After a weekend jailbreak, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens says OC jails might not be up to challenge of new state mandates. Meanwhile, one of Supervisor Lisa Bartlett’s firsts moves as chairwoman of the board is an attempt to make the position more powerful.
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, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr., Transportation
Santana: County Officials Moving Slowly to Help Civic Center Homeless
Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. urges county officials to move quickly to secure federal approvals to get Santa Ana Civic Center homeless population under a covered roof before the El Niño storms return.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Bartlett Meets the OC Old Boy Network
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett is already dealing with horse trading even before being named chairwoman, as a controversial appointment to the county retirement board is on this week’s board agenda.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, Transportation
Santana: OC Civic Center Homeless Need Shelter Now
Amidst the rains, Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. argues that Orange County supervisors need to press federal officials to allow homeless to be sheltered at the abandoned bus terminal in downtown Santa Ana.
Posted inCountywide, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: 2016 Promises to be a Year of Fresh Starts for County Government
It will be up to supervisors and other county officials to hammer out the details on last year’s policy progress, which includes such things as worker relations, homelessness, animal shelters and ethics reform.
Posted inCountywide, Inside the Newsroom
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Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: 2015 Showed How The People Can Impact Public Policy in OC
Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. looks back at 2015 and credits Orange County residents for moving the ball on policy, pushing their elected leaders to lead.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Norberto Santana Jr., Transportation
Santana: OC Supervisors Offer Hope for Homeless This Holiday Season
Voice of OC’s publisher congratulates county supervisors for stepping up to the challenge and purchasing an abandoned bus terminal for homeless services just before winter sets in.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: The Catch-22 of County Politics
County supervisors have deployed the little-known “Rule 22” to quash the auditor-controller’s desire to get a lawyer to review their pension options. End-of-year session could also include movement toward purchase of bus terminal for homeless services.
Posted inCountywide, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Fast Times Require Fast Action
A Voice of OC investigation into Rancho Santiago Community College District underscores why all public agencies should enact gift bans and end free Cadillac health plans for part-time elected officials.
