Representing California's 44th District, in this timely interview, Assemblymember Nick Schultz reflects on his transition from local office to state government and the challenges amid fiscal constraints and climate urgency. Schultz emphasizes the importance of proactive constituent engagement, independent legislative thinking, and ensuring that local governments are equipped with both the mandates and resources needed to deliver results.

VX News presents excerpted highlights from a recent VerdeXchange Conference panel, “Supply Chains Going Forward,” hosted by the World Trade Center Los Angeles (WTC-LA), and moderated by Stephen Cheung, President & CEO of LAEDC and WTC-LA. The panel featured Andrea Sasse, Consul General of Germany; Kenko Sone, Consul General of Japan; Wendy Wagner, Head of Canada’s International Trade Group at Gowling WLG; and Okko-Pekka Salmimies, Consul General of Finland.

Six months following the onset of the devastating Palisades and Eaton Wildfires in Los Angeles, TPR spoke with City of Los Angeles’ Department of Building & Safety General Manager Osama Younan about the department’s critical role in both emergency response and the long-term rebuilding efforts in the Palisades. Reflecting on interagency coordination and the importance of balancing speed with safety in restoring fire-impacted communities, Younan highlights the efforts to help residents and builders navigate the recovery process while ensuring code compliance including rapid deployment of inspection teams, creation of a dedicated rebuild permit review unit, and launch of the self-certification pilot program.

VX News shares this excerpt from LA Metro’s 2025 State of the Agency, with CEO Stephanie Wiggins and incoming Board Chair, Whittier Councilmember, Fernando Dutra, who reflect on the agency's efforts to build a safer, more resilient, customer-centered, and inclusive regional transit provider. Highlighting a 53% increase in ridership and an 87%  customer satisfaction rate, Wiggins emphasized safety gains, equity-driven initiatives, and system-wide service improvements as Metro prepares for the global stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games. Dutra, committing to on-time capital delivery and workforce development, affirmed Metro’s unified goal: to deliver world-class mobility worthy of every community it serves.

As California contends with Federal attacks on clean energy development and threats to the state’s authority to regulate emissions, state leaders remain resolute in advancing the state’s climate and clean energy goals.

VX News excerpts the latest from California Natural Resources Speaker Series from July 10 Cutting Through the Noise: Federal Impacts on California and What We’re Doing About It with CRNA Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Robert Chun, Chief of Staff to California Energy Commission Chair, David Hochshild, who details the tax credit sunsets, regulatory freezes, and cuts to clean energy deployment—and highlights how California is mobilizing to protect progress and sustain momentum. Despite the headwinds, both leaders underscore that innovation, public resolve, and market forces continue to drive a clean energy future that Washington cannot derail.

The Planning Report shares a candid and timely interview with Rick Caruso, who reflects on lessons from decades of community-centered development and elaborates on the work he’s undertaken to assist LA’s wildfire recovery. Drawing from his post-disaster initiative, Steadfast LA, Caruso—the founder and Executive Chairman of Caruso®, one of the largest and most admired privately held real estate companies in the US—emphasizes the urgent need for local and state action to accelerate recovery, restore trust, and deliver a solution-oriented path forward for LA.