-
Listen Listen
Yusra Farzan
What I cover
I am a geek for city council meetings — meaning I watch those long local government meetings so you don’t have to. And I keep you informed on how decisions in Orange County’s 34 cities affect your electricity bill, how your taxes are funding the next big project, the resources available at your child's school and if there is a corruption scandal brewing within your local government. Orange County’s food scene excites me too. If you ask me about the foods of my childhood, I will tell you about its Levantine shawarma, Korean bulgogi, Yemeni mandi, Sri Lankan kottu, Indian chicken 65, Pakistani biriyani and Malaysian nasi lemak. And guess what, I can find it all in O.C. I hope to help people connect with the different communities that call O.C. home.
My background
I grew up in the Middle East, but I am of Sri Lankan descent and I can count people from 27 different nationalities as friends. I got my start in entertainment reporting but soon realized local news has my heart. My work can be found in the Orange County Register, The Guardian US, L.A. Times, Teen Vogue, NPR and BuzzFeed.
My goals
I want to help people understand how if they want to see systemic change in housing, policing, education or healthcare — it all starts at the local level.
Best way to reach me
Covering 34 cities can be a lot, so I need your help in being my eyes and ears on the ground. If you have a tip, you can email me at yfarzan@laist.com or on Signal at username: @yusramf.25
Stories by Yusra Farzan
-
Superstitions are an important part of sports.
-
The port handled 9.9 million 20-foot equivalent containers in 2025
-
The City Council voted to table the conversation after debate over how to even find a location.
-
The warmer temperatures are expected to be higher than average by about 10 to 15 degrees.
-
Outside observers say hundreds of people have been killed in Iran during anti-government protests, sparking international condemnation.
-
The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center burned in the Eaton Fire. The senior rabbi gives an update on his congregation a year later.
-
Crews will repair damages to main road through landslide area.
-
The mosque is currently operating out of a temporary space rented from a church.
-
The lawsuit centers on tweets about Butch Twining attending a vigil to honor slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
-
Monthly billing statements show purchases from Target, Walmart, Amazon and other vendors. LAist requested the records amid city oversight concerns.
-
The LAPD was sued in June for its treatment of journalists during anti-ICE protests.
-
Lisa Gladstone has qualified for a federal buyout but may have to wait years to see the money
