The California Conversation

Our beloved Governor, Gavin Newsom, is threatening to redraw political district lines (ahem, cutting Republican seats) if Texas moves forward with its own redistricting plan backed by President Trump. But is this fair representation or pure political retaliation? In this episode, I break down what redistricting is, how gerrymandering works, why Texas and California are at odds, and why this fight could impact your voice in Congress...

Last week, an immigration raid at a farm in Camarillo led to hundreds of arrests and the rescue of migrant children. It’s no surprise that the raid sparked protests, gunfire, and national backlash. But the results of this raid go much deeper than just recent conversations around immigration policy – now there are serious questions of child trafficking, forced labor, and our state’s role in protecting children. We are going to get i...

This week, a judge ruled that SpaceX – Elon Musk’s rocket company – can sue a California state agency for political discrimination. Earlier in the year, a similar lawsuit was struck down by the court, so this is a big deal for SpaceX and Musk! What happened, what could this lawsuit mean for California regulators, and why does this matter for us?

Brand Partnerships Mentioned in Today’s Show:

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Happy Fourth of July! In this week’s episode, I take a deep dive into the Declaration of Independence and compare the colonists’ grievances with the British Crown to what we see happening in California today. From the explosion of unelected bureaucracies to the abandonment of public safety and parental rights, we explore how the very freedoms our nation was founded to protect are being quietly stripped away. Because the battle for ...

The world seems like it has just been falling apart the last few weeks! There have been massive protests about immigration, riots that posed major threats to law enforcement and to the city of Los Angeles as a whole, the calling in of the national guard, and a legal showdown between Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump. The chaos that has unfolded in California is the perfect example of people wanting to be heard – but doing so without tr...

Governor Gavin Newsom has implemented the most sweeping electric vehicle mandates in the country – aiming for 100% of new car sales by 2035 to be all electric. These mandates have left Californians concerned about the auto industry in our state and the ability to support such a massive shift in a short span of time. But the wins just keep on coming, with these mandates being officially struck down by Congress just a few weeks ago! ...

What happens when the state that promised 'healthcare for all' suddenly changes its mind? In a surprising turn of events, Governor Gavin Newsom is quietly walking back one of California’s most expensive — and controversial — progressive policies to pay for the healthcare of illegal immigrants. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and I’m breaking down the reasons for this change of heart, and exactly it means for our budget, our values, and...

Today, we’re celebrating a win — not just in policy, but for the safety of your family, your community, and your right to self-defense. Assembly Bill 1333 is dead, and it’s because people like you spoke up! This is what it looks like when public pressure works — and it’s exactly the kind of momentum we need to keep going. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are going to cover what happened with the bill, why it matters, and what it ...

Do you feel exhausted by the constant news cycle? Like every headline is another blow, every update a reminder of how much work there is still to do? I get it. The issues we’re up against in California — from government overreach to broken policies — can feel overwhelming. It’s heavy. And when change feels slow, or like it’s never coming at all, it’s easy to wonder if staying informed and engaged is even worth it. If you’ve felt th...

California residents are being warned to brace for massive spikes in gas prices over the next year due to the closure of two major refineries in the state. Why are these refineries shutting down operations, and how will it impact consumers? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are breaking down a full history of California’s legislative and regulatory environment around gasoline, the effects it will have on your life, and what our st...

The California Department of Education is waging a full-scale war on local school districts—suing, pressuring, and punishing those that refuse to teach controversial topics like gender ideology. Across the state, school boards are facing legal threats and massive fines for changing their curriculum in these subject areas. So, what does this power struggle really reveal? What is the state’s role in mandating curriculum? I’m your hos...

Oscar Eduardo Ortega killed two teenagers in a drunk driving incident and is set to be released from prison early after just three years of his sentence. His controversial case has sparked calls for new legislation, a conversation around California’s sanctuary policies, and even the involvement of the federal government. I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we are breaking down who this criminal is, what the handling of his case and re...

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new lawsuit against the Trump Administration this month – this time over the Administration’s recent foreign and economic policy decisions. What is behind this lawsuit and what ramifications could it have? Plus, what happens when one of the most powerful states in the country starts acting like its own diplomatic actor? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are digging into California’s escalating con...

Assembly Bill 84 has the potential to reduce school choice across California by making key changes to public charter schools in the state. Charter school communities and local advocacy groups are already calling on parents and teachers to speak out and oppose this bill. But what exactly would it change, and why should we care? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be covering the education landscape in our state, how this bill wo...

Ranchers in Point Reyes, California are being forced to close their operations after over 150 years of multigenerational farming practices. This raises serious questions about our state’s environmental priorities. How should we think about the impacts of farming practices on ecosystems, and why should everyone across California pay attention to what’s happening in Point Reyes? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we are diving into who ...

Erik and Lyle Menendez are notorious for the cold-blooded murder of their parents back in the 1980s. Now, the Los Angeles District Attorney and Governor Gavin Newsom appear to be at odds – as the Governor seeks to commute the brothers’ lifelong prison sentence, while the DA seeks to block efforts for resentencing. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will dive into the details of this infamous case, recent developments in the case, a...

California’s Medi-Cal Program is facing a $6 billion shortfall for the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year. The situation is so dire that Governor Gavin Newsom has requested a loan from the state’s general fund to cover the expenses. But what’s most shocking about this is that the reason for the deficit is due to the state’s expansion of the program to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be e...

California has the highest homeless population of any state in the nation. Governor Newsom has poured over $24 billion dollars into solving the issue, yet the problem still persists. One city mayor is proposing a new solution, but it’s already receiving backlash. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we’ll be looking at the homelessness crisis across California, what approaches have been tried in our state so far, and principles for how ...