Ragan and Associates

08/31/2026

08/28/2026

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION!!!

Join us at the 2026 CALI Annual Conference, October 8-10, 2026, and take a closer look at the future of AI in investigations with Jason Mitchell of nQuest.

The PI's Guide to AI in 2026: Models, Tools, and What's Actually Worth Paying For

AI is everywhere, but the marketing is louder than the signal. This session cuts through the noise with a practitioner's survey of the commercial AI landscape in 2026. We'll start with the vocabulary that actually matters - model, host, product, prompt, tool, and agent - and show how understanding each layer helps you get dramatically better results from the same subscription you're already paying for.

Then, we'll survey what's on the market: the major providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI), the opensource ecosystem, and the explosion of agent frameworks and skill marketplaces like OpenClaw that are putting prebuilt OSINT capabilities within reach of non-technical users.

We'll look at how AI has moved from a chat window into software that takes actions on your behalf - browsing, extracting, analyzing, and reporting - and what that means for how investigators work day to day. Whether you're just getting started or already a daily user, you'll leave with a clearer mental model of the AI stack and a practical sense of where the real leverage is for your practice right now.

For more information or to register visit CALI at www.cali-pi.org/conference

08/26/2026

Join us at the 2026 California Association of Licensed Investigators conference in Palm Springs where Ventura County Senior Deputy District Attorney John Barrick will be one of the Keynote speakers.

Join us at the 2026 CALI Annual Conference and meet John Barrick, Senior Deputy District Attorney with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, and Steve Rhods, retired Ventura County Sheriff’s Detective Sergeant and former Cold Case Investigator with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.

Keynote Topic - Murdered and Forgotten

Follow the extraordinary investigation of two Jane Doe murders that remained unsolved for more than four decades. John and Steve will share the challenges investigators faced, advances in forensic technology and genetic genealogy, and the investigative strategies that ultimately helped identify the victims and bring their killer to justice.

With extensive experience investigating and prosecuting homicides and cold cases, John and Steve bring two unique perspectives to this remarkable case.

Register now and save—Early Bird rates are available through August 28, 2026.

For conference information or to register please visit our conference page at www.cali-pi.org/conference

08/14/2026

Come join us at 2026 CALI conference. We have some great presenters lined up as well all the network opportunities.

07/04/2026

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy 4th of July.

06/21/2026

Want to wish all the father’s a Happy Father’s Day. Hoping you all get to spend it with your loved ones.

06/20/2026

Another day of surveillance getting answers for the client. If you need assistance with your investigative needs be it interviews, surveillance or process service please give us a call 805-203-8689.

06/15/2026

Some great articles from some of the true professionals within the industry.

The Spring & Summer Edition Is Here!

www.cali-pi.org/journal

Check out the latest CALI Journal Edition! This issue features the President’s Message, a welcome to new members, highlights from Legislative Day, information about our upcoming 57th Annual Conference, insightful articles from fellow private investigators, and much more!

We'd love to hear from you! Please send us your ideas for articles, industry news, trends, or suggestions at [email protected]. Click here for more information on contributing to the CALI Journal.

Thank you,
CALI Journal Committee