California Nation

California Democrats have pushed the state further and further to the left. With Gavin Newsom as governor and President Trump in the White House, many lawmakers within the Democratic Party think there's still room for California to become even more progressive. Lawmakers in order of appearance at the beginning of the show include Assemblyman Todd Gloria, Sen. Ben Allen, Sen. Bob Hertzberg, Sen. Connie Leyva, Sen. Hannah Beth-Jackson, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. Later in the show, Sacramento Bee legislative reporter Hannah Wiley sits down to discuss some of the most liberal bills under consideration this year. For more information about today's show, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article230722394.html.

Author and spiritual leader Marianne Williamson has qualified for a spot on the Democratic debate stage by hitting 65,000 donors. She recently spoke with The Bee to discuss her vision for the county. For more information, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article229909459.html.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has qualified for a spot on the 2020 Democratic presidential stage. Running to combat climate change, he's hoping he can resonate with California voters. To learn more about Inslee, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/election/article229909509.html. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.

Democratic presidential candidate John Hickenlooper sits down for a one-on-one conversation. He insists he is progressive enough for California and discusses his views on marijuana legalization and gun violence. To learn more about Hickenlooper, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article229729999.html.

For months, Jason Pohl and Ryan Gabrielson have been investigating inmate deaths in county jails. This McClatchy/ProPublica collaboration found that in-custody deaths have risen substantially since California began shifting responsibility for thousands of offenders from state prisons to county jails. For more information about today's episode, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/news/investigations/california-prisons/article229376524.html. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.

Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg sits down for a conversation about his vision for the country and his political future. The 37-year-old South Bend, Indiana, mayor is the first candidate in modern history to be both openly gay and a military veteran. Despite his age, he insists he's qualified to take on President Trump. To learn more about Buttigieg and his plan to expand the Supreme Court, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article228438359.html.

Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang sits down for a one-on-one conversation. He insists he is a viable contender because "the opposite of Donald Trump is an Asian man who likes math." On the show, Yang discusses his views on universal basic income, immigration and taxes.

In March 2018, two Sacramento police officers shot and killed Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man. Following the District Attorney's decision not to prosecute the officers, protesters took to the streets in opposition. Despite a largely peaceful protesters, Sacramento Police decided to arrest 84 people. Among the detainees were three reporters. Sacramento Bee reporter Sam Stanton discusses what he saw, as his colleague was put in handcuffs. Later in the show, Democratic Assemblymembers Kevin McCarty and Shirley Weber chime in to promote a plan that would raise the standard under which officers could use deadly force. Finally, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger makes the cut for our Buzz of the Week segment for his comments about refusing to endorse Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election. Got Buzz of the Week suggestions? Call 916-326-5538. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.

California Republicans flocked to Sacramento last weekend for the party's annual convention. The GOP selected a new leader, and questions remain about how Republicans can return to relevancy in the state. Later in the show, Sen. Dianne Feinstein makes the cut for our Buzz of the Week segment for her heated interaction with children pushing the Green New Deal. Got Buzz of the Week suggestions? Call 916-326-5538. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has ambitious goals for the state when it comes to health care. But what exactly is his vision for the state’s health care system? This week on the podcast, Bee reporter Sophia Bollag explains. Later in the show, Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, discusses an audit request to examine the state’s handling of the Motor Voter program — which began registering Californians to vote in April 2018. His proposal comes in response to a Sacramento Bee investigation that found elections officials expressed concerns to Secretary of State Alex Padilla about the program’s launch. Finally, this week's Buzz of the Week comes from Assemblyman Mike Gipson, who shared a personal story this week while pushing for stricter gun regulations. For more information on today's episode, visit Got Buzz of the Week suggestions? Call 916-326-5538. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.

The Camp Fire has taken the lives of 86 people and has put PG&E in financial peril. We take a look back at the most devastating wildfire in California history. Later in the show, Travis Allen discusses his campaign to be the next leader of the California GOP. He believes the party should align itself closer with President Donald Trump. Finally, in place of our Buzz of the Week segment, we play the full, unedited interview with Congressman Adam Schiff that was cut off in our last episode. For more information on today's episode, visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article224979315.html. You can watch the full documentary, "When Paradise became Hell" here: https://www.sacbee.com/news/article223786265.html. Got Buzz of the Week suggestions? Call 916-326-5538. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.

California Democrats will have historic majorities in the Legislature. But what will they do with it? Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate leader Toni Atkins discuss their plans. Later in the show, Congressman Adam Schiff discusses his plans for investigating President Donald Trump. He also weighs in on the government shutdown, possible presidential plans, and the status of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Finally, Dutch Newsom wins Buzz of the Week for his cameo during his father's inaugural address. For more information on today's episode, please visit https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article224197130.html. Got Buzz of the Week suggestions? Call 916-326-5538. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.

Questions are being raised about whether Sen. Kamala Harris knew about her aide's sexual misconduct claims. Harris denies having any such knowledge. Later in the show, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra discusses the state's ongoing lawsuits against the Trump administration. Finally, one state senator makes an interesting offer in our Buzz of the Week segment. For more information on today's episode, visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article223266370.html.

Movers and shakers in the world of California politics offer advice for Gavin Newsom, the state's next governor. Two political consultants also evaluate what the midterms mean for Republicans and Democrats going forward. Guests on today's show (in order of appearance) include Kristin Olsen, Jon Coupal, Gov. Gray Davis, Roger Salazar and Mike Madrid. For more information on today's episode and how to assist wildfire victims, visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article221674460.html. Got Buzz of the Week suggestions? Call 916-326-5538. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.

If Democrats want to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, they'll likely need to pick up a few seats in California. Orange County has become the epicenter for fierce and expensive congressional fights, as Republicans look to fend off their toughest competition yet. For more information on today's episode, visit https://www.sacbee.com/podcasts/california-nation/article220931535.html. Got Buzz of the Week suggestions? Call 916-326-5538. Send show feedback to host Bryan Anderson at banderson@sacbee.com.