-
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
-
The move comes after nearby residents had long complained of foul odors from the property.
-
Fire damage led to the indefinite closure of the freeway.
-
The county has seen a 12% increase in the unhoused veterans population.
-
The 10 Freeway opens just over a week after a fire shut down a key stretch near downtown L.A.
-
One business owner says it will take her five to 10 years to recover.
-
SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift emerged with the most nominations.
-
The office will act as an “air traffic control center” for all entities addressing food insecurity.
-
City attorney says it is the first of its kind in California.
-
Firefighters said safety concerns led them to let it burn.
-
The closure is in effect until Tuesday afternoon.
-
Buena Park is now SoCal’s third official Koreatown.
-
For decades, the city has been a safe haven for the LGBTQIA+ community.
