Politics & Government

City Projects Encounter Significant Budget Challenges and Reduced Contractor Participation Linked to the Five-Year Labor Agreement Initiated Under Mayor Connor Traut.

Seven Local Organizations Sought Dialogue Regarding Recent Allegations, but Mayor Aitken Declined a Meeting If Dr. Jose Moreno Was Present, Citing an 'Unsafe Environment.'

Councilmember Ben Vazquez Has Placed an Item on the Agenda to Recognize Roman Reyna, Despite Reyna's Past Election Fraud Conviction and Outstanding Financial Obligations to the City.

A State Study Is Expected to Examine the Complex, Expensive, and Long-Term Prospect of Moving the Critical San Clemente Rail Line Inland as Coastal Erosion and Storm Impacts Continue.

Area Motorists Are Seeing a Consistent Drop in Fuel Costs After a Long Period of Increases, with State-Level Policy Changes Cited as a Key Factor.

Advocates Call for a Transparent A, B, C Rating System, Citing Surrounding Counties' Success and Historical Issues with Transparency.

California's Chief Probation Officers Warn That Recent Legislative Actions Will Hinder Efforts to Supervise and Rehabilitate Serious Youthful Offenders as Juvenile Violent Crime Rates Reportedly Surge.

The Regional Commuter Rail Network Implements Its First Price Increase in 13 Years, with Commuters Expressing Frustration Over Added Costs and Minimal Advance Notice.

A Legal Claim Filed by a Former Staffer Alleges Mayor Ashleigh Aitken Used Discriminatory Language and Engaged in a Pattern of Harassment, Leading to a City Investigation.

New Laws Mandate Detailed Reporting and Infrastructure Payments From Developers, as Concerns Grow Over Investment Shifts to Neighboring States.

A Detailed 25-Page Claim by a Former Chief of Staff Describes Instances of Alleged Public Intoxication, Inappropriate Questioning About Sexuality, and a Search of a City Manager's Vehicle.

Commuters Will See Increases of up to 27% Starting Monday, as the Rail Agency Grapples with Budget Shortfalls, Operational Challenges, and Allegations of Maintenance Failures.

City Officials Propose New Fees and Hiring Slowdowns to Address Growing Shortfalls, While Residents Mourn the Passing of Milan Panić, an Entrepreneur and Former Prime Minister.

City Officials and Industry Observers Raise Concerns That a Community Workforce Agreement Is Contributing to Project Overruns and a Lack of Competitive Bids.

A Redacted Legal Claim Filed by Mayor Ashleigh Aitken's Policy Adviser Details Allegations of a Hostile Workplace, Including Racial and Homophobic Slurs, and Concerns About the Mayor's Conduct Related to Alcohol.

A Planned Recognition by Councilmember Ben Vazquez for Former Councilmember Roman Reyna Draws Scrutiny Due to Reyna’s Past Conviction and Outstanding Restitution.

A New Sports Program Agreement with the Treigning Lab Faces Questions Regarding Its Procurement Process, Financial Terms, and Compliance with State Building Regulations.

Governor Newsom Signs New Legislation Removing Utility Permission Requirements for Small Solar Panels, While Also Addressing Grid Infrastructure and Power Market Access for Home Energy Devices.

Governor Newsom's Signature on AB 1267 Establishes 18 as the Minimum Age for Marriage Statewide, a Change Actively Sought by Tustin-Based Global Hope 365.

A Federal Judge in Santa Ana Has Ordered a Former FBI Informant to Compile All His Notes Related to a 2006 Surveillance Operation, as a Class-Action Lawsuit Alleging Improper Spying on Local Muslims Moves Forward.

Governor Gavin Newsom Has Enacted New Regulations for Wildfire Insurance and Mortgage Relief but Rejected Measures Aimed at Specific Claims-Handling Issues Affecting January 2025 Wildfire Survivors.

Advocates Are Urging the Board of Supervisors to Adopt a Visible Letter Grading System for Food Establishments, Noting Orange County Stands Apart From Neighboring Counties in Consumer Information.

A Federal Judge Has Cleared the Path for a Former FBI Undercover Operative to Provide Crucial Testimony in a Class-Action Case Alleging Improper Government Spying on Local Muslim Communities.

The Candidate Cited the Department of Motor Vehicles' High Fees and Bureaucratic Sprawl in His Plan to Overhaul the State Agency.

An Accountant Known for Community Accountability and Financial Scrutiny Seeks to Bring Her Experience to Placentia City Hall.