Ben Christopher
@frombenc.bsky.social
Housing reporter @calmatters.org. Occasional dad tweets. Tell me things: Ben@calmatters.org / signal: BenC.2017
Reposted by Ben Christopher
If true, the theory would rewrite the history of two legendary unsolved murders. An amateur sleuth claims he has cracked both the Black Dahlia and Zodiac cases — a claim experts say remains unproven but impossible to ignore.
An amateur codebreaker may have just solved the Black Dahlia and Zodiac killings
Two retired LAPD homicide detectives say that both notorious cases are solved -- with a single culprit -- thanks to the work of a novice sleuth.
www.latimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:42 PM
If true, the theory would rewrite the history of two legendary unsolved murders. An amateur sleuth claims he has cracked both the Black Dahlia and Zodiac cases — a claim experts say remains unproven but impossible to ignore.
For all the concerns that many pro-housing development advocates had about a President Pro Tem Limón, removing Wahab as Housing chair (albeit by giving her a top leadership spot) and replacing her with a YIMBY Arreguin (albeit a “born again” one) has got to do some assuaging.
December 24, 2025 at 4:03 AM
For all the concerns that many pro-housing development advocates had about a President Pro Tem Limón, removing Wahab as Housing chair (albeit by giving her a top leadership spot) and replacing her with a YIMBY Arreguin (albeit a “born again” one) has got to do some assuaging.
Homeownership is, we're told, a benchmark of success, a milestone of responsible adulthood, the most viable way to amass wealth for you and your progeny and the white-picket-fence-fronted embodiment of the American Dream.
What if it’s also a little overrated?
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
What if it’s also a little overrated?
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Why homeownership in California isn’t nearly the financial slam dunk it once was
High prices, high interest rates and cooling rents: These days tenancy (versus owning a home) in California has its perks.
calmatters.org
December 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Homeownership is, we're told, a benchmark of success, a milestone of responsible adulthood, the most viable way to amass wealth for you and your progeny and the white-picket-fence-fronted embodiment of the American Dream.
What if it’s also a little overrated?
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
What if it’s also a little overrated?
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
You know things are bad when both the DA and Sheriff are concerned that their side is winning in court TOO much.
Another great one by the great Anat Rubin:
calmatters.org/investigatio...
Another great one by the great Anat Rubin:
calmatters.org/investigatio...
December 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
You know things are bad when both the DA and Sheriff are concerned that their side is winning in court TOO much.
Another great one by the great Anat Rubin:
calmatters.org/investigatio...
Another great one by the great Anat Rubin:
calmatters.org/investigatio...
It's often assumed, at least implicitly in a lot of housing coverage, that California is composed of 1) homeowners and 2) renters who aspire to own. I'm wondering how common renting-by-choice is. Anyone following me here fall into that category?
December 16, 2025 at 6:44 PM
It's often assumed, at least implicitly in a lot of housing coverage, that California is composed of 1) homeowners and 2) renters who aspire to own. I'm wondering how common renting-by-choice is. Anyone following me here fall into that category?
If you see this, repost with your model of positive masculinity
December 6, 2025 at 4:12 AM
If you see this, repost with your model of positive masculinity
Reposted by Ben Christopher
State lawmakers targeted a Santa Barbara development. Then came the fallout
State lawmakers targeted a Santa Barbara development. Then came the fallout
In a highly unusual situation, a housing project in Santa Barbara must undergo reviews after a state bill included language apparently targeting the development.
www.latimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:06 PM
State lawmakers targeted a Santa Barbara development. Then came the fallout
Reposted by Ben Christopher
California shut down its last coal plant last week and nobody even noticed, it made so little little difference.
Meanwhile solar is up 17% and gas is down 17% from 2024. I have a few highlights... www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/ding-dong-...
Meanwhile solar is up 17% and gas is down 17% from 2024. I have a few highlights... www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/ding-dong-...
Ding dong, coal is dead
At least in California.
www.climatecoloredgoggles.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:25 PM
California shut down its last coal plant last week and nobody even noticed, it made so little little difference.
Meanwhile solar is up 17% and gas is down 17% from 2024. I have a few highlights... www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/ding-dong-...
Meanwhile solar is up 17% and gas is down 17% from 2024. I have a few highlights... www.climatecoloredgoggles.com/p/ding-dong-...
Very fun read on the builder's remedy in California: "the land use equivalent of plutonium"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...
The Housing Strategy That Has California NIMBYs in a Corner
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Very fun read on the builder's remedy in California: "the land use equivalent of plutonium"
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/b...
Reposted by Ben Christopher
"For YIMBYs and other champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a surprisingly buzzy cause. In Culver City, they have a test case."
https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/11/ca-single-stair-culver-city/
https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/11/ca-single-stair-culver-city/
One California city’s idea to tackle the housing crisis: Take the stairs
For champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a buzzy cause in fighting California's housing crisis.
calmatters.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
"For YIMBYs and other champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a surprisingly buzzy cause. In Culver City, they have a test case."
https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/11/ca-single-stair-culver-city/
https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/11/ca-single-stair-culver-city/
I wrote about how Culver City became the first municipality in California (and likely the last for now) to ditch the ubiquitous two staircase requirement for mid-rises. As YIMBYs turn to impediments to construction beyond zoning, Culver City is an early test case.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
One California city’s idea to tackle the housing crisis: Take the stairs
For champions of more housing development, ditching the extra staircase has become a buzzy cause in fighting California's housing crisis.
calmatters.org
November 17, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I wrote about how Culver City became the first municipality in California (and likely the last for now) to ditch the ubiquitous two staircase requirement for mid-rises. As YIMBYs turn to impediments to construction beyond zoning, Culver City is an early test case.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Reposted by Ben Christopher
Clearly, this is the long con to take both your job and your wife! Wake up, Ben!
November 14, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Clearly, this is the long con to take both your job and your wife! Wake up, Ben!
ChatGPT is apparently both pro-journalists using ChatGPT and pro-family.
November 13, 2025 at 9:30 PM
ChatGPT is apparently both pro-journalists using ChatGPT and pro-family.
You‘re treating yourself to a birthday trip to Mexico and you only have $170K (allegedly). How do you spend it?
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
November 13, 2025 at 1:44 AM
You‘re treating yourself to a birthday trip to Mexico and you only have $170K (allegedly). How do you spend it?
calmatters.org/politics/202...
calmatters.org/politics/202...
Reposted by Ben Christopher
Breaking: It’s a yes for Prop. 50. California voters approved the measure to temporarily suspend the state’s nonpartisan citizens redistricting commission until 2030. bit.ly/3WAJfhI
📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social& @jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social& @jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Breaking: It’s a yes for Prop. 50. California voters approved the measure to temporarily suspend the state’s nonpartisan citizens redistricting commission until 2030. bit.ly/3WAJfhI
📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social& @jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
📝 @mayacmiller.bsky.social& @jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
Senate Bill 79 makes it easier to build homes near major public transit stops.
For opponents of rezoning, the only way to stop the prospect of apartments is to battle the bus.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
For opponents of rezoning, the only way to stop the prospect of apartments is to battle the bus.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
A new law makes it easier to build homes near buses. Guess what housing opponents are doing now
After Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law to allow mid-rise apartment buildings near major transit stops, opponents of new housing have a new reason to battle the bus.
calmatters.org
October 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Senate Bill 79 makes it easier to build homes near major public transit stops.
For opponents of rezoning, the only way to stop the prospect of apartments is to battle the bus.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
For opponents of rezoning, the only way to stop the prospect of apartments is to battle the bus.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Reposted by Ben Christopher
BREAKING: Ninth Circuit Court panel sides with Trump in Oregon National Guard case, staying Judge Immergut's original TRO. The two GOP-appointed judges decided on a stay. The Dem-appointed judge wrote a dissent.
This isn't much of a surprise, given the questioning we saw during oral argument.
This isn't much of a surprise, given the questioning we saw during oral argument.
storage.courtlistener.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
BREAKING: Ninth Circuit Court panel sides with Trump in Oregon National Guard case, staying Judge Immergut's original TRO. The two GOP-appointed judges decided on a stay. The Dem-appointed judge wrote a dissent.
This isn't much of a surprise, given the questioning we saw during oral argument.
This isn't much of a surprise, given the questioning we saw during oral argument.
Notable finding in a new paper on how California cities have responded to AB 2097, which scrapped minimum parking requirements for housing developments near major transit stops.
At least one city just ignored the law for housing near future, planned projects.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
At least one city just ignored the law for housing near future, planned projects.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
October 17, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Notable finding in a new paper on how California cities have responded to AB 2097, which scrapped minimum parking requirements for housing developments near major transit stops.
At least one city just ignored the law for housing near future, planned projects.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
At least one city just ignored the law for housing near future, planned projects.
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Grand Prairie, Texas, I was not familiar with your game.
The ways that Texas NIMBYs are finding to make apartments more expensive to build are are funnier than what coastal NIMBYs come up with reason.com/2025/10/14/t...
by @christianb.bsky.social
by @christianb.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Grand Prairie, Texas, I was not familiar with your game.
Reposted by Ben Christopher
“The Defense Department has confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America,” the Pentagon Press Association said
October 15, 2025 at 9:52 PM
“The Defense Department has confiscated the badges of the Pentagon reporters from virtually every major media organization in America,” the Pentagon Press Association said
Reposted by Ben Christopher
Housing advocates who viewed SB79 as a potential sea change say it became diluted during the political process. The bill’s primary sponsor calls it a “a remarkably strong bill.”
This new California law could put more homes near transit. Our map shows where they'd be built
Housing advocates who viewed SB79 as a potential sea change say it became diluted during the political process. The bill’s primary sponsor calls it a “a remarkably strong bill.”
bit.ly
October 10, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Housing advocates who viewed SB79 as a potential sea change say it became diluted during the political process. The bill’s primary sponsor calls it a “a remarkably strong bill.”
Ben Metcalf @ternerhousing.bsky.social: "If costs come down and interest rates drop, you can imagine we’ve set the table for a building boom."
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Gavin Newsom signs law overhauling local zoning to build more housing
After weeks of waiting, California’s governor signed a bill that will allow mid-rise apartment buildings near major transit stops in California’s biggest metro areas.
calmatters.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Ben Metcalf @ternerhousing.bsky.social: "If costs come down and interest rates drop, you can imagine we’ve set the table for a building boom."
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
Reposted by Ben Christopher
After weeks of waiting, California's governor signed a bill that will allow mid-rise apartment buildings near major transit stops in California's biggest metro areas. https://cal.news/4n3hzge
📝 @frombenc.bsky.social
📸 Ray Chavez
📝 @frombenc.bsky.social
📸 Ray Chavez
October 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
After weeks of waiting, California's governor signed a bill that will allow mid-rise apartment buildings near major transit stops in California's biggest metro areas. https://cal.news/4n3hzge
📝 @frombenc.bsky.social
📸 Ray Chavez
📝 @frombenc.bsky.social
📸 Ray Chavez