West
LA fires tragic reminder that ignoring homeless problem can't continue
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Last week, LAPD Officer Sean Dinse divulged that the Kenneth Fire— one of the six tormenting the Los Angeles basin— was under criminal investigation.
A homeless individual, allegedly an illegal alien, was subdued by residents within minutes and miles of the fire’s origin. Witnesses reportedly saw him wielding a blowtorch while shouting, “I am doing this.”
Later detained on a felony probation violation due to insufficient evidence, this individual appeared to harbor an intent to harm the community—an intent as unmistakable as the internal demons with which he struggles.
Consider this alongside the reality that, according to LAFD data, there were 13,909 fires in the L.A. region linked to homelessness. That’s nearly double the number reported in 2020.
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This juxtaposition underscores the escalating and enormous risk to public safety posed by our nation’s homeless policy— Housing First— that rejects a naked truth: mental illness, and substance abuse disorder, frequently accompany homelessness.
Full-throated advocates of Housing First include Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Supervisor Mitchell of Los Angeles County, who preside over the most devastating and costly wildfires in history and America’s most troubled state, county, and city regarding homelessness.
Fires are raging, lives are being lost, and communities are being devastated. It’s time to confront the undeniable truth: Housing First has failed as a primary approach to homelessness.
Homeless individuals face dense and often interwoven challenges, including underemployment or non-employment, the absence of a high school diploma, the unavailability of a support network, and for the female population in particular, domestic violence.
Predominantly, they also grapple with mental illness and addiction despite erroneous federal government data.
During my 13-year tenure as CEO of Northern California’s largest program for homeless women and children, a documented 77% of our women struggled with addiction and 60% with mental illness. In the broader homeless population, the federal government claims this number to be 37%, but the UCLA Policy Lab found otherwise… it is 78% of the chronically homeless that struggle with these issues.
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Faced with these challenges, many homeless individuals resort to criminal activity as a means of survival. Conversely, criminal behavior can also catalyze homelessness.
In my program, 55% of our women had criminal records. In the overall homeless population, estimates range from 20-70%. Based on front-line experience and a broader context where premature jail and prison releases have surged while rehabilitation efforts have diminished, the 70% estimate is much more likely.
The great news is that most homeless can build the resilience and skills necessary to transform their lives and overcome these complex challenges. I have witnessed this first-hand in thousands of cases, and my confidence remains unwavering.
Nevertheless, such profound transformation has not and will never occur under the nation’s Housing First approach.
Adopted in 2013, Housing First is a public policy approach to connect the homeless to permanent housing as quickly as possible.
It was a great sound bite and hard to argue with… at least initially.
It meant that American taxpayers were on the hook to provide all homeless with housing for life— in the form of permanent housing— without any requirements such as sobriety, engagement in treatment services, or pursuit of work, ever.
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Shelters with structured rules, transitional housing programs, and treatment services were rendered virtually obsolete. Their funding was eliminated to expand the number of “in perpetuity, unconditional housing vouchers.”
Most non-profits serving the homeless bent the proverbial knee to the federal government approach, as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the largest funder of homelessness.
President Obama promised Housing First would end homelessness in a decade, Yet, 11 years later, the number of homeless Americans soared to the highest level ever recorded, accompanied by a 238% increase in the homeless mortality rate.
California— the only state to fully adopt Housing First (2016)— now ranks amongst the worst states in the nation.
Beyond these abysmal outcomes was the quiet release of the only long-term study of Housing First that demonstrated it to be ineffective and often deadly. Over the 14-year analysis, nearly half of the individuals died by year five, and only 36% remained housed after year five.
Fires are raging, lives are being lost, and communities are being devastated. It’s time to confront the undeniable truth: Housing First has failed as a primary approach to homelessness.
Free Up Foundation has developed a Human First public policy framework grounded in real-life experience and the understanding that humans are both complex and resilient.
The incoming Trump administration should adopt the Free Up framework as follows:
1. Eliminate Housing First as the nation’s exclusive approach to homelessness.
2. Redefine success from “housed” to helping people realize their full, God-given potential.
3. Refund temporary residency programs that instill community, accountability, and growth. Shelters with rules, transitional housing programs, and sanctioned encampments, all of which facilitate the efficient delivery of treatment services should be included. (Only 10-20% of the homeless population are likely to need “subsidized for life” housing.)
4. Fund and require (as needed) treatment services including mental health and substance abuse counseling, and employment training.
5. Ban unsanctioned encampments which are often plagued with crime, drugs, sexual abuse, and are increasingly the source of fires.
6. Re-engage the faith-based and law enforcement communities that were ostracized by HUD as it emerged as homelessness’ CEO.
7. Regularly measure and report progress towards success. Fund and reward success.
Over the last decade, Americans conceded their authority to the hard-left’s approach to homelessness. Across the board, the more a region embraced Housing First, the more homelessness climbed and decimated everything in its path— the homeless, the taxpayers, public spaces, and public safety.
Free Up’s Human First framework will foster individual productivity and public safety while restoring normalcy and returning billions annually to the taxpayers who earned it.
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Alaskans are still paying high prices for oil.
We are paying outrageously high prices for a resource from our own ground while seeing too little benefit. This is not a resource problem. It is a system problem. And it is fixable.
When oil prices rise, Alaska should not just collect more revenue. It should capture more value and return it to Alaskans in a way that is timely, predictable and meaningful.
There is a clear path to do that. When oil prices rise above certain thresholds, the state can be structured to capture a larger share of that increase and return a portion of it to Alaskans more quickly.
This is not a new concept. Alaska has adjusted its fiscal system before in response to changing economic conditions. It can and should do it again.
First, the state can structure its production taxes so that when prices spike, the public share increases accordingly. If companies benefit from higher global prices, the state should as well.
Second, a portion of the additional revenue should be automatically reserved for immediate relief, not debated months later.
That could mean energy rebates, fuel cost offsets or direct payments tied to price increases, so people get this benefit when they are paying higher costs.
Third, relief efforts should be targeted where they are needed most. In many parts of Alaska, especially rural communities, energy costs are not just high; they are a barrier to living in your own home.
When geopolitical events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine spike prices and disrupt energy supply, those rural energy costs skyrocket, as described in a recent Alaska Beacon op-ed written by a chief scientist at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power and the president of the Alaska Federation of Natives. Any serious policy must recognize and address this reality.
To get there, we have to stop leaving our fair share of Alaska’s resource income on the table.
We also need the will to implement a forward-thinking energy policy that breaks our dependence on overpriced oil and gas.
This means eliminating outdated oil and gas tax credits that still pay out even when those companies are highly profitable, closing loopholes and special carve-outs that reduce what large producers contribute as their fair share of corporate income taxes, and creating a Department of Energy to bring Alaska’s energy operations under one roof rather than scattering them across agencies.
Alaska holds enduring advantages in global energy markets: political stability, established regulatory systems and long-term production potential. These strengths give the state leverage in how it structures its fiscal framework.
This is about more than fuel prices. It is about whether Alaska can generate stable, long-term revenue to grow an economy that will sustain its population.
In recent years, the state has faced ongoing challenges in funding education, maintaining infrastructure and retaining residents. At the same time, a significant share of the value generated from resource extraction does not remain in state.
That imbalance should concern all of us. The resource-based fiscal solutions outlined above are part of a comprehensive plan that can address that imbalance.
Alaska should not be a place where resources are extracted, profits leave and communities are left to manage the consequences.
If nothing changes, the pattern is likely to continue: Prices rise, Alaskans pay more and the long-term challenges persist.
Alaska has the resources, the position and the leverage to get our fair share and invest in its future. I have a plan to do it. No more excuses. Let’s get it done.
Tom Begich is a former Alaska state senator, a small-business owner and a candidate for governor of Alaska. He has worked with communities across the state on education, energy policy and juvenile justice.
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Arizona
New Arizona State coach Randy Bennett ‘catching my stride’ after health issue arose in March
TEMPE, Ariz. — Randy Bennett on Thursday shed light on the health situation that delayed his start as Arizona State’s new men’s basketball coach for several weeks. Although Bennett did not disclose the exact details of his condition, he made clear it was serious and expressed appreciation for those involved in his recovery.
“Thank God for Mayo Clinic,” Bennett said. “I don’t know where I’d be without them.”
Arizona State hired Bennett on March 23, but the 63-year-old coach started feeling ill shortly after his arrival to the Phoenix area. After meeting with the team, Bennett left work early. The next morning a program trainer took him to Mayo Clinic, where he stayed for 10 days.
“Threw me off a little,” Bennett said at Thursday’s official introduction, nearly six weeks after the first event had been scheduled, which Bennett jokingly referred to as a “pump fake.”
“But the last thing I needed to be doing was stressing out about the (transfer) portal or the job,” said Bennett, crediting his staff for leading the transition in his absence. “But now I’m catching my stride and am able to work longer days. We’ve gotten a lot done in five weeks. I feel good now.”
This is a homecoming of sorts for Bennett. The son of legendary high school and junior college coach Tom Bennett, he grew up in nearby Mesa, Ariz., at a time when stars such as Lafayette Lever and Alton Lister had the Arizona State program rolling. Over 25 years at Saint Mary’s, where he led the Gaels to 12 NCAA Tournaments, Bennett said he always had Arizona State in the back of his mind as a future destination.
Bennett, who is known for his work ethic, said he did not consider retirement because of the health scare. He said it was a blessing that the Mayo staff caught the undisclosed issue early. Then he had to deal with the recovery process, which initially left him powerless to start rebuilding Arizona State’s roster.
“Hard,’’ Bennett said, describing the hospital stretch. “You just got this job. You want to get going. You want to start building. You feel a sense of urgency that you need to be in the office. But it just wasn’t going to happen. It was tough.”
Once Bennett returned to work, he joined his staff and helped rebuild the Sun Devils, which had missed six of the last seven NCAA Tournaments under previous coach Bobby Hurley. Among their portal additions: Saint Mary’s forward Paulius Murauskas (18.4 points per game in 2025-26), Portland guard Joel Foxwell (15.6), Boston University forward Ben Defty (15.1) and Saint Mary’s guard Dillan Shaw (7.5).
There are still issues to resolve. The Arizona Board of Regents in April approved Bennett’s contract, which starts at $3.5 million and runs five years. The Arizona Republic reported this week that Bennett had not signed it, but athletic director Graham Rossini said Thursday the parties were simply working through the “legal red lines” and suggested Bennett’s signature was simply a formality.
Rossini also said Bennett has no physical limitations the rest of the summer. However, Bennett admitted he needed to do a better job of taking care of himself.
“We’re resourced a lot better here,” he said. “I mean, this program is powerful. I think all that helps. I don’t want to say it’s easier — it’s definitely not easier because of the league (Big 12) you’re in — but it’s resourced better. And I think I can do a better job as far as managing my time and days.”
10,000 frogs released through multiagency conservation effort
The California red-legged frog, a federally threatened species absent from Yosemite National Park for decades, has made a significant comeback after 10 years of coordinated conservation work.
Partners marked the milestone today with the symbolic release of the program’s 10,000th frog in Yosemite Valley.
The recovery effort is led by the National Park Service in collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Yosemite Conservancy and San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.
“This milestone reflects years of focused work to restore a species that plays an important role in the park’s ecosystem,” said Rob Grasso, aquatic ecologist at Yosemite National Park. “After invasive bullfrogs eliminated red-legged frogs from the area decades ago, we removed those threats and created conditions for recovery. Today, multiple generations of frogs are established in Yosemite Valley.”
Invasive American bullfrogs, introduced to the park, drove the species’ decline. Elevated raccoon populations, fueled by open refuse sites that remained in use until the 1970s, also contributed to the loss. Park staff spent decades removing bullfrogs, while habitat improvements tied to the Merced River Plan restored wetlands, streambanks and river systems critical to the frog’s survival.
“Our partners have been essential to the recovery of the California red-legged frog,” said Kim Turner, acting field supervisor for the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. “We appreciate the progress made over the past decade and remain committed to this collaborative effort.”
During the May 7 event, speakers will deliver remarks near Yosemite Falls before releasing several zoo-reared frogs, including the program’s symbolic 10,000th frog, nicknamed “Twain.”
“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is proud to have assisted the recovery of California’s official state amphibian in Yosemite,” said Laura Patterson, amphibian and reptile conservation coordinator for the Department. “Grants administered by the Department, using funds approved by the voters of California, facilitated the habitat restoration necessary for the success of this recovery effort.”
A key component of the effort is a dedicated rearing facility established in San Francisco in 2016 through a partnership between the National Park Service and the San Francisco Zoological Society. At the facility, staff raise frogs from wild-collected eggs to one- and two-year-old juveniles in a controlled environment before releasing them into the park.
The program is supported by the Zoo-Park Partnership Program, facilitated by the Wildlife Restoration Foundation, and is considered a model for species recovery in California.
“When the program began in 2016, no California red-legged frogs remained in Yosemite Valley,” said Dr. Rochelle Stiles, director of field conservation at the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens. “Today, every frog in the valley traces back to this effort. Despite drought, severe winters and flooding, the population has proven resilient.”
This year, the zoo plans to release about 830 juvenile frogs into Yosemite while raising approximately 600 eggs for future release.
“Protecting vulnerable species helps preserve the park’s natural balance,” said Cassius Cash, president of Yosemite Conservancy. “This milestone shows what sustained collaboration can achieve.”
The effort also relied on private landowner Diane Buchholz of Garden Valley, Calif., who allowed researchers to collect frog eggs from her property.
The California red-legged frog gained national recognition in The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain. The species, the largest native frog in the western United States, grows 2 to 5 inches long and is known for its reddish underside and soft, short calls. It inhabits ponds, streams and wet meadows.
About the National Park Service Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.
About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr.
About the California Department of Fish and Wildlife The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s mission is to protect California’s diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and enjoyment by the public today and for generations to come. For more information visit https://wildlife.ca.gov/ or follow CDFW on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
About San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Established in 1929, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects people to wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action. An urban oasis, SF Zoo is home to nearly 1,500 exotic, endangered and rescued animals representing about 150 species. Located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean at Sloat Boulevard, the Zoo is open 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in the winter). Visit www.sfzoo.org for more information.
About Yosemite Conservancy For more than 100 years, Yosemite Conservancy has supported the conservation of Yosemite’s natural and cultural resources and helped people develop a deeper relationship to the park. Thanks to generous donors, in recent years, the Conservancy has provided more than $180 million in grants to Yosemite for more than 950 projects. In 2026, we are providing $19 million in total support and funding around 60 new grants to the National Park Service for projects in the park. The Conservancy’s guided adventures and art classes, donor events, volunteer opportunities, wilderness services and bookstores help people from across the country and world connect with Yosemite. Learn more at yosemite.org.
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Media Contacts:
Yosemite National Park
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Nancy Chan, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, (415) 840-6065
Peter Bartelme, Yosemite Conservancy
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