OC Democratic Chairwoman Fran Sdao talks about November prospects for Orange County Democrats, reflecting upon the results from the June primary as well as the future of the party in Orange County.
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: Disney Fireworks Impact on Neighborhood Health Needs Study
While Anaheim council members today will consider banning Fourth of July 4 fireworks over health impacts on residents, they should also seek to better understand the daily fireworks show that Disneyland explodes over nearby residential neighborhoods, virtually every night.
Posted inOn OC, Politics & Elections
On OC: November Election Prospects for Orange County Republicans
OC GOP Chairman Fred Whitaker talks about his party’s prospects this coming November, reflecting upon the results from the June primary and paths to majority influence in the future.
Posted inCanyons, Economy, On OC, Outdoors
On OC: Defending Orange County’s Backcountry
Orange County backcountry activist and land use attorney Gloria Sefton talks about the constant development pressures on Orange County’s land use specific plans, especially those in the canyon areas, and […]
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Time for Common Sense
Voice of OC today stands alongside hundreds of news organizations across America, pushing back against President Trump’s assertion that reporters are enemies of the people, defending the notion that a free and independent press is central to our democracy, our freedom.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Anaheim PD Fails Transparency Test
After Anaheim PD confronts a Voice of OC reporter who clearly identified himself, questions arise about Anaheim’s commitment to the First Amendment and the tone of neighborhood homeless sweeps.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, On OC
On OC: Funding Mental Health in Orange County
Matt Holzmann, vice chair for Orange County’s Mental Health Board, talks about the unique opportunity facing public officials in Orange County to create a national funding and programming model for mental health programming at every spectrum, from those facing an immediate crisis, to those in need of permanent supportive housing.
Posted inOn OC
On OC: Does OC County Government Need Performance Auditing?
Steve Danley, a former Performance Auditor for the County of Orange talks about the lost art of checking under the hood inside the halls of county government, what makes a good auditor as well as the future of his former office, now on life-support.
Posted inOn OC
Rent Control For Santa Ana? (English and Español)
Hairo Cortes, executive director for a new political action committee in Santa Ana called Chispa and Santa Ana activist Idalia Rios both talk about why city residents need to enact reasonable rent control limits, such as a 5 percent cap on rent increases as well as upcoming state and local ballot drives on the issue.
Posted inHuntington Beach, On OC, Outdoors
Is Desalination in Huntington Beach Good for OC?
Paul Cook, general manager for the Irvine Ranch Water District and Brian Lochrie, a spokesman for Poseidon, which is proposing a desal plant in Huntington Beach, both talk about the pros and cons for taxpayers and residents about desalinated water.
