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
73 episodes since 2020
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...
September 16, 2024
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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...
September 09, 2024
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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...
September 02, 2024
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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...
August 26, 2024
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1:07:57
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 ...
March 13, 2024
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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...
March 03, 2024
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1:01:20
Stop the Death & Violence: Vote YES on LA
In Los Angeles, there is a deadly crisis on our streets. People from all walks of life – grandparents, elementary school children, service workers, pastors, artists – are falling victim to a rampant killer. Incredibly, elected officials are doi...
March 02, 2024
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36:07
Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Groups Target Glendale Schools
You've seen the waves of anti-LGBTQ+ hate in Florida and other places, but did you know it is happening right here in Greater Los Angeles? For the past few years, anti-LGBTQ+ hate has been growing, thanks to the influence of Proud Boys, J6 insu...
March 01, 2024
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1:01:58
Heather Hutt for L.A. City Council: Candidate Spotlight
The last in my series of 2024 primary election candidate spotlights: Heather HuttSince 2020, L.A.'s 10th council district has had a revolving cast of councilmembers, both elected and appointed. The City Council appointed Heather Hutt to...
February 29, 2024
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55:10
Reggie Jones-Sawyer for City Council: Candidate Spotlight
Since 2020, L.A.'s 10th council district has had a revolving cast of councilmembers, both elected and appointed. Now, voters finally get to choose a permanent, voting representative on the council.There is a big and impressive field of candidat...
February 27, 2024
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1:00:11
Forward or Backward at LA City Hall?
The elections are here -- and in the City of Los Angeles, seven of the 15 council seats are on the ballot, and five of them are pretty spirited. Mike is joined by journalist and political strategist Jasmyne Can...
February 26, 2024
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1:06:15
Jillian Burgos for City Council: Candidate Spotlight
Jillian Burgos is an essential healthcare worker, and a small business owner. She graduated from Emily’s List Ignite Change Fellowship and Los Angeles Democrats inaugural TAP Academy and now a 2023 New Leaders Council fellow. Jillian ran for of...
February 24, 2024
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53:39
Nithya Raman: A Progressive Champion in the Los Angeles Death Match
Councilmember Raman has fought for renters, solutions to homelessness, strategies to combat climate change, and smart, effective programs to promote public safety. She has made significant progress — and now she is being punished for it. ...
February 21, 2024
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57:57
Aura Vasquez for City Council: Candidate Spotlight
Since 2020, L.A.'s 10th council district has had a revolving cast of councilmembers, both elected and appointed. Now, voters finally get to choose a permanent, voting representative on the council.There is a big and impressive field of candidat...
February 20, 2024
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1:20:46
Re-Air: Nick Melvoin for Congress - Candidate Spotlight
NOTE: This interview first aired last summer, before the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.With Adam Schiff running for U.S. Senate, his Los Angeles area 30th district congressional seat – which stretches from Burbank and Glendale an...
February 19, 2024
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59:12
Re-Air: Mike Feuer for Congress - Candidate Spotlight
NOTE: This interview first aired last summer, before the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.With Adam Schiff running for U.S. Senate, his Los Angeles area 30th district congressional seat – which stretches from Burbank and Glendale an...
February 19, 2024
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1:19:01
Re-Air: Laura Friedman for Congress - Candidate Spotlight
NOTE: This interview first aired last summer, before the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.With Adam Schiff running for U.S. Senate, his Los Angeles area 30th district congressional seat – which stretches from Burbank and Glendale an...
February 19, 2024
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1:00:55
Re-Air: Sepi Shyne for Congress - Candidate Spotlight
NOTE: This interview first aired last summer, before the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.Sepi Shyne is an Iranian-born American attorney, civil rights advocate, and member of the
February 19, 2024
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51:01
Re-Air: Maebe A Girl for Congress: Candidate Spotlight
NOTE: This interview first aired last summer, before the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas.Maebe A Girl is currently serving as Treasurer and At-Large Representative for the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council in Los Angeles. Upon her e...
February 19, 2024
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1:01:16
Lalo Vargas for City Council: Candidate Spotlight
Who will unseat disgraced Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León? That’s the question a lot of people are asking as we head into the March primary. There is a big and impressive field of candidates – and on this episode I talk with La...
February 09, 2024
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1:13:46
Sam Kbushyan for City Council: Candidate Spotlight
For fourteen years, Paul Krekorian has represented the 2nd council district on the Los Angeles City Council. He has been a powerful leader, chairing the Budget & Finance Committee for several years, and serving as City Council President sin...
February 09, 2024
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1:06:21
Pastor Eddie Anderson for City Council: Candidate Spotlight
Since 2020, L.A.'s 10th council district has had a revolving cast of councilmembers, both elected and appointed. Now, voters finally get to choose a permanent, voting representative on the council.There is a big and impressive field of candidat...
February 09, 2024
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1:11:16
Ysabel Jurado for City Council: Candidate Spotlight
Who will unseat disgraced Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de León? That’s the question a lot of people are asking as we head into the March primary. There is a big and impressive field of candidates – and on this episode I talk with Ys...
January 31, 2024
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1:21:19
Baba Akili for State Assembly - Candidate Spotlight
Who will represent South Los Angeles in the California State Assembly? That’s a big question facing voters of the 57th Assembly District, which includes South Los Angeles, Southeast Los Angeles, West Adams, University Park, Florence...
January 28, 2024
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1:27:23
Dulce Vasquez for State Assembly - WNLA Candidate Spotlight
Who will represent South Los Angeles in the California State Assembly? That’s a big question facing voters of the 57th Assembly District, which includes South Los Angeles, Southeast Los Angeles, West Adams, University Park, Florence...
January 25, 2024
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1:09:53