This Thanksgiving, Voice of OC is highlighting some of the volunteers helping families put food on the table as food bank leaders brace food assistance cuts.
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 inHealth & Wellness
OC’s Poorest Brace For Cuts to Food Stamps and Health Insurance This Thanksgiving
Food bank and social services leaders warn of impending cuts and changes to food assistance and health care programs for hundreds of thousands of OC’s poorest families.
Posted inCypress
Cypress Once Again Grapples With City Council Vacancy After Appointee Withdraws
Cypress is slated to hold a special meeting this Friday to once again decide how to fill a vacancy on the city council after their appointee backed out this week.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Tourism Dollars to Help House Disneyland Resort Workers
A portion of Anaheim’s tourism tax dollars will be reallocated to support workforce housing for Disneyland Resort employees starting next year after a scathing state audit.
Posted inNewport Beach
Newport Beach Voters to Decide on Taking Control of City’s Housing Plan
Newport Beach voters will decide if they want to toss out a state approved housing plan and replace it with one that zones for fewer homes in the November 2026 election – a move that could set up a legal battle with the state.
Posted inGarden Grove
Garden Grove Councilman Accuses Police Union of Intimidation
A sitting councilman has publicly raised concerns that a member of the police union has tried to improperly influence him as residents keep calling on elected leaders to respond to deportation sweeps.
Posted inGarden Grove
Garden Grove to Launch Online Immigration Resource Hub
Garden Grove will join a host of Orange County cities that have launched an online resource hub for immigrant families on their municipal websites.
Posted inAnaheim
Sewer Fees for New Developments in Anaheim Hills Are Going Up
New developments in Anaheim Hills will have to pay 36% more on sewer impact fees after officials put a proposed gate tax measure on Disneyland on ice that could have brought in up to $164 million to city coffers.
Posted inFullerton
Fullerton Officials Back Away From Aiding Immigrants For Now
A majority of Fullerton City Council members voted to table proposed aid funds to help protect immigrants in court from deportation and to help out with rent and groceries amid financial woes.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
At Least Two Prominent Republicans Will Square Off to Represent OC in Congress
In the aftermath of Prop. 50, the new 40th Congressional District is set to give an edge to Republican candidates, and at least two Republican Congress members have announced campaigns for the district.
