Golden State
@goldenstateorg.bsky.social
Fearless, informed news and commentary in CA via LA. Not controlled by billionaires. Co-founded by ex-LATers Mariel Garza and Paul Thornton.
https://golden-state.org
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https://golden-state.org
https://givebutter.com/NY2Duo
When he signed SB 54 in 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom called it a "nation-leading" law fighting plastic pollution. Now, because of him, the law is in limbo. Here's how Californians can get it back on track.
Gavin Newsom's sweetheart deal for plastic pushers
The governor pushed an exemption that would undermine California's revolutionary law to phase out single-use packaging that's not being recycled or composted. It's not too late to get it back on track...
www.golden-state.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:48 PM
When he signed SB 54 in 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom called it a "nation-leading" law fighting plastic pollution. Now, because of him, the law is in limbo. Here's how Californians can get it back on track.
A man who lost his apartment after his father died. A woman going into labor in a parking lot. These are some of the stories Mary Lynne Vellinga and Dan Morain recount from their night volunteering for Sacramento's point-in-time homelessness count.
What a cold night in Sacramento interviewing homeless people taught us
We volunteered to count the unsheltered people in our community. Our conversations with those who agreed to talk touched our hearts and demonstrated why homelessness is so difficult to solve.
www.golden-state.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:40 PM
A man who lost his apartment after his father died. A woman going into labor in a parking lot. These are some of the stories Mary Lynne Vellinga and Dan Morain recount from their night volunteering for Sacramento's point-in-time homelessness count.
Yes, countries should boycott the 2026 World Cup, and they should start talking about the 2028 Olympics. Paul Thornton explains why.
Want to protest the assault on American democracy? Boycott the World Cup
I was excited to see players from my family's home country suit up on American soil. That was before Trump's latest assault on American democracy.
www.golden-state.org
January 30, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Yes, countries should boycott the 2026 World Cup, and they should start talking about the 2028 Olympics. Paul Thornton explains why.
Does spending a lot more money than your opponent buy an election? Not necessarily in California -- just ask Rick Caruso and Meg Whitman.
Money can't buy you love — or an election in L.A. and California
Just ask Rick Caruso and Meg Whitman. In many city and state elections, the candidate who had the most amount of campaign cash still lost.
www.golden-state.org
January 27, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Does spending a lot more money than your opponent buy an election? Not necessarily in California -- just ask Rick Caruso and Meg Whitman.
Reposted by Golden State
You can also help support substance over sensationalism by urging your friends to sign up. It's free!
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If Substack is your jam, we're there too:
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If Substack is your jam, we're there too:
goldenstatereport.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:43 AM
You can also help support substance over sensationalism by urging your friends to sign up. It's free!
www.golden-state.org
If Substack is your jam, we're there too:
goldenstatereport.substack.com
www.golden-state.org
If Substack is your jam, we're there too:
goldenstatereport.substack.com
Full video here.
January 26, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Full video here.
If the sad state of Yosemite upsets you, then spare a thought for the San Gabriel Mountains, long a victim of trashy human behavior and government neglect.
Yosemite isn't the only California treasure trashed by visitors
Bad human behavior has taken over at Yosemite. Sadly, that’s been the reality for a long time in the San Gabriel Mountains, right on L.A.’s doorstep.
www.golden-state.org
January 26, 2026 at 8:16 PM
If the sad state of Yosemite upsets you, then spare a thought for the San Gabriel Mountains, long a victim of trashy human behavior and government neglect.
Elizabeth Aguilera is a journalist who remains displaced by the Eaton fire. She writes that if the focus of rebuilding stays on homeowners and renters continue to feel ignored, the community that comes back will look vastly different than the Altadena that was lost.
Why Altadena renters feel left out of fire relief
Many Eaton fire survivors who rented their homes want to return to Altadena. Unless they get more help, the community that's rebuilt will look vastly different from the Altadena that was lost.
www.golden-state.org
January 23, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Elizabeth Aguilera is a journalist who remains displaced by the Eaton fire. She writes that if the focus of rebuilding stays on homeowners and renters continue to feel ignored, the community that comes back will look vastly different than the Altadena that was lost.
American democracy is on edge. Gaza is starving. Who's up for a parade of virtue-signaling by the Hollywood elite? No thanks, says Oscar Garza.
Oscar nods are out. Time for the most out-of-touch awards display ever
Who wants to see a parade of virtue-signaling actors and actresses decked out in glittery garb while Gaza suffers and American democracy teeters?
www.golden-state.org
January 23, 2026 at 1:14 AM
American democracy is on edge. Gaza is starving. Who's up for a parade of virtue-signaling by the Hollywood elite? No thanks, says Oscar Garza.
A new college grad is done with climate hopelessness. So she's trying something else: knowing and loving nature as it is.
I'm a Gen-Zer trying to love a world wrecked by humans
As climate change worsens, a college student says she's done with hopelessness and is trying hard to love a world that's being destroyed.
www.golden-state.org
January 20, 2026 at 6:14 PM
A new college grad is done with climate hopelessness. So she's trying something else: knowing and loving nature as it is.
Um, what? Rick Caruso isn’t running for anything? That sound you heard was a huge sigh of relief from L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.
A head-scratching move by Rick Caruso
The mall developer did pretty well in his first match against L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, so why bow out when she’s vulnerable?
www.golden-state.org
January 20, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Um, what? Rick Caruso isn’t running for anything? That sound you heard was a huge sigh of relief from L.A. Mayor Karen Bass.
First up in a trio of articles by Robert Reich, Gil Duran and Matthew Klink on the proposed California billionaire tax: Klink says it's bad policy and will worsen the state's spending problem.
California’s “billionaire tax” is not genuine – or smart – tax policy
The state is overreliant on wealthy taxpayers as it is. If even if a fraction of this group is motivated to move, the consequences for the state's financial health will be enormous.
www.golden-state.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:18 PM
First up in a trio of articles by Robert Reich, Gil Duran and Matthew Klink on the proposed California billionaire tax: Klink says it's bad policy and will worsen the state's spending problem.
Reposted by Golden State
Much respect to Jim Rainey at the LA Times who wrote about the local news renaissance in L.A. and plugged @goldenstateorg.bsky.social, LAreported.org, LAmaterial.com and other news outlets that will likely compete with the LAT for attention and readership.
www.latimes.com/california/n...
www.latimes.com/california/n...
L.A. journalism features a new year of many startups
Your morning catch up: L.A. journalism has several news players, California recycling problem and more big stories.
www.latimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Much respect to Jim Rainey at the LA Times who wrote about the local news renaissance in L.A. and plugged @goldenstateorg.bsky.social, LAreported.org, LAmaterial.com and other news outlets that will likely compete with the LAT for attention and readership.
www.latimes.com/california/n...
www.latimes.com/california/n...
Not everyone likes California's top-two primary, but I'm a fan. www.golden-state.org/californias-...
California's top-two primary means a Republican could be the next governor
But it is unlikely — and certainly no reason to dump a system that, if replicated in all states, would mean no member of Congress would ever have to tremble in fear of being "primaried" by vengeful pr...
www.golden-state.org
January 13, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Not everyone likes California's top-two primary, but I'm a fan. www.golden-state.org/californias-...
Reposted by Golden State
good to know.
www.golden-state.org/no-trump-won...
www.golden-state.org/no-trump-won...
No, Trump won't be able to drill off California's coast
The administration wants new drilling off the 1,100-mile coastline. Fat chance: This is probably illegal and faces overwhelming backlash.
www.golden-state.org
January 13, 2026 at 10:43 PM
good to know.
www.golden-state.org/no-trump-won...
www.golden-state.org/no-trump-won...
Our founder Mariel Garza joined Alissa Walker and Mike Bonin for the latest LA Podcast episode to talk fire failures and the New York Post coming to Los Angeles. Give it a listen!
(And thanks to @awalkerinla.bsky.social and @mikebonin.bsky.social.)
(And thanks to @awalkerinla.bsky.social and @mikebonin.bsky.social.)
A Whole Post of Problems
Podcast Episode · LA Podcast · 01/12/2026 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Our founder Mariel Garza joined Alissa Walker and Mike Bonin for the latest LA Podcast episode to talk fire failures and the New York Post coming to Los Angeles. Give it a listen!
(And thanks to @awalkerinla.bsky.social and @mikebonin.bsky.social.)
(And thanks to @awalkerinla.bsky.social and @mikebonin.bsky.social.)
Trump wants new drilling off California's entire 1,100-mile coastline. Fat chance: This is probably illegal and faces overwhelming backlash.
No, Trump won't be able to drill off California's coast
The administration wants new drilling off the 1,100-mile coastline. Fat chance: This is probably illegal and faces overwhelming backlash.
www.golden-state.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Trump wants new drilling off California's entire 1,100-mile coastline. Fat chance: This is probably illegal and faces overwhelming backlash.
Erwin Chemerinsky, the UC Berkeley School of Law dean, says the 9th Circuit's decision on open carry in California "misreads Supreme Court precedent, misinterprets history and ignores the strong public safety interest."
Appeals Court just unleashed 'open carry' in California. Will people start packing in WalMart?
But the recent decision is unlikely to be the last word on the state's gun regulation because the 9th Circuit’s decision misreads Supreme Court precedent, misinterprets history and ignores the strong ...
www.golden-state.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Erwin Chemerinsky, the UC Berkeley School of Law dean, says the 9th Circuit's decision on open carry in California "misreads Supreme Court precedent, misinterprets history and ignores the strong public safety interest."
If you thought the one-year anniversary of the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires was going to be all about unity and hope, you haven't been paying close attention.
A year later, L.A. fire survivors are hopping mad and still want answers
If you thought the one-year anniversary of the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires was going to be all about unity and hope, you haven't been paying close attention.
www.golden-state.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:05 PM
If you thought the one-year anniversary of the Altadena and Pacific Palisades fires was going to be all about unity and hope, you haven't been paying close attention.
Reposted by Golden State
This is not a full list (that would be a book) just some of the lowlights.
www.golden-state.org/14-ways-fire...
www.golden-state.org/14-ways-fire...
14 ways fire victims were failed by government at all levels
If local, state and federal leaders have learned anything in the year after the Eaton and Palisades fires, they haven’t done a very good job showing it.
www.golden-state.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:31 PM
This is not a full list (that would be a book) just some of the lowlights.
www.golden-state.org/14-ways-fire...
www.golden-state.org/14-ways-fire...
If local, state and federal leaders have learned anything in the year after the Eaton and Palisades fires, they haven’t done a very good job showing it, writes @marielgarza.bsky.social.
14 ways fire victims were failed by government at all levels
If local, state and federal leaders have learned anything in the year after the Eaton and Palisades fires, they haven’t done a very good job showing it.
www.golden-state.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:26 PM
If local, state and federal leaders have learned anything in the year after the Eaton and Palisades fires, they haven’t done a very good job showing it, writes @marielgarza.bsky.social.
The home of @lisakaasboyle.bsky.social burned down one year ago in the Palisades fire. Now, the environmental attorney active in community sustainability efforts is helping rebuild the community she called home for 35 years.
But she's doing that from her new home in Nashville. Read why 👇
But she's doing that from her new home in Nashville. Read why 👇
My home burned in Pacific Palisades. How I'm helping rebuild – from Nashville
I'm an environmental attorney determined to help my neighborhood of 35 years build back more sustainably. But my time in the Palisades is over.
www.golden-state.org
January 6, 2026 at 4:16 PM
The home of @lisakaasboyle.bsky.social burned down one year ago in the Palisades fire. Now, the environmental attorney active in community sustainability efforts is helping rebuild the community she called home for 35 years.
But she's doing that from her new home in Nashville. Read why 👇
But she's doing that from her new home in Nashville. Read why 👇
Special shoutout to David L. Ulin, Erin Aubry Kaplan, Susan Straight and Susan Brenneman for contributing.
A lot happened in California in 1846. Same with Pasadena when the Van Halen brothers lived there, and in forests that have seen one record fire season after another.
Read our list of books, picked by some of So Cal's biggest bibliophiles, that helped us better understand the Golden State.
Read our list of books, picked by some of So Cal's biggest bibliophiles, that helped us better understand the Golden State.
Six books that will help you understand California
Prominent authors and journalists talk about the books they read in 2025 that gave them special insight into California's history, people and culture.
www.golden-state.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Special shoutout to David L. Ulin, Erin Aubry Kaplan, Susan Straight and Susan Brenneman for contributing.
A lot happened in California in 1846. Same with Pasadena when the Van Halen brothers lived there, and in forests that have seen one record fire season after another.
Read our list of books, picked by some of So Cal's biggest bibliophiles, that helped us better understand the Golden State.
Read our list of books, picked by some of So Cal's biggest bibliophiles, that helped us better understand the Golden State.
Six books that will help you understand California
Prominent authors and journalists talk about the books they read in 2025 that gave them special insight into California's history, people and culture.
www.golden-state.org
December 30, 2025 at 6:31 PM
A lot happened in California in 1846. Same with Pasadena when the Van Halen brothers lived there, and in forests that have seen one record fire season after another.
Read our list of books, picked by some of So Cal's biggest bibliophiles, that helped us better understand the Golden State.
Read our list of books, picked by some of So Cal's biggest bibliophiles, that helped us better understand the Golden State.
Golden State co-founder Paul Thornton was raised in a Norwegian immigrant family, a background imparting Christmas traditions that carry new meaning in a dark world.
A Scandinavian holiday tradition shines some light into our dark times
At a St. Lucia's Day service in Thousand Oaks, a tradition exalting light from a place with the darkest winters has a special resonance.
www.golden-state.org
December 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Golden State co-founder Paul Thornton was raised in a Norwegian immigrant family, a background imparting Christmas traditions that carry new meaning in a dark world.