Santa Clarita Weekly

Santa Clarita Weekly delivers clear, smart, and locally grounded analysis of the issues shaping our community and our country. Each week, the show connects national politics, democracy, and policy debates to what they mean for the Santa Clarita Valley — breaking down complex stories, holding power to account, and centering the voices and values of local residents. Thoughtful, fact-driven, and community-focused, Santa Clarita Weekly is a space for understanding, conversation, and civic engagement in a rapidly changing world.

Santa Clarita Weekly is a commentary podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Santa Clarita Weekly, a commentary show with 18 episodes published.

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  Episode #18

  Santa Clarita Weekly | August 19, 2026

  Aug 19, 202629 min

  This week, we examine two major stories about power, wealth and accountability. Senator Jon Ossoff’s viral remarks have placed Natalie Harp—Donald Trump’s fiercely loyal executive assistant—under national scrutiny. We look beyond the palace gossip to examine Harp’s extraordinary access to the president, her influence over the information reaching him and what her role reveals about a White House built around loyalty and flattery. Then, we break down California’s Proposition 40, which would impose a one-time tax on approximately 200 billionaires to protect healthcare, education and food assistance from federal cuts. We examine Mark Cuban’s warning about driving investment out of California, the measure’s economic and constitutional risks, and the enormous sums billionaires are spending to defeat—or potentially override—it.

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  Episode #17

  Santa Clarita Weekly | August 6, 2026

  Aug 6, 202629 min

  In this episode, we unpack some of the most intense local headlines and national political shifts shaking things up right now. Here is what we cover this week: Community Action & Advocacy: We sit down with Rebecca Hindman from RiseUp SCV to discuss local activism, community safety, and standing up for marginalized voices right here in our backyard. Local Controversies: We address the alarming viral incident involving a local individual screaming racial epithets, breaking down the community response and the broader implications for the Santa Clarita Valley. ICE Raids in SCV: We examine the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and raids locally, looking at how they are impacting families and residents across the Santa Clarita Valley. Campaign Compliance Questions: We take a critical look at Santa Clarita City Council candidate Denise Lite, who has faced scrutiny for holding what appears to be an illegal raffle to raise money for her campaign. National Primary Chaos: Zooming out from local news, we dive into the major primary election results coming out of Michigan and across the country, breaking down establishment losses, progressive momentum, and what it all means for the road to November. Tune in, get informed, and join the conversation!

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  Episode #16

  Santa Clarita Weekly | July 22, 2026

  Jul 22, 202629 min

  From choking wildfire smoke to the massive resource demands of the digital age, this week's episode breaks down how the physical limits of our environment are colliding with politics and technology. In this episode, we cover: The Wildfire Blame Game: We listen to 27th District Congressman George Whitesides reacting to President Trump’s recent comments and tariff threats against Canada over cross-border wildfire smoke. Fighting Fire with Tech: We turn to Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent press conference—joined by California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Wade Crowfoot, CAL FIRE Chief Joe Tyler, and OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs—detailing California's investments in cutting-edge suppression technology, AI camera networks, and space-based detection. The AI Infrastructure Backlash: We examine how the artificial intelligence boom is driving a frantic rush for power and water, sparking local opposition and severe resource strain. The Congressional Interrogation: We listen to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez confronting EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Jessica Kramer during a House Energy and Commerce hearing, highlighting community water contamination, plummeting pressure, and rising bills near massive data center hubs. Tune in as we separate political grandstanding from environmental reality.

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  Episode #15

  Santa Clarita Weekly | July 8, 2026

  Jul 8, 202629 min

  This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we’re covering a packed agenda from the state capitol to our own backyard. We break down the legislative wins and the human stories behind the policies shaping our future. In This Episode A New Fiscal Chapter: We start in Sacramento, where Governor Gavin Newsom has signed the 2026–27 state budget. We take you inside the Governor’s latest address as he outlines the philosophy behind this balanced spending plan and what it means for California’s economic resilience. Honoring a Local Leader: We pause to honor the memory of the late Chad Kampbell. We bring you Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo’s tribute from the Assembly floor, commemorating a life spent fighting for justice, equity, and the Santa Clarita community he called home. The Fight for Clean Air: The crisis at Chiquita Canyon Landfill takes center stage as we cover the Senate Environmental Quality Committee hearing on the Landfill Safety Act (AB 28). You’ll hear powerful testimony from Val Verde resident José Bobadilla, whose firsthand account highlights the urgent need for oversight and accountability for our local communities.

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  Episode #14

  Santa Clarita Weekly | June 24, 2026

  Jun 24, 202629 min

  Securing capital is one of the biggest hurdles to growing a small business in the Santa Clarita Valley. But what happens when alternative commercial financing comes with hidden traps that threaten the survival of your enterprise? This week on Santa Clarita Weekly, we listen to a conversation that Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (40th District) had with small business leaders to discuss AB 2116: The Protect Small Business from Predatory Lending Act. Traditional bank loans are strictly regulated, but alternative products like merchant cash advances often leave entrepreneurs vulnerable to deceptive agreements and aggressive collection tactics—including signing away legal rights before a default even occurs. Assemblywoman Schiavo walks us through the mechanics of the bill, why it’s gaining momentum in Sacramento, and how it aims to level the playing field by requiring lenders to register with the state and banning preemptive "confessions of judgment." Whether you currently run a local storefront or are in the market to acquire a business, this conversation is essential listening for navigating the modern commercial financial landscape. In this episode, we cover: The hidden dangers of unregulated commercial financing and merchant cash advances. How AB 2116 closes regulatory loopholes to protect small business owners. Why the bill bans aggressive collection tactics like "confessions of judgment." What a fairer financial marketplace means for the backbone of the SCV economy.

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