What's Next, Los Angeles? with Mike Bonin
Los Angeles is at a turning point. We are living in a defining moment. What happens next is up to us. Over the past few years, problems and challenges have shaken this city -- and tremendous opportunities for change have presented themselves. How do we rise to this moment and emerge a better place to live? What will it take to create a more just and a more equitable community? Working together, how are we going to create a stronger, forward-thinking Los Angeles? Mike Bonin, writer, teacher, progressive activist and former City Councilmember, looks at the issues and problems facing Los Angeles, examines ideas, and talks with the people who will lead us to a brighter future.
Produced in partnership with LA Forward.
Episodes
91 episodes
Jackie Goldberg: Lessons from a Life on the Frontlines
On the eve of her retirement after six decades of public service, Jackie Goldberg reflects on the history she made as an organizer and an elected official, and offers insights an advice to a new generation of activists. Goldberg is...
•
1:13:11
Driving While Black: Tackling Racial Bias in Traffic Enforcement in Los Angeles
In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the critical issue of racially biased traffic enforcement in Los Angeles, often referred to as "Driving While Black." Our discussion focuses on the systemic challenges faced by drivers of color, who a...
•
57:56
Isaac Bryan: Determined to Fight
In this episode of "What's Next Los Angeles," Mike talks with Assemblymember Isaac Bryan about recent election results and their impact on the progressive movement. Despite progressives facing some big defeats, Assemblymember Bryan sees signs o...
•
31:29
Progressives in YOUR Backyard
You’ve heard about a new wave of progressives who have won office in the City of Los Angeles, but do you know about the incredible leaders in cities all around LA County? You will after listening to this episode of WNLA. I talk with Santa Monic...
•
1:00:50
Prop 32: Raise the Wage
Should California raise its minimum wage? That's the question posed by Proposition 32 on the state ballot. I speak with Saru Jayaraman of One Fair Wage on this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles.
•
17:48
Prop 3: The Right to Marriage
For California voters, gay marriage is on the line in this election. How is that possible? I will discuss why you should vote YES on Proposition 3, with my guest, Assemblymember Rick Zbur, former head of Equality California, the la...
•
26:45
George Gascon: On the Side of Justice:
District Attorney George Gascon is one of the most controversial candidates on your ballot. I talk with him about his record, his thoughts on crime and punishment, what it means to be a progressive prosecutor, and about the Menendez Brothers ca...
•
1:03:37
Girl on Fire: Ysabel Jurado
Ysabel Jurado is shaking up Los Angeles politics. A progressive candidate rooted in service to her community, she is taking on an establishment that is fighting back hard and ugly. But she remains joyful and optimistic. Today I talk ...
•
1:01:13
Prop 6: Ending Forced Labor in CA
One hundred sixty years after the abolition of slavery, California voters will decide whether to ban forced labor in the Golden State. That's what Proposition 6 on the state ballot is all about. And that's the topic on this episode of What's Ne...
•
25:09
Judicial Candidate George Turner - Superior Court #39
A Superior Court judge has tremendous power – yet the races for judge get very little attention, and one of the most frequent questions I am asked during every election cycle is “What about the judges? Who should I vote for?”I talk with ...
•
41:00
Judicial Candidate Ericka Wiley - Seat #48
Who should I vote for for judge?That is one of the most frequent questions I get during election season. Today I talk with judicial candidate Ericka Wiley, running for seat #48, on WNLA.
•
33:23
MEASURE A: Forward or Backward on Homelessness in LA?
Homelessness is the biggest crisis facing Los Angeles County. Can we continue to make progress and really tackle this problem? Or will we backslide and allow another huge and devastating increase in homelessness? That’s what’s at stake as...
•
47:39
Prop 4: Combatting Climate Change
The signs of the climate crisis are everywhere – and it is clear we are not doing enough to combat it. That’s why Proposition 4 is on your ballot. We discuss what is in the proposition, and why it is important for the state of California, and t...
•
27:20
Prop 36: Justice in the Balance
Is Prop 36 -- the most talked about proposition on the ballot -- a return to an era of law and order? or a backslide to an era of mass incarceration? That’s what we discuss on this episode of What's Next, Los Angeles, with my guests, former sta...
•
51:38
Measure G: Who Wields the Power?
The official title for Measure G is “LOS ANGELES COUNTY GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY CHARTER AMENDMENT.”That sure makes it sound dry, boring and wonky. It is anything but. It is about power. Incredible power. Who will ...
•
43:20
Prop 33: The Battle Over Rent Control
Proposition 33 is one of the hottest items on the California state ballot. If approved, it would allow cities and counties to establish, increase or expand rent control. Proponents say it is necessary to keep rents affordable and prevent famili...
•
49:06
Getting Out and Giving Back: Candidate Spotlight on Franky Carrillo
He was wrongfully convicted and spent 20 years behind bars. Since his his exoneration and release, he has dedicated himself to public service – and now he is a candidate for the California State Assembly. I talk with Franky Carrillo on this epi...
•
1:00:23
Handcuffs, Not Housing: The Growing Push to Criminalize Homelessness
Since a critical U.S. Supreme Court ruling last summer, public officials have been rushing to drastically expand criminalization of homelessness. It's a cynical move, spending a fortune on making homelessness less visible while actually making ...
•
47:29
Finding Common Ground: Mark Ramos
There are more than 3 million Democratic voters in Los Angeles County. Who decides which candidate gets the party’s endorsement? Or where the party spends its money? How is the local party negotiating tensions between progressives and moderates...
•
52:17
Killing Newspapers: Big Tech & Gavin Newsom
Did California Governor Gavin Newson kill efforts to save newspapers from Big Tech? A few weeks ago, Newsom announced a deal with Google that effectively killed legislation to force Google, Meta and other big tech firms to compensate news...
•
28:31
Labor Day Special: L.A.'s Labor History
It was just a year ago that Los Angeles was the focus nationally and internationally of the Hot Labor Summer of 2023. With workers in various industries taking to the streets and demanding better pay and working conditions, and with overwhelmin...
•
55:19
Marqueece: On the Record
Marqueece Harris-Dawson becomes Los Angeles City Council President September 20. Who is he, and how does he intend to lead? In this episode, he talks at length with Mike about Los Angeles, Black politics and multiracial coalitions, unarmed cris...
•
1:07:57
.png)
Blowouts, Nail-biters and Big Surprises: Primary 2024
A week after polls closed, the results of a lot of elections are becoming and apparent, and there have been some wild developments! There have been blowouts, nail-biters and big surprises, and Alissa Walker and Godfrey Plata join Mike Bonin to ...
•
1:47:44
Why the D.A. Race Really Matters (and why you should vote for George Gascon)
One of the most high-profile races on the ballot is the one for Los Angeles County District Attorney, where incumbent George Gascon – a progressive reformer – is being challenged by a large field of candidates.What does a District Attorn...
•
1:01:20