More than five years after the Anaheim Union High School District launched their Arabic program, officials plan to cut it because of low student enrollment.
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
An OC School Board Considers Vetting Books, Raising Concerns of Bans
After one Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustee raised concerns about an Iranian revolution novel, the school board is now considering reviewing which books get tested.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Orange County Residents Get a Rare Look at Affordable Housing Rents
State officials are pressuring local leaders to zone for tens of thousands of affordable homes – but just how affordable is it to reside in Orange County?
Posted inEducation
Iranian Revolution Novel Debate Spurs Book Ban Fears in an OC School District
A majority of Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District Trustees want oversight of what books get piloted with students, critics worry that will lead to book bans.
Posted inState
California Sues Huntington Beach for Failing to Adopt a Housing Plan
Officials announced Monday the state is expanding its existing lawsuit against Surf City for its failure to adopt a housing plan – something mandated by California law.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Surf City Greenlights 90-Day Plan to Curb Homelessness After Axing Housing Plan
After abandoning a plan intended to create thousands of affordable homes, city council members are moving forward with a plan to curb homelessness without a focus on housing.
Posted inHuntington Beach
Surf City Cans Housing Plan, Sets Up Another Legal Fight With Sacramento
Without a state certified housing plan, millions in fines and a loss of local control when it comes to zoning could be on the horizon for Huntington Beach.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Orange County’s Unhoused Have Nowhere to Warm up as Temperatures Drop
Overnight temperatures are expected to drop to levels that officials warn can lead to hypothermia just days after the County’s cold weather shelter closed its doors.
Posted inHuntington Beach
How Many Residents Really Complained About Prayers at Huntington Beach City Council Meetings?
Huntington Beach city leaders initially insisted they were changing the city’s prayer system because of public complaints. But some are now saying it’s over complaints with one rabbi.
Posted inGovernment
Will Anaheim Officials Keep the Findings of a Taxpayer Funded Corruption Probe Secret?
After public pressure forced Anaheim City Council members to fully fund an independent corruption probe, one official is asking if the final report should be released to the public – despite previous promises to do so.
