Southern California News Group

Quarter of a century after journalist Andre Mouchard drove from New York to Southern California following 9/11 and wrote “Through the Heart,” our team is embarking on a new version of that reporting road trip.

Departing from the Anaheim Fire Training Center’s 9/11 memorial, reporter Sierra van der Brug, photographer Jeff Gritchen and Andre are traveling to New York. On the way, they will visit memorials, deliver stories from locals and see how 9/11 touched – and in some cases continues to impact – our nation today.

Follow along for daily stories, updates and behind-the-scenes reporting as they drive to New York.

Click the link www.dailynews.com/911-anniversary to track their live route and read their stories.

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Missed our live conversation last Friday? You can still catch the full recording featuring best-selling authors C.J. Box and Tess Gerritsen.

During the conversation with editor Samantha Dunn, the two acclaimed suspense writers shared the inspiration behind their latest work and offered a peek behind their creative process:

C.J. Box (Joe Pickett, ABC’s Big Sky) discussed how his early career in journalism shaped his approach to writing crime fiction, the real-life inspiration behind outlaw Nate Romanowski, and his short story "The Falcon Miscalculation" in the Birds of Prey anthology.

Tess Gerritsen (Rizzoli & Isles) introduced her Martini Club thriller series, including The Shadow Friends. She reveals how her real-life neighbors—former CIA operatives—inspired her portrayal of espionage, why she writes first drafts longhand and her peculiar rivalry with local seagulls.

Watch the complete recording on SCNG's YouTube channel:

Bookish with C.J. Box and Tess Gerritsen ⠀*Chapters:*• Start: 0:00• C.J. Box : 03:00• Tess Gerritsen : 2...

Subscribers! Be sure to check your driveway, phone, tablet or laptop this Sunday for a new PREMIUM magazine. This month’s magazine, “Gourmet, CA," highlights top wineries and exceptional dining experiences.

Not a subscriber yet? Subscribe now to receive all of our premium magazines, unlimited access to digital content, virtual events and Reader Rewards: www.scng.com/subscribe

Friday: Don’t miss the next with #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 books C.J. Box discussing his new crime fiction anthology “Birds of Prey.” Retired physician-turned-bestselling mystery author Tess Gerritsen will also be discussing her newest book “The Shadow Friends.”

Details: Friday, Aug. 21 at 4 p.m.

Register now: https://scng.zoom.us/webinar/register/5117851799999/WN_zNMhbn7vQf6DuH7Gk0BlIQ

The world's best surfers are at Huntington Beach for the US Open of Surfing and you can trust the Orange County Register to deliver the story from the sand up.

Meet Surfers’ Hall of Fame inductee and OC Register Coastal Reporter Laylan Connelly. For more than two decades, Laylan has been the definitive voice of the Southern California coast, and right now, she's covering the US Open of Surfing.

Don't miss a single swell, standout ride or behind-the-scenes story. You can follow Laylan's exclusive coverage with subscription plans starting at $1 by subscribing to the Orange County Register at ocregister.com/subscribe or subscribe to the Coast Lines newsletter at scng.com/newsletter.

Happening tomorrow: Join senior editor Samantha Dunn for the newest installment of . Our program this month features Davin Malasarn discussing his first novel, "The Outer Country," along with Robinne Lee, the writer behind the bestselling "The Idea of You" and her second work, "Crash Into Me."

Details: Friday, July 17 at 4 p.m.

Register here: https://scng.zoom.us/webinar/register/4017812116230/WN_K-nw2sGIQXCWy9AKCDax_Q

Congratulations to the SCNG journalists who were honored with Los Angeles Press Club's 68th Southern California Journalism Awards. SCNG journalists won a total of 22 awards, including six first-place honors for their work. Among the winners, SCNG staff took home first place in the “Hard News” category for coverage of the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Read more at: https://www.dailynews.com/2026/06/30/scng-journalists-honored-for-news-coverage-by-la-press-club/

Subscribers! Be sure to check your driveway, phone, tablet or laptop this Sunday for a new PREMIUM magazine. This month’s magazine, “Brave Enough: Everyday Heroes," includes inspiring stories of quiet endurance, moral courage and collective heroism across the region.

Not a subscriber yet? Subscribe now to receive all of our premium magazines, unlimited access to digital content, virtual events and Reader Rewards: www.scng.com/subscribe

Great news: the deadline to nominate your company for 2026 Orange County and Inland Empire Top Workplaces Awards has been extended.

Does your company have an amazing culture? Do your leaders genuinely care, and does your team thrive? Now is your chance to get the recognition your workplace deserves.

⏰ New Deadline: July 31

Don't let your team miss out on being named one of the best in the region. Nominate your employer today!

🔗 Nominate your employer at https://topworkplaces.com/nominate/orangecounty/ and https://topworkplaces.com/nominate/inlandempire/