Features
Table Talk
Katy Yaroslavsky: Pragmatic Voice at City Hall
Councilmember on making progress in difficult times
Research
Special Report: ‘Hey, AI, write us a story…’
AI imagines the end of the world — brought about by AI
Table Talk
Gavin Newsom: California’s governor on the state of the state
Newsom defends California’s work on homelessness, immigration and guns — and his power to effect change
Research
Be Afraid: Climate Change
When it comes to the climate, fear may help inspire much-needed urgency
Research
Development and Its Discontents
The struggle to improve living standards while protecting the environment
Table Talk
Eric Garcetti: Reflections from L.A.’s mayor
Crime and COVID, rising homelessness and restive politics — Garcetti looks back on nine years as chief executive of Los Angeles.
Table Talk
Frank Gehry on the Life of Cities
Visionary and humanitarian, Frank Gehry creates buildings and neighborhoods that serve people and satisfy souls
Research
Biden Wins. Now What?
Joe Biden is the 46th president of the United States. What awaits him and the country?
Table Talk
Adam Schiff: Political Warrior
Congressman Adam Schiff has watched with horror as Donald Trump assaults democratic norms. Schiff speaks with Blueprint.
Research
Closing Note: Hope in the Ruins
This year of crisis has upended politics, public health and policing, among many other walks of life. It now moves to an election.
Profile
Mary Nichols: A Lifetime in Search of Clean Air
She began by being the first lawyer to sue under the Clean Air Act. Now, she oversees California’s response to climate change.
Profile
Police and Trust: Charlie Beck Reflects
The LAPD chief has seen what happens when police fail and what can be achieved when they succeed. His conclusion: Police matter.
Table Talk
Bill McKibben: Sounding the Alarm
Climate change is not a problem for the future. Heat, drought, storms and fires are upon us now
Research
Housing: One size does not fit all
Housing advocates bump up against politics in the attempt to confront one of California’s most difficult problems
Profile
Bob Hertzberg on the Big Issues
“What’s the problem you’re trying to solve? What does the research say about how to get there? And then how do you convince people?”
Research
The Evangelist of Parking
UCLA’s Donald Shoup has led a revolution in the way we think about parking
Research
Special Report: Long Beach Faces Climate Change
One city’s efforts to move beyond debate over climate change and begin preparing for its effects
Table Talk
James Fallows: America Up Close
James and Deborah Fallows traveled America to examine the strength of its towns and cities. They report back.
Research
Special Report: The Video
A look at the story, in video, behind the efforts by Long Beach to address climate change
Table Talk
Antonio Villaraigosa: Reflections on Los Angeles and California
The former mayor and veteran California politico takes stock of his city and state
Profile
Boyarsky on Dukakis: Political Veterans Reflect
Veteran journalist Bill Boyarsky confers with veteran politician Mike Dukakis.
Research
Brown v. Trump on Climate Change
Jerry Brown and Donald Trump see the world differently. One will prevail.
Profile
L.A.’s Power Broker: Herb Wesson
Herb Wesson, L.A. City Council president, wields great power at City Hall. Here’s how.
Research
Cleaning Water: A Lifelong Quest
Eric Hoek has spent his life searching for ways to clean water. He’s succeeding.
Research
Making Climate Change Real
Climate change may be easier to ignore in the abstract. One researcher tries to bring it home.
Table Talk
Eric Garcetti: L.A. Water, Past and Future
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti discusses water with Blueprint’s Jim Newton.
Table Talk
Gov. Jerry Brown: The Long Struggle For The Good Cause
Jerry Brown has been fighting for the environment for decades. He reflects on that history.
Research
Energy Policy Reconsidered
“We help utilities and utility regulators think about how to design programs … to bring more clean power into the air.”
Research
Power Users: Learning to Waste Less
UCLA researchers create a new atlas to map energy use and identify ways to conserve.
Research
Changing Habits, Saving Power
How to convince consumers to track their energy usage and reduce it — the study of incentives.
Sketches
Exclusively Online
Blue Ribbon Commission releases report
Recommendations include new entities, as well as building, infrastructure upgrades
Takeaway
Closing Note: How Best to Help Children
Whether improving foster care or recovering from fire, the region’s needs are great and urgent
Landscape
The Roadway of the American Future
Ann Carlson on transportation safety, climate change and dark politics
Landscape
California Paradox: Drought by the sea
Facing a critical drought, California considers the costs and benefits of desalination
Takeaway
Closing Note: Toward Transit That Works
New ideas to guide the future of transportation — in Los Angeles and beyond
Editor's Note
Closing Note: Of challenges and opportunities
Los Angeles faces a difficult future, but does so with resources and potential
Landscape
The Passing of Lions
The passage of time: Jerry Brown in retirement, Dianne Feinstein preparing to leave
Takeaway
Closing Note: Acting on Fear
Not all fear is bad, but it often distorts choices. Learning to manage it is the challenge
Exclusively Online
“A Lighter Look” — Dr. Wit
Rick Meyer’s regularly appearing column takes a lighter look at politics and public affairs around the world. This month: John P. Moore
Editor's Note
Editor’s Note
California is big, diverse and complicated. The challenge of governing this state is huge.
Takeaway
Closing Note: Start with Truth
The crying need for truth in an era of lies, distortions and stupidity
Editor's Note
Federalism: New Tests of an Old Idea
Welcome to Blueprint’s look at federalism in the Age of Trump.
Landscape
Time Running on California’s Water Future
As time runs out on his governorship, Jerry Brown tries to complete a long effort to re-do California’s water system.
Editor's Note
Welcome to Blueprint on Philanthropy
This issue, we set out to look at the intersection of policy and philanthropy, as well as some of L.A.’s leading philanthropists.
Landscape
California Faces Its Future
As the race for governor accelerates, the issues become clearer.
Landscape
Tom Steyer: Gadfly or Governor?
Billionaire investor Tom Steyer eyes his future in California politics.
Editor's Note
California and the Changing Climate
Blueprint looks at the future of water in California.
Landscape
Mark Gold: Grand Challenge for a Proven Advocate
Mark Gold, once of Heal the Bay, bring his advocacy skills to UCLA’s Grand Challenge.
Landscape
New York’s Water Troubles
New York doesn’t face California’s drought, but it has water troubles of its own.
Takeaway
Solutions Worthy of The Water Challenge
Time is running out to address climate change; thankfully, there are many ideas for doing so.
Exclusively Online
Jerry Brown on the Earth
Video special: Gov. Jerry Brown discusses environmentalism, politics and his own history.
Editor's Note
Searching for Sustainability
Blueprint looks at the latest research and thinking on climate change.
Landscape
Waxman: A Congressman in Winter
Congressman Henry Waxman represented Los Angeles for generations. Now in retirement, he reflects on his legacy and the challenges ahead.
Exclusively Online
Water, Power and the Future of Los Angeles
UCLA’s “Grand Challenges” tackle society’s most complex and pressing problems.
Landscape
L.A. County Amid Rapid Change
Term limits, scandals and retirements clear the way for a new era in the government of America’s largest county, Los Angeles.
