Podcast

Capitol Weekly Podcast: Mike Madrid

Political strategist Mike Madrid at his Sacramento office. (Photo: Tim Foster)

Capitol Weekly chats with veteran GOP strategist Mike Madrid, who offers his thoughts on the impact of the Latino vote in the 2016 election — and how and why the ‘sleeping giant’ failed to deliver for Hillary Clinton. While the numbers this cycle were good nationally for Donald Trump, and for Democrats in California, Madrid has cautionary words for both parties moving forward.

News

California vs. Trump: Angst in higher education

Students at a graduation ceremony at Santa Monica City College. (Photo: American Spirit, via Shutterstock)

In an effort to reassure thousands of worried young people, leaders of California’s enormous system of public and private higher education are setting it on a potential collision course with the incoming Trump administration. The California defiance has intensified and become more formalized since Donald Trump indicated he will appoint Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, an avowed hard-liner on immigration, as his attorney general.

Podcast

Capitol Weekly Podcast: Tim Clark

Political strategist Tim Clark, who headed Donald Trump's campaign in California.(Photo: Tim Foster)

Capitol Weekly sits down with Donald Trump’s man in California, Tim Clark. Clark ran Trump’s west coast operation out of his Auburn, California offices, directing thousands of volunteers and staff. One and a half million phone calls later, Donald Trump was the winner of the 2016 election. Clark talks about his work on the Trump campaign and his next steps as he heads to Washington, D.C., to work on the transition.

Analysis

A deep dive into Proposition 54

The state Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: Feoktistoff, via Shutterstock)

By approving Proposition 54, California voters decided to shine a spotlight on the Legislature’s internal proceedings. It’s seemingly straightforward, but Proposition 54 leaves unanswered key questions of timing and transparency that will have to be resolved.

News

State targets ‘bubble boy’ syndrome

Young David Vetter, who died from severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) in the 1990s. (Photo: Biotechnology and Society)

California’s stem cell agency is ready to award $20 million on Thursday to a UCLA researcher to assist in his 30-year search for a widely available cure for what has come to be known as the “bubble boy” syndrome– severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID).

News

In CA, some winners and losers

A political rally during the spring in Santa Monica. (Photo: Joseph Sohm)

It’s all over and, with a few exceptions, it will stay that way for two more years. But like any other public event, ranging from bridge tournaments to the Super Bowl, there were winners and losers. Here’s our take on who came out winners and who lost in the 2016 general election.

News

Delta tunnels: A steady trickle of progress

An aerial view of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. (Photo: Jeffrey T. Kreulen)

Gov. Jerry Brown’s massive Delta tunnels project is moving forward through a series of state and federal environmental reviews. But it still faces an array of major hurdles including public opposition, financing and approvals by state water contractors. The $15 billion project, known as California Water Fix, is on track to finish the environmental reviews by the end of the year.

Analysis

Trump a helpmate to CA’s stem cell agency?

A human DNA complex. ((Illustration, Shutterstock)

Donald Trump’s victory last night, oddly enough, could be good news for the future of the California stem cell agency. It could be George Bush all over again.

News

State election marks cultural shift

Californians who thought Tuesday’s election would mark a dramatic change in the state’s culture and social fabric were right – half right. Anti-death penalty forces believed Election Day would be a game-changer. Nope. Marijuana advocates thought the same. Yep.

News

Prop. 60: Condoms’ hard battle

A camera ready for lights and action. (Billion Photos, via Shutterstock)

Strange bedfellows: The Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties in California all oppose Proposition 60, a measure aimed at blocking unprotected sex in adult films. But the condom requirement is only part of the opposition. They also see enforcement problems, leaving the performers vulnerable to lawsuits and privacy violations.

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