A day after announcing the rollout of Orange County’s ambitious new Covid-19 testing regime for the entire county, Deputy Health Care Agency Director David Souleles abruptly announced his resignation and retirement. Health Care Agency Director Richard sanchez left his post in March to head county’s health insurance plan for the poor and elderly, CalOptima. County officials continue interviewing for a new head of the health department in the midst of the pandemic.
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 inCountywide
Santana: What Does Orange County Look Like When It’s Back in Business?
Orange County Supervisors today are expected to start talking about the process of reopening local businesses. What will the new normal look like?
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: County of Orange Auctioned Off 100,000 Expired N95 Protective Masks
While OC Health Care officials have been scrambling daily for weeks to find more N95 protective facemasks for a variety of first responders, doctors and nurses, in February HCA procurement executives listed as government surplus more than 100,00 of the cloth masks, possibly selling them for as little as $1 a piece.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Failing to Communicate
Whether it’s finding out about the readiness of hospitals or figuring out how many testing kits exist or asking about what cities’ residents are testing positive for the virus, the answer most often from the County of Orange in the past few weeks is we can’t say.
Posted inInside the Newsroom
Help Fund Voice of OC Covid News Coverage
We do this without a paywall, ever. We are non-profit, and non-partisan. Our reporting is geared to the working person who needs insight on how local government and social services are responding to the crisis – without sugarcoating or condescension.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Coronavirus Requires Bold Civic Leadership in Orange County
It’s time for government leaders at the local, state and federal level to step up and work together to quickly figure out the nuts and bolts of pandemic response in an environment where they are clearly playing catch up.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
All California Residents Ordered To Stay Home To Combat Coronavirus Spread
Governor Newsom orders residents to keep movements restricted to basics, such as gas, groceries, walks and exercise. The order caps off a confusing week for Orange County workers and employers.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr., Top Stories
Santana: Politicking The Coronavirus
Politicians should pull away from the press conference podium and let public health professionals handle public information updates.
Posted inTop Stories
Orange County Confirms First Case of Locally Transmitted Coronavirus
An Orange County woman in her 50s appears to have acquired the infection locally, is currently hospitalized in isolation and reported in stable condition.
Posted inCountywide, Emergencies & Disasters, Top Stories
While Coronavirus Risk Low in OC, Officials Confront Public Fear
Orange County confronts the Coronavirus scare with officials keeping public agencies open despite cancelling events throughout the region.
