Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana, Jr. credits Anaheim Police Chief Raul Quesada for calling for a break to rethink homelessness outreach.
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 inCommunity Opinion, Countywide
Collins: Unjust arrests in Anaheim for Filming Police?
Homeless Activist R. Joshua Collins challenges readers to be the judge whether activists Jailed last week while filming Anaheim PD crossed a line.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: OC Supervisors Get Ethics
Orange County supervisors have moved from attacking a county ethics commission to stepping over themselves to sponsor battling versions of the proposal. A citizen-led ballot drive looms in the background Tuesday as supervisors deliberate on two ordinances.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Is Civic Activism Turning the Tide in OC?
Amidst movement on combating homelessness, an animal shelter, an ethics commission and civilian oversight of police, Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. applauds progress but warns residents need to stay engaged for politics to actually work on their behalf.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Will Gov. Brown Go Up on CRONEY?
Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. ponders whether Gov. Jerry Brown will approve legislation adopting a new stricter standard for public contracting at counties like the County of Orange, who strengthen labor negotiations transparency.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: OC Fairgrounds Offers Chance for Frank Table Talk on Labor Day
Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. writes that the OC Fairgrounds offers a chance for frank discussion on Labor Day, especially in Orange County where a labor war is almost always right around corner.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: No Civilian Oversight Over Police Is Better Than Faux Oversight
Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. writes that county supervisors shouldn’t spend $120,000 on studying police oversight models when they already know what to do, but are unwilling to do it.
Posted inCountywide, Investigative, Norberto Santana Jr.
Santana: OC Supervisors Trash Auditors, Accountability
Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana, Jr. warns taxpayers about a looming accountability crisis in county government with the County’s Performance Auditor fired, the Office of Independent Review battered, the Internal Audit Department transferred and the abrupt retirement of the county’s Human Resources Director in protest.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, Norberto Santana Jr., Transportation
Santana: Supervisors Wake Up to Civic Center Homeless Explosion
Voice of OC Publisher Norberto Santana Jr. writes that Orange County’s Board of Supervisors finally seem engaged on homelessness in their own backyard at the Santa Ana Civic Center.
Posted inCountywide, Health & Wellness, Housing & Homelessness, Norberto Santana Jr., Transportation
Santana: OC Supervisors Should Meet Homeless
Santana writes that before jumping into another homeless shelter discussion, county supervisors should hit the streets and get to know the customer a bit before investing taxpayer funds.
