Today at 4 p.m., Orange Unified School District trustees will consider firing their superintendent of schools. Three days before Christmas, Capistrano Unified School District fired their superintendent.
Author Archives: Norberto Santana Jr.
Norberto Santana, Jr. is an experienced investigative reporter, serving as founding publisher and editor-in-chief for Voice of OC, overseeing newsroom, engagement and fundraising operations.
He’s also an award-winning columnist, focusing his efforts on First Amendment issues and local government, being recognized multiple years by the Orange County Press Club as the region’s best columnist.
The LA Press Club has named him a Journalist of the Year (2018) and the Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has recognized him as a “Distinguished Journalist.” The California Chicano News Media Association has honored him with a lifetime achievement award and the national News Leaders Association has recognized him for his commitment to diverse staffing and coverage.
Santana is a pioneer in the field of nonprofit news having served on the board of directors for the national trade group for nonprofit newsrooms, the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN). He also has served on boards of the national nonprofit advocating investigative journalism, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) and the California First Amendment advocacy group, CalAware.
In addition to journalism, Santana also teaches public affairs and investigative journalism as an adjunct faculty professor at Chapman University.
Before founding Voice of OC in 2009, Santana was a lead investigative reporter for the Orange County Register, focusing on county government. He spent nearly two decades covering local governments across Southern California, previously as a staff writer at the San Diego Union Tribune and San Bernardino County Sun.
Santana began his journalistic career 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.
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Santana: As Temperatures Drop, OC Effectively Ends Walk-In Shelters for People Living on the Streets
For the first time in a decade, the County of Orange won’t be offering any quick shelter options during the coldest nights of the year.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Santana: Orange County’s Longest Night Shouldn’t Always Be The Coldest
It’s become an Orange County tradition for the religious community to memorialize a record number of unhoused residents dying on the streets – while county leaders remain largely silent.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: The Happiest Place on Earth Hosts Orange County’s Shadiest Election
In the wake of an FBI probe, Anaheim resort district interests roll out a six-figure misdirection campaign aimed at confusing voters, restocking on compliant politicians.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Orange County Residents Could Really Tilt November’s Election
OC’s voters this week get their ballots to decide key races – like who controls Congress – as a flurry of political mailers and internet advertising starts landing.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Santana: What Kind of Elected Leaders Stand With Thug Regimes?
Before November’s election, ask hard questions of your elected leaders about their attitudes toward authoritarian governments. You might be surprised who they’ll privately applaud.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Santana: The Voices of Iranian Women Keep Resonating at Protests in OC and Across The Globe
Killing of a 22-year-old Iranian woman by the country’s oppressive regime triggers protests across SoCal as part of a global movement.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Driving With Disney
A different kind of Disney film debuts with a hard focus on Anaheim, questioning the impact of big business subsidies on residents’ quality of life – all on the eve of November’s election.
Posted inAnaheim
Santana: Beware, Holidays Like Labor Day Can Trigger Taxpayer Hangovers
Anaheim city leaders have a penchant for unveiling lopsided stadium deals around holidays.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: As Deaths Mount, OC Must Confront Hard Conversations on Homelessness
A recent grand jury report showcases need for real time public accounting on people falling through gaps
