
Yusra Farzan
Local news in Orange County has my heart: All those long meetings — city council, school boards, power authorities, housing commissions, planning departments — play a huge role in our everyday lives. So I take the time to synthesize how decisions in Orange County’s 34 cities affect your electricity bill, how your taxes are funding the next big project and the resources available at your child's school.
Even though I got my break in entertainment reporting, the pieces I am most proud of spotlight everyday people: teachers in Orange County, the duo who started a school for Ukrainian refugees, the women behind Ramadan markets and the teenager who invented a cancer-detecting toothbrush.
Ask me about the small liquor store in Garden Grove that also carries Sri Lankan snacks, the best places to get Arab food in Anaheim and why the drive to Laguna Beach is worth it for those warm, summer days.
I grew up in the Middle East, but I am of Sri Lankan descent. I used to live in Irvine, and I still have one foot in O.C. But now I also call Rancho Palos Verdes home — it’s also why I am so invested in covering the land movement here.
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That incident is one of numerous complaints of alleged mismanagement against Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich.
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For years, experts warned against developing the unstable cliff top, but property owners prevailed. Now they’re paying the price.
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A controversial plaque will be placed at the city’s Central Library. Look closely and you will see it spells out "M-A-G-A."
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Evacuation orders remain in place for some areas as the risk of mudslide and debris flows remains from heavy rain overnight Thursday.
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The agency says 52% of the post-wildfire cleanup work is complete.
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Heavy rain deluged Southern California, with flood warnings and more extreme weather throughout the day.
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Auditors have referred two contracts to the Orange County district attorney and county counsel for further investigation.
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Mail carrier Thomas Carter lost his home and a car he was restoring to the Eaton Fire. But along a route he has served for decades, a community of support has formed.
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Morale at the district is low because of the impending layoffs and fear of immigration raids.
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Phase 2 of the clean up, which is optional, has started, ushering in a new chapter in what is sure to be a long road to recovery.