Orange County

Elections

Here’s why election officials say no need to hand deliver mail ballot

California election officials assure voters their ballot is safe in drop boxes and the mail, yet some voters are hand delivering anyway.

By Lewis Griswold • October 21, 2020

Justice

Prop. 20: Should California’s DNA bank expand to shoplifters, opioid offenders?

Tens of thousands of people convicted of misdemeanors would have their DNA stored. District attorneys disagree about whether it would help solve violent crimes.

By Byrhonda Lyons • October 19, 2020

Politics

In ballot box battle, Dems and GOP both claim victory. Why this fight fizzled.

In a press conference seemingly designed to deescalate a week-long legal standoff, declare victory and profoundly confuse the California press corps, Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla said they would not be taking legal action against the California Republican Party for its makeshift ballot box program.  But the two Democrats insisted […]

By Ben Christopher • October 16, 2020

Commentary

Desalination plant in Orange County will help ensure clean drinking water

Desalination is a proven technology with more than 20,000 facilities worldwide, providing millions with safe drinking water every day.

By Guest Commentary • October 16, 2020

Elections

California GOP in legal standoff over ‘ballot harvesting’ with unofficial drop boxes

After the electoral hammering California Republicans took in 2018, the party decided to put aside any misgivings it had about “ballot harvesting” and set up its own operation. In so doing, it’s now earned itself a cease-and-desist letter from California’s Democratic secretary of state. At issue: Unofficial ballot drop boxes that the state GOP purchased […]

By Ben Christopher • October 12, 2020

Reader Reactions

Opposition to Orange County desalination project

The proposed desalination plant in Orange County would damage sea life in our precious coastal waters and use a tremendous amount of power.

By Guest Commentary • October 6, 2020

Commentary

Orange County desalination project doesn’t pencil out

Poseidon Water Co. wants to build a desalination plant in Orange County and seeks a deal that would lock utility into buying their water for decades.

By Guest Commentary • October 1, 2020

Elections

Trump call for poll watchers evokes chilling memories of Orange County, 1988

When debate moderator Chris Wallace asked President Donald Trump last night whether he would urge his supporters “not to engage in any civil unrest” while ballots are being counted and to “not declare victory until the election has been independently certified,” the president responded with a very different appeal to his base. “I’m urging my […]

By Ben Christopher • September 30, 2020

WhatMatters

A pivotal week for California

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, August 25. Lots on the line This week will be decisive for California’s battles against crises ranging from wildfires to the pandemic to a looming eviction cliff. Here’s a look at what lies ahead. —Wildfires. More than 14,000 firefighters are fighting about 625 fires, including two of the three largest […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 25, 2020

WhatMatters

History-making California blazes — worst likely yet to come

Two of the three largest fires in California history are raging across the state alongside about 600 others, burning more than 1.3 million acres — an area about the size of Delaware — and forcing more than 100,000 people to evacuate. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Dry lightning storms and gusty winds […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 24, 2020