A discussion between Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana, Jr., and staff reporters on homeless issues and the upcoming election.
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: OC Democrats Ponder Fighting it Out Vs. Narrowing The Field For Congress
Orange County Democrats confront an odd situation this Saturday in San Juan Capistrano, pondering at their pre-endorsement caucuses whether it’s better to let a host of untested candidates battle it out through June or quickly crown official challengers against a series of Republican incumbents for four key congressional races this fall.
Posted inIrvine, Norberto Santana Jr., Transportation
Santana: Does Irvine Need to Slow Down Development?
As residents organize to gather signatures to put major developments to popular vote, Irvine Greater Chamber of Commerce leaders rally against the idea pondering the potential impact on housing availability and prices.
Posted inHousing & Homelessness, On OC
On OC: Homelessness in Orange County
Voice of OC is launching a new podcast, On OC, that connects newsmakers, elected officials, activists and residents around the latest civic issues in Orange County.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: We Did It!
Voice of OC enters 2018 in a strong position financially after readers responded overwhelmingly to our annual year-end online fundraiser, helped this year by a special national matching grant program, called NewsMatch.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Voice of OC Was There For You in 2017
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. thanks the special donors who make Voice of OC possible along with reviewing the biggest stories of 2017.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Meet Your Involvement Editor
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. writes about the innovative position at Voice of OC, Involvement Editor, as well as the amazing longtime Orange County good government activist, Theresa Sears, who has grown the Voice of OC Opinion section since 2015.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Meet The Voice of OC
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. talks about the unique opportunities that Voice of OC donors offer to interns, opportunities not only to get published but to make a difference. In fact, today’s line up of award-winning reporters at Voice of OC, all started out as interns.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr., Top Stories
Santana: Meet Your Civic Editor Tracy Wood
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. talks about Voice of OC’s News Editor Tracy Wood, and her background in journalism, from Vietnam to Sacramento to Orange County and her influence on our reporters. From breaking stories to deep investigations, Voice of OC donors and local taxpayers receive great value from Tracy’s newsroom leadership. This holiday season, Santana reminds readers to consider donating – especially during a special matching grant period that ends Dec. 31 – in order to keep the newsroom strong and independent.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: A Voice to Rely on
Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. writes about the founding of Voice of OC and how funding nonprofit newsrooms can ultimately change local politics in America.
