Alex Melendrez

Eleni Kounalakis drops out of California governor’s race, pivots to down-ballot campaign The lieutenant governor announced she will instead run for state treasurer in 2026.

BIG CALIFORNIA POLITICAL NEWS. With Kamala Harris and now the Lt. Governor out of the race, we have a whole new governor’s race.

www.politico.com/news/2025/08... #caleg #california

Moving to LA was a good move

Americans Wanted a Cost of Living Warrior. Trump Is the Opposite Americans are increasingly concerned with cost of living issues. They voted for Donald Trump to help, but he's done the opposite.

We elected an oligarch to solve worker problems. My healthcare is going up. The grocery store clerks are being asked questions about price raises. Websites have tariff counters. He’s making you poorer. If not your costs, the cost of what you’re buying.
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...

Happy first of the month. The rent is due

Happy first of the month. The rent is due

If we’re going to be rebuilding here anyways, we should be allowing it, build housing, climate resilient infrastructure and improved wildfire mitigation.

We can beat segregation, while creating more climate resilient housing. #yimby

laist.com/news/housing...

If we’re going to be rebuilding here anyways, we should be allowing it, build housing, climate resilient infrastructure and improved wildfire mitigation.

We can beat segregation, while creating more climate resilient housing. #yimby

laist.com/news/housing...

Welcome to Donald Trump’s America - increasing your healthcare costs one terrible piece of legislation at a time #Trumpflation

Kaiser to halt gender-affirming surgeries Kaiser's decision was criticized by members of the LGBTQ community, but praised by parental rights advocates.

Wow. Yet, another day were a major industry folds to the Trump administration.

Kaiser to halt gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 beginning Aug. 29

calmatters.org/newsletter/k...

Incoming 2 podcast episodes with @yimbydems.bsky.social ! Featuring former Stockton, Mayor and candidate for Lt. Governor Michael Tubbs. #Abundance #YIMBY #Democrats @zennonuc.bsky.social @abundanthousingla.bsky.social

Back on the apps lmao - even prominently online people need a break

It’s important to know that this does not rule on birthright citizenship itself, not fully (not yet), but limits the court abilities to stop illegal or unconstitutional actions from the president.

“Eventually, executive power will become completely uncontainable, and our beloved constitutional Republic will be no more.”

“With deep disillusionment, I dissent,”

“I have no doubt that, if judges must allow the Executive to act unlawfully in some circumstances, as the Court concludes today, executive lawlessness will flourish, and from there, it is not difficult to predict how this all ends,” - Ketanji Brown Jackson.

“No right is safe in the new legal regime the Court creates,” - Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

A great win for youth, progress and a shift in the Democratic party. It’s a small shift, but it’s one that matters. Congrats Congressmember @robertgarcia.bsky.social

How we built the Redwood City Pulse When I helped launch the Redwood City Pulse in 2021, I wasn’t just starting a newsroom. I was building trust from the ground up in a city I’d come to love. As a Latina journalist, creating a platfo…

Local journalism is really important and I can’t gush more than my friend Michelle’s journey to build the @rwcpulse.com

miracheta.com/2025/06/23/h...

miracheta.com/2025/06/23/h...

I truly believe good things can still happen. Can always happen. I believe it deep in my heart and I never let it go.

If you can too, take it to all your wins big and small. Make a little change. Try something new. Don’t give up. It makes a difference.

The fall of Afghanistan and Afghan refugees, LGBTQ+ folks seeking a safe state, abortion access, and sanctuary cities.

Rights require ACCESSIBILITY, not just through laws, but also through AFFORDABILITY.

Zohran campaign seems like a pretty big vindication of RCV tbh: the more left candidate has clearly felt substantial incentive to reach out to center, and multiple other candidates have felt incentive to not alienate his supporters either.

Haha

HHS appears to delete Surgeon General gun violence advisory webpage The HHS appears to have taken down a webpage from the Office of the Surgeon General that included an advisory on gun violence being a "public health crisis" in the U.S.

Wild to think that we have Secretary of Health and Human Services that cares more about if children get shots from vaccines over getting shot from guns.

abcnews.go.com/Health/hhs-a...

Today is another day to be positive, do good and take on the world with a smile.

Lots of shit going on, but the world could use some more optimism, even in small acts of resistance

Bonus, the West LA community shows up. These posters were everywhere along the storefront and the race path #ICEoutOfLA

Showed up to Venice Run Club’s official Abbot Kinney one mile race and found out there is a Run Against Ice run club

This is physical bravery. This guy is a patriot.

These are not police.

By law, they have to identify. If they won’t—copy their plates, call the actual police and let them know you are witnessing armed police impersonators.

❤️

Do Democrats Really Care About Immigrants? Their housing policies often make it hard to tell

If you’re a Democrat who believes America should support immigrants and stop ICE raids, consider also believing Democratic cities and states should make housing easier to build so new residents can afford living there

jeremyl.substack.com/p/do-democra...

Co-written with the excellent @acmelendrez.bsky.social! The Democratic Party can only change when party influencers leverage their platforms, and I’m grateful to know a leader like Alex who consistently does so with a smile, a hug, and a selfie for everyone