Zócalo's Connecting California

Zócalo's Connecting California

Hosted by
6 min

Every week, Zócalo columnist and fourth-generation Southern Californian Joe Mathews talks to Morning Edition host Chery Glaser about 21st-century California's people, politics, trends and idiosyncrasies.

All Episodes

Leila Mottley was 19 and fresh out of high school when she wrote “Nightcrawling,” which captures the heartbreak and yearning of California’s inner cities.

Commentator Joe Mathews says the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley is the best of its kind in the country, even if that has little to do with the 40th president…

Commentator Joe Mathews says the federal government’s sale of off-shore wind leases is raising questions about the future of climate and community.

When California’s economy falters, the reverberations are felt across the globe. Commentator Joe Mathews says state banks are often the root of the problem.

San Diego’s public universities are thriving. Joe Mathews says forward thinking and smart development are making the southwest corner of the state a higher education mecca.

As California schools are routinely shutting down, commentator Joe Mathews says it’s crucial to harden schools for this new reality and keep them running.

Political power is fleeting, but ballot initiatives in California can last forever if their champions continue to fight for them.

California’s tech giants have helped build one of the world's largest economies, but commentator Joe Mathews says Americans have paid a heavy price for that success.

More from KCRW

Scientists are worried about chemicals from burned materials (heavy metals, plastics, fire retardants) polluting the ocean.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Ippei Mizuhara, former translator for LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, was sentenced to 57 months in prison and $18.1 million payout in restitution today.

from KCRW Features

Weeks after the Eaton Fire in Altadena, injured wildlife is showing up around the disaster area. The singed animals include everything from birds to bobcats.

from KCRW Features

The Latest

What do young people think of the American Dream? Not much, says a new UCLA study, but many of them want to disrupt the status quo like Trump.

Gen Z finds Trump and Musk inspiring, says UCLA study

What do young people think of the American Dream? Not much, says a new UCLA study, but many of them want to disrupt the status quo like Trump.

from KCRW Features

The full transcript from a CBS interview with Kamala Harris was shared by the FCC as the lawsuit surrounding it appears likely to result in a settlement.

FCC shares Kamala Harris interview transcript amidst ongoing lawsuit

The full transcript from a CBS interview with Kamala Harris was shared by the FCC as the lawsuit surrounding it appears likely to result in a settlement.

from The Business

KCRW unravels a disruptive White House week. Is the president just stirring outrage? Plus, we discuss Elon Musk’s influence on the foreign aid fight.

Can we make sense of Trump and Musk’s political approaches?

KCRW unravels a disruptive White House week. Is the president just stirring outrage? Plus, we discuss Elon Musk’s influence on the foreign aid fight.

from Left, Right & Center

The Department of Government Efficiency infiltrated the Treasury and other agencies after Trump’s inauguration, according to the Washington Post.

Fed employees say Musk’s AI plans are a big security risk

The Department of Government Efficiency infiltrated the Treasury and other agencies after Trump’s inauguration, according to the Washington Post.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Department of Government Efficiency infiltrated the Treasury and other agencies after Trump’s inauguration, according to the Washington Post.

AI in the government, wildfire impact on marine life

The Department of Government Efficiency infiltrated the Treasury and other agencies after Trump’s inauguration, according to the Washington Post.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

President Trump’s executive order seeks to cut federal funding for gender transition medical procedures. KCRW hears from a mom of a 17-year-old who’s been transitioning since age 4.

Denying gender-affirming care will cost lives, says mom and author

President Trump’s executive order seeks to cut federal funding for gender transition medical procedures. KCRW hears from a mom of a 17-year-old who’s been transitioning since age 4.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

President Trump’s executive order seeks to cut federal funding for gender transition medical procedures. KCRW hears from a mom of a 17-year-old who’s been transitioning since age 4.

Impact of gender-affirming care, Woolsey Fire survivor’s rebuilding success

President Trump’s executive order seeks to cut federal funding for gender transition medical procedures. KCRW hears from a mom of a 17-year-old who’s been transitioning since age 4.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

After the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed Gary Scott’s Malibou Lake home, he rebuilt a smaller and more fireproof house on the same land.

After Woolsey Fire, this music composer built his dream house

After the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed Gary Scott’s Malibou Lake home, he rebuilt a smaller and more fireproof house on the same land.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand