Voice of OC nets 11 awards in the digital journalism category from the 2016 Orange County Press Club Excellence in Journalism Competition. Earlier this month, the newsroom also was recognized by the Orange County League of Conservation Voters for its environmental coverage.
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, Health & Wellness, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Homeless Camp Now Keeping People From Jury Duty
County supervisors tout recent progress on homelessness. But recent warnings from the head of OC Superior Courts indicate serious problems brewing at downtown Santa Ana Civic Center.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Orange County Has a New Homeless Czar
County officials have hired a new homelessness czar to try to jumpstart the county’s stalled approach to homelessness; meanwhile Sheriff Sandra Hutchens takes a swipe at the deputies union over its annual managers’ survey.
Posted inCountywide, Government, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Follow-Up Is a Job for All of Us
While county officials have blown off responding to grand jury reports, all of us in civil society need to keep working to stay focused on follow up when it comes to local government.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Avoid Politics With Public Defender Pick
The Orange County supervisors are in the process of choosing a new public defender. Will they appoint someone who’ll stay aggressive on the jailhouse snitch cases? Or someone who’ll take the heat off District Attorney Tony Rackauckas?
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr., Transportation
Santana: Legacy Matters
Orange County fairgrounds officials get ready to move the Heroes Hall historic building into place for a countywide OC vets museum Monday, while county supervisors consider their own legacy Tuesday turning an old bus terminal into a homeless services center.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Old Friends Now Foes in 48th District, While Debate in 46th a Dud
While sparks fly in the 48th Congressional District over the 2018 election, this November’s race for the 46th is so far a snoozer. Key to real elections is involvement and Voice of OC launches new program to help ensure community dialogue.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Can the Red Cross Handle Disaster Response in OC?
When they review their contract with the Red Cross Tuesday, county supervisors will get a chance to confirm the budgets, staff and volunteers the charity has in place in Orange County for large disasters.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, Norberto Santana Jr., Santa Ana
Santana: Could Adding More Green Lower Santa Ana’s Crime Rate?
As city officials grapple with a surge of gang shootings, they need to think about how to improve the poor neighborhood environments that allow gangs to flourish. Converting surplus properties to parks is a good start.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Supervisors Making Progress on Homelessness
Orange County supervisors are making progress like never before on homelessness and Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. argues it’s public feedback and engagement that’s helping keep them focused.
