Due to their persistent interference with much-needed housing projects, the Independent Institute is awarding the seventeenth California Golden Fleece® Award to the many NIMBY groups and individuals that have contributed to the state’s housing crisis. The list of recipients includes environmental organizations, such as the Sierra Club, and anti-density neighborhood groups, such as Livable California.

What makes government shutdowns drag on? On the other hand, how much does it matter? Shutdown or no shutdown, President Trump’s tariffs are about to go before the Supreme Court; and in the meantime, the President keeps adjusting them pretty much every week. He also seems to be taking liberties in bombing accused drug boats off the coast of Venezuela. We tackle these issues, and more, on this episode of Independent Outlook.

Entire neighborhoods across the U.S. have become open-air asylums, drug markets, and impoverished wastelands—despite billions poured into homelessness programs. The tragic truth? The prevailing “solutions,” like Housing First, are failing—failing those experiencing homelessness, and failing the communities around them.

But there IS another way.

This conversation with the authors of Beyond Homeless: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes, Transformative Solutions, a groundbreaking new book that shines a light on proven, life-changing alternatives, looks at why current policies fall short, hear real-world success stories from San Antonio and communities across the country, and lay out bold reforms that can restore dignity, save lives, and transform struggling communities into places of hope and renewal.