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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 city is poised to spend as much as it does on its entire operating budget to counter the slow-moving disaster.
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Following the release of text messages related to the January fires to other media outlets, LAist requested to review the available public records. The mayor’s office shared some texts, but LAist is still waiting on communications from the days prior to the start of the fire.
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The city needs between 2 million and 5 million cubic yards of sand to restore its thinning shorelines.
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Many of the demonstrations for workers’ rights have also become an indictment of President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration.
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“ I wouldn't be here if it weren't for my family, who suffered through months in refugee camps.”
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For the first time, millennials are now leading the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce: They plan to distance the organization from politics and focus on promoting local business.
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Orange County supervisors are discussing what to say to express harm done to the county and constituents by former Supervisor Andrew Do. He faces federal prison time at an upcoming sentencing.
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FEMA announced the cancellation of a grant that helps communities prepare for natural disasters. Rancho Palos Verdes planned to use its share of the funds to address the Portuguese Bend landslide.
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Crews are beginning emergency stabilization work. Travelers will be bused between Irvine and Oceanside for about six weeks.
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The city has not contracted with the Chamber of Commerce since 2022, when a corruption scandal made headlines.
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The proposed project is in its infancy and still has to clear concerns raised by City Council members.
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Community leaders said he was ahead of his time.
