Fox 11 Los Angeles’ weekly political program “The Issue Is” aired its final episode this week, ending a 7.5-year run that featured more than 300 broadcasts focused on California and national politics. Host and executive producer Elex Michaelson welcomed California Governor Gavin Newsom as the finale’s main guest—reprising his role from the show’s 2018 debut. Newsom told Michaelson he is a “radically different person” than when the series began and said the 2021 recall campaign taught him that “all politics isn’t local—it’s national now.” He added that he revamped his own social-media strategy during the 2024 Los Angeles wildfires to confront former President Donald Trump’s online claims more directly. Pre-recorded tributes from Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Representative Adam Schiff, Senator Alex Padilla, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, businessman Rick Caruso and former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger highlighted the show’s influence on California’s political conversation. Regular panelists and journalists who appeared over the years also sent video messages. Michaelson closed the broadcast by thanking the production crew and urging viewers to embrace respectful dialogue, saying shared laughter and culture can bridge partisan divides.