Golden State
@goldenstateorg.bsky.social
Fearless, informed news and commentary in CA via LA. Not controlled by billionaires. Co-founded by ex-LATers Mariel Garza and Paul Thornton.
https://golden-state.org
https://givebutter.com/NY2Duo
https://golden-state.org
https://givebutter.com/NY2Duo
Does Texas' new districts getting thrown out mean Prop. 50 -- sold as a tit-for-tat response to Texas -- is moot? Nope, because there is no actual triggering language in the CA law that voters passed on Nov. 4, writes @paulthornton.bsky.social
So long to Texas' new districts. In California, Prop. 50's maps are here to stay
Sold as California's response to mid-decade redistricting in Texas, Proposition 50 doesn't actually include triggering language based on what any other state does.
www.golden-state.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Does Texas' new districts getting thrown out mean Prop. 50 -- sold as a tit-for-tat response to Texas -- is moot? Nope, because there is no actual triggering language in the CA law that voters passed on Nov. 4, writes @paulthornton.bsky.social
Could some of L.A.'s homeless service workers soon end up homeless themselves? In the first piece for our community forum "Soapbox," one such worker worries for herself and her colleagues.
I work in L.A. homeless services. Is the county about to put me on the street?
Employees of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority have already had a rough year of cuts. Now, the county's refusal to hire us to new jobs means homelessness workers could soon become homeless.
www.golden-state.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Could some of L.A.'s homeless service workers soon end up homeless themselves? In the first piece for our community forum "Soapbox," one such worker worries for herself and her colleagues.
We got part of the band back together. Watch our conversation with Josh Gohlke, also a former L.A. Times Opinion colleague who left in the dark days after the 2024 endorsement mess.
Also: some firsthand insight into insidious self-censorship and the L.A. nonprofit media landscape.
Also: some firsthand insight into insidious self-censorship and the L.A. nonprofit media landscape.
Watch: How we got from the L.A. Times to Golden State
Golden State's co-founders talk with a former L.A. Times colleague about the newspaper owner's ethically questionable meddling, the failings of billionaire- and corporate-owned media and the future of...
www.golden-state.org
November 14, 2025 at 7:15 PM
We got part of the band back together. Watch our conversation with Josh Gohlke, also a former L.A. Times Opinion colleague who left in the dark days after the 2024 endorsement mess.
Also: some firsthand insight into insidious self-censorship and the L.A. nonprofit media landscape.
Also: some firsthand insight into insidious self-censorship and the L.A. nonprofit media landscape.
Reposted by Golden State
A good read by @nataliekorach.bsky.social and @status.news. Murdoch's move into Los Angeles, in the works for months, was a big motivator for us to launch @goldenstateorg.bsky.social. Competition is healthy, but it shouldn't only be billionaire-backed media telling the California story.
The Murdochs are staking a claim to the West Coast, courting advertisers and setting up shop on the Fox studio lot for the launch of the California Post, Status has learned.
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/california...
Details in @status.news: www.status.news/p/california...
Murdoch’s California Dream
The Murdochs are staking a claim to the West Coast, courting advertisers and setting up shop on the Fox studio lot for the launch of the California Post, Status has learned.
www.status.news
November 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
A good read by @nataliekorach.bsky.social and @status.news. Murdoch's move into Los Angeles, in the works for months, was a big motivator for us to launch @goldenstateorg.bsky.social. Competition is healthy, but it shouldn't only be billionaire-backed media telling the California story.
Hooray, ultra-processed foods will be off the menu in CA schools -- in 10 years, that is. Journalist Minerva Canto says that's too long and points to districts that have done it on their own in two years.
www.golden-state.org/healthier-sc...
www.golden-state.org/healthier-sc...
Healthier school food is on the way — in 10 years
The long implementation period belies the urgency of the crisis. By the time California's ban on dangerous ultra-processed takes full effect, today's school kids may have school-aged kids of their own...
www.golden-state.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Hooray, ultra-processed foods will be off the menu in CA schools -- in 10 years, that is. Journalist Minerva Canto says that's too long and points to districts that have done it on their own in two years.
www.golden-state.org/healthier-sc...
www.golden-state.org/healthier-sc...
Incredibly grateful for the support so far. This is an ongoing fundraiser, and we want to be able to pay journalists a fair wage for their work. Please give / subscribe -- links in the bio!
November 13, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Incredibly grateful for the support so far. This is an ongoing fundraiser, and we want to be able to pay journalists a fair wage for their work. Please give / subscribe -- links in the bio!
Reposted by Golden State
Please read, and join me in supporting, Golden State, a terrific and brand-new journalism project focused on California, from veterans of the LA Times. Congrats to Mariel, Paul and their growing team on the launch.
We're podcasting! Check out co-founder @marielgarza.bsky.social's chat with L.A. mayoral candidate Austin Beutner. They talk wildfires, housing, affordability, the Olympics and, yes, Donald Trump.
He supported L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Now he wants her job
Austin Beutner, a former L.A. Unified superintendent, says City Hall has come up woefully short on wildfires, homelessness, housing and affordability.
goldenstatereport.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Please read, and join me in supporting, Golden State, a terrific and brand-new journalism project focused on California, from veterans of the LA Times. Congrats to Mariel, Paul and their growing team on the launch.
Reposted by Golden State
A little bit more about @goldenstateorg.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 5:47 PM
A little bit more about @goldenstateorg.bsky.social
California deserves journalism rooted in truth — not big money influence.
Former L.A. Times editors @marielgarza.bsky.social & @paulthornton.bsky.social launch Golden State — an independent home for fact-based news, analysis & commentary. Read more @ golden-state.org
#MediaIntegrity
Former L.A. Times editors @marielgarza.bsky.social & @paulthornton.bsky.social launch Golden State — an independent home for fact-based news, analysis & commentary. Read more @ golden-state.org
#MediaIntegrity
November 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
California deserves journalism rooted in truth — not big money influence.
Former L.A. Times editors @marielgarza.bsky.social & @paulthornton.bsky.social launch Golden State — an independent home for fact-based news, analysis & commentary. Read more @ golden-state.org
#MediaIntegrity
Former L.A. Times editors @marielgarza.bsky.social & @paulthornton.bsky.social launch Golden State — an independent home for fact-based news, analysis & commentary. Read more @ golden-state.org
#MediaIntegrity
We're podcasting! Check out co-founder @marielgarza.bsky.social's chat with L.A. mayoral candidate Austin Beutner. They talk wildfires, housing, affordability, the Olympics and, yes, Donald Trump.
He supported L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Now he wants her job
Austin Beutner, a former L.A. Unified superintendent, says City Hall has come up woefully short on wildfires, homelessness, housing and affordability.
goldenstatereport.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:02 PM
We're podcasting! Check out co-founder @marielgarza.bsky.social's chat with L.A. mayoral candidate Austin Beutner. They talk wildfires, housing, affordability, the Olympics and, yes, Donald Trump.
Reposted by Golden State
Austin Beutner -- former LA schools, deputy mayor and LAT publisher -- now wants to be mayor. He sat down with @marielgarza.bsky.social and @goldenstatereport.bsky.social to talk fire response, Donald Trump, immigration raids and what he sees as a failure in leadership at City Hall.
He supported L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. Now he wants her job
Austin Beutner, a former L.A. Unified superintendent, says City Hall has come up woefully short on wildfires, homelessness, housing and affordability.
goldenstatereport.substack.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Austin Beutner -- former LA schools, deputy mayor and LAT publisher -- now wants to be mayor. He sat down with @marielgarza.bsky.social and @goldenstatereport.bsky.social to talk fire response, Donald Trump, immigration raids and what he sees as a failure in leadership at City Hall.
Reposted by Golden State
This is a great piece by @marielgarza.bsky.social for @goldenstatereport.bsky.social -- a peak into what might have been the most jubilant election night watch party, hosted by L.A.'s democratic socialist City Council members. Interesting comments by @nithyaraman.bsky.social and Eunisses Hernandez.
November 5, 2025 at 6:14 PM
This is a great piece by @marielgarza.bsky.social for @goldenstatereport.bsky.social -- a peak into what might have been the most jubilant election night watch party, hosted by L.A.'s democratic socialist City Council members. Interesting comments by @nithyaraman.bsky.social and Eunisses Hernandez.
Reposted by Golden State
Seriously, if Julie Marquis -- healthcare journalist and Pulitzer winner -- has a devil of time with insurance, billing, claim denials, the dreaded "explanation of benefits" and all the other features of American healthcare, then the rest of us are truly screwed. From @goldenstatereport.bsky.social
Insane by design? I'm a veteran healthcare reporter, and I can tell you the American system is nuts
As a journalist and parent, I've had a front-row seat to the “complexification” of American healthcare, which demoralizes and depletes users. We have to fix it - or at least not make it worse.
goldenstatereport.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Seriously, if Julie Marquis -- healthcare journalist and Pulitzer winner -- has a devil of time with insurance, billing, claim denials, the dreaded "explanation of benefits" and all the other features of American healthcare, then the rest of us are truly screwed. From @goldenstatereport.bsky.social
Reposted by Golden State
A good time to read this piece by @holynopales.bsky.social in @goldenstatereport.bsky.social -- "What do the Dodgers owe Latino fans?"
One answer: not another White House visit.
One answer: not another White House visit.
November 4, 2025 at 12:03 AM
A good time to read this piece by @holynopales.bsky.social in @goldenstatereport.bsky.social -- "What do the Dodgers owe Latino fans?"
One answer: not another White House visit.
One answer: not another White House visit.
L.A.'s $2.6 billion convention center upgrade might not just be another Olympics white elephant, by @jonregardie.bsky.social for @goldenstatereport.bsky.social
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/las-26-bil...
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/las-26-bil...
October 31, 2025 at 4:11 PM
L.A.'s $2.6 billion convention center upgrade might not just be another Olympics white elephant, by @jonregardie.bsky.social for @goldenstatereport.bsky.social
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/las-26-bil...
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/las-26-bil...
Reposted by Golden State
A timely piece by L.A. writer Patricia Escárcega in today's @goldenstatereport.bsky.social
What do the Dodgers owe Latino fans?
When the team was silent on immigration raids and reparations for ousted Chavez Ravine residents, it spoke volumes to its homegrown fan base. Time to speak up.
goldenstatereport.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:34 PM
A timely piece by L.A. writer Patricia Escárcega in today's @goldenstatereport.bsky.social
Reposted by Golden State
A primer from yours truly for @goldenstatereport.bsky.social on what the Bay Area can expect when Trump's immigration goons arrive, if its experience goes anything like L.A.'s.
In short: Get ready for lies, terror and some community solidarity.
In short: Get ready for lies, terror and some community solidarity.
What the Bay Area can expect when Trump's immigration sweeps arrive
YouTube video by Golden State Report
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A primer from yours truly for @goldenstatereport.bsky.social on what the Bay Area can expect when Trump's immigration goons arrive, if its experience goes anything like L.A.'s.
In short: Get ready for lies, terror and some community solidarity.
In short: Get ready for lies, terror and some community solidarity.
Reposted by Golden State
California was right, Marine Corps leaders were wrong. Some local I-5 insight from @marielgarza.bsky.social:
“I shudder to think of that explosion and rain of debris happening above the normal Saturday traffic flow…. It could have been its own kind of carmageddon.”
“I shudder to think of that explosion and rain of debris happening above the normal Saturday traffic flow…. It could have been its own kind of carmageddon.”
What the heck was the Marine Corps thinking?
It said shooting shells over Interstate 5 as part of a celebration was no big deal. Then, oops, one exploded over what was thankfully an empty freeway.
goldenstatereport.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
California was right, Marine Corps leaders were wrong. Some local I-5 insight from @marielgarza.bsky.social:
“I shudder to think of that explosion and rain of debris happening above the normal Saturday traffic flow…. It could have been its own kind of carmageddon.”
“I shudder to think of that explosion and rain of debris happening above the normal Saturday traffic flow…. It could have been its own kind of carmageddon.”
What the heck was the Marine Corps thinking?
It said shooting shells over Interstate 5 as part of a celebration was no big deal. Then, oops, one exploded over what was thankfully an empty freeway.
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/what-the-h...
It said shooting shells over Interstate 5 as part of a celebration was no big deal. Then, oops, one exploded over what was thankfully an empty freeway.
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/what-the-h...
What the heck was the Marine Corps thinking?
It said shooting shells over Interstate 5 as part of a celebration was no big deal. Then, oops, one exploded over what was thankfully an empty freeway.
goldenstatereport.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:19 PM
What the heck was the Marine Corps thinking?
It said shooting shells over Interstate 5 as part of a celebration was no big deal. Then, oops, one exploded over what was thankfully an empty freeway.
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/what-the-h...
It said shooting shells over Interstate 5 as part of a celebration was no big deal. Then, oops, one exploded over what was thankfully an empty freeway.
goldenstatereport.substack.com/p/what-the-h...