Orange County’s Biggest Headlines as Election Day Approaches
Millions of dollars have been pumped into a local assembly race and county supervisors races, high tides force parts of a train line and a portion PCH to close – these are some of OC’s top headlines this week.
Orange Looks to Make Former 70-Acre Quarry Into Public Open Space
The former quarry could eventually become permanent public open space, but years of work remain before the city of Orange can take ownership.
2026 Election
Kids Get to Swim in Santa Ana’s New Pools For Five Hours a Week
After mounting questions over just how public the public pools are, Santa Ana officials announced the Memorial Park pools are slated to reopen – for five hours a week for kids, while people over 16 get more hours.
Huntington Beach Warns Residents of Danger As King Tides Hit Coast
High tides in Huntington Beach this week have led to a local emergency declaration and more Pacific Coast Highway closures, as the super El Niño season begins to ramp up.
Teamsters Restart Strike After Failed Negotiations with OC Supervisors
It comes after a pause in the strike that lasted just over a week as teamsters and county leaders tried to negotiate a new deal.
Irvine Officials Sidestep Additional Financial Audits Amid Rocky Budget Outlook
Leaders aren’t going to be reviewing previous spending decisions with a formal audit process as leaders attempt to dodge a looming structural budget deficit.
Santa Ana Politicians Got To Swim, Residents Got Turned Away From New Pool
City officials are keeping quiet on a brewing scandal involving a staged opening ahead of the November election for a pool that is now closed to the public.
Residents Nextdoor to South OC Landfill Raise Red Flags Over Dirty Air and Debris
Many residents say the Prima Deshecha landfill was not a problem before county leaders began expanding, and since then air quality has dropped.
Santana: OC State Legislator’s Golf Fundraiser Triggers Questions About Utility Influence Peddling
State Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie Norris’ conversation with a utility lobbyist at the “Cottie Classic” raises concerns ahead of a pivotal state hearing she is chairing on shielding utility liabilities from wildfires.
OC Teamsters Reject New Contract, Threaten to Resume Strike
While teamsters have not confirmed a date at which they will return to the picket lines, they’ve “overwhelmingly” rejected county supervisors’ latest offer.
Santana: So Who Really Saved South OC’s Creeks?
The reality is local activists, not politicians, changed the county approach.
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Santana: OC Trash Strike Clearly Shows How County Officials Flat Out Lie To The Public
A comparison of official filings and public statements by county officials about the impacts of the ongoing Teamsters Local 952 strike shows that the public wasn’t told the truth about impacts at local landfills.
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Community Opinion
Perspectives from Orange County residents, leaders and community groups.
Kriz: Another 30 People “Without Fixed Abode” Died in OC in September
Another 30 people “without fixed abode” died on our streets in September, and while the main news was not main…
Resnick: School Bonds, Public Money, Private Insurance and the Three OC School Administrators in the Middle
As Orange County school districts prepare to spend more than $2 billion in recent voter-approved construction bonds, questions emerge over…
Guess: Orange County Needs Common Sense E-Bike Safety Reform
E-bikes are now part of daily life in Orange County, but our safety rules have not kept up. My petition…
Stockstill: Winter is Coming to Irvine’s Finances
The Irvine City Council continues to grapple with a looming budget deficit. At recent meetings making decisions on even small…
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Special report
Our eroding coast
High tides, emergency declarations and a super El Niño on the way.
How Orange County’s beach cities are bracing.
