Santa Clarita Weekly

This week, we examine two major stories about power, wealth and accountability. Senator Jon Ossoff’s viral remarks have placed Natalie Harp—Donald Trump’s fiercely loyal executive assistant—under national scrutiny. We look beyond the palace gossip to examine Harp’s extraordinary access to the president, her influence over the information reaching him and what her role reveals about a White House built around loyalty and flattery. Then, we break down California’s Proposition 40, which would impose a one-time tax on approximately 200 billionaires to protect healthcare, education and food assistance from federal cuts. We examine Mark Cuban’s warning about driving investment out of California, the measure’s economic and constitutional risks, and the enormous sums billionaires are spending to defeat—or potentially override—it.

In this episode, we unpack some of the most intense local headlines and national political shifts shaking things up right now. Here is what we cover this week: Community Action & Advocacy: We sit down with Rebecca Hindman from RiseUp SCV to discuss local activism, community safety, and standing up for marginalized voices right here in our backyard. Local Controversies: We address the alarming viral incident involving a local individual screaming racial epithets, breaking down the community response and the broader implications for the Santa Clarita Valley. ICE Raids in SCV: We examine the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and raids locally, looking at how they are impacting families and residents across the Santa Clarita Valley. Campaign Compliance Questions: We take a critical look at Santa Clarita City Council candidate Denise Lite, who has faced scrutiny for holding what appears to be an illegal raffle to raise money for her campaign. National Primary Chaos: Zooming out from local news, we dive into the major primary election results coming out of Michigan and across the country, breaking down establishment losses, progressive momentum, and what it all means for the road to November. Tune in, get informed, and join the conversation!

From choking wildfire smoke to the massive resource demands of the digital age, this week's episode breaks down how the physical limits of our environment are colliding with politics and technology. In this episode, we cover: The Wildfire Blame Game: We listen to 27th District Congressman George Whitesides reacting to President Trump’s recent comments and tariff threats against Canada over cross-border wildfire smoke. Fighting Fire with Tech: We turn to Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent press conference—joined by California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler, and OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs—detailing California's investments in cutting-edge suppression technology, AI camera networks, and space-based detection. The AI Infrastructure Backlash: We examine how the artificial intelligence boom is driving a frantic rush for power and water, sparking local opposition and severe resource strain. The Congressional Interrogation: We listen to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez confronting EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer during a House Energy and Commerce hearing, highlighting community water contamination, plummeting pressure, and rising bills near massive data center hubs. Tune in as we separate political grandstanding from environmental reality.

This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we’re covering a packed agenda from the state capitol to our own backyard. We break down the legislative wins and the human stories behind the policies shaping our future.   In This Episode A New Fiscal Chapter: We start in Sacramento, where Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the 2026–27 state budget. We take you inside the Governor’s latest address as he outlines the philosophy behind this balanced spending plan and what it means for California’s economic resilience. Honoring a Local Leader: We pause to honor the memory of the late Chad Kampbell. We bring you Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo’s tribute from the Assembly floor, commemorating a life spent fighting for justice, equity, and the Santa Clarita community he called home.   The Fight for Clean Air: The crisis at Chiquita Canyon Landfill takes center stage as we cover the Senate Environmental Quality Committee hearing on the Landfill Safety Act (AB 28). You’ll hear powerful testimony from Val Verde resident José Bobadilla, whose firsthand account highlights the urgent need for oversight and accountability for our local communities.

Securing capital is one of the biggest hurdles to growing a small business in the Santa Clarita Valley. But what happens when alternative commercial financing comes with hidden traps that threaten the survival of your enterprise? This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we listen to a conversation that Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (40th District) had with small business leaders to discuss AB 2116: The Protect Small Business from Predatory Lending Act. Traditional bank loans are strictly regulated, but alternative products like merchant cash advances often leave entrepreneurs vulnerable to deceptive agreements and aggressive collection tactics—including signing away legal rights before a default even occurs. Assemblywoman Schiavo walks us through the mechanics of the bill, why it’s gaining momentum in Sacramento, and how it aims to level the playing field by requiring lenders to register with the state and banning preemptive "confessions of judgment." Whether you currently run a local storefront or are in the market to acquire a business, this conversation is essential listening for navigating the modern commercial financial landscape. In this episode, we cover: The hidden dangers of unregulated commercial financing and merchant cash advances. How AB 2116 closes regulatory loopholes to protect small business owners. Why the bill bans aggressive collection tactics like "confessions of judgment." What a fairer financial marketplace means for the backbone of the SCV economy.

This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we’re bringing you a packed episode covering the critical political waves making an impact from the national stage all the way down to our local neighborhoods. From federal investigations and state-wide campaigns to the fight against gun violence and the race for Santa Clarita City Council, we break down the voices shaping our future. In This Episode: Newsom Under Fire: We listen in on Governor Gavin Newsom as he addresses recent developments regarding the Trump administration’s investigations targeting him and his wife. Wear Orange Day: Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo joins the conversation to address the ongoing epidemic of gun violence in America, sharing her insights and calls to action on this vital day of awareness. Local Leadership: We shift focus to our own backyard, discussing Kelvin Driscoll’s campaign run and vision for the Santa Clarita City Council. Looking to the Future: The episode wraps up with a look at the upcoming state elections, featuring powerful speeches from Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra and California Insurance Commissioner candidate Jane Kim. Tune in to stay informed, engaged, and connected to the issues that matter most to Santa Clarita and beyond.

On this special morning-after election edition of Santa Clarita Weekly, we delayed hitting the record button to bring you the freshest data, the biggest local breakdowns, and some massive breaking news shaking up both the sports world and international travel. From local races right here in the Santa Clarita Valley to historic blockbuster trades in Inglewood, we are covering a massive lineup of stories you won't want to miss. What’s Inside This Episode: Honoring a Legacy: We open the show with a tribute to the life and civil rights legacy of activist Andrew Joseph, Jr., featuring a powerful floor speech delivered by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. 2026 Primary Election Results: Breaking down the 10:00 AM morning-after numbers. We look at the deadlocked California Governor and Lieutenant Governor races, the surprising surge in the LA Mayor's contest, and what the early ballots mean for our backyard in the 40th Assembly District and the LA County Sheriff's Department. Sanctuary City Travel Chaos: Renee takes the mic to examine a controversial proposal floated by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to scale back customs processing in sanctuary cities—and why the travel industry warns it could cripple LAX just weeks before the World Cup. Rams Pull Off a Blockbuster: Sage flies solo to break down one of the biggest defensive trades in NFL history. The Los Angeles Rams are living by their "all-in" mantra once again, sending a massive haul of future picks to Cleveland to bring two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to SoFi Stadium.

Governor Gavin Newsom took the stage at the Association of California Water Agencies Conference on May 7, 2026, and he had some things to say about valves, wildfires, and a couple of DOGE staffers who flew to California to fix the water crisis themselves. We break down the real story behind Trump's "magic valve" claims during the LA wildfires, what actually happened with the Army Corps of Engineers' reservoir releases, and why California's water system is nothing like a kitchen faucet. Plus: meet Bryton Shang and Tyler Hassen, the recent college grads Elon Musk sent to manually restart federal water infrastructure — while DOGE was simultaneously firing the engineers who actually knew how it worked. We also explain what the shrinking Salton Sea tells us about California's water future. It's politics, infrastructure, and pure absurdity — all flowing downhill.

This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we bring you a lineup of local leaders, candidates, and elected officials speaking directly to the community. Hear remarks from Congressman George Whitesides, followed by speeches from Valerie Bradford, Lynne Plambeck, David Ross, and Paul Thompson. From city politics to water policy and judicial races, the episode captures a wide-ranging snapshot of the issues shaping Santa Clarita’s future. We close the show with Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo speaking at a press conference promoting the passage of AB 2488, legislation aimed at building California’s climate workforce and preparing the next generation for clean energy and infrastructure jobs. It’s an episode packed with policy, local voices, and the political currents moving through the Santa Clarita Valley like a convoy rolling through dry canyon wind.

Election season is officially here. We discuss the June primary ballots that just hit mailboxes—which feature the highly anticipated 2026 California Governor's race at the bottom of the ticket. We also head to Sacramento to share audio from Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo’s recent press conference, where she joined advocates to urge Governor Newsom to protect critical victims' services funding in the state budget. Then, we pivot to the sports desk to cover a wild week for LA teams. We break down Santa Clarita native Tyler Glasnow's early exit from the Dodgers game due to lower back pain, while celebrating his massive milestone of hitting 1,000 career strikeouts. Finally, we look at the ice as the LA Kings make a major mid-season change, firing head coach Jim Hiller and tapping D.J. Smith to turn the season around.

In this episode, we listen to a debate between candidates for Governor of California.

This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we are breaking down the latest political shockwaves hitting California. We dive into the upcoming Governor's race and what President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of Republican Steve Hilton means for the ballot. Then, we shift gears to examine the new allegations surrounding Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, followed by a look into his recent town hall event to hear what he had to say to constituents this week. Tune in for all the details!

This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we cover a packed news cycle from the SCV to Washington. We recap the No Kings Rally, where roughly 1,000 locals joined more than 8 million Americans nationwide in protest — with speeches from Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo on Trump's funding cuts to California and the Democrats' shot at flipping the Santa Clarita City Council, and Julee Brooks, who is challenging Bob Jensen for the Hart School Board in Trustee Area 2. Special thanks to Rise Up SCV for the rally audio. We then turn to the War in Iran, now over a month in with 15 American service members killed and no exit strategy in sight — Senator Adam Schiff breaks down the human and financial cost hitting families right here at home. Finally, we cover the double assault on your right to vote: Trump's executive order signed today directing the Postal Service to restrict mail-in ballots to a federally approved list — already headed to court — and the SAVE America Act moving through the Senate, which California's own Senator Alex Padilla has been fighting tooth and nail on the floor all week.

This week, hosts Sage and Renee take you inside the Santa Clarita Valley's political scene and beyond. First, we crash the Liberty Gala — the 40th Assembly District GOP's annual fundraiser — where Congressman Kevin Kiley showed up to raise money for the Republican Party while running away from the Republican label in his new district. Also in attendance: former LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, freshly re-registered as a Republican after years of hiding his MAGA politics behind a Democratic ballot line; perennial political chameleon Jonathan Hatami; the viral "MAGA dentist" Harleen Grewal; Santa Clarita City Councilmember Jason Gibbs, who is mounting a longshot congressional run against George Whitesides; and 40th Assembly District candidate Elizabeth Ahlers. Oh — and the venue looked like a dungeon. We're not kidding. Then, Senator Suzette Valladares wants to blame California Democrats for rising gas prices — but we explain why the real culprit is the U.S.-Iran war and Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that carries one-fifth of the world's oil supply. We also play highlights from last week's press conference with Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, who announced they are fighting the Trump administration's rollback of the EPA's Endangerment Finding in court. And we wrap up with big news for Rams fans — LA is headed to Melbourne, Australia to open the 2026 NFL season against the San Francisco 49ers. Santa Clarita Weekly — local voices, state politics, and the stories that matter to the Santa Clarita Valley.

A bombshell, a war, a whistleblower, and your Rams. This week's Santa Clarita Weekly has it all. We open with the story everyone is talking about: civil rights icon Dolores Huerta has broken a 60-year silence, publicly accusing United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez of sexual assault and revealing two secret pregnancies. We walk through her full statement and what it means for Chavez's legacy — and the farmworker movement he helped build. Then we bring it home to the 40th Assembly District, where GOP challenger Elizabeth Wong Ahlers spent her Sunday at a Moms for Liberty film screening — the same organization the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated an extremist group. We break down who Moms for Liberty really is, why Ahlers' ties to communities outside the district raise serious questions, and what it all means for voters heading into November. Next, we go deep on Trump's war in Iran. Nineteen days in, California gas prices are above five dollars a gallon, the Strait of Hormuz is paralyzed, and there is still no exit strategy in sight. Congressman George Whitesides has been sounding the alarm — we break down the human cost, the economic fallout, and the international chaos this administration has unleashed. We also feature a powerful clip from the California Democratic Convention, where Secretary of State Shirley Weber rallied Democrats around voting rights — and called out the Trump administration for targeting her personally. Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo joined us to talk about her landmark new bill, AB 2021 — the Whistleblower Protection and Privacy Act — which would create first-in-the-nation protections and financial incentives for insiders who expose corporations illegally collecting, selling, or failing to delete the private data of Californians, especially children. And we close things out with your Los Angeles Rams, who are going all in for 2026 with a blockbuster offseason that has Super Bowl written all over it. Santa Clarita Weekly — your progressive voice in the Santa Clarita Valley. New episodes every week. Topics covered: Dolores Huerta | Cesar Chavez | Elizabeth Wong Ahlers | Moms for Liberty | 40th Assembly District | Iran War | Gas Prices | Strait of Hormuz | George Whitesides | Shirley Weber | Voting Rights | Pilar Schiavo | AB 2021 | Data Privacy | Los Angeles Rams | NFL Offseason

This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we're covering a packed week in politics at every level — from the Supreme Court to Sacramento to right here in the Santa Clarita Valley. First, the Supreme Court has overturned President Trump's tariffs, ruling that his sweeping trade actions were unconstitutional. We break down what that decision means, how it happened, and what comes next for a White House that has built much of its economic agenda around tariff power. Closer to home, we have a new name in the race for the William S. Hart Union High School District Board of Trustees, Area 2. Julee Brooks has entered the race, and we discuss what her candidacy means for the contest and for the community she's looking to represent. We also bring you our firsthand account of the California Democratic Convention, held last weekend at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. With nine candidates vying to replace Governor Gavin Newsom, the convention ended without a party endorsement — no candidate came close to the 60% threshold required. We talk about the surprising delegate results, the very real fear of two Republicans locking Democrats out of the November general election under California's top-two primary system, and what the delegate vote tells us about the difference between poll popularity and political trust. And finally, we share a speech from U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, delivered at the convention — a reminder of what's at stake in California and nationally as we head toward a pivotal election year. All that and more, this week on Santa Clarita Weekly.

In this episode of Santa Clarita Weekly, Renee McKellar and Sage Rafferty dig into two urgent, intertwined stories about power, policing, and accountability. First, they examine the controversial killing of Keith Porter Jr. in Northridge by an off-duty ICE agent on New Year’s Eve, unpacking conflicting accounts of what happened, the lack of transparency from federal authorities, and why the case has sparked outrage from family, attorneys, and community leaders. They connect Porter’s death to recent ICE-related killings in Minnesota, highlighting a broader pattern of disputed narratives and aggressive tactics. In the second half, the conversation widens to explore how far-right, white supremacist militia movements—particularly Patriot Front—are shaping modern GOP enforcement strategies. Sage previews his investigative documentary, “Valley of the Shadow,” tracing how extremist street tactics appear to be filtering into federal operations, from masked agents to mass deportation raids. The episode closes with a stark question: what happens when the levers of government begin to mirror the movements that once stood outside them?

In this episode of Santa Clarita Weekly, we examine the fault lines in American democracy — from Trump’s tariffs and their impact on jobs, to his call to “nationalize” elections, to a looming partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. We connect these national fights to Santa Clarita, including controversial positions taken by local City Council candidate Denise Lite, and what they reveal about voting rights and civil liberties. We close by reflecting on what this moment means for democracy and how we move forward together