Another OC city could be joining the ranks of charter cities in the county, seeking increased local control and revenue as officials in Orange stare down a structural budget deficit.
Author Archives: Michelle King
Michelle King joined the Tracy A. Wood Fellowship at Voice of OC in January 2026. The fellowship was founded by the friends and family of Voice of OC’s legendary civic editor to honor Tracy Wood’s journalistic legacy by promoting women in journalism.
As a reporting intern and fellow, King has covered Fullerton, Fountain Valley and Mission Viejo, along with countywide stories like how Orange County residents can claim a share of $700 million in unclaimed property.
Born in New Zealand and raised in Texas, King joined the fellowship as an honors student at Cal State Fullerton, where she was associate managing editor of the Daily Titan, the student-run newspaper, and producer of the Daily Titan podcast. She previously worked as a news editor and assistant copy editor for the paper.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Two OC Cities Look to Block Takeover Parties After Newport Beach Chaos
Buena Park and Huntington Beach are looking to block social media-fueled teen takeovers following a chaotic gathering in Newport Beach over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Posted inLaguna Beach
Laguna Beach Scraps Tax Increase Proposals, For Now
After another round of public surveys and the community speaking out against taxes, council members are now holding off until 2028 on adding a potential ballot measure asking to increase taxes.
Posted inPlacentia
Placentia Uses Spending Cuts and Layoffs to Close Budget Deficit
Placentia City Council members largely avoided leaning on reserves to close a budget gap and instead issued spending cuts and laid off a couple employees as staff identified previous miscalculations in the city’s books.
Posted inBuena Park
Another OC City Eyes New Regulations on E-Bikes
Buena Park officials are considering allowing e-bike on sidewalks and implementing new speed limits while city staff study neighboring cities’ regulations before making changes to code.
Posted inLake Forest
Lake Forest Abandons Park Plans to Build Affordable Housing
After 30 years with no progress on developing a 6.5-acre park in the city, the site has been rezoned for low-income housing.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Laguna Beach Residents Against Plans to Close Only Local Emergency Room
The outcry comes after a local hospital announced the closure of its emergency room in the face of multimillion dollar state mandates.
Posted inHuntington Beach
Huntington Beach Continues Grappling With Housing Mandates
Despite being hit with $50,000 monthly fines just last month because the city failed to comply with state housing mandates, officials continue digging their heels in on approving a housing plan.
Posted inLaguna Beach
Laguna Beach Looking at Business and Hotel Tax Increases
City officials are looking at avenues for increased taxes in Laguna Beach, specifically geared toward day trippers’ pockets.
Posted inOrange
Orange Overhauls Rental Assistance Program
After rent assistance funds failed to help anyone over the past year, city officials overhauled the program, curbing some of the stricter eligibility criteria in hopes of helping older residents.
