California Nation

By The Sacramento Bee

What's California Nation about?

The Sacramento Bee presents California Nation, your go-to source for the latest political news from the world's fifth-largest economy. Each show, we focus on what's happening way out West and how it could shape the national conversation.

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California Nation episodes:

03.28.2021
Confronting Sexual Harassment in California State Legislature
In this episode of California Nation, Sacramento Bee Opinion Editor Gil Duran talks with Samantha Corbin, Adama Iwu and Alicia - three of #WeSaidEnough's co-founders - about sexual harassment in the California State Capitol. How much has really changed since...
03.10.2021
California Recall: Should Gov. Gavin Newsom be worried?
In this episode of California Nation, Sacramento Bee Opinion Editor Gil Duran discusses the looming recall election with three political experts: Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School; Mike Madrid, a veteran Republican political consultant, and; Garry South, a...
02.23.2021
How one man said goodbye to Rush Limbaugh
Rusty Manseau was once Rush Limbaugh's #1 fan. But when he stopped paying attention to politics in disgust after President Barack Obama got re-elected in 2012, he experienced an unexpected change. California Nation host Gil Duran gets the scoop. Learn more...
01.24.2021
As COVID-19 spikes, government botches vaccine rollout
The botched rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine has created anger and frustration. Even if federal and state authorities manage to straighten out the vaccine distribution, they'll have to confront another problem: fear and mistrust that create "vaccine hesitancy" in some...
01.07.2021
Mike Madrid says 'Trumpism' just beginning
In this episode of the California Nation podcast, Sacramento Bee opinion editor Gil Duran speaks with California Republican Mike Madrid about the rise of 'Trumpism,' which will outlive Donald Trump's presidency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
12.18.2020
A Sacramento doctor speaks out on COVID-19 surge
Sacramento emergency medicine Dr. Alex Schmalz volunteered to go to New York City during last spring's COVID-19 surge. Now he's back in Sacramento as cases surge in California, and he has a message for those who don't take the virus...
09.24.2020
Do Gov. Gavin Newsom's climate actions go far enough?
In this episode of the California Nation podcast, Sacramento Bee Opinion Editor Gil Duran talks to climate activists and industry representatives to get their take on the governor’s bold announcement that California will ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by...
08.26.2020
California faces eviction tsunami, ponders wealth tax
In this week’s episode of the California Nation podcast, I talk to community advocates and legislators who say California must take urgent action to protect people from the economic fallout of the pandemic. Conversations with Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, and...
08.13.2020
Joe Biden Picks Kamala Harris for VP
In this episode of the California Nation Podcast, The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board discusses Biden’s history-making pick. What does Biden’s choice say about his strategy against Trump? Will Harris’ historic candidacy boost turnout among key voter groups? Will Trump’s attacks...
07.30.2020
Could California's Karen Bass be Joe Biden's vice president?
Most Americans don't know Rep. Karen Bass, but she's on Joe Biden's shortlist for vice presidential picks. The lifelong activist and former speaker of the California State Assembly speaks with Sacramento Bee Editorial Board members Marcos Breton, Gil Duran, Lauren...
07.22.2020
Can Gov. Newsom regain control of California's coronavirus crisis?
In his second year as California governor, Gavin Newsom finds himself dealing with an unprecedented crisis: the coronavirus pandemic. Despite early success in bending the curve, coronavirus infections, and COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, are now surging in California. What happened? What did...
07.15.2020
Will opening California schools during the coronavirus surge be a deadly mistake?
Despite a surge in coronavirus infections, some California schools are still planning to reopen. The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board speaks with Austin Beutner, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), about his decision to keep the state's largest...
06.25.2020
Did Sacramento Police need to kill Darell Richards?
Sacramento Bee California Opinion Editor Gil Duran and Executive Editor Lauren Gustus examine the case of Darrel Richards, a mentally-impaired 19-year-old Black man killed by Sacramento police in Sept. 2018. One witness, and an attorney for Richards' family, say the...
06.09.2020
Coronavirus: A Second Wave?
After a two-month coronavirus lockdown, Gov. Newsom is rushing to reopen the state. One medical expert says California has now decided to "fly blind." In this episode of California Nation, Sacramento Bee Opinion Editor Gil Duran interviews UC Berkeley epidemiologist...
03.07.2020
A quick update
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
02.27.2020
California's primary is approaching. Here's what to watch for
This week on the podcast, we're bringing you a conversation with Paul Mitchell, vice president of the bipartisan voter data firm, Political Data, Inc. Stories featured in today's show include: See where Democratic presidential candidates are campaigning in California Bernie Sanders criticizes California’s...
02.13.2020
Voting has begun in California. Does Michael Bloomberg have a shot?
Early voting is underway in California. Michael Bloomberg recently spoke to The Bee about his pathway to the Democratic presidential nomination and ties to the Golden State. For more information on how to vote, how delegates are assigned and how...
01.14.2020
Candidate Conversation: Joe Biden
In his first California interview since declaring his 2020 bid for president, former Vice President Joe Biden sits down for a taping of The Sacramento Bee's "California Nation" podcast. This week on the show, Biden discusses his approach to winning the...
01.02.2020
Candidate Conversation: Cory Booker
This week on California Nation, we sit down with New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker to talk about his pathway to the Democratic nomination, given his recent struggles to get onto the debate stage. He also discusses his ideas for making housing...
12.24.2019
Debate Rewind: Highlights from the LA Democratic debate
In the final episode of 2019, host Bryan Anderson shares the highlights from his trip to the Dec. 19 Democratic debate in Los Angeles. Top moments include Amy Klobuchar weighing in on California wildfires, Gavin Newsom evaluating the state of the...
12.12.2019
Who's benefiting from Trump's tax cuts law?
This week on the podcast, McClatchy DC reporter David Lightman joins the podcast to discuss his reporting about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Later on, Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, makes an appearance...
11.21.2019
Will California get its due in the 2020 primary?
California Democrats gathered in Long Beach recently for the state party's convention. With Joe Biden holding his first public rally in the area and a dozen Democratic presidential candidates on hand for the convention, we take a look at the...
11.07.2019
One year later, a look back at the Camp Fire
Today on the podcast, we're revisiting our conversation about the Camp Fire. Make sure to watch the documentary, "When Paradise became hell" by Alyssa Hodenfield. We'll be back in your podcast feed in a couple weeks with a new episode. Learn more...
10.24.2019
How far can California go on guns?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a package of bills to limit access to guns. Today on the podcast, we look into the issue and hear from advocates on both sides of the gun violence debate. Guests include Amanda Wilcox of...
10.10.2019
Michael Tubbs evaluates Stockton's universal basic income experiment
Stockton is giving people $500 a month, no strings attached. Here's how they're spending it. This week on California Nation, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs discusses the progress of the city's universal basic income experiment. Tubbs opposes Andrew Yang's plan to give...
09.30.2019
Candidate Conversation: Pete Buttigieg (Sacramento edition)
Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, made his first appearance on our California Nation podcast back in March. A lot has changed ever since. Months later, he is now polling neck-and-neck for fourth place in California with hometown Sen....
09.26.2019
Boy, that escalated quickly. Trump v. CA fight rages on
President Donald Trump has spent the last several weeks going after California on issues related to the environment and homelessness, as Gov. Gavin Newsom has pursued the president's tax returns. This week on the podcast, The Sacramento Bee dives into...
09.12.2019
Vaccines, gig workers, and rent caps, oh my
It's been an incredibly active year at the California Capitol. From vaccines to rent caps, lawmakers are scurrying this week to pass hundreds of bills ahead of a deadline to get it on the governor's desk. On this edition of...
08.29.2019
Candidate Conversation: Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is hoping a more pragmatic set of policy ideas will appeal to California voters. The 2020 Democratic presidential candidate spoke at the summer DNC meetings in San Francisco, and joined us shortly thereafter to make her...
08.01.2019
CA OKs law forcing Trump to release taxes to get on state's 2020 ballot
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Tuesday forcing President Donald Trump to release the last five years of his tax returns in order to get his name on the state's 2020 primary ballot, setting the stage for a...
07.18.2019
2020 Democrats want health care for undocumented immigrants. California's already doing it.
In the first Democratic presidential debate, 10 candidates were asked if their health care plans would provide health care insurance to undocumented immigrants. All of their hands went up. As the national conversation brews, it's worth highlighting what California has already...
07.08.2019
Candidate Conversation: Elizabeth Warren
Sen. Elizabeth Warren is running for president on a series of progressive policy proposals. Calling for free college tuition, decriminalizing border crossings and abolishing private health insurance, she's hoping her message will resonate with California voters. On July 3, Warren held...
06.20.2019
What's California doing about wildfires and PG&E bankruptcy?
After the Camp Fire killed 85 people, state lawmakers vowed to make wildfires a top priority. But after several months, little has been done. Over the next month, California is expected to come up with a plan to address ongoing...
05.23.2019
The Liberal List: How far to the left is California moving?
California Democrats have pushed the state further and further to the left. With Gavin Newsom as governor and President Trump in the White House, many lawmakers within the Democratic Party think there's still room for California to become even more...
05.09.2019
Candidate Conversation: Marianne Williamson
Author and spiritual leader Marianne Williamson has qualified for a spot on the Democratic debate stage by hitting 65,000 donors. She recently spoke with The Bee to discuss her vision for the county. For more information, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article229909459.html. Learn more about your...
05.09.2019
Candidate Conversation: Jay Inslee
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has qualified for a spot on the 2020 Democratic presidential stage. Running to combat climate change, he's hoping he can resonate with California voters. To learn more about Inslee, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/election/article229909509.html. Send show feedback to host Bryan...
05.02.2019
Candidate Conversation: John Hickenlooper
Democratic presidential candidate John Hickenlooper sits down for a one-on-one conversation. He insists he is progressive enough for California and discusses his views on marijuana legalization and gun violence. To learn more about Hickenlooper, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article229729999.html. Learn more about your ad...
04.25.2019
More people than ever are dying in California jails
For months, Jason Pohl and Ryan Gabrielson have been investigating inmate deaths in county jails. This McClatchy/ProPublica collaboration found that in-custody deaths have risen substantially since California began shifting responsibility for thousands of offenders from state prisons to county jails. For...
03.29.2019
Candidate Conversation: Pete Buttigieg
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg sits down for a conversation about his vision for the country and his political future. The 37-year-old South Bend, Indiana, mayor is the first candidate in modern history to be both openly gay and a...
03.19.2019
Candidate Conversation: Andrew Yang
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang sits down for a one-on-one conversation. He insists he is a viable contender because "the opposite of Donald Trump is an Asian man who likes math." On the show, Yang discusses his views on universal basic...
03.13.2019
Officers shot Stephon Clark. A debate over deadly force is now brewing in Sacramento.
In March 2018, two Sacramento police officers shot and killed Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man. Following the District Attorney's decision not to prosecute the officers, protesters took to the streets in opposition. Despite a largely peaceful protesters, Sacramento Police...
02.28.2019
Democrats are 'the enemy': CA GOP picks new leader
California Republicans flocked to Sacramento last weekend for the party's annual convention. The GOP selected a new leader, and questions remain about how Republicans can return to relevancy in the state. Later in the show, Sen. Dianne Feinstein makes the cut...
02.08.2019
Medicare-for-all, universal, single-payer: What exactly does Gavin Newsom want?
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ambitious goals for the state when it comes to health care. But what exactly is his vision for the state’s health care system? This week on the podcast, Bee reporter Sophia Bollag explains. Later in the...
01.24.2019
When Paradise became hell
The Camp Fire has taken the lives of 86 people and has put PG&E in financial peril. We take a look back at the most devastating wildfire in California history. Later in the show, Travis Allen discusses his campaign to...
01.10.2019
CA Democrats have lots of power. What will they do with it?
California Democrats will have historic majorities in the Legislature. But what will they do with it? Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate leader Toni Atkins discuss their plans. Later in the show, Congressman Adam Schiff discusses his plans for investigating President...
12.20.2018
Kamala Harris aide resigns over sexual misconduct claims
Questions are being raised about whether Sen. Kamala Harris knew about her aide's sexual misconduct claims. Harris denies having any such knowledge. Later in the show, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra discusses the state's ongoing lawsuits against the Trump administration....
11.15.2018
Blue wave hits California. What should Gavin Newsom do with it?
Movers and shakers in the world of California politics offer advice for Gavin Newsom, the state's next governor. Two political consultants also evaluate what the midterms mean for Republicans and Democrats going forward. Guests on today's show (in order of appearance)...
11.01.2018
48 hours in California's House battlegrounds
If Democrats want to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, they'll likely need to pick up a few seats in California. Orange County has become the epicenter for fierce and expensive congressional fights, as Republicans look to fend...
10.25.2018
Nuts! Walnut growers in trouble amid Trump's trade war
California walnut farmers could be the latest casualty in President Trump's escalating trade. Countries like China have retaliated with tariffs on agricultural commodities coming out of the United States. To address the problem in the walnut industry, Trump is giving...
10.11.2018
Inside California's ongoing DMV saga
State motor vehicle departments across the country are seeing rising wait times for customers. California's Department of Motor Vehicles has become the epicenter of a problem with long wait lines, as it struggles to implement new laws and modernize technology....

What's California Nation about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

California Nation episodes:

Confronting Sexual Harassment in California State Legislature

California Recall: Should Gov. Gavin Newsom be worried?

How one man said goodbye to Rush Limbaugh

As COVID-19 spikes, government botches vaccine rollout

Mike Madrid says 'Trumpism' just beginning

A Sacramento doctor speaks out on COVID-19 surge

Do Gov. Gavin Newsom's climate actions go far enough?

California faces eviction tsunami, ponders wealth tax

Joe Biden Picks Kamala Harris for VP

Could California's Karen Bass be Joe Biden's vice president?

Can Gov. Newsom regain control of California's coronavirus crisis?

Will opening California schools during the coronavirus surge be a deadly mistake?

Did Sacramento Police need to kill Darell Richards?

Coronavirus: A Second Wave?

A quick update

California's primary is approaching. Here's what to watch for

Voting has begun in California. Does Michael Bloomberg have a shot?

Candidate Conversation: Joe Biden

Candidate Conversation: Cory Booker

Debate Rewind: Highlights from the LA Democratic debate

Who's benefiting from Trump's tax cuts law?

Will California get its due in the 2020 primary?

One year later, a look back at the Camp Fire

How far can California go on guns?

Michael Tubbs evaluates Stockton's universal basic income experiment

Candidate Conversation: Pete Buttigieg (Sacramento edition)

Boy, that escalated quickly. Trump v. CA fight rages on

Vaccines, gig workers, and rent caps, oh my

Candidate Conversation: Amy Klobuchar

CA OKs law forcing Trump to release taxes to get on state's 2020 ballot

2020 Democrats want health care for undocumented immigrants. California's already doing it.

Candidate Conversation: Elizabeth Warren

What's California doing about wildfires and PG&E bankruptcy?

The Liberal List: How far to the left is California moving?

Candidate Conversation: Marianne Williamson

Candidate Conversation: Jay Inslee

Candidate Conversation: John Hickenlooper

More people than ever are dying in California jails

Candidate Conversation: Pete Buttigieg

Candidate Conversation: Andrew Yang

Officers shot Stephon Clark. A debate over deadly force is now brewing in Sacramento.

Democrats are 'the enemy': CA GOP picks new leader

Medicare-for-all, universal, single-payer: What exactly does Gavin Newsom want?

When Paradise became hell

CA Democrats have lots of power. What will they do with it?

Kamala Harris aide resigns over sexual misconduct claims

Blue wave hits California. What should Gavin Newsom do with it?

48 hours in California's House battlegrounds

Nuts! Walnut growers in trouble amid Trump's trade war

Inside California's ongoing DMV saga