A Labor Day look back at OC workers’ most recent job actions.
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
Orange County’s Biggest Headlines Ahead of Labor Day
Police military equipment, federal noncitizen voting probe, cracking down on sober living homes and ongoing immigration sweeps – these are some of the top issues debated by public officials ahead of Labor Day.
Posted inTop Stories
Santana: A Look at Orange County’s Civic Headlines
Schools reopened while questions persist about what to do if ICE shows up – all against the backdrop of an ongoing court battle challenging the legality of the raids. There’s also a renewed focus on e-bike regulations throughout the county.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: This Week’s Top News Across OC
A host of local officials end up in court, workers hit the streets and state officials arrive to talk about the impact of immigration on the economy.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: High Parking Rates at OC Fair Fuel Controversy For Gov. Newsom’s Fair Board
Officials’ reaction to questions about parking rates at the summer fair should prompt deeper questioning about how good of a deal the public gets from the 150-acre land tract under the stewardship of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s elite appointees, most of whom are on expired terms.
Posted inCountywide
Santana: Putting the Public Back Into Public Budgets
Huge surprise raises for county supervisors are prompting tough questions about how annual budget deliberations could better engage taxpayers as new fiscal year public budgets kick in across OC this month.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Who Spearheaded OC Supervisors’ Pay Hike?
The raises face mounting criticism and questions amidst warnings in the new budget, all while the OC Grand Jury is releasing scathing reports about county government shortcomings.
Posted inTop Stories
Santana: Unmasking ICE
Masked federal agents roaming OC during ICE sweeps are triggering a host of concerns from local officials – along with lots of legislation, letters and information requests.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: A Big Thanks to Orange County For a Sweet Sixteen
Hundreds of thousands of readers – and a small community of donors – have made the seemingly impossible into a reality: a thriving local, nonprofit newsroom focused on putting residents in a position to defend their freedom and quality of life.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Santana: What Happens to Orange County’s Disappeared?
As ICE raids continue and residents disappear from local neighborhoods across OC, there’s little documentation about where they go, something that’s triggering bipartisan transparency concerns.
