Yousef Baig
@yousefbaig.bsky.social
California Voices Editor @calmatters.org | NorCal ATLien | journalistic master of none | signal: ybaig.32
Los Angeles is such an ideologically confusing place. The same city council that fought the state to preserve local control on housing policy just rebuffed its own local control, inviting powerful state interests to instead come kick in the door.
Measure ULA* is here to stay for now.
And so our state once again turns its eyes to the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association...
calmatters.org/housing/2026...
And so our state once again turns its eyes to the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association...
calmatters.org/housing/2026...
Los Angeles won’t be tweaking its ‘mansion tax.’ Now the debate is likely to go statewide
The ballot measure do-over for LA's 'mansion tax' was intended to ward off a statewide anti-tax crusade.
calmatters.org
January 27, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Los Angeles is such an ideologically confusing place. The same city council that fought the state to preserve local control on housing policy just rebuffed its own local control, inviting powerful state interests to instead come kick in the door.
Reposted by Yousef Baig
Residents of Kettleman City live surrounded by pollution.
A composting facility handles human sewage waste. Particulate matter and diesel fumes from heavy freeway traffic in the air. And the West Coast’s largest hazardous waste landfill is just a few miles away bit.ly/3LFrLPs
📸 Larry Valenzuela
A composting facility handles human sewage waste. Particulate matter and diesel fumes from heavy freeway traffic in the air. And the West Coast’s largest hazardous waste landfill is just a few miles away bit.ly/3LFrLPs
📸 Larry Valenzuela
January 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Residents of Kettleman City live surrounded by pollution.
A composting facility handles human sewage waste. Particulate matter and diesel fumes from heavy freeway traffic in the air. And the West Coast’s largest hazardous waste landfill is just a few miles away bit.ly/3LFrLPs
📸 Larry Valenzuela
A composting facility handles human sewage waste. Particulate matter and diesel fumes from heavy freeway traffic in the air. And the West Coast’s largest hazardous waste landfill is just a few miles away bit.ly/3LFrLPs
📸 Larry Valenzuela
In case anyone is wondering, crime rates keep going down in California. Some, like homicide, are at or near historic lows @nigelduara.bsky.social calmatters.org/justice/2026...
California cities just saw their lowest homicide rates in decades. It's not clear why
Homicides in California surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, killings are down to historic lows in Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco and many other cities.
calmatters.org
January 26, 2026 at 8:49 PM
In case anyone is wondering, crime rates keep going down in California. Some, like homicide, are at or near historic lows @nigelduara.bsky.social calmatters.org/justice/2026...
Reposted by Yousef Baig
NEW: The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations.
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Government by AI? Trump Administration Plans to Write Regulations Using Artificial Intelligence
The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations. “We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer....
www.propublica.org
January 26, 2026 at 1:05 PM
NEW: The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations.
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
“We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
By @jessecoburn.bsky.social
Park service workers removed a plaque at Muir Woods that explained how California redwoods store carbon and can slow global warming, part of the Trump regime's follow-through on orders to remove science and rewrite history at our public monuments www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/c...
How the National Park Service Is Deleting American History
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Park service workers removed a plaque at Muir Woods that explained how California redwoods store carbon and can slow global warming, part of the Trump regime's follow-through on orders to remove science and rewrite history at our public monuments www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/c...
You know things are truly upside down when the gun rights lobby, including the NRA, are publicly calling out Repubs www.latimes.com/california/s...
Gun rights groups fiercely criticize top L.A. federal prosecutor for response to Minneapolis shooting
Top Los Angeles federal prosecutor Bill Essayli, who has doggedly supported Trump's agenda, faced blistering criticism from gun rights groups, including the NRA.
www.latimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:36 PM
You know things are truly upside down when the gun rights lobby, including the NRA, are publicly calling out Repubs www.latimes.com/california/s...
We are witnessing a modern-era Western nation send armed, masked agents into cities that voted for the other candidate in a democratic election, and then kill its own citizens with impunity, trampling on just about every constitutional law and norm imaginable.
What is our breaking point? Truly.
What is our breaking point? Truly.
January 24, 2026 at 11:45 PM
We are witnessing a modern-era Western nation send armed, masked agents into cities that voted for the other candidate in a democratic election, and then kill its own citizens with impunity, trampling on just about every constitutional law and norm imaginable.
What is our breaking point? Truly.
What is our breaking point? Truly.
Reposted by Yousef Baig
The Minneapolis protester fatally shot by a federal officer was 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, his parents say.
The man killed by a US Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis was an ICU nurse, family says
Family members say the man who was killed by a federal officer in Minneapolis was an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his city.
bit.ly
January 24, 2026 at 9:55 PM
The Minneapolis protester fatally shot by a federal officer was 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, his parents say.
Reposted by Yousef Baig
A Democratic lawmaker is pushing a proposal to speed up $10 billion in funding for climate programs more than a year after voters approved Proposition 4, the state’s biggest investment yet to combat climate change. bit.ly/4aaLcsD
📸 Larry Valenzuela
📸 Larry Valenzuela
January 23, 2026 at 9:30 PM
A Democratic lawmaker is pushing a proposal to speed up $10 billion in funding for climate programs more than a year after voters approved Proposition 4, the state’s biggest investment yet to combat climate change. bit.ly/4aaLcsD
📸 Larry Valenzuela
📸 Larry Valenzuela
If I see another news outlet that covers California politics push the “billionaire exodus” narrative…
January 23, 2026 at 4:16 PM
If I see another news outlet that covers California politics push the “billionaire exodus” narrative…
The discourse about theatrical releases and their decline in the streaming era doesn't give enough room for the discussion about just how good 2025 was for movies. Last year was one of my favorite years going to theaters, period. I was being drawn in every month almost ritually.
January 22, 2026 at 10:14 PM
The discourse about theatrical releases and their decline in the streaming era doesn't give enough room for the discussion about just how good 2025 was for movies. Last year was one of my favorite years going to theaters, period. I was being drawn in every month almost ritually.
Mark Carney’s speech at Davos is not just a powerful reminder of what a real North American statesman sounds like, but a warning shot to the U.S. of what competent leaders are doing and how quickly they are moving to enable our sprint toward global isolation.
January 22, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Mark Carney’s speech at Davos is not just a powerful reminder of what a real North American statesman sounds like, but a warning shot to the U.S. of what competent leaders are doing and how quickly they are moving to enable our sprint toward global isolation.
It's ironic Newsom popped off like this in Switzerland of all places.
California may have a global economy but much of our wealth comes from products and technologies most of the world either shuns, loathes or gets addicted to. Newsom's global clout is self-ascribed www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
California may have a global economy but much of our wealth comes from products and technologies most of the world either shuns, loathes or gets addicted to. Newsom's global clout is self-ascribed www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Newsom’s rant about Europe’s careful response to Trump was pathetic | Opinion
The California governor had no standing to criticize how a different continent is steadily responding to America’s wayward president.
www.sacbee.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:13 PM
It's ironic Newsom popped off like this in Switzerland of all places.
California may have a global economy but much of our wealth comes from products and technologies most of the world either shuns, loathes or gets addicted to. Newsom's global clout is self-ascribed www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
California may have a global economy but much of our wealth comes from products and technologies most of the world either shuns, loathes or gets addicted to. Newsom's global clout is self-ascribed www.sacbee.com/opinion/arti...
Indiana was the team of destiny this year. Glad to see it for Fernando Mendoza.
January 20, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Indiana was the team of destiny this year. Glad to see it for Fernando Mendoza.
Reposted by Yousef Baig
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
Opinion | In Minneapolis, I Glimpsed a Civil War
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 12:56 PM
I went to Minneapolis last week. What I saw was horrifying and inspiring in equal measure. Gift link to my latest column: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/o...
The flood of real estate investors swarming on coveted LA land post-fires (and the way this appears more broadly in every California market, honestly), makes the looming gut shot of the 2030 census, and what it means for California power, feel inevitable www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
‘People saw dollar signs’: a year after devastating wildfires, an LA community is fighting displacement
As survivors face pressure to sell their land in Altadena, a historic Black community, experts say we’re witnessing ‘climate gentrification’
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:02 PM
The flood of real estate investors swarming on coveted LA land post-fires (and the way this appears more broadly in every California market, honestly), makes the looming gut shot of the 2030 census, and what it means for California power, feel inevitable www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-i...
Reposted by Yousef Baig
This morning Gov. Newsom is announcing the release of $419 million for local homelessness programming, funded back in 2024.
But in the coming months, the Legislature will be fighting over the NEXT round of HHAP funding — and on the conditions that will come with it.
calmatters.org/housing/home...
But in the coming months, the Legislature will be fighting over the NEXT round of HHAP funding — and on the conditions that will come with it.
calmatters.org/housing/home...
California counties must jump through new hoops to get homelessness funds
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration is pressuring local leaders to pass ordinances regulating homeless encampments, among other requirements.
calmatters.org
January 16, 2026 at 6:40 PM
This morning Gov. Newsom is announcing the release of $419 million for local homelessness programming, funded back in 2024.
But in the coming months, the Legislature will be fighting over the NEXT round of HHAP funding — and on the conditions that will come with it.
calmatters.org/housing/home...
But in the coming months, the Legislature will be fighting over the NEXT round of HHAP funding — and on the conditions that will come with it.
calmatters.org/housing/home...
Reposted by Yousef Baig
Trump and his allies have raised nearly $2 billion since the election, likely more than during the campaign itself. Of 346 donors identified by the @nytimes.com at least 197 have benefited from Trump policies or actions. @karenyourish.bsky.social @kenvogel.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Hundreds of Big Post-Election Donors Have Benefited From Trump’s Return to Office
Well into his second term, the president and his allies have continued aggressively raising money. Many donors have interests before his administration, The Times found.
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Trump and his allies have raised nearly $2 billion since the election, likely more than during the campaign itself. Of 346 donors identified by the @nytimes.com at least 197 have benefited from Trump policies or actions. @karenyourish.bsky.social @kenvogel.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
“(Newsom) talks about democracy, he talks about how critically important it is, and then he allows our journalists to starve on the vine.” calmatters.org/politics/202...
Newsom proposes no new funding to local journalism despite $175M deal with Google
The governor is proposing no new money toward local journalism next year despite promising $70 million in 2024, the latest in the state’s ever-diminishing commitment to helping a hurting industry.
calmatters.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:21 PM
“(Newsom) talks about democracy, he talks about how critically important it is, and then he allows our journalists to starve on the vine.” calmatters.org/politics/202...
Reposted by Yousef Baig
Opinion | California’s insurance laws are a regulatory mirage, failing fire survivors
The state’s law requiring fair treatment by insurers has largely been unenforced. Fire victims are left with delays, gaslighting and denials.
The state’s law requiring fair treatment by insurers has largely been unenforced. Fire victims are left with delays, gaslighting and denials.
Opinion | California’s insurance laws are a regulatory mirage, failing fire survivors
The state’s law requiring fair treatment by insurers has largely been unenforced. Fire victims are left with delays, gaslighting and denials.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Opinion | California’s insurance laws are a regulatory mirage, failing fire survivors
The state’s law requiring fair treatment by insurers has largely been unenforced. Fire victims are left with delays, gaslighting and denials.
The state’s law requiring fair treatment by insurers has largely been unenforced. Fire victims are left with delays, gaslighting and denials.
The fact that the Democratic Party is so consumed trying to figure out messaging to win back voters, versus dealing with shady, engrained behaviors like this, is why they risk failing again -- if not this year, then in 2028. It's not their agenda. It's how they move www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
No campaign? No problem. Inside California political elites’ shadowy spending
A Sacramento Bee review of over 100 campaign accounts reveals how lawmakers use their war chests to shore up connections and live large.
www.sacbee.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:10 PM
The fact that the Democratic Party is so consumed trying to figure out messaging to win back voters, versus dealing with shady, engrained behaviors like this, is why they risk failing again -- if not this year, then in 2028. It's not their agenda. It's how they move www.sacbee.com/news/politic...
Common Sense Media and OpenAI, two groups usually at odds with tech regulations, are working together to put an initiative on the California ballot that would help protect kids from AI companion chatbots. @khari.bsky.social got an advance look at the language calmatters.org/economy/tech...
OpenAI, childrens' advocates join forces on initiative to protect kids from chatbots
ChatGPT maker OpenAI and Common Sense Media had rival ballot initiatives to protect kids from chatbots. Today they merged their efforts.
calmatters.org
January 12, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Common Sense Media and OpenAI, two groups usually at odds with tech regulations, are working together to put an initiative on the California ballot that would help protect kids from AI companion chatbots. @khari.bsky.social got an advance look at the language calmatters.org/economy/tech...
Eternally grateful to have been old enough to get on the bus for the Dead & Company era. I never took it for granted and will really cherish the final tour and Sphere shows over the last few years. Thank you, Bobby.
Bob Weir, the singer, songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of the Grateful Dead who for decades was one of the driving forces behind the revered band and their legacy, has died at age 78.
Story: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Story: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
January 11, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Eternally grateful to have been old enough to get on the bus for the Dead & Company era. I never took it for granted and will really cherish the final tour and Sphere shows over the last few years. Thank you, Bobby.
A part of me can’t get over the notion that the White House gives blanket immunity to cheap thugs, mass hired using propaganda ads, who in the field think it’s smart to hold a live weapon and smartphone at the same time. JD Vance practically foamed at the mouth yesterday to die on the hill for this.
🚨 NEW VIDEO 👇🏽This puts an end to all the lies. Horrific.
They were having a calm exchange seconds before he murdered Renee Good, and she was barely moving and clearly avoiding him.
Stop the lies.
They were having a calm exchange seconds before he murdered Renee Good, and she was barely moving and clearly avoiding him.
Stop the lies.
January 10, 2026 at 12:38 AM
A part of me can’t get over the notion that the White House gives blanket immunity to cheap thugs, mass hired using propaganda ads, who in the field think it’s smart to hold a live weapon and smartphone at the same time. JD Vance practically foamed at the mouth yesterday to die on the hill for this.
Reposted by Yousef Baig
The California Privacy Protection Agency kicked off 2026 by launching a tool that state residents can use to make data brokers delete and stop selling their personal information. bit.ly/3Nzvxu0
January 9, 2026 at 12:30 AM
The California Privacy Protection Agency kicked off 2026 by launching a tool that state residents can use to make data brokers delete and stop selling their personal information. bit.ly/3Nzvxu0