City leaders are split over how to handle the state’s mandates for new housing, with some sharing concerns the mass expansions could severely impact the city.
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 inEducation
Meet the Candidates For Superintendent of OC Department of Education
The candidates include the current interim superintendent, a candidate who ran for the job and lost last election and a former south OC superintendent who was abruptly fired at the end of 2022.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Huntington Beach Loses Housing Mandate Lawsuit Against California
The loss means the city will have to either successfully appeal or create a new housing plan after city officials claimed Surf City was exempt from the housing mandates.
Posted inEconomy
City of Orange Eyes a Sales Tax Increase While Facing Massive Budget Deficit
While council members all said they needed to cut spending, no cuts were approved during their discussion on Tuesday night. Instead, many focused on a sales tax increase proposal and fees on local institutions.
Posted inHuntington Beach
State Auditors to Investigate Huntington Beach’s Pacific Airshow Settlement
Auditors are slated to probe Huntington Beach’s multi-million dollar settlement with airshow operators after they sued the city, saying the decision to close the beach because of the 2021 oil spill lost them revenue.
Posted inHuntington Beach
Huntington Beach Considers Increasing Hotel Tax for Tourism Advertising
The jump would be funded by more taxes on out of town visitors amidst questions on how much tourism the agency brings in.
Posted inEconomy
City of Orange Faces $19 Million Budget Shortfall, Major Service Cuts Loom
Almost every city department is facing multi-million dollar cuts after a decade of mismanaged budgets, according to city staff.
Posted inGovernment
Huntington Beach Leaders Shoot Down Putting Library Outsourcing on the Ballot
City leaders have routinely engaged in a series of debates over the past year on library policies, with both sides accusing the other of moving the city in the wrong direction.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Orange County Homeless Population Continues Growing
According to a federally mandated biennial headcount, Orange County’s homeless population grew by 28%.
Posted inCountywide
Huntington Beach Becomes Latest OC City Hit With Voting Rights Lawsuit
The lawsuit – coming from Victor Valladares, a member of the OC Democratic Party – alleges the current system disenfranchises minority voters and city council candidates.
