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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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Around 700 workers are striking against bad faith bargaining.
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The vaccines will be available free of charge.
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City officials will come back with a ballot measure for the city council's consideration on Nov. 7.
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Above average rainfall this year has resulted in odor incidents in landfills across the state.
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This year alone, around $39 million has been scammed out of programs like CalFresh and CalWORKS.
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The game has been growing in popularity.
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Cricket and lacrosse — both last seen in the early 1900s — also return, as does baseball and softball.
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Environmental justice organizations criticize the program.
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For the first time in 17 years, the Dodgers did not win a single postseason game — and fans unleashed the memes.
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A pair of Solid Rocket Motors will travel to the California Science Center on Wednesday.
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The medical clinic also alleges the city caved to pressure from anti-abortion protesters.
