Chapman University gets swept up in the Jan. 6 dragnet after a federal judge orders former law school Dean John Eastman to release emails to former President Trump and others in efforts to block the 2020 election results.
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 inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: What Should Orange County’s Elected Public Auditor Stand For?
Republicans Andrew Hamilton and John Moorlach say they want to bring back the auditor’s fiscal hawk approach if they get elected to the traditionally quiet office that supervisors defunded.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness
Santana: Does Orange County Really Need Another Panel to Study Homelessness?
OC Sheriff Don Barnes is crafting a panel to study why homeless deaths are increasing, but the answer to that question already lies in the data. Activists say rapid housing remains key.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: School Board Renames Romero Cruz Academy to Recognize Santa Ana Education Pioneer
Lydia is back at Romero Cruz Academy with Santa Ana Unified School District officials responding to her father’s call, moving quickly to add her first name back to an elementary school.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Did OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer Fire a Top Prosecutor to Protect Himself?
This week, the DA abruptly fired one of his top prosecutors who is running For OC Superior Court Judge over cheating on prosecutions but there is mounting speculation about the timing of the firing.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: As Omicron Eases, Orange County Ponders The Future of The Public Health Department
This week, county supervisors are slated to appoint a health officer, which offers an opportunity to ask just what should OC’s most public doctor focus on moving forward?
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: School Renaming for Local Education Pioneer Fumbled by Santa Ana District Officials
Sam Romero, the 87-year old father of Lydia Romero Cruz, is fighting to see his daughter’s first name put back on Romero-Cruz Academy, named in her honor after her untimely death in 1996.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Workers COVID Revolt at the County of Orange
Today, Orange County social workers are expected to protest their working conditions, which they say is leaving them exposed to COVID-19 outbreaks.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: How Did So Much Lead Get Into Santa Ana’s Ground, What Can Be Done About it?
Today, the national nonprofit environmental newsroom, Grist, launches a series with collaboration from Voice of OC examining soil lead contamination in Santa Ana.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: People Deserve Better Public Engagement on COVID Data to Confront Omicron Surge
Heightened transparency and public engagement from OC public health officials around local pandemic data is key for helping residents protect themselves against the fourth COVID spike.
