California in Focus

America's Talking Network
  • 5.0 (9)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
California in Focus

The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of California from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.

  1. 2D AGO

    CA spent $37B on homeless, lacks results data; $13B possibly spent on outsiders

    (The Center Square) - The California Legislative Analyst’s Office says the state has spent $37 billion on homelessness since 2019 and undercounts the homeless. It also urges delaying one of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s key programs until data proves its effectiveness. A 2023 UC San Francisco report found 34% of homeless individuals in California are not from California, meaning state taxpayers may have covered $12.6 billion since 2019 on homeless spending for individuals from other states or nations.

    7 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Newsom orders state return to office, noting custodial staff already in everyday

    (The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state employees to return to the office four days a week by July 1, 2025, noting that state offices’ custodial, janitorial, and maintenance staff — and much of the public — are already working in person every day. The governor also ordered the state’s human resources department to make it easier for the state to hire former federal employees who may have been impacted by recent federal cuts.

    5 min

  3. FEB 28

    California bill restricts self-defense, ends crime-stopping protection, mandates ‘retreat’

    (The Center Square) - California lawmakers have proposed a bill restricting self-defense, mandating “retreat,” ending crime-stopping protections and limiting force to what’s “reasonably necessary.” Bystanders intervening to protect others or stop crimes could face higher legal risks. Someone like New York’s Daniel Penny, for instance, might face conviction for holding down a dangerous individual. A Manhattan jury in December found Penny, whose attorneys said was acting in self-defense, not guilty of criminally negligent homicide.

    5 min

  4. FEB 28

    Newsom’s $40 billion fire aid request masks weak CA finances, primes NGO windfall

    (The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $40 billion fire aid request to Congress masks pre-fire budget woes and primes billions for nongovernmental organizations — largely government-funded groups providing government-type services. Going into the new year, California’s largest cities, including Los Angeles, were already in weak fiscal shape. Los Angeles City Controller Kevin Mejia said the city is “broke” and may soon be required to declare a fiscal emergency to make withdrawals from protected reserves after spending half of its reserves in the past year.

    8 min

  5. FEB 21

    Waiver allowing California gas car ban by 2035 poised for reversal

    (The Center Square) – With a Congressional review of California car and truck standard waivers approved by the Biden administration, Congress appears set to effectively quash three rules, including the 2035 gas car ban. The Environmental Protection Agency, led by Administrator Lee Zeldin, said it is following the law in sending the waivers. Twelve states and the District of Columbia would be subsequently impacted.

    7 min

  6. FEB 20

    California sued over ban on political or religious meetings at work

    (The Center Square) - A California think tank is suing the state over a law that bans employer-mandated meetings that share the employer’s opinion on religious or political matters, saying the rule violates the First Amendment. The law’s proponents cited a Pittsburgh company that told its workers to clock in to work the day of a 2019 visit by President Donald Trump or lose pay — attendance at the event itself was “not mandatory” — as the rationale for its law.

    6 min

  7. FEB 14

    Border czar says FBI members seem to have leaked immigration operations to media

    (The Center Square) - Border Czar Tom Homan says information indicates the FBI may have leaked details of an immigration enforcement operation to the media, thereby “putting officers at risk.” He says the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the matter and may criminally prosecute the responsible individuals. “[The Attorney General’s office] has promised not only will this person lose their job and pension, but they will go to jail,” said Homan in a televised interview Monday on Fox, where he also noted the possibility of an “ambush” due to the leaking of operational details.

    8 min

  8. FEB 13

    Newsom signs 'Trump-proofing' lawsuit funding bills after meeting Trump, Congress for aid

    (The Center Square) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills authorizing $50 million in legal funding for lawsuits against the Trump administration and deportation defense of illegal immigrants. Newsom signed the bills after returning from Washington, D.C., to seek relief funding from Congress and the White House, puzzling Congressional Republicans who would have to vote to pass a federal aid package.

    8 min
See All (145)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The podcast bringing you the most important stories out of California from TheCenterSquare.com. Join us as we dive into the top headlines and provide insightful commentary and analysis.

Information

  • Creator
    America's Talking Network
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    145
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © America's Talking Network
  • Show Website
    California in Focus

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