California Insider

Mark Baatz moved to Los Angeles from Canada in the 1980s and took a sales job at a small tow truck dealership run by his father and a partner. Over the next 37 years, he helped grow the business through recessions, legal setbacks, and a changing city. He built a team that stayed together, bought property, and worked to keep the business steady through uncertainty. This is a story about staying in business rather than scaling it, and what that kind of work requires in Los Angeles. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Voters thought Los Angeles’ mansion tax would target luxury home sales to help fund solutions for homelessness. In practice, it’s affecting a much wider range of properties, including apartment buildings and commercial spaces. Developer and urban policy educator Mott Smith explains how this is changing the real estate landscape in LA and what adjustments could help restore balance while still supporting public goals. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

For decades, California’s environmental law, CEQA, has made it harder to build housing, even in places where it makes the most sense. A new reform changes that. In this episode, land use attorney Dave Rand explains how the rules just shifted and why this could open the door to more housing in the communities that need it most. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

California’s Phillips 66 refinery will close this October, and Valero’s Northern California facility is expected to follow in 2026, reducing in-state refining capacity by 20 percent. USC professor Michael Mische examines how shifts in where California gets its fuel could affect local prices. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

American universities are known for their openness to global collaboration. But some partnerships may carry more than academic goals. In this episode, investigative journalist Joshua Philipp looks at how foreign-backed programs on U.S. campuses have intersected with national security concerns, from research funding to curriculum decisions. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

California has long been a testing ground for clean energy solutions like rooftop solar. State and local leaders promoted adoption to cut emissions and lower long-term costs. But recent policy shifts and rising expenses are changing the equation for homeowners. In this episode, Johnny Graham, CEO of Pacific United Power, explains what’s behind the change and what it means for those considering solar. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

As California pushes health care innovation, working through a system not built for individual care can be limiting. That challenge led pharmacist Nayan Patel to develop tailored treatments now helping patients across the state and in more than 10 countries. The path wasn’t simple. Each step along the way guided how he approaches care and what it takes to build something sustainable. This is his story. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

As California continues investing in clean energy, the gradual decline of in-state refineries is drawing attention. In this episode, a panel explores how this shift could influence long-term energy reliability and what solutions, both policy driven and independent, are emerging to help meet demand. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

A significant lithium resource, among the largest identified in the U.S., is gaining national attention as California works to secure more of its own battery material supply. In this episode, we explore with geologist Michael McKibben the promise of geothermal lithium extraction and its economic potential. Community leader Luis Olmedo shares concerns about the initiative’s impact on local communities and the risk of repeating historical oversights. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

In California, the cost of building affordable housing keeps climbing, with some units nearing $1 million to construct. At the same time, older developments are at risk of falling out of affordability as costs rise and protections expire, putting pressure on the system meant to support low-income residents. Tia Patterson, CEO of the California Community Reinvestment Corporation, lays out what’s driving these pressures and what it would take to build and preserve housing that meets people's needs. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

California has more than 39,000 idle oil wells, many of which pose environmental and financial risks if left unaddressed. While often treated as a burden, former state energy regulator Bill Bartling sees a missed opportunity. In this episode, he shares how a tech-driven solution could cut emissions and help stabilize the grid, but only if the state is willing to act. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

California is expanding a policy that lets homeowners build multiple ADUs on single-family lots, in some cases adding dozens of units where one home once stood. Officials say it’s a step toward easing the housing shortage. Others worry about what it means for infrastructure, privacy, and neighborhood character. This episode breaks down how the policy works and what’s unfolding on the ground. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Riots broke out in Los Angeles after federal immigration agents carried out enforcement actions in the city’s garment district. But what actually sparked the unrest, and why didn’t local law enforcement step in? Former LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva explains what’s happening and what’s at risk if the response doesn’t change. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

Tom Miller started his business in California with $700 and a clear view of what car dealerships needed but weren’t getting. He built a model that streamlined fragmented services and scaled it to 850 employees. In this episode, he reflects on the pressure, the cost of growth, and what kept him going. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

In California, some property owners return to find strangers living in their homes, and police often can’t remove them. The law doesn’t always distinguish between a squatter and a tenant. Jonathan Madison, Lead Attorney at The Madison Firm, explains how this legal gray area is playing out across the state and what might shift next. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

California’s next governor will face real, day-to-day problems that affect millions—housing, insurance, energy, and more. In this conversation, Democrat Mike Gatto and Republican Jim Reighaimer explore how the state’s open primary influences who makes it to the top—and what kind of leadership could connect in today’s California.

Many parents sense it: something’s missing in how we prepare young kids for real life. In this episode, we sit down with Sandy Stone, founder of Pretend City, a nonprofit in Orange County that has served over 2.4 million children and families. Built from the ground up using real neighborhood data, Pretend City offers hands-on experiences—from running a grocery store to visiting a doctor’s office—that help kids develop practical skills, empathy, and confidence before they even reach kindergarten.

A century-old sugar plant in California’s Imperial Valley is shutting down—marking a shift in the state’s farming economy. Gil Rebollar, Mayor of Brawley, shares how the closure is affecting his community—and how the rise of renewable energy is changing how land, water, and opportunity are managed across rural California. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The California Insider.

California recently became the world’s fourth-largest economy. In this conversation, State Treasurer Fiona Ma discusses the industries that are driving the momentum, the role of human capital, and how public investment is being used to meet the state’s evolving needs. She also addresses pressure points in agriculture, housing, and small businesses—offering a clearer view of where California stands today. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Ron Williams protected six U.S. presidents and some of the most high-profile figures in the world. But what did decades inside the Secret Service really teach him? In this conversation, he opens up about the moments that changed him—on duty, in loss, and in faith. Views expressed in this video are the opinions of the host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.