California Gubernatorial Debate | Iran War and the Baháʼí Faith | NABJ Sacramento
Activists take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
California Gubernatorial Debate
The leading candidates for governor took the stage for a televised debate. The Insight California Politics debate aired across the state on stations owned by parent company Nexstar – including KRON4 in San Francisco, KTLA in Los Angeles, KSWB/KUSI in San Diego, KTXL FOX40 in Sacramento and KGET in Bakersfield. The six candidates for Wednesday’s debate, two Republicans and four Democrats, qualified through Nexstar’s standardized qualifying criteria: Steve Hilton (R), Tom Steyer (D), Chad Bianco (R), Xavier Becerra (D), Katie Porter (D), Matt Mahan (D). FOX40 Anchor and Political Journalist Nikki Laurenzo co-moderated the debate and joins us with her takeaways.
Iran War and the Baháʼí Faith
The Iran war has killed thousands of people, and conditions continue to change daily amid a tenuous ceasefire and ongoing hostilities. It has also ignited strong responses and emotions from across the Iranian diaspora. Dr. Hengameh Roohi is an Iranian-born clinical psychologist, and a member of the Baháʼí Faith, the largest non-Muslim minority in Iran. She joins Insight to talk about how Baháʼís are facing persecution in Iran, and why she centers human rights while navigating the ever-changing situation of the war.
NABJ Sacramento
National Association of Black Journalists, Sacramento (NABJS) is a nonprofit organization representing media professionals in the region. They are hosting a regional conference from April 23 to April 25 at Aggie Square. Joining Insight is Courtney Dempsey, NABJ Sacramento Vice President and Anchor for Good Day Sacramento, along with NABJ Sacramento Member Lanaya Lewis.