OC’s Transportation Authority broke ground on a $779 million construction project this month that intends to reduce ‘weaving’ across lanes and interchanges on State Route 91 between State Route 57 and State Route 55.
Author Archives: Erika Taylor
Erika Taylor was a Tracy A. Wood reporting fellow and photojournalist at Voice of OC, covering transportation, libraries, culture and open space across the county.
Taylor started reporting for Voice of OC through Chapman University’s Collegiate News Service in August 2022, working closely with Director of Photography Julie Leopo to produce news images and photo essays. Through her impactful work with photo essays she received a grant through the university’s Marshutz Endowed Journalism Award to begin as an intern in May 2023.
She joined the Tracy A. Wood Fellowship in November 2023 – a memorial fellowship honoring the newsroom’s legendary Civic Editor.
As part of her senior capstone, she investigated online meeting accessibility across public agencies, leading to a series on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s video live streaming practices. Her reporting prompted OCTA to implement video live streaming at board meetings in December 2024. She also started “Free Things to Do This Weekend Across OC” in November 2023, a weekly series featuring free public events from libraries, museums and other public agencies.
Posted inEquality & Equity
Chapman Students Walkout Demanding University Protect Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Chapman University students are demanding answers to why the top Diversity, Equity and Inclusion administrator was put on leave after the Trump administration threatened to cut funding from the school for allegedly failing to protect Jewish students.
Posted inInside the Newsroom
Voice of OC Named a Top Employer by Chapman University For Second Year
The newsroom was honored as a top employer alongside more than 100 companies nationwide.
Posted inOutdoors
Preventing Wildfires Before They Start
Bommer Canyon, an open space bordered by urban areas in the City of Irvine, is the site of restoration efforts that aim to prevent wildfires in the region.
Posted inCulture
Orange County Welcomes a Season of Renewal
Residents across Orange County are getting ready to celebrate Ramadan, Eid, Holi, Nowruz, Passover, Lent, Easter and Vesak this Spring.
Posted inInside the Newsroom
Student Reporting Partnerships Fueling an Informed OC
Voice of OC opportunities provide training for journalism students across the county to engage in civic reporting and photojournalism in real time.
Posted inInside the Newsroom
Introducing 2025 Chapman University Interns
Senior Journalism students Isabel Torres and Brian Guevara join the Voice of OC as interns through the Scott Marshutz Endowed Journalism Fund, joining current fellow Fashion Castillo in covering Orange County.
Posted inInside the Newsroom
Newsroom Welcomes Cal State Fullerton Interns
Senior Communications-Journalism students Noriko Ostroy, Emily Wilson and Rubén Montoya and join the Voice of OC as interns covering local cities
Posted inOutdoors
Hiking the ‘Rugged’ Remote OC — Fremont Canyon
Residents can explore around the remnants of an abandoned coal mine in OC’s backcountry with Irvine Ranch Conservancy.
Posted inCulture
Light at The End of the Tunnel: OC Celebrates The Winter Holidays
As the new year draws closer, residents across OC are celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas by lighting up candles and putting up lights.
