The California Conversation

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: AMALLO...

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 str...

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...

Quick show update! The show will be moving to Thursday mornings, and will be moving to video! Check out the show on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCaliforniaConversation And check back here this Thursday for this week's episode!

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...

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 me...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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, w...

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 diggi...

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 lands...

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 A...

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,...

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...

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 st...

Assembly Bill 1333 was introduced a few weeks ago as legislation that would change self-defense protections across California. But it has quickly garnered severe backlash over concerns like rising crime and physical safety. What would this bill do if passed, how would it change existing law, and should we support or oppose it? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be covering current self-defens...

Chad Bianco is Sheriff of Riverside County, and he just became the most prominent conservative figure to enter the race for Governor of California in 2026. Why is he running, what are his views, and does he stand a real chance as a conservative? And why should we care about an election that is still over a year away? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be diving into the state of the 2026 Cali...

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced an investigation into California’s high-speed rail project. But what is this project, and why is the federal government getting involved? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be diving deep into the details of the high-speed rail, where the project stands today, and all things governmental mismanagement, on this week’s episode of The California Conv...

In just the first month of his Presidency, the Trump Administration has issued numerous executive orders on hot topic issues like immigration, gender, and climate change. Many of the orders signed by President Trump are directly opposed to the policies in place in California. What impact do these orders have on our state? Who has the final say? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and I want to give you a...

The Palisades Fire displaced thousands of residents who are now wondering, what’s next? New regulations for affordable housing across LA county may make answering that question more complicated than many are hoping for. I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we will be covering everything from the development process to housing regulations and the impacts of affordable housing on this week’s episode of T...

Reproductive rights and abortion access were much debated topics of discussion during the 2024 Presidential Election. Since the overturning of Roe versus Wade, questions of what will be protected and what will be outlawed related to abortion have remained at the forefront of the national conversation. Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to protect abortion rights in California, but just what are the l...

California’s Attorney General filed a lawsuit against President Trump just one day into his presidency. The issue at the forefront of the debate? Birthright citizenship. But just what IS birthright citizenship and why is California getting involved? I’m your host, Tess Abraham, and we will be taking a deep dive into all things illegal immigration, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the impact on Califo...

Thousands of victims of the Palisades and Eaton fires were uninsured, leaving them completely devasted in the wake of losing everything. Insurance companies have been leaving California in what is being called a mass exodus over the past few years. Just what are their reasons for leaving? I’m your host Tess Abraham, and we’ll be talking all about the environment that California policy has created...