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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 top vote-getter told LAist the second-place candidate called to concede the race.
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Critics say the $300-million effort to stabilize a stretch of the popular Pacific Surfliner route is haphazard, curtails public beach access and will only yield short-term benefits.
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The winner will take part in several key decisions facing one of Orange County's biggest cities.
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Irvine voters head to the poll as 2025 is poised to be a year of change for the city. Three candidates are vying for the District 5 council seat.
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Due to the sheer volume and different needs of fire victims, a lot of it ended up either in landfills or being shipped abroad.
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The county could be on the hook for far more money, with more than $400 million in claims filed overall.
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The task force will target federal dollars set aside for homelessness in seven SoCal counties.
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Maznavi leaves behind a legacy of creating safe spaces for Muslim women.
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Some takeaways from the files obtained so far and what we know about the delay on other requests.
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The city is tapping a lobbying firm to make the case in D.C. for more help in shoring up a landslide that is slowly destroying entire neighborhoods.
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Sidhu was ordered to return to federal court Sept. 2, when he is expected to begin his sentence.
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In Irvine, legislative power rests in the hands of the seven-member City Council. One of those seats is up for grabs on April 15.
