Power, Policy, and the Future of L.A.
Who really runs Los Angeles? From charter reform to policing and housing, this episode explores power, accountability, and the future of L.A.—plus a conversation with State Senate candidate Sara Hernandez.
Robinson, Robeson, and the Red Scare
A deep dive into 1949’s Robeson–Robinson controversy: HUAC, anti-communism, and the “double bind” facing Black leaders. Dr. Gerald Horne explains the era’s loyalty tests—and why the fightback and solidarity still matter now.
Data Centers vs. Communities (SB 978)
California’s data-center boom is colliding with local communities. Dino and State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez unpack SB 978—new guardrails to prevent ratepayer cost-shifting, require grid upgrades, and assess climate and health impacts as massive facilities expand statewide.
EV Charging Equity on L.A.’s Eastside
EVs are growing fast—unless you’re a renter with nowhere to plug in. Dino breaks down charging deserts, rebates, curbside chargers, and the Take Charge Live Feb. 4 webinar with LA County, the William C. Velásquez Institute, and GRID Alternatives.
Downey ICE Fallout: Trujillo & Carrillo
ICE raids spark fear in Downey—and a political clash. Councilmember Mario Trujillo breaks down what happened, calls for community-led alerts and rights training, and challenges city leadership. Candidate Wendy Carrillo lays out her Senate bid, the Vision Act, and a call to abolish ICE.
Venezuela, ICE & Downey Showdown
Pastor Ricardo Moreno reports from Caracas as Venezuela faces new deportation flights and uncertainty after U.S. action. Then Downey’s mayor responds to community outrage over ICE activity, racial profiling fears, and what local leaders can—and can’t—do.
Hard Truths: ICE, Power & LA Races
With trust low and costs high, Dino warns that democracy erodes when state violence is normalized and accountability disappears. Hear interviews with LA Council candidate John Rawlings and City Attorney candidate Aida Ashouri on housing, policing, and community power.
Venezuela Strike & LA Power Politics
From Caracas, Ricardo Moreno reacts to overnight strikes in Venezuela and what residents are hearing in real time. Back in LA, Marissa Roy (City Attorney) and Dr. Monica Sanchez (Congress) discuss enforcement, civil rights, and community-first leadership.
Texas Maps, Voting Rights & KPFK fund drive
Dino and Nella kick off KPFK’s year-end fund drive, asking listeners to help sustain independent radio. Then Dino talks with voting-rights leader Lydia Camarillo about the Supreme Court’s shadow-docket decision greenlighting Texas’s new congressional map and its impact on Latino and Black voters.
Losing to Trump? LA Fights Back
What does “losing” to Trump really look like—for journalists, immigrants, and everyday Angelenos? Host Dino takes listener calls, then switches to Politics, Tacos & Beer with CD11 candidate Faizah Malik on housing, safety, and keeping working families in L.A.
Climate Truth & South LA on the Line
Live from COP30 in Brazil, Aura Vásquez breaks down the battle over climate disinformation and the Amazon. Back in South LA, candidate José Ugarte joins our Politics, Tacos & Beer series to talk immigration, policing and keeping his district livable and affordable.
New York’s People Power Earthquake.
Dino heads to New York to unpack how 34-year-old democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani toppled a political dynasty. Volunteers, tenants and harm-reduction workers reveal how rent, dignity and people power turned a local race into a national wake-up call.