An Orange County woman fired from her role as a probation officer used her continued access to a court database — access she ...

Amanda Smith is a freelance journalist and writer. She reports on culture, society, human interest and technology. Her stories hold a mirror to society, reflecting both its malaise and its beauty.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Courtney bought a bounce house for her two young children. Soon after, her son, Alex, then 4, began experiencing pain. “(Our nanny) started telling me, ‘I have to give ...