As the LA Podcast team takes off for the Thanksgiving long weekend, we’re featuring Mike’s recent one-on-one interview with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss Bass’s leadership style — she says she prefers to govern from the center — and how it has been tested by wildfires, ICE raids, and the ongoing homelessness crisis.

The conversation, which took place on October 16, is part of a new series of fireside chats focused on public leadership hosted by the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, which Mike runs as his day job

Bass faces reelection in just six months — the primary is June 2! The interview with Bass was recorded a few days before former LAUSD superintendent Austin Beutner officially announced his campaign to unseat her, and a few weeks before progressive organizer Rev. Rae Huang announced a challenge from the left

At CalMatters, Jim Newton of UCLA (and an esteemed former LA Times political reporter) writes that Bass is vulnerable, but still tough to beat

Mike asks about some of the mayor’s controversial moves to undercut the voter-approved Measure ULA. It is a stance that angered many progressives. In recent weeks, Bass has taken another swipe at the voter-approved measure

Bass’s second term could look dramatically different as the Los Angeles City Charter Commission discusses expanding the 15-member City Council. The panel is preparing to discuss three different models of council expansion, each with unique benefits and challenges for Angelenos. This Wednesday, December 3 at 7 p.m. join LA Forward Institute, AAPI Equity Alliance, and LA Voice to explore the three models and consider pros and cons of each model. Organizers will also share how community members can make sure that commissioners hear their voices! RSVP here

This episode was produced by Daniel Huecias and Olive Greenspan. The interview previously aired as part of Mike’s podcast, What’s Next, Los Angeles? (Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts)

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