An FBI probe prompts recriminations and a mayor’s resignation along with hard questions about a charter provision that sets a 60-day deadline for appointment or election of a new mayor.
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 inTop Stories
Santana: CA State Senators Applaud Cuban Regime as Biden Blocks Diplomats From Americas Summit
How did Cuban diplomats get a rousing ovation and an open mic from California Senators despite an ongoing repressive wave on the island?
Posted inAnaheim
Santana: After Shadowy Stadium Deal Explodes, Do LA Angels Even Have a Valid Lease?
After Anaheim city officials killed the stadium sale, can the LA Angels fall back into a lease that was reinstated as a “temporary lease extension” spearheaded by resigned Mayor Harry Sidhu?
Posted inCountywide
Santana: Orange County’s Tip Sheet For The June 7 Primary Election
We sent all the candidates running for key local races – DA, Judges, County Supervisors and Board of Education – real life questions about who they are and what they care about. Voters can consider their answers as they figure out who to support on next week’s ballot.
Posted inNEWS
Santana: This Memorial Day, Orange County Veterans Ponder a Cemetery Of Their Own
CA Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk Silva and Senator Tom Umberg talk about merging competing legislation that could create an OC veterans cemetery as early as August.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: The Anaheim City Manager Who Knew Too Much
Chris Zapata thought he found his dream job when was hired in Anaheim in 2018. But questioning Mayor Harry Sidhu – who’s being probed by the FBI for public corruption allegations – got him fired.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: What It Felt Like to Stand Against Anaheim’s Shady Angel Stadium Sale Before FBI Probe
Two Anaheim Council members knew something wasn’t right when stadium negotiations kicked off in 2019 and raised concerns about the lack of transparency, but were often sidelined.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: FBI Reveals The Secret Agenda Behind Anaheim’s Sale of Angel Stadium
An explosive FBI affidavit reveals an ongoing probe and alleges that Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu rushed the deal with the LA Angels so they would finance his re-election campaign.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Santana: Tough Questions We Should Be Asking Our Leaders For The June 7 Primary Election
Voice of OC is asking readers to help pose real, quality-of-life questions to local politicians asking them how they’ll tackle the toughest policy challenges closest to home.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Angels Get a Stadium On The Cheap, Anaheim Taxpayers Get Nearly $100 Million in State Fines
The $96 million fine comes on the heels of a failed lawsuit by an activist group. The moves are raising questions about whether it’s time to tighten state laws to keep public land deals transparent.
