National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

Governor Gavin Newsom launches his 2024 presidential run with “Come to California” ads in Florida, campaigns to add abortion access to the the state constitution, signs a bill to decriminalize prostitution, will mail “inflation relief” payments to 23 million Californians just days before the November elections, approves state-funded insurance for illegal aliens, and violates the state’s travel ban with a “family trip” to Montana. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on gun rights so terrifies state AG Rob Bonta that his agency inadvertently leaks “protected” data on the state’s gun owners. USC and UCLA will depart the Pac-12 sports conference for the Midwest-based Big Ten. Music by Metalachi.

Will talks about rising violent crime with Michael Reynolds, a man with a personal connection to California’s landmark Three Strikes law. In other news: Entrepreneur Tom Manzo’s frustration with California’s war on business took him to a Supreme Court win in June. Music by Metalachi.

While California continues its long decline (on roller skates on ice), Governor Gavin Newsom boldly trolls Republicans on Truth Social; state Senator Scott Wiener promotes sex trafficking; and state lawmakers say they’ll investigate oil companies for price gouging, and then (irony!) raise the state gasoline tax. As Covid-19 hospitalizations plummet, the union representing state employees demands an end to in-person work . . . because of Covid. Bonus: The United Autoworkers, the New Left, and California state lawmaker Tom Hayden. Music by Metalachi.

Dems work overtime to discount the recall of San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin. In other news: Kamala Harris, John Eastman, the Bacon Apocalypse, unclean energy, LA Times reporter John Myers, Wiener Watch, Korean BBQ, Liberation Theology, Stanford in the college baseball World Series, Golden State Warriors, and more. Music by Metalachi.

It’s Election Day in the Golden State! California’s official reparations study is in, shot through with self-contradiction and recommendations for failed policies. The Left’s miserable treatment of Trump's trade adviser, Peter Navarrao, will help the Right. Join the millions who have no idea that — right now! — VP Kamala Harris is running the “important” Summit of the Americas in LA. Gavin Newsom says California’s gun regulations “work every day” to reduce violence even as murders peak. Internal documents from the California Teachers' Association reveal a union in decline. The Service Employees International Union is working to end the state’s constitutional initiative process — but only when conservatives win. Music by Metalachi.

California’s 20-year-old red-flag system was supposed to keep guns out of the hands of violent people. Its documented failure should be a warning to all Americans. In the wake of the Texas school shooting, California’s teachers' unions continue their call to defund police. Why do California’s firefighters support politics that risk lives? In a two-bishop race for cardinal, Pope Francis elevates a progressive archbishop from San Diego over a conservative San Francisco archbishop who wanted to keep Nancy Pelosi from Communion. Late-breaking: Attorney Michael Avenatti sentenced to prison for defrauding Stormy Daniels. Music by Metalachi.

The little-known story of how Berkeley got its name. The three things Elon Musk hates about California. LA mayor Eric Garcetti turns to his mom and dad for help with India ambassadorship. Why the people of Portugal wish Californians would go home. Netflix cancels Ibram X. Kendi. Poetry alert! A Sacramento blackout plunges the legislature into darkness as lawmakers push California’s all-electric future. Music by Metalachi.

David and Will dive into the state’s June primary ballot with political insider Jon Fleischman. In other news: an FBI investigation into political corruption in Anaheim, Representative Eric Swalwell misfires in Orange County church shooting, the Ninth Circuit says California can’t force corporations to include women on their boards. Music by Metalachi.

Increasingly focused on building his national reputation, Gavin Newsom offers subsidies to companies moving to California from pro-life states. San Francisco's DA announces a big anti-crime win even as polls show voters will recall him. A state judge throws out a law requiring California-headquartered companies to include board members from “underrepresented communities.” California’s population slid for the second consecutive year, and the always-helpful New York Times can’t say why. Music by Metalachi.

Gavin Newsom seizes on a draft SCOTUS decision on Roe as an attack on women’s rights, upending his prior belief that “women” as such do not exist. The governor orders the strictest-ever limits on residential water use -- even as state Coastal Commission staffers work to kill desalination. Dave Chappelle's crew manhandle (person-handle?) his Hollywood Bowl attacker. Bonus! On May 8, 1945, Americans thrilled to a radio celebration of Victory in Europe by Norman Corwin, the father of the Golden Age of Radio who would go on to train a generation of journalists at USC’s Annenberg School. Music by Metalachi.