An Orange County state senator is looking to outlaw drones that have already been blacklisted by the U.S. Department of Defense.
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 inWater, Power & Waste
Irvine Asks Future Homeowners to Sign Away Right to Sue Nearby Landfill
Residents could be signing away their ability to sue a nearby landfill in a neighborhood that grappled with an asphalt factory.
Posted inCountywide
Orange County Grand Jury Blasts Uncoordinated Regulation of E-Bikes
Grand jurors found that regulations for e-bikes change city to city across Orange County despite efforts to implement broader rules for one of the county’s fastest growing transit options.
Posted inEducation
Charter School Principal Appointed to OC Department of Education Superintendent
Board members picked Stefan Bean, who ran for the position and lost in 2022, to replace outgoing Superintendent Al Mijares this month.
Posted inALL TOP STORIES
Surf City’s Move to Privatize Public Libraries Falls Apart at 11th Hour
Huntington Beach City Council members were set to discuss turning library management over to a private company at their meeting Tuesday, but the final bidder dropped out of the running Monday.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Why Do OC Police Departments Use Drones Blacklisted by Federal Government?
Most of the county law enforcement’s drone fleet comes from a single company that could soon be banned from operating in the U.S. after the Department of Defense blacklisted them.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Does Orange County Spend Enough on Building Housing?
County officials unveiled a new budget that allocates $350 million for spurring housing development as some city officials say it’s time for the county to take a bigger role in curbing the housing crisis.
Posted inOutdoors
Orange County Supervisors Crack Down on E-Bikes
New rules are coming to unincorporated Orange County as supervisors look to crack down on e-bike misuse.
Posted inEconomy
Heading Off a Fiscal Cliff: How Are OC Cities Planning For Budget Shortfalls?
Officials in a host of OC cities are struggling to balance municipal budgets as sales revenue decreases and COVID federal bailout money dries up. How will they stay afloat?
Posted inAnaheim
Will Anaheim Recall its First City Councilmember This Century?
The first results in a controversial recall election that has raged over the past year are set to be released tonight.
