Santa Clarita Weekly

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!