Norberto Santana Jr.

Norberto Santana, Jr. is an award-winning investigative reporter with nearly two decades reporting experience, most recently engaging Orange County government institutions and decision makers as the founding publisher of the nonprofit digital newsroom, Voice of OC. As publisher, Santana oversees all newsroom, engagement and fundraising operations and also writes a weekly Opinion column about Orange County government. In 2017 and 2018, the Orange County Press Club recognized Santana as Orange County’s best columnist. Before founding Voice of OC in 2009, Santana was a lead investigative reporter for the Orange County Register from 2004-2009, focusing on county government. He’s spent nearly two decades just focusing on local governments across Southern California, previously as a staff writer with outlets such as the San Diego Union Tribune and the San Bernardino County Sun. Santana began his journalistic career in the early 1990s as an apprentice reporter with Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C. covering daily floor action in the U.S. Congress and followed that up with a stint covering the territorial Senate for the U.S. Virgin Islands Daily News. In addition to his experience as a journalist, the Southern California native has a master’s in Latin American Studies, has worked as an elections analyst on National Endowment for Democracy programs across Latin America and was one of the founders of CubaNet.org, a website featuring the work of dissident journalists inside Cuba that has operated since 1995. Languages spoken: English and Spanish Areas of expertise: Orange County, southern California, investigations, politics, elections, government transparency, Congress, Latin America, local government, civic education and reporting education.

Santana: Columbus, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Engages Around Equity

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By Norberto Santana Jr. | October 14, 2019

The debate over recasting Columbus Day as Indigenous People’s Day offers a chance to consider equity in society and how best civic leaders can address inequity. In San Juan Capistrano, the historic debate is in many ways still playing itself out in the effort to preserve one of the last original indigenous villages in Orange County. And on the modern policy front, one recent study about inequity in Orange County is challenging local policymakers to confront a stark opportunity gap between geographic areas of the county – split along largely racial, ethnic and income lines.

Santana: Orange County’s Key Organizing Group Gets Disorganized

Norberto Santana, Jr. columns

By Norberto Santana Jr. | September 30, 2019

With key debates over the future of Anaheim’s stadium and public lands in Santa Ana intensifying, Orange County’s premier progressive organizing group, OC Communities Organized for Responsible Development, OCCORD, is reeling from the resignations of Executive Director Shakeel Syed and a slew of organizers in recent months.

Santana: Chapman Student Newspaper Triggers Sparks

Norberto Santana, Jr. columns

By Norberto Santana Jr. | September 23, 2019

With congressional campaigns across Orange County intensifying for 2020, Chapman University Dean of Communications, Lisa Sparks – who is running as a Republican in the 45th Congressional District against incumbent Democrat Katie Porter – triggers a slew of questions about accessibility by avoiding interviews with her campus newspaper.

Santana: Commie Hunting in Westminster

Norberto Santana, Jr. columns

By Norberto Santana Jr. | September 16, 2019

City Council members in Westminster adopt an ominous resolution encouraging all residents of Westminster to raise their voices against individuals who fit the profile of an “aider and abettor” of the communist government in Vietnam.

Westminster City Council To Consider Monthly Meetings

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By Noah Biesiada | September 11, 2019

Westminster officials are considering moving their bi-weekly city council meeting to a monthly basis. Officials argue the move increases efficiency while opponents question the impact on public comment, access and accountability.

Santana: Death of OC Auditor Controller Underscores Why Public Access to Elected Officials’ Calendars Matters

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By Norberto Santana Jr. | September 9, 2019

After having his department largely defunded last year because of an active watchdog approach, it now seems that deceased Orange County Auditor Controller Eric Woolery was transitioning his life to Kansas. Orange County taxpayers had a right to know that Woolery was super-commuting to his local office from out of state and might be transitioning to a new life. Access to an official public calendar would have allowed for that kind of accountability, something that County of Orange officials keep fighting.

Santana: Angels-Anaheim Negotiations Enter Final Stretch

Angels

By Norberto Santana Jr. | September 3, 2019

Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in October start closed-door negotiations on a new stadium development plan. The Angels enter the negotiations up against a Dec. 31 deadline that forces them to either opt out of their lease or stay under current terms until 2029. Is it the beginning of the end for Angels in Anaheim? Or the end of the beginning for a new lease terms between the city and the team?

Recognizing Orange County’s Laborers

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By Norberto Santana Jr. | September 2, 2019

This long Labor Day weekend comes to us all as a legacy gift from a generation of labor activists who created the modern labor movement in America during the 1880s by agitating for worker rights.

Santana: Brea’s Private Water Woes

Norberto Santana, Jr. columns

By Norberto Santana Jr. | August 12, 2019

Brea City Treasurer Rick Rios along with Brea resident activist and downtown developer Dwight Manley keep pressing uncomfortable questions about the city’s main water wholesaler, Cal Domestic Water. Their probe, which has already drawn a DA review and state sanctions over past dealings, may soon be headed to OC Superior Court.

Santana: Fishing Comes Back to Irvine Lake

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By Norberto Santana Jr. | August 5, 2019

A defunct but popular Orange County fishing spot comes back to life on Saturday, Aug. 17 after Supervisor Don Wagner – who is up for re-election next year, successfully leads negotiations with two neighboring water districts to re-open Irvine Lake, which has been shut down since 2016.