A Voice of OC review found five of Huntington Beach’s top executives have left their positions since the start of the year, leaving a vacuum in the executive offices.
Author Archives: Brandon Pho
As a Voice of OC reporter, Brandon Pho covered north/central Orange County, as well as broader regional issues around law enforcement, transportation, the environment, the OC Fair and Little Saigon.
He joined in 2018 as an intern, shedding light on turmoil and corruption claims in Westminster and uncovering a now-fired OC Fair executive’s suspect fundraising relationship with a nearby, private Christian college that the Fair had sponsored with public money.
Later, he published a number of investigative stories on local law enforcement agencies; detailed political jockeying around a controversial seawater desalting plant proposal in Huntington Beach; narrated a racial reckoning inside one of the county’s largest school districts; and tracked various quality of life issues across the region.
Before Voice of OC, Brandon worked as a reporter and editor at Cal State Fullerton’s independent student newspaper, the Daily Titan, and won a number of accolades for his reporting in 2018, including a 1st and 2nd place Los Angeles Press Club award and 1st place national College Media Association award.
While at Voice of OC, Brandon was a member of Report for America, a national network of local reporters committed to bolstering democracy throughout the U.S.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Trench Foot & Infections: Street Medics Treating Homeless People Brace for Storm Aftermath
After a cold weather shelter debacle among government officials last year, street medics are tending to the wounds of those who couldn’t get safe from the rain.
Posted inCOAST
Rainstorms Put New Focus on An Orange County Coastline Washing Away
As people check into hotels and rush back into unsafe buildings for their belongings, many along the coast wonder what’s next.
Posted inTop Stories
COVID Forged a New Generation of Community Activism Across OC
Overcrowded living, high rent, transportation struggles – along with a lack of an early coordinated pandemic response – all helped spur a new wave of community activism throughout Orange County.
Posted inCOAST
Officials Red-Tag Four Buildings and Call for Rail Relocation After San Clemente Landslide
Next week’s expected rain storms could also threaten the area, officials said Thursday afternoon.
Posted inOutdoors
Santa Ana Officials Commit to Building A New Park on the River
A valley-like stretch of public access open space is closer to fruition on the Santa Ana River.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Fighting California’s Housing Goals While Living in Affordable Housing
The Huntington Beach mayor has helped lead a fight against state housing goals from a condo with an affordable housing covenant.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
As OC Sheriff ICE Transfers Drop, Some Push for New Kind of Immigration Forum
ICE transfers from OC Jails have decreased over the years, while information-sharing with the federal immigration agency under Sheriff Don Barnes has not.
Posted inGovernment
How A Coastal Highway Traffic Stop Led to Cries of Public Record Suppression
The case illustrates the ways government agencies can come into conflict with residents seeking records – and the government’s reasons for denying them.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
California’s Battle With Huntington Beach Over Housing Goals Heads To Court
State leaders announced a slate of potential lawsuits against Huntington Beach leaders for refusing to follow state housing mandates.
