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.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 55 minutes
- Episodes
- 103
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
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 …
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 judge…
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.
https://www.…
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 …
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…
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 …
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 ab…
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 necessar…
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 Asse…
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 hom…
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 negotiatin…
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…
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…
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 poli…
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…
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 …
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 …
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, t…
Heather Hutt for L.A. City Council: Candidate Spotlight
The last in my series of 2024 primary election candidate spotlights: Heather Hutt
Since 2020, L.A.'s 10th council district has had a revolving cast of councilmembers, both elected and appointed. The C…
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.Th…