Amid a continued heightened need for public benefits like food and healthcare assistance, some OC social services workers are calling for better pay and increased staffing. Will they get it?
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 inAnaheim
Will Anaheim Get a Better Idea of Who’s Building Their City?
Anaheim might become the latest city to require subcontractors to disclose any state labor law violations and penalties they have before working on certain development projects.
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 inAnaheim
Is Anaheim’s Fall of Reform Going to Freeze Over?
Elected officials in Anaheim – a city rocked by one of the biggest public corruption scandals in Orange County history – are slowly taking steps towards reform. But some proposals have fizzled out.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
Surf City Picks Least Renewable Energy On Their Way Out of Green Power Agency
After voting to ditch the Orange County Power Authority in May, Surf City leaders are opting residents into the lowest renewable energy plan – arguing it will save costs for their planned exit.
Posted inAnaheim
Will Anaheim & San Diego Protect City Hall Whistleblowers?
FBI affidavits, an independent investigation report and a former Mayor’s public corruption guilty plea is leading politicians in two SoCal cities to think about bolstering protections for whistleblowers. Will it work?
Posted inCountywide
Are OC Officials’ Comments on Israel and Palestine Putting Local Arabs in Danger?
After a boy was killed in Illinois, residents worry about the consequences of some OC elected officials’ statements on the Israeli-Hamas war amid a hate crime spike.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Considers an Ethics Officer in Fallout of City Hall Corruption Scandal
After an FBI corruption probe and an independent investigation, Anaheim officials are exploring the creation of an ethics officer position at city hall and what exactly the role will be.
Posted inGovernment
OC Official Statements on Israel-Hamas War Raise Concerns Amid Hate Crimes Spike
Palestinian Americans and Jewish Americans in OC both confront the impact of a war thousands of miles away. As local politicians issue statements, questions rise about their tone.
Posted inGovernment
Is Anaheim’s Corruption Scandal a Conduit For Reforms Across Southern California?
Politicians across OC and one in San Diego are citing the corruption scandal in Anaheim as a cautionary tale and calling for reforms in their own cities.
