We dig into what makes Long Beach run differently from LA — a governance structure that forces collaboration between mayor, council, and city manager, and a city that runs its own police, fire, port, airport, utilities, and one of only three independent health departments in California. He's candid about the budget cuts coming this year, and why he thinks they set the city up for a surplus down the line. Then we go regional: his two years standing up and chairing LACAHSA, LA County's affordable housing agency, and his new seat on the LA Metro board — where his top priority is fixing what he calls an unfair balance of representation for Long Beach and the Gateway Cities. Plus his real answer on fare-free transit, and whether he's eyeing LA County's new elected CEO seat.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward and with the support of the staff at the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State Los Angeles.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Today’s guest is Marissa Roy.

Roy currently works as a Deputy Attorney General with the California Department of Justice, where her work has included consumer protection and tenant rights enforcement. Earlier in her career, she worked in the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, handling labor and worker protection matters. 

Her campaign has focused heavily on using the office more aggressively to protect renters from illegal evictions, pursue wage theft and worker exploitation cases, crack down on consumer fraud, and take legal action against polluters and corporate misconduct. She has also argued that the City Attorney’s Office should play a larger role in challenging actions by the Trump administration that affect Los Angeles residents. 

https://www.marissaroy.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Today’s guest is Michael Tubbs.

Tubbs first gained national attention when he was elected mayor of Stockton at age 26, becoming one of the youngest mayors of a major American city. During his time in office, he focused on issues like gun violence prevention, economic mobility, and poverty, and became especially well known for launching one of the country’s first guaranteed income pilot programs.

Since leaving office, Tubbs has remained active in public policy, writing and speaking about economic inequality, education, and the challenges facing communities that have often been left out of California’s prosperity. He has also taught at Stanford and worked on statewide and national initiatives focused on opportunity and anti-poverty policy.

Now running for lieutenant governor, Tubbs is arguing that California needs a new generation of leadership focused on affordability, economic opportunity, and making state government work more effectively for working people.

I sat down with Michael Tubbs recently to talk about his campaign, his time as mayor, and how he sees California’s future.

https://michaeltubbsforca.com/

https://mtubbs.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

District 26 is a dense, urban district centered in Los Angeles, including Downtown LA, Boyle Heights, Echo Park, and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s home to largely Latino and immigrant communities, with a mix of working-class families and renters, and it sits at the center of many of the city’s biggest challenges — from housing affordability and homelessness to economic inequality and access to public services.

Today’s guest is Wendy Carrillo, a member of the California State Assembly.

Carrillo represented the 52nd Assembly District from 2017 to 2024, covering much of Northeast Los Angeles. Before entering elected office, she worked as a journalist and communications professional, and has long been active in immigrant rights and community advocacy.

In the legislature, she worked on issues including housing, labor, and immigrant protections, and has been part of broader debates in Sacramento over affordability and the cost of living.

She’s now running for State Senate in a competitive race to succeed Durazo. And in this conversation, we also talk about something more personal — her experience with sobriety and recovery, and how that has shaped her life and approach to public service.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

District 26, currently represented by Maria Elena Durazo, is a dense, urban district centered in Los Angeles, including Downtown LA, Boyle Heights, Echo Park, and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s home to largely Latino and immigrant communities, with a mix of working-class families and renters, and it sits at the center of many of the city’s biggest challenges — from housing affordability and homelessness to economic inequality and access to public services.

Hernandez has spent her career working at the intersection of education, housing, and public policy. She began as a middle school teacher in LAUSD, where she founded the nonprofit Helping Young People Excel, or HYPE, to support low-income students through high school and into college. Her work with students facing homelessness, food insecurity, immigration challenges, and barriers to opportunity led her to pursue a career in law and public service.

After earning her law degree, Hernandez worked in Los Angeles City Hall, helping lead community revitalization efforts through investments in housing, transportation, infrastructure, and economic development. She now practices as a housing and environmental attorney and has done extensive pro bono work representing immigrants in asylum proceedings and assisting students navigating the DACA process.

In 2022, she was elected to the Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees, where she has focused on expanding access to education, increasing enrollment, connecting students to housing resources, and growing apprenticeship programs in the building trades.

Hernandez is also active in grassroots organizing, including founding DTLA Strong, a community group that helped significantly increase voter turnout in downtown Los Angeles.

https://www.sarahernandez.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Today we turn to the race for the State Senate seat in District 26, currently held by Maria Elena Durazo, who is termed out of office.

District 26 is a dense, urban district centered in Los Angeles, including Downtown LA, Boyle Heights, Echo Park, and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s home to largely Latino and immigrant communities, with a mix of working-class families and renters, and it sits at the center of many of the city’s biggest challenges — from housing affordability and homelessness to economic inequality and access to public services.

Today’s guest is Sarah Rascón, a candidate for State Senate.

Rascón has been active in community and policy work in Los Angeles, and is running in a crowded field to succeed Durazo. Her campaign has focused on issues like the cost of living, housing, and access to economic opportunity — themes that are central to the district.

I sat down with Sarah Rascón recently to talk about her campaign and how she sees the role of the State Senate in addressing those challenges. Here is that conversation.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Evans has spent decades working in her community as an organizer, advocate, and local leader. She is the co-founder of the Doheny Sunset Plaza Neighborhood Association, where she has represented more than 2,000 households and led efforts to improve public safety, address homelessness, and support responsible housing development. She also serves as Vice President of her local Neighborhood Council, where she has worked on land use, wildfire preparedness, and environmental protections.

Evans’ background spans public policy, labor, and the arts. After graduating from Brown University, she worked as a union carpenter on major construction projects and later as a union apprentice film editor, eventually earning her M.F.A. in screenwriting from Columbia University. She has also been active in civil rights advocacy for decades, including work with Equality California Institute, where she helped lead efforts in the wake of Proposition 8.

She says her campaign is focused on defending reproductive freedom and civil rights, fully funding public schools, tackling the housing crisis responsibly, investing in wildfire prevention, and growing the local economy to support working families and small businesses.

https://www.ellen4senate.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Ulyate-Crow grew up in Topanga and has been involved in organizing and public policy work since he was a student. While in college, he focused on housing issues, helping to organize around student homelessness and affordability, and working on legislation aimed at expanding student housing across California. 

He later worked in public service roles including as a commissioner in Santa Cruz and on a national political campaign, and has continued to focus his advocacy on housing, cost of living, and what he describes as government accountability. 

Ulyate-Crow is running in a crowded field, arguing that younger leadership and a different approach to policymaking are needed to address issues like affordability and access to housing in California.

https://www.instagram.com/zennonuc/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

The City Charter is essentially the city’s constitution — which defines how power is divided, how decisions get made, and how different parts of government interact.The Los Angeles City Charter Reform Commission has just wrapped up months of work and sent a package of recommendations to the City Council — proposals aimed at making city government function more effectively.

Those recommendations take on some of the biggest structural questions facing Los Angeles: the size of the City Council, the balance of power between the council and the mayor, oversight of the LAPD, how the city handles budgeting, and how to address long-standing concerns about infrastructure, governance, and public corruption.

Raymond Meza and I take a deep dive into the proposals and what they could mean for the people of Los Angele.

https://reformlacharter.lacity.gov/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

https://www.tomsteyer.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Raman was first elected in 2020 to represent Council District 4. She defeated an incumbent in a race that drew national attention. Before joining the council, she was a housing advocate and co-founder of the SELAH neighborhood homelessness coalition and she worked in urban planning and on policy focused on homelessness and housing systems. On the City Council, Raman has been closely associated with efforts to expand renters’ rights and housing reform, overseeing the city's approach to homelessness and promoting increased transparency and oversight of city government. Her tenure has also included debates over development, public safety, and the pace and effectiveness of city services. She entered the mayor's race at the very last minute, arguing that Los Angeles needs to accelerate its response to the housing and homelessness crisis and to improve how City Hall delivers services, and engages with residents.

This conversation was recorded before a live audience as part of a fireside chat with public leaders, organized by the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State LA.

https://www.nithyaforthecity.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Today’s guest is Mike Newhouse, an attorney and longtime neighborhood advocate from Venice.

Newhouse is a land-use attorney and small business owner who has been active in community organizing on the Westside for many years. He previously served as president of the Venice Neighborhood Council and was a founding leader of the Westside Regional Alliance of Councils, a coalition representing neighborhood councils across much of the Westside. Newhouse has also served as vice president of the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, and president of the West LA Area Planning Commission. He describes himself as a non-ideological, “common-sense Democrat” focused on practical solutions to issues like housing, public safety, and the cost of living.

I sat down with Mike Newhouse recently to talk about his campaign. Here is that conversation.

https://www.newhouse4ca.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Huang has spent two decades bringing people together across faith communities, neighborhoods, and movements to advocate for dignity, fairness, and a more inclusive city. As Deputy Director at Housing NOW! California, she directed statewide campaigns to expand affordable housing and prevent displacement in working-class communities of color. She helped lead efforts behind major legislative and budget wins, including expanded tenant protections under SB 567 and the passage of California’s social housing study bill, SB 555. She has also organized with Clergy for Black Lives and the People’s Budget LA, worked alongside hotel and service workers through Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, and helped launch the Healthy LA Coalition, which secured pandemic relief for families who might otherwise have been left behind. Huang also played a role in organizing fire recovery efforts in Los Angeles.

She says her campaign is focused on strengthening community-driven solutions to make Los Angeles more affordable, more sustainable, and safer for every resident.  Toward the end of the discussion, we discuss how she maintains grace and faith in the world of activism and politics.

https://www.raeforla.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Today’s guest is Sion Roy, a physician and member of the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees.

Roy is a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he treats patients and trains future doctors. He was first elected to the Santa Monica College Board of Trustees in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Roy is the son of immigrant parents and has described himself as a first-generation American whose family’s experience with education and opportunity helped shape his career in medicine and public service. He has also served as president of the Los Angeles County Medical Association and has been active in efforts to expand healthcare training and workforce programs through Santa Monica College.

His campaign website is: https://drsionroyforsenate.com/ and IG is https://www.instagram.com/drsionroy

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

The race for mayor comes at a pivotal moment for Los Angeles. The city is still grappling with a homelessness crisis, immigration raids,concerns about public safety, and cuts to basic services. Voters will be deciding whether to give Mayor Karen Bass another term — or to choose a different direction.

Today’s guest is Adam Miller, a tech entrepreneur and nonprofit leader.

Miller is the former CEO of Cornerstone OnDemand, an education software company he helped build into a global business. After leaving the company, he co-founded Better Angels, a nonprofit focused on addressing homelessness and developing new models for affordable housing. He entered the mayor’s race in early 2026, arguing that Los Angeles faces a set of management challenges — from housing and homelessness to public safety — and needs stronger leadership at City Hall. Miller describes himself as a Democrat and an outsider candidate, and has said the city has the resources and talent it needs, but lacks effective execution and accountability in government.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

SD24 is the seat being vacated by Ben Allen, who is termed out of office after 12 years representing a sprawling district that stretches from Rancho Palos Verdes and the South Bay, the coastal Westside, Malibu and Santa Monica, and neighborhoods from Westwood and Fairfax east to Hollywood.

The first candidate we’re speaking with in this race is Erickson, a councilmember and former mayor of the City of West Hollywood. Erickson has served on the West Hollywood City Council since 2020 and was re-elected in 2024. During his time in office, he’s supported efforts to expand affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, and maintain West Hollywood’s role as a center of LGBTQ political life. He points to raising the city’s minimum wage as one of his signature achievements. Erickson served as the city’s mayor from 2024 to 2025. Before entering elected office, he worked in public affairs and advocacy, including as a vice president at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. He now serves as chief of staff for the Alliance for a Better Community.

Campaign Website: https://www.johnerickson4senate.com/

This episode is produced and edited by Daniel Huecias, sponsored by LA Forward. Research provided by the Pat Brown Institute at Cal State LA.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

In this third installment of interviews with candidates to succeed retiring councilmember Curren Price, I speak with Jose Ugarte, A top aide to  Price, Ugarte is a visible face at City Hall, in the district and in the media. He has served Price off and on since 2013, handling district projects and constituent services. Prior to that, he worked as a district deputy to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. He has taken several extended leaves of absence from government to work as a consultant for political campaigns, including those of Price, Rendon, Assemblymember Mike Fong and former Assembymember Miguel Santiago. 

An immigrant from Oaxaca, Mexico, Ugarte says he will focus on serving the immigrant and low-income communities of the 9th District, and wants to be the "transportation councilmember” with a vision for more Metro rail lines in the 9th District.

Ugarte was recently the subject of an investigation form the city ethics commission, which found that he failed to disclose outside income from his consulting business. He and I discuss that, as well as his biography, and his vision for the city and distinct, in the interview.

Campaign website: https://ugarteforla.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Today is the second installment of our series of interviews with candidates running to succeed Curren Price on the LA City Council. The 9th Council District in Los Angeles stretches from the southern edge of Downtown Los Angeles, through South Central, all the way toward Watts. The communities of Central-Alameda, Vernon-Central, South Park, Green Meadows, and Vermont Square all call District 9 home. The district is among the most diverse and youngest in the city, with over three-quarters of residents identifying as Latino, a significant Black community, and many families with roots across Latin America and beyond. Nearly 40% of District 9 residents live below the federal poverty line, making it the city’s poorest council district, and many households face challenges of housing insecurity, limited access to good jobs, and environmental burdens.

With Price completing his third and final term, the seat is open for the first time since 2013. The primary election will take place on June 2, 2026, and the runoff, if needed, will be in November. This year, the field features community leaders, non-profit executives, and policy advocates all vying for votes. The candidates include Jose Ugarte, Estuardo Mazariegos, Elmer Roldan, and several others—each bringing their own vision for the future of South LA.

Today’s guest is Estuardo Mazariegos. He is the Los Angeles co-director of ACCE, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, a grassroots organization working to organize and fight for  California's traditionally underserved residents, including communities of color, low-income and working families, and the undocumented population.

Estuardo is a an immigrant from Guatemala who was carried across the Rio Grande as a child by his mother. As you’ll hear in the interview, he says he learned to be a community organizer as a young child and has never stopped being one. He is known for his leadership in housing justice initiatives and organizing efforts, working with ACCE and other grassroots groups to address local community issues and advocate for social change

https://www.estuardo4la.com/

Nov 5 - Elmer Roldan

Nov 12 - Estuardo Mazariegos

Nov 19 - Jose Ugarte

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Currently, District 9 is represented by Councilmember Curren Price, who has held the seat since 2013. With Price’s tenure ending, this year’s open-seat race has drawn intense interest. The primary election will take place on June 2, 2026, and the runoff, if needed, will be in November. This year, the field features community leaders, non-profit executives, and policy advocates all vying for votes. The candidates include Jose Ugarte, Estuardo Mazariegos, Elmer Roldan, and several others—each bringing their own vision for the future of South LA.

Today’s guest is Elmer Roldan, a well-known education advocate whose work has focused on youth opportunity and social equity in Los Angeles. Elmer currently runs Communities In Schools of Los Angeles, has worked for LAUSD, and spent nearly two decades working for Community Coalition. We sat down recently for an in-depth conversation about who he is, what his ties are to the district, and what his agenda and vision are for the district and for Los Angeles.

https://www.elmerroldan.com/

Nov 5 - Elmer Roldan

Nov 12 - Estuardo Mazariegos

Nov 19 - Jose Ugarte

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

In May, Mike became the executive director of the Pat Brown Institute for public affairs at Cal State Los Angeles. The Institute is dedicated to strengthening, promoting, and defending democracy.  A key focus is studying, understanding, and cultivating public leadership. Last week, Mike launched a new series of fireside discussions, where he will talk  with public officials, candidates, and tought leaders about how their leadership is tested, how they think about how they lead, and what issues they choose to focus on.

Mike's first guest was Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. They sat down October 16 in front of live audience the top of the US Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles.   They her style of leadership, and the tests and crises that have forged her leadership. They discuss progressive politics, her new challenger in the mayor's race, and they get into the subjects of housing policy, homelessness and the upcoming Olympic Games.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Brian Wisch and Linh Hwa, both non-tenure track (NTT) faculty at LMU and members of the union, explain the vital importance of NTT teachers at colleges and universities, discuss their working conditions and wages at LMU, and recount how ongoing labor negotiations were scuttled last month when the Jesuit university claimed national labor law did not apply to the school.

Some recent coverage:

Loyola Marymount abruptly rescinds recognition of faculty union, claiming religious exemption: 

Loyola Marymount said it will no longer recognize its faculty union

What's at stake as USC and LMU push back against untenured faculty unions?

Loyola Marymount Announces It Will No Longer Recognize Faculty Labor Union, Followed by Heated Town Hall Meeting

Loyolan “Voices of the Newsroom” Podcast: 

Other Links and Resources

Safeguarding LMU's Future: A Message from LMU Board Chair Paul Viviano

LMU: The Path Forward

LMU Student Labor and Employment Law Society Urges Admin, Board to Return to Bargaining with NTT Faculty

Faculty in LMU’s Theological Studies Department Call on Admin, Board to Revoke Claims of “Religious Exemption” to Unions

LMU alumni, families, staff, faculty colleagues, and community supporters template to send a message to the admin and board: https://secure.everyaction.com/zLZIqaL4ZkivQMzvMF3gjw2

The LMU NTT faculty union Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/lmu_nttfaculty/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

The 2025 California legislative session brought headline-grabbing action on environmental and climate issues—but it’s a record that’s as contested as it is celebrated. Governor Newsom and lawmakers have been touting a package of legislation as historic, while environmental leaders are bemoaning what they describe as the one of the worst CA legislative sessions for the environment in recent memory.

Newsom and the legislature point to their actions to extend California’s signature cap-and-trade climate policy—now rebranded as the cap-and-invest program—which they say will provide regulatory certainty and continued revenue for critical clean energy and climate investments. That program is meant to steer billions to projects like zero-emission vehicles, clean transportation, and pollution reduction in frontline communities.

Those elected officials  also draw attention to legislation on wildfire resilience, and their work on California Wildfire Fund that will channel billions toward supporting wildfire survivors, modernizing the state’s utility grid, and protecting ratepayers from the costs of catastrophic wildfire liability.

But for all the progress claimed, the session’s record is under fire from environmental advocates. The legislature rolled back major protections under the California Environmental Quality Act—stripping environmental review for large projects in order to expedite crucially needed housing production. Critics argue these moves put disadvantaged communities at greater risk and weaken oversight of polluting industries. Controversially, the legislature also facilitated expanded oil drilling in Kern County, raising alarm about California compromising its climate leadership to address immediate energy and affordability concerns. Environmental advocates also say the legislature and governor and failed to seize the moment and move forward on several key environmental initiatives – such as holding fossil fuels companies financially responsible for skyrocketing wildfire insurance, and forcing polluters to pay for environmental devastation.

This year, the question is sharper than ever: Is California still leading the way on climate, or is its environmental ambition being undermined by political hand-wringing and powerful industry interests?

Joining us for a frank conversation on what this all means—for communities, for climate, and for the work ahead—is Mike Young from California Environmental Voters. 

Newsom signs climate overhaul, extending cap and trade while boosting oil drilling

Newsom signs California climate package aimed at lowering gas and utility costs

Newsom’s climate warrior image is backsliding, environmental groups say

California Rolls Back Its Landmark Environmental Law

Gavin Newsom on Trump, Climate and California

California Environmental Voters Legislative Scorecard

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Measure ULA, dubbed “the mansion tax" by supporters, imposes a transfer tax on property sales above approximately $5 million. Funds go toward affordable housing production and homelessness prevention programs in the city. It's supporters say it is boosting production of affordable housing and keeping tenants housed, reducing homelessness. Detractors say it has had minimal impact on affordable housing, and is chilling production of affordable and market-rate housing, and putting a drag on the economy.

A conversation about Measure ULA is a conversation about housing, about affordability, about homelessness prevention, about finance and taxation, about real estate market forces, and about the finer details of government regulation. And that is what Mike discusses this week with Joe Donlin of United House LA, a champion of ULA, and Mott Smith, co-author a study critiquing ULA.

UCLA Lewis Center Study: Unintended Consequences of Measure ULA

Rebuttal: Major Research Flaws Undermine Authors' Bold Claims: Unpacking the Debate on Measure ULA

What has Measure ULA Done So Far? (Shelterforce)

How LA's transfer tax cost schools and local government $25 million (CA YIMBY)

Lawmakers seek to overhaul LA mansion tax (LA Times)

Mayor Bass withdraws her bill to overhaul LA mansion tax (LA Times)

United to House LA website: https://unitedtohousela.com/

Council of Infill Builders: https://www.councilofinfillbuilders.org/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Miguel Contreras: Legacy of a Labor Leader

Mike Garcia and the Justice for Janitors Movement

From Coors to California: David Sickler and the New Working Class

Voices from the Front Lines: Organizing Immigrant Workers in Los Angeles

From Mission to Microchip: A History of California Labor by Fred Glass (book)

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

 The queer erasure so bothered her former partner Karen Ocamb – a noted chronicler of the LGBT civil rights movement and the HIV/AIDS crisis that she took to Substack to write about – in a column titled “When Lesbian Philanthropist Wallis Annenberg Helped Save The Gays.” The article drew immediate praise from members of LA’s queer community, who were shocked that news outlets failed to mention Annenberg was a lesbian. I interviewed Karen Ocamb about the Wallis she and so many others knew, and about the work Wallis Annenberg did for the LGTBQ+ community. 

When Lesbian Philanthropist Wallis Annenberg Helped Save The Gays by Karen Ocamb

LA Times Obituary: https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-07-28/wallis-annenberg-dead-philanthropist-obituary

New York Times Obit: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/us/wallis-annenberg-dead.html

LA Times follow-up story: "Inside Wallis Annenberg’s final days: Opioid stupor, abuse claims and a bitter family feud"

The Suppression of Lesbian ^ Gay History by Rictor Norton: https://rictornorton.co.uk/suppress.htm

Hollywood Turns Out for AIDS Benefit (New York Times, 1985): https://www.nytimes.com/1985/09/20/us/hollywood-turns-out-for-aids-benefit.html

Gay & Lesbian Elder Housing: https://www.gleh.org/

Project Angel Food: https://www.angelfood.org/

LGBT History: The Briggs Initiative - a Scary Proposition: https://www.glbthistory.org/briggs

LGBT History: Lesbian Solidarity During the AIDS Epidemic: https://www.youthco.org/lesbian_solidarity_during_the_aids_epidemic

LGBT History: The Blood Sisters - the Unsung Heroes of the AIDS Crisis: https://diva-magazine.com/2024/02/08/the-blood-sisters/

LGBT History: Meet Pioneer of Gay Rights Harry Hay: https://progressive.org/magazine/meet-pioneer-gay-rights-harry-hay/

LGBT History: The Lavender Effect: Ivy Bottini: https://thelavendereffect.org/projects/ohp/ivy-bottini/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Cole knows local government. He was elected to the Pasadena City Council in 1983, and served for 12 years, including two as Mayor. He served as City Manager of Azusa, Ventura and Santa Monica. He has served several times for the City of Los Angeles, as senior deputy to Councilmember Richard Alatorre, as deputy mayor for Budget & Innovation under Mayor Eric Garcetti, and as as deputy for City Controller Kenneth Mejia.  He left his position with Mejia last week, to focus on his role on the Pasadena City Council, a post he returned to in December after 30 years.

In his farewell ceremony at City Council last week, he spoke about what ills the city and what it will take to fix it. We follow up, in an in-depth discussion.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Ami also recently hosted a conversation titled “Concentration Camps and the Machinery of Repression: Lessons for Saving Democracy” with Julia Pitzer and Erica Chenoweth. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/live/ESiZOQBZUYA?si=W5n9iC0HXAgCkSO9

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

It is also a time to celebrate our heroes. That is why, in this episode, I speak with Lu Lipmen, a non-binary 13 year-old who is fighting back against the wave of anti-trans hate. They discuss how they face the hate and vitriol -- and how they respond with such courage, poise and determination.

Lu is an inspiring person, and this is a very special episode. I hope you enjoy it.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Among those likely to suffer if the Legislature doesn’t make changes are low income families, senior citizens, people with disabilities, people who are unhoused, survivors of domestic violence, and foster youth, and immigrants.

Our guest on this episode is Chris Hoene, executive director of the California Budget & Policy Center – a well-respected organization that does research and analysis of state policies, with an eye toward equity and impacts policies have on people who are vulnerable.

Read the California Budget & Policy Center latest report here: https://calbudgetcenter.org/issues/california-budget/

For more on the Los Angeles City Budget, check out this week's episode of LA Podcast, with Mike, Alissa Walker and Godfrey Plata. 

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Transit Advocates Warn of Fiscal Crisis After Newsom Passes on Emergency Funding: https://www.kqed.org/news/12040042/transit-advocates-warn-fiscal-crisis-after-newsom-passes-on-emergency-funding#:~:text=Newsom%20include%20%242%20billion%20in,of%20Fund%20California%20Public%20Transit.)

First Reviews of the Governor’s Revised Budget Are In: https://cal.streetsblog.org/2025/05/15/first-reviews-of-the-governors-revised-budget-are-in

Governor Newsom unveils proposal to cut red tape and fast-track housing and development: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/05/14/governor-newsom-unveils-proposal-to-cut-red-tape-and-fast-track-housing-and-development/

Gavin Newsom lays down the law on housing construction: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/15/housing-dividing-california-democrats-newsom-00350811

Newsom’s budget cuts anger allies and leave the state’s chronic deficit unresolved: https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/05/newsom-budget-chronic-deficit-unresolved/

Newsom says bailing L.A. out of budget crisis is ‘nonstarter.’ Bass remains hopeful: https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2025-05-17/newsom-no-money-for-la-budget

Move LA: https://www.movela.org/

Festival Trail: https://festivaltrail.org/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

If so, you are not alone.  In this episode, we talk with Rudy Espinoza, executive director of Inclusive Action for the City, about his personal and political search for the courage to stand up, and about the strength he finds in solidarity.

LINKS

Inclusive Action for the City

Rudy's essay in Nonprofit Quarterly

Info on the May Day events across the country

LA Forward Spring Into Action Event - May 3

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

From all around Southern California they came to hear and to cheer Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and to amplify the message that America needs a government that fights for its people, and not its billionaires.

This stop on the Fighting Oligarchy tour was the largest Sanders or AOC rally, ever, anywhere. 

We’ll recap, play some highlights, and contextualize the momentous event on this episode of WNLA.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Is it a big and long overdue step to maximize taxpayer investments in solving homelessness? Or is it a rushed and divisive move that threatens recent progress in bringing our unhoused neighbors indoors?

We’ll discuss that with Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and with Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield – on this episode of What’s Next, Los Angeles?

Some Great Links

This week's LA Podcast with me, Alissa Walker, Hayes Davenport and special guest co-host . . . Carla Hall, who just left her gig as the last member of the editorial board at the LA Times.

LA Times: County supervisors create new homeless agency, despite warnings from L.A. mayor

LAist: Head of LA homeless services resigns days after county votes to pull $350M from troubled agency

LA Public Press: Unhoused LA residents react to LAHSA’s unraveling

LA Times: Feds to look into potential fraud and corruption in Southern California homeless funds

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Marissa is running against our current City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto. In stark contrast, Hydee has opposed affordable housing for Los Angelenos, sued journalists, prosecuted protesters, and surveilled the emails of her employees.

Find out more about Marissa and her campaign here. You can also follow along on social media on Instagram and X. 

Links and Additional Reading

What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin, The Trouble with Hydee

Capital & Main, The Landlord Behind Massive Los Angeles Eviction Has Spent More Than $1 Million on City Elections

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Joining us are two esteemed experts in the field: Chauncee Smith of Catalyst California, and Leslie Cooper Johnson of the Community Coalition.

Together, we explore:

- The historical context and current state of racially biased traffic enforcement in Los Angeles.

- Real-life stories and statistical data that highlight the severity of this issue.

- Innovative policy proposals and practical solutions aimed at reducing racial disparities in traffic stops.

- The role of community involvement and advocacy in driving systemic change.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and hear from our experts on how Los Angeles can move towards equitable and just traffic enforcement policies. Join the conversation as we seek to pave the way for progressive change in our city.

MORE INFO:

PUSH-LA: https://pushla.org/

Catalyst California: https://www.catalystcalifornia.org/

Community Coalition: https://cocosouthla.org/

Council File Index (search for file # 20-0875): https://cityclerk.lacity.org/m.clerkconnect/#/cfmsSearch

Los Angeles Times op-ed “Why traffic stops can be deadly for people of color”by Frank R. Baumgartner, Derek Epp and Kelsey Shoubt. 

Washington Post ran an op-ed titled “Get police out of the business of traffic stops.” TJ Grayson and James Forman Jr.

New York Timesop-ed, “Police Officers Shouldn’t Be the Ones to Enforce Traffic Laws by Sarah Seo.,

Slate: The Myth of the Dangerous Traffic Stop Is Killing Black Men in America by Mark Josef Stern. 

North Carolina Times-News: “What would happen if cops didn’t make certain traffic stops? This North Carolina city offers a case study.” 

In 2019, the LA Times reported that data showed a black person in a vehicle was more than four times as likely to be searched by police as a white person, and a Latino was three times as likely. That same year, the LA Times detailed the problem of racially disparate enforcement in LAPD’s Metro unit.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Join us as Assemblymember Bryan reflects on the challenges and opportunities ahead, offering a candid look at the political landscape and the resilience needed to push forward. This episode is for anyone interested in the future of progressive politics and the power of perseverance. Don't miss this conversation about navigating setbacks and the relentless pursuit of a better future for Los Angeles and beyond.

LA Podcast:

Mike's Substack essay, "Looking for a Silver Lining in Los Angeles"

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

00:12

this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Mike’s CD14 Soundtrack
What About US - Pink
The Rent is Too Damn High - Jimmy McMillan
I Can’t Breathe - H.E.R. 
Your Racist Friend - They Might be Giants
I’m Coming Out - Diana Ross 
Fight the Power - Public Enemy
Girl is on Fire - Alicia Keys –

Ysabel's Favorite Campaign Song
Anything Can Happen - Ellie Goulding

LA FORWARD PROGRESSIVE VOTER GUIDE

LA PODCAST

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

I talk with judicial candidate George Turner, running for Seat 39, on this episode of WNLA.

https://georgeaturner4judge.com/

LA Forward Voter Guide

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

That is one of the most frequent questions I get during election season.  Today I talk with judicial candidate Ericka Wiley, running for seat #48, on WNLA.

https://www.wileyforjudge.com/

LA Forward Voter Guide

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

That sure makes it sound dry, boring and wonky. It is anything but. It is about power. Incredible power. Who will wield it? And who will they represent?

We discuss Measure G on this episode of WNLA with County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, author of the proposal, and Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who opposes it.

More Info:

Unpacking the impact of Los Angeles County's ballot measures

Why proposal to expand the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is such a big deal

Measure to expand the LA County Board of Supervisors heads to the ballot. Here's what you should know

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Miguel Contreras: Legacy of a Labor Leader

Mike Garcia and the Justice for Janitors Movement

From Coors to California: David Sickler and the New Working Class

Voices from the Front Lines: Organizing Immigrant Workers in Los Angeles

From Mission to Microchip: A History of California Labor by Fred Glass (book)

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Links & Additional Reading

Marqueece Harris-Dawson Bio

MHD Off the Record Podcast

L.A. Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson wins the council presidency, will replace Krekorian

Destination Crenshaw:

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What does a District Attorney really do? How does the position impact criminal justice? How much does it impact crime, and in what ways? And what is a progressive prosecutor? Why is reform needed and what does it look like? In this episode, we talk about that and more, including why it important – crucial even – to re-elect George Gascon. 

Mike talks with Marissa Roy, the podcast’s resident legal analyst, as well as Tracee Porter, who has been through the criminal justice system, and talks about what harms it caused her, and the rest of society. 

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

The killer is traffic violence, and it is on the rise. In 2023, 337 people were killed in automobile crashes in Los Angeles. It’s the worst year on record, with more people dying from car crashes than from murder. In fact, car crashes are the number killer of children in Los Angeles County. An additional 1,559 people were severely injured last year. Voting yes on the Healthy Streets initiative – Measure HLA – would be a huge step to address this crisis and keep our streets safe.

In this episode, Mike talks with Michael Schneider of Streets for All, the lead proponent of the measure. They discuss what it would do, why it is necessary, and how the opposition if full of lies and exaggerations.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Before serving on the council. Hutt served in senior roles for several public officials, most notably as state director for then-US Senator Kamala Harris, chief of staff to Councilmember Herb Wesson, and district director to state Assemblymember and Senator Isadore Hall. She has the endorsement of Mayor Bass, the council’s progressive bloc, and also the council’s most conservative members. She was born and raised in the 10th district – and she is also a single mother to 3 sons that she raised in the 10th district.

She and I served together on the council for about 90 days at one of the most politically tumultuous times in modern LA history.

Her website is here: https://www.heatherhutt.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Shyne served on the City of West Hollywood’s LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, on the City of West Hollywood’s Business License Commission, and on the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Advisory Council on which she continues to serve. She has also led many boards and organizations, including the LGBT Bar Association of Los Angeles, and as a Board of Governor and Steering Committee leader with the Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles. Mayor Shyne is a Co-Organizer of WeHo Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a community group that was created during the pandemic to help provide resources for seniors, people with disabilities, and people in immunosuppressed households via social media and volunteer check-in calls.

You can learn more at her campaign website here: https://www.sepishyne.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Kbushyan is an immigrant to Los Angeles, and describes himself as a social and economic justice advocate. He operates Sam Kbushyan Group (SKG), which consults with small businesses and non-profits. He serves on the L.A. Community Alliance and Immigrants Charitable Foundation. In 2023, Sam was appointed to serve on Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s advisory transition team.  You can learn more about him here: https://samforcd2.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Jurado is a tenants rights attorney, affordable housing activist, single mom, daughter of undocumented Filipino immigrants, and lifelong Angeleno. She is running as a strong progressive, with the backing of Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez and City Controller Kenneth Mejia. We talked about personal story, and her thoughts on a range of issues, including homelessness, housing, public safety and a lot more.

You can learn more about her at: https://ysabeljurado.la/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

• Sen. Lola Smallwood Cuevas
• Assembly Member Buffy Wicks
• LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia
• Hon. Herb Wesson, Jr., 65th Speaker of the State Assembly
• Dr. Daniel Lee, Mayor of Culver City, retired
• Dolores Huerta, American Civil Rights leader
• Danny Glover, American Actor, Film Producer and Activist
• Dr. Cornel West, American philosopher and political activist
• Carl Douglas, Civil Rights Attorney
• Dr. Melina Abdullah, Civil Rights leader, BLMLA & BLM Grassroots

You can learn more about him at: https://akili4thepeople.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Born in Tampico, Mexico, she's lived all over the country, but has called LA home for the last 15 years. After spending half of her childhood undocumented, she attended Northwestern University, The Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po), and earned a Master’s in Public Policy from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.

She has the endorsements of incumbent Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Equality California, and Abundant Housing LA.

I spoke to Sade at length shortly before Christmas. about her life and her agenda . Her website info  is here; https://www.dulcevasquez.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Sade is a first time candidate, but has been endorsed by tons of political heavyweights, such as Mayor Karen Bass, Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis, Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, and Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson.

I spoke to Sade at length shortly before Christmas. about her life and her agenda . Her website info  is here; https://sadeforassembly.com/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

LASD
LATIMES: Villanueva denies existence of deputy gangs as L.A. County officials seek accountability 
LAIST: Former Sheriff’s Deputy Convicted In Fatal Shooting of Ryan Twyman; First Such Conviction In Two Decades In LA 

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR HOMELESSNESS CASE
LA TIMES: Supreme Court to rule on clearing homeless encampments in California and the West
COURTHOUSE NEWS: Oregon city trying to take blankets, pillows from homeless loses appeal
NEWSOM: Governor Newsom Statement on Court Ruling Obstructing Encampments Clearing 

LA Backing Away from Affordable Housing in Wealthy Areas?
LAIST: Housing Advocates Sue City Of LA For Stalling Affordable Housing Near Single-Family Homes:
REAL DEAL: YIMBY challenges LA’s denial of affordable housing in Winnetka:
OP-ED: Housing needs to go into highly resourced wealthy neighborhoods or else none of this matters: 

Kevin Merida Ouster
NYT: Editor of The Los Angeles Times Steps Down
POYNTER INSTITUTE:: Major surprise shakeup at the Los Angeles Times
POLITICO: MERIDA OUT 

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

LA Public Press: LA City Councilman John Lee sues Ethics Commission

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Mike's Guests
Marco Santana - @marco4la on IG/threads, @MarcoforLA on X
Jelani Hendrix - JHendrix_4Prezident on IG
Dr. Dee Bremond- @mlkofthenewday on IG

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Will California health workers get a $25 minimum wage? Legislature sends bill to Newsom after long fight

California bill that would increase number of mandatory paid sick days to 5 is sent to Gov. Newsom

California domestic workers may finally get OSHA protections

California lawmakers want to protect actors from being replaced by artificial intelligence

A fight between fast-food chains and unions in California is over, for now – what to know

Villanueva

Former Sheriff Alex Villanueva to run for LA County Board of Supervisors' seat

Hahn campaign reacts to Villanueva announcement

LAPD Raises

LOS ANGELES COMMITS ANOTHER $1 BILLION TO LAPD DESPITE FALLING VIOLENT CRIME

Bass-backed LAPD pay hike passes, despite flack from progressives

WATCH LA FORWARD CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUMS

Council District 4 - Sign up here
Council District 14 - Sign-up here

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Editorial: Are L.A. leaders trying to sabotage homeless housing in Venice?

L.A. Times, media coalition oppose L.A. lawsuit to claw back police photos from journalist

After police photo release, L.A. city attorney tries to weaken public records law

L.A. attorney admits her pick for Skid Row receiver was a fail. But she doesn’t want to talk about the $8,500

L.A. politicians are joining picket lines. The city attorney wants them to stay away

Barrington Plaza: Los Angeles Must Halt This Mass Eviction

Venice Dell Teach-in

Column: This ‘hot labor summer’ is unifying Los Angeles in a way few could have imagined

L.A. Hotel Workers Are On Strike To Stem the City’s Housing Crisis

MAYOR BASS AND COUNCILMEMBER RAMAN ANNOUNCE TENANTS RIGHT RESOURCES

Landlord Orders LA Renters To Pay Or Leave Chinatown Apartment Building

Opinion: I’m a tenant in the mass eviction at Barrington Plaza. This developer decision could devastate L.A.

Proposal for emergency assistance program for LA renters advances

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

When Police Cracked Down on Reporters on One Chaotic Night in LA's Echo Park (NPR)

Los Angeles Sues Reporter Ben Camacho Over Documents the LAPD Gave Him (Daily Beast)

D.A. Won’t Prosecute Reporter Arrested While Covering Shooting of Deputies (NYT)

A journalist accused the LAPD of assault. Then police tried to have him prosecuted (LA Times)

Sheriff Alex Villanueva Targets L.A. Times Journalist in Criminal Investigation (LA Magazine)

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

If there was a major issue in Los Angeles, he was in the thick of it. Police reform. Mass transit. Health care. Budget crises. The Olympics. Homelessness. Development issues. Fighting Big Oil. Whether you agree with what he did or not, there is no denying that he left a huge impact on Los Angeles, defining the place it is today.

Nearly a decade after leaving office, Zev has published his autobiography, titled  “Zev’s Los Angeles: From Boyle Heights to the Halls of Power.” It is a great read -- a  vital, colorful, textured history of the past half century.  In this episode, Mike talks at length with Zev about the book, and gets him to share some of the book's best stories.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

The Los Angeles Times assigned dozens of reporters, editors and columnists to cover the story.  The staff of the paper won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News for its coverage of the story. In this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles, I talk about the story and how the paper covered it with two members of that award-winning team: Ben Oreskes, one of the reporters who covered the story - in fact the reporter who called me about the tapes and; Steve Clow, one of the editors who directed the coverage.

L.A. council members made racist comments in leaked audio. LAT full coverage

LA Times/Fox 11 Town Hall on the Fed Tapes

Ben Oreskes now covers state and national politics for the Times. You can find out more about him, and how to contact him here.

Steve Clow is assistant managing editor for California projects and innovation at the Los Angeles Times.  You can find out more about him, and how to contact him here.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Barrington Plaza residents sue owners over alleged misuse of state law for mass evictions: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-06-14/barrington-plaza-residents-sue-owners-over-misuse-of-state-law-for-mass-eviction

The mass evictions at Barrington Plaza will happen again if L.A. doesn’t act to protect renters: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-05-18/mass-evictions-barrington-plaza-renters-decarbonization-protections

They face L.A.’s largest eviction in years. But these Westside renters won’t go quietly: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-26/westside-renters-barrington-plaza-mass-eviction

Fire-plagued apartment complex to remove tenants for sprinkler retrofit: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-08/fire-plagued-apartment-complex-to-remove-tenants-for-sprinkler-retrofit

In a Westside council race, a major landlord’s $400,000 donation causes a stir:  https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-10-12/westside-council-landlord-donations

Coalition for Economic Survival:  https://www.cesinaction.org/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Knock LA: Proud Boys and Others Descend on Glendale Unified School District

Sean's coverage of the protests at Saticoy Elementary School:

Sean's coverage of the protests in Glendale:

Joey's coverage of the right-wing players at the demonstrations:

IMPORTANT STATEMENTS

Statement from GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society,  Southern California Armenian Democrats, Armenian-American Action Network: https://www.galasla.org/post/in-response-to-the-recent-events-in-los-angeles-area-schools

Jackie Goldberg Speech: "Fear is not our Friend. Love is."

Statement from Glendale Unified School District Parents for Public Schools:  (LINK)

Statement from Glendale Mayor Dan Brotman: https://twitter.com/MyGlendale/status/1666837632930947072

ORGANIZATIONAL LINKS
GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society

Southern California Armenian Democrats

Armenian-American Action Network

Glendale Unified School District Parents for Public Schools

The Real Jordan Henry


Sean Beckner-Carmitchel
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram

Joey Scott
Twitter
Instagram
Web

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Both progressives and conservatives agree we need an alternative to always calling the police. People usually at odds are in consensus that we need an unarmed response to non-violent emergency calls.  What would that look like and how would it operate?

In Denver,  they have created a tremendously successful and popular model. Denver STAR routinely and safely provides a mobile, civilian response to emergency calls about people experiencing problems related to mental health, depression, poverty, homelessness, and/or substance use issues. In this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles, Mike talks with two people deeply involved in the success of the Denver STAR program : Andrew Dameron, the director of the city's 911 system; and Chris Richardson, the associate director of clinical services for Wellpower, the region's mental health services agency.

If you'd like to learn more about the Denver STAR program,  you can visit the following sites, or email Andrew or Chris directly:

City of Denver
https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Public-Health-Environment/Community-Behavioral-Health/Behavioral-Health-Strategies/Support-Team-Assisted-Response-STAR-Program

Wellpower
https://www.wellpower.org/star-program/

Andrew Dameron - Andrew.Dameron@denvergov.org
Chris Richardson - chris.richardson@wellpower.org

News Stories:

Study: Denver's STAR police-alternative program lowered crime and costs

How 911 dispatchers decide between mental health vs. police response

STAR Program Expanding to Meet Demand for Services

Denver STAR presentation to Los Angeles City Council (4/14/23):

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Feb. 25: 'This is scary, boss': Jurors hear ex-Los Angeles Councilman Huizar's covert bathroom meeting

Feb. 22: 'Your Honor! This is proper!' Harland Braun gives his opening statement in ex-L.A. deputy mayor Raymond Chan's federal corruption trial

Feb. 21: Trial begins today in ex-L.A. deputy mayor Raymond Chan's federal corruption case. His attorney has already angered the judge.

Meghann's LA Magazine coverage:
Ex-Los Angeles Councilman's Covert Bathroom Meeting Heard at Trial
https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/jurors-hear-ex-los-angeles-councilman-huizars-covert-bathroom-meeting/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Website: https://www.isaacforthevalley.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isaacforthevalley
Twitter: @IsaacKim4LA
IG: @isaackim4la/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Website: https://votedouglas.com/
IG: @votedouglas

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Time is running out. If you need help figuring out how to vote on this very crowded ballot, we've got you covered on this weeks's edition of What's Next, Los Angeles.

Xanthe Scheps joins Mike to talk about his endorsements of progressive candidates and ballot measures in the City and County of Los Angeles, as well as some recommendations for key state races.

Still need some background to decide how to vote? Check out these voter guides and other handy links:

Mike's Voting Guide

Erin Darling & Traci Park: A World of Difference

Blue Voter Guide (enter your voting address and find out all the progressive endorsements in your local races.)

LA Times endorsements

Knock LA Progressive Voter Guide

Hertzberg's Pro-Oil Rant

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Editorial: Alex Villanueva, L.A.’s loosest cannon and pettiest cop https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-09-16/villanueva-kuehl-search-warrant

A Tradition of Violence: The History of Deputy Gangs in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: https://knock-la.com/tradition-of-violence-lasd-gang-history/

Dozens of Sheriff Villanueva’s donors received permits to carry guns in public https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-09-15/sheriff-villanueva-donors-concealed-weapons-gun-permits

‘We’re terrorized’: LA sheriffs frequently harass families of people they kill, says report https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/04/los-angeles-sheriffs-harass-families-of-victims-report

Sheriff Villanueva Continues To Defy Subpoena And Refuses To Testify At Hearing On Alleged Deputy Gangs https://laist.com/news/criminal-justice/sheriff-villanueva-subpoena-continues-to-defy

California attorney general launches civil rights probe of L.A. County Sheriff’s Department https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-22/attorney-general-civil-rights-investigation-los-angeles-sheriffs-department

 Claim alleges Sheriff Villanueva directed cover-up of deputy kneeling on inmate https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-25/deputy-force-kneeling-cover-up-claim

 Vanessa Bryant: ‘I’m willing to go through hell and back to get justice for my husband and daughter’ https://www.courthousenews.com/vanessa-bryant-im-willing-to-go-through-hell-and-back-to-get-justice-for-my-husband-and-daughter/

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

Keep LA Housed on Twitter: @KeepLAHoused
Public Counsel on Twitter: @PublicCounsel
Greg Bonett on Twitter: @gsbonett

7 Things Los Angeles Can Do To Protect Renters and Prevent Homelessness

1. Expand just cause eviction protections to cover all tenants 
2.  Prohibit family separations
3. Enact permanent limits on evictions for failure to pay rent.
4. Reduce allowable rent increases allowed under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
5. Require relocation assistance for non-RSO tenants displaced by large rent increases.
6. Adopt a codified right to counsel 
7. Adopt the Fair Access for Renters package to remove discriminatory barriers to housing.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

 In this episode, Mike talks with people with lived experience with homelessness and shared housing: Natasha, who currently lives in shared housing after being homeless in Los Angeles; Sarah Gabriel, a former resident of shared housing managed by SHARE! (Self-Help and Recovery Exchange), who now works as a peer bridger for the agency, and Jason Robison, SHARE's executive director.

 The Culver-City based SHARE! the Self-Help And Recovery Exchange (SHARE!), has been getting people off the streets quickly since 2005 with a model of shared housing called Shared Recovery Housing — a nationally-recognized and evidence-based treatment. 

 Shared Housing: A Faster, More Cost-Effective Solution to Homelessness (Mike Bonin)

Increasing Housing Options for Homeless Populations Through a Shared Housing Approach (HUD)

Shared Housing as a Solution for Single Adults (National Alliance to End Homelessness)

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

With homeless people as an audience, federal judge brings L.A. officials to skid row - LA Times

'Extraordinary' homelessness hearing held in LA's Skid Row - ABC News

LA City Councilman blasts city, county as 'structurally incapable' of responding homelessness - KNX Radio

A Path Toward Progress: Why Los Angeles Needs a Consent Decree - Mike Bonin

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

With homeless people as an audience, federal judge brings L.A. officials to skid row - LA Times

'Extraordinary' homelessness hearing held in LA's Skid Row - ABC News

LA City Councilman blasts city, county as 'structurally incapable' of responding homelessness - KNX Radio

A Path Toward Progress: Why Los Angeles Needs a Consent Decree - Mike Bonin

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.

What's Next, Los Angeles? is produced and hosted by Mike Bonin, in partnership with LA Forward.