Orange County News

Criminal Justice

Did Santa Ana greenlight a drone program? City leaders say no, but their policy says yes

City leaders approved military equipment policy that allows the Police Department to buy military equipment, including drones.

A crowded city council meeting room: Several elected officials are sitting on a dais, with flags hanging behind them. There is a screen showing two individuals speaking to the city council, one is wearing a police uniform.

Criminal Justice

Santa Ana Police Department wants $250,000 for drones

A Santa Ana police commander told the public the drones will not be used for surveillance.

Police officers wearing black uniforms, hard hats and batons stand in the middle of a street.

Arts & Entertainment

The biggest Pokémon event in the world arrives in Anaheim, bringing generations of players together

The annual Pokémon World Championships is the top tier of competition for video- and card game-players and an exhibition, shopping extravaganza and reunion for fans.

Inside the room of a large convention center, a small child with medium-light skin tone stands for a portrait next to an adult woman with medium-light skin tone. The child holds a large Pikachu doll.

Climate & Environment

Huntington Beach airshow gets OK from Coastal Commission

The California Coastal Commission voted Friday to grant a five-year permit to the company that operates the annual airshow in Huntington Beach.

A plane flies upside down above a red-domed building at the end of a pier. Boats line the ocean along the horizon.

Criminal Justice

Former OC Supervisor Andrew Do turns himself in, begins 5-year federal prison term

The U.S. attorney handling the case called Do a "Robin Hood in reverse" for stealing money from the poor to enrich himself.

A man in a suit jacket and tie looks off to the side, as the name "Andrew Do" appears on a name tag next to the official seal of County of Orange, California. "Vice Chairman, District 1," is written underneath the name.

Civics & Democracy

Santa Ana police have been violating state military equipment law for 2 years: ‘We messed up’

Police chief attributed the noncompliance to “an administrative oversight.”

Food

‘This ain’t no damn fish and chips': OC pop-up brings Southern cuisine to SoCal

Asha Starks, owner of Hot Grease, is honoring a Black tradition on her home turf — the OC.

A woman with a dark skin tone wearing bright red chef coat and heart-shaped sunglasses and a checked head wrap beams next to her “Hot Grease” fish and fries stand, sunlight bouncing off crisp golden batter and palm-lined pavement at a bustling street market.

Civics & Democracy

Why were AI-equipped police cameras installed in this majority Latino Huntington Beach neighborhood?

The city says the cameras installed in the Oak View neighborhood are intended to fight crime. Some residents worry they could be used to aid in federal immigration enforcement.

A street corner with a light pole on the sidewalk affixed with a license plate reader and 360-degree camera.

Civics & Democracy

Orange County supervisors revise their ethics code in wake of corruption scandal — but does it go far enough?

The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the changes just days before one of their own — ex-Supervisor Andrew Do — is slated to start a five-year prison term on a federal bribery charge.