It’s been a packed week in California — from deep dives into homelessness policy failures, to heroic efforts to save a ski resort from a devastating wildfire, and an NCC partner feature. Let’s break down the biggest stories, but first:

SO LONG, TEXAS

Don’t look now, but a white-hot clean energy startup is reverse-engineering the played-out California Exodus™, ditching Austin for the Bay Area. Focused Energy, a company chasing the elusive but transformational dream of laser fusion, is making a calculated business decision: Simply put, there’s no better intellectual, economic and physical place on the planet to advance the technology.

Laser fusion, a process that mimics the sun's energy production, promises clean power without nuclear fission's radioactive mess. Most scientists say we’re still decades away from turning this into grid-filling clean electricity, but after the National Ignition Facility’s breakthrough in late 2022, we’re closer than ever before. With more attention, resources and energy (see what we did there?) behind the effort, the chase for the holy grail of clean, abundant energy is on.

Focused Energy, a German American company spun off from the Technical University of Darmstadt, plans to use its new $65 million facility to improve the high-powered lasers and fuel targets needed to deliver fusion energy at a commercial scale. “The idea of powering something like San Francisco with three coke cans of what is effectively seawater and a small amount of lithium is quite a powerful change to our energy story,” CEO Scott Mercer told Axios. “It’s a big thing to chase, but even in the early days, the industrial ecosystems that it can create are going to be in the Bay.”

Looks like Texas just got messed with. 🤷‍♂️

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🤫 Everything you should know

- In a new deep dive into California's housing and homelessness crisis, Mother Jones reveals a frustrating one-dimensionality to many cities’ approach to the issue. As municipalities step up their enforcement of anti-camping and public nuisance laws, equal efforts to meet housing production mandates have simply failed to materialize. Despite increasing pressure from Sacramento and growing activism among pro-housing residents, many Orange County cities have refused to build the housing and shelter facilities necessary to accommodate their populations. We believe wholeheartedly in ensuring safe, clean, walkable public thoroughfares for everyone, but an “enforcement-alone” approach is doomed to failure. Instead of shuffling homeless populations from neighborhood to neighborhood and city to city, we should be aggressively addressing the skyrocketing cost of housing and building rapidly, at scale. Mother Jones

- In a harrowing effort to save Mountain High Ski Resort from the fast-approaching Bridge Fire, the resort's general manager, Ben Smith, and his team fought the flames using snow cannons to douse the area in water. While Mountain High's proactive measures helped preserve the resort, this event highlights a bigger issue: the increasing frequency of wildfires due to climate change. California must invest in forest management, controlled burns, and other fire mitigation strategies to help protect not just businesses but also communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure from future wildfires. Prevention could go a long way in reducing both the human and financial costs of these disasters. Los Angeles Times

- Like they do every two years, California voters are sorting through a mixed bag of propositions ahead of Election Day. (At least this year we aren’t being asked to weigh in for the 17,000th time on the regulation of kidney dialysis clinics.) Still, the list is long and the Public Policy Institute of California is out with some new polling to tell us where things stand with less than two weeks to go. Four measures are sailing ahead: Prop 36, which toughens penalties for drug and theft crimes, is a runaway hit (73% approval). Voters also strongly back removing outdated same-sex marriage bans (Prop 3), greenlighting $10 billion for climate projects (Prop 4), and earmarking a tax on health plans for low-income care (Prop 35). Barely squeaking past the 50% mark is Prop 2, which would authorize a $10 billion bond for school repairs. Voters are less keen on four other measures, all of which are trailing the level of support needed to win on Election Day. These include Prop 5’s push to ease local borrowing for affordable housing and infrastructure projects, and Prop 34’s controversial healthcare spending rules. Even further behind are measures on rent control (Prop 33), prison labor restrictions (Prop 6), and a minimum wage hike (Prop 32). PPIC

Interview with Rachel Beld, CEO of the Vista Chamber of Commerce

In this edition of Bear Essentials, we had the opportunity to speak with Rachel Beld, President and CEO of the Vista Chamber of Commerce. Rachel has been instrumental in driving local economic growth and addressing key issues such as workforce development and community engagement in Vista. With a deep passion for California, Rachel shares her journey, her outlook on the state’s future, and the critical work the Vista Chamber is doing to create opportunities for businesses and residents alike. Here’s a glimpse into our conversation.

What do you love most about California?
I believe California is truly the land of opportunity. When I moved here from Texas in 2003, it felt like stepping into a world of vibrant color, like Dorothy arriving in Oz. The state has allowed me to complete my education, build a career, and start a family. California is a place where, if you invest in yourself and your skills, you can grow in every aspect of your life.

Many people struggle with California’s high cost of living. What advice do you have for those thinking about leaving the state?
The cost of living is definitely a challenge. When I first moved here, I worked full-time and took on two part-time jobs. My advice is to invest in your skills—pursue education and training in high-demand fields. That can open doors to better-paying jobs. There are many free or low-cost online courses, and staying informed about state and local policies can help you make decisions that benefit your financial future.

Are you optimistic about the state’s future?
Absolutely. California is the land of innovation. We have some challenges, but we also have a lot going for us. If we continue to embrace our innovative spirit and focus on building solutions to our issues, we can create an even better future.

Can you share some of the workforce challenges you see in Vista and how the Vista Chamber is addressing them?
There’s a growing demand for skilled workers in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and tech, but often, the supply of qualified candidates doesn’t meet that demand. We also face challenges filling entry-level jobs in industries like retail and hospitality due to the high cost of living.

The Vista Chamber is bridging these gaps with several programs. Our Rising Star Student of the Month program recognizes high school students who’ve overcome challenges to focus on their education, and it’s funded entirely by local businesses. Many of these students come back to work in Vista after pursuing careers in fields like healthcare and engineering.

Another program I’m proud of is our Velocity Summer Internship Program, which connects high school students with paid internships in industries like construction, finance, and hospitality. This helps them make informed career decisions and develop the skills needed to succeed.

The Vista Chamber is unique in that it serves the broader community, not just businesses. Why is this holistic approach important?
You can’t have thriving businesses without a strong community. People want affordable housing, good infrastructure, access to healthcare, and a high quality of life. The Chamber is involved in all these areas because they’re essential to creating a vibrant economy. Supporting business means supporting the whole ecosystem that makes it possible for people to live and work here.

🐟 The Salmon are Swimming

One of the 1st Klamath River salmon reached past the former Iron Gate Dam into its new home.