Sasha Abramsky on the partisan takeover of small-towns: from potholes to culture wars

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Emily Hoeven examines Gov. Gavin Newsom's heightened relevance following the Democrats' stunning presidential defeat. As the party searches for new leadership, California's ambitious governor seems poised to step onto the national stage. But can the telegenic leader of the world's fifth-largest economy translate his West Coast progressive agenda into a winning formula for Democrats nationwide? Hoeven offers her sharp insights on whether Newsom has what it takes to become the kind of Democrat America would embrace. 

Elsa Devienne takes us behind the iconic beaches of Los Angeles to reveal a hidden history of transformation, conflict, and reinvention. The author of "Sand Rush," Devienne discusses how L.A.’s shores went from eroding, polluted strips in the 1920s and '30s to expansive public spaces that defined the city’s image and culture. She details the social and political forces that played out, from the exclusion of minority communities to today’s ongoing battles over coastal access. With echoes of "Chinatown" and insights into today’s wealth-driven coastal fights, Devienne’s work helps illuminate Los Angeles' evolving identity.

In a wide-ranging conversation, Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano dismantles the myth of a monolithic "Latino vote." Through his recent 3,000-mile journey across the Southwest, Arellano discovered communities far more focused on local concerns than national political narratives. He explores how Latinos navigate the complex dynamic of assimilation, while often maintaining a distinct cultural identity. Most striking was their passion for local politics, with leaders making their most significant impact far from the national spotlight.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning California poet Forrest Gander discusses "Mojave Ghost," his novel-poem blending personal grief with geological exploration. He explains how his background in geology shapes his writing, offering unique insights on landscape and emotion. Gander describes walking the San Andreas Fault to process loss, highlighting the desert's transformative power. He explores the connection between landscape and psyche, challenging conventional views of time and grief. Gander emphasizes the importance of presence in writing and life, reflecting on poetry's role in our media-saturated world.

Oisin Heneghan, a Stanford engineering graduate and real estate developer, sees opportunity in San Francisco's challenges. His company N17 leads the Bay Area in pending planning applications for new housing. Heneghan explains San Francisco's cyclical nature, emphasizing the need to look five to seven years ahead, as conditions change by project completion. He’s focused on addressing the housing crisis, leveraging political support for new housing, and using new laws for faster approvals. Heneghan remains confident in San Francisco's strong fundamentals, citing its tech industry, natural beauty, and ability to attract top talent.

Wall Street Journal reporter Zusha Elinson takes us through his reporting on the tragic encounter at a San Francisco Walgreens on April 27, 2023, when security guard Michael Anthony fatally shot Banko Brown, a homeless transgender man, over $14.64 worth of stolen candy. The story unfolds against a backdrop of shifting attitudes towards crime and policing in San Francisco. Both Anthony and Brown were at tumultuous points in their lives when their paths crossed. The confluence of personal struggles, corporate policies, and urban challenges culminated in a moment that sparked outrage and debate about justice, race, and transgender rights in San Francisco.

Sasha Abramsky, author of the new book "Chaos Comes Calling," talks about how America's deep polarization has cascaded from national politics down to local levels of governance. Abramsky reveals that even in small rural communities, once-mundane local issues like library policies, road repairs, and child care have become ideological battlegrounds. A quintessential example of this phenomenon is Shasta County, California, where far-right politicians won control of government. Abramsky illuminates how the pandemic, social media echo chambers, and talk radio amplified partisan voices, transforming school boards and city councils into microcosms of the broader red-blue divide. 

Elizabeth Rosner discusses the importance and difficulty of deep listening in our noisy, information-saturated world. The Berkeley author's new work "Third Ear: Reflections on the Art and Science of Listening" draws in part from her experience as a child of Holocaust survivors. Rosner weaves personal narratives with insights from various fields to illustrate how listening can enhance empathy and connection, and posits that listening is a transformative act with the potential to heal individuals and bridge societal divides.

Del Seymour, a former homeless addict known as the "mayor of the Tenderloin," and his biographer, Alison Owings, offer a raw, street-level view of San Francisco's most notorious neighborhood. Seymour, the subject of Owings' book, "Mayor of the Tenderloin," pulls no punches, exposing the paradoxical allure of homelessness and the failings of well-meaning nonprofits. His insights challenge conventional wisdom about addiction and urban poverty, while his Tenderloin walking tours and Code Tenderloin jobs programs demonstrate his enduring hope. 

Los Angeles author Carol Mithers discusses her new book, "Rethinking Rescue," which explores a groundbreaking approach to animal welfare pioneered by Lori Weise, the founder of L.A.’s Downtown Dog Rescue. Known as the "Dog Lady," Weiss focuses on preventing pets from entering shelters by addressing the root causes of surrender, particularly in underserved communities. Mithers highlights the complex interplay between poverty, pet ownership, and animal welfare, challenging traditional rescue paradigms and emphasizing community support and education to keep pets with their loving owners.