Mariel Garza

The manosphere is a moment. The future is still female We are at an inflection point where American men may ultimately have more to lose if misogyny doesn’t migrate to the discard file.

open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...

Commentary: California is having its most wide-open governor's race in decades. Why's that? Billionaire Tom Steyer and Rep. Eric Swalwell are the latest — and maybe not the last — candidates to jump into the contest. The lack of a prohibitive front-runner signals opportunity.

NEW: California is having its most wide-open governor’s race in decades. Why’s that?

Billionaire Tom Steyer and Rep Eric Swalwell are the latest -- and maybe not the last -- candidates to jump into the contest.

Like nature, political ambition abhors a vacuum.

www.latimes.com/politics/sto...

Jesus Christ

A piñata sold in Mexico in the shape of an ICE officer

Mexican entrepreneurship knows no limits…

Behold the ICE officer piñata 🪅

This is super depressing for us old-school journalists. But it also has the uncomfortable ring of truth.

L.A. to N.Y. Post: Drop dead There are plenty of things to criticize about California and Los Angeles, but GOP-talking points disguised as independent commentary don't really add to the conversation.

I have some thoughts about the N.Y. Post's expansion in California. open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...

So long to Texas' new districts. In California, Prop. 50's maps are here to stay Sold as California's response to mid-decade redistricting in Texas, Proposition 50 doesn't actually include triggering language based on what any other state does.

Does Texas' new districts getting thrown out mean Prop. 50 -- sold as a tit-for-tat response to Texas -- is moot? Nope, because there is no actual triggering language in the CA law that voters passed on Nov. 4, writes @paulthornton.bsky.social

Silicon Valley’s Extortion Letter to Democrats Ex-Palantir Exec Warns Democrats to Bow Down or Lose the Future

A former Palantir exec just published an extortion letter in the Washington Post: Democrats must fund tech oligarchs, abandon antitrust, and create 15 deregulated corporate zones—or “lose.”

When I challenged her, she blocked me.

Tech’s moral rot, exposed:
www.thenerdreich.com/silicon-vall...

Huang could complicate Bass’ reelection bid, luring away left-of-center voters at a time when the mayor faces criticism over the Palisades fire, the budget and several other issues.

The larger the pool of candidates, the more work Bass will have to do to avoid an expensive runoff campaign.

Olivia Nuzzi Did It All for Love

The writer says Nuzzi worked on the book while in a "self-imposed exile in Los Angeles." C'mon! This isn't some rural outpost -- L.A. is celebrity central and the hub of the freaking entertainment universe! People come here to be seen, not to hide.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/14/s...

A good read by @nataliekorach.bsky.social and @status.news. Murdoch's move into Los Angeles, in the works for months, was a big motivator for us to launch @goldenstateorg.bsky.social. Competition is healthy, but it shouldn't only be billionaire-backed media telling the California story.

Healthier school food is on the way — in 10 years The long implementation period belies the urgency of the crisis. By the time California's ban on dangerous ultra-processed takes full effect, today's school kids may have school-aged kids of their own...

Remember all that fanfare about California banning ultra-processed food from school lunches? Well, hurry up and wait. It will take about a decade for it to be fully implemented -- plenty of time for it to get watered down.
www.golden-state.org/healthier-sc...

Healthier school food is on the way — in 10 years The long implementation period belies the urgency of the crisis. By the time California's ban on dangerous ultra-processed takes full effect, today's school kids may have school-aged kids of their own...

Hooray, ultra-processed foods will be off the menu in CA schools -- in 10 years, that is. Journalist Minerva Canto says that's too long and points to districts that have done it on their own in two years.
www.golden-state.org/healthier-sc...

Pelosi’s out. Goodbye to 'San Francisco Democrats' dominance as power shifts south The former speaker's retirement from Congress marks the end of a historic era of political power held by Bay Area Democrats and the rise of SoCal's influence.

Marc Sandalow in the Golden State Report open.substack.com/pub/goldenst... h/t @marielgarza.bsky.social

Support Golden State Fearless. Informed. Californian.

Paul and I started Golden State as a labor of love. But our savings accounts are getting light, and we need to be able to pay ourselves and the excellent writers working with us. I hope you can help me raise money for Golden State via @givebutter givebutter.com/NY2Duo

A little bit more about @goldenstateorg.bsky.social

For those wondering what I spent my post-LA Times year doing, the answer is this 👇

Please check it out!

Pelosi’s out. Goodbye to 'San Francisco Democrats' dominance as power shifts south The former speaker's retirement from Congress marks the end of a historic era of political power held by Bay Area Democrats and the rise of SoCal's influence.

Pelosi’s out. Goodbye to 'San Francisco Democrats' dominance as power shifts south
open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...

Gutted by the Dems caving after the blue-wave wins of last week? Sick & tired of us snatching defeat from the jaws of victory? I hear you! Might I suggest you calm yourself, relax, take a deep, cleansing breath... then see if this photo of 2 pandas cuddling is of any help.

He supported L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Now he wants her job Austin Beutner, a former L.A. Unified superintendent, says City Hall has come up woefully short on wildfires, homelessness, housing and affordability.

We're podcasting! Check out co-founder @marielgarza.bsky.social's chat with L.A. mayoral candidate Austin Beutner. They talk wildfires, housing, affordability, the Olympics and, yes, Donald Trump.

He supported L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Now he wants her job Austin Beutner, a former L.A. Unified superintendent, says City Hall has come up woefully short on wildfires, homelessness, housing and affordability.

And so another election cycle begins. Check out this interview I did with Austin Beutner, the former L.A. Unified superintendent who is challenging Mayor Karen Bass. open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...

The tiny Golden State Report staff stayed up late and got up early to produce this EXTRA SPECIAL ELECTION BONUS EDITION.

Gustavo Arellano: OC federal election monitors are… | KCRW The Trump Administration's plans for monitors during the Nov. 4th special election reflect a long history of questioning election integrity in Orange County.

MY LATEST @kcrw.com ORANGE COUNTY LINE: OC federal election monitors are not new. Share, porfas!

Insane by design? I'm a veteran healthcare reporter, and I can tell you the American system is nuts As a journalist and parent, I've had a front-row seat to the “complexification” of American healthcare, which demoralizes and depletes users. We have to fix it - or at least not make it worse.

After decades of reporting on healthcare, Julie Marquis has some deeply informed thoughts about our ridiculously complicated and punitive system. And she's a great writer. Check it out on @goldenstatereport.bsky.social. No paywall open.substack.com/pub/goldenst...

Can Los Angeles elect its own Zohran Mamdani? Mamdani’s Democratic primary win electrified LA’s progressive movement, which had already made significant gains in the previous three election cycles.

Can Los Angeles elect its own Zohran Mamdani? Short answer: Maybe, but probably not in 2026 substack.com/@msmarielgar...

What do the Dodgers owe Latino fans? When the team was silent on immigration raids and reparations for ousted Chavez Ravine residents, it spoke volumes to its homegrown fan base. Time to speak up.

A timely piece by L.A. writer Patricia Escárcega in today's @goldenstatereport.bsky.social

First the feds came for L.A. Now San Francisco. Here's what to expect We in Los Angeles saw the effects of Trump's constant lying and terrorizing of immigrant communities. Now the feds are arriving in the Bay Area.

What to expect when you are expecting the arrival of 100 federal troops.
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/first-the-...

Hmm, the president seems focused on punishing California of late. I wonder what's that about. Is there an election coming up or something?

Trump Administration Live Updates: White House Changes Course and Will Demolish Entire East Wing

Lying is simply his default software. "It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it," Trump said.
nytimes.com/live/2025/10...