It may be up to a judge to decide whether an election should proceed without the say of nearly 1,200 residents who should have received a mail ballot for this election but did not.
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 inSafety, Security & Justice
AG Bonta Clears Anaheim Officers Who Killed Brandon Lopez
Families affected by Bonta’s probes are wondering what purpose they serve, while stalling the ability to pursue civil lawsuits as the investigations take years to conduct.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana’s Controversial Recall Election Moves Forward
It comes after the OC Registrar of Voters found his office – and recall organizers – used the wrong election map in the process of certifying the election.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana Considers Fate of Jessie Lopez Recall Election Tonight
It comes after county elections officials noticed a possible issue with the electoral maps used to gather recall petition signatures and approve the recall election.
Posted inARTS & CULTURE
Between Two Worlds: An OC Native’s Award-Winning Irish Short Film Makes Dual Waves
A film that bridges continents also sheds light on the push-and-pull within artists of color – about your duty to your community, and yourself.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santa Ana’s Police Union-Backed Recall Election Could be Stalled
Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page says petitioners used the wrong electoral map just weeks before the recall election of Councilwoman Jessie Lopez. City officials are now studying the issue.
Posted inAnaheim
A Look at Anaheim Police Department’s Arsenal
This is the first year that Anaheim and other police agencies in California have to report when and how they’ve used drones, flash bangs and armored trucks.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
To Enforce Rent Control, Santa Ana Wants Landlords’ Property Info; How Will it Work?
Santa Ana’s historic citywide rent control law continues to spark council debate – this time, over how it’s being implemented and enforced.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Orange County District Attorney Hit With Cyberattack
It comes as the county prosecutor’s office has been responding to a report on cybersecurity flaws by internal county auditors, who in 2021 found three “critical” and five “significant” weaknesses in cybersecurity controls administered by the DA.
Posted inSanta Ana
‘Emotional Distress’: Santa Ana Pays $625k to City Manager Who Abruptly Resigned
Ridge’s agreement with City Hall attributes the $625,000 payout to Ridge alleging “personal/ physical injuries and emotional distress damages” in the workplace.
