Talking journalism with Soledad O’Brien

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 05.18.2026

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Our guest today is Emmy Award winning journalist, producer, documentary filmmaker and podcaster Soledad O’Brien. O’Brien got her start in broadcast TV in 1991, and has held a wide variety of positions, ranging from on-air reporter, to anchor, to producer. Her work has been recognized with four Emmy awards, three George Foster Peabody Awards; she has also received the Gracie Award, which honors women in media. O’Brien joined us to talk about the state of journalism today.

Capitol Briefs

Capitol Briefs: Pelosi, pensions and antitrust

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks before the Democratic national summer meeting in San Francisco, 2019. (Photo: Sheila Fitzgerald, via Shutterstock)

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 05.19.2026

It’s been a long week and it’s only…checks calendar…Tuesday! Check out a rare early week Capitol Briefs.

News

Lawmaker, heal thyself

Image by Phimprapha Kitaiamphaisan.

by LEAH O’TARROW posted 05.13.2026

California lawmakers are responsible for shaping mental health policy for millions — deciding how the state responds to crisis, expands treatment and addresses stigma. But when it comes to their own mental health, many say the reality is far less structured

Micheli Minute

The Micheli Minute for May 18, 2026

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 05.18.2026

Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.

Opinion

Protect homeowners from special assessments — or guarantee them

A quiet neighborhood in Bend Oregon with blue sky

by KARIN KROENER-VALDIVIA posted 05.19.2026

OPINION – Two bills moving through the Legislature this session could fundamentally reshape how California’s homeowners associations manage their finances.

News

Anti-Steyer PAC mimics name of a housing advocacy campaign

Photo from Steyer for Governor website.

by BRIAN JOSEPH posted 04.28.2026

Sharp-eyed members of the Capitol community may recognize that an anti-Tom Steyer PAC has a virtually identical to the name of a public education campaign organized by a group of progressive housing justice organizations.

Capitol Briefs

Capitol Briefs: Suspense, budgets, and more LA sex abuse controversy

Gov. Gavin Newsom. Image by AP.

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 05.15.2026

It was another busy week around the Capitol, with the release of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s final May budget revision, the clearing of the Suspense Files in both Appropriations Committees and yet more controversy in the ongoing battle over sexual abuse claims against L.A. County.

Opinion

California’s $18 Billion hole: A Feature of Newsom’s pension spiral

State Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: Brandon Bourdages, via Shutterstock)

by JAY ROGERS posted 05.18.2026

OPINION—On May 14, Gov. Newsom unveiled his May Revision and declared California’s deficit gone. Erased by a $16.5 billion revenue surge driven by AI-fueled stock market gains. I don’t buy it.

Micheli Files

The suspense file process in the California Legislature

The California state Capitol at dusk. (Photo: Karin Hildebrand Lau, via Shutterstock)

by CHRIS MICHELI posted 05.14.2026

Today is a big day in the Legislature – suspense file hearings in the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees. But what exactly is the suspense file procedure? We’re glad you asked. Allow Capitol Weekly contributor, lobbyist and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli explain all for you.