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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
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The number of people experiencing homelessness has dropped 13.5% compared to the previous count in 2024, according to the latest county data.
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If approved, the sales tax increase will bring in $15 million annually.
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Party leaders told Janet Keo Conklin to lawyer up and drop out of the O.C. assessor race. Conklin denies the allegations of misuse of campaign funds and sexual harassment.
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After hearing from protesting residents, the City Council rejected a proposal to add new cell towers.
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A Pasadena Methodist church has welcomed Jews and Muslims who needed spaces to pray. The three congregations see the interfaith cooperation as living their faiths.
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Several claims and a lawsuit could push the price tag even higher as the city reckons with a $16 million budget gap.
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Accelerated land movement has closed off what was once a bustling nature preserve that will never be what it once was.
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The office is responsible for collecting property taxes and acts as the county’s banker, managing and investing funds that return yields used to pay for county services.
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Adoption fees will be waived for the ducks in Riverside County that need to find a new home.
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Residential and business properties in Orange County are valued at over $850 billion. The assessor determines the taxable value of those properties.
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Ancient landslide was activated by recent storms.
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After a month of day-time fasting, breakfast is back on the menu — and in SoCal, doughnuts are a celebratory treat.
