Voice of OC is documenting the experiences of teachers in the Irvine and Santa Ana Unified School Districts on what it’s like to be a teacher in the midst of a pandemic.
Author Archives: Hosam Elattar
Hosam Elattar is a Voice of OC/ Report For America reporter covering Anaheim & North Orange County, food insecurity, housing & homelessness, the Arab & Muslim American community and education.
Elattar started at Voice of OC as an intern in January, 2020 and has covered local food banks’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, School board debates on how to teach history, the decades long push by Arab American business owners to recognize Little Arabia and a corruption scandal at Anaheim City Hall.
He has won several awards from the OC Press Club including Best News Story, Best Political Story and Best Religion Story.
Elattar is Egyptian American and has lived in Botswana, Nepal, Uganda, The Dominican Republic and India.
Posted inEducation
OC Board of Education Petition to Resume In Person Learning Denied by State Supreme Court
The state Supreme Court denied the county’s Board of Education effort to sue over Gov. Newsom’s in-person instruction order just two weeks before schools should re-open.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Orange County Caterers Barbeque For Free Drive Through Meal Distribution This Sunday
The Rustic Que, a local catering business, will be firing up the grill on Sept. 13 to feed over 250 people in the community for free in an effort to give back to essential workers.
Posted inNewport Beach
Newport Beach Restaurants Will Not Face Fines Further Enforcing Masks And Distancing
The City Council voted unanimously to indefinitely table an emergency ordinance mandating distancing of tables, employee masks and walk-up bar restrictions.
Posted inCosta Mesa
If Approved, Costa Mesa Retail Cannabis Measure is Expected to Bring Financial Windfall
City Staff estimate that legalizing such shops could bring in between $1.3 to $3.1 million at a time when the pandemic has cost Costa Mesa millions in sales tax revenue.
Posted inEducation
Orange County School Districts’ Plans to Reopen During Coronavirus Pandemic
OC school districts may soon open up classrooms again with plans approved over the summer. Voice of OC examined the variety of plans from across the county.
Posted inCosta Mesa
Costa Mesa Voters to Decide on Legalizing Retail Cannabis Shops, Delivery Services
Costa Mesa voters could legalize recreational marijuana dispensaries and deliveries by adopting a ballot measure that would enable the city to tax and regulate retail weed shops in November.
Posted inNEWS
Santa Ana, San Clemente Approach Different Stages of Affordable Housing Debate This Week
Santa Ana and San Clemente, cities in two different regions of Orange County, will debate the same component of affordable housing policies at different stages this week.
Posted inCountywide
OC Parents, Teachers and Students Weigh in on School Reopenings During Pandemic
In a couple weeks, some students and teachers may be returning to their classrooms after months away now that OC is off the state’s coronavirus watchlist.
Posted inEducation
Orange County Sounds Off On Returning to Schools During Era of The Coronavirus Pandemic
After weeks of combing through thousands of emails sent to the Board of education, the Voice of OC is publishing the comments to amplify those voices in the community.
