Leaders of OC’s largest city continue regional trends of handing police a lion’s share of taxpayer money while giving a marginal slice of it to community services.
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 inWestminster
Are Westminster City Council Members Going to Axe Their City Manager?
Former City Clerk Christine Cordon became Westminster’s first Vietnamese American City Manager and is helping city hall navigate a multimillion dollar deficit. Will she get fired?
Posted inCountywide
Hoteliers File Unfair Labor Charges Against Union as Workers Ready Another Strike
Orange County and Los Angeles hoteliers are pushing back against a union representing hotel workers, claiming unfair labor practice charges days before workers went on strike for better pay.
Posted inAnaheim
When Will Anaheim Residents Get To See The Results of City Hall Corruption Probe?
City officials say residents will get to see a redacted report of an independent corruption probe in about a month’s time. Some residents hope it’s enough to lead to accountability in Anaheim.
Posted inEconomy
Southern California Hotel Workers Go on Strike For Better Pay
During July 4th weekend, thousands of Southern California hotel workers walked out as they strike for better pay.
Posted inIrvine
Hotel Maid Sues Irvine Hilton For Allegedly Violating City’s Worker Protection Law
An Irvine Hilton maid is suing the hotel for allegedly not following a city new law intended to shield workers from sexual harassment and poor working conditions.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Newport Beach Becomes Latest Orange County City to Limit Homeless Camps
Following safety concerns from residents, city officials are implementing an anti-camping ordinance and adding five more shelter beds as housing costs remain high in OC.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
M4 Carbines, Armored Vehicles: A Look at OC Sheriff’s $4 Million Military Arsenal
OC Supervisors approved a state-mandated military equipment use policy for the sheriff’s department’s million dollar arsenal as some residents fear the militarization of the county.
Posted inAnaheim
Anaheim Voters To Decide if Hotel Workers Get $25 Minimum Wage in October
Three resort-backed city council members are expected to write arguments against an ordinance opposed by hoteliers that aims to bump up pay for hotel workers.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Newport Beach Looks to Curb Street Camping, Add More Shelter Beds
Newport Beach officials are looking to implement an anti-camping ordinance and add five more beds to their homeless shelter.
