As police are being targeted across the nation, members of a class of cop in Orange County are going to court because they can’t carry a concealed weapon off-duty.
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, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: It’s Time to Talk Change for OC Government
County supervisors are gearing up to talk term limits. They should be talking real change, like diving into their own business model – which is health and human services – not politics.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr., Transportation
Santana: Marian Bergeson Left OC a Better Place
Orange County’s grand dame of politics and government, Marian Bergeson, has died at 90. While her energy will never leave OC, her type of policy approach to politics seems to be in danger of extinction, Santana writes.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: OC Supervisors Slam Human Relations But Like Secret Diplomacy
Orange County supervisors are drawing a hard line on county commissions, like the Human Relations Commission, when it comes to LGBTQ issues. But lanes are open for groups dealing with foreign officials, who greet groups with business ties, like the Protocol Foundation, despite potential human rights issues.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Re-Read the Declaration of Independence This July 4
A careful look at the original gripes in the Declaration of Independence against King George III reveals that issues like election districts, militarization of the local budget, immigration and judicial elections remain unfinished business.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: County IT Collapse Should Prompt a Reboot, Not Just a New Chief
After a decade of outsourcing amidst campaign contributions from IT contractors – resulting in poor performance and high costs – county officials should think about refocusing their IT brand and approach.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Training Civic Accountants
True self-government means knowing how your local public dollars are being spent. Some in Orange County clearly get that as evidenced by the attendance at county Auditor-Controller Eric Woolery’s “Accounting for Activists” training.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Trump Fuels Historic Democratic Turnout in OC
Donald Trump did something for Orange County Democrats that hasn’t happened since WWII: bring out more of their faithful to vote than Republicans. It’s likely a preview of the tsunami that’s coming in November and the OC GOP may never be the same again.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Is it Time for Ethics in Orange County?
The fireworks between District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and Supervisor Todd Spitzer illustrate the need for a local ethics commission, OC grand jurors raise troubling questions about other DA actions, and Auditor Controller Eric Woolery steps up oversight.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: OC Homelessness Czar Gets to Work; So Should County Supervisors
Last week, county officials welcomed Susan Price, OC’s new homelessness services coordinator. Meanwhile, county supervisors voice frustration as their agendas tighten up with year-end contracts.
