Community investments made over the last decade to forge a daily, nonprofit newsroom focused on civics put OC residents in a powerful position when last year’s pandemic hit. It will also allow them to have an even stronger voice going forward.
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: Will Politicians Expand Public Comment Building on COVID Virtual Capabilities?
As Orange County supervisors face more public commenters, they offer less and less time for comment at official meetings. Meanwhile, no options exist for call-in or Zoom unlike many cities. State legislation could force a change, but one OC supervisor is already publicly calling for more voices to be heard.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Could OC End Up Saving Gov. Gavin Newsom, Recalling its Own GOP-Dominated Board of Supervisors?
The latest Chapman University poll of OC residents shows a virtual 50-50 split, largely between Republicans and Democrats, on a Gov. Newsom recall. Yet the data also shows a changing OC — one with a strong dislike for politicians like Newsom and surprisingly, the OC Board of Supervisors.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Orange County’s Homelessness Commissioners Admit They Have No Idea What To Do
County Supervisor Doug Chafee takes over leadership from County Supervisors’ Chairman Andrew Do after commissioners note their lack of focus and meetings in 2020.
Posted inCountywide
Santana: It’s Time To Get Politicians Out of the Way on Orange County Homelessness
As homeless deaths rise to record levels, the county’s homelessness commission sat idle for most of 2020, prompting questions whether it’s time to switch out the lead role of politicians like OC Supervisors’ Chairman Andrew Do.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Will Orange County’s Covid Dead Ever Be Memorialized?
Covid has killed more OC residents this past year than cancer, yet there hasn’t been any official recognition of the dead from county supervisors, something Irvine has done for its residents. Most need help with expediting funerals.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: OC’s Homeless Commission Absent as Hundreds are Dying in Pandemic
In the midst of a pandemic, Covid outbreaks at local homeless shelters, more homeless deaths than ever across the county and the recent shooting death of a homeless man by Sheriff’s homeless liaison officers in San Clemente, commissioners have barely met much less solved much. Meanwhile, homeless people are dying in record numbers.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Meet The Orange County Restaurant Owner Who is Trying To Stop The Burmese Killing Fields
As Sunshine Week ends, Voice of OC ventures beyond U.S. shores on transparency, connecting with Banny Hong, a local Burmese restaurant owner who is leading an awareness rally at Stanton City Hall today over the brutal military crackdown in Burma.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Local Taxpayers Deserve To Be Heard At Local Public Meetings They Pay For
After getting called out as the Noise of OC for filing too many public record requests, Orange County’s nonprofit newsroom is kicking off national Sunshine Week with a week of coverage about open government under that very banner. Today, we start by examining threats in Orange County to the public’s right to sound off against local elected leaders.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Despite Victory Laps, Orange County Supervisors Keep Failing Homeless Residents
Orange County supervisors shut down the only walk-in shelter in Santa Ana. Meanwhile, nearby residents and businesses deal with a spike in homeless encampments.
