The last election found some of OC’s most powerful special interests falling short of their desired political spending results.
Category: Irvine
Irvine, home to UC Irvine and the Great Park, has about 318,000 residents. We cover the City Council’s votes, its budget, the Great Park and development.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Irvine Asphalt Plant Continues To Rack Up Violations As City Leaders Debate Next Steps
Residents have asked city council members to shut down the factory for years, and contracted multiple studies they say show the facility is negatively affecting their health.
Posted inIrvine
What Are the Exact Plans for Orange County’s Next Mental Health Campus?
Officials say the campus – slated to get $132 million from taxpayers – will help fill a critical need. Yet detailed plans have not yet been publicly revealed.
Posted inOutdoors
Irvine Raises Great Park Bond Debt Ceiling
City council members unanimously pushed forward with the new plan for the Great Park, with staff saying they plan to issue bonds in the near future.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Former Irvine Councilwoman Says Democratic Consultant Tried Defrauding Her, Not Bribing
Former Councilwoman Melissa Fox said she never tried to accept a bribe, but she was caught up in a fraud scheme by cannabis consultant Melahat Rafiei, who signed a federal plea agreement for wire fraud last week.
Posted inIrvine
Irvine Won’t Investigate Attempted Bribery of Councilmembers, Waits on FBI
Irvine City Council members split over conducting an internal investigation, with some pointing out it could end up going in circles and others asked to wait for the FBI.
Posted inGovernment
Questions Swirl Over Former Irvine City Councilmembers Discussing Accepting Bribes With Cannabis Lobbyist
The US Attorney’s office has refused to identify which council members were poised to accept bribes.
Posted inOutdoors
Irvine Looks To Raise Great Park Bonds Ceiling to $2 Billion
While the shift would not increase taxes for the Great Park residents, it nearly doubles the city’s earlier limit on how much they could spend on the park.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Consultant’s Controversial Plea Deal Spurs Calls for Irvine City Hall Probe, Puts Spotlight on Mayor
One councilwoman is calling for an investigation after a federal plea deal revealed a consultant with ties to Mayor Farah Khan attempted to bribe council members back in 2018, before the mayor joined the council.
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Could Orange County Have A Senator in Congress?
Katie Porter’s bid for the U.S. Senate may open her seat up to her most recent Republican opponent. Scott Baugh is the first to announce his own run for that seat.
