Tanya McRae

17/08/2024

In just a few weeks, the Los Angeles City Council will be under new leadership. Council President Pro Tem Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who represents parts of South LA in the 8th District, was unanimously elected by his colleagues in May. He’ll replace Paul Krekorian, who is leaving the Council in December due to term limits.

Harris-Dawson joined me on this week’s episode of “In Focus SoCal” to discuss his priorities for the council and to share experiences that led him to get involved in community activism and politics.

Watch the full episode below!

Marqueece Harris-Dawson joins "In Focus"

17/08/2024

One in five adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year, while one in six youth has a mental health condition.

Racial and ethnic minorities also face challenges in seeking treatment, including cultural stigmas, reduced access, and lack of diversity or cultural competence among mental health professionals.

In this week’s “In Focus SoCal,” we feature Dominique Mackey, who wrote a children’s book to help her daughter navigate the challenges of dealing with her father’s mental health issues.

I spoke with Orange County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento to discuss some of the county’s mental health initiatives.

I also sat down with State Senator Susan Rubio, who talked about several pieces of legislation that she is working on in Sacramento.

Check out the full episode below!

1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year

03/08/2024

July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a major civil rights milestone led by California Congressman Tony Coelho. Signed into law in 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in everyday activities -- including employment, public services, and voting.

In honor of Disability Pride Month, I spoke with Ollie Cantos, West Covina’s first blind city councilman. He shared about growing up with a disability and getting bullied, and how his experience shaped him.

You can catch this episode of "In Focus SoCal" on the Spectrum News 1 SoCal website!

31/07/2024

Incredibly honored and proud of my "In Focus SoCal" team for winning the Best Talk/Public Affairs Program Award by the LA Press Club!!!

Hosting this show for Spectrum News 1 SoCal gives me the incredible opportunity to sit down with elected officials, community leaders, and people from every walk of life in Southern California. It's a dream job for a journalist, and this award from my peers is both humbling and empowering.

19/07/2024

I was asked by LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis to be the emcee for the grand opening of the new 323 Farmers Market in East LA. I truly love participating in these kinds of community events that support local businesses, entrepreneurs, and bring people together!

19/07/2024

On this episode of "In Focus SoCal," we explore the latest housing initiatives and programs helping California residents achieve their goals of securing accessible housing and potentially owning their own home.

https://spectruminfocus.com/section/in-focus/in-focus/2024/07/01/california-housing-initiatives-and-programs

I talked to state Sen. Nancy Skinner, who represents California’s 9th Senate District, about legislative efforts aimed at increasing housing in the state. She explained SB 1211, which she authored.
“Twenty-five percent of all new housing built in California each year are ADUs," she said. "Now people mostly think about them as something on a single family property. However, we have many multifamily properties — we’re talking apartment complexes, condo complexes — that have lots of extra room, and they could add some ADUs. Which would really help us in terms of our housing crisis. It’s already legal for apartment owners to add ADUs. But somehow or another, there was a funny cap that they could only add to detached ADUs, regardless of the size of the property. My bill would increase that from two units to eight units, without having to go through a whole lot of extra permitting and planning,” she said.

We feature a story about Denise Wilhite-Thomas, a housing advocate and founder of Operation Reach, who has been recognized with multiple congressional awards for her work on behalf of California homeowners struggling to save their homes from foreclosure.

I also spoke with Lynelle Bevels, Assistant Vice President and Community Lending Manager for Umpqua Bank, about how the bank is helping prospective homeowners.

State Sen. Nancy Skinner joins "In Focus"

19/07/2024

Progress and protection for LGBTQ community on "In Focus SoCal".

See the full show below:
https://spectruminfocus.com/section/in-focus/in-focus/2024/06/10/lgbtq--pride-month

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, since 2017, the number of transgender individuals experiencing homelessness has increased by 57%. While the number of gender non-conforming individuals has increased by 80%. And those numbers are even higher for people of color. That’s why the TransLatino Coalition in Los Angeles has created a unique program that’s providing a haven for people of Latin descent who might have ended up on the street can call home. The Hope House is a five-bedroom refuge in the middle of LA that houses up to 13 people at a time. It’s a place where people in the trans community can find support, take time to heal and become empowered.

I also talked with Sen. Caroline Menjivar, who represents California’s 20th District and serves on the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. She explained some initiatives the committee is currently working on. “What we do is to ensure that we uplift and elevate gender issues,” Menjivar said. “For example, a couple of months ago, we did a ‘Habitat for Humanity Women’s Construction Day,’ where we ensure we brought out women and let the world know that we, too, can build houses. We too can be a construction. Other initiatives are around the legislation that we’re going to be supporting and elevating. We go through a process where we look to vote for and champion for legislation that is looking to uplift women. And one of them is related to women in the military, which is close and personal to me because we know as women veterans or women in the military, we sometimes get forgotten. So we want to make sure we elevate issues like that.”

It’s also a time to acknowledge the need for ongoing advocacy

19/07/2024

Catching you up some of my recent "In Focus" shows!
Click on the link below to WATCH this episode on the Spectrum News 1 SoCal website:

https://spectruminfocus.com/section/in-focus/in-focus/2024/06/24/metro-crime-senator-anna-caballero

This week on “In Focus SoCal," we’re exploring a few different topics that are front and center for many Californians.
I recently traveled to Sacramento, where I sat down with state Sen. Anna Caballero, who represents California’s 14th Senate District. The discussion included her work on the Senate Appropriations Committee, legislation to assist undocumented agricultural workers and a program the senator oversees that is inspiring young people to go into public service. She also explained the critical need to save hospitals in rural areas.

Another hot topic - the number of total crimes within the Metro system surged more than 65% in the first three months of 2024, according to data from Metro System Security and law enforcement. The crimes range from trespassing, narcotics and larceny to aggravated assault, r**e and homicide. I talked with Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins about the a new three-point plan to help keep riders across the system safe.

And we’re also addressing the summertime challenges parents deal with as they look for safe places to send their kids. The benefits of day camp are many fold. Kids play sports, learn new skills, and make new friends. But all of this comes at a cost that could equal 1000s of dollars. Spectrum News' Tara Lynn Wagner visited a program run by the city of LA, where parents can pay as little as $25 a week to enroll their child at more than 100 locations.

Metro's CEO joins "In Focus SoCal"

24/02/2024

February is both Black History Month and American Heart Month. And on this Sunday’s “In Focus SoCal”, we’re looking at issues impacting communities of color.

I sat down with Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, who represents the 55th district in Los Angeles, about legislation he’s working on to address healthcare and environmental problems. One of his top priorities is new legislation to ensure cleaner air for Inglewood residents.

Spectrum News One reporter Ariel Wesler has a story about Delvin Livingston, who suffered from a heart attack at the very young age of 37, and has since made some major changes to his lifestyle.

I also spoke with Assemblymember Mia Bonta, who is the newest Chair to the Assembly Health Committee, about how California is being proactive in taking the steps to address implicit bias in the healthcare industry.

You can catch this episode on Sunday, Feb. 25th at 9:00am and 12:00pm on Spectrum News 1 SoCal... and YOU have a fantastic weekend folks!!!

California Black Health Network

02/02/2024

So proud of my “In Focus SoCal” team and honored by our Golden Mike Award nomination in the “Best News Talk Show or Public Affairs Program” category!!!

06/12/2023

Heading into winter with a smile and my favorite purples!!!

06/12/2023

So proud to have been nominated for an LA Press Club National Arts & Entertainment Award for my “In Focus SoCal” show! We lost to “20/20” and Diane Sawyer, so I’m not even upset considering the esteemed competition!!!

A wonderful evening with my Spectrum News 1 SoCal team!

20/11/2023

California has the 5th largest caseload of missing and murdered indigenous women and people. That's why Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law AB 44, which will grant tribal law enforcement agencies access to the California law enforcement telecommunications system.
I spoke with Assemblymember James C. Ramos, who authored the bill, on this week's "In Focus SoCal" about why this access is so critical.

12/11/2023

It was an honor to be the emcee at the Veterans Day celebration and Spectrum Community Impact Day at U.S.VETS—Inglewood!

The organization is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and houses more than 5,000 veterans and families across the nation each night. The Inglewood location is home to over 600 veterans in transitional and permanent housing, and provides them with the services and support they need AND deserve.

I had the opportunity to hear some incredible personal stories from veterans, meet Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, and catch up with my buddy Suzanne Matofsky Stevens!
A memorable day.

05/11/2023

Nearly 900 new laws will go into effect in California starting next year. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed just 156 of the 1,046 bills that reached his desk this legislative session.

Several measures will be first-in-the-nation efforts, including the Ebony Alert system that is specifically geared toward finding missing Black children and women. Newsom approved dozens of bills aimed at making housing more affordable in California, including one that will limit renters’ security deposits to no more than one month’s rent.

On this “In Focus SoCal” show, we’re taking a closer look at several of California’s new laws.

WATCH the show in the link below!

State Sen. Anthony Portantino joins "In Focus SoCal"

05/11/2023

The future of the United States’ Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program is in limbo, once again, after a federal judge in Texas declared it illegal last month. While the ruling does not end the program, it prolongs an already years-long legal battle over its existence.

Current DACA recipients are still eligible to reapply for the legal protections that allow them to stay and work in the country.

President Joe Biden and advocates have called on Congress to pass permanent protections for Dreamers, but proposals have failed multiple times.

We explore some of the issues surrounding DACA on this episode of “In Focus SoCal”. WATCH the show below!

Areli Hernandez joins "In Focus SoCal"

01/11/2023

I had the opportunity to chat with the newest member of the LA City Council, Imelda Padilla on this week's "In Focus SoCal".

As she enters into her fourth month on the job, she shared about her experience representing the district that she was born and raised in, and how it's become a 'family affair!' Padilla also talked about her efforts to regain the trust of Angelenos after a lot of upheaval within the city council and City of Los Angeles.

You can watch our full conversation on the Spectrum News 1 SoCal website via the link in my bio!

27/10/2023

17/10/2023

On this week's "In Focus SoCal," sits down with LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to discuss the county’s zero-bail policy that went into effect at the beginning of October.

She said she has concerns surrounding the new law that will allow most people who are arrested on suspicion of nonviolent and non-serious offenses to be released from custody rather than kept in jail while they await arraignment.

“It told me that we need to do a better job of really screening individuals that are being cited and released,” said Barger. “On paper, it may look like a minor offense. But in reality, we saw with a smash and grab, there were individuals that had been cited and released, and were back on the street doing it again the next day.”

You can watch this full show on the Spectrum News 1 website!

10/10/2023

10/10/2023

Thank you Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles for inviting me to participate in your annual Stronger Together Gala! It's always an amazing event and supports so many important programs for our LA area youth.

🎤 Exciting news! Tanya McRae will join us as our special guest emcee for the Stronger Together Gala. We're honored to have her lead the celebration of our progress in youth empowerment.

Help us reach our goal by donating at bgcmla2023.givesmart.com. 💙

10/10/2023

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide.

On this week's "In Focus SoCal", Assemblymember Lori Wilson
shared her personal breast cancer story. She received a routine mammogram in February, which she said she stayed on top of because of a high school friend who has Stage Four breast cancer. She said it’s important for Black women to take care of themselves and to ensure they are getting regular screenings.

“I think it’s more of that awareness campaign, that screenings allow for early detection, which allow for much better outcomes in terms of actual treatment. And then ensuring that women, no matter what their background is, no matter their color, that when they tell a doctor and they get seen by a doctor, that they get the care they need,” Wilson said.

You can watch our full conversation on the Spectrum News 1 SoCal website.

21/09/2023

20/09/2023

I enjoy having the opportunity to interview a lot of elected officials, and finding out some really interesting things about them! Here is a clip from my conversation with Rep. Pete Aguilar on "In Focus SoCal" about why he was inspired at just 9 years old to become a good community member, and use his voice "for good".

You can watch the full interview on the Spectrum News 1 SoCal website!

13/09/2023

On this week's "In Focus SoCal", I spoke to Glen MacDonald, a geography professor at UCLA and the director of the White Mountain Research Center, about California’s wildfire crisis.

He explained how climate change is impacting the frequency and severity of wildfires, as well as how sirens can save lives. Here is a clip from our really informative conversation. You can watch the full interview on the Spectrum News 1 SoCal!

08/09/2023

I FINALLY had the opportunity to chat with my amazing colleague, Daniela Pardo, on "In Focus SoCal" about some new legislation in the works about some big issues in California!

22/08/2023

This is being called “The Summer Of Strikes” as the members of multiple unions take a stand.
On “In Focus SoCal” we’re exploring why now…
Check out the show below!

West Hollywood Mayor Shyne joins "In Focus"

31/07/2023

We're taking a look at mass incarceration, prison reform legislation, and anti-recidivism programs on “IN FOCUS SOCAL".

I talked with Sam Lewis, the Executive Director of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. Sam was sentenced to life in prison when he was 18 years old. He was released after serving 24 years, and decided to commit his life to finding ways to change the justice system from one that punishes and traumatizes to one that helps and heals.

In 2017, Sam created the Hope & Redemption Team, which consists of former life prisoners who go back into California state prisons to provide hope, offer guidance, and prepare those returning into our communities for a new chapter in their lives.
Sam now serves as a role model and mentor for incarcerated youth and adults in California, and works closely with policymakers and community-based organizations on issues and legislation related to criminal justice reform.

You can watch this week's entire show via the link in my BIO!

18/07/2023

Changing climate and historic weather patterns are threatening California’s famous coastline, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Up to 70% of the state’s beaches could be lost to erosion by the end of the century, according to a new study.

On this week’s “In Focus SoCal,” host Tanya McRae explores some solutions to beach erosion and how elected leaders are preparing for the future.

“We need to start looking at artificial reefs off the coast. We need to build more living shorelines,” Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said.

McRae met with Foley in Newport Beach, one of the areas that is seeing coastal erosion.

Foley, who serves as a director of the Orange County Transportation Authority, has been involved with the suspended passenger rail system in San Clemente. The service, which goes to and from Oceanside, was impacted due to falling debris.

“We are studying how we can possibly move the railroad tracks. I think that’s a pretty significant investment. They’re saying something like $5 to $10 billion,” Foley said.

McRae also sits down with Sean Vitousek, research oceanographer at the U.S. Geological Survey. He said Southern California beaches are more vulnerable than the rest of the state because they are narrow.

“That’s partially related to just the amount of development in Southern California compared to the rest of the state. You just have a little bit narrower beaches, and you have development encroaching upon those beaches a little bit,” Vitousek said.

Watch the show in the link below:

OC Supervisor Katrina Foley joins "In Focus SoCal"

12/07/2023

The City of Los Angeles' new budget tops $13 billion for the first time in history, and it includes an unprecedented $1.3 billion investment to continue tackling the homelessness crisis. The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority recently announced that homelessness in the city increased 10% in 2022. Since 2015, homelessness has spiked by 80% in the city.

On this week’s “In Focus SoCal,” we take a closer look at the new budget with LA City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. He highlighted the city’s biggest priorities, including the mayor’s Inside Safe program, which is receiving $250 million to end encampments and get unhoused Angelenos inside.

“We’re focused on getting people immediately indoors, people who are on the streets into interim sites,” Blumenfield said. “And (Bass is) working on getting hotels in all the different areas of the city, where we get folks directly off the streets into those sites and then get them services and on their way to permanent housing.”

Los Angeles is also focused on hiring more LAPD officers to maintain 9,500 officers. Blumenfield said that the budget includes incentives for recruitments and to ensure that every class of recruits is funded.

What are your thoughts on the city's plans?