For the past two years, most of the city’s litigation has argued that charter cities are outside many of the state’s laws, but it remains unclear whether courts will side with the city on that issue.
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
What’s Changed After An Orange County Supervisor Pleaded Guilty to Bribery?
Orange County Supervisors have spent most of the year grappling with a $10 million scandal and trying to figure out ways to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Orange County Has Special Elections on the Horizon
At least two special elections are already scheduled for the new year, and there is at least one ballot initiative close to qualifying for an election in Huntington Beach.
Posted inAnaheim
Disney Settles Wage-Theft Lawsuit for $233 Million
The settlement comes after the company refused to pay the higher minimum wage in Anaheim to its workers – capping off a years-long court battle.
Posted inGovernment
Top Newport Beach Staffer Sues City, Alleges City Manager Covered Up Wrongdoing
The city’s longtime head of HR is claiming the city manager forced her to cover up an illegal gift of public funds.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
OC’s Green Power Agency Could Lose Most of its Customers
If Irvine completes its planned withdrawal, 65% of the agency’s customer base will leave the agency.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
OC Green Power Agency To Rollback Renewable Power As Prices Spike
The agency is gutting its biggest renewable energy program to save its customer’s money as renewable electricity costs spike.
Posted inInvestigative
Orange County Leaders Ramp Up Questioning Of Another Major Pandemic Contract
The parent company of the county’s vaccination app hired a consulting firm created by the husband of one of the top staffers in the department overseeing its contract after no public discussion or debate on their multi-million dollar contract.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
CA Attorney General Pushes for Surf City Voter ID Case to Move to State Appeals Court
After an Orange County Superior Court judge ruled the state brought its lawsuit against Huntington Beach’s new voter ID rules too early, state prosecutors want to have an appeals court weigh in.
Posted inCountywide
OC Supervisors Approve Outside Audit After Bribery Scandal
The audit will be limited to contracts within specific departments over the past five years after elected officials debated what should be investigated in the fallout of former Supervisor Andrew Do’s bribery scandal.
