Anaheim Mayor Admits Drinking Problem & Going to Rehab
Mayor Ashleigh Aitken is admitting to having a drinking problem, going to rehab and relapsing at an event in June this year while continuing to deny allegations she called her chief of staff a racist slur.
Over 150 Homeless Cats Available For Adoption At Orange County Animal Care
As of Oct. 1, there are 89 dogs and 164 cats at OC Animal Care in Tustin waiting to be adopted.
Nov. 3 general election
2026 Election
- Oct. 5 Ballots mailed, drop boxes open
- Oct. 19 Last day to register
- Nov. 3 Election Day
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.
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.
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.
Santana: Why Is a Free Press Not Welcome in Santa Ana?
This year’s election debates are surfacing a dangerous tendency among the majority of council members to avoid press questions.
Anaheim Police Union PAC Suspends Support for Mayor Ashleigh Aitken
The union’s political action committee is suspending their support of Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s reelection campaign amid allegations she used a racial slur – an accusation she denies.
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.

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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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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.

