Growing the AI vocabulary
Enterprise agentic AI platform Ema describes this change as agentic business transformation (ABT), a term it coined last year in partnership with HFS Research, in an attempt to plug what it sees as a gap in the existing lexicon about AI agents, and to provide enterprises with a new framework with which to think about their own adoption of the technology.
“None of the existing vocabulary captures the full scope of the change,” explains Ema CEO and founder Surojit Chatterjee. “Digital transformation was about moving from paper to software. AI transformation was about adding artificial intelligence to existing processes. Co-pilot is about AI assisting in various human tasks. But ABT is something categorically different: It’s the integration of AI agents into the fabric of the organization.”
For Shah, the dedicated term (ABT) “helps drive the need to redesign an organization in its entirety: its operating model, its workflows, decision rights, and performance management systems.” He emphasizes that “everything that’s needed to ensure those agents are actually active participants in value creation, rather than just point tools or productivity aids.”
According to Ema, ABT encompasses three core pillars: an organization’s technology stack, its workforce, and the metrics used for success.
AI agents as connective tissue
The first pillar of ABT is the technology stack. “Your existing tech stack was designed for human-operated, application-centric workflows,” says Chatterjee. “It needs to be reconsidered when the actor is an AI agent operating at machine speed across multiple systems simultaneously.”
As AI agents are integrated into an organization, enterprises will need to pivot from a set of linear processes and steps, to rewiring work in a very different way, explains Shah. That’s because the value in AI agents isn’t as another layer in an existing technology stack but as a connective tissue, he explains, moving between or across layers to coordinate a high-level task or retrieve and interpret data from multiple discrete applications. AI agents can create “a true competitive differentiation for an enterprise” by making decisions based on this capacity to contextualize, he says. “That is where the next battleground will be.”
To build this connective tissue, leaders need to adapt their technology stack to surface higher quality decisions from AI agents, prioritizing access to multiple datasets and applications simultaneously to develop tacit knowledge. “Organizations that make this architectural shift become genuinely more adaptive,” says Chatterjee. “When a new business requirement emerges, you don’t wait six months for a software vendor to build a feature. You configure an AI employee using natural language and connect it to the systems it needs. The time from business to production workflow drops from months to days.”
The workforce, redesigned
As AI agents are deployed for more use cases, enterprise leaders must consider what this means for dynamics across their workforce, the second pillar of ABT.
Workforce structures today deviate little from the hierarchical model of the early days of industrialization. To maximize efficiency and scale, processes are standardized, tasks are clearly delineated between strategic business units (SBUs), and employees progress up through an organization based on their capacity to optimize output from teams below them. But with AI agents that can execute, coordinate, and optimize tasks—often without managerial coordination—the lines of that established hierarchy become blurred.
In a workforce that blends AI agents and human employees, managers will be freed up from many execution-based tasks but take on new responsibilities associated with managing hybrid teams. Managers “will need to be able to manage issues around trust, explainability, psychological safety, and even status dynamics” to navigate new tensions that could arise in a hybrid workforce, says Shah.
The impact of agentic AI on existing workforce structures goes far beyond the management layer, too. McKinsey predicts that by 2030, three-quarters of current jobs will require redesign, upskilling, or redeployment, and organizations will need to act swiftly to amend recruitment, retention, and remuneration.
From output to outcome
Success metrics are the third and final pillar of ABT.
As AI agents assume greater ownership of core enterprise processes, taking on collaborative roles alongside human employees, traditional workforce metrics that focus on activity or output—such as calls handled or reports filed—no longer make sense.
“When you add AI employees into the workforce, activity metrics become meaningless or actively misleading,” says Chatterjee. “An AI employee can handle a thousand customer interactions in the time it takes a human to handle ten. If you measure success by interactions handled, you’ll conclude the AI is working brilliantly while missing whether any of those interactions actually drove customer satisfaction, retention, or revenue.” To correct this, enterprises must develop a new set of metrics that focus on outcome rather than output. That is, metrics on the broader benefits or changes achieved, rather than individual deliverables.
For example, when one of Ema’s large enterprise customers overhauled its own metrics, switching from tool metrics like cost per query and AI accuracy, to outcomes like the percentage of contracts reviewed without human escalation, the measured ROI from agentic AI tripled within two quarters. The changes meant “this customer stopped building point solutions in high-volume, low-complexity workflows and started deploying AI employees where the outcome value was highest,” says Chatterjee.
Integrating new metrics may also require a complete reconfiguration of reward and talent management processes, as well as accountability and ownership within organizations, points out Shah. In human-AI teams, for example, although ethical and fiduciary responsibilities will likely remain with human employees, operational accountability will become significantly more diffused to reflect the systemic role of AI agents.
This change will raise new questions that senior leadership teams will need to wrestle with, Shah adds. They’ll need to consider: Who is accountable when an AI employee makes a mistake? What happens when AI and humans disagree? What guardrails should be erected to safeguard customers?
Laying the groundwork for systems-level change
Systems-level change is gradual. These are complex lines of inquiry that experts continue to grapple with. But in kickstarting internal dialogue about the core pillars of ABT—the workforce, the technology stack, and the metrics by which success can be gauged—leaders can lay the groundwork for an enterprise better poised to embrace AI agents at a systems level and start to close the gap between their ambition and execution.
This content was produced by Insights, the custom content arm of MIT Technology Review. It was not written by MIT Technology Review’s editorial staff. It was researched, designed, and written by human writers, editors, analysts, and illustrators. This includes the writing of surveys and collection of data for surveys. AI tools that may have been used were limited to secondary production processes that passed thorough human review.

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“Typically, when you go get a massage, the focus is always like your back, and I always wish there was more on my head, on my face especially, on my neck,” says Karena Kong, a frequent customer of Nen Head Spa in San Francisco. “When I saw that they give 90 minutes of just head, face, shoulder massage, I felt like it’s a great way to just focus on the areas that I love.”

What to expect from a head spa

Head spas originated in Japan, rooted in centuries-old practices that combine massage and herbal tinctures. Modern versions began gaining popularity in Japanese salons in the 1990s before spreading throughout Asia and now the U.S.

A typical session lasts 60 or 90 minutes and often begins with a scalp inspection, followed by deep cleansing, exfoliation, steam, and extended head, face and neck massage. Many services also include essential oils, conditioning masks, and aromatherapy in a quiet setting with dimmed lights and soft music.

“The core part of it is actually getting your hair washed,” said Peter Tham, owner of Nen Head Spa, where head massages cost about $100 an hour. “The feeling of getting your head washed, especially on a hot and humid day, feels really good. Combine that with, facial, scalp, neck and shoulder massages, which is kind of where most people, especially those who sit in front of a computer all day, suffer a lot of tension.”

What to make of head spa claims

Some head spas make health and medical claims about some of their services, suggesting they can offer stress relief or treatment for scalp skin conditions, hair loss or even alopecia, an autoimmune disorder. Experts caution that people with skin or hair conditions should see a dermatologist or other appropriate doctor for advice and possible treatment.

“It’s important to know and differentiate something that’s done for a health reason or relaxation from seeing a medical expert, a dermatologist, if you are having hair loss,” said Zakia Rahman, a dermatology professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.

Rahman has noticed the rising popularity of head spas and says they are generally fine as a compliment to actual medical treatments if needed — and for people who like the way it makes them feel.

Head spas can be relaxing and rejuvenating, fans say

At Sunday Headspa in San Francisco, each session starts with a technician inspecting hair follicles with a magnifying device and assessing their condition. Then customers get a deep clean, said Jolly Mac, the spa’s coordinator.

Many of their clients first discovered head spa services in Asia and are looking for similar services, which start at about $200 an hour.

Customer Crystle Vitari, first visited a head spa while visiting South Korea and finds it “rejuvenating” — and relaxing.

“Every time, I fall asleep and take a nap, actually, because it’s so relaxing,” she said.

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The exhibition will take place from Friday through June 7 at the Melissa Morgan Fine Art gallery, at 73660 El Paseo Drive, with an opening reception to take place from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday. The hours of operation are from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The artwork will feature different mediums, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, installation, video and photography, and explore the relationship between art, landscape and community.

This year’s Desert X Art Club are comprised of students enrolled in the organization’s free after-school education program called the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program, in partnership with Desert Sands Unified School District. Participating school from DSUSD include Indio Middle School, Desert Ridge Academy, John Glenn Middle School, Carrillo Ranch Elementary and Gerald Ford Elementary School.

Besides the event, students participate in after-school workshops and field trips with Desert X’s educators and artists that encourage young people the relationship with the desert environment and their surroundings.

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    On Wednesday, May 20, workers were seen removing the paintings “California Alps” and “Charge Up San Juan Hill” from inside the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. Both pieces had been displayed at the hotel for generations and were originally purchased by Miller more than 100 years ago.

    Witnesses watched as crews carefully lifted the paintings from the walls, wrapped them in protective plastic and carried them through the hotel lobby. “California Alps” had been displayed prominently near the reception desk and elevators, while “Charge Up San Juan Hill” hung inside the hotel steakhouse overlooking the lobby area.

    The removals happened openly in front of guests, visitors and staff members, some of whom stopped to photograph the unusual scene.

    The artwork reportedly has been taken into the possession of hotel owner Kelly Roberts just days before escrow is expected to close on the sale of the Mission Inn to the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation tribe. Roberts’ attorney declined to comment regarding the situation.

    The move quickly sparked criticism from local preservation advocates who say the paintings are deeply tied to Riverside’s history and the legacy of the Mission Inn itself.

    “It feels vindictive,” Riverside City Councilmember Philip Falcone said. Falcone, who previously worked as a docent at the Mission Inn, criticized the timing of the removals. “The sale closes in a week. They have one foot out the door and at the 11th hour, they do a smash-and-grab. I just can’t fathom it.”

    The Mission Inn occupies an entire downtown city block bordered by Mission Inn Avenue, Orange Street, Main Street and Sixth Street. Known for blending mission-style architecture with European-inspired design, the property has become one of Riverside’s most iconic landmarks and tourist attractions.

    According to Falcone, Roberts contacted him earlier this month to discuss the hotel sale. During that conversation, he said she voiced frustration with both the city and California’s business climate, claiming the city had not adequately supported the hotel over the years.

    Falcone believes the paintings’ removal feels personal and unnecessary, adding that he suspects the artwork could eventually be sold privately.

    The paintings themselves carry significant historical value.

    “California Alps,” painted in 1874 by artist William Keith, depicts the Sierra Nevada mountain range and measures approximately 6 feet by 10 feet. Frank Miller purchased the painting during the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, and historians believe it had remained inside the Mission Inn ever since.

    The second painting, “Charge Up San Juan Hill,” was painted around 1900 by Russian artist Vasily Vereshchagin. The artwork portrays Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War as they charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba.

    Miller acquired that painting at a San Francisco auction in 1917. Historians note the piece likely carried special meaning for him because President Roosevelt visited and stayed at the Mission Inn in 1903.

    Both works are referenced in the book “Historic Mission Inn,” published by Friends of the Mission Inn. The publication describes “California Alps” as one of the hotel’s most treasured possessions. Naturalist John Muir reportedly once called the painting “the bible of the Sierras.”

    The book also notes that “Charge Up San Juan Hill” had been intentionally placed inside one of the hotel’s premier dining areas to enhance the atmosphere of the room.

    By Wednesday afternoon, the spaces where the paintings once hung had been reduced to empty walls marked by faded paint outlines and discoloration.

    James Ranger, who has served as a Mission Inn docent for the past eight years, said he was stunned watching the paintings leave the building.

    “I couldn’t believe it was happening, but it was,” Ranger said.

    Ranger and others noted that several historically significant items have disappeared from the Mission Inn over the decades, particularly after ownership changes beginning in the 1950s. Former hotel owner Ben Swig reportedly auctioned off various pieces during the 1950s and 1960s, while other artifacts vanished over time.

    Duane Roberts purchased the long-shuttered Mission Inn in 1992 and restored the property alongside his wife Kelly. Roberts died in November at age 88, and escrow on the sale of the hotel is expected to close May 28.

    Questions also remain about the whereabouts of other well-known pieces that once decorated the property, including a small painting titled “Arch Beach,” a statue of the goddess Pomona and a Steinway piano.

    Perhaps the most famous missing item is the oversized Taft chair that once sat in the hotel lobby. Built for President William Howard Taft’s visit in 1909, the chair became a popular attraction where visitors often posed for humorous photos because of its unusually large size.

    Some visitors say the chair has been missing since as early as 2023, although others only recently noticed its disappearance.

    During a Wednesday meeting of Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board, Old Riverside Foundation President Dave Stolte warned that the removal of historically important pieces threatens the integrity of the landmark property.

    “The absence of the chair, the paintings and other priceless cultural resources diminishes the integrity of the landmark and the public’s ability to understand Frank Miller’s vision,” Stolte said.

    He added that once historically significant items are removed from the property and placed into private hands, recovering them becomes increasingly difficult.

    Although Falcone acknowledged Roberts likely has the legal right to remove the artwork, he said many residents view the move as disrespectful to both Frank Miller’s vision and Riverside’s cultural history.

    “It feels like her flipping us off on her way out the door,” Falcone said.

The post Historic Paintings Removed From Riverside’s Mission Inn Days Before Hotel Sale appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

“Directing Change gives young people the opportunity to speak openly, support one another and help shape school communities where every student feels valued, understood and encouraged to reach out for help,” Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Edwin Gomez said. “Recognizing our students for expanding mental health awareness is a meaningful opportunity to show how much we value their powerful insights and inspiring creativity.”

Selected entries from the 2026 contest will be shown after a Red Carpet arrival, beginning shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Fox Performing Arts Center in downtown Riverside.

The competition is held annually as part of the “Youth Creating Change” program. Students are invited to produce vignettes, comparable to public service announcements, that are 30 to 60 seconds long.

A total 213 entries from two dozen schools and nonprofit organizations countywide were submitted this year, according to the Riverside University Health System, which sponsors the contests.

“Supporting the well-being of Riverside County’s young people is one of the most meaningful investments we can make in our future,” Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Spiegel said. “Directing Change gives students a powerful platform to share their voices, uplift one another and inspire change through creativity and compassion. These films reflect the insight, courage and heart of our youth, reminding us that honest conversations build stronger schools, healthier communities and a hopeful future.”

Along with the regular categories focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness, this year’s event established two additional categories — substance abuse and Boys & Young Men Media Challenge — according to RUHS.

“By encouraging honest storytelling and peer connection, the program helps foster empathy, awareness and a culture of care among youth,” the agency stated.

The event is slated to conclude about 8 p.m. Wednesday.

More information is available at hopeandjustice.art/riversidecounty.

The post ‘Directing Change Film Contest’ Fosters Empathy, Awareness, In Riverside County Students appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

    According to the Menifee Union School District, the eighth grader competed against dancers from 21 countries during the global competition, earning recognition alongside some of the top youth tap dancers in the world.

    Harlie competed in two major divisions during the championship event. Her team’s “Magic” performance in the Junior Formation category placed fifth overall, while the “Grease” production routine secured a silver medal finish, ranking second in the world.

    “This achievement represents the pinnacle of my dance journey so far,” Harlie said. “After competing for 10 years, nothing compares to the pride and joy of this moment. Being ranked second in the world is a dream come true.”

    Harlie’s path to the world championships began long before the trip to Prague. She started dancing at just 18 months old and has spent years training in competitive tap dance. She currently trains with the Southern California Tap Company and Norris Performing Arts Center under instructors Michelle Miner and Sarah Cleveland.

    To earn a spot on Team USA, Harlie went through an intensive audition process coordinated through the United States Dance & Sport Competition Federation. Once selected, the preparation became even more demanding.

    From July through October, she balanced long rehearsal weekends and elite-level training sessions while continuing to maintain straight A’s at Hans Christensen Middle School. Family vacations and free weekends were often replaced with practices and travel tied to competition preparation.

    Her mother, Sasha, described the experience as emotional and unforgettable for the entire family.

    “As a parent, it was both mind-blowing and surreal,” Sasha said. “Seeing her stand with her teammates wearing the United States jacket was something I’ll never forget. Watching her do what she loves alongside some of her closest friends made the entire experience incredibly special.”

    Beyond the competition itself, Harlie also had the opportunity to connect with dancers from around the world. Participants took part in a “presentation of nations,” where performers exchanged pins, gifts and stories with competitors from different countries, including Ukraine.

    Sasha described the atmosphere in Prague as feeling similar to a miniature Olympic event, with dancers from around the globe gathering through their shared passion for performing arts.

    Menifee Union School District Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Root praised Harlie for balancing academics, leadership and high-level competition.

    “Harlie’s achievement reflects what students can accomplish when they combine passion with perseverance,” Root said. “She has represented both her school district and the United States with excellence while continuing to succeed academically.”

    Board President Kyle Root also congratulated the student on her international success, calling her accomplishment a source of pride for the district and local community.

    Outside of dance, Harlie remains heavily involved on campus. She participates in Associated Student Body, serves on the school’s cheerleading squad and takes part in the district’s Community Engagement Initiative. District officials said she recently spoke before a crowd of more than 1,000 participants, sharing her experiences and helping represent the district’s student leadership efforts.

    School officials said Harlie’s journey reflects years of discipline, teamwork and determination, with her recent international success serving as another milestone in both her academic and athletic career.

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Originally established as a mineral hot springs destination in the early 1900s, the resort—also known as Massacre Canyon Inn (MCI)—was part of what was once referred to as Southern California’s “health belt,” drawing visitors from across the region to experience the reputed healing properties of the springs. In the 1920s, the Gilman family expanded the property into a prominent resort featuring a 27-hole golf course, horse stables, tennis courts and a range of recreational amenities.

By the late 1960s, the resort started a boxing training camp that attracted both rising talent and some of the most recognized names in the sport.

This past week, Golden Era Productions welcomed back former boxer Lester Smith, who trained at the Gilman Resort from 1968 to 1970 during the early years of his middleweight career. Introduced to boxing by his stepfather, Stan Russell, Smith began his journey at the Gilman training camp, which featured extensive facilities including a boxing ring, steam baths, exercise equipment, running trails through the foothills, guest cottages and a full-service dining room complete with a bar and coffee shop.

Smith recalled the demanding daily routine of the fighters: rising at daybreak for a six-mile run, followed by intensive training in the ring throughout the day. He also remembered the presence of notable figures in the sport, including Ken Norton, George Foreman, Sonny Liston, and brothers Mike Quarry and Jerry Quarry. Smith noted that he narrowly missed meeting Muhammad Ali, who visited the camp while Smith was away in Las Vegas.

Weekend visitors included renowned sports broadcaster Howard Cosell, who interviewed fighters ahead of major bouts. Smith also recalled that the masseuse for boxing legend Joe Louis was available at the steam baths following rigorous training sessions.

Motivated by a desire to revisit the place where his boxing career began, Smith returned to the property—now extensively renovated and transformed into a modern, international production facility where audiovisual content is created for the Churches of Scientology. His visit highlights the continuity of the site, which has evolved from a destination for health and athletic training into a center for creative production.

During his tour, Smith was shown the location of the original boxing ring, now repurposed as a Foreign Recording Studio in the Audio Building. He immediately recognized the area, recalling its proximity to the foothills. He also revisited the former MCI dining room, expressing admiration for its updated design and décor.

The visit concluded with lunch at the property’s historic Tavern, which retains its original name. Reflecting on the experience, Smith remarked, “How fortunate the staff are to live and work at Golden Era.”

A representative of Golden Era Productions said visits such as Smith’s serve as a meaningful reminder of the property’s legacy. “It is always special to welcome back individuals who were part of this location’s history and to share how the site has been preserved and repurposed for a new era,” the representative said.

Both Smith and his guest expressed appreciation not only for the beauty of the facilities, but also for the warmth and hospitality extended by the staff.

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A recent analysis by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) revealed that the state added 677,000 housing units over the past six years, even as its population grew by only 39,000. Despite this increase in housing, the market remains tight. Owner vacancy rates dropped from 1.2% to 0.8%, while rental vacancies stood at just 4.3% in 2024, well below the national average of 5.9%.

“The state has made some headway in adding housing units, but it’s been playing catch-up for so long that the progress hasn’t been enough to significantly ease the market,” said Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com.

California’s housing shortage remains a major issue, with the state needing an estimated 2.5 million more homes, according to a 2022 estimate by the state’s housing agency. PPIC’s report also highlights a demographic shift that’s influencing the market, as household sizes have decreased over time. Between 2019 and 2024, the state lost 82,000 households with children and gained 722,000 households without them.

“Fewer people in each household means we need more households overall,” Berner explained.

The aging population of California is also contributing to this trend, with 16.5% of the state’s population now 65 or older, a figure projected to rise to 24.9% by 2050.

In response, homebuilding has picked up, with accessory dwelling units (ADUs) becoming more common. ADUs are secondary living units on the same property as a primary home, and California has encouraged their construction through policy changes aimed at reducing local restrictions.

“The state has made notable progress in encouraging ADU construction, which should be recognized,” Berner said. “These units are playing an important role in addressing the housing shortage where it’s most needed.”

While these efforts show progress, they haven’t fully addressed the crisis. New homes continue to be quickly absorbed, and vacancy rates remain low. Berner pointed out that despite California housing 11.5% of the U.S. population, the state only accounted for 7.3% of newly permitted housing units last year. “The pace is still not fast enough,” he said.

PPIC’s analysis also noted that household formation among young adults has risen, suggesting more younger residents are starting their own households. However, the state will need more affordable housing to allow these residents to take that next step.

Of the 1.2 million housing units planned for California, only 712,000 are designated for moderate-income or lower households, which is about half of what is necessary to meet demand, according to Realtor.com. This gap could pose a significant challenge moving forward.

The post California Housing Market Faces Slow Progress Despite Increased Inventory appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Those are some of the stories that California lawmakers are citing as they advance two plans to change the ticketing landscape. One caps the extent to which resellers can mark up the original ticket price while the other prohibits resellers from selling tickets they don’t yet own. 

Democratic Assemblymembers Issac Bryan of Culver City and Matt Haney of San Francisco are each carrying bills that they say would protect consumers from fraudulent and deceptive ticket sales. 

Both measures are backed by the ticket market’s dominant seller, Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster. Its support has some worried that the bills will help the company crush its competitors and jack up prices. A federal jury in New York this week found that the company illegally acted as a monopoly in a victory for, among others, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who with colleagues in other states sued the company two years ago and kept going after federal prosecutors settled. Live Nation is now awaiting penalties.

Despite these headwinds, the ticket bills are sailing through the Legislature.

Supporters say the legislation has nothing to do with the antitrust case against Live Nation and helps consumers. Opponents disagree.

“The state Legislature should really be standing up for consumers instead of advancing bills that are there to help a monopoly that has been caught on record calling its fans stupid and has bragged about robbing them blind,” said Jose Barrera, national vice president for the far west region at the League of United Latin American Citizens, a civil rights advocacy group. 

Ticketmaster’s competitors in the online resale market are lobbying against the measures, a sign that they view the proposals as a threat to their business. 

Jack Sterne, StubHub’s head of policy communications, wrote to CalMatters, stating, “Passing laws that hand the Ticketmaster monopoly more power and don’t actually make tickets more affordable is the last thing California’s leaders should do.”

But Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association, which is co-sponsoring the bills, argues that they will regulate the marketplace to better protect fans by limiting price gouging and encouraging the face value — or below face value — exchange of tickets. 

“Ultimately, that is what these bills will do, in addition to making sure that the tickets are actually real,” he said. “That is a good thing for California consumers. It’s a good thing for artists and it’s a good thing for these small businesses and nonprofits that make up the independent stages across the state.”

A Live Nation spokesperson said in a statement to CalMatters, “The resale lobby constantly tries to change the subject by pointing fingers at Ticketmaster, even though it has less than 25% of the resale market. This has nothing to do with anyone’s monopoly, but rather is about protecting fans from scalpers and the resale sites that cater to them.”

The company has spent roughly $165,000 on lobbying efforts this legislative session, including to support Bryan’s bill. 

‘Unlikely allies’

Bryan’s Assembly Bill 1349 would ban the sale of speculative tickets — or tickets that are not in the possession or ownership of the people who list them online. In an April hearing, Bryan said the bill protects consumers from predatory mark ups.

“This bill is so important that, after our introduction, it brought unlikely allies together,” Bryan said, according to the CalMatters Digital Democracy database. “In fact, this bill brought the Giants and the Dodgers together, brought the National Independent Venue Association and Live Nation together. ​​It brought Kendrick Lamar and Kid Rock together. It brought Isaac Bryan and Donald Trump together.”

Several secondary ticket sellers are fighting the measure, including StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats. The three companies have spent roughly $1.1 million dollars on lobbying efforts this legislative session, which included opposition to Bryan’s bill. 

Opponents including Robert Herrell, executive director for the Consumer Federation of California, argue that the bill strengthens Live Nation Ticketmaster’s grip on the ticketing and live entertainment industry. According to them, the measure would give Live Nation complete control over the ticket even after it has been purchased — meaning, for example, that consumers could lose the ability to sell it or give it away.

“There’s no consumer choice in the matter,” said Herrell. “They can keep people out of shows if they want to. There have been situations where, if you bought a ticket on the secondary market, you’ve been denied entry into a show.” 

Proponents say Herrell and other opponents are mistaken. They say they are not trying to prevent transferability but rather, they want to protect fans from speculative costs.

“We want those rooms full,” said Ron Gubitz, executive director of Music Artists Coalition, which is co-sponsoring both bills. “So you have to be able to transfer a ticket. We just want it to be in a way that’s safe, trustworthy and not creating this run on the market that exists now.”

Gubitz pointed to a recent Bruno Mars concert, where tickets were on StubHub for $400 to $2,000 before they were on sale through Ticketmaster.

“That’s crazy,” he said. “That’s a speculative ticket that Bryan’s bill is trying to stop. That shouldn’t happen. It’s not fair to anybody, except for the secondary (market). It seems great for them.”

Price caps in a free market

Haney’s Assembly Bill 1720, also known as the California Fans First Act, would put a 10% cap on resale event ticket markups, inclusive of the ticket fees. In other words, a reseller could not charge more than 10% higher than the original ticket price.

In an interview with CalMatters, Haney said artists, independent venues and downtowns are currently being “screwed over and exploited” by scalpers and brokers.

“We can’t allow the status quo to continue if we want to ensure Californians have access to affordable tickets to see their favorite artists or if we want independent venues or the broader landscape of musicians and artists to thrive in our state,” he said.

The post Live Nation is supporting two California bills to lower prices. Can fans trust it? appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

Cash out. Leave the Golden State for somewhere more affordable, less crowded and probably less cool. Sure, you lose the beaches, hiking, cuisine and culture. On the other hand, you gain cheaper living, the chance to save money and make your paycheck — or 401(k) — go further.

Decades of rising costs have prompted many to make this choice. But does it really pay off the way they expect?

New data from UC Berkeley strongly suggest that for people who moved out of the Golden State, taking part in the California exodus can bring dramatically improved financial conditions.

The researchers studied the finances of people who left California over the last decade to see how well they did in their new communities. The California Policy Lab research covered people who left or arrived in California from 2016 to 2025 — millions in total. They generally left for nearby states such as Nevada and Arizona but also for hot locales such as Texas and Florida.

Among the findings:

• People who left the state found that the move saved them almost $700 in monthly housing costs.
• They became 48% more likely to own a home in their new state compared with California, where housing prices are notoriously high.

Although the research covered all types of people who left the state, the differences were most notable for those who were struggling with affordability in California.

One surprise from the California Policy Lab’s findings: Those leaving the state are increasingly moving out of its wealthiest areas. The share of Californians departing the state from its top-third median-income areas rose by 6.4 percentage points between 2016 and 2025, while the shares from low- and middle-income neighborhoods dropped.

In other words, the pandemic caused a major shift in the type of person who leaves California, with residents of higher-income areas growing.

“The average exiter now leaves from a neighborhood that is 8.7% more affluent than in the pre-pandemic period,” the report stated.

Evan White, a California Policy Lab co-founder and author of the report, said he wasn’t exactly sure what caused the trend. But he noted that tech workers in upscale Bay Area districts who can work remotely might find more affordability elsewhere. Another possibility is that lower-income residents “can’t keep up with the Joneses and aren’t able to attain the type of lifestyle they want to have,” causing them to look elsewhere, he said.

The price of a basket of typical goods and services in California from 2016 to 2025 is up about 38%, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations. Median home sale prices went up around 75% over the same span, per the state Employment Development Department.

Indeed, the data suggest that those leaving California are in significantly worse financial shape than their neighbors who stay. Those who left had $5,500 more (twice as much) student debt on average than their neighbors and 16% higher rates of credit card utilization.

The data, compiled over 10 years, are an indication of the affordability gap across California.

But it is far from a full demographic snapshot. Some of those who left California have returned, saying they missed the lifestyle and nature. California has bounced back from the pandemic, with populations rising again in big cities. Even some critics have noticed a new boom in San Francisco, hit hard by COVID-19 but now enjoying a rebound thanks to the artificial intelligence gold rush.

While the entertainment industry has seen significant retraction in Southern California, the tech sector in Northern California has generally remained strong.

Dowell Myers, a professor of policy, planning and demography at USC who was not involved in the research, said the Berkeley data reinforce the affordability challenges California faces, especially when it comes to housing.

The nearly $700 a month in lower housing costs is less than adequate compensation for those who leave the state, he argued, adding that many people leave because they have no other choice.

“It’s a really sad story,” he said.

As for young professionals who come to work in the Golden State, “we can’t hold them, that’s the lesson,” he said. “They come for opportunities, but housing is really key.”

The chart above shows the average monthly housing expenses for three separate groups between 2016 and 2025: those who moved from other states to California, those who moved within the Golden State, and those who left California for other states.

Before leaving California, those who left paid on average $2,376 in monthly housing costs. After relocating to another state, former Californians spent just $1,705 per month, a drop of $671. Those who moved from other states to California saw the opposite effect, with costs rising a similar amount.

“Pretty much anywhere else is more affordable than California,” said White, the author of the report. “People were going to dramatically less expensive locations.

“Once we learned that,” he said, “it didn’t surprise me that they then became homeowners at higher rates.” What was surprising, however, was the magnitude of the change, White said.

White said he undertook the research to contextualize the shift in population over the last few years “because people care what’s happening with their friends and neighbors,” he said. “They don’t want to be the last one at the party” as others leave.

Still, the state’s outlook remains bright, White said. California continues to mint millionaires, “so there are good reasons to stay and good reasons to come here” besides the obvious attractions such as lifestyle and weather, he said.

White, who was born in Altadena, now calls the Bay Area home. He’s a homeowner, but if he weren’t, he might consider leaving the Golden State because of high costs: “Sure, I could see that influencing me.”

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