Stanley Zhong, a teen prodigy from Palo Alto, earned a 1590 on the SAT and built a secure code tool during the pandemic that later led to a job offer from Google. However, he was rejected by every University of California campus he applied to. In this episode, his father, Nan Zhong, explains why their family is challenging the college admissions process and what this means for other high-achieving students in California.

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

Assembly Bill 130 and Senate Bill 131 aim to speed up housing approvals by limiting the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in targeted areas. Former Costa Mesa Mayor Jim Righeimer explains how faster permitting could help ease delays, while also pointing to deeper pressures on infrastructure and housing costs that remain unresolved. He shares how these changes are showing up in local communities and where gaps in the broader response still exist.

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 prison system has been experimenting with rehabilitation for years. Programs like Zac Skow’s dog rescue work inside facilities to build trust and teach responsibility. But as Hector Bravo, a former correctional lieutenant, explains, drugs and gang control still run deep. This episode looks at where reform efforts meet resistance, and what that means for safety, staff, and the people inside.

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

Cleanup in LA’s fire zones has slowed to a crawl. The Army Corps finished its work, but half the burned lots are still sitting untouched. Homeowners are now on their own, facing blocked haul routes, limited permits, and rising costs. Some of the debris is being dumped in local landfills, triggering lawsuits and raising new concerns for nearby communities. In this episode, developer Elaine Culotti explains what’s been overlooked and what it will take to move forward.

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

Mark Baatz moved to Los Angeles from Canada in the 1980s and took a sales job at a small tow truck dealership run by his father and a partner. Over the next 37 years, he helped grow the business through recessions, legal setbacks, and a changing city. He built a team that stayed together, bought property, and worked to keep the business steady through uncertainty. This is a story about staying in business rather than scaling it, and what that kind of work requires in Los Angeles.

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

Voters thought Los Angeles’ mansion tax would target luxury home sales to help fund solutions for homelessness. In practice, it’s affecting a much wider range of properties, including apartment buildings and commercial spaces. Developer and urban policy educator Mott Smith explains how this is changing the real estate landscape in LA and what adjustments could help restore balance while still supporting public goals.

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

For decades, California’s environmental law, CEQA, has made it harder to build housing, even in places where it makes the most sense. A new reform changes that. In this episode, land use attorney Dave Rand explains how the rules just shifted and why this could open the door to more housing in the communities that need it most.

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 Phillips 66 refinery will close this October, and Valero’s Northern California facility is expected to follow in 2026, reducing in-state refining capacity by 20 percent. USC professor Michael Mische examines how shifts in where California gets its fuel could affect local prices.

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

American universities are known for their openness to global collaboration. But some partnerships may carry more than academic goals. In this episode, investigative journalist Joshua Philipp looks at how foreign-backed programs on U.S. campuses have intersected with national security concerns, from research funding to curriculum decisions.

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 has long been a testing ground for clean energy solutions like rooftop solar. State and local leaders promoted adoption to cut emissions and lower long-term costs. But recent policy shifts and rising expenses are changing the equation for homeowners. In this episode, Johnny Graham, CEO of Pacific United Power, explains what’s behind the change and what it means for those considering solar.

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