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.
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
Santana: A Flag Free-For-All
Amidst protests and parades, this year’s Flag Day puts a unique focus on the nation’s preeminent symbol, one that signifies the changing nature of the nation as well as freedom’s deep roots in the American experiment.
Posted inSafety, Security & Justice
Orange County Braces For ICE
As protests against immigration enforcement begin mounting in downtown Santa Ana, senior lawmakers and activists send a message for concerned residents to remain active but peaceful.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Costing Out Voter ID Gets Political in OC
A public critique about the costs of implementing national Voter ID at the local level has triggered rare political drama for OC Registrar of Voters Bob Page.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Looking Ahead to a Orange County’s Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day
An 80-acre wilderness tract off the 91 freeway and 241 toll road is beginning to take shape while grading, electrical and water hookups soon get underway.
Posted inSanta Ana
Santana: The Art of Standing Up While Laying Low on Immigration Crackdown
Amidst advice from Congressman Lou Correa to lay low in unprecedented times, Santa Ana elected officials are slated to consider publicly disclosing ICE activity in town as the Trump Administration eyes sanctuary cities.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Confronting Orange County’s Public Spending Problem
County of Orange officials overspent this past fiscal year by nearly $30 million, mostly from the Sheriff and District Attorney – a fact few officials like to publicly talk about.
Posted inTop Stories
Santana: Who Wants to Run Orange County?
In the wake of a scathing bribery scandal, questions mount whether Orange County Supervisors are on track in finding the right CEO to run America’s sixth largest county.
Posted inNorberto Santana Jr.
Santana: Anaheim Can’t Afford to Play With the Angels
Weak stadium leases and politicians consistently leave Anaheim taxpayers dangerously exposed at Angel Stadium.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Orange County Rallies Over Trump
Opposition voices hit the streets across Orange County Saturday, the latest in a wave of local protests against the Trump Administration increasingly playing out across OC intersections and public spaces.
