Just weeks before the upcoming Nov. 5 election, the Orange County District Attorney’s office charged Scott Markowitz after claims of falsifying election documentation.
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
Hotel Worker Union Sues Irvine Over Hoteliers Trying to Skirt Pay Increase
Unite Here Local 11 is suing Irvine in an effort to see which hotels have been asking the city to waive pay increase portions of a new local ordinance that also includes increased safety measures.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Orange County Supervisors Jump Into Street Crime Debate
OC Supervisors are the latest local officials to publicly support a statewide November ballot measure that aims to increase punishment on certain drug and theft crimes.
Posted inWater, Power & Waste
What is the Future of the Orange County Power Authority?
More cities are looking to join the agency after years of questioning around its transparency.
Posted inGovernment
Placentia City Administrator Under Investigation For Suspect Purchases
Years after a former financial manager was convicted of embezzling money from the city, Placentia’s top official is facing questions on how he spends taxpayer dollars.
Posted inInvestigative
OC Secret Settlement with Pandemic Meal Providers Cost Taxpayers Over $9 Million
Voice of OC found the county got over $14 million back from nonprofits like AgeWell and Meals on Wheels on contracts for feeding seniors after claiming the nonprofits owed them over $23 million.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Irvine City Council Candidates Split on Green Power and Housing
A forum hosted by Irvine Watchdog gave voters their first chance to hear from most of the candidates on their thoughts about the city’s future.
Posted inCountywide
OC Sheriffs Ignores New Use of Force Policy Recommendations
Top sheriff officials insisted the department’s existing policies addressed use of force adequately, but the Office of Independent Review found some gaps.
Posted inHuntington Beach
Coastal Commission Forces HB Airshow to Open Up to More Public Spots
The California Coastal Commission is making the airshow operators open up more of the beach to the public after issuing a cease-and-desist order.
Posted inCountywide
OC Supervisors Censure Colleague Under Federal Investigation
Orange County Supervisors formally censured Supervisor Andrew Do weeks after his house was raided by federal officials.
