A Disney worker talks about what it’s like to work for The Mouse, including bouts with homelessness and wages that make it tough to live 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
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Santana: United to End Homelessness
A large coalition of smart, sharp chief executives from Orange County organized by the local United Way and the Association of California Cities, Orange County gathered this past week to offer much needed direction as well as a leadership council to help the County of Orange end homelessness. But can these CEOs really tackle systemic challenges such as affordable housing construction and stagnant working class wages? Recent union protests against one coalition member, Disneyland, connect homelessness with corporate subsidies, low wages, high rents and unaffordable homes. Are we ready for that discussion?
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Santana: Riverbed Evictions Revealed Failed Homelessness Policies
County supervisors this past month were able to offer more than 700 people camped out along the Santa Ana riverbed a viable option toward stability by granting them motel stays and case workers. So where were these services the past decade while the homelessness crisis exploded? Should County Supervisors remain the lead agency for response? Where do we go from here?
Posted inOn OC
On OC: Latest on OC Homeless Evictions From Santa Ana Riverbed Near Angel Stadium
Reporters discuss homeless evictions along the Santa Ana riverbed, federal court actions and what comes next for homeless policy in Orange County.
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Santana: Lessons in Leadership over President’s Holiday
Judge David O Carter this week demonstrated real leadership on combating homelessness by getting out into the field and challenging county officials to focus public resources on meeting immediate needs of riverbed residents. Yet will this rare focus last? Could receivership of federal and state funds coming into the County of Orange be on the horizon?
Posted inOn OC
On OC: A view of the Santa Ana Riverbed eviction of homeless people
Voice of OC Publisher looks into the eviction of homeless people along the Santa Ana Riverbed.
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Santana: OC Supervisors Hate Listening to Real Live Taxpayers
Orange County supervisors step up their attack on public comment at their regular public meetings by pushing taxpayers to the end of their meeting agenda. The change means offering public comment to county supervisors will take hours of waiting.
Posted inOn OC
On OC: Illegal Campaigning Using Taxpayer Funds
Campaign watchdog Shirley Grindle and Common Cause’s Bill Mitchell talk about campaign mailers funded by Orange County taxpayer money.
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Santana: Lincoln’s Birthday Offers A Challenge to Add Your Voice
Today as many enjoy a day off thanks to President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. reflects on Lincoln’s Gettysburg address – a short, 272-word Oped that changed the meaning of freedom and offers a challenge to all of us to stay involved in our civic life.
Posted inOn OC
On OC: Women’s Issues, Auditor-Controller Lawsuit, 39th District Election, Asian Voters
WAVE Founder Joanna Weiss discusses women’s issues in the 48th Congressional District. Then news roundup about the OC Auditor-Controller lawsuit, the election and the impact of Asian voters.
