California’s top transportation official declared a state of emergency Monday over an ongoing landslide that officials say threatens the tracks.
Author Archives: Nick Gerda
Nick covers the city of Santa Ana, as well as the County of Orange, often reporting on issues like homelessness, public safety, mental health, and the role of money in politics.
Since joining Voice of OC in 2011, Nick has regularly shed light on topics that are often kept in the shadows. He’s reported on systemic problems in the county’s mental health system. He also led a reporting team that produced sophisticated looks at how the Disney corporation campaign contributions influenced recent elections in Anaheim.
Nick also revealed evidence of elected leaders using their official powers to apparently pressure government contractors into donating to their election campaigns, in an article that was awarded best news story of the year by the Orange County Press Club. He firmly believes journalism should inform the public and help hold the powerful accountable.
An Orange County native, Nick first started covering local government in his mid-teens, before attending Santa Ana College, the American University in Cairo, and UC Irvine, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
Languages spoken: English, elementary Spanish, minimal Arabic and minimal Japanese
Areas of expertise: Local government, local politics, homelessness, mental health policy, campaign finance, California Public Records Act, Ralph M. Brown Act, County of Orange government, Santa Ana city government and municipal finance.
Posted inCountywide
Have Orange County Supervisors Reignited the Debate Over Renaming John Wayne Airport?
Effort for a new logo for JWA prompts longstanding questions about whether Wayne’s name is still a good fit for OC’s only major airport.
Posted inCountywide
What Questions Do You Have for the People Who Want to Run Your Government?
It can be tough to quickly compare November election candidates. Voice of OC is putting real questions to candidates – and inviting readers to submit ideas.
Posted inCountywide
Do Orange County Taxpayers Really Need To Spend $50K To Rebrand John Wayne Airport’s Logo?
County officials expect to sell merchandise by updating the airport’s logo. Are they right?
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Oil Spill Company to Pay Equivalent of 1.5% of Last Year’s Revenue to End State Charges
While officials touted the size of the multi-million dollar fine, there’s still an ongoing state civil lawsuit against the oil pipeline operator.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Skipping OC’s Election: Whopping 86 Candidates to Automatically Win After Drawing No Challengers
87 elected seats across school boards, city councils and other agencies won’t be in front of voters. That includes controlling majorities of a city and several school districts.
Posted inAnaheim
In FBI Probe’s Wake, Anaheim Candidates Try to Distance Themselves from Power Players
Big business or working class residents? Who should City Hall represent? Political observers say that’s a key question voters face in November.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Here’s Who Wants to Run your Public Schools and Community Colleges
Candidates are wrestling with classroom mask rules, charter schools, curriculum and taxpayer spending.
Posted inEmergencies & Disasters
Local Businesses Reach Settlement Deal Over Last Year’s Oil Spill
The settlement amount, which hasn’t yet been disclosed, comes after the spill affected businesses that operate in fishing and coastal tourism.
Posted inCountywide
County Demands Investigation of OC’s New Green Power Agency, Under Threat of Withdrawing
Supervisors say trust is broken – with the OC Power Authority automatically putting people in a pricier plan.
