National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

Gavin Newsom appeared with Stephen Colbert to celebrate Jimmy Kimmel’s return to ABC programming, even as the governor works to silence California’s conservative voters in a redistricting initiative that (polling shows) is headed toward a slim victory on November 4 -- and despite Princeton University’s conclusion that the new electoral map earns Newsom an “F.” In other news, Will talks about the surprising origins of ABC’s 1950s deal to fund the construction of Disneyland in exchange for content, including Mickey Mouse Club and Wonderful World of Disney. Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:Jimmy Kimmel, Somber but Defiant, Defends Free Speech in Return to ABCMan arrested in Sacramento ABC TV station shooting was flagged on X for "violent speech" days earlierCalifornia 2025 Poll: Majority support Proposition 50 in November special electionPrinceton U: Newsom’s Gerrymander receives “F” grade Kamala Harris Is O

Gavin Newsom said all the right things about Charlie Kirk, but returned immediately to form with his claims that Donald Trump has unleashed his “private police force” in a campaign of “racial terror” “targeting California.” Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:Charlie Kirk - RIPCharlie Kirk’s Legacy: The Contest of Ideas‘This is Code Red’: Newsom rallies Dems in searing rebuke of TrumpLA Mayor Karen Bass blocks half-staff tribute for Charlie Kirk, some fire stations push backUCLA race and equity official sounded off after Charlie Kirk’s slaying. Now he’s on leaveHamas mouthpiece praises Hannah Einbinder’s ‘Free Palestine’ Emmys message — but censors her bare shoulders in videoSchwarzenegger Urges Voters to Reject California Redistricting MeasureWhy the ‘Governator’ could derail Prop 50Harris Says ‘Recklessness’ Drove Dems to Go Along with Biden’s Reelection Bid Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm

Among the hundreds of bills headed toward Gavin Newsom’s desk, Lance Christensen has a list of 10 to watch. Pacific Legal Foundation’s Caleb Trotter is fighting California laws that endanger public health. Tech leader Michael Fertik describes the journey that led him from Northern California to Texas to France and back again -- and offers a dramatic reading of a poem in praise of America. Music by Metalachi.Caleb Trotter, Pacific Legal FoundationNew lawsuit challenges California’s telehealth laws that put patients at riskCalifornia’s anti-bias training rule for doctors faces long-shot Supreme Court appealMichael Fertik, home againMichael Ferik bioMichael Fertik on SubstackHenry Van Dyke, “America for Me” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Legendary California Democrat John Burton is dead but his malignant influence lives on. The U.S. Supreme Court allows federal immigration stops to continue in California. Dems warn that “Abundance” could leave Californians with nothing to complain about. Question: Who likes Jew-basing? Answer: The California Teachers Association! Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:John Burton, political giant who shaped California’s left, dies at 92Supreme Court allows federal officers to more freely make immigration stops in LAGovernor Newsom issues statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold racially motivated immigration arrests in Southern CaliforniaIn Immigration Raids Case, Supremes Strike a Blow for Common SenseSupreme Court allows Trump administration to resume indiscriminate immigration raids in Los AngelesSupreme Court lifts restrictions on LA immigration stops set after agents swept up US citizensSupreme Co

Snoop Dogg talks about the challenges of growing old -- like explaining queer ideology while watching Disney movies with his grandson. Los Angeles’s former fire chief sues Mayor Bass for defamation. Gavin Newsom backpedals fast on “green” energy. Mexico’s national soccer team gets the full California experience -- robbed while training in Oakland. Bonus track! Lance Christensen tracks the California Teachers Association’s latest effort to kill education reform. Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:Lyle Menendez denied parole, will remain in prison along with younger brother ErikOusted Fire Chief in L.A. Demands Formal Apology in Legal FilingCPC congratulates Julie Hamill on new role in U.S. Attorney’s OfficeJudge Says Trump’s Use of Troops in L.A. Is IllegalNew Statewide Poll: Californians Are Tired of High Energy Costs – And It’s Turning Them Against Climate GoalsAugust 26: Diablo Canyon was supposed to be c

The California Parole Board sends Erik Menendez back to prison -- but not for reasons you might think. Newsom wins on his redistricting battle (for the moment) and still finds the time to blast Bed Bath & Beyond for its refusal to reopen in California. California Democrat Representative Robert Garcia’s rising national prominence embodies the left’s confusion on energy and wealth formation. Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:Erik Menendez to remain in prison after decision by California Parole BoardObama endorses Newsom’s redistricting proposal as a ‘responsible approach’‘He’s trying to rig the election.’ Newsom bashes Trump as redistricting campaign kicks offCalifornia Supreme Court clears way for Newsom’s redistricting planGut and Amend AB 604: From “inactive voter registrations” to “new maps”Gut and Amend SB 280: From “prohibition on contributions in state and local government office buildings” to “ne

Gavin Newsom asks state lawmakers to dismantle the California constitution. Assemblyman Carl DeMaio has a plan to kill redistricting. Playboy quits California for a new home in Miami. Los Angeles can't balance its budget but it’s determined to pay the legal bills of people who came here illegally. Bonus! Marc Joffe on the failure of public transit in California -- and the near-term possibility of flying cars by 2028. Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow NotesWiener blasts ‘Trump’s masked thugs”Gavin Newsom Rolls the DiceDeMaio Files Redistricting “Poison Pill” Initiative to Ban State Legislators Who Vote to Change District Maps from Seeking Office for 10 YearsLA City Council OKs resolution declaring fiscal emergency amid $1B deficitLA city officials want to fund immigration defense. The budget crisis makes it hard"Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee - Please Call Your Office"Playboy leaves Los Angeles for Miami Beach; CEO ca

A city that can’t manage its own affairs was always bound for trouble in hosting the 2028 Olympics, and now President Trump has given progressives the excuse they need to bail out. California’s redistricting process was never nonpartisan, now it’ll just be worse. Newsom is ready for coal, Sacramento State’s president hopes to “eliminate whiteness,” the Los Angeles Times can’t use the words “illegal immigrant,” and the fascinating secret of Pasadena-born celebrity chef Julia Child. Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:DB on Newt’s WorldDavid on Mike Rowe: Poor, Smart and DesperateTrump announces he will chair White House taskforce for 2028 LA OlympicsL.A. never needed the Olympics. With Trump wanting in, it’s time to pull outCould Trump’s new Olympics task force be a guise for further militarizing L.A.?Cancel the 2028 L.A. OlympicsWhy a gerrymandering critic wants to toss out California’s mapsCalifornia cut co

San Francisco’s Saikat Chakrabarti is wealthy, naive, and running for Nancy Pelosi’s House seat on socialist vibes platform. Newsom races to the bottom in his redistricting battle with Texas Governor Greg Abbott. David applies his “Ten-Second Rule” to the fraudster behind the California secession movement. Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow NotesGov. Reagan signs the Mulford Act, banning public carrying of loaded firearms without a permit The Editors: California’s Lucky EscapeTexas redistricting move would ‘trigger’ new California maps, Newsom saysExclusive: Schwarzenegger ready to fight Newsom on redistrictingMeet the Fraudster Who Wants to Make California Its Own CountryHow a fizzled recall attempt actually helped Mayor Karen BassTech millionaire challenger to Nancy Pelosi draws huge crowd at SF campaign kickoffCoffee shop owner fires back amid suitsSheridan Karras, California Policy Center researcherCalifornia

In this quadricentennial episode, David and Will track the sad decline of the once-great Annenberg Foundation, Willie Brown’s surprising endorsement of Rick Caruso for governor, and approve Trump’s decision to end the political performance of park rangers at Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County. Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:Kamala Harris’ ex-lover Willie Brown warns her of ‘difficult’ road to win California governor’s race after resounding 2024 lossCA agency reverses on telework policy after workers raise union contract concernsPlanned Parenthood Got More Taxpayer Money than PBS and NPR CombinedBakersfield community rallies against Congressman David Valadao’s support for Medicaid cutsStanford Graduate Workers Union Attempts To Fire Students Who Refuse To Join UnionWhere Did $100 Million in LA Fire Relief Money Go?EXCLUSIVE: Karen Bass Raked In Cash From Chinese Intel-Tied Bankers Before Hiring

In a single week, California Governor Gavin Newsom lost federal support for the troubled California High Speed Rail project, declared an unwinnable war to redraw California’s voting map, and confronted the worst unemployment numbers in the nation. David and Will track the name “California” to a Spanish novel, published this month in 1510. Bonus! Republican candidate for governor Steve Hilton describes his strategy for breaking through California’s blue wall of noise. Music by Metalachi.Email Us:dbahnsen@thebahnsengroup.comwill@calpolicycenter.orgFollow Us:@DavidBahnsen@WillSwaim@TheRadioFreeCAShow Notes:This Is How ‘Authoritarianism’ Ends: With a WhimperTrump administration pulls billions in funding for high-speed rail project; state leaders call decision ‘illegal’Federal review of high-speed railCalifornia sues to stop Trump’s politically motivated attack on high-speed railNewsom Wants California to Counter Texas on RedistrictingAs Newsom ponders redistricting, California projected to lose as many as 4 congr