California Insider

California has seen protests tied to events unfolding inside Iran. Inside the country, demonstrations show a level of organization and leadership absent from earlier waves, as authorities respond with force and communication shutdowns. We speak with Bijan Kian, an Iranian American activist closely following developments, about leadership linked to Prince Reza Pahlavi, the security and economic stakes for the United States, and what this moment may signal for Iran.

California’s electricity rates are far higher than most of the country, and that gap did not emerge from a single decision or moment. It developed over time as the state responded to real challenges, with effects that became clearer only years later.

In this episode, we speak with James Boyd, a former California Energy Commissioner. Drawing on decades of public service, he explains how the state arrived here, and how growing pressure on the grid may shape the choices ahead.

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

Long term property investment in Los Angeles is becoming more uncertain for small landlords, often leaving them with little choice but to exit the rental business. But what factors are making rental housing harder to operate, and what’s the impact of these landlords leaving LA?

In this episode, we discuss with Dan Yukelson, CEO of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, and Rich Kissel, a longtime property owner who exited the business, how current housing rules and operating realities are influencing rental conditions.

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 diversion law was designed to steer some defendants away from jail and into treatment. But when the same statute produces very different outcomes across the state, what determines how much risk the public is expected to accept? In this episode, Deputy District Attorney Matt Greco and San Francisco public defender Matt SotoRosen explain how the law works in practice and where its impact holds or falls short.

00:00 – Intro

01:50 – Serious Crimes Committed While in Diversion

05:33 – Alternatives to Diversion and the Cost of Incarceration

30:03 – Effectiveness of Diversion and Judicial Discretion

42:35 – Diversion and Its Impact on Public Safety

California reservoirs are above capacity after several wet years, yet water deliveries to farmers remain uncertain. High storage alone does not guarantee reliable supply, as the system for moving and allocating water continues to limit what reaches the fields. In this episode, we speak with sixth-generation California farmer Cannon Michael about how these conditions affect everyday farming and the broader future of agriculture in the state, and what direction California may need to consider to restore reliability to its water system.

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

Major rideshare companies are now routing more of their trips to regulated taxis in San Francisco, and that shift is changing how the city’s transportation system actually works. It comes down to cost pressure on the platform side and the steady coverage that commercial drivers provide. In this episode, we talk with Hansu Kim, longtime SF political consultant and Chairman of Flywheel. He walks us through why this move is happening and what it may set in motion for the city’s next phase.

State leaders want cities to allow far more housing near transit. Supporters see a needed shift while others question the practical outcome. In this episode we sit down with Tony Hall, former San Francisco supervisor, and Christopher Elmendorf, law professor at UC Davis. We look at what these changes could mean for San Francisco and how the policy meets the city’s real conditions.

RV encampments have become fixed parts of Los Angeles, especially in industrial areas where they sit for long stretches without intervention. What looks like a line of parked RVs carries real effects for the blocks around them, including steady waste and a growing pull on emergency crews. We discuss with Barry Coe, former Los Angeles city commissioner, about what keeps these RVs in place and how business owners stepped in when nothing changed.

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

Freight theft is rising in California and hitting the state’s supply chain in ways most people don’t see. Loads disappear with a level of planning that signals a shift in how these crimes are carried out. In this episode, Verisk CargoNet Vice President of Operations Keith Lewis and retired Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department cargo theft detective Gerardo Pachuca explain what’s driving this change and why California has become a focal point.

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

Silicon Valley has long been the launchpad for new tech companies, but conditions for young entrepreneurs are shifting. Starting and growing a company there now comes with limits that land much earlier than they used to.

In this episode, Aman Verjee, founder of Practical Venture Capital, walks us through how this shift took hold and what it could mean for the Valley going forward.