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.
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“Didion reminds me of when I’m really dark and the way that I think about the world.”
CaliforniaAmong a certain set, Joan Didion stands as California’s purest homegrown literary voice. But Didion left the state long ago and her most seminal works are decades old.
Joe Mathews: A small farm community leads the way on energy independence
CaliforniaCleaner, cheaper and more reliable. That’s what the town of Gonzales is hoping for energy-wise as it sets out to build the state’s first municipal microgrid.
Joe Mathews: The real California divide is one of height
CaliforniaZocalo commentator Joe Mathews says California’s often overlooked class divisions often come down to two words: “hills” and “flatlands,” with the state’s wealthier residents literally…
Joe Mathews: Space for Southern Californians to do their thing, whatever that may be
CaliforniaIt’s hard to overstate the importance of places like the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in highly-urbanized Southern California.
California’s fixation on balanced budgets has compounded the state’s big problems
CaliforniaZocalo commentator Joe Mathews has come with a word that describes what he calls the state’s obsessive and unhealthy aversion to red ink: budgetism.
Joe Mathews: Is the Newsom recall effort good for California?
CaliforniaThe drive to force a vote on removing Gavin Newsom from office is picking up steam, spurred on by anger over coronavirus restrictions and other conservative grievances.
There’s a place where life slows down in California, and it’s in the middle of everywhere.
CaliforniaIt’s been a rough year, let’s face it. Cut off by a deadly virus from those we love and the things we love to do, many of us have felt trapped at home.
Joe Mathews: Elon Musk owes much of his success to California taxpayers: he’s paid us back with scorn
CaliforniaSome see Elon’s Musk’s personal move to Texas as a blow to California’s prestige and possibly its economy. But Zocalo commentator Joe Mathews is happy to show him the door.
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Scared and anxious about returning to offices, restaurants, and other public places? You’re not alone
CoronavirusAs more vaccines are available, students return to classrooms, and people start booking travel again, the idea of returning to life outside might seem daunting.
COVID cases are way down in LA. But does public health director Barbara Ferrer expect another wave?
Los AngelesLA County is now looking at pre-winter surge numbers. The seven-day positivity rate is about 3%, which is the lowest since the early days of the pandemic.