Inside the Issues: The Podcast

This week, Council member Katy Young Yaroslavsky lost her bid to block a controversial development in Benedict Canyon.

And on Mother's Day, Los Angeles political firebrand Gloria Molina died after a battle with cancer. Her influence has left its mark in City Hall and in the community that continues to mourn the trailblazer.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani discuss her political legacy and why her purity made her so special.

And a look at why LA Mayor Karen Bass is unconcerned that the City Council is weighing in on her budget. Bass also traveled to Sacramento to lobby for more money for her homelessness budget.

Then, Gov. Gavin Newsom's explanation of why the state budget has grown to $31.5 billion.

And former LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is back as ambassador to India. He sent his first dispatch from India and it was pure Eric Garcetti.

After an extended absence, Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned to the Capitol this week in a wheelchair. Should she walk away from the Senate?

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani wonder if the legendary legislator is way too far past her prime.

Feinstein's return happened during a pretty big week for the Biden administration, when Title 42 and the COVID-19 public health emergency are set to end.

The Biden-Harris campaign also announced its 50-member board, including eight Californians. Notably missing from the list is Feinstein.

It's also budget season and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has been getting some pushback on hers from the City Council.

And things got a little spicy on Cinco de Mayo when Councilman Kevin de León gave a presentation that got disrupted by a protester, who had a knife.

A recent Los Angeles Times report estimated that SoCal's snowpack level is at 254% above normal and most of the state is no longer in a drought. But what will happen when the temperatures warm?

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" co-host Sara Sadhwani and climate guru Dr. Michael Mendez look at a looming problem: the inevitable consequences of a melting mass of mountain snow sliding onto SoCal.

They also dive into the intensifying Los Angeles City Council District 14 race to replace Council member Kevin de León, who has been roiled by controversy following the leaked racist tape scandal.

This week also marked May Day, also known as International Workers' Day. They break down how the labor movement is also embracing the mitigation of climate change, since farmworkers are being disproportionately impacted.

It's official. President Joe Biden announced his reelection bid this week.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani discuss all the California angles, including the Californians running against him and Gov. Gavin Newsom's Biden endorsement. Could Newsom's allyship pay off?

Loyalty is a word usually not associated with politicians, except if that politician is Biden — just ask Eric Garcetti.

Then, allies form in Sacramento in the debate over fentanyl in an attempt to curb its use.

And taxpayers spent $400,000 on security at City Hall in the wake of the leaked racist conversation. Was that too much?

In Orange County, the election shuffle continues with Harley Rouda bowing out of the congressional race. Who is still in the running?

Los Angeles is not where it should be, but a new LA is possible. That was the message that Mayor Karen Bass delivered during her first State of the City address.

A day later, Bass announced her $13 billion city budget, which includes a push to hire more LA Police Department officers. She described it as an investment.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani break down Bass' announcements.

Then, they discuss how the city, LAPD and police union are spinning the "undercover cop" scandal, which began when the LAPD released police officer information to a journalist and it was published.

And the latest on the political musical chairs.

It was a messy week in SoCal politics at the national level with calls for Sen. Dianne Feinstein's resignation. And locally, some were not happy with the Los Angeles City Council appointing Heather Hutt to complete the remainder of the term of former Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani delve into the council races, where one will get a special election but not Council District 10.

They also discuss LA Assemblyman Miguel Santiago's announcement that he will seek to unseat embattled Councilman Kevin de León.

Then, they break down the accusations of workplace harassment that LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia is facing.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani talk about the man, the myth, the convicted felon: enigmatic former Los Angeles politician Mark Ridley-Thomas.

And they discuss the future of District 10 and the potential for a special election and what it may cost the city to hold one.

Plus, Alex and Sara break down the latest results in the District 6 special election and preview what Friday's results could tell us.

Also, they talk about Gov. Gavin Newsom's new political action committee where he has pledged to boost Democrats in the reddest of red states ahead of the 2024 election in preparation for what could be a future run for president.

The bribery trial of former Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas continues as the LA Unified School District strike ended.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani look into the federal trial of Ridley-Thomas, who was charged with 19 counts of bribery and corruption.

And they discuss another council member, Hugo Soto-Martinez, who made a bold move this week by having the fence around Echo Park come down.

Plus, they break down the special election of council District 6 and the politics of the three-day LAUSD walkout.

This week officially marked the first 100 days of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in office.

Bass touted her homeless stats, but were they hopeful, or just hype?

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani discuss the impact she has had on the city so far.

And they look at the political implications of the LA Unified School District strike, which overshadowed Bass' 100th day when members of the Service Employees International Union Local 99 took to the picket lines amid stalled labor talks to demand a salary boost.

Then, former LA Mayor Eric Garcetti — who facilitated the end of the 2019 teachers' strike — finally got the votes to become the next United States ambassador to India following a long confirmation process.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is forgoing a typical State of the State address this year. Instead, he is opting for a statewide tour to highlight his major policy goals.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani break down Newsom's unique take on the address.

They also discuss the Los Angeles City Council District 6 special election to replace former President and Councilwoman Nury Martinez following her resignation amid the City Hall scandal.

Plus, President Joe Biden recently visited California to talk about international relations and gun control. Alex and Sara discuss the significance of Biden selecting the state.

And they chat about Ed Begley Jr. The actor is showing up all over the place from riding Metro to the Oscars to making political endorsements.