Anaheim Mayor’s Chief of Staff Alleges Culture of Booze and Bedlam at City Hall
The allegations come from a top city staffer who spent four years behind the scenes, alleging the mayor was regularly drunk, harassed staff and hurled racist and homophobic insults.
Seal Beach Scrambles for Sand
Seal Beach officials approved a local emergency due to expected impacts from El Niño in an effort to speed up sand replenishment and brace for flooding.
Nov. 3 general election
2026 Election
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- Nov. 3 Election Day
When Will San Clemente Train Tracks Get More Sand?
OCTA declared a coastal emergency Monday, which will allow hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of sand to be added to the coastline ahead of El Niño, but questions still surround the timeline of the project.
OC Firefighters Get Nearly 25% Raise, Cities on the Hook to Pay
OC Fire Authority’s nearly 25% increase is going to be funded by member cities, with staff noting they can expect to see their bills increase at the same rate as the new contract.
What Triggered the Recent Fire and Chemical Cloud Around La Habra?
City officials offer updates on two recent incidents in the city but leave major questions unanswered on what caused them.
More Anaheim Council Members Break Silence on Mayor’s Alleged Racist Remarks
Outside of Councilwoman Natalie Meeks, no other council member had publicly commented on allegations that Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken hurled racial slurs at her chief of staff.
Irvine Moves to Protect Grocery Worker Jobs
Councilmembers gave their initial approval for increased regulations that would protect grocery workers’ jobs if a store’s ownership changes hands.
Pulling Santa Ana Out of a Deficit: Political Candidates’ Plans to Solve City Budget Woes
Here’s how Santa Ana’s political candidates plan to address the city’s budget issues if they are elected to city council in November.
Laguna Beach Moves to Bury Power Lines
City officials reviewed five proposed areas to move power lines underground in an effort to mitigate wildfires.
Stanton Looks to Curb Crime Hot Spots With New Business License Rules
Stanton officials are introducing changes to their business license rules aimed at preventing illegal activity from repeatedly popping up at commercial locations around town.
Orange County Spent $128 Million on Legal Settlements in Last Year
Over two thirds of that money went to pay out the victims of the Airport Fire, which started after a county public works crew began moving boulders that sparked.

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Columns
Santana: Is The County of Orange Ready to Investigate Itself?
OC Supervisors might give themselves subpoena power to look further into the 2024 corruption scandal that saw former Supervisor Andrew Do plead guilty to a bribery scheme, landing him in prison for five years.
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How we work, and the work others have recognized.
Community Opinion
Perspectives from Orange County residents, leaders and community groups.
Kriz: Another 32 People Died “Without Fixed Abode” in OC in August
Another 32 people died “without fixed abode in OC in August up by 50% from July, though the increase seems…
Farias: San Clemente Deserves Answers About Federal Surveillance
San Clemente can take public safety seriously without giving up local oversight. When federal surveillance technology is placed on city-owned…
Phelps: OCPA’s Energy Claims, Where’s the Evidence?
Orange County Power Authority faces growing scrutiny over what energy it actually delivers, the evidence supporting its claims, and its…
Nguyen and Rodriguez: How Fixing AQMD Red Tape Saved OC Taxpayers $5M in Landfill Fees
Orange County is the national blueprint for smart waste management. Thanks to a new partnership with AQMD, hyper-speed composting technology…
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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.

