SF is building more housing, southern California is tackling pollution, and Californians are landing in Paris with Gold medals in sight. It’s a great time for the Golden State.

But first…

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH LOS ANGELES

Behold, the LA River, that concrete-shackled aquatic artery affectionately known as the “Seine of the West” by delusional people, and for the rest of us, as the gritty mise-en-scène for Terminator 2. Whatever your feelings about the brutalist flood control channel, a recent podcast from 99% Invisible provides a rollicking adventure through the river’s past, present and future that will leave you thinking. Hosts Vivian Le and Gillian Jacobs dig into the paradox of industrial scenery and struggling nature — once a vital, winding watercourse — as it now trickles through LA's urban kaleidoscope, a testament to misguided 20th-century engineering. Today, the LA River stands as both a symbol of ecological missteps and a beacon of hope for urban rejuvenation. The times — and our priorities — are a changin’.

CHECK IT OUT

🤫 Everything you should know

- Imagine if your favorite mall could not only offer you a great shopping spree but also a brand-new home! San Francisco's Stonestown Galleria is getting a fabulous makeover, transforming from a sea of asphalt into a vibrant community with 3,500 new homes. This project will add a touch of "living the good life" to the west side, featuring everything from parks to senior centers. It's a solid step toward tackling the housing crisis with a dash of style and foresight. The project, spearheaded by Brookfield Properties, will also include new retail spaces and a town square. Over 1,400 of the units will be affordable housing, aligning with San Francisco's push for inclusive development. With plans for improved transit connections, this redevelopment aims to make the area more accessible and sustainable for future generations. We want to see more of this! KQED

- In a historic move towards a cleaner, greener future, the EPA is turbocharging Southern California with a whopping $500 million to electrify the region’s bustling goods movement. Think of it as the ultimate “electric slide” towards sustainability! This landmark grant will replace diesel vehicles with zero-emission trucks and trains, slashing over 12 million metric tons of carbon emissions and saving a billion gallons of fuel by 2050. This means cleaner air for communities like the City of Commerce, where residents won’t have to choose between economic vitality and breathable air. As Sen. Alex Padilla put it, "We can do both. We must do both." With a nod to innovation and cooperation, this plan sets the stage for LA’s cleaner, brighter future—just in time to impress the 2028 Olympics visitors! LA Times

- San Diego is revamping its urban blueprint with a zesty twist, aiming to squash climate woes and housing segregation. Dubbed Blueprint SD, this plan pivots the city towards a transit-friendly future where cars take the backseat, allowing neighborhoods to thrive with diverse, multi-family housing. Now, this doesn’t work for every locale in California, that’s for sure but many San Diego neighborhoods are urban enough to cut out the parking requirements while adding more high-density housing. It's a bold brushstroke on the city's canvas, ensuring that even historically exclusive areas can mix it up with new developments, making room for everyone to mingle. The plan marries urban growth with sustainability, setting a new standard for cities dreaming of a greener, more inclusive tomorrow. We’re excited to see San Diego’s and Mayor Todd Gloria’s progress in solving the city’s housing crisis. San Diego Union Tribune

Newsom Issues Encampment Executive Order

Where the state’s hands were once tied when it came to addressing homeless encampments, there’s now significant wiggle room since the Supreme Court ruling allowing local governments to intervene. This week Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that directs agencies to remove encampments that pose a risk to “life, health and safety.” The move should affect thousands of tents and makeshift shelters across the state that line freeways, clutter shopping center parking lots, and fill city parks. The new order urges state agencies to prioritize clearing encampments that pose safety risks, providing advance notice, connecting people to local services, and assisting with storing their belongings. Sacramento Bee

🥇 Olympic Gold Rush

In the Olympic medal ranking, there should be a separate breakdown showing medals earned by athletes hailing from California. In the badminton team, five out of seven team members are from California. And while Lebron James wasn’t born in California, we are proud to call him an Angeleno as a Lakers player and it was wonderful to see him leading Team USA as a flag bearer during opening ceremonies. KQED

What Liberal Values Mean When It Comes to Housing and Energy

Armand hits the nail on the head: “as a Democrat it just really really really sucks that on our two core priorities—building housing and clean energy—red states like Texas absolutely crush blue states like California.” We can do better, and be more people-focused when it comes to creating housing.