Inside the Issues: The Podcast

Hot on the heels of the Republican presidential debate in Simi Valley, all eyes turn to Anaheim, which is hosting the California Republican Convention. Among those attending is former President Donald J. Trump.

In this episode taped before the news of California Sen. Dianne Feinstein death was announced, “Inside the Issues: The Podcast” hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani break down the debate and name the winners: unfazed Trump and Gavin Newsom — and neither was at the Ronald Reagan Library.

Then, the race for LA City Council District 14 is also heating up with a lot of candidates, including incumbent Councilmember Kevin de León. De León, who did not resign after the leaked City Hall tapes, recently announced he will seek reelection next year.

And speaking of the tapes, Nury Martinez will tell her side of the story for the first time in a podcast with LAist.

On this week’s episode, GOP strategist and fundraiser Anne Hyde Dunsmore joins “Inside the Issues” podcast host Alex Cohen to break down the NPP (no party preference phenomenon) and how it is weakening the GOP.

As the gap between Democrats and Republicans grows, Dunsmore says some voters believe the two-party system can be the biggest obstacle to solutions.

Dunsmore breaks down the gender, age and income of those who choose NPP, and discusses the results of a recent poll that could give the GOP a glimmer of hope with voters as the 2024 presidential election kicks into high gear.

Former Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva, thrashed in his re-election bid, announces a run for a county supervisor.

"Inside the Issues" podcast hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani wonder whether he's motivated by public service or revenge on the supervisors who made his term one long political slugfest.

Also on this week's episode, LA City Council's redistricting commission and Alex talks to Republican presidential candidate Douglas James Burgum, who discusses what Californians can learn about the world of high-tech.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had a meeting of the minds this week at City Hall about homelessness. Along with other city mayors, they meet with Biden senior adviser Tom Perez.

Perez preached optimism, not futility, when discussing LA homelessness. When is a fed not a fatalist?

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani examine this "Kumbaya" attitude change and what it means for SoCal.

Plus, a look at new polls. One shows former President Donald Trump has a lead among Republican voters in California for the March 5 primary. The other looks at the Senate race heating up in California and shows Rep. Adam Schiff leading.

And the hot labor summer is now dragging into fall. This week, President Biden congratulated dockworkers on their contract, but what about all the other work stoppage?

Finally, the campaign of a politician running for office sent out the wrong photo of the candidate. How Kevin Sabellico reacted to the mess up and what it says about him.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass had a meeting of the minds this week at City Hall about homelessness. Along with other city majors, they meet with Biden senior adviser Tom Perez.

Perez preached optimism, not futility, when discussing LA homelessness. When is a fed not a fatalist?

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani examine this "Kumbaya" attitude change and what it means for SoCal.

Plus, a look at new polls. One shows former President Donald Trump has a lead among Republican voters in California for the March 5 primary. The other looks at the Senate race heating up in California and shows Rep. Adam Schiff leading.

And the hot labor summer is now dragging into fall. This week, President Biden congratulated dockworkers on their contract, but what about all the other work stoppage?

Finally, the campaign of a politician running for office sent out the wrong photo of the candidate. How Kevin Sabellico reacted to the mess up and what it says about him.

This week, former Supervisor and Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison, with the judge specifically saying they wanted to make an example out of him.

Ridley-Thomas dug in his heels with a statement before the sentencing, but was convicted anyway. "Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani take a look at the man who majored in ethics at USC, then was busted for an ethics violation in a case involving USC.

Then a sex trafficking bill introduced by state Sen. Shannon Grove in Sacramento is causing a kerfuffle with all sorts of LA implications.

Also, will the debate between Gov. Gavin Newson and Gov. Ron DeSantis actually happen?

And a look at how a political force in the San Fernando Valley is being honored for her work after being recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The first event of the 2024 presidential election cycle took place in Milwaukee. And California took center stage when participants brought up the topic of crime and safety. It happened on the same night a mass shooting in Orange County claimed the lives of four people, including the gunman.

The Republican debate, sans Donald Trump, had a lot of oratory, but was there any substance? “Inside the Issues: The Podcast” hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani break it down and talk the candidates’ strategy.

Then a discussion about the controversy surrounding LGBTQ youth that has protesters facing off over parental rights. It’s gotten so heated that just this week, a store owner in Lake Arrowhead was killed over a Pride flag. 

Finally, it’s been busy at City Hall. Last week, the Los Angeles City Council rejected LA City Controller Kenneth Mejia’s pick for the ethics commission and this week, they approved the LA Police Department contract.

There is now a fourth indictment against former President Donald Trump, and while it's all playing out in Georgia, there's a California connection: a former dean and professor at Chapman law school.

Trump attorney John Eastman, who was among the 19 indicted, does not want to be disbarred, and he does not want to be disgraced — will he be successful at either? "Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani breakdown this battle royale.

Then a look at the latest developments in the Bulgari hotel project that has divided neighbors who have concerns about its impact.

And they dive into the politics of a recent spate of smash-and-grab robberies in SoCal.

Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price returned to City Hall this week after being booked on corruption charges.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" host Sara Sadhwani and co-host Kate Cagle, who is filling in for Alex Cohen, discuss his return. Will he pay a price for his alleged transgressions, or will all be forgiven?

This week also saw the hot labor summer continue to heat up with LA city workers hitting the picket lines just like writers, actors and hotel workers.

And some new LA council members have gotten into trouble with activists, including Council member Eunisses Hernandez. She questioned whether preserving the home of Morris Kight would be the right move because of the city's housing crisis when the council debated its historic monument designation.

Some serious presidential politics are happening across Southern California. Former President Donald Trump announced he'll attend the GOP convention in Anaheim. The second GOP primary debate will take place at the Ronald Reagan Library. And the California GOP recently held a fundraiser for Kennedy scion Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The anti-mask and anti-vax Democrat stormed into the Southland seeking supporters and donators.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani analyze his campaign and wonder whether RFK Jr. can sway people.

And Los Angeles isn't the only SoCal city with corruption concerns. A look at what is going on in Anaheim and the allegations made regarding $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds.

Then, LA City Council members return from recess as the eviction moratorium ends. Could an eviction tsunami be on the way?

And even Taylor Swift's concerts at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood have gotten political. Some politicians, including Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, have asked Swift to postpone her shows in support of striking hotel workers.

While workers battle for wages on the ground, our representatives look to the sky - is it a bird, is it a plane, or is it a UFO?

California Rep. Robert Garcia was the leading Democrat on the subcommittee held on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. He said the American people deserved transparency.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani ask whether you believe. Do you believe the truth is out there? Do you believe those striking will get what they're asking for?

UPS workers already have, and they're on the verge of avoiding a strike. Their deal just needs to be ratified with a vote. But the hot labor summer continues, as hotel workers continue with a third wave of their strike that's having some unintended consequences.

This week, protesters showed up at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting just like they have at the LA City Council meetings. And a newly elected council member is calling for more decorum.

And finally, a former employee at the Federation of Labor is being investigated in connection with the City Hall leaked tapes.

Trouble at the border, trouble in the sheriff's office and trouble in Hollywood. The long hot summer has things sizzling in Southern California.

And it's been made even more complicated due to a memo that came from City Hall cautioning elected officials not to take sides.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" host Alex Cohen and guest co-host Kate Cagle break down the strikes and their impact on the city.

Plus, an explanation on why another bus of migrants recently arrived in Los Angeles. And the latest on the use-of-force incidents for which the LA County Sheriff's Department is under investigation.

Finally, a look at who won at the Echo Park Lotus Festival dragon boat races over the weekend.

Homelessness is up in the county and city of Los Angeles, according to the latest homelessness count. Host Alex Cohen recounts her trip to Portland that shed light on how bad the situation can get. Could LA be next?

She and "Inside the Issues: The Podcast" co-host Sara Sadhwani dive into the nitty gritty. Plus, what LA can do to avoid the same fate?

Then, the latest on the Skid Row Trust and the LA City Council District 6 special election.

Plus, how the Council avoided the timing of the certification by making Imelda Padilla a temporary member. And City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto avoids protesters.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" revisits a past episode with former Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin. He and his family were the targets of the vicious, racist City Hall recordings — he talks about their cause and effects.

It is that time of the year when lawmakers are trying to figure out what can be done with the money the state has.

A $32 billion, with a capital "B," deficit would terrify most politicians, but not Anthony Rendon — he's got this.

On this special episode, Rendon joins "Inside the Issues: The Podcast" host Alex Cohen to discuss the state budget, his journey to becoming a politician and why he is leaving his post as the assembly speaker after seven years.

Plus, what he's most proud of accomplishing.

Days after being voted as the new president pro tempore amid the latest Los Angeles City Hall scandal, Council member Marqueece Harris-Dawson joins "Inside the Issues: The Podcast" host Alex Cohen.

Harris-Dawson, who represents Council District 8, replaced Council member Curren Price. Price stepped down as president pro tempore after being charged with embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest.

On this special episode, Harris-Dawson opens up about whether racist prosecutors target Black politicians.

"It feels like we are being hunted," Harris-Dawson said.

It's been an extraordinary week in Southern California politics, with the fourth City Council politician facing criminal charges in four years.

Councilman Curren Price was charged earlier this week with 10 counts of embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani break down what it means for folks in District 9. Plus, why now and why are other local politicians saddened by the situation?

Plus, a look at the parallels with former President Donald Trump's indictment.

And the connection to the Council District 6 election, which has candidates Marisa Alcaraz and Imelda Padilla, who is currently the environmental policy director and deputy chief of staff to Price, running the spot vacated by former LA City Council president Nury Martinez.

Glendale school parents erupted and disrupted in protest outside the district's headquarters — all over a Pride proposal.

Last week, a similar situation happened in North Hollywood, where parents disagreed on what should and shouldn't be taught in schools.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani discuss the issues and ask why now and who should be responsible for teaching children?

Then, the immigration debate heats up again with the latest edition of Gov. Gavin Newsom vs. Gov. Ron DeSantis. Just this week, migrants seeking asylum were flown and dropped off in
Sacramento in a move indicating they were California's responsibility.

And more on the housing crisis with a string of eviction notices leading to growing concerns about a Skid Row receiver that city officials installed to oversee the buildings.

Plus, the Ad Hoc City Governance Committee's final public hearing at City Hall is happening Monday. It's the last opportunity for residents to weigh in on independent redistricting and increasing the size of the LA City Council.

"Don't agonize, organize!" That was the theme of the state Democratic Party convention held over the weekend in Los Angeles.

Nancy Pelosi was in town, and so were other U.S. Senate contenders. Adam Schiff, who is serious about being serious, let his inner comedian loose at the convention.

"Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani discuss the potential factors that voters may use to decide who will replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

And a major factor in the state's tourism industry is the disruption that Airbnb and Vrbo have caused by contributing to the housing crisis. They also break down new laws that might come down the pipeline regarding this hot topic.

Plus a look at the power of Asian American voters in Los Angeles City Council elections, and a look ahead at what is happening during Pride Month.

The Dodgers invited, then rescinded and then invited back the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an order of queer and trans nuns, after receiving backlash from local and national politicians chiming in.

Then, the Los Angeles City Council is all for an independent redistricting commission — as long as it reports to them. "Inside the Issues: The Podcast" hosts Alex Cohen and Sara Sadhwani break down the fight for control.

And the Council approved the city's budget with Council member Eunisses Hernandez being the lone vote saying no.

The "robot dog" was also approved by the Council with some members absent.

And the latest on luxury hotels, including the LVMH luxury hotel project that Beverly Hills residents voted on to decide its fate.