Juan Telles is running for Modesto City Council District 2, representing West Modesto, South Modesto, the Airport neighborhood and downtown. His campaign centers heavily on housing, infrastructure and bringing more investment into neighborhoods that have historically seen less of it.

In this episode, we talk about why developers often overlook communities like District 2, what Modesto can realistically do to encourage more housing and mixed-use development, and how Telles sees public-private partnerships fitting into that work.

We also get into his years in community organizing, his vision for the Tuolumne River area, and why he decided to move from advocating outside City Hall to running for a seat inside it.

A conversation about Modesto, but also about a question familiar across the Central Valley: what does it actually take to bring investment into neighborhoods that have been waiting for it?

Pedro Naveiras is running for Bakersfield City Council Ward 3, an open seat currently represented by longtime Councilmember Ken Weir.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, Pedro talks about growing up in East Bakersfield, his path from local schools and CSU Bakersfield to a career as a prosecutor, and why he decided to run for City Council.

We get into his priorities for Ward 3 and Bakersfield, including public safety, homelessness, city spending, infrastructure, and economic development on the east side of town. Pedro also discusses how his experience prosecuting gang and violent crime has shaped the way he thinks about prevention, youth programs, mental-health response, and the role local government can play before someone enters the criminal justice system.

We also talk about his vision for downtown and East Bakersfield, his approach to political endorsements and independence, and his promise to hold quarterly town halls if elected.

In this episode:

• Why Pedro Naveiras decided to run for Bakersfield City Council
• His background as a local, state, and federal prosecutor
• Public safety beyond policing
• Youth intervention and partnerships with local schools
• Homelessness, treatment, and city resources
• Infrastructure and long-term city planning
• Economic investment in East Bakersfield
• What Ward 3 residents should expect from their next councilmember

Learn more about Pedro Naveiras and his campaign: https://pedroforbakersfield.com/

Flor Unmuted independently determines its guests, questions, coverage, and editorial positions. An appearance on the podcast does not constitute an endorsement.

In this episode of Flor Unmuted, Flor sits down with Emma De La Rosa, Land Use and Transportation Policy Manager with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, for a Central Valley-focused conversation about California Proposition 45, CEQA, and what faster development could mean for rural and unincorporated communities.

Emma is a first-generation college graduate of UC Merced and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In her work with Leadership Counsel, she partners with residents from environmental justice communities to advocate for clean and affordable drinking water, equitable housing, sustainable transportation, just land-use policies, and policies that improve community health and quality of life.

The conversation begins with Emma’s own story and the communities she works alongside across the Central Valley, including places that have experienced decades of disinvestment and environmental burdens. From there, Flor and Emma break down what the California Environmental Quality Act currently does, how Proposition 45 would change environmental review for certain projects, and why those changes matter beyond Sacramento. Pasted text

They discuss the tension between economic development and public health, how residents participate in decisions about projects proposed near their homes, whether promised permitting savings would reach consumers, agricultural land and development pressure, and the growing debate around data centers. Emma also explains why Leadership Counsel opposes Proposition 45 and what she believes Central Valley voters should consider before casting their ballots. Pasted text Pasted text Pasted text

This episode presents Emma and Leadership Counsel’s perspective on Proposition 45. Official voter information and arguments from supporters and opponents can be found through California’s voter guide here: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/45/index.htm