—Daniel Ryan, Pasadena

First, I must say that I enjoy some of the content provided by PBS. I would also note that PBS enjoys 58 million viewers across all of its platforms. NPR enjoys a lower, yet still significant, 46 million viewers. The real issue is a pervasive liberal bias, particularly at NPR, coupled with a bloated federal budget. As far as left leaning bias, why should this be tolerated and what happened to the concept of equal time? On the budget, belt tightening is required and the voters have said so. I believe both PBS and NPR can and should close the gap left by the loss of federal subsidy.

—Brian Parker, Laguna Niguel

Not just the essay from former NPR editor Uri Berliner stating the existence of a progressive bias, but also every poll indicates a political bias is prevalent at both NPR and PBS.Taxpayer funding of any particular religious institution would be met with widespread public outrage. Such funding is prohibited by the Bill of Rights. It does not require much imagination to believe had the nation’s founders envisioned public funding of political publications or advocacy organizations, they too would have been prohibited by the US Constitution. There is no shortage of political viewports in the public arena. Make sure they all are solely funded by their advocates, not the taxpayers.

— Russell Patterson, Anaheim

Due to the liberal bias on the part of almost all publicly funded media, many of us believe that NPR and PBS is another arm of the Democrat propaganda machine. Taxpayer dollars should not be funding the “progressive worldview ” unless there is equal funding for the sensible right-wing views. Either fund both sides or scrap the funding.

— Amy Harman, Fountain Valley

Does Communism naturally bring about a “cool” word association within the Southern California News Group? Newsflash: There is nothing “cool” about communism whatsoever. It is a totalitarian ideology; a blight upon humanity. It belongs on the ash heap with Nazism and fascism.

1990s era French sociologists credibly calculated that communism caused 100 million deaths, including some 65 million in Communist China alone. Yet SCNG publishes this communist chic “cool fact” just after the grim Tiananmen Square Massacre anniversary. Even now the CCP represses Muslim Uyghurs, Tibetan Buddhists, and freedom in Hong Kong.

Millions of veterans who faced down communism, along with countless millions more who suffered under it, see nothing cool about communism. You should publish a retraction with an apology … now.

Rick Reiss, Temecula

President Trump wants the photos and tape of burning cars and masked protesters waving Mexican flags. Should a cop or soldier be tragically killed, Trump will invoke the Insurrection Act, declaring Gov. Gavin Newsom has lost the ability to enforce the laws of California and keep the peace.

God help us all if that happens.

Kieron Keady, Huntington Beach

Their refusal to protect the people of this state and county speaks volumes and I am disgusted by what I am seeing on the news.

My question is what would happen if Trump did not send in the National Guard?

Would LA still be standing or would it look like the burnt out mess from the Palisades and Eaton fires?

Trump had to do something to save LA and he had to step in and stop the destruction because Newsom and Bass won’t do their job.

I’m assuming the rioting will continue and now the military is going to show up in the next few days to get this taken care of.  The whole point of the rioting was and is an immigration issue.

Let’s not forget that Biden/Harris opened our borders and let these people in illegally.

Trump is cleaning up their mess and trying to make us a safer nation.

Helen Nees, Dove Canyon

Those who promote this invasion are turning Title IX on its head and preventing qualified girls from competing on a level playing field.  Some on the left argue that there are only a few trans athletes that compete against genuine females on all levels of sports, but isn’t even one cheater too many?

It’s common knowledge that trans women are faster and stronger than biological females, so why would anyone with common decency allow this immoral invasion to continue?  If transgender athletes want to be involved in sports, then a league for trans athletes can be formed so they can compete against one another.

We must respect the dignity of biological females who train hard to compete fairly in sports.

– Christian Milord, Fullerton

Contrary to claims, natural gas furnaces and water heaters are not being banned. Existing units can still be used, and gas replacements remain while zero-emission models become more common. These rules have been in development for over two years with extensive public input, including 100+ meetings and 30+ presentations to local governments and community organizations. 

We recognize cost concerns and have ensured consumer choice remains. Zero-emission appliances, already making up nearly 25% of furnace sales in California, offer long-term savings through efficiency. The proposed rules will cut six tons per day of smog-forming emissions, reducing asthma attacks, hospital visits, and healthcare costs.

Electrification is a proven, growing solution and California’s clean energy advancements will support future demand. Rather than resisting progress, we should focus on affordability and infrastructure improvements. South Coast AQMD remains committed to practical, innovative solutions that protect both public health and residents’ wallets.

Wayne Nastri is executive officer South Coast Air Quality Management District

As the district director for Representative Dave Min, I am sorry that Councilmember Erik Weigand did not receive notice of our March 21st town hall in Newport Beach. Being mindful of our office’s taxpayer-funded budget, we did not pay to advertise this town hall, but it was heavily announced through our Congressional newsletter list (reaching tens of thousands of constituents) and on our social media accounts. Fortunately, word got out there, as over 1,500 constituents did attend our town hall, which we believe was the largest in-person town hall ever held in this area.

Unfortunately, violence has occurred at government events. As many remember, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was gravely injured and six other Arizonans lost their lives during a shooting at a public event with constituents in 2011. To make certain we could keep attendees safe, and to ensure we were abiding by space limitations given the profound interest, the town hall address was available to everyone upon RSVP.

We hope that Councilmember Weigand, and any other interested constituents, attend our future town halls. For anyone interested in receiving notice of future events (and other updates from our office), I would kindly suggest that they follow us on social media (@CongressMin on BlueSky, @RepDaveMin on Threads, @RepDaveMin on Instagram, @CongressMin on X, and on Facebook at https://facebook.com/thecongressmin), or sign up for our newsletter on our website.

Matt Kern is district director for the office of Congressman Dave Min, who represents California’s 47th congressional district. 

Bob Horvath, Long Beach

Sorry Katie, but what we need is a heck of a lot more than “hope” and “grit.”

We need commonsense solutions, not more expensive liberal programs and empty promises.

We’ve had the same liberal/progressive state leadership for over a decade and where has that gotten us?

How about the 3rd highest cost of living in the country as well as the highest state income tax rate to go along with the high electricity rates.

California also has the most people experiencing homelessness in the country, as well as the nation’s highest gas prices and highest gas taxes.

Hope and Grit Katie?  No, I want solutions, not platitudes.  We need a new direction for the state, not the same old Liberal policies that have created this mess.

Chas Hamann, Yorba Linda

Then I read Susan Shelley’s article about the runaway costs and deceit of Medi-Cal.  Newsom’s administration initially budgeted $2-4 billion for Medi-Cal.  By mid 2024, the estimate reached $6 billion.  Yet, the Department of Finance admitted in a hearing that it was closer to $9.5 billion.  And why has this grown so much?  California, under Newsom’s leadership, has extended Medi-Cal to undocumented immigrants since 2015.  So now the Department of Finance has to borrow $3.4 billion to pay for these expenses.

These undocumented immigrants have access to healthcare benefits from prenatal through long term care. Two things to be concerned about.  We as taxpayers are paying for other people’s expenses, at an extremely high cost.  Two, what poor kind of fiscal management does Newsom practice?

He can’t handle the state of California, he will do a disastrous job running the country.

Newsom, you are being closely watched.  Stop your insane actions now.

He won’t get my vote, I hope he does not get yours, and I pray he does not get the nomination of the devastated Democratic Party.

Ellie S. MacMullin, Pasadena