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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 virus was detected in Santa Ana in an area bordering Garden Grove Boulevard.
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Federal agents on Thursday searched the family home of O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do and his wife — O.C. Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Cheri Pham — as well as a home owned by their daughter Rhiannon Do.
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A new report found that discrimination against transgender people is one of the biggest barriers to higher paying jobs, and that in turn leads to a struggle to find secure housing.
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A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck at 12:20 p.m. on Monday.
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Prophet Premium Blends recalled the products in June, but some are still on the market.
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A half-cent sales tax will appear on November's ballot to fund bringing in more sand to combat erosion.
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City is waiving permit fees for those switching from natural gas to propane
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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.
