Former California Democratic Party official Melahat Rafiei has accepted a plea deal with federal prosecutors in connection to an FBI corruption probe in Orange County. Rafiei, 45, the former executive director of the Democratic Party of Orange County and a political consultant, agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of attempting to commit wire…

The Irvine City Council voted 4–1 on Jan. 10 to consider expanding the council from four to six members and dividing representation into districts. Currently, councilors are elected at large—by all eligible city voters—and represents the whole city. Switching to districts would mean candidates would be elected by and represent fewer voters—only those who live…

Irvine City Councilman Larry Agran resigned on Dec. 5 with just a week left in his incumbency to avoid terming out and thereby allowing him to run for another four years on council. Agran will return to the dias Dec. 13 after being reelected by Irvine voters to serve another term. His resignation is in…

The Irvine City Council Nov. 22 officially adopted an ordinance that will require better safety practices, higher pay in some areas, and a more balanced workload for hotel workers in the city. The council approved the second reading with a 3–1 vote—with Vice Mayor Anthony Kuo dissenting and Councilman Mike Carroll absent. Under the new…

The Irvine City Council passed an ordinance after a narrow 3–2 vote Oct. 25—with Vice Mayor Anthony Kuo and Councilman Mike Carroll dissenting—which will bring better safety practices, higher pay in some instances, and a more balanced workload to the city’s hotel workers. One element of the ordinance will require hotel employers in the city provide employees with a panic button, which…

The Irvine City Council passed an ordinance after a narrow 3–2 vote Oct. 25—with Vice Mayor Anthony Kuo and Councilman Mike Carroll dissenting—which will bring better safety practices, higher pay in some instances, and a more balanced workload to the city’s hotel workers. One element of the ordinance will require hotel employers in the city provide employees with a panic button, which…

As Irvine residents continue to protest smells emitting from the All American Asphalt Plant in north Irvine, the city council, which is in litigation with the plant, has yet to come to a decision on how to resolve the issue. Irvine City Manager Oliver Chi reintroduced a proposed settlement during an Oct. 11 city council…

Irvine finance commissioner John Park is running for city council in the Nov. 8 election to maintain what he calls the city’s “unique village” culture. “I want people to hold me accountable,” Park told The Epoch Times. Park said public safety will always be his top priority, if elected. He likened public safety to that…

“I’m a big believer that nobody has a monopoly on good ideas,” Vice Mayor of Irvine Anthony Kuo told The Epoch Times. Kuo helped draft an ordinance to prevent catalytic converter theft in the city. He said he ensured the ordinance’s wording was easily transferrable to neighboring cities, living up to his motto. Since then,…

Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan, first elected to the Irvine City Council in 2018 and then as its mayor in 2020, is seeking re-election to the city’s top spot in the upcoming Nov. 8 election. “Two years is pretty much a short time when it comes to being a mayor and actually accomplishing your goals,” Khan…