You can quote me: "California is a natural wonder and a man-made disaster."
ON OC WORLD
IS YOUR CITY GOING BROKE?
The costs of local government keep going up, sparking calls for tax hikes, school bonds and service cuts. What's fueling higher costs? What ultimately is the impact on taxpayers? Are there solutions? Rick host an interview with two guys well-versed in budgets and politics: John Moorlach, former Orange County treasurer, supervisor and state senator, and former Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry.
ON THE AIR/ON THE WEB
HELLO, JAPAN, GOODBYE, OAKLAND
Rick previews baseball's Opening Day with Radio Free California host Will Swaim. (Their discussion starts at the 47:10 mark.) The Athletics are abandoing Oakland, Japan is embracing the Dodgers and baseball's bosses are on the verge of botching the automated strike zone.
NEWSOM'S 'NON-PRESIDENTIAL ' TOUR, SHOHEI'S TAX PLAY & MORE
In this special year-in-review episode, Rick joins Will Swaim on his Radio Free California podcast to discuss some of the biggest stories of 2023.
OC'S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2023-2024
Quips Rick: "We're getting old, we're losing population, we can't afford our homes and the kids are doing worse in school."
WHAT'S THE FUTURE FOR THE OC POWER AUTHORITY?
After scathing audits and member defections, the new leaders of a controversial "green power" cooperative discuss what went wrong -- and what they're doing to revamp the organization.
TINKER TO EVERS TO CHANCE
Rick goes on Will Swaim's National Review podcast to discuss his crime-marred trip to San Francisco and recall the exploits of Fresno native and Baseball Hall of Fame great Frank Chance.
DESIGNATED SHOUTER
A suggestion for how the White House press corps can show a little more respect for the presidency, restore its own dignity -- and maybe even win back some credibility.
THE COMING OF THE NEO-FEUDALISM
Chapman University professors Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky warn that we're devolving into a Medieval-style society marked by rigid class divisions and little upward mobility.
RADIO FREE CALIFORNIA: ZOMBIE CITIES
Rick guest co-hosts on Will Swaim's National Review podcast to discuss John Wayne's birthday, segregated graduations at UC Berkeley, the Dodgers' honoring of drag queens who mock Catholics and the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on California pork chops.
LESSONS FROM AN ECONOMIST
Chapman University economist Jim Doti explains Covid deaths, the California exodus and how he saved Gene Autry from being hit by a foul ball.
SAVING THE PLANET OR KILLING THE ECONOMY?
Rick and the OC Register's Jon Lansner join Sustaining US host David Nazar to debate the pros and cons of California's energy, environmental and economic policies.
OC FORUM Feb. 2, 2023: The Party Bosses Debate
The leaders of California's Democratic and Republican Parties assess the mid-term election results and trade barbs.
CALIFORNIA INSIDER Nov. 6, 2022: LA's Racist Tapes
Rick joins California Insider host Siyamak Khorrami to break down the fallout over a leaked tape recording that has forced LA officials to resign. Rick also discusses the state of journalism.
RADIO FREE CALIFORNIA Oct. 19, 2022: Mrs. Newsom's Credibility Issue
Rick returns as Will Swaim's guest co-host on the National Review podcast. They discuss the California First Lady's Harvey Weinstein credibility problem, the governor's Joe Biden no-show, the state's looming budget crisis and other issues.
RADIO FREE CALIFORNIA Aug. 10, 2022: LA's Embattled DA
Rick is Will Swaim's guest co-host on the National Review-sponsored radio podcast to discuss embattled Los Angeles DA George Gascon, LA and San Francisco's race to the bottom and other topics.
OC WORLD: THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY JOURNALISM
Rick joins host Joone Kim-Lopez to launch the inaugural episode of OC World on PBS station KLCS. They discuss the past, present and future of journalism, as well as Joone's prior career as a Pasadena cop.
SUSTAINING US: Are People Fleeing California?
Rick and Orange County Register columnist Jonathan Lansner debate the economic health of California on KLCS' Sustaining US show hosted by David Nazar.
DELPHINE CHANNELS: A Life in the News
Delphine Channels interviews Rick about his career in journalism, how the profession has lost its way and what it can do to get back on track.
LIVE@5: OC Oil Spill, Homelessness
Rick joins Forward national editor Rob Eshman and Live@5 host Jerry Sullivan to discuss how the local media have been covering news and politicians.
SUSTAINING US: Media Bias, Fake News -- Who Can You Trust?
Rick joins other media voices on David Nazar's PBS "Sustaining US" show to examine how the news is reported and why the public is increasingly distrustful of it.
SUSTAINING US: Raising the Minimum Wage
Rick debates the federal minimum wage with Ron Herrera of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor on David Nazar's PBS "Sustaining US" show.
TRANSFORMING THE IRVINE RANCH
Author Mike Stockstill joins Rick to discuss how a sprawling Mexican land-grant rancho became one of America's most vibrant communities. Anchored by the masterplanned city of Irvine, the ranch today is the centerpiece of the Irvine Company and its owner Donald Bren is a multi-billionaire.
A LIFE IN NEWS
Delphine Channels interviews Rick about his career in journalism, how the profession has lost its way and what it can do to get back on track.
A NATIVE AMERICAN AND A DARTMOUTH MAN
Native Americans weren't barred from early baseball but did face racial stereotyping. On Will Swaim's Radio Free California podcast, Rick discusses how "Chief" John Meyers of the Cahuilla Band of Mission Indians overcame prejudice while making his mark as the hardest-hitting catcher of the Dead Ball era and batterymate (as well as vaudville partner) of the immortal pitcher Christy Mathewson. The discussion begins at the 54:45 mark.
MORE STUMPING FOR GAVY
Rick joins Craig Estlinbaum's Hooks & Runs podcast to discuss the forgotten deadball-era slugger, Gavy Cravath, and make the case for why he belongs in baseball's Hall of Fame.
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