Elections"Tran Alert" Text Hit Republican Voters in CA-45. It Has No FEC Disclosure.A political text promoting Chi Charlie Nguyen to Republican primary voters used the same CLAIMS vs. REALLY playbook as a documented Derek Tran mailer — and skipped the federally required paid for by line.May 21, 2026
Public SafetyHuntington Beach Man Dies After Two-Vehicle Collision on Gothard StreetA 65-year-old Huntington Beach man died Wednesday afternoon after his Chevrolet Colorado collided with a Toyota Sienna on Gothard Street and crossed into oncoming lanes, striking a tree.May 21, 2026
ElectionsCharlie Nguyen Thinks He's Threatening Derek Tran. Tran Is Bankrolling Him.Nguyen issued a press release calling Tran scared and negative. Our reporting shows Tran's operation has been funding mailers to keep Nguyen in the Republican primary — because Nguyen is the opponent Tran wants in November.May 21, 2026
ElectionsMichelle Steel Faces the Senate. She Showed Up Knowing the Territory.The former CA-45 congresswoman testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 21, making the case for her nomination as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea while a 16-month vacancy in Seoul hangs over the whole proceeding.May 20, 2026
ElectionsThe School Board Candidate Whose Resume Comes With Fine PrintTracy La's GGUSD campaign pitches her as a nonprofit director and county commissioner. Her nonprofit, VietRise, has spent years pushing ICE defunding and noncitizen voting rights in Orange County.May 19, 2026
ElectionsDerek Tran Puts His Thumb on the Scale in the CA-45 Republican PrimaryA campaign mailer paid for by Derek Tran For Congress is hitting Republican households in the district, painting Chi Charlie Nguyen as a committed MAGA loyalist. Of all the Republicans running in CA-45, he may be exactly the opponent Tran wants.May 18, 2026
ElectionsChuong Vo Picks Up California Young Republicans Endorsement in CA-45 RaceChuong Vo, a Vietnamese refugee and retired law enforcement officer running in California's 45th Congressional District, has secured the endorsement of the California Young Republicans.May 17, 2026
Public SafetyFour Agencies Hit Fountain Valley Streets in Multi-City E-Bike CrackdownFountain Valley Police led a four-agency directed enforcement operation targeting e-bike and e-motorcycle violations, resulting in 33 traffic stops and 13 citations in a single afternoon.May 17, 2026
Public SafetyHBPD Arrests Juvenile in Ocean View High School Vandalism CaseHuntington Beach police arrested a juvenile Friday at Ocean View High School, closing out a vandalism investigation that began in March.May 16, 2026
ElectionsFirefighter, Long-Time Resident Randy Harper Enters Cypress District 5 RaceRandy Harper, a former fire battalion chief now working as a county emergency manager, has announced a run for Cypress City Council District 5 in 2026.May 15, 2026
Public SafetyCompton Man Arrested on Attempted Homicide Charges After Shooting on Seal Beach BoulevardSeal Beach police arrested a Compton man on attempted homicide charges Sunday evening after a shooting near the 2900 block of Seal Beach Boulevard that drew a multi-agency response and ended with two handguns recovered.May 12, 2026
Local GovernmentTri Ta Calls Out the World Coffee Championships for Erasing Taiwan. He's Been Here Before.A Chinese coffee company sponsored the World Latte Art Championship in San Diego. Two weeks after a Taiwanese barista won, "Taiwan" quietly disappeared from the records. Assemblyman Tri Ta noticed.May 9, 2026
ElectionsOC Assessor Candidate Janet Conklin Loses Derek Tran, Vicente Sarmiento Endorsements as Misconduct Allegations MountA LAist investigation found former campaign staff accuse La Palma councilmember Janet Keo Conklin of misusing campaign funds and sexual harassment — and her endorsers are now running.May 9, 2026
Local GovernmentWestminster's Charlie Kirk Way Signs Are Going Viral on TikTok — and People Are Climbing the PolesWestminster installed Charlie Kirk Way signs in late April. Within days, TikTok videos showed visitors from across Southern California climbing the poles. Police have responded five times with no arrests.May 8, 2026
Public SafetyBoy, 13, Dies After Electric Motorcycle Collision on Magnolia Street in Garden GroveA 13-year-old Santa Ana boy died Thursday night after losing control of an electric motorcycle and striking a center median on Magnolia Street. Garden Grove police were alerted by the Life360 family tracking app.May 8, 2026
Public SafetyGarden Grove Man Shot by Family Member, Suspect in CustodyA Monday afternoon shooting on Flagstone Avenue left one Garden Grove man hospitalized in critical condition; a 56-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene.May 5, 2026
CommunityFive of Six OC Teachers of the Year Come From North OC. That's Not a Coincidence.When Orange County named its 2027 Teachers of the Year, five of the six honorees came from North OC schools. Kindergarteners to college chemistry — this was a sweep.May 1, 2026
Public SafetyBicyclist Killed in PCH Collision Near Newland StreetA 70-year-old Huntington Beach man died Monday after his bicycle and a Subaru Impreza collided on Pacific Coast Highway near Newland Street. HBPD's accident investigation team is handling the case.April 27, 2026
ElectionsFred Jung Has More Cash Than His Three Opponents Put Together. The OC District 4 Race Just Got Real.Heading into the June primary, Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung holds $347,433 in cash on hand — more than Connor Traut, Rose Espinoza, and Tim Shaw combined, with six weeks to go.April 23, 2026
ElectionsYoung Kim Takes the Fight Federal as California Democrats Try Again on Race-Based PreferencesCalifornia Democrats are making another run at restoring race-based preferences in education. Young Kim just introduced a federal bill to stop them, and the history here is worth knowing.April 22, 2026
Local GovernmentCypress Approved 1,791 Homes Near the Race Course. The City's Own Environmental Report Says Traffic Is a Problem It Can't Fix.The draft EIR for Cypress's Los Alamitos Race Course housing project says traffic impacts are "significant and unavoidable" even after mitigation — and public comments are due April 30.April 20, 2026
Public SafetyTwo Westminster Men Dead After Single-Vehicle Crash on Brookhurst StreetA single-vehicle crash on Brookhurst Street in Garden Grove killed two Westminster men early Saturday morning. The cause remains under investigation.April 19, 2026
Public SafetyCypress PD Catches Two LA Probationers With a Full Catalytic Converter Theft Kit in a Residential NeighborhoodNight shift officers spotted a suspicious vehicle in a Cypress neighborhood and found two Los Angeles probationers inside with a stolen catalytic converter, a jack, gloves, and power tools.April 18, 2026
Local GovernmentShopoff Realty Breaks Ground on Bolsa Pacific at Westminster MallShopoff Realty Investments held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for Bolsa Pacific at Westminster, marking the beginning of redevelopment on the abandoned Westminster Mall site, which has seen over 400 police calls for service and widespread vandalism since closing in October 2025.April 15, 2026
Public SafetyOC Sheriff Deputies Apprehend Wanted Subject After Standoff in StantonOrange County Sheriff deputies apprehended a wanted subject Tuesday morning following a pursuit and standoff in Stanton that involved the Sheriff's Helicopter, SWAT team, and K9 units.April 15, 2026
Public SafetyHuntington Beach Police Respond to Swatting Hoax on Red Jacket CircleHuntington Beach Police responded to a false report of shots fired on Red Jacket Circle Monday morning in what was determined to be a swatting incident, underscoring the dangers of emergency hoaxes.April 14, 2026
CommunityWestminster Dedicates Mendez Freedom Trail Along Hoover Street BikewayWestminster dedicated the Mendez Freedom Trail on Tuesday morning along the Hoover Street Bikeway, completing a multi-year project to honor the Mendez v. Westminster desegregation case — a 1947 federal court ruling that challenged school segregation in California and helped shape the legal arguments behind Brown v. Board of Education.April 14, 2026
EducationCypress School Board Censures Trustee Parikh 4-1 Over PTA Conduct IncidentsThe Cypress School District Board of Trustees voted 4-1 Wednesday night to formally censure Trustee Meghna Parikh over her conduct at two PTA events, capping a weeks-long process that began after parent complaints about her behavior at a Landell PTA casino night in February.April 14, 2026
ElectionsTrump Nominates Former CA-45 Congresswoman Michelle Steel as U.S. Ambassador to South KoreaThe White House has nominated Michelle Steel, the former Republican congresswoman who represented Orange County's 45th district, as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. Steel was born in Seoul, speaks Korean, and served on the Orange County Board of Supervisors before her two terms in Congress.April 13, 2026
ElectionsEXCLUSIVE: California's Campaign Finance Watchdog Opens Investigation Into Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie NguyenThe Fair Political Practices Commission has opened a formal investigation into Westminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen, according to a letter obtained exclusively by North OC Pulse. The FPPC's Enforcement Division confirmed it will investigate a sworn complaint filed under Case No. 2026-00278.April 10, 2026
EducationSacramento Democrat Uses State Auditor to Target OC Board of Education Over Policy DisagreementsState Senator Tom Umberg has secured a state audit of the Orange County Board of Education. The justification reads less like a financial fraud referral and more like a list of policy disagreements between Sacramento and an elected board that has repeatedly pushed back.April 10, 2026
CommunityUCI Health Rehires Critical Care Workers After Closing Fountain Valley Pediatric UnitsUCI Health has rehired the critical care workers it laid off when it abruptly closed the pediatric department and PICU at its Fountain Valley hospital last month, reversing a decision that drew immediate backlash from nurses and community members.April 9, 2026
Public SafetySuspect Arrested in Stanton Easter Sunday Homicide; Victim IdentifiedSheriff's homicide investigators arrested a Fullerton man Tuesday in connection with the Easter Sunday killing in Stanton. The victim has been identified as Anthony Lee Carlos, 37, also of Fullerton.April 8, 2026
Public SafetyFormer Fountain Valley Officer Charged with Grand Theft for Faking Court AppearancesA former Fountain Valley police officer has been charged with felony grand theft after collecting nearly $2,600 in court pay for appearances he never made, leading to the dismissal of 27 traffic cases.April 7, 2026
Public SafetyMan Found Dead in Stanton Alley on Easter Morning; Gambling House Uncovered NearbyA man was found dead in a Stanton alley early Easter morning, and the investigation quickly led sheriff's deputies to a suspected illegal gambling house a block away. Six people were arrested on unrelated warrants.April 7, 2026
Public SafetyHuntington Beach man arrested at Central Park after social media predator stingJerry Robert Mejias, 61, was arrested Sunday night at Huntington Beach Central Park after a social media film crew caught him arriving to meet what he believed was a juvenile male.April 7, 2026
Public SafetyAnaheim Nurse Arrested in $50 Million Medicare Hospice Fraud Sweep Backed by Vice President Vance Task ForceAn Anaheim woman was among eight people arrested in a sweeping federal healthcare fraud crackdown coordinated with the Vice President’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. Lolita Beronilla Minerd, 65, allegedly billed Medicare for more than $9 million in hospice services for patients who were not terminally ill.April 3, 2026
Public SafetyGarden Grove Man, 81, Convicted of Murdering 11-Year-Old Stepdaughter and Attempting to Kill WifeAn 81-year-old Garden Grove man was convicted Wednesday of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the 2018 stabbing death of his 11-year-old stepdaughter and the near-fatal attack on his wife.April 3, 2026
Public SafetyHuntington Beach Woman Sentenced to 2.5 Years for Embezzling $2.9 Million From Garden Grove Noodle CompanyA Huntington Beach woman was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison after admitting she stole nearly $3 million from her employer, Garden Grove-based Sanyo Foods Corp. of America, over nearly six years.April 3, 2026
Public SafetyGarden Grove Police Arrest 7 in EBT Fraud Sweep Targeting Transnational Criminal OrganizationsGarden Grove police, the Orange County DA, and allied agencies arrested seven people over two days in a joint operation targeting organized EBT fraud tied to transnational criminal organizations. One suspect faces 45 felony charges.April 3, 2026
ElectionsDerek Tran Chose Defunding ICE Over Westminster's Senior Center. Now He's Taking Credit for the Money.Congressman Derek Tran voted against the federal spending bill that delivered $1 million to Westminster's Senior Center renovation — because it included funding for ICE. The bill passed without him. Westminster got the money. Now his office is accepting the credit.April 2, 2026
ElectionsChuong Vo Writes to Westminster and Garden Grove: Ban the Vietnamese Communist Government From City PropertyChuong Vo, a Vietnamese refugee and retired law enforcement officer running for California's 45th Congressional District, sent letters to both the Westminster and Garden Grove city councils this week urging each city to adopt a policy barring the Vietnamese Communist government and affiliated entities from purchasing, leasing, or renting city-owned property.April 1, 2026
Public SafetyFountain Valley Man Arrested for Felony Animal Abuse After Bystander Reports Kicking Dog at Recreation CenterA man was arrested on felony animal abuse charges this weekend after a bystander called Fountain Valley police to report him kicking and stomping a German Shepherd near the city Recreation Center. The dog was taken by Orange County Animal Control for treatment.April 1, 2026
Local GovernmentFountain Valley Approved 1,000 Units on a Road It Knew Was Failing. Now Residents May Lose Their Parking.Fountain Valley is considering eliminating on-street parking along a stretch of Euclid Street to add a southbound traffic lane. The city approved more than 1,000 new housing units on the same road after its own traffic data showed Euclid was already operating at a failing level of service. The developers behind the projects declined to pay for the fix.March 31, 2026
Public SafetyMotorcyclist Dies After Collision on PCH in Sunset BeachA 28-year-old Cerritos man died Sunday afternoon after his motorcycle collided with a Toyota Camry exiting a parking lot on Pacific Coast Highway in Sunset Beach. The Huntington Beach Police Department says impairment does not appear to be a factor for the car driver.March 30, 2026
Local GovernmentCharlie Nguyen Had the Mic Cut While Amy Phan West Spoke at Westminster Veterans CeremonyWestminster Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen directed city staff to cut the microphone while Councilmember Amy Phan West spoke at the city's official Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony on Sunday. The program listed the Westminster City Council as speakers. Phan West is on the Westminster City Council. She delivered her remarks without amplification. Several veterans refused to shake the mayor's hand afterward.March 29, 2026
Local GovernmentCypress Is Reshaping Its Skyline: Race Course Site, Business Park, and 3,900 New Homes in the WorksCypress has three major development efforts underway at the same time: a 1,926-unit housing buildout on the former Los Alamitos Race Course property, a 450-acre business park overhaul that bans truck-heavy logistics, and a housing element pushing toward 3,936 total new homes by 2029. Shannon DeLong starts as the city's new — and first female — city manager on March 30.March 29, 2026
Local GovernmentHuntington Beach Council Awards $4.5M Sewer Contract, Declares Feb. 22 'USA Hockey Day'The Huntington Beach City Council approved a $4.5 million sewer infrastructure contract, declared February 22 as USA Hockey Day, and heard a city manager's preview of coming refuse rate adjustments at its March 17 regular meeting.March 28, 2026
Local GovernmentOC Republicans Name Auditor-Controller Andrew Hamilton County Elected Official of the YearThe Republican Party of Orange County named Auditor-Controller Andrew Hamilton its County Elected Official of the Year, citing his record on taxpayer protection, financial transparency, and a new unclaimed property portal that has helped return millions to county residents.March 27, 2026
Local GovernmentOC Republican Party Names Assemblyman Tri Ta Legislator of the YearThe Republican Party of Orange County named Assemblyman Tri Ta its Legislator of the Year at its annual awards reception Thursday, citing his work on gun sentencing, gas tax relief, and genetic privacy legislation.March 27, 2026
CommunityPediatric Units Close at Fountain Valley Hospital After UCI Health Lays Off 25 NursesUCI Health closed its pediatric care units at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital this week after laying off 25 registered nurses there as part of a systemwide restructuring. The closures eliminate both a general pediatric unit and a pediatric intensive care unit from one of the only hospitals serving families in central Orange County.March 27, 2026
Local GovernmentTom Vo and Amy Phan West Pushed Westminster to Ban Communist Government of Vietnam From City Property. Mayor Nguyen Said No.Congressional candidate Tom Vo sent Westminster a formal letter urging an ordinance to ban the Communist Government of Vietnam from city property. Six days later, Councilmember Amy Phan West moved to agendize it. Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen consulted the city attorney, heard lawsuit risk, and said no — even though he has shown no hesitation using the city as a legal weapon against the very council members sitting next to him.March 26, 2026
Public SafetyWestminster Police Arrest 19-Year-Old on Kidnapping and Child Sex Assault ChargesWestminster detectives arrested a 19-year-old resident on five felony charges after he allegedly grabbed an 8-year-old child who was playing outside near the 13500 block of Edwards Street on March 21 and sexually assaulted the child before the victim broke free and ran home.March 25, 2026
Local GovernmentState Commission Censures and Bars Former OC Judge Israel Claustro After Felony Fraud Guilty PleaThe Commission on Judicial Performance issued a public censure and bar against former Orange County Superior Court Judge Israel Claustro on Monday, formally closing the disciplinary case that followed his guilty plea to federal mail fraud charges in January.March 25, 2026
EducationJudge Removes Challenger From Ballot, Handing OC Superintendent Stefan Bean an Uncontested VictoryDr. Stefan Bean will continue as Orange County Superintendent of Schools after a judge signed an order removing his only opponent from the ballot. Sources indicate challenger Jeff Cole did not hold the Administrative Services Credential required by state law.March 24, 2026
EducationCypress School Board Moves Toward Censure of Trustee Parikh Over Behavior at PTA EventsThe Cypress School District Board of Trustees is preparing a resolution to censure Trustee Meghna Parikh after parent complaints about her conduct at a PTA board meeting last August and a PTA casino night fundraiser in February.March 24, 2026
Local GovernmentSenate Democrats Block Strickland Gas Tax Relief Bill as California Prices Hit $5.50 a GallonState Senator Tony Strickland's bill to temporarily suspend California's gas tax and Low Carbon Fuel Standard fees died in committee last week, as drivers in Orange County pay roughly $5.53 a gallon — about $1.57 more than the national average.March 23, 2026
Local GovernmentWestminster Council Takes Up Citywide Zoning Overhaul, $1.77 Million in Contracts at Tuesday MeetingThe Westminster City Council meets Tuesday evening to vote on a major zoning and general plan update, two construction contracts totaling $1.77 million, and a Planning Commission appointment by Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen.March 23, 2026
Local GovernmentLos Alamitos's Own in Washington: Troy Edgar Could Return as DHS Deputy Secretary Under MullinTroy Edgar, the former Los Alamitos mayor who rose through the Trump administration to become Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, may be staying in that post. National Review reports exclusively that incoming DHS Secretary nominee Markwayne Mullin wants Edgar as his deputy — weeks after Edgar sat before the Senate for an ambassador hearing.March 22, 2026
Public SafetyWestminster Police Arrest Huntington Beach Man for Hate-Motivated Graffiti Near Bolsa AvenueWestminster Police have arrested a 25-year-old Huntington Beach man on hate crime and felony vandalism charges after he was caught spray-painting swastikas and anti-Semitic phrases on public infrastructure near Magnolia Street and Bolsa Avenue.March 22, 2026
Public SafetyOCFA Crews Stop Westminster Auto Shop Fire From Spreading to Neighboring BusinessesOrange County Fire Authority crews battled a significant blaze at a Westminster automotive repair shop early Saturday morning, keeping the fire from spreading to several adjacent businesses in the same industrial strip center.March 21, 2026
Local GovernmentFountain Valley Had $9 Million for Affordable Housing. The Council Said Not Here.Fountain Valley is sitting on $9.4 million in housing funds it cannot spend on anything but affordable housing. After a contentious two-hour study session, the council sent staff back to find a different location.March 20, 2026
CommunityCypress Arnold Park Wins State Award of Excellence After $40 Million RenovationThe California Park and Recreation Society has given its 2025 Park Planning Award of Excellence to Cypress Arnold Park, which reopened in May after a $40 million renovation of the 76-year-old facility at 8611 Watson Street.March 18, 2026
Public SafetyDA Clears La Habra Detective in Seal Beach Shooting — Then Drops Charges Against the Man He ShotA La Habra detective shot a Seal Beach man twice during a pre-dawn federal search warrant raid in February 2024. The OC DA cleared the officer — then dropped assault charges against the man who was shot, concluding he may have had reasonable grounds to believe he was defending himself from intruders.March 17, 2026
EducationCypress School District Calls Special Board Meeting Tuesday, Including Open Session Item on Board Member ConductThe Cypress School District Board of Trustees holds a special meeting Tuesday amid the sudden departure of Superintendent Anne Silavs, a $3.3 million budget shortfall, and an open session item on the conduct of a board member at a recent school event.March 17, 2026
ElectionsCalifornia Republican Assembly Endorses Chuong Vo After Charlie Nguyen’s Comments on Sharia Law Draw Gasps at Candidate ForumThe California Republican Assembly has endorsed Chuong Vo for California’s 45th Congressional District after rival candidate Charlie Nguyen reportedly expressed support for allowing Sharia law to operate alongside American law at a Republican grassroots forum. The comments drew audible gasps from activists in attendance, according to Vo’s campaign.March 17, 2026
Local GovernmentLittle Saigon Community to Protest Vietnam Investment Forum at Anaheim Convention Center TuesdayVietnamese American community groups plan to rally outside the Vietnam-U.S. Innovation and Investment Forum at the Anaheim Convention Center on Tuesday, backed by Assemblyman Tri Ta’s formal letter to Mayor Aitken urging cancellation.March 16, 2026
Local GovernmentStanton Planning Commission to Vote on 159 Townhomes at ORCO Block Site on Beach and KatellaThe Stanton Planning Commission meets Wednesday to consider a mixed-use project that would put 159 townhomes and nearly 16,000 square feet of commercial space on parcels that include the longtime ORCO Block manufacturing site at Beach Boulevard and Katella Avenue.March 16, 2026
EducationOrange County Senator Introduces Bills to Improve Kids' Health in Classrooms and at the Grocery StoreState Senator Tony Strickland has introduced two bills targeting children's health -- one updating how preventive health is incorporated into California's curriculum framework, the other seeking to limit CalFresh purchases of sodas, candy, and ultra-processed foods.March 15, 2026
Local GovernmentAssemblyman Tri Ta Urges Anaheim to Cancel Vietnamese Government Forum Scheduled Near Little SaigonAssemblyman Tri Ta sent a formal letter to Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken on March 13 urging the city to cancel a Vietnamese government-backed innovation forum scheduled for the Anaheim Convention Center on March 17 -- days before it was set to begin.March 14, 2026
CommunityGarden Grove Chamber Names 2026 Man and Woman of the YearThe Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce has named theater director and One More Productions co-founder Damien Lorton as Man of the Year and Azteca Restaurant owner Jennifer Stewart as Woman of the Year for 2026.March 14, 2026
Public SafetyFountain Valley and Cypress Officers Team Up for Pedestrian Safety Sting, Issue 38 CitationsOfficers from the Fountain Valley Police Department Traffic Bureau and the Cypress Police Department joined forces for a three-hour pedestrian safety enforcement operation, issuing 38 citations — 36 of them for crosswalk violations.March 14, 2026
CommunityExtreme Heat Watch Issued for Orange County: Temperatures Could Hit 105 Inland Next WeekOrange County is under an extreme heat watch from Monday through Friday, March 20, with inland temperatures potentially reaching 105 degrees and coast readings hitting the upper 80s — unusually dangerous for mid-March.March 13, 2026
Local GovernmentAndrew Do Has Not Paid His Court-Ordered Restitution. He Transferred His House to His Wife the Day After Sentencing.Months after a federal judge ordered former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do to pay $250,000 in restitution for his corruption scheme, the payment has not arrived — and Do transferred his $2.2 million family home to his wife the day after the order was issued.March 13, 2026
Public SafetyElderly Pedestrian Seriously Hurt After Being Hit by Electric Bicycle Near Seal Beach PierAn elderly woman suffered major injuries Friday afternoon after being struck by a juvenile riding a Surron electric bicycle near the intersection of Main Street and Ocean Avenue in Seal Beach.March 13, 2026
Local GovernmentChinese Consulate Pressured Assemblyman Tri Ta Over Photo With Taiwan Representative. He Told Them No.The Chinese Consulate contacted Assemblyman Tri Ta's office to complain about a photo he posted with Taiwan's Director General. Ta's response: California elected officials do not take orders from the Chinese Communist Party.March 13, 2026
CommunityHuntington Beach Police Offering Free Car Seat Check-Up on March 20The Huntington Beach Police Department is hosting a free car seat check-up event on Friday, March 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at HBPD headquarters. No appointment needed — certified technicians will be on-site, and free car seats are available for qualifying families.March 13, 2026
Public SafetyICE Arrests Two Brothers With Gang Ties and Violent Criminal Records in Orange CountyOrange County ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations arrested Praney Sa Em, 33, on March 10 — months after the arrest of his brother Sambath Sa Em in November. Both men have extensive criminal records and ties to the Tiny Rascals Gang. Both are now in ICE custody pending removal to Cambodia.March 13, 2026
CommunityRed Cross and OC Fire Authority Seek Volunteers for Free Smoke Alarm Installation in Seal BeachThe American Red Cross, Orange County Fire Authority, and community partners are hosting a free smoke alarm installation event at Leisure World Seal Beach on Saturday, March 28. Volunteers are needed to test alarms, install new ones, and educate residents — bilingual Spanish and Korean speakers especially welcome.March 13, 2026
CommunityGarden Grove Wants to Recognize Your Front Yard — And Give You a $100 Home Depot Gift CardGarden Grove is accepting front yard nominations for its Garden Grove Gems beautification program starting April 1. Four randomly selected nominees win $100 Home Depot gift cards, with district winners receiving citywide recognition and an invitation to a City Council awards reception.March 13, 2026
Public SafetyStanton Names New Police Chief: Captain Matt Stafford Takes CommandThe City of Stanton has selected Captain Matt Stafford as its new Chief of Police Services, effective March 6. Stafford is a 20-year Orange County Sheriff's Department veteran with a background in narcotics suppression, human trafficking investigations, and jail operations.March 13, 2026
Public SafetyCypress Officers Recover Stolen Carjacking Vehicle, Arrest 14-Year-Old Armed SuspectCypress Police nightshift officers spotted a stolen carjacking vehicle near Lincoln and Moody, triggering a pursuit with Anaheim PD air support that ended with a 14-year-old Los Angeles suspect in custody and a loaded handgun recovered from the car.March 13, 2026
EducationFourteen Local Schools Named 2026 California Distinguished SchoolsState Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced the 2026 California Distinguished Schools list on March 10, recognizing 408 middle and high schools statewide. Fourteen schools serving North Orange County communities made the list, with Garden Grove Unified accounting for nine of them.March 11, 2026
Local GovernmentJanet Nguyen Voted For the Pay Raise. Now She Is Voting to Ignore the Grand Jury That Called It a Betrayal.The Orange County Grand Jury called the supervisors secret pay raise a breach of public trust. This week, the board voted 3-1-1 to formally disagree and Supervisor Janet Nguyen voted yes without saying a word.March 11, 2026
ElectionsRep. Derek Tran Is Taking Credit for $5 Million in Funding He Voted AgainstRep. Derek Tran voted against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026 over objections to ICE funding. Days later, his office announced more than $5 million in federally funded local projects — money that came through the same appropriations process he opposed.March 10, 2026
ElectionsWe Fed CA-45 Ballot Statements Into Grok AI. Here's Who It Thinks Will Win.North OC Pulse ran the official ballot statements of all five Republican candidates in the CA-45 congressional race through Grok AI and asked it to predict a winner. Here is what it found.March 10, 2026
ElectionsTom Vo Tops Republican Challengers in CA-45 Money Race as Field Takes ShapeTom Vo has emerged as the leading fundraiser among Republican challengers in the CA-45 race, reporting $502,800 for the most recent quarter — while Amy Phan West draws support from a broad base of small individual donors.March 10, 2026
Local GovernmentWestminster Keeps Taxing: City Polls Residents on Cannabis and Hotel Tax After Years of IncreasesThe Westminster City Council approved spending $35,000 to survey residents on two new potential tax measures — a cannabis sales tax and a hotel tax hike — continuing a years-long pattern of tax increases that Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen has supported, even as previous hikes were sold as solutions to the city's budget woes.March 10, 2026
Local GovernmentSeal Beach Council Faces Contentious Vote on Solar Project Near Los Cerritos WetlandsHellman Ranch wants to install 56 solar tables on its oil and gas production facility next to the Los Cerritos Wetlands. After two council deadlocks and a city website outage that forced a continuance, the matter returned for a final hearing in February. Environmental groups are demanding a full environmental impact report.March 9, 2026
Local GovernmentMeet Westminster District 4 Challenger Loan Nguyen — Whose Campaign Website Says She's Running for Governor in 2035Loan Nguyen has entered the race for Westminster City Council District 4, challenging incumbent NamQuan Nguyen. But a visit to her campaign website raises questions about how ready for prime time this challenger really is.March 9, 2026
CommunityMarch 2026 Community Events: What's Happening Across Central Orange CountyFrom a Vietnam War Veterans ceremony in Westminster to a community cleanup in Garden Grove, here's a roundup of city-sponsored events happening across central Orange County this month.March 9, 2026
Local GovernmentWestminster Mayor Votes to Silence His Own Congressional Opponent — Then Heads to the Campaign TrailMayor Chi Charlie Nguyen cast the deciding vote to bar Councilmember Amy Phan West from speaking at city events. He is also running against her for Congress in California's 45th District. The motion was led by Carlos Manzo — the same colleague she once filed a police report against. And the third vote was cast by the Mayor's own brother-in-law.March 9, 2026
Local GovernmentHuntington Beach Council Votes to Move International Surfing Museum Into Main Street LibraryIn a unanimous 6-0 vote, the Huntington Beach City Council approved relocating the city's surf museum into the Main Street Branch Library for $500 a month — a deal critics are calling a giveaway of public space.March 9, 2026
Local GovernmentSupervisors Debate Use of $3.7M Recovered from Andrew Do Corruption SchemeFederal authorities have officially recovered $3.73 million in taxpayer money from a corruption scheme involving former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do. Now, the O.C. Board of Supervisors is debating whether the funds should be returned to Do's former district or used to address broader county-wide needs.March 9, 2026
BusinessYamaha to Close 50-Year-Old Cypress Headquarters, Relocating to GeorgiaYamaha Motor Corporation has announced it will relocate its U.S. headquarters from Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia, in a phased move set to conclude by the end of 2028. The company plans to sell its 25.1-acre campus, a landmark in the community for nearly five decades.March 9, 2026
Local GovernmentGarden Grove Moves to Ban Nitrous Oxide Sales, Explores 'Freedom Way' Bilingual Street NamingThe Garden Grove City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance banning nitrous oxide sales at the February 24 meeting, while also opening discussions on adding a bilingual 'Freedom Way / Tự Do / Libertad' designation to a city street.March 7, 2026
Local GovernmentFountain Valley Loses $1.5M From OC Sanitation District After Council Member Bui Campaigns Against City's Own BidCouncil Member Glenn Grandis reported at the February 3 city council meeting that Fountain Valley lost a potential $1.5 million payment from the Orange County Sanitation District after fellow council member Ted Bui refused to support the city's case — and then actively argued against it before the OCSD board.March 6, 2026
ElectionsNo Bank Account. No Disclosures. No Wins. Long Pham Is Running for Congress Anyway.Long Pham is running for California's 42nd Congressional District — his latest bid in a decade-long string of campaigns that has drawn repeated scrutiny from the state's campaign finance watchdog.March 6, 2026
