West
'Shrinking' California GOP to blame for state's problems argues LA Times columnist
California Republicans share some blame for the poverty, homelessness and crime currently plaguing the state, Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez argued.
Though Lopez acknowledged how Democrats “deserve to be on the hot seat” based on their current control in all statewide offices, he explained “none of that happened overnight, nor did it happen exclusively under Democratic leadership.”
“For decades, through Democratic and Republican leadership, California made the mistake of not building enough housing to keep up with the flood of people who moved here to fill jobs in the state’s burgeoning economy. It’s one of many factors in rising home prices and homelessness today,” Lopez wrote Saturday.
Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez argued decades of both Republican and Democratic leadership are responsible for California’s state of decline. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
FORMER DEMOCRAT TURNS REPUBLICAN: KAMALA HARRIS ‘DID NOTHING TO CHANGE THE SCHOOLS’ IN CALIFORNIA
He more directly blamed the GOP for crime and illegal immigration based on its support for gun rights and the agriculture industry.
“Many of them come here to work in the largely conservative agri-business industry, which looks the other way while writing campaign checks to GOP lawmakers. Many more come to escape narco-violence in Mexico, where as many as 70% of the guns are sourced from the U.S.,” Lopez wrote. “It’s more than a little bit hypocritical to bash crazy, reckless California on public safety when no amount of carnage in the nation, including mass shootings at shopping malls and schools (on Wednesday it was two students and two teachers dead at a Georgia high school), can loosen the gun lobby’s death grip on GOP lawmakers.”
Lopez acknowledged Democrats are currently in “the hot seat” for California. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)
He also criticized Republicans for refusing to expand their base and regain power in California to solve these problems.
“In a state that proudly celebrates inclusion and leads the resistance to the politics of race-based scapegoating, climate change denial and the stripping of women’s reproductive rights, the out-of-touch GOP has been hell-bent on shrinking its tent. Reagan, who signed an abortion rights bill as governor and an immigrant amnesty bill as president, would be booted out of today’s GOP,” Lopez wrote.
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“None of them has offered winning solutions to deep-seated problems, and it might be too late for a party resurgence because as the electorate has grown more diverse, GOP voter registration has dwindled to roughly 25%. You can’t blame Democrats for that,” he concluded.
Lopez blamed Republicans for their shrinking presence in California. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
California has not had a Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger who served from 2003 to 2011.
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Hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco is bringing his “Food & Liquor” 20th anniversary debut album tour to San Diego. Fiasco’s first studio album, “Food & Liquor,” was nominated for four Grammy Awards and the single “Daydreaming” featuring Jill Scott won a Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Other singles off his debut LP were “Kick, Push” and “I Gotcha.” 7 p.m. Sunday. House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego. $49.25-$206.50. 619-299-2583, sandiego.houseofblues.com/shows
Earl Thomas and The Anthony Cullins Band: Earl Thomas and Anthony Cullins will perform two free shows at Lou Lou’s. Thomas is a singer-songwriter who plays American soul, blues and roots rock. Cullins is a songwriter who plays guitar with rhythm and blues, soul, funk, jazz and rock influences. Cullins has also won San Diego Music Awards in the Best Blues Artist category in 2023 and 2024. Seating for both shows is on a first arrival basis and for those 21 years and older. 8 and 10 p.m. Saturday. Lou Lou’s, 2225 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego. Free. loulousclub.com
Paul Anka: Singer, songwriter and actor Paul Anka is scheduled to perform his hits from the past seven decades at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. Some of his songs include “Diana,” “My Way,” “Puppy Love” and “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.” He has also had songs on the Billboard charts during seven consecutive decades, according to event organizers. 9 p.m. Tuesday. Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, $120-$243. 800-745-3000, humphreysconcerts.com
Yungblud: In February, Yungblud released his fourth studio album “IDOLS” and now he is sharing his new music on his IDOLS world tour with a stop in San Diego. Yungblud mixes punk and rock with his vocals. The English musician has received multiple awards for his music and live performances, including the O2 Silver Clef Award for Best Live Act in 2022. 7 p.m. Wednesday. The Rady Shell, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. $88.33. 619-235-0804, theshell.org
Barrington Levy: The Jamaican-born Barrington Levy is back in San Diego with his reggae and dancehall vibes for one night at the Music Box. Levy has been making music since the 1970s and released his first four solo album in 1979. Levy has over 30 albums, with his newest LP “Acousticalevy” in 2015, and collaborated over the years with Bounty Killer, Cutty Ranks and Shyne. Last year, Levy’s 40th anniversary edition of his album, “Prison Oval Rock,” was released. Doah’s Daydream will be opening up the show. 8 p.m. Thursday. Music Box, 1337 India St., San Diego. $57. 619-795-1337, musicboxsd.com
Takuya Kuroda: Brooklyn-based and Japanese trumpet player Takuya Kuroda is taking the stage for a night of jazz at the Belly Up in Solana Beach. Last year he released his eighth studio album, “Everyday,” and a collaboration LP, “Add a Zero,” with Chris McCarthy and Sam Minaie. He has worked with hip-hop producer DJ Premier 8 p.m. Thursday. Belly Up, 143 South Cedros Ave., Solana Beach. $25. 858-481-8140, bellyup.com
Carlos Rico, Union-Tribune
At Icy Strait Point, visitors can spot whales and eagles while supporting a small Alaska community.
How cruise tourism could help and hurt Alaska’s environment
Although Alaskans rely on revenue tourism cruise ships bring in, some locals are raising concerns on the impact of tourism on Alaska’s environment.
Icy Strait Point in Hoonah, Alaska, offers a rare kind of cruise stop — one where nature, culture, and community take center stage. It was also specifically developed with tourists in mind.
Built on Huna Tlingit land near Hoonah, this privately owned destination was designed to spread visitors across 23,000 acres of wilderness rather than overwhelm the town. The result is a place where travelers can see bald eagles, sea lions, and crashing waves instead of traffic and tour buses.
Beyond its dramatic scenery, Icy Strait Point generates about $20 million in annual economic impact for a community of roughly 900 people, supporting hundreds of jobs, making it a model for how tourism can benefit residents while preserving Alaska’s character.
Why it matters
Located on Huna Tlingit land, Icy Strait Point shows how tourism can support small communities while preserving their identity. Places like this reflect a broader American story of stewardship, self-determination, and economic opportunity.
According to Icy Strait Point’s Senior Vice President, Tyler Hackman, the destination generates “$20 million a year of positive economic impact on a community of 900 people,” creating jobs while allowing Hoonah to remain distinctly itself.
What to see today
Unlike many cruise ports, Icy Strait Point feels remarkably undeveloped.
“This place is mostly untouched,” Hackman said. “When a ship comes into a dock here, somebody can be standing on the top deck of the ship, and you don’t see a parking lot, you don’t see a bus, you don’t see a vehicle.”
Visitors can take a gondola to the mountaintop for sweeping views, then follow Hackman’s advice and head to the beach in front of the historic cannery. There, they can search for shells, dip their hands in Alaska’s icy waters, and take in snowcapped peaks on the horizon — and maybe spot a humpback whale or an orca.
Ask a local
For a sweet stop with a bigger purpose, visit Lil’ Gen’s Mini-Doughnuts.
Operated by The Salvation Army, the shop serves warm mini-doughnuts to cruise visitors all summer. The impact extends far beyond dessert: Hackman said that in 2025, profits from the shop helped fund “$130,000 worth of food to the local community.”
It’s a delicious way to support Hoonah residents directly. Try the lemon sugaring.
Plan your visit
- Best time: May through September during the Alaska cruise season.
- Hours/admission: Open seasonally. Access is included with most cruise itineraries.
- Getting there: Primarily reached by cruise ship from Southeast Alaska itineraries.
- Learn more: https://icystraitpoint.com/
Dozens of bright yellow jets once operated by Spirit Airlines are now sitting idle in the Arizona desert after being repossessed by leasing companies, according to aviation officials.
The aircraft are currently parked in a storage field following the shutdown of operations involving the planes. Industry experts say the jets were not owned directly by Spirit Airlines, but instead leased through outside companies that quickly moved to reclaim the aircraft.
One aviation contractor involved in the process said crews had only a matter of hours to coordinate the recovery effort and relocate the planes.
That process included hiring former Spirit pilots who had suddenly found themselves out of work to help ferry the aircraft to storage facilities in Arizona.
“The reason I’m empathetic to all this is because I’ve been in the same situation four or five times,” one aviation worker said. “I was with airlines that closed their doors overnight. I woke up the next morning not having a job. I’m worried about how I’m going to make my mortgage, how I can pay for health care. I have little kids.”
Officials say the future of the aircraft remains uncertain. Depending on what the leasing companies decide, the planes could eventually return to service with another airline, be dismantled for parts, or scrapped altogether.
Spirit Airlines has not announced whether the aircraft could return to operations.
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