New polls from UC Irvine show that Orange County remains split between Republican, Democrat and nonpartisan voters heading into the June primary.
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: Could OC Lead The Way on Psychedelic Therapy Legislation?
Congressman Lou Correa taps OC Marine veteran and labor leader Nick Berardino to lead a local advisory panel on legislation focused on psychedelic drug therapies to combat PTSD for veterans and help curb substance abuse issues.
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Santana: Herbicide Use Near Doheny Beach Triggers State Probe
Recent investigations and permit reviews into the spraying of herbicides in the San Juan Creek highlights a patchwork of oversight when it comes to watchdogging local waterways.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Orange County Supervisors Confront Themselves
As auditors examine how former Supervisor Andrew Do worked over bureaucrats inside the County of Orange for corrupt ends, a few county supervisors talk openly about the flaws in policing themselves.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Why Did County Blow Off Grand Jury Questions on Supervisors’ Pay Hike?
County supervisors in a draft grand jury response argue their pay raise last year gave the public enough notice, but they go silent on allegations that county executives blew off grand jurors on key questions about where the idea came from.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Herbicide Spraying of South OC Waterways Halted, For Now
OC Supervisor Katrina Foley said spraying has been halted during a heated town hall in Dana Point, where local residents posed tough questions to government bureaucrats.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Herbicide Could be Making Its Way to South OC Beaches
After locals start asking tough questions to county leaders about herbicide spraying in OC waterways, Supervisor Katrina Foley schedules a public meeting for Monday at Dana Point Harbor.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Santa Ana Police Dispute Federal Account of ICE Protest
In a stark change to their reaction to protests last June, Santa Ana police disputed federal agents’ claims that they were under attack during a downtown protest last month.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: A Presidents’ Day Reading List
With your day off, grab a dose of inspiration from America’s best leaders and writers, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
Posted inNorberto Santana, Jr.
Santana: Police Tactics Against Peaceful Protesters in Santa Ana Get a Public Hearing
A long-awaited public hearing is scheduled on the Santa Ana police department’s response to demonstrators last June – largely peaceful protestors who had rubber bullets and tear gas fired at them.
