California Insider

A landslide in Rancho Palos Verdes was accelerating, moving up to 50 feet per year—far beyond its historical rate—tearing through homes and infrastructure. Former Mayor John Cruikshank explains how they managed to slow it down, the tough decisions involved, and what this means for California’s disaster response.

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

For years, San Francisco’s open-air drug markets have drawn people from across the country—some seeking help, others sinking deeper into despair. Recovery expert Cedric Akbar has lived it, fought to change it, and now watches the city struggle to turn the tide.

With new leadership and growing public pressure, will these changes finally turn things around?

California’s zero-emission truck mandate hit a major roadblock. High costs, infrastructure gaps, and legal challenges led the state to withdraw it. What does this mean for trucking, supply chains, and consumers? We sit down with Eric Sauer, CEO of the California Trucking Association, to examine the impact and what’s next.

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’s insurance market is at a critical juncture as an exodus of insurers from high-risk areas leaves homeowners with fewer options. Rex Frazier, CEO of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, explains the factors behind the crisis and the changes needed to keep coverage accessible.

"The insurance industry still believes that California wildfire is insurable," Frazier says. "We don't need special government programs to make that happen, even in the face of a hotter, drier climate."

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

Mark Johnson built a multimillion-dollar business from scratch, but instead of just enjoying the rewards, he chose to give back—through philanthropy, leadership, and education. His journey from overcoming hardship to shaping future leaders is one you won’t want to miss.

*Views expressed in this podcast are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the California Insider.

California’s population is growing again—but what does that mean for the economy? Innovation professor Marshall Toplansky analyzes the latest data, noting that while the numbers show an increase, the types of jobs being created raise important questions.

“The bigger problem in my mind are not the big macro numbers, it’s the quality,” says Marshall Toplansky, “When you peel those numbers apart and you look at the quality of, say, job creation, we’re not creating the kind of jobs that people can afford to live on here.”

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 has invested billions in rail projects, promising convenient access to public transportation for millions. In this episode, we sit down with Marc Joffe, a visiting fellow at the California Policy Center to discuss the real numbers and challenges behind transit projects across the state, from Bay Area expansions to L.A.’s Metro and high-speed rail. With costs rising and ridership declining, what does the future of public transportation look like?

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

MacArthur Park, once a historic landmark in Los Angeles, is now overrun by gangs, open-air drug markets, and fires threatening businesses daily. John Alle, a longtime property owner in the area, reveals what’s fueling the chaos and whether there’s a way to take back the streets.

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

As Los Angeles prepares to host the Olympics, billions in investment are set to reshape the city. But will these events bring lasting benefits or deepen displacement? We sit down with State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas to examine the impact on housing, transit, and wildfire recovery.

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

The cost of an average home in California is about $870,000. To afford a mortgage that includes taxes and insurance on such a home, a household would need an income exceeding $250,000 per year. However, the average household income in California is only $136,000. Some say prices or interest rates must drop, but others argue low supply will keep prices high. Our guest, Curt Pringle—former mayor of Anaheim and California Assembly Speaker—has spent decades observing issues with the state’s construction code.

“What the state has really done in these last couple of years is pass a lot of pieces of legislation that try to force housing, but then they tie things onto the legislation that almost make it impossible to use those laws to develop housing,” says Pringle.

Views expressed in this video/article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.