This last month, just before getting elected to the state senate on a platform of fiscal conservatism, Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates boosted the salary of an OC GOP insider working temporarily as her chief of staff to $62.92 an hour – well over what’s allowed by law.
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 inPolitics & Elections
Correa Running for County Supervisor
With Supervisor Janet Nguyen’s victory on Tuesday night, termed-out state Sen. Lou Correa joins Garden Grove Councilman Chris Phan in vying for her seat during a special election on Feb. 3.
Posted inFountain Valley, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Westminster
Nguyen Takes 34th State Senate Seat
Republican County Supervisor Janet Nguyen wins the 34th State Senate seat contested by Democrat Jose Solorio.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories
Bartlett and Steel Win Supervisor Seats
With a majority of precincts counted, Michelle Steel is leading in 2nd District and Lisa Bartlett is leading in the 5th District.
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Santa Ana, Top Stories
Santa Ana Voters Approve Medical Marijuana Shops
Dispensaries are set to be allowed in city industrial areas – clear of schools – and be taxed heavily.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories
Union Leader Calls for Vote After County CEO Given Raise
OCEA chief Nick Berardino wants rank-and-file employees to vote on County CEO Mike Giancola’s job performance after county supervisors gave him a controversial six percent raise last week, his second in a year and a half.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories
Raise for County CEO Riles Workers
OC supervisors draw fire for handing their new CEO his second raise within a year and a half after forcing contracts without raises and with increased pension contributions in recent years on managers and rank-and-file workers.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories
County Performance Auditor Calls out DA
Performance Auditor Philip Cheng tells county supervisors that DA Tony Rackauckas doesn’t apparently want to be audited because he can’t get a return email or call.
Posted inCountywide, Top Stories
Campaign Finance Watchdog Angry Over Wording of Ethics Measure
Shirley Grindle and the Orange County Employees Association say the county’s ballot language for a November ballot measure is misleading.
Posted inIrvine
OC Vets Celebrate Cemetery Victory
For many veterans, the event was about stepping out of the shadows and pressing politicians to secure a final resting place where their families can mourn without having to travel to Riverside, San Diego or Los Angeles counties.
