At the Urban History Association's Conference in Los Angeles the opening plenary took on a fitting question: What can the rest of urban America learn from the City of Angels? TPR shares David Myers’ introduction of the opening plenary and Brenda Levin’s remarks, tracing how Los Angeles has evolved as both a mirror and a model for confronting inequality, nurturing cultural and immigrant communities, and redefining civic life through its built environment.

After 2.5+ decades of leading CALSTART, John Boesel reflects on how a small California initiative grew into a national force driving zero-emission transportation and clean-tech innovation. He shares lessons from California’s policy leadership and warns that maintaining climate progress will require defending incentives and accelerating investment amid rising global competition.

Former California Senate Majority Leader and Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg shares his call to championing the proposed Middle-Class Homeownership and Family Home Construction Act, a 2026 ballot initiative aimed at expanding housing opportunities for middle-income Californians. Calling it a “war for the middle class,” Hertzberg emphasizes its goal: enabling working families and their children to build wealth and remain in California.

TPR is pleased to share an excerpt from a recent conversation between USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim and Stephen Cheung, CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). President Kim reflects on his path to leading the University; how USC is building resilience in a time of uncertainty; and what it means, as one of the largest private employers in Los Angeles, to engage with the wider community as a driver of the regional economy.

Following the Los Angeles City Council’s September 19 approval of the Los Angeles Convention Center modernization and expansion, the Central City Association (CCA) is building on momentum with the launch of Revive DTLA, a 90-day action plan to accelerate economic recovery in Downtown Los Angeles.

In a wide-ranging interview with Jim Wunderman, CEO of the Bay Area Council (BAC), he reflects on his 20-year tenure, during which the Council grew into one of California’s most influential civic organizations. He also introduces New California Coalition, a new statewide effort he helped form to align statewide business, civic, and regional leaders around four urgent priorities: housing, homelessness, water and energy, and jobs and the economy.

In a truly timely TPR interview, the Central City Association’s CEO, Nella McOsker, emphasizes how the city has repeatedly delayed LA Conventional Center expansion efforts since 2016 and is now at a critical juncture, with the Olympics providing both urgency and opportunity.