Orange County hit headlines with measles fears at Disneyland and a major FBI raid on the Mexican Mafia. Pop. over 3 million.
As of February 2026, measles outbreaks are intensifying in England, the US, and Australia due to declining vaccination rates and rising vaccine hesitancy. London boroughs report under 80% MMR coverage, far below the 95% WHO target, leading to hospitalizations and confirmed cases. US states like South Carolina face their largest outbreaks in decades, while Australia sees rising cases linked to international travel and vaccine skepticism.
Recent reports highlight increasing parental refusal of routine newborn vaccines, such as vitamin K and hepatitis B, driven by anti-science sentiment. This trend risks higher preventable disease rates, despite evidence that vaccines are safe and effective. The trend reflects growing mistrust in medical advice and misinformation spread via social media.
A man in Porterville has opened fire during an eviction attempt, killing a deputy and barricading himself inside. The standoff has resulted in the man's death after law enforcement used an armored vehicle. The incident is linked to unpaid rent and eviction proceedings, with residents evacuated and schools on lockdown.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicted 43 individuals tied to the Mexican Mafia in a sweeping operation across Orange County, with cases spanning murder, kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking. Authorities have seized firearms, cash and narcotics as part of the ongoing effort to disrupt the gang’s reach from prisons to the streets.