California
California
There’s inflation – and then there’s Gavin Newsom’s grade inflation
Democrats running for governor in California have said in recent debates that Gavin Newsom deserves high grades for his performance –– mostly B’s, and even A’s. To many Californians, that sounds like grade inflation. Nearly one in five Californians are considered poor –– the highest rate in the country –– ...
California
Newsom’s $19 Million Ad Campaign Can’t Polish California’s Image
It’s going to take a lot more than a $19 million advertising blitz to make people forget about California’s problems. Governor Gavin Newsom, who is known to love “big, hairy, audacious goals,” recently hired the communications powerhouse Edelman to rehab the Golden State’s image, which, in Newsom’s telling, has been ...
Blog
What Gavin Newsom Accidentally Admitted to Ben Shapiro
The conversation offered a chance to see how the governor responds when pressed by a critic. One of those moments came when Shapiro challenged Newsom’s office calling ICE operations in Minnesota “state-sponsored terrorism.” Shapiro pointed out that whatever people think about federal immigration policy, ICE officers are not terrorists. Language ...
California
The Real Cost of Coexistence: How Wolf Policies Are Failing Western Ranchers
Key Takeaways There are nearly 3,500 gray and Mexican wolves scattered across the western United States. Every time cattle are eaten by wolves, taxpayers reimburse ranchers for their losses. Depending on the state, that reimbursement can cost anywhere from $500 to $15,000 per animal. Ranch income is negatively impacted by ...
California
Watch PRI’s interview with Rick Caruso – one year after the wildfires
In this special Free Cities Center interview, Rick Caruso – founder and executive chairman of Caruso, longtime civic and philanthropic leader in Los Angeles and former mayor candidate – discusses LA’s rebuilding efforts one year after the wildfires. He shares his thoughts on policy and politician-created impediments to swift rebuilding, ...
California
California Looking For ‘Foreign’ Aid
If there were a list of faltering, ineffective and counterproductive programs and projects that California policymakers are bitterly clinging to, the “bullet train” would be at the top. Voters asked for an ambitious high-speed rail that never leaves the state, but California cannot get the job done alone. The rest ...
Blog
Cities bury power lines to halt wildfires, but state slows progress
Cities bury power lines to halt wildfires, but state slows progress by John Seiler | November 14, 2025 California’s wildfires burned more than a half-million acres this year, with the Pacific Palisades and eaton wildfires counting among the nation’s most devastating wildfires ever. While some wildfires are inevitable in such ...
California
Watch Tim Anaya discuss California’s crime challenges with “America’s Criminologist”
Watch PRI vice president of marketing and communications Tim Anaya discuss California’s ongoing crime challenges and his book The California Left Coast Survivor’s Guide on “America’s Criminologist with Dr. Currie Myers” on KMET Radio in San Bernardino.
Blog
Not Even Jay Leno Can Get Lawmakers to Update State’s Antiquated Classic Car Rules
California requires all cars built from 1976 on to pass a smog inspection every two years. A bill introduced in the current session would have moved that date to 1990, “making it easier to own and maintain classic cars,” says Car Buzz. But the legislation, Senate Bill 712, introduced by Sen. Shannon ...
Blog
Read the latest from PRI's Free Cities Center
Here Come the Democratic Socialists
Although democratic socialism is a fringe position at one extreme of the political spectrum, voters in the country’s two largest cities have been open to electing its proponents. Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City in July and Los Angeles has four democratic socialists on ...
There’s inflation – and then there’s Gavin Newsom’s grade inflation
Democrats running for governor in California have said in recent debates that Gavin Newsom deserves high grades for his performance –– mostly B’s, and even A’s. To many Californians, that sounds like grade inflation. Nearly one in five Californians are considered poor –– the highest rate in the country –– ...
Newsom’s $19 Million Ad Campaign Can’t Polish California’s Image
It’s going to take a lot more than a $19 million advertising blitz to make people forget about California’s problems. Governor Gavin Newsom, who is known to love “big, hairy, audacious goals,” recently hired the communications powerhouse Edelman to rehab the Golden State’s image, which, in Newsom’s telling, has been ...
What Gavin Newsom Accidentally Admitted to Ben Shapiro
The conversation offered a chance to see how the governor responds when pressed by a critic. One of those moments came when Shapiro challenged Newsom’s office calling ICE operations in Minnesota “state-sponsored terrorism.” Shapiro pointed out that whatever people think about federal immigration policy, ICE officers are not terrorists. Language ...
The Real Cost of Coexistence: How Wolf Policies Are Failing Western Ranchers
Key Takeaways There are nearly 3,500 gray and Mexican wolves scattered across the western United States. Every time cattle are eaten by wolves, taxpayers reimburse ranchers for their losses. Depending on the state, that reimbursement can cost anywhere from $500 to $15,000 per animal. Ranch income is negatively impacted by ...
Watch PRI’s interview with Rick Caruso – one year after the wildfires
In this special Free Cities Center interview, Rick Caruso – founder and executive chairman of Caruso, longtime civic and philanthropic leader in Los Angeles and former mayor candidate – discusses LA’s rebuilding efforts one year after the wildfires. He shares his thoughts on policy and politician-created impediments to swift rebuilding, ...
California Looking For ‘Foreign’ Aid
If there were a list of faltering, ineffective and counterproductive programs and projects that California policymakers are bitterly clinging to, the “bullet train” would be at the top. Voters asked for an ambitious high-speed rail that never leaves the state, but California cannot get the job done alone. The rest ...
Cities bury power lines to halt wildfires, but state slows progress
Cities bury power lines to halt wildfires, but state slows progress by John Seiler | November 14, 2025 California’s wildfires burned more than a half-million acres this year, with the Pacific Palisades and eaton wildfires counting among the nation’s most devastating wildfires ever. While some wildfires are inevitable in such ...
Watch Tim Anaya discuss California’s crime challenges with “America’s Criminologist”
Watch PRI vice president of marketing and communications Tim Anaya discuss California’s ongoing crime challenges and his book The California Left Coast Survivor’s Guide on “America’s Criminologist with Dr. Currie Myers” on KMET Radio in San Bernardino.
Not Even Jay Leno Can Get Lawmakers to Update State’s Antiquated Classic Car Rules
California requires all cars built from 1976 on to pass a smog inspection every two years. A bill introduced in the current session would have moved that date to 1990, “making it easier to own and maintain classic cars,” says Car Buzz. But the legislation, Senate Bill 712, introduced by Sen. Shannon ...
Read the latest from PRI's Free Cities Center
Here Come the Democratic Socialists
Although democratic socialism is a fringe position at one extreme of the political spectrum, voters in the country’s two largest cities have been open to electing its proponents. Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City in July and Los Angeles has four democratic socialists on ...