OC Supervisors ran out of time to pick who the next permanent CEO would be, putting their current head of IT in charge of county operations ahead of their summer vacations.
Author Archives: Noah Biesiada
Noah Biesiada serves as Voice of OC’s county reporter, covering the county board of supervisors and the $9 billion government they oversee.
Biesiada started as an intern in July 2019, helping launch Voice of OC’s disaster news coverage and report on the cities of south Orange County such as Irvine, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, and other coastal cities like Huntington Beach and San Clemente.
Currently, Biesiada’s reporting is focused on county agencies such as the sheriff’s department, the courts, and other departments along with the cities of Irvine and Huntington Beach.
His reporting has led to a host of reforms across Orange County governments including the Orange County Power Authority, the OC Fire Authority and Irvine’s Great Park.
He’s won several awards from state and local press organizations for his reporting on the county’s disaster preparedness, breaking news and other investigations and won 2023 Online Journalist of the Year from the LA Press Club.
Languages spoken: English
Contact: nbiesiada@voiceofoc.org
Posted inGovernment
Grand Jury Questions if Orange County Can Hold Elected Officials Accountable
O.C. Grand Jurors are recommending a charter reform to give O.C. Supervisors the power to remove county elected officials for misconduct with a supermajority vote.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
Could Orange County’s Landfill Expansion Threaten Mountain Lions?
As county leaders weigh doubling the amount of trash going to a South Orange County landfill, a group of activists are raising red flags over how it could impact nearby mountain lions.
Posted inTop Stories
How Politicized is Public Healthcare in Orange County?
There are growing questions over what politicians, if any, should be involved in providing healthcare to the county’s poorest residents through CalOptima.
Posted inTop Stories
Irvine City Council Quietly Doubles Their Personal Budgets Ahead of Deficit
Council members ratcheted up their purchasing power and can now employ multiple full time staff and send mail to constituents despite being part-time elected officials.
Posted inTop Stories
Could OC Supervisors Lose Control of County’s Health Plan for the Poor?
Assemblyman Avelino Valencia’s state bill is looking to strip supervisors off the CalOptima board after years of concerns that they politicized healthcare.
Posted inFullerton
Auditors Question if Fullerton is Properly Overseeing Budget
Auditors are recommending Fullerton hire an experienced chief financial officer and be more forthright with budget documentation and presentations as city leaders grapple with a projected budget deficit.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
‘Beaten Into Submission’ HB Signs Off on Housing Plan After Yearslong Court Battle
Now a judge has to sign off on the plan, or Huntington Beach taxpayers could face six figure fees every month if they remain out of compliance under state housing mandates.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
OC District Attorney Suspends Controversial DNA Harvesting Program Amid Budget Cuts
The closure comes amid negotiations over a lawsuit settlement questioning the program’s constitutionality.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Chemical Tank Evacuation Relief Fund Closes Amid Too Many Applications
It’s no longer possible to apply for help through the fund, with residents waiting up to five business days to hear back on whether they qualified or not for assistance.
