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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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Irvine city officials are set to discuss the controversial new project at the next Great Park board meeting.
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Prosecutors say Tammy Kim changed her driver’s license and voter registration in 2024 to reflect an address she has never lived at.
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The $10.8 billion spending plan cuts vacant jobs and boosts funding for liability claims.
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A total of 85 homeowners sought to get the federal funds for a buyout, but there's not enough money for everyone and cash could take years to arrive.
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Andrew Do defends his actions in part by saying he didn't vote for the contracts alone — his fellow colleages on the Orange County Board of Supervisors did so, too.
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The life jackets are U.S. Coast Guard-approved and available for free in Irvine. And you don't have to live in the city to get one.
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In recent years, investigations have revealed the grip Anaheim’s tourism industry has on city politics. Now, the city is implementing oversight measures.
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What to do with the property has been a top community issue since the north hangar burned in 2023.
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San Clemente wants to hang on to its beach town status, but coastal erosion over the years has cut off public access in some areas. A sand replenishment project seeks to reverse that.
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The city has been managing the peafowl population for years in response to complaints about noise and property damage.
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Attendees discuss topics like childhood trauma, share a potluck meal and engage in dance.
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The light rail project, which had been planned for 2021, could see its first riders early next year.
