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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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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.
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The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to ask the state for a reprieve from laws that set density and energy requirements in burn zones.
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Fire danger is at critical levels in the areas, which aren’t scheduled to reopen until Feb. 1.
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Malibu schools were also closed for the day amid worries about conditions.
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Couple accused of impersonating firefighters in Palisades Fire — complete with their own fire engineThe couple, prosecutors say, bought the fire engine at an auction and now face 180 days in jail.
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Amy Phan West allegedly tried to stop her husband’s Jeep from getting towed.
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The City Council this week approved taking money from other infrastructure projects to help pay for dewatering wells.
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Firefighters had to battle multiple fire that cropped up heading into what forecasters say could be a rainy weekend.
