Irvine City Councilman Mike Carroll spent $70,000 on mailers over the past year, drawing from his staff budget to finance the postage.
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 inFullerton
City of Fullerton Faces Tough Financial Future Even With Potential New Taxes
According to city staff, if an upcoming tax increase on the November ballot is denied by voters the city could run out of its savings by 2025.
Posted inCountywide
Where Are OC Coronavirus Outbreaks Happening? Months Into Pandemic, Residents Still Don’t Know
Dr. Clayton Chau said he understood arguments for more disclosure but would have to talk with county lawyers before disclosing any outbreaks.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
OC Public Health Officials Won’t Identify Coronavirus Outbreak College, Enforcement Questions Surface
Meanwhile, all OC schools could have the ability to reopen classrooms in a couple weeks, but it’s unclear who’s overseeing enforcement of the state coronavirus guideline
Posted inIrvine
State Overrides City of Irvine Location for Vets Cemetery, Opens Up Review of Two Sites
The California Department of Veterans Affairs told local officials it would be examining two sites in Irvine, choosing to pass over the city’s decision and make their own choice.
Posted inIrvine
Irvine City Councilman Carroll’s Taxpayer Funded Mailers Called Into Question
Carroll says the accusations are electioneering and the mailers were sent to inform the public about Irvine’s response to the pandemic.
Posted inEducation
Orange County School Districts’ Plans to Reopen During Coronavirus Pandemic
OC school districts may soon open up classrooms again with plans approved over the summer. Voice of OC examined the variety of plans from across the county.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Data Duel Between State and Orange County Complicates Local Reopening Effort
OC might come off the state’s coronavirus watchlist, but questions are arising about the data driving the decision because of conflicting numbers between the state and the county.
Posted inCountywide
OC Could be Removed From State Coronavirus Watchlist, Potentially Allowing More Reopenings
OC is slated to be removed from the state coronavirus watchlist if trends hold steady, which could potentially lead to more reopenings.
Posted inCountywide, Education, Emergencies & Disasters, Health & Wellness, State, Top Stories
OC Schools Get Hundreds of Millions From State to Bolster Online Learning Efforts During Pandemic
The state budget set aside $5.3 billion for schools statewide in an effort to get more internet access and computers to students in poor school districts.
