California Insider

If you’re a homeowner in California, you’ve probably noticed it’s getting harder—and more expensive—to keep your property insured. Even in low-risk areas, people are being dropped or pushed into the FAIR Plan, which was never meant to be a first option.

In this episode, insurance expert Stacy Korsgaden who’s spent decades in the industry, walks us through how we got here. From Proposition 103 to wildfire risk and delays in government action, she explains how a system meant to protect consumers has slowly made it harder for insurers—and homeowners—to stay in the market.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

Read the story 👉 https://www.theepochtimes.com/article/a-smoldering-problem-deep-underground-at-chiquita-canyon-landfill-5759324?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ocyoutube

An underground fire at a Los Angeles County landfill has been quietly burning since 2022, releasing toxic gases into nearby neighborhoods. Residents near the Chiquita Canyon Landfill report chronic symptoms—including nosebleeds, skin rashes, and a rise in cancer diagnoses—while officials continue to monitor the site.

In this episode, Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo joins us to discuss the health concerns, the state’s response, and what this may reveal about California’s broader approach to waste management and public health.

“People are getting cancer. They can’t sell their homes. Their kids can’t go outside. And we still haven’t declared a state of emergency,” said Assemblymember Schiavo, who has called for relocation support and stronger intervention.

Dr. Bill Releford has spent more than three decades working to prevent diabetic amputations—a complication that affects thousands across California and hits some communities harder than others. In this episode, he joins Siyamak Khorrami to explain how he brought health screenings into Black-owned barbershops, creating a model that helped save thousands of lives.

He also discusses how food access, medical mistrust, and chronic disease are reshaping public health in California—and how his LA County farm now supplies fresh produce to patients as part of their treatment. His journey connects medicine, community, and solutions that meet people where they are.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s podcast is raising eyebrows—especially as the 2026 election looms. In this episode, KABC radio host John Phillips joins us to discuss what Newsom’s move might signal, how media dynamics are shifting in the state, and what it could mean for key voter groups, including Latino and Asian communities. We also dive into California’s political power centers—from San Francisco to Los Angeles—and whether recent cracks in party dominance could open new paths in 2026.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Sewage from Tijuana has shut down one of San Diego’s most popular beaches for over 1,000 days. The contamination is now threatening Navy SEAL training areas, local businesses, and California’s coastal environment. But despite years of warnings, there’s still no long-term fix in sight.

In this episode of California Insider, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond explains the real cause behind the pollution, why expanding wastewater treatment plants may not solve it, and what’s holding up cross-border solutions. We also examine the potential Superfund designation and what it would mean for federal cleanup efforts.

Plus, we turn to another risk along the coast: spent nuclear fuel stored at San Onofre, just steps from the ocean. With no national storage plan, California may be stuck with long-term nuclear waste—raising new concerns about safety, infrastructure, and federal responsibility.

California’s refinery network is shrinking. Phillips 66 is shutting down its LA refinery, and more closures may follow. But what happens when we lose domestic refining capacity with no clear plan to replace it?

Skip York, Chief Energy Strategist at Turner Mason & Company and Nonresident Fellow for Energy and Global Oil at Rice University’s Baker Institute, joins California Insider to explain how this shift could leave the state more dependent on foreign imports. We explore what California’s fuel future could look like, why state-run refineries may not be the solution, and whether a quiet policy alternative—state-backed fuel importing—offers a more practical path.

A new federal investigation is raising questions about a California law that limits when schools can notify parents about a child’s gender identity. Erin Friday, a Bay Area attorney and parent, joins California Insider to explain what AB 1955 means in practice, how it intersects with federal law, and why some school policies may be putting state funding at risk. As new executive orders emerge at the federal level, this episode explores what’s at stake for parents, students, and California’s public education system.

California, long a hub for Big Tech, is now at the center of a growing push to protect kids online. In this episode, Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal joins California Insider to explain why he's calling for stronger safeguards. Drawing on his background in tech and his role as a parent, he discusses how social media is changing childhood—and what role lawmakers should play.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

California’s commercial real estate market is cracking—quietly but deeply. Office towers are half-empty, warehouses are overbuilt, and lab space demand has vanished. In this episode, real estate expert David Marino reveals what’s really happening behind the data and why California could be the signal for the rest of the country.

In San Francisco, small business owners are increasingly left to face crime on their own. Hrag Kalebjian runs Henry’s House of Coffee, a third-generation shop in the Sunset District. Despite filing a restraining order and calling police multiple times, he’s been left to deal with the thefts on his own.

His experience isn’t unique. Many San Francisco business owners are seeing the same shift: rising lawlessness, limited enforcement, and growing frustration. In this episode, Hrag shares what it’s like to protect a family legacy under these conditions, how he transitioned from corporate finance to carry on his father’s work, and why—despite everything—he still hasn’t given up on the city… at least not yet.

Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.