Californians are well-aware of the water issues that face our state. However, the situation is particularly newsworthy today as recent reports and studies have illustrated just how dire the situation is. Coast Report, along with Green Coast Day and the Garrison Honors Center, hosted a conversation on April 7, led by student reporters, to address this issue and explore ways that we can make a difference.

The recent oil spill off the Orange County coast has prompted concern and debate over California's off-shore oil pipelines. Is this practice safe? What are the short- and long-term impacts? Who is responsible for oversight and regulation? How concerned should residents be about this disaster and potential future incidents? How can the local community help in the current clean-up effort and be active in protecting our coastline?

These questions and more were addressed on Oct. 27 during a virtual town hall entitled: "Our Coast, Our Future: A Student Town Hall on the OC Oil Spill presented by the Orange Coast College Garrison Honors Center, Coast Report and Green Coast Day." Coast Report student journalists led a discussion with prominent local guests including Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, Los Angeles Times Business Columnist Michael Hiltzik, Congressional Candidate Harley Rouda, and California Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris.