Forest Cracks Down on E-Bikes
Lake Forest officials are looking to impound e-bikes if riders violate newly implemented regulations aimed at curbing unsafe e-bike riding.
‘Close Calls’ at OC Landfills Amid Strike as Untrained Workers Are Pressed Into Service
The head of one of the county’s largest unions is telling county leaders to stop using his workers to backfill for other employees on strike.
OC’s Veteran’s Cemetery Remains Under Construction For at Least Two More Years
While work on utilities have broken ground, it’ll be a few more years before any veterans can be laid to rest at Gypsum Canyon.
Meet Santa Ana’s New Mayor
First-time candidate and attorney Dan Shimell is set to become Santa Ana’s mayor, as a slate of new progressive leaders are on track to win city council seats.
Irvine On Track To Get New Voting Method For City Council Elections, Starting In 2028
According to the latest election results from the OC Registrar of Voters, Irvine is slated to use ranked choice voting for city council elections starting in 2028.
Costa Mesa Leaders Approve City’s First Climate Action Plan
The plan seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Orange County’s Police Unions Lose in Some High Profile Elections
Police unions across Orange County spent against Republican and Democrat candidates this year who said they’re aiming to rein in spending on local police departments.
Join 23,000 OC residents who rely on the Morning Report.
Making noise where it matters.
We’re cranking up the volume on what’s happening behind the scenes in Orange County in our free newsletter. Delivered Monday-Saturday.
Columns
Santana: So Who Really Saved South OC’s Creeks?
The reality is local activists, not politicians, changed the county approach.
“Keep up the great reporting. Reliable journalism is a pillar of any democratic institution.”
— Michael C., Donor
Join more than 1,400 supporters
Community Opinion
Perspectives from Orange County residents, leaders and community groups.
Mavrovouniotis: The County Counsel Is Part of the Problem
Orange County’s lawyers run a whistleblower hotline employees don’t trust, sign off on contracts the County’s rules forbid, and took…
Crane: Metrolink Trains Will Be Cut, the Surfliner Won’t Help You
Metrolink cuts facing Orange County will negatively impact commuters across the SoCal area, reducing options for transportation needs. The Pacific…
Kriz: Another 30 People “Without Fixed Abode” Died in OC in September
Another 30 people “without fixed abode” died on our streets in September, and while the main news was not main…
Resnick: School Bonds, Public Money, Private Insurance and the Three OC School Administrators in the Middle
As Orange County school districts prepare to spend more than $2 billion in recent voter-approved construction bonds, questions emerge over…
Want to weigh in? Submit a community opinion piece
News by region
Powered by more than 1,400 supporters
Your tax-deductible donation empowers Voice of OC to pursue fearless, in-depth reporting to hold power to account and protect public interest in Orange County.
Special report
Our eroding coast
High tides, emergency declarations and a super El Niño on the way.
How Orange County’s beach cities are bracing.
