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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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Todd Ament, who admitted to wire fraud, lying to a mortgage lender and lying on his tax returns, faces a possible sentence of 30 years or more in prison, according to the US Department of Justice.
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Firefighters are worried about access in the event of an emergency as the ongoing landslide shifts and destroys roads.
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From Egyptian cuisine to Yemeni dishes, from lolling on sofas to takeout at food trucks, go on a multi-national gastronomic adventure.
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If residents do not comply with inspection orders, city officials will obtain a warrant as land movement accelerates.
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The seals received care for various injuries and malnourishment.
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The company says that accelerated land movement has made the continued use of gas lines in certain areas unsafe.
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Pull up a chair because the story takes a grim turn after rescuers arrive.
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Last month the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities are no longer prohibited from punishing homeless people for camping if they have nowhere else to go.
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Cooler temperatures expected this weekend.
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The cemetery will be built alongside the county’s first new public cemetery in over 100 years.
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Expert says the fireworms could be a feature in SoCal waters because of rising temperatures.
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Hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled on Friday. A spokesperson tells LAist that things are "better" today.
