Orange County, California

A 3.5-magnitude earthquake struck Orange County, California on Monday afternoon, according to the New York Post. No damage or injuries have been widely reported so far. People across the region and beyond are searching for updates on the tremor and whether stronger shaking could follow.

Orange County's mental health partner program is drawing attention in local coverage, with LAist reporting on the initiative that pairs mental health support with county services. The program is part of ongoing efforts across California to connect people in crisis with care instead of law enforcement responses. Details of the report's findings have not yet been widely circulated.

With ballots now being mailed to voters in Orange County, California, attention has turned to the integrity of the county's election process. Local coverage focuses on how ballots are handled and verified as voting gets underway, reflecting broader public concern about election administration.

Stephanie Klopfenstein, a candidate for mayor of Garden Grove, California, has responded to the Orange County Register's 2026 election questionnaire. Her answers lay out her positions ahead of the mayoral race, giving voters in the Orange County city a look at her platform as the campaign season gets underway.

The Orange County Register has published a monthly recap of the biggest real estate stories across Southern California for September. The roundup collects the region's most notable property news from the month into one article. Readers following the Southern California housing market are checking the recap to catch up on developments they may have missed.

Amanda Nguyen, a candidate for Garden Grove City Council District 3 in California, has answered a 2026 election questionnaire from the Orange County Register ahead of next year's municipal vote. The questionnaire is part of the paper's coverage of local election races, laying out candidates' positions for voters in the Orange County city.

Thu-Ha Nguyen, a candidate for mayor of Garden Grove, California, has responded to a 2026 election questionnaire from the Orange County Register, outlining her positions ahead of the mayoral race. The questionnaire is part of the outlet's coverage of local candidates, giving voters a direct look at where Nguyen stands on city issues before the June 2026 election.

Historian Nathaniel Philbrick argues that California's Gold Rush played a direct role in bringing on the Civil War. Writing in the Orange County Register, he lays out how the rush for gold, California's rapid statehood and the resulting fights over whether new territories would allow slavery deepened the sectional divide that eventually led to war between North and South.

Voters in the Westminster School District in Orange County, California, will be asked to approve Measure B, a $128 million bond measure, in the 2026 election. The funds would pay for upgrades and repairs to district school facilities. The measure's placement on the ballot puts school infrastructure funding before local voters.

The musical 'Ride the Cyclone' is being staged at The Phantom Projects Theatre in Orange County, California, according to local culture coverage. The show, a darkly comic musical about teenage choir members confronting their mortality after a fatal accident, continues to draw interest from regional theatre audiences. Little additional detail about the production's run or reception is available.

Voters in Westminster, California will consider Measure O in the 2026 election, a ballot measure that would increase the city's local hotel tax. The Orange County Register reports on the proposal, which would raise the levy paid by guests at Westminster hotels and motels. The measure's backers and opponents have not been detailed in initial coverage.

Health inspectors in Orange County, California closed several restaurants during the week of September 24 to October 1. The Orange County Register published its regular roundup of establishments shut down over health code violations. Such closures typically follow failed inspections involving issues like pest activity, improper food storage, or unsanitary conditions, and venues may reopen after corrections are verified by inspectors.

Voters in Lake Forest, California, will weigh Measure F in the 2026 election, a ballot measure that would change the city's term limits for elected officials. Details of what the change would specifically alter are laid out in local election coverage from the Orange County Register, which is reporting on the measure ahead of the vote.

Voters in Placentia, California will consider Measure L in the 2026 election, a ballot measure that would increase the city's hotel tax. The Orange County Register reports on the proposal as part of its coverage of the June 2026 ballot. If approved, guests at Placentia lodging businesses would pay a higher transient occupancy tax, with revenue directed to the city. Details of the proposed rate and how the funds would be spent have not yet been widely reported.

A bat found in Irvine, California has tested positive for rabies, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. The announcement puts residents on alert to avoid contact with bats and to seek medical advice if they or their pets may have been exposed, since rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.

Voters in Orange, California, will decide Measure K in the 2026 election, a ballot measure that would change the city's status to a charter city. Charter cities in California operate under their own locally adopted governing charters rather than certain state general laws, giving them greater control over municipal affairs. Coverage from the Orange County Register highlights the measure as one to watch on the local ballot.

The Southern California News Group has published its editorial endorsements for the November 3, 2026 general election. The list, carried by the Orange County Register among its outlets, lays out the group's recommended candidates and positions for races across the region. Readers are reviewing the picks ahead of the 2026 midterms as campaigns and local coverage intensify.

California home prices are ranking as the third weakest in the United States according to one particular calculation, according to reporting by The Mercury News and the Orange County Register. The analysis challenges the usual assumption that California housing is among the most expensive and fastest-rising in the country, though the specific methodology behind the ranking was not detailed.

Attention is turning to the contest for California's 45th Congressional District, where Derek Tran and Michelle Steel-allied Republican Jay Vo face off, with the Los Angeles Times publishing a voter guide outlining the candidates and what is at stake. The Orange County-based district is seen as one of the most competitive House races, with control of Congress potentially hanging in the balance.

Orange, California voters will decide Measure J in the 2026 election, a ballot measure that would increase the city's local hotel tax. The Orange County Register is covering the proposal ahead of the vote, framing it as a key local revenue question for residents and the hospitality industry.

Voters in the city of Orange, California will weigh Measure I in the 2026 election, a ballot measure that would add a local sales tax. The Orange County Register reports on the proposal ahead of the vote. Details about the tax rate, duration, and how the revenue would be spent remain part of the local campaign discussion as residents prepare to decide.

The Orange County Register has published a guide to Halloween concerts and live music events taking place across Southern California. The roundup points readers to seasonal performances and spooky-themed shows happening around the region during the Halloween period, offering options for locals looking to celebrate the holiday with live entertainment.