KQED's The California Report

Chad Bianco Wants Changes in Sacramento in Run for Governor

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:56:00 -0000

In the crowded field of mostly Democratic candidates vying to be California’s next governor, one MAGA Republican has had surprising staying power. That’s Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. He’s recently been in national headlines for seizing hundreds of thousands of ballots, among other controversies. Bianco has built his profile on bashing the state’s Democrats and Governor Gavin Newsom.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

The World Cup is officially one month away. And some LA advocates aren’t happy about how organizers plan to address human rights.

Reporter: Libby Rainey, LAist

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How CA Disciplines Teachers Accused of Sexual Harassment

Tue, 12 May 2026 13:18:00 -0000

Driven by concerns that Democrats could be locked out of this year's governor's race, a new ballot initiative seeks to repeal California’s top-two primary system.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require California’s DMV to notify vehicle owners when their towed cars are sold for profit.

Reporter: Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters

An investigation from KQED and ProPublica's Local Reporting Network found dozens of cases where California has not revoked educators’ teaching credentials, despite schools determining they committed sexual harassment or misconduct of a sexual nature.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

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Preschools Struggle As Transitional Kindergarten Grows

Mon, 11 May 2026 13:41:00 -0000

Several state bills pending in Sacramento this week seek more guardrails on Artificial Intelligence in the workplace.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

A proposed state budget change could stall the program that sends behavioral health workers — instead of police — to respond to mental health emergencies.

Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

California’s newest grade — transitional kindergarten — has been lauded as a success, with enrollment doubling over the past few years. But that growth has come at a cost, pulling 4-year-olds out of community-based preschools.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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Volunteer Helps With Monitoring Sea Otters in Monterey County

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:05:00 -0000

Ron Eby spent 20 years in the Navy before he retired from his role as a commander. But after a while, he got bored - so he signed up for a new covert mission. Looking for otters. Not enemy warships, but threatened sea otters, as a volunteer with the Elkhorn Slough Reserve in Moss Landing.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal joined Chumash Coastal Band leaders and environmental groups on the Central Coast Thursday. They criticized the Trump administration’s support for restarting an oil pipeline linked to the 2015 Refugio spill.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

A number of California residents, who’ve since returned home, are confirmed to have been among the passengers on a cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak.

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Teaching First Responders About Human Remains Recovery After Wildfires

Thu, 07 May 2026 13:59:00 -0000

As wildfires become more destructive in California, the need for forensic investigations is increasing. Specifically: the need for finding and identifying bodies after a wildfire. A recent intensive academy at Fresno City College addressed this need by training working professionals.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

Advocates are criticizing the state's tracking of evictions, saying California has failed to accurately count them for decades, and drumming up support for a bill that would more closely monitor it.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Humboldt County Supervisors are looking at creating a civilian oversight committee for the sheriff’s office. They’re trying to get ahead of a possible citizen initiative.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Sacramento DACA Recipient Faces Uncertain Future After Immigration Case Reopened

Wed, 06 May 2026 13:53:00 -0000

Immigration enforcement is affecting recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. Since 2012, the program has allowed people brought to the United States as children to stay in the US and work, go to school, and buy property. But one Sacramento woman's life unraveled within days of learning that her immigration case was being reopened.

Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating how the Los Angeles Unified School District handles allegations of sexual misconduct involving teachers and students.

Governor Gavin Newsom is asking California election officials to speed up their vote count in the June primary.

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H-2A Program Sparks Debate in California's Farming Communities

Tue, 05 May 2026 14:18:00 -0000

A major change to a federal farmworker visa program known as H-2A is sparking a heated debate across California. The program allows farms to bring in temporary workers from other countries, but a change from the Trump administration has altered how they are paid, sparking a lawsuit from the United Farmworkers Union. Supporters say it’s a lifeline for farmers facing rising labor costs. Critics call it a wage cut that could push local workers out of the fields.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

A man who was shot multiple times by immigration agents last month in the Central California community of Patterson pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges.

San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney is trying again to expand drug-free housing for people leaving homelessness, after Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year.

A bill moving through the California legislature would require independent evaluations of new education programs, like transitional kindergarten.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist

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Shasta County Ballot Measure Could Change Election Process

Mon, 04 May 2026 13:37:00 -0000

Shasta County voters will consider a ballot measure that's faced legal challenges before the primary election. It could change the way elections are conducted in the county.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

The World Cup is about a month away. And FIFA luxury suites can cost over $200,000 for a single match in Los Angeles. Union workers at SoFi Stadium say they want their pay to reflect that wealth.

Reporter: Libby Rainey, LAist

SAG-AFTRA, the union representing Hollywood actors, has reached a tentative four-year deal with major studios.

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Environmentalists Perplexed by Trump Administration's Decision on Offshore Wind Projects

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:18:00 -0000

Environmentalists say the Trump Administration is being short sighted in its decision to offer to buy out the leases of some offshore wind energy projects along California’s Central Coast.

Reporter: Lance Orozco, KCLU

Peach growers in the Yuba-Sutter region and Central Valley are being thrown a lifeline from Washington, D.C. The move follows the closure of a major cannery that’s left farmers without a buyer for their fruit.

Reporter: Claudia Brancart, North State Public Radio

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Advocates Question Safety Concerns Surrounding E-Bikes

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:05:00 -0000

California lawmakers are considering new rules for electric bikes as safety concerns grow on roads and trails. But experts say much of the data behind those concerns is misleading.

Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio

New research from UC Santa Cruz shows climate change is a bigger threat to California’s native trees than previously thought.

Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU

To the north of the Imperial Valley, another battleground is emerging in the debate over AI data centers. Residents are pushing back against a large data center campus in the city of Coachella.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

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Candidates Look to Distinguish Themselves at Chaotic Governor's Debate

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:22:00 -0000

We’re less than a week away from the start of voting in California’s June primary and the race for governor remains up for grabs. On Tuesday night, the leading candidates made their pitch to voters in a CBS debate at Pomona College - east of Los Angeles, and things got messy.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

In a move immigration and privacy advocates call a “betrayal,” California is preparing to share detailed information about its driver’s license holders with a national database that connects DMVs. Opponents say the move could put more than a million undocumented people who have California driver’s licenses at risk.

Reporter: Khari Johnson, CalMatters

The city of Marina in Monterey County is reactivating a 30-year-old desalination plant to help boost water supply.

Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU

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How The High Cost of Driving is Affecting Californians

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:21:00 -0000

A health care labor union in California submitted more than 1.5 million signatures this week to place a billionaire tax on the November ballot.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

It’s been two months since the war in Iran began, and the resulting energy crisis has made the cost of driving a major concern here for millions of Californians. In a state where people rely heavily on cars, the rising costs are forcing some drivers to make financial sacrifices, with some giving up the car altogether.

Reporter: Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED

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The Big Impacts of Small Dust Particles

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:46:00 -0000

Today in Oakland, two of the most powerful men in tech are set to face off in a federal courtroom. Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, is suing Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

State courts will start tracking and reporting on immigration arrests at their facilities, starting in June. That’s after the policymaking body for California courts approved a new rule Friday.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

It’s spring cleaning season, and that can involve wiping off something most of us may not otherwise notice: dust. But for researchers at UC Merced and throughout California, dust is much more top of mind. These particles, they say, affect many parts of life and not just our health.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal

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Lawmakers introduce bills to stop ICE courthouse raids

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:37:00 -0000

Courthouse arrests by ICE have been ramping up across California, particularly in the Inland Empire where court raids have become almost a daily occurrence. In response, two state senators have introduced bills in the California Legislature that aim to curb raids at courthouses.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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‘They’re Bleeding Us Dry’: Rent Hikes, Evictions in California Mobile Home Parks

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:38:00 -0000

For many Californians, mobile home parks are one of the last real affordable paths to homeownership. Residents typically own their homes, but rent the land beneath them.

In recent years corporate investors have sought to buy this land and in some cases seek to maximize profit. But this arrangement can leave homeowners vulnerable.

The California Report’s Madi Bolaños has spent the last two years looking into one of these companies, Harmony Communities. Many of its residents say they’ve been dealing with unfair rent increases and fear eviction.

These tensions are unfolding in a quiet mobile home park in the Bay Area city of San Pablo.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, KQED

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Tracking ICE Arrests Inside California Courts

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:10:00 -0000

The policy-making body that oversees California's court system plans to vote on a proposal this Friday that would require courts to collect data on civil arrests inside the state's courthouses. It comes amid a rise in arrests by federal immigration agents of undocumented people inside and near courthouse across the state and throughout the U.S.

California counties will be able to continue dedicating the bulk of their federal homelessness funds towards permanent housing. That’s because a move by the Trump administration to shift funding priorities towards temporary and sober housing is now on hold following a legal victory this week.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

A program incentivizing large ships to slow along the state’s coastline when whales are present goes into effect statewide today

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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A Pivotal Race In Shasta County

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:12:00 -0000

Normally, county clerk races don’t get that much attention. But in Shasta County, two candidates are fighting for the future of elections in a place that’s garnered national attention for years now.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

Former State Controller Betty Yee is ending her campaign for California governor, citing flagging poll numbers and a shrinking donor base.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

A man shot by Immigration Agents in Patterson, California earlier this month will remain in custody over concerns that he could be a flight risk.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

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Human Composting Draws Concerns in Central Valley

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:39:00 -0000

Along the banks of the San Joaquin River in Fresno County, an unusual soil has sparked heated, public conversations. That’s because, it’s not your typical soil. And the process that creates it is only legal in a handful of states.

Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR

A man, who is part of a class action lawsuit challenging immigration raids in Los Angeles, has been detained again by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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New Folic Acid Requirement in California Could Be a Model for Other States

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:09:00 -0000

California is the first state in the country to require folic acid in corn masa flour—the key ingredient in foods like tortillas. The move could help prevent serious birth defects, which occur at higher rates among Latino families. Alabama is set to follow this summer, and other states are considering similar laws.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

A new, proposed train service could connect San Luis Obispo to the Bay Area - in time for the 2028 LA Olympics.

Reporter: Kendra Hanna, KCBX

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Deportation Flights Increase in San Diego Under Trump Administration

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:58:00 -0000

One byproduct of the Trump Administration’s mass deportation campaign, is a big increase in the number of deportation flights. More and more of those flights are coming from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

California State Senator Scott Weiner and fire survivors are pushing for a bill that would allow the state attorney general to seek damages from oil companies for their role in causing climate-disasters like fires and floods. The goal is to help blunt rising insurance costs.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Surveillance Footage Sheds Light on Mass Use-of-Force Incident at Women's Prison

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:29:00 -0000

KQED has obtained surveillance video of a mass use of force incident at the Central California Women’s Facility. It's the first detailed look at the August 2024 incident that resulted in the largest disciplinary action from a single use of force event.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

Another woman has come forward to accuse former California Congressman Eric Swalwell of sexual assault.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

Governor Gavin Newsom is calling a special election to fill Eric Swalwell’s congressional seat.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

An independent privacy audit of Google, Meta and Microsoft web traffic in California found the firms may be violating state privacy laws, potentially exposing themselves to significant fines.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Filing on Shaky Ground: Why Immigrant Tax Filings Are Dropping across California

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 20:15:00 -0000

Across California, tax preparers in immigrant communities are seeing an unprecedented drop in filings, in some places, more than 60 percent. KRCB News Reporter Shandra Back explores why undocumented and mixed status families are stepping back from the tax system this year. We visit a legacy tax prep business in Santa Rosa where longtime clients are walking away, discouraged by shrinking credits and shaken trust in federal agencies. We hear from families who have filed faithfully for decades but now question whether it’s worth it. Then, we zoom out with statewide experts from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and the California Immigrant Policy Center to understand the broader economic stakes, from billions in lost revenue to the long-term consequences of eroding trust in filing. Finally, we head to Southern California, where fear of immigration raids is keeping even documented Latino residents from leaving their homes, let alone filing taxes. Reporter: Shandra Back, KRCB

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Eric Swalwell Suspends CA Gubernatorial Campaign

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:55:00 -0000

Congressman Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for governor. This comes just days after a San Francisco Chronicle report where a former staffer said Swalwell sexually assaulted her. And CNN later reported on other instances of alleged sexual misconduct from three other women.

Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Delegates at the California Republican Party's spring convention in San Diego failed to endorse either of the two main GOP candidates running for governor. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco received 49% support. Former Fox News Host Steve Hilton drew 44% of the vote. But neither crossed the 60% threshold needed to secure an endorsement. The prevailing GOP message at the convention was a focus on affordability and cost of living.

Reporter: Jake Gotta, KPBS

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California's Last Dry Town Has Growing Nightlife Scene

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:12:00 -0000

Pacific Grove or PG is no longer a dry town, although it upheld the Prohibition-era ban on booze into the 1960s—longer than any other city in California. Despite the sleepy reputation it earned, PG is now home to a growing nightlife scene.

Reporter: Katie Brown, KAZU

A California court has unsealed the warrants that Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco used to seize hundreds of thousands of ballots in that county. The warrants raise questions as to whether the sheriff’s investigation was based on actual evidence of crimes.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

House Democrats are highlighting what they see as President Trump's attempts to undermine the November Election. They held a hearing in San Francisco on Thursday.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Planned Parenthood Clinic Turns to Cosmetic Care Amid Loss of Federal Funding

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:05:00 -0000

1 in 3 Planned Parenthood patients in the United States receive care at clinics in California. But as the abortion-rights organization tries to manage after Congress cut its federal funding last year, one Planned Parenthood affiliate in California is diving into a new kind of service - cosmetics.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

California's Supreme Court has ordered Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco -- a Republican candidate for governor -- to halt his investigation into the 2025 election.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

An attorney for the man shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Stanislaus County this week is disputing ICE's characterization of his client.

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New Report Highlights Low Pay, Dangerous Working Conditions for Farmworkers

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 14:38:00 -0000

A new report is shedding light on the lives of California farmworkers. It argues low wages are not just an economic issue, but a public health crisis. The report is called Beyond the Cycle of Survival, and it looks at how pay impacts workers' health, families, and communities.

Guest: Elana Muldavin, Health in Partnership

An investigation is underway after federal authorities shot and wounded a person they were apparently trying to arrest. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security says it happened after officers pulled over the man in Patterson in Stanislaus County on Tuesday.

A bill to restore state health care coverage for low-income undocumented Californians will face its first hearing at the state Capitol on Wednesday.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Countertop Fabricator Spends Big to Better Protect Workers

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:04:00 -0000

For countertop fabricators trying to follow California’s safety rules, “doing the right thing” can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

A $10 billion bet on the future of Artificial Intelligence is facing a wall of local resistance in the Imperial Valley. County supervisors will decide the fate of a massive data center complex that has already sparked shouting matches, environmental protests, and a last minute scramble in the courts.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

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Grass Is Really Greener for Many Californians Leaving the State

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:46:00 -0000

Want a better life? Move out of California. Well, sorta. According to a new study from the California Policy Lab, the Golden State's high cost of living is still squeezing residents and pushing them out of the state.

Guest: Evan White, Executive Director of California Policy Lab

California is suing the Trump administration again, this time over the president's executive order to give the US Postal Service new powers to oversee voting by mail.

An affordable housing project in Crescent City plans to restart construction soon after a series of setbacks.

Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

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Mitski Performs at Surprise LA Venue

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:53:00 -0000

This week indie musician Mitski is playing a series of sold out shows at an unexpected L.A. venue: Hollywood High School’s auditorium. The school's connection to the arts goes back decades.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

A federal judge in California says Border Patrol violated a federal court order barring them from making illegal stops and arrests.

Reporter: Sergio Olmos, CalMatters

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission just gave California’s only operating nuclear power plant approval to run for an extra 20 years.

Reporter: Kendra Hanna, KCBX

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New Citizens Reflect on State of US at Naturalization Ceremony

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:42:00 -0000

Hundreds of people became US citizens at a large ceremony in Orange County last month. Despite some concerns about democracy in the US, some new citizens still think it’s a good place to live.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

California officials are warning of an early fire season and strained water supply after warm weather in March melted most of the Sierra snowpack.

Reporter: Alonso Daboub, KQED

Oil production near the Santa Barbara coast is ramping back up. A Texas-based oil company announced it started selling oil through the same pipeline system tied to the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

A judge has ordered a physician to monitor the healthcare of the detainees being held at California’s largest immigrant detention center.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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CA Craft Brewers Facing Significant Economic Challenges

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:49:00 -0000

We’ve been hearing a lot lately about the struggles of California wineries. But the state’s craft brewers are also dealing with significant challenges. While it may seem like there’s a taproom on every corner, the Brewers Association reports that for the last two years, more California breweries have closed than opened. As craft brewers grapple with everything from rising costs to tariffs, brewers are finding creative ways to adapt.
Reporter: Tina Caputo

A Sacramento woman who was deported to Mexico in February – despite protection under DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – is speaking out about her treatment.

A retired Bay Area carpenter is in Washington DC Wednesday morning for the Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship. He’s the descendent of the man whose case affirmed that right over a hundred years ago.
Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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United Farm Workers Struggles With Fallout from Cesar Chavez Allegations

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:46:00 -0000

The sexual abuse accusations against the late Cesar Chavez have sparked condemnation and soul-searching on the West Coast, and also fears the scandal could undermine ongoing efforts to improve the lives of farmworkers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Fallout continues from the last-minute cancellation of a gubernatorial debate that was scheduled Tuesday on the USC campus, after four candidates of color said the debate criteria unfairly excluded them.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

A judge in Shasta County heard arguments Wednesday over a proposed ballot measure that appears to violate state law.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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The Challenges in Removing Cesar Chavez's Name in California Cities

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:38:00 -0000

Tuesday is Farm Workers' Day, formerly known as Cesar Chavez Day, which has been celebrated for almost 30 years. But last week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill to make the name change official after Cesar Chavez was accused of sexually abusing women and girls. The state is just one of many entities making these name changes, but for some cities that might not happen as quickly.

Guest: Nadia Lathan, CalMatters

Another man who was detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center died last week. Officials with the Department of Homeland Security say they tried to save the man and later transported him to a hospital. But detainees say the man was denied medical treatment and died on site. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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When 1 million marched for immigrant rights in Downtown L.A.

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:28:00 -0000

In the spring of 2006, a historic number of Angelenos took to the streets to stop a harsh anti-immigration bill. It worked. But where's that momentum now?

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

No Kings rallies brought out tens of thousands of people across California over the weekend … to protest President Donald Trump, his administration’s policies, and the war in Iran.

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How the War in Iran Is Impacting Fertilizer Supplies, Food Prices

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:02:00 -0000

It will soon be a month since the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. In response to U. S. military action, the Iranian regime has restricted which trade ships can pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway not only for oil moving from the Middle East to North America, but also for fertilizer, the fertilizer American farmers need to start growing crops. The agricultural industry has started to ring the alarm about the potential impacts the crisis at Hormuz could have on food prices.

Guest: Daniel Sumner, UC Davis Professor

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is set to pay nearly $2 million to settle a lawsuit over a violent incident at a women’s prison in Chowchilla.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

Shasta County voters will see a proposal to change their election system on the June primary ballot. Among other things, Measure B would require residents to present photo ID when voting in person, and limit who can cast an absentee ballot.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Central Valley 911 Dispatch Training Program Gives Students Real World Experience

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:28:00 -0000

911 dispatchers are often the first voice people hear in an emergency. But across the country, it’s getting harder to find people trained to answer those calls. Two programs in the U.S. are trying to change that, and one is right here in the San Joaquin Valley.

Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR

An appeals court has denied the state attorney general’s request to stop Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco’s effort to recount ballots from last year’s special election.

A new poll from the California Democratic Party shows two Republicans leading the state's crowded race for governor, and nearly a quarter of voters still undecided.

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Gov. Newsom Weighs in on Foreign Policy to Build National Profile

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:59:00 -0000

As California Governor Gavin Newsom eyes a potential 2028 presidential run, he’s been wading into more foreign policy -- even on issues that are controversial. It’s a pivot that’s helping him build a national profile.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Since last summer, the Trump administration has been arresting undocumented immigrants as they try to claim their children from federal custody. This has left a lot of kids — including at least a dozen in Southern California —- stranded in government shelters and foster care. Immigration attorneys say they’ve suspected for months that the arrests are part of a formal policy. And court documents that were recently discovered suggest that it is.

Reporter: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom

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Despite Protections, The California Condor Struggles

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:34:00 -0000

The California Condor used to range from California to Florida and from Canada all the way down to Mexico. But last century, their population crashed. Now, there are more than 600 alive, but they aren't doing as well as scientists expect it. New research explains the mystery of why, despite many protections, the birds are still struggling.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who’s also a Republican candidate for governor, says the state’s attorney general is interfering in his department’s investigation of alleged irregularities in the 2025 special election to redraw California’s congressional districts.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

California leaders want to increase investments in agriculture technology, but farmworker advocates say they’re worried about displacement.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

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Farmworker Activists Reflect on Legacy of Civil Rights Icon

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:19:00 -0000

As word of damning accusations against Cesar Chavez spread this week, farmworkers and advocates in California have struggled to reconcile the disturbing details with their image of a man they considered a hero.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

A coalition of leaders in East San José say the sexual assault allegations against labor leader Cesar Chavez should be a turning point for the community and the country.

Reporter: Joseph Geha, KQED

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California Reacts to Allegations Against Labor Leader Cesar Chavez

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:01:00 -0000

A major investigation by the New York Times is raising serious allegations about Cesar Chavez, one of the most admired figures in Latino civil rights history. The reporting includes accounts from multiple women, including co-organizer and civil rights leader, Dolores Huerta. They say Chavez sexually abused them, in some cases, when they were children.

Guest: Gustavo Arellano, LA Times

Following the harrowing accounts from these women, the United Farm Workers union is now distancing itself from Chavez, its co-founder.

In Sacramento, Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to rename Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day, in light of the allegations against the civil rights leader. There are also growing calls to rename streets and other property bearing his name at the local level.

Reporter: Kendra Hanna, KCBX

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CA Democrats Splintered on Blame Over Gas Prices

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:40:00 -0000

The nationwide increase in gas prices since the beginning of the war in Iran is hitting especially hard in California, already home to the nation’s highest prices at the pump. It's also started a new round of political blame game between President Trump, Governor Newsom, and even some Democrats.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Veterans and native tribes are calling for the protection of public lands in the Mojave Desert. They say President Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management could open the area to fossil fuel extraction.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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How Federal Housing Reform Could Impact Californians

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:32:00 -0000

California's housing crisis is spreading to other states. Congress is finalizing a package of bills some national housing experts say are among the most significant reforms to come out of the federal government in decades. Some of the bills are inspired by laws California has already passed. So what does this package do for us?

Guest: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

California regulators are pushing back after the Trump Administration ordered a Texas-based oil company to restart pipeline operations along the Central Coast.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

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Ukiah School Emphasizes Math in Transitional Kindergarten Class

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:57:00 -0000

This school year is the first in which transitional kindergarten is free and available for all 4-year-olds across California. The state has spent more than $15 billion since 2021 to offer this new grade. But in order for that investment to pay off, the skills kids gain in TK need to last throughout elementary school. One district is trying to set their students up for success by focusing on one particular subject.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

Protesters put on a concert at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in the Mojave Desert on Saturday, to call attention to the plight of undocumented detainees.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Muslim Community in Monterey County Celebrates Ramadan

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:47:00 -0000

It’s the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims around the world dedicate 30 days to prayer and reflection by fasting from sunrise to sunset. That includes in the Monterey County community of Seaside.

Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond says he’s imploring the Trump administration to return a 6-year-old deaf boy and his family who were deported to Colombia, so the boy can return to the California School for the Deaf in Fremont.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Projects Under Initial Prop 1 Funding Hit Delays

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0000

In 2024, California voters approved Proposition 1. That ballot measure set aside billions of dollars to add more mental health and addiction treatment beds across the state. But new reporting from our California newsroom partner, CalMatters, has found the initiative hasn't delivered a fraction of the support it promised.

Guest: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

It’s not just gas prices rising. The attacks on Iran are also causing fertilizer prices to surge by about 30%, just as the spring planting season gets underway in California. But some farmers here have been adopting techniques that aren't just resilient to climate change, but also to the supply chain disruption of war. Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

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Teacher Strikes Continue Amid Year of Labor Strife

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 14:33:00 -0000

About one in ten K-12 students in the US attend a California public school. And those schools are seeing a lot of turmoil this year. San Francisco educators went on strike in February. Teachers in Oakland and San Diego narrowly avoided a strike themselves. And now, their colleagues in Dublin -- in the Bay Area -- have also been on strike this week.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

San Diego County has followed through on its ultimatum to the Department of Homeland Security, by suing the agency over access to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

Reporter: Alexander Nguyen, KPBS

A Sacramento woman with DACA status is suing the federal government after she says she was unlawfully deported.

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New Law Provides School Boards the Opportunity for Pay Raise

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 13:44:00 -0000

School boards across California are giving their members raises, which might sound strange at a time when teachers here are striking for better pay. It's thanks to a new law that gives board members their first opportunity for a major pay increase in 40 years.

Reporter: Katie Anastas, KPBS

A man who was recently released from custody at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center has died. Immigrant rights advocates say this is the second death connected to the facility in two weeks.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Bay Area Family Torn Apart by Deportation

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:02:00 -0000

Over the past year, we’ve watched the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown unfold violently in places like Minneapolis and Chicago. But even in Northern California, immigration arrests have more than doubled. And one of them, early last year, left a Silicon Valley carpenter gravely disabled. His family – like thousands of others – is now coping with trauma, upheaval and financial strain. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

California's state superintendent of schools is joining calls for the return of a 6-year-old deaf student from the Bay Area, who was deported to Colombia last week without his hearing aids.

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California Farm Town Caught Up in Prop 50 Redistricting

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:09:00 -0000

Proposition 50 is now in effect in California. The law redrew political boundaries for congressional districts. And one of the communities soon to have new congressional representation in Washington DC is Coalinga. This small, agricultural town on Fresno County’s west side is now going to be part of a district that stretches more than 100 miles to the north.

Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR

Former state assemblymember Ian Calderon is dropping out of the governor’s race and throwing his support behind Democratic Congressmember Eric Swalwell.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Some Gubernatorial Candidates Taking Different Path in Run for Governor

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 15:09:00 -0000

What makes a winning candidate for governor of California? Well, with the exceptions of movie stars Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, every governor for more than 80 years has had experience in statewide office. Gavin Newsom was lieutenant governor. Pete Wilson was a U.S. Senator. Pat Brown and Jerry Brown were both attorney general. This year, the leading candidates are taking a different path.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

In the City of Pomona, local officials are demanding the release of a man without legal documentation held at the Adelanto Processing Center. They’re concerned about his health and the lack of adequate medical care.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

San Diego County is suing the Department of Homeland Security for blocking access to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

Reporter: Alexander Nguyen, KPBS

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Otay Mesa Detainees Face New Challenges in Communicating With Outside World

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:00:00 -0000

At Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, authorities have shut down an underground channel that detainees used to communicate with the outside world.

Reporter: Aisha Wallace-Palomares, LA Taco

At a contentious Senate hearing on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

In Southern California, ICE has released a Cambodian genocide survivor from immigration detention following a court order.

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Iranian LA Councilman Says Attacks Leave Questions About Iran's Future

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:10:00 -0000

Across California, many Iranian-Americans are still in disbelief following the US-Israeli military strikes in Iran. Some are overjoyed with the death of the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, but others are concerned about the safety of friends and loved ones in the region. The greater Los Angeles area has a huge concentration of Iranians. That includes LA city councilman Adrin Nazarian. He was born in Iran, but he and his family fled in 1981.

Guest: Adrin Nazarian, LA City Councilman

As a way to tackle California’s notoriously high rents and home prices, state lawmakers have set their sights on bringing down the cost of construction. One idea: building it in factories.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

The US Supreme Court has blocked a California law that banned school employees from outing transgender students.

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How Federal Homelessness Funding Changes Could Impact Those in Need

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:48:00 -0000

The Trump administration tried last fall to drastically reduce the amount of federal grant money counties could use for permanent supportive housing programs. The effort was struck down in court for the current funding cycle. But if next year's requirements are similar, there could be huge ramifications across California.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

Rallies were held across the state this weekend following the US-Israeli airstrikes in Iran.

The LAUSD board has voted unanimously to place Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on paid administrative leave. The decision comes days after FBI agents searched Carvalho’s home in San Pedro. Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

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State Workers Push for Telework Options

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:29:00 -0000

Sacramento County is home to California’s largest community of state workers, around 90,000 people. Governor Gavin Newsom says he wants them to come back into the office starting this summer — many still work remotely part time following the pandemic. But state worker unions hope a new bill will protect their ability to telework indefinitely.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

In Humboldt County, low wages are leading to high rates of poverty and greater enrollment in the state food program CalFresh.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

Along the coast of San Mateo County, elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park could be experiencing a “small outbreak” of bird flu, according to scientists.

Reporter: Sarah Mohamad, KQED

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Misinformation Leads to Confusion in Fresno's Immigrant Communities

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 15:01:00 -0000

In light of violent immigration enforcement in major cities like Chicago, LA and Minneapolis, immigrants around the country are wondering: could this happen in my community? In the Central Valley, waiting for an answer to that question has given way to fear and misinformation.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

The LA Unified School Board is meeting behind closed doors Thursday where they're expected to discuss the status of Superintendent Alberto Carvalho. This comes a day after federal investigators raided his home and office at the district's headquarters. Time is running out to submit public comments on proposed federal oil and gas leases off the Central Coast.

Reporter: Elena Neale Sacks, KAZU

An agent who is reportedly with the Department of Homeland Security is set to appear in court in Riverside Friday. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon among other felonies. But holding him accountable might be difficult.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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CA Lawmaker Aims to Protect Renters Who Rely on Section 8 Vouchers

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:23:00 -0000

Hundreds of thousands of California families rely on federal housing assistance programs to make rent- you might know it as Section 8 vouchers. Based on their income, they’ll pay a certain percentage of the rent and the government pays the rest. Recipients include seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and children. But the Trump administration is expected to introduce new rules to these programs in the coming months. Some lawmakers argue that could make assistance harder to access.

Guest: Sharon Quirk-Silva, California State Assembly

California’s investing billions of dollars into a new grade for 4-year-olds called transitional kindergarten. But the state hasn’t set aside any money to evaluate it.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist

On Wednesday, the city of Escondido in San Diego County will discuss a controversial contract that its police department has with the Department of Homeland Security. The contract allows federal agents to use a local gun range for 20 days a year.

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Church Members Maintain Presence at Santa Ana Immigration Court

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:17:00 -0000

Since last summer, when the Trump administration ramped up deportation efforts, a group of volunteer observers has kept a constant presence at the Santa Ana Immigration Court.

Reporter: Jill Replogle, LAist

A four-week strike by thousands of Kaiser Permanente health care workers in California and Hawaii is ending Tuesday morning, even though no contract deal has been reached.

Cities on the US-Mexico border remain on high alert following a weekend of violence, in response to the killing of a cartel leader.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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California's Winter Storms Do Little to Ease Climate Change Worries

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:44:00 -0000

The string of storms that have swept through California has brought much-needed water and snow throughout the state, but climate scientists say, levels may still fall short of what's needed in the coming warm weather months.

The town of Truckee held a memorial for the victims of last week's avalanche in the Sierra. This comes after search and rescue crews finished recovering all nine of their bodies over the weekend.

State Senator, Scott Wiener, is proposing legislation to force a split between San Francisco and Pacific Gas & Electric.

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Elderly Japanese Americans Warn Same Threats Rising That Led to Internment

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 18:40:00 -0000

This week marks the 84th anniversary of the United States, under president Franklin D. Roosevelt, enacting Executive Order 9066, which led to U.S. residents of Japanese descent being dispossessed and interned, even if they were American citizens. Survivors of Japanese internment say they're seeing the Trump Administration embracing similar policies that led to one of the darkest chapters of the United States in the 20th century.

The non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office is recommending that California lawmakers reject Governor Gavin Newsom's latest electric vehicle rebate proposal, citing cost concerns.

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Eight Dead, One Still Missing Following Tahoe-Area Avalanche

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:55:00 -0000

Eight people have been confirmed dead after an avalanche in Tahoe's Donner Summit region on Tuesday buried a group of 15 backcountry skiers. Six of the skiers, who were part of an overnight backcountry skiing group, were rescued Tuesday night. One person is still missing but is presumed dead.

Guest: Sarah Wright, KQED

A controversial proposal to tax the wealth of billionaires in California is getting a boost this week from one of the nation's leading progressives: Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

More than 1400 registered nurses are set to strike at medical centers affiliated with the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, the latest in a wave of labor unrest hitting the healthcare industry.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Nine Missing Following Avalanche in Nevada County

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:49:00 -0000

Search and rescue crews are looking for nine backcountry skiers after an avalanche near Castle Peak in the Sierra Nevada Tuesday morning. Six people were safely rescued. Two of them were transported to the hospital for treatment.

The city of Los Angeles is looking to ban the construction and operation of some private detention centers. This comes amid reports that warehouses across the country are being eyed as potential detention centers, by President Trump and federal immigration officials.

Reporter: Destiny Torres, LAist

Work is slow in Hollywood right now. But at least one new type of production is hiring. They are bingeable shows made to be watched on your phone. And they’re called vertical micro dramas.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

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AI One of the Main Sticking Points in Hollywood Labor Talks

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:50:00 -0000

SAG-AFTRA is beginning its second week of contract negotiations with Hollywood studios. The union, representing actors and performers, is hoping to avoid a repeat of 2023, when talks broke down and a strike lasted more than a hundred days. AI is expected to be one of the main focuses of the talks.

Guest: Gene Maddaus, Variety

A new bill in the California legislature aims to improve the safety of e-bikes. It would require owners of certain types of e-bikes to register with the DMV and display a license plate.

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Trump Administration Sends Pregnant Unaccompanied Minors to Texas Shelter Flagged as Medically Inadequate

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:33:00 -0000

The Trump administration is making changes to how it treats unaccompanied migrant children who are pregnant, and that's raising alarm bells inside the government. Since last July, the administration has been concentrating pregnant kids in one shelter in South Texas, even if they're apprehended in California or other states. This comes over objections from the government's own health and child welfare officials. They say neither the facility nor the region can provide the specialized care the girls need.

Guest: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom

Firefighters across the state are working with scientists at the University of California to minimize their risk to cancer.

Reporter: Alonso Daboub, KQED

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State Launches Civil Rights Investigation into Eaton Fire Response

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:19:00 -0000

California’s Department of Justice is opening a civil rights investigation in connection with last year’s deadly Eaton Fire. Attorney General Rob Bonta said they want to find out if race, age or disability discrimination were factors during the emergency response in the historically Black community of West Altadena.

The Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and environmental groups are celebrating the purchase of Sargent Ranch by the Peninsula Open Space Trust.

Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU

Valentine's Day for many means heart shaped candies and chocolates. But if romance is not your thing, visitors to San Francisco’s Exploratorium can interact with the actual organ.

Reporter: Alonso Daboub, KQED

An environmental advocate who helped build the community of fans around Big Bear’s bald eagles has died.

Reporter: Makenna Sievertson, LAist

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Maidu Tribe Returns to Its Roots of Ancestral Fire

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:51:00 -0000

Amongst the ponderosa pines in California’s Butte County, Native Maidu people are lighting fires to encourage the re-growth of useful plants and reduce the risk from future wildfires.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

A new bill introduced in the state assembly this week could make it easier to secure long-term funding for a program that lets people check out state parks passes from their local library .

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Teachers' Unions Across The State Mobilizing In Labor Fights

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 17:24:00 -0000

San Francisco teachers are in their third day of a high stakes labor fight with the district, leaving nearly 50,000 students out of school. And they're not alone. Across California, more local teachers unions are in active disputes right now, from bargaining breakdowns to strike authorizations and walkouts.

Guest: Danielle Mahones, UC Berkeley Labor Center

A new report commissioned by LA County lays out how ICE raids there have hurt some local businesses.

Reporter: Libby Rainey, LAist

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Families Struggling To Find ICE Detainees Who Are Hospitalized

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:04:00 -0000

As federal immigration enforcement efforts continue across California, families of detainees are struggling with a new problem. Many can't find loved ones who've been hospitalized after being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Guest: Claudia Boyd-Barrett, KFF Health News

A federal judge blocked a California state law barring federal officers from wearing masks on Monday. But the ruling also handed the state a partial victory.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Bay Area Latino Community Celebrates Bad Bunny Halftime Show

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:53:00 -0000

It was another historic halftime show at this year’s Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara as global superstar Bad Bunny took the stage.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

2025 was a pivotal year for health insurance reform: more than two dozen states, including California, passed laws limiting insurers’ ability to delay or deny medical services after a doctor has ordered them. The practice is known as prior authorization. Criticism of it reached a fever pitch last year and California is leading the way with reform.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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Sign Language Interpreter Will Also Make History During Super Bowl Halftime Show

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:27:00 -0000

This Super Bowl Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, Bad Bunny will make history, headlining the halftime show, and singing entirely in Spanish. It will also be the first time the show includes Puerto Rican sign language.

Reporter: Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED

People who say their rights are being trampled at a remote immigration detention facility in the Mojave Desert get their first day in court on Friday.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Kern County's District Attorney is suing an oil and gas producer for alleged environmental violations. This comes as the county’s oil production is ramping up under a new state law.

Reporter: Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado, KVPR

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San Jose, Santa Clara Still Feel Shunned By TV Broadcasts At Levi's Stadium

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:59:00 -0000

Super Bowl 60 will air on NBC on Sunday. And if you can’t watch the game in person at Levi’s Stadium, you’ll likely be one of millions glued to a TV screen. The game is being played in Santa Clara, but you might not know it from some of the images the broadcast is likely to show.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

California’s new congressional map will stay in place after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block the new districts Wednesday.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Over a year ago, California voters passed a measure, Proposition 36, to crack down on theft and drug crimes. But counties have been left to figure out how to fund it.

Reporter: Riley Palmer, CapRadio

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Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Comes At Politically Charged Time

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:52:00 -0000

This weekend's Super Bowl halftime show is expected to be one of the most-watched performances of the year, and this time it's headlined by Bad Bunny. The global superstar has never shied away from politics. Just days ago at the Grammys, he used his acceptance speech to denounce ICE at a moment when immigration enforcement has become more aggressive in parts of the country, including here in California. So what does it mean for an artist like Bad Bunny to take the Super Bowl stage right now?

Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya, KQED Arts Editor

A naturalization ceremony in Fresno to swear in new U.S. citizens was abruptly cancelled recently. Many waiting for citizenship were thrown into confusion. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Up until now, police in California could cite drivers with an open container violation, if they found loose marijuana in a vehicle. But a new ruling by the California Supreme Court finds that police can’t issue a citation, or search the car, unless the pot they find is ready to be consumed.

Reporter: Nigel Duara, CalMatters

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Big Bear Ski Resorts, Businesses Face Challenging Winter

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:37:00 -0000

Every winter, skiers trek up to the Southern California mountain town of Big Bear to hit the slopes. But this winter, snow has been hard to come by. Rain and unusually warm temperatures have dominated and put a chill on ski resorts and businesses in the region.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

Every time there’s a major disaster in California, the state is supposed to write a report on lessons learned. But they're years behind.

Reporter: Jacob Margolis, LAist

A bill to regulate unaccredited groups that help veterans access benefits is pending on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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LA Fire Victims Look To 1940's Project To Build Homes Quicker

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:00:00 -0000

Since the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles more than a year ago, rebuilding has been slow. So some local architects have been thinking about how to move things along. A few took inspiration from a project in the 1940s to build homes quickly, which ended up revolutionizing architecture and forever associating LA with the mid-century modern home.

Reporter: Brandon Reynolds, KCRW

It seems like California just might be repeating last year’s snowpack story. Massive storms drenched the state in December. But California was virtually dry for most of January.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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With New Laws In Place, Lawmakers Look At Solutions For Housing Shortage

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:38:00 -0000

For the past few years, the California legislature has passed a bevy of laws aimed at cutting red tape and spurring housing construction. Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who represents the 14th district, has been at the forefront of that work. But, it’s still really expensive to build. This year, she is chairing the newly established Select Committee on Housing and Construction Innovation.

Guest: Buffy Wicks, CA Assemblymember, 14th District

Immigration arrests in San Diego surged nearly 1500% in 2025. And many of the people who’ve been arrested have no history of criminal convictions.

Reporter: Wendy Fry, CalMatters

California lawmakers want to set new standards for cleaning homes after toxic fires.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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Still Unclear What's Behind California's Declining Crime Rate

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:29:00 -0000

California is seeing a decline in crime rates across the state, especially when it comes to homicides. So why is this happening? That answer, as it turns out, is complicated.

Guest: Magnus Lofstrom, Policy Director, Public Policy Institute of California

A new state bill would raise taxes on for-profit companies that operate immigration detention centers in California.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

US Congressmembers from California called for the removal of the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, at a news conference outside of ICE’s field office in San Bernardino Wednesday.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Sierra Foothills Community Could Provide Blueprint For Building Homes In Era Of Megafires

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:20:00 -0000

With insurance companies reluctant to back fire-prone parts of the state, officials and builders are looking for ways to get people into homes designed to survive wildfires. Those efforts are now extending to entire developments. In El Dorado County, that includes the opening of a “wildfire-prepared neighborhood” – the first in Northern California. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

A lawsuit filed this week claims people held at the federal immigration facility in Adelanto lack basic necessities like clean water, healthy food and medical care.

Reporter: Jordan Rynning, LAist

Democrat Ro Khanna is demanding the Trump administration turn over health and safety records for the California City immigration detention facility in the Mojave Desert, after a recent oversight visit that he described as “alarming.”

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Residents Challenge Official Response a Year After Moss Landing Battery Plant Fire

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:58:00 -0000

It has been about a year since a fire burned the battery plant at Moss Landing in Monterey county. While the fire prompted many residents to move away from homes surrounding the plant, the government's stance on the aftermath of the fire is that it left no significant environmental impact. Locals are still challenging that narrative.

In the wake of federal immigration agents killing another person in Minneapolis, Minnesota, over the weekend, California lawmakers are moving to place further limits on how these agents can operate and maneuver in the state.

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California Trump Voters Grade President's First Year of Second Term

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:22:00 -0000

It's been about a year since President Donald Trump began his second term in the White House. Californians that voted for him in the 2024 US presidential election weigh in on how he's doing this time around.

Nurses working at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Northern California and parts of Hawaii began their strike today, asking for better wages and more manageable workloads.

The US Department of Justice has just ended its efforts to obtain the medical records for more than 3,000 people who had been provided gender-affirming care at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

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Bay Area Winemaker Tried To Bridge Food And Wine Gap At Chinese Restaurants

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:46:00 -0000

Wine isn’t often the drink of choice in Chinese restaurants, yet the country’s immigrants played a key role in planting Northern California vineyards and building wineries after the Gold Rush. Now, a Chinese American winemaker is bringing a taste of that history — along with her Sonoma and Napa wines — to Chinatown restaurants in the Bay Area and beyond.

Reporter: Tina Caputo

California State University has reached a legal settlement with its faculty union over the sharing of faculty information with federal authorities.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

After over a decade of planning, and years of construction, Butte County finally has a new jail.

Reporter: Claudia Brancart, North State Public Radio

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No Consensus From Labor Unions On Gubernatorial Candidates

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:39:00 -0000

The race for California governor is coming into focus -- after Attorney General Rob Bonta and Los Angeles developer Rick Caruso announced last week that they will not join the field. But one important constituency has yet to agree on a candidate: organized labor.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

California counties are starting their homeless point-in-time counts this week. This is the annual census where volunteers fan out statewide to try to answer the question: Is California's homelessness crisis improving…or getting worse?

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

A federal immigration agent shot at a suspect during what's being called a targeted operation in South Los Angeles Wednesday. No one was hit by the gunfire.

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Senators Decry Conditions On Tour Of California City ICE Facility

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:45:00 -0000

As tensions rise over the conduct of federal immigration enforcement – and in-custody deaths are increasing – California’s two U.S. senators say they’re “aghast” at conditions inside the newest immigration detention center in the state. That’s after a visit Tuesday to the California City Detention Facility.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

California prosecutors are expressing alarm at the Trump administration’s response to the January 7 fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by an immigration agent, including claims that ICE officials have absolute immunity from prosecution.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Changes Coming For Travelers Without Real ID

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:44:00 -0000

If you're planning on taking a domestic flight soon, there are some things you need to know. Starting February 1, if you don't have a Real ID driver's license or another federally approved document like a passport, you'll need to pay a $45 fee at the airport to be able to get on your flight. This new fee was announced by TSA back in December.

Guest: Carly Severn, KQED

Until this year, drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy had been covered under Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. Now, the state says patients who only take these GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, are no longer covered.

Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

Siskiyou County has reached a partial settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging discrimination against Asian residents.

Reporter: Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio

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Push For Reparations For Black Californians Continues Despite Setbacks

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:07:00 -0000

As we celebrate and honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, we wanted to take a closer look at some of the issues that are facing Black Californians. In particular, the state’s reparations efforts. While lawmakers approved a handful of measures meant to ensure reparative justice for Black Californians, others have been tabled or vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom. So where does it all stand?

Guest: Lisa Holder, civil rights attorney, former member of the California Reparations Task Force

A special election is happening in Northern California this year that could further chip away at Republicans’ slim majority in the House of Representatives.

Reporter: Andre Byik, North State Public Radio

For the second time in four months, a group of Kaiser workers are going out on an open-ended strike at hospitals and clinics across California and Hawaii.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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Tenants' Rights Bill Stalls In Sacramento

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:47:00 -0000

Renters are worried after a major tenants’ rights bill died this week in Sacramento. It would have capped annual rent increases and expanded protections to more households. With affordability top of mind, some tenants are concerned about their own housing security now that relief is nowhere in sight.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

The Trump administration is not entitled to sensitive information on California's 23 million voters. That's according to a federal court out of Southern California on Thursday.

Reporter: Jill Replogle, LAist

In a 4-3 vote, the Santa Barbara City Council approved two tenant protection ordinances this week -- a temporary rent freeze and changes to its eviction protections.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

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Health Officials Work To Combat Mushroom Poisoning Outbreak

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:53:00 -0000

California health officials are renewing their warning to avoid mushroom foraging this season as more people have become ill from eating death caps. They’re calling it the largest outbreak of mushroom poisonings in the country.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

A federal court has upheld California’s voter-approved congressional redistricting map, handing Governor Gavin Newsom and state Democrats a big win.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Republican Assemblymember James Gallagher is running in the special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

Reporter: Andre Byik, North State Public Radio

State fish and wildlife officials are gathering input on the first new deer conservation and management plan since 1976.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Fresno is moving towards becoming a professional soccer city. City leaders gathered at city hall Tuesday to announce the next steps toward bringing the sport in a professional capacity to the Valley.

Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR

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Bay Area Congressman Describes "Horrific" Conditions At ICE Detention Center

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 15:14:00 -0000

In recent days, immigration authorities have turned away members of Congress who were trying to visit a detention facility in Minnesota. But here in California, Congressman Ro Khanna recently did get inside the newest and largest immigration detention center in the state. And he said what he found was alarming.

Guest, Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Survivors of November's mass shooting in Stockton gathered at the state capitol Tuesday, calling on lawmakers to change what they say are misplaced priorities in California’s budget.

Reporter: Chris Felts, CapRadio

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Government Database May Be Aiding Trump Administration's Deportation Efforts

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:57:00 -0000

A little-known database controlled by the San Diego Association of Governments has long concerned local privacy advocates. Now, as we enter the second year of President Trump’s deportation campaign, advocates are more worried than ever about how federal immigration agents use that data.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Under state law, California residents can demand that data brokers stop selling their personal information. But there hasn’t been a way to submit these requests en masse – so consumers would have to complete each opt-out form individually. Now, the state has launched a website that offers one stop shopping for opting out. Reporter: Colin Lecher, CalMatters

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Permits Still Tough To Come By For Fire Victims Looking To Rebuild In LA County

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:52:00 -0000

It's been a year since the wildfires in Los Angeles County destroyed homes and communities. In order to start rebuilding their homes, everyone needs permits. A rebuild permit from the city or county determines whether a family is still in limbo waiting to start construction or is already framing up a new house.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says he will not be running for governor this year, ending months of speculation around one of the state’s top Democrats.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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California Sues Trump Administration Over Attempts To Freeze Childcare Funding

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 15:25:00 -0000

The state of California is suing the Trump administration for freezing billions of dollars in federal child care and welfare funding. The federal government said it was withholding the funds from California and four other Democratic-led states over fraud allegations.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

San Diego is home to the nation’s second largest Somali population. And recent allegations of fraud at Somali-owned child care centers in Minnesota have now spread to their community. Somali childcare providers in San Diego say strangers are now surveilling their centers.

Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS

Governor Newsom is releasing his state budget plan Friday. This comes a day after Newsom delivered his final state of the state address at the capitol, touting California as "a marvel of invention and reinvention.”

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Fresno Looks To Shed Poverty Label

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 15:04:00 -0000

In 2005, a national report revealed that the U.S. city with the highest rate of concentrated poverty was Fresno. Now, 20 years later, we wondered: have those economic conditions changed?

Reporter: Israel Cardona Hernandez, KVPR

High profile defense attorney Alan Jackson has announced that he no longer represents Nick Reiner, who stands accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, last month.

Reporter: Frank Stoltze, LAist

A Central Valley grape grower has agreed to pay about $130,000 after a federal investigation into a crash that killed seven employees and severely injured another.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Residents Look Back At The Devastating Los Angeles County Wildfires

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:12:00 -0000

One year ago today, two fires erupted in Los Angeles County. The Palisades and Eaton fires would eventually become two of the most destructive and deadly fires in state history. Thousands of homes were destroyed and 31 people were killed. The rebuilding process has been slow in both Altadena and Pacific Palisades, the communities most greatly impacted by the fires. We wanted to get the perspective from longtime residents who are part of that process.

Residents in the north state are likely to see a flurry of elections for Congress this year, after the passing of longtime Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Privacy Advocates Have Growing Concerns Over Use Of Automated License-Plate Readers

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:59:00 -0000

The debate over automated license plate readers in California has increasingly shifted from local crime fighting to concerns about data privacy…. when it comes to federal crackdowns on immigration and people seeking abortions or gender-related healthcare. ALPRs are now in use in hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the state, not to mention thousands of homeowner associations and business districts. So what does this all mean for civil liberties in 2026?

Guest: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Venezuelans in California are going through a whole range of feelings after the Trump administration’s military attack to remove President Nicolas Maduro. There’s celebration, outrage and a lot of questions.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Hundreds of new state laws take effect in the new year. And one in particular brings sweet validation to all of us public radio lovers. That’s because it’s going to make our tote bags even more essential.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, CalMatters

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New Laws Aim To Ease Housing Crunch In California

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 15:31:00 -0000

2025 was a blockbuster year for housing in California. State lawmakers took aim at the state's landmark environmental law, which they argued was one of the main culprits blocking development for years. In 2025, they approved major reforms. They also passed another law which promises to dramatically change how housing is built near train stations and along busy bus routes.

Guest: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

More vacant home lots are going up for sale in L.A. County burn zones. And many are being scooped up by investors.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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Teachers Re-Energized By New Transitional Kindergarten Classes

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0000

All 4-year olds in California can now go to school for free in a grade called transitional kindergarten, or TK. And to lead those classrooms, the state needs teachers with special training. A lot of teachers. So what does it take to do the job?

Reporter: Julia Barajas, LAist

A new project in San Diego is gathering stories of government persecution against the LGBTQ+ community. Photos of the Lavender Names Project will be shown after select performances at the San Diego Opera this year.

Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS

Researchers at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes have spent years working on an improved way to manage reservoirs called Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, or FIRO.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Bird Flu Changes How County Fairs Live Chicken Shows

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 15:00:00 -0000

The fall bird migration in California typically peaks from September through November. And this past year, scientists discovered a new wave of avian influenza - or bird flu. Two farms in Sonoma County fought new outbreaks. State officials have been taking steps to mitigate the spread of infection, since major outbreaks were seen in dairy herds in August of 2024. That includes at county fairs.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

A new children's book from a Los Angeles author is inspired by her own childhood translating for her parents.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

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Hispanic-Serving Institutions Face Challenges With Federal Funding Cuts

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0000

California is home to the largest number of Hispanic-serving institutions in the country. That’s a federal program that allows colleges and universities to apply for federal grants if at least a quarter of their students identify as Hispanic. Earlier this year, The Trump administration cut funding for the program, which has helped serve many Latino students in California, benefiting from supportive environments geared toward them.

Reporter: Blanca Torres, KQED

E-bike sales in the U.S. have surged, outpacing electric car sales by 20%. But California building codes haven’t kept up with where they can be safely stored.

Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio

Environmental advocates are criticizing the Newsom Administration, after his press office sent out a release seemingly taking credit for the year's rebound in returning salmon.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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CA Project Makes Thousands Of Rare Songs Available To The Public

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 15:29:00 -0000

Thousands of old and rare recordings - some that date back a full century, are now available for the public to enjoy online. That’s thanks to a collaboration between UC Santa Barbara and record company Dust-to-Digital.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

Mountain lions, foxes, hawks and dozens of other species are dying at an alarming rate from rat poison.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

Fort Bragg is about three hours north of San Francisco, and during droughts, the former timber town faces severe water shortages. And they're not alone. Nearby communities have had to restrict water in lean years, even while these coastal cities sit next to the biggest body of water in the world.

Reporter: Noah Abrams, Northern California Public Media

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Traditional Knowledge Meets Science in Northern California Tribe's Environmental Planning

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:39:00 -0000

The Karuk Tribe in Northern California is crafting an environmental policy that unites traditional knowledge with more contemporary environmental sciences--pushing back against years of bias dismissing tribal knowledge of the Karuk's ancestral lands.

A federal judge in the Bay Area has halted ICE from making arrests at immigration courthouses in the region.

California's Minimum Wage is increasing next year. A new law means that the state's minimum wage is jumping by $0.40.

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SF Self-Defense Class Helps Transgender Community Build Bonds

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0000

In San Francisco, advocates for transgender people are trying to beef up protections for their community, in the face of anti-trans policies from the Trump administration. This work isn’t just about legal threats, but also fears of physical violence.

Reporter: Bianca Taylor, KQED

A new analysis warns the Colorado River could fall to dangerously low levels next year. The river supplies water to cities and farms across San Diego and Imperial counties.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS A UC Davis study found 85% of elementary schools in California experienced some loss of trees between 2018 and 2022. Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Cricket Makes Its Way To The Central Valley

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0000

When you drive or walk past a public park, one of the sounds you’ll likely hear is the thwack of a bat before seeing a ball flying through the air. But at some parks in Fresno, these aren’t due to that all-American sport you may be thinking of.

Reporter: Israel Cardona Hernandez, KVPR

Some mental health clinicians are worried AI is coming for their jobs. In the Fall, more than 200 of them gathered for an online forum to learn more. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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Farmworkers Train As Doulas In Santa Cruz County

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0000

Some Mixtec farmworkers in Watsonville have trained as doulas to support other Indigenous women during pregnancy and childbirth. Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU

A tribal group in central California is celebrating the return of thousands of acres of land back from the state.

Reporter: Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado, KVPR

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A Day In The Life Of Santa

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 14:50:00 -0000

Christmas is two days away which means Santa Claus is pulling overtime. He’s at the mall taking photos and he’s project managing toy production. This story is all about the work of being Santa. So, if you’re listening with a child who’s expecting a visit from jolly old Saint Nick this year, you may want to turn down the volume.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

California is preparing for another storm system that could bring dangerous conditions to large portions of the state.

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Fire Departments Struggle To Meet Demands Of Rural Communities

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:18:00 -0000

In Humboldt County, a rural volunteer fire station is struggling to meet its community’s needs. They’re hoping a state budget allocation to expand Calfire staffing might offer some support, but nothing has materialized yet. Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

The Trump administration continues to drastically shrink the immigration courts in Northern California – leaving just a few judges to handle a massive backlog of cases.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

California transportation officials say they’ve paused a plan to resume issuing thousands of commercial driver’s licenses, under federal pressure. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Bay Area Christmas Tree Farm Gives Customers A Chance To Cut Down Their Own Tree

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 15:14:00 -0000

The holiday season brings many traditions for families across California. One that is tried and true - decorating your home with a Christmas tree. While most families buy artificial trees these days, there are still some places in the state where you can not only get a living tree, but even cut it down yourself.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Roughly 2,000 people meander through Old Monterey every December to tour California’s oldest government building and other Alta California adobes. Monterey State Historic Park interpreter Aaron Gilmartin helped coordinate the immersive event.

A panel of federal judges could rule soon on whether California’s new congressional maps can stay in place. That’s after a three day court hearing in Los Angeles ended Wednesday.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Fresno Airport Expansion Exemplifies Growing Region

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:21:00 -0000

Fresno Yosemite International Airport may be considered small, but more than 2 million travelers passed through it last year. And the city of Fresno is moving to expand the airport and accommodate a growing customer base for a growing region. In 2023, the airport broke ground on a new terminal. And that terminal opened just in time for Christmas and New Year travel.

Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR

Officials in the Bay Area city of Dublin voted unanimously this week to oppose using a closed federal women’s prison as an immigration detention facility, or for any type of incarceration.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Regulators are set to consider cutting the profits California's major utilities can make.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

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Sikh Truck Drivers Have A Second Chance In California

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:23:00 -0000

The Newsom administration confirmed it’s backtracking on a plan to indefinitely revoke thousands of commercial drivers licenses held by immigrants. That’s welcome news to the drivers and their families.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

As Jewish communities around the globe struggle to comprehend the deadly mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach, in Kern County, the losses are hitting especially close to home.

Reporter: Jonathan Linden, KVPR

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The Trump Admin Has All But Stopped Reuniting Detained Migrant Children With Their Families

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0000

For the last six weeks, children who crossed the US-Mexico border alone have been inexplicably stuck in federal custody at shelters across the country. The Trump administration has stopped releasing these kids to their families and loved ones. It’s not saying why. But sources in the government agency that’s in charge of unaccompanied kids — and lawyers who help them — say they’ve never seen anything like this.

Guest: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom

Federal authorities say they’ve thwarted a plot to bomb five locations around Southern California on New Year’s Eve. The FBI has arrested four people who they say belong to an extremist anti-government group.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

After a Supreme Court decision that allowed authorities to penalize people for sleeping outdoors, the City of Fresno was one of the first to enact its own anti-camping law. Now, a class action lawsuit is challenging its legality. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVCR

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Community Seafood Program Helps Feed The Hungry In Monterey

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:03:00 -0000

Santa Cruz and Monterey counties largest food banks report a third of residents can’t consistently afford healthy food. And in this rich fishing region, some of the freshest catch is helping fill those empty bellies.

Reporter: Katie Brown, KAZU

Doctors are petitioning California to prohibit the use of a popular countertop material linked to the death of dozens of stoneworkers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Ukrainian Woman Freed From ICE Detention

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:59:00 -0000

ICE has released an immigrant from Ukraine who was arrested after her green card interview last week. She says she was held for days inside a federal building in downtown San Diego.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

We're getting into the cold, wet part of the year, and for many people that means it's time to nestle indoors and stay cozy. But for some, the rain spells a special opportunity - to embark into the woods and forage for wild mushrooms. Over 1500 of these enthusiasts got together recently at a fungus fair in Humboldt County.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

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Catholic Bishops Hold Mass For ICE Detainees In Adelanto

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:49:00 -0000

Catholic bishops from across California held mass at the Adelanto ICE Detention Center near the Mojave Desert on Wednesday. This is part on of an outreach effort to immigrants who have been caught up in the Trump administration's ongoing immigration crackdown here in California.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

Farmworkers across the country are suing the Trump administration. They want to axe a recent change to the guest worker visa program, known as H-2A, that cuts farmworker pay by 25%.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager

Housing advocates filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass over their orders banning duplexes in burn zones.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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Why Aren't There More Condos For Sale In California?

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:23:00 -0000

The condominium used to be a relatively affordable home ownership option in California. But it has almost disappeared from our cities. Why? A new generation of housing activists says California laws have killed the condo, and they want that to change.

Reporter: Frances Anderton, KCRW

Hundreds of millions of dollars to address homelessness in California is in limbo after the Trump administration reversed course on a major funding program — at least, for now.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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National Parks Changing Fee-Free Calendar

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:18:00 -0000

Californians hoping to take advantage of free entry days at national parks will see big changes next year. The Trump administration is removing civil rights holidays and adding President Trump's birthday instead. The move is already prompting backlash from civil rights groups and conservation advocates. International visitors will also face new rules for park access.

Guest: Sarah Wright, KQED

The Ukrainian wife of a U.S. citizen remains in ICE custody after she was detained late last week in San Diego. Her lawyers say the arrest marks another new escalation in the Trump administration’s emerging practice of targeting immigrants at their green card interviews. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

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San Diego Law Enforcement Accessing Private License Plate Readers

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:05:00 -0000

Dozens of cities and law enforcement agencies from around the state are using automated license plate readers. And in some cases, those communities are fighting back, suing to stop their use. In San Diego County, law enforcement agencies are also searching license plate cameras owned by private businesses -- with little oversight. Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

A new law banning cat declawing in California is set to take effect next year.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Deported Pomona Man Finally Able To Reunite With His Dog

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:01:00 -0000

A man and his best friend are being reunited in Mexico on Friday, three months after being separated by immigration agents outside a day labor center about an hour east of Los Angeles.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

The Inspector General for California’s massive prison system says a backlog of investigations into staff misconduct has ballooned to 10,000 cases.

Reporter: Julie Small, KQED

The governing body for high school sports in California is changing its bylaws in an effort to protect immigrant student athletes.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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First Of Its Kind Campus In The Works In San Diego County

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:41:00 -0000

After decades of planning and setbacks, officials are laying the groundwork for something that would be the first of its kind in California — a hybrid campus that houses degree programs from multiple universities across San Diego County.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

California cities cannot choose to disobey the state's immigration sanctuary law.

Reporter: Jill Replogle, LAist

There are currently at least 10 candidates vying to be California’s next governor, and the race appears to be anyone’s to win.

Reporter: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

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Research Confirms Heavy Metals In Elkhorn Slough After Battery Plant Fire

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 15:00:00 -0000

Nearly a year after a lithium-ion battery fire in Moss Landing, we're learning the extent of the damage to nearby Elkhorn Slough, a protected marine estuary.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is joining six other state attorneys in calling out buy-now-pay-later lenders, amid concerns that they're putting consumers at financial risk.

Reporter: Francesca Fenzi, KQED

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Rise In Robot Workers Leads To Debate Over Future Of Workforce

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:13:00 -0000

Robots have come a long way in the last ten years. They can move parts around a warehouse, clean hotel floors, and deliver food. But they’re still rare in everyday life. This could change as businesses look to cut rising costs by hiring fewer people.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

The search continues for the suspect or suspects who opened fire at a toddler’s birthday party over the weekend in Stockton, killing four guests and wounding eleven more.

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Immigration Crackdown Changes Everyday Life In California's Farm Towns

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:15:00 -0000

Fear, isolation, uneasiness. Ever since the Trump administration ramped up immigration enforcement efforts, immigrant communities in California have a growing sense of anxiety. One community worried about enforcement is farm workers, where many people's lives have been upended.

Guest: Nigel Duara, CalMatters

A shooting at a banquet hall in the Central Valley town of Stockton has left four young people dead and 11 injured. The shooting Saturday took place at a children's birthday party.

California immigration lawyers are seeing a startling trend: people who are in the process of becoming legal U.S. residents attend their green card interview and are arrested on the spot.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Watch Duty App Changes Approach To Wildfire Response

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 14:45:00 -0000

The nonprofit app Watch Duty is revolutionizing how people get information about wildfires and evacuations. And it’s not just residents in vulnerable areas downloading the app — firefighters are using it too. Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

People who often eat fish caught in the San Francisco Bay could be consuming unhealthy levels of persistent, dangerous chemicals.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Modesto Loses Single-A Minor League Team

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 14:45:00 -0000

Minor league baseball has a rich history in California, going back more than a century. But minor league baseball is changing. Like other professional sports, it has become a big-money game, attracting owners looking to cash in on rising team values. One Central Valley city has witnessed what that big-money game looks like firsthand, losing its longtime Single-A team.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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For Surfers, Santa Cruz Waves Are Priceless

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:50:00 -0000

Santa Cruz County’s surf breaks are free to enjoy, but worth millions. That’s one of the findings in the first report to put a price on the world-renowned surf playground.

Reporter: Katie Brown, KAZU

Humboldt County recently approved its first green cemetery. The model allows bodies to decompose in a more environmentally friendly way. Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

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Immigration Lawyers Organize In Effort To Free Clients

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:46:00 -0000

Lawyers from around the country are working together and organizing, to find legal strategies to free detained immigrants.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

A congressional hearing in downtown Los Angeles on Monday focused on what witnesses called the chilling effects of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

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Lawyers Using Habeas Corpus In Last-Ditch Efforts To Free Detained Immigrants

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:51:00 -0000

As the Trump administration continues its aggressive mass deportation campaign, immigration lawyers are increasingly turning to a law the founding fathers established to protect against a king. The use of habeas corpus petitions has skyrocketed in recent months. Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Governor Gavin Newsom has shut down four prisons, with a fifth closure on its way. He’s said those changes, along with some other reductions, are saving the state around $900 million a year. But according to a new report, the state’s corrections department is still running a huge deficit.

Reporter: Cayla Mihalovich, CalMatters

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Advocates Fight To Save Mother Bear And Cub In Lake Tahoe

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:43:00 -0000

In Lake Tahoe, a mother bear and her cub — known as Hope and Bounce — have been breaking into homes. Now, wildlife officials want the mother euthanized, but bear advocates are fighting to save her.

Reporter: Maria Palma, KUNR

In California, dozens of stoneworkers have died and nearly 50 underwent lung transplants because of cutting engineered stone, popular in kitchen countertops. On Thursday, the state board that adopts workplace safety rules considered next steps.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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What Will School Meals Look Like Under New Law On Ultra-Processed Food

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:56:00 -0000

A new California law requires the phaseout of certain ultra-processed foods from school meals starting next year. These foods, which could include deli meat or soda, have attracted mainstream attention recently as the federal administration’s Make America Healthy Again campaign has named eliminating them a key issue. But while federal officials have expressed interest in creating a standard definition for ultra-processed foods, it hasn’t happened yet. This law marks the first in the country to give that phrase a statutory definition.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

A property management company with hundreds of buildings in California will have to pay $7 million as part of a settlement agreement in an antitrust lawsuit announced this week.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Cal State University trustees have approved a proposal for higher pay for executives, including university presidents.

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Advocates Call For Urgent Changes In Countertop Industry To Help Prevent Silicosis

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 15:43:00 -0000

Asbestos, lead, coal dust. All of those posed big health hazards to workers before legal protections finally rolled out. Now, thousands of stoneworkers in California who make our kitchen and bathroom countertops are breathing in something so toxic, nearly 50 had lung transplants.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Farmworker communities and environmental groups across the state are calling for stronger protections from a pesticide they say endangers public health.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

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LA Jails Scale Back Opioid Addiction Treatment

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:45:00 -0000

Los Angeles County's jail system is in the middle of one of its deadliest years on record. According to the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, there have been more than three dozen in-custody deaths so far this year, and many have involved overdoses. Now, new reporting from CalMatters reveals that access to critical opioid addiction treatment has been quietly scaled back.

Guest: Cayla Mihalovich, CalMatters

The Trump administration is suing California over a new law that bars local and federal law enforcement from wearing masks while on duty.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Program For Veterans Faces Major Funding Cuts

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:02:00 -0000

In Oceanside in San Diego County, there’s a small nonprofit that’s become a steady place of support for Marines and veterans working through the hardest parts of coming home. The group trains dogs to work alongside service members, helping them rebuild routines, confidence, and a sense of stability. But now the program is facing a financial hit. A major source of federal funding is set to run out at the end of the year and it’s unclear how many people the nonprofit will be able to keep serving without it.

Reporter: Heidi de Marco, KPBS

A federal judge in San Francisco says the Trump administration cannot immediately cut the University of California’s funding or threaten fines over claims of discrimination.

In Los Angeles, a federal judge granted a preliminary injunction in the ongoing case involving immigration raids across the region. The ruling says the federal government likely violated the Fifth Amendment by denying immigrants access to attorneys at a detention facility in downtown Los Angeles.

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Many Californians Face Uncertainty With Healthcare Coverage

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:10:00 -0000

Congress ended the shutdown this week, but it didn’t reach a deal on health care. Roughly two million Californians who buy insurance through the state’s marketplace now face steep price hikes after the Trump administration refused to extend enhanced federal tax credits. And some Californians can’t afford to keep their coverage.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

The federal Department of Justice has joined a lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 50, the ballot measure approved by California voters last week, that will redraw the state's congressional maps.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Lawyers representing victims of the Eaton Fire say Southern California Edison is using delay tactics in court.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

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Atmospheric River To Drench California In The Coming Days

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:07:00 -0000

Heavy rain and winds are forecast throughout California as a strong atmospheric river makes its way down the Golden State.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

For the first time in 30 years, the U.S. has not sent a delegation to the United Nations annual climate summit. President Trump has called climate change a hoax and his administration says attending would mean pursuing vague climate goals. But delegates from California and its cities, including Governor Newsom, are there, attempting to fill the void.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

A former top aide to California Governor Gavin Newsom was indicted by a federal grand jury Wednesday on 23 counts, including bank and wire fraud.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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As LA Fire Victims Look To Rebuild, Some Are Turning To Concrete For New Homes

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:22:00 -0000

The Palisades and Eaton fires are a sober reminder of just how flammable many urban and suburban homes are. Some survivors are responding by planning to build differently. Instead of the usual wood framing, these homeowners are opting to choose a material many of us associate more with freeways and skyscrapers - concrete.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

Many survivors of this year’s Los Angeles County fires are calling for the resignation of State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Members of the grassroots organization Eaton Fire Survivor Network say the recovery process is moving too slowly, in large part because of the insurance industry.

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California's Lax DUI laws Lead To Spike In Alcohol-Related Roadway Deaths

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:53:00 -0000

45 years ago, a Sacramento woman founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving after her 13-year-old daughter was struck and killed in Fair Oaks. MADD would go on to advocate for some of the nation's toughest DUI laws in the 1980s. But a new investigation from our California newsroom partner CalMatters found our home state now has some of the weakest DUI laws in the country, and that's led to a spike in alcohol-related roadway deaths.

Guest: Robert Lewis, CalMatters

California has filed a request for a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration, over its attempts to stop states from giving out SNAP benefits.

Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED

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AI Boom Leads To Increased Concerns Of Environmental Impacts Of Data Centers

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 15:06:00 -0000

California legislators considered dozens of bills related to artificial intelligence this year. Those numbers have spiked as lawmakers grapple with the technology’s increasing presence and possible negative consequences. One point of concern: the impact that generative AI will have on the state’s natural resources as it becomes an everyday tool for Californians.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

Environmental activists are celebrating the retirement of a Southern California oil rig, with a celebration at San Francisco's waterfront. The California State Lands Commission officially finalized the decommission last week.

Reporter: Eliza Peppel , KQED

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Delay In CalFresh Benefits Leaves College Students Struggling To Afford Food

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:51:00 -0000

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore full funding for SNAP benefits by Friday. The Justice Department is appealing. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom's office says some people in California are starting to receive their benefits, but it's unclear how many. The uncertainty is leaving many college students to wonder how they'll afford their next meal.

Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio

Overwhelming support of Proposition 50 in California is renewing efforts to split the state in half.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Fed. Tax Breaks for "Going Green" at Home Set to Expire

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:14:00 -0000

Biden-era federal tax breaks for home owners that want to switch from gas-powered appliances in their homes to electric or "greener" solutions are expiring at the end of the year.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has announced her retirement from Congress. With the announcement, she will NOT be seeking re-election as representative of San Francisco.

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Proposition 50 Sails to a Win in California's Special Election

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:16:00 -0000

California voters pass Proposition 50, setting the state up to redraw its congressional district maps, challenging a move by Texas to redraw its maps to give Republicans an edge in next year's mid-term elections.

California Senator Alex Padilla has squashed any rumors that he has eyes on his state's Governor's seat. Yesterday, he announced his intentions not to run in California's governor's race in 2026.

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California Votes on the Fate of Proposition 50

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:13:00 -0000

Californians head to the polls today to decide on legislation that would change the state's redistricting rules if passed--and could set up a more protracted political battle with the Trump Administration ahead of next year's midterm elections. It has been championed by Gov. Newsom as a counter to the Texas state legislature's decision to redraw its own district maps.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Justice is sending election monitors to five counties in California, claiming that it is doing so to ensure transparency of the electoral process and make sure the election follows federal laws. Critics of the move say this is voter intimidation.

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California's Food Banks Mobilize to Fill Benefits Gap Left by Gov. Shutdown

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 17:21:00 -0000

The government shutdown has left the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in funding limbo--after two judges on Friday ordered a reticent Trump Administration to fund the food aid program with the $5 billion in contingency funds the USDA has on hand. Meanwhile, millions of Californians who rely on the state's version of SNAP--CalFresh--to stay fed are left wondering where their next meals will come from. Food pantries throughout the state are gearing up to meet the demand.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator, Adam Schiff says his party is pushing to get SNAP funded while also ending the political stalemate in Washington.

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Some Worry Prop. 50 Would Mark the Last Ride for California's Horse-Haven

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:18:00 -0000

In our latest report for the segment, "California Divided," we head down to Norco, California. This Republican enclave in Riverside County is known as the horsiest town in the Golden State; and that's how residents like it. What they are not so hot on, is the idea that Prop. 50 could redraw district lines that would ultimately change their way of life.

Tax credits that help subsidize the Affordable Care Act are set to expire at the end of the year. With Covered California opening its enrollment tomorrow for coverage in the coming year, many could be in for a shock at how their healthcare premiums are reaching new, unaffordable heights.

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California's Biggest Voting District Faces Seismic Change if Prop. 50 Passes

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:16:00 -0000

In Part 4 of our series, ⁠California Divided⁠, we head north, to speak with residents in District 1, who've expressed concern over the impact that Proposition 50 will have on their voting power if it passes.

The Trump Administration is halting automatic renewals of work permits for immigrants. The policy, which begins today, could force thousands of immigrants out of work, and leaving them in limbo, as their applications for renewal get stuck in a growing queue.

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Central Valley Farmers Express Concerns About Possibility Of New Political Maps

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:40:00 -0000

The ripple effects of President Trump’s national gerrymandering battle are being felt in California’s rich agricultural belt. Next week, voters in the state will decide whether to support Proposition 50. That’s Governor Newsom’s plan to counter surprise redistricting in Texas and other red states. If Prop 50 passes, Congressman David Valadao of the Central Valley would be one of five Republicans on the chopping block. And that worries farmers in his district.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

The Los Angeles Dodgers won a marathon Game 3 of the World Series, as Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run in the 18th inning.

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In Lake Tahoe, Some Voters See Redistricting As Opportunity For Change

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 17:36:00 -0000

Californians are deciding on a ballot measure that could reshape how our state is represented in Congress. Proposition 50 would redraw California's congressional district lines to help Democrats pick up five additional seats in the House. Prop 50 is part of a national fight over redistricting. And if it passes, political lines from Sonoma down to San Diego will be transformed.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

To understand what’s at stake with Proposition 50, we’re going to some of the districts that would be redrawn. It’s a series we’re calling California Divided. We begin in the state’s 3rd Congressional District, at Lake Tahoe: a blue dot in a Republican-held district.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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In Northeast San Diego County, Democrats See Redistricting Battle As Chance For Change

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:06:00 -0000

Northeast San Diego County is becoming a battleground in the nationwide fight over congressional districts and control of the House of Representatives. Ballots are out now for a special election that could change several districts in California to give Democrats the advantage. Democrats are working on the ground in an effort to flip the congressional seat.

Reporter: Jake Gotta, KPBS

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of 25 states in a lawsuit against the USDA. That's after the federal agency announced that it will not issue SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

The McKinleyville Union School District in far Northern California has sued the U.S. Department of Education over a mental health grant.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

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As World Series Begins, Dodgers Look For Repeat

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 13:59:00 -0000

The World Series gets underway Friday night from Toronto as the Blue Jays take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic. LA is looking to become the first back-to-back champs in 25 years. Toronto hasn’t won a championship since 1993.

Guest: Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times

President Trump says he will not be sending a surge of federal agents to San Francisco. This comes after a call with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. While that’s eased some concerns in San Francisco, across the Bay in Alameda County, tensions remain high.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Some of the same families that were forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border during President Trump's first administration are being split up again. That's according to the ACLU, which is in a pitched battle with the government over what it says are violations of a federal settlement agreement.

Reporter: Mark Betancourt, California Newsroom

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The Megadonor Opposing Proposition 50 Explains His Position

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:13:00 -0000

Proposition 50 would temporarily let the legislature draw new congressional maps, a move supporters, including Governor Newsom, say is meant to stop gerrymandering and protect democracy. But opponents are calling it a partisan power grab, warning it could weaken the state's independent redistricting commission. One of the most vocal critics is Charles Munger Jr., a physicist and political activist who is the top donor for the No on Prop 50 campaign.

Guest: Charles Munger Jr.

Bay Area officials are pushing back on news of Trump administration plans to send dozens of Border Patrol agents to the Bay Area.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Lawsuits Against Trump Administration Argue Immigration Policies Are Breaking The Law

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 14:20:00 -0000

California civil rights advocates are calling on the federal courts to halt Trump administration policies leading to the arrest of asylum seekers, victims of trafficking and people attending immigration court hearings. A series of recent class action lawsuits argue: the arrests violate federal law and the U.S. Constitution.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks/KQED

At an election cybersecurity forum hosted by USC, experts discussed how to maintain the system’s resiliency after the Trump administration knee-capped the federal agencies previously entrusted with that task.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow/KQED

Humboldt County is getting $75 million for mental health care. The hope is that it will relieve pressure on emergency departments and jails serving those in crisis. Reporter: Justin Higginbottom/Jefferson Public Radio

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The Challenges Facing The Uninsured Looking To Rebuild In Altadena

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 14:13:00 -0000

Rebuilding after January’s fires in Los Angeles County is underway for some people. But an Altadena family is facing what may be insurmountable financial obstacles.

Reporter: Erin Stone/LAist

Congressional Democrats plan to investigate reports that federal agents unlawfully detained U.S. citizens during the Trump administration's ongoing immigration crackdown.

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Both Sides In Prop 50 Argument Rely On Familiar Messaging In Lead-Up To Election

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:51:00 -0000

As Democrats in California attempt to convince voters to approve new maps next month to give them more seats in Congress, and Republicans fight back against the redistricting measure, both sides are relying on familiar political playbooks.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Hundreds of thousands of people took part in No Kings rallies across California on Saturday. In the conservative stronghold of far Northern California, more than a dozen communities also participated. That includes Chico.

Reporter: Ken Devol, North State Public Radio

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After a Tough Season, Wine Country Famers Are Working to Harvest Grapes

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 14:47:00 -0000

Federal immigration officials could be setting their sights on Sonoma county. A local supervisor says Department of Homeland Security officials asked in a meeting if the sheriff's office would notify DHS when undocumented immigrants are arrested.

Shandra Back, KRCB

Farmers in wine country have been working at all hours to get their grapes off the vine before they rot. The harvest follows an especially hard season slowed by a cooler summer and made worse by other obstacles including tariffs.

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In-Home Daycare Providers Still Face Discrimination From Landlords

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:11:00 -0000

Thousands of California families rely on in-home daycares for their kids. But after the housing market collapse in 2008, the state lost 30% of these types of child care settings, leading to a crisis. As part of its effort to rebuild, California passed a law in 2019 forbidding landlords and homeowners’ associations from refusing to rent to in-home child care providers. But that hasn’t stopped the practice.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

California is joining 13 others to create an alliance aimed at coordinating public health policy-- a direct rebuke of the Trump Administration.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

5.5 million Californians could soon lose their food assistance benefits, if Congress doesn't end the shutdown and approve a budget agreement. That's according to The California Department of Social Services, who oversees the program, CalFresh.

Reporter: Nick Gerda, LAist

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Waymo Continues To Increase Its Footprint In Los Angeles

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:08:00 -0000

In San Francisco, more people are now ordering Waymo robotaxis than Lyfts with human drivers. People are getting more comfortable using driverless cars. This got us thinking - is the same thing about to happen in LA? And how do human Uber and Lyft drivers feel about it?

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

A new state audit released this week finds that California’s public college systems aren’t doing enough to meet the need for student housing.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

Downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea has never had street addresses. A recent vote by the city council will change that. The decision comes after multiple town hall meetings and input from residents.

Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU

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Delta Community's Finances Up In Air Amid Talks Of Disincorporation

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:06:00 -0000

A tiny California town in Sacramento’s Delta has struggled for decades, and within a matter of months, could face some big decisions on its status as a city. Financial choices over the years have put Isleton in a sink or swim situation– with talks of disincorporation or bankruptcy and what that could mean for the city’s 800 residents.

Reporter: Riley Palmer, CapRadio

The governor vetoed a handful of bills that aimed to advance reparations for Black Californians.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati , KQED

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Proposed Change to Endangered Species Act Threatens California's Sea Otter Haven

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:35:00 -0000

The Trump Administration is considering a change to the federal Endangered Species Act that could create new risks for an area in California that has more sea otters than any other in the state.

Last October, the state finished removing four dams from Klamath River up in far Northern California. In the year since the removal, there has been drastic changes to the area's fish population, and overall water quality.

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How Fresno Schools Are Helping Students Get Back On Their Feet

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:17:00 -0000

For many families experiencing homelessness, school can be a difficult hurdle to clear. Chronic absenteeism is higher, and graduation rates are lower among homeless students. But the Fresno Unified School District has been working to combat this problem. And the efforts appear to be working.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal/KVPR

Doctors at Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles County say administrators are allowing federal immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and block doctors from properly treating detained patients who need emergency care.

Reporter: Jill Replogle/LAist

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Preserving The Stories Of Altadena's Trees After The Eaton Fire

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:09:00 -0000

When you talk about Altadena, you can’t not talk about its trees. It’s why one young Altadenan is documenting the stories of the community’s trees in the wake of the Eaton Fire.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

A 29-year-old man has been arrested for starting a fire that eventually became the deadly Palisades Fire.

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Masking Law Just Part Of Bigger Fight Over Immigration Enforcement

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:02:00 -0000

California made national headlines last month when Governor Newsom signed a bill barring law enforcement officers from wearing masks -- a law aimed at immigration agents. Federal officials say they won’t comply. But the skirmish is about more than just masks. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

New data suggests Fresno is a more prosperous city than it was 12 years ago.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Investigation Sheds New Light On What May Have Sparked Eaton Fire

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 13:53:00 -0000

Almost nine months have passed since the Eaton Fire ripped through Los Angeles County. It destroyed more than 9,000 buildings and left billions of dollars in damages. At first, attention focused on Southern California Edison's transmission lines as the likely cause. But a new NPR investigation shows there may have been other failures, too.

Guest: Chiara Eisner, NPR

Another immigrant has died in the custody of federal immigration authorities in California, this time in the Imperial Valley. New questions are being raised about the care of detainees under the Trump administration’s ongoing mass deportation campaign. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

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Following Medicaid Cuts, Californians With Intellectual, Developmental Disabilities Face Uncertain Future

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:00:00 -0000

When President Donald Trump signed his sweeping policy bill this summer, it included $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, known here as Medi-Cal. The program is recognized for helping low-income people access health care, but it also funds services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Now, many Californians with disabilities face an uncertain future.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops from California to Oregon.

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New Movie Tells The Story Of Bus Driver Who Helped Students, Teachers Escape Camp Fire

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 14:13:00 -0000

The 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise remains California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire in history. The Northern California fire claimed the lives of 85 people. Now, a new movie depicts the real-life heroic escape of one local bus driver.

Reporter: Claudia Brancart, North State Public Radio

Yosemite National Park remains open during the government shutdown, but there won't be many rangers there to help visitors.

Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED

The US Department of Education is ending several grant programs that support minority-serving institutions. Department officials say these programs are discriminatory. California stands to lose more grant money than any other state - for programs that support Black, Latino, Asian and Native American students on college campuses.

Reporter: Adam Echelman, CalMatters

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Joshua Tree National Park Nonprofit Concerned About Latest Government Shutdown

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:04:00 -0000

During the last federal government shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019, national parks here in California were greatly impacted. Some shut down completely, meaning a significant loss in potential revenue. Others remained open, but were not fully staffed. That includes Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. Vehicles drove off-road, causing major damage to sensitive areas, and trash piled up, scattered around the park. The hope is things will be different this time around.

Guest: Kenji Haroutunian, Executive Director, friends of Joshua Tree

Santa Clara County prosecutors have secured a grand jury indictment against 11 pro-Palestinian Stanford University protestors who barricaded themselves in the campus president’s office in 2024.

Reporter: Joseph Geha, KQED

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Dust Storms An Increasing Problem Around The Salton Sea

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:26:00 -0000

Around the Salton Sea, dust storms have become an increasing problem, sparking dozens of public health studies. But many Imperial Valley residents have grown weary of repeated studies that all basically say the same thing: that the air quality is bad and getting worse.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

National Parks are once again caught up in the middle of the federal government shutdown. During the last shutdown – for more than 30 days in 2018 and 2019 - parks that remained open were unstaffed, leading to widespread vandalism and environmental damage. There’s growing concern that an extended shutdown could once again put at serious risk of damage. Reporter: Sarah Wright, KQED

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State Looks To Hire Thousands Of Year-Round Firefighters

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:37:00 -0000

What once was a fire season in California is now a fire year. As a result, the state is looking to combat increasing wildfires with funding for more year-round firefighters.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

California voters approved a $10 billion climate bond measure, last November. We're now getting a sense of where the first round of Prop 4 money is going.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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San Rafael RV Park Residents Fight To Keep Rent Affordable

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:55:00 -0000

In Marin County, rents are among the highest in the nation. There, a group of mobile home park residents are in a years-long fight to keep hold of one of the county’s few affordable options. They’re residents of the RV Park of San Rafael, where a property management company has been raising the rent, setting new rules and threatening residents with eviction.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

The Trump administration has expanded its investigation of alleged antisemitism on college campuses to the California State University system.

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NASA Mission, With Help From UC Berkeley, To Explore Earth's Exosphere

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:48:00 -0000

This week a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launched from Florida – the mission? To study the outermost parts of the earth’s atmosphere. The mission is being steered by remote control from UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

A report out this week details major failures in LA County’s response to the January firestorms.

Reporter: Jacob Margolis, LAist

Immigration agents arrested three day laborers outside of a well-known worker center in Pomona Thursday morning. Immigration advocates say they’re worried about the health and safety of the people now being detained.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

A Southern California attorney is facing a historic fine for filing a state court appeal full of fake quotations generated by the artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT.

Reporter: Khari Johnson, CalMatters

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Healthcare Workers Look For Better Guidelines On How To Handle Immigration Encounters

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 14:27:00 -0000

Healthcare workers across Southern California are struggling to provide medical care to undocumented patients, without clear guidance on how to handle encounters with immigration agents. Medical workers want hospitals to improve guidelines and provide better training so they can protect patients and themselves. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

A federal court hearing on whether or not roving immigration patrols can continue in the Los Angeles area has been postponed.

Reporter: Wendy Fry, CalMatters

A nearly seven mile stretch of Highway 1 near Big Sur will remain closed this winter, three years after back to back landslides wrecked the roadway. But things could improve in the spring.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

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Experts Concerned About Imagery, Language In ICE Recruitment Materials

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:20:00 -0000

As concerns continue to grow over ICE detention and enforcement in California, the agency is also ramping up its hiring efforts, as it aims to bring on 10,000 new agents by the end of the year. But some experts say the agency’s recruitment strategy is filled with white nationalist messages and imagery. Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

After months of delays and refinement, supervisors in Shasta County, which has for years been at the center of election integrity debates, have approved funding for new changes to the county’s voting system.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Car Owners Have Additional Tool To Find Out If They Can Recoup Money From Auctioned Vehicle

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:16:00 -0000

Did you know, if your car gets towed in California and sold because you didn’t claim it, you’re entitled to the profit? And if you don’t claim your money, the DMV gets to keep it.

Reporter: Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters

A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to restore 500 National Institutes of Health grants that it suspended at UCLA over the summer.

Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters

The Tulare County Public Defender’s Office has agreed to overhaul an alleged culture of sexual harassment among employees, under the terms of a deal announced Monday.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Newsom Signs Bill Decreasing Cannabis Tax, Which Could Boost Struggling Industry

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 18:30:00 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law lowering state cannabis taxes from 19% to 15%. Pot companies say it will bring much needed relief to an overtaxed, overregulated industry. But youth groups who are funded by this tax say kids are being betrayed.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills into law on Saturday, aimed at reigning in aggressive immigration enforcement in the state.

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Lawsuit Could Shake Up Tequila Industry

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:01:00 -0000

Tequila is produced exclusively in Mexico and has become a star in California's cocktail culture. More than 50 million cases of tequila were sold in the U.S. in 2023, with most of that consumed in the Golden State. And demand for tequila is growing faster than vodka, whiskey, and all other spirits combined. But this summer, several legal battles have begun which could shake up the entire industry.

Guest: Carlos Cabrera Lomeli, KQED

Bay Area immigrant advocates are suing the Trump administration to end its controversial immigration courthouse arrests, and stop detaining people for days in San Francisco holding rooms meant for only a few hours.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

When immigrants are detained by the feds, families often struggle to pay rent. LA County officials are now trying to help these families.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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Santa Cruz Couple Are Considered Celebrities At Local Karaoke Bar

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:09:00 -0000

Almost every night for nearly three decades in Santa Cruz, Bob and Patti Vasconcellos have gotten a little gussied up. They throw their walkers in the trunk and head to their local karaoke bar. Their performances have made them local celebrities.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

California’s oil industry regulator is expecting gasoline prices to rise through the end of the year– and is calling on refineries to help.

Reporter: Julie Small, KQED

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Valley Fever Cases Skyrocket in Salinas Valley

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 14:19:00 -0000

Santa Barbara Senator Monique Limón is set to become the leader of the California Senate this November, and a recent housing bill she authored is raising some eyebrows because it would keep CEQA requirements in place on one tiny plot of land in her district.

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

As California experiences a record number of cases of Valley Fever cases, the Salinas Valley is seeing one of the largest spikes. Clouds of dust rise up behind trucks and tractors in the fields and sweep across Highway 101 in the wind, creating the perfect conditions to spread spores of the fungus that causes Valley Fever. People who work outside, like farm and construction workers, are especially at risk.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting in Paso Robles

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Santa Ana Police Called Out For Tactics Used During Protests

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:44:00 -0000

In the wake of George Floyd’s death and the protests that followed, California passed a law limiting the use of force against people exercising their First Amendment rights. An LAist investigation found that even when police departments appear to be breaking that law, the state doesn’t have a mechanism to actually enforce it.

Reporter: Yusra Farzan, LAist

Two companies with thousands of permits to drill oil wells in California merged on Monday, just two days after state lawmakers loosened environmental reviews for permits in Kern County.

Reporter: Julie Small, KQED

UC Merced students are speaking out after several campus leaders in charge of diversity, equity and inclusion programs were laid off.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

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Central Valley Publisher Preserves Music Of Latin Jazz Artists

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:19:00 -0000

The world lost an icon when Latin jazz pioneer Eddie Palmieri died last month. His music lives on through recordings, but also through sheet music, thanks in part to a publisher in rural California. This pioneer has helped make the work of Palmieri and other Latin jazz artists available to the world, from his home office in Madera. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

A handful of controversial bills on climate and energy are heading to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. That’s after state lawmakers passed the bills in the final hours of the legislative session on Saturday.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

While discourse during this year’s end of session at the Capitol was dominated by that package of energy measures, some other big bills were sent to the governor's desk.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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Carwash Workers Are Organizing Patrols To Watch for Immigration Sweeps

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:00:00 -0000

Shasta County's voter-approved plan to become a charter county has been delayed by over a year because local officials failed to file necessary paperwork with the state. Local officials say the paperwork was finally filed last month.

Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio

A push to build an immigration detention facility at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield is now on hold, according to the Department of Defense.

Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Dozens of carwash employees and their family members rallied alongside immigrant rights activists in Los Angeles on Thursday to denounce federal immigration raids at their worksites. Now, they're organizing patrols for possible future sweeps.

Benjamin Gottlieb

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Latino Communities Contend with the Mental Health Toll of Increased Immigration Enforcement

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:48:00 -0000

Across Latino communities, the fear of arrest has become a part of daily life under stepped up immigration enforcement. Advocates say that constant stress is wearing on people's mental health.. And many are carrying the burden quietly.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s attempt to fast-track his administration’s proposal for a 45-mile-long tunnel under the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta failed to pass the Legislature.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Trump Administration's Shift On Homelessness Leaves California In Limbo

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 13:55:00 -0000

For two decades, the nation’s solution to homelessness has been pretty straightforward: get people into housing. This approach is known as Housing First, and in California it’s even written into state law. But this summer, President Trump signed an executive order reversing this policy, turning a California mandate into a liability. Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

The Garnet Fire east of Fresno has burned more than 56,000 acres, and has reached the McKinley Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

A San Diego law firm filed a class action lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement – arguing that federal agents are breaking the law when they arrest asylum seekers at immigration court.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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Immigrant Advocates Vow To Continue Fight Despite Supreme Court Ruling

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:10:00 -0000

Immigrant communities across Southern California are once again on edge after the US Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s roving immigration sweeps can continue. There could be broad implications from Monday's ruling.

Reporter: Wendy Fry, CalMatters

Business owners in the Bay Area, and across the state, have been following the dramatic workplace immigration raids in Southern California. That’s left many wondering what to do if ICE shows up at their place of business.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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California's Aging Farm Labor Work Force Leaves Questions About The Future Of Agriculture

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 14:09:00 -0000

California’s farm labor force is aging and younger generations aren’t stepping in to fill those jobs. At the same time, agriculture itself is changing with new technology and immigration enforcement, leaving big questions about the future of the industry.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

John Burton, a towering figure in California politics, has died at the age of 92. A family member confirmed his death to KQED.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Central Valley Coffee Shop Training The Next Baristas

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 14:26:00 -0000

Climate change and tariffs may be shaking up the coffee industry. But young people are still abuzz these days about specialty drinks like lattes and macchiatos. And a Merced coffee shop is even giving this industry a boost, by training more people to serve up the delicious drinks.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed suit against Southern California Edison, over its alleged role in starting a pair of deadly wildfires.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED A bill that would have created career pathways for incarcerated firefighters was shelved by a Senate committee on Thursday.

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Debate Over Key Climate Change Program Continues In Sacramento

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:14:00 -0000

At the state capitol, negotiations are heating up over California's signature program to fight climate change. It's called cap and trade, and the state uses it to cap greenhouse gas emissions. But the program expires in 2030, and lawmakers are debating how to extend the program amid rising energy costs and concerns about the closure of oil refineries.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

California, Oregon, and Washington are forming a health alliance to issue their own vaccine recommendations. The move comes in response to the Trump administration’s changing vaccine guidance.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED A major new immigration detention facility has quietly opened in California’s Mojave Desert. But advocates say the private prison company that owns it has not obtained permits to operate.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Sonoma Wineries Prepare For Possible Impacts from Immigration Enforcement

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:30:00 -0000

The federal budget allocated a record-setting $170 billion for immigration enforcement. The money is set to go toward expanding detention facilities and hiring new agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. After pledging in June to protect the agriculture industry from crackdowns, President Trump reversed course a few days later. Now, as California’s annual grape harvest begins, the state’s wine community is on edge.

Reporter: Tina Caputo

The only emergency room in a rural North State county is closing its doors on October 21. Glenn Medical Center serves some 30,000 people in Glenn County but federal regulators have pulled its funding.

Reporter: Sarina Grossi, North State Public Radio

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Volunteers Help Monitor For ICE Activity Near Where Day Laborers Gather

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:29:00 -0000

Hundreds of volunteers in California are getting up early in the morning to stand at corners where day laborers wait for jobs. The goal? To watch out for ICE.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a new taskforce to clear homeless encampments in California.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

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Dolores Huerta On The State Of Worker's Rights In California

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 15:25:00 -0000

On this Labor Day, we're taking a closer look at the labor force here in California. With increased immigration enforcement from the Trump administration, the state of the immigrant workforce has perhaps never been more in flux.

Guest: Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder of United Farm Workers, President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation

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Modesto Loses Its Longtime Minor League Baseball Team

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:59:00 -0000

Minor league baseball has a rich history in California, going back more than a century. But minor league baseball is changing. Like other professional sports, it has become a big-money game, attracting owners looking to cash in on rising team values. One Central Valley city is witnessing what that big-money game looks like firsthand, as its longtime team plays its last few home games, before moving to Southern California.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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What Newsom's Approach To Battling Trump Might Mean For Political Aspirations

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:49:00 -0000

California Governor Gavin Newsom is making national waves as he takes on President Donald Trump -- on social media and, soon, at the ballot box, with an initiative that would redraw congressional districts to give Democrats more seats in the House of Representatives. What does all this mean for the famously ambitious politician?

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

In a hearing in Sacramento on Wednesday, state lawmakers grilled officials tasked with protecting the health and safety of workers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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North State Voters Brace For Changes With Possible Redistricting On The Horizon

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 14:07:00 -0000

In rural Northern California, voters represented by Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa are bracing for big changes. A proposed congressional map on the November ballot would shift them into a more Democratic-leaning territory.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

Some foreign dissidents in California say they need law enforcement help when the governments they fled threaten them here on U.S. soil. A bill moving through the legislature would train police on how to respond. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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The Playbook to Fight Wildfires' Unseen Threat to Tap Water

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:05:00 -0000

The Tubbs Fire that struck the North Bay in 2017 shed light on an unseen threat that wildfires pose to clean water supplies; and a civil engineering professor out of Indiana has devised the playbook that utilities rely on to address the contamination.

As the redistricting battle heats up between California and Texas, Republican legislators in the Golden State are suing to block the plan spearheaded by Governor Newsom to gerrymander California in favor of House Democrats. The move aims to offset congressional gains that Texas would get with their own redistricting plans.

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California Heads Into Uncharted Territory With Redistrict Vote

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:12:00 -0000

State Lawmakers have paved the way for Governor Newsom's redistricting plan to go before voters on a November ballot, but not all voters are sold on the idea of taking a partisan approach to draw up California's district map--even if Texas plans to do the same in an attempt to tip the mid-term elections in the GOP's favor. Some worry the move would take California into murky political waters down the line.

Wildfire victims in Los Angeles County are starting to rebuild their lives. A bill is making its way through Sacramento to make sure that renters are not excluded from help that is extended to home owners--however, it's facing mounting criticism from both landlords and tenants.

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Hikers Can Walk Among Grazing Cattle At New Coastal National Monument

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:01:00 -0000

A stunning national monument just opened to the public in Santa Cruz County. It’s called Cotoni-Coast Dairies. It's opening was delayed due to the pandemic, neighbors’ fears over traffic, and figuring out how to keep a herd of nearly 100 cows that graze there away from hikers and bikers.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting

California voters will decide this November whether to redraw the state's congressional lines to help Democrats pick up seats in the House of Representatives.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati , KQED

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Two Recent In Custody Deaths Increase Scrutiny Over San Diego Jails

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:23:00 -0000

San Diego County’s jail system is facing new scrutiny in a class action lawsuit that challenges nearly every aspect of daily operations. The case centers on years of reported neglect inside the jails, where at least 250 people have died since 2006. A hearing had been set for Thursday, on whether evidence from two recent jailhouse deaths can be used in the case, but the judge canceled it, saying he already has enough information to make a ruling.

Guest: Kelly Davis, Reporter, San Diego Union Tribune

The California Supreme Court has ruled against state Republicans, who were attempting to slow down Governor Newsom's redistricting efforts. The state legislature is expected to approve the proposal on Thursday, after which Newsom will call for a special election on November 4. That gives local election offices less than three months to prepare.

Reporter: Maya Miller, CalMatters

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Heat Wave Brings Dangerously Hot Conditions, Increased Fire Risk

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 15:56:00 -0000

It's heating up here in California! From the deserts of Southern California to the foothills of the Sierra and parts of the Bay Area, we’re looking at triple-digit temperatures and dangerous fire weather through the weekend.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

It's the first few weeks of school and for some families, the usual back-to-school stress, like packing lunches and making the morning bus is now mixed with more serious concern: immigration enforcement near campuses. A group of volunteers in San Diego are trying to ease some of the stress.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

In the Inland Empire, two nurses accused of trying to stop immigration agents from arresting a man at a surgery center have pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

A new report is highlighting how often fast food workers are subjected to dangerously high temperatures in the workplace.

Reporter: Brian Krans, KQED

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Sonoma County Wineries Have Mixed Feelings On Wine Improvement District Plan

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:47:00 -0000

In Sonoma County, leaders in the wine industry are floating the idea of a Wine Improvement District. Under the proposed plan, consumers would pay 1 to 2 percent more for tasting room visits, wine club memberships within California, and every bottle purchased at a local winery. Supporters say the plan would provide much-needed collective marketing dollars to boost the industry, but many Sonoma County winery owners are not thrilled with the idea.

Reporter: Tina Caputo

In Sacramento, Democrats are moving quickly on a sweeping redistricting plan. And Republicans are pushing back. California Democrats formally introduced legislation on Monday to establish a new congressional map and bypass the state’s independent redistricting rules.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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Imperial County Tries To Save Sugar Beet Industry

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 14:19:00 -0000

The Imperial Valley has been growing sugar beets for more than a century. But this summer's harvest could be the region's last. The valley's only sugar beet factory is shutting down, threatening hundreds of jobs and one of its staple crops.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

San Diego Unified School District officials are condemning the recent arrest of a parent near an elementary school by immigration agents.

Valley Fever is on the rise in California. State health officials say there were more than 5,500 provisional cases from January through June, continuing an upward trend after last year's record high.

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Radio Stations Serving Indigenous Communities Face Challenges From Federal Cuts

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:26:00 -0000

When Congress passed a budget bill that clawed back more than a billion dollars in federal funding for public media, radio stations across the country were put on notice. With the lack of funding, many have already laid off staff, and many smaller stations in rural areas are at risk of closing for good. That includes stations in the western United States that serve indigenous communities.

Guest: Peggy Berryhill, General Manager, KGUA

School is back in session for thousands of students across the state. In Los Angeles County, the start of the school year looks a bit different after a summer colored by aggressive, federal immigration enforcement. Teachers and staff are on high alert, patrolling neighborhoods around their campuses looking for ICE agents and preparing for what to do if there’s a raid. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb

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Heat-Related Deaths For Farmworkers Persist And Employers Often Avoid Consequences

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 14:17:00 -0000

This month marks 20 years since California implemented rules meant to protect workers from the heat amid a series of farm worker deaths. But two decades later, many employers still don't provide workers with the protections they're owed, enforcement is generally lax, climate change has brought more severe heat waves, and workers continue to die.

Guest: Jessica Garrison, LA Times

A federal judge in San Francisco heard final arguments Wednesday on whether President Donald Trump’s deployment of troops to Los Angeles this summer violated the law.

Reporter: Julie Small, KQED

Ventura County supervisors are considering a package of proposals aimed at helping undocumented residents.

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Residents In California's Most Polluted Communities Call For Local Climate Change Focus

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:12:00 -0000

When California lawmakers return from summer recess on Monday, the legislature is expected to debate the future of the state's program to fight climate change. And some residents in heavily polluted communities want state leaders to focus on local air quality too. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

One of the candidates running to be California’s next governor faces potential conflicts of interest related to her spouse’s business dealings.

Reporter: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

If you call the Redding Fire Department for help with anything but a life-threatening medical emergency, you may now get a bill.

Reporter: Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio

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North State Congressman Faces Jeers At Packed Town Hall

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:54:00 -0000

For the first time in eight years, Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa held an in-person town hall for his constituents in Chico on Monday.

Reporter: Erik Adams, North State Public Radio

The second day of testimony begins Tuesday morning in California's challenge to President Donald Trump’s deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and US Marines to Los Angeles earlier this summer.

Reporter: Brian Krans, KQED

A former Orange County supervisor has been ordered to pay the county back, for his role in illegally redirecting millions of dollars in contracts for bribes.

Reporter: Nick Gerda, LAist

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Local Health Providers Prepare For Medi-Cal Cuts

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 13:20:00 -0000

Local healthcare providers are bracing for Medicaid cuts under a new federal spending law. They say the cuts will impact their ability to care for low-income patients. Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU

The Trump administration is holding children in facilities along the U.S. -Mexico border– for longer than ever before. That’s according to a federal judge in LA, who suggested that could threaten the government’s push to end a decades-long agreement protecting children in immigration custody.

Reporter: Julie Small, KQED

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Trump Administration Turns To US Supreme Court To Lift Ban On SoCal Immigration Enforcement

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:57:00 -0000

The Trump administration is asking the US Supreme Court to lift a temporary restraining order that restricts indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests across much of Southern California.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego has launched a new interfaith ministry, to accompany refugees and asylum seekers at immigration court.

Reporter: Alexander Nguyen, KPBS

San Luis Obispo County Supervisors voted this week to accept more than $300,000 in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. That's despite criticism of the agency’s immigration enforcement policies. Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

At Google’s San Francisco offices Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new joint effort with four top tech giants to better prepare California’s students for the future of work.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

The 29th annual Tahoe Summit brought together lawmakers, tribal leaders, and environmentalist to discuss the future of the basin.

Reporter: Maria Palma, KUNR

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Federal Cuts Left Seasonal Employees at Yosemite Unpaid for Weeks

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 16:22:00 -0000

Yosemite National Park welcomes millions of visitors per year, according to the National Parks Service. The massive figure means that seasonal workers are integral for all of the park's services to function smoothly. But an NPR investigation revealed that dozens of seasonal workers at Yosemite were on the job for weeks, without getting paid for it.

More than 2,000 DACA recipients in California are on track to lose their health insurance at the end of August, after the Trump Administration axed a rule that allowed them to obtain health coverage through Covered California.

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Proposed Federal Cuts Could Devastate Thousands Who Rely On Housing Assistance Programs

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 18:41:00 -0000

Federal housing cuts could leave thousands of California families without a place to live. And in Fresno County, where more than half of residents rent, the impact could be devastating.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

The Marine Corps has changed its longstanding agreement with an Oceanside-based credit union, following a KPBS investigation last year.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

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California Organization Fights For Community-Based Solutions To Tackle Plastic Pollution

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:22:00 -0000

In Geneva, world leaders are back at the table for the latest round of UN negotiations aimed at drafting a first-of-its-kind treaty to tackle plastic pollution. The goal? A legally binding agreement that addresses the entire plastic life cycle, from how it's produced to how it's disposed of. But one California group is calling on negotiators not to leave front line communities behind.

Guest: Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Founder & Executive Director, Azul

State lawmakers have proposed a bill that would require police officers to disclose when they use generative AI for report writing. Departments across California have started testing or using these tools.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

California Democrats are considering new political maps that could help them pick up as many as five additional House seats in the 2026 mid-term elections. It's their answer to redistricting moves in Texas that are expected to favor Republicans. But a California Republican congressman wants to put a stop to it all, by banning states from redrawing their maps mid-decade entirely. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Thousands Of California Police Records Now Publicly Available

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:27:00 -0000

Monday is a milestone for police accountability in California. Anyone can now look up incidents of serious use of force and police misconduct in the state in a new free database. It makes once confidential records from about 12,000 cases gathered from the state's nearly 700 law enforcement and oversight agencies publicly available. It was seven years in the making and brought together teams of journalists, data scientists, and advocates from across California.

Guests: Sukey Lewis, KQED and Lisa Pickoff-White, the project's Director of Research out of Berkeley's Investigative Reporting Program

A federal appeals court has rejected efforts by the Trump administration to halt a temporary restraining order limiting some immigration-related stops and arrests in Southern California.

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Grateful Dead Fans Descend On San Francisco For Three Days Of Shows

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 14:10:00 -0000

This weekend, San Francisco will once again become the center of the deadhead universe. That’s because it’s the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead. Dead & Co., the band’s latest iteration, will be playing three shows in Golden Gate Park, starting Friday.

Kamala Harris' decision not to run for California governor has opened up the field ahead of next year's election.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Duplexes will no longer be an option for homeowners starting to rebuild in L.A.’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

California lawmakers are poised to ban the sale of new Glock handguns.

Reporter: Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters

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Trump Administration's Immigration Crackdown Threatens CA Renters

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:37:00 -0000

California's tenant protection laws are among some of the strongest in the nation. But the recent increase in immigration enforcement is impacting the dynamic between landlords and undocumented tenants. That's according to a story from our California newsroom partner, Cal Matters.

Guest: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

California politicos are reacting to a decision by former Vice President Kamala Harris not to run for governor of California.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Unhoused Senior Population Grows In Los Angeles As Services Are Cut

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:05:00 -0000

More older adults in Los Angeles are falling into homelessness. That’s according to recently released data from the region’s annual point in time count. Meanwhile, organizations that serve vulnerable seniors are being forced to cut back in the face of funding cuts.

Reporter: Makenna Sievertson, LAist

California's coastal areas are on alert after a massive earthquake Tuesday off the eastern coast of Russia. Much of the coast remains under a tsunami advisory and there's a portion of northern California under a tsunami warning.

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Stargazers Treated To Star Party In Central Valley

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:18:00 -0000

On a recent night in the town of Kerman in Fresno County, hundreds of people gathered at the local football field. They were there for an event that has happened in Kerman only twice before. And it left the community star-struck.

Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR

California will deploy almost $2 million to prevent thousands of people from losing their health insurance, as White House cuts hit the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED

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Immigrant Adoptees Who Never Became Citizens Fear Possible Deportation

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 13:45:00 -0000

Imagine growing up in the U.S., going to high school, starting a career, having a family - only to learn that you’re not an American citizen. That’s exactly what happened to thousands of children born in other countries and adopted by American parents in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. And now, with the increased immigration crackdown from the Trump administration, many fear possible deportation.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

The battle over immigration raids across much of Southern California will have another day in court Monday afternoon. The Trump administration is looking to end a temporary restraining order that’s in place, barring indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi , The California Report

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Riverside County Hosts Midnight Adoption Event To Help Clear Overcrowded Shelters

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:53:00 -0000

The kennels at the Riverside County Animal Shelter are packed with dogs and cats. So last week, Riverside County waived adoption fees and stayed open until midnight to help more furry friends find a forever home.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, which is the largest affiliate in the country, is closing five of its clinics in California.

Comic-Con is taking over San Diego this week. And yeah, it’s got all the usual stuff: celebrities, superheroes, and lots of cosplay. But there’s more to it than just fanfare.

Reporter Katie Anastas, KPBS

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DACA Recipient's Detention Highlights Concerns For Immigrants With Disabilities

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 16:06:00 -0000

A recent ICE arrest in Southern California is raising more questions about how immigration enforcement is being carried out and who gets caught in the crossfire. The man taken into custody is a DACA recipient. He's deaf and primarily communicates through sign language. His ordeal, for the most part, left his friends and family in the dark, until he was finally able to return home.

Guest: Brittny Mejia, LA Times

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is asking a judge to bring LA County's juvenile halls under state control.

Reporter: Libby Rainey, LAist

The new federal budget signed into law by President Donald Trump is expected to negatively impact many people enrolled in Covered California, the state’s marketplace for subsidized health plans.

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Children's Hospital Los Angeles Ends Transgender Care

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:55:00 -0000

For the past 30 years, Children's Hospital Los Angeles has provided gender affirming care to trans children and young adults. But for nearly 3,000 patients, that ended on Tuesday, under pressure from the Trump administration. Families are struggling to find new doctors, and a way forward.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW Immigrants in Los Angeles have been losing income because of federal immigration raids. Cities want to help, but they've been dealing with budget cuts.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

California Planned Parenthood, the largest provider of abortions in the state, lost its federal funding this week under a court order that allows that money to be withheld while a larger legal dispute plays out.

Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

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Immigration Enforcement Leads To Political Activism Among California Latinos

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:49:00 -0000

Could the Trump administration's aggressive – and some would argue illegal – immigration raids spark the beginnings of a new political movement that unites Latinos?

Reporter: Aisha Wallace-Palomares

A group of Democratic state senators are proposing a bill aimed at stabilizing gas prices, but environmental groups are pushing back.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Despite Three 911 Calls, Two Homebound Disabled Men Died In Eaton Fire

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:59:00 -0000

30 people died in January’s unprecedented fires in Los Angeles County– most of them older, and many with disabilities. LAist recently obtained 911 calls from two disabled Eaton Fire victims through a public records request. The calls shed light on why, and how emergency planning continues to leave people with disabilities behind.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is currently investigating an apartment complex in Santa Monica. It may be connected with an explosion Friday morning at one of the department's training facilities, which left three deputies dead.

Siskiyou County has declared a local emergency over the use of dangerous pesticides at illegal cannabis grows.

Reporter: Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio

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As Pistachio Harvest Season Ramps Up, Concerns Grow About Workforce

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:55:00 -0000

Across the Central Valley, the agriculture industry is ramping up for harvest season. But for some farmworkers, this year’s job search is different. It comes with a shadow– the threat of immigration enforcement.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

Border Patrol agents descended on a Home Depot in South Sacramento Thursday morning, the latest immigration enforcement action in California.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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LA Program Aims To Ween Unhoused People Off Of Meth

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:56:00 -0000

Some homeless services providers in L.A. County are offering an innovative treatment option to help unhoused Angelenos quit using stimulants, like methamphetamine. It involves rewarding people with small gift cards when they pass a drug test. The simple approach has been around awhile, but is now making headway in LA’s homeless services sector.

Reporter: Aaron Schrank, LAist

In what it's calling a final decision, the Trump administration has killed $4 billion in federal funding for California's troubled high-speed rail project.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

New details are emerging from the recent immigration raid at a cannabis farm on the Central Coast. A US Army veteran says he was wrongfully detained and violently arrested by federal immigration agents, even though he’s an American citizen.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

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Pesticides Pose Significant Risk For Pregnant Farmworkers On Central Coast

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:36:00 -0000

Pregnancy should be a time of hope and care. But for many farmworkers in California's Pajaro Valley, it's a time of dangerous exposure to toxic pesticides. A new investigation by Santa Cruz Local reveals how people working in the fields are being put at serious risk.

Guest: Nik Altenberg, Santa Cruz Local

Half of the 4,000 National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles last month are being released from duty.

Reporter: Destiny Torres, LAist

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Orange County Takes Different Approach to Treat Mental Illness Through CARE Courts

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 16:26:00 -0000

California has taken on a grand experiment when it comes to its CARE Courts--a judicial approach to getting people struggling with severe mental health issues into treatment programs. The law, which went into effect statewide last December, empowers judges to mandate that a person with mounting mental health problems undergo treatment, whether the person consents or not. Orange County is taking a different approach, however--with something called "relentless outreach" in getting mental health treatment to those that need it the most.

Lawmakers in Sacramento have proposed a bill that would prohibit online video streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon, from making their advertisements louder than the programs their viewers have subscribed to watch--and it has bipartisan support.

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California Tribes Scramble To Find Funding For Food Assistance Programs

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:41:00 -0000

The Trump administration’s decision to cancel a federal food assistance program is hitting California’s tribal communities hard. For the Hoopa Valley Tribe, the funds help them provide fresh, local food for their elders and creates reliable income for their farmers. With funding set to expire this year, the tribe is scrambling to fill the void.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

The Trump administration is appealing a federal judge's order limiting immigration agents from stopping or detaining people based on their race, ethnicity or occupation.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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California's Medi-Cal Recipients Concerned About Impacts Of Budget Bill

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 13:58:00 -0000

It's been a week since President Donald Trump signed the budget reconciliation bill into law, and California officials are still reviewing how this legislation will impact Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program for low-income residents, which covers 15 million Californians. Governor Gavin Newsom's office estimates that Medi-Cal could lose billions of federal dollars over the next few years, and on social media, folks on Medi-Cal are worried that they could lose their coverage soon.

Guest: Carlos Cabrera Lomeli, KQED

Federal authorities conducting an immigration raid at a legal cannabis farm in Ventura County clashed with demonstrators on Thursday.

Reporter: Susana Canales Barron, Calo News

An immigration sweep also took place at a cannabis farm in the Santa Barbara County community of Carpinteria.

Reporter: Lance Orozco, KCLU

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Small Farms Could Feel Pinch From Reconciliation Bill

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:54:00 -0000

California’s small farmers are used to tough seasons. But this year, they’re not just battling drought or the rising costs of maintaining their farms. Small farmers say President Trump’s reconciliation bill could make it even harder to stay in business.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

More dads in California are taking paid leave to care for a new child.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist

Transgender rights advocates are pushing back against a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, contesting a California law that protects trans athletes.

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Longtime Central Valley Resident Makes Difficult Decision To Voluntarily Leave U.S.

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:52:00 -0000

The Trump administration continues immigration enforcement efforts across California. There's growing concern among the state's immigrant population about possible deportation. Many are not showing up to work. Some are even fearful of leaving the house at all. But one Central Valley resident made the difficult decision to leave the country on her own.

Guest: Patricia Vázquez Topete

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla is introducing a bill to require federal immigration officers to display ID.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

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Volunteers Look To Preserve History Of Altadena Though Voices Of Fire Survivors

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:13:00 -0000

When the Eaton Fire burned through Altadena, not only did it erase homes, but also family photos, heirlooms, and history. A group of volunteers is aiming to restore some of that history, through the voices of fire survivors.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is denouncing the actions of the Trump administration, after federal immigration officers swept through MacArthur Park on Monday.

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Whales Face Increasing Risks In Busy Santa Barbara Channel

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:45:00 -0000

The Santa Barbara Channel is a busy gateway-- for tourists heading to island parks, fishermen chasing the day's catch, and massive cargo ships ferrying goods along the coast. It's also home to some of California's oldest marine protected areas and a critical migratory path for endangered whales. But with as many as 20 ships passing through daily, those whales are at constant risk. Scientists estimate more than 80 are fatally struck by vessels off the West Coast each year. So what's being done to protect whales?

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Authorities have found the bodies of all seven people who went missing after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County last week.

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Klamath River Bounces Back Following Dam Removal

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 14:00:00 -0000

The Klamath River flows some 268 miles from inland Southern Oregon to coastal Northern California before emptying into the Pacific, crossing high deserts, mountain ranges, and forests. The Klamath watershed is also the ancestral homeland of the Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Shasta and Klamath tribes. And it's an area prime for recreation, especially in the summer months. And the Klamath River is once again free flowing after being held back by four dams for the better part of a century.

Guests: Danielle Venton, KQED and Gabrielle Canon, The Guardian

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Crystal Cave Reopens At Sequoia National Park

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 13:49:00 -0000

Sequoia National Park is known for its iconic trees - the giant sequoias. They tower hundreds of feet above the Sierra Nevada. But another draw to this park is hidden thousands of feet below. It’s called Crystal Cave, and it recently reopened to the public after a parade of natural disasters left it inaccessible for years.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Recent immigration raids in Southern California have been unconstitutional. That’s according to a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles against the federal government.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

Organizers of one of Northern California's best-loved and longest-running music festivals are scrambling to save the July 4th weekend event, amid slow ticket sales.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Facility In California City Expected To Be State's Largest Migrant Detention Center

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 14:11:00 -0000

A soon to be reopened private prison in California City, about two hours north of Los Angeles, is expected to be the largest immigration and detention center in California. The facility is operated by the Tennessee-based correctional company CoreCivic. But residents of California City have mixed feelings on the plan.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

With the worst of wildfire season ahead, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging President Donald Trump to increase the federal government's investment in wildfire prevention in California.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The announcement comes almost a year later than expected.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Central Valley Grocery Store Lends Helping Hand To Immigrant Community

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 15:30:00 -0000

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions ramp up across California, fear is spreading through communities, even in small Central Valley towns like Dinuba. But one grocery store owner is doing more than just ringing up customers; he is delivering food right to their doors.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

State lawmakers passed two controversial bills that will overhaul the state’s landmark environmental law, known as CEQA.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Golden Mussel Presents Widespread Threat To Major California Reservoir

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:21:00 -0000

Lake Oroville in Northern California’s Butte County is one of the state’s most important reservoirs. It’s part of a state-spanning system that delivers water to 27 million people and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. Now officials are working to keep an invader out of the reservoir -- a freshwater bivalve mollusk called the golden mussel.

Reporter: Sarina Grossi, North State Public Radio

The American Civil Liberties Union says the federal government is breaking its promise to protect migrant families who were forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border during the first Trump Administration.

Reporter: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom

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How Grants Pass Ruling Affected Homeless Enforcement In California

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:13:00 -0000

This weekend marks the one year anniversary of the Grants Pass Supreme Court ruling. It gave cities in California and across the country more power to crack down on homeless encampments. Our California Newsroom partner CalMatters has been tracking the impact of that ruling.

Guest: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

A federal judge is siding with California in the latest legal maneuvering over President Donald Trump‘s decision to send armed troops to Los Angeles.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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New Bill Would Require Imperial County To Offer Spanish Translations Of Agendas

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:06:00 -0000

A new California bill could force local governments in Imperial County to start translating their agendas into Spanish. The lack of translation has kept many county residents from fully participating in the democratic process.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

An immigrant worker who was arrested during a raid outside a hardware store in Pomona in April has been released from ICE custody. Now, immigrant rights advocates are pushing for the release of two other workers still in detention.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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One Bay Area City's Answer to Homeless RV Residents Shows Promise for State

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:43:00 -0000

Cities throughout California have taken different approaches on how to deal with homeless residents. That also includes those dwelling in RVs. While many plans have been slow on yielding results, Berkeley's approach may be the solution that city leaders have been looking for.

California legislators have reached a tentative agreement on the state's budget proposal for the coming fiscal year, but its fate hinges on whether Governor Newsom will approve a housing reform plan that lawmakers must submit by Monday.

A bill making its way through Sacramento would raise the fee car buyers in California would pay for processing paperwork, by nearly 500 percent.

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CA Programs That Aid Crime Victims Face Uncertain Future

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 13:52:00 -0000

When the Trump administration moved in April to cancel about half a billion dollars in Department of Justice grants, it said the programs didn’t align with the administration's priorities. But many of the programs targeted for cuts seem to be doing exactly the things the administration says it’s focused on.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Israel and Iran have agreed to a ceasefire after more than a week of exchanging bombs and missile fire. But President Trump lashed out at the two sides Tuesday morning, for possible violations of that agreement. This caps a whirlwind of events including the US bombing of three nuclear sites in Iran and Iran’s response, launching more than a dozen missiles at a US airbase in Qatar. Iranians living in LA have mixed feelings about the conflict.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb

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LA Small Businesses Struggling Amidst Immigration Enforcement

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:03:00 -0000

The Trump Administration’s immigration raids have cast a cloud of fear over communities across the state. They’ve also dealt a blow to small businesses and economic life, particularly in Los Angeles County.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The deployment of National Guard troops sent to Los Angeles by President Trump has been at the center of a see-sawing legal battle between California and the Trump Administration. For now, the soldiers are staying as the dispute is before a judge on Monday.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday dealt a blow to California’s ability to set its own vehicle emissions standards. That will likely strengthen the fossil fuel industry’s ability to challenge the state’s energy policies and goals.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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9th Circuit Rules In Favor Of Trump Administration Over National Guard Deployment

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 14:09:00 -0000

National Guard troops sent to Los Angeles by President Donald Trump can stay there, for now. That's a result of a ruling late Thursday from a federal appeals court.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Health care providers in California say they're worried immigration raids are keeping people from getting the medical care they need.

Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

Across the country, young scientists are writing to their hometown newspapers—hoping their stories will rally public support and push back against deep federal research funding cuts.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Section 14 Survivors Still Awaiting Payments From Palm Springs

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:51:00 -0000

In Palm Springs, a historic reparations effort for Black and Brown families who were forcibly removed from their homes 60 years ago is moving closer to reality. The city made history in November when it agreed to a nearly $6 million settlement with surviving former residents and descendants of the neighborhood known as Section 14. But roughly six months later, they’re still waiting on that money.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

Organizations across Northern California are celebrating Juneteenth Thursday and in the coming days.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

Black Surf Santa Cruz recently hosted their fifth annual liberation paddle-out to celebrate Juneteenth.

Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU

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Non-Profit Help Families Afraid To Leave Their Homes With Food Deliveries

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 13:47:00 -0000

Many immigrant families in Los Angeles are frightened to leave their homes, as federal immigration agents continue to make daily arrests in public places. So two local non-profit executives decided to do something about it. Deliver meals.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

A group of Democratic congress members, led by Representative Judy Chu of Pasadena, visited the Adelanto Detention Facility in San Bernardino County on Tuesday. They were denied entry there last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Sustainable Farming Practices Could Be Impacted By Federal Funding Cuts

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:59:00 -0000

Federal dollars that help small growers experiment with farming more sustainably are drying up. One farmer in the Salinas Valley wants to find ways to keep her land nourished despite precarious funding.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

A federal appeals court will hear arguments Tuesday on President Donald Trump’s decision to send armed troops to Los Angeles in response to immigration protests.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature are proposing to gut California’s main source of homelessness funding.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

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Thousands Protest The Trump Administration Across California

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:13:00 -0000

2,000 cities across the country participated in Saturday’s No Kings protest. Organizers say five million people took to the streets. That included cities up and down the state of California.

If you're arrested and charged with a crime, you have a right to an attorney to defend you in court. But what about an investigator to collect evidence to help tell your side of the story? New reporting from our partner CalMatters has found that people accused of crimes in California are routinely convicted without an investigation to verify or debunk the accusations against them.

Guest: Anat Rubin, CalMatters

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Appeals Court Allows National Guard To Remain In Los Angeles

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:04:00 -0000

A federal appeals court has blocked a judge’s ruling regarding the Trump administration's use of the California National Guard in Los Angeles. Federal Judge Charles Breyer ruled late Thursday that President Trump must return control of the National Guard to Governor Newsom. But the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the deployment to continue, scheduling a hearing on the matter for next week.

A Republican senator from Missouri is threatening to criminally investigate one of LA’s leading immigrant rights groups.

Reporter: Frank Stoltze, LAist

California Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed from a Department of Homeland Security press conference Thursday, then pushed to the ground and handcuffed.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

Legal aid groups that help immigrants are raising alarms over some fine print in the state budget bill, due for a vote Friday.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

California’s Assembly is set to consider a slate of bills that could make it harder for immigration officials to access certain places.

Reporter: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

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Increased ICE Raids Send Shock Waves Through Farm Worker Community

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:30:00 -0000

Multiple federal immigration enforcement actions involving farm workers have taken place in recent days in multiple regions of California including those in Ventura, Kern, and Tulare counties. Workers are being detained without warning, at job sites and in the fields. U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are calling these actions “unjustified and unconscionable,” warning they could tear families apart and destabilize the entire food supply chain. Guest: Teresa Romero, President of United Farm Workers Union

Fresno County's Sheriff says he supports the use of the national guard in the Los Angeles protests. He’s one of the few sheriff’s speaking out publicly.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

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What Immigrants Should Know As ICE Enforcement Continues

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 14:16:00 -0000

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement escalates its efforts to detain as many people without legal status as possible in California, immigration advocates are reminding people of their constitutional rights.

Guest: Nisa Khan, KQED

Thousands of migrant families across the country received a text message from Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week asking them to report for what seemed like a routine check-in. But many were detained at these check-ins, including at ICE's field office in downtown Los Angeles.

Reporter: Mark Betancourt

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More Protests Held Across Southern California As Trump Administration Orders More National Guard To LA

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:53:00 -0000

Protests continued across Southern California, and the rest of the state on Monday over the Trump administration's immigration actions.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

A labor leader was released from custody on Monday after his arrest during a downtown L.A. immigration raid set off a firestorm.

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National Guard Deployed As Protesters Clash With Law Enforcement

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:03:00 -0000

Protests were held over the weekend across Los Angeles because of the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown in the city. Things ratcheted up even further after President Trump announced the planned deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, in light of the protests.

Guest: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

When the immigration arrests began last week in the Los Angeles area, many of those who were detained were sent to the Adelanto Detention Facility in San Bernardino County. Lawmakers traveled to the facility on Sunday in an attempt to meet with some of the people detained. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Latest Travel Ban Blasted By Immigrant Rights Groups

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:05:00 -0000

Immigrant-serving groups across the Bay Area are condemning a Trump administration travel ban that will bar most of the citizens of 19 countries from entering the U.S.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Immigration lawyers and advocates say at least 15 people, including some children, were arrested outside of ICE offices in San Francisco this week.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge has approved a temporary restraining order blocking efforts to restart the Refugio Oil Spill pipeline.

Reporter: Amanda Wernik, KCBX

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Community Outrage Continues Over ICE Raid At San Diego Restaurant

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 13:45:00 -0000

The fallout from the recent ICE raid on a San Diego restaurant continues as union leaders condemn the raid on Buona Forchetta, calling it cruel and an attack on workers.

Reporter: Alexander Nguyen, KPBS

One of the fiercest critics of the restaurant raid has been a San Diego City Councilman, who has called it terroristic and fascist, earning the condemnation of the Trump Administration.

Guest: Sean Elo-Rivera, San Diego City Councilman

A second man has been identified as a suspect in the bombing of a fertility clinic last month in Palm Springs. Authorities arrested him late Tuesday and say he supplied large amounts of chemicals that were used by the FBI’s primary suspect to make explosives.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

The Trump Administration says California's high speed rail program has “no viable path” to completion. They want to pull federal funding within 37 days. But supporters of high speed rail want to fight the move.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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California Supreme Court To Hear Case On State's Rooftop Solar Policy

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:00:00 -0000

It's an important day for the future of solar energy in California. Three environmental groups are set to go before the state Supreme Court to challenge a state policy on solar panels.

Guest: Malena Corollo, CalMatters and The Markup

The California Air Resources Board has launched a mobile monitoring program to collect pollution data from neighborhoods suffering from poor air quality.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Banks Asking For Customer's Voice Samples

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 13:56:00 -0000

Many of us have become accustomed to giving up some personal data to access financial services accounts, like Social Security numbers and the places we were born. But a growing number of financial institutions are also asking for customers’ voice samples.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Bay Area members of Congress are pushing the Trump administration to rehire National Weather Service workers it cut from its Sacramento and Hanford offices.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Anyone entering a California prison could be subject to a canine search under a new policy that rolls out statewide this week. That’s according to a department of corrections memo obtained by our partner, CalMatters.

Reporter: Cayla Mihalovich, KQED

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Los Angeles Ramps Up Preparations For Summer Olympics

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:07:00 -0000

In Los Angeles, the clock is ticking down, faster and faster it seems, to July 14th, 2028. That's the opening day of the Summer Olympics Games, followed shortly by the Paralympic Games. And as that date draws closer, the scale of the challenges that face Los Angeles to get ready is starting to sink in.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A transgender female athlete took home two gold medals and one silver medal at this weekend’s statewide track and field championships held in Clovis. It marked a rare moment for high school sports in California. But not everyone is celebrating.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

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California Pelicans Experience Third Starvation Event In Four Years

Fri, 30 May 2025 16:08:00 -0000

Brown pelicans are in trouble again — and this time it involves infant birds. This spring marks the third starvation event in four years for the iconic California seabirds. Scientists are still looking for answers.

Reporter: Anna Guth, KQED

Overdose deaths are falling nationwide—but in California, they continue to rise.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

People applying to California’s community colleges will soon be required to verify their identities when they submit their applications. The board that governs community colleges made the decision after multiple reports of scammers applying and getting into schools.

Reporter: Adam Echelman, CalMatters

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Newsom, Local Leaders Scuffle Over Homelessness Solutions

Thu, 29 May 2025 14:01:00 -0000

California is home to a quarter of the nation’s unhoused population. That’s around 187,000 people. As the state grapples with homelessness, tensions are hitting a high point between Governor Gavin Newsom and local leaders when it comes to funding solutions.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

A family in Bakersfield is facing deportation, despite entering the country legally to obtain care for their young daughter. Lawyers for the family say the 4-year-old girl could die if she's forced to leave the US.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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Ethiopian Woman Flees Torture, But Still Facing Deportation

Wed, 28 May 2025 13:52:00 -0000

Though the Trump administration has made it impossible to ask for asylum at the southern border, the U.S. is bound by international law to protect migrants who are likely to be tortured by their own governments if they go home. It’s called the United Nations Convention Against Torture. But it turns out that the administration has quietly dismantled access to it for thousands of people.

Guest: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom

Temperatures in the state are expected to sizzle this week, reaching a peak on Friday. Hot and dry conditions mean increased wildfire danger.

Reporter: Jacob Margolis, LAist

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Food Insecurity A Major Challenge For Central Coast Farmworkers

Tue, 27 May 2025 13:34:00 -0000

May marks the beginning of harvest season when some 800,000 farmworkers in California get to work picking food that lands on tables around the world. Though agriculture is a nearly $60 billion industry in the state, many farmworkers on the Central Coast don't have enough to eat.

Reporter: Katie Brown, KAZU

A school board in Temecula, that’s been embroiled in controversy for the last two years, wants to revive a contentious policy to require schools to notify parents if their child is transgender. They’re meeting Tuesday to brainstorm ideas to get around a state law that prohibits such policies.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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What Makes A Song Song Of The Summer

Mon, 26 May 2025 14:10:00 -0000

Monday is Memorial Day. For many people, this holiday marks the unofficial start to the summer season. And no summer is truly complete without the perfect summer music playlist.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

A race known as the “triathlon of the art world” is underway this Memorial Day weekend in Humboldt County. Founded in 1969, it’s a local tradition, where teams race homemade human-powered art vehicles over 50 miles of land, sand, water, and mud.

Reporter: Anna Vignet, KQED

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Six People Presumed Dead After Private Jet Crashes In San Diego Neighborhood

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:54:00 -0000

Six people are presumed dead after a private jet crashed into a San Diego neighborhood early Thursday morning. Sound Talent Group, a music talent agency based in the San Diego area, confirms that it lost three employees in the crash, including co-founder Dave Shapiro.

California is suing the federal government for blocking the state’s ability to set its own clean air rules.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

The decision to take down a climate security website at Monterey’s Naval Postgraduate School signals broader self-censorship there around climate research and scholarship. It comes in the wake of the U.S. Defense Department’s call to eliminate so-called “climate distraction” in the military.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

The state legislature is considering two new bills aimed at improving conditions for incarcerated workers.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

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Cap And Trade Debate Includes Controversial Proposals

Thu, 22 May 2025 13:30:00 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing an extension of the state's landmark climate program known as cap-and-trade. The program limits greenhouse gas emissions and raises money from polluters. And the governor has some controversial ideas for how to spend that money.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The US senate is moving ahead with plans to block California’s electric vehicle mandate. Late Wednesday night, Republicans sidestepped the filibuster and voted using a simple majority to clear a path to revoke California’s unique clean air rules.

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Two California Counties Battle Trump Administration Over Homelessness Funding

Wed, 21 May 2025 13:48:00 -0000

Lawyers for San Francisco and Santa Clara counties are back in court Wednesday. They’re fighting with the Trump administration over new rules around homelessness funding.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Teachers in Temecula can teach about race without fear of running afoul of the school board, at least for now. This comes after a California Appeals Court ruled the district’s ban on Critical Race Theory is unconstitutionally vague.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

A group of state lawmakers is calling for the legislature to reject Governor Newsom’s proposal to fast-track a controversial project that would send more Northern California water south.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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California Medicaid Recipients In GOP District See Potential Cuts As A "Disaster"

Tue, 20 May 2025 14:03:00 -0000

Part of President Trump's self-described big, beautiful bill includes congressional Republicans' plans to change Medicaid. The proposal would cut billions from the safety net program. Many Republican lawmakers see this as a needed savings to slash what they see as waste in the system, but recent estimates show millions of Americans stand to lose their health insurance, including in Republican health districts like Kern County.

(Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR)

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Independent California Pharmacies Brace For Tariffs On Imported Medication

Mon, 19 May 2025 14:07:00 -0000

Law enforcement authorities are seeking help to piece together the timeline of their primary suspect in the explosion at a Palm Springs fertility clinic over the weekend. Authorities identified 25 year old Twentynine Palms Guy Edward Bartkus in connection with the bombing and said he was likely killed in the blast.

(Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR)

President Donald Trump said he will announce tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals in the next few weeks. While big drug companies seem to have plans to weather the storm, independent pharmacists in California are trying their best to prepare with limited information.

(Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News)

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Farmworker Assistance Bill Patterned After Nonprofit's Work

Fri, 16 May 2025 13:41:00 -0000

As the state legislature works to tackle a $12 billion budget deficit, a bill aimed at delivering vital resources right to farmworkers’ front doors is being put on hold. It’s modeled after an existing program run by Ayudando Latinos a Soñar, a nonprofit based in Half Moon Bay.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

The federal government and the ACLU are facing off in district court Friday over the future of a program offering legal services to undocumented families.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

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Vallejo Police Hid Details Of In Custody Death

Thu, 15 May 2025 14:21:00 -0000

Across California, families have had to fight, sometimes for years, just to learn what happened to their loved ones in police custody. Darryl Mefferd wasn't under arrest when he died after an encounter with Vallejo police in 2016. Local officials ruled his death an accidental drug overdose and for years, that's where the story ended. But new records and never before seen body camera footage are challenging that version of events.

Guest: Geoffrey King, Executive Editor, Open Vallejo

Facing a massive $12 billion dollar budget deficit, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his revised budget on Wednesday. It includes scaling back safety-net health insurance for undocumented immigrants, cutting coverage for weight loss drugs like Ozempic and reducing home health services. But the governor also wants to fast-track a contentious project lawmakers have debated in California for over half a century.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Challenges of Participating in CA's Budget Process

Wed, 14 May 2025 13:30:00 -0000

It’s budget season at the State Capitol, which means grassroots advocates from around California come to plead for the funding they need for key community programs and projects. But, participating in the budget process and public committee hearings can be a heavy lift – especially for those outside Sacramento’s high-powered lobbyist class.

(Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio)

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An Aging Homeless Population Amidst A Push by Newsom to Ban Encampments

Tue, 13 May 2025 13:40:00 -0000

In recent years, the population of homeless people has aged, with about 20% of them now 55 or older. Many have never been homeless before.

(Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio)

Conservative activists are welcoming an announcement from Governor Gavin Newsom this week pushing cities to ban homeless encampments across California. Advocates for unhoused people are condemning the move as cruel and counterproductive.

(Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED)

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Federal Funding Cuts May Jeopardize A Library Program Serving Blind and Print-disabled Communities

Mon, 12 May 2025 14:53:00 -0000

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is a federal agency that funds programs in libraries nationwide. In March, President Trump signed an executive order to slash the agency’s funding. And California's Braille and Talking Book Library, which serves the state's blind and print-disabled community, could be hit by these cuts.

Reporter: Jasmine Ascencio, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism

Over the weekend, Catholic churchgoers attended the first Sunday mass since the election of the first pope with Creole ancestry.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, KQED

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Newly-built Passageways Help Wildlife Safely Cross Roads

Fri, 09 May 2025 16:16:00 -0000

Los Angeles County's Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is a 90-million-dollar bridge now under construction. It's designed to connect green spaces between a freeway so animals can cross safely. But animals don’t need these kinds of crossings to be so expensive and fancy. There are smaller and cheaper ways to cross the road.

Guest: Seth Riley, Biologist, National Park Service

Some of the country’s cities, including parts of San Francisco, are slowly sinking, according to a new study. But in San Francisco, tectonic activity and areas built on reclaimed land are causing the subsidence.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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California's Tiny Home Boom Signals Hope In Housing Crisis Though Challenges Remain

Thu, 08 May 2025 14:05:00 -0000

A bill introduced in the state legislature by Sacramento Democratic Assembly member Maggy Krell aims to increase penalties for loitering to solicit minors for sex. But a provision specifically aimed at soliciting 16- and 17-year olds has divided state Democrats, and given Republicans a political opportunity to criticize their opponents.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

California's tiny home industry is experiencing a boom in production, which signals hope for a new era of homeownership. The boom also could face road blocks, such as soaring construction prices and local zoning challenges.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Democrats Hope a Progressive Push Can Flip one of California's Conservative Enclaves

Wed, 07 May 2025 17:11:00 -0000

For a long time, California's Central Valley has been a bastion of conservative political support; the red spot in a state that's awash in blue. However, there are signs that support for the right could be wavering, as President Trump's policies on trade and immigration are impacting livelihoods in the Central Valley; and some of the biggest progressives in the country are eyeing the region as a place that is ready for change.

Since Covered California went into effect more than ten years ago, millions of state residents have relied on the program to obtain healthcare, year after year. However, the trust that Californians have put into the program may start to fray, after a CalMatters investigation revealed that Covered California is sending people's personal information to private companies.

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Trump's Proposed Budget Threatens NASA Space Research

Tue, 06 May 2025 14:15:00 -0000

Last week, the Trump administration announced its goal of cutting $6 billion from NASA or nearly a quarter of the space agency's budget. Science programs would be hit especially hard, like the work done by NASA facilities in California.

Guest: Casey Dreier, Chief of Space Policy, Planetary Society

Three people are dead, four have received medical attention and at least seven remain missing after a small boat believed to be carrying migrants capsized near San Diego on Monday morning.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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Communities In Far Northern California Challenged By Return Of Gray Wolves

Mon, 05 May 2025 13:57:00 -0000

For decades, wolves were thought to have been hunted and poisoned into extinction in California with the last sighting of the animal in the 1920s. But that changed in late 2011 when a wolf wearing a radio collar crossed into the state from Oregon. In the years since, California’s gray wolf population has grown into the dozens, threatening the livelihood of cattle ranchers in places as far north as Modoc County.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Tariffs Likely To Increase Cost Of Weddings In California

Fri, 02 May 2025 13:50:00 -0000

Weddings are pricey affairs in California — and they’re about to get even more expensive. According to the National Bridal Retailers Association, about 90 percent of all wedding gowns sold in the U.S. are made in China. With 145% tariffs now being imposed on all Chinese goods coming into the U.S., that could mean big price increases for California bridal shop owners and brides-to-be.

Reporter: Tina Caputo

Congress is moving ahead with a plan to block California’s electric vehicle mandate.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

When Tulare Lake refilled two years ago in the middle of Kings County, two prisons narrowly avoided dangerous flooding. A new state audit now argues those prisons were not prepared for flooding or evacuation.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Most California Republican Voters Still Confident In Trump Administration

Thu, 01 May 2025 13:44:00 -0000

Nearly 40% of Californians voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Now, 100 days into his second term, how do they feel?

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

In San Francisco Wednesday night, former Vice President Kamala Harris laid into President Donald Trump at the 100 day mark of his presidency.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Refugee Family Remembers Fall Of Saigon

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:22:00 -0000

The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago when American troops pulled out of Saigon. And for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese who fled and resettled in California, April 30 is a significant day.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

A bill that would have lowered the state rent cap won't be moving forward this year, after its sponsors pulled it this week.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Lawmakers Call for Investigations into Financial Aid Fraud at California Community Colleges

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:25:00 -0000

Millions of dollars meant to help California's community college students have been stolen by scammers, and now both Republican and Democratic leaders are calling for investigations. But there's debate over who's responsible and what solutions will actually help students most.

Guest: Adam Eckelman, CalMatters

An air force base in the Bay Area could be the site of a new immigration detention facility, KQED has learned. That comes as the Trump administration is moving aggressively to use military bases to expand its ability to detain and deport immigrants.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

President Donald Trump continued his assault on cities and states with sanctuary immigration policies in a new executive order signed on Monday.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Students Push For Race-Focused College Graduations In California

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:48:00 -0000

College staff in Southern California are busy organizing upcoming graduation ceremonies based on racial and ethnic identity. But two months ago, the Trump administration said these graduation ceremonies are illegal. And staff are not taking that declaration lightly.

Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, LAist

Labor advocates in Los Angeles are pushing back against proposed cuts to a small city agency tasked with helping workers, who weren’t paid the wages they were owed.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Program Provides Unique Science Lessons On Tahoe Slopes

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:50:00 -0000

Skiers cruising down Tahoe’s white slopes this winter had a unique chance to learn about the surrounding ecosystem. UC Davis scientists clicked on their skis and led public tours down the mountain.

Reporter: Anna Guth, KQED

The American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal court to stop the government from cutting off legal services to families who were forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border during the first Trump administration.

Reporter: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom

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Community College Job Training Program Struggles Due to Unreliable Funding

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 13:37:00 -0000

As the state grapples with the homeless population of over 187,000 people, a new program at Santa Monica Community College is training students for jobs to help people get off the streets and into housing. But it also faces an uncertain future.

Guest: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

Farmworkers in the U.S. have historically been excluded from overtime pay. That’s no longer the case in California. But on Wednesday, state lawmakers tabled proposal to help ag employers afford that overtime.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Immigration Officials Arrest More Than A Dozen People In Pomona

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:58:00 -0000

A bill aimed at bringing healthcare services directly to farmworker communities will be considered at the state legislature Wednesday.

Immigrant rights groups say more than a dozen people were arrested by immigration officials on Tuesday at a hardware store in Pomona.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

The Trump Administration eliminated deportation protections for asylum seekers who entered the country through the CBP one mobile app. KPBS spoke to an immigration lawyer representing multiple migrants impacted by the decision.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Supporters of reparations for Black Californians are pursuing a new strategy to advance their priorities at the state capitol.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Pope Francis Played Significant Role For Latinos In California

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 13:56:00 -0000

The death of Pope Francis is being felt around the world. And right here in California, millions of Latino Catholics are mourning not just the loss of a spiritual leader, but someone who, for many, felt like one of their own. Pope Francis was the first from Latin America. He spoke often about immigration, inequality, and the dignity of the poor.

Guest: Jeff Guhin, Sociology Professor, UCLA

Starting this week, Californians can buy naloxone at a discount on a state-run website. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses.

Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

A California state labor board says Governor Gavin Newsom may have violated the law when he issued an executive order calling state employees back into the office four days per week.

Reporter: Megan Myscofski, CapRadio

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Shasta County DA's Office Strained Under Heavy Workload

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:58:00 -0000

The district attorney's office in Shasta County is facing high workloads and high vacancy rates.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

Dry summer conditions have long been known to cause issues for vulnerable fish populations. A recent UC Berkeley study found dry winters can cause issues, too.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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From Science Fiction to Science Fact: Cal Scientists Discover Jupiter's "Mush Balls"

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 16:54:00 -0000

Imagine that severe storms sent ice balls containing chemical slush raining down onto the ground. While that sounds like science fiction here on earth, researchers at UC Berkeley have discovered, that is science-fact on our solar system's biggest planet--Jupiter.

The U.S. Justice Department has ruled that tech giant Google has been holding an unlawful monopoly over online ads, enabling them to manipulate the market and keep competition out.

A new report shows that Black and Latina women in California continue to face disproportionate challenges when it comes to accessing maternal healthcare.

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License to Kill: California DMV's History of Keeping Dangerous Drivers on the Road

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:37:00 -0000

It might sound farfetched, but the California Department of Motor Vehicles has a track-record of renewing the licenses of drivers whose dangerous maneuvers behind the wheel have caused deaths on the road.

In Southern California, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has decided to move forward with plans to stabilize the coastal highway corridor that links Los Angeles, Orang and San Diego counties. However, the plan is not being met with much fanfare by local environmentalists.

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Sour Grapes Over Tariffs Could Cost California Wineries Canadian Market

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 16:26:00 -0000

The US wine industry let out a sigh of relief last week when President Trump decided to pause placing 20 percent tariffs on goods from the European Union, which would have included wine. However, the White House's global trade war is creating sour grapes with another major US trading partner--Canada; and that is jeopardizing California's wineries, which usually bank big with our neighbors to the North.

In other tariff news, Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, saying that the president does not have the authority to impose unilateral tariffs.

A non-profit watchdog group has released a report that sheds light on the world of black market rideshare and food delivery accounts, where people who wouldn't normally pass a background or criminal records check to register as a legitimate gig worker, can instead rent a vetted account on social media.

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Striking Video Game Performers Not Ready to Say Game Over

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:42:00 -0000

In 2023, the entertainment world in the US went on strike over production studios' embrace of artificial intelligence, and its potential to replace humans in the every role from actors to directors. While TV and movie studios eventually came to terms with striking workers in Hollywood, a year later, performers in the videogame industry represented by SAG-AFTRA went on strike over a number of reasons, including better working conditions and how the use of AI in game production would impact their careers.

In the face of mounting lawsuits over a controversial immigration raid back in Kern County that happened at the beginning of the year, the Department of Homeland Security says it will retrain all of its 900 agents at the California-Mexico border about respecting the 4th Amendment when conduction an operation.

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Small California Cities Hope to Score Big With Pro Soccer

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:11:00 -0000

The United States is seeing a boom in professional soccer, especially in California. The state is already host to four Major League Soccer teams and three teams in the National Women's Soccer League. There is also a crop of minor league teams sprouting up throughout the state, in both big cities and small towns. We'll take to you to the Southern California city of Lancaster, which hopes to score big with its newest soccer team, AV Alta FC.

The Trump Administration canceled the social security numbers of roughly 6,000 immigrants. Advocates say the move puts these people in economic limbo, since they wouldn't be able to obtain legal employment or access any bank services.

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As Trump Targets Schools for Deportation Sweeps, Undocumented UC Berkeley Students Call For More Support

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:42:00 -0000

President Trump says he will not limit the scope of his deportation efforts, going so far as to say schools across the country will also be targeted in sweeps and raids by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents. That looming threat has undocumented students attending UC Berkeley calling on the university to issue a strong statement of support for them.

Santa Clara County's District Attorney is moving forward with pressing charges against a dozen students that took part in last year's on-campus pro-Palestinian protests, where demonstrators occupied the office of the campus resident. The Santa Clara DA alleges that the students are responsible for thousands of dollars in damages, and are facing felony vandalism and trespassing related charges.

The Trump Administration's trade war with China is heating up, and that may not bode well for California's agriculture businesses in the Central Valley.

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Border Patrol Arrest Claims From Bakersfield Raid Don't Match Records

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:25:00 -0000

In early January, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents from El Centro near San Diego launched a deportation raid in Kern County, more than six hours from their usual area of operation. The man behind the effort is Gregory Bovino, head of CBP's El Centro sector. He claimed the operation targeted criminals that were illegally in the US, but arrest data show that, of the nearly 80 people that were swept up by the agents out of El Centro, Border Patrol had an arrest record for just one individual.

Ultra low-budget airliner, Avelo, is shuttering its Bay Area hub at Sonoma County's Charles M. Schultz Airport, after it got tapped by the Trump Administration to conduct mass deportation flights. One Sonoma County Supervisor is condemning the move, saying it would hurt the local economy in the long-run.

Prop 36, California's voter-approved "tough on crime" bill, is still a head-scratcher for lawmakers in Sacramento, who are still debating on how to actually fund its rollout statewide.

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A Mojave Desert Solar Project Jeopardizes Thousands of Joshua Trees

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:38:00 -0000

California is aiming to make the entirety of its electricity production zero-carbon by 2045. One of the key areas that state leaders are looking to help the state reach its clean energy goals is the Mojave Desert. Since 2014, the desert has been home to one of the largest solar power plants in North America. However, California's zero-carbon efforts in the Mojave are coming at the expense of a celebrated natural icon: the Joshua Tree.

President Trump's tariff war may take a big chunk out of California's budget. Since the tariffs went into effect last week, the stock market has plummeted for days on end; that means a drop in revenue for some of the state's wealthiest residents, which could put a hole in California's budget down the line.

A new bill circulating through the California state legislature may tip the balance in favor of rideshare drivers, when it comes to bargaining for better working conditions. AB-1340 would make it legal for those driving for rideshare giants like Lyft and Uber to form a union, in order to negotiate with their employers.

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Fire Retardants: Can They Harm Those That They Help?

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:02:00 -0000

Firefighter aircraft were cheered on back in January, when they were making headlines as they painted the areas being scorched by the Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles County with fire retardant. However, scientists are starting to wonder whether the contents of these retardants could impact the health or the environment of the people who have to eventually rebuild these communities that were devastated by wildfires.

Thousands in California are preparing to demonstrate against President Trump's efforts to cut funding to the National Institute of Health. He has already stalled about $1.5 billion dollars in medical research funds, which have had wide-ranging effects, impacting studies into long COVID and cancer, among others.

Meanwhile, the Trump Administration has revoked visas from hundreds of international students that were studying in the United States, including dozens from the Bay Area. Two students in California have decided to push back.

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Mobile Home Park Residents At Forefront Of Battle Over Affordable Housing

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 14:33:00 -0000

A Fresno mobile home park has become ground zero in a fight to save one of the last bastions of affordable housing in California. But residents there are facing an uncertain future as they wait for a federal judge to decide who will take control of the place they call home: another corporate landlord or an affordable housing non-profit.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

Thousands of people in the Bay Area joined protesters across the country over the weekend in taking to the streets to demonstrate against President Trump and Elon Musk, saying they're taking the country in the wrong direction.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

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Tariffs To Have Widespread Impact On California Businesses

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 14:06:00 -0000

President Trump's tariffs are sending shockwaves around the world, and across car dealerships here in California, the U.S.'s largest car and truck market. A 25% tariff is being placed on all vehicles imported into the United States, but that tariff also covers car parts that are used to assemble vehicle models associated with "Made in the USA." The tariffs will likely mean higher prices for all kinds of new vehicles.

Guest: Brian Ellis, Glendale Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep

Perhaps no California industry will face a bigger impact from tariffs than agriculture. In 2018, during President Trump's first term in office, the US engaged in a trade war with China. The US Department of Agriculture estimates that farmers took a $27 billion dollar loss from retaliatory tariffs. But what will happen this time around?

Guest: Colin Carter, Professor of Agricultural Economics, UC Davis

A Eureka woman is suing a Catholic hospital chain after she was denied emergency abortion care.

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Why Medi-Cal And GOP Budget Could Cut Into Republican Gains In California

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:06:00 -0000

In last year’s presidential election, Donald Trump improved on his 2020 performance all across California. Voters in every congressional district in the state shifted toward Trump. But the areas moving most toward Republicans also have a lot to lose from the party’s budget plan in Washington.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Lawmakers are introducing a bill to strengthen existing statewide tenant protections. Some property owners are not happy.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

San Joaquin Valley has the lowest ratio of doctors to patients in the entire state. A new bill co-authored by Democratic representative Jim Costa of Fresno is aiming to change that.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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Apprenticeship Program Aims To Help California's Struggling Logging Industry

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 17:42:00 -0000

California's logging industry has been shrinking for years, with an aging workforce and fewer young people entering the trade. But in Northern California, a community college is stepping in to change that, helping to train the next generation of loggers through an innovative apprenticeship program.

Guest: Kate Rix, The Hechinger Report

The California snowpack is close to 100 percent for the third year in a row. That hasn’t happened in three consecutive years since the late 1990s.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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A's Welcomed By Thousands For Home Opener In West Sacramento

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:48:00 -0000

Major League Baseball is underway and for many fans of the Athletics, it’s a bittersweet season. That’s because the team used to be known as the Oakland Athletics, until they left Oakland last year. The A’s are now set to play at least three seasons in their new home in West Sacramento, while the team prepares for a permanent move to Las Vegas.

Reporter: Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED

Nearly 60,000 workers across the University of California are walking off the job again Tuesday.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Almost 60 years ago, Cesar Chavez ended a 25-day fast at Memorial Park in Delano. He was protesting the treatment of farmworkers across California. On Cesar Chavez Day, thousands of people marched from that same park, to continue in the legendary labor leader’s footsteps.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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Police Accountability Law Slowly Showing Results

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 13:40:00 -0000

Hundreds of police officers in California have been stripped of their badges in the last few years for serious misconduct. The offenses range from sexual assault to excessive force to racial bias. But thousands of cases still need to be reviewed.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

A pair of bills aiming to limit the harms of social media on children will face their first hearing in the California legislature this week.

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Nearly Two Dozen Bills Attempt to Cut Through Housing Red Tape

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:59:00 -0000

What does it take to get new housing approved in California? Way too much, say some lawmakers. To change that, a bipartisan group is proposing a package of nearly two dozen bills to cut through barriers they say is putting the brakes on housing production.

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Ramadan Traditions Continue Despite Devastation From Eaton Fire

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:45:00 -0000

The holy month of Ramadan is a special time when Muslim families often gather together. But when the Eaton Fire destroyed the only mosque in the Altadena area, it nearly upended the community’s ability to uphold tradition.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

A bill in the state Legislature asking for more accountability from California’s homeless shelters has passed out of its first committee hearing. The proposed legislation comes after a CalMatters investigation found evidence of violence and mismanagement at shelters across the state.

Reporter: Lauren Hepler, CalMatters

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Program Aims To Help Sonoma Farmers Map Out Their Future

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 14:09:00 -0000

Sonoma County, is of course, famous for its vineyards but a lot more is produced there by small farmers. From eggs to milk and all kinds of specialty greens, Sonoma County is the Bay Area’s bread basket. But making it as a small farmer in Sonoma – like the rest of the state -- has gotten a lot harder in recent years. In part, because land has gotten so expensive.

Reporter: Noah Abrams, KRCB

Drivers for ride hailing apps are rallying Wednesday in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, ahead of mediation talks linked to charges that Uber and Lyft stole wages from drivers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The elections clerk in Shasta County, where several debates over voting and election integrity have occurred, is resigning at the end of April.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Californians With Student Loan Debt Face Uncertain Future

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:13:00 -0000

President Donald Trump has vowed to eliminate the Department of Education. He also appears poised to make big changes to student loan programs. What could all this mean to people paying off their loans?

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

A California non-profit is suing the Trump Administration over its decision to end humanitarian parole programs. This comes after the Trump administration announced Friday that it will end a program for some Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

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Bay Area Democrat Holds Town Halls In Red-Leaning Districts

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 13:54:00 -0000

In a series of town halls on Sunday, Bay Area congressman Ro Khanna urged residents of Republican-held congressional districts in California to organize against the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to programs like Medicaid and the wider social safety net.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Congressman Khanna's next stop was an amphitheater in the Inland Empire community of Norco, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

A federal rent assistance program that tens of thousands of Californians rely on is running out of money.

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

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Yiddish Making A Comeback In Los Angeles

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:50:00 -0000

The historic language of Jews in Europe – Yiddish – was once spoken by tens of thousands of Jewish immigrants in Los Angeles. That language was almost destroyed by assimilation and the Holocaust. But now, Yiddish is making a comeback.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

Dozens of postal workers gathered in protest outside a Bakersfield courthouse on Thursday. They were fighting against the potential privatization of one of the nation’s oldest institutions.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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Bird Flu Still Having A Huge Impact On Egg Supply, Prices In California

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 14:09:00 -0000

If you've been in your local market recently, you may have noticed empty shelves in the aisle where you normally find eggs. With the spread of bird flu, which is infecting chickens throughout the country, eggs have gotten expensive. Really expensive. The average price of a dozen eggs in California is now around $9.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

The University of California has announced it's putting a pause on all new hires, in the face of uncertainty over its budget.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

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New Partnership Aims To Find Local Housing For Tahoe Workers

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:01:00 -0000

Finding a place to live in the Tahoe Basin is a difficult task for many local workers. A recent partnership between Placemate and Washoe County aims to remedy this problem.

Reporter: Kat Fulwider, KUNR

Under California law, if a person makes a threat to a place - like a school or house of worship - but they don't threaten specific individuals, it can be really hard to prosecute them. A bill moving through the state legislature could close this loophole.

Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

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Immigrant Rights Advocates Patrol Streets In Anticipation Of Possible Raids

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:14:00 -0000

Chicago, Boston and Aurora, Colorado have all seen high profile raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of President Trump’s promise of mass deportations. Immigrants rights activists in Los Angeles say it's only a matter of time before we see the same there. One group has taken the unusual step of patrolling the streets looking for ICE.

Reporter: Frank Stoltze, LAist

Officials in the Tulare county city of Porterville are challenging a state law on pronouns.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

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Legal Battle Pits Bay Area Counties Against Trump Administration Over Sanctuary Policies

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 14:04:00 -0000

President Donald Trump has been looking to punish sanctuary cities since his first presidency -- but last time around, his administration repeatedly ended up on the losing side in court. That hasn’t stopped him from trying again.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

State Farm policyholders could soon see their bills go up. That's after California's Department of Insurance announced tentative approval of an emergency rate hike.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Volunteers Preserve History Of Landmarks Lost In LA Wildfires

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:20:00 -0000

Since January, Los Angeles residents have been volunteering to support wildfire recovery, sorting donations, or helping with cleanup. And there’s another cause that’s been bringing folks together: Fireproofing history — by preserving it online.

Reporter: Andrea Domanick, KCRW

California is joining 20 other states to sue the Trump administration over its deep cuts to the federal Department of Education.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Many Childcare Providers Facing Challenges After LA Fires

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:09:00 -0000

Many childcare providers lost their homes in the January fires in Los Angeles, and those homes often doubled as places of work. The state offered financial assistance for a month, but that money ran out in early February. For some, it's been a real challenge trying to get any type of relief.

Reporter: Libby Rainey, LAist

A Fresno County man who tested positive for measles is quarantining at home. He presented to a health center last Friday evening after traveling internationally.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Another Big Name Enters Governor's Race

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 14:10:00 -0000

There's a growing field of candidates looking to replace Gavin Newsom as governor. The latest high-profile entry is former Orange County Congresswoman Katie Porter, who officially entered the race on Tuesday.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

California law lets landlords evict tenants for nonpayment - even if tenants can prove they can pay off their overdue rent. A bill before the state Legislature could change that.

Reporter: Felicia Mello, CalMatters

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German Tourist Held For Weeks At CA Detention Center

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:20:00 -0000

A German tourist has spent more than a month in US Immigration custody here in California.

Her friends say she’s experienced a terrifying ordeal.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says he opposes the resentencing of the Menendez brothers, who are serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents.

Reporter: Frank Stoltze, LAist

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Protection Of California's Public Lands Threatened By Federal Policies

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:05:00 -0000

When Sacramento and Washington, D .C. are at odds, California has some ability to insulate itself. It can partially set its own agenda through state laws, agencies, and funding. But that's not true in about half of the state because half of it is owned by the U .S. government in the form of public lands. In those parts of the state, federal policies apply.

Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED

Did you know, if your car gets towed in California and you don’t claim it, the DMV can pocket any profits after it’s sold? Even though owners are entitled to this money, the DMV doesn’t have to notify them, and the agency has brought in millions off of these kinds of sales.

Reporter: Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters

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Can Music Help With Mental Health Issues?

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 15:18:00 -0000

It’s a common belief that music soothes the soul. But some researchers and healthcare companies say it can be used to heal the mind, and maybe the body.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

Lawmakers should hit the brakes on one of Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature programs for cleaning up homeless encampments. That’s according to a report out this week from the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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San Diego Homeless Encampment Ban Pushes Many Further Away From Services

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:02:00 -0000

More and more tents are popping up along the sides of San Diego freeways, on state property managed by the California Department of Transportation, or Caltrans. City leaders call it a growing problem.

Reporter: Katie Anastas, KPBS

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the University of California for possible workplace discrimination.

Leaders in Fremont have revised a controversial ban on homeless encampments in the city.

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Immigrant Day Laborers Trained On Safely Cleaning Up After LA Fires

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 14:51:00 -0000

The Los Angeles neighborhoods of Altadena and the Palisades are still a mess from the January fires. And some of the people out there struggling to clean it up are immigrant day laborers. They are dealing with toxic ash that can have lead and chemicals in it. What’s the best way to do that safely? One organization is training them.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

Former Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has lost her bid to get her job back, with the City Council voting 13-2 to deny her reinstatement.

Reporter: Frank Stoltze, LAist

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Bay Area Woman's Legal Victory Challenges State Encampment Crackdown

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:45:00 -0000

An unhoused Bay Area woman and her advocates are claiming a big win after a judge stopped officials from clearing her elaborate shelter. It’s believed to be the first court victory of its kind since the U.S. Supreme Court last year made it harder to stop encampment sweeps.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

California is rolling back its more flexible work from home policies that began during the pandemic. Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order requiring state employees to work from the office at least four days a week.

Reporter: Megan Myscofski, CapRadio

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Challenges Keeping Hollywood Production In California

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:07:00 -0000

On Sunday night, Hollywood had its biggest night of the year with the Academy Awards ceremony. But here’s a plot twist. None of the ten films that were up for the best picture Oscar were shot in Hollywood or the greater L.A. area. It’s just the latest example of how much film and television production now occurs outside of Los Angeles, costing local jobs and raising questions about the very future of Hollywood.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

On Saturday, people gathered at national parks across the country to protest the firing of 1,000 National Park employees. Some 90 miles east of Los Angeles at Joshua Tree National Park, hundreds joined the movement.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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San Francisco Judge Temporarily Halts Trump Administration's Mass Firings

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 16:51:00 -0000

A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily blocked a Trump administration directive to mass terminate thousands of federal employees. The ruling only covers some federal agencies, including Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The Sierra Nevada Snowpack is about average for this time of year. Several storms expected in the coming days will likely add several inches.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

President Trump's plans to impose tariffs on imported goods have faced heavy criticism among some experts who warn that the move will raise prices for American consumers and harm U.S. businesses that rely on imports. But the tariffs have also found support among one state industry: California grape growers.

Reporter: Tina Caputo

Shasta County leaders are pushing for voter identification requirements and an elimination of the state's universal mail-in ballots. They advocated for those changes in recent letters to Governor Newsom and President Trump.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, KQED

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Teen Court Program Launches In Del Norte County

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:01:00 -0000

In Del Norte County, starting Thursday, teenagers in trouble will be held accountable by a true jury of their peers. Teen court is a diversion program run by teenagers for teenagers.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara says he'll make a decision soon on State Farm's request for an emergency rate increase.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Danger And Dysfunction Plague California's Homeless Shelter System

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 15:04:00 -0000

California's homeless shelters are deadlier than the state's jails and only a fraction of the people in them end up in permanent housing. Those are just a couple of the startling findings in a new investigation out this week from our California newsroom partner CalMatters.

Guest: Lauren Hepler, CalMatters

More than 50,000 University of California workers are set to go on strike statewide starting Wednesday.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Fire Survivors Face Uncertain Future In Altadena

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:56:00 -0000

You might think people whose homes survived the recent Los Angeles area fires might feel fortunate. But those homeowners are wrestling with their own problems, like how to make their homes livable again in largely destroyed neighborhoods.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

Governor Newsom on Monday announced hundreds of millions of dollars in new homelessness spending, along with a new website meant to let Californians track whether it’s making a difference.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Health Care Facilities Prepare For Potential Immigration Actions

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 15:09:00 -0000

Health care workers across California are attending crash courses on constitutional law. They’re preparing for possible encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, who are now officially allowed inside health care facilities.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News

After weeks of a fraying relationship, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has fired L.A.’s fire chief, Kristin Crowley.

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Trump Administration Launches Review Of High Speed Rail Project

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:58:00 -0000

California's long-delayed and over budget high-speed rail project is under threat again by the Trump administration. During his first term in office, Trump tried, without success, to claw back nearly a billion dollars in federal aid for the project, which one day is supposed to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco. Now this second Trump Administration is launching an investigation into high speed rail. That could jeopardize $4 billion in funds that the feds have committed for constructing the project’s first segment in the Central Valley.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Lawmakers at the state capitol are rolling out proposals to lower Californians' electricity bills, including by taking aim at the rate-increases from investor owned utilities like PG&E and Southern California Edison. But saving money for some ratepayers may come at the expense of other Californians.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The Los Angeles fires have renewed concerns about how well prepared California is to support older people and people who have disabilities during natural disasters.

Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

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Could Kamala Harris' Next Move Be A Run For CA Governor?

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:10:00 -0000

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has returned home to Los Angeles after losing to Donald Trump in the November election. The question now is what will she do next? Many pundits are speculating about a possible run for California governor.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Insurers have already paid out around $7 billion in claims to people who lost homes or suffered property damage in the LA fires.

Reporter: Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

Another fire flared up Tuesday night at a Monterey County battery storage facility, one month after a massive blaze damaged it and caused major health concerns in the region.

Reporter: Joseph Geha, KQED

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Will Families Separated At The Border Continue To Be Protected Under Trump?

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:34:00 -0000

During Donald Trump’s first term in office, his administration pursued a controversial policy of forcibly separating migrant family members, including young children, at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Biden Administration then set up a task force to help reunite those families.

But with Trump’s return to office, one of his first executive actions dissolved that Biden family reunification task force. This has legal experts and immigrants’ rights advocates worried.

Guest: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom

California’s U.S. Senators, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, are both “demanding answers” from the Trump administration about the abrupt cutoff of federal funding meant to expand zero emission vehicle infrastructure in the state

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Lawsuit Accuses San Diego-Based Soap Company Of Fostering Drug Culture

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 14:58:00 -0000

In recent decades, Dr. Bronner’s evolved from a niche soap company to a powerhouse home brand with a worldwide following. But a recent wrongful death lawsuit makes some troubling allegations against the San Diego County-based company. The lawsuit alleges the company has turned a blind eye to an internal culture of drug use.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

Riverside County’s firebrand sheriff is the first high-profile Republican to join the 2026 race for California governor. Chad Bianco kicked off his campaign on Monday at a banquet hall in Riverside.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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Northern California Biomass Plant Fuels Climate Debate

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 14:57:00 -0000

The tiny town of Scotia, California on the state’s remote redwood coast was built up entirely around a large sawmill. An attached biomass plant that burns the wood waste for electricity stands in the middle of a climate debate in the region.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

Some college aid experts in California are tying a recent drop in student aid applications to fears around immigration enforcement.

Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters

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Madera County Community Rallies Around Unique "Landmark"

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 15:22:00 -0000

American society often feels divided. But sometimes, even the most surprising things can bring us together. For a small Central Sierra Nevada community, residents recently found themselves rallying around an unlikely source.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

Communities across California are waking up this morning to the damage left behind from Thursday's powerful storm system. The brunt of the damage was in Southern California.

We'll learn on Friday the results of a strike vote by 20,000 University of California healthcare and other workers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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AI Aims to Bring Farming Into the Future

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:16:00 -0000

Artificial Intelligence is being touted as the next big advancement to take almost every industry into a new direction, and at one of the world's largest agriculture expos, AI evangelists see the new tech as the next big advancement in farming.

Authorities in Southern California have issued evacuation warnings for parts of Los Angeles County that were scorched by wildfires last month, as heavy rains in the region increase the risks of dangerous mudslides in those areas.

Meanwhile, in the Bay Area, an atmospheric river is pounding the region, causing roadway flooding and blackouts across the region. The National Weather Service said the storm could bring down as much as an inch of rain per hour in some parts of the Bay Area, as well winds reaching up to speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour.

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World Ag Expo Kicks Off In Tulare County

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:25:00 -0000

Thousands of people are attending this week's World Ag Expo in Tulare County. There’s plenty to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for. And for many in the farming industry, a big issue right now is bird flu.

Guest: Lucas Fuess, Senior Dairy Analyst, Rabobank

California's FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort, is asking for help paying customer claims due to the Eaton and Palisades fire.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Environmental Impacts From Moss Landing Plant Fire Still Unknown

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:50:00 -0000

The flames have died down at the Moss Landing battery storage plant in Monterey County, after a massive fire last month. But the environmental impacts may be just beginning. In neighboring Elkhorn Slough, a sanctuary for endangered wildlife, researchers have already found heavy metal concentrations up to a thousand times higher than before the fire.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

Starting Tuesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and US Army Corps of Engineers will begin removing fire debris from private properties that were damaged or destroyed in the January wildfires in Los Angeles. The federal agencies will enter the properties of residents who submitted a Rights of Entry form.

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Survivors Link Up To Help One Another Following Natural Disasters

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 15:09:00 -0000

There’s a growing club you don’t want to be a part of. They’re the people who’ve lost their homes and had their lives turned upside down because of natural catastrophes. But getting through these events, whether they’re fires or floods, also means you can be a source of hope for others in their moment of crisis. One group is linking these extreme weather survivors, the veterans with the newcomers.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

On Tuesday, the Bay Area city of Fremont is expected to vote on a new ordinance that would make it a crime to “aid or abet” an illegal homeless encampment.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

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EV Sales Stall In California

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:18:00 -0000

After three straight years of growth, the rate at which Californians are buying electric vehicles is flattening. That’s according to data from the California Energy Commission. Slowing demand for EVs could be a big barrier to California reaching its ambitious EV goals.

Reporter: Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

A major lithium project in Imperial County is moving forward again, after a judge rejected a legal challenge by two environmental justice groups.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

Does the state of California stop many of its residents from spelling and pronouncing their names correctly? It does. Because in California, diacritical marks can't be used to spell names on many official documents.

Guest: State Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco

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Are California's Levees Prepared For Water Releases, Atmospheric Rivers?

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 14:50:00 -0000

How much water is too much for California’s levees? That’s the question many water experts have been asking since President Donald Trump ordered the release of billions of gallons of water from Central Valley dams – and as big storms produced by an atmospheric river drenched much of the state.

Guest: Emily Zentner, The California Newsroom

A UCLA report finds the Los Angeles area wildfires have caused between $95 and $164 billion in total property and capital losses.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leaning on hospitals to continue offering gender-affirming care for youth, calling President Trump’s recent executive order that threatens to stop funding treatments wrong.

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Rebuilding Lessons From Former Fire Victims

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 15:00:00 -0000

More than 16,000 structures were lost in last month’s wildfires in LA. Residents there are now beginning the difficult process of deciding whether they can — or even want to — rebuild. For those who do, experts and survivors of past wildfires say there are ways to build in some resilience against future fires. In Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park, that’s what many residents did after the 2017 Tubbs Fire decimated their neighborhood.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Big water releases from two Central Valley dams are leaving farmers flummoxed. It’s the result of an executive order from President Trump that’s supposed to help fight wildfires in Los Angeles. But the water is unlikely to reach its intended destination.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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California Schools Try To Reassure Families As Deportation Fears Loom

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 15:11:00 -0000

Schools and colleges are some of the places where the fear of President Donald Trump’s pledge of “mass deportations” is hitting hardest. That’s especially after the administration reversed a policy keeping immigration agents away from schools, churches and other "sensitive locations." In California there are laws to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. But some lawmakers want to go further to protect classrooms.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

In the wake of the devastating Los Angeles fires, State Farm, the largest homeowners’ insurance company in California, is seeking an emergency rate hike from the state. Those fires resulted in more than 8,700 claims made to State Farm and more than a billion dollars, so far, in payouts.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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California's Beaches Face Uncertain Future

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:10:00 -0000

With more than 800 miles of coastline, you’d think that one problem the Golden State wouldn’t have to worry about having enough sand -- beach sand. But up and down the coast, many beach cities, like San Clemente in Orange County, are facing a growing problem: their sand is disappearing.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Many federal workers in California are suspicious of the Trump administration's offer of pay and benefits, in return for resigning from civil service.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Big Bear Eagles Welcome Third Egg

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 15:49:00 -0000

Fans are tuning into a new season of so-called eagle TV, a camera trained on the nest of two beloved eagles in Big Bear, east of Los Angeles, that live streams 24-7. Last year ended in heartbreak when the eagles’ eggs did not hatch. Fans around the world are hoping for a better ending this time.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

A federal judge has ruled that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement can resume detaining immigrants at one of its largest California facilities near the Mojave Desert. The ruling lifts a COVID-era ban on receiving immigrants at the Adelanto Detention facility.

California's western monarch butterfly population has dwindled to a near record low.

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CA Wine Industry Could Face Huge Impact From Trump's Immigration Policies

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 17:47:00 -0000

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump vowed to launch what he called “the largest deportation program in American history,” targeting more than 11 million people. While many question the president’s ability to make good on that promise, the prospect has California’s grape growers and vintners on edge.

Reporter: Tina Caputo

In a new executive order, President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to revise its policies toward transgender service members, saying they do not meet the standards of military service.

Reporter: Andrew Dyer, KPBS

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Pasadena Post Office Brings Together Community Affected By Eaton Fire

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 15:05:00 -0000

Altadena residents who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire still need to get their mail. And right now that means waiting sometimes hours at a post office in Pasadena. It's a scene of grief, hope and strong community.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

A judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's attempt to freeze federal funds. That’s after several lawsuits were filed, including by the state of California.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began gathering hazardous materials this week from the Eaton fire at a park in eastern L.A. County. That's upset some of the surrounding cities.

Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, LAist

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Trump Executive Order Takes Aim At California's Water Management

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 16:46:00 -0000

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sunday that he says will help Southern California fight future wildfires. The order directs federal agencies to bypass state and federal environmental rules, to send more water from California’s Delta. Trump has said this move will help protect against wildfires, by bolstering Southern California’s water supplies. But this order won’t actually do that.

Guest: Alastair Bland, CalMatters

A new strain of bird flu has been detected for the first time in the United States. It was found in Merced County.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Just one week into President Donald Trump’s second term, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been seen conducting operations in San Jose.

Reporter: Joseph Geha, KQED

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Trump's Executive Orders On Immigration And The Real Life Impacts In The Central Valley

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 15:25:00 -0000

President Trump has wasted no time signing executive orders that threaten the safety and livelihood of thousands of migrants living in California. That's left many in the Central Valley feeling mixed emotions.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

President Trump wants to deport undocumented immigrants who are accused of crimes. But working with immigration enforcement could mean skirting around California's sanctuary law.

Our partner, CalMatters, asked all 58 California sheriffs if they’ll agree to work with ICE.

Reporter: Nigel Duara, CalMatters

Meanwhile, some schools in California are informing families of their rights, when it comes to immigration.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, KQED

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Los Angeles Wildfires Complicate Efforts to Increase Housing Affordability

Fri, 24 Jan 2025 15:37:00 -0000

As the Southern California wildfires have made tragically apparent, California Democrats' goal to lower the cost of living are running headlong into the impacts of extreme weather brought on by climate change.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

President Trump is expected to visit Los Angeles today to see the wildfire damage firsthand, but some of the details around the visit are murky. That's after he signed an executive action earlier this week aiming to reroute Northern California water to the rest of the state.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The state’s response to the bird flu outbreak could be hobbled as the Trump Administration pauses all communication released from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

State Assemblymember Dawn Addis, who represents Morro Bay, says she's introducing legislation to regulate new battery storage facilities in California. That comes a week after a fire at the world's largest such facility in Moss Landing, owned by the Vistra Corporation.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

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LA Residents Track Price Gougers On Their Own

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 15:04:00 -0000

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is continuing to track price gouging in the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades wildfires. On Wednesday, Bonta announced charges against a Southern California real estate agent for gouging a couple who lost their home to the fires.

It's yet another challenge facing people who lost their homes, who are just trying to figure out where to live. And some residents are tracking price gougers on their own.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, CalMatters

An organization representing farmworkers has received postcards threatening people without legal status.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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LA Fires Raise Questions About Why We Build Homes In Fire-Prone Areas

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:05:00 -0000

This month's devastating wildfires in the L.A. area have once again raised questions in California about the wisdom of building homes and entire communities close to mountainous wilderness areas that burned so easily and tragically in dry conditions.

Guest: Branden Brough, family home was in Pacific Palisades

In one of the first acts of his presidency, Donald Trump ordered cut off of access to the CPB One app for migrants seeking asylum in the United States. That's left many in Tijuana without an idea of their future.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

A new executive order from President Donald Trump on gender identity could complicate travel and employment for California’s transgender and non-binary individuals.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Tijuana Not Prepared For Trump's Proposed Immigration Policies

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 14:59:00 -0000

California immigrant advocates are condemning President Donald Trump’s plans to call out the military for immigration enforcement and challenge the Constitutional right to citizenship for everyone born in the U.S.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Immediately after his inauguration, Donald Trump’s promise to crack down on immigration started to take shape, with the new administration moving to abruptly shut down the CBP One app. The government app allowed migrants to schedule appointments in their attempts to gain asylum in the United States at legal ports of entry. Looking ahead to the possibility of mass deportations of people already in the U.S. those who run migrant shelters in the border city of Tijuana say they’re not prepared to receive a wave of people.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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Trump Inauguration And What Lies Ahead For California

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 15:05:00 -0000

On Monday, Donald Trump will be again sworn in as President of the United States. And one of his first official trips as president is expected to be to Southern California on Friday to tour fire devastated areas. Beyond that trip, what will Trump’s return to power mean for California?

Guests: California Congressmen Tom McClintock and Jay Obernolte

California lawmakers and advocates for immigrants are bracing for a sharp rightward shift on immigration immediately after Donald Trump’s swearing in.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Reflections On Deadly Los Angeles Fires

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:29:00 -0000

Firefighters are still battling the two biggest blazes in Los Angeles - the Palisades and Eaton fires. Crews have been able to get better control of both. As we head into the recovery process, what happens next for people in the region?

Guest: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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How Politics Could Play A Role In Wildfire Aid

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:11:00 -0000

Fire crews are still on the front lines battling the Los Angeles blazes, but California’s Democratic state leaders are bracing for a different fight ahead: a potential clash with the administration of President-elect Donald Trump over disaster aid.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

A 14-year-old in Los Angeles is trying to help to restore a sense of normalcy for girls who lost everything in the wildfires there. Her effort to give those girls some free retail therapy has gone viral.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

The fires that have destroyed homes have also burned through thousands of acres of wildland that’s home to bears, mountain lions, squirrels and other animals.

Reporter: Jill Replogle, LAist

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Inmate Firefighters Battling LA Fires Have Trouble Getting Firefighting Jobs After Release

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:52:00 -0000

Of the army of firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the Los Angeles area, 1000 are incarcerated individuals hacking out fireline with hand tools in rugged terrain. Despite the experience they gain from this work, they face an uphill battle getting hired as firefighters after their release.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

Thousands of families looking for stability after the Los Angeles fires are suddenly confronting another crisis. L.A.’s lack of affordable housing.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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Black Residents In Altadena Deal With Uncertainty After Fire Consumes Community

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 14:58:00 -0000

The Eaton Fire tore through the community of Altadena. The city has long been a sanctuary for Black people, who make up about 18-percent of its population. The losses from the fire are felt deeply in the community and beyond.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

Pacific Palisades, where the Palisades fire continues to burn, is often known for its glitzy homes and celebrity residents. But it hasn’t always been that way.

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Animal Rescue Operations Jump Into Action During LA Fires

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 15:33:00 -0000

By now, most Californians are aware that animals – pets and wildlife – are also suffering because of the fires raging in Los Angeles County. Whenever a natural disaster strikes, animal rescue operations have to kick into high gear.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

California’s insurance commissioner has issued a one-year moratorium on homeowner insurance policy cancellations and non-renewals in areas affected by the Los Angeles fires.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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LA Fires Once Again Call Evacuation Routes Into Question

Fri, 10 Jan 2025 15:36:00 -0000

If you've been following the fires in Los Angeles, online or on TV, you've likely seen videos of gridlocked roads filled with abandoned cars. As the Palisades Fire closed in, residents trying to escape were forced to leave their vehicles behind and flee on foot. Bulldozers were later used to clear the roads. This chaotic scene highlights a troubling reality. Many communities, especially those with narrow, winding roads, are unprepared for large scale evacuations.

Guest: Lauren Sommer, NPR Climate Desk

The fires raging in Southern California have affected thousands of people who have lost their homes. But those losses also affect a wider community of people, namely a population of largely immigrant and Latino workers.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Thousands Remain Evacuated As Wildfires Scorch LA County

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:50:00 -0000

More fires have sparked in Los Angeles as fire crews work tirelessly through the day and night to contain them. Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate their homes. Thousands of homes and structures have been destroyed and five people have been killed in the fires.

Guest: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Thousands of Los Angeles County residents at risk of losing their homes to fires are on the state’s insurance plan of last resort. That’s according to reporting from our California Newsroom partner, CalMatters.

Reporter: Jeremia Kimelman, CalMatters

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Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles, Thousands Evacuated

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 17:30:00 -0000

The city of Los Angeles is under a state of emergency following several rapidly growing wildfires that sparked early Tuesday. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate from the two biggest fires - one burning in Pacific Palisades and the other near Pasadena.

Guest: Saul Gonzalez/The California Report

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Remembering Jimmy Carter And His Impact In California

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 16:08:00 -0000

Californians are remembering the legacy of late president Jimmy Carter as his family and his remains make their way from the Jimmy Carter Center in Atlanta to Washington DC.

After facing two years of multi-billion dollar deficits, Governor Gavin Newsom says California's state budget for the upcoming fiscal year can be balanced without new cuts or taxes.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Southern Californians are bracing for what forecasters are calling dangerous and "life-threatening" wind conditions over the next few days. A widespread red flag warning is in effect through Thursday due to the Santa Ana wind event, which could bring gusts of more than 80 miles per hour.

President Joe Biden is visiting the Eastern Coachella Valley Tuesday, where he’ll formally dedicate a new national monument.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Looking Back On January 6 Insurrection Four Years Later

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0000

Monday marks four years since a mob of supporters of then President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. It was an attempt to keep Trump in office, after he lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden. 140 law enforcement officers were injured and five people died during or soon after the riot. Since the insurrection, more than 1,000 people have been sentenced for crimes they committed that day. That includes many Californians.

Guest: Tom Dreisbach, NPR Investigative Correspondent

The Santa Cruz Wharf reopened on Saturday, less than two weeks after 150 feet of it collapsed into the ocean during a storm. That area had already been closed to the public for nearly a year because of previous storms. Still, about 20 businesses had to close as a result.

Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU

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What LA's Sanctuary City Policy Could Look Like Under Trump Administration

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 15:00:00 -0000

When the Trump administration takes office later this month, it'll be on a collision course with California cities that have vowed to protect their undocumented residents from Donald Trump's plans for mass deportation. But when the city says it will protect immigrants, what does that practically mean?

Guest: Eunisses Hernandez, Los Angeles City Council

Two people were killed and 19 injured when a small aircraft crashed into a furniture manufacturing building in the Orange County city of Fullerton on Thursday afternoon.

California's snowpack near Lake Tahoe is higher than it was this time last year, but still just below average for early January.

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New Laws Go Into Effect In California

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:08:11 -0000

Several new laws went into effect on January 1, dealing with everything from workplace issues to education.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The future of foreign labor in the tech sector could hinge on the outcome of a debate now raging in the orbit of President-elect Donald Trump, over the H1-B, a temporary visa for skilled workers.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Preparing For Sea Level Rise In The Bay Area

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 14:53:32 -0000

Scientists project the Bay Area could rise more than a foot over the next few decades. Solutions implemented now can help communities prepare for a wetter future. This is especially true for the most vulnerable places, like San Francisco’s iconic waterfront.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Dramatic Insurance Spikes Could Tank California's Homeless Housing

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

To end homelessness, California’s political leaders have championed a seemingly simple solution: build homes for people who don’t have them. Even better, put those homes in places where unhoused folks are already living — in cities, close to public transportation and services. But insurers are increasingly eyeing those properties as too risky to serve — not because of potentially catastrophic storms or wildfires — but because of who lives there and the urban neighborhoods where they’re located.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

A new law that goes into effect in the new year could give tenants facing eviction a better shot at staying in their homes.

Reporter: Felicia Mello, CalMatters

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Homelessness Still A Problem In Fresno Despite Tough Crackdown

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Since the Supreme Court gave local governments greater power to police homelessness this summer, some 40 cities across California have passed anti-camping laws, according to the National Homelessness Law Center. In the Central Valley, the city of Fresno is home to one of the state’s harshest crackdowns, banning public camping anywhere, anytime.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Researchers Work To Make Farming More Climate Resilient

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

Cal State Monterey Bay researchers and several partners are working to make Central Coast farming more climate resilient. The grant-funded project is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from specialty crops - think lettuce and strawberries - by using things like compost and cover crops.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

A new law in 2025 will scrub most medical debt from Californians’ credit reports.

Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

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Former Poet Laureate On Migrant Experience

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

It’s been nearly two months since election night, when we learned Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. And since then, we’ve brought you coverage on how different sections of our society are preparing for this new administration. Today, we’re checking in with former US Poet Laureate and recent Genius Grant recipient Juan Felipe Herrera. He’s written extensively about the migrant experience in California.

Guest: Juan Felipe Herrera, former US Poet Laureate

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Wrinkle Cream Among Cosmetics Marketed To Teens

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

If you’ve found yourself at a makeup store recently, especially in a mall after school, you might’ve noticed more young people around you. Like really young. Like elementary and middle school young. This is a trend and it has a name: Sephora Kids. And their purchases are doing damage to more than just their parents’ bank accounts.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. And that’s true at a landfill in Riverside County. Workers at the Lamb Canyon Landfill have started rescuing items to resell at a new store.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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Christmas Tree Lane A Longtime Holiday Tradition In Fresno

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0000

If you grew up here in California, you've likely visited a neighborhood that goes all out for Christmas. We're talking decorations on the roof in the front yard and lining the street. In Fresno, that neighborhood is known as Christmas Tree Lane during the holidays. Groups of families or friends get in their cars and drive down the street, blasting the Christmas radio station. Or they pick one of the walking days, stop at the Starbucks just outside the neighborhood, and walk the lane to really soak up its Christmas magic.

Guest: Dean Alexander, Christmas Tree Lane

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Why Christmas Doesn't Yield As Many Food Traditions As Thanksgiving

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:24 -0000

This week, many of you will be gathering with friends and family to celebrate Christmas. But what’s on your table could depend on traditions your family grew up with.

Guest: Ken Albala, Food Historian and History Professor, University of the Pacific

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How A Building Code Update Disrupted Child Care Centers In California

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 14:38:05 -0000

California is contending with a child care shortage, and the state has made efforts to increase options for families. But conflicting regulations from two state agencies are causing childcare centers to turn away thousands of infants and toddlers.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

Health officials are scheduled to provide an update Friday morning on Governor Newsom's declaration of a state of emergency over bird flu. Although details are scant, public health experts say it’s likely a good thing.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Why California Sheriffs Are Rarely Removed From Office

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 15:37:28 -0000

San Mateo County leaders will soon be asking voters to remove their embattled sheriff from office. It’s likely an unprecedented move.

Reporter: Brian Krans, KQED

Amazon workers across Southern California are joining a nationwide strike Thursday, just days before Christmas, as the Teamsters argue the company is denying their right to unionize.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday declared a state of emergency to aid California's response to the bird flu outbreak. The governor says recent cases were detected in cows at four Southern California dairies, meaning the virus has spread from the Central Valley.

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Whistleblowers Paint Picture Of Violence At New Folsom Prison

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:01:18 -0000

The warden at a troubled prison in northern California is retiring this month, and the governor has just given the former chief deputy warden there a big promotion. KQED reporters Julie Small and Sukey Lewis investigated this prison for their podcast On Our Watch, and they have an article out this week that tells the emotional story of a pair of whistleblowers who work there and the challenges they faced.

Guest: Julie Small, KQED

The co-founders of failed Fresno startup Bitwise Industries have been sentenced to prison for wire fraud.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Where Food Waste Goes In Southern California

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:18:04 -0000

The holidays are a time where we tend to eat a lot of food, and throw a lot out. Americans throw away about four pounds of waste per day, higher than anywhere in the world. But where does all that food waste go?

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

California Resources Corporation and Aera Energy joined forces to become the state’s largest oil company. But a new investigation from KVPR and Inside Climate News finds that the merger could leave taxpayers on the hook for millions.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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California Democrats Plan To Take Measured Approach During Trump's Second Term

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:54:35 -0000

The first time Donald Trump was elected president, blue state Democrats -- particularly those from California -- asserted themselves as the frontline of the resistance. Eight years later, they say they’re making an intentional decision to stay calm, at least for now.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

It’s official. California regulators are enforcing an agreement with the state’s largest insurance companies that they hope will stem the insurance crisis.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Crews have been working around the clock in the community of Scotts Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountains after a rare tornado touched down in the city on Saturday. At least five people were injured.

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Audit Finds Public Universities Failing To Return Native American Remains

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:40:21 -0000

In 1990, a federal law required universities to return Native American remains to their homes. Many institutions had been using them for research and display. But a recent state audit shows many universities have been breaking that law ever since.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

The season for kissing under the mistletoe has arrived! While there’s no guarantee for holiday smooches, you can get a permit to harvest your own mistletoe this season.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

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San Diego Police K-9 Policy Called Into Question

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:31:37 -0000

San Diego's police commission is reviewing the department's K-9 policy, after complaints of excessive force. Data show large racial disparities in who gets bitten by police dogs.

Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS

Former San Joaquin Valley Congressman TJ Cox has agreed to plead guilty to two financial crimes.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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LA Company Gives Old Trucks New, Electric Life

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 15:10:02 -0000

California is pushing the trucking industry to electrify to cut pollution. That effort so far has focused on swapping out old trucks for shiny new electric ones. But that doesn’t always have to be the case.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

The Franklin Fire continues to threaten homes in the Malibu area. Since starting Monday night, the fire has destroyed at least seven structures. Thousands of people remain under evacuation orders and warnings.

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California Still Struggling To Recover From Ban On Bilingual Education

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:51:44 -0000

In the late 1990s, California voters approved a law that required public schools to teach most classes only in English. After that, many public school districts across the state essentially eliminated their bilingual programs. Voters eventually repealed this law back in 2016. But a new investigation from our partner CalMatters has found that the state's bilingual education system is still recovering, while students struggle to get the support they need.

Reporter: Tara García Mathewson, CalMatters

Crews are trying to get a handle on a fast growing wildfire burning in Malibu. The Franklin Fire was first reported around 11 pm Monday night. It's since burned through more than 2,200 acres in the hills north of Pepperdine University.

The LA Unified School District is opening up its state subsidized preschools to higher income families.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist

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Advocates Push For Expedited Pathway To Citizenship For Foreign Nationals In US Military

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 15:15:40 -0000

There are more than 40,000 foreign nationals serving in our military. And most of them are just one mistake away from being deported. But some veterans are advocating for a federal law that would make it easier for foreign-born soldiers to become American citizens.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Los Angeles Congressman Adam Schiff will be sworn in Monday as California’s junior U.S. Senator, filling a seat held by Dianne Feinstein for decades.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

President-elect Trump has pledged to conduct mass deportations. That's stoked fears among financial aid experts, who worry about how his administration might use data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA.

Reporter: Julia Barajas, LAist

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7.0 Quake Off Coast Of Northern California Triggers Tsunami Warning

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 15:20:03 -0000

Residents and authorities of California’s North Coast are assessing the aftermath from Thursday’s 7.0 earthquake centered 70 miles off the coast of Eureka. The quake triggered a tsunami warning from as far north as Oregon to Santa Cruz. In Humboldt County, business owners and residents have been hit hard by earthquakes in the past.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

The man who shot two kindergarteners at an Oroville school Wednesday grew up in Butte County. Authorities say they're learning more about the suspect and victims.

Reporter: Alec Stutson, North State Public Radio

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Central Valley Immigrants Prepare For Potential Conflict With Trump Administration

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 15:08:11 -0000

Immigrant communities worry Donald Trump will make good on promises of mass deportations now that he has been elected to a second term in the White House. That could have big consequences for California’s agricultural communities. The state says about half of all farmworkers are undocumented.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

In Northern California, law enforcement authorities say two kindergarteners who were shot at a school in Butte County are in extremely critical condition.

Reporter: Adia White, North State Public Radio

California prisons will no longer withhold money they’re supposed to give people at the time of their release. The directive comes after a class-action lawsuit and order from the state legislature.

Reporter: Cayla Mihalovich, CalMatters

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California Winemakers Brace For Potential Tariffs

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 15:00:24 -0000

President-elect Trump is proposing to increase tariffs on products imported from China, Canada and Mexico. That, he says, will slash trade deficits and help domestic manufacturing compete by raising prices on imports. But imposing tariffs on imported wines and winemaking supplies could hurt California’s wine industry more than it helps.

Reporter: Tina Caputo

The final congressional seat that was up for grabs in California is going to Central Valley Democrat Adam Gray. Gray defeated Republican incumbent John Duarte in California's 13th Congressional District race, by fewer than 200 votes.

A San Bernardino County man has been arrested and charged with illegally shipping weapons and ammunition to North Korea.

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Lawmakers Return To Sacramento With Incoming Trump Administration Top Of Mind

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:14:40 -0000

California lawmakers began both their new legislative session and a special session called by Governor Newsom on Monday, with Democrats introducing bills to prepare for another Trump presidency. But some leaders cautioned that a resistance to Trump’s policies had to be paired with a renewed focus on governing fundamentals and solving the daily challenges facing Californians.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

As California lawmakers strategize ways to "Trump Proof" the state’s liberal policies, a high priority is safeguarding access to abortions and reproductive care.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Immigrants and community organizations rallied for stronger immigration protections at the State Capitol on Monday, as legislators returned to Sacramento.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

Proposed state legislation could help speed up California’s notoriously slow ballot counting process.

Reporter: Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters

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California's Zero-Emissions Goals Could Hit Wall With New Trump Presidency

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:39:57 -0000

Under Governor Gavin Newsom, California has taken on an environmental policy that aims to reduce its carbon footprint, and that relies heavily on zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).

But California's pathway to going green may face its biggest obstacle in the coming Trump Administration. The President-Elect has vowed to cut federal tax breaks for ZEV purchases, and de-regulate federal environmental policies.

While Governor Newsom says he plans to bring back state-level incentives for ZEV purchases if those tax breaks are revoked, California is preparing for a fight with the new Trump Administration over its environmental future.

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LA Gentrification Fight Sees Tenants Push Back

Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:30:00 -0000

When a developer buys a building in a working-class neighborhood with plans to tear it down and build new apartments, the current tenants can feel powerless. But, that’s not always the case. For example, a gentrification fight in the Boyle Heights community of LA County had unexpected results.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

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A Native American Perspective Of Thanksgiving

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 14:45:00 -0000

For families here in California, Thanksgiving often means gathering with friends and family and celebrating with food and drinks. But the holiday has a much different meaning for California’s Native American community.

Guest: Gerald Clarke, ethnic studies professor at UC Riverside and member of the Cahuilla Band of Indians

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Two Towns Battle For Title Of Tallest Christmas Tree

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 15:28:58 -0000

Christmas is just around the corner. So let's head to Eureka in Humboldt County, where Sequoia Park Zoo is preparing for the holidays with a living Christmas tree that may just take the title of tallest in the nation from the neighboring town of Ferndale.

Guest: Jennifer Fumiko Cahill, North Coast Journal

Pacific Gas and Electric is asking the California Public Utilities Commission to approve another rate hike. That's meant to generate more than $3 billion to help connect customers to the grid and make capacity upgrades.

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Salmon Restoration Taking Shape In Tuolumne River

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:03:42 -0000

Environmental groups and irrigation districts are working to bring more salmon back in the Tuolumne River near Modesto. Salmon used to thrive in California, but decades of environmental degradation have reduced their population to about one percent of historical levels. Now people are trying to help them recover by rebuilding their habitat, but environmentalists argue that what’s really needed is just more water.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

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San Diego County Renters Look For Help In Stopping Evictions

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:21:20 -0000

Renters in the small, mostly working-class Southern California city of Imperial Beach are sounding alarms after the owners of one apartment complex issued a mass eviction notice. Tenants are now urging the City Council to step in.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to drink a specific type of raw milk due to the detection of bird flu. The affected milk is from Raw Farm LLC of Fresno County. The company has issued a voluntary recall of the affected milk.

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Residents In Pajaro Still Waiting For Relief Funds

Fri, 22 Nov 2024 14:44:46 -0000

It’s been more than a year and a half since a levee breach flooded the community of Pajaro. The state of California gave Monterey County $20 million for recovery, with $10 million earmarked for direct aid to residents and businesses. But Pajaro residents are still waiting on most of that money.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

A powerful atmospheric river continues to slam Northern California. Weather conditions have toppled trees, flooded roads, left thousands without power, and forced the closure of some schools as a precautionary measure. The National Weather Service warns Eureka and Humboldt County could see extensive flooding.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

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Dentists Express Concerns About Possibility Of Fluoride-Free Water

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 15:02:55 -0000

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the country's Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has promised that the Trump administration will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water on day one in office. But what will that mean for water, and our teeth?

Guest: Dr. Howard Pollick, Professor of Dentistry, UCSF

The state Legislature’s fiscal analyst is out with its first round of budget projections this week. The takeaway? The budget is roughly balanced, for now.

Reporter: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

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California Tribes Push For Federal Protections For Ancestral Land

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 14:37:32 -0000

Several California tribes are renewing their push for the federal government to protect their ancestral lands. They’re urging the Biden administration to create three new national monuments across the state before the end of the year.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

On Wednesday, unions representing tens of thousands of healthcare, professional, service and technical employees at the University of California launched a two-day strike.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Medical Bill To Treat Snake Bite Could Be Costly For Californians

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 14:59:00 -0000

If you’re one of the unlucky people who get bitten by a venomous snake, you’re going to need antivenom. And it’s costly. Millions of Californians live in rattlesnake territory, and are unaware that the medical bill could be enormous.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News

It's been two weeks since Lake County’s Measure U asked voters if the town of Kelseyville should change its name to Konocti. Over 70% voted against the change.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Worker's Rights Likely To Look Different Under Incoming Trump Administration

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:21:32 -0000

President-elect Donald Trump has yet to announce his pick to lead the Labor Department. His choice will reveal the direction the administration plans for the agency.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The first case of a more severe strain of mpox has been found in California. State health officials confirmed the first known U.S. case of the strain – known as clade I – in San Mateo County over the weekend.

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Some Inglewood Small Business Owners Near Sports Venues Struggling To Stay Afloat

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 15:10:05 -0000

The LA County city of Inglewood has been on a roll the last few years. SoFi Stadium, home to two NFL teams, the L.A. Rams and L.A. Chargers opened in 2020 at a cost of over $5 billion. And just this year, the Intuit Dome became the home of the LA Clippers. While the sport venues were supposed to be a boon for the area, some Black-owned small business owners say they're actually doing more damage than good.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The Palm Springs City Council unanimously approved a settlement with Section 14 residents and descendants Thursday night. The neighborhood was home to mostly Black and Latino families, whose homes were burned down by the city in the 1960's.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

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Will Trump Presidency Affect California's Housing Crisis?

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 15:32:09 -0000

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to reenter the White House, California housing advocates are bracing for how a second term could impact the state’s challenges in building housing, notoriously high home prices, rents, rates of homelessness.

Guest: Dan Dunmoyer, President and CEO, California Building Industry Association

The Palm Springs City Council will vote Thursday on whether to approve a settlement for the survivors and descendants of a predominantly black and brown neighborhood that was burned down 60 years ago.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

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Passage Of Prop 36 Could Lead To More Balanced Approach On Crime

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 15:10:56 -0000

Supporters of criminal justice reform in California suffered some big losses in last week’s election. But people on both sides of the debate over crime and punishment say the election shouldn’t be seen as a renunciation of progressive reforms entirely.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

In the Central Valley, Republican Congressman David Valadao has won re-election, moving the GOP closer to control of the House.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

For the first time in history, women will make up at least half of the California State Senate.

Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

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What A Trump Presidency Means For California

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:03:17 -0000

President-elect Donald Trump made plenty of promises during his campaign that could affect the state of California. But California is already taking action to defend itself against potential Trump administration policies. Will it work?

Guest: Melanie Mason, Politico

Federal health officials are making a new push to test more workers who might be infected with bird flu.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Sacramento Programs Aim To Help Unhoused Veterans

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 14:56:12 -0000

On this Veterans Day, a reminder that thousands of veterans, young and old, are homeless in our state. But in Sacramento and surrounding communities, the numbers of homeless vets has noticeably dropped over the past couple of years.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

The California Air Resources Board is moving ahead with changes to toughen the state’s low carbon fuel standard. Regulators voted to approve the controversial amendments late Friday.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

As the Southern California Kaiser mental health worker strike enters its fourth week, some patients are turning to social media to show their support.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

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Godzilla And Its History In Los Angeles

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:54:34 -0000

This week marks the 70th anniversary of the release of the original Godzilla film across Japan. But the movie that American audiences first saw was actually an altered version with added scenes shot at a small Los Angeles studio.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

The Mountain Fire burning in Ventura County has destroyed 132 structures, most of which were homes.

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Republicans, Trump See Big Gains With Latino Men

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:14:35 -0000

Details are still coming in about how voting demographics broke down in the presidential election. But so far, it seems Republicans made big gains with Latino voters, particularly men.

Guest: Christian Paz, Senior Politics Reporter, Vox

Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate in Ventura County because of a wind-whipped wildfire that continues to burn out of control. The Mountain Fire is believed to have destroyed dozens of homes so far.

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Trump Wins Presidential Election

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 20:30:43 -0000

Donald Trump has been elected the 47th President of the United States. Although a handful of states have not been called, the former president clinched the victory with his win in Wisconsin.

Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Democratic representative Adam Schiff won the US Senate seat long held by the late Dianne Feinstein on Tuesday night.

A number of statewide ballot measures were decided on Election Night, although the outcome of some are still up in the air.

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Answering Last Minute Voter Questions Before Election

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 15:08:12 -0000

Millions of Californians are expected to head to the polls Tuesday in the 2024 general election. They'll be voting on local measures, state propositions and our next president. If you're one of those people and you've got some last minute questions you're too afraid to ask, we've got you covered.

Guest: Kim Alexander, President of the California Voter Foundation

PG&E says as many as 15,000 in 17 counties across its sprawling area could lose power starting Tuesday night, because of the onset of dangerous fire weather.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Several School Board Races Not Even On November Ballot

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:07:23 -0000

In recent years, you’ve likely heard news stories about fiery school board meetings. But most often, they’re pretty routine. In the November election, there are several school board races on the ballot. But many are not, because the races have not attracted more than one candidate.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

Shasta County in far Northern California has been the epicenter of election denialism in the state, and the tension is taking a toll on election workers. Officials have confirmed that 10 out of 21 workers with the Shasta County Registrar of Voters have quit as of last week.

Reporter: Sergio Olmos, CalMatters

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How California's Prop 34 Singles Out One LA-Based Health Care Provider

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:37:00 -0000

Tens of thousands of University of California workers have authorized their unions to call a strike in coming weeks. They say many departments are understaffed and accuse UC administrators of bargaining in bad faith.

Although California's more than 180,000 unhoused residents could be impacted by the results of next week's election, many may not vote due to various challenges. Data from Sacramento County shows less than 10 percent of unhoused voters there are registered.

Reporter: Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters

Statewide Proposition 34 is, on its face, about requiring health care providers to spend nearly all of their revenue on patients. But the measure is backed by a landlord lobbying group and only applies to a single provider who is pushing for more rent control in California.

Reporter: Aaron Schrank, KCRW

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Young Voters Could Decide Key Central Valley Congressional Race

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:23:32 -0000

Young voter turnout across the U.S. has historically been low. But this year, youth voter registration has surged. And that could make a difference in the Congressional District 13 race in northern San Joaquin Valley. Two years ago, Republican John Duarte beat Democrat Adam Gray by less than 600 votes.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

Another demographic that could sway the vote in California’s 13th District is Latinas. They make up 1 in every 4 voters in the District, according to Lucete Latina, a Federal Political Action Committee.

Guest: Roxana Pantoja, 19-year-old Merced resident

The Los Angeles Dodgers won in dramatic fashion Wednesday night, coming from behind to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 of the World Series. It's the franchise's eighth World Series championship.

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Shasta County's Top Election Official Looks To Ease Voter's Concerns

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:06:01 -0000

California election officials are bracing for Election Day amidst concerns about distrust. Officials have been investing in outreach and education. One county that's dealt with a lot of distrust is Shasta County in far northern California. The county's longtime registrar of voters, Cathy Darling Allen, retired in May this summer. The board appointed a new registrar to replace her.

Guest: Alex Hall, KQED

Proposition 35 is one of ten statewide ballot measures that Californians will be voting on this election. It would put new guidelines around Medi-Cal spending to help secure better pay for doctors who serve low-income Californians.

Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

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Organizers Try To Boost Voter Turnout In Imperial County

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 13:44:53 -0000

Over the last few months, voting rights advocates have been hitting the ground across the Imperial Valley as part of a new effort to get more people ready to cast their ballots in November. They’re fighting an ongoing battle: decades of low voter turnout.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

More than 37,000 University of California service and patient care workers are voting this week on whether to authorize a statewide strike.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are a win away from a World Series Championship. L.A. defeated the New York Yankees in Game 3 Monday night, 4-2, to take a 3-0 lead in the series.

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Northern California Town Considers Name Change

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 13:54:53 -0000

Should a California town change its name because of its association with a murderous settler? That’s the question at the heart of a ballot measure this election season, in Lake County. It’s a rural area about two hours drive north of Sacramento. Voters are being asked if the small town of Kelseyville should be renamed Konocti.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

Southern California’s largest Asian American advocacy group is training its poll monitors to keep an eye out for racist rhetoric and bullying.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

Californians will vote on ten statewide ballot propositions this fall. Among them is Proposition 2, which would let California borrow $10 billion through a state bond to pay for updates to school facilities.

Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters

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US Forest Service Stops Prescribed Burns In California

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:33:00 -0000

The U.S. Forest Service this week directed its employees in California to stop prescribed burning "for the foreseeable future," a directive that officials said is meant to preserve staff and equipment to fight wildfires if needed.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Californians will vote on ten statewide ballot propositions this fall. Among them is Proposition 3, which would enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in the California constitution.

Reporter: Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters

Voter support appears to be waning for a ballot measure that would increase the state’s minimum wage.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The head of the federal agency in charge of securing our nation’s election infrastructure is on a speaking tour, trying to instill confidence in the integrity of the coming vote.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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A Trip To The Border As Election Day Looms

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 13:58:03 -0000

In the final weeks of the presidential campaign, migration at the U.S.-Mexico border remains a heated topic. Former President Donald Trump calls it an “invasion.” And Vice President Kamala Harris is vowing tougher enforcement. So what is actually happening at the border?

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

The editorials editor of the Los Angeles Times has resigned after the newspaper’s owner, billionaire biotech entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong, blocked the editorials team’s plan to endorse Kamala Harris in this year’s presidential election.

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Orange County Congressional Race Is Tale Of Two Cities

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 14:06:12 -0000

Orange County is once again poised to help decide control of Congress this November. The 47th district is one of the swing seats up for grabs. And college education levels are dividing voters in the district’s two largest cities.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

America, Mexico and Los Angeles have all lost an athletic and cultural icon with the death of former L.A. Dodgers player Fernando Valenzuela at the age of 63.

Embattled Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has resigned from his position and agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy to steal millions of taxpayer dollars, funds that were intended to feed seniors.

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What's Next For California's Offshore Wind Industry?

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:56:29 -0000

Earlier this year, state energy officials approved a strategic master plan to start developing enormous offshore wind farms in the waters off the coast, with hundreds of wind turbines each the size of the Eiffel Tower sitting atop floating platforms. But what's on tap for the growing industry?

Guest: Adam Stern, Executive Director of Offshore Wind California

It's day 2 of a strike by thousands of Kaiser Permanente mental health care workers in Southern California. More than 100 picketed outside the healthcare provider’s medical center on Sunset Blvd. Monday.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

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A Small Business Owner Weighs in on California's "Tough on Crime" Legislation

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 17:15:17 -0000

Weeks Ago, We Heard From an Opponent of Prop 36, Now, We Speak With a Supporter

We hear from the owner of a 7-Eleven franchise in Los Angeles, whose store has been targeted by thieves at least twice. He tells us how his experience shaped how he feels about Prop 36.

The bill would undo criminal justice reforms that voters approved more than a decade ago; that means tougher sentencing on non-violent crimes, reclassifying some misdemeanors as felonies, and placing harsher penalties on repeat offenders.

Kaiser Permanente Workers in Southern California Go on Strike

More than 2,400 mental health workers with Kaiser Permanente in Southern California went on strike this morning, setting up picket lines at facilities from Los Angeles to San Diego.

Represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, the mental health professionals mobilized to strike over the weekend, after rejecting Kaiser's terms on Friday.

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Rent Control is Back on the Ballot

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:55:12 -0000

Proposition 33 once again puts rent control on the ballot. The previous initiatives failed, but the idea is gaining momentum in California, and nationally. Even President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have embraced it. Still, rent regulations remain controversial.

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Californians Travel Outside The State To Stump For Harris

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:24:44 -0000

In this high stakes election year, many politically-engaged Californians are volunteering in their communities. But some feel they can make more of a difference traveling out of state, like to neighboring Nevada.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million dollars to victims of clergy sex abuse.

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Thousands Of Healthcare Workers See Wages Increase

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 18:25:09 -0000

Most healthcare employers in California are required to increase their minimum wage starting Wednesday. This is the first raise of its kind in the U.S. specific to healthcare.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

This fall, school districts throughout the state are asking voters to approve billions of dollars in bonds to repair and renovate aging campuses. But what is a bond?

Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

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California Voters To Take Up Climate Change With Proposition 4

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 13:57:58 -0000

As Californians gear up for the upcoming election, we've got some big races on the ballot, you know, President of the United States and U.S. Senate. But there's also a pivotal decision looming whether to back a $10 billion state climate bond.

Guest: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a controversial special session measure aimed at lowering gas prices. But it has plenty of critics.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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Passage Of Proposition 6 Could Change The Landscape Of California Prisons

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:03:44 -0000

Proposition 6 on the November ballot aims to get rid of “involuntary servitude” for people in prison. You might know that some of these folks fight wildfires, but people who are in prison also do jobs as varied as cooking and making furniture, and usually they’re paid pennies an hour.

Reporter: Audy McAfee

The nonprofit California Fire Foundation has expanded its memorial wall, which honors fallen firefighters at the State Capitol.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Fresno Landlord Hopes Her Home Can Be Model To End Barriers For Housing

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:52:21 -0000

Last month, a Fresno County ordinance went into effect that prohibits people from sleeping or camping on public property. So where will the city’s thousands of unhoused people go next? An untraditional program is attempting to reduce some barriers to housing.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA, gives protection from deportation to more than half a million undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as kids, including tens of thousands in California. The latest in a series of legal battles over the program came Thursday in a federal appeals court.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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A Defining Moment For Kamala Harris - Her Actions During Foreclosure Crisis

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:35:59 -0000

On the campaign trail, Vice President Kamala Harris often talks about standing up for voters. One of her biggest tests of this promise came more than a decade ago, during the peak of the subprime mortgage crisis.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Riverside’s city council struck down a proposal by the city attorney and police department to prohibit items that could be used as weapons during protests.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Orange County Congressional Race Could Be Key To Control Of House

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:29:29 -0000

In the race for control of Congress, all eyes are on California. Election analysts see more competitive contests for the House of Representatives here than in any other state. One of those is the 47th District in Orange County, where Democrat Dave Min is taking on Republican Scott Baugh.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

State workplace regulators have fined a farm labor contractor near Sacramento more than $17,000 for serious heat safety violations.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Child Care Centers Challenged By Extreme Heat

Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:58:00 -0000

The recent hot weather has brought attention to schools, and how many of them lack air conditioning and other infrastructure to keep kids safe. The issue is even more crucial at child care centers because young kids have a harder time adapting.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

Smoggy air has plagued California cities during this recent heat wave. And new research shows that pollution may affect children’s brains.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Spending more time on screens increases the likelihood that 9-and 10-year-olds will develop symptoms of mental illness. That's according to a new study out this week from UC San Francisco.

Reporter: Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED

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Los Angeles Organization Focuses On Building Lasting Partnerships Between Muslim And Jewish Communities

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:35:44 -0000

It’s been one year since Hamas-led militant groups launched attacks on Israel, killing more than 1200 Israelis and taking more than 200 people hostage. Many of those hostages have still not been released. And more than 41,500 people in Gaza have been killed by the Israeli bombardment according to Palestinian health officials, with a ceasefire still nowhere in sight. The war in the Middle East has also led to growing tensions here in the US. An LA-based organization is working to ease the tensions between the two communities.

Guests: Ben Ginsburg and Tasneem Noor, NewGround

The state Department of Public Health is investigating a possible third human case of bird flu in the Central Valley. The first two confirmed human cases were in Tulare County.

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Foster Families In Limbo After Insurer Shakeup

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:54:02 -0000

Thousands of foster children in the state are at risk of being moved from their homes. That’s after a major insurer for foster family agencies says it will no longer cover these organizations, starting this month. These agencies recruit and oversee foster parents, and without insurance, they can’t operate.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist

California needs to do more to contain bird flu on dairy cattle ranches. That's what one infectious disease expert says, as state health officials investigate the first two confirmed human cases of bird flu in the state.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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How AI Is Changing The Nature Of Police Reports

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 13:59:54 -0000

Draft One is software that uses basically the same AI as Chat GPT. In seconds it generates the narrative for a police officer's report by analyzing the transcript of their bodycam audio. East Palo Alto is among a handful of cities across the state including Fresno, San Mateo, Campbell and Bishop that have started testing or using the program. But some experts are questioning its accuracy.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

Flood officials are strengthening a levee system in Monterey County that burst during a storm last year, flooding nearly 300 homes in Pajaro.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

The largest dam removal project in U.S. history was completed Wednesday on the Klamath River near the California-Oregon border.

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A Look At CARE Court One Year In

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:40:55 -0000

CARE Court turns one this week. When it rolled out last year in eight California counties, the program took aim at one of the state’s most pressing challenges -- how to treat people whose illness often makes them believe they are not sick, particularly those who, left untreated, move between jail, hospitals and homelessness. So how's it going?

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

The Line Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains flared up over the weekend, forcing more evacuations in areas south of Big Bear Lake. On Tuesday, prosecutors gave details about how they believe the fire was started.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

Tuesday is the second day of a strike by thousands of dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts. And so far, there hasn't been a huge impact at two major ports on the West Coast, the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Oakland.

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Community Perseveres After Fire Destroyed Much Of Historic Town

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:43:50 -0000

The Borel Fire was the largest wildfire in Kern County’s history. It tore through 60,000 acres in the southern Sierra Nevada and consumed the historic town of Havilah earlier this summer. State crews have only just begun cleanup efforts as those displaced reckon with the devastation.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing a Eureka hospital for denying a patient a needed abortion.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

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Former Offender Provides Unique View On Prop 36

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 14:13:21 -0000

One of the highest profile measures on California's November ballot is Proposition 36. If passed, it would roll back criminal justice reforms approved by voters ten years ago to reduce incarceration rates and increase punishments for certain drug and theft crimes like carjacking, burglary and shoplifting. Supporters say Prop 36 needs to pass because of increases in some property crimes and growing public anxiety over retail theft. But what does a person who once committed those kinds of offenses think about the measure?

Guest: Robyn Williams, LA Resident

New CDC data show how important COVID vaccines are during pregnancy.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News

A new poll finds a majority of California voters support two bond measures on the November ballot.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Haitians In CA Worry Of Long-Term Effects From False Political Rhetoric

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 14:11:27 -0000

A Haitian community group filed a criminal complaint this week in Ohio over former president Donald Trump’s false claims that Haitian immigrants were eating cats and dogs. The same group helps Haitian immigrants along California’s border, and says Trump’s accusations are reverberating there too.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

A bill designed to help Black families reclaim land taken by the government, or get compensation for it, has been vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

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Bomb Explodes Inside Santa Maria Courthouse

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:15:43 -0000

Here are the morning’s top stories on Thursday, September 26, 2024…

The FBI is investigating an explosion that took place the lobby of the superior court complex Wednesday morning in Santa Maria, California. Five people were sent to the hospital with minor injuries, and people living or working several blocks around the court complex were evacuated. A suspect has been taken into custody. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez / The California Report

As outer space becomes more accessible and more commercial, more people are choosing to launch their cremated ashes into the cosmos. Reporter: Kerry Klein / KCRW

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Data Shows American Citizens Smuggle More Fentanyl Into US Than Migrants

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:05:00 -0000

Here are the morning’s top stories on Wednesday, September 25, 2024…

Mexican drug cartels are recruiting San Diegans to smuggle fentanyl into the United States. Prosecutors are worried about teenagers getting caught up in the cross-border drug trade. Gustavo Solis / KPBS

Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will remove debt owed to a medical office or hospital from Californian's credit reports. Ana Ibarra / CalMatters

Invitation Homes, a massive corporate landlord, has agreed to pay $48 million to settle a lawsuit with the Federal Trades commission. The FTC alleges Invitation Homes charged tenants junk fees, and withheld security deposits. Adhiti Bandlamudi / KQED

Hotel workers in Hawaii's largest resort are joining thousands of others striking hotels in California.

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Takeaways From a CA School Where Cell Phones Are Not Allowed

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:42:50 -0000

Here are the morning’s top stories on Tuesday, September 23, 2024…

In January of 2025 the Los Angeles Unified School District will ban cellphones on campus. More California school districts will follow suit, as Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law Monday that will require districts to restrict phones on campus. It’s part of a growing movement to help students improve academically, socially and emotionally. But one school has a cell phone ban already in place... and the students seem to be thriving.

At least 18 cities and counties across California have put in place new bans on homeless encampments since the Supreme Court in June gave them more power to do so. One of those cities is Fresno.

California is suing ExxonMobil for an alleged "campaign of deception" around the true impact of plastic recycling.

What One CA School Learned When They Banned Cell Phones

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill this week that will direct schools to create policies to restrict student cell phone use. But at Marina Del Rey Middle School in Los Angeles, cell phones have already been banned. There, Principal Sidra Dudley requires students to power off their phones each morning, then enclose them in neoprene pouches secured by a magnetic lock, created for that purpose by a company called Yondr. The pouches stay locked throughout the day.. Six months after the school implemented the ban, the Los Angeles Unified School District followed suit. With a 5-2 majority, the school board passed a resolution forbidding cellphones in all public schools. Students at Marina Del Rey Middle School say this ban has made them less distracted in class. And teachers say test scores are improving.

Fresno Rolls out Plans for Homeless Ban

Fresno city leaders on Monday laid out plans for enforcing one of the state’s harshest crackdowns on homeless encampments, which bans public camping anywhere, anytime. Since the Supreme Court in June empowered cities to crack down on homeless encampments, and Gov. Gavin Newsom seized on the opening to push for ramped-up sweeps, at least 18 jurisdictions around the state have put in place new camping bans — the most of any state, according to a tally maintained by the National Homelessness Law Center.

CA Sues ExxonMobil

California is suing ExxonMobil for an alleged "campaign of deception" around the true impact of plastic recycling. The lawsuit was filed by The California Department of Justice on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that Exxon knowingly misled Californians by promoting all plastic as recyclable. The company is the world’s largest producer of fossil fuel materials that are used to make single-use plastics. The lawsuit is seeking billions of dollars. This comes at a time when California Environmental groups, including Sierra Club and Baykeeper, have also announced a separate lawsuit against ExxonMobil over the same issues.

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Climate Change Leads CA Farmers To Seek Alternative Crops, Like Agave

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:38:33 -0000

California is home to most of the country’s fruits and nuts, like avocados and almonds. But climate change means hotter temperatures and increased drought for the state, making it harder to grow those crops. That’s pushing farmers to seek alternative crops that don’t need as much water, like agave.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

It was a busy weekend for Governor Newsom, who signed and vetoed dozens of bills on his desk. He approved several bills aimed at helping aging Californians, and also vetoed legislation that would have required public universities to hire undocumented students for campus jobs.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

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Why Thousands Of Inmates Who Are Eligible To Vote Won't

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 14:15:36 -0000

Thousands of Californians serving jail time are legally eligible to vote, but many don’t know it, according to advocates and inmates themselves.

Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

Protesters disrupted a University of California Board of Regents meeting Thursday, where university leaders approved requests from campus police departments to purchase military equipment and weapons.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani blasted three home runs and stole two bases during the team's 20-4 win on Thursday. He became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season.

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Valley Students Work Towards College Degree While In High School

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 14:02:16 -0000

More students in the San Joaquin Valley are graduating high school not just with a diploma, but also with an associate’s degree. Taking college classes while still in high school can help them finish college and accelerate their careers.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

Women and people of color are still among the lowest-paid workers in California. That’s according to a new report released on International Equal Pay Day.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Five UC campuses are hoping to bolster their police forces with the purchase of more military and surveillance equipment. That includes drones, pepper powder and less-lethal firearms, also known as “anti-riot guns.”

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Nonprofit Fails To Provide Housing As Part of State's Project Homekey

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:14:13 -0000

A few years ago, two companies, one nonprofit, one for profit, received more than $100 million in taxpayer dollars to quickly house homeless people in California. It was part of Governor Gavin Newsom's Project Homekey, which turned hotels into shelters for unhoused people. But little has come from the partnership.

Guest: Anna Scott, Reporter, The California Newsroom

The man accused of starting the Line Fire in San Bernardino County pleaded not guilty to arson charges on Tuesday.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

California's Surgeon General introduced a new initiative Tuesday that aims to cut the state's maternal mortality rate by 50% in two years.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Compton Judge Transforms Courtroom Into Place Where Parent-Child Relationship Is Strengthened

Tue, 17 Sep 2024 13:46:43 -0000

Babies and toddlers are removed from their homes and placed in the child welfare system far more than older kids. It’s a traumatic experience that takes place during a pivotal period of development. A judge in Compton is transforming the way she handles cases involving kids under three, by supporting their parents so they can better care for their babies.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

State energy officials warn Californians will soon see higher gas prices during another annual cost spike. It comes as the legislature prepares to hold hearings on gas prices this week.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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As Negotiations Continue, Animation Union Looks To Close Gender Gap

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 14:00:02 -0000

The Animation Guild, which represents thousands of animation artists, writers and technicians, is restarting negotiations with Hollywood studios on Monday. Hollywood’s been churning out animated hits since the 1930’s. And since this heyday certain jobs have been dominated by women. There's now growing evidence that a historical gender bias could be the reason for an existing pay gap.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

Governor Gavin Newsom signed more than two dozen bills into law over the weekend, and vetoed six others.

Reporter: Nik Altenberg, KQED

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As Immigration Grabs the National Spotlight, California Forges its Own Path on the Issue

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:49:00 -0000

Democrats and Republicans are using immigration as a political flashpoint, as we approach election day in November. Meanwhile, California has been on the front lines of the issue for decades, and it has taken some unique approaches to help those that have made the journey to make the Golden State their new home.

Police have arrested a man they suspect started the Line Fire that's currently burning in the mountains of San Bernardino.

Officials say that 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco ignited the fire on September 5th in Highland near Baseline Road. Prosecutors say he tried to set to other fires that same day.

Meanwhile, crews in Southern California are continuing to battle the Airport Fire, which is now burning in both Orange and Riverside Counties.

Since igniting on Monday, the wildfire has scorched more than 23,000 acres. It's only 8% contained as of this morning.

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Incarcerated Women Say Officers Used Unprecedented Force In August Attack

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:32:29 -0000

The California Department of Corrections is investigating after more than 100 women incarcerated in a Central Valley prison were allegedly pepper sprayed and tear gassed by staff for more than an hour. Inmates who’ve been in the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla for years say it was the most severe use of force they’ve seen.

Guest: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

Wildfires continue to burn out of control across Southern California. The largest is the Bridge Fire burning in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. That fire has burned more than 51,000 acres as of Thursday morning with no containment. Evacuation orders are still in place for the Bridge, Airport and Line fires.

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Fires Explode In Size, Threaten More Communities Across Southern California

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:52:27 -0000

The Bridge Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest outside of L.A. has exploded in size growing to more than 47,000 acres with no containment. Evacuation orders are in place for small mountain communities and flames have consumed homes in Wrightwood and swept through the Mountain High Ski resort.

The Airport Fire continues to burn across dry chaparral covered hills in Orange County. The wind-driven blaze had charred more than 22,000 acres, and jumped into Riverside County on Tuesday.

The Line Fire has burned more than 34,000 acres in and around the San Bernardino National Forest. Smoke from the blaze– and others around the state— is making air quality unhealthy for more than 10 million people in Southern California, especially in inland areas. Some people are getting creative to protect themselves.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

California’s unhoused population has grown by 8% to 186,000 people. That’s according to a new analysis of state homelessness data from our California Newsroom partner, CalMatters.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

With the presidential race entering its final weeks, a new survey finds that economic issues are top of mind for California’s 9 million Latino voters.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Line Fire In San Bernardino Mountains Continues To Challenge Crews

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 16:30:01 -0000

In the San Bernardino mountains, the Line Fire has burned more than 26,000 acres. The fire is only 5% contained and is expected to get bigger in the next few days. More than 65,000 homes and other structures are threatened.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

In Orange County, a fire that broke out on Monday and rapidly grew has burned about 9,000 acres as of Tuesday morning. The Airport Fire broke out between rugged scrublands and suburban neighborhoods in the county’s Trabuco Canyon area.

Authorities continue to assess damage to the city of Clearlake from a wildfire that ignited Sunday in Lake County. The Boyles Fire burned at least 30 homes and as many as 60 cars.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

A new report that assessed K-12 schools nationwide gives California a “D” on school data transparency.

Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters

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Santa Ana Voters To Decide On Whether To Allow Non-Citizens To Vote In Municipal Elections

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:16:00 -0000

Should people who aren’t U.S. citizens be allowed to vote in some elections? Well, that very question is going to be on the November ballot in the Orange County City of Santa Ana in the form of local measure DD. If passed, DD would amend Santa Ana’s municipal charter and allow non-citizen residents of the city, both documented and undocumented, to vote in all local elections.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The hot weather across California this past weekend once again provided a huge challenge for fire crews. In the San Bernardino Mountains, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, the Line Fire exploded in size. It’s burned more than 20,000 acres.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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New Rules Aim To Keep High School Athletes Safe During Hot Weather

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 15:49:40 -0000

California schools must now adjust sports practices and games when it’s too hot outside. The state law went into effect this summer.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

A bill on Governor Newsom’s desk would ban employers from forcing workers to attend anti-union meetings.

Reporter: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

Criminal justice advocates are hopeful the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into two California state prisons will bring much needed change. The investigation into facilities in Chowchilla and Chino comes after what officials say are "hundreds" of lawsuits and some criminal allegations of sexual assault.

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Renters Call For Added Protections As California Faces Another Heat Wave

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:17:43 -0000

The hot weather will continue across much of the state on Thursday. Triple digit temperatures are expected, and heat advisories have been issued for many inland regions. The extreme heat can be life-threatening for many Californians, especially those without air conditioning in their homes.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Cities that aren't following state housing laws are on notice: California Governor Gavin Newsom says he’ll sign a bill that will impose hefty penalties for those that don’t follow the rules.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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Experts Dispel Claims About Migrants Bringing Fentanyl Into US

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:12:39 -0000

Fentanyl is a dangerous narcotic that kills more than 100,000 Americans each year. Donald Trump and many other politicians say this deadly drug is regularly smuggled into the U.S. by undocumented immigrants. But experts said those claims are largely false.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Two major California health plans have been hit with a combined $850,000 in fines for illegally denying coverage for gender-affirming care.

Reporter: Shaanth Nanguneri, CalMatters

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With New COVID Vaccine Rolling Out, Some Doctors Take Cautious Approach To Buying Shots

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 14:11:59 -0000

A new round of COVID shots is shipping to doctor's offices across California. And for the second year in a row, the federal government is not picking up the tab. Physicians have to order the vaccine weeks in advance and pay up front for the shots. And because of that, many are taking a more cautious approach when it comes to ordering the shots.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News

Thousands of migratory birds have died so far in an avian botulism outbreak in the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge.

Reporter: Juliet Grable, Jefferson Public Radio

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An Iconic Roadside Landmark In Central Valley Doesn't Have Much Time Left

Mon, 02 Sep 2024 13:37:17 -0000

Highway 99 has its share of iconic landmarks: there’s Buck Owens Crystal Palace, the Delano Box of Mandarins, the McFarland Runners, and the Merced Mammoths. But in Madera County, you might not recognize the Palm and the Pine. The two trees are said to represent the middle of California and have been there for nearly a hundred years. But they might not have much time left.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

California lawmakers passed a controversial warehouse bill on the final day of the legislative session, despite opposition from environmental justice groups, industry and cities and counties statewide.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Thousands Of California Wage Theft Victims Have Yet To Claim Money

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 13:42:01 -0000

Federal labor enforcement authorities recover millions of dollars for workers each year from employers who break minimum wage, overtime pay and other laws. But a significant chunk of that money never makes it to wage-theft victims, many of whom are in California.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

State lawmakers are jockeying to push remaining bills through to Governor Newsom before the Legislature adjourns on Saturday.

Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

A bill that would compensate people for property taken by racially-motivated uses of eminent domain is headed to the governor’s desk after being approved by the state legislature on Thursday.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

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Democrats Accuse Newsom Administration Of Inflating Cost Of Failed Bills

Thu, 29 Aug 2024 14:03:32 -0000

When the state is dealing with a big budget deficit, it's harder to get bills with big price tags approved. But now, a handful of lawmakers say they think the Newsom administration purposely overestimated how much their bills would cost to help ensure they wouldn't advance in the legislature.

Guest: Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters

A milestone in the largest dam removal in U.S. history happened early Wednesday. Two temporary dams were breached, directing the Klamath River back into its historic channel for the first time in more than a century.

Reporter: Juliet Grable, Jefferson Public Radio

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Mass Deportations May Be Unlikely, But It's Happened Before

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:07:00 -0000

A bill making its way through the state legislature in Sacramento would commemorate a little-known chapter of US history: a large-scale deportation of Mexicans – and Mexican-Americans – nearly a century ago that hit California hard. It comes in an election year when mass deportation is again a political topic.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Undocumented immigrants may soon qualify for a California program that gives loans to first time, first generation home-buyers. A bill expanding the program - known as The California Dream For All - advanced in the state senate on Tuesday.

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Some CA Families Turning To Terramation For Loved Ones

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 14:06:10 -0000

If you’ve had a close loved one pass away, what comes next includes a lot of logistical hurdles: planning a funeral, reading a will, and deciding what to do with their body. There’s traditional burial, there’s cremation, and recently a new method has taken off. It’s called terramation. Basically, human composting.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Public school teachers in California are required to call the police if a student assaults or threatens them. This week, state lawmakers will vote on a bill that could change that.

Reporter: Jenna Peterson, CalMatters

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Reparation Efforts Stall In Santa Monica

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 14:20:11 -0000

It's the last week for state lawmakers to decide on a set of reparation bills meant to address hundreds of years of racial discrimination. Meanwhile in Santa Monica, one woman is still seeking justice decades after the city took her father's land. Silas White was a black entrepreneur who planned to turn the land into a beach club for black beach goers. In March, the Santa Monica City Council voted to explore compensating White's descendants for his plot of land. But in late July, the city missed its self-imposed deadline for a report that would have provided recommendations on reparations to the council.

Guests: Connie White, daughter of Silas White and Kavon Ward, CEO of Where Is My Land

State occupational health and safety regulators are trying to speed up their investigations of fatal accidents.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Kamala Harris Accepts the Democratic Presidential Nomination

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 13:49:23 -0000

On the biggest stage of her political career, Kamala Harris introduced herself as the party’s official presidential nominee. In a packed arena at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris addressed delegates, elected officials and voters.

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Imperial Valley Bakery Offers Treats For People With Diabetes

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 14:08:00 -0000

As record-breaking temperatures melt California this summer, medical professionals are sounding the alarm about the added risks extreme heat poses to people with diabetes. But one bakery in Imperial County has some solutions.

Reporter: Philip Salata, inewsource

The Newsom administration has cut a deal with Google and OpenAI to kill two state bills that would have made tech platforms share ad revenues with news organizations.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

San Bernardino County is California’s largest county in terms of size, with a population of just over 2 million people. The county has studied the idea of seceding from the rest of California, arguing that San Bernardino County doesn’t get its fair share of state money. But a new independent study that’s out says that argument is just wrong.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Juvenile White Sharks Threaten Sea Otters In Monterey Bay

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 14:04:53 -0000

For the last ten years, something strange has been happening in Monterey Bay. Juvenile white sharks, whose range historically didn’t reach Northern California, have been spotted in droves in places like Aptos and Marina. And these new predators are changing the ecosystem.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

Governor Newsom touted new job figures showing the state added thousands of fast-food jobs this year. Those gains occurred after California raised the minimum wage for most fast food workers to $20 an hour in April.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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UC System Implements New Rules On Protests, Encampments

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:59:26 -0000

University of California President Michael Drake sent out a letter this week calling on campuses to enforce a zero tolerance policy when it comes to protest encampments on college campuses. But some UC students say the crackdown is untenable.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

Long Beach is the latest city in California to tackle the issue of homeless encampments. Because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on encampments, giving cities more leeway to enforce anti-camping regulations, more local governments will likely take the same route as Long Beach, and start to clear the unhoused population off the streets. Governor Gavin Newsom has also threatened to withhold state funds if cities don’t start working to clear encampments.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Planners Pushing Forward With Hollywood Boulevard Makeover

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 14:02:01 -0000

For decades, Hollywood Boulevard has been marketed to the world as a glamorous and sophisticated place. But the reality of contemporary Hollywood Boulevard is very different. Some blocks, like around Grauman’s Theater, are packed with throngs of tourists, merchants and street performers. But they’re on overcrowded sidewalks with few amenities, like shade and seating. But planners are working to make it more friendly for walkers and cyclists alike.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Thousands of Democratic Party delegates, party leaders and politicians are in Chicago to kick off this week’s Democratic National Convention and officially name Vice President Kamala Harris as their party's presidential candidate.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Trash Becomes Treasure At Riverside County Landfill

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:04:08 -0000

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

A new poll shows California voters are supportive of a plan to increase penalties for theft and drug offenses, and to raising the state's minimum wage.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Last month, Governor Newsom signed a bill into law that bans school districts from requiring staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation to anyone without the student’s permission. But this week, the school board of the Cajon Valley Union School District in San Diego County voted unanimously to do just that.

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Afghan Refugees Find New Life In California Desert

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:02:59 -0000

Three years ago today, as the U.S military completed its pull out, Taliban forces captured Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. In the wake of that change, many Afghan refugees fled to the U.S. and California. They settled in the Bay Area, L.A. and San Diego, but some also found a new home in California’s Mojave Desert.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

The Boise Fire, burning in Humboldt and Siskiyou counties, has charred more than 9600 acres, according to fire officials. The fire has led to mandatory evacuations.

Reporter: Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio

Some California Democrats have announced a campaign to back a state proposition that would increase penalties for theft and drug crimes.

Reporter: Kristin Lam, CapRadio

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The Battle Over California's Syringe Exchange Programs

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 13:55:07 -0000

Syringe exchange programs have been around in the U.S. since the 1980s, and offer people who use drugs clean needles to reduce the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases. But in some California cities or counties, residents or political leaders are fighting to keep them out. Harm reduction advocates are hoping for the state's support.

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What Does Kamala Harris' California Past Show About Immigration Record

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 14:08:29 -0000

Republicans are hammering Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on immigration. They're calling her a 'failed border czar' responsible for the surge of migrants coming to the U.S., but she's pushing back with a tough on the border message. So where does she stand on immigration and the border?

Guest: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck 2.5 miles southeast of Highland Park, in LA County on Monday afternoon. In terms of intensity, the shaking was strong enough to knock items off shelves, but didn't cause any widespread damage.

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San Quentin Program Helps Incarcerated People Find Their Voice

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 14:01:06 -0000

A group of incarcerated people, led by a former prison doctor, are trying to influence policy in California. They’re doing this by looking inward, and reflecting on their beginnings.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

On Sunday, the 2024 Summer Olympic Games concluded in Paris. Now attention shifts to Los Angeles, host of the Games four years from now. How’s planning for the L.A. Olympics going and what's left to do?

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Play In Humboldt County Confronts Racism

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 14:20:03 -0000

Five actors take the stage for a performance in Humboldt County. One of them is Black, the others are white. In this region, fewer than 25% of residents identify as people of color and they often find themselves victims of lifelong habits of the white majority. This production of The White Card aims to shake up those entrenched dynamics.

Reporter: Kelby McIntosh

California Governor Gavin Newsom helped clear a homeless encampment in the Los Angeles region on Thursday. Newsom vowed to take money away from local governments if they don't clean up homeless encampments.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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How New California Rules Protect Indoor Workers From Heat

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:54:21 -0000

Multiple cities throughout California have seen temperatures way above 90 degrees this week. Workers, both indoors and outdoors, are feeling the heat, but for the first time ever, indoor workers finally have protections against excessive heat in the workplace. At the end of last month, state officials unveiled new rules of what’s required in indoor workplaces when temperatures surpass 82 degrees.

Guest: Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí, KQED

California put hundreds of millions worth of federal homelessness dollars at risk. A federal audit out this week blames “chaotic” and “disorganized” anti-fraud policies at the state’s housing agency. Auditors gave the California agency it's lowest possible ranking.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

A new report says abortions are up nationwide compared to before Roe v. Wade was overturned two years ago. California is leading the way, providing more than 16,000 abortions a month on average.

Reporter: Spencer Whitney, KQED

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Young California Voters Energized By Presidential Campaigns

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 14:28:55 -0000

It's been just a few weeks since President Joe Biden decided to end his presidential campaign. And now with Vice President Kamala Harris atop the ticket, young Democratic voters in California are energized in the lead-up to the November election.

Guests: Aashi Jhawer and Dzian Tran, Voters of Tomorrow

For many young GOP voters in California, the selection of JD Vance speaks volumes to them. He's a younger running mate who shares many of the same values as them. And it's not just the presidential race that's on their mind.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Homeless Numbers More Than Double In LA County's Northern Desert Area

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 16:46:27 -0000

Stories about homelessness in Los Angeles tend to focus on problems in big, urban cities. But homelessness has actually been growing faster in a remote desert region 90 minutes north of Downtown L.A.’s Skid Row.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

Sacramento State has released the findings of a highly anticipated forensic examination of Capital Public Radio’s finances. It found more than $700,000 in “unsupported” payments, or payments that could not be backed up by expense reports or receipts. Nearly $400,000 was paid out to one individual, whose name was redacted.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Many Park Fire Evacuees Feel Fortunate To Return Home

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:54:18 -0000

Despite some unsettled weather this weekend, crews continue to make progress on the massive Park Fire burning northeast of Chico. The fire, the fourth largest in state history, has burned more than 401,000 acres. Many evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, meaning residents can return to their homes.

Reporter: Alec Stutson, North State Public Radio

A UC Davis report confirms a years-long trend at Lake Tahoe, where water clarity improves in the winter but becomes far worse in the summer.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Local Radio Host Reaches International Audience at the Olympics

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 16:32:22 -0000

If you're watching the Olympics, you may recognize world famous athletes like Lebron James or Coco Gauff. But residents of a California beach town might recognize the voice of an announcer from their local radio station. Brad Jay typically works for a Santa Barbara classic rock station, but right now he's with the Olympic Broadcasting Service doing TV commentary. Lately he's been calling kayak and canoe slalom, and will also do three-on-three basketball and BMX freestyle. This is his eighth time covering the games since Salt Lake City in 2002. He hopes to continue calling at the 2028 Los Angeles Games in his resident Southern California.

Reporter: Lance Orozco, KCLU

In addition to five firefighting crews from Texas and Utah, the California National Guard is also joining in the fight against the Park Fire with aircraft assistance. Crews from the National Guard are expected to join also. The Park fire is on the verge of becoming the fourth largest in California history. Cal Fire announced that wildfires have scorched more than 750,000 acres in California this year. That’s 29 times the area that burned last year.

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Concerns Growing About Public Health Risks From California's Planned Hydrogen Projects

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 14:06:05 -0000

California's strategy to fight climate change includes hydrogen. The universe's most abundant element that, under the right circumstances, can power everything from trucks to turbines without greenhouse gas emissions. Now there's a national effort to promote hydrogen energy. But there are concerns about health and safety.

Guest: Molly Peterson, Public Health Watch

In addition to destroying homes and property, the explosive Park Fire is also putting one of California’s most iconic species at risk.

Reporter: Rachel Becker, CalMatters

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California Advocates Push For Passage Of Bill Offering Path To Citizenship For Immigrants

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:32:32 -0000

The situation at the U.S.-Mexico border is a contentious election issue this year. Polls show a large number of Americans want to restrict immigration, but they also support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who’ve long lived in this country. California immigrant advocates hope to capitalize on that support this week as they lobby in Washington DC for a bill that could make legalization possible for millions.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Among all of former President Donald Trump’s border policies, forced separations of migrant families was the most controversial. President Joe Biden vowed to end the separations when he took office. But they’re still happening.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Wildfires continue to grow across the state. The Park Fire in Northern California is the fifth largest in state history. And in southwest Riverside County, firefighters are working to contain the rapid spread of the Nixon Fire. The blaze has burned nearly 5,000 acres.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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LA Looks To Make Improvements To Bus Stops In The City

Tue, 30 Jul 2024 14:35:36 -0000

A persistent misconception about Los Angeles is that the city doesn't have a real mass transit system, especially when it comes to buses. But L.A. has one of the largest transit riderships in the country. Unfortunately, many of the bus shelters are shoddy, with no canopies, shelters or nighttime lighting. But the city is working to make improvements.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The Park Fire continues to grow in Northern California. The fire has now grown to more than 380,000 acres.

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Park Fire Continues To Challenge Crews In Northern California

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:23:32 -0000

Fire crews were able to take advantage of calmer and cooler weather conditions on Saturday, to make some progress on the Park Fire burning in Northern California. But the fire has grown to be the sixth largest on record in California, burning more than 368,000 acres.

In Kern County, the Borel Fire has also erupted in size, burning more than 50,000 acres. That includes tearing through the town of Havilah. The community is considered a California Historical Landmark, becoming the county seat in Kern County back in 1866.

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Massive Wildfire Explodes In Size Near Chico

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 18:07:08 -0000

The Park Fire north of Chico is chewing huge amounts of land and has exploded to more than 164,000 acres in just over a day. The fast-moving grass and brush fire forced more than 4,000 people to evacuate the foothills of Lassen National Forest to find shelter on flatland. Evacuation warnings now include Paradise, which the Camp Fire all but destroyed in 2018.

Guest: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Homeless rights advocates blasted a decision by Governor Gavin Newsom to crack down on homeless encampments across the state. Meanwhile, some city officials are celebrating the decision.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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California At A Climate Crossroads

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 16:53:42 -0000

California has strong, clean air and clean energy goals that are currently aligned with federal policy. Arguably, the state has never had so much climate momentum. And now, with Kamala Harris poised as the Democratic standard bearer, the Golden State could see one of its own in the White House. Harris has spent much of her career working on environmental and climate issues. A Harris administration could help the state meet its goals and perhaps give it additional momentum. But what might happen to the state goals under a second Trump presidency?

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Cal Fire is rushing crews to the latest rapidly growing wildfire in Northern California – this time forcing thousands of people from their homes in Butte and Tehama counties. The Park Fire has burned more than 45,000 acres.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Can Harris' Likely Nomination Translate To More South Asian Political Power?

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:52:20 -0000

Kamala Harris is the first Black and Asian American woman to ever serve as vice president. And now, Harris will likely be the first person of South Asian descent to lead a major party's presidential ticket. This comes as there's a growing grassroots movement to empower these communities to take part in the democratic process.

Guest: Taher Hasanali, Political Director with India America Impact

A 15 year old boy from Gaza, who lost both legs in a bombing earlier this year, is now in California to receive prosthetics and medical treatment.

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What Kamala Harris Means To Mixed Race California Family

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 14:00:40 -0000

The phrase "representation matters" might sound trite, but it's true and meaningful. Bay Area resident Joti Singh says the possibility of a Kamala Harris presidency means something to her young daughters, who like Harris, are also of Black and South Asian descent.

Reporters: Sasha Khokha & Marisa Lagos, KQED

Kamala Harris' rise to the possible Democratic Party nominee is once again putting a spotlight on the Black community. Many feel a deep sense of pride in her likely nomination. But they also wonder whether the U.S. is ready for a Black woman to be President.

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California Reacts To Joe Biden Dropping Out Of Presidential Race

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 14:15:59 -0000

In a historic announcement, President Joe Biden announced Sunday he's ending his reelection campaign. The president endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to run in his place as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Most California delegates were quick to voice their support for Kamala Harris as the next Democratic Party nominee.

Guest: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

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Can GOP Maintain Momentum In California Following National Convention?

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 14:29:30 -0000

The Republican National Convention came to an end Thursday night with a speech from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. The Trump campaign is gaining momentum as we head to November. But will the national GOP agenda resonate in deeply blue California, particularly in a region that had long been a GOP stronghold, Orange County?

Guest: Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Politics Editor, Orange County Register

Departments of the University of California must now post opinions on a separate page instead of their website homepage. The new rules would require academic departments to only post research, course information and other administrative announcements on their homepage.

Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters

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California Delegation Has Reason For Hope At Republican National Convention

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:43:13 -0000

The Republican National Convention wraps up Thursday night in Milwaukee with a speech from presidential nominee Donald Trump. The talk around the convention this week is the importance of congressional races in California, and how the state can be involved in the GOP's national agenda.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

A state ballot measure set to go before voters this November could trigger a wage hike for California prisoners.

Reporter: Shaanth Nanguneri, CalMatters

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Migrants Seeking Asylum In San Diego Often Experiencing Homelessness

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 14:02:41 -0000

For most migrants and asylum seekers, San Diego is not a final destination. It's a layover. But more migrants are choosing to stay in San Diego. And many are becoming homeless.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

California will have to build public charging stations at an unprecedented — and some experts say unrealistic — pace to meet the needs of the millions more electric cars expected on its roads in the next decade.

Reporter: Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

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Fontana's New Street Vending Law Has Mixed Results

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 14:04:26 -0000

Last year, the city of Fontana hired a private contractor to help enforce its strict new street vending law. Officials say it’s working. But some vendors say the crackdown is affecting their livelihoods.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

California delegates to the Republican National Convention are cheering former president Donald Trump's pick of Ohio Senator JD Vance as his vice presidential nominee.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed landmark legislation prohibiting forced outing policies in schools, making it the first state to do so. The bill bans schools from requiring educators to disclose information regarding a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity to parents.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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In Wildfire Prone Community, Many Residents Have A Reason To Stay

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 14:15:46 -0000

As a fast-moving fire broke out over the hills near the town of Mariposa earlier this month, residents rushed out of their homes. The French Fire started on the Fourth of July, and was the latest fire to hit so close to the town. And for residents, fire is becoming a part of life.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

California Republicans are in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention, just days after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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New Generation Of Mexican Singers Embrace Corridos

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 13:50:04 -0000

Peso Pluma’s new album Éxodo just dropped and it hit the Billboard 200. The artist sings corridos, a type of Mexican traditional music that was once relegated to Spanish language radio. But today, a younger generation of artists like Peso Pluma and Xavi are bringing the music into the mainstream. And California's demographic change is helping to fuel this movement.

Reporter: Aisha Natalia Wallace-Palomares, UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism

The U.S. Postal Service has until Friday to put forward a plan to reopen two rural California post offices. For over two years, the town of Niland in Northern Imperial County has been cut off from daily access to the mail, after the local post office burned down in 2022.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

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California State Fair To Allow Sale And Consumption Of Cannabis For First Time

Thu, 11 Jul 2024 13:53:04 -0000

The California State Fair kicks off this week in Sacramento. This year's State Fair will have something new that no state fair in the U.S. has ever had. For the first time, marijuana sales and on-site consumption will be allowed.

Guest: James Leitz, Executive Producer of the State Fair’s cannabis competition and exhibit

As calls continue from some elected officials for President Biden to drop out of the presidential race after his poor debate performance, Governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that he remains steadfast in his support of the president as the Democratic Party’s nominee. Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer is also dismissing calls for Biden to step aside.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

A new law will mandate California high schools teach students about the dangers of fentanyl.

Reporter: Heidi de Marco, KPBS

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California Almond Growers' Struggles Could be Buzzkill for PNW Beekeepers

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 19:10:00 -0000

Uprooting Almond Trees in California Could Impact Bees’ Ability to Pollinate Fruit Trees Further North

Yesterday we told you how over-production in California's almond industry was hurting local growers, with some resorting to uprooting almond trees to maintain their livelihoods.

That’s been a buzzkill for some beekeepers in the Pacific Northwest.

In Washington and Oregon, bee populations rely on the nectar they get from California almonds trees, which ultimately help keep fruit trees productive at home, and hive populations thriving.

After Ripping Through Thousands of North California Acres, Thompson Fire 100 Percent Contained

The toll of a wildfire that broke out last week near Oroville in Butte County has been released. State fire officials say the Thompson Fire destroyed 13 single family homes and destroyed or damaged several other buildings. The fire, which scorched nearly 4,000 acres was declared 100 percent contained on Monday of this week.

California Bills Aimed to Regulate Artificial Intelligence on Track for the Governor’s Desk

In Sacramento, a number of bills involving the regulation of artificial intelligence have a good chance of making it to Governor Newsom’s desk, Including one that would limit what can be done with AI replicas.

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Many California Almond Growers Struggling To Stay Afloat

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:50:52 -0000

In the last decade, almonds have turned up everywhere. Even at the Super Bowl, where a commercial showed actor Jeremy Renner supercharged by almond milk. Even so, California almond producers have been struggling. Growers have in some ways been the victims of their own success - although the outlook might be improving.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

A sweltering heat wave continues in much of our state this week. Now, a new report from the state’s insurance commissioner takes a long view on the dangers of high temperatures, reporting that nearly 140,000 Californians visited the hospital because of extreme heat in the last decade

Reporter: Olivia Zhao, CalMatters

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California To Test Road Charge Program

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:38:01 -0000

The state uses the billions raised from the gas tax every year to pay for the constant work of freeway and highway maintenance and new road construction. But the gas tax faces a reckoning. Newer vehicles are ever-more fuel efficient, meaning less revenue is raised from taxing the fuel that’s pumped into them. So the state could eventually move to a model where drivers pay a fee for every mile they travel.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A $10 billion bond for California’s schools will go before voters this November. If it passes, the multi-billion dollar bond would pay for repairs and upgrades at thousands of K-12 school and community college buildings across California.

Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters

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The History Of Breaking Here In California

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:01:00 -0000

Breakdancing has been part of American culture for decades. Introduced in the Bronx in the 1970’s, it's synonymous with the birth of hip hop in this country. And it's about to be in the spotlight again this summer. For the first time, breaking will be a sport in the Summer Olympics in Paris. While New York has long been the home of breakdancing and the B-Boy and B-Girl culture here in the U.S., the West Coast played a significant role in the movement as well.

Guests: Zulu Gremlin, DJ Hazze, Asia One

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California Has Abundant Swimming Locations To Explore

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 14:00:00 -0000

Now that we're in the heart of summer, and given that this is California, probably a lot of us are going to go to the beach and plunge ourselves into the Pacific, or maybe will splash into a backyard or public swimming pool. But in California's wilderness areas, there are lots of other places to find bliss in the water, like lakes, waterfalls, ponds, and hot springs.

Guest: Dillon Seitchik-Reardon, Author "Places We Swim California"

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A Look At California's New State Mushroom

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 13:30:00 -0000

California now has an official state mushroom. The designation went into effect this year thanks to a new law signed by Governor Newsom. The Californian Golden Chanterelle was chosen in a poll by the California Institute for Biodiversity which pitted five other mushrooms against the winning chanterelle.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Project Looks To Unfold True Count Of Latinos Killed By Police

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 13:30:00 -0000

More than 6400 Latinos died in police confrontations or in police custody between 2000 and 2022. That's according to La Raza Database project, which seeks to uncover the true number of Latinos who have died in violent confrontations with police. Still, the project's researchers say that number is likely much higher.

Guests: Roberto Camacho, Reporter and Ivette Xochiyoti Boyzo, Project Manager, La Raza Database Project

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Restaurants Still Allowed To Have Service Fees On Checks

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:49:36 -0000

Starting Monday, a new law goes into effect in California that will require businesses to disclose all costs up front. Basically a ban on so-called junk fees. This would impact the next time you stay at a hotel, buy concert tickets, or book a short term rental, as you should in theory, know the entire price beforehand. Restaurants were supposed to be included in this new law, but a fast track bill was passed last week and signed by Governor Newsom that exempts them. So they're allowed to continue using service charges as long as the nature of that fee is clearly stated on its menu.

Guest: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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The First Hijab-Wearing Athlete to Attempt the Country's Oldest Ultramarathon

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 13:29:00 -0000

The program allowing Californians to borrow a state parks pass from their local library has received funding for another year. The program started in 2021 as a way to make access to state parks easier for Californians who might not be willing or able to pay 195 dollars for an annual pass.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

A woman from Michigan will become the first hijab-wearing athlete to attempt the oldest 100-mile ultramarathon in the country, right here in California. While the race is considered one of the most prestigious in the running world, it’s also one of the most exclusive.

Reporter: Mark Nieto, KQED

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Oakland Program Invests in Mobile Classroom for Homeless Students

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:37:00 -0000

Hundreds of thousands of health care workers in California who’ve been expecting a minimum wage increase will have to wait until at least October to get it. The delay comes as a result of the state's new budget deal.

Reporter: Ana B. Ibarra, CalMatters

In Oakland, nearly 20 percent of young children enrolled in Head Start are going through homelessness. That makes it hard for their families to get to the preschool program consistently and on time. So the city found a way to reach these children where they’re at.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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Sephora Kids Trend Draws Growing Concerns From Parents

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:57:46 -0000

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Fresno's Police Chief has resigned. This follows an investigation that cleared Paco Balderrama of wrongdoing, after an internal complaint stemming from an affair with an officer’s wife.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Glitchy App Could Worsen Migrant Situation Under New Biden Policy

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:59:55 -0000

President Biden's recent executive actions point asylum seekers toward existing legal pathways. But those pathways, like the CBP One app, aren’t working for the most vulnerable migrants.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

State fire officials say so far this year, the number of acres consumed by fires in California is four times the five-year-average. Meteorologists are predicting a hot, dry summer that could lead to a very active, dangerous fire season.

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California Recycling Centers Are Dwindling

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 13:58:52 -0000

Recycling centers have been shutting down across California for years. That means fewer opportunities for people to recycle their bottles and cans — and get back their deposits. And the state is sitting on hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed bottle deposits.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

State leaders say they’ve reached an agreement on the state budget. In a press release, Governor Newsom said the deal involves $300 billion in expenditures, while filling a nearly $47 billion budget deficit. The deal proposes to use more than $12 billion from the state’s rainy day fund over the next two years to help shore up the deficit.

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FBI Raid Home Of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao

Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:21:14 -0000

Information is still scarce regarding the FBI's raid of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's home on Thursday. It was one of a number of raids conducted by the agency in the city.

School districts in California are under pressure to reduce chronic absenteeism. But getting kids back to the classroom can be a challenge for districts with limited resources.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

Baseball fans are saying bye to the "Say Hey Kid" Willie Mays. Thursday night’s San Francisco Giants game was held at the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham Alabama, where Mays made his professional debut in 1948. But at Oracle Park in San Francisco, fans old and young came together to watch the game on the scoreboard, root for their team - and grapple with the loss.

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Affordable Options Available To Rent Or Buy Electric Vehicles

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:49:47 -0000

About a quarter of all new vehicles sold in California last year were zero emission. But there are big regional differences in where electric vehicles are bought and driven in the state. You see a lot of them on the road in the Bay Area, Los Angeles and Orange County, but it’s harder to spot them in the Central Valley or Imperial County. But there are programs aimed at addressing the EV gap.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

California workplace regulators are expected to vote Thursday on new protections from dangerous heat for millions of indoor workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is considering new rules that would require most employers to keep indoor work areas below 87 degrees when feasible, or if it's not, change workers’ shifts or use protective equipment to reduce the risks.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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San Francisco Giants' Legend Willie Mays Dies At 93

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 14:09:50 -0000

Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away on Tuesday. He was 93. Mays spent 21 years with the Giants and is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Reporter: Brian Watt, KQED

Today is Juneteenth, the day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. at the end of the Civil War. In Humboldt County, the group Black Humboldt is ready to shift its Juneteenth focus to a broader celebration of the Black experience on California’s North Coast. That's after four years of Juneteenth events aimed at educating the local community about the holiday.

Reporter: Kelby McIntosh

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Will Voters Have Change Of Heart When It Comes To Tax For Improvements At Fresno State

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:19:00 -0000

Fresno State calls itself the Central Valley’s university, but campus buildings and infrastructure are increasingly dilapidated. And twice now, Fresno County residents have voted down ballot measures that would have provided the university with more than a billion dollars for repairs and maintenance. Will voters ever change their mind?

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

Wildfires are burning up and down the state. In Sonoma County, crews are beginning to get a better handle on the Point Fire, which has burned more than 1,200 acres. And staff from around a dozen wineries in Sonoma County are anxiously waiting to learn the fate of their businesses, after they fled the fire on Sunday.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Survivors Of Burned Down Palm Springs Neighborhood Seek Reparations

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 14:12:57 -0000

Palm Springs is known as a wealthy city filled with luxurious hotels and casinos. But lesser known is the history of its violent racism against a predominately Black and Latino neighborhood. Now, former residents are seeking reparations.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

Several large wildfires broke out across the state over the weekend, burning thousands of acres in the process.

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Proposed Regulations Could Impact Rock Climbers In California

Fri, 14 Jun 2024 13:50:21 -0000

Federal agencies are considering a controversial rule that would restrict rock climbers from leaving gear attached to cliff walls in designated wilderness areas. This could affect some of California’s iconic routes in Yosemite and other historic climbing destinations.

Reporter: Alix Soliman, KQED

The state legislature passed a placeholder state budget Thursday, just ahead of a mandatory deadline. But lawmakers must still negotiate with Governor Newsom on the final deal.

Reporter: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

A bill that would ban “forced outing” or “parental notification” policies in California schools has moved forward in the state legislature. At least six California school districts in the past year have adopted measures that require staff to tell parents if their child changes their gender identity at school.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

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How The Closure Of Madera County's Only Hospital Has Impacted The Community

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:03:02 -0000

When a county’s only hospital closes, you might expect there to be dire, immediate effects on public health. However, since Madera Community Hospital closed its doors in early 2023, the consequences haven’t been so clear.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

California insurance regulators are sharing the next phase of their plans to fix the state’s ailing insurance market. The new regulations propose to let insurance companies use the catastrophe models they want, but in exchange, require them to offer more coverage in wildfire-prone areas of the state.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Parents Adjust To Challenges Of Transitional Kindergarten

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 14:29:56 -0000

California is expanding transitional kindergarten with a vision of making it available to every four-year-old in the state by fall of 2025. The state has a long way to go to reach its goal of serving 300,000 students. And while many families are eager to sign up, they face complicated logistics.

Reporter: Blanca Torres, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom has removed an outspoken occupational safety expert from the regulatory body that adopts California’s workplace health and safety rules.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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California School Districts Struggle To Build Out Classrooms For Transitional Kindergarten

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 14:03:53 -0000

When school starts in 2025, every 4-year-old in the state will be able to attend public school. It’s a new grade known as transitional kindergarten. But in the lead-up, many schools are struggling to find the necessary classroom space for these additional classes.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist

A California law that set guidelines for classifying workers did not unfairly target Uber and other gig companies. That’s according to a federal appeals court ruling that came down on Monday.

Reporter: Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

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Teacher Shortage Impacts State's Goals For Transitional Kindergarten, Bilingual Classes

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:02:12 -0000

California is in the middle of an ambitious plan to offer transitional kindergarten to all four-year-olds by the 2025-2026 school year. It's poised to be the largest free preschool program in the country. A lot of the kids heading to TK are dual language learners. But a shortage of bilingual teachers could hamper the state's ambitious goals.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

A Superior Court judge has granted a temporary restraining order to the University of California, pausing the strike by thousands of academic workers who walked out over the UC’s response to pro-Palestinian protesters. But some legal experts are questioning that decision.

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State Supreme Court Ruling Allows Housing Plan To Move Forward At People's Park

Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:03:20 -0000

The California Supreme Court has ruled that UC Berkeley can start construction on student and supportive housing in People’s Park -- and also gave the green light to a much larger campus expansion project. The case has brought mixed reaction from the wider Berkeley community.

Reporters: Adhiti Bandlamudi , KQED and Billy Cruz, The California Report

A new report shows Sacramento County’s homeless population dropped 29% compared with two years ago. That’s one of the largest reductions statewide.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

California has funded over 4 million tax-free savings accounts for students to pay for college. But many families don’t seem to know the money’s there.

Reporter: Jacqueline Munis, CalMatters

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High School Student Creates Music From Soundscape Of Exploding Stars

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 15:26:50 -0000

There are stars exploding all around us. They burst, flash and fade. Some leave visions of their spectacular journeys in telescopes. A high school student recently turned supernovae data into a piece of music.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

President Joe Biden signed an executive order this week that shuts off asylum to most migrants who enter the country illegally. But it has critics on both sides of the political divide.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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Japanese Tourists Flock To LA To See Shohei Ohtani

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 13:51:08 -0000

Los Angeles' tourism industry, still trying to rebound from the pandemic, has gotten a gift in the form of Shohei Ohtani. Japanese fans have come by the thousands to see the superstar play for his new team, the Dodgers.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

Votes in the election to recall the controversial conservative school board president in Temecula are still being counted. Early results show the effort to recall Joseph Komrosky winning by a 54-46 percent margin.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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Are Tiny Homes A Viable Solution To Help With Homelessness Crisis?

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:55:08 -0000

With two-thirds of California’s unhoused population living unsheltered, cities are increasingly turning to tiny homes to get people off the streets quickly. Now lawmakers are considering a plan to make it easier to build them.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

For the second time, state labor officials have rejected the University of California's request to get a court order to stop the UC academic workers strike. This comes as workers from three more campuses are going on strike this week.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

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Recall Elections Test Strength Of Conservative School Board Movement

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:29:02 -0000

Republicans in California have struggled to gain power at the state capitol, but they’ve found more success recently on school boards. Conservatives have made gains in these local seats -- but now they’re facing pushback in the form of recall elections -- including two underway right now in Riverside County and the Bay Area.

Reporters: Guy Marzorati, KQED and Madison Aument, KVCR

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Mixed Reaction From California To Trump Verdict

Fri, 31 May 2024 16:02:06 -0000

Reaction was not surprisingly mixed to Donald Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts, marking the end of the former president’s historic hush money trial. Republicans are still standing strong behind Trump, while many Bay Area residents said they were surprised and pleased by the verdict.

Analysts say that Trump’s guilty verdicts may not sway his GOP base, but they could change how swing voters view him and the coming November election.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Looking to fix the state’s insurance crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a bill to speed up insurance premium rate reviews this week. Under the bill, the Insurance Department would have up to 120 days to review insurers' requests and provide a rate estimate.

Reporter: Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

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Governor Newsom's Tiny Home Plan Falls Short Of What Was Promised

Thu, 30 May 2024 14:00:04 -0000

175 tiny homes for the unhoused are expected to be unveiled in South Sacramento this fall. That’s a year past Governor Gavin Newsom’s projected launch. But it turns out, it’s the only project delivering on the original promise.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

Classes will once again be held online at UC Santa Cruz on Thursday as a group of pro-Palestinian protesters say they plan to continue to block the main entrance to the campus. On Tuesday, both roads leading into campus were blocked, leaving many stranded for hours.

Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU

At UC Davis, a dozen students held a peaceful demonstration on campus on Wednesday, in support of the 125 Israeli hostages that remain in Gaza.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Central Valley Farmworkers Learning New Skills For Changing Agriculture Environment

Wed, 29 May 2024 13:45:08 -0000

In March, the country’s largest stone fruit producer laid off thousands of workers in the San Joaquin Valley. The announcement came months after the Fresno-based company, Prima Wawona, declared bankruptcy. The collapse has left many in the Central Valley wondering how prepared the workforce is for industry disruptions.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

California firefighters often wear protective gear that also has some amount of toxic chemicals in it. Now efforts are underway to change that.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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UAW Strike Expands To UCLA, UC Davis Campus

Tue, 28 May 2024 16:11:42 -0000

On Tuesday at UCLA and at UC Davis, unionized student academic workers will strike. They’re protesting the UC system’s crackdowns on pro-Palestinian demonstrations, filing unfair labor practice charges. The university system has argued that the strikes are illegal.

This is the second wave of strikes on UC campuses. At UC Santa Cruz, academic workers have now been on strike for more than a week. UAW 4811 members there say morale remains high, and they appreciate other campuses joining in on the strike.

Guests: Rebecca Gross & Katherine Rogers, Grad Students and UAW 4811 members at UC Santa Cruz

As California faces a deficit in the tens of billions of dollars, Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a number of painful spending cuts and program reductions. But advocates are calling on California lawmakers to save some programs, like one that provided In-Home Supportive Services for undocumented immigrants.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Rattlesnake Season Begins In California

Mon, 27 May 2024 14:53:22 -0000

As our weather warms over the summer, we’re approaching peak rattlesnake season in California and that means more encounters between rattlers and humans. So what should we know about snakes?

Guest: Emily Taylor, Professor of Biology, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Author of the book “California Snakes and How to Find Them”

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Landslide Threatens Future Of Historic Chapel

Fri, 24 May 2024 14:22:39 -0000

Since 1951, an extraordinary looking chapel made of wood, glass and stone has been perched close to the edge of the Pacific on Southern California's Palos Verdes Peninsula. Over the decades, countless weddings and other life events have played out at Wayfarers Chapel. But now the building is in danger from shifting geology, and an architectural rescue operation is underway to save it.

Guest: Katie Hauck, Architectural Historian

A second pro-Palestinian encampment was quickly taken down on Thursday at UCLA. And eight pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo after blocking traffic at one of the school's main entrances. This all came on the same day as when UCLA's chancellor testified on Capitol Hill about antisemitism on college campuses.

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About A Third Of LAPD Shootings Since 2017 Involve Person With Mental Illness

Thu, 23 May 2024 14:19:31 -0000

Over the last seven years, about 31% of police shootings in Los Angeles involved people who officers believed showed signs of mental illness. Some experts are calling for more de-escalation training for officers, while activists would like to see police removed from such interactions.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

Should California doctors be required to report domestic abuse to police? That’s the question at the center of a bill advancing in the state Legislature.

Reporter: Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters

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Mexican Citizens In California Could Play Key Role In Country's Upcoming Election

Wed, 22 May 2024 14:03:44 -0000

Next month, voters will go to the polls in Mexico to select the country's next president. The election is already historic because the two leading candidates, Claudia Sheinbaum and Xóchitl Gálvez, are women. The election will also be notable because of the likely record number of Mexican citizens living in California and the rest of the U.S. who will cast ballots.

Guest: Tony Payan, director of Center for the U.S. and Mexico, Rice University

Ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s one-time staffer will replace him in Congress, at least for now. In a decisive victory for Assemblymember Vince Fong in a special congressional election, the Associated Press called the race for the Bakersfield Republican just minutes after polls closed in California.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

The California Supreme Court appears hesitant to strike the state’s Proposition 22, a voter-backed initiative that has allowed gig companies to classify their workers as independent contractors. Justices heard oral arguments in the case on Tuesday.

Reporter: Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

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Ethical Dilemma For Climate Voters In California's 13th District

Tue, 21 May 2024 14:44:38 -0000

Close races in California this year could decide who controls the U.S. House of Representatives. One of those competitive races is District 13, a sprawling area between Stockton and Fresno. Climate change is among voters' top priorities. But some liberal voters say they face an ethical dilemma as they are disillusioned by U.S. support of Israel and may choose not to vote in November.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

The official start date for incrementally increasing the minimum wage to $25 an hour for about 500,000 healthcare workers in California will likely be delayed for at least a month. Los Angeles State Senator Maria Elena Durazo is introducing a bill to start implementing the wage increases on July 1 instead of June 1. This gives Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers more time to negotiate the projected costs to the state, which faces a nearly $28 billion dollar budget deficit.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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San Diego Program Helps Wage Theft Victims Recover Money They're Owed

Mon, 20 May 2024 13:54:58 -0000

Workers who are cheated on their paychecks often don’t recover the wages they are owed -- even after state regulators rule in their favor. In San Diego County, a first-of-its-kind government program aims to change that.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Academic workers at UC Santa Cruz go on strike on Monday, becoming the first UC campus to do so following a union vote last week. The walkout is in response to what the union calls unfair labor practices at UCLA, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine, where campus leaders called for police to intervene during on-campus protests over the war in Gaza.

Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU

The California Supreme Court will hear a new challenge to Proposition 22 on Tuesday. That’s the 2020 ballot initiative that classified gig workers as independent contractors.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

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Volunteers In Monterey County Try To Help Sickened Brown Pelicans

Fri, 17 May 2024 14:18:49 -0000

Brown pelicans are starving up and down the California coast. The Monterey Bay is a particular hot spot. A wildlife rescue center there has taken in more than a hundred sickened birds over the past month.

Reporter: Alix Soliman, KQED

Advocates for a large, self-governed homeless encampment in Sacramento are trying to stop the city from closing it.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Criminal Justice Reform Measure Saves California Millions Of Dollars

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:23:30 -0000

Proposition 47, California's landmark critical justice reform measure, has received plenty of recent criticism. Many blame Prop 47 for shoplifting, drug use and homelessness in the state -- and are trying to roll it back with a new initiative this fall. But Prop 47 has also resulted in $800 million in state savings, because fewer people are being sent to prison and jail for drug and low-level property crimes under the law.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Sonoma State University President Mike Lee has been placed on indefinite leave by Cal State University's Chancellor. It comes a day after Lee reached a divestment agreement with pro-Palestinian student protesters on campus.

Reporter: Noah Abrams, KRCB

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One Central Valley Hospital Sees Record-High Profits During Pandemic

Wed, 15 May 2024 14:17:00 -0000

Hospitals across the state were hit hard during the pandemic, which disrupted their operations and chipped away at their finances. Maybe the most glaring example is Madera Community Hospital, which shuttered its doors over financial challenges and filed for bankruptcy in 2022. But one nearby hospital saw record profits, financial investments and executive compensation.

Reporter: Omar Sheikh Rashad, Reporter Fresnoland

Good news for visitors and residents of Big Sur. Caltrans has completed temporary repairs on Highway 1 over a week ahead of schedule. Storms in late March caused one lane of the highway to fall into the ocean.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

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State Lawmaker Tries To Close Loophole In Gun Ownership Rules

Tue, 14 May 2024 14:13:50 -0000

California has some of the toughest gun control laws in the nation, but a Democratic state lawmaker says there’s a big loophole for some people deemed mentally ill by a state court - and he wants to fix it. The loophole - while California law prohibits someone from possessing a gun if a court finds them mentally incompetent to face a felony charge, it doesn’t apply to people being prosecuted for a misdemeanor.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says the state could save up to a billion dollars a year by closing more prisons. This as California faces a budget deficit in the tens of billions. But Governor Gavin Newsom is taking a more cautious approach to trimming prison beds.

Reporter: Nigel Duara, CalMatters

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Food Stamp Farmers Market Program Could Be On Chopping Block

Mon, 13 May 2024 14:09:03 -0000

A multi-billion dollar budget deficit in California is putting organizations across the state at risk. One program facing an uncertain future is Market Match. It works with EBT, or food stamps, to give recipients vouchers they can use at local farmers markets.

Reporter: Ava Norgrove, North State Public Radio

Governor Gavin Newsom says he has a plan to deal with a staggering $27 billion state deficit next year --without cutting core services or raising taxes. Newsom says California is facing a $56 billion shortfall over the next two years. He wants lawmakers to approve a spending plan that spans those two years.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

An encampment to protest the war in Gaza was set up at the University of California Merced on Sunday. It came after the school held its commencement ceremony over the weekend.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

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Regulators Approve Fixed Charge For Utility Bills

Fri, 10 May 2024 14:18:08 -0000

State regulators have approved a controversial proposal that will add a monthly charge of $24 to many Californian's electricity bills. But in exchange, utility customers should see reductions in charges per kilowatt hour of electricity used.

As college campus protests continue over Israel's War in Gaza, students at UC Merced are asking the university to refrain from what they say is over-policing.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

It’s finally warming up in California. As more bugs come out in the heat, so do bats to feed on them. And one bat species is emerging from hibernation with a new distinction -- the pallid bat is now the official state bat of California.

Reporter: Alix Soliman, KQED

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Long Historical Ties Between Silicon Valley And Israeli Tech Cultures

Thu, 09 May 2024 13:52:45 -0000

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on, American protesters are accusing Silicon Valley companies like Intel and Google of complicity in the violence, and urging them to divest. But US tech has been deeply involved with Israeli tech for half a century.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

The California Public Utilities Commission votes Thursday on a controversial flat electricity rate. Regulators say the change would lower bills for many, but critics argue it could do the opposite.

Reporter: Alix Soliman, KQED

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Imperial County Community Fights For Local Post Office To Be Rebuilt

Wed, 08 May 2024 13:46:25 -0000

Two years ago, the northern Imperial County town of Niland lost its only post office in a fire. It was supposed to be a temporary closure. But residents are still fighting to get it back.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

California prison officials say it will cost billions of dollars to enforce new indoor heat regulations that the state’s proposed for workers. But they have declined to share exact cost estimates.

Reporter: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

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How Have Wage Increases Affected Fast Food Workers?

Tue, 07 May 2024 13:56:00 -0000

It’s been over a month since California started requiring most fast food employers in the state to pay a minimum wage of $20 dollars an hour -- a big jump from the state’s general minimum wage of $16 dollars.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED News

San Francisco State University’s top administrator is promising to provide more transparency about financial ties to Israel … and to explore school divestment. That’s in a public meeting Monday with pro-Palestinian student protesters... who’ve camped out on campus for the past week.

Reporter: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED News

The Shasta County Board of Supervisors is set to meet today to discuss next steps now that the longstanding County Registrar of Voters has retired, but it’s unclear exactly how her position will be filled.

Reporter: Alec Stutson, North State Public Radio

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Small Houses Pose Solution to Housing Crisis

Mon, 06 May 2024 16:18:00 -0000

Can solutions to California's housing crisis be found in how we used to design and build homes in the past, namely smaller multifamily dwellings in neighborhoods and cities with fewer zoning restrictions. That topic is explored by Los Angeles urban planner Max Podemski. In his new book, A Paradise of Small Houses. I met up with Podemski in the L.A. neighborhood of Eagle Rock.

In California, tens of thousands of immigrants with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals will soon be able to get health insurance. That’s after President Joe Biden on Friday announced that those with DACA can enroll in Affordable Care Act coverage.

The union representing some 48 thousand academic workers in the UC system is planning to hold a strike authorization vote as early as this week over what they say is the university’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests. The decision to consider striking gained momentum after police action at UCLA that led to more than 200 arrests early last week.

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College Protests Draw Cross-Generational Support

Fri, 03 May 2024 14:13:50 -0000

As pro-Palestinian student movements persist on college campuses up and down the state, the movement at UC Berkeley has drawn cross-generational support.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald

The Cal Poly Humboldt campus remains closed, even after the arrests of 30 Pro-Palestinian protesters, who took over two university buildings last week. But the student-run radio station is still up and running, thanks to some quick thinking.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Pro-Palestinian Encampment Cleared At UCLA

Thu, 02 May 2024 18:41:05 -0000

Hundreds of law enforcement officers descended on the UCLA campus on Wednesday night, eventually breaking up a large Pro-Palestinian encampment. Dozens of people were taken into custody.

Guests: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report and Sergio Olmos, Investigative Reporter, CalMatters

While we've been reporting this week about some of the chaotic scenes at UCLA, USC and Cal Poly Humboldt, for the most part, protests on campuses across the state have been peaceful. That includes at UC Santa Cruz, where hundreds of students and faculty gathered on Wednesday,

Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU

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Violence Breaks Out At UCLA Encampment

Wed, 01 May 2024 14:35:54 -0000

A large group of counter-protesters tried to tear down barricades that had been surrounding a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA on Tuesday night. That led to several fights breaking out.

The FAIR plan is known as California's home insurance of last resort. But the plan is now the only option for many homeowners, especially in rural communities.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

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College Protests From the Eyes Of Student Journalists

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:37:18 -0000

Protests over the war in Gaza have increased at college campuses across the state. Encampments have now been set up at Sacramento State, San Francisco State, UC Irvine and UC Riverside, along with Occidental College, a liberal arts school in Los Angeles. Student journalists have been covering the events as they unfold on campus.

Guests: Dezmond Remington, Reporter, The Lumberjack, Catherine Hamilton, Editor, The Daily Bruin, Aarya Mukherjee, Reporter, The Daily Californian

Members of congress have launched an investigation into a San Diego County-based credit union. This after a KPBS investigation revealed the credit union collects millions of dollars in overdraft fees from young marines every year.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

A federal program that has helped millions of Californians afford internet expires on Tuesday. The end of the Affordable Connectivity Program will affect a wide swath of Californians.

Reporter: Khari Johnson, CalMatters

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Climate Change Forces State Parks To Re-Think Their Goals

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:12:45 -0000

As the climate crisis changes California’s landscape, the ecosystems in state parks are threatened. At one point, the people in charge of those parks were just preserving the land. But now they’re trying to save the land from climate-driven collapse.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Worker advocates are applauding a new federal rule that will make millions more people eligible for overtime pay. But in California, those protections are already stronger.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Palestinian Family Turns To Food, Tradition To Take Mind Off Of War

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:03:41 -0000

Israel’s attacks on Gaza have lasted over 200 days and the devastation can be seen around the world. As the war continues, families in the U.S. with Palestinian roots are having to watch the destruction from afar. Many are leaning into their traditions.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

A controversial California housing law is unconstitutional, according to a superior court judge who made the ruling this week. Senate Bill 9 lets homeowners in single family neighborhoods split their lot and build two new homes on each.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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Is California Headed For Another Tax Revolt?

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 14:14:08 -0000

Battle lines are being drawn in what could be a huge fight over taxes in California this November. Those fights are playing out on the ballot and in court. The state could be headed for another “tax revolt” like the one that ushered in Proposition 13.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

California lawmakers have reintroduced a bill that would make workers on strike for more than two weeks eligible for unemployment insurance benefits.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Fresno's Chinatown Neighborhood To See Big Changes From High Speed Rail

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 14:31:00 -0000

For many Californians, the idea of High Speed Rail becoming a reality, is well just an idea. But in Fresno, where one of the first stations will be built, some residents see the rail system as a lifeline.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

Cal Poly Humboldt has shut down its campus, after students occupied a building on campus. And a protest encampment continues to grow at UC Berkeley, as students voice their concerns about the war in Gaza, and universities investing in companies that benefit Israel.

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Housing Out OF Reach For Many Young Parents In LA

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:10:27 -0000

For many young parents in Los Angeles, buying a home with enough space for kids is out of reach, and so is renting a family-sized apartment. The makes life challenging for those young couples.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

On Monday, a case about homelessness from Grants Pass in Southern Oregon was argued before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court is expected to rule before the term ends in June.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

A San Francisco lawmaker's bill to allow police to ticket scofflaw robotaxis has passed its first test in the state Legislature.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Supreme Court Hears Pivotal Homeless Case

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:28:11 -0000

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Monday in a case that could have major implications for how cities across the country approach homelessness. This case is called City of Grants Pass, Oregon versus Gloria Johnson. It hinges on whether a local government can issue fines and jail people for camping on public property when there isn't enough shelter available.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

A proposed state ballot measure to require schools to notify parents if their child is transgender will continue to go by a title supporters say is inaccurate and biased.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

State prison officials are increasing pay for tens of thousands of incarcerated workers. But most will still be earning less than one dollar an hour.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Woodshop Business Provides Sense Of Community For Both Novices And Experienced Woodworkers

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 14:11:52 -0000

LA Woodshop is a woodworking school and maker space in Los Angeles. It offers classes, bench space, custom furniture, and an events space, for both novice and experienced woodworkers.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to crack down on cities that don’t make progress towards reducing homelessness — this on the heels of a scathing audit that found the state doesn’t know where billions in spending is going. Newsom said he plans to establish a new team that will oversee how local communities use homelessness funding.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

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Despite Progress, Black Californians Still Face Major Challenges In Closing Equality Gap

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 14:52:28 -0000

There's a new study out that takes a demographic and socioeconomic snapshot of African-Americans in the Golden State. It's called the state of Black California. Despite gains in the quality of life for Black Californians over a 20-year period, the study found that racial inequality continues to persist compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

Guest: Michael Stoll, Professor of Public Policy, UCLA

A bill that would give California cities and counties the ability to regulate robotaxi services has passed its first test in the Legislature – despite doubts expressed by some lawmakers.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Jail Deaths Prompt Calls To Separate Coroner And Sheriff's Departments In Riverside County

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:54:29 -0000

In most California counties, the sheriff also oversees the coroner’s office. But in Riverside County, families whose loved ones have died in local jails say that's a conflict of interest — and they want to change the system.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

This week, US Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler announced legislation to create a new national monument on the north edge of the Salton Sea, east of Palm Springs. Supporters say the land is especially important to communities of color.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

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How Much California Students Pay For Abortion Pills Vary By Campus

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:10:17 -0000

California requires student health centers at public universities to offer the abortion pill. But how much students pay for the medication differs dramatically campus by campus, from nothing to several hundred dollars.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

Democratic state lawmakers are pushing to put a $10 billion affordable housing bond on California’s November ballot. Supporters say it could lead to thousands of affordable housing units being finished.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Despite Law In Place, Suspensions Still Common At State-Funded Early Education Programs

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:05:05 -0000

Suspending or expelling children from preschool for challenging behavior is surprisingly common. And it happens way more often to Black children, boys, and kids with learning differences than others. A California law restricts the practice at state-funded early education programs, but implementing the law has been hard because of long-lasting impacts of the pandemic – like staffing shortages and learning loss.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

Two San Diego environmental groups are suing the federal government in an effort to stop cross border sewage flows that endanger the environment and public health.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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Modesto High School Students Learn About Tax Filing

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 14:17:13 -0000

We're nearing the deadline to file taxes. While the task may seem daunting, especially for people who can’t afford an accountant, a group of high school students in Central California want to help fix that problem.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

Fewer than one in five people in California could afford to buy the median priced home last year. That’s according to a new report from the California Association of Realtors.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

The city of Stockton has settled a wrongful death suit with the family of a man who died after being held face down by police in 2020.

Reporter: Emily Zentner, The California Newsroom

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Drownings Increase Along Border As Migrants Take Different Approach To Crossing Into US

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 14:05:06 -0000

Last year was one of the deadliest on record for migrants. Tougher enforcement is pushing some to try swimming around the wall along the southern border. And that's prompted lifeguards on both sides of the border to respond.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

The pollutants from venting and flaring at oil and gas facilities in California are leading to 13 deaths a year, and worsen asthma in 1,800 children. A new study shows Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Kern counties suffer the worst outcomes, and low income communities are disproportionately affected.

Reporter: Kristel Jandra, KQED

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Despite Warnings, People Are Still Dying While Being Held Face Down By Police

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:15:21 -0000

The warnings go back nearly 30 years. As soon as a person is handcuffed, get them off their stomach. So says a Department of Justice bulletin from 1995. Yet, people in California continue to die after being held face down by law enforcement.

Reporter: Emily Zentner, California Newsroom

California doesn’t know if its efforts to address homelessness are working — despite billions of dollars spent to address the crisis. That’s according to a state audit released Tuesday.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Two California National Parks Rank As Most Polluted In The Country

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 14:00:01 -0000

National parks have been called “America’s best idea.” But a recent study says these parks are increasingly threatened by human-caused air pollution. The parks with the biggest risk are all here in California.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Shuttered Madera Community Hospital has cleared yet another hurdle in the path to reopening. It’s been approved for a $57 million interest-free loan.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

A community in Red Bluff was recently notified that their water had high concentrations of chemicals called PFAS. Data shows that the site has had high levels of contamination for several years.

Reporter: Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio

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Effort To Roll Back Proposition 47 Could Head To Voters

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 14:24:40 -0000

Proposition 47, a criminal justice reform passed by California voters in 2014, has been controversial from the beginning, and now critics of the law are pushing a ballot measure that would roll back some of its key provisions.

Guest: Marisa Largos, KQED

A state agency wants to spend millions of dollars to tell students abortion pills are available on campus, this after an LAist investigation found many public universities are failing to do so.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

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Judge: Government Responsible for Welfare of Kids Gathered on U.S. Side of Southern Border

Fri, 05 Apr 2024 13:57:06 -0000

A federal judge has ruled that the U-S government is responsible for the safety and welfare of young people who’ve gathered in encampments on the California side of the US-Mexico border.

Uprooted from Oakland, the Athletics are headed to Sacramento starting next season. The team will share a 10,000 seat minor-league ballpark with its primary tenant, the Sacramento River Cats, for at least three seasons, while their permanent stadium in Las Vegas is under construction.

In Kern County, wildflower season is in full swing. Permitted volunteers are spreading out across the Indian Wells Valley to pick as many flower species as possible. Those will be displayed all in one room for the nearby Maturango Museum’s annual wildflower exhibit.

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Young Scientists Make Huge Discovery In Santa Cruz County

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 13:45:27 -0000

The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History has a new specimen on display. A fossilized bone from a giant creature never before found along the Central Coast. The fossil is at least 11,000 years old and was discovered by some very early career scientists.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

California is home to the western drywood termite. Fumigation is the most common method to kill this pest. That’s when a home is wrapped in a brightly colored tent and pumped full of the pesticide, SO2F2. But the chemical is a far more potent greenhouse gas than previously known.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Snow Survey Reveals Good News for Californians

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:58:49 -0000

State water officials say the last snow survey of the season on Tuesday revealed good news for the millions of Californians and farms who rely on snowmelt.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

LA County authorities have a new strategy to help curb gun violence.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

A parcel of land along the Northern California coast is being restored by the Yurok tribe, who is returning the property to nature. The land has been returned to the tribe in a first of its kind deal – in partnership with the National Park Service and California State Parks.

Reporter: Alec Stutson, North State Public Radio

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Activists Work To Save Historic Border Wall Murals

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 13:52:52 -0000

Ongoing construction of a new border wall threatened to destroy hundreds of murals that decorate the Tijuana side. But now, a group of activists has found a way to save some of them.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

After promising to put 200 Black workers in government jobs by this June, the city of Los Angeles has found jobs for fewer than 50 workers. Participants of the program say the application process for city jobs is often months long. And at the same time as this hiring effort, LA is facing a nearly $300 million budget deficit.

Reporter: Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, CalMatters

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Companies Look To Buy Backyards To Build Housing

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:35:03 -0000

It was hailed as the official end of single-family zoning in California and decried as a threat to suburban neighborhoods. But two years later, Senate Bill 9 has done little to add new housing, despite a desperate need for it. But a growing number of developers have emerged with an offer: cash for your backyard.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Nearly 500,000 fast food workers in California start earning at least $20 an hour on Monday. But some restaurants have already started laying people off in response to the change.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero , KQED

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Piano Bar Helps Visitors Feel At Home

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:13:08 -0000

On Grand Avenue in Oakland, musicians are keeping an almost century-old institution alive and thriving. Longtime piano bar The Alley brings in customers old and new, who find comfort in their surroundings.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

State utility regulators have released a proposed plan to reduce the cost of residential electricity for lower income Californians.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Progress Being Made On Providing Housing For Farmworkers In Half Moon Bay

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:09:19 -0000

A mass shooting at a pair of mushroom farms in a coastal town south of San Francisco last year exposed the deplorable conditions workers lived in. Now the city of Half Moon Bay is preparing to break ground on permanent farmworker housing.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

California legislators are out for their spring recess. But discussions about their bills are still happening outside of Sacramento committee rooms. One of the most talked about is a bill aimed at curbing retail theft.

Reporter: Lynn La, CalMatters

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RFK Jr. Selects Running Mate in Oakland

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:14:58 -0000

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. named a wealthy tech attorney as his running mate at a rally in Oakland Tuesday. 38-year old Nicole Shanahan is also an investor and philanthropist. She was previously married to the co-founder of Google.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

For years, San Diego County residents living near the US-Mexico border have had to deal with polluted ocean water. That's forced the months long closure of beaches and regular episodes of a terrible outdoor stench that's affected people's health.

Guest: MacKenzie Elmer, Voice of San Diego

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Why California Has Such A Hard Time Tracking Homeless Deaths

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:10:55 -0000

As more Californians have fallen into homelessness more have died on the streets — but just how many, nobody knows. That’s starting to change. Spurred in part by the efforts of a few counties, the state recently began taking steps to collect this data.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

A case that could limit access to the abortion pill will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday. Anti-abortion rights groups sued the Food and Drug Administration over rules that expanded access to abortion pill mifepristone. It’s part of a two-drug regimen used in most medication abortions.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

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Port Of Los Angeles' Goal For Zero Emissions Still Faces Some Roadblocks

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 14:13:46 -0000

When you think about what causes air pollution in California, cars and factories probably come to mind. But what about ports? For instance, the Port of Los Angeles and the neighboring Port of Long Beach, when combined, are the single largest source of pollution in Southern California. But change is afoot.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Earlier this month, thousands of employees were laid-off off by one of the country’s largest stone fruit producers, which operates in central California. The Prima Wawona layoffs are part of a decades-long shift in farm work.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Pop-Up Event In Oakland Brings Artists, Music Lovers Together

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 13:54:34 -0000

In Downtown Oakland, a pop-up event called couchdate is making room for artists and music lovers to hang out, play and connect with one another.

Reporter: Ariana Proehl, KQED

Worker safety advocates are outraged that Governor Newsom’s administration may delay the implementation of new rules to protect indoor workers from heat illness. California’s deadline to adopt indoor heat regulations was five years ago. But just hours before the vote, news broke that the state Department of Finance declined to sign off

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Proposition 1 Narrowly Approved By Voters

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 14:37:21 -0000

A proposal from Governor Gavin Newsom to build housing and mental health treatment beds for Californians experiencing homelessness was narrowly approved by California voters. Proposition 1 allows the state to borrow nearly $6.4 billion to build treatment facilities and supportive housing.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Venues including fast food chains in airports, hotels and convention centers will be exempt from paying a new state-mandated $20 minimum wage to fast food workers. That’s thanks to a bill California lawmakers passed earlier this week.

Reporter: Olivia Zhao, CalMatters

A new report from UCLA researchers finds that nail salon workers are being misclassified as independent contractors and missing out on pay and benefits.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

A new affordable housing community with an innovative design opened in South Sacramento this week.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

The calendar has been saying March for 21 days, but the main event -- March Madness -- starts Thursday. Five women's teams from California made it this year.

Reporter: Ethan Toven-Lindsey, KQED

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Buying And Selling A Home In California Set To Change

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:15:06 -0000

The National Association of Realtors, one of the most powerful real estate groups in the country, announced on Friday it would settle a major class-action lawsuit that had accused the group of artificially inflating the commissions its agents make in home sales. The settlement is seen as a seismic shift in the real estate market.

Guest: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

In the wake of multiple massive wildfires, some property insurance companies have severely raised their rates, or withdrawn from California altogether. A new proposal would create a method of calculating rates aimed at both bringing back those companies and creating more affordable policies.

Reporter: Alec Stutson, North State Public Radio

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LA County Residents Say A Nearby Landfill is Making Them Sick

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 14:21:00 -0000

The margin is still too close to call between Yes and No votes on Governor Newsom’s Proposition 1 mental health ballot measure. So close that opponents of the measure, who had previously conceded the race, have now withdrawn their concession.

Reporter: Olivia Zhao, CalMatters

Huntington Beach officials are considering privatizing the city’s library system at Tuesday's city council meeting. The discussion about privatization comes amid fierce debates over content and control over the city's library system.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LA-ist

A years-old chemical reaction beneath the surface of one of LA County’s largest landfills has turned into a toxic headache for the tens of thousands of people living nearby. Air quality officials have slapped the privately-owned Chiquita Canyon landfill near Castaic with more than 130 legal violations, but fixing the problem won't be easy.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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California's Worst Wage Theft Offender Still In Business

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 14:42:56 -0000

Not paying someone for a job they did is illegal. It’s called wage theft. But a KQED investigation found California regulators have failed to force the worst offender they cited in the state, to pay more than a tiny fraction of the millions of dollars in wages that he owes.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Students from India Power the Increase in International Students in the United States

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:23:01 -0000

Can California Legislate Its Way to Happiness?

The newly formed Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy Outcomes had its first meeting this week to explore the topic of 'happiness.'

Lynn La, CalMatters

Indian Students Lead Way for Increase in International Students in United States

India's U.S. consular team issued over 140,000 student visas last year, more than any other country in the world. California remains a top destination for these students. But what is life like when they get here?

Madi Bolanos, The California Report

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A Coding Program at San Quentin Offers Hope for Careers After Prison

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 14:10:00 -0000

Humanitarian Parole Program Can Continue

An Oakland man is breathing easier… after a program that protects a Nicaraguan friend survived a court challenge by several Republican-led states. But with a notice of appeal filed this week, his relief could be short lived.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Senior Immigration Editor

People Incarcerated at San Quentin Graduate from Coding Program

Roughly 50 people incarcerated at San Quentin are now one step closer to getting a career out of prison. That’s through a program that gives job training in skills like coding and audio production to prisoners.

Billy Cruz, KQED

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Proposition 1 Will Likely Succeed, Opponents Say

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 14:51:05 -0000

Opponents of Proposition 1 are conceding that the state ballot measure -- aimed at housing Californians with severe mental illness -- is likely to pass. That result will allow the state to borrow money and shift existing mental health dollars toward building residential treatment facilities and affordable housing.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Assembly member Vince Fong is the top vote-getter in the race to replace Kevin McCarthy. That means he’ll advance to the general election in November. But a special election for the same seat still needs to be decided.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager. KVPR

When a recruit enters boot camp, the Marine Corps controls virtually all aspects of their life...including, for many, where they bank. An investigation from KPBS in San Diego uncovered how the Marine Corps systematically enrolls thousands of new recruits each year into Oceanside-based Frontwave Credit Union.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

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National Immigration Courts Lose Funding in New Spending Bill

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 15:25:00 -0000

When the Biden administration opened a new immigration court in the Bay Area city of Concord last month… it was part of an effort to cope with a nationwide backlog of more than 3 million cases. But a new spending deal just reached in Congress actually cuts the court budget.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Water is a key ingredient in brewing beer, along with hops and barley, but you rarely see it mentioned on labels. One Napa Valley craft brewer goes to extremes to source water from wells and springs throughout the region to use for different beers.

Reporter: Tina Caputo

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Why California Isn't Ready to Scrap Daylight Saving Time

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 17:31:54 -0000

Why We Keep Springing Forward

Way back in November 2018, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 7, a measure that was supposed to keep us from having to adjust our clocks twice a year for daylight saving time. So why did we still have to “Spring forward”?

Reporter: Oliva Zhao, CalMatters

In Trinity County, A Key Victory for the LandBack Movement

The Nor Rel Muk Wintu people in Trinity County finally have their own land. That includes 78 acres from an anonymous donor inspired by the LandBack movement.Some members hope it will help the tribe win federal recognition.

Reporter: Jamie Jiang, North State Public Radio

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Many Young Voters Still Not Heading To The Polls

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:02:56 -0000

In California, young people who could vote, and are even registered, just aren’t doing it in big numbers. Tuesday’s primary election was no exception.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald

In his State of the Union address, President Biden addressed his push for a secure border, and how he’s been blocked by Republicans. California U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a strong supporter of immigration reform, invited a guest who highlighted a different side of immigration.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

The federal government has announced $72 million will be spent on connecting Tribal communities, including some in California, with reliable, renewable energy. The Yurok Tribe, whose reservation lands are located in and around Humboldt County, is one of the four tribes in California that received a part of this funding.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Winter Rains Lead To A Rare Sight At Death Valley

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:20:55 -0000

Death Valley is normally known for its extreme heat. But this winter, rain and winds pushed tons of water into the area, creating a lake locals grew to call "Lake Manly." People could kayak and wade out. But the lake has begun to dry up and boating is now suspended there.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

One of the most expensive state races has been waged in state Senate District 25 which spans from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga east of L.A. More than $5 million has flowed into the race – much of it coming from one of the candidates.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

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Schiff, Garvey Advance To November General Election

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:55:17 -0000

In the U.S. Senate race to fill the seat once held by the late Dianne Feinstein, Democrat and L..A area Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican and former pro baseball player Steve Garvey will advance to the November general election.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The result of California's only statewide ballot measure -- Proposition 1 -- is still too close to call. Latest results show just over 50% of voters supporting the measure aimed at housing more Californians with mental health and addiction problems.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Californians Head To Polls For Primary Election

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 15:24:07 -0000

Polling places are open in California, as local and statewide races are on the ballot. Two of the biggest races -- the U.S. Senate seat that had long been held by the late Dianne Feinstein and Proposition 1, a proposal dealing with mental health and homelessness.

The cold winter storm and blizzard conditions that complicated mountain travel and closed ski resorts in the Sierra this past weekend also significantly boosted California’s snowpack and the state’s water supply. Last week, the snowpack was at 80% of average. It’s now 104%, a massive increase from just one storm.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Do you ever think you'll never get your foot into the door of California's residential real estate market? Well, applications open in early April for a state program that could help you buy your first home in California. It's called the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation loan. And when it first launched last year, it was so popular it exhausted its $300 million in funding in the first 11 days.

Guest: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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Would Measure HLA In Los Angeles Really Make Streets Safer?

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:22:39 -0000

In recent years, traffic fatalities have remained stubbornly high across California despite efforts to reduce them. That’s especially true in Los Angeles where last year, more than 330 people -- drivers, pedestrians and cyclists -- were killed in collisions, a number higher than the city’s homicide rate. In response to the toll, L.A. voters are voting this election on a ballot measure that’s supposed to make the city’s streets safer.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Several feet of snow fell in higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada over the weekend. The blizzard closed many businesses and shut down I-80.

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Fresno County Mobile Home Park Residents Fight Rising Rents By Buying Their Park

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 17:25:30 -0000

Amid California’s housing crisis, a group of mobile home park residents in Fresno County have done something that might seem impossible. They purchased their park from their corporate landlord, securing stable affordable housing for themselves. But the road to get there wasn't easy.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

Communities in the Sierra Foothills are preparing for several more feet of snow over the next two days. This week's blizzard will also bring extremely high wind gusts. Local residents and businesses have been busy preparing for what's to come.

Reporter: Sophia Holm, KUNR

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Blizzard Warning In Effect Through The Weekend In Sierra Nevada

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:17:38 -0000

A blizzard warning is in effect through much of the Sierra foothills through the weekend. The National Weather Service says some higher elevations could see as much as ten feet of snow. Ski resorts in Lake Tahoe are preparing for dangerous conditions on the mountains.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

Voting in California’s primary election doesn’t end until Tuesday night. But election officials are getting worried about low levels of voter turnout.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Name Changes Are At Center Of Ballot Measure In Fresno County

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:44:24 -0000

When Fresno County voters go to the polls next week, they will be asked to choose whether local officials should have more control over naming. And re-naming things like towns, cities, and street names.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

San Diego County shut down its migrant welcome center last week . That means border officials will continue to drop migrants off on San Diego streets.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the greater Tahoe region and much of the Sierra from Thursday morning until Sunday.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

When you’re voting for a candidate running for state office, like a state legislator or the governor, you can evaluate them based on their voting record, policy positions and more. But finding information on candidates for local judge seats can be trickier.

Reporter: Olivia Zhao, CalMatters

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What To Know Before Heading To The Polls On March 5

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:23:32 -0000

Californians will head to the polls on March 5 to vote in the presidential primary. While there's only one statewide measure on the ballot, voters will have plenty else to ponder.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED Politics Correspondent

In Shasta County, a citizens commission created by right-wing politicians is recommending that county officials violate state law by hand-counting election ballots.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Voters Will Decide On Proposition 1, Mental Health And Homelessness Measure

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 15:11:33 -0000

Proposition 1 would allow the state to issue more than $6 billion in bonds, for supportive housing and residential treatment facilities for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness. But local governments are eyeing the measure through a different lens, and what may be impacted locally.

Reporters: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU and Erik Adams, North State Public Radio

Prop 1 isn't the first ballot measure that's tried to help Californians who live in that overlap between homelessness and mental illness. In 2018, voters passed No Place Like Home, a proposition that committed to building thousands of affordable housing units for homeless residents experiencing mental health issues. But a new investigation from CalMatters shows it delivered only a fraction of what proponents promised.

Guest: Marisa Kendall, Reporter CalMatters

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Fresno's Rogue Festival Features Performance Of Latehomecomer, A Hmong Family Memoir

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:14:37 -0000

The Rogue Festival in Fresno’s Tower District showcases local talent through improv, comedy and storytelling. This year the festival will host nearly 200 performances over the course of two weekends. One of them is a performance of the novel Latehomecomer by Hmong American author Kao Kalia Yang.

Guest: Jasmine Vang, Hmong American Actor

The Sierra is glittering white. Over the last week, recent storms have added up to four feet of snow to the mountain range.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Massive Bird Flu Outbreak Severely Impacting Farms In Central Valley

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:16:54 -0000

There’s a nasty virus spreading through the U.S. We’re not talking about COVID and we’re not even talking about humans. Avian influenza or bird flu has affected millions of birds across the country, including here in California. And in the Central Valley, farmers have been set back months due to the loss of flock and eggs.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

The push for California to provide reparations for Black Californians is taking shape at the state capitol. Members of the legislature's Black Caucus have chosen 14 reparations bills to prioritize this year. Those range from a formal apology on behalf of California lawmakers who supported slavery, to limits on solitary confinement in state prisons.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Carbon-Related Jobs In Kern County Not A Sure Thing

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 15:03:14 -0000

In the heart of California’s oil country, Kern County, more than 16,000 people work in the petroleum industry. Many of their jobs will likely disappear over the next two decades, as the state phases out oil drilling. Slashing fossil fuel emissions is part of California’s plan to combat climate change. That plan also includes burying carbon deep beneath the ground. Kern County is betting on the carbon management industry to create thousands of jobs in the region. But it's unclear if that will actually come to fruition.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

California’s budget deficit has grown to $73 billion. That’s larger than a previous projection of $68 billion.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

The Supreme Court has dealt a blow to California landlords when it declined to take up a pair of cases with implications for rent control and eviction moratoriums. The cases , from New York and Seattle, argued the policies violate landlords’ property rights.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

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Bill Would Require California Landlords To Accept Pets

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:44:03 -0000

California landlords would be required to accept pets under first-of-its-kind legislation introduced this month. The bill by San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney would also ban property owners from asking about pets on applications, limit pet deposits, and prohibit “pet rent” — additional monthly fees for pets.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

A new UCSF study shows that midwives can face extra obstacles operating in California, especially when they’re trying to serve some of the state’s lowest-income families.

Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

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Program Helps People From Underrepresented Communities Serve In Office

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 15:04:54 -0000

Some Sacramento organizations prepare people from underrepresented communities to serve in public office. That includes Nueva Epoca, which is designed to empower Latinos.

Reporter: Kristin Lam, CapRadio

In Temecula Valley, teachers and parents who sued the school board over a ban on critical race theory and a transgender notification policy can move forward with their case. A Riverside County Superior Court judge denied the district’s request to dismiss it.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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Bill Would Let Undocumented Students Work At Public Universities, Community Colleges

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:21:27 -0000

Advocates for letting public universities in California hire undocumented students, who don’t have federal work authorization, have gotten a boost from Sacramento. A new proposal would let all students work, regardless of immigration status, in the UC, CSU and state community college systems.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

We’ve been exploring the crisis of loneliness among Californians and finding community. We turn to the topic of friendship as one all important remedy to social isolation.

Guest: Rhaina Cohen, journalist and author of the book “The Other Significant Others”

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Are Net-Zero Homes A Realistic Option?

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:00:49 -0000

Roughly a quarter of California’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings, including your home. That’s why the federal government wants to give homeowners money to replace gas appliances, install solar panels and replace your windows with more efficient ones. Some developers are taking low-carbon retrofits a step further, creating zero-carbon homes.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

It’s a challenge confronting some renters in California. They want to buy an electric vehicle, but they don’t have a place to plug it in where they live. In response, Assemblyman Kevin McCarty has introduced a bill aimed at increasing access to EV charging for people who live in multi-unit housing and without garage access.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Culture Wars Dominate Huntington Beach Politics Heading Into March Primary

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 15:12:37 -0000

America's growing culture wars can be seen in local politics across the state. That includes in the Orange County city of Huntington Beach, where a conservative majority on the city council has rolled back several progressive initiatives. And in March, a highly contentious measure is on the ballot. It’s a city charter amendment titled Measure 1 that if passed, would require Huntington Beach residents to show official identification when voting in-person.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A Fresno judge has approved a plan to reopen bankrupt Madera Community Hospital, which has been closed for more than a year. That’s despite a reopening bid from UC San Francisco announced last week.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Data Shows No Huge Spike In Shoplifting Since Passage Of Prop 47

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 15:14:33 -0000

Prop 47 is a 2014 ballot measure that lowered the penalties for drug possession and shoplifting from felonies to misdemeanors. Retailers and prosecutors are collecting signatures for a November ballot measure that would roll back some portions of the law. And lawmakers have introduced more than a dozen bills to tweak it in some way or another. But what have the impacts of the measure been?

Guest: Maris Lagos, KQED

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has promised sweeping changes to try to fix the state’s insurance market and convince companies to offer more coverage. Now, he’s released proposed rule updates.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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New Immigration Court In Bay Area Hopes To Relieve Massive Case Backlog

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:57:02 -0000

A new immigration court opens in the Bay Area Monday. It’s part of an effort by the Biden Administration to cope with a record number of asylum seekers – and a historic backlog of 3 million cases nationwide.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Cal State faculty members start voting Monday on a deal that could raise wages and add more paid parental leave. But some CSU employees say it falls short of what their union is demanding.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

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Fast Food Workers Union Officially Launches In California

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 15:25:40 -0000

Fast food workers are officially launching a new statewide union on Friday. This comes weeks before a new law will raise the industry’s minimum wage to $20 an hour and create a statewide Fast Food Council.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Programs dedicated to the well-being of California’s youngest residents are facing major cutbacks. That’s because a ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products sharply lowered revenue that’s supposed to fund First 5 California and the early childhood services it supports.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

The San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl this weekend in Las Vegas That means thousands of Niners fans are flocking to Sin City to celebrate, and one dedicated fan is hoping to welcome them all. She started a 49ers booster club in Las Vegas.

Guest: Susan Larson, North Vegas Faithfuls

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Survivors Of Palm Springs Section 14 Neighborhood Still Waiting For Compensation

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 15:43:16 -0000

Decades ago, the homes in a Palm Springs neighborhood known as Section 14 were deemed eyesores and officials wanted to promote tourism. So they forced out the mostly black and brown families who lived there. Crews tore down everyone’s homes, and then burned them, sometimes with people’s personal possessions still inside. The city made a public apology in 2021, but survivors are still waiting for additional support.

Guests: Pearl Devers, Section 14 Survivor and Areva Martin, Civil Rights Attorney

A Popeyes Chicken franchisee is paying more than $200,000 for child labor and other violations at restaurants in East Oakland, Newark and Tracy.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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LA Outreach Workers Try To Catch Renters Before They Face Eviction

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 15:05:55 -0000

COVID eviction protections have lapsed for renters in the city of Los Angeles. Now, city outreach workers are going door-to-door, hoping to catch renters before they’re evicted. And they’re using new data to find those most in need of help.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

Fresno is the latest city in California to find itself on the receiving end of a bus full of asylum seekers. They were sent from Texas, victims of Governor Greg Abbott’s immigration battle with the Biden administration.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

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Southern California Drenched With Rain In Latest Storm

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 15:01:30 -0000

Rain continues to fall in Southern California, which has been drenched in this latest atmospheric river. Downtown Los Angeles has seen more than seven inches of rain the last 48 hours, one of the highest two day rain totals on record.

A California law that went into effect last January said public universities have to provide medication abortions. An LAist investigation has found a patchwork of approaches to communicating that abortion pills are now available. Advocates say that’s hurting access.

Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, LAist

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Storm Continues To Hammer Parts Of California

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 15:25:21 -0000

Much of the worst of the latest atmospheric river has passed through Northern California. But areas of Southern California continue to be hit with heavy rain and threats of flash flooding.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California’s public universities are required to provide abortion pills to students who want them. But LAist found few universities tell students the medication is available. The lack of information caused one student weeks of anguish.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

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Support Group Helps Mothers Who Have A Child In Prison

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 16:37:31 -0000

There are more than 1.2 million people incarcerated in the U.S. And there are also a lot of mothers out there, living with the guilt, shame and loneliness that comes with having a child in prison. In Sacramento, one mom is turning that pain into support.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

A job fair was held this week for workers laid off by a Fresno-based agricultural company. Prima Wawona, which grows and packages peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots, filed for bankruptcy in October. A few weeks ago, it warned its employees they’d all be laid off in March.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

One of the mushroom farms where a mass shooting took place in Half Moon Bay a year ago has paid more than $126,000 to federal regulators. The U.S. Department of Labor says that California Terra Garden paid $84,000 in back wages for dozens of workers, and more than $42,000 in penalties.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Asylum Seekers Still Face Challenges With Mobile App

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 14:51:49 -0000

Last year, the Biden administration introduced a mobile app called CBP One. The idea was that it would help streamline the asylum process for the government agencies and the asylum seekers. But the initial version of the app was riddled with errors. While things have improved, asylum seekers are still facing challenges with the app.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

California’s new oil industry watchdog is recommending reforms to prevent spikes in gas prices at the pump. Tai Milder heads the watchdog agency. He says the state should publish a market price report and require refineries to store a minimum amount of reserve gas.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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LA Tenants Face Deadline To Start Paying Back Rent Debt

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:31:00 -0000

On Thursday, the City of Los Angeles ends renter protections that were implemented during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic. That means tenants need to start paying back the back rent they owe to their landlords. Also, the city will start allowing rent increases in units covered through its rent stabilization program. That means some tenants who live in rent-stabilized apartments will have their rents raised for the first time in four years.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A new report says state corrections officials have used inappropriate tactics to reduce a backlog of staff misconduct cases. When a person held in a state prison files a complaint alleging staff misconduct, it’s supposed to go to the Department of corrections’ s Office of Internal Affairs or trained investigators. But a report by the state inspector general says prison officials dealt with a backlog by reclassifying hundreds of complaints as routine grievances.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

A bill that would let state legislators shield their property holdings from disclosure forms is advancing in the Legislature this week.

Reporter: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

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UC Regents Won't Allow Undocumented Students To Work On Campus

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:03:30 -0000

For the past two years, undocumented students at the University of California have campaigned to be allowed to work on campus. They argued that they were missing out on opportunities to work with professors and in labs, which could further their academic careers. But last week, UC Regents voted to halt a plan that would have allowed the university to hire them.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

The federal government is awarding California $600 million to fight homelessness. The funding represents a 14% increase over last year’s allocation to the state.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

A 2023 law made it legal for DACA recipients to become police officers in California. But a new investigation from CalMatters shows, uptake has been slow across the state.

Reporter: Justo Robles, CalMatters

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49ers Clinch Spot In Super Bowl With Comeback Win

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 15:06:26 -0000

The San Francisco 49ers are NFC Champions and heading to the franchise’s 8th Super Bowl. They defeated the Detroit Lions 34-31, after trailing by double digits at halftime.

Reporter: Christopher Alam, KQED

Journalism in Los Angeles and the entire state of California was hit with a major blow this past week. The L.A. Times laid off more than 100 journalists in its newsroom. The cuts come at a time when journalism will play a vital role in informing the public about the upcoming 2024 election.

Guest: Margaret Sullivan, executive director of the Newmark Center for Journalism, Ethics and Society at Columbia University

Mental health counselors gained some wins in the tentative agreement between the California Faculty Association and Cal State University management. CSU said they'll make an effort to boost the ratio of counselors to students.

Reporter: Yusra Farzan, LAist

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Running Club Provides Sense Of Community In LA's Skid Row

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 15:30:15 -0000

We continue our series on social isolation and the search for community in California. One place where it can be very difficult to find community is L.A.'s Skid Row neighborhood, where many people live on the streets in squalor, as they also battle mental health and addiction problems. But the Skid Row Running Club has been a place where people can find friendship while also getting healthier.

Guest: Jeremy Price, Skid Row Running Club

University of California Regents voted to suspend work on a proposal that would have allowed the university to hire students who don't qualify for federal work authorizations like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

According to the latest numbers, more than 350, 000 Californians now get their fire insurance through California’s FAIR Plan. The number of FAIR policyholders has nearly tripled over the last five years. So why the increase?

Reporter: Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

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Creek Fire Survivors Face Challenges In Moving Forward

Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:00:27 -0000

Three years ago, the Creek Fire was finally contained. It remains California’s fifth largest blaze, after destroying nearly 400,000 acres and hundreds of homes in the Sierra Nevada east of Fresno. The three years since have been a time of healing and recovery – especially for those involved in a high-stakes rescue the first weekend of the blaze.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

California has been closing prisons to save money. But the state’s spending 90% more per year on each prisoner kept locked up than it was a decade ago. That’s according to a new analysis from CalMatters.

Reporter: Nigel Duara, CalMatters

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Sale Of Skid Row Corner Store Hopes To Provide Some Community Healing

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 15:13:40 -0000

A corner store in Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood, that’s a crossroads of community life, is being sold. But instead of letting it get snatched up by the highest bidder, the Korean American family that runs the market has worked out a deal with a Black-led nonprofit. The move serves as a small step toward healing historic racial tensions in LA.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

A big blow to journalism in Los Angeles, as the LA Times has cut about 20% of its newsroom. The paper's Washington bureau and sports and photography departments saw big cuts. And several journalists of color were also impacted.

Reporter: Yusra Farzan, LAist

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CSU Faculty Strike Ends With Tentative Labor Deal

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 15:03:36 -0000

Cal State faculty have called off a strike, after a tentative labor agreement was reached Monday night. Faculty had been scheduled to be off the job this entire week.

The three Democrats vying to represent California in the U.S. Senate went after the only Republican on stage at Monday’s debate -- and clashed over the war between Israel and Hamas.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Many in Half Moon Bay are gathering Tuesday to commemorate the first anniversary of the mass shooting that killed seven farmworkers in the community south of San Francisco.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero

A controversial school board president in the Riverside County community of Temecula will face a recall election this spring. A group opposed to his conservative agenda collected enough signatures to force a vote.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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Concealed Carry Permits Now Easier To Come By In California

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 15:19:09 -0000

In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a New York law that required people to show a need for carrying a gun when applying for a permit to carry a concealed weapon. California’s law was similar to that one. Now to get a concealed carry weapons permit, students receive 16 hours of classroom instruction in gun rules and regulations and then time on the firing range.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Monday is the first day of the spring semester for most California State University campuses. But instead of teaching classes, tens of thousands of CSU faculty members from all 23 schools are on strike this week.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

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Bay Area Nonprofit Helps Connect Seniors Needing Assistance With Volunteers

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 15:18:24 -0000

As we age, our social networks tend to shrink, leaving us feeling disconnected from the world around us. And that can take a toll on someone’s mental health. But recent studies have shown this feeling of loneliness is also linked to an increased risk for heart disease, dementia and early death in older adults. That’s why a coalition here in California is working to change the way we address aging, by bridging the gap between health and social care.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

California lawmakers are considering a bill that would ban investor-owned utilities from passing lobbying costs on to customers. The bill follows a Sacramento Bee investigation that found SoCalGas spent millions lobbying against the state’s clean energy policies, and had ratepayers pick up the tab.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Sonoma County District Attorney's Fentanyl Ad Features Made Up Story

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:10:06 -0000

The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office has pulled down a public service announcement from its website warning residents about the painkiller fentanyl. This comes after the California Newsroom inquired about the accuracy of the events depicted.

Reporter: Brian Krans, The California Newsroom

A new poll finds most California voters do not feel that U.S. borders are effective at keeping people from entering the country illegally. Registered Republicans overwhelmingly say the border’s not secure, unauthorized immigrants are a major burden and asylum laws are too lenient. But California Democrats are deeply divided on those questions.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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As Ridership Increases, LA Metro looks To Improve Transit Experience

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 14:50:33 -0000

During the COVID pandemic, ridership on California’s public transit systems plummeted. Now, ridership levels for one agency – Los Angeles Metro – are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, but there are still big concerns about quality of service, safety and how to deal with drug abuse and homelessness on subways, buses and light rail. The transportation agency is trying to deal with those concerns by putting a friendly face on mass transit.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Kern County Looks To Be Center Of California's Carbon Capture Industry

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:08:26 -0000

Kern County in the rural San Joaquin Valley is facing what one leader calls an existential threat. The county is the largest oil producer in California, but the state wants to eliminate drilling by 2045. As a result, Kern is looking to a new industry – carbon capture and storage – to secure its future. hopes the industry will provide jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue, while helping the state meet its climate goals.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Environmental groups have successfully pushed for a ‘green terminal’ strategy at the Port of Humboldt outside Eureka. The terminal is where giant offshore wind turbines will be built.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Millions Of Mexicans Living In US Can Vote In Mexican Election

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 15:02:38 -0000

Millions of Mexicans living in the United States are eligible to vote in Mexico’s upcoming presidential elections. Some experts are calling it the most important election in Mexican history.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Camp Fire survivors now have until April of 2025 to live in trailers full-time on their properties in the town of Paradise. That’s after the Town Council voted to allow RV living for another year.

Reporter: Jamie Jiang, North State Public Radio

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Dealing With Loneliness In California

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 15:29:23 -0000

Last year the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory, calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country. So how did we get to this point?

Guest: Dr. Carla Perissinotto, Geriatrician, UCSF

The Biden administration is awarding California $168 million for clean vehicle charging infrastructure. Grants will fund projects across the state, from truck charging stations along freight routes in the Inland Empire, to public vehicle charging facilities in low-income communities in Contra Costa County.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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One Dead Following Avalanche At Palisades Tahoe

Thu, 11 Jan 2024 15:58:51 -0000

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who died in an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort on Wednesday as 66-year-old Kenneth Kidd. One other person was buried and injured; two other skiers were caught up in the avalanche but rescued.

California is facing a nearly $38 billion budget shortfall, but to hear Governor Gavin Newsom tell it, things aren’t too dire. As he rolled out his proposed spending plan on Wednesday, Newsom framed the shortfall as a return to normal of sorts: After several years of unusual spikes in capital gains, sales and corporate tax revenues, driven by low interest rates and historic federal pandemic aid, things are leveling off.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

As Senate negotiators struggle to hammer out a deal in Washington, trading tougher asylum rules for more aid to Ukraine and Israel, California Senator Alex Padilla says more border restrictions are not the best way to manage the migration crisis.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Real Estate Developer Fails To Provide Housing For Unhoused, Despite Millions In State Funding

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 15:09:18 -0000

If we're spending tens of billions of dollars fighting homelessness, why isn't the problem getting better? An investigation by KCRW and The California Newsroom looked at the massive failures of one major recipient of Governor Gavin Newsom's Homekey program. That's his administration's big effort to turn buildings like hotels and motels into low income housing, which has cost more than $3 billion since it launched in 2020.

Guest: Anna Scott, Reporter KCRW

Governor Newsom is expected to release the state’s spending plan on Wednesday morning. This comes as the state is dealing with a $68 billion shortfall.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

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Governor Newsom Sets Date For Special Election For Kevin McCarthy's Seat

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:59:59 -0000

Governor Newsom has officially ordered a special election on March 19 to fill the seat vacated by former Congressman Kevin McCarthy. The district will see up to four different ballots to determine who will serve the remainder of McCarthy’s term and who will succeed him in Congress. Meanwhile, California lawmakers want to clean up state election law after a judge ruled that a Republican candidate can run for both Congress and the Assembly this year.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

A suite of options to allow psychedelic use in California could soon be on the table, including regulated therapies. As officials wrestle with what comes next, the state recently cleared advocates to collect signatures for a statewide decriminalization vote as a ballot measure in November.

Reporter: Anna Marie Yanny, KQED

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RV Laws In Butte County Leave Many Fire Victims With Few Options

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 14:48:09 -0000

People are still struggling to find a place to live years after devastating wildfires ripped through Butte County. In the remote town of Berry Creek, many are living in RVs on the lots where houses once stood. But they face deadlines to rebuild their homes or move.

Reporter: Jamie Jiang, North State Public Radio

Doctors are bracing for more COVID patients as people return to school and work after the holiday break.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

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Gray Wolves Returning To California

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 14:51:36 -0000

In the 20th century, the last California gray wolf was observed in the 1920s, but that changed in 2011 with the sighting of a wolf who had crossed into California from Oregon. Now, a small but growing population of wolves have reestablished themselves in the state.

Reporter: Jordan Traverso, California Department of Fish and Wildlife

A parents rights group says it plans to sue Attorney General Rob Bonta because of how his office titled and summarized an initiative the group hopes to get on the ballot. The proposal from the group Protect Kids California would prohibit gender-affirming care for minors, exclude trans girls from girls competitive sports, and require schools to disclose a students’ gender identity to their parents.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

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Could Tech Workers Face Retribution For Speaking Out On Israel-Hamas War?

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 15:19:43 -0000

Passions over war in the Middle East have spilled into where many of us work. So as an employee, what rights do you have to share your opinions or protest on the job?

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

In Sacramento, state legislators ended their first session of the year early Wednesday, after hundreds of Israel-Hamas war protesters broke out into songs and chants in the Assembly chamber.

Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

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Women With Postpartum Depression Struggle To Get Drug Treatment

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 14:49:25 -0000

Federal regulators are investigating Kaiser Permanente for how it treats women with postpartum depression. The health provider has twice revised its guidelines to make it easier for women to get a new drug that targets the condition. These developments are the result of a KQED investigation that first revealed Kaiser's restrictions on postpartum care.

Guest: April Dembosky, KQED

State surveyors have measured the snowpack near Lake Tahoe, and found only a small amount of snow compared to this time last year.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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New Laws Go Into Effect In 2024

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 15:36:27 -0000

Hundreds of new laws have gone into effect with the beginning of the new year. They affect everything from workplaces, to crime and health care.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Dealing With Grief From Climate Change

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 14:30:00 -0000

In our state, we see the effects of climate change around us seemingly every day - storms, flooding, wildfires, extreme heat waves. Such events are changing the landscape and feeling of California and making a lot of us worried. So how do we handle the anxiety and even the grief that stem from climate change?

Guest: Erica Hellerstein, Investigative Reporter

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California Program Helps Increase Access To State Parks

Fri, 29 Dec 2023 14:30:00 -0000

The state of California has been experimenting with ways to make it easier for residents to enjoy our state parks and beaches. A pilot program that allows Californians to visit many state parks for free — after checking out a pass from their local library — is helping increase access for more people.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

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Four Year Voyage To Take Polynesian Voyaging Canoe Across Pacific Ocean

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 14:30:00 -0000

A Polynesian voyaging canoe is on a four-year journey circumnavigating the Pacific Ocean, using only traditional methods of seafaring - so no GPS, no motor, no high tech sensors, but lots of sails and wind power. The canoe and its crew recently sailed down the California coast, meeting with indigenous communities along the way.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

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Podcast Looks At Ways To Make A Difference When It Comes To Climate Change

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 14:30:00 -0000

We spend a lot of time on this show talking about the grim effects of climate change, but not as much on the steps each of us can take to make a difference. That's the idea behind KCRW's new "Anti-Dread Climate Podcast"

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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Many Families Sticking With Homeschooling

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 14:30:00 -0000

The pandemic caused homeschool enrollment to boom across California. In the LA Unified School District, almost twice as many kids are homeschooled as before the pandemic – up 90% in 5 years. And many have stuck with it, even after schools fully opened.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

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Meadows A Key Part Of Forest Health

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 14:30:00 -0000

Meadows can be a key to forest health. In the Sierra Nevada, however, most have been degraded or lost. But there are efforts underway to restore these habitats.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

A unique holiday tradition here in the Bay Area. The Misfit Cabaret is a variety show that features eccentric performers, often performing burlesque and drag.

Reporter: Rachel Martin, NPR

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Conservationists Help Coho Salmon Return To Pescadero

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 15:30:22 -0000

The town of Pescadero on the San Mateo County Coast was once known for fish. But a few decades ago salmon in Pescadero Creek went extinct. Now conservationists, with the help of farmers, scientists and federal money for combating climate change, are helping them come back.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

California could lose multiple seats in the US House of Representatives, if new population estimates from the Census Bureau bear out

Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

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Farmers See Uncertain Future With Plans For New City In Solano County

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 15:00:25 -0000

In eastern Solano County, a group of Silicon Valley billionaires have a vision: an urban, walkable city filled with jobs, restaurants, sidewalks and bike paths. Their ambition is to put a dent in California’s gaping housing shortage. But for the farmers who currently own that land, that idea is upending their businesses and their future.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis is joining calls to remove former President Donald Trump from California's primary ballot.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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California Approves Rules To Turn Wastewater Into Drinking Water

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 15:19:40 -0000

California will soon allow water agencies to heavily treat wastewater, converting it into drinking water. The State Water Resources Control Board approved regulations to extensively treat sewage water for human consumption.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Congressman Kevin McCarthy officially submitted his letter of resignation on Tuesday, announcing he will step down December 31.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Right now, people all over the world are sending friends and family Christmas cards and holiday gifts. But often overlooked is the one delivering this mail, the mail carrier.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

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Credit Unions Charge Millions In Overdraft Fees

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:57:20 -0000

Not-for-profit credit unions have long billed themselves as community-based alternatives to big commercial banks. Yet, many California credit unions charged customers millions in overdraft fees last year.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

A new law protecting California workers who use marijuana goes into effect next year. Starting January 1, it will be illegal for employers in California to discriminate against an employee for their marijuana use off the job.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

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Law Enforcement's Claims About Dangers Of Officers Handling Fentanyl Met With Skepticism

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 15:04:42 -0000

New numbers show that fentanyl continues to have a devastating effect on the general public in California. Law enforcement also says the drug poses a threat to officers. For example, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office says one of its deputies recently needed the overdose-reversing drug known as Narcan, after handling fentanyl. But experts say opioids were probably not the cause of his symptoms.

Reporter: Brian Krans, The California Newsroom

The conservative Christian majority that brought national attention to Temecula in Riverside County no longer runs that city’s school board, at least for now. A board member who was elected last year with the help of a Christian political action committee has resigned.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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Closed Jewish Bakery's Legacy To Live On

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 15:26:17 -0000

Diamond Bakery, an institution for generations of Los Angeles Jews, closed this month after 77 years. But, in what could be considered a Hanukkah miracle, the bakery’s original recipes will live on.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

California workplace regulators have approved new emergency temporary protections to stall a surge in silicosis, an irreversible lung disease disabling and killing countertop fabrication workers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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More And More Californians Facing Energy Insecurity

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 15:00:16 -0000

Next month, a major PG&E rate hike goes into effect. It’s the latest cost increase driven by wildfire-related expenses, inflation, and the growing energy demands that come with extreme weather. But these soring utility bills are pushing low income Californians to the edge of homelessness.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Sacramento County has launched a first-of-its-kind mobile veterinary clinic, focused on caring for pets owned by homeless residents. It's a free, mobile clinic with medicine and equipment.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Migrant Housing Becoming More Scarce For Farmworkers In California

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 14:56:00 -0000

Migrant farmworkers used to make up a large portion of the agricultural workforce. In recent years, those numbers have decreased. The rules for living in migrant housing are still largely the same, and it's creating a difficult situation for those living in these centers across the state.

Guest: Lindsey Holden, Reporter, Sacramento Bee

A California law meant to ensure overtime pay for farmworkers may be leading growers to cut workers’ hours, and thus actually reduce their paychecks. That’s according to new research out of UC Berkeley.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Solar Industry Battered By New California Rules

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 15:02:53 -0000

California’s solar industry is facing tough times after state utility regulators changed the rules for rooftop solar last spring. Sales are down and layoffs are up.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

The Department of Water Resources has released a final environmental impact report for the Delta tunnel project. The project would pump more water from northern to southern California, but is not without its share of critics.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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State Regulators To Vote On New Emergency Rules For Stonecutters' Safety

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 17:34:41 -0000

California regulators are set to vote this week on new emergency rules to protect workers power cutting “engineered stone” to make kitchen countertops. The factory-made material is linked to an aggressive lung disease killing workers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero

Last week, the city of Fresno became one of the first in the nation to raise the Palestinian flag, in solidarity with those killed in the Gaza Strip. The flag raising comes two months after Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer publicly showed support for Israel and made insensitive comments about the ongoing conflict.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

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Thousands Still Waiting For Help From State's COVID Rent Relief Program

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 15:19:15 -0000

More than 70, 000 Californians are still waiting on support from the state’s COVID-19 rent relief program. And now, that program could run out of money before it pays out the remaining eligible applicants.

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

Heavier than expected snow is falling this week in the Lake Tahoe area, with some places getting over a foot of "powder". That, of course, is a good thing for ski resorts, who were worried this year's ski season was getting off to a slow start.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

It's the story of two California cities and two prisons. One city is Blythe on the border of California and Arizona. It’s home to the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison. Since the lock up first opened in 1988, Chuckwalla has become synonymous with Blythe, with the prison creating hundreds of local jobs and helping to pump lots of dollars into Blythe’s economy. But last year, the state decided to close Chuckawalla. Now, the city of Norco, hundreds of miles away, wants to make a switch, and instead close its prison.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Kevin McCarthy Stepping Down From Congress

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 15:05:38 -0000

Recently ousted Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has announced he’s stepping down from Congress by the end of the year. The news was met with disappointment from many of his constituents in his Central California district.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Temecula’s Christian conservative school board president is one step closer to being recalled. A local PAC has turned in the signatures it hopes will force a recall election.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

State regulators announced the largest wage theft case in the home health care industry, a case that’s led to workers recovering $2 million so far. Nearly 150 caregivers who worked at Adat Shalom Board & Care are set to receive $5.5 million dollars total.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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LA County Sees Record Number Of Drug Overdoses

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 15:23:06 -0000

The number of L.A. residents dying from fentanyl overdoses shot up 1600% over the past six years. A record 3,220 people died of drug overdoses in Los Angeles County in 2022. Fentanyl surpassed methamphetamine to become the most common drug in fatal overdoses.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

The state’s poorest children are having to wait for weeks, sometimes months, to receive urgent mental health care. When someone calls to make an urgent psychiatric appointment for a child, the state standard is for that appointment to be within four days. A new audit found that’s not happening for 40% of kids - some have to wait months to get an appointment.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

The often glaring health disparities between Black and white Americans are known, like African Americans having an average lifespan that’s six years shorter compared to white people. But now research points to another disparity, involving grief and bereavement.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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San Diego Hospitals On Pace To Treat Record Number Of Patients Who Fell From Border Wall

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 15:04:38 -0000

The border wall that separates the U.S. and Mexico has long been controversial, but the barrier also causes real physical injuries when people fall from it. And with the border wall nearly twice as tall as it used to be in many places, the injuries keep getting worse.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

The state agency that lost billions to pandemic unemployment fraud has a new plan to pay out benefits. Employment Development Department officials hope the updates will help stop scammers from stealing peoples’ money.

Reporter: Lauren Hepler, CalMatters

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Threat Of Fruit Flies Returns To California

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:10:43 -0000

Four decades ago, California went to war against an enemy that wasn't human. The adversary was the Mediterranean fruit fly, an invasive pest that threatened to destroy California's agricultural economy. To fight the fly, the state launched controversial aerial pesticide spraying campaigns and set up roadblocks and quarantine zones. Fast forward to today and the fruit fly threat to California is back.

Guest: Bodil Cass, Professor on Entomology, UC Riverside

Faculty members at four California State University campuses are staging a series of single day strikes starting Monday. It comes after months of bargaining.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

For the first time, the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife is returning land to an indigenous tribe. The Fort Independence Indian Community will get back 40 acres of sacred land in Inyo County.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

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Merced County Sheriff Warns Of Major Staffing Shortage

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 15:14:45 -0000

Merced County has the highest rate of homicide in the state. It’s also severely lacking deputies. Sheriff Vernon Warnke says the shortage is so bad, he's disassembling units, like for gang enforcement, just to cover everyday patrol.

Reporter: Elizabeth Arakelian, KVPR

The housing crisis in California can be felt in all parts of the state. That includes at colleges and universities, where more and more students are struggling to find on campus housing. At Cal Poly Humboldt, some students have turned to sleeping in their cars. And now they're being fined for doing so.

Guest: Jillian Wells, Reporter, The Lumberjack

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Newsom, DeSantis To Debate In Georgia

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:03:44 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom is not running for president, but for some reason, Thursday night in Georgia, he will face off in a debate with a man who is in the 2024 race: Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. What do both have to gain from the debate?

Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The California Public Utilities Commission will vote Thursday on whether to settle their enforcement against PG&E for the utility’s involvement in the 2021 Dixie Fire.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

More than 3,000 California pharmacies have stopped flavoring medication as of this month. That leaves just 50 statewide that will add flavors like bubble gum or strawberry to make it easier for some children to take medicine.

Reporter: Shreya Agrawal, CalMatters

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New Hope For Shuttered Madera Community Hospital

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 15:01:59 -0000

There is still hope that Madera Community Hospital will reopen. It shut down and filed for bankruptcy a year ago, leaving patients with virtually no other options. Earlier this month, a deal to save the facility fell through. But two more suitors are eyeing the hospital.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

In the Bay Area, a unique childbirth education program for and by Black people is improving birth outcomes and patient experiences. That’s why the agency that oversees Medi-Cal is looking into how it can bring this program to other public hospitals in California.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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Locals Want To Have Role In Lithium Industry In Imperial Valley

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 15:00:01 -0000

Imperial Valley residents are hoping to get their cut of the profit from the future lithium industry. For them that means well paid and sustainable jobs.

Reporter: Philip Salata, inewsource

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Questions Continue About What To Do With Millions In Aid In Planada

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:26:28 -0000

In one of the many low income rural communities struck by flooding earlier this year, residents and local officials are still wrangling over how to spend recovery money. At issue is $20 million in state funds for the Central Valley town of Planada.

Reporter: Nicole Foy, CalMatters

A few hundred hospice nurses, chaplains and grief counselors met in Los Angeles this month at the End Well gathering. Think of it as the TEDx conference for end of life issues. But this year, the organizers invited actors writers and producers from Hollywood to attend, too.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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Holiday Season Brings Loneliness For Many

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:44:54 -0000

It's the start of holiday season, and for some that means getting together with family or loved ones and sharing a nice meal together. But for many, the holidays can amplify feelings of loneliness. The COVID 19 pandemic has changed how we interact with each other and experience events, making this time even more challenging and feelings of loneliness more common.

Guest: Kory Floyd, Professor of Interpersonal Communication, University of Arizona and the author of The Loneliness Cure

Growing numbers of asylum seekers are arriving in San Diego County. And government resources are not keeping up.

Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS

California K-12 students will soon be taught how to recognize fake news. That’s because of a new law that requires schools to teach media literacy skills starting in 2024.

Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters

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Miwok Group Buys Back Ancestral Land In Marin County

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 13:13:24 -0000

The history of Native Americans fighting for their land is as old as attempts to take it. But efforts to reclaim ancestral lands have become more visible in recent years. In California more than a dozen efforts have already succeeded.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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New Book Chronicles Life Of Those Living With Long COVID

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 15:13:15 -0000

While many Americans feel like the COVID pandemic is in the past, countless others are still feeling symptoms months or years after they were infected. They're suffering from Long COVID. One such person is Bay Area writer and author Mary Ladd, who recruited more than 40 people from across the country to share essays and poetry in The Long COVID Reader, released earlier this month.

Guests: Mary Ladd and Lisa Carpentier, The Long COVID Reader

Construction on the Pajaro River levee that breached and flooded hundreds of homes in March will begin next summer. The upgrades will cost more than $500 million.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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LA County Prepares To Launch CARE Court Program

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 15:20:21 -0000

A highly anticipated — and controversial — new program, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, will begin in LA County on December 1. CARE Court will allow family members to ask a judge to step in with a treatment plan for loved ones living with severe and untreated mental illness.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

A surprise inspection by a federal watchdog agency has found more than half of immigrants in border facilities in the San Diego area were detained for longer than the standard three-day limit. When the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general made unannounced visits to five San Diego locations in May, investigators found hundreds of migrants had been locked up for far longer, including a few held over a month.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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10 Freeway Opens Sooner Than Expected

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:37:06 -0000

It’s the first morning since a stretch of the I-10 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles reopened. The freeway was damaged by a fire and had been completely shut down in both directions for just over a week. It was originally thought that repairs might take months.

Guest: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The state Democratic Party convention this weekend in Sacramento was derailed by protesters demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza. The demonstrations reveal a rift in the party heading into 2024 races.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Thousands of pediatric RSV shots are being shipped nationwide, including here in California. But some health experts say it's too little, too late.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

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LA's New Zero Bail Policy Sparks Backlash From Some In Community

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:02:18 -0000

Last month, Los Angeles County ended its money bail system for many crimes. Now, most people who are arrested in the county for what’s classified as non-violent, non-serious misdemeanors and felonies -- which includes most thefts and vehicle violations -- can be released quickly and without paying a single cent of bail.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

State energy regulators have approved a plan that allows Pacific Gas and Electric to raise rates on its customers. That revenue is supposed to help the utility pay for burying power lines to prevent wildfires and for investments in clean energy.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Regulators Expected To Vote On PG&E's Proposed Rate Hike

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 15:15:46 -0000

California’s largest utility wants to bury thousands of miles of power lines to prevent them from causing wildfires. That’s after Pacific Gas and Electric’s equipment caused the Camp Fire that killed 85 people in the community of Paradise. But state regulators – who will vote on PG&E’s proposal on Thursday – say that will send rates through the roof for the company’s customers.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

This week, leaders from around the world are meeting in San Francisco for the APEC conference. The gathering has also been a magnet for protesters. Nearly a thousand climate activists attempted to prevent attendees from entering the APEC conference on Wednesday.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Nearly 50 maternity wards in California have shut down in the last decade. That means some Californians have to drive hours to give birth at a hospital.

Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

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Some California Parents Critical Of New Mental Health Law For Low Income Teens

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:17:32 -0000

A new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom will make it easier for low-income teens to access mental health treatment. But some parents are protesting, saying it infringes on their rights as parents.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

California’s local governments are thinking about staffing up for climate change related challenges. A new report from the nonpartisan group Next 10 tried to gauge how ready the state’s local governments are when it comes to dealing with a warming planet.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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10 Freeway Shutdown Causes Commuting Nightmare In Los Angeles

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 15:12:50 -0000

Officials say it was arson that caused an enormous fire that damaged a stretch of the I-10 Freeway near downtown L.A., shutting it down to traffic. The closure has made L.A.’s already terrible congestion even worse for commuters across much of the city.

State transportation officials say they're working around the clock to speed the reopening of the 10 Freeway. But they acknowledge they face a difficult challenge and have no idea when the repairs will be finished.

Reporter: Frank Stoltze, LAist

The closure of the 10 Freeway is not only affecting people who drive to work each day. It’s also affecting some parents who drop off their kids at school, and teachers and staff at these schools.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

CalFire is downsizing its seasonal staff in the northern part of the Bay Area, following the end of fire season. The North Bay has been the site of some of the region's most devastating wildfires.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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The Story Behind California's Unemployment Crisis During The Pandemic

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 14:47:00 -0000

How did the state’s unemployment insurance program get conned out of billions of dollars by scammers, all while millions of Californians who had lost their jobs were stuck waiting for money they badly needed? A year-long CalMatters investigation finds that the state was primed for disaster by years of missed red flags and failed reforms.

Guest: Lauren Helper, CalMatters

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Advocates Call For Workers To Be Out Front And Center At APEC

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 15:16:25 -0000

The Biden administration promises a “worker-centered” trade policy that delivers shared prosperity for all Americans. But as San Francisco gets ready to host this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, labor advocates say worker interests are not sufficiently represented at the talks.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Scammers have been stealing millions of dollars a month from low-income Californians’ EBT cards. Yet the state still hasn’t put in needed protections to keep those cards secure.

Reporter: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

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Actors' Strike Ends After Tentative Agreement Reached With Studios

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:29:36 -0000

After months of picketing, SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative deal to end the strike with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers. In a letter to its members, the union said the new contract is valued at a billion dollars, and that the approval vote was unanimous.

Guest: Robert Garrova, Reporter LAist

Autonomous taxi operator Cruise says it's identified a software glitch that led one of its cars to drag a pedestrian in a downtown San Francisco crash. The company has now issued a safety recall.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

The owner of a Bay Area farm and its parent company are facing felony charges in the death of a farmworker.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

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Five Years Later, Many Camp Fire Survivors Still Struggling

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:19:15 -0000

Wednesday marks exactly five years since the Camp Fire killed 85 people and leveled Paradise. Three years ago, PG&E created the Fire Victim Trust to pay out settlements to fire survivors. But some say they’ve lost hope they’ll ever get their full payments.

Reporter: Jamie Jiang, North State Public Radio

A federal criminal trial is beginning Thursday for David DePape, the Bay Area man facing life in prison for attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer, and attempting to kidnap former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco last year.

Reporter: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED

Jewish members of the California Legislature are calling for public universities in California to take immediate action to protect Jewish students. The letter is signed by the 18 members of the Jewish Legislative Caucus and cites recent anti-semitic incidents, including physical abuse and threats against Jewish students.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Sacramento Shelter Faces Challenges Of Finding Permanent Housing For People

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 15:26:40 -0000

The city of Sacramento is among the many communities in California struggling to find answers for its growing homeless population. A shelter in the city serves hundreds of men and women, but is struggling to connect them with permanent housing.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

Governor Gavin Newsom's prominent role in national politics could be costing him support in California. According to a new poll, Newsom's overall approval rating -- just 44%, is the lowest mark of his governorship.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Weather Swings Create Harsh Obstacles for California's Unhoused Population

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:52:45 -0000

Earth’s hottest summer ever recorded is behind us. Now, California is headed into another potentially drenching winter… while some communities are still recovering from last year’s winter storms. As climate change makes extreme weather more common, one group of Californians is living on the frontlines: those experiencing homelessness. Vanessa Rancaño/KQED News

Thousands of protestors rallied in San Francisco on Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The rally was the biggest so far in the Bay Area since the war began on October 7th, and was held in conjunction with similar demonstrations across the US. Juan Carlos/KQED News

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California Tribe's Hard-Fought Landback Victory Highlights Long Road for Movement's Success

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:00:00 -0000

In recent years, indigenous Land Back movements have been gaining momentum across the country. However, the effort to make reparations for the past can come with a lot of strings attached. To understand the complicated reality of landback actions today, we head to an island near the town of Eureka in Humboldt County, where a landback movement succeeded far ahead of its time. Izzy Bloom/TCR

A recent survey from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies shows who's one step closer to representing the Golden State in the U-S Senate, and whose chances are slim. Guy Marzorati/KQED News

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Winter Storms Push Native California Animal to the Brink

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 17:57:30 -0000

California's Sierra Nevada had record-breaking snow levels earlier this year. The extreme weather created big problems for one endangered animal. Jill Replogle/LAist

State Utility regulators will vote on a proposal that advocates say discriminates against schools, farms and apartment buildings. If approved, these multi-meter properties will be forced to sell the energy they produce to utilities... and then buy it back at a higher rate.

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California’s Reparations Effort for Forced Sterilizations Criticized

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 14:29:00 -0000

The end of this year will mark the end of California’s historic program to pay reparations to survivors of state sponsored sterilization. There are an estimated 600 living survivors. But 70% of the applications for reparations that have been received, have been rejected.

Guest: Cayla Mihalovich, Reporter with the Investigative Reporting Program at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism

In Fresno, the union representing teachers and the public school district have reached a deal for a new contract. That averts a strike that was scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

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More Students Who Live In California, Crossing Border To Go to School In Tijuana

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:28:46 -0000

A growing number of California students are choosing to commute to college in Tijuana. They’re drawn by cheaper tuition and other advantages.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

As California moves away from fossil fuel energy sources, officials are looking for ways to ease stress on the state’s electrical grid. Attention is now turning to systems powering swimming pools.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Progressive Jewish Community In Los Angeles Struggle With Opposing Views On War In Middle East

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:08:12 -0000

The aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel is proving an especially tough time for Jewish progressives in California. While thousands of Californians take to the streets to support Palestine, many in the Jewish community say they feel abandoned.

Reporter: Leslie Berestein Rojas, LAist

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LA County Neighborhood Keeps Things Spooky Year-Round

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 14:07:00 -0000

Halloween is coming up. For many people it’s just one evening of trick or treating and frightening fun. But in one LA County neighborhood ,there’s a two-block stretch known as “horror row.” It draws people looking to keep things spine-tingling year round.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

As Fresno Unified teachers prepare to strike next week, they have support from an unlikely source - substitute teachers who are supposed to take their place. The union representing Fresno area substitute teachers voted not to cross the picket line.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

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Bay Area Civil Rights Group Warns FBI May Be Targeting Palestinians

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 14:16:01 -0000

The Council of American-Islamic Relations is warning its Bay Area members to be alert, after hearing reports that the FBI is targeting Palestinians elsewhere in the country for questioning

Reporter: Christopher Alam, KQED

A small rural town in Riverside County faces an unexpected danger -packs of aggressive stray dogs. In recent months, the dogs have killed dozens of livestock and terrorized many residents. Authorities say illegal marijuana farms are to blame.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

In Los Angeles, attorneys have finished opening statements in the trial for the captain of the Conception. That's the diving boat that caught fire four years ago while anchored off the coast south of Santa Barbara, killing 34 people on board.

Reporter: Julia Paskin, LAist

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Regulators Suspend Cruise's Driverless Taxis From Operating In San Francisco

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:09:08 -0000

The Department of Motor Vehicles has suspended permits that allowed robo-taxi company Cruise to operate in San Francisco. That comes after an incident earlier this month, in which one of the company's fully driverless vehicles hit and dragged a pedestrian.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Teachers from the Fresno Unified School District, California’s third largest public school system, have voted to strike. It’s the first strike authorization by Fresno Unified teachers in more than 40 years.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

When Los Angeles-area landlords want to evict their tenants, they often hire attorney Dennis Block. Block’s law firm and has boasted about evicting more tenants than anyone else on earth. But a new investigation has found that a judge ruled that Block’s firm recently submitted fake cases in court and artificial intelligence might play a role.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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Synagogues In California Anxious Over Conflict In Middle East

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 14:27:14 -0000

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom authorized $30 million in new spending to increase security and police protection at mosques, synagogues, and other houses of worship. It's an example of how war in the Middle East has increased fears about safety within California's Jewish and Muslim communities.

Guest: Dr. Alex Lechtman, President of the Board at Congregation B'nai David in Visalia

More than two dozen Stanford students are on the fourth day of a sit-in to demand university support for Palestinians.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

Have you ever wondered just how many mountain lions live in California? Well researchers have an estimate.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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California Looks To Restore Floodplains, To Protect Communities From Impacts Of Climate Change

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 13:54:28 -0000

Water is the lifeblood of agriculture But as climate change brings more extreme weather, farming towns in the Central Valley face increasing risks from both drought and flooding. But an innovative solution is scaling up with new state investments.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

About 30% of Head Start programs in California aren’t within easy walking distance to a transit stop for families with young children. That’s a problem, according to a new report, because access to transit is one of the biggest barriers for families who qualify for the federal early education program.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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Sacramento Resident Pleads For Help For Family Abducted In Israel

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 14:34:58 -0000

It’s been nearly two weeks since Hamas militants abducted nearly 200 people from Israel. Many foreign nationals, including at least 13 Americans, are among the hostages. Here in California, families of the hostages and supporters will be at the state Capitol early next week to demand the release of their loved ones.

Guest: Ryan Pessah, Sacramento Resident, Family Abducted by Hamas

California's U.S. Senate race took another surprise turn Thursday, as Senator Laphonza Butler says she will not run for a full-term next year.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

California invested billions to help children bounce back from learning loss that happened during the pandemic. But students are still struggling to catch up. That’s according to new test scores out from the state’s Department of Education.

Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters

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Palestinians In California Watch Conflict In Middle East In Horror

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:54:47 -0000

A fast growing humanitarian crisis has erupted in Gaza because of the war between Hamas and Israel. More than 5,000 people have been killed since the war began last week. Conflict in this region has been going on for decades, causing many Palestinians to relocate or seek political asylum in other parts of the world, including here in California.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

Rampant disinformation about the Israeli/Hamas conflict has the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation calling on social media companies to do better.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Loophole In Clean Air Act Obscures Its Impact

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:57:02 -0000

In more than a dozen California counties, a little-known rule in the Clean Air Act has forgiven air pollution – not from the sky, but from the record. After wildfires flourished across North America this year, more U.S. states east of the Mississippi may use this exceptional events rule to subtract smoke from the record, if not from the air we breathe. But these exceptional events are no longer exceptional, and the requests to obscure them from air-quality records are more common.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, The California Newsroom

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Biden Administration Settles Lawsuit Over Family Separation Policy

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:57:44 -0000

Thousands of migrant families who were separated at the U.S.-Mexico border by the Trump administration, will now get some benefits and a shot at asylum under a proposed settlement with the federal government. The agreement lets reunified families stay in the U.S. for three years and apply for permanent protection.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

It's clear that artificial intelligence is here to stay. For colleges, this means figuring out how to regulate the use of it, while still encouraging students to engage with the software that will only grow in popularity.

Guest: Carolyn Jones, Education Reporter, CalMatters

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California Now Requires That Coastal Cities Plan for Sea Level Rise

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:25:21 -0000

For the first time in California history, all coastal cities are now required to plan for sea level rise, a looming climate impact yet to be fully experienced. A new law requires those cities to come up with strategies and recommend projects to address future sea level rise by 2034.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Climate change is taking a toll on farmworker communities in the Central Valley, from extreme heat and deteriorating air quality to drought and sporadic flooding. New state funding and grass roots organizations are working to help those communities manage the most immediate impacts of the worsening climate crisis.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Newsom Vetoes Workplace Safety Protections For Domestic Workers

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 13:40:00 -0000

Hundreds of protesters in Los Angeles and San Francisco rallied against Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of a bill that would have extended workplace safety protections to domestic workers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The only public employees in California who can’t form a union are its legislative staffers. After four previous attempts failed, Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed landmark legislation to allow them to unionize in 2026.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald

A new law was designed to make prisons safer for transgender people. However, the well-meaning law created unwelcome consequences for many transgender women in California prisons.

Reporter: Lee Romney

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Doctors From Mexico Fill Critical Language And Health Gaps For California Patients

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 13:42:05 -0000

Attorneys representing people who reported being sexually assaulted during Uber rides are seeking safety improvements from the company, as part of a new consolidated lawsuit.

Reporter: Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill extending a state law that makes it easier to build affordable housing in cities that have failed to meet state housing goals.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

A bill passed in 2002 created a pilot program that allowed Mexican physicians to practice in disadvantaged communities across California. Now, legislators want to expand the program to more counties and include physicians who speak Mexican indigenous languages such as Mixtec and Zapotec.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

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More Changes Could Be Coming For California's Solar Market

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 14:19:34 -0000

California regulators are poised to shake-up the solar market for apartments, schools and farms. An administrative law judge is proposing changes that make the economics of investing in solar projects unappealing.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are proposing significant changes to the use of solitary confinement in the state’s prisons. But advocates say the process is rushed, and the changes don’t go far enough.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

Pacific Gas & Electric pledged to bury ten thousand miles of power lines in California to reduce the risk of them sparking wildfires. But now, state regulators are considering two proposals that would limit that plan, in favor of cheaper and faster alternatives.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

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California to Levy Heavier Punishment for Fentanyl Traffickers

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:55:52 -0000

Large-scale traffickers of fentanyl could soon face stiffer criminal penalties in California; that's the result of a law signed by Governor Newsom over the weekend.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Governor Newsom has signed a bill that delegitimizes a controversial medical diagnostic theory called "excited delirium," which has been used to defend law enforcement in cases where a person has died while in custody.

Reporter: Stephanie O'Neill Patison, KFF Health News

Environmentalists cheered when a ghost lake in California’s Central Valley refilled earlier this year, because it created new wetlands for birds; but now, avian botulism is brewing in Tulare Lake.

It’s deadly to birds, and rescuers are in a mad dash to prevent a massive die-off.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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Child Care Providers Win Big In Summer Of Labor Strife

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 13:49:29 -0000

As workers across industries walked off the job during this remarkable year of strikes, one union in California won big in its fight for child care providers. The organizers behind this movement were largely immigrants and women of color.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

A pair of bills signed over the weekend by Governor Gavin Newsom will require large companies in California to be more transparent about their contributions to climate change, and the risks they face as a result.

Reporter: Dana Cronin, KQED

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Dianne Feinstein Honored At Memorial Service In SF

Fri, 06 Oct 2023 14:26:20 -0000

Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California political legend, was laid to rest in a private ceremony in San Francisco Thursday. Hours earlier, 1500 invited guests attended a memorial service on the steps of San Francisco’s City Hall. Those who gathered there reflected on the long arc of Feinstein's life in San Francisco, where she served as a supervisor and then mayor before being elected to the Senate.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

At the US-Mexico border, immigrant rights activists say thousands of asylum seekers have been dropped off in San Diego by Customs and Border Protection over the last few weeks. In response, the nonprofit Casa Familiar set up a makeshift aid center at San Ysidro Community Park. But it's now at risk of shutting down, over a lack of funding.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

The Golden State Warriors have announced a new WNBA will be created and they’ll start playing in 2025. The team will practice at the Warriors facility in Oakland, and play its home games at Chase Center in san Francisco.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

100 years ago, women mariachi bands didn’t exist. Even 50 years ago, women playing mariachi music was rare. Today though, women like Sacramento’s Dinorah Klingler are rewriting the story of male dominated mariachi culture.

Reporter: Bianca Taylor, The California Report Magazine

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Memorial To Be Held For Dianne Feinstein In San Francisco

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:13:58 -0000

A memorial service for Dianne Feinstein is scheduled for Thursday at San Francisco’s City Hall, where she’s been lying in state. President Joe Biden will deliver remarks by video. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to attend, as well as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Laphonza Butler, who was sworn in this week to replace Dianne Feinstein, is a longtime labor leader, political strategist and, most recently, the president of EMILY’s List, which fights to elect women to office who support abortion rights. One issue that's not on her resume: climate change.

Reporter: Dana Cronin, KQED

Sand dunes and native plants on beaches can help protect the California coast from the impacts of sea level rise – if and when they’re allowed to thrive. That's according to new research out of UC Santa Barbara.

Reporter: Beth Thornton, KCBX

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Kevin McCarthy Ousted As House Speaker

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:33:14 -0000

In an unprecedented move in American politics – Bakersfield Republican Kevin McCarthy was ousted as House speaker on Tuesday. Despite this, many of McCarthy's constituents still support the embattled Congressman.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Thousands of Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers in California have walked off the job, starting a three day strike. A coalition of unions representing the workers are demanding wage increases, protections against the outsourcing of jobs, and increased staffing.

Laphonza Butler was sworn in Tuesday, filling the seat of Dianne Feinstein, who died last week. It's still unclear if Butler will enter the race to fill the U.S. Senate seat.

Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Can Hydrogen Cars Help California With Green Goals?

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 14:09:09 -0000

When we think of cleaner and greener alternatives to gas-powered cars and trucks in California, electric vehicles come immediately to mind. But there is an alternative --hydrogen-powered cars.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Governor Gavin Newsom is defending his decision to appoint Emily’s List president Laphonza Butler to Dianne Feinstein’s open Senate seat –which potentially upends the on-going campaigns for that position in next year’s election. Butler is expected to be sworn-in on Tuesday.

Reporter: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED

California water regulators have released support plans for the Bay-Delta watershed, which experts say is in an ecological crisis. But this doesn’t mean final solutions are in sight.

Reporter: Rachel Becker, CalMatters

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Governor Newsom Taps Laphonza Butler To Fill Dianne Feinstein's Senate Seat

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:28:52 -0000

Longtime labor leader and Democratic strategist Laphonza Butler will be California's new U.S. Senator. News of Butler's appointment -- confirmed by Governor Gavin Newsom's office Sunday night -- comes days after the death of Dianne Feinstein, which left the Senate seat vacant.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

This week, seven California counties launch CARE Courts. They’re the new mental health courts required by the state that have the authority to mandate people with severe mental illness to receive treatment. The implementation of CARE Court will be under particular scrutiny in San Francisco, as the city wrestles with both mental health and homelessness crises.

Guest: Rafael Mandelman, San Francisco Supervisor

When presidential candidates travel to places like Iowa and New Hampshire, they usually spend time praising the state they’re in. But that is not what Republicans making the pilgrimage to California are saying about the Golden State.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Remembering US Senator Dianne Feinstein

Sat, 30 Sep 2023 00:50:58 -0000

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who spent more than three decades in the Senate, has passed away at the age of 90. Senator Feinstein had a long career in politics even before her time in Washington, as a supervisor and mayor in San Francisco.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Program Offering Pell Grants To Incarcerated People In Heavy Demand In California

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:37:41 -0000

As of this summer, most incarcerated people across the country can apply for a Pell Grant to pay for a higher education. Criminal justice advocates say this is a key step in keeping people from returning to prison. But in California, the demand is already exceeding the supply.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

Southern California communities are paying the cost of a rise in online shopping. More online stores, means more warehouses to store their products. And that's adding to the pollution and economic inequality in these areas.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Tijuana Seeing A Big Rise In Rental Prices

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:19:01 -0000

Tijuana has long been a refuge for priced-out Californians looking for affordable housing. But now, rents in Tijuana are rising twice as fast as in San Diego.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

A federal judge in San Francisco is ordering two former Trump administration officials to testify in a lawsuit, brought by migrant parents and children separated at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2018.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Sacramento Neighborhood Takes Different Approach To Fentanyl Crisis

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:57:41 -0000

Fentanyl-related deaths are up in California. By a lot. And it's no different in Sacramento County, which jumped from 17 fentanyl related deaths in 2018, to 227 last year. One neighborhood nonprofit is trying to save lives, by getting drug users to recognize what might be causing their use in the first place.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

The iconic Bob's Big Boy diner in Burbank has become the unofficial clubhouse for striking writers. And they're appreciative of the generosity of a Hollywood star, who's helping take care of the bill.

Reporter: Yusra Farzan, LAist

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Writers, Studios Reach Tentative Deal

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 14:11:28 -0000

After nearly 150 days on strike, a tentative deal has been reached between Hollywood writers and studios. The proposed three year deal would boost pay rates and residuals from streaming shows, and also introduce new rules on the use of artificial intelligence.

Shasta County is dealing with major staffing shortages across county departments. Those shortages have forced an entire floor of the county jail to remain closed for over a year.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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California To Take Emergency Action In Effort To Stabilize Home Insurance Marketplace

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:50:37 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has asked the state insurance commission to take emergency action to fix the troubled homeowner's insurance market. This comes after State Farm, Allstate and more than half of the top 12 insurance groups have paused or restricted new business in the state.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

More than 300,000 Californians have lost health insurance since the state resumed Medi-Cal eligibility checks it had suspended during the pandemic. The majority of Californians who lost Medi-Cal got kicked off because of paperwork. Some didn’t send in their renewal packets, while others had errors on their forms.

Reporter: Shreya Agrawal, CalMatters

A prestigious national laboratory is partnering with CSU Bakersfield to advance green energy research in the San Joaquin Valley. The partnership is seen by some as historic in nature.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Jacob Rock is a non-verbal, autistic teenager from Los Angeles who wasn’t able to speak until 2020. That’s when he began to vividly type out his thoughts and feelings on an iPad. His parents were flabbergasted to realize that he could read and write and convey his emotions and creativity through text.

Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

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California Nursing Homes Struggle With Treating Thousands With Serious Mental Illness

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:19:01 -0000

Nursing homes typically help people recover after surgeries or provide round-the-clock care for people with physical disabilities. But a new LAist investigation finds that thousands of people with serious mental illness are living in California’s nursing homes. Experts call it “warehousing” and say the practice may violate federal law.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist

Farmworker advocates pushing for safer working conditions during wildfires are blasting a decision by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors that could allow crops to be harvested in evacuation zones.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Indigenous tribes are pushing back against a new plan to create a federal marine sanctuary off the Central Coast. Several years ago, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council proposed a sanctuary that would include Morro Bay. But the new federal proposal leaves it out.

Reporter: Amanda Wernick, KCBX

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Sacramento District Attorney Sues City Over 'Failure' To Enforce Homelessness Laws

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:51:55 -0000

Sacramento County’s district attorney says he’s taking the city of Sacramento to court, for failing to enforce its own homelessness laws. County DA Tien Ho says Sacramento city officials “allowed, created and enabled” a public safety crisis, by not enforcing their own laws, including the city’s ban on blocking sidewalks and camping on public property.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

More water to replenish a natural spring in a California forest - less water for the company that bottles and sells it as Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water. That's the result of a decision by California's Water Resources Control Board.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

California is suing oil and gas companies for deceiving the public for their role in climate change. The lawsuit could be a landmark for holding oil companies accountable.

Reporter: Dana Cronin, KQED

A federal judge this week temporarily blocked a California law meant to protect children when they use the internet. Known as the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, the law would require social media companies to take steps to protect minors’ privacy and would limit the use of their information.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

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Pajaro Residents Know Permanent Fix For Levees Is Still A Long Way Away

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:02:55 -0000

It’s been six months since the levee protecting the small Central Coast farming community of Pajaro burst, flooding the town and forcing thousands out of their homes. And while repairs are underway, a permanent fix is still years in the making.

Reporter: Scott Cohn, KAZU

A group of Democratic state lawmakers is asking California Attorney General Rob Bonta to take the lead on an effort to remove Donald Trump from the March primary ballot.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

At its board meeting in Sacramento Tuesday morning, California’s Water Resources Control Board will consider issuing a ‘cease and desist’ order to end the pumping of millions of gallons of water out of the San Bernardino National Forest.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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Challenges Of Rebuilding For Pajaro, Six Months After Community Was Flooded

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 14:07:14 -0000

This week marks six months since powerful storms flooded the small farming community of Pajaro in Santa Cruz County, after its aging levee system failed. The community is still facing major challenges with rebuilding.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

At the Climate Week NYC event, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his intention to sign a first-in-the nation climate bill awaiting his approval back in California. The measure would force U.S. corporations doing business in California that make more than $1 billion a year to publicly disclose their annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Reporter: Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

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Kaiser Workers Vote To Authorize A Strike

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:54:34 -0000

Nearly 60,000 Kaiser Permanente workers have overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if there’s no agreement in contract negotiations by September 30. The healthcare workers -- most of them in California -- are pushing for a 7% wage increase in the first two years of this next contract, and 6.25% the following two years.

A California appeals court has agreed to hear a challenge to the state’s recently adopted solar rules. The groups argued the rules do not recognize all the benefits of solar, encourage solar adoption or expand solar in disadvantaged communities.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

It’s the end of an era along the Klamath River. Labor Day weekend was the last time the whitewater rapids on the Upper Klamath could be rafted during the summer. A group of antiquated dams are coming down on the Klamath, meaning major changes for the river rafting community.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Striking California Workers Would Get Unemployment Benefits Under Proposal

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 14:07:42 -0000

On this final day of the legislative session, a lot of eyes in Sacramento are on one particular measure moving through the State Senate. It would allow workers who are on strike for more than two weeks, like the Hollywood writers and actors, to apply for unemployment insurance.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

In Sacramento, it’s the final day of the legislative session -- and that means the fate of dozens of bills must be decided as the hours and minutes tick down. The Assembly and Senate have until midnight to send bills to the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

A $25 minimum wage is in sight for tens of thousands of California’s lowest-paid health workers. The wage hike would be for people like nursing assistants, medical techs and janitorial workers.

Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

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Restoring Meadows In Sierra Nevada A Key To Healthy Ecosystems

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 13:53:20 -0000

When you think of a meadow, what comes to mind? Probably a peaceful expanse of grass and flowers straight out of a postcard. A perfect place to have a picnic or read a book. But meadows are also key to the health of forests And in the Sierra Nevada most meadows have been degraded or lost.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Meeting in Long Beach Wednesday morning, California State University’s Board of Trustees is expected to vote on whether to increase tuition at all 23 CSU campuses. The proposal would include a 6% tuition hike over the next five years.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

California currently bans state-funded travel to 26 states because of their anti-LGBTQ laws. But state lawmakers have voted to repeal the travel bans after acknowledging that they haven’t been successful.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

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Fast Food Workers Reach Deal For Increased Pay

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:56:14 -0000

After months of bitter conflict, fast food companies and labor unions have reached a deal that could raise the minimum wage for 500,000 fast food workers in California.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

If you’re a parent or caregiver in the state, chances are you’ve seen billboards urging you to talk, read and sing to your baby. Now the agency behind those ads, First Five California, is pushing a new statewide campaign to raise awareness about toxic stress.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

As cities across California struggle with a lack of affordable housing, developers are thinking micro, as in micro apartments, some smaller than 300 square feet. That includes a new five-story building in downtown Sacramento, the city's third micro apartment community.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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LA Photographer Blames Algorithmic Bias For Shutdown Of IG Account

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 13:58:54 -0000

The popular social media app Instagram and its parent company, Meta, use artificial intelligence to moderate content. But there are growing concerns that the “training data” for AI is biased against women and people of color. A Los Angeles photographer thinks this “algorithmic bias” is part of the reason Instagram disabled his account.

Reporter: Beth Tribolet, KQED

The California legislature has passed a bill that would ban the hand-counting of ballots in most elections. The legislation was targeted specifically at Northern California’s Shasta County, where supervisors did away with Dominion voting machines earlier this year.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

Much of the world’s highest quality cotton is grown in the San Joaquin Valley. But the return of Tulare Lake could have a devastating impact on the Central Valley's cotton industry.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Neighbors Complaints Growing Over Pickleball Courts

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 13:57:50 -0000

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. And according to some neighbors, it’s also one of the loudest. Homeowners in the San Diego region, and across the state, are increasingly taking legal action to resolve pickleball noise disputes.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

California is set to scale back its electric car rebate program to focus more on low-income car buyers.

Reporter: Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters

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Court Halts School District's Gender Notification Policy

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 14:07:52 -0000

A judge has ruled that a San Bernardino County school district must hold off on enforcing a policy that requires school staff to notify parents if a student identifies as transgender. Chino Valley Unified is being sued by the state attorney general.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

In San Diego, the Black Panther Party is recruiting new members. Decades ago, the U.S. government spread misinformation that caused the party to become mostly inactive. Now, the San Diego chapter is one of many reviving across the country.

Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS

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California Congressman Looks To Help Communities Near Airports Dealing With Toxic Chemical Contamination

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:43:12 -0000

Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal is unveiling new legislation on Wednesday to help communities near regional airports that have long been facing toxic chemical contamination in their groundwater. The “Clean Airport Agenda” will make sure federal agencies phase out the use of these toxic chemicals in such communities.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

State lawmakers are voting on a resolution declaring August trans history month across California.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg , KQED

California is on its way to becoming the first state to explicitly ban discrimination based on caste. State lawmakers approved a bill to make it a protected class and sent it to the governor on Tuesday.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

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Levee Failures Likely To Affect Communities Of Color Disproportionately

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 14:00:51 -0000

People who live behind a vast number of aging levees in the United States are more likely to be people of color and have less education compared to those who don’t. And that leaves them more vulnerable to flooding and the impacts of climate change.

Reporter: Emily Zentner, California Newsroom

A state bill that would require many employers in all kinds of industries to take steps to protect workers from violence at their jobs, has cleared a key hurdle and is headed for a full vote of the State Assembly.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Miwok Group Buys Back Ancestral Land In Marin County

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 16:30:00 -0000

When Joe Sanchez was 8 years old, his grandmother asked him to make a promise to never forget his California Indian heritage. She was determined to see the culture live on, after watching her brothers deny their Coast Miwok ancestry, a matter of economic survival in early 20th century California. Today, at 75, Sanchez is making good on that promise in a more ambitious way than he ever imagined: He’s bought back a piece of his ancestral homeland.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño

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California Residents Look To Fight West Nile

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 14:12:39 -0000

By all accounts, this year's West Nile virus season has been particularly bad. The state has reported five fatalities so far this summer. In Sacramento and Yolo Counties, the Mosquito & Vector Control District has been spraying a diluted insecticide throughout the region to kill the mosquitoes that carry the disease.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

Kern County’s maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the state. Family members of people who died there during childbirth have now gotten the attention of the state medical board.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Millions Earmarked For Affordable Housing In California

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:57:51 -0000

The governor’s office is awarding nearly $760 million in grants for affordable housing projects statewide. The money is expected to help create 2,500 new affordable homes, but will pay for more than just new apartments.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

Workers rights advocates are calling on Los Angeles to combat wage theft as one way to tackle the homelessness crisis in the city. New analysis by the Los Angeles Worker Center Network finds wage theft is so prevalent among the lowest-earning Angelenos, it’s contributing to the crisis.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

California is seeing a surge in COVID-19 infections. And although hospitalizations have also seen a big jump, it's a far cry from previous COVID waves. So what's behind the jump in cases?

Guest: Monica Gandhi, Infectious Diseases Doctor, Professor, UC San Francisco

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COVID Cases On The Rise In California

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:53:29 -0000

COVID cases are on the rise in California. According to the state public health department, hospitalizations have jumped more than 80% over the last month.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

California produces millions of tons of toxic waste each year, but the state’s relying on a shrinking network of aging sites to process it. Many of the older sites have a troubling history of safety violations and polluted soil and groundwater.

Reporter: Robert Lewis, CalMatters

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State Sues Southern California School District Over Transgender Student Policy

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:51:24 -0000

State Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing Chino Valley Unified School District in San Bernardino County, over their policy of mandatory outing of trans students to family members. The policy requires teachers and staff to notify parents within three days if a student asks to use a different name or pronoun.

A new political campaign to roll back several protections for transgender youth is happening across California. However transgender advocates say they’re dangerous.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Hundreds of house cleaners, nannies and home care aides are expected to descend on Sacramento on Tuesday, calling on the governor and lawmakers to pass a bill that would give domestic workers the right to health and safety protections other workers enjoy.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The recent death of an orca held in captivity in Florida for more than five decades has invigorated calls to release other marine mammals – including Corky – an orca at San Diego’s SeaWorld. At the same time, some California lawmakers are pushing federal regulators to demand better care for marine mammals in captivity.

Reporter: Greta Mart, KRCB

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California Looks For Solutions To Combat Wildfire-Tainted Wine

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 14:00:06 -0000

A growing number of California winemakers have seen their crop ruined in recent years by wildfire smoke. The impact is huge: After fires in 2020, the California Association of Wine Grape Growers estimated that up to 325,000 tons of grapes weren’t usable, leading to over $3 billion in losses.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

The three people who died in last week's shooting at an Orange County bar have been identified. Cook's Corner is often described as a biker bar in Trabuco Canyon. But the community ties run far deeper, stretching back to at least 1926.

Reporter: Caitlin Hernandez, LAist

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California Coast Is Home To World's Largest Octopus Garden

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:44:51 -0000

After a 17-month labor battle, a North Hollywood strip club has reopened as the only union strip club in the U.S. But it's not the end of the road. The dancers may have union representation, but they still don't have a contract.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

The world’s largest known octopus garden is in California coastal waters, just 80 miles south of Monterey. A new study confirms these deep-sea octopuses migrate to the area to reproduce.

Reporter: Alexander Gonzalez, KQED

Through her restaurant, Crystal Wahpepah reclaims and celebrates the traditions of indigenous people, while also nourishing and educating non-native people on the history of the land they occupy.

Reporter: Bianca Taylor, KQED

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At Least 3 Killed In Mass Shooting At Orange County Cook's Corner Bar

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:10:26 -0000

A gunman killed three people and wounded six in a mass shooting in Orange County last night. It happened around 7:00 p.m. at Cook’s Corner, a bar popular with motorcyclists located in Trabuco Canyon in east Orange County. The shooter also died at the scene, likely killed, law enforcement says, by responding deputies.

West Coast cities, from Seattle to San Diego, have housing shortages that are driving up rents and pushing some people into homelessness. According to new data on apartment construction, that problem is getting even worse.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

In 2020, the Mineral Fire burned nearly 30,000 acres over two weeks. It also caused hundreds of rural western Fresno County residents to seek shelter from the blaze’s smoke indoors. But even inside their homes, many couldn't avoid the health effects of all that smoke. Now three years later, a team of researchers is testing a new way to improve indoor air quality.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

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Human-Caused Wildfires Likely Fueled Extinction Of Large Mammals

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 13:35:54 -0000

A state legislator wants to create a new state agency that might one day administer reparations to the descendants of slaves.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Southeast Asian refugees could get protection from deportation under a bill reintroduced in Congress this week by a Los Angeles area Democrat.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

When you visit the Los Angeles La Brea Tar Pits you see an enormous variety of fossils from mega-fauna that roamed the Southern California landscape thousands of years ago. But where did all those creatures go? And why did most go extinct so fast? A landmark new study aims to answer those questions.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

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Earthquake Insurance Policies Are About To Change In California

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:37:00 -0000

Tropical storm Hilary brought lots of rain to parts of Southern California. In San Diego County that will help ease the risk of wildfires in the short term.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

In the Northern California town of Paradise, many survivors of the devastating 2018 Camp Fire have been watching news of wildfires in Maui with a sense of disbelief. The blaze that destroyed Lahaina has now surpassed the Camp Fire for fatalities, with more than a hundred dead and hundreds more still missing.

Reporter: Jamie Jiang, North State Public Radio

On Sunday, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake rattled much of Southern California. It didn’t cause much damage or injury, but the quake was a reminder that a far more costly temblor can hit at any time. That got us thinking about earthquake insurance and we found out that the California Earthquake Authority, which administers quake coverage in the state, is making some big changes to earthquake policies.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

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Southern Californians Are Feeling The Effects Of Tropical Storm Hilary

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 14:01:24 -0000

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department advised Catalina Island residents and visitors — especially the medically vulnerable — to leave the island as soon as they could as a precaution.

A big and unusual tropical storm isn’t the only worry nature is throwing at Californians. On Sunday afternoon, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck near the Ventura County community of Ojai and was felt in Los Angeles. That temblor was followed by a series of smaller quakes.

San Diego got soaked on Sunday as tropical storm Hilary raced through the county. The storm had wind speeds of over 100 miles per hour at its peak, but the system was significantly weaker when it arrived in San Diego.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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Hurricane Hilary Strengthens to Category 4 Storm And Heads Toward California

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 14:25:38 -0000

Hurricane Hilary, which is growing down around Baja right now, strengthened to a Category 4 storm this morning. The system had maximum sustained winds of 145 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center. In the coming days, the hurricane could head toward Southern California, bringing threats of major flooding.

Reporter: Jacob Margolis, LAist

San Francisco is calling on state regulators to temporarily suspend their approval of Cruise's and Waymo's unrestricted commercial expansion in the city. City Attorney David Chiu wants state regulators to first address the city's pending request for a hearing.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Wildfires have destroyed close to one-fifth of the Earth's giant sequoia trees, found only in California. The National Park Service wants to replant them, but others say that goes against the very definition of wilderness. What is natural? And how much should humans intervene?

Reporter: Marissa Ortega-Welch, KQED

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Pre-Kindergarten Readiness Programs Can Fill Educational Gap

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:09:17 -0000

The largest is the Head Fire, which is estimated to have burned about 3,500 acres so far. Evacuation shelters have been set up for both people and animals who have been displaced by the fire.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, JPR

Southern California’s Hawaiian community is leading local fundraising efforts for Maui after its deadly wildfires.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

Kids across California are returning to school, but not all students are equally prepared. A study found that in Sonoma County, only 22% of children are ready for kindergarten when they start. Children of Latino, Black and Native American descent were less prepared than other racial groups.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, KQED

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How The Politics Of Asylum And The Border Are Playing Out In California

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 14:11:21 -0000

The Newsom administration says crews made up of more than one hundred people from California will be in Maui to aid in the search and recovery efforts. That includes forensic anthropologists, specialists in urban search and rescue, wildfire debris removal and hazardous waste experts and K9 teams.

Reporter: Angela Corral, KQED

In San Francisco, immigrants' rights lawyers are gearing up for a courtroom challenge to President Biden’s border policies, which they say are too restrictive and harm asylum seekers. In Los Angeles, migrants keep arriving on buses sent by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who says Biden’s policies are not restrictive enough.

Guest: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Family Of Farmworker Killed By Police Call For Accountability

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:44:07 -0000

The Department of Energy has announced $100 million in funding for 19 carbon capture projects nationwide. One of those projects is destined for the Kern County foothills, near Taft.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

It’s been one year since a Sonoma County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed local farmworker, David Pelaez-Chavez. His family and community members are calling on the District Attorney to bring charges against the deputy involved.

Reporter: Tash Kimmell

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How One California County Is Holding Wage Thieves Accountable

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 13:52:00 -0000

At the Aloha Festival in San Mateo over the weekend, members of the Bay Area's Asian American and Pacific Islander community came together to celebrate Polynesian culture and find ways to help people in Maui.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, KQED

Thousands of low-income California workers shorted on their paychecks may never recover that money, even when they’ve won claims with state regulators. That's why one Bay Area county is giving some employers an ultimatum: pay what you owe or don’t do business here.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Governor Newsom Deploys Search-And-Rescue Teams To Assist With Maui Wildfire Response

Fri, 11 Aug 2023 13:25:47 -0000

At least 55 people are confirmed dead from the wildfires that devastated the historic Maui town of Lahaina. One resident from the Central Valley moved to the popular tourist town ten years ago to open a bar that's now completely demolished.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

Drive-In theaters are a staple in American history. But over the years the number of these outdoor movie theaters has diminished. Despite the shift to indoor movies and a hit from the pandemic, the Madera Drive-In where Madi spent most of her summer nights as a child is up and running.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, KQED

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California's Rising Insurance Premiums Threaten Affordable Housing

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 13:44:50 -0000

The Murrieta Valley School Board will discuss a policy this evening to notify parents if their child identifies as transgender. This comes after the Chino Valley school board passed a similar policy last month.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

More than 100 unionized healthcare workers disrupted a Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting yesterday. The union is demanding higher wages and healthcare benefits.

Reporter: Esthern Quintanilla, KVPR

Homeowners in California have been reeling from the news that large insurance carriers will no longer offer new policies in the state. Nonprofits that provide affordable housing are also feeling the squeeze, and that's threatening to make the state's housing shortage even worse.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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California's Child Care Crisis Could Benefit From Employer-Sponsored Care

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 13:46:27 -0000

Standing water in Kings and Tulare Counties in the San Joaquin Valley has led to a proliferation of mosquitoes. As a result, big bucks are being spent on abatement.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

For a lot of parents, having no one to care for their children means they often just don’t go to work, which can be bad for their employers. One study found that businesses lose $23 billion every year due to child care challenges faced by their workers. So some companies are taking matters into their own hands through employer-sponsored care.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, KQED

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Tijuana Baseball Team Headed to Little League World Series

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 14:02:32 -0000

Los Angeles city workers including sanitation workers, LAX employees, lifeguards at city pools and traffic officers are participating in a 24-hour strike today over unfair labor practices and bad-faith bargaining.

California is one of the few states with heat standards aimed at protecting outdoor workers. But heat protections for indoor workers are limited, despite documented risks.

Reporter: Nicole Foy, CalMatters

In Tijuana, a team of very young baseball players is getting ready to represent Mexico in the Little League World Series held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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Months After Slaughterhouse Shuts Down, Former Farmer John Workers Struggle To Start Over

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 13:35:00 -0000

In Sacramento, a budget deficit limited what California state lawmakers could fund in this year’s budget. Now, lawmakers are looking to bonds as a different strategy to pay for things like climate infrastructure, mental health beds and affordable housing. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

A controversial Farmer John slaughterhouse in the L.A. County community of Vernon closed earlier this year after nearly a century of operations. More than 2,000 people, mostly immigrants, worked there. Months later, laid-off workers are still struggling to adjust. Reporter: Leslie Berestein Rojas, LAist

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California Faces Increased Risk of Valley Fever This Summer

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 13:31:14 -0000

A Biden Administration program to monitor asylum-seeking families and subject them to a curfew is set to expand to several California cities next week. It’s part of an effort by the Biden Administration to signal a tough but humane approach to border enforcement.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Following the state’s record-breaking rainfall in the winter, and now its dry heat, public health officials are worried about an uptick in Valley fever infections.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

In the early 1900s, many young Americans of Japanese descent left the United States to escape discrimination and seek opportunity back in Japan. When war broke out, they experienced the violence of the U.S. offensive while trying to navigate complex, often contradictory feelings about identity and belonging. Reporter Kori Suzuki explores this period through a very personal story — that of his grandmother.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KQED

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Tulare Lake Leaves Many Farmers Struggling To Get Back To Normal Operations

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 13:40:12 -0000

After days of triple-digit heat, areas of the San Joaquin Valley, flooded from winter storms, are drying up, little by little. That includes Tulare Lake, which is receding after peaking at more than 170 square miles in size. But for many, the return to dry land doesn’t mean a return to normalcy.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

A coalition of environmentalists and social justice groups have launched a statewide campaign to try to ban new oil and gas wells near schools, parks and other residential places. The group is gathering signatures to get the initiative on the 2024 ballot.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Survivors of the 2021 Caldor Fire in the Sierra Foothills are pursuing legal action against the U.S. Forest Service. Many residents are still living in trailers, and few, if any have received direct federal assistance.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

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Massive York Fire A Rarity In Mojave Desert

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 13:58:40 -0000

The York Fire, California’s largest wildfire this year, is currently burning in the Mojave National Preserve along the border of California and Nevada. The fire is also the largest on record for the Mojave Desert, where wildfires are rare.

Guest: Jacob Margolis, Reporter, LAist

Former President Donald Trump will campaign in California next month, speaking at the state Republican Party’s fall convention in Anaheim. The announcement comes even as Trump faces new indictments, this time over his efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, and his role in the January 6th insurrection.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

This summer marks the 59th year that Northern California’s Yurok Tribe is holding its Klamath Salmon Festival. But this year, there won’t actually be any salmon served, because of historically low salmon stocks.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

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Labor Movement Stretching Across California In Multiple Industries

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:02:21 -0000

In recent months we've seen an explosion of strikes and worker protests in California -- by hotel employees, Hollywood writers and actors, port workers, UC grad students in teaching positions, and health care professionals. But when you take them all together, what do these actions say about the state of organized labor in California?

Guest: Lorena Gonzalez, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, California Labor Federation

Tens of thousands of family child care workers overwhelmingly approved a new contract with the state of California on Monday. The deal includes significant changes for a workforce made of mostly women of color.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

A grassroots group of writers and filmmakers have created a mutual aid fund. The goal is to help their production crew colleagues keep their health insurance during the Hollywood strikes.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

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Economic Toll Of Hollywood Strikes Is Growing

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:59:42 -0000

In Los Angeles, the strikes by film and television writers and actors continues, with no end in sight. That's brought production to a standstill. And with each passing day, the wider economic toll of the strikes continues to mount.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

In San Diego, police will begin enforcing a controversial new municipal ordinance banning outdoor camping. Under the ordinance, encampments are prohibited within two blocks of schools, homeless shelters and mass transit stations, as well as in parks, along waterways, freeways, and in canyons.

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Thousands Of Californians Still Waiting For Pandemic Rental Assistance

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:04:55 -0000

More than 250,000 Californians are still waiting on pandemic rental assistance they applied for through the state. As they wait, eviction protections are continuing to expire.

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

With inflation cooling, renters in Los Angeles and Orange counties are about to get a slight reprieve from large rent hikes. The statewide Tenant Protection Act uses inflation to determine how much landlords can raise rent each year.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

San Diego is home to a world-class public art scene. Throughout the city you’ll find colorful murals stretching across entire buildings and soaring sculptures celebrating the city's heritage. You’ll also find public art sprinkled along the bowels of “America’s Finest City” — from public bathrooms to pump stations to sewage treatment plants.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

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Did California Travel Bans Work As Planned?

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:09:47 -0000

California bans state-funded travel to other states that discriminate against LGBTQ people. That list has ballooned as legislation targeting trans people sweeps the country. Now Democratic lawmakers want to change tactics.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Residents in Orange County’s Anaheim Hills are voting on a self-imposed tax that would fund a groundwater pump system. That pump system has protected homes from landslides for 30 years, but funding will run out at the end of this year.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

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Effort Continues To Allow Legislative Staff To Unionize

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:54:50 -0000

Legislative staff in California’s State Capitol have long been banned from unionizing. In recent years, efforts to grant them that right have been shot down. But another bill to allow staff to unionize is making its way through the state legislature.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

Advocates rallied Tuesday in support of a bill California lawmakers are considering that would let workers take more paid sick days to care for themselves or family.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Operations at Diablo Canyon, California’s last nuclear power plant, were going to stop in a couple years. But Pacific Gas and Electric is applying to keep it open through 2045 to help the state meet its ambitious green energy goals. A new study says those extra years could result in significantly higher bills for PG&E's ratepayers

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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Big Tech Plays Big Role In Hollywood Strikes

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:16:36 -0000

The Hollywood strikes this time are different from those of the past, and not just because the technology has changed. Silicon Valley has taken over Hollywood, and Big Tech has an established anti-union bent.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

New data shows California has taken 1 in 5 people off Medi-Cal in its first month of the renewal process. Medi-Cal is the state’s health insurance program for its poorest residents.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

California representatives in Washington D.C. have joined more than 100 lawmakers calling for new heat illness protections for workers. Lawmakers want these protections implemented right away.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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A Closer Look At Why Salmon Season Is Closed This Year

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:50:29 -0000

This year, there's no fresh, locally caught salmon. The season was closed. So few adult fish are now in the ocean off the California coast, fisheries managers decided they all were needed to return to their natal streams and spawn.

Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED Science Reporter

Much of California continues to buckle under a sweltering heat wave with no end in sight. But the state’s epic snowpack isn’t going anywhere just yet.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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Sea Otter Remains Elusive In Santa Cruz

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 14:34:33 -0000

The best surf spots in Santa Cruz are infamous for territorial locals and some occasionally aggressive confrontations. But lately, not all of the offenders have been human. A five-year-old sea otter has become famous for stealing surfboards, and evading capture.

Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU

California regulators are developing emergency rules to protect workers dying from inhaling silica dust, in shops making kitchen countertops.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Wednesday's winning Powerball ticket was bought in downtown Los Angeles' Garment District.

Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, LAist

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The Sights And Sounds Of Shakedown Street At A Dead And Company Show

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:11:20 -0000

The Grateful Dead’s offshoot band, Dead and Company, says this summer was their last tour. And their final stop on that tour was in San Francisco, where fans celebrated the end of an era.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

Doctors in California say a growing number of workers are getting really sick and dying from inhaling silica dust, while they sand and cut artificial stone to make kitchen countertops. State regulators are considering a petition Thursday for emergency rules.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Temecula School Board Rejects Textbook, Despite Warning From Governor Newsom

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 14:13:38 -0000

After months of fighting, the Temecula school board once again failed to approve a new elementary social studies textbook on Tuesday night. That sets up a showdown with the governor’s office.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

California is dumping at least $100 million a year into its flagship rehabilitation program for former prisoners. Specialized Treatment for Optimized Programming, also known as STOP, provides housing and other support for parolees. But a new investigation from CalMatters has found the state has no idea if the program works.

Reporter: Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters

The California State University system is failing to adequately protect its community from sexual harassment. That's according to a new report from the state auditor released this week.

Reporter: Amy Mayer, KQED

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Orange County Faces Challenges In Implementing CARE Court System

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 13:50:00 -0000

Starting this fall, judges in 8 counties will be put in charge of ordering treatment for people with serious psychotic illness. Some politicians say these new CARE Courts will clean up the streets, while health advocates argue a courtroom is no place for vulnerable patients. In Orange County, officials are balancing this tension as they start to implement the controversial new plan.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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Heat Wave Brings Triple Digit Temperatures To the State

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 14:01:38 -0000

Central and Southern California are still not in the clear, with heat warnings in place for much of those regions. And for the state’s 115,000 unsheltered homeless residents, trying to keep cool is easier said than done.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

Construction crews are ahead of schedule on the demolition of the first of four dams on the Klamath River along the Oregon-California border.

Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio

Most small business owners in California support expanding benefits that help employees take care of their health and their family, like paid sick days. That’s according to the results of a new opinion poll.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

California’s latest effort to get college athletes paid is stalled in the legislature after pushback from universities. The bill would have allowed college athletes to get a share of the revenue that they create for their school.

Reporter: Ryan Loyola, CalMatters

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Actors Now On Strike, Halting Entertainment Industry

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:07:16 -0000

SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents film and TV actors, announced that its 160,000 members are striking, with actors expected to form picket lines outside of studios on Friday. SAG -AFTRA members will join already striking Hollywood writers. Such a labor stoppage by both unions at the same time hasn't happened since 1960 and it basically shuts down Hollywood production.

The heat wave that’s expected to blanket large swaths of the state is forecast to push temperatures in Palm Springs to more than 120 degrees this weekend. The city is struggling to keep its growing homeless population safe in the heat.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

What about the state’s power grid, which is always a concern during extended heat waves? California’s electric grid operator says it has more tools to make sure the power stays on.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

With temperatures reaching triple digits in much of California, state regulators are once again fanning out to inspect high-risk worksites.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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California Set For Major Heat Wave

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 14:06:33 -0000

Temperatures are expected to climb well above 100, especially in the state’s valleys and away from the coast the rest of this week. Officials from half a dozen state and federal agencies are warning Californians to prepare for the heat wave.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

What’s it like to work and try to protect others in a place that’s sometimes the hottest spot on the planet, with temperatures upwards of 130 degrees? We're talking about California’s Death Valley National Park.

Guest: Nichole Andler, Death Valley Park Ranger

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Pride Events See Rising Insurance Costs In Wake Of Anti-LBGTQ Sentiment

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:56:00 -0000

LGBTQ Pride events have been taking place across the country amid growing threats of violence towards the community. Along with being frightening, these threats are also impacting Pride organizations' financial bottom lines. One example? Skyrocketing insurance costs.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS

With a strike threat imminent, SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors, has agreed to last minute federal mediation to try to reach a deal with film and television producers. If a deal isn’t struck, the impact will be widespread, including for big pop culture events like Comic Con, which is set to kick off on July 20th in San Diego.

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Taking A Ride In An Electric Truck

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 14:14:14 -0000

In April, California passed a first of its kind policy to accelerate the transition to electric big rig trucks. But how does it actually feel to be behind the wheel of one?

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

After raising tuition only once in the last decade, California State University Trustees will meet on Tuesday to consider a possible tuition hike for students in the 23 campus system. The proposal is for CSU to raise annual tuition by 6% through at least spring of 2029.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

Financed by Bay Area tech investors, a new professional cricket league debuts later this week. It’s part of the sport’s increased visibility in the Golden State and the rest of the country.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

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Rare Plant Rediscovered On Central Coast

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:06:10 -0000

After not being seen for decades, a rare native plant was recently rediscovered on the Central Coast. Botanists say the tiny Santa Ynez groundstar grows in the city of Lompoc and nowhere else.

Reporter: Beth Thornton

Tent encampments on sidewalks are often the public face of the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. But a new census of the homeless shows a big increase of the unhoused who live in parked vehicles.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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Were Two Central Valley State Prisons Prepared For Potential Flooding?

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 14:08:15 -0000

After months of alarm, forecasters predict that Tulare Lake has peaked in size. That means the risk of flooding has likely subsided for the city of Corcoran. But questions still surround what could have happened if floodwaters had overtaken two state prisons on the outskirts of the city.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Ford, General Motors and several other truck manufacturers have agreed to abide by California’s ban on the sale of new diesel big rigs by 2036. The deal puts an industry stamp of approval on rules California solidified this year, to fight air pollution and climate change.

Reporter: Kevin Stark , KQED

From time to time this summer, we're talking to Californians about how they're spending their summer months. Today, we head to the Venice Beach Boardwalk. It's a place that's long been popular with street performers, and it's where we met musician Eric Gray, who's a fixture on the boardwalk.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Central Valley Exhibit Inspired By Southeast Asian Culture

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 13:57:53 -0000

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s long-awaited ‘Kingdoms of Asia’ exhibit has opened. The exhibit's design was inspired by Cambodia's landmark Angkor Wat temple.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

Hotel workers who had been on strike since Sunday in Los Angeles and Orange counties, have returned to work. But the union representing the workers says they could walk out at anytime, if their demands aren't met.

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Hotel Workers Continue Strike Across Southern California

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:58:58 -0000

About 15,000 workers employed at dozens of hotels across Los Angeles and Orange counties have walked off the job, demanding better pay and benefits.

As summer temperatures start to hit triple digits, farmworkers in the Central Valley are especially vulnerable to the toll of excessive heat. And looking ahead it’s not going to get any easier because of climate change,

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Emissions Lab To Be Ground Zero For Fight Against Air Pollution

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 13:30:00 -0000

The California Air Resources Board, or CARB, which regulates car and truck pollution in the state, will soon fully open its new, very expensive state-of-the-art laboratory and testing center in Riverside. The hope is that it can be a key tool in the decades-long fight against air pollution and, more recently, climate change.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Summer Means Travel, Outdoor Activities Here In California

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:05:20 -0000

This summer, the California Report will be taking you to places and talking to people from all walks of life about what they're doing in the months ahead. But first, we're looking at the dollars and cents of California’s tourism economy and how things are shaping up this summer travel season.

Guest: Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of Visit California

Many people enjoy spending the summer outdoors, and that can mean hiking in some of California's vast and diverse parks, trails and forests. But how can you enjoy it safely, and avoid the crowds?

Guest: Chris Hazzard, Author, Professional Hiking Guide

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LA Homeless Count Up Nine Percent

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:52:19 -0000

**Homelessness is up 9 percent In LA County. Results of Los Angeles' Annual Homeless Count Are Out ...And It's Not Good. Anna Scott from KCRW has the details.**

The State Task Force Studying Reparations For African-Americans In California Has Submitted Its Final Report... And As KQED Politics Correspondent Guy Marzorati Tells Us -- State Legislators Now Face The Political Challenge Of Making Those Proposals A Reality.

This Week, Governor Gavin Newsom And State Lawmakers Agreed On A State Budget That Includes $10 million for LGBTQ Services To Be Divided Among The State's Community Colleges. That Money Is Critical In Rural Communities Where LGBTQ Plus Services Are Typically Scarce.

The Supreme Court's Decision To Do Away With Affirmative Action In College Admissions Will Likely Not Have As Deep An Impact In California Since Prop 209 Banned The Practice back In 1998.

The City Of Arcata Will Be The Site Of A New Emergency Mental Health Care Facility With The Help Of A Recent $12 Million Grant. As JPR’s Jane Vaughan reports, The New Behavioral Health Crisis Triage Center Will Hopefully Open In 2026.

Here's A Preview Of Our Sister Show, The California Report’s Weekly Magazine. During The Pandemic, Rhea Patel And Marcel Michel Decided To Do Something Bold.... Despite Having NO Background In Food, The Couple Started A Food Business, Bringing Flavors From Their Indian And Mexican Backgrounds To Rotisserie Chicken Dishes. They Call It - SAUCY CHICK....And, KQED’s Sasha Khoka Caught Up With Them At A Sunday Food Market in Downtown Los Angeles.

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Removal Of Dams On Klamath River Worry Some Local Residents

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 14:06:57 -0000

People who live around several reservoirs in Siskiyou County are facing an uncertain future. Four dams on the Klamath River will be torn down over the next two years. Now, their lakefront properties will change as reservoirs turn into a free-flowing river again.

Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio

A new report shows California is performing almost 500 more abortions per month than in the period before Roe v. Wade was overturned. The “We Count” project has been collecting data from U.S. abortion providers, as more states implement bans and restrictions. The numbers include both medication abortion and in-clinic procedures.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

The California task force studying reparations for Black residents is submitting its final recommendations to the State legislature on Thursday.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

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Reported Hate Crimes Rise 20% In California

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 14:06:28 -0000

New numbers out from California's Attorney General's office show a more than 20% increase in hate crimes in the state between 2021 and 2022, with more than 2,100 recorded incidents last year. Reported hate crimes targeting Black people had the sharpest rise. There were also big increases in crimes against members of the LGBTQ and Jewish communities.

The majority of Californians live in places where the supply of licensed child care just does not meet the demand. And it could get worse. During the pandemic, additional federal funds helped many child care providers stay open, but that funding is coming to an end.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, KQED

In recent weeks, hundreds of sea lions and more than 100 dolphins have washed up sick or dead on the beaches of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. A toxic algae bloom off the coast is thought to be the cause.

Reporter: Jacob Margolis, LAist

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California Lagging On Recycling Food Scraps

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:17:45 -0000

Have you been recycling your food scraps? A new report finds that California’s landmark compost law that went into effect last year isn’t close to reaching its organic recycling goals.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

What happens when an elected official essentially becomes homeless because of the cost of California housing? In the small Ventura County town of Ojai, a councilmember has fought to keep her seat, because she can’t find permanent housing she can afford that’s in her district.

Guest: Alexei Koseff, Reporter, CalMatters

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Budget Agreement Still Not Reached As Deadline Looms

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:08:56 -0000

By law, California's legislature and the governor must approve a budget by July 1st, the start of the state’s fiscal year. But with that deadline looming, lawmakers and Governor Newsom still haven't struck a budget agreement.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

A 2017 law to streamline new housing construction and override neighborhood opposition has been hailed as one of the most successful tools in the state to help solve California’s housing crisis. But this well-intentioned legislation is producing some unintended consequences for a small and underserved community in one of the richest counties in the state.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

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Two Bay Area Companies Get Approval To Sell Cell-Cultivated Meat

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 14:11:15 -0000

The U.S. is now the second country in the world to approve the sale of cultivated meat. The meat from Bay Area companies Upside Foods and Good Meat doesn’t come from slaughtered animals. Rather it’s made from animal cells.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

In honor of Juneteenth, The California Report Magazine. is celebrating with stories of creative, powerful Black women, and the house in Oakland that has become the center of their movement.

Reporters: The Kitchen Sisters, The California Report Magazine

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State Superintendent Calls On Publishers To Create More Inclusive Textbooks

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 13:57:36 -0000

California officials are pressuring textbook publishers to produce culturally diverse materials for California classrooms. This comes in light of book bans across the country.

Reporter: Riley Palmer, KQED

Last fall, Sacramento became one of the latest California cities to ban homeless encampments on public property, after voters approved a controversial law called Measure O. Enforcement of the measure is off to a sluggish start.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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New Study Finds Homelessness Mainly Tied To High Housing Costs

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 13:52:53 -0000

California’s sky high housing costs are the biggest contributor to homelessness, and older residents are feeling it the most. That’s according to a new study from the University of California, San Francisco.

Reporter: Sydney Johnson, KQED

Hospitals and workers agree - California has a healthcare staffing shortage. What they don’t agree on is how to fix it. Democrats in the state legislature are pushing to increase the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 an hour. But hospitals, counties, and business groups say now isn’t the right time.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

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Communities Devastated By Flooding Seek More Help From State

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 14:11:36 -0000

When a levee burst in a January rainstorm in the Central Valley town of Planada, floodwaters wrecked the homes of hundreds of farmworker families. In March, the same thing happened again, a levee failed in the Salinas Valley and inundated the farmworker town of Pajaro. Those communities are now pushing to get some real help in the state budget.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Abortion access is a Constitutional right in California. Yet lawmakers here continue to struggle to regulate so-called crisis pregnancy centers – facilities that abortion advocates say mislead women seeking abortion care.

Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

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Reparations Task Force Prepares Final Report

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:23:28 -0000

Later this month, the statewide task force studying reparations for black Californians will submit its historic final report to the state legislature for consideration. Most of the focus has been on monetary reparations, but some say the task force will take a bigger picture approach.

Lawmakers in the state senate will consider a bill on Tuesday that aims to help low-income teens access mental health treatment. But some affluent parents say it would take away their rights.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

California lawmakers are now waiting for Governor Gavin Newsom to sign off on their proposed state budget. Among the countless line items – $10 million set aside for LGBTQ + services at California community colleges.

Reporter: Adam Echelman, CalMatters

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California Mayors Increasingly Turn To Temporary Housing Solutions

Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:01:27 -0000

Mayors across California are feeling the pressure to reduce street homelessness and tent encampments. So, they’re increasingly turning to temporary housing as a solution. But investments in shelters could come at the expense of permanent housing.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

California prides itself on being a diverse state. But actually connecting people who have radically different life experiences can be a challenge. The Santa Monica public library is hosting events to encourage deep one-on-one conversations between people from different backgrounds. It’s called a “Human Library.”

Reporter: Claire Wiley

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Group Of Migrants Bussed Into Los Angeles From Texas

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 13:51:20 -0000

A busload of more than 40 migrants, sent by the state of Texas, arrived in Los Angeles Wednesday afternoon. The group included at least eight children.

Questions linger about how two groups of migrants ended up on flights to Sacramento earlier this month. Some asylum seekers now say the state of Florida hired contractors to push them to get on the flights.

Guest: Jack Herrera, L.A. Times national correspondent

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Gardeners Struggle To Adjust As Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Being Phased Out

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:56:57 -0000

Local and state officials are cracking down on the use of gas-powered gardening equipment, like leaf blowers. But not everyone is thrilled about these changes.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Tijuana’s migrant shelters are struggling to stay afloat. A few things threaten their long term future: declining donations and rising costs.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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California Congressmembers Want EPA To Support Prescribed Burns

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:13:31 -0000

20 members of Congress from California sent a letter to the EPA. They're worried that a rule intended to improve air quality could make it harder to conduct prescribed burns.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

The rejection of a social studies textbook by three conservative Christian school board members in Temecula is causing more upheaval. While California's Attorney General awaits a response from the board to justify its decision, some community members in Temecula are pushing for a recall of the board members.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

Residents are moving into an all-electric housing development in the sunny, arid city of Menifee in Riverside County. There are roughly 200 single-family homes, all designed to create zero harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Training For Private Security Guards Called Into Question

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 13:41:16 -0000

There are more than 300,000 licensed security guards in California - a number that’s been growing over the past decade. But in the wake of a fatal shooting of an alleged shoplifter in San Francisco last month by a Walgreens drug store guard, the training required by state regulators is looking increasingly outdated.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Thousands of unionized hotel workers in Southern California have overwhelmingly voted for a strike authorization measure. If they do walk off the job, they say it will be the biggest hotel strike in U.S. history.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Salton Sea Could Provide Clues To Seismic Activity On San Andreas Fault

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 13:47:15 -0000

The southern San Andreas Fault hasn’t generated a major earthquake in 300 years. But why? Well, new research published in the scientific journal Nature explains that might be due to the shrinking of the nearby Salton Sea.

Campaigns to ban books are on the rise in the U.S. That includes the Riverside County community of Temecula. There, the school board’s decision to reject a textbook has sparked a censorship battle.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

Music legend Chris Strachwitz passed away last month in Marin County at the age of 91. He was the founder of Arhoolie Records. He also traveled the country making field recordings of music performed by cotton-pickers, janitors, and other working people.

Reporter: The Kitchen Sisters

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Push To Make Housing A Human Right In State Constitution Moves Forward

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 14:09:35 -0000

Should Californians have a right to housing enshrined in the state constitution? Well, a bill to do just that just passed its first legislative hurdle in Sacramento.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Many people living in wildfire-prone areas of California were already struggling with home insurance before the news that Allstate and State Farm would stop writing new policies. So for those who've lost homes to fire, how does this change their financial calculus?

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Florida Agency Confirms Sending Migrants To Sacramento

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 13:55:18 -0000

The administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says it’s responsible for sending two chartered planes of asylum seekers to Sacramento over the past week. That comes after Governor Gavin Newsom suggested that DeSantis, who’s also running for president, might be guilty of kidnapping.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

The return of a Tulare Lake in California’s Central Valley because of flooding has caused millions of dollars in agricultural damage. But the new lake is also giving members of a Native American tribe a rare chance to get back in touch with their roots and sacred traditions.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

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Many LA Renters Left Without Legal Representation In Eviction Court

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 13:52:50 -0000

Eviction cases are piling up in Los Angeles County courtrooms, especially now that the county’s COVID protections have ended. Landlords almost always show up with attorneys, while tenants tend to represent themselves.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg says he's proud of the way community groups and local officials are stepping up, to aid the dozens of bewildered migrants who’ve arrived in his city by chartered jets in recent days.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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LA County Promises To Be Ready To Implement CARE Court Program

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 14:06:29 -0000

The CARE Court program is part of the state's big changes in how it treats the most severely mentally ill. A handful of counties are scheduled to begin the programs this year, including Los Angeles County.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

State authorities say they’ll investigate how a group of migrants, who were reportedly bused from Texas to New Mexico, before being flown to California, ended up at a church in Sacramento.

Reporter: Daphne Young, KQED

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Renters Could Get A Break On Security Deposits With New Proposal

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 14:14:11 -0000

State lawmakers are trying to make renting more affordable by capping how much landlords can charge for security deposits.

Reporter: Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, CalMatters

There's been some very un-California weather in the southern part of our state. Cloudy skies have filled the skies the last few weeks.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Accessible health care is often a huge challenge in rural parts of California. That includes in Nevada County in the Sierra Foothills.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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San Francisco Faces Challenges As It Prepares To Roll Out CARE Court

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 13:53:09 -0000

By next year, every county in California will have to implement a new statewide program called CARE Court. It focuses on getting unhoused people with severe mental health disorders into treatment. Eight counties have agreed to begin early, including San Francisco.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Catalytic Converter Theft Frustrates LA Residents

Wed, 31 May 2023 13:43:48 -0000

Catalytic converters are a part that all gas-powered vehicles in California are required to have in order to keep their exhaust up to our air quality standards. Thousands of cars across Los Angeles have had theirs stolen, because of the part’s valuable precious metals.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

California’s record snowpack is starting to melt, and it might impact peak wildfire season. For some higher-elevation parts of the state, excess snowpack from the winter might stick around longer than usual and help in reducing severe wildfire risks. But in lower-elevation areas that dry out sooner, it’s a different story.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Inside Carmel-by-the-Sea's Address Controversy

Tue, 30 May 2023 14:14:52 -0000

Fentanyl Deaths Up in California, New Data Show

New Federal data show overdose deaths in California up slightly, and drug policy experts say lasting change requires lawmakers to examine and treat underlying causes of addiction. Meanwhile, a bill to create a task force is now advancing at the State Capitol.

Reporter: Stephanie O’Neill Patison, KFF Health News

Carmel-by-the Sea Addresses Its Addresses

The city of Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its quaint shops, movie star residents and bohemian quirkiness. It’s that bohemian quirkiness that's causing a controversy in the coastal village. Last fall a group of residents asked the city to change a one hundred year old tradition.

Reporter: Doug McKnight, KAZU

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Beaver Seen As Climate-Saving Creature In California

Mon, 29 May 2023 14:06:10 -0000

Consider the beaver. Once thought of as a “nuisance rodent,” yes it’s a rodent, for flooding roads, farmland and other properties that we want to keep dry, the beaver is now embraced as a “climate solving hero” and an eco-engineer. Why? Well for its natural ability to help increase water storage and to create natural buffers against wildfires.

Guests: Laurie Wayburn, Co-Founder of Pacific Forest Trust and Leila Phillip, Author of the book "Beaver Land: How One Weird Rodent Made America"

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Cal State System Has Massive Financial Gap, May Have To Raise Tuition

Fri, 26 May 2023 14:06:53 -0000

The California State University system has some of the lowest tuition rates in the country. But a huge budget gap could force new tuition hikes.

Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters

Stanford University is conducting the first clinical trial in the world, looking at whether Paxlovid could be a possible treatment for Long COVID patients.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Kennedy High School is in Richmond, a town northeast of San Francisco. One retired teacher has shown extraordinary commitment to the school, where he’s dedicated his time and energy for more than 50 years.

Reporter: Richard Gonzales, The California Report Magazine

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Salmon Run Highlights Efforts To Protect Klamath Watershed

Thu, 25 May 2023 14:00:24 -0000

Every year for the past two decades, tribes along the Oregon-California border have come together for an event known as the Salmon Run. It’s a spiritual run and prayer for the health of the Klamath watershed.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

A new state legislative committee is digging into the fentanyl crisis in search of solutions. Over five hours of testimony on Wednesday, public health and law enforcement experts painted a grim picture of a complex crisis requiring multifaceted solutions.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

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Plan To Turn Los Angeles Gas Plant To Hydrogen Not Without Critics

Wed, 24 May 2023 13:44:04 -0000

This year, the city of Los Angeles decided to turn one of its methane gas plants into a hydrogen plant. It's part of the city’s ambitious goal to run on 100% renewable energy by 2035. It might sound great, but it’s actually a controversial move.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

A new state legislative committee focused on fentanyl and opioid addiction is holding its first meeting Wednesday in Sacramento. The committee is hoping to address the ongoing opioid crisis.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

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States Reach Colorado River Water Deal

Tue, 23 May 2023 14:01:22 -0000

A historic agreement has been reached between seven Western states to cut the amount of water they take from the Colorado River. But what are California's responsibilities under the deal? And which part of the state will be most affected?

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California's lawmakers have been scrambling to address the state's fentanyl overdose crisis. The synthetic opioid is 50 times stronger than heroin and it caused nearly 6,000 deaths in California in 2021, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. But the state legislature is split on the best approach to tackle this crisis -- treatment or punishment?

Guest: Anita Chabria, Columnist, Los Angeles Times

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California Food Banks See Major Spike In Demand

Mon, 22 May 2023 13:51:52 -0000

California’s food banks are reporting alarming spikes in demand, that’s according to the state’s association of food banks, which says the end of pandemic-era food benefits and record high inflation is to blame. In April, the Sacramento food bank and its partners fed 281,000 people – almost double the amount it served before the pandemic.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

Fueled by California's record snowfall, rivers in the state are flowing fast and have swept away a number of people recently. That includes an 8-year-old girl, who drowned in the Kings River in Fresno County on Sunday.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Earlier this month, we brought you the story of Long COVID patients and their concerns about the lack of clinical trials for potential treatments. Now, a Bay Area lawmaker is looking for answers from the federal agency in charge of Long COVID research.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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The End Of Wood Street, Oakland's Largest Settlement Of Unhoused People

Fri, 19 May 2023 13:24:14 -0000

It was once Northern California’s largest settlement of unhoused people. The city of Oakland recently cleared the last remaining portion of the community people called Wood Street.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

We're learning more about U.S Senator Dianne Feinstein's recent health struggles. They were worse and more complicated than her office first disclosed.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California workplace regulators have confirmed complaints of child labor and other violations at a Popeye’s fast food restaurant in East Oakland.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Whitewater Rafting Could See Big Business This Summer

Thu, 18 May 2023 13:53:27 -0000

Rivers in California are flowing fast and wide this year as record snowpack in the mountains melt. All that water has created flood damage and worries about more to come, but one industry is thriving after years of drought and shrinking rivers -- whitewater rafting.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

California workplace health and safety regulators are holding a public hearing on Thursday on a proposed rule to prevent heat-related illness in indoor spaces.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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State Announces Plan To Return Chinook Salmon To Its Native Habitat

Wed, 17 May 2023 13:45:32 -0000

Along the Yuba River on Tuesday, California officials announced a plan to give fish access to areas they haven't swam in for more than a century. Daguerre Point Dam has blocked migrating salmon, sturgeon and Pacific lamprey since it was built in 1910.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

After a wildfire destroyed his home a few years back, a young Latino man from Santa Rosa was inspired to become a firefighter. Now, he’s well on his way to achieving his goal -- thanks to a program designed to increase diversity in California’s fire departments.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Protecting Molok Luyuk, A Space Known For Its Biological Diversity

Tue, 16 May 2023 14:03:00 -0000

In 2015, the Berryessa Snow Mountain region became a national monument. The monument status brought protections to the area’s biologically diverse landscape. But one large swath of land, nestled in the monument’s center, was excluded from protection. Now environmental groups and tribes are trying to fix that.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

Governor Gavin Newsom warned of a more than $31 billion shortfall when he released his revised state spending plan last week. One sector that will feel the pinch of a tighter budget is child care.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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A Firsthand Look At The Border After Title 42 Ended

Mon, 15 May 2023 14:03:53 -0000

U.S. immigration officials are expressing confidence in the state of things at the U-S Mexico border. That after the Trump-era Title 42 program ended last week. It prevented migrants from seeking asylum in the U.S. But there are still plenty of concerns from people trying to cross the border.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Thousands Of Migrants Gather At Border As Title 42 Expires

Fri, 12 May 2023 14:11:45 -0000

Now that the pandemic era border restrictions, known as Title 42, have been lifted., it’s estimated six thousand migrants are in shelters across the San Diego -Tijuana border waiting to apply for asylum. Many had been waiting for days without much food. They slept on the ground under bright lights.

Governor Gavin Newsom will be announcing how big of a budget deficit the state is expecting next year – and how he plans to close that gap.

Reporter: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

Fire season is fast approaching in California. As the climate warms, fires are expected to be more intense. This comes as California struggles to beef up its wildfire personnel. But a new program in the Bay Area aims to help build that workforce.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

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Hundreds Kept At Makeshift Migrant Camp At San Ysidro Port Of Entry

Thu, 11 May 2023 13:58:57 -0000

Title 42, the border policy that was put in place during the pandemic to turn asylum seekers away, ends Thursday night. Officials are expecting a surge of migrants at the border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is already keeping 400 migrants in a makeshift camp in San Ysidro, between the primary and secondary border walls.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Thursday marks the end of the COVID 19 federal public health emergency. But for people who are affected by Long COVID, it’s not the end of the pandemic. Many have lost their jobs, have no means of income, and are relying on disability checks to try to survive. But getting approved for long-term disability is becoming a major roadblock.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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As Federal Public Health Emergency Ends, Long COVID Patients Still Suffering

Wed, 10 May 2023 13:49:08 -0000

As we’re now in the fourth year of the pandemic, there is a growing sense of optimism that the worst is likely behind us. Vaccines and boosters have helped reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. But for millions of Americans who are suffering from Long COVID symptoms, there’s no end in sight for their day-to-day struggles.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Governor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to release his revised budget on Friday. He’s warned about a major deficit, but that isn’t stopping lawmakers from putting pressure on him to increase child care funding, to the tune of a billion dollars.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

After the COVID-19 public health emergency ends on Thursday, some people who were receiving medications through telehealth will need to visit a doctor in person.

Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS

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Financially Strapped Hospitals Could Get Help From State

Tue, 09 May 2023 13:36:57 -0000

California’s legislature has approved spending $150 million to help cash-strapped hospitals across the state. The money would fund a hospital loan program.

Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

Menifee in Riverside County is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. As it's grown, the city made the decision to create its own police department from scratch. It launched in the summer of 2020 – just as policing was under intense scrutiny in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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With End Of Title 42, California's Border Communities Brace For Influx Of Migrants

Mon, 08 May 2023 14:01:24 -0000

This week will mark the end of a controversial border policy that started under President Donald Trump. Title 42 is part of the U.S. Public Health Code meant to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. But it's been used to keep hundreds of thousands of migrants from crossing the border.

Guest: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

We’re nearing the end of the first week of the Hollywood writers strike, and studios and the union representing writers stand far apart on a number of key issues. But, the strike doesn’t only threaten the financial health of those who work on TV shows or movies. It has lots of other businesses worried as well.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

The California reparations task force has approved a statewide plan for descendants of American Slavery. The sweeping recommendations include a method to calculate money denied to Black residents by racist policies and plans for a new state agency to manage repayment.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

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Oakland Teachers Back On The Picket Line For Second Day

Fri, 05 May 2023 14:18:09 -0000

Hundreds of parents and teachers in Oakland are taking to the picket line on Friday morning for day two of the citywide teachers strike.

Reporter: Phoebe Quinton, KQED

David “Mas” Masumoto has been growing peaches, nectarines and grapes on his family farm in Del Rey, just south of Fresno, for over 40 years. He thought he knew all about his family history in the area -- the racism, imprisonment during World War II, and eventually buying some land, establishing a home. But Masumoto got a big shock in 2012.

Reporter: Lisa Morehouse, The California Report Magazine

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Writer's Strike Could Extend For Months

Thu, 04 May 2023 13:45:18 -0000

TV and film writers are taking to the picket lines for the third day, after failing to reach an agreement with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. It' still unclear how long the strike will last, but both sides seem to be dug in.

Guest: Michael Schneider, Senior TV Editor, Variety. Host of Screengrab, a podcast from KCRW

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to pass ambitious plans for new housing in Hollywood and Downtown L.A. The aim is to bring 135,000 new homes to the two neighborhoods.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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Writers Strike Moves Into Second Day

Wed, 03 May 2023 13:58:34 -0000

In Hollywood, film and television writers represented by the Writers Guild of America, or WGA, are on the second day of a strike. It’s the first such labor action in more than 15 years, and it could have a devastating economic impact on the industry if it continues.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

On Tuesday, we told you about the lack of affordable child care options, and how it’s keeping women from joining certain industries. A lot of that has to do with how little early educators are paid.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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Women Face Challenges With Child Care As They Look To Enter Construction Industry

Tue, 02 May 2023 14:12:15 -0000

The construction industry in California wants to hire more women to meet a shortage of skilled workers. But access to child care is keeping many of these women from joining the trades.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

The state is suing the city of Elk Grove for allegedly using discriminatory housing practices to deny a proposed affordable housing project.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Did you know when California communities plan new housing, they don’t have to take the size of their unhoused populations into consideration? A new bill advancing through the state Legislature could change that.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

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San Bernardino Police Officers Involved In Deadly Shooting Had History Of Excessive Force

Mon, 01 May 2023 14:05:07 -0000

Last July, San Bernardino police shot and killed a 23-year-old Black man as he ran from them while allegedly holding a gun. The police killing of Rob Adams drew protests and demands for accountability — and is the subject of a $100 million lawsuit filed on behalf of his family. Now, nine months after Adams was killed, San Bernardino city officials confirmed the names of the involved officers.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

Many are calling it environmental justice. California’s air board has passed an ambitious plan to phase out diesel truck fleets, from garbage trucks to Amazon delivery vehicles.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

A recent state audit found the California Department of Public Health has missed opportunities to collect data about people’s sexual orientation and gender identity.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

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Lawsuit Claims California's Prison System Targeting "Foreign-Born" Inmates

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 14:03:52 -0000

Criminal justice advocates and some incarcerated individuals have filed a lawsuit against the California prison system. What’s at issue? Policies, the plaintiffs argue, that illegally discriminate against inmates who prison officials believe are foreign-born.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

The California Report Magazine is wrapping up their series “Mixed! Stories of Mixed Race Californians,” with a conversation with comedian W. Kamau Bell, and his wife, Melissa Hudson Bell. The couple have a new HBO film ‘1000 Percent Me’ - where Kamau Bell asks mixed race children about their experiences.

Reporters: Sasha Khokha and Marisa Lagos, The California Report Magazine

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Central Valley On Edge As Weather Heats Up

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 14:18:11 -0000

California is set to see one of its first extended heat waves. That could mean major problems for parts of the state, where flooding is likely from a melting snowpack. Among the communities on edge is Corcoran in the Central Valley, which is already surrounded by rising water.

Guest: Joshua Yeager, Reporter, KVPR

As California wages its fight against smog and climate change, state regulators this week will vote on a plan to start phasing out diesel truck fleets -- from delivery vans, to garbage trucks, to 18-wheelers. The regulators want to see them replaced with zero emission vehicles.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Warehouse Boom Focus Of New Legislation In Sacramento

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 14:15:10 -0000

On Wednesday in Sacramento, lawmakers will hold a hearing on legislation aimed at creating buffer zones between homes and huge warehouses and logistic centers where companies, like Amazon, store and distribute mountains of goods that a lot of us might order online. This is the latest development in an ongoing debate over warehouses and the health threats they might pose to people who live near them. The center of that debate is the Inland Empire, east of Los Angeles.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Buckle in for a long summer when it comes to the threat of flooding. That’s what Governor Gavin Newsom told people Tuesday in the San Joaquin Valley, while standing atop a dirt levee holding back millions of gallons of floodwater.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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Big Melt Could Lead To Flooding In Parts Of State

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:01:32 -0000

Weather forecasters expect an early-season heatwave this week in many parts of the state. The warmth may cause flooding as the snowpack melts in inland areas of California.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

On the best of days, agricultural work isn’t easy, but in recent years, California farmworkers, in places like the San Joaquin Valley, have also had to deal with record heat waves, wildfires and more recently storms and flooding. But because of chronic illnesses, agricultural laborers also face a growing health crisis.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

As another wildfire season looms, a federal judge will soon decide whether there should be limits on how firefighters drop chemical retardant onto large blazes. Environmentalists say the retardant pollutes rivers, streams and lakes. But some lawmakers and residents in areas of the state prone to wildfires say the retardant saves lives and properties.

Reporter: Jamie Jiang, North State Public Radio

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New Center Will Attempt To Lead Fight Against Air Pollution, Climate Change

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 13:53:31 -0000

The California Air Resources Board, which regulates car and truck pollution in the state, will soon fully open its new laboratory and emissions testing center in the Southern California city of Riverside. It's expected to play a crucial role in the state's fight against pollution and climate change.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A U.S. citizen from Imperial County, who was held in immigration detention for over a year, most of it in solitary confinement, is suing the private prison company that detained him.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Voters Weigh In On Calls For Senator Feinstein To Resign

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 13:55:28 -0000

For decades U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has been one of the most popular politicians in California. Now 89-years-old and recovering in San Francisco from a bout of shingles, she’s facing calls to resign.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

As communities across the state grapple with the long-term impacts of recent floods, added challenges are coming to light. Storm water has flushed more fertilizer and manure into aquifers, which could pollute drinking water in much of the state.

Reporter: Alastair Bland, CalMatters

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Northern California Is A Hotbed For Hoops Fans

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 14:07:21 -0000

The Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings face off in Game Three of their playoff series Thursday night. While the team's have a growing rivalry on the court, they share one thing in common off it. They have two of the most fervent fanbases in the NBA, that stretches across Northern California.

Reporter: Andrew Saintsing, KALW

A California bill that just passed the Senate Labor Committee would expand the paid sick leave most employers must offer from at least three days per year, to seven.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Complaints About Rent Hikes Soaring In Los Angeles

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:01:55 -0000

Many of the renter protections California set up during the pandemic have gone away. But in Los Angeles, one big one has stuck around: rent increases are still banned for most of the city’s tenants. However, some landlords don't know about LA’s rent freeze — and renter complaints are at a 10-year high.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide on Wednesday whether or not a common abortion drug will remain available. while a case challenging its safety makes its way through the court.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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In Humboldt County, Mental Health Resources Hard To Come By

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 14:01:26 -0000

For families whose loved ones are facing a mental health crisis, it can be hard to be optimistic, especially when resources are scarce. In Humboldt County, there's a proposal to create an emergency mental health care facility.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

During the pandemic, many people gained access to Medicaid, the low to no cost health insurance. But now, with pandemic protections ending, states are beginning to re-examine people’s eligibility.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

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Survivors Of Palm Springs Neighborhood Destruction Seek Reparations

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 13:41:42 -0000

Families who once lived in a Palm Springs neighborhood are seeking reparations. Decades ago, the city forcibly evicted the mostly Black and Latino residents from their homes — and leveled the area.

Reporter: Leslie Berestein Rojas, LAist

The state’s Dream for All housing program aimed to give first-time home buyers a leg-up, especially those in communities often priced out of the market. As we reported last week, funding for the new program ran dry in less than two weeks. But it's unclear if the money actually went to buyers who needed it most.

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

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Kings Fans Hope To Light The Beam In Playoff Series With Warriors

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 14:08:06 -0000

There’s a beam of light bringing people together in Sacramento, where long suffering basketball fans finally have a reason to celebrate. And the Battle of Northern California kicks off on Saturday, as the Kings are facing off against the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Reporter: Bianca Taylor, KQED

Senator Dianne Feinstein is asking Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to temporarily replace her on a key committee until she fully recovers from a bout of shingles. But it might not be that simple.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California is experiencing a rush of solar installations as residents and installers worked to get deals in place before new rules take effect on Friday.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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Bill Would Help Immigrants Released From Prison From Being Turned Over To ICE

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 14:25:58 -0000

California prides itself on welcoming and including immigrants. The state is often at odds with the federal government over immigration enforcement. But there are exceptions – and a big one is that when the state prison system is releasing someone who’s not a citizen, they are allowed to turn them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and they routinely do.

Guest: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Demonstrators from around California are expected to converge in Sacramento on Thursday to support a state bill that would offer unemployment benefits to workers, who are excluded because they’re undocumented.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Planada Still Struggling To Recover Months After Flooding

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:02:30 -0000

It’s been 3 months since major flooding inundated the town of Planada in Merced County. Still, residents of this unincorporated community are struggling to stay afloat.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

State officials are preparing for major flooding as the snowpack begins to melt. Statewide, the snowpack sits at 249% of the average for this time of year.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Wildfire Experts Express Concern Over Plans For Clean Air Act

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:43:26 -0000

The Clean Air Act has saved hundreds of thousands of lives and avoided millions of childhood illnesses. Even so, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning to strengthen air standards. It's a move celebrated by many, but some fire experts worry that the new rules could unintentionally lead to larger wildfires and worse air.

Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED

Lawmakers plan to introduce a bill on Tuesday that would restrict California prison officials from transferring certain inmates to ICE. The HOME Act would protect non-citizens from being handed to ICE for deportation, if they’ve been granted clemency or released from prison under recent criminal justice reform laws.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

The state launched a program recently to get more Californians into their first homes. The only problem? Maybe the program was too popular.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Tulare Lake Re-Emergence Causes Uncertainty Over Flooding

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 13:58:28 -0000

More fallout from the reappearance of Tulare Lake. It was once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. But it's been dry for years. Now, with massive amounts of rain, and more water coming from the state's melting snowpack, nearby communities are worried they could be flooded out.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

Tens of thousands of people rely on salmon fishing to make a living. The season's closure could be devastating to coastal communities - from fishing to charter boats and restaurants.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Child Care Providers Still Waiting For Pandemic Pay

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 14:09:19 -0000

California child care providers are still waiting on hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic financial relief from Governor Newsom and the Department of Social Services. Providers were supposed to receive the one-time stipend payments around the holidays, or early 2023 at the latest.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

Fast fashion trends have many Americans buying more clothes than ever. But when those clothes are discarded, thousands of tons of textiles end up in landfills each year.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

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California Sees Sharp Rise In K-12 Students Experiencing Homelessness

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 14:14:31 -0000

The number of K-12 students experiencing homelessness in California has surged by the thousands. That’s according to new enrollment data from the state’s Department of Education.

Reporter: Joe Hong, CalMatters

A new investigation finds that after police killings, many California law enforcement agencies are trained to keep news of people's deaths from family members. That way, according to the reporting, police can grill families for information that can be used to limit liability and protect departments’ reputations.

Guest: Brian Howey, Investigative Reporting Program, UC Berkeley and LA Times

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Historic Snowpack Could Prove Dangerous Down The Line In Central Valley

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 14:04:16 -0000

A parade of atmospheric rivers has delivered record-busting levels of rain and snowfall to the Sierra Nevada this year. But with all that snow poised to melt in the coming months, communities in the Central Valley floor, which are already grappling with flooding, are bracing for the worst.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has voted to expand a guaranteed income program for an additional 200 former foster youth in the area. It’ll provide recipients with $1,000 a month for two years.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report

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California's Snowpack One Of The Largest Ever

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:51:31 -0000

The latest reading of California’s snowpack is in, and the amount of snow is huge - 220% of average. The last time California had this much snow in the Sierra Nevada was in 1952.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

How many of you have had this very California problem? You really want to buy your first home, but the down payment is just too high. And the monthly mortgage payments would kill you financially. Well, the state of California has just started taking applications for a new program, where it will put down a good chunk of money to help people buy their first home.

Guest: Eric Johnson, California Housing Finance Agency

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Santa Cruz Sees Mixed Success In Composting Program

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 13:56:40 -0000

When the food scraps we throw out from our kitchens get hauled to dumps, they release methane, a super-accelerant of climate change. So last year, a state law went into effect requiring California cities to slash the amount of food waste they send to landfills. But how is implementation of that law going?

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Starting Monday, California Public Health officials will no longer require masking in healthcare and correctional facilities. Also, COVID-19 vaccinations won’t be required for healthcare workers.

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State Continues To Try To Help Communities Impacted By Storms

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:18:19 -0000

The state says it's offering aid to communities that have been deeply impacted by this year's storms. But for many residents in the San Bernardino mountains, the challenges are mounting.

Reporter: Jill Replogle, LAist

A group of hunger strikers at two California immigration detention centers say they're pausing their protest, after what they call violent tactics by ICE officials. The 35-day hunger strike began in mid-February – with dozens of men at the Mesa Verde and Golden State Annex facilities protesting substandard conditions.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Continuing their series “Mixed! Stories of Mixed Race Californians,” The California Report Magazine spoke with Professor Reginald Daniel. He taught the nation’s longest running course on Mixed Race Studies at UC Santa Barbara.

Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

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Shasta County Switches To Hand Counting Of Election Ballots

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 13:58:49 -0000

The Shasta County Board of Supervisors will replace voting equipment targeted by former President Trump and others, promoting the lie that the 2020 election was stolen. The county is now going to be hand counting ballots.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Housing advocates say landlords have been taking advantage of a loophole in California’s Tenant Protection Act to kick renters out. Lawmakers passed the landmark legislation in 2019 to keep tenants in their homes.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Flooding This Year Could Be A Precursor To Future Climate-Related Disasters

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:27:26 -0000

The experience of climate-fueled storms since the turn of the year is lodged into the minds of Californians — levee failures displaced thousands, blizzard conditions trapped people in their homes, hundreds of thousands lost power and a vast inland California lake appeared. Climate scientists say the storms and flooding are just a fraction of what’s expected in a warmer world.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Governor Newsom is asking the Biden Administration to declare a major disaster for counties in California, that have been impacted by storms over the past month. That includes Monterey County, where residents in Pajaro have been asking for help from the state and federal government.

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Governor Newsom's Bill On Regulating Oil Industry Quickly Approved By State Lawmakers

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:08:55 -0000

State lawmakers have approved Governor Gavin Newsom's bill, which is attempting to increase transparency of the oil industry in the state. It would allow the California Energy Commission to impose penalties, through a regulatory process, if the agency believes oil companies are making excessive profits from gas prices.

California's crisis support centers want to better serve Native Americans in need. But right now, less than one percent of calls to the 988 crisis line are from Native People.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

A state task force developing proposals to provide reparations for Black Californians is nearing the end of its work. The panel faces a June deadline to send recommendations to the legislature to compensate Black residents for the harms dating back to slavery. And the California state legislature -- well it has its own pro-slavery history.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Pajaro Community Begins To Clean-Up After Being Allowed Back In Their Homes

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:04:07 -0000

Water is back on, but it's still not drinkable in the Monterey County community of Pajaro, which was hit by massive flooding a few weeks ago. Residents are being allowed back in their homes to assess the damage, and start the process of cleaning up their property.

Reporter: Jonathan Linden, KAZU

Over 5 million people around California use CalFresh, the state's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as "food stamps." But starting in April, these folks will notice a steep drop in the amount of food benefit they’re receiving.

Guest: Carly Severn, KQED

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Oakland Teachers Plan Walk-Out; LA Educators Head Back To Classroom

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 19:01:00 -0000

Oakland teachers at 14 middle and high schools are planning a walkout on Friday. But, the teachers union has not sanctioned a strike. Meanwhile, LA educators are back in the classroom today after reaching an agreement late Thursday.

Communities in the San Bernardino Mountains, east of Los Angeles, are once again struggling to dig out of more snow following this week's latest atmospheric river. But, to assist residents with questions they may have about receiving possible aid, assistance centers are opening over the weekend.

A levee that has protected the city of Corcoran for decades is at risk of filling up after the recent rains that have drenched California. Authorities say they are monitoring the situation. TCR Reporter, Kerry Klein in Fresno has the details.

A father who was separated from his family by a Trump administration immigration policy is finally back home in California after nearly four years. EdSource Reporter, Zaidee Stavely, introduces us to Jose Luis Ruiz Arevalos, who's looking forward to getting back to life with his family.

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Tornado Touches Down In LA County, Damages Several Buildings

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:54:15 -0000

It was a rare sight in the LA County city of Montebello on Wednesday after a tornado ripped through the city, damaging 11 buildings. One person was injured.

As the latest atmospheric river ravaged the state this week, some communities are left with more mess to clean up. Farming communities have been especially impacted by this year's wet weather -- from Planada in Merced County to Pajaro in Monterey County. And this will likely have a major impact on farmworkers.

Guest: Sarait Martinez, Executive Director, Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indí-gena Oaxaqueño

Bids are due on Friday to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for Silicon Valley Bank’s assets, and liabilities. But there’s no word yet as to whether purchasers will be required to honor the company's $11 billion community benefit agreement.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Storm Once Again Batters California

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:05:15 -0000

Downed trees, widespread power outages, flooded roadways -- it was all part of the latest atmospheric river to hit California. At least two people died due to falling trees in the Bay Area on Tuesday.

In Tulare County, where signs reading “pray for rain” line the highway, many communities are still underwater. And so are agricultural fields.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

We’re still waiting to hear whether the Service Employees International Union will appeal last week’s court ruling upholding most of Proposition 22. That's the voter approved measure that lets Uber, Lyft and the like classify their drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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LA Unified Employees Begin Three Day Strike

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 13:58:03 -0000

Los Angeles Unified School District workers have begun a three day strike on Tuesday, a labor action that will affect hundreds of thousands of students and families across the city.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The 12th atmospheric river this winter is set to once again pummel California. During past storms, washed out roads and fallen trees have isolated many residents in rural communities. But that hasn’t stopped emergency responders from rescuing people.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Is Carbon Capture And Storage A Possible Solution For Climate Change?

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 13:12:37 -0000

Is this a possible solution to climate change? Capture the greenhouse gasses heating our planet and bury them deep underground? Well such a carbon storage facility has been proposed for part of Kern County.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The historic Black community of Allensworth in Tulare County is the latest to be placed under evacuation orders. This comes after a breach in some waterways over the weekend. All told, more than 11,000 people in Tulare County have been ordered to evacuate their homes.

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At The Start Of Harvesting Season, Many Pajaro Farmworkers Are Without Work

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 13:40:33 -0000

Governor Newsom is taking a public policy road trip over the next few days. Instead of giving the usual State of the State address from inside the State Capitol building, he’s visiting several California cities to highlight policy proposals and to crow about successes. Newsom started yesterday in Sacramento and highlighted the state’s latest effort to combat homelessness. Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

The California Reinvestment Coalition, which supports more investment in low-income communities, is calling on federal regulators to ensure whoever buys failed Silicon Valley Bank honors an $11 billion dollar community benefit agreement SVB signed on to. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

In Pajaro, on the Central Coast, thousands of people were evacuated after a nearby levee broke almost a week ago. Some of them are now starting to trickle back to assess the damage and start planning for what comes next. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Governor Newsom Surveys Flood Damage in Pajaro

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 14:29:52 -0000

Governor Newsom visits the flooded farm community of Pajaro in Monterey County and talks about how all the weather has been wearing people down. On the positive side, mandatory water restrictions were lifted for nearly 7 million people in Southern California.

Snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada sent water gushing into Valley communities last week. With a break in the storms, communities in the eastern San Joaquin Valley are assessing the damage. Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KQED

It's been a rough winter for California's mountain communities as storm after storm has struck the state. Truckee Mayor Lindsay Romack is telling her blizzard-stressed constituents to be kind to hard-working snow plow drivers and advising outsiders to stay away until conditions improve.

A recently released study funded by the California Health Care Foundation finds Black patients have to work harder to deal with possible bias when seeking medical care. Reporter: Stephanie O’Neill, Kaiser Health News

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Pajaro Levee Breach Nearly Repaired, But Work Continues Ahead Of More Storms

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:15:28 -0000

As the breached levee is nearly repaired in the Monterey County community of Pajaro, residents are being told it might take weeks before they can return to their homes. Reporter: Anna Marie Yanny, KQED

The sudden failure of California’s Silicon Valley Bank, the second largest bank collapse in American history, has lawmakers in Sacramento calling for hearings into what happened. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

A former San Diego resident is now suspected by police in an antisemitic incident that took place at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam last month. Reporter: Jill Castellano, inewsource

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Silicon Valley Bank's Black Swan Event

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:22:00 -0000

As another enormous storm front sweeps across the Golden State, authorities are warning Californians about the threat of flooding in already water-saturated regions.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

In the wake of Silicon Valley Bank's collapse, how did this one financial institution become so dominant in California's tech industry? Old-fashioned word of mouth, particularly by the venture capitalist class.

Guest: Ben Bergman, Business Insider

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Thousands Evacuated In Monterey County By Levee Break, Flooding

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 13:12:55 -0000

The town of Pajaro in Monterey County is underwater after a levee broke on the Pajaro River during this weekend’s storms. Officials say they have evacuated more than 2000 people and rescues are ongoing.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

After three years of living in a drought, many Californians are celebrating rain and snowfall. But you might be feeling overwhelmed with the drastic change in weather. For those of us experiencing climate anxiety, what should we do?

Guest: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Hospital Closure Upends Residents In Paradise

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 15:13:48 -0000

Throughout California, hospitals are being forced to reduce services and even shut down. For many, the pandemic created financial stressors that led hospitals to bankruptcy. But in Paradise, the company that runs the city's only hospital received millions in compensation from insurance after the 2018 Camp Fire destroyed much of the city. But Adventist Health doesn't plan to reopen its doors.

Guest: Marisa Endicott, Reporter, Press Democrat

This week, Madera County supervisors declined to hire a consulting group, which could have outlined options for reopening Madera Community Hospital. The hospital closed earlier this year, leaving many residents in the lurch.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

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Volunteers Quickly Organize To Help Those In Need In San Bernardino Mountains

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 14:16:54 -0000

Desperation has turned into anger for many people in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. As residents continue to dig out from a rare blizzard, many are blasting the county for not helping them more quickly. Amid the criticism, a group of volunteers has hastily come together to deliver supplies.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

Bay Area Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and other House Democrats are re-introducing a bill Thursday that could provide a path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Communities In Northern And Southern California Trying To Dig Out From Massive Snowstorms

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 15:03:28 -0000

At least 11 people have died since winter storms battered the San Bernardino Mountains. Meanwhile, in Nevada County in Northern California, the lights have been off for thousands of customers due to storms in the area.

Public health officials in California are calling on the governor to reconsider a plan to slash funding to a training program for public health workers. Last year, California committed millions to train workers in specialties like epidemiology, microbiology, and public health nursing. Now, the Newsom administration is proposing significant reductions to the program.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

With just four months left before California closes its state-run juvenile lockups for good, county officials are ringing alarm bells, saying they need more state support to make the historic transition successful.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Many Trapped Residents Need Food, Medicine in San Bernardino Mountains

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:59:35 -0000

Desperation is growing as many people are still trapped in their homes in the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles. It’s been more than a week since a rare blizzard buried the region in snow. And authorities say it might take a few more days before they can reach everyone.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

18 days into a hunger strike over living and working conditions in two Kern County immigration detention centers, more than 30 men are still going without food.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

A growing number of undocumented workers are reaching retirement age in California, but have to keep working. But a new state bill might help them retire.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Many Residents In San Bernardino Mountain Communities Remain Stranded Due To Snow

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 15:03:15 -0000

Although progress is being made, many people who have been stuck in communities in the San Bernardino Mountains due to the massive amount of snowfall might not receive assistance for several more days. Crews have been able to clear off many main roads, but the excess snow is piling up, trapping many people in their homes.

The closure of Madera Community Hospital in late December has left thousands of people without access to regular checkups, emergency services and specialized care. That includes one patient who is struggling to find a place nearby to get cancer treatment.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

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National Guard Sent To Help Trapped Residents In San Bernardino Mountains

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 15:17:46 -0000

California National Guard personnel have arrived in the San Bernardino Mountains. They’re there to help rescue residents who have been trapped in their homes for days by the recent heavy snowfall.

A hunger strike at two California immigration detention centers in Kern County is entering its third week. Advocacy groups say Immigration and Customs Enforcement is failing to properly consider the detainees’ requests to be released.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Have you ever heard someone calling your name, but then you look around and no one’s there? Or you feel your phone vibrate, but actually, it didn’t. Then you’ve technically experienced psychosis. For most of us, it will never go further. But for people who later develop schizophrenia, it often starts like this.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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San Bernardino County Struggles To Recover From Massive Snowfall

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 14:23:00 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a state of emergency for 13 California counties in response to the winter storms. San Bernardino County is covered by the Governor’s declaration. There, residents in mountain communities are still trapped in their homes after more than seven feet of snow has fallen over the last few days.

In the Central Valley, Madera Community Hospital closed at the end of last year – after struggling with low Medi-Cal insurance repayments and a shortage of nursing staff. But hospital leaders hope it’s not too late to restore services.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

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New Deadline For California Taxpayers Provides Challenges For Budget Writers

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:43:46 -0000

The federal government says people living in California counties hit hard by severe weather now have an extra six months to file their federal taxes. But a new deadline creates challenges for state budget writers.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

President Joe Biden has nominated California's former Labor Secretary to head the U.S. Department of Labor. The White House lauded Julie Su as a “champion for workers,” but she has plenty of detractors.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

A year after Russia invaded Ukraine, we’re checking back in with Silicon Valley people and companies affected by the war.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Winter Storms Creating A Mess Across California

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 15:04:47 -0000

Another monster frigid storm front is moving through California, creating dangerous conditions in the Sierra Nevada. A blizzard warning remains in effect through early Wednesday for the Greater Lake Tahoe area and Mono County. And San Bernardino County has declared a local state of emergency, due to the amount of snow that's collected on it's mountains.

California spends more than $15 billion a year on its prison system and a new report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office says we’re continuing to pay for thousands of prison beds we’re not using. The state has closed two prisons under Governor Gavin Newsom and plans to close two more, but this new research says that’s not going far enough.

Reporter: Nigel Duara, CalMatters

The prison closures are a big change from a generation ago, when California was in the midst of a prison construction boom. But with the recent decline in the state’s prison population, advocates of criminal justice reform want to see more penal facilities shut down.

Guest: Amber Rose-Howard, Executive Director, Californians United for a Responsible Budget.

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Lawmaker Wants To Turn Empty Office Space Into Housing

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 14:35:46 -0000

Because of the pandemic and the large number of people who now work from home, California has an abundance of vacant office space, but the state also has a shortage of housing. Now, a state lawmaker wants to tackle both problems by making it far easier to turn empty offices into homes.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The Central Coast city of Paso Robles is becoming increasingly prominent in the world of wine. But as its stature grows, the Paso Robles area is facing familiar California challenges – like expensive housing and water worries. And that’s creating problems for the local wine industry.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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Snow, Hail, Rain All Part Of Latest Winter Storm In California

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 14:58:23 -0000

Although no officials numbers are in , there has been widespread snowfall across the state. That includes parts of California that normally see snow on only the rarest occasions. Cold temperatures and rain remain in the forecast as we head into the weekend.

There’s widespread agreement that having books in jails and prisons benefits people behind bars. But in LA County jails, there’s no official library system, so a grassroots effort has started to get more books into the hands of the incarcerated.

Reporter: Emily Elena Dugdale, LAIst

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State Legislature Holds First Hearing On What Caused Soaring Gas Prices

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 14:50:20 -0000

In a legislative hearing in Sacramento on Wednesday, Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration made its case for a controversial proposal aimed at reigning in high gas prices, by imposing a penalty on oil companies when gas prices, and profits, spike.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Huntington Beach in Orange County is the latest city vowing to fight Sacramento over state housing laws meant to encourage more housing. The city council voted 4-to-3 this week to allow its city attorney to pursue any legal actions, to challenge SB 9, SB 10 and any laws that allow for lot splits and the development of accessory dwelling units, or granny flats.

During the winter months, researchers take to the American River in Northern California to survey steelhead salmon populations. The surveys play an important part in understanding the impacts of environmental changes, and how conservation efforts can help future generations of salmon thrive.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Lawmakers Seek Answers On What Led To Skyrocketing Gas Prices

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 14:57:45 -0000

A hearing on gasoline prices in the state is scheduled to take place Wednesday afternoon in Sacramento, more than two months after Governor Gavin Newsom called for oil companies to be penalized for price gouging. The hearing before the State Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee is the first during a special session on gas prices.

Last month, a lot of snow fell on California, which was good news for our drought-stricken state. But California’s snowpack is dwindling -- fast and that's creating uncertainty for the state’s water supply.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Officials are continuing to push for answers and solutions after the closure of Madera Community Hospital more than a month ago. The closure has already impacted neighboring communities.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County tried to stop landlords from evicting renters who have pets that aren’t allowed under their leases. Those protections were set to go away this month, but LA County leaders extended them two more months. Even so, some renters, and their beloved pets, are facing the threat of eviction.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAIst

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Los Angeles Bishop Remembered For His Kindness, Helping Others

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:52:42 -0000

A man suspected of murdering Catholic Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell in Los Angeles over the weekend has been arrested. Meanwhile, friends of the Bishop are remembering him for his kindness to others.

Did you know the last secondary lead smelter west of the Mississippi is here in California? It’s called Quemetco, and it recycles the lead in old car batteries about 25 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The company has been violating toxic substance regulations for years and has now reached a settlement with the state that allows it to stay open.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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Researchers Aim To Study Threats To Lake Tahoe

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 15:53:03 -0000

Lake Tahoe, nestled high in the mountains between California and Nevada, is one of America’s great natural wonders. But the lake faces a variety of threats -- some old, some new -- that scientists have spent years studying.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A Bay Area Assemblymember wants to increase access to California's public parks and beaches, by overhauling the state's reservation system.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Report Offers Glimpse Of How State Is Spending Money To Combat Homelessness

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:59:35 -0000

A new state-backed report gives the first-ever birds-eye view of California’s spending on homelessness programs. The state has shelled out more than $10 billion in the last few years to get people housed. But despite that spending, California still has a long way to go to get people into permanent housing.

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

Despite protests from many community members, construction has resumed to replace fences with two 30-foot walls at Friendship Park, which sits on the US-Mexico border in San Diego County. The historic park on the western-most end of the border has long been a place where families from both sides of the border can meet up.

75 years ago a plane crashed near the Central Valley town of Coalinga, killing everyone on board. The plane carried Mexican migrants on their way to be deported. After the crash, the government sent the bodies of the white pilot, flight attendants and immigration officer home to their families, but interred the Mexican passengers in a mass grave. Officials didn’t even release the migrants’ names, calling them only “Deportees.”

Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

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Right To Repair Bill Aims To Make Everyday Products Fixable

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 15:10:03 -0000

Who's had this problem? Your laptop or smartphone isn’t working, but the idea of repairing it yourself seems impossible because you can't get replacement parts and repair instructions from manufacturers, like, say, Apple. Well, after past attempts to pass it have failed, a Right to Repair bill has been re-introduced in Sacramento. If passed, it’s supposed to make it easier, and cheaper to get electronics you own fixed.

Guest: Sander Kushen, Public Health Advocate, CALPIRG

Slavery and involuntary servitude are illegal in California. But our state constitution has an exception to that rule involving the state’s prison system. Some state lawmakers are now looking to change that.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Dianne Feinstein Will Leave Office At End Of Her Term

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:56:10 -0000

Dianne Feinstein has been a U.S. Senator from California for three decades. And before that she was already a powerful figure in San Francisco politics, including serving as mayor. So the announcement that Feinstein is retiring from office at the end of her current Senate term really does mark the end of an era in California politics and governance.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

A new study out of Stanford University finds that enrollment in California public schools fell by about 270,000 during the first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, The California Report

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Member Of Anti-Semitic Extremist Group Flees Country Before Facing Hate Crime Charges

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:47:58 -0000

Anti-semitism and hate crimes are on the rise in the United States. In California, some far-right groups are becoming even more extreme. A far-right extremist group connected to San Diego, called the Goyim Defense League, is fueling acts of vandalism, harassment and assault.

Reporter: Jill Castellano, inewsource

A group of California lawmakers wants to prohibit police from pulling motorists over for minor traffic infractions. The legislators say those stops too often lead to violence against people of color.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Fast Food Industry, Workers In Fight Over New Law

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:43:53 -0000

In response to stories about worker abuse in the fast food industry, last year the state legislature passed, and Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act. The FAST Act created a first of its kind 10 person independent council to improve labor conditions in the fast food industry. But it's already facing pushback from the industry, which has spent millions on a referendum for the 2024 ballot.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

It’s been a week since devastating earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria. As the reported death toll mounts well past 30,000, Californians are looking for ways to help survivors.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, KQED

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California's Attorney General Renews Call For Worker Protections Against Extreme Heat

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 15:02:10 -0000

California’s Attorney General has petitioned federal regulators to issue an emergency rule to protect workers from extreme heat. Heat is the leading cause of death among all weather-related workplace hazards, and the dangers for workers in jobs like agriculture are rising with climate change.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Frontline environmental advocates are gearing up for a new fight, now that a California law that would ban new oil drilling near homes, schools, and community sites is on hold. Industry groups have gathered enough signatures to qualify the issue for the 2024 ballot.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

A new housing project called Paul’s Place opened in Davis this week. Organizers say the unique 4-story design, which combines temporary shelter with permanent apartments, will help unhoused people achieve stability.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Hospitals Struggling To Stay Afloat Across California

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 14:50:24 -0000

Half of California hospitals are losing money everyday. Madera Community Hospital is just the latest to close due to financial issues. And experts predict many more will follow across the state.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

In Fresno County, an emergency hospital declaration has just been lifted, despite area hospitals still dealing with an overcrowding crisis. That's in large part due to the recent closure of a hospital in neighboring Madera County.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

For the second year in a row, there’s an effort underway to reform and significantly reduce the use of solitary confinement in California. The Mandela Act would prohibit jails, prisons, and immigration detention facilities from holding people in solitary confinement for more than two weeks in a row.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

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Riverside County Housing Development Uses Its Own Microgrid System

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 15:11:03 -0000

Here in California, we've grown pretty accustomed to power outages. Sometimes it gets knocked out by storms. Other times, it gets turned off on purpose by the utility companies to avoid wildfires. But what if you could live in a community where your lights always stayed on, no matter what happened to the grid?

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California utility regulators are digging into reasons for this winter’s high natural gas prices. During a hearing on Tuesday, the California Public Utilities Commission pressed industry officials to explain the record setting price hikes for natural gas.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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Farmworkers, Immigrants Could Be Provided Protections Under New Federal Policy

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:54:49 -0000

Half Moon Bay farmworkers – and other vulnerable immigrants who speak up about workplace abuses – could get some protection under a new Biden administration policy. It would shield undocumented immigrants from deportation if they cooperate with labor investigations.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

California’s governor is calling for a federal probe into the record high natural gas prices that have doubled and even tripled some customer bills.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

Besides its canals, the city of Amsterdam is known for its pot cafes, where you can eat and hang out with friends while using marijuana. California law prevents that kind of establishment, but there’s a move to change that.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Undocumented Residents In Planada Struggle To Get Help They Need After Storms

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 14:35:53 -0000

When storms battered California last month, the streets of Planada became rivers. Hundreds of homes were flooded and the whole town was evacuated. Now people in this rural Central Valley community are trying to put their lives back together. But many undocumented residents are struggling to access assistance.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Governor Newsom Says Environmental Law Needs To Be Modernized To Increase Housing

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:46:02 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom says he expects to collaborate with lawmakers this year on reforms to the state’s environmental review law, which has been used repeatedly by opponents of development to block construction. The California Environmental Quality Act, which was signed into law in 1970, aimed to ensure that the environmental impact of a project is taken into account.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Guru Jagat, a Santa Monica-based yoga instructor, was known for being confident and relatable. She modernized the esoteric practice of Kundalini yoga. But in 2020, her followers started noticing a shift in her beliefs.

Reporter: Emily Guerin, Producer, LAist

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Governor Newsom Pushes For New Gun Restrictions Following Mass Shootings

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 14:58:33 -0000

In the wake of two mass shootings that left 18 people dead, California leaders say they’ll pass new legislation to regulate concealed weapon permits.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The funeral for 29-year-old Tyre Nichols was held Wednesday in Memphis, three weeks after he died following a beating by police. There are increased calls for police accountability across the nation, an issue that’s being taken on here in California by the Bay Area-based Anti Police-Terror Project.

Guest: Cat Brooks, Executive Director, Anti Police-Terror Project

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Murders Still On The Mind Of Many Residents In Goshen

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:54:15 -0000

As Californians continue to process the series of mass shootings up and down the state, the small community of Goshen in the Central Valley remains shaken by the brutal murders of six family members two weeks ago.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

California’s snowpack is at 208% of normal for this time of year. That's the highest level in decades.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Thieves have stolen more than $35 million from some of the state’s most vulnerable residents – because the debit cards California uses to send financial assistance are too easy to exploit. Now, the state is trying to make it easier for these theft victims to get their money back.

Reporter: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

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Vigil Held In Sacramento To Honor Tyre Nichols

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:33:45 -0000

Friends and family of Tyre Nichols, the former Sacramento resident who was beaten and killed by Memphis police officers, held a candlelight vigil in his honor Monday night.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

A new study out of Stanford University finds climate warming will likely reach a critical threshold in the early 2030s.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Cold temperatures are forecast through Wednesday, prompting The National Weather Service to issue frost advisories and freeze warnings for parts of the Bay Area and the Central Valley. The low temperatures could be dangerous for the unsheltered, and add to high utility bills for housed Californians. Natural gas and electricity prices are both up sharply compared to last year.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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After Storms and Landslides, Big Sur Residents May Be Isolated For Weeks

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 14:32:36 -0000

Big Sur is cut off again thanks to landslides on Highway 1 caused by the rain storms earlier this month. Now supplies are being flown in, and residents along portions of the scenic highway may be stuck for at least another three weeks. Reporter: Jonathan Linden, KAZU

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to heavily affect the lives of California’s 9 million children. Those impacts are particularly devastating for kids of color or kids living in poverty, according to new data tracking children’s well-being in each of the state’s 58 counties. Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

This month, California issued first-in-the-nation safety guidelines for employers of domestic workers: people like cleaners, nannies and caregivers who have historically been excluded from occupational health and safety laws. But advocates say California is taking the first steps to right that wrong. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Authorities Investigating Conditions At Half Moon Bay Farms

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 14:41:39 -0000

Authorities confirm they’re investigating possible wage theft and health and safety violations at the two farms in Half Moon Bay where seven farm workers were killed this week in a mass shooting.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Even as the community mourns in Half Moon Bay, people are looking for ways to heal and grasp for normalcy.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños

This week, we've covered Monterey Park in the wake of the mass shooting there. But communities shouldn't just be defined by their worst days. So we're looking at one aspect of Monterey Park life not related to this week’s news -- its amazing Asian food scene that’s been created by immigrant communities there.

Guest: Denny Mu, The Mandarin Noodle House

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Suspect Arraigned In Half Moon Bay Shooting

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 14:47:22 -0000

The man accused of gunning down eight people in Half Moon Bay, killing seven, was charged with seven counts of murder and one count of attempted murder on Wednesday.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Authorities investigating the mass shooting in Half Moon say the evidence points to it as an incident of “workplace violence.” Acts of violence are a leading cause of occupational death in the U.S. But mass shootings are still relatively rare on the job.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

In Monterey Park, vigils have been taking place nightly, to honor the victims of the dance studio shooting Saturday night. The Star Dance Studio was a hub for professional ballroom dancers, new immigrants and longtime community members of the Asian diaspora.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, KPCC

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More Details Released About Suspect In Half Moon Bay Mass Shootings

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 14:32:41 -0000

The man accused of fatally shooting seven farmworkers Monday in the city of Half Moon Bay is being arraigned on Wednesday. Chunli Zhao is being held on seven first degree murder charges and one charge of attempted murder for the shootings at two farms in Half Moon Bay.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Monterey Park on Wednesday to honor the 11 people killed in that mass shooting incident over the weekend. We’re also learning more about some of the people who lost their lives.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

In the wake of the recent mass shootings in California, there’s more focus on gun violence restraining orders or Red Flag laws. These allow authorities to temporarily seize firearms and ammunition from people who’ve been reported as a danger by family members or co-workers.

Guest: Mara Elliott, City Attorney in San Diego

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Another Mass Shooting In California, This Time In Half Moon Bay

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 17:04:04 -0000

There has been another deadly mass shooting in the state, this time in the coastal Bay Area community of Half Moon Bay. Seven people were killed and one injured Monday in a pair of shootings at agricultural centers in the city.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

On Monday night, over 200 people gathered in Monterey Park for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims of the mass shooting at the Star Dance Studio.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

We're learning more about the victims of Saturday's massacre in Monterey Park.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

In Sacramento on Monday, Asian American legislators gathered at the state capitol to call for stricter gun laws and to honor the victims of the mass shootings in Monterey Park.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

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Monterey Park Community Devastated By Weekend Mass Shooting

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 14:28:50 -0000

10 people, five men and five women, are dead and seven people remain in the hospital after a 72-year-old man opened fire in a Monterey Park dance studio late Saturday night. The suspected gunman took his own life on Sunday.

The Monterey Park shooting reminds us about just how seemingly random incidents of mass violence can be. That leaves many feeling scared and vulnerable.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

San Francisco kicked off Lunar New Year celebrations on Sunday, but the mass shooting in Southern California weighed heavily on those who were there.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

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President Biden Surveys Damage From California Storms

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 14:56:56 -0000

President Biden toured Capitola Village and Seacliff State Park in Santa Cruz County on Thursday. Both of the areas were two of the hardest hit by the recent winter storms.

A new bill would give California college athletes more protections and require Division I schools to share revenue with athletes whose market value exceeds the amount of their scholarships. That money would be paid after an athlete graduates.

There’s a beam of light bringing people together in Sacramento, where long suffering basketball fans finally have a reason to celebrate.

Reporter: Bianca Taylor, KQED

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Madera County Hospital Closure Deeply Impacts Community

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 14:57:40 -0000

For Madera County near Yosemite, the new year has brought more than just stormy weather. The county’s only hospital closed. That leaves 150,000 residents without specialty care, without an emergency room and many of the hospital’s 700 employees without a job.

Guests: Omar Rashad and Dympna Ugwu-Oju, Reporters, Fresnoland

Los Angeles City Council members are renewing calls for unarmed crisis response efforts by LAPD. This comes after the first week of the year saw two fatal police shootings, and the death of 31-year-old Keenan Anderson, who was repeatedly tased by officers.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

Pacific Gas and Electric is in criminal court again, this time to fight charges it killed four Shasta County residents in a 2020 wildfire. The company is facing four counts of manslaughter for its alleged role in starting the Zogg Fire near Redding.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Suspects Still At Large In Mass Shooting In Central Valley

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 15:03:07 -0000

In the aftermath of a massacre that left six people dead in the small farming town of Goshen early Monday, details remain sparse. The victims include a teen mother and her infant son.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

California could soon have a new repository of electric power, capable of stabilizing the state’s power grid. A German company is building a virtual power plant brimming with potential.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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Six Killed In Shooting At Tulare County Home

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:52:42 -0000

Six people were shot and killed in a small San Joaquin Valley community early Monday morning.

Reporter: Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado, KVPR

When the pandemic hit in early 2020, local governments across the country passed eviction moratoriums to protect tenants from becoming homeless if they couldn’t afford to pay their rents. As the pandemic has eased, many of those protections have been eliminated. One place they still exist is Los Angeles, but maybe not for long.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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President Biden Declares Major Disaster In California Due To Storms

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 14:45:53 -0000

The storms that have battered much of California will finally start to subside this week. Rain is expected to die down on Monday, although parts of Northern California and the Bay Area could see more precipitation on Wednesday. Much of Southern California will likely start a dry spell starting Tuesday. As communities clean-up following the storms, President Biden has declared a major disaster in California.

Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED

The achievement gap between Black and Latino students and other groups is a long standing problem throughout California. Tony Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction, has appointed a task force to identify solutions. But on this Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, we're checking in with a group that's working at the local level to close the achievement gap.

Guest: Lisa Mitchell, Executive Director of African American Academic Acceleration, or A4, Fresno Unified School District

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Salinas River Flooding Still A Threat For Monterey County Residents

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 15:04:59 -0000

The Salinas River is still at risk of flooding, but authorities now say it may not be quite as bad as they had been predicting. Several low-lying communities near the river remain under evacuation orders and warnings.

The intense rains so far this year have flooded farm fields across the state, forcing farmworkers to stay home -- which for most means no pay.

Reporter: Leslie Berestein Rojas, KPCC

Sam Anderson was surprised to hear a high school friend from New Jersey was accused of murder in connection with an illegal marijuana operation in Mendocino County. The California Report Magazine host Sasha Khokha spoke with Anderson about his wild experiences reporting on what really happened for his podcast "Crooked City: The Emerald Triangle."

Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

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Planada Enters Third Day of Evacuations As More Storms Loom Ahead

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 15:13:43 -0000

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto is warning people to be prepared for the Monterey Peninsula to become an island because of flooding from the Salinas River. Nieto warned that flooding Thursday could eliminate all travel routes on or off the peninsula, leaving people stranded on either side.

As the winter storms move through the state, power outages and flooding can make it hard for families to get and preserve food. State officials say families who get CalFresh benefits can apply for replacement funds on their EBT card if their food was lost or destroyed due to misfortune or a disaster.

Reporter: Carlos Cabrera-Lomeli, KQED

Even in the midst of all this rain, wine makers and grape growers are worried about what wildfire smoke from next fire season will do to their wine. UC Vineyard advisor Chris Chen says the best time to think about preventing fires is when they’re still months away.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

The Merced County town of Planada remains evacuated this morning. About 200 people are sheltering at the Merced fairground and with more rain expected they’re worried about their homes and what happens next.

Guest: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

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Newsom Surveys Flood Damage In Santa Cruz County

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:49:56 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom toured Capitola Village near Santa Cruz Tuesday, surveying the flood damage to small businesses there hit hard by storm surges.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

In Santa Barbara County, cleanup is underway now that evacuation orders have been lifted. Local leaders consider the evacuations a success. There are no reports of major injuries or deaths.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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Storm Forces Montecito Residents To Evacuate Five Years After Deadly Mudslides

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 15:16:23 -0000

The entire town of Montecito has been evacuated. The order comes exactly five years to the day after a deadly mudslide destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes there after rain washed out a wildfire burn scar. Part of Santa Barbara and the nearby communities of Carpenteria and Summerland were also ordered to evacuate yesterday.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom is set to outline his spending priorities for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The new budget proposal comes at a time when the state is facing a projected $24 billion dollar deficit — a sharp contrast to last year when California had a record surplus.

Reporter: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

Bakersfield native Kevin McCarthy claimed the Speaker’s Gavel in the House of Representatives early Saturday after a historic 15 rounds of voting. To get there, the San Joaquin Valley Republican made many concessions to party hard-liners. But he didn’t miss a beat during his acceptance speech that made frequent references to his Central California upbringing.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

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California Faces 'A Relentless Parade of Atmospheric Rivers'

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 17:04:23 -0000

Gov. Newsom Says 12 Californians Died in Extreme Weather

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for a large swath of Northern and Central California with 6 to 12 inches of rain expected through Wednesday in the already saturated Sacramento-area foothills.

CalMatters Investigates $35 million in Leftover Campaign Cash

A new investigation from CalMatters found there are nearly 100 politicians across California sitting on 35 million dollars in leftover campaign funds. CalMatters’ Ben Christopher explains why, and what’s happening to all this money.

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

What Happens After Native American Tribes Get Their Land Back?

Governor Gavin Newsom is setting aside $100 million dollars to support Native American tribes in buying back their ancestral lands. It’s part of his “30 by 30” pledge… to preserve one third of state lands and coastal waters by the year 2030. But once a tribe gets their land back… how do they restore and preserve it? An indigenous tribe in Humboldt County bought back 48 acres of land earlier this year.

Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

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Historic Rainfall Is Especially Tough On The Unhoused

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:32:00 -0000

Historic Rainfall Is Especially Tough On The Unhoused

California is assessing damage and cleaning up after a week of historic rains. The National Weather Service says San Francisco experienced its wettest ten day period in 150 years. All that rainfall has been especially tough on the unhoused population.

California Still In A Drought Despite Torrential Rains

The past few big storms have eased drought conditions across the state, but not as much as you might think given the deluge. 98% of California is still in some state of drought. KQED climate reporter Ezra David Romero has the story.

CA Governor Gets Sworn In Today

Governor Gavin Newsom holds his inaugural celebration in Sacramento later this morning. As KQED Politics Editor Scott Shafer reports, it’s no accident that Newsom chose January 6th to do it.

McCarthy Still Unable To Secure Speaker Vote

Central Valley congressman Kevin McCarthy failed to secure the speaker’s gavel for a third day as the House of Representatives held an 11th round of voting in Washington on Thursday. McCarthy needs 218 votes to assume the speaker position but remains way short. Back home in Bakersfield, McCarthy constituents are watching closely – some in horror, others with glee.

Bakersfield Prison Cited For Violating Workers Rights

California’s workplace health and safety regulators have cited a for-profit prison company for violations affecting detained workers locked up at an immigration facility near Bakersfield. It's likely a first. KQED’s Farida Jhabvala Romero reports.

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CA Storm Packs A Punch With Heavy Rains and 70-80 mph Winds

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 17:32:00 -0000

California Storm Packs A Punch Overnight

California continues to be lashed by what’s called a “bomb cyclone” storm this morning, with forecasters warning about rain rates of up to one inch…per hour…in some places and winds of 70 and 80 miles per hour.

Infant Killed In Storm When Tree Falls On House In Occidental

One of two deaths reported in Wednesdays historic storm includes an infant from Sonoma County. Fire officials say the child died when a large tree fell on his family's home in Occidental. Police in Fairfield say a second death involved a woman who's car careened out of control and struck a light post.

San Francisco Mayor Pleads With Residents To Dial 3-1-1 Instead Of 9-1-1 For Storm Related "Non-Life Threatening" Incidents

At a press conference on Wednesday, San Francisco Mayor London Breed warned her city’s residents about the dangerous conditions and she’s asking people to avoid tying up emergency lines with non-emergency calls.

Heavy Rains Disturb Ancient Burial Sites Around Wilton Rancheria In South Sacramento

Tribal leaders at the Rancheria are concerned that continued flooding from the Consumnes River could be disturbing sacred burial grounds nearby. CapRadio’s Sarah Mizes-Tan has the story.

Storms Are Creating Additional Misery For The Homeless

Before heavy rains started failing in San Francisco, The California Report co-host Madi Bolanos spoke to some unhoused individuals to see how they were preparing to cope with the rain.

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Another Storm To Drench California On Wednesday

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 14:19:11 -0000

Get ready. Another powerful rain and wind storm is set to pummel parts of California on Wednesday and Thursday. The National Weather Service said parts of Northern California and the Bay Area should expect widespread flooding.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

In San Francisco, small business owners are still dealing with damages from the last big storm. Now, they have to prepare for more rain and wind.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

A state report out Tuesday reveals major racial disparities in policing in California in 2021. According to the data, black drivers and pedestrians were searched and subjected to use of force at more than twice the rate of white drivers and pedestrians, despite police stopping more white individuals.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

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Storm Leaves California Drenched, With Another On The Way

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:55:18 -0000

Much of California is still trying to clean up from stormy weather that has hit much of the state over the past week. But forecasters said the worst could be on the way, as an atmospheric river forms off the coast.

A new year is bringing a bumper crop of new state laws, which are now officially on the books. They cover everything from abortion to housing and gun rights.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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New Moms Face "Snapback" Pressure After Childbirth

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 14:00:00 -0000

After having a baby, mothers are often barraged with pressure to return to their pre-pregnancy lives and bodies. And that can take a toll on both mental and physical health during one of the most vulnerable periods of their lives.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

For many people, the New Year means setting resolutions and goals for 2023. But for one immigrant, who’s now living in the Bay Area, it means rehabbing his life, following a long stint in prison.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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The Science Behind Hangovers

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 15:02:33 -0000

With New Year's Eve around the corner, that means millions of Californians will be out celebrating the end of 2022 and start of a new year. And that could entail a night of drinking. But is there a way to stop from having a nasty hangover the next day?

Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Million Year Old Ecosystem Dying Off In San Bernardino Mountains

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 15:18:36 -0000

On the tops of the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California lies plants that exist nowhere else in the world. The Pebble Plains ecosystem is more than a million years old. It’s an old expert at adapting to a changing climate, and yet, it’s dying out faster than ever before.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

During the holidays, many people spend time with their loved one, but also enjoy food that is celebrated in their cultures. Think tamales for Latin American families, or the Feast of the Seven Fishes. Japanese American families often celebrate the New Year in their own way – with mochi.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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As Drought Continues, Many In Central Valley Drill Deeper For Water

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 15:03:25 -0000

Most Californians are feeling the effects of the drought. But in big areas of the state, where people rely on groundwater, the pain of this drought is especially severe. Wells are going dry and there’s intense competition to find more water that’s underground.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California’s bighorn sheep population will soon be getting some help in dealing with the state’s drought. A project is underway to build nearly a hundred artificial watering holes for bighorn sheep in San Bernardino, Riverside and Inyo counties.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Looking Back At The Year In Space

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 15:19:29 -0000

This has been a big year for space exploration. There was the deployment of a powerful new space space telescope. It's peering billions of years back through time and bringing us stunning images of our universe when it was in its infancy. And a rocket was launched to the moon in preparation for humankind's return to the lunar surface.

Guests: Danielle Venton, KQED and Benjamin Burress, Astronomer at the Chabot Space and Science Center

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Checking In On High Speed Rail In Central Valley

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 14:00:00 -0000

After years of construction delays, and tens of billions of dollars in cost overruns, California’s high-speed rail project has become one of the most controversial infrastructure projects in the country. We go to the Central Valley, to check in on the first phase of high speed rail’s construction and get local reactions to the project’s problems.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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The Tradition Of Tamales During Christmas Holiday

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 15:04:51 -0000

The cold weather has hit California and for many Californians, that means the smell of warm tamales wafting through the house. We wanted to learn more about this iconic dish, and it's evolution in California, and why it's so popular during the Christmas holiday.

Guest: Bill Esparza, Author of the book L.A. Mexicano

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Recovery Efforts Underway In Humboldt County Following Tuesday's Earthquake

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 14:39:56 -0000

Residents are assessing the damage after Tuesday's 6.4 magnitude earthquake on California's North Coast. Fire departments in Humboldt County have already been out surveying homes and businesses to find out the extent of the damage.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

Thursday is the fifth night of Hanukkah. All over the world, for many centuries, Jewish people have marked the holiday by eating foods fried in oil. In a city as diverse as Los Angeles, Hanukkah is celebrated with fried foods from Europe, Asia and Africa.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

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Two Dead, Thousands Still Without Power Following Tuesday's Earthquake In Humboldt County

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 15:12:01 -0000

Two people are dead as a result of Tuesday's 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Humboldt County. At least a dozen were injured.

Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio

Most of the damage from Tuesday’s quake happened in the small Humboldt County town of Rio Dell. Much of the town is still without power or water.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

This month's first-of-its-kind offshore wind lease auction along California’s coast generated a healthy $750 million in combined sales. The state is charging ahead with plans for floating wind turbines miles off its coastline, preparing for a novel source of clean energy, enough power for 1.5 million homes.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Sacramento Takes A New Approach To Helping The City's Unhoused Community

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 16:39:16 -0000

Across California and the nation, governments are looking at new ways to address the crisis of growing unhoused communities. In Sacramento, the city and county have agreed to take a new approach -- bringing shelter and health care services directly to homeless encampments.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

The Biden Administration has announced a big goal of reducing homelessness 25% nationwide by 2025. Housing advocates in California are lauding the plan, but they’re wondering who’s going to pay for it.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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Historically Black Neighborhood Devastated In Mill Fire Struggles To Rebuild

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 14:51:29 -0000

Survivors of September's Mill Fire, which devastated parts of Siskiyou County, are continuing to put the pieces of their lives back together. Now, residents’ access to state and federal assistance will determine whether the historically Black neighborhood of Lincoln Heights in Weed will be able to stay together.

Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio

The Trump-era immigration policy known as Title 42 is scheduled to end this week. Title 42 allowed border patrol agents to turn away migrants at the border. And they don't get a chance to pursue an asylum case in immigration court.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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California Cuts Subsidies For Rooftop Solar

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 14:51:54 -0000

State utility regulators have approved a controversial proposal that will change how future owners of rooftop solar systems will be compensated for the excess power they produce that’s fed into the grid.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

After years of promising to do so, CalFire has released new, updated hazard maps to help Californians determine if they live in places that face increased wildfire risk. The interactive map was more than a decade in the making and comes after groups voiced criticism of CalFire, calling the department’s maps antiquated and “inexcusable.”

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

Sea level rise poses a threat to California’s coastline. But we don’t often think about how rising water could push contaminants into neighborhoods, especially places near former military or industrial sites. Around half of those sites in California are located in the Bay Area.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Central California Now Has Its First Holocaust Memorial

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 14:57:17 -0000

Bakersfield is now home to the Central Valley’s first Holocaust Memorial. The tranquil garden is a monument against hate and rising anti-Semitism.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Study after study shows an alarming increase in hate crimes and racist incidents in California targeting a variety of groups, including Jews. Worries about rising anti-Semitism have gotten more attention recently after the bigoted comments of artist Kanye West who now goes by the name Ye. How is California's Jewish community reacting?

Guest: Heidi Gantwork, President and CEO of the Jewish Foundation of San Diego

The State Task Force studying reparations for Black residents with enslaved ancestors is meeting this week in Oakland. One item on the agenda? Discussing how reparations might help overcome negative stereotypes about Black families.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

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Solar Projects In California's Deserts Draw Concerns From Environmentalists

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 14:52:51 -0000

California’s desert lands have long been used for everything from mining to military training to rest and relaxation. Think Palm Springs. Now, the state’s deserts have a growing role in helping to create a green energy revolution. And that's sparked a backlash among some who argue that desert wilderness is being sacrificed for renewable power goals.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The oil industry says it has enough signatures to get a measure on the state ballot to overturn California's recently enacted buffer zone law. It restricts new oil wells, keeping them away from homes and schools.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Offshore Wind Projects Could Impact Whales That Migrate Off California's Coast

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 14:41:33 -0000

The recent sale of five leases off the coast of California for offshore wind turbine projects is seen as a victory for renewable energy advocates. But it’s also raising safety concerns about one of California’s treasures -- the whales that migrate off the coast every year.

Reporter: Amanda Wernik, KCBX

Most of the estimated 270, 000 janitors in California work in the private sector. A new study finds their median wages are well below what state law requires.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

With COVID-19 rates rising, California’s Director of Public Health is urging anyone over 50 years old to have a treatment plan in place in case they get infected.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

California’s COVID sick pay law offers up to 2 weeks of paid leave for reasons related to COVID – but it’s expiring at the end of this month.

Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED

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Indigenous Tribes Want Their Voices Heard As Offshore Wind Projects Advance Off The Central Coast

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:59:56 -0000

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management just sold five leases for wind turbine projects off the coast of California. Three are located in Morro Bay off the Central Coast. Now, local indigenous tribes are speaking up about the projects.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

Every year in the three weeks around Thanksgiving, the official count of monarch butterflies takes place. Over the last few decades, the monarch butterfly population has been in decline. But this year, volunteers counted 129,000 butterflies in San Luis Obispo County alone.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

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ICE Plans To Stop Detaining Immigrants At Yuba County Jail

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 14:55:48 -0000

A Bay Area member of Congress says federal immigration authorities plan to end their contract with a Northern California county jail, the last public facility in the state to hold immigrants fighting deportation. It comes after years of outcry over substandard conditions.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

A tiny local election in the Central Valley could have big ripple effects for farming, and water. The Westlands Water District produces crops like tomatoes, garlic, and almonds – and it’s historically fought with environmentalists, who accuse the wealthy farmers there of hogging water. Westlands has just elected a slate of board members promising a new strategy - a recognition that large-scale farming will have to shrink.

Reporter: Dan Charles in collaboration with the Food and Environment Reporting Network

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Bill Would Ban Homeless Encampments Near Parks, Schools

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 15:05:45 -0000

A new bill introduced this week would make it illegal for unhoused residents in California to sit or sleep in certain public spaces. The proposal is already drawing ire from advocates, who say it does little to solve homelessness.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

California is home to the largest population of Cambodians in the U.S.. Most Cambodians who first arrived in the country came as refugees in the 1980s. They were fleeing the communist Khmer Rouge regime where an estimated two million Cambodians were killed through starvation, torture, executions and much more. 40 years later, Cambodians in California are still grappling with mental health issues caused by this genocide.

Guest: Soreath Hok, Reporter, KVPR

The Interior Department finalized the sale of offshore wind leases along California’s coast on Wednesday. Combined bids totaled more than $750 million.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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New Law Ends Jaywalking Tickets When Streets Are Safe To Cross

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 15:02:31 -0000

If you've ever thought twice about jaywalking because of fear getting a ticket that will soon change. Starting on January 1, California's "Freedom to Walk Act" becomes law. It will prohibit police from writing jaywalking tickets, unless people are caught trying to cross the street in clearly dangerous traffic conditions.

Guest: John Yi, Executive Director of Los Angeles Walks

State Senator Scott Wiener is yet again introducing a bill to make it easier to build affordable housing on land owned by religious groups and nonprofit colleges. This is his third attempt in getting similar legislation passed.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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Governor Newsom Unveils Plan He Hopes Will Bring Lower Gas Prices

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 14:49:27 -0000

Sky-high gas prices this year prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to propose a new law limiting how much oil companies can charge at the pump. Newsom’s proposal would put a cap on how much companies can charge for a gallon of gas and penalize those that charge more. But it doesn’t include specific profit ceilings yet.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Popular countertops made from synthetic stone are making the people who cut and process them sick. Some of these workers – most of whom are immigrants – are dying. The problem is particularly bad in Los Angeles.

Reporter: Leslie Berestein Rojas, KPCC in collaboration with Public Health Watch

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Special Session To Tackle Possible Penalties For Oil Companies In Effort To Lower Gas Prices

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 14:44:00 -0000

Oil companies spent big in California’s election this year and for good reason: Governor Gavin Newsom is calling on lawmakers to take action to drive down gas prices in a state where drivers pay far more than anywhere else.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

California is seeing a surge in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. But there is some good news. California’s top health official says more people are picking up the pace when it comes to getting the updated COVID booster.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

Moderate weather and well-timed rainstorms helped ensure a mild 2022 fire season in California. But officials remain cautious, even into December.

Reporter: Julie Cart, CalMatters

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Data Breach Reveals Gun Owners' Personal Information

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 15:30:30 -0000

A new report out this week says a data breach at the California Department of Justice last summer was the result of poor training and a lack of professional rigor at the agency. The leak included the personal information of hundreds of thousands of concealed carry firearm license applicants. Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

Award-winning poet Deborah Miranda, an enrolled member of the Ohlone-Costanoan Esselen Nation, is the author of "Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir." The book explores the history of Central Coast tribes through the records of her ancestors, including wax-cylinder recordings dating back more than a century. Reporter: Sasha Khokha, KQED

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UC Strike Continues Despite Tentative Deal

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 15:08:04 -0000

The University of California has reached a tentative agreement with postdoctoral scholars and academic researchers to increase their pay and other benefits. Those UC workers are staying on the picket lines in solidarity with their United Auto Worker union members who still have not reached a deal. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, KQED

Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the chief justice of the California Supreme Court, held her annual year-end media briefing yesterday. Cantil-Sakauye used her final media conversation before she leaves the court at the end of December to urge California to address the so-called “justice gap,” the lack of financial resources to help lower-income people address their legal needs. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Nearly two-thirds of California voters upheld a ban on flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, in November. Tobacco companies are now asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stop California from enforcing the ban. Reporter: Tara Siler, KQED

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Cal Poly SLO Struggles To Attract And Retain Black Students

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 14:37:58 -0000

Postdoctoral scholars and academic researchers in the University of California system have reached a tentative five-year deal. But the strike continues, as two groups — graduate student researchers and academic student employees — still have not come to an agreement.

New reporting from CalMatters finds that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo enrolls the smallest percentage of Black undergraduates at any CSU or UC school. Just 146 Black students enrolled this fall out of 21,000 undergraduates. Students describe experiencing overt racism. Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters

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Team Of Trained Dogs and Archeologists Recover Cremated Remains Lost In Wildfire

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 13:59:43 -0000

In late September, passenger rail service from San Diego to places north of San Clemente halted. An unstable slope above the track in San Clemente posed the threat of a landslide. Bluff stabilization is ongoing, but rail service is expected to resume next month. Reporter: Thomas Fudge, KPBS

After wildfire season ends in the Western U.S., those who lost their homes begin sifting through what’s left to recover as much as they can. After the McKinney Fire this past summer, a team of trained dogs and archeologists helped recover cremated remains left in urns that were lost in the fire. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Should California Officials Recognize The Joshua Tree As An Endangered Species?

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 15:38:25 -0000

During labor disputes, employers sometimes freeze health insurance benefits for workers. But a law to take effect next summer will provide striking private-sector workers with fully subsidized coverage. Reporter: Stephanie O’Neill, Kaiser Health News

New reporting shows that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation moves prisoners with serious mental illnesses three times more often than other prisoners. Reporter: Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters

The California Fish and Game Commission has struggled to decide whether to list the western Joshua tree as an endangered species. If it is listed, it would be the first species to earn protection in the state because of climate change. Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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California Seed Bank Insures Against Possible Future Plant Apocalypse

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0000

Just like animals, the world’s trees, flowers, grasses and succulents are under threat, especially as our world heats up because of climate change. About a third of California’s native plant species and populations are now endangered or threatened by development, drought, competition from invasive species and of course wildfires. In California, botanists are trying to protect the state’s native flora for future generations. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

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Performing Arts Troupe Creates Community For Students Of Color

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0000

For more than 20 years, the African American Theater Arts Troupe at UC Santa Cruz has provides a sense of community for Black students on campus while also celebrating Black playwrights. Often, it’s the first time Black students see plays that explore life experiences they can relate to. Reporter: Doug McKnight, KAZU

If you look out west from San Francisco, when the fog clears and the light is just right, you might be able to see a cluster of islands jutting out of the ocean, like sharp, misshapen teeth. The Farallon Islands, 27 miles west of San Francisco, are a national wildlife refuge, and home to the largest seabird breeding colony in the contiguous United States. The islands — and the waters around them — are also brimming with a variety of wildlife, including thousands of seals and sea lions, gray and humpback whales, sharks and even orcas. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED

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College Food Pantries Try To Meet Increased Need

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 14:00:02 -0000

As Thanksgiving approaches, food pantries across the state are seeing an increase in need. Some students face a difficult choice: eating or education. A recent state law requires college campuses to direct students to CalFresh and other benefits. Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

For the second time this year, state officials are delaying the start of commercial Dungeness crab fishing, after several humpback whales were spotted off California's coast. The delay will allow time for the whales to migrate south. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Millions of Californians will sit down to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal tomorrow. And all of that food preparation will create a lot of potential food waste, from turkey bones to vegetable peelings. But the gases that are released from food waste that's trucked to landfills are a big contributor to climate change. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

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California's Last Nuclear Plant Gets $1 Billion To Stay Open

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 14:41:59 -0000

Scientists at Stanford are starting a new medical trial to test if the drug Paxlovid can ease the symptoms of long COVID, like brain fog, shortness of breath and body aches. It's the first medical trial in the U.S. involving an antiviral to treat long COVID. Reporter: Madi Bolaños, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom is releasing a billion dollars in funding to fight homelessness. That comes just two weeks after he put a halt on the funds and scolded cities and counties for not having ambitious plans to solve homelessness. Cities must submit their next proposal to the state by next Tuesday to access more funding. Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

California's last remaining nuclear power plant just received more than a billion dollars in conditional funding to keep it up and running for five extra years. Local supporters of the plant’s continued operation celebrated the news for helping keep the plant’s carbon-free energy on the grid, as the state faces an ongoing energy crisis. Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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San Francisco's LGBTQ Community Holds Vigil For Victims of Colorado Nightclub Shooting

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:47:02 -0000

Last night, the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club hosted a vigil to honor the victims of the shooting in a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs. The vigil took place at Harvey Milk Plaza, one week before the 44th anniversary of the assassination of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone.

A recent investigation from CapRadio and the California Newsroom revealed the U.S. Forest Service predicted that a wildfire could wipe out the town of Grizzly Flats. But the agency failed to deliver on plans to protect the rural Northern California town.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

California is one of the nation’s most linguistically diverse states. An estimated 3.4 million workers don’t speak English well, or at all. Many of them work low-wage, high-risk jobs. But the state agency tasked with protecting workers’ health and safety, is woefully understaffed in terms of bilingual inspectors.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Farmworkers Rally In Washington D.C. Calling for Path to Citizenship

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 15:21:00 -0000

Hundreds of California farmworkers and growers are rallying in Washington this week. They're supporting a bipartisan bill that would create a pathway to citizenship for the nation’s undocumented farmworkers.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

The University of California academic workers' strike continues today and could stretch into the Thanksgiving holiday and beyond. Hear from one striking researcher who's been on the picket line all week.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald

In a preview of our sister show, The California Report Magazine this week checks in on immigrant detainees who say they were retaliated against for waging a labor strike at the two facilities where they’re held. One man says he faced 40 days in solitary confinement for supporting the strike.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Karen Bass Wins LA Mayoral Race

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 15:25:51 -0000

Bass, a community activist turned Congress member, defeated developer Rick Caruso in a race marked by his record spending. In a statement on her win, she pledged to solve homelessness and respond urgently to crime.

California’s nonpartisan budget analyst is warning of rocky financial times ahead. California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office is projecting a $25 billion budget deficit for the next fiscal year.

California released its latest ambitious climate change plan yesterday that would reduce the state’s dependence on fossil fuels. The plan calls for slashing emissions by 48% by 2030, based on 1990 levels

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LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva Concedes Election

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:58:30 -0000

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has lost his reelection bid to his opponent, Robert Luna, who continued to hold a commanding lead as the vote count continued.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

As votes continue to be tallied, it’s looking like Californians are on track to elect the most diverse legislature in state history. As many as 52 female candidates could take office once all the votes are counted. Eight LGBTQ candidates are also on track for election.

Reporter: Ariel Gans, CalMatters

Activists in Los Angeles say they’ve noticed a pattern. When a restaurant offering, say, $30 entrees, opens in a working class neighborhood, rents start to rise faster, there are more evictions, and long-time locals are forced to leave. Some restaurants are now trying hard to limit their impact on gentrification. But is it enough? Or will their presence always be problematic?

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

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Inside One of the Biggest Strikes in History of U.S Higher Education

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 15:52:04 -0000

Thousands of Employees of the University of California Remain on Strike

At U.C. Merced, the system’s newest campus, employees are calling on the UC Regents to raise wages so they can afford housing.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

A U.C. Berkeley Ph.D Candidate Studying Reptiles Decides to Strike

Strikers, represented by the United Auto Workers are disrupting business on UC campuses at a pivotal time in the semester. Isaac Krone is a PHD candidate who studies reptiles, but he says he hasn't been able to focus on his research because he must teach every semester.

Reporter: Jean Zamora, The California Report

Border Rule Changes Could Speed Up Crossings, Impact Aslyum Seekers

Change is coming to the U.S-Mexico border in our region. Mexican immigration officers on that side of the border at San Ysidro will check US-bound travelers’ documents.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

A Week Since Election Day, Multiple Statewide and Municipal Races Still in Limbo

California, like a handful of states across the West, mostly sends every voter a ballot in the mail, and it just takes longer to count mail in ballots. You have to take it out and compare the signature on the blue to the one on file to make sure that it matches.

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters politics reporter

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Californians Elect Latino Candidates To Key Offices

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 15:31:24 -0000

Nearly a week after the final day of voting, several key races in California could help determine which party will control the House of Representatives. Of the remaining House contests too close to call, more than half are in California.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

After several days of narrowly trailing in the mayoral vote count, Congressmember Karen Bass opened up a narrow lead against her opponent, shopping mall mogul, Rick Caruso, as ballots continued to be counted over the weekend. As of the most recently announced totals, Bass is nearly 9,500 votes ahead.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

Last week Alex Padilla became the first Latino elected to the U.S. Senate from California. Patricia Guerrero is poised to become the first Latina California Supreme Court Justice. The outcome of these 2022 midterm elections is a product of "immense anger" that started in 1994 with the Anti-Immigration Proposition 187, according to an expert.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, KQED

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California Proposes Cutting Compensation For Solar Power Owners

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 14:55:50 -0000

The California Public Utilities Commission has released a proposal that would gradually reduce the price utilities pay for power from rooftop solar systems. The proposal has been met with widespread criticism.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

This week, an episode from the new season of "Uncuffed," a podcast from KALW focused on intimate stories made by people incarcerated in California prisons. Edmond Richardson talks about marriage on the day before his wedding day inside San Quentin State prison.

Reporter: Edmond Richardson, KALW

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After Red Wave Fails To Materialize, McCarthy's Future Is Uncertain

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 14:39:37 -0000

Republicans will likely be in the majority in the House of Representatives come January. Bakersfield Republican Kevin McCarthy is expected to become Speaker, but his path forward is far from clear. One expert says the challenge for McCarthy, especially with a small majority, is that he lacks trust from the far right wing of his caucus.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The largely Republican Shasta County in northern California has been the subject of national attention since the takeover of the county board of supervisors by a far-right majority earlier this year. But on election night, heightened security measures and support for poll workers seem to have contributed to a more relaxed atmosphere.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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McCarthy Promises Republican Majority, But Many California Races Are Still Too Close To Call

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 17:34:39 -0000

There was a sweep by Democrats in statewide races for Governor, U.S. Senate, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor and State Treasurer.

The high-profile Los Angeles mayoral race is looking tight, with Rick Caruso at a slight lead over Karen Bass as of this morning. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva is losing in his bid to stay in office against his rival, former Long Beach police chief Robert Luna.

Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy delivered a short speech at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, promising that by the time people wake up, Republicans would be in the majority. But as of right now, Republicans haven’t taken control of the House and the Red Wave hasn’t materialized.

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Newsom Signs Controversial Bill That Will Change California's Approach To Mental Health Care

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:31:11 -0000

CARE Courts, a county-based initiative, will combine teams of outreach workers and therapists with civil courts. Seven California counties have already volunteered to implement the CARE Court system first.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

Thousands of low-income families could miss out on a child tax credit that became available during the pandemic. Californians have until November 17th to file for these tax credits.

Reporter: Wendy Fry, CalMatters

In August, dancers at a strip club in Los Angeles filed a petition to unionize, vying to become the only unionized strip club in the country. On Monday afternoon, the dancers had their union election.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

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Tug-Of-War Over Values In Some School Board Elections

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 15:14:24 -0000

Last year, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified’s two most conservative board members eventually supported adopting an ethnic studies class. But around the same time, the school board banned the teaching of critical race theory. This tug-of-war over values is coming to a head this election, as the long-time incumbents face political newbies who are promising to keep race and gender identity issues out of schools.

Reporter: Jill Replogle, KPCC

A new poll from UC Berkeley finds that Californians of all political stripes are worried that American democracy is in crisis and is at risk of failing. And they're overwhelmingly pessimistic about the chances that people with different political views can work out their differences together.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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UC Student Worker Strike Looms Ahead of Final Exams

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 14:14:00 -0000

Less than a month before finals are meant to start, University of California student workers have voted to authorize a strike. The strike could arrive as early as November 14.

Reporter: E. Okobi, KQED

According to new numbers from the election tracking site Ballotpedia, nationally a little more than a billion dollars have been spent on state ballot measures this election cycle. And California accounts for about 70% of the cumulative spending. Most of that has been spent fighting over Propositions 26 and 27.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

Many potential young voters that college student Kennedy McIntyre talks to are concerned about a host of issues: affordable housing, gun control, abortion rights. But they aren't convinced that voting will make much of a difference.

Reporter: Jessica Kariisa, The California Report Magazine

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Candidates In Fiercely Contested District Reflect Region's Changing Demographics

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 13:37:13 -0000

In several of California's most competitive races, Latino voters could be decisive, which isn’t so surprising. But more than half of Latino voters who were recently polled say no campaign has asked for their vote.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

The Central Valley has been synonymous with conservative, small-government politics for a long time. But there’s a new state Assembly district in the Central Valley and the two candidates vying for the seat are both women, Democrats and people of color.

Reporter: Ariel Gans, CalMatters

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"Voter Integrity" Groups Question Residents At Home In Possible Voter Intimidation

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 14:21:05 -0000

Prosecutors say David DePape, the man who allegedly attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband, claimed he was on a suicide mission, with plans to kidnap Speaker Pelosi. DePape entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday and is due back in court on Friday.

"Voter integrity" groups claim they're looking to root out fraud. But the targeted door-knocking in Shasta County amounts to voter intimidation and could be illegal under California election laws, according to election officials. It's also part of a broader national trend motivated by election conspiracy theorists. Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio

William Curry, who reportedly graduated from high school in Alabama last year, was finally escorted off campus last week. Despite multiple removals from campus since December 2021, Curry continued to return. Campus officials caught Curry on Thursday morning after he allegedly stole a TV from a dorm basement.

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Man Accused of Attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Husband Will Be Arraigned in San Francisco Superior Court Today

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:04:00 -0000

Man Accused of Attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Husband Will Be Arraigned in San Francisco Superior Court Today

42-year-old David De Pape is making his first appearance in court since his arrest on Friday at Pelosi’s house. DePape faces both local and federal charges after the attack, which left Paul Pelosi with a fractured skull.

Bay Area Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier Warns Her Colleagues In Congress That There Needs To Be A Change In The Radicalized American Political Culture

Representative Speier knows about violence wielded by extremists. In 1978 on a trip to the South American country of Guyana to investigate Jim Jones and his People’s Temple cult, the then 28-year-old was shot five times in an ambush by followers of Jones. At the time, Speier worked for congressman Leo Ryan. Ryan and four other people were killed in the attack.

This Election Season Voters In San Bernardino Will Vote To Consider Breaking Away From California

San Bernardino County is just east of Los Angeles and is home to more than 2 million people. By area, it’s the largest county in the USA… and, is bigger than nine states. But despite its size, some local officials say they’re not getting the state support— or resources – they deserve. That’s partly why secession came up in the first place… and, it’s not a new idea.

Powerball Soars To $1.2 Billion for Wednesday night's top prize

No one has hit all six numbers since Aug. 3rd. Including California, Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Pelosi Attacker Faces Attempted Murder Charges

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 13:45:04 -0000

Prosecutors are expected to announce charges against the man accused of attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi. The suspect, 42-year-old David DePape, is facing attempted murder charges as well as assault with a deadly weapon and residential burglary.

Just like in the 2020 election, there are claims of fraud this election cycle, particularly in northern California's Shasta County. While some call for a full independent review of the ballots to eliminate cheating, others worry these fraud worries are making it hard to build trust in the election system, no matter how safe it actually is.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

Nearly a third of Black Californians questioned in a statewide survey say they feel they have been treated unfairly while trying to get health care because of their race. Most respondents change how they act at doctor's offices to minimize negative experiences.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Intruder Breaks Into Nancy Pelosi's Home, Attacks Speaker's Husband

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 15:00:42 -0000

Paul Pelosi Assaulted

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office says someone broke into the Pelosi residence in San Francisco this morning and violently assaulted the speaker's husband. The Congresswoman's spokesman says the person who assaulted Paul Pelosi is in custody. Paul Pelosi was taken to a hospital and is recovering.

Oil Companies Just Sold Thousands of Old Wells, Concerning Environmentalists

Shell and ExxonMobile recently sold thousands of aging oil wells in California to smaller players in the industry. This has environmentalists worried that those smaller firms won't be able to pay what it will cost to close them down when the time comes, and that taxpayers will be left to foot the bill.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

The Man of Science and The Ouija Board

This week, as part of a collaboration with the podcast ‘Bay Curious,’ a ghost story for Halloween. It comes from reporter and former KQED science editor Jon Brooks, who usually lives in the world of evidence, facts and data. But many years ago, Jon and his longtime friend Mark witnessed something inexplicable, even supernatural, that just can’t be squared with reality.

Reporter: Jon Brooks

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Residents Push Back On New Affordable Housing Rules

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:14:15 -0000

In response to a massive housing shortage, new rules require California cities to locate affordable housing in single-family neighborhoods as a way to combat decades of racial segregation. Residents in some California cities are pushing back and hope to rely on a time-tested tradition: using the local ballot box to restrict growth.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Settlement talks have broken down in a case from San Francisco seeking to preserve federal humanitarian protections. More than 260,000 immigrants nationwide face a risk of deportation.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Longtime Republican In Key Congressional Battle In Southern California

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:43:05 -0000

One of the most competitive House races in California pits a Republican incumbent who opposed certifying the presidential election against a Democratic challenger who helped prosecute January 6th rioters.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

State utility regulators have recommended fining PG&E more than $150 million for alleged safety infractions they connected to a deadly fire two years ago in Shasta County. The Zogg Fire started in September 2020 after a pine tree fell on a PG&E line near the town of Redding. Four people were killed in the fire.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

California voters will weigh in on high profile political offices, like Governor and Congress this fall. But they’ll also be voting on four California Supreme Court justices.

Reporter: Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters

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Prop 27 Creates Record Spending War Between Gambling Companies and Tribal Governments

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:01:41 -0000

Most of the California tribes who have weighed in on Proposition 27 are against it. They’re worried about language tucked away in the measure that could potentially undermine tribal sovereignty. But at least one tribal chair says it's a way to support financially disadvantaged tribes that don't own big casinos.

Reporters: Guy Marzorati, KQED and Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

California K-12 students’ academic progress has plunged during the pandemic. Math is the worst decline, with the percentage of students who are proficient or better dropping seven percentage points statewide.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

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Gubernatorial Candidates Square Off In Debate

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:41:51 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom and State Senator Brian Dahle sparred over the economy, climate and more in a debate at KQED on Sunday. It was the first and only debate the two have had.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Voters will be deciding on Proposition 30 in November. It's the plan to tax the wealthy to pay for electric vehicle incentives, and the measure has split Governor Gavin Newsom from his fellow Democrats.

Reporter; Kevin Stark, KQED

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Study Finds Dangerous Chemicals Leaking From Gas Stoves In California

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 13:58:04 -0000

New research is showing the potential dangers from indoor gas appliances in California homes. The study from PSE Healthy Energy, a nonprofit research institute, found that leaking gas stoves are emitting benzene, and other dangerous pollutants.

Reporter Jessica Kariisa has spent years writing about and dancing to African music in cities up and down the East Coast. When she moved to the Bay Area, she wasn’t sure what she’d find by way of African music, but she soon discovered a club scene that’s thriving and rich with history.

Reporter: Jessica Kariisa, The California Report Magazine

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Embattled LA City Councilman Kevin de Leon Says He Won't Resign

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:36:52 -0000

In his first sit down interviews since a racist audio recording was released of Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon, and two other councilmembers , speaking with a local labor leader, de Leon was apologetic, but said he does not plan on resigning.

For the midterm election, California voters will once again be asked to decide on a ballot measure dealing with dialysis clinics. Similar measures have failed to pass in 2018 and 2020.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Tentative Deal Reached Between Mental Health Workers And Kaiser Permanente

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:06:15 -0000

Striking mental health care workers are voting on a new contract, after reaching a tentative deal with Kaiser Permanente on Tuesday. Over 2,000 therapists, psychologists, social workers and counselors took to the picket lines at Northern California Kaiser facilities in mid-August to demand increased staffing and more support for workers.

Reporter: Nimah Gobir, KQED

Following a tumultuous last few week, the L.A. City Council has a new president. During a virtual meeting on Tuesday, Councilmember Paul Krekorian was unanimously selected to lead the council. He'll replace Nury Martinez, who resigned last week after she was caught on an audio recording making racist comments and discussing how to manipulate the redistricting process in the city.

Latino voters could make the difference this midterm, between Democrats maintaining control of Congress or Republicans seizing the gavel. While the GOP has made inroads with some Latino voters, especially in states like Texas, California Latinos have not swung as far to the right in recent years. But concerns about inflation and gas prices are playing big in California’s Latino-majority 22nd congressional district, where both candidates are running to the center.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Card Rooms May Face Uncertain Future If Gambling Proposition Passes

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:10:20 -0000

This year California voters will take up two propositions that would legalize sports betting. One of them would expand gambling in tribal casinos. But opponents say if it passes, it could also put card rooms out of business, and hit cities that rely on them for their bottom line.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the COVID-19 State of Emergency will end this coming February, nearly three years after the order first went into effect. The state has logged more than 10 million COVID cases since the start of the pandemic.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Proposition 28 Would Increase Funding For Arts And Music Education

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 14:24:27 -0000

Next month, voters will decide whether or not to increase arts funding to public schools across the state. We look at what it could mean for one school in the Bay Area.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

The racist conversation between three members of the Los Angeles City Council and a labor executive have struck a familiar chord with Black and Afro Latinos struggling to gain political representation.

Reporter: Emily Elena Dugdale, KPCC

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Los Angeles Councilmembers Resist Calls for Resignation

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:55:07 -0000

Today's regularly scheduled Los Angeles city council meeting has been canceled because two council members who are at the center of a scandal over a leaked racist conversation have not yet resigned. Both Gil Cedillo and Kevin De León have issued apologies, but nothing more. They haven’t been seen in the City Council chambers since Monday, when they were shouted at by an outraged crowd who demanded their resignations.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier

Every day, children across the country – some as young as two and three years old – are forced out of their preschools and daycares. And more often than not, it’s children of color who are expelled. A law signed late last month by Governor Gavin Newsom aims to reduce the number of expulsions in state-funded preschool settings.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, KQED

In a preview of The California Report Magazine, we hear from the first episode of “Imperfect Paradise: The Sheriff,” a new podcast from LAIST studios. In it, KPCC’s Frank Stolze takes a deep dive into the tenure of controversial LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva.

Reporter: Frank Stolze, KPCC

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LA City Councilmember Nury Martinez Resigns

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 14:14:21 -0000

The former president of the Los Angeles City Council, Nury Martinez, has resigned. This comes days after a recording surfaced of her making racist remarks in a closed-door meeting. State Attorney General Rob Bonta is now investigating the redistricting process in LA, following the release of the conversation.

One of the most competitive House races in California is taking place in the northern part of Los Angeles County, where Republican Congressman Mike Garcia is facing off for the third time against Democrat Christy Smith. The issues of abortion and Latino identity have been central to the campaign.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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L.A. Residents Call For Councilmembers To Resign Following Use Of Racist Language

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 16:19:08 -0000

During a contentious city council meeting, LA residents voiced their displeasure with three councilmembers, who were caught on a recording using racist language. The calls continue to grow for Nury Martinez, Gil Cedillo and Kevin de Leon to resign, although none have done so.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Dozens of workers at Amazon’s largest air hub on the West Coast announced they’ll go on a one-day strike later this week . The workers at the facility in San Bernardino are upset over low wages and unsafe working conditions.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Outrage Grows Over Leaked Racist Comments From L.A. City Councilmembers

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:59:32 -0000

Three members of the Los Angeles City Council are facing a barrage of calls to resign, after an audio recording of them making racist comments was made public. This comes as the council is meeting for the first time on Tuesday, since the recording was released.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Local governments should consider wildfire risk, when evaluating proposals for new housing. That's according to new recommendations from California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

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Janitors For Meta Strike Amid Mass Layoffs

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 14:15:00 -0000

Janitors who work at the facilities of Facebook and its parent company Meta have been on strike since last Wednesday. Late last week, the strikers received support from two major groups advocating for workers, Silicon Valley Rising and the South Bay Labor Council.

The National Labor Relations Board has approved a union recognition election for dancers at a topless bar in North Hollywood. If the performers at Star Garden organize, they would become the only unionized strippers in the nation.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

A teacher shortage has forced dozens of preschools in California to close classrooms since the start of the school year. Low wages were driving away early childhood educators -- most of them women of color -- long before the pandemic. But the emotional and financial stress, plus the health risks of working during the crisis drove them to quit faster.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

We’re celebrating Indigenous People’s Day with a focus on Nikole Aanapou Mann, who became the first native woman to reach space last week as commander for the NASA Space X Crew 5 mission to the International Space Station. Mann is enrolled with the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes in Northern California.

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California is Giving Out $9.5 billion in Tax Rebates

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 14:30:00 -0000

If you’ve been struggling with inflation-fueled high prices, from groceries to gasoline, some help is on the way. Starting Friday, the state will start sending out about nine and a half billion dollars worth of tax rebates to Californians to help people with their bills. The one time payments will range from $400 to $1,050 dollars for joint tax filers and between $200 and $700 dollars for those who filed individually.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

In Sacramento, Black residents are three times as likely to say they can't afford their rent or mortgage compared with the area’s overall population. A poll published this week by Valley Vision, a civic leadership organization in the Sacramento area, found nearly nine of every 10 Black residents are concerned about the cost of housing in the Sacramento region. That's higher than any other racial or ethnic group.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

In a preview of our sister show, the California Report’s weekly Magazine, we hop on a bus many in the Vietnamese American community informally call the “Bánh Mì Bus” because of the importance of food to many of the passengers on the trip. Reporter Christine Nguyen takes us on a mouthwatering journey from San Jose to little Saigon in Orange County, a route that connects the two largest Vietnamese communities outside Vietnam.

Host: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

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Project Aims To Name All Japanese Americans Incarcerated During Word War II

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 14:41:26 -0000

During the first months of World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. It authorized the U.S. government to relocate and incarcerate more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. Now more than seven decades later, a group led by a USC professor has taken on the challenge of creating a list of every single person forced into camps and jails.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

A family of four, that was kidnapped from their business in Merced this week, has been found dead. The bodies were discovered near where the kidnapping took place.

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California Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation Sued Over Transparency Laws

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 14:07:51 -0000

For years ago, then Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that unsealed internal official investigations into serious use of force, dishonesty and sexual misconduct by peace officers. But California prison officials are not complying. That’s according to a lawsuit filed by KQED.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

Gas prices remain sky-high in California. $6.42 on average for a regular gallon of gasoline as of Wednesday, that according to AAA. Production issues at refineries are being blamed for the skyrocketing price. But some relief could be on the way.

Reporter: Andrea Bautista, KCRW

Tijuana gas stations are capitalizing on California’s soaring gas prices. Several stations in Mexico are advertising cheaper gas to commuters heading to San Diego.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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Former Orange County Official Now Leading Efforts To Protect Election Workers, Voters

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 13:23:59 -0000

The mid-term elections are a little more than a month away, and officials here in California and across the country are working to make sure the election process is safe and secure. But there are also concerns about threats levied against election workers and voters at the polls.

Guest: Neal Kelley, Chairman, Committee for Safe and Secure Elections

As the weather cools, the U.S. could be headed into a severe flu season. Experts say small children who haven’t been exposed due to pandemic restrictions and masking may be most at risk.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Questions Raised About Whether Proposition 1 Will Actually Expand Abortion Rights

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:14:02 -0000

When the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade first leaked in April, state lawmakers in California went to work. They moved forward to place a measure on the November ballot, Proposition 1, that, if passed, will enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. But such a constitutional amendment raises questions about fetal viability and whether abortion rights would actually be expanded.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

On Friday, the deadline passed for Governor Gavin Newsom to sign or veto hundreds of bills sent to his desk by the legislature. One of the bills he signed will increase cash benefits for hundreds of thousands of working Californians who take time off to care for an ill relative or to bond with a new child.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Former PG&E Executives Settle With Fire Victim Trust

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 16:49:01 -0000

The trust representing 70,000 PG&E wildfire victims reached a nine-figure settlement this week with a group of the utility's former executives and directors. The settlement will come from liability insurance the company held for its officers and directors.

Reporter: Dan Brekke

Imperial County currently holds one of the world's largest lithium reserves. A recent surge in demand for the mineral, a key component in electric car batteries, is now leading investors from Bolivia, Chile and South Korea to the southeastern corner of California.

Guest: Janet Wilson, Desert Sun reporter

California is not expanding unemployment benefits to an estimated 1 million undocumented workers in the state any time soon. The bill Governor Gavin Newsom just vetoed would have created a one-year pilot program offering $300 a week, up to 20 weeks to unemployed, undocumented Californians.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero

Flag football already is a sanctioned high school girls sport in states including Alabama and Nevada… but California could soon be on that list, too. Yesterday the southern section of the California Interscholastic Federation — which governs high school sports in the state —voted overwhelmingly to recognize flag football as a sport for high school girls.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi

As the regular season comes to an end, the longest tenured broadcaster in Major League baseball is getting ready to hang up his mic. Beloved Jaime Jarrin has been the voice for Spanish-language radio for the Dodgers for more than six decades.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños

On this week's The California Report Magazine, writer Caroline Hatano talks about her beloved grandfather, a Japanese-American flower farmer in Southern California for 70 years. This summer, the city of Palos Verdes terminated the lease, closing the last Japanese-American farm on a peninsula that was once home to hundreds of them.

Host: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

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Mexico's Rich Surfing History Being Told

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 16:03:27 -0000

Ensenada is the birthplace of Mexican surfing. It has a rich history, but many people don’t know about it. Now, two surfers from Ensenada have set out to change that.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Los Angeles is receiving millions in state funding to help launch a program to combat homelessness among the formerly incarcerated.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi

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Gas Prices Rising, But Rebate Checks On The Way

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 15:51:53 -0000

Gas prices remain stubbornly high in California. In fact, over the last week, the average price of a regular gallon of gasoline has jumped more than 40 cents. But some help is on the way in the form of a one-time state refund payment.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

In San Diego, some Black residents talk about how the city used to be known as “Harlem of the West.” Now, the city is attempting to pay homage and respect to that era – before the community was devastated by redlining and other racist policies. One way the city is doing that is by empowering one neighborhood as the newly-formed “San Diego Black Arts & Culture District.

Reporter: Jacob Aere, KPBS

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PG&E Faces Criminal Investigation For Possibly Starting Mosquito Fire

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 17:14:49 -0000

Pacific Gas and Electric says it's facing a criminal investigation, for possibly starting the state's largest wildfire so far this year. The company says in a new filing with federal securities regulators that the US Forest Service has reached an "initial assessment" that the fire started near a PG&E line.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Affordable housing is hard to come by for most Californians. In Sacramento, there’s also a severe lack of affordable housing for low-income seniors. But construction is underway to help ease that shortage.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

When we hear about homeowners in trouble or losing their homes, it’s usually a story about foreclosure. But there’s another process that can penalize homeowners – and sometimes result in people losing their homes. That process is called receivership. A new investigation from The Sacramento Bee found a company called the Bay Area Receivership Group has left some homeowners staring at massively excessive fees and forced them out of their homes.

Guest: Theresa Clift, Reporter, Sacramento Bee

A new study shows that a fault system running through coastal LA and Orange counties has the potential to produce a far more powerful earthquake than was previously known.

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

Some advocates, who backed a bill that would have required children to attend kindergarten in California, say they're surprised the legislation was recently vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, The California Report

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Thousands of Californians Protest the Death of Iranian Woman Mahsa Amini

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 15:42:24 -0000

Protests have erupted across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by Iran’s morality police for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely, and later died in custody. Demonstrations here in California took place over the weekend.

Reporter: Kyana Moghadam, KQED

After a summer break, the State Task Force studying Reparations for Black Californians has resumed its groundbreaking work. Over the weekend the panel met in Los Angeles to move the conversation forward -- and talk about lessons they can draw from historical reparations work -- plus the actual economics of the plan.

Guest: Annelise Finney, KQED reporter

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the passage of Paid Family Leave in California -- the first state to offer this benefit to workers taking time off to bond with a new child or care for an ill relative. Newsom is deciding now whether to sign or veto a bill that would increase payments to 90% of a person’s wages if they are low-income, or 70% for all other eligible workers. Now, it’s just 60 percent.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero

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Governor Newsom Signs Legislation Ending Parking Requirements Near Transit

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 17:30:04 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that eliminates the state's decades-old parking requirements for new developments near public transit stops. Environmentalists and housing advocates say this will drive down California's dependence on cars, improving the state's chances of meeting its climate goals.

We're nearing the end of banned book week, an annual awareness campaign promoted by the American Library Association and Amnesty International. And at the top of the most challenged books list in the United States is "Gender Queer: A Memoir."

Guest: Maia Kobabe, Author of the book "Gender Queer: A Memoir"

A bill is sitting on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk that would allow people who receive an unsolicited sexually explicit image on their phone or electronic device, to sue the person who sent it.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, The California Report

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Wildfire Smoke Exposing Millions To Extreme Air Pollution

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 17:30:26 -0000

Orange skies choked with soot from wildfires have become more common in the Western U.S. In a new paper, a team based at Stanford University estimates that millions of people now live where this smoke has made breathing unhealthy.

Guest: Molly Peterson, The California Newsroom

Changes are coming to California's masking policies. Effective on Friday, the state will be further easing its recommendations and leaving more to personal choice.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

Attorney General Rob Bonta is creating an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The attorney general said the new initiative will use data and public health measures to implement measures aimed at reducing gun violence.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

A new bill sitting on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk could help street vendors get permits and comply with the state's food code system, essentially making it easier for them to conduct business.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

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Governor Newsom Signs Bills That Gives Redistricting Power To Community Commission

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 17:30:38 -0000

County supervisors in Fresno, Kern and Riverside counties will no longer have a hand in drawing district maps. That’s after Governor Newsom signed three bills transferring the power to citizen-led commissions.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

California is one of 10 states that doesn’t require schools to screen students for dyslexia. Educators say leaving learning disabilities unaddressed can overwhelm and often frustrate students, sometimes leading to behavioral problems down the road.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

In California, we’re used to home prices going one direction -- up. But in recent months, the residential real estate market has cooled, with home prices falling and properties staying on the market longer.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

This week, the Newsom administration identified five state-owned properties that it hopes can be used for affordable housing. The administration is looking for developers to build what it believes will be hundreds of new units of affordable housing on the properties.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Water Restrictions Lifted For Millions Of Southern Californians

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 14:10:00 -0000

Millions of L.A. County residents and businesses can resume outdoor watering, after news that urgent repairs to a pipeline that brings water from the Colorado River to Southern California have wrapped up early.

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

Open agricultural burning is a useful tool for farmers, but its high particulate emissions are harmful to San Joaquin Valley residents. Air regulators plan to phase out the practice by 2025, but air quality advocates have doubts after years of inaction.

Reporters: Kerry Klein and Monica Vaughan, KVPR

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills aimed at reforming the state’s cannabis regulations. This comes as the governor is directing state officials to study the health impacts of high-potency cannabis.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Experts at UC San Diego studying extortion in Tijuana are saying that crime is much more rampant than previously believed. Researcher Romain Le Cour spent a year walking the streets of Tijuana, talking to business owners about what he calls, an ‘invisible crime.'

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

In an interview with "60 Minutes," President Joe Biden declared that the pandemic was over. Many health experts say that's just not the case, but do agree that we may be moving to a new phase of the pandemic.

Guest: Dr. Bob Wachter, Chair of Medicine, UC San Francisco

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State Workers No Longer Required To Test For COVID

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 13:52:00 -0000

With the start of the work week, many state workers who are unvaccinated will not have to undergo regular testing for COVID-19. Since July of 2021, unvaccinated state employees have had to submit to weekly testing.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Open agricultural burning is due to be phased out in California by 2025, in an effort to reduce harmful emissions. But many farmers are apprehensive of a future without burning.

Reporters: Monica Vaughan and Kerry Klein, KVPR

The San Francisco Police Department may have collaborated with a federal surveillance center that uses facial recognition and social media monitoring – without a contract or oversight. That’s according to public documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

The mother of a man who died in a jail in Los Angeles last year is suing LA County and its Sheriff, Alex Villanueva. An official report says Jalani Lovett died from a drug overdose, but his family claims that he was beaten to death.

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

As California grapples with its homelessness crisis, some local governments are fighting with each other over the details of housing and shelter programs and who gets most of the burden. One of the most recent examples is the ongoing battle between El Cajon and San Diego County officials over using hotels as shelters for the homeless.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Kaiser Strike Continues As Talks Break Down

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 17:57:22 -0000

Some 2,000 Kaiser Permanente mental health care professionals are a month into a strike. This week, negotiations between labor and management have broken down.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have significantly lowered what California families pay for state subsidized childcare. The legislation would have capped the amount low income families pay at 1% of their monthly income.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, KQED

An energetic new rhino calf at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park represents another step in the effort to save a related rhino species that’s nearly extinct.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

Because of a new state law, San Francisco’s Superior Court has eliminated about $50 million in debt due to late fees for things like traffic tickets.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

With a nationwide rail strike averted, the Port of Los Angeles is shifting its attention to the movement of cargo ahead of the fall and winter holiday shopping season.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

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California Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amazon

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 17:31:06 -0000

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing Amazon, alleging the online retail giant engages in anticompetitive contracting, in violation of state laws.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Across the country, many families and dyslexia advocates are pushing for something called “structured literacy,” a type of early reading instruction that’s attuned to how the brain learns to read, with an emphasis on phonics. Experts say this type of reading instruction can benefit all students, especially those with dyslexia. But it’s not the norm in most California classrooms, or in teacher prep programs.

Reporter: Julia Barajas, KPCC/LAist

Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated a major legislative accomplishment on Wednesday. He signed his CARE Court bill into law, which seeks to improve mental health care in California, especially for people who are homeless with severe mental illnesses.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

In November, California voters will vote on Proposition 30. It’s a “clean air initiative” that would tax California’s wealthiest residents to pay for electric car rebates and infrastructure. Governor Gavin Newsom does not support the measure, but most fellow Democrats do.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

A majority of likely California voters say they plan to reject a ballot measure this fall that would legalize online sports betting. That's according to the latest poll from the Public Policy Institute of California.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Change In Weather Sparks Activity On Front Lines Of Mosquito Fire

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 19:56:23 -0000

A shift in wind led to increased activity on Tuesday, as firefighters continue to battle the Mosquito Fire in Placer and El Dorado counties. The fire jumped the Middle Fork of the American River, threatening the community of Foresthill.

State health officials are advising Californians to get a flu shot, in addition to the COVID-19 vaccination or booster.

Reporter: Nimah Gobir, KQED

If you lost your job during the pandemic and you still aren't making as much as you used to, there's a new state grant that could help boost your professional skills. And -- hopefully -- your earning potential.

Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters

Like other big California ports, L.A., Oakland, San Diego, the Port of Long Beach is filled with fleets of big, loud diesel trucks. They’re vehicles that carry cargo containers from the docks to warehouses and logistical centers inland. But there's a new type of vehicle that's supposed to become much more common at California ports in the coming years: battery-powered big rig trucks.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

More than a dozen California Democratic Congressmembers are calling on the federal government to investigate complaints by immigrant detainees, who say they've been held in solitary confinement for supporting a labor strike.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Strawberries are one of California’s biggest and most delicious agricultural moneymakers, but they are also vulnerable to diseases that can be devastating for growers. But now, California researchers have made a key discovery to help fight one of strawberries’ biggest threats.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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Drilling Deeper For Water In The Central Valley

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 13:12:48 -0000

Most Californians are feeling the effects of the drought.. But in big areas of the state, where people rely on groundwater, the pain of this drought is especially severe. Wells are going dry and there’s intense competition to find more water that’s underground.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Federal and Los Angeles County health officials have confirmed the first death of a person with monkeypox in California. The L.A. County resident was severely immunocompromised and had been hospitalized with the virus.

Unlike the rest of the country, gas prices in California have been on the rise. That's after they dropped from record highs earlier this summer.

Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED

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Crews Get Better Handle On Mosquito Fire

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 17:07:39 -0000

In Placer and El Dorado counties, fire crews are making progress fighting the Mosquito Fire, which has burned more than 46,000 acres. Meanwhile, in Southern California, firefighters took advantage of wet conditions to help in the fight against the Fairview Fire.

One of the bills that’s passed through the legislature on Governor Newsom’s desk would offer cash benefits to unemployed undocumented workers, currently excluded from the state’s unemployment insurance program. It’s an idea that not so many years ago would have been considered out of the question. Today? It’s a different story.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

San Francisco's representatives in the State Assembly say they’ll be keeping an eye on Pacific Gas & Electric’s possible role in the Mosquito Fire, burning in the Sierra Nevada foothills in El Dorado and Placer counties. PG&E filed notice with state regulators last week, saying that electrical activity occurred on one of its lines close to the time the Mosquito Fire was reported.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Wildfires Threatening Communities Across California

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:30:09 -0000

Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Riverside County due to the Fairview Fire and for El Dorado and Placer counties due to the Mosquito Fire. Firefighters have been struggling to control both fires, which have grown explosively and forced extensive evacuations.

Reporter: Jonathan Linden, KVCR

LA County health officials are investigating the death of a person with monkeypox. Few details are being released about the case. What we do know is that this person died in LA and had monkeypox but it’s unclear if the virus caused the death.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

The Biden Administration has rolled back a Trump-era rule that penalized immigrants who used a wide range of government benefits – and led to fear in many California immigrant communities.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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More Hot Weather On The Way

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:58:57 -0000

California's extended heat wave will continue on Thursday, with temperatures topping out over 100 in many inland areas. The state's power agency is also issuing another call for power conservation, for the ninth straight day.

As the heat wave drags on, broken cooling systems are disrupting the school day in many parts of California. That’s forced many school districts to bring in fans and portable AC units to lower classroom temperatures.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

A new report out from the Prison Policy Initiative reveals unexpected data about incarceration rates among rural Californians. Per capita, the highest rate of incarcerated people comes from small, rural counties in the state.

Guest: Nigel Duara, Reporter CalMatters

Opponents of a first-of-its-kind state law that could raise wages for fast food workers have officially started an effort to delay and potentially block it.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Parents fighting against school closures in Oakland and several California school districts got a win this week. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring certain districts make time for an equity impact analysis before closing schools.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom signed an emergency budget package Tuesday authorizing $41 million to fight the spread of the monkeypox virus.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

A bill that could make California a refuge for transgender youth seeking gender-affirming care is on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. Advocates and lawmakers who support the legislation say it provides life-saving care. But opponents say it interferes with a parent’s authority over their child’s health decisions.

Reporter: Ariel Gans, CalMatters

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Heat Wave Continues Across California

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 14:26:00 -0000

The statewide heat wave continued on Tuesday as records were broken across California, with much of the state once again facing triple digit temperatures. But the state did not have to order rolling blackouts, despite a deeply stressed power grid.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

While cities across the state continue to break heat records this week, there are a few places that are still comfortable, if not downright cool.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, KQED

The hot weather across the state has brought added concerns about wildfires sparking. And a pair of fires that are burning in the Inland Empire in Southern California are now forcing residents to flee their homes.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

President Joe Biden has come out in favor of a California bill that Governor Gavin Newsom has said he’s not ready to sign. The bill aims to make it easier for farmworkers to choose whether to unionize, including by mail-in ballots -- without fear of reprisal.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Starting this week, millions of people in Southern California are dealing with big new water restrictions. The Metropolitan Water District says that's necessary so that a broken pipeline that carries water from the Colorado River to the region can be repaired.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California's eviction moratorium ended earlier this summer, but some cities in L.A. County have also banned rent hikes. But tenants are still getting demands to pay more. In many cases, whether they can fight those rent hikes depends on where they live.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

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Heat Wave Continues, Power Grid Stressed

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 12:57:29 -0000

The brutal heat wave taking over the state is expected to last longer and reach higher temperatures than forecasters had anticipated. And that's putting a lot of stress on California's power grid, with state officials asking Californians to conserve as much as possible.

Guest: Jan Null, Meteorologist, Golden Gate Weather Services and Adjunct Professor at San Jose State University

Two people have died and hundreds of residents around Weed remain under evacuation orders because of the Mill Fire burning in Siskiyou County.

Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio

Last week, state lawmakers approved a plan to extend the life of the state’s last nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon. Many are applauding the legislature’s decision to keep its carbon-free energy on the grid — but it’s had mixed reactions in San Luis Obispo County, where the plant sits.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

On Friday, Frank Drake, the radio astronomer who dreamed of finding life on other planets, passed away at his home near Santa Cruz. He was 92.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Can Churches Help With Affordable Housing Crisis?

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 20:38:02 -0000

As California’s housing crisis becomes more dire and cities feel mounting pressure to build more housing, many are eyeing church-owned real estate as a potential solution.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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Bill That Aimed to End Prison-to-ICE Transfers Fails in California Legislature

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 18:16:37 -0000

California's State of Emergency Continues Amid Massive Heat Wave

For the third day in a row officials, have issued a so-called Flex Alert, which is a call to reduce energy consumption between the hours of 4-9pm when the power grid is most stressed and solar declines.

Voters to Weigh in on a Constitutional Amendment That Could End Barrier to Building Public Housing

Since 1950, Article 34 of the state constitution has required local officials to get voters’ approval to build public housing. The rule was rooted in racist fears about integrating neighborhoods and it’s hindered low-income home construction for decades. Now, California voters will get a chance to repeal it.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Blistering Heat Has the Central Valley's Only Children's Hospital Busy

Young kids have more trouble regulating their body temperature than adults do, and they’re more susceptible to dehydration because a larger percentage of their weight is water.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

Californians Could Receive First Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Next Week

The unique booster is different from any COVID shot you’ve gotten before. One half is the original shot and the other half is designed specifically for omicron sub-variants that are still infecting thousands of people every day.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Bill That Aimed to End Prison-to-ICE Transfers in California Fails

The last days of California’s two-year legislative session ended with a flurry of votes this week. One of the bills that did NOT make it would have ended the practice of transferring non-citizens to immigration custody when they’re released from jail or prison.

Tyche Hendricks, KQED Immigration Editor

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California Prepares for Extreme Temperatures

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 16:16:49 -0000

California Awaits Excessive Heat and Potential Blackouts

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for California as a heat wave takes hold of the state. Elliot Mainzer, president of the state’s power grid operator, says Californians need to reduce electricity use throughout the holiday weekend, especially during late afternoon and early evening.

New Test Project in a Central Valley Town Could Bring Partially Solution to Shortages

The idea behind solar canals is to build canopies over miles of aqueducts and place solar panels on top of those canopies. The shade from the canopies limits water evaporation and the solar panels produce renewable energy. Research out of U.C. Merced found that canopies lower evaporation in aqueducts by as much as 82%.

Amanda Stupi, The California Report

Kaiser Nurses Join Mental Health Workers Nearing 3rd Week of Strike

22,000 Kaiser nurses are protesting, calling for improved safety conditions and increased staffing.

Lesley McClurg, KQED health correspondent

On Overdose Awareness Day, Advocates for People Who Use Drugs Remain Defiant

More than a week after Governor Newsom vetoed a bill that would provide safe consumption sites for people who use drugs, advocates used Overdose Awareness Day on Wednesday to reaffirm their commitment to continue the fight.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

How Nonprofits Use a Legal Loophole to Flip California Homes — for a Profit

The state legislature approved dozens of bills this week. If history is any guide, some of those laws will have unintended consequences. That’s the story of a law passed in 2020, which was meant to keep foreclosed homes out of the hands of corporate investors, and increase the chance they would be used for affordable housing.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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CARE Court Plan Passes State Assembly

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 19:18:52 -0000

A controversial bill to overhaul California’s mental healthcare system cleared a major hurdle Tuesday night. The governor’s CARE Court proposal would allow judges to oversee treatment for people diagnosed with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders who are not receiving care.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Communities of color are disproportionately impacted by crime and gun violence -- but historically say they’ve been left out of many conversations and programs meant to help victims of crime in California. But that's starting to change.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Millions of residents in Los Angeles County will need to suspend outdoor watering in September. That’s the message from the Metropolitan Water District, which is set to repair a leak in a critical pipeline.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill designed to protect more homes from wildfire by bolstering the State’s defensible space inspections.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

A bill that would restrict solitary confinement for all incarcerated people in California, including at federal immigration detention centers, is headed to the Governor’s desk after clearing the state Senate Tuesday.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

A bill establishing tough new privacy rules for children under 18 is headed to the governor's desk, after it passed the state Assembly unanimously on Tuesday.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow , KQED

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Bill To Help Fast Food Workers Heads To Governor's Desk

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:53:27 -0000

The California legislature has passed what supporters call a first-of-its kind bill that could benefit half a million fast food workers. AB 257 would bring fast food worker and employer representatives together on a council that could boost wages to up to $22 an hour next year at large chains.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The Biden administration will pause its program to send Americans free at-home COVID-19 tests this week, blaming Congress for failing to fund another round of shipments. People who have yet to request all of their free rapid tests through the Department of Health and Human Services federal portal have until Friday to place their orders.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Small theaters with less than 100 seats were hit particularly hard during the pandemic. In Los Angeles, the highest concentration of these venues was in North Hollywood, but half of its 22 theaters have now closed permanently.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

The state senate passed a bill Monday that will make it easier for farmworkers to vote in union elections, but getting the governor’s signature is far from a done deal. During a march to Sacramento in support of the bill, farmworkers picked up some allies on the way.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

The Biden administration is looking for new ways to shield DACA recipients, in case the courts overturn the program that protects these undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

More and more dead fish are piling up on beaches around the Bay Area, spanning from Vallejo to San Jose. Scientists fear a giant toxic algae bloom could lead to permanent impacts.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Counties Prepare For The End Of Juvenile Lockups

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 15:14:24 -0000

Over the past two decades California has completely reimagined its approach to dealing with young people who commit crimes. That remaking of juvenile justice will culminate next summer in the closure of California’s troubled state youth prisons, known as the Department of Juvenile Justice or DJJ.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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California Sets Historic Policy On Zero Emission Vehicles

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:59:42 -0000

Two years after Governor Gavin Newsom mandated it, the California Air Resources Board has approved a plan requiring 100% of new vehicle sales in California beginning in 2035 be zero emission. Automakers say they support California, but have encouraged the state to build out car charging infrastructure and incentives.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

According to the United Nations, solitary confinement beyond 15 days can amount to torture and should be banned. But it's still happening right here in California.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED\

In what’s believed to be a first in this country, Anaheim has formally recognized part of the city as an Arab American district. In a nearly unanimous vote this week, the Anaheim City Council has designated an area of Brookhurst Street as Little Arabia – a name that many locals have already used for years.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Think college athletics and likely football, basketball and volleyball come to mind. But Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, on the Central Coast, is home to one of the most successful collegiate rodeo programs in the country. It holds 45 national titles.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

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State Regulators Poised To Approve Plan To End Sale Of New Gas-Powered Cars

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 16:13:59 -0000

The California Air Resources Board is set to approve a plan on Thursday to phase out the sale of new gasoline cars by the year 2035.

Reporter: Daphne Young, KQED

Last week, we brought you an investigation into the U.S. Forest Service that found a stalled project could have helped protect the town of Grizzly Flats in Northern California from the Caldor Fire. Now, we head to Big Bear, a Southern California mountain vacation destination, where officials are hoping to avoid that same fate. But are they moving fast enough?

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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Abortion Access Will Play Important Part Of How Californians Vote In November

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 16:54:46 -0000

There’s a new poll out that shows Californians overwhelmingly support abortion access and that the issue will impact how they vote in the elections this fall.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

A little over a week ago, normal life in the border city of Tijuana came to a halt as a drug cartel launched a campaign of terror in the city. Vehicles were set ablaze and gunmen blocked major thoroughfares. That’s raised new questions about the power of Mexico’s criminal underworld.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

In recent years, the Sacramento region has debated plans for creating thousands of new affordable housing units and shelter spaces for the homeless. But opposition from neighborhood groups has made carrying out those plans a difficult challenge.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

With a week left in this year’s legislative session in Sacramento, California immigrant advocates are pushing hard for a bill to end the transfer of non-citizens to immigration custody after they’re released from jail or prison.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Governor Newsom Vetoes Safe Consumption Site Bill

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 17:14:07 -0000

Proponents are calling Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of a bill that would have allowed supervised drug injection sites in San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles a tragic, “missed opportunity” to prevent overdose deaths.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

A new report finds that most early childcare workers in California make far less than a living wage and that many earn less than they did before the pandemic. The report from UC Berkeley found that providers running small, daycare centers out of their homes make between $16- 30 thousand a year.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, KQED

Once a reliable stronghold for Republicans, Orange County has become a contested battleground for congressional races in recent election cycles -- and this year is no different.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

California voters think the state is headed in the wrong direction -- according to a new poll from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. 52% of voters say California is on the wrong track, but Governor Gavin Newsom's approval ratings are on the rise.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

A judge has sentenced a Bay Area man to more than a decade in prison for obstructing a probe into the 2020 murder of a federal officer in Oakland, and child pornography charges.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

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California Issues New Guidance On Monkeypox Isolation

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 17:29:12 -0000

The California Department of Public Health is issuing new home isolation guidance for people with confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox. State public health director Dr. Tomás Aragón says the state’s guidelines are more detailed than the CDC’s national recommendations.

California is adding Georgia to its already lengthy list of states where publicly-funded travel is banned because of anti-LGBTQ legislation. The travel restrictions come in response to a bill passed by Georgia lawmakers earlier this year that allows the state's athletic association to ban transgender girls from competing in girls' sports.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

Both the Biden Administration and California have big goals when it comes to getting more people to drive electric vehicles as a way to fight climate change. There is one big challenge that may not be getting as much attention -- it’s the kind of housing millions of people live in and whether they can find or install electric vehicle charging stations there.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A Bay Area man involved with a violent anti-government militia is set to be sentenced Monday for exchanging sexual photos with a minor and destroying records in a federal investigation.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Estimates say as many as one out of every five students have dyslexia — the learning disorder that affects reading and writing. But if diagnosed, does your child’s school know what to do about it? In California, answers to that question are all over the map.

Reporter, Kyle Stokes, KPCC

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Siskiyou County Residents Sue Utility Over McKinney Fire

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 16:36:20 -0000

Residents of a Siskiyou County community, ravaged by wildfire last month, are suing the Oregon-based electrical utility they say is to blame. The McKinney Fire started the afternoon of July 29th just outside the hamlet of Klamath River, near power lines owned by Portland's Pacificorp.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Starting next year, Californians will be able to sue people who distribute ghost guns and assault weapons illegally. The law is modeled on Texas abortion legislation and both of the laws offer private citizens a chance at financial rewards for reporting other peoples’ activities.

Guest: Nigel Duara, Justice Reporter with CalMatters

Democrats in California are split on whether President Joe Biden should run again in 2024 and if he doesn’t, Governor Gavin Newsom has a strong base of support for a presidential run.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Monkeypox cases in L.A. County continue to climb. New cases have jumped 33% since last week, and more than a thousand people have tested positive.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Monkeypox Vaccine In Short Supply In Central Valley

Thu, 18 Aug 2022 16:05:42 -0000

Monkeypox cases have tripled in California over the past month. Most vaccine doses have been sent to larger cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. But other communities across the state say they're feeling left out.

Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters

LA County will get far fewer monkeypox vaccine doses than it expected. The county's monkeypox vaccine shipment is being slashed to just 40% of the doses public health officials requested from the federal government.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

It’s been one year since a family from Afghanistan escaped their war torn country and landed in the United States. They fled last August, leaving behind their belongings, their careers and their hopes and dreams. The kindness of strangers on California’s Central Coast helped make their journey to the U.S. possible.

Reporter: Doug McKnight, KAZU

The Port of Oakland says a protest by truck drivers that shut it down for several days in July had a significant impact on its business. There was a 28% decline in total loaded container volume in July compared to a year ago.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

A group of dancers at a North Hollywood topless bar have taken the first step towards forming a union. If their bid is successful, they would become the only unionized strippers in the U.S.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

Some state lawmakers are backing the demands of striking mental health workers at Kaiser Permanente. More than 2000 clinicians are picketing this week in the Bay Area and Fresno.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

More California students are returning to their schools this week as the new academic year begins. But many students won't need to be in class until later in the morning.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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State Asks Californians To Conserve Energy

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 18:08:40 -0000

The state’s power grid operator is calling on Californians to conserve energy on Wednesday. The California Independent System Operator, which oversees the state's electrical grid, says it expects above average temperatures to increase demand for electricity.

Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report

Former Central Valley Congressman TJ Cox pleaded not guilty Tuesday to more than two dozen federal counts including wire fraud, money laundering and campaign contribution fraud.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

California has begun a big push to get more 4-year-olds enrolled in transitional kindergarten, or “TK.” But not every parent of an eligible child is ready to sign up.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

The oil industry has dropped its opposition to a bill that would increase fines on California refineries that violate air quality rules. That's after lawmakers watered down the legislation behind closed doors.

Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED

Sidewalks in front of Kaiser facilities in Northern California and the Central Valley are packed with striking mental health care providers again on Wednesday. State regulators are monitoring the situation closely to ensure patient care is not impacted.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Effort To Recall LA District Attorney Fails To Qualify For Ballot

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:27:38 -0000

Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon will not face a recall election, county officials announced on Monday. Critics of Gascon, led by prosecutors in his own office, have once again failed to get the more than 560,000 signatures necessary to place a recall before voters.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

New research suggests climate change is increasing the likelihood of California-wide megafloods. Warming temperatures have already doubled the risk of this type of inundation brought on by a succession of storms, lasting for as long as a month.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

A year ago, the Caldor Fire burned through the small town of Grizzly Flats in Northern California. The fire destroyed more than 400 homes. A new investigation from CapRadio and The California Newsroom found that the U.S. Forest Service predicted — for decades — a wildfire could devastate Grizzly Flats. But its plan to protect the town didn’t get done.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

There's no end in sight for a strike which saw almost 2,000 Kaiser mental health care workers walk off the job on Monday in Northern California and the Central Valley.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

The number of people hospitalized after falling from the border wall at the U.S.-Mexico border is on pace to surpass last year’s record.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

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Newsom Wants To Extened Life Of California's Last Nuclear Power Plant

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 16:54:50 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has a plan to extend the operation of California’s last nuclear power plant. Diablo Canyon on the Central Coast is scheduled for closure by 2025.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

For several years now, undocumented immigrants in California have been able to get a driver’s license, which doubles as a critical piece of ID. But what about immigrants who don’t drive?

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

A year ago today, the Taliban entered Kabul and the U.S. military began a frenzied airlift to evacuate tens of thousands of people out of Afghanistan. Now, many of those Afghans are trying to build new lives in California.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

California is one of ten states that doesn’t screen all students for the most common learning disability. Advocates have pushed for mandatory dyslexia assessments for years.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, KPCC

Mexican cities, just across the border from California, were rocked by a wave of violent incidents over the weekend. This string of attacks appears to be in response to Mexican officials' attempt to capture gang members.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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State Senate To Vote On Affordable Housing Bill

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 18:11:29 -0000

One of the most closely watched housing bills has cleared a key legislative hurdle and is now headed to the state senate for a vote. Supporters say it could help developers build millions of housing units across the state.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Roses are red, violets are blue. Most flowers smell nice, but not all of them do. And that’s especially true for a rare tropical flower at the UC Santa Cruz arboretum.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

Pepper spray was supposed to be phased out of L.A. County’s juvenile halls nearly two years ago. But probation department staff are still using the spray.

Reporter: Emily Elena Dugdale, KPCC

A former Los Angeles County assistant sheriff is suing Sheriff Alex Villanueva for alleged retaliation, and is seeking at least $3 million in damages. She was among the whistleblowers who accused Villanueva of trying to cover up an incident where a deputy knelt on an inmate's head.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

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Judge Rules Walgreens Contributed To Opioid Crisis In San Francisco

Thu, 11 Aug 2022 18:37:26 -0000

San Francisco has won a landmark lawsuit against Walgreens pharmacy over its role in fueling the opioid epidemic in the city. A federal judge found that Walgreens filled hundreds of thousands of suspicious prescriptions for powerful painkillers over 15 years, without taking steps to prevent their misuse.

California’s Supreme Court may soon get its first Latina Chief Justice. Patricia Guerrero currently sits on the state’s supreme court as an associate justice and she’s held that role since March.

Reporter: Amanda Stupi, KQED

This year, potentially tens of thousands of Californians who couldn’t work because of health reasons, including pregnancy, have been forced to wait weeks -- or even months -- to get their “State Disability Insurance” payments.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Supporters of a bill to create safe injection sites are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to sign SB 57. The idea behind SB 57 is to address the growing toll on city streets, where people are dying in record numbers from overdoses of drugs like fentanyl.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The backers of dueling ballot campaigns to legalize sports betting in California sparred during a hearing at the Capitol Wednesday. Proposition 27 is backed by gambling companies like DraftKings and unlike Prop 26, would allow bets to be made on phones and computers.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

California has adopted the nation’s most ambitious offshore wind targets. The new goals put the state on course to meet a quarter of its electricity needs — enough to power about 25 million homes — from offshore wind by midcentury.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

On Thursday, California lawmakers will advance – or quietly kill – hundreds of bills in rapid-fire succession. The bills have been stuck in a legislative limbo known as “the suspense file.”

Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

In recent years, lots of California mountain lions have been struck and killed by California drivers. But collisions have also killed many other kinds of animals, from deer to bobcats to desert tortoises. Legislation aimed at making roads safer for wildlife is being heard in Sacramento on Thursday.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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LA City Council Approves Ban On Encampments Near Schools During Raucous Meeting

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 17:29:54 -0000

An L.A. City Council meeting turned chaotic Tuesday when members of the public started shouting at council members and one person made an attempt to lunge at the dais. The council was preparing to vote on an ordinance that would ban homeless encampments near schools and daycare centers.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

More than 4,250 COVID-19 deaths in California could have been prevented in one year if the entire state met National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter. That’s according to a new study by the Public Health Institute.

Guest: Dr. Paul English, Director of the Public Health Institute’s Tracking California program

The Inflation Reduction Act could bring billions of dollars in drought relief to California. At $4 billion, the largest pot of drought funds would help watersheds like the Colorado River, which Southern California relies on.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

With lackluster resources and rising costs, supportive homes for people living with a serious mental illness are continuing to dwindle in Los Angeles and across the state. At one home that’s been around for 40 years though, residents keep their spirits high and celebrate.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

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New Report Blasts California's Employment Development Department

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 18:57:24 -0000

California’s Employment Development Department was too slow delivering unemployment insurance payments to roughly 5 million workers during the pandemic. That’s from a new report by the Legislative Analyst's Office.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

More than 22,000 Ukrainians have crossed the border from Mexico into California since the Russian invasion in February. Many have come to the Sacramento area, which already has a large and tight-knit Slavic community.

Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio

A State Senate committee focused on California’s response to monkeypox will hold its first hearing on Tuesday afternoon. The committee is chaired by State Senator Scott Wiener, who’s been a vocal critic of the government's failure to act quickly when the monkeypox outbreak first occurred.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Hate crimes are up for the fourth straight year in a row across the U.S. That’s according to new data from Cal State San Bernardino, which found that in California, hate crimes jumped more than 32% last year.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Gun rights groups are suing the state of California over a bill signed into law in June, that bans the marketing of guns to minors. Firearm advocates say the law is a direct assault on the Second Amendment.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

California’s fast food and franchising industries could change drastically under a bill moving through the state Legislature. The bill would give fast food workers the power to collectively bargain through a state-run council.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

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Hotels Could Be Required To Provide Rooms For The Unhoused Population In LA

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 17:32:55 -0000

Los Angeles voters will decide whether they want to require hotels across the city to provide vacant rooms to unhoused people. The City Council voted Friday to put the contentious hotel voucher program on the 2024 ballot.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

Farmworkers from across the state have joined the “March for the Governor’s Signature,” a 335 mile trek from Kern County to Sacramento, to show support for a voting rights bill. Although farmworkers say the bill is critical for unionization, some argue that it will not accomplish what it’s intended to do.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

California women are more likely than men to be rent burdened, meaning they spend a third or more of their income on rent and other housing costs. That’s according to a new study from the Gender Equity Policy Institute.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

The California Air Resources Board held a series of public listening sessions across the state last week. Its part of the board's latest plan to help the state achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the sheriff in Siskiyou County and other county officials, alleging that Asian American residents have been unfairly discriminated against. The lawsuit claims that Asian Americans have been harrassed and discriminated against.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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As Monkeypox Cases Surge In California, Feds Look To Increase Vaccine Supply

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 17:31:12 -0000

Federal health officials are considering breaking single doses of monkeypox vaccine into smaller doses to stretch the current supply. The Food and Drug Administration may allow healthcare providers to split a one-dose vial of the monkeypox vaccine into five doses.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Throughout history, struggling Americans have looked for greener pastures, with many striking out for California. But some powerful people in the state have actively tried to keep the migrants out by setting up border checkpoints.

Guest: Bill Lascher, Author of the book "The Golden Fortress: California's Border War on Dust Bowl Refugees"

California is offering $20,000 stipends to recruit and train more mental health clinicians to work in public schools. The program is a response to the student mental health crisis.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

A bill that provides some protection for immigrants in court is heading to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The measure said if an attorney wants to ask a witness about their immigration status in court, the judge must first decide if it’s relevant to the case.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Voters in San Bernardino County will have the chance to vote in November on whether the county could potentially secede from California.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

A Fresno high school has issued an apology for painting over a student mural completed for the campus. Artists questioned the decision and the message it sends to the arts community.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

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Childcare Crisis Hits Home For Many California Families

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 15:21:23 -0000

Long waitlists. Parents lining up overnight in hopes of landing an open spot in daycare or preschool. These are some of the stories that have emerged since the pandemic, highlighting the nation’s childcare crisis.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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Dodgers Legendary Announcer Vin Scully Dies At 94

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 17:47:55 -0000

He was the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers for decades. On Tuesday, Vin Scully died at the age of 94.

Guest: Bill Shaikin, Reporter, L.A. Times

California faces increased wildfire danger across much of the state into the fall months. This comes as crews continue to battle the biggest fire of the year in Siskiyou County.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Farmworkers from across California are beginning a march up the Central Valley on Wednesday morning. It’s all to support a voting rights bill.

Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR

Some state courts appear to be dragging their feet following a new law, that’s intended to give relief to people piling up late fees for infractions like traffic tickets.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

It’s an election year, with control of Congress in play. In one of Orange County’s most competitive congressional districts, the sitting Republican Congresswoman and her Democratic challenger don’t agree on much. But they do see eye-to-eye on one thing -- U.S. policy toward Taiwan.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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California Declares State Of Emergency Over Monkeypox Outbreak

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:14:01 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency as part of California's ongoing response to the monkeypox outbreak. Meanwhile in San Francisco, the city’s main public hospital plans to distribute more monkeypox vaccine on Tuesday.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

State lawmakers have reconvened in Sacramento after a month-long summer recess for the final, frenzied month of the legislative session. There are a number of bills that will be voted on, from abortion to gun rights.

Guest: Emily Hoeven, Author of the WhatMatters newsletter for CalMatters

Crews saw much calmer weather on Monday as they continue to battle the McKinney Fire in Siskiyou County. But there's still no containment on the fire, which has burned more than 55,000 acres.

Guest Erik Neumann, Interim News Director, Jefferson Public Radio

A bill to allow so-called “safe injection sites” where addicts can use drugs with supervision is on its way to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Visitors to Redwood National Forest on the North Coast could be fined and even face jail time if they’re caught trying to get too close to the world’s tallest tree.

Reporter: Anaïs-Ophelia Lino, KQED

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Two People Killed In The McKinney Wildfire That Burns Out Of Control In Siskiyou County

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:07:00 -0000

Authorities say two bodies have been found inside a burned vehicle in the path of a raging California wildfire that is one of several major blazes burning across Northern California.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are headed to the Golden State for Climate Change and infrastructure. The mix of fires, drought, and even record rainfall in some parts of California are taking a toll on the state's infrastructure. But, a new federal program unveiled last week, could funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to the Golden State to help safeguard its roads and bridges.

Reporter Caleigh Wells, KCRW

California Health officials are not ready to declare a statewide emergency for Monkeypox. The State of California has reported nearly eight hundred cases of Monkeypox - the majority in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Eleven people in California have been hospitalized - but, no one has died. So, health officials in California say they don't see the need - at least not yet - to declare a statewide emergency over the Monkeypox virus....similar to the local one declared by the city of San Francisco last week.

A new Kaiser study says adults with young kids could provide some protection against severe COVID illnesses. Researchers compared more than half million adults - and found that those without children were 49 percent more likely to be hospitalized-and 76 percent more likely to be admitted to an ICU - than those with young kids at home.

A School in the Inland Empire plans to move because of influx of new warehouses. Another large warehouse complex is slated for Southern California’s Inland Empire… which is east of Los Angeles. The region is home to over a billion square feet of warehouses. One of the latest proposed warehouses would be next door to an elementary school in the small community of Bloomington in San Bernardino County.

Reporter Jonathan Linden, KVCR

A new public housing project in Southern California is unlike many others. It's called Jordan Downs and it's located in L.A.'s Watts community. Even in a state where millions struggle to find…and keep… an affordable place to live, building more public housing hasn’t been a popular solution. That’s because over the decades public housing has become synonymous with segregation of Blacks and Latinos, warehousing of the poor, and terrible living conditions. But in L.A.’s Watts neighborhood, one big public housing project called Jordan Downs is in the midst of a decades-long, one billion dollar transformation. When done, it will more than double the number of people living there. Its also supposed to show the potential of public housing….if done right..

Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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L.A. County Decides Not To Re-Implement Mask Mandate

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 19:16:38 -0000

L.A. County health officials have pushed the pause button on reinstituting an indoor public mask mandate. The data show that LA is right on the cusp of dropping into the CDC’s medium COVID risk level. That’s due to hospitalizations dipping slightly.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Farming in California has not been a friendly place to Black people, let alone Black women. Only one percent of farmland in the state is Black owned.

Reporter: Ariana Proehl, KQED

In San Jose, a program that sent 1500 kids to day camp for free is wrapping up on Friday. It’s paid for with COVID-19 relief money.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

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Monkeypox Vaccine Extremely Limited In L.A. County

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 21:38:37 -0000

L.A. County health officials closed the online waiting list for the monkeypox vaccine Thursday, just one day after it went live. Some qualified people are being turned away at vaccine sites and given conflicting advice.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Truckers at the Port of Oakland continue to protest for the second straight week over AB5, the state law that reclassifies many independent contractors as employees. But truckers have agreed not to block access to terminals and plan instead to rally in designated "free speech" zones set up by the port.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

The Oakland City Council is expected to vote Tuesday to urge state lawmakers to put a measure on the ballot that would officially repeal Prop 8.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Customs and Border Protection say a record number of migrants have been injured while trying to cross the border illegally into San Diego County.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Nevada’s Lake Mead, which is fed by the Colorado River, has long played a critical role in supplying much of California’s water. While it’s no secret all of the West is gripped by drought, new images of Lake Mead released by NASA are providing the clearest picture yet of the dire situation.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

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Families Deal With Devastating Losses From Oak Fire

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:24:36 -0000

As firefighters make gains on the Oak Fire burning near Yosemite National Park, families are beginning to reckon with the devastation. California’s largest fire of the year so far, has consumed nearly 19, 000 acres and forced thousands to flee.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

The chief justice of California's Supreme Court says she will not seek a second term in November. Tani Cantil-Sakauye says she will retire at the end of her term on January 1.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Organizers rallied outside the Glendale offices of State Senator Anthony Portantino on Wednesday to call for support of a bill that would put restrictions on the use of solitary confinement.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

Seven of the ten most expensive areas for housing in the nation are in California, with San Francisco being the most expensive and out of reach metropolitan area in the country. That’s according to a newly released report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

A new statewide survey from the Public Policy Institute of California reveals where Californians stand on a host of issues from gas prices to climate policy.

Reporter: Janaya Williams, KCRW

More and more Californians are following water restrictions as the state’s drought drags on. Or at least, they’re supposed to be. There’s actually a satellite orbiting the Earth that can reveal the rule breakers. And one Californian knows who you are.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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Audit Finds Thousands Of Californians Without Safe Drinking Water

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:47:32 -0000

A state audit report shows hundreds of thousands of Californians are drinking water that is unsafe, and many live in disadvantaged communities in the Central Valley. The state auditor’s report found nearly a million people in California face possible long-term health problems, like liver or kidney damage, or cancer, because their water comes from a failing system with some sort of contaminant, like nitrates or arsenic.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

As the drought persists, many farmers are making the decision to fallow or set aside land that isn't being used to grow crops. But what does that actually mean and how does that impact residents living near these fields?

Guest: Andrew Ayers, a research fellow with the Public Policy Institute of California's Water Policy Center

Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Teachers Association are opposing Proposition 30, a “clean air initiative” on the November ballot that would tax the wealthiest Californians to pay for electric car rebates.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Officials say more than 6 million passengers passed through Los Angeles International Airport last month for the first time since January 2020.

Reporter: Janaya Williams, KCRW

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California Man Details Monkeypox Experience

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 18:56:51 -0000

The U.S. monkeypox outbreak is swiftly expanding. The CDC reports over 3400 known cases concentrated mainly among men who have sex with men. And in these early days of its spread, people can spend days in search of the right diagnosis.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

San Francisco Supervisors on Tuesday are expected to urge U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to suspend plans to shut down Laguna Honda Hospital. It’s the largest skilled nursing facility in California.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva refused to testify before the Civilian Oversight Commission on Monday. The county’s top cop says he’ll speak with the watchdog group about alleged deputy cliques only if certain conditions are met.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

As the city of Pasadena struggles with an increase in gun violence, it's turning to gang interventionists for help. The latest effort to stem the violence was a three on three basketball tournament at Robinson Park on a recent weekend.

Reporter: Emily Elena Dugdale, KPCC

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Governor Newsom Signs A Package Of Bills Aimed At Reducing Gun Violence

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 14:34:00 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of Bills on Thursday aimed at reducing gun violence across the state. Of the 8 bills Newsom signed, one targets the sale of gun parts made from 3D printers, another prevents those convicted of child abuse or elder abuse from having a gun for 10 years … a third requires schools to report student threats or perceived threats of violence.

Politics Editor Scott Shafer, KQED Radio

This week's protests by truckers at the Port of Oakland follows a U-S Supreme Court decision that rejected an industry bid to exclude truckers... who often own their own vehicles. Truckers are demanding either a repeal of AB5, or clarification as to how it will be enforced. Governor Gavin Newsom says truckers should work to implement the transition to AB5.

Mexican-American lowrider cruising enthusiasts are working to roll back a decades old cruising ban. If you’re of a certain age, you might remember the 1973 George Lucas film “American Graffiti” which celebrated California car cruising culture. But in a lot of cities, cruising has been illegal for years. The California Reports' Mary Franklin Harvin reports from San Jose…which recently scrapped its decades-old cruising ban.

Reporter Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

California’s Fair Political Practices Commission voted unanimously this week to allow people to use crypto currency for political campaign donations. Cryptocurrency donations have been allowed at the federal level since 2014. But California banned the practice four years ago, largely due to concerns about transparency. The new state rule incorporates safeguards. Donors must be identified — and the donation must be converted to cash immediately.

Reporter Rachael Myrow, KQED Radio

The University of California Regents has decided to investigate UCLA’s decision to leave the PAC-12 Athletic Conference for the Big Ten. The move comes after Governor Gavin Newsom expressed anger and confusion about the sudden move and after he spoke during a closed door meeting of the regents. Newsom wants UCLA to explain how the move will help student-athletes.

The California State Fair is back for the first time since 2019. The familiar sights, smells and sounds are back, too... such as livestock, games, funnel cakes, corn dogs and so much more. You and the family can take in some of the attractions at the Cal Expo fairgrounds in Sacramento. The fair runs through the 31st and children 4 and younger get in for free.

Reporter Chris Nichols, CapRadio

Check out a preview of our Sister Show, The California Report’s Weekly Magazine. For their Hidden Gems road trip series, reporter Amanda Font takes us to Big Bear Lake, in San Bernardino County. That’s where she set sail on a quirky boat ride bringing together 80s movie history and pirate adventure.

Reporter Amanda Font, KQED Radio

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State Assembly Speaker Calling On Feds For More Urgent Response Regarding The Spread Of Monkeypox

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 19:51:05 -0000

At a press conference in Los Angeles yesterday, State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon called on U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra, to declare a public health emergency. As of yesterday, San Francisco has 141 cases of Monkeypox more than any other county, followed by LA County with 132.

UCLA’s departure will leave just UC Berkeley as the only UC campus in the Pac 12. In a statement, Newsom says he wants to know from UCLA how moving to the Big Ten will benefit its student-athletes and preserve college sports rivalries and traditions along the Pacific Coast?

Rob Adams was fatally shot by police in a San Bernardino parking lot on Saturday while running away from officers. Police say Adams was carrying a gun and was displaying the weapon when officers drove up. But family members dispute that story and say he was holding his cell phone, not a firearm. The San Bernardino police department reported to the state Department of Justice that officers shot and killed 13 men from 2016 to 2020.

Reporter Jonathan Linden, KVCR Radio

This week Governor Newsom signed into law a bill that would require the use of GPS devices to monitor so called “sexually violent predators” when they're granted conditional release from a state mental hospital in Fresno County. Supporters of the law say it's necessary to protect California communities. But some critics say the GPS tracking of offenders would be an invasion of their right to privacy.

Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

It was just four years ago that the commission voted to prohibit campaigns from receiving any crypto donations. But as we know- things change fast in the digital world. So far, 12 states and Washington, DC now allow Crypto donations. California has been among nine states banning these digital contributions because they’re tough to regulate and trace. If the change is approved, crypto donations must be processed using a service that collects the donor’s name, address, occupation, and employer.

Reporter Tara Siler, KQED Radio

House Democrats Want To Update A Law From The 1920s That Lets The Government Grant Legal Residence To Long-Time Immigrants Who Lack Documentation. The Registry Act Bill was introduced on Wednesday and has been updated over the years, but the current version only offers green cards to people who’ve lived here since at least 1972. Under the new bill, with a rolling cutoff date, immigrants could apply on a case-by-case basis if they’ve lived in the U.S. for seven years. Opponents say it would reward illegal immigration.

Reporter Tyche Hendricks, The California Report

How Far Should Society Go In Trying To Help The Most Severely Mentally Ill? There's a bill moving through the state legislature seeking to create a new kind of court system in California with the authority to compel some people to receive mental health treatment even if they don’t want it. The proposal has sparked an intense debate about personal freedom and how best to protect people from the toll of mental illness.

Reporter Robert Garrova, The California Report

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New Report Documents Harassment and Discrimination in Asian American and Pacific Island Communities

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 20:00:12 -0000

Health Officials Expand Access for Monkeypox Vaccine

In Los Angeles, some high-risk people can now sign up for shots to combat Monkeypox online.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

California Trees Dying at An Alarming Rate

The loss of California trees is posing a direct threat to one of the state’s climate solutions.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

The Aftermath of the Creek Fire

As we warily prepare for what might be another devastating wildfire season in California, many communities are dealing with the aftermath of past blazes. It’s been almost two years since the state’s massive Creek Fire destroyed nearly half of the homes in one tight-knit mountain community in Fresno County.

Alice Daniel, KVPR

New Report Documents Harassment and Discrimination in Asian American and Pacific Island Communities

More than 11,000 incidents of harassment, discrimination, and hate crimes against members of the nation’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities were reported in the last two years. That’s according to a new report out by a California- based research and advocacy group.

Nina Thorsen, KQED

House Speaker Nanci Pelosi Urges Feds to Step Up Response to Monkeypox

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera, Pelosi said the slow federal response to monkeypox is leaving health care providers with massive waitlists and telephone hotlines overrun by desperate callers.

Scott Shafer, KQED

Apple Is Abusing Its Market Power with Apple Pay, Lawsuit Says

This lawsuit accuses Apple of ensuring its devices exclusively use its mobile wallet to make contactless payments. That’s a monopoly, the complaint says, allowing Apple to charge card issuers for a service they get free on Android devices.

Rachael Myrow, KQED

Community College Students Continue to Wait for Promised Free Textbooks

State lawmakers announced last year that they were carving out money to provide relief, community college students are still waiting to receive promised free textbooks. But a bureaucratic logjam is holding up the state funding.

Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRW

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Inflation Hits California Renters

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 16:39:53 -0000

With summer in full swing, vacationers are heading to places like Lake Tahoe. But seasonal workers at vacation spots around the lake are feeling the effects of the rising cost of living.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

Inflation has been hitting Californians at the gas pump and the grocery store. Now many are facing another new expense - double digit rent increases.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

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Mask Mandates Back At Some California Schools

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:53:00 -0000

With highly infectious subvariants of Omicron, like BA.5, increasing the spread of COVID-19, mask mandates continue to be re-introduced in the state. Starting Monday, the San Diego Unified School District will require indoor masking for thousands of students and staff involved with summer school activities.

A ballot initiative that would’ve taxed the wealthy to fund public health programs won’t make it to the ballot this year. But that doesn’t mean the idea is dead.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

A group of foster youth gave a presentaton to the state public health director last week about why it's important to include young people in COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

New sales numbers are out showing Americans are buying EVs at record levels, and they'd actually be buying a lot more if it weren’t for supply chain problems affecting the availability of vehicles. California, perhaps not surprisingly, is leading the electric vehicle buying spree.

Guest: Loren McDonald, Electric Vehicle Industry Analyst

In an effort to boost sagging recycling rates, the state has looked to local pilot programs to make it easier for consumers to get that nickel or dime deposit back on bottles and cans they return. But rather than helping people keep items out of landfills, an investigation by the LA nonprofit Consumer Watchdog found the pilot programs aren't taking off.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

As more states pass restrictions on abortions, California wants to be a sanctuary state for people seeking to end their pregnancies, But thousands arriving annually from out of state for reproductive services could put a strain on California abortion providers. Some have brought up the possibility of opening clinics on land owned by Native American tribes, but that’s not an easy solution.

Guest: Lauren van Schilfgaarde, Legal Clinic Director at the UCLA School of Law

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Los Angeles County Could Face Mask Mandate In The Coming Weeks

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 16:48:48 -0000

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the state. And now, federal health officials say L.A. County’s COVID community risk is high.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Housing is an issue across the state and it's been aggravated by the pandemic. A new podcast, Undocumented and Unhoused, released in partnership with El Timpano and Latino USA, looks at how COVID-19 and rising rent prices has led to an increase of undocumented and unhoused people in the Bay Area.

Guests: Madeleine Bair, Founder of El Timpano, and Marta Martinez, Senior Editor, Latino USA

Lawyers for five women suing Uber over its response to sexual assaults by drivers, say they plan to file similar claims on behalf of more than 500 people. The complaint alleges women were stalked, harassed, kidnapped, and raped during their rides.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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CA Attorney General Has Plan For Nearly 1.5 Million California Tenants At Risk Of Eviction

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 17:13:43 -0000

One in seven California tenants are behind on their rent. So, Attorney General Rob Bonta is issuing instructions to sheriff and police departments across the state on how to respond when someone reports an illegal eviction.

Reporter Erin Baldassari, KQED

Overall, 91 percent of jobs at daycare centers in California have come back. That might sound good, but the state lags behind the rest of the U.S. economy.

Reporter Daisy Nguyen, KQED

Starting January 1, the University of California and Cal State school systems will offer *all* students medication abortions through their student health centers. Thanks to a law that passed in 2019, the new policy will connect more than 62-hundred students statewide with those services. And for some, including those in the UC system, student insurance plans will cover all associated costs.

Reporter Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRW

Big money donors supporting Proposition 30 include San Francisco venture capitalist Ron Conway and former Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer. But Lyft has contributed by far the most -- more than seven million dollars. Last year California approved a mandate for ride hailing companies: 90 percent of their miles logged must be with electric cars by 2030.

Climate Editor Kevin Stark, KQED

The statue of Frank Bogert was removed from the front of Palm Springs' City Hall this week. The former actor and rodeo announcer was Mayor of Palm Springs in the 1950s and 60s and oversaw much of the desert city's growth. What's raising controversy is that he also authorized the bulldozing of homes of poor Native American, Black and Latino families from an area of the city called Section 14, back in the 1960s.

Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Around 1,600 people in the community of Wawona have been evacuated, and that includes kids from the summer camp, Adventure Risk Challenge. About 10 high schoolers from rural Fresno and Merced Counties were in the middle of a month-long expedition when the evacuation orders came in.

Reporter Kerry Klein, KVPR

For years, Chief Caleen Sisk has fought to bring salmon back to the river where the Winnenmem Wintu tribe has lived for thousands of years. Because of Shasta Dam the salmon are forced to spawn in waters that can grow quite warm, especially during drought. This past Monday, a truck carrying a small, orange cooler that had 20,000 winter-run eggs came to the remote campground on the McCloud River, now owned by the Forest Service. Chief Sisk says if the salmon can come back, maybe the tribe can bounce back as well.

Reporter Judy Silber, The California Report

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The BA Five Variant Is Outcompeting Other Strains Of COVID-19 Across The Bay Area

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:22:00 -0000

BA.5 is now the most dominant variant showing up in wastewater in the South Bay, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Sacramento and elsewhere. The latest data from researchers who study sewage shows clues into how COVID-19 is spreading across the Bay Area.

Science Editor Kevin Stark, KQED

There's a 25% increase in COVID hospitalizations in Los Angeles County. Health officials say on Thursday LA County could move into the CDC’s high risk category for COVID community spread due to high hospitalizations.

Reporter Jackie Fortier, The California Report

The FDA has revised its Emergency Use Authorization to let licensed pharmacists prescribe Paxlovid, the treatment given to those at risk of serious illness from COVID.

Reporter Carly Severn, The California Report

City attorney David Chiu announced that Allergan and Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay $34 million-dollars in cash, and another $20 million dollars worth of Narcan, a treatment for opioid overdose. Walgreens is the only remaining defendant in the case; their lawyers are set to give closing arguments today.

Californians who are in mental distress and thinking about suicide will be able to call, or text, a new three digit number (9-8-8) to get help. But if they call, will someone pick-up the line?

Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Starting on Saturday, Californians who are in mental distress and thinking about suicide will be able to call, or text, a new three digit number to get help. But if they call, will someone pick-up the line?

Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

AB 1594 allows state and local governments, and private individuals, to sue gun-makers and sellers for damage caused by their products. Newsom signed legislation last month – adding restrictions on hard to trace ghost guns, and restricting ads for firearms aimed at minors.

Politics Editor Scott Shafer, KQED

Next week, Dodger Stadium will host the Major League Baseball... All Star Game. But, unions representing the stadium’s 15-hundred food and beverage workers say they’ve got enough votes to authorize a strike. All Star festivities kick off this weekend with MLB's Futures Game. The union is hoping to hear from Levy Restaurants before the start of the game.

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The Washburn Fire In Yosemite National Park Is Now More Than 2700 Acres, But Fire Crews Are Optimistic About Saving The Giant Sequoias

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 14:04:00 -0000

At a community meeting on Monday night, fire officials remained hopeful that they could protect trees in the Mariposa Grove like the Giant Grizzly.

Reporter Soreath Hok, The California Report

New heat maps show how hot weather is harming out health. On the hottest days in California, there are around 8,000 more daily ER visits than on typical days. In LA County alone, there are more than 1,500.

Reporter Caleigh Wells, KCRW

City Officials in San Diego start the firing process for about 10 employees who refuse COVID vaccinations and tests. San Diego requires all employees to be vaccinated for COVID, they but let about 1,000 employees skip the vaccine for religious reasons. Those employees then have to get tested weekly, but a small group refused that, too.

Investigative Reporter Claire Trageser, KPBS

New report on new cyber-social threat for regions with large Hindu communities, like the San Francisco Bay Area, reveal real world security concerns. Rutgers University report finds white nationalists and other extremists on social media are bubbling with genocidal hate memes against Hindus.

Reporter Rachael Myrow, KQED's Silicon Valley Desk

The Tulare County Fairgrounds served as one of the country’s ten assembly centers for many Japanese Americans who were sent to concentration camps during World War II. Fresno and other fairgrounds that served as assembly centers have memorials, but Tulare does not. Mission Oak HS students are looking to change that.

Reporter Joshua Yeager, KVPR

If just one drone enters an area where firefighters are using aircraft to battle a blaze, the whole aerial operation has to grind to a halt. A new partnership between LA County Fire and the FBI looks to deter drone flights that could hamper fire suppression efforts.

Reporter Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Last weekend the Bill Pickett Rodeo made a stop in the Bay Area. Next it heads to Los Angeles. Black cowboy culture runs deep in California. Meet a Bay Area Black cowboy who's joining the rodeo for the first time.

Reporter Annelise Finney, KQED

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LA County Ramping Up Its Distribution Of Monkeypox Vaccines

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 14:08:00 -0000

Los Angeles County's approach to Monkeypox vaccines is different from other parts of the country. L.A. County is taking a more targeted approach by giving out doses only to people who have the disease and their close contacts.

Reporter Jackie Fortier, The California Report

A judge in Alameda County has ordered the state to temporarily stop issuing denials to rental relief applicants... and to hold off on finalizing many others.

Reporter Erin Baldassari, KQED

More than 2,000 acres have burned and residents and campers near the Washburn fire have been evacuated. The wildfire, which started on July 7th, threatens at least 500 giant sequoias in the Mariposa Grove.

Last week's order from a Federal Judge came after an environmental organization, The Earth Island Institute, sued the National Park Service. The organization says the Park Service failed to provide proper public notice or assess environmental risks.

Reporter Felicia Alvarez, LA Times

Over the weekend, the new Sixth Street Viaduct opened in Los Angeles, and California's newest bridge is the largest and most expensive bridge project in the history of L.A.

Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Researchers looked at moving patterns over the last several years, including during the pandemic. They found the outflow of Californians remained consistent....and many are moving out.

Reporter Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Drought restrictions that began last month in Southern California target water districts that rely heavily on water imported from Northern California. Santa Monica used to be among them. But now, less than half of their water is imported.

Reporter Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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L-A County Could Reinstate Mask Mandate Due To Increase In COVID Hospital Cases

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 14:01:04 -0000

The number of COVID-19 positive hospital patients continues to climb in L.A. County. So, the county could be headed for another public mask mandate.

Reporter Jackie Fortier, KPCC

More than a third of Monkeypox cases are in San Francisco, where vaccine supply isn’t. But, health officials have just received over 2,000 new vaccine doses this week.

Reporter Vanessa Rancano, KQED

New tax breaks from the State could help stabilize California's struggling Cannabis industry. Plenty of people in the industry are still not convinced the shifts will make enough of a dent for small businesses in the cannabis market. We talk to David Downs, Senior Editor at Leafly… who covers cannabis policy and legalization.

Reporter Madi Bolanos, KQED

Friendship Park on the US-Mexico border is a place where families separated by the border can see and talk to each other through the fence. But, a new plan by the Biden Administration may change all that and activists are angered by the new developments.

Border Reporter Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Check out our sister show, The California Report's Weekly Magazine, as Lisa Morehouse's series, “California Foodways,” takes her to every one of California’s 58 counties to bring us a story about food.

Reporter Lisa Morehouse, California Foodways

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Test Launch At Vandenberg Space Force Base Ends With Huge Explosion

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:49:00 -0000

A military rocket test launch on California’s Central Coast ends in failure Wednesday night, with the rocket blowing up seconds after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Reporter Lance Orozco, KCLU

Evacuation orders have been lifted in parts of Amador County as fire crews begin to get a handle on the Electra Fire, which is now 40-percent contained.

Wildfire smoke is likely one reason Lake Tahoe was a little murkier last year. The head of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center says the lake has not fully recovered from a spike of fine particles that flowed into its waters after the extremely wet year of 2017.

Reporter Steve Milne, CapRadio

The Las Virgenes Municipal Water District serves many communities like Calabasas and Hidden Hills , home to celebrities. And, it’s also home to some of the state’s top water wasters.

Reporter Keith Mizuguchi, KQED

Damages that led to a power outage and the release of 5- thousand gallons of oil at an unmanned substation northwest of Bakersfield on Saturday has the California Public Utilities Commission investigating.

Reporter Ted Goldberg, KQED

A new report from the California Institute for Rural Studies says agriculture employees were four times more likely than any other industry, not to follow COVID-19 protocols, like enforcing face masks and physical distancing.

On Wednesday opponents submitted more than enough signatures to qualify for a recall election against District Attorney George Gascon, who some say is soft on crime. A spokesperson with the recall campaign said they spent about $8 million-dollars to gather over 700-thousand signatures. If certified, the election would be the latest in a string of recalls in California.

Two men tell KQED they have been held for about a week at a for-profit, private facility in Central California in retaliation for supporting a peaceful labor strike.

Reporter Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Electra Fire Officials Say Wildfire Is Now 10-Percent Contained

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 18:37:53 -0000

The Electra Fire which broke out on Monday is now 10-percent contained, according to Cal Fire officials. Nearly 1000 residents in Amador and Calaveras Counties are under mandatory evacuation as 4,000 acres have burned and another 1200 structures are threatened.

Dr. Bob Wachter, UCSF Chair of Medicine says people should continue to vaccinate and get boosters because it’s easy to get the newest variant. Wachter also recommends people continue to wear masks in an effort to avoid getting the B-A 5 Omicron subvariant.

University of California researchers found thousands of prisoners and prison workers were infected with COVID-19, despite the high number of those vaccinated at prison facilities across the state.

Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Advance Notice of Termination letters have gone out to at least three dozen employees, half of them in the San Diego Police Department, for failing to take COVID tests and/or get vaccinated, for religious reasons.

Claire Trageser, KPBS Investigative Reporter

In just a couple weeks, people with mental health emergencies should be able to call 9-8-8 for help. KQED checks in to see how preparations are going ahead of the new number’s launch.

Robert Garrova, KQED

In South Los Angeles every Sunday hundreds of people show up for a free yoga class. But this class isn’t just for fitness. It started as a protest against Black lives lost to violence.

Megan Jamerson, KCRW

The Coachella Valley Firebirds make history by hiring the first full-time female assistant coach in the American Hockey League. Jessica Campbell says she's looking forward to working with the players and helping them get to a level where they can play for the National Hockey League.

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Fire Danger Higher Than Normal In Northern, Central California

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 16:57:44 -0000

California has entered the hottest and driest months of the year, and the Bay Area faces a treacherous fire season. According to the latest wildfire forecast, the potential for wildfire is above normal across Northern and Central California.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

As of July 1, millions of renters in Los Angeles received stronger protections against eviction. The new rules will provide a stronger defense for many L.A. renters who’ve been vulnerable to eviction since April, when a last-minute change in state law temporarily revoked the county’s protections.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

With the Supreme Court decision last month overturning Roe v. Wade, California has pegged itself as a sanctuary for abortion services. But in many parts of the state, including the Central Valley, those services are hard to come by.

Guest: Lauren Jennings, Reporter, Visalia Times-Delta

The state budget approved by Governor Gavin Newsom last week includes $100 million to help children whose parents died from COVID-19. The HOPE for Children Act, will create savings accounts, with $4,000 deposited for kids younger than 9 and $8,000 for those ages 10 to 17.

Reporter: Maria Fernanda Bernal, KQED

It's July, which means the hottest and smoggiest days are ahead of us. And that dangerous mix of higher temperatures and air pollution in California also means a higher spike in deaths.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Climate change is leading to more extreme weather conditions across California. And during the summer months, extreme heat can be more than just an annoyance, it’s downright dangerous. That's why the city of Los Angeles has launched a campaign to warn people about the dangers of extreme heat.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Company In California Desert Looking To Help With Next Moon Mission

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 15:07:20 -0000

Masten Space Systems is helping develop a line of rockets that could be used for spaceflights without a crew and eventually, the next mission to the moon.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Supreme Court Decision On Carbon Pollution Not Expected To Impact California Rules

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 18:18:03 -0000

A Supreme Court ruling out this week sharply limits the Biden administration’s ability to limit carbon pollution from power plants. But it will not affect California’s aggressive climate laws.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

California is adding four new states to the list of places to which state-funded travel is banned due to anti-LGBTQ laws. Attorney General Rob Bonta has added Arizona, Indiana, Louisiana and Utah to California’s do-not-travel list.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Governor Newsom and the state legislature have agreed to eliminate more than $500 million in late payment fees on traffic violations for Californians. The penalties are known as civil assessments. They get tacked on as fines when someone doesn’t pay off things like speeding tickets on time.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

More people are getting infected with COVID-19 at work in Los Angeles County. With more than 300 workplaces reporting clusters of COVID-19 cases in the past week, L.A. County health officials are urging people to wear masks indoors.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

California immigration advocates have applauded a Supreme Court ruling that gives the Biden administration a greenlight to end a Trump-era immigration policy known as “Remain in Mexico.” Under the policy, the Trump administration expelled about 70,000 asylum seekers to often dangerous conditions in Mexico, to wait for U.S. immigration courts to resolve their claims.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Mental health workers say Kaiser Permanente is not ready to comply with a new law that went into effect Friday. It requires insurers to shorten wait times between therapy appointments.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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Two Sports Gambling Bills To Be On November Ballot

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 16:55:55 -0000

This fall, California voters will decide on two different proposals to legalize and tax betting on sports. Four years after the U.S. Supreme Court made it possible, voters will decide whether to legalize the multi-billion dollar industry here.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

A controversial state bill that would make it easier to build housing in office spaces or strip malls has passed out of a Senate Committee. The bill has split the state’s construction trade unions.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Sacramento County’s homeless population hit a new record high this winter at nearly 9300 people. That’s according to the Homeless Point-In-Time-Count, which was released earlier this week.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

California officials urged the federal EPA to let the state enforce its own ambitious clean truck standards at a hearing on Wednesday. The EPA is considering a waiver allowing California to impose strict regulations, forcing manufacturers to limit diesel pollution and increase production of electric trucks.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

California nonprofits that help women access abortion care are reeling from changes to the state budget that lawmakers passed on Wednesday night. Some expenses that they thought would be covered for women traveling from out of state, won’t be.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

The University of California has committed to hosting a voting center or ballot drop box at each of its campuses. The plan was announced as part of a partnership with the Secretary of State’s Office to encourage students to vote.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

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Thousands Waiting For Help As Eviction Moratorium Set To Expire

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 18:12:42 -0000

The last of California’s eviction protections expires on Friday. Lawmakers extended the deadline back in March, to give the state more time to pay out emergency rental assistance. But thousands of people who applied are still waiting, and could soon face eviction.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Reported hate crimes in California rose significantly last year, according to a report issued Tuesday by Attorney General Rob Bonta. Overall reports of hate crimes rose nearly 33% last year – to the highest level since right after the 9/11 attacks.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

As California's craft liquor scene grows, some of the state's smaller distillers say their growth is limited by laws preventing them from shipping direct to consumers. Now, a new bill, headed back to a state assembly committee, could change that.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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California Voters Get To Decide On Abortion Issue in November

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 17:00:57 -0000

In November, California voters will decide whether to enshrine a right to abortion in the state constitution, after the state Assembly voted on Monday to place the question on the November ballot.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

While abortion in California will remain legal, and the state says it will champion reproductive freedoms, Arizona is looking to enact some of the most draconian abortion laws in the country. What does this mean for both states?

Guest: Howard Fischer, Reporter Capitol Media Services in Arizona

Los Angeles County has allocated $50 million to start making purchases for 5,000 affordable housing units to help families reduce two big expenses - housing and transportation.

Reporter: Janaya Williams/KCRW

Undocumented immigrants, ages 26 to 49, will get health coverage beginning in 2024. Roughly 700-thousand people are expected to sign up – at a cost of about 2 billion dollars a year.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Advocates are hopeful that Gov. Newsom's budget proposal will consider an increase wage replacement for workers who take time off to care for an ill relative, or bond with a new child.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Californians Prepared To Help People From Out Of State With Abortion Care

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 16:27:10 -0000

California, which has positioned itself as a bastion of reproductive rights, plans to welcome people from states where abortion services are now restricted or banned altogether, following last week's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. The state may even help them cover the costs of traveling here.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

This is an election year with control of Congress at stake. And progresssive political activists say in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion and reproductive freedoms will be the biggest issue shaping the political landscape.

Guest: Emiliana Guereca, CEO of the Women’s March Foundation

Legal scholars say it’s unsettled whether Californians could be held legally liable for helping people from out of state get abortions. At issue is whether states have authority to criminalize behavior outside of their borders.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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After the Supreme Courts Ruling This Week California Lawmakers Gearing Up To Tighten Gun Laws

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 16:10:36 -0000

California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Next week state lawmakers are expected to pass a bill that will make carrying a concealed weapon her even harder.

Reporter: Kris Hooks, CapRadio

Nathan Hochman, a former prosecutor and defense lawyer, has won enough votes to face California's Democratic Attorney General, Rob Bonta, in the November general election in California. Hochman won 18% of the vote in the June 7th primary, while Bonta garnered 54.8%, according to the latest figures released on Thursday by the California Secretary of State's Office.

Prosecutors say the accused gunman who attacked a Taiwanese congregation in Laguna Woods was motivated by hate. The shooting shows a painful and complex past for Taiwanese immigrants and their American children.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

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New Program Helps Paradise Residents Rebuild With Wildfire Prepared Homes

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 16:25:12 -0000

A Paradise homeowner is one of the first to get her home fire proofed. It's part of a program that helps residents who lost homes during the 2018 Camp Fire pay for safety improvements.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

The trustee for a more than $13-billion-dollar fund set up to compensate Pacific Gas and Electric wildfire victims is stepping down. Retired Judge John K. Trotter has overseen the "Fire Victim Trust" for the past two years, but next week he leaves the post.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

California’s public pension systems won’t have to divest their funds from fossil fuels anytime soon. A bill that would have forced the state's public pension systems to sell their oil and gas holdings by the end of the decade died in the state assembly this week.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

Los Angeles renters may have to start paying back payments owed for rent during the pandemic now that the LA City Council is considering reversing measures that protected renters for the past two years.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

As the LGBTQ community continues to celebrate Pride Month here in California, an event that’s scheduled to feature drag queens at Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo has sparked controversy in the city. Opposing rallies were held near Fresno City Hall on Wednesday.

The pandemic is having a brutal impact on many school closures, especially for Catholic schools. We take a look at what the closure of one Catholic School in L.A.’s Boyle Heights neighborhood means for an immigrant community.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

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California Firefighters Dealing With Mental Health Crisis On The Job

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 17:49:18 -0000

Cal Fire is not only dealing with an increasing amount of wildfires across California, but many of its firefighters are facing their own mental health crisis. An investigation by CalMatters looked at the trauma these firefighters are facing and how it's affecting fire crews across the state.

Guest: Julie Cart, Reporter, CalMatters

Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to compel severely mentally ill Californians into treatment has cleared its latest legislative hurdle, despite concerns from civil liberties advocates. The CARE Court proposal is now headed to its next committee hearing in Sacramento.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Los Angeles County health officials are being urged to be more aggressive in their efforts to help stop the spread of Monkeypox. Currently, there are at least a dozen confirmed, or suspected, Monkeypox cases in LA County, and 37 total cases across the state. California health authorities are being asked to work harder on getting the word out about the disease, and the Aids Health Foundation wants to remind more people to use condoms.

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Legislators Announce Committee To Investigate High Gas Prices

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 16:28:28 -0000

California has the highest gasoline prices in the country. Now, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers is investigating whether price gouging by energy companies is the biggest factor.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Cal Fire responds to thousands of fires every year, often at great risk to firefighters. That’s earned the agency a heroic image in the public’s eye. But Cal Fire is also responsible for work that helps prevent catastrophic fire damage, and an investigation by the California Newsroom has found that the agency has failed to meet many of those responsibilities.

Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Thousands Of Warriors Fans Expected For Victory Parade

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 14:43:01 -0000

Thousands of people will line the streets of downtown San Francisco on Monday to celebrate the Golden State Warriors NBA Championship. This is the team's fourth title in the last eight years.

At least one bill that would legalize sports betting in California will go before voters in November. And while California could join more than two dozen states with some form of legalized wagering on sports, some are concerned it could have a negative effect on those struggling to kick the habit of sports betting and gambling addiction.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Warriors Win Fourth Championship In Last Eight Seasons

Fri, 17 Jun 2022 18:01:12 -0000

The Golden State Warriors went on the road and defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, 103-90, to clinch their fourth NBA title in the last eight seasons. Guard Stephen Curry was named Finals MVP, after leading the team with 34 points in the finale.

A Bay Area state senator is introducing a bill that would require California gun owners to have liability insurance. The bill from Senator Nancy Skinner of Berkeley would make gun owners take out policies similar to car insurance, that would make them financially responsible for injuries, damages, or deaths caused by the negligent or accidental use of their weapons.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

Immigrant detainees who work at two privately run detention facilities around Bakersfield have confirmed they are on strike. This comes as California’s workplace health and safety regulators have opened an investigation into their working conditions at one of the detention centers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Glenn Burke is not a household name for most baseball fans, even though he played for both the L.A. Dodgers and Oakland A’s in the late 70's. But Burke’s legacy off the field resonates today, especially during Pride month. That's because Burke was the first Major League Baseball player to come out publicly as gay.

Guest: Andrew Maraniss, Author of the book "Singled Out: The True Story of Glenn Burke"

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Opinions Over Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Remain Mixed

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:59:07 -0000

For nearly a decade, the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant has been the only active nuclear plant in California -- and the state’s single largest source of electricity. It's been set for decommissioning over the next three years, but recently Governor Gavin Newsom has discussed delaying its closure, to help offset possible energy shortages predicted in the next few years.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

The city of Sacramento has adopted an emergency ordinance aimed at better protecting patients and staff at reproductive health care clinics from harassment.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

In a win for California employers, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday placed limits on a state law that lets workers sue over certain labor law violations, even if they agreed to arbitration.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young children under the age of 5. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers have been the last age group here in the U.S. without access to the COVID vaccines. If all regulatory steps are cleared, the shots could be available as soon as next week.

Guest: Dr. Bob Wachter, Chair, UC San Francisco Department of Medicine

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Mortgage Relief Program Expands In California

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 13:21:04 -0000

More California homeowners could get mortgage relief, as the state expands access to a program designed to help those who have struggled to make payments during the pandemic.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Southern California’s sizzling real estate market may finally be getting a little cooler. As mortgage rates and inflation rise, some sellers now find themselves slashing asking prices to make a sale.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Despite the cooling market in parts of Southern California, rent and property prices still remain out of reach for some Californians. Among them -- many child care providers in San Diego.

Reporter: Claire Trageser, KPBS

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Lawmakers In Sacramento Approve Budget

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 17:37:58 -0000

Legislators in Sacramento have passed a new state budget, just in time for Wednesday's constitutional deadline. The $300 billion package is the largest spending plan ever.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Richmond have all adopted rules to stop landlords from harassing their tenants. Now, the city of Concord is the latest to take up these protections for renters.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

This past weekend, there were multiple incidents across the country involving right wing groups targeting Pride Month events. And we had at least two notable examples of LGBTQ hate here in California. It's something that many say is happening far more frequently.

Guest: Ari Drennen, LGBTQ Director for Media Matters for America

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As Abortion Ruling Looms, Counties Near Arizona Border Prepare For Influx Of Patients

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 14:39:10 -0000

The Supreme Court’s ruling on a Mississippi case that could alter the future of abortions in this country could come any day now. With the decision likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, states across the country are already looking to severely restrict or outright ban access to abortions. That includes California’s next door neighbor, Arizona.

Guest: Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

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A Closer Look At Extremist Behavior In California

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 16:44:19 -0000

On Thursday, the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will start sharing its findings, in the first of six public hearings. Dozens of people, here in California, have been criminally charged for their alleged involvement in the insurrection.

Guest: Brian Levin, Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino

A far right militia led the charge to recall a supervisor in Shasta County earlier this year. Far right activists started an organization meant to back candidates that shared their views in the primary election. But all six lost their races this week.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

The town of Susanville, about 200 miles northeast of Sacramento in Lassen County, is a former mining and logging area best known for the two state prisons it’s home to. The facilities are a driving force for Susanville’s economy, even with a third of the town’s population being incarcerated. But one of those facilities could close soon under an order from the state.

Guest: Piper French, Independent Reporter who wrote about Susanville for the digital magazine Bolts

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has approved a tiny home community for unhoused people in South Sacramento. The goal is to build 100 shed-sized homes at the site.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Incumbents Dominate In Primary Election

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 20:12:23 -0000

During Tuesday's primary election, incumbents had strong showings in statewide races, as they head to runoffs in November. And several closely contested congressional seats will also be up for grabs in the general election.

Guests: Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos, KQED

Congressman David Valadao, who represents the 22nd District in the Central Valley is locked in a tight battle for his seat, with Democratic State Assemblyman Rudy Salas.

Guest: Sorreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

Attorney General Rob Bonta is headed to a November election date with one of his Republican challengers, although that race is still too close to call.

Guest: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

The 45th Congressional District race covers much of Orange County. It's expected to be a close battle in November, with Republican incumbent Michelle Steel taking on Democrat Jay Chen.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

Developer Rick Caruso and longtime politician Karen Bass are heading for a November faceoff to see who will be the next mayor of the city of Los Angeles.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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California Voters Head To The Polls For Primary Election

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 17:00:53 -0000

The primary election is being held Tuesday in California. While a number of statewide offices are up for grabs, there are also several key Congressional races across the state.

Guest: Scott Shafer, KQED

California tenants rights groups have sued the state, claiming its process for denying emergency rental assistance isn’t fair. The lawsuit comes as pandemic-related eviction protections are set to expire at the end of the month.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

A bill in the House of Representatives would help non-citizen military veterans who are being threatened with deportation stay in this country.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

It’s been nearly a year since thousands of Afghan nationals fled their home country, as the Taliban seized power, following the U.S. withdrawal. Many have made California their new home. But in one Central Valley community, it's been an everyday struggle for these refugees.

Guest: Deepa Fernandes, Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle

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Community Able To Voice Opinions On Reparations

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 16:35:52 -0000

Recently a few dozen Black Californians gathered in Oakland to discuss their visions for reparations. It was the first "listening session" hosted by the State Task Force studying reparations for descendants of enslaved Americans.

To vote in Tuesday’s primary election, Californians must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. But you don’t need to have a permanent address to cast a ballot.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Alameda County Reimplements Indoor Mask Mandate

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:49:28 -0000

Due to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Alameda County is now requiring masks in most indoor public settings. With more California counties entering the CDC's highest community level for COVID-19 danger, it's unclear if more counties will do the same in the weeks ahead.

The Summit of the Americas convenes in Los Angeles next week. It's a gathering of heads of state from across the Western Hemisphere. But this year, it's unclear how recent tensions between the U.S.and Mexico could affect the gathering.

Guest: Arturo Sarukhán, Mexico's Former Ambassador to the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Education is canceling student loan debt for some 500,000 students who attended Corinthian Colleges. Corinthian was accused of targeting low income students, leaving them with a mountain of debt and too often without the jobs promised with the degrees offered.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Dancers at the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood could be the first strip club workers to successfully unionize since performers at a club in San Francisco’s did the same thing. The dancers say the owners and security guards at the North Hollywood business haven’t been keeping them safe when customers violate boundaries, and ongoing picketing hasn’t been enough to motivate changes.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

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With Worsening Drought, Long-Delayed Reservoir Project Gets New Life

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 18:22:52 -0000

As California's drought conditions worsen, the state is looking for more answers beyond just asking residents to conserve. There's now renewed debate about whether or not to build the Sites Reservoir, a massive reservoir project in the western Sacramento River Valley.

Guest: Ann Willis, Senior Staff Researcher, Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis

California’s Reparations Task Force released its first report on Wednesday. The report has preliminary recommendations including the establishment of an Office of African American/Freedmen Affairs to address past and potential future harms, and to assist people in filing eligibility claims.

Reporter: Lakshmi Sarah, KQED

State officials are warning people seeking abortion services about potential misleading information offered by so-called crisis pregnancy centers. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert about these facilities.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

UCLA researchers have analyzed the autopsies of people who died in L.A. County jails over ten years. They found that more than half of deaths classified as natural had evidence of physical harm on the bodies.

Reporter: Emily Elena Dugdale, KPCC

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Los Angeles Clears The Way To Ban Homeless Encampments Near Schools

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:08:03 -0000

The Los Angeles City Council has voted in favor of drafting new municipal ordinances that will ban homeless encampments within 500 feet of all schools and daycare centers in the city.

A new state audit has found major problems with the state's Child Abuse Central Index. The audit only reviewed six of California’s 58 counties, but found information gaps in tens of thousands of cases.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

Our sister station KVPR in Fresno has launched a new podcast series called “The Other California.” It profiles small towns around the San Joaquin Valley. One recent episode focuses on the expansion of the cannabis industry in the community of Woodlake in Tulare County.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

After a very long meeting Tuesday, Democrats in the State Assembly have settled on a new Speaker to succeed Anthony Rendon. But it's still unclear when Robert Rivas will actually become the next Assembly Speaker.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

This week the Biden Administration has launched a new system for hearing migrants’ asylum claims at the U.S.-Mexico border. Rather than sending asylum seekers into the overburdened immigration courts, cases will be decided by asylum officer in six cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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More Than A Dozen Oil Wells Found To Be Leaking Methane In Bakersfield

Tue, 31 May 2022 18:10:02 -0000

There’s growing concern about the potential health and safety risks from more than a dozen leaking oil wells in Bakersfield. At least five of the wells were found to be emitting methane at high enough levels that could either be explosive or cause serious health risks.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

With the primary election coming up next month in California, many voters will be casting their ballot for the candidates they feel best represent their interests and needs. But is there equal representation in the state?

Guest: Joe Mathews, Policital Columnist and President of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy

During the worst months of the pandemic, many childcare providers had to temporarily close their doors. That pushed some providers over the edge, especially in low income communities.

Reporter: Claire Trageser, KPBS

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Hollywood Bowl Celebrates 100 Years

Mon, 30 May 2022 15:24:37 -0000

The Hollywood Bowl has been hosting musicians from far and wide for years. This year is something special as the Los Angeles venue celebrates 100 years with another summer of concerts and performances.

Guest: Chad Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Philharmonic

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Legislative Staff Would Be Allowed To Unionize Under New Bill

Fri, 27 May 2022 16:45:26 -0000

Workers in the California Legislature are not allowed to unionize, and often work long and grueling hours, without overtime. But a new bill would change that.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Immigrant advocates and the U.S. government have reached an agreement on standards for the treatment of children in Border Patrol facilities. It comes two years after advocates raised alarms over shocking conditions at the Texas border during the Trump administration.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Hundreds of unionized workers, who've been on strike against Chevron's Bay Area refinery, are set to start voting on a deal that could end what's been a bitter two month long walk-out.

Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED

A strike by thousands of nurses has been averted at four Los Angeles County-run hospitals and multiple clinics. It happened after an all-night bargaining session led to a tentative agreement.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Governor Newsom Calls For Immediate Action On Gun Legislation

Thu, 26 May 2022 17:50:32 -0000

In the wake of Tuesday’s mass murder at a Texas elementary school, Governor Gavin Newsom and state legislative leaders are calling for fast action aimed at reducing gun violence.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Governor Newsom’s ambitious plan to overhaul California’s mental healthcare system cleared a major hurdle on Wednesday. The state Senate voted to approve CARE Court. The program would allow judges to order people with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders into treatment, with a particular focus on people who are also experiencing homelessness.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

California’s commision on POST, which stands for peace officer standards and training, has reached a key milestone in its implementation of the new police decertification law, Senate Bill 2. The commission has approved a definition of what constitutes misconduct serious enough to revoke an officer’s badge.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

The Anaheim City Council has voted to cancel the troubled Angels Stadium sale deal. The deal has been mired in controversy as an FBI affidavit has shown the city's former mayor was under investigation for public corruption and other offenses.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

A KPCC investigation has found the state corrections department moved people known as medical parolees to a nursing home in Los Angeles that was recently stripped of its federal certification. The move and decision behind it has been shrouded in secrecy.

Reporter: Elly Yu, KPCC

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How To Help Young People Cope With Tragic School Shooting In Texas

Wed, 25 May 2022 17:15:06 -0000

Details are still unfolding around the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. 21 people are dead -- 19 students and two teachers. For young people, the tragedy will likely resonate for years. But there are support mechanisms to help them cope with the shooting.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Preschool students are expelled and suspended at rates three times higher than kids in K-12 schools. It’s a problem California lawmakers are trying to address with a new bill – a bill that would ban the practice, which disproportionately impacts Black children.

Reporter: Deepa Fernandes, Early Childhood Reporting Fellow, Pacific Oaks College which is funded in part by First 5 LA

An investigation by KPCC in Los Angeles has found that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has moved people known as medical parolees to an institution that the federal government has stripped of its certification. That’s after the facility consistently violated standards of patient care.

Reporter: Aaron Mendelson, KPCC

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Governor Newsom Warns Of Possible Statewide Water Restrictions

Tue, 24 May 2022 19:01:13 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom is warning there could be statewide mandatory water restrictions if Californians don’t start conserving more water, as the drought worsens.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Starting in June, 6 million Southern Californians will face new water restrictions. For many people, that’ll mean watering their yards twice or even just once a week, per regulations. Some residents are ready. Others, not so much.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

There's a widening federal corruption investigation in the city of Anaheim, centered on its $320 milllion deal to sell the Angels baseball stadium to the owner of the team. Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu resigned Monday amid allegations that the city is tightly controlled by a “cabal” of business and political power brokers.

Guest: Gabriel San Roman, Reporter, LA Times

A survivor of the 2017 North Bay wildfires is asking a federal bankruptcy judge to order managers of a fund for wildfire victims to account for millions of dollars that have been spent over the last two years.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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San Francisco Archbishop Denies Communion For Pelosi Over Abortion Views

Mon, 23 May 2022 17:58:11 -0000

The Catholic archbishop of San Francisco, Salvator Cordileone, has directed priests under his jurisdiction not to give House Speaker Nancy Pelosi communion. Cordileone says it's because of Pelosi's support for abortion rights.

State officials have confirmed that two idle oil wells in Bakersfield were leaking methane gas near a residential community, but say they were sealed late last week. Environmental groups have called out regulators for not acting with more urgency once the leaks were first reported, but the state says it wasn’t an emergency.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

Five months ago, California unveiled a program to help low income Californians eliminate asthma triggers in their homes. But some families are still struggling to get these services.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority or LAHSA has unveiled plans to reduce the number of unsheltered homeless in L.A. County over the next three years.

Reporter: Ethan Ward, KPCC

There are two leading candidates in the race for Mayor of Los Angeles, according to the polls. One is Democratic Congresswoman and former speaker of the California State Assembly, Karen Bass. Her chief opponent is Rick Caruso, a billionaire property developer and Republican turned Democrat.

Guest: Fernando Guerra, Director of Loyola Marymount University’s Center for the Study of Los Angeles

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Legislators In Stalemate Over Gas Rebate Plans

Fri, 20 May 2022 16:18:45 -0000

At more than $6 a gallon, California has the highest gasoline prices in the country. So what’s Sacramento doing? State lawmakers want to use part of a $97 billion budget surplus to send out rebate checks. But legislators are in a stalemate over the details.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

When it comes to COVID-19 infection rates, the Bay Area continues to lead the state, but the numbers are rising across California, driven largely by subvariants of the coronavirus. With cases also rising in Southern California, the CDC has now moved L.A. County’s COVID risk level from low to medium.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

State Senators Melissa Hurtado and Dave Cortese have sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, requesting that the Department of Justice investigate possible drought profiteering and water rights abuses in California, and other western states. Hurtado says she’s concerned about the increasing amount of water rights being purchased by hedge funds.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

A species of California salmon is at risk of extinction due to climate change. As a short term remedy wildlife officials are trucking the salmon to cooler waters.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

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Taiwanese Community Has Trouble Coming To Grips WIth Church Shooting

Thu, 19 May 2022 18:30:58 -0000

Sunday’s shooting at a gathering of Taiwanese American Presbyterians in Orange County has shaken that community in Southern California. It's upsetting the older generation the most.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

This week, more than 40 so-called “Documented Dreamers” are in Washington D.C. They’re lobbying lawmakers to pass legislation that would protect young people who’ve aged out of their families’ immigration applications.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Immigrant advocates are pleased with Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal that would make California the first state in the nation to extend safety net health coverage to all residents, regardless of immigration status. But with a massive surplus, advocates say it's time for the state to go even further.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

California has some of the most stringent privacy laws in the country, including protecting the personal data of immigrants. But a two-year investigation by the Georgetown Law Center on Privacy and Technology has found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has used a range of surveillance tactics to circumvent state privacy laws, including California’s.

Guest: Dan Bateyko, Research Coordinator, Georgetown Law Center on Privacy & Technology

In response to national shortages of baby formula, President Biden has invoked the Defense Production Act to speed production and has authorized the Defense Department to use commercial planes to import formula from overseas that meet U.S. standards. The shortage is also prompting warnings from California health officials.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Man Accused In Orange County Church Shooting Faces Murder Charge

Wed, 18 May 2022 17:31:18 -0000

The man accused of opening fire this past Sunday at a church in Laguna Woods in Orange County, killing one man and wounding five others, is facing one count of murder, along with several other charges. The murder charge against David Chou also comes with the special circumstance of using a gun and lying in wait.

Reporters: Robert Garrova and Josie Huang, KPCC

The average price for a gallon of gas in California hit a new record on Tuesday. According to AAA, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas is now $6.02.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

New Starbucks unions are rapidly forming across California, with workers voting to unionize the first four locations in just the past week. Employees at more than 20 Starbucks locations in the state have petitioned for a chance to unionize since the start of the year.

Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED

In this third year of the drought, state leaders touted investments in water recycling on Tuesday while visiting a facility in Southern California. By early June the entire state will be under either a local or state mandate to conserve water.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Despite California’s strong gun laws, ghost guns, which are assembled by their purchasers at home, and difficult to trace because they lack serial numbers, have become increasingly linked to crime in the state.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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FBI Investigating Orange County Church Shooting As Possible Hate Crime

Tue, 17 May 2022 14:13:00 -0000

The FBI has opened a federal hate crime investigation into a shooting Sunday at a church in Orange County that left one man dead and five others wounded. Law enforcement officials say they believe the suspect in the case was motivated by political tensions between Taiwan and China.

Reporters: Robert Garrova and Josie Huang, KPCC

A judge in Los Angeles has ruled that California cannot legally require corporations to have women members of their boards of directors. The ruling invalidates a law passed in 2018, which said by this year, companies had to have at least two women on boards of five members, and at least three women on boards or six or more.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

California is hoping to reach carbon neutrality by 2045, and the state is looking to diversify and expand renewable energy projects to meet that goal. One major source of carbon-free energy could come from floating offshore wind turbines. The California Energy Commission earlier this month released a draft target for the amount of wind energy the state would need to help reach its goals.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

California's nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office says the state could be headed toward a fiscal cliff, despite a record-breaking budget surplus. The LAO says the new proposed state budget would leave California more than $3 billion over a constitutional limit on spending this year, and more than $20 million over that limit next year.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Last month, two Fresno council members announced a new pilot program that would equip street vendors’ carts with cameras. This effort comes a year after the murder of street vendor Lorenzo Perez. But it's still uncler if these vendors feel safe.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, KVPR

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Bomb Plot Case In Northern California Highlights Domestic Extremism Movement

Mon, 16 May 2022 16:49:22 -0000

Last year, two Bay Area men were arrested and charged with plotting to blow up the headquarters of the California Democratic Party. Prosecutors say the men planned to launch their attack on or after inauguration day.

Reporters: Julie Small and Alex Hall, KQED

One person, an adult male, was killed and five others were wounded when a gunman opened fire at a lunch banquet at the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods in Orange County. The banquet was held by a largely Taiwanese-American congregation.

On Saturday, thousands of people showed up in cities across California, in support of reproductive rights. This comes as the U.S. Supreme Court could vote to overturn Roe v. Wade in the coming months.

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Baby Formula Shortage Leaves Parents In California Scrambling

Fri, 13 May 2022 17:01:44 -0000

There’s a nationwide baby formula shortage, driven by supply chain issues and recalls. You can’t buy formula in many stores and in California, that's left many parents are scrambling.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

A federal appeals court has ruled that California’s ban on the sale of semiautomatic weapons to people under the age of 21 is unconstitutional. A panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals wrote that the law violates the Second Amendment and the right of young adults to bear arms.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

COVID-19 cases rose 20% last week in L.A. County. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said mask mandates could return if the pace of new cases doesn't slow down.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

With roughly 66,000 people across L.A. experiencing homelessness on any given night, there’s renewed interest in the role of corporate social responsibility and charity.

Reporter: Ethan Ward, KPCC

Seal pup season is coming to a close in California. When adult elephant seals leave the beach, pups are on their own as they prepare to live out at sea for months at a time. This means pups must learn to sleep underwater.

Reporter: Guananí Gómez-Van Cortright, KQED

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Workers At Two Santa Cruz Starbucks Stores Vote To Unionize

Thu, 12 May 2022 17:24:09 -0000

Two Starbucks stores in Santa Cruz have voted to become the first in the state to unionize. Since January, more than 20 Starbucks stores in California have started the process to unionize – joining hundreds of others across the U.S.

Resident doctors gathered in front of LA County-USC Medical Center in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday to protest low pay. It's just the latest in a string of healthcare-related protests across the state in recent months.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

The June primary is just weeks away, and we have our third story in a series examining the field of candidates running to be California Attorney General. No-party-preference candidate Anne Marie Schubert is a lifelong prosecutor and current Sacarmento County District Attorney.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Lawmakers advanced a bill Wednesday that would get rid of a rule in the state’s constitution that has stymied affordable housing developments in California for decades. It’s called Article 34 and it’s embedded in California’s constitution. It forces cities to get voter approval to build public housing.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

Giant Sequoias are now on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Endangered Species Red List due to the threat of drought and wildfires in their natural habitat in the U.S., particularly in California. Now, a group in the UK is planting and nurturing thousands of Giant Sequoias to offer a more secure future for the species.

Guest: Henry Emson, Founder One Life One Tree

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Despite Drought Warnings, Californians Using More Water

Wed, 11 May 2022 16:35:08 -0000

According to new numbers out, California's water usage jumped nearly 19% in March, despite pleas for conservation from the governor and local water agencies. Meanwhile, the city of Los Angeles has announced new mandatory water restrictions. Starting June 1st, the city's four million residents will have to cut outdoor water use to two-days a week.

California has a whopping state budget surplus, an estimated $68 billion. But it’s doubtful any of that money will go to fixing the state agency in charge of investigating wage theft. It’s struggling with a backlog of more than 36, 000 cases that stretches back years.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice, in separate but related contests. He's running in one contest to finish out former U.S. Senator Kamala Harris' term, and also competing for a new 6-year term.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

California’s Fair Political Practices Commission could soon open the door for campaigns to accept cryptocurrency donations. California is currently one of nine states that bars campaign contributions in crypto because they’re so hard to regulate and trace.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Equality isn’t perceived equally. According to a new study from UC Berkeley, historically privileged groups can see opening up pathways of opportunities for some less privileged people as harming their own access to resources.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

The opulent Hearst Castle atop a commanding hilltop on California’s Central Coast draws in about 750,000 visitors every year. But the popular tourist destination has been closed for more than two years because of the pandemic. It's finally reopening on Wednesday

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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Thousands Of Fast Food Workers Still Dealing With Wage Theft In California

Tue, 10 May 2022 16:42:37 -0000

A survey released on Tuesday reveals wage theft is still a big problem for more than half a million fast food workers in California. More than 8 in 10 workers surveyed said employers have shorted them on their paychecks.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Contract negotiations affecting workers at 29 West Coast ports begin on Tuesday. The talks between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association are happening amid pandemic safety issues and growing imports that created long queues of ships waiting to offload cargo.

Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report

San Francisco’s NAACP chapter is calling on the city to take action in support of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities who’ve faced an increase in hate crimes

Reporter: Maria Fernanda Bernal, KQED

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Financial Justice Advocates Call For End To Traffic Citation-Related Court Fees

Mon, 09 May 2022 17:04:16 -0000

Later this week, Governor Gavin Newsom will issue what’s called a "May Revise," updating the governor’s budget proposal for the coming fiscal year. Financial justice advocates in the state hope part of that proposal will include the elimination of court fees known as "civil assessments." These are penalties that courts impose when traffic tickets and other citations aren't paid on time.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

The nation’s largest student-run powwow gathered in-person at Stanford University over the weekend, the first time since the pandemic hit. The theme was intergenerational resilience.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

Bay Area counties are in the midst of an increase in COVID-19 cases. How long will it last? Well, experts say it depends.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Bill To Protect Abortion Services For Out-of-State Patients Moves Forward

Fri, 06 May 2022 17:52:22 -0000

A bill to protect abortion services for people traveling to California from states where abortion is banned is now on a fast track in Sacramento. Assembly Bill 1666 was introduced after Texas enacted a law to punish women who receive an abortion or anyone who assists her.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The Facing Life project investigates “life after life” in California’s prisons. The lives of eight people are documented. They were released from life sentences in California prisons, following policy changes in the state. But the project sheds light on mass incarceration and its systemic issues.

Guest: Pendarvis Harshaw, KQED, Host of Rightnowish Podcast

The state Senate Judiciary Committee has voted to advance a bill that would let teens get vaccinated for COVID-19 without their parents’ consent. The bill is from San Francisco State Senator Scott Wiener.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Cable, phone, and wireless companies have dropped their legal bid to block the state’s net neutrality law.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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911 Dispatchers Could Play Key Role In Prosecuting More Hate Crimes

Thu, 05 May 2022 16:45:31 -0000

Hate incidents are on the rise in San Diego, but they continue to be difficult to prosecute. Now, 911 dispatchers could play a key role in gathering evidence for these types of cases.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

Governor Gavin Newsom says the Supreme Court's anticipated roll-back of abortion rights is part of a larger attack on freedoms and privacy. The governor has reaffirmed California's support for access to reproductive services, after a leaked draft Supreme Court opinion showed a majority of justices supported overturning Roe v. Wade.

As COVID-19 cases increase across the state, Los Angeles is seeing more outbreaks at workplaces and schools.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

The Mountain View-based company behind TurboTax, Intuit, has agreed to pay more than $140 million to customers. $11 million will go to Californians, who were tricked into paying for services that should have been free.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

California voters could decide between two different approaches to legalizing sports gambling this November, after supporters of legalizing online wagers say they've collected enough signatures to make it on the ballot.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The neat rows of grapevines in California’s wine country are just beginning to bud, as the wine industry faces another season of drought and almost certainly, wildfire. But it’s not just the flames they’re worried about. It’s the smoke too.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

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California Legislators Vow To Protect Abortion Rights In The State

Wed, 04 May 2022 17:38:41 -0000

Top Democrats in the California Legislative Women’s Caucus are pushing more than a dozen bills that they say will bolster abortion services in the state. Meanwhile, hundreds of people took part in rallies across the state, following news that Roe v. Wade could be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The contents of a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would likely strike down Roe v. Wade are still sinking in – both across the country and here in California.

Guest: Radhika Rao, Law Professor, UC Hastings

Los Angeles County’s Office of Diversion and Reentry houses thousands of people with mental health challenges, who would otherwise end up incarcerated. But its biggest initiative maxed out its budget last year and can’t add any new clients.

Reporter: Emily Elena Dugdale, KPCC

San Diego county has launched a first-in-the-nation program to provide free legal aid to detained immigrants.

Reporter: Kitty Alvarado, KPBS

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California Prepares For Possibility Of Roe v. Wade Being Overturned

Tue, 03 May 2022 17:05:08 -0000

A draft majority opinion obtained by Politico appears to show that the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. If that does occur, the effects will be felt nationwide, including in California, which is already preparing for the possibility of an influx of people looking to get an abortion.

Guest: Shannon Olivieri Hovis, Director of NARAL Pro-Choice California

In a recent op-ed for the San Francisco Chronicle, former legislative staffer Ruth Ferguson details her experiences working in the office of Bay Area Assemblymember Marc Berman. She says her experience included harassment from her direct supervisor and retaliation for reporting incidents that concerned her. Now, she's looking to help lead change in the ways these claims are investigated.

Guest: Ruth Ferguson, former staffer for Bay Area Assemblymemebr Marc Berman

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Fate of California's Last Nuclear Power Plant Up In The Air

Mon, 02 May 2022 16:57:21 -0000

California’s last remaining nuclear energy facility, Diablo Canyon in San Luis Obispo County, produces enough carbon-free energy to power three million homes each year. It’s scheduled to shut down by 2025, but now, Governor Gavin Newsom may consider delaying the closure.

Reporter: Rachel Showalter, KCBX

Change is coming to California’s rooftop solar market, but what that change looks like remains a mystery. The state is still waiting for a reboot of efforts to overhaul its solar power system, three months after Governor Gavin Newsom essentially shut the process down.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

This upcoming June primary is the first chance to see the effects of new local campaign finance limits in California. In Shasta County, it will likely test the limits of how much influence a wealthy donor can have on races.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

A new study from the Stanford School of Medicine sheds some light on why it is that teens tune mom out.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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What's Changed and What Hasn't 30 Years After LA Unrest

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 15:02:35 -0000

This week marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most painful and bloodiest chapters in LA's history. The civil unrest of 1992, also known as the riots, the rebellion and the uprising, began in response to the acquittal of four white LA police officers for the beating of a black man named Rodney King. By the time it was over, dozens were dead and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage was done.

Guest: Joel Anderson, Podcast Host of Slow Burn: The LA Riots

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Foster Farms, Hiring Firms Fined Millions Over Sick Pay Violations

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 18:13:13 -0000

California’s Labor Commissioner has fined poultry giant Foster Farms and three staffing agencies nearly $4 million for failing to tell thousands of workers about COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave assistance. The failure was discovered during an audit of Foster Farms’ payroll records in 2020.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Researchers in San Diego County are working to stave off the worst impacts of global warming. They say cattails found in wetlands could be part of the answer.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

Stockton city leaders have found a new chief to lead the police department. Stanley McFadden, who is currently a deputy chief in San Jose, will be the first African American to lead the department.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

To help protect it and give people more control over what companies do with their data, the state has enacted new privacy laws and created the country's very first privacy protection agency to enforce them. It's only six months old, and director Ashkan Soltani says he knows there are big challenges ahead.

Guest: Ashkan Soltani, Executive Director, California Privacy Protection Agency

An effort to shut down three oil platforms off the Orange County coast has cleared its first legislative hurdle. But there are concerns about the potential costs, even from some Democrats who oppose offshore drilling.

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

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More Water Districts Adding Drought-Related Restrictions

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 18:23:40 -0000

In Southern California, the Metropolitan Water District, which supplies water to millions of people in several counties, has declared a first of its kind water shortage emergency. Meanwhile, in the Bay Area, the East Bay Municipal Water District has approved a mandatory 10% reduction in water usage compared to 2020 levels.

What little is known about long-COVID in children and teenagers suggests that it can be just as disabling for them as it is for older adults. One family in Los Angeles connected the dots before the doctors.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

A proposal by Governor Gavin Newsom to impose a new form of court-ordered treatment for people with severe mental illness got approval in its first state senate hearing on Tuesday. The CARE Court idea is receiving opposition from civil rights and homeless advocacy groups.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Nurses at University of California medical centers will protest UC management on Wednesday, in response to staffing issues that the nurses say have been ongoing through the pandemic.

Reporter: Shehreen Karim, KQED

A state audit of five law enforcement agencies has found racist or other biased conduct by police officers at all of them-- and inadequate investigations into that conduct.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

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Mayors Call For More Funding For Homelessness Services

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 18:35:25 -0000

The mayors of California’s largest cities are calling on Governor Newsom to continue funding critical homelessness services. The state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Grants have only been available for three years. But mayors from all over California say their cities rely on their unique flexibility to pay for a wide range of services.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

A study from the L.A. County Department of Public Health comparing unhoused mortality one year before, and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that deaths among young unhoused people, aged 18 to 29, more than doubled.

Reporter: Ethan Ward, KPCC

We're continuing our series examining the field of candidates running to be California Attorney General. The current AG, Democrat Rob Bonta is facing three serious challengers, including Republican hopeful Eric Early, who says the state is headed in the wrong direction.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom has promised that California will halt all in-state oil and gas production by the year 2045. But the state is the country’s 7th largest oil producer. So what might that transition look like, specifically in the San Joaquin Valley towns literally built on oil?

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

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Masks Will Once Again Be Required On Public Transportation In Los Angeles

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 16:06:05 -0000

Starting on Friday, masks will again be required inside L.A. County’s airports and on public transportation. The new health order comes after a Florida federal judge threw out a mask mandate on public transportation and airplanes nationwide.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

California could sanction places to do illegal drugs under the watchful gaze of a healthcare worker. The so-called “safe consumption” sites are an effort to save lives, as overdoses skyrocket across the country. But the prospect of opening them remains controversial.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

California will close its main COVID-19 testing lab next month. The facility in Los Angeles County has faced scrutiny since it opened.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

A new poll finds that 80% of Gen Z youth in California have experienced anxiety, stress or feelings of being overwhelmed as a result of learning about climate change.

Reporter: Anaïs-Ophelia Lino, KQED

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Home Sales Slowing Down In California

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 19:02:39 -0000

California’s red hot housing market is showing some early signs of cooling. The reason for that is both good and bad news for would-be homebuyers.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

In Los Angeles County, in the city of Inglewood, an elementary school is facing permanent closure this summer. Locals have started a petition to stop the closure, but the school district says low enrollment makes it too expensive to keep open.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

Officials from the Biden Administration are sounding the alarm about global shortages of semiconductor chips. They're urging Congress to fast track a bill with incentives for companies to expand domestic chip production in places like Silicon Valley.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Almonds are harvested every year in August. But this year, many growers and processors in California are still holding onto last year’s product.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

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Gun Legislation Advances In Sacramento

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 16:53:11 -0000

A bill to hold gun manufacturers responsible for death and destruction caused by their products cleared a key Assembly committee on Tuesday. It's part of a larger package of legislation addressing gun violence in the state.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

While health officials are hopeful that the worst of the pandemic is over, hospitals are still reeling from financial losses. One hospital in the San Joaquin Valley is warning of disaster for many facilities.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

The Kern County town of McFarland is facing the possible closure of its only public library, so the space can be used by the McFarland Police Department. While city leaders have rallied around the proposal, many in the community oppose the plan.

Guest: Emma Gallegos, Central Valley Journalism Resident for EdSource

Governor Gavin Newsom visited the Oroville Dam on Tuesday to talk about the ongoing drought and the state's plans to address it. He said California might need to shut down one of its largest hydroelectirc plants.

Reporter: Alec Stutson, North State Public Radio

With drier winters, hotter summers, and year-round potential for wildfires, Southern California is experiencing the effects of climate change. And the grab-bag of wild weather isn’t lost on voters, according to a new poll.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Across California, law enforcement agencies are under increasing scrutiny over using the DNA of sexual assault surivors in unrelated criminal investigations. Santa Clara County supervisors heard testimony on the topic on Tuesday.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Los Angeles County’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes new investments in mental health. The plan is to use federal funds to assist with outreach, engagement and crisis response.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

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Los Angeles Landlords Fail To Overturn Eviction Moratorium

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 16:29:39 -0000

Landlords in Los Angeles have failed in their legal quest to overturn the city’s eviction moratorium. The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear a case challenging the city’s protections.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

A San Francisco judge has ordered the release of a man who's been incarcerated for over 30 years, for a murder he's maintained he didn't commit.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

It’s been 16 years since Californians elected anyone but a Democrat to statewide office. But this year, Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta is facing challenges from three serious contenders in the June primary -- two Republicans and one independent.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

During a visit to California’s Central Coast Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced that the U.S. will no longer conduct anti-satellite missile tests in space. She called it a reckless and dangerous practice.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

More than half of California voters would be willing to pay more for items that don’t contain single-use plastics, according to a new poll. The poll by the environmental group Oceana reveals more than 90% of California voters are concerned by the damage wrought by plastic pollution.

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

The Salinas River is home to many beavers, who are helping the area better adapt to the impacts of climate chnage.

Reporter: Rachel Showalter, KCBX

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Bill Would Boost Renter Tax Credit For First Time In Decades

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 17:36:53 -0000

More than three million Californians could get a break on their tax bill with a proposal to boost benefits for renters. The proposal from state Senator Steve Glazer would increase the renter tax credit from $60 to $500 for single filers and from $120 to $1000 for couples and single parents.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

A new survey of more than 700 crime survivors finds that California needs to do far more to support victims -- especially those in marginalized communities. It found that more than a third of victims are never offered the resources they’re entitled to under state law, including help with funeral or housing costs

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Within the next two decades, all of California’s electricity needs to come from renewable sources. That makes geothermal energy, energy from heat in the earth, more appealing.

Reporter: Greta Mart, Northern California Public Media

Every year, California prisons hand over hundreds of people to immigration authorities. But in a rare exception, one Cambodian national was released on parole late last week and reunited with family without being re-detained.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

Millions of dollars PG&E agreed to pay in its Kincade Fire settlement with the Sonoma County district attorney will go directly to local groups.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Report Questions Senator Feinstein's Mental Fitness

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 16:48:10 -0000

Does California U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who’s 88 and a giant of American politics, still have the mental fitness to do her job? According to reporting by San Francisco Chronicle Washington Correspondent Tal Kopan, there are many instances of the Senator’s memory failing.

Guest: Tal Kopan, Washington Correspondent, San Francisco Chronicle

A bill to tighten COVID-19 vaccination requirements for California school children has stalled in the state legislature. Legislation from Sacramento State Senator Richard Pan would have closed the personal beliefs exemption, like the state has done for the measles vaccine.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Now that many COVID restrictions have eased in California, and all of us are trying to figure out how to live our lives going forward, The California Report wanted to check in with someone we first met at the very beginning of the pandemic. San Francisco resident Hinda Gilbert was on a cruise ship that had to be redirected to Oakland, following an outbreak on board.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

The California Task Force studying reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans has approved its report on why reparations are necessary. The report will be the first government-issued document to examine anti-black racism in more than 50 years.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

State regulators are recommending that the western Joshua tree not be designated as a threatened species. It was given interim protection back in 2020 under the California Endangered Species Act.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

It can be hard to imagine anything living in the deepest and darkest depths of the world’s oceans. But the seafloor can teem with life. That ecosystem, though, is under threat from climate change and plastic pollution, and a new threat now looms – deep sea mining.

Reporter: Erika Mahoney

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California Pushes Forward With Electric Vehicle Plan

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 16:37:11 -0000

A draft of California’s first-in-the-nation roadmap for ending the sale of all new gas-powered cars in the state by 2035 has been released. The new plan requires an increase in the sales of electric vehicles starting in 2024.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

If you’re in the market for a new electric vehicle here in California right now, you’re definitely not alone. With gas prices soaring to record levels, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many prospective car buyers say an EV is the way to go. But are there anywhere near enough electric vehicles at California car dealerships?

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

California’s Reparations Task Force studying reparations for Black Californians continues meeting on Thursday at San Francisco’s historic Third Baptist Church. During Wednesday's meeting, the topic was discrimination in education.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

California voters say housing affordability and homelessness are the most important issues for the state to address this year. That’s according to a new survey from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

People who have experienced homelessness need to be given a seat at the table when it comes to making policy decisions about Los Angeles’ homeless crisis. That's one of the recommendations to come out of a new report commissioned by the Committee for a Greater LA.

Reporter: Ethan Ward, KPCC

People with certain psychiatric disorders face a heightened risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infections. That’s according to a new study from UC San Francisco.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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Proposal For Shorter Workweek in California Sparks Debate

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 16:37:53 -0000

A bill in the state legislature aims to cut some Californians' workweek down to 32 hours from the usual 40. The proposed legislation would apply to companies in the state with more than 500 employees. At the national level, similar legislation has been introduced by Riverside County Congressman Mark Takano.

Guest: Alex Soojung-Kim Pang, Writer and Head of Global Programs for 4 Day Week Global

The California Chamber of Commerce has called the proposal to shorten the workweek in California a job killer, arguing it will drastically increase labor costs for businesses. The chamber says it could also result in major job cuts and larger companies deciding not to expand in the state.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Amazon’s warehouse workers are getting injured twice as often as workers at other warehouses across the country. And in California, the rates are even higher. That’s according to a new study out from a labor union coalition based in the Inland Empire.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

California has tough new penalties on the books regarding wage theft. That’s when employers don’t pay workers what they’re actually owed. And, a state hearing on alleged wage theft at six Burger King franchises in San Francisco has started this week.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

With the rise in anti-Asian violence across the country has come a push to fight racism, through education. Many Asian American teachers in Southern California are using the moment to get their history into more schools.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

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State Wildfire Prevention Program Shows Little Progress

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 17:06:18 -0000

California has millions of acres of overgrown forestland. It’s raw fuel for potentially catastrophic wildfires. In late 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new program to dramatically speed up the state’s wildfire prevention work. But an investigation from CapRadio and The California Newsroom found the program hasn’t resulted in a single completed project.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

California’s push for green energy could inadvertently harm one of its most famous species. As more and more wind turbines go up in the state, the companies behind them are looking to prevent unintended deaths of critically endangered California condors.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Where oh where have California’s school kids gone? The state’s K-12 public school enrollment is down again this year by 110,000 students. That’s on top of a drop of 161,000 last year.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

San Francisco tenants now have the right to organize, under legislation that took effect this week. The Board of Supervisors approved the protections for tenants to form associations like labor unions.

Reporter: Maria Fernanda Bernal, KQED

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COVID Treatment More Readily Available in Los Angeles

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 14:25:00 -0000

Even as the highly contagious BA.2 subvariant spreads across the globe, California has not yet seen a sharp uptick in new coronavirus cases or hospitalizations. But in Los Angeles, more people who do test positive for COVID will now have access to treatment.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

For over two years now, the closure of the US-Mexico border to most asylum-seekers has left many migrants in limbo. For young people especially, that means months without school or anyway to fill their days. One organization in Tijuana is trying to do something about that by giving young migrants a place to learn, where they can also deal with the mental toll their journeys have taken on them.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler

As thousands of Ukrainians seeking asylum flock to the US-Mexico border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has conditionally opened an entry south of San Diego that has been shuttered for two years. The PedWest border crossing at the San Ysidro Port of Entry has become a welcoming area for people fleeing the war.

Reporter: Kitty Alvarado, KPBS

For many transgender and nonbinary people who are dealing with medical conditions, the path to permanent housing is often met with barriers. In Los Angeles, some organizations are working to change that.

Reporter: Ethan Ward, KPCC

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COVID Outbreaks Rising at Los Angeles Schools

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 16:52:42 -0000

Schools in the Los Angeles area are reporting more coronavirus outbreaks. Outbreaks have more than tripled in the past 10 days in Los Angeles schools.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Thieves have been stealing catalytic converters from cars and trucks at a much greater rate here in California, in large part because the metals in those converters, like palladium and platinum, have become so valuable to resell. But a recent event in Los Angeles aimed to help drivers who might become victims of those crimes.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Over the past couple of years, the pandemic has highlighted big problems with the state’s often deteriorating stock of rental housing has more people have stayed home. Now, Los Angeles County is planning to crack down on landlords who neglect their buildings.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

The city of Fresno is launching a pilot program to help protect its street vendors, one year after a vendor was murdered while selling corn. The city will be installing livestream cameras on 20 vendor carts, hoping that they'll serve as a deterrent to harassment and violence.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

California had already announced that crab fisheries from the Sonoma-Mendocino County border on south would close on Friday. Now the Department of Fish and Wildlife is shutting down the northern parts of the state on April 20.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

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Sacramento Police - Mass Shooting Likely Involved Rival Gangs

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 16:54:56 -0000

Sacramento police now believe at least five individuals fired guns in the downtown shooting that left six dead and 12 injured early Sunday morning. Investigators say they believe gangs played a role in the shooting.

Guest: Sam Stanton, Sacramento Bee

Since 1959, California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, has set rules of conduct for law enforcement in the state. The commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday to work on defining what kind of police misconduct is serious enough to revoke an officer’s badge.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

There are more than a million unfilled tech jobs in the United States. That’s a problem for tech companies but an opportunity for IT professionals in Mexico.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

This week, San Diego’s City Council approved a new municipal board that will oversee surveillance related issues in the city. The new board will give advice and recommendations on the city's use of surveillance technologies and personal data, as well as review how they are currently being used.

Reporter: Christina Kim, KPBS

A poll out this week from UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies gives new insight into concerns Californians have for farmworkers employed in wildfire evacuation zones. More than 80% of California voters polled think that farmworkers should both get hazard pay for this work – and be given safety training in their own native language.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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Suspect in Sacramento Mass Shooting Makes First Court Appearance

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 16:26:10 -0000

The first suspect arrested in connection to Sunday's mass shooting in Sacramento, Dandrae Martin, made his first brief appearance in court on Tuesday. His brother has also been arrested and a third person was taken into custody, but police say as of now, he's not facing any charges related to the mass shooting.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is joining victim and criminal justice reform advocates to demand that the state do more to stem violence. 19 community groups are calling on state leaders to invest $3 billion in local programs to support crime survivors and help interrupt cycles of violence.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

One month ago, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled an ambitious proposal to create mental health courts in California. These so-called "CARE Courts” would be places where homeless people with severe mental health disorders could get connected to the treatment they need. But more controversially, the courts would also have the authority to force some people into care if they didn't want to go, raising concerns about abuse and civil liberties.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

State senators voted on Tuesday to advance a gun control bill that would use the threat of lawsuits to fight the sale and manufacture of illegal firearms. Senate Bill 1327 would allow any California citizen to sue those who pay for, manufacture or distribute ghost guns.

Reporter: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED

In recent years, a lot of people have become rideshare and delivery drivers to make some extra cash. But those drivers face a number of threats while on the road. A new report out Wednesday claims that the gig companies the drivers work for aren't doing enough to compensate the drivers when bad things do happen.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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Second Arrest Made in Sacramento Mass Shooting As Community Mourns

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 15:48:07 -0000

Last night in downtown Sacramento people gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the victims’ memories after a mass shooting there early Sunday morning. A variety of community leaders spoke, from Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg to community activist Barry Accius.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

57-year-old Melinda Davis was one of the victims of the shooting. She was unhoused and had lived on the streets of downtown Sacramento for much of the past decade.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

Sacramento public school teachers have announced they are calling off a more than week-long strike. The pivot point might have been the aftermath of this weekend’s shootings.

Reporter: Janelle Salanga, CapRadio

At the same time, teachers with Summit Charter School Network are threatening a strike if leadership doesn’t agree to a contract after more than a year of stalled negotiations.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

San Diego City is proposing a moratorium on “No Fault” evictions until September 30th 2022 or 60 days after the end of the local state of emergency, whichever comes first.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

Malibu's City Council has voted to move its homeless population outside of the city limits. The city’s homeless task force believes its solution will meet the needs of people willing to accept services while also making it easier for the sheriff’s department to enforce the city’s no camping policy.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

In Los Angeles County, Sheriff Alex Villanueva will be forced to testify in court over long-running allegations that deputy gangs exist in his department.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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Sacramento Mass Shooting Over Weekend Leaves Six Dead, Twelve Injured

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 16:06:19 -0000

A mass shooting happened in Sacramento around two a.m. Sunday morning in a crowded downtown business district, not far from the state capitol building, a district filled with bars and restaurants which were closing for the night.

Host Saul Gonzalez spoke with Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester, Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Councilmember Katie Valenzuela, State Assemblymember Kevin McCarty and Sacramento residents in the aftermath of the shooting.

Now that pandemic rental relief has been extended thanks to a bill signed late last week the state Attorney General’s Office is putting some landlord attorneys on notice after receiving reports that their clients are using false claims in order to evict tenants.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

For weeks new COVID cases in LA County had been steadily falling, but they have now plateaued. KPCC Senior Health Reporter Jackie Fortier says lifting mandatory mask rules and the spread of another highly transmissible variant are to blame.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Free Tax Prep Not Free

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0000

The FTC is suing Intuit over its TurboTax software. The agency says the California-based company is misleading consumers by marketing the product as free.

Guest: Justin Elliot, ProPublica

A new push for mental health warnings on legal cannabis products.

Reporter: April Dembosky

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Investigation Finds California’s Private Homecare Industry In Crisis

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 16:12:24 -0000

California’s private homecare industry is in bad shape, with overwhelmed employers and underpaid workers. That’s from a new report out of UCLA’s Labor Center.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

California lawmakers are expected to vote today on a bill to extend eviction protections for tenants still waiting on rent relief. More than 500-thousand have applied for that assistance.

Guest: Erin Baldassari, Housing Reporter, KQED

A six month-long investigation commissioned by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has found that LA county’s homelessness services are “under tremendous strain” and in need of sweeping reform.

Reporter: Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRW

Soon you’ll no longer have to show proof of Covid vaccination to get inside many businesses in Los Angeles.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Exotic dancers at a North Hollywood bar have been on a strike for more than a week to demand safer working conditions.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

More than seven years after its passage, Proposition 47 has saved California 600 million dollars in prison costs according to a new report by the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice.

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State Task Force Votes on Who Qualifies for Reparations

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 17:13:52 -0000

After hours of debate on Tuesday, California’s Reparations Task Force cast a historic vote deciding who will be eligible to receive compensation. .

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

COVID-19 numbers in California have improved drastically since the beginning of the omicron wave here in the state. But there are some concerns that a highly transmissable variant could bring more cases in the coming weeks and months.

Guest: Lesley McClurg, KQED Health Correspondent

A proposal to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for California workers will not move forward this year in the state legislature. It was dropped without a vote.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Wastewater data in the South Bay Area this week hints at the first signs of a sustained rise in COVID-19 because of the BA.2 omicron subvariant. But it’s nothing compared to the last surge.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

A California congressman is introducing a new bill aimed at helping provide some relief for drivers from rising gas prices. It would send relief checks to taxpayers.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

A new report on safety inspections at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County has found failures by inspectors from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to appropriately identify several issues at the facility.

Reporter: Rachel Showalter, KCBX

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Governor Newsom Orders Additional Water Restictions

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 16:57:36 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered water districts to increase water restrictions. But are statewide mandatory water cutbacks coming?

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

A new report out of UCLA shows that a year after a sweep of homeless camps around Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles, most of the unhoused who were uprooted have not found permanent housing. Even more concerning, many have fallen off the map of the city's homeless department, and are no longer being tracked.

Guest: Ananya Roy, Professor of Urban Planning and Chair of UCLA's Luskin Institute on Inequality and Democracy

The state Assembly has voted to extend pandemic eviction protections for tenants still waiting on rent relief. How big is the problem? Well fewer than half of the nearly 500,000 people who’ve applied for rental assistance have yet to receive a payout.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the lives of nearly 10,000 nursing home residents and staff in California. To honor them, and to press for better working conditions, several dozen unionized long-term care workers held a vigil Monday in Sacramento.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

A federal judge in Santa Ana is ordering a controversial Southern California legal scholar to turn over documents to the House Committee investigating the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Sacramento City Teachers Remain on Strike

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 16:57:41 -0000

Despite bargaining this weekend, there’s no new deal as a teacher’s strike continues in the Sacramento City Unified School District. That means campuses will remain closed, and that's taking a toll on families.

Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio

Student debt is a crushing financial burden for millions of people, including health professionals who’ve worked hard treating COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. Now, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California has introduced a bill to help get rid of student loans for frontline healthcare workers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Talks aimed at ending a strike by hundreds of unionized workers at Chevron's refinery in the city of Richmond are restarting Monday morning. It's the first bargaining session since the workers walked off the job a week ago over pay, health benefits and worker safety concerns.

Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED

After years of scrutiny and criticism of how the Bakersfield Police Department does its job, an agreement between the department and the California Department of Justice may force the department to make changes. That includes how Bakersfield PD officers respond to calls involving people with mental health issues.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

If you’re looking for a house to buy in California, this won’t surprise you. Home ownership became even more unreachable for the great majority of Californians last year. And housing affordability was worse for prospective Black and Latino buyers.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

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California Legislators Look to Extend Eviction Protections

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 16:25:30 -0000

State lawmakers have introduced a bill to extend protections for tenants waiting on rent relief from the state. But it won't extend the deadline to apply for rent relief, which expires at the end of March.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

The race to be Los Angeles' next mayor has kicked off, and the leading candidates are all promising to tackle one major issue if elected -- homelessness. But many are questioning whether their proposed solutions will actually help with the issue.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Yet another guard at the federal women's prison in the city of Dublin has been charged with sexual abuse. The lockup has been nicknamed "the Rape Club" by people incarcerated there.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

Three Muslim Americans are suing the Department of Homeland Security, over what they say is unconstitutional treatment at Los Angeles International Airport.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

A new rule just published by the Biden administration will overhaul the way asylum claims made at the border are decided. It could speed up the process for tens of thousands of asylum seekers.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Governor Newsom Offers New Gas Relief Plan

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 17:38:53 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing to spend $9 billion on tax refunds, to help California motorists at the pump. Newsom wants to use the state's windfall of tax revenue to send drivers a $400 debit card -- one each for up to two vehicles.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Hundreds of Eastern European migrants are arriving in Tijuana, fleeing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increasingly repressive governments in Russia itself and its ally Belarus. The migrants coming to Tijuana dream of crossing the border and getting asylum in the U.S.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler

In Sacramento, classes are canceled again on Thursday, after thousands of teachers and staff at the Sacramento City Unified School District walked off the job.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Navigating through the pandemic and drought conditions has been a major challenge for California's farming industry. With more dry conditions ahead, and costs increasing and the global supply chain still an issue, it could be another tough year.

Guest: Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau

As many as half of the people serving life in prison without possibility of parole in California were convicted under a law critics say perpetuates gender and racial disparities. That’s according to a national report out this week by advocacy organizations calling for an end to the practice.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

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First Latina Confirmed to California Supreme Court

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 14:27:00 -0000

As the US Senate considers the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black female justice on the US Supreme Court, a panel in San Francisco has voted to confirm Appeal Court Justice Patricia Guererro to become the first Latina member on the California Supreme Court.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Two major California bail bond service providers are set to be hit with proposed class action lawsuits. The lawsuit names two of the largest bail bond agents in California – Aladdin Bail Bonds and All-Pro Bail Bonds – and seeks repayment for people who’ve co-signed bail bond payments without getting notices that make clear what that obligation entails.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has many of us here in the United States asking what we can do to help. A couple in Los Angeles are now hosting a Ukrainian woman who fled her home in Kyiv.

Reporter: Caroline Feraday, KCLU

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Gas Prices Could Be Impacted By Chevron Refinery Strike

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 14:40:37 -0000

A strike by workers at the Chevron refinery in the Bay Area city of Richmond could mean more bad news for already sky-high California gas prices. Chevron says it plans to continue normal operations at the plant despite the walkout, but any disruptions could lead to even higher prices.

A California inmate originally from Cambodia is awaiting final approval for parole. But he fears that rather than be released to his family, he could get locked up again by immigration authorities, and even deported.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Different Pictures Painted in Recall Effort in Los Angeles

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 16:34:42 -0000

Efforts are ramping up to recall Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon from office. A similar effort failed last year, but supporters of the recall say public safety could play a big role this time around.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

WNBA star Brittney Griner is currently jailed in Russia after being accused of smuggling hashish oil into the country, something that could carry up to a 10 year prison sentence. Her arrest has called into question LGBTQ rights and the possible political motivation behind her detainment.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

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Bill Would Provide Protection, Refuge for Transgender Kids

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 16:23:48 -0000

A new bill aims to protect transgender youth and their families from legal action if they come to California for medical care. This comes after a number of Republican-controlled states considered legislation targeting gender-affirming medical care.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

In 1966, at the height of the civil rights movement, a live call-in radio show premiered on San Diego’s airwaves. The show washosted and created by local civil rights leaders Harold K. Brown and Reverend R. Major Shavers. Brown now reflects on what has and hasn't been done in the fight for racial equality.

Reporter: Christina Kim, KPBS

At least three proposals to address the high cost of gasoline are floating around in Sacramento. One that seems to have widespread support is a $400 rebate plan for California taxpayers.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles are falling, and fewer people are in the hospital. But an omicron subvariant is putting the county health department on alert.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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State Lawmakers Proposing Rebate Plan to Help Californians Struggling With Gas Prices

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 17:58:32 -0000

A new proposal from a group of mostly Democratic state lawmakers would send a $400 rebate to California taxpayers to help with the massive surge in gas prices. The group has sent a letter to Governor Newsom, arguing that a rebate would cover the current 51-cents per gallon state gas tax for a full year.

For two years now, Los Angeles tenants have been protected from eviction over non-payment of rent. Now, county leaders are giving landlords some relief on their taxes.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is calling out the city of Pasadena for trying to avoid the implementation of SB 9. That's the new state law that allows for the construction of up to four housing units on parcels of land previously zoned for single family homes.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A California Assembly bill with bi-partisan support aims to hold social media platforms liable with financial consequences for knowingly addicting children to their services. The bill – known as the Social Media Platform Duty to Children Act – is the first of its kind in the nation.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Scientists monitoring Bay Area wastewater for signs of another coronavirus wave, driven by an omicron subvariant, have not detected any sustained rise in the region.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Minor League baseball players have been pushing for better pay for years. Now, a California state senator is hoping his legislation can lead to a national movement to help them.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Events to be Held to Honor Victims of Atlanta Spa Shootings

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 18:37:35 -0000

Tuesday marks the one year anniversary of the Atlanta spa shootings in which eight people were killed – six of them Asian women. In Los Angeles, rememberances will be deliberatley muted.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

In the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing, the California Department of Corrections disciplined two officers for making racist statements on social media. Thanks to a new law, we now can see what those officers, both white, posted and how they were disciplined.

Guest: Sukey Lewis, Criminal Justice Correspondent, KQED

From racial disparities in arrests, to the percentage of crimes solved and the cost of policing, San Francisco is performing worse than other major cities across the state. That's according to a new report from the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

The family of a man who died in California Highway Patrol custody says a video proves that CHP officers killed him. The video was released as part of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of 38-year-old Edward Bronstein, who died after a DUI stop in Los Angeles in 2020.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

Public records reveal that, between 2014 and 2019, more than 40% of people seriously injured or killed by Bakersfield police displayed signs of a mental health condition or intoxication. That’s according to a new analysis done by Valley Public Radio and the California Reporting Project.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, KVPR

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Ukrainians Seek Asylum at U.S. Southern Border

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 18:22:28 -0000

Ukrainians seeking asylum at U.S. southern border may be turned away because of a Trump-era policy relating to the pandemic.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Alleged sexual assault of incarcerated women at a Dublin prison is so rampant some inmates and staff refer to it as “the rape club." California lawmakers personally visited to hear from incarcerated people firsthand.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Gov. Newsom signed emergency legislation yesterday to nullify a court order freezing enrollment at UC Berkeley after it passed unanimously in the state legislature.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

Two California lawmakers want the state's fire agency, CAL Fire, to respond more quickly to forest fires, but fire experts say fire intense suppression is already CAL Fire policy, and that it's to blame for increasingly severe fires.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Health Clinics in Los Angeles Still Waiting to be Reimbursed After Vaccinating Thousands

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 17:31:18 -0000

Community health clinics have vaccinated hundreds of thousands of low income Californians for more than a year, but due to a federal funding glitch the clinics have been absorbing the cost. And now, Los Angeles’ largest community health center may have to close vaccination sites in some of LA’s poorest areas.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

California voters passed a ballot measure in 2018 to do away with changing our clocks twice a year. But almost four years later, we’re still springing forward.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

High school students across the state have been walking out of class to call for change in how administrators handle sexual assault claims. In Humboldt County last fall, students protested for three straight days. Months later, some students in the rural town of Fortuna say they’re still grappling with the fallout of speaking out.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

You, of course, go to the library for books and information. But in Los Angeles, the public library system might soon be a place people go for help with mental health issues.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

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State Officials Warn of Another Dry Year, But No Water Use Mandates Put in Place

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 18:12:53 -0000

The state’s top conservation official says that California is "very clearly" headed into a third year of drought. He encouraged Californians to save water, but the state is not yet mandating it.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

According to the United Nations, more than two million people have fled Ukraine since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion of the country late last month. Two of them are a 94-year-old mother and her 70-year-old son with family in San Francisco. They made it safely to Germany this week, with the help of two of Ukraine's most famous athletes.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

The Senate and House have approved a massive $1.5 trillion spending plan that will keep the federal government funded through September. It awaits President Biden's signature. But many restaurant and bar owners feel like they're being left out in the cold.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Advocates for immigrants in California are rallying around an Orange County man, who is suing the federal government over repeated attempts to deport him. An Nguyen committed several robberies in California, for which he served 26 years, before he was released in 2019.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

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California Can Once Again Set Rules on Vehicle Emissions

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 19:20:06 -0000

California officials are cheering a Biden administration move to restore the state’s power in setting its own smog control rules. The decision reverses a Trump-era policy.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

California Republican Congressman and House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy is calling on Governor Newsom to reverse the state’s restrictions on oil and gas production, now that Russian oil imports have been banned.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Californians have rushed to aid people from the embattled country, no matter if they had ties to it or not. Those relief efforts continue on the ground in Europe.

Guest: Kerri Murray, President, ShelterBox USA

Starting Friday, San Francisco will no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative test to enter restaurants, bars and gyms.

Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED

In Los Angeles, the city council on Wednesday took a step toward rolling back L.A.’s indoor vaccine mandate.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

As tax time approaches, new data shows that the poorest taxpayers are audited at five times the rate of everyone else. And California has more of those tax filers than any other state.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

A new national survey has found 166 publicly disclosed cyberattacks affecting schools last year. Just nine school breaches were reported to the California Attorney General’s office in 2021, but those numbers are likely underreported.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Immigration Attorney From Central Valley Helps Ukrainian Refugees in Poland

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 18:20:19 -0000

As we continue to see and hear the harrowing stories coming out of Ukraine, we’re talking to Californians with connections to the region who are trying to help . One of them is Patrick Kolasinski, an immigration attorney now based in Modesto, but originally from Poland. He and other attorneys are helping Ukrainians with legal issues they might have.

Guest: Patrick Kolasinski, Immigrant Attorney based out of Modesto

Governor Gavin Newsom gave his annual State of the State address on Tuesday night and used the speech to push back against critics who say California is careening out of control under his leadership. He's also proposing to help Californians who are struggling with record-high gas prices.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

With gasoline prices at record levels in California and President Biden announcing a ban on the importation of Russian oil to the U.S. in response to the invasion of Ukraine, many Californians are wondering how high gas prices will go, and whether the state can do anything to help alleviate the pain at the pump for consumers.

Guest: Severin Borenstein, Professor, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

Starting next Monday, L.A. County will align with the state to allow K-12 students to go maskless when they’re inside classrooms. A new survey shows some parents are ready to see the nation’s second largest school district’s mask requirement loosened.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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Governor Newsom to Deliver State of the State Address

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 18:24:55 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom will deliver his annual State of the State address from Sacramento on Tuesday. The state of the state speech is typically a chance for governors to lay out their big plans for the year ahead, but it could be a little different this year.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California’s seas are rising and for the first time, all 17 of the state’s agencies have come together to plan for the impact. But some long-discounted communities are yet again feeling left out of these conversations.

Guest: Ezra David Romero, Reporter, KQED

A bill introduced in the state legislature would prohibit police from matching DNA from rape survivors to unrelated crimes. It comes following a scandal involving the San Francisco Police Department, which misused a rape victims' DNA to arrest her for burglary.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

A San Francisco supervisor is introducing a resolution supporting a campaign to allow young immigrants to legally work while they apply for humanitarian protections known as Special Immigrant Juvenile, or SIJ status.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

California is investing billions of dollars in high-tech solutions to predict and respond to natural disasters. But residents in rural communities, facing fires, floods and winter storms, are increasingly embracing an old school technology: two-way radios.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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California Communities Continue to Offer Their Support to Ukraine

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:17:57 -0000

On Sunday, volunteers at Los Angeles’ Ukrainian Cultural Center filled big plastic bags full of supplies dropped off by people, to help Ukraine.

Ukrainian advocates in the Bay Area are welcoming news that federal authorities will offer humanitarian protections to thousands of Ukrainians already in the U.S. An estimated 75,000 Ukrainians could receive Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, if they arrived in the U.S. before March 1.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Many school districts across the state are trying to figure out how to deal with budgetary issues, along with declining enrollment numbers. Some are proposing closing campuses, which has led to protests from students and their families.

Guest: Michael Fine, Executive Director of California’s Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team

California State Parks is considering a new name for part of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area east of Sacramento. Some residents say, the current name has caused harm for decades.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

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LA County Lifts Indoor Mask Mandate

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:06:01 -0000

Los Angeles County is lifting its universal mask mandate on Friday. That means face coverings will no longer be required in public indoor settings -- whether or not you're vaccinated.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

A new podcast -- “Idolo: the Ballad of Chalino Sanchez” -- follows the remarkable story of a Mexican singer, whose career was cut short at its peak when he was murdered in the early 1990s. Both Sanchez and the creators of the podcast have deep roots in Southern California.

Reporter: Blanca Torres, KQED

A recently released report shows that California is way behind in helping people with COVID-related hardships pay their back rent. The study from PolicyLink finds that in a year of operation, only 16 percent of applicants have received aid.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Immigrant and worker rights advocates gathered in Sacramento on Thursday in support of the first-ever bill to give unemployment benefits to undocumented immigrants.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Bars and restaurants have been hit hard by the pandemic -- in fact, more than 90,000 have closed across the country. And many are now seeking some type of federal funding to help keep them afloat, as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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LA Zoning for Single Family Homes Leads to Racial Disparities

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 17:05:47 -0000

Poor people and people of color have been largely kept out of neighborhoods with single family homes in Los Angeles. And a new study from UC Berkeley’s Othering and Belonging Institute confirms that LA’s single family zoning laws are to blame.

Guest: David Wagner, Reporter, KPCC and LAist

The Los Angeles police commission has approved a new policy that requires officers to explain on camera why they’re making a traffic or pedestrian stop. The commission cracked down specifically on pretextual stops – that’s when an officer makes a traffic or pedestrian stop for a minor issue and uses it to search for a more serious crime.

Reporter: Emily Elena Dugdale, KPCC

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is joining a bipartisan coalition of state Attorneys General, investigating how TikTok promotes itself to children and young adults. He's looking itno whether TikTok possibly violated state consumer protection laws.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

California’s courts, police and other services are partially funded through fines and fees. But for low income Californians, those fines and fees could mean a push deeper into poverty, according to new research.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Back in 2020, when then-candidate Joe Biden was debating then-president Donald Trump, he came out strongly against one particular practice: separating migrant families at the border. So it was surprising when, in December, news broke that the Biden administration had suddenly dropped out of negotiations to compensate families for the harm they suffered. Advocates believe money and politics are to blame.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

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Unvaccinated People No Longer Have to Wear a Mask in Most Indoor Settings

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 18:14:37 -0000

Californians who are not vaccinated do not have to wear a mask in many indoor setting, like bars, restaurants and stores. This week's announcement is welcome news to many, but also concerning for some who have tried their best to not get infected during the pandemic.

Guest: Abraar Karan, Infectious Disease Expert, Stanford School of Medicine

Californians can expect more water conservation measures this summer after another disappointing snow survey. The latest numbers show California's snowpack at 63-percent of average.

Reporter: Katrina Schwartz, KQED

People with ties to Ukraine here in California are busy organizing to help provide humanitarian aid. Some are even relying on their business ties back home to help.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

California could become the first state in the country to expand health coverage to all low-income immigrants. Right now, most undocumented adults still aren’t eligible for Medi-Cal coverage, and that's forcing some families to make life and death decisions.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

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Father Kills Three Daughters, Himself in Mass Shooting at Sacramento-Area Church

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 18:57:42 -0000

A gunman killed his three daughters and another person before turning the gun on himself at a church in the Sacramento area on Monday night. Law enforcement officials say there was a temporary restraining order against him, which meant he shouldn't have had access to a gun.

Crime has become a key concern for many California voters ahead of this year’s election season. Earlier in the pandemic, the country saw an unprecedented spike in murders, but the story has become a little more complicated, and the political debate doesn’t necessarily reflect the data.

Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED Political Correspondent

From March 12th onwards, California students can go to school without their masks, if local districts allow it. The state announced Monday it’s shifting from requiring masks, to recommending them.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

The state’s Employment Development Department has announced it’s going to drastically expand language support for the at least 7 million Californians whose first language isn’t English.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

The gap in voter turnout between white and Black Californians continues to grow, according to new research published Monday by the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC. This after a historic year for voter turnout in 2020.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Wait Times Increase For Those Expecting Hearing on Wage Theft Cases

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 16:51:29 -0000

Last month, we reported that delays for state hearings in wage theft cases are hurting low-wage workers hoping to recover the money they’re owed. Now, new data obtained by KQED shows how much those wait times have ballooned in recent years.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Anti-war rallies continue across California, in support of Ukraine. Many Ukrainians living in California are worried about friends and family who are either staying to fight or struggling to get out of the country.

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Californians Rally for Peace in Ukraine

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 17:44:20 -0000

As Russian forces continue their assault on Ukraine, Californians who are from the region or who have friends and family there are trying to comprehend everything that has happened over the last two days.

Guest: Laryssa Reifel, President of Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles

California’s reparations task force continued meeting Thursday, but many task force members were left disappointed. That's because no decision was made on who would qualify for California's reparations program.

Reporter: Lakshmi Sarah, KQED

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Ukrainians in California Devastated by Russian Invasion

Thu, 24 Feb 2022 17:39:47 -0000

With Russia launching attacks on Ukraine on multiple fronts, these are very frightening times for anyone with family, friends and colleagues in that country. That includes thousands of people in the Bay Area with personal and business ties to Ukraine.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Federal officials are predicting a third consecutive dry year for California. And that’s led them to dramatically cut back on water allocations from a huge federal irrigation project that provides water to much of the state.

Reporter: Katrina Schwartz, KQED

During the pandemic, the state’s Employment Development Department has grappled with how to effectively combat fraud, while still doing right by Californians who need its services. Earlier this week, the agency once again faced this conundrum at a state Assembly hearing.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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COVID Testing Could Be a Requirement for California Schools Moving Forward

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:32:16 -0000

California public schools could be required to have COVID-19 testing and management plans under new legislation introduced Tuesday in the state senate. The bill by State Senator Richard Pan of Sacramento, would also provide state resources to carry out the plans.

The Rancho Santa Fe School District is making indoor masking optional for students. This comes as the state has not issued additional guidance on when it might loosen mask rules.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

On Tuesday, truck drivers, opposed to COVID-19 mandates, are supposed to set off on what they’re calling “The People’s Convoy” from the city of Adelanto in San Bernardino County. Their destination? Washington D.C.

Guest: Ryan Broderick, Journalist with the tech website The Verge

There’s been an ongoing dispute between UC Berkeley and a neighborhood group over building more student housing to accommodate growing enrollment at Cal. But new legislation could allow public universities and other state schools to build on-campus housing without an environmental review.

Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED

The California Democratic Party says it will no longer accept donations from the fossil fuel industry. The state Democratic party is trying to align its financial sources with its rhetoric on the need for climate action.

Reporter: Katrina Schwartz, KQED

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Putin's Actions in Ukraine Felt Across the Globe in California

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 17:42:17 -0000

Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognize two regions of Ukraine as independent states and send in Russian troops has led to greater global concerns that things could escalate quickly in the region. And many with ties to the Ukraine in the Bay Area are worried about the safety of friends and family.

Reporter: Cesar Saldaña, KQED

California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger is said to be on President Biden’s short list to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

In 2021, the murder rate went up in several California cities, including Oakland, which saw homicides reach a 15 year high. At the same time, there are continuing calls to cut the police budget, with many in the community arguing the money could be spent on other programs they think could better deal with the roots of crime.

Guest: LeRonne Armstrong, Oakland Chief of Police

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LA Unified Superintendent Outlines Plans for New Job

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 17:57:20 -0000

Alberto Carvalho faces many challenges as he takes over the Los Angeles Unified School District. One of his main goals is dealing with some of the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to both students and teachers,

Guest: Alberto Carvalho, LA Unified Superintendent

Millions of Americans with disabilities face barriers to getting married. Tying the knot can mean losing the federal benefits they rely on.

Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU

Governor Gavin Newsom and other California Democrats say they’ll use the U.S. Supreme Court’s reasoning on the Texas anti-abortion law to advance gun more control measures in California.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

A few years ago, Stephanie Foo was working as a successful radio journalist, producing stories for the show, This American Life. Then, it all started to unravel. The pain from Foo’s past – she suffered terrible child abuse – was catching up with her, and she's written a memoir about it.

Guest: Stephanie Foo, Journalist and Author of the book “What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma”

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CSU Chancellor Resigns Amidst Scrutiny Over Handling of Sexual Misconduct Claims

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 17:38:29 -0000

Former Chancellor Joseph Castro’s departure was announced Thursday after the Fresno State Academic Senate - which represents the schools’ faculty - issued a declaration of no confidence in the chancellor earlier this week.

Isolation, fear, and remote learning because of the pandemic have been changing how teenagers think about school.

Reporter: Caroline Smith, KQED

As California is on track to have the driest February on record, the tool is designed to help residents make better decisions about how they use water.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

In a press conference yesterday Governor Newsom said Californians should move away from a reactive mindset and learn to live with the virus.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Clinics that have been vaccinating people who use MediCal say the debt is affecting their operations. A new senate bill aims to shore up funding.

Reporter: Jackie Fortiér, KPCC

The first season of "Imperfect Paradise" is about the struggle to get unhoused people in Orange County into stable housing. The problem isn't always finding land, or money. It's convincing the neighbors.

Former Vice-President Mike Pence was invited to speak at Stanford University by the Stanford College Republicans. Pence discussed topics such as the January 6th insurrection and the 2020 presidential election, to a mix of applause and heckling.

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Police Transparency Law Provides Information on How Law Enforcement Investigates Discrimination

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 17:07:06 -0000

The first records released to KQED under an expanded police transparency law signed by Governor Newsom last year give the public a glimpse into how police departments investigate officer discrimination. The police department of Avenal, a small town in the Central Valley, cut the pay of a sergeant for using a racial slur while on-duty.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

Bay Area Representative Jackie Speier is introducing a bill that would take federal pensions away from congressmembers who are convicted of sexual abuse. She said the bill was inspired by disciplinary standards in the U.S. military.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Cal State University’s Board of Trustees is scheduled to hold a closed door meeting on Thursday to discuss whether to launch an investigation into the actions of Chancellor Jospeh Castro. Castro is accused of mishandling sexual harrassment claims while he served as president of Fresno State University.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Historic Sea Level Rise Predicted in U.S. Over Next 30 Years

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 18:06:13 -0000

Sea levels along the U.S. coastline are projected to rise by a foot or more by 2050, according to new federal data. But the projections are lower for the West Coast than for the rest of the country.

Guest: Ezra David Romero, KQED Climate Reporter

California’s battle against single-use plastic waste continues this week. Lawmakers are considering a bill that would limit the types of packaging online retailers can use.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

State lawmakers have announced two bills to tackle COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation online. One specifically asks for help from social media platforms, to better recognize what's being done to counter COVID-19 confusion.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

The revelation this week that San Francisco police used DNA provided by a sexual assault victim, to identify and arrest her years later for an unrelated crime is generating national outrage. Many are now calling for legislation to ban the practice.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

The Kern County Sheriff’s Department says it’s received 1,500 inquiries, after releasing a recruitment video targeting Los Angeles County deputies who are at risk of losing their jobs if they don’t get vaccinated for COVID-19.

Masks are no longer required in most indoor settings across the state, although some counties are keeping those guidelines in place. Many businesses are continuing to require employees to wear masks, as a way to better protect them from COVID-19.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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As State Begins Relaxing Mask Guidelines, Schools Wonder When it Will be Their Turn

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 16:48:00 -0000

While masking requirements will be lifted for most settings in California starting February 16th, schools aren't one of them – yet. This has school staff, healthcare officials, and others debating when the time is right to unmask

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

The Roseville Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees voted last week to make face coverings optional.

According to a new Berkeley IGS poll, Governor Newsom's response to crime and homelessness got especially poor reviews, but it wasn't all bad news. Two-thirds of voters thought the pandemic is improving.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin says San Francisco Police store DNA evidence of victims of sexual assaults, and routinely check that DNA for links to other crimes. Sexual violence prevention advocates are calling for an immediate end to the practice.

Over a dozen bills primarily targeting Amazon, Apple, Google and Meta are being discussed in Washington D.C. One big issue is how the companies use their users' personal data.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

A new report by the Gender Equity Policy Institute says that undocumented women in California earn 49 cents to every dollar made by white men.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

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Booster Shots in Short Supply for Those in Immigrant Detention Centers

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 19:29:05 -0000

Mask mandates are soon disappearing for most people in California, but they’ll remain in place at congregate settings like immigrant detention centers. In many of these facilities, COVID-19 is spreading, but detained people say it’s been tough to get a booster shot to protect themselves.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Immigrant rights advocates are warning Cambodian communities in California about deportations in the coming weeks. During the pandemic, deportations were paused, but some warn they're starting back up again.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

The Los Angeles Rams are Super Bowl champions, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 at SoFi Stadium. Fans celebrated across Los Angeles, causing some damage, particularly in the downtown area.

The filing deadline has passed for people who want to run in this year's mayoral election in Los Angeles. But before it did, one final candidate got in under the wire.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The Port of Los Angeles has gotten the green light to open a new dock-worker training center later this year. The goal is to prepare workers for a future with more automation at one of the nation's largest ports.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

In a new proposal, the CDC could loosen some of the restrictions on opioid prescribing that some doctors have said harm patients dealing with chronic pain.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

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Republican Lawmakers Want to End Pandemic State of Emergency

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 17:56:19 -0000

Nearly two years into the pandemic, California is still under a state of emergency. And Republican state lawmakers are trying to change that.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Super Bowl 56 takes place this weekend at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. And while the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals do battle on the field, another battle is taking place in the community -- over rising homes prices, rent and gentrification.

Guest: Erin Aubry Kaplan, Journalist and Writer

With new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations falling fast in L.A. County, some outdoor mask restrictions may be lifted as soon as next week. But it may take awhile longer to lift restrictions on indoor masking.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

The state of California is suing electric car maker Tesla, alleging widespread racial discrimination and harassment at the company’s auto plant in Fremont.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

The California Board of State and Community Corrections met on Thursday to discuss programs funded by Prop 47, a ballot measure passed by California voters in 2014, that may have reduced recidivism. In addition to reducing penalties for certain crimes, Prop 47 also funded mental health services, substance abuse treatment and other programs.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

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Recall Efforts in Los Angeles, San Francisco Highlight Criminal Reform Efforts

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:45:23 -0000

San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin is facing a recall election in June and another effort is underway to push Los Angeles DA George Gascon out of office. Both are seen as progressive when it comes to crime, and have butted heads with law enforcement agencies.

Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED Political Correspondent

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law Wednesday that would extend supplemental paid sick leave. He also said state health officials will be releasing more information in the coming days on masking in schools.

Almost 60% of young people aged 16 to 25 feel worried or extremely worried about climate change, according to a survey released late last year that polled people in 10 countries. Some younger people in California are channeling that anxiety into action.

Reporter: Gabriella Frenes, The California Report

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Fresno State Establishes Task Force Following Sexual Harrassment Scandal

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 17:06:35 -0000

Fresno State University is creating a new task force to assess its policies and procedures on harassment and discrimination. This comes after a recent investigation by USA Today revealed that the school’s former president and current Cal State University Chancellor Joseph Castro badly mishandled claims of sexual harassment against a top administrator.

Traditionally, it’s been easy to become an auto mechanic and never touch an electric car or truck. That may be changing as the state prepares for the year 2035, when all new vehicles sold are supposed to be electric.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

Officials in San Diego County are asking the state Department of Public Health to issue new guidelines on when it’s safe to phase out the COVID-19 mask mandate for schools. This comes as indoor mask rules are set to expire for fully vaccinated Californians next week.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

The town of Paradise continues the slow, painstaking and painful process of rebuilding from 2018’s Camp Fire. Part of that process involves confronting the history of why the tragedy happened.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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State to Lift Indoor Mask Mandate Next Week

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 17:24:45 -0000

California is easing some of the pandemic restrictions put in place during the omicron surge, including the statewide indoor mask requirement. That mandate will expire on February 15.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

A new California law will require schools to expand their mental health instruction. Educators say it would have been a welcome mandate before the pandemic, and it’s even more so now.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

A recall campaign led by extreme conservative groups to remove a Shasta County Supervisor has succeeded. The target of the recall was himself a Republican.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

There are growing calls for a full investigation of California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro, after an investigation found that in a previous job, he failed to discipline a senior administrator following a series of workplace harassment complaints.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

The city of Los Angeles has put a pause on impounding cars for unpaid parking tickets. The directive follows a lawsuit that could shake up how L.A. enforces parking.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

Officials in Woodside, in San Mateo County, have backed down from their plan to sidestep Senate Bill 9, the state’s new housing law, over concern for local mountain lions.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Families Struggle With Nursing Home COVID Rules

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 17:20:27 -0000

When the omicron surge first swept through California, nursing homes implemented more stringent testing requirements for visitors. It was right about the same time that California started allowing COVID positive nurses who aren’t showing symptoms to keep showing up to work. That has many visitors feeling confused, and frustrated.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Fewer and fewer students in California are taking the bus to school. As the numbers continue to decline, Bay Area State Senator Nancy Skinner is hoping legislation will help give families more options.

But even if Skinner’s legislation is passed, can enough school bus drivers be found? Many districts are already reporting problems hiring and keeping drivers because of the job market and COVID-19. That includes in Sacramento.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Wildfires are a greater threat during periods of drought, which should surprise no one. But new research from Stanford University shows that the wildfire threat during times of scant rainfall is not spread evenly.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Los Angeles Minimum Wage Going Up to $16 in July

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 18:02:21 -0000

Los Angeles’ lowest paid workers will get a pay bump this summer. Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced that the city's minimum wage will rise to more than $16 an hour on July 1.

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

The 2022 Winter Olympic Games open in Beijing Friday. And that sporting spectacle has some people remembering the one and only time the Winter Games were held here in California. It was 1960 at the then named Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe.

Guest: David Antonucci, Author of the book "Snowball’s Chance: The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games"

LA County health officials have announced their new criteria for when that county indoor mask mandate can be lifted.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

In response to the omicron surge, the Newsom administration is increasing its reliance on a border wall company to provide medical staffing around the state.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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LA Officials Double Down on Mask Requirement Ahead of Super Bowl

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 18:36:25 -0000

Safety is one of the major concerns for Southern California officials, with the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium a little more than a week away. But there’s also the pandemic. Even though infection rates in Los Angeles County have steadily declined, the county is still averaging thousands of new cases a day over the past week.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

In recent weeks, Governor Gavin Newsom has suggested that state health officials are working on an endemic plan for California, which would outline how the state will live with COVID-19. But with the omicron wave and possible other variants down the line, should the state ease some of its restrictions?

Guest: Dr. Abraar Karan, Infectious Disease Expert, Stanford University School of Medicine

A new poll shows the COVID-19 pandemic still tops the list of concerns for Californians. Nearly one-fifth of those polled by the Public Policy Institute of California say COVID-19 is the most important issue for state leaders to tackle in 2022.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

A state lawmaker is introducing legislation that would require school officials to collect information from parents about guns they store at home. The bill from State Senator Anthony Portantino was inspired by a school shooting in Michigan last year.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

The nation’s troubled immigration courts would get an overhaul under a bill being introduced Thursday by San Jose Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. They've been plagued by a backlog of 1.6 million cases, and lack due process protections.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

A state appeals court has rejected a bid by a group of 22 PG&E employee, to black out their names from evidence gathered during the criminal investigation into the 2018 Camp Fire.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

2022 is an election year. And more California counties will be making the switch from polling places to larger vote centers, where people can cast their ballots over several days.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Dry January Leads to Shrinking Snowpack

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 18:05:18 -0000

The water contained in California’s mountain snow is now lower than the historical average, after a January without significant rain or snow. That could mean another difficult drought year for Californians.

Guest: Ezra David Romero, Climate Reporter, KQED

With the extremely dry January, preceded by a very wet December, state officials say it's part of the volatile shifts in weather brought about by climate change. But as we head into another year of drought, some cities are trying to get ahead on conservation efforts.

Guest: Laura Bliss, Bloomberg CityLab Reporter

In rural Shasta County, an effort to recall a county supervisor who his critics said was too deferential to Sacramento’s COVID-19 restrictions is too close to call.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The fallout from California's failed attempt to pass single-payer healthcare legislation continues. Assemblyman Ash Kalra is defending his decision to not bring the bill up for a vote.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

California has been a national leader in the movement to get residents healthcare coverage. But a recent analysis out of UCLA finds disparities in access to care persist.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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COVID-19 Surge Waning Across California

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 17:25:52 -0000

After a big spike, COVID-19 cases are now falling in California. And hospitalizations are also declining.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Starting Tuesday, people who are vaccinated and boosted can take off their masks in certain indoor spaces in San Francisco. The new rule says anyone who’s fully vaccinated can go maskless in places like gyms, offices, college classes and religious services.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

While San Francisco is relaxing its mask rules, LA County’s mask mandate remains in place. The mandate will only be lifted if cases, hospitalizations and transmission hit a low benchmark, under county criteria put in place last fall.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

California lawmakers’ most recent attempt to create a single-payer health system, that would have provided coverage to all Californians, is now dead. The proposal didn't even come up for a vote in the state legislature on Monday.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

New traffic fatality numbers are out for California cities and they show that last year, our streets got more dangerous even though cities, like Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, have launched ambitious programs to reduce traffic deaths.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A new director will be sworn in Tuesday to head the state’s Employment Development Department, or EDD. That’s the agency that’s faced a barrage of criticism for paying out billions in fraudulent unemployment claims while legitimate applicants struggled to get the help they were due.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

A bill that would create a new commission to set pay and working conditions in California's fast food industry won approval in the state Assembly on Monday.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Rams Win Nail-Biter Over Rival 49ers in NFC Championship Game

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:49:21 -0000

The Rams and 49ers renewed their rivalry on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. And after falling behind early, Los Angeles got a late field goal and interception to seal the win. They're now headed to the Super Bowl in two weeks, which will be played on their home field, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

SB9, a new law in California, allows some homeowners to divide and redevelop their properties, with the hope of producing more homes and apartments. But many are divided on the law and what it will mean for their community and the neighborhoods they live in.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A bill that would create a government-run, single-payer health care system in California goes before the full state Assembly on Monday for a vote.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

State investigators found a company with Burger King franchises in San Francisco owes nearly $2 million for wage theft. But that was a year and a half ago. And workers are still waiting for their money, as the state has not scheduled a hearing to finalize their case.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Niners, Rams Fans Search for Last Minute Tickets to NFC Championship Game

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 17:03:56 -0000

The Los Angeles Rams will take on the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday in the NFC Championship at SoFi Stadium. Ticketing for the game has been controversial, as the Rams have tried to make it more difficult for Niners fans to grab seats.

Guest: Tony Knopp, CEO of Ticketmanager

Even though Los Angeles County appears to be past the omicron peak, health officials say residents can’t get complacent. LA County Health Director Barbara Ferrer estimates that the peak was January 8th, but said the virus is still circulating.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

In rural Shasta County, about 3 hours north of Sacramento, a Republican county supervisor is the target of a recall. A recall initiated by a local militia leader. The election is next week and the outcome could determine how far to the right this local government will move, in an already deeply conservative county.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Los Angeles to Ban New Oil, Gas Wells

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 14:32:02 -0000

Oil drilling in Los Angeles is on the way out. The city council has voted unanimously to ban new oil and gas wells and to phase out existing ones over the next 20 years.

Gas stoves have greater health and climate impacts than scientists previously thought. That's according to a new study out of Stanford University.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Nearly half of Californians have postponed addressing a health issue in the past 12 months because of cost. That’s according to the latest annual poll by the California Health Care Foundation.

Reporter: Tara Siler, KQED

California is the first state in the nation to examine how to compensate Black residents for centuries of racial injustice. The state's Reparations Task Force meets this week to further study how the impacts of slavery are felt today and to ask several daunting questions about how to remedy the harm.

Guest: Christina Kim, Racial Justice and Social Equity Reporter, KPBS

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Deal Reached to Restore Paid Sick Leave in California

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 18:58:53 -0000

A lot of people have had to call out sick from work this winter. Either they had COVID-19, or their kid had it. Now, under a new deal brokered with Governor Gavin Newsom, California workers may get retroactive sick leave for the time they had to take off.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

20 states started this year off with a new increase in their minimum wage, including California. A new study finds those wage hikes can help low-income renters avoid eviction.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

In downtown Sacramento the restored Sutter Fort is a hot spot for elementary school field trips. People in pioneer costumes. Exhibits of colonial era tools. The fort helped shape California as we know it - but at great cost to Indigenous people.

Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio

Along the rugged coast of Mendocino County, groves of towering old growth redwoods were once the hunting and fishing grounds of indigenous tribes. Until European settlers and loggers arrived. Now, one of those forests is being returned to its Native inhabitants.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

Renters in Los Angeles County are getting extra protections to stay in their homes. The county is extending its moratorium on evictions for tenants who can’t pay their rent because of the pandemic.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’s running for reelection. The announcement ends speculation Pelosi might retire.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Single-Payer Health Proposal Faces Key Deadline

Tue, 25 Jan 2022 18:18:53 -0000

In the next week, legislation that would help create a single-payer health plan in California will face a key test. The bill must pass out of the Assembly by January 31 or it’s dead. The effort is being led by the state’s nurses union, but opposed by the largest association of doctors.

Guest: Dr. Micah Johnson, co-author of the book Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide

Legislation introduced by State Senator Richard Pan would eliminate a personal belief exemption in school-based COVID-19 vaccination requirements. The proposal is expected to face strong pushback from those who have fought vaccine mandates.

The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will renew their rivalry Sunday at SoFi Stadium, with a berth in the Super Bowl on the line. The Rams are hoping their fans show up more than they did in the regular season finale between the two teams.

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State Regulators Table Rooftop Solar Plan

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 19:13:56 -0000

California regulators are taking more time to consider changing the state’s solar marketplace. This comes after a proposal released in mid-December roiled the solar industry.

Reporter Erik Anderson, KPBS

Both the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams have advanced to the NFC Championship this weekend at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The winner will head to the Super Bowl, which is also being held at SoFi.

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Alex Padilla on a Year of Victories and Failures in the U.S Senate

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 17:14:00 -0000

Kamala Harris Visits San Bernardino To Announce Wildfire Prevention Funds

Harris will announce 1.3 Billion Dollars in disaster relief funding for the U.S. Forest Service. Nearly half of that will go to California.

Reporter: Jonathan Linden, KVCR

U.S Senator Alex Padilla on Voting Rights Setback

California’s junior U.S. Senator, Democrat Alex Padilla, has just marked his first year in office. A progressive who’s an ardent supporter of much of the Biden Administration’ policy goals, Padilla has participated in some victories, like the passage of the big infrastructure bill. But he’s also seen a lot of what he went to Washington to do, like immigration reform and more social spending, blocked by both Republicans and his fellow Democrats.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

New Study Shows How Generations of Race Based Prescribing Guidelines Were Wrong

For generations, doctors have been taught to prescribe certain medications to Black patients with high blood pressure. A new study out this week from UCSF finds those guidelines showed no benefits.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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Resentencing Program Finds Support From Prosecutors Across the State

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 21:09:43 -0000

There’s been a lot of debate lately in California over whether efforts to roll back tough on crime laws have gone too far. Often, those conversations pit law enforcement officials against those who support the reforms. But a a California program to lower prison sentences is being embraced by prosecutors in both red and blue counties.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The mad scramble for at-home COVID tests has been frustrating for Californians since omicron hit. And for people who have friends and loved ones in skilled nursing facilities, the search is becoming even more of an urgent issue.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

A new bill introduced in Sacramento would increase fines health insurers have to pay when they break the law. The goal is to make sure patients get the care they’re entitled to.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

The federal judge who has overseen Pacific Gas & Electric's probation for the last five years says the company continues to be a wildfire menace to Californians.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

California's forests will need to look a lot different if they’re going to survive the challenges of a warming world. New research out of the University of California and the US Forest Service, provides a roadmap.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s new proposal to loosen surveillance camera rules, as part of her plan to crack down on crime, is facing competition from another measure on the June ballot.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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At-Home COVID Tests Now Available Through USPS

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 18:03:59 -0000

The new federal program that allows people to order free at-home COVID-19 tests through the mail launched Tuesday, one day early. The order form looks pretty simple, but wasn’t easy for everyone who tried to submit orders.

Guest: Carly Severn, KQED Senior Engagement Editor

The omicron surge has jammed hospital emergency rooms with patients. Many of them arrive by ambulance, creating long waits. But officials in Los Angeles County say ambulance response times are improving.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

With the omicron wave of COVID-19 spreading fast, immigration courts in San Francisco are postponing many hearings. But that pause could be a ray of hope for people in an expedited asylum process.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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California Can Learn From Other Countries About Better Containing the Spread of Omicron

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 17:24:58 -0000

The surge in the omicron variant has left hospitals across California struggling with staffing and in many cases, a rapid increase in COVID-positive patients. But can the state, and U.S. in general learn from some of the successes other countries are having in managing COVID right now?

Guest: Eric Topol, Professor of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research

For the first time starting this year, agricultural employers in California –- like farmers and farm labor contractors with 26 or more employees -- have to pay their workers overtime after an eight-hour day or 40-hour week. While farmworker advocates are celebrating this change, it’s also created some unintended consequences.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

The San Gabriel Valley, east of Los Angeles has one of the highest concentrations of Asian residents in the country. But a new survey indicates a pandemic’s worth of racist incidents has many there feeling shaken.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

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State Legislator Reflects on Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 15:05:47 -0000

Many in-person celebrations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been canceled Monday due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant in California. Despite that, his legacy lives on, particularly in the work being done by California's Legislative Black Caucus, led by State Senator Steven Bradford.

Guest: Steven Bradford, State Senator, 35th District

First it was new cases and hospitalizations. Now, COVID-19 deaths have jumped significantly in Los Angeles County.

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Nurses Concerned About Working Conditions

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 18:06:04 -0000

On Thursday, nurses across the state held rallies to demand safe staffing levels and stronger workplace protections. It comes as more and more hospital staff across the state are testing positive for COVID-19.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Starting this week, some people with weakened immune systems are eligible for a fourth dose of the coronavirus vaccine. There are an estimated seven million people in the U.S. who are immunocompromised, many of whom don’t produce the necessary antibodies to respond to an infection. That leaves them more susceptible to a virus like COVID-19.

Guest: Dr. Lindsay Ryan, an internist at UC San Francisco who is herself immunocompromised

Governor Gavin Newsom will not allow Robert Kennedy’s killer to be freed from prison, announcing Thursday that he has reversed a decision made by the state’s parole board last summer

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

As the Omicron variant continues to surge throughout the country, here’s one bit of welcome news. New data based on Southern California patients shows they’re not getting as sick as those infected by the Delta strain.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

Worker advocates are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature to again require that employers provide two weeks of COVID-19 paid sick leave. The last round expired in September.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero

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At-Home COVID Tests to be Covered by Health Insurers

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 17:21:00 -0000

Starting this weekend, the costs of at-home COVID-19 tests will be covered for people with private insurance or a group health plan. That means, if you have this kind of coverage and you go online or into a drugstore to purchase a test, the cost should be covered up front or via reimbursement.

Guest: Krutika Amin, a Kaiser Family Foundation expert on the Affordable Care Act

State prison officials are grappling with a surge in COVID-19 cases in their facilities as the omicron variant spreads. It's impacting both those who are incarcerated and prison staff.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

A state bill that would limit so-called Ellis Act evictions will move forward in the legislature after it passed out of an assembly committee on Wednesday. It would require people who purchase a building to wait at least 5 years before invoking the Ellis Act.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

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Single Payer Healthcare Plan Passes First Hurdle

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 17:53:00 -0000

A single payer healthcare bill passed its first legislative hurdle in Sacramento Tuesday night. It’s one of two new proposals that would dramatically increase access to healthcare for Californians.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Hundreds of thousands of Californians might lack access to safe drinking water. That’s according to recent study from UCLA and UC Berkeley. And the drinking water problem disproportionately affects communities of color.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Agriculture is one of the industries hit hardest by supply chain snarls. New research shows that losses from so-called “containergeddon” have reached the billions here in California.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

COVID-19 has affected our mental health in ways we’re only just beginning to understand. For some, the stressors of the pandemic created an added layer of anxiety on top of an already deeply uncertain world.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

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Governor Newsom Proposes Expanded Healthcare Coverage for Californians

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 15:02:00 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has released his proposed $286 billion state budget for the coming fiscal year. It includes an expansion of healthcare access to all California residents, regardless of immigration status.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Hospitals in the U.S. are seeing a record number of children hospitalized with COVID-19, and California is no exception. In San Diego, the numbers are especially high, but most of the children are testing positive after being admitted to the hospital.

Reporter: Kitty Alvarado, KPBS

The unprecedented surge in new COVID-19 cases has led to a test shortage at retail stores. Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that gives consumers price-gouging protections.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Grocery stores have been some of the few retailers that have stayed consistently open during the pandemic. Now, a new report highlights how workers at one chain, Kroger’s, which owns Ralph’s and Food 4 Less, are faring and how the virus has impacted their work.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

Governor Newsom is expected to issue an executive order this week that could help schools get substitute teachers into classrooms. The executive order would do three things, according to a source in the Newsom administration: extend the time long-term subs can stay in schools, shorten the time retired teachers must wait before they become eligible to return as subs, and make it easier to credential new substitutes.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Dr. Bob Wachter with UC San Francisco has been tracking COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. He recently shared a personal story about the virus, after his son tested positive.

Guest: Bob Wachter, Chair of the Department of Medicine at UC San Francisco

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Hospitals Ask for Help Amid Surge in Staff Getting COVID-19

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 17:40:29 -0000

Statewide, some hospitals are buckling under the pressure of Omicron. As the highly contagious variant continues to sweep through the state, a growing number of hospital staffers are testing positive.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

When Governor Gavin Newsom releases his new state budget on Monday, it will include $2.7 billion to expand the state’s COVID-19 response.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Over the weekend, Los Angeles Unified teachers and students lined up at schools across L.A. to get a COVID test. They’re trying to beat a deadline to get a now required test before school starts on Tuesday.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

In an era of mounting student debt, a community college in Stockton is offering a little help. Administrators at San Joaquin Delta College have announced that COVID-19 relief dollars will be used to erase more than $3.5 million of student debt.

Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED

For months, the state of California has been working to help renters hurt by the pandemic. Now it’s launching a program to assist homeowners.

Reporter: David Wagner , KPCC

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State Extends Indoor Mask Mandate

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:35:01 -0000

California has extended its indoor mask mandate through at least February 15. State health officials sid the move reflects increasing pressure on hospitals, as roughly 8,000 people are hospitalized for COVID-19 statewide.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Thursday marks the one year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, when a mob of pro-Trump supporters violently stormed Congress to try to overturn the lawful 2020 presidential election results. There were many Californians who participated in the insurrection, and some of their cases are still in limbo.

Guest: Tom Dreisbach, NPR Investigative Correspondent

On the anniversary of the Capitol insurrection, State Senator Scott Wiener is proposing to punish groups that support undermining elections in the future.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Inside a COVID-19 Testing Clinic Amid Omicron

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 15:36:00 -0000

An Overwhelmed Testing Site in Richmond

The spread of omicron has people scrambling to get tested for COVID-19. But the lines are long, appointments get scooped up fast, and rapid antigen tests are really really hard to find.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Surge of COVID-19 Cases Among City of Los Angeles Emergency Responders

Amid the “unprecedented” wave of Covid infections, nearly 1,000 police officers, firefighters and paramedics in the city of Los Angeles aren’t on the job. But Mayor Eric Garcetti says both the police and fire departments have enough staffing to keep the city safe.

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

Federal Prosecutors Opt Not to Extend PG&E Criminal Probation

Federal prosecutors have announced they will not try to extend Pacific Gas and Electric’s criminal probation beyond its scheduled end later this month.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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California Experiencing Record-High Spike in COVID Cases

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 17:53:40 -0000

California has shattered previous records for new daily coronavirus cases this week and the state’s test positivity rate is higher than its been. In most places around the state, hospitalizations remain much lower than earlier surges, thanks to vaccinations and a milder variant.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

With the state legislature back in session in Sacramento, Republicans are aiming to get some of their agenda items passed this year, even if they're in the clear minority in both the Assembly and Senate.

Guest: Scott Wilk, California State Senate Minority Leader

State water officials are asking Californians to cut back on unnecessary water use, or face fines. Water regulators have asked for 15% water cutbacks, but Californians are saving less than half of that.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

CalFire investigators have determined that a Pacific Gas & Electric power line sparked last summer's destructive Dixie Fire in the northern Sierra. A tree came into contact with the line in the Feather River Canyon.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Hotel workers in the city of West Hollywood now earn the highest minimum wages in the country. That’s thanks to a new local law.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

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LA Unified Staff, Students Required to Get COVID Test Before Returning to School

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 18:12:11 -0000

COVID-19 cases are surging among both adults and children in Los Angeles County, as kids hospitalized with COVID-19 jumped nearly 190% last month. Despite the spike in infections, school is back in session next week for students who attend the L.A. Unified School District.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

California's Senate and Assembly are back in session in Sacramento. There are a number of issues on the table, with everything from housing and homelessness, to the pandemic.

Guest: Anthony Rendon, California Assembly Speaker

One of the most powerful labor advocates in the California Legislature has announced a surprise departure. Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez is leaving to work with the California Labor Federation.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Central Valley Republican Congressman Devin Nunes has officially retired, after nearly two decades in Congress. It's still unclear when a special election will be held to decide who serves the rest of his term.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

A state lawmaker wants to change how schools are funded. He says the proposal would lead to an additional $3 billion a year for school districts.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

A judge in San Francisco has signaled he may be willing to extend Pacific Gas and Electric’s federal court probation, beyond its scheduled end later this month.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Thousands of residents in Nevada, Placer and El Dorado counties are still without power, more than a week after massive snow storms pounded the region.

Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

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COVID Cases Continue to Surge in California

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 17:28:32 -0000

COVID-19 cases continue to surge in California. And while hospitalizations are also on the rise, it's not the same surge as the state saw during the summer and last winter.

Guest: Dr. Monica Gandhi, Infectious Disease Expert, UC San Francisco

Scientists and volunteers from San Diego to the Oregon border are flocking to shorelines on Monday, to document king tides. Researchers say these king tides are increasingly important to record because they offer a look into growing threats from climate change.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Hospitals and blood donation centers are asking healthy Californians to give blood, amid a nationwide shortage. The pandemic closed many traditional blood drive locations for months, just as the need for blood has increased as more people undergo delayed surgeries.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Space Exploration Has Another Banner Year

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 15:53:17 -0000

2021 proved to be an exciting year in the world of space exploration. From successful missions to Mars to private companies launching their own rockets, it all bodes well for the expansion of space exploration in the coming years.

Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Riverside Boarding School Highlights Long History for Indigenous Community

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 14:57:46 -0000

Sherman Indian High School in Riverside is a boarding school, where Native American students from across the country can come and earn a high school diploma while also maintaining their tribal traditions and language. They also have a museum for the school’s 100 year history, that has brought healing to many in the indigenous community.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

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Afghan Refugee and His Family Settling Into Life in the Bay Area

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:09:24 -0000

California is often a place where people resettle to live out their dreams. But following the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, it's been a refuge for Afghans, who have often times struggled with the culture shift of living in California and the United States.

Guest: Mustafa, Former Interpreter for American organizations in Afghanistan

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Groundwater's Importance in California and the Plans for Sustainability

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 15:26:07 -0000

Groundwater is an important part of the puzzle in the state's outlook for water supplies, especially during drought years. And the state is now reviewing sustainability plans that have been put together by local agencies.

Guest: Kerry Klein, Reporter KVPR

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During the Holidays, Kindness Can be Key

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:23:38 -0000

The holidays often highlight the need for kindness. There are many ways people can be kind or learn to do so.

Guest: Daniel Fessler, Director, UCLA Bedari Kindness Institute

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Why is Sanger Known as "The Nation's Christmas Tree City"

Fri, 24 Dec 2021 15:19:50 -0000

The small city of Sanger, which is about a twenty-minute drive east of Fresno, is recognized as “The Nation’s Christmas Tree City.” But where did the name come from?

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

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California Pushes Booster as Omicron COVID Cases Surge in the State

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 18:51:07 -0000

All healthcare workers and nursing home staff in California will be required to get a COVID-19 booster shot by February 1. The announcement comes as cases and hospitalizations continue to surge, in large part due to the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Reporter: Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED

There are a lot of scary threats Meta — aka Facebook — is trying to counter with a combination of artificial intelligence and human content moderators. But innocents are still getting deleted from the platform.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Hollywood is still reeling from the devastating shutdown brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. And according to a new report, the lull in production hit California especially hard.

Reporter: Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRW

It’s almost Christmas, but even if you don’t celebrate, you can still savor the holiday delicacies that abound across the state, whether in bakery shop fronts or family kitchens. In the Bay Area, the sheer variety of holiday treats says a lot about the cultural richness of the region.

Guest: Luke Tsai, KQED Food Editor

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Governor Newsom to Require Healthcare Workers to Get COVID Booster

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 19:50:50 -0000

California will require all healthcare workers to get the COVID vaccine booster. Healthcare workers in California are already mandated to be vaccinated.

Every mile or so along Highway 101 in Central California, you can find a cast iron bell supported by a shepherd’s hook hanging next to the roadway. The bells follow a network of roads called the El Camino Real, between the 21 Spanish missions from Sonoma to San Diego. But to many Native Americans, the history of California’s missions is a painful one.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

If you’re a student or staffer on a University of California campus, you’re gonna need to get a COVID-19 booster shot. The UC system announced the new booster requirement this week, citing the fast-spreading omicron variant.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

Did you know there’s a good chance your child's personal info is on the dark web? That’s because hackers target schools, along with everything else. But there are ways you can protect your child's information.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Schools Send Students Home with Rapid COVID Tests

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 18:19:24 -0000

Public school students are on break this week, and with the omicron variant rapidly on the rise, many California districts sent students home with school-issued rapid COVID-19 testing kits. The state’s department of public health is providing the kits to districts.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

California Governor Gavin Newsom thinks he’s found a way to crack down on illegal guns in a way that will avoid being struck down by the federal courts. As his model, he’s using a Texas law empowering ordinary people to sue anyone who helps a woman get an abortion.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Walmart operates more than 300 stores across California. And according to a lawsuit from the attorney general’s office and a dozen DAs, the retail giant has been knowingly dumping hazardous waste at local landfills, despite being sued before over the very same issue.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

The removal of invasive species from the Lake Tahoe basin is underway. It’s the largest effort to date.

Reporter: Ed Fletcher, CapRadio

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More Rain on the Way to California

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 18:03:48 -0000

More rain is on the way, first to Northern California, and then moving down to Southern California later this week. But how much will it impact the state's water resources?

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

State maps may soon show even more homes and buildings are at risk for wildfire. After years of delay, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention says it’s almost ready to release new fire hazard severity maps.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

Health officials across the state continue to raise concerns about rising hospitalizations and positive COVID-19 cases. This comes as friends and family gather for the holidays.

Street food vendors and food trucks are a way of life in Los Angeles and have been for decades. But recent shutdowns of longtime established sites in East Los Angeles have many wondering if these businesses are facing too many restrictions to operate legally.

Guest: Janette Villafana, Reporter, LA Taco

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Monarch Butterflies Return to Pacific Grove

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 20:09:06 -0000

This time of year, monarch butterflies from all over the U.S. migrate to coastal California, especially to the small town of Pacific Grove in Monterey County. Last year, for the most part, butterflies stayed away. But they've returned, to the delight of locals and visitors in 2021.

Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU

There are growing concerns about the number of people hospitalized in Southern California with COVID-19 symptoms. The numbers have spiked since the Thanksgiving holiday across multiple counties.

The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a case that could sweep aside efforts to allow California workers to sue their employers, even after signing arbitration agreements.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

While many of us were able to stay inside during this week’s storms, people living outside were struggling to stay warm and dry. In Santa Cruz, an encampment along the San Lorenzo River flooded.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

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Oil Company, Subsidiaries Charged in Southern California Oil Spill

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 18:36:17 -0000

A federal grand jury has charged a Houston-based oil company in connection with October's Southern California oil spill. Federal prosecutors say Amplify Energy and two of its subsidiaries were negligent by failing to respond to a series of alarms that should have alerted them to the spill, hours before a ruptured pipeline was shut off.

California is expanding its program aimed at creating more housing for unhoused people. The state has announced funding for four new projects, with more to come in the weeks ahead, as it plans to distribute almost $2.8 billion.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Many Californians who work in offices haven’t been to their workplaces in nearly two years because of the pandemic. Now, with many cities like Los Angeles in the midst of a severe housing crisis, some people want to turn those vacant buildings into housing.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

California and neighboring states have agreed to take less water from the dwindling Colorado River. Roughly a quarter of the water used in areas serviced by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California comes from the Colorado River, through the country’s largest reservoir, Lake Mead.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

In Los Angeles County, there’s still a wide gap in vaccination rates between Black and Latino residents – compared to whites, Asians and Native Americans. That despite aggressive vaccine outreach.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Protesters gathered in San Francisco Wednesday to urge the Biden administration to stop detaining immigrants at a Yuba County jail. This is the last public facility in California to keep a detention contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Interest in cycling has boomed since the beginning of the pandemic, with sales of both regular bicycles e-bikes soaring over the past two years. While many transportation planners and environmentalists are embracing the increase in biking, advocates say there are still not enough safeguards to protect them from cars.

Guest: Dave Snyder, Executive Director, California Bicycling Coalition

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New L.A. Unified Superintendent Pledges to Help Lead District Through Pandemic

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 17:47:53 -0000

Alberto Carvalho is officially the new superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the country. Carvalho was the superintendent of Florida’s Miami-Dade schools, a position he held for 14 years.

The California Public Utilities Commission, the state’s energy regulator, is contemplating changes to the relationship between rooftop solar owners and utilities. But critics say the changes could be disastrous for the solar industry’s future in the state.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

For the first time, a spacecraft has touched the sun. Researchers from U.C. Berkeley and NASA announced new findings Tuesday.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

There’s been a lot of talk and analysis about how so many people are fleeing California to find greener pastures somewhere else. But a new report shows that since the start of the pandemic, there hasn’t been a huge exodus out of California. However, significantly fewer people have moved here.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

California’s Employment Development Department, or EDD, has been plagued with problems that have left hundreds of thousands of unemployed people furious. Now, Modesto Congressman Josh Harder wants legislation to hold the EDD accountable.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Preparations are well underway for the 2028 Summer Games and Paralympics in Los Angeles. And while it's still years away, the International Olympic Committee is already discussing which sports will and won't be involved.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

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State Health Officials Reinstitute Indoor Mask Mandate

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:49:26 -0000

Starting on Wednesday, Californians will once again have to wear masks indoors at all public places, regardless of their vaccination status. It’s a response to a recent spike in COVID-19 cases and public health officials trying to get a handle on the fast-moving omicron variant.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Online gaming companies, Native American casinos, card rooms -- they're all jumping in at the opportunity to be involved in the push to legalize sports betting in the state of California.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California is reducing its emissions that contribute to climate change. But it’s happening too slowly, as the state isn’t on track to meet its goal of reducing those emissions by 40% by the year 2030.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

California would no longer be allowed to expand freeways in underserved communities that are already suffering from the negative health effects of freeways. That's the goal of State Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia's legislation, which she plans to introduce early next year.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

The leading cause of death for Black Californians is homicide, and they tend to live seven fewer years than the average state resident. That’s according to a new report from Measure of America, a non-profit focused on social science research.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Prosecutors allege a father and son started this past summer’s devastating Caldor Fire, with a firearm. The blaze destroyed more than 1,000 structures.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

People who have a pet dog will probably agree that animals can really help with your mental health. A nonprofit in the Antelope Valley north of Los Angeles goes a little bigger with that idea.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

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Torrance Police Department Being Investigated for Racist, Homophobic Texts

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 17:51:01 -0000

Hundreds of criminal cases could be in jeopardy following an investigation by the Los Angeles Times into racist and homophobic text messages sent by several officers who at one time worked for the Torrance Police Department.

Guest: James Queally, LA Times Reporter

A landmark California law aimed at lowering prescription drug prices has been put on hold by a federal judge. The law was meant to prevent drug companies from doing so-called “pay for delay” deals.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act, a more than $2 trillion aid package meant to provide an economic lifeline to the many Americans whose worlds got turned inside out by the pandemic. This legislation led to the sending out of stimulus payments, which have since been expanded, and add up to on average $3200 a person. But one group of Californians is still struggling to get what they’re due nearly two years later.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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Health Officials Concerned About Possible Winter Coronavirus Surge in LA County

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 18:13:34 -0000

The coronavirus is spreading fast in Los Angeles County. The region is now back in the CDC’s highest category of transmission.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Prosecutors have announced charges against the father and son suspected of starting the Caldor Fire, which destroyed nearly 800 homes last summer.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Many Mexican immigrants in California are transported back home when they hear the music of Los Ángeles Azules. The cumbia band has a devoted following that can be seen at concerts across the country.

Guest: Kate Linthicum, Latin America Correspondent, Los Angeles Times

In the face of a tough election Devin Nunes announced he is stepping down this week. He’s a Republican Congressman in the Central Valley. He’s not the only one giving up his seat. He joins at least two other California representatives – Democrats Karen Bass in Los Angeles and Jackie Speier in the Bay Area. But what will the loss of seniority mean for California’s clout in Washington?

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Two Men Arrested on Suspicion of Starting Caldor Fire

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 17:45:43 -0000

The District Attorney in El Dorado County announced the arrest of a father and son for allegedly starting the Caldor Fire. Both are accused of "reckless arson."

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

California’s Future of Abortion Council is issuing 45 recommendations on how the state can make accessing an abortion easier. The council is making its recommendation as the US Supreme Court considers the fate of Roe v. Wade.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Housing prices continue to skyrocket across much of California, although there has been some leveling off in recent months. Vacation home areas have seen a big rise in sales.

Guest: Oscar Wei, Deputy Chief Economist, California Association of Realtors

History will be made in the city of Palm Springs on Thursday night because a new mayor is on tap. When Lisa Middleton is sworn in, she will be the first transgender person to serve as mayor in the state of California.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Some vape companies are promising their products help you focus, sleep and relax. But the Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers those claims are not true.

Guest: Pamela Ling, Director of the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education

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Winter Storm Could Bring Much Needed Snow to Sierra Mountains

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 18:06:51 -0000

California continues to struggle through the ongoing drought, and that's left many ski resorts wondering about how much snow they'll actually have this winter. But a storm next week is expected to help.

Guest: Bryan Allegretto, Forecaster with OpenSnow

Lawmakers discussed how California is going to prevent catastrophic wildfires during an oversight hearing on Tuesday. The hearing comes after a CapRadio investigation found that Governor Gavin Newsom significantly overstated his administration's accomplishments on wildfire prevention.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

In L.A. County, residents are avoiding going outside because they don’t want to breathe dirty air. That’s one of the most recent findings from a USC Dornsife survey.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

A lawsuit filed this week in a California court asks for more than $150 billion in compensation from Meta, aka Facebook, for failing to stop the spread of hate speech on its platform against the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

While much of the attention has been on the COVID-19 vaccine, doctors are also advising everyone to get their flu shot. Cases were down significantly last year, in large part due to health orders from the pandemic.

Guest: Maria Raven, chief of emergency medicine at UCSF Health

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Central Valley Republican Devin Nunes is Resigning From Congress

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 18:21:10 -0000

Central Valley Republican Congressman Devin Nunes has announced he’s leaving Congress at the end of the year, before he finishes his current term. Nunes is taking a new job as CEO of Trump Media and Technology Group, a company that’s set to launch a new social media platform next year.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

As more cases of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus are reported in California, many people have questions about what this means for transmission of the virus. There's also another question in play -- what does this all mean for booster shots?

Guest: Dr. Bob Wachter, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at UCSF

Californians could vote on a pretty substantial increase to the statewide minimum wage next November. That’s if a new effort can gather enough signatures to qualify as a ballot initiative.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Scientists say they’ve found possible evidence of the Omicron variant in wastewater in Sacramento and Merced. That suggests the COVID variant could be spreading in those communities.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

More than two months after they were ordered to close, following an oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach, fishing businesses in Orange County are finally able to get back to some sense of normalcy.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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California’s Tough Gun Laws Often Fail to Protect Domestic Violence Victims

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 14:45:00 -0000

California, the state with arguably the toughest gun control laws in the country, often struggles to enforce those laws. A new investigation from CalMatters finds that the state has failed to take guns away from thousands of domestic abusers, and those failures can have deadly consequences.

Reporter: Robert Lewis, CalMatters

California has distributed rent relief to less than a third of the 400,000 thousand people who have applied to its assistance program. As the eviction moratorium came to a close this fall, the state encouraged anyone who had outstanding rent payments to apply for rental assistance to stave off eviction.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

The Biden administration has announced plans to reinstate the controversial “Remain in Mexico” program along the border this week, which was first implemented by the Trump administration. Under the program, asylum seekers must wait in Mexico, sometimes for months, before they can cross into the U.S. for their day in court.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler

University of California scientists have found that sea level rise could flood over 400 hazardous sites across the state by the end of the century. Scientists identified power plants, refineries, and hazardous waste sites in shoreline cities like Oakland and East Palo Alto, and across the state.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Omicron Variant Detected in L.A. County Resident

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:09:07 -0000

Another confirmed case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected – this time, in Los Angeles County. According to public health officials, the infected person is an L.A. resident who had traveled to South Africa, returning to Southern California late last month.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

An investigation by KQED and the California Newsroom has been looking into the state’s failure to enforce regulations meant to protect farm workers and others exposed to wildfire smoke. Earlier this year, lawmakers tried to boost enforcement, but Governor Newsom’s administration stepped in and blocked their efforts.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The redistricting process is coming to a close soon, as the commission tasked with drawing new district lines gets ready to submit its final maps. One of the commission’s biggest challenges has been to draw the lines in a way that preserves the voting power of California’s growing Latino population. And a lot of those voters are in the Central Valley.

Guest: Lori Pesante, Director of Civic Engagemnt & Government Relations, Dolores Huerta Foundation

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Omicron Variant Discovered in San Francisco Resident

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 17:56:02 -0000

The experts said it was coming, and they were right. Scientists have found the first case of the Omicron variant in the country in a San Francisco resident.

Guest: Dr. Monica Gandhi, Infectious Disease Doctor, UC San Francisco

California rules meant to protect outdoor workers from the dangers of wildfire smoke are almost never enforced. That’s the finding of an investigation by KQED and The California Newsroom.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED & California Newsroom

The state Department of Water Resources is promising no water next year for rural and urban areas, unless they need it for basic necessities. This comes as the state is dealing with another year of drought.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Abortion Access Limited for Many Living in Rural California

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:47:59 -0000

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in a case that could overturn Roe v. Wade, which guarantees a woman’s right to an abortion. Here in California, abortion laws are among the most progressive in the country. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to get an abortion here, especially if you live in a rural area.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

California’s Sierra Nevada region has been known for being a winter wonderland in the coldest months. But a new study shows the Sierra snowpack could all but disappear in just 25 years.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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Key Abortion Case to be Heard in U.S. Supreme Court

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 17:42:49 -0000

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments this week in a case that could overturn Roe v. Wade. That’s the 1973 ruling that affirms a woman’s Consitutional right to receive an abortion. If it's overturned, abortion advocates are preparing for a surge in out-of-state patients travelling to California for the procedure.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

A temporary injunction stopping the San Diego Unified School district's vaccine mandate for students 16 and older could be lifted as early as Tuesday. The district is being sued by a student who claims the mandate is a form of religious discrimination.

Reporter: MG Perez, KPBS

It's still not too late to apply to a U.C. or Cal State school next fall. The university systems are asking most seniors to upload their final documents by November 30.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is visiting the Port of Los Angeles on Tuesday. He’ll update local officials on the Biden Administration’s efforts to ease supply chain problems.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Yosemite National Park is digging into its past to tell a more inclusive story of the people who helped contribute to its history. That includes the story of a neglected building near the Wawona Hotel in the park

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

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Migrants Desperately Seek Asylum at San Diego-Tijuana Border

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:04:07 -0000

In February, the Biden administration began winding down former President Donald Trump’s controversial “Remain-in-Mexico” program. It sent people seeking asylum in this country back to Mexico to wait months for their day in immigration court in the U.S. But over the summer, a Texas judge ordered government officials to restart the program, and the Biden administration plans to roll it back out soon.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a mandate for all prison staff in California to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or provide proof of a religious or medical exemption. Prison officials and the union representing correctional officers have argued the mandate would lead to staffing shortages.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

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Supply Chain Impacting Longtime Mom-and-Pop Restaurants

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 15:00:00 -0000

The breakdown in the global supply chain has sent food prices soaring. That’s hurting local restaurants still struggling to get out from under the pandemic.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

A new report from CalMatters shows the global supply chain issues are impacting California hospitals. Many medical facilities are waiting on medical devices that are critical for patient care.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Thanksgiving Offers Day of Reflection for Many Native Americans in California

Thu, 25 Nov 2021 15:35:30 -0000

As many people celebrate Thanksgiving in California, some Native Americans have a different perspective on this day and what it means. Among the challenges indigenous people face is keeping their cultures alive.

Reporter: Alice Daniel, Valley Public Radio

Many restaurants are open on Thanksgiving, but chefs may also be busy preparing a meal for family and friends at home.

Guests: Mark Dommen, One Market in San Francisco, Mica Talmor, Pomella in Oakland, Suzanne Tracht, Jar in Los Angeles

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NASA Launches Historic Asteroid-Deflecting Mission

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 21:34:25 -0000

NASA has launched a first-of-its-kind mission from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base called DART, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test.

Guest: Jason Davis, Editorial Director, The Planetary Society

A year-long study on a part of the Mojave Desert has found that the night sky there is really, really dark. So much so, it might earn the rare distinction as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Winters across the U.S. are getting warmer because of climate change. And in California, an increase of even a few degrees has serious implications for water supplies.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Many of us will soon be preparing our Thanksgiving meals this week. But some of the food that will be cooked and served won’t actually be eaten, it will end up in the garbage. And that kind of food waste is a significant contributor to climate change, so much so the state of California is trying to crack down on it with big changes coming up.

Guest: Rachel Wagoner, the director of the state’s recycling agency, Cal-Recycle

Last year, Congress passed a law requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to disclose how many veterans got sick and died of the coronavirus in VA nursing homes. The department has finally released some data, but it’s incomplete.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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State Pushes COVID Boosters as Holidays Approach

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 19:12:18 -0000

With many younger children finally getting their first COVID-19 vaccine shot, and adults getting their booster, many see this holiday season as a bit of a return to normalcy. But health experts say families should still take precautions during gatherings.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Diablo Canyon, California’s last remaining commercial nuclear power plant located on the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County is slated to fully close in 2025. While there's been questions raised about what this will mean for energy output and the environment, a former state lawmaker says it's the right time.

Guest: Former State Senator Bill Monning

Los Angeles County is being sued for making its poorest families endure long waits for food aid. The suit claims the county routinely fails to provide assistance to desperate families within three days, as required by state law.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

Back in April, privacy advocates hailed Apple’s decision to let customers opt out of apps tracking you. But, Apple is still tracking its own customers and serving them up to advertisers.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Congressman Seeks to Restore Land to Karuk Tribe

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:16:32 -0000

1,000 acres of sacred land could be restored to the Karuk tribe living along the Klamath River in Humboldt and Siskiyou counties. That’s if legislation introduced in Congress is passed.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Diablo Canyon in San Luis Obispo County is the state's last commercial nuclear power plant and is set to close in the coming years. But the planned closure is not without controversy.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The DMV is expanding its capacity to administer commercial driving tests, by extending weekend hours and shifting examiners from other parts of the state to Southern California. The hope is that it can clear some of the backlog at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Universal preschool is coming to California in 2025. Yet not everyone is celebrating. In fact, some believe universal preschool could have disastrous consequences for child care centers and families seeking early care, with the impact falling hardest on communities of color.

Reporter: Deepa Fernandes, early childhood reporting fellow at Pacific Oaks College, which is funded in part by First 5 LA

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Gas Prices May Change Thanksgiving Travel Plans for Some Californians

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 18:35:19 -0000

As of Thursday, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in California was $4.69. According to AAA, that’s a record high and more than $1.50 higher than this time last year. That's led many Californians to rethink their Thanksgiving travel plans.

Reporter, Alex Hall, KQED

Last week, the state updated its guidance to urge pretty much all Californians to get a COVID booster shot. Now, over a week later and after much confusion online, the state’s My Turn vaccine scheduling site has finally caught up.

Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and other advocacy groups are suing Sacramento County’s Sheriff, claiming his office illegally transferred immigrants from county jails to federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit alleges Sheriff Scott Jones violated state law by contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials about the release of inmates.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Recent Criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris May Not Tell the Whole Story

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 18:23:29 -0000

Media reports this week are painting a picture of dysfunction, disappointment, and confusion surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris and her role in the Biden administration. Sources inside the White House told CNN that Harris is struggling, and low approval numbers are adding to alleged problems.

Guest: Marisa Lagos, Political Correspondent, KQED

The state’s Citizens Redistricting Commission is hearing feedback on its proposed district lines for Congress and the state legislature -- and that has major implications for the state's big and growing Latino population.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

One in five Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. has experienced a hate incident in the last year. That’s according to a new report out from the California-based coalition Stop AAPI Hate.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

One of the problems that’s causing disruptions in the global supply chain is a severe shortage of truckers. In San Diego, one driving school is working to keep up with demand.

Reporter: Alexandra Rangel, KPBS

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Governor Newsom Promotes Boosters, Warns of Winter COVID Surge

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 18:24:39 -0000

In the Central Valley on Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom was promoting COVID-19 booster shots in a community that’s seeing a higher rate of hospitalizations compared to the rest of the state. He also warned about possibly rough pandemic weeks ahead for California.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

The first in a series of public input meetings is scheduled for Wednesday, on California’s proposed redrawn electoral maps. The state's independent redistricting commission released its preliminary maps last week, based on the most recent census, and suffice it to say, not everyone is happy.

Guest: Sameena Kamal, Reporter with CalMatters

Bay Area Democratic Congresswoman Jackie Speier has announced that she will not run for reelection after serving in the House of Representatives since 2008. Speier has been an especially powerful force when it comes to gun control and violence prevention, with her views shaped by a near death incident in her own life.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Los Angeles County is looking to help small businesses that have fallen behind on their rent during the pandemic. The Small Business Rent Relief Program would provide grants of up to $40,000 for small businesses in unincorporated areas of the county.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Confusion Remains Over Booster Shot Eligibility in California

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 15:30:00 -0000

Last week, the California Department of Public Health updated its guidance on booster shots, telling providers to let people judge their own needs for a shot and not turn anyone away. But many are finding that online appointment systems aren’t making getting a booster vaccination easy.

Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED

SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, is looking for thousands of workers. A recent job fair painted a clearer picture of who is looking for jobs in the state, and what employers are looking for.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

In the 1950s and 60s the United States created it’s modern freeway and highway system. It was an engineering marvel, but it also brought pain and injustice like when poorer communities of color literally saw their neighborhoods paved over, forcing residents to move. A new investigation by the Los Angeles Times finds that kind of displacement still happening today when new infrastructure is built.

Guest: Liam Dillon, Reporter LA Times

After leading the state through two of its worst wildfire seasons on record, CalFire Chief Thom Porter has announced he will retire before the end of this year. Porter says he's retiring to focus on family, his aging parents, and himself.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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Kaiser, Employees Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 17:40:32 -0000

Kaiser Permanente has reached a tentative deal with thousands of healthcare workers in Northern and Southern California, who were prepared to go on strike on Monday. They are still negotiating with a group of engineers, who have been off the job for two months.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

President Biden will sign his administration’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure package into law on Monday. California will get tens of billions of dollars in new federal spending, but will it come quick enough to fix roads, bridges and other transit issues facing the state?

Guest: David Kim, Secretary of California's State Transportation Agency

While much of the focus has been on the massive backlog at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, residents in nearby communities are also expressing major concerns about pollution from those cargo ships. But a new queuing system being launched this week at the ports could help improve air quality and safety.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

The San Joaquin Valley ranks worst in the nation when it comes to particulate air pollution, and environmental organizations say the Environmental Protection Agency is failing to do something about it. The groups have filed a lawsuit hoping to force the EPA to act.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

Some 6,000 lecturers across the University of California system are planning to strike this week. The union representing lecturers has been in negotiations for more than two years and says the UC is refusing to negotiate issues like paid family leave and reimbursement for remote teaching expenses.

Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED

The public comment period will close Monday on proposed new regulations requiring passenger sportfishing and whale watching boats to upgrade to cleaner engines. California’s charter boat operators say the proposed new rules will jeopardize their livelihoods.

Reporter: Greta Mart, KRCB

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Will U.N. Climate Conference Have Significant Impact on California Policies?

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 15:29:00 -0000

The United Nations climate change conference wraps up Friday in Scotland. And while an agreement hasn't been reached, the summit could have varying impacts on California.

Guests: Violet Saena, Executive Director of Climate Resilient Communities and Mark Hertsgaard, Executive Director of Covering Climate Now and Environment Correspondent for The Nation Magazine

Kaiser Permanente could be hit by multiple statewide labor strikes beginning on Monday. Thousands of the company's healthcare workers in California are threatening to walk off the job over contract talks.

Reporter: Tara Siler, KQED

There was a significant increase in hate crimes in Los Angeles County in 2020, mainly fueled by racially-motivated attacks. That's according to the annual crime report released this week by the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Workers in practically every sector seem to be in short supply these days, and with Christmas season around the corner, you can add Santa to that list.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

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State Health Officials Push For More People to Get COVID Booster Shots

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 15:36:00 -0000

State health officials are advising adults who want to get a COVID-19 booster shot to do so before the holiday season. This comes as the state is warning about a possible surge in COVID-19 cases this winter.

Fossil fuels are the biggest driver of human-made climate change. So why has an analysis by environmental group Global Witness tallied more than 500 gas and oil lobbyists at the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow?

Guest: Kassie Siegel, Director for the Center for Biological Diversity's Climate Law Institute

California’s state delegation to the United Nations climate conference is packed with Latino power players. Latinos in California are not of the same mind when it comes to climate policy.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

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California's Rules on Methane Emissions Produce Mixed Results

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 20:24:00 -0000

The United Nations has released a draft of a climate accord that urges nations to “revisit and strengthen” their plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions. That’s not just carbon dioxide, it’s methane too. And earlier at COP26, countries committed to slash methane emissions.

Guest: Rachel Becker, Environmental Reporter, CalMatters

Governor Gavin Newsom broke his silence around his absence from the United Nations climate change conference in Scotland, saying he skipped the trip to spend Halloween with his kids.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

When oceans and climate change are in the same sentence, it’s usually negative. But at the international climate conference COP26, a Bay Area ecologist pointed to marine sanctuaries as a climate change solution.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Researchers at the Public Health Institute followed more than 18,000 women who were pregnant in Oakland in the early ‘60s, and received injections of a synthetic hormone intended to prevent miscarriages. Fast forward six decades and their offspring may face a greater cancer risk.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Many people in California are concerned about the widening gap between the rich and the poor in the state. A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California finds an overwhelming majority say the gap between the haves and have-nots is getting bigger.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Fast food workers across California walked off the job Tuesday, to advocate for better working conditions. The workers are calling for the passage of an Assembly bill which would help set standards for industry wages and working conditions.

Reporter: Shehreen Karim, KQED

Former California Governor Jerry Brown has convened a group of experts and ex-government officials to tackle one of the state's biggest problems: wildfires.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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Infrastructure Bill to Bring Jobs, Modernize Infrastructure in California

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 19:31:49 -0000

The massive infrastructure package that's awaiting President Biden's signature is expected to have a longstanding impact on California. And it won't just be fixing roads and modernizing transit projects.

Guest: Serena Alexander, Associate Professor with the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, San Jose State University

At the United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, state senators from California and their counterparts in Washington state discussed merging part of their cap-and-trade markets, as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Fast food workers across California are walking out on Tuesday to advocate for better working conditions. The workers are calling for the passage of Assembly Bill 257, which would establish a fast food council to set standards for industry wages and working conditions.

Reporter: Shehreen Karim, KQED

After burning nearly a million acres, the Dixie Fire, which started in July northwest of Lake Tahoe, was fully contained late last month. But for many communities in Northern California, the recovery process is just beginning.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

The tri-colored blackbird, which is native to much of the Central Valley, gained protection under California’s Endangered Species Act in 2018. Since then, populations of the tri-colored blackbird appear to have stopped declining.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

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Southern California Air Regulators Enact New Rules on Refineries

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 19:08:25 -0000

Southern Californians who live near oil refineries may soon be able to breathe easier. The South Coast Air Quality Management District unanimously passed its biggest emissions rule in decades on Friday.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

The United Nations climate change conference continues this week in Glasgow, Scotland. And one longtime observer says what happens outside of the negotiations is an important aspect of this event.

Guest: Chris Field, Director, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment

Democratic lawmakers in California once wanted to ban state contracts with border wall companies. But after the Newsom administration hired one of those firms for pandemic response, lawmakers are mostly silent on the issue.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Access to banking is often an indicator of a community’s health. In Imperial County, a shortage of bank branches plus rising temperatures can lead to dangerous outcomes.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

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Union Representing Kaiser Workers Gives Notice of Planned Strike

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 16:45:51 -0000

Thousands of unionized Kaiser Permanente nurses and other healthcare workers in Southern California are preparing to go on strike. This comes after months of talks and negotiations have stalled.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

An investigation from the Los Angeles Times has found that thousands of times a year, Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies pull over bicyclists for minor violations, and then search them even though they often have no reason to suspect they’ll find something illegal. This is particularly impacting the Latino community.

Guests: Alene Tchekmedvian and Ben Poston, Reporters, LA Times

California just received the last chunk of federal COVID-19 relief dollars, aimed at helping the state’s students recover from the pandemic. The $5 billion being released is money schools are already expecting and brings the total the state has recieved to $15 billion.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

The Self Parking Program at Long Beach City College will allow students who are living out of their cars to park overnight in one of the college’s parking structures. They'll have access to wi-fi, showers and electrical outlets.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Some California Counties Begin Administering COVID-19 Shots for Younger Children

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 17:20:11 -0000

Many California children, ages 5 to 11, have started getting the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. In Los Angeles alone, more than 900, 000 school-aged children are now eligible for the shot.

Reporter: Jackie Fortiér, KPCC

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference continues in Scotland, many Californians can see the effects right here along the California coast. For instance, look out the window on a trip on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner, which connects downtown Los Angeles and downtown San Diego, and the effects of climate change are right in front of you.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says his office will take a larger role in enforcing California's housing laws. He's launching a 12 member strike force to step up enforcement.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

As the United Nations climate summit continues in Scotland, a majority of Californians are making it clear they support the state’s climate change mitigation goals. And they see the damage caused by global warming. That’s according to new findings from the Public Policy Institute of California.

Reporter: Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRW

Levels of carbon emissions have almost returned to where they were before the pandemic, according to Stanford research.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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California Prepares to Roll Out COVID Vaccine for Younger Children

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 18:29:06 -0000

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that all children ages 5 through 11 get a low-dose COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech. In California, counties across the state are preparing to deliver the shots to children.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva continues to attack his county’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate. He claims the sheriff's department could lose thousands of employees because of the mandate, although he hasn't provided evidence that that will actually happen.

It’s important to have health insurance, especially during a pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, some insurers chose not to charge COVID-19 patients for expensive hospital stays and therapies. A few have continued that policy as long as the public health emergency is in place, but most are quietly going back to business as usual.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

California has sent a contingent of officials to attend the United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow. The delegation includes state Senator Josh Becker, a Democrat who represents San Mateo County and part of Santa Clara County.

Guest: Josh Becker, Bay Area State Senator

State utility regulators have reached proposed settlements with California's two biggest power companies, over allegations they violated safety rules before a string of destructive fires. Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas and Electric are alleged to have violated a wide range of safety regulations before the blazes, which include the Thomas and Woolsey fires in Southern California and the Kincade Fire north of San Francisco.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Pacific Gas & Electric ratepayers could be stuck footing at least some of the bill for the Dixie fire. It's just the latest scandal for the troubled utility. Now, a Silicon Valley congressman says he hopes this will be the tipping point that pushes PG&E towards a public takeover.

Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report

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Study Finds Climate Change is Primary Source Behind Increasing Western Wildfires

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 17:02:17 -0000

A new report finds that climate change is chiefly responsible for the growing frequency and severity of California's wildfires. The team of researchers from UCLA and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory based that estimate on how quickly dry air sucks up moisture.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Pacific Gas and Electric says it's received a subpoena from federal prosecutors, in connection with this summer's catastrophic Dixie Fire. The fire burned nearly a million acres and has led to investigations by CalFire and by prosecutors in several counties.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Like so many other places in the country, California is grappling with its racist past. It’s also looking at the idea of reparations for African Americans and Black descendents of slaves. A new task force is studying this issue, and families are coming forward to share their experiences.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

In the wake of the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan, Sacramento is struggling with an influx of refugees from the country. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccerra visited the region Monday, and heard from refugees about the struggles of finding affordable housing, getting around without a car and enrolling children in school.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Using fresh Census data, state, local and federal political maps are redrawn every ten years to account for population changes over the past decade and to even out representation. The maps by the nonpartisan commission are by no means final. But they show some potentially big shakeups in Northern California’s congressional districts.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Geneticists at the San Diego Zoo have found the first ever case of condor reproduction by just a single parent. Testing revealed two young condors, reared by two separate mothers, had only one parent. Their eggs were not fertilized by male sperm.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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California Officials to Tout State's Ambitious Climate Change Goals at U.N. Summit

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 16:53:00 -0000

The United Nations Climate Change Conference kicks off this week in Scotland. And while Governor Gavin Newsom canceled his trip at the last minute, the state will be well represented, as officials hope to showcase California's ambitious climate goals.

Guest: Ezra David Romero, KQED Climate Reporter

Over the weekend, employees of healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente staged worker solidarity rallies. Tens of thousands of Kaiser workers, like nurses, pharmacists, and physical therapists are threatening to strike across the state.

This past weekend, activists and supporters gathered at Dolores Park in San Francisco to celebrate the release of the last remaining person detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Yuba County Jail. Now the “Free The Yuba 11 Coalition” is advocating that federal officials end ICE’s contract with the jail.

Reporter: Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED

A new organization in California hopes to help people who have been released from prison re-integrate back into their communities. The Re-Entry Providers Association of California – or REPAC -- is the nation’s first statewide coordinated effort to help formerly incarcerated people succeed on the outside.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

The White House says it's committed to immigration reform, ultimately creating a pathway to citizenship for the 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants who live in this country. A key figure in that effort is California’s U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, who is himself the child of immigrants from Mexico.

Guest: U.S. Senator Alex Padilla from California

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State Senate Holds First Hearing on Orange County Oil Spill

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 17:48:44 -0000

The state Natural Resources and Water Committee held its first hearing Thursday on the massive oil spill off the coast of Orange County. The cause of the spill remains under investigation.

Central Valley farmworkers and their families are calling on state and local officials to restrict the use of 13 pesticides that have been linked to childhood cancers. They also want to be warned ahead of time when these pesticides are used.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Facebook has changed its company name to Meta. The social media company has been under fire for spreading misinformation and other things. And the new name led to plenty of snarky Twitter comments.

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California Health Officials Prepared to Vaccinate Younger Children

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 14:25:00 -0000

The state has pre-ordered 1.4 million doses of Pfizer's pediatric COVID-19 vaccine, so medical providers can start putting shots in arms as soon as federal health officials sign off.

Staffing levels for federal wildland firefighters have dipped dramatically in recent years, impacting efforts to contain massive wildfires across the country, particularly in California. At a hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, advocates argued for two pieces of legislation aimed at helping hire more firefighters.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

President Joe Biden has presented a trimmed down reconciliation bill to Congress on Thursday morning. California Senator Alex Padilla joined the California Report to talk about the proposal and some of the reasons it's been so heavily debated by his Democratic colleagues in the Senate.

Guest: U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, California

The Beverly Hills Police Department has been accused of racially profiling Black shoppers on Rodeo Drive. New records from a class action lawsuit show that out of 90 people who were arrested along the shopping corridor, 80 were Black.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

The coronavirus pandemic led to record drug use across the country. Fatal overdoses rose almost 30% percent last year, driven mainly by fentanyl and other opioids. But the stimulant methamphetamine is also a huge part of the problem. It doesn’t get as much attention, though, in part because it doesn’t cause the impressive death counts that make for good headlines.

Guest: Sam Quinones, Journalist and Author of the book "The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth"

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FDA Panel Endorses Pfizer Vaccine for Younger Children

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 17:03:08 -0000

With Tuesday’s FDA committee vote endorsing the use of Pfizer's Covid vaccine in kids over the age of 4, public health officials in California are getting ready to distribute the kid-size doses. It’s looking like children will be able to get their shots in the next couple weeks, as soon as the review process is completed.

Guests: Jessica Nicholson and Maura Fallon McKnight, Parents in Richmond and Humboldt County

In Los Angeles, city employees who don’t get vaccinated by December 18 could lose their jobs. A plan approved Tuesday by the L.A. City Council would also require people who are not vaccinated to undergo regular COVID-19 testing, on their own dime.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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EDD Officials Grilled Over Backlog and Fraudulent Claims

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 17:17:11 -0000

California's embattled Employment Development Department says it's taking steps to fix some of what's broken there, from clogged phone lines to fraud. State lawmakers grilled agency officials at an oversight hearing in Sacramento on Monday.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Rising rents and limited affordable housing continue to put pressure on many Californians. And new research shows the housing market is particularly challenging for Black renters in San Diego.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

The atmospheric river has effectively put an end to California’s wildfire season. And there's more evidence in the Sequoia National Forest.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

Wildfire prevention is one of the key goals of President Biden’s trillion dollar infrastructure bill. Democrats are pushing for a vote on it in Congress this week. One of them is Josh Harder who represents California’s Central Valley. He’s been especially focused on measures that would address the health impacts from wildfire smoke.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Immigration advocates are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to cancel a no-bid, $350 million contract. It was awarded to a border wall company to help with the state’s COVID-19 response.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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Rain Pummels Bay Area, Northern California

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 14:04:00 -0000

Rain and wind wreaked havoc across Northern California and the Bay Area on Sunday, causing power outages, flooding and downed trees in several areas. Several cities saw rainfall records broken.

This weekend's record-breaking rainfall is still not nearly enough to curb the state’s drought. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for all 58 counties in California last week. Farmers in Fresno County, like Joe Del Bosque, have been struggling for months.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

Hundreds of Hollywood artisans held a candlelight vigil in Burbank Sunday night for Halyna Hutchins. She's the 42-year-old cinematographer who was accidentally killed by actor Alec Baldwin last week on a film set in New Mexico. An investigation is ongoing in New Mexico, but in California, it's prompted legislative action.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Two dozen Congressional Democrats from California are calling on the Biden Administration to shut down three immigration detention centers in the state. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, 23 members of Congress, plus Senator Alex Padilla, note that conditions in the facilities violate health and safety standards set by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Governor Newsom Proposes Ban on Oil Drilling Near Neighborhoods

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:08:17 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom wants to ban new oil drilling near schools, homes and many businesses, proposing a rule aimed at improving the health of millions of Californians. The rule would bar new drilling within 3,200 feet of houses, schools and businesses open to the public.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The Bay Conservation and Development Commission has adopted a Bay Area-wide plan for adapting to rising seas. Scientists project the bay could rise by several feet by the end of the century, a result of warming temperatures.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

In response to its homelessness crisis, the city of Los Angeles has opened the country's largest so-called tiny home village. It's located in northeast Los Angeles and more than 200 people will be able to live there.

Guest: Amy King, CEO of Pallet, a company building many of these homes

A new state audit has found that California’s Board of State and Community Corrections, which helps run the state’s adult and juvenile justice and penal systems, mismanaged nearly $60 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

The recall attempt targeting Governor Newsom is over, but there are other efforts across the state to remove elected officials from office. In Shasta County, a conservative member of the Board of Supervisors is facing a recall election promoted by members of a local militia and things have gotten ugly.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Rain Brings Reprieve, but the Drought Carries On

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 14:22:00 -0000

L.A City Employees Must Get Vaccinated by December

City of L.A. workers who remain unvaccinated may be getting a reprieve from a vaccine mandate that took effect Wednesday. ..but it won’t last forever. Mayor Eric Garcetti says municipal employees who aren’t fully vaccinated by December 18th should be “prepared to lose their jobs.”

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

Rainfall Arrives, And the Drought Continues

Rain has been falling in Northern California, and the National Weather Service’s Bay Area division predicts more rain later this week. That’s really good news for reducing wildfire risks, but what does it mean for the drought?

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

California Partners with Company that Built Border Wall for COVID-19 Response

California has turned to an unusual partner for part of its COVID-19 response. It’s the same company that built former president Donald Trump’s border wall along the California-Mexico border. The no-bid, $350 million contract has frustrated immigration advocates and community health care leaders.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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Unvaccinated L.A. City Employees Could Get Extra Time to Get Shots

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 17:54:39 -0000

Thousands of unvaccinated Los Angeles City workers may have until December to get the mandated shots. But if they remain unvaccinated, they could feel the bite in their paychecks.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Los Angeles County is studying the effectiveness of a peer vaccination program. The homeless are being used as ambassadors to try to help convince other unhoused people get their shots.

Guest: Chelsea Shover, Professor at UCLA who is helping lead the program

A record number of cargo ships are idling off the Southern California coast. That means delays at the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach. But one Bay Area port is trying to help alleviate these delays.

Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report

The descendents of some of Southern California’s early pioneers are trying to save their ancestors’ crumbling home. This is taking place in the Inland Empire, where a farming town was founded when California was still part of Mexico.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KVCR

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Orange County Businesses Continue to Struggle Following Oil Spill

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 17:01:08 -0000

Business leaders testified during a Congressional hearing on Monday about the impacts the recent Orange County oil spill has had on the region. At least one owner says he's unsure if and when things will get back to normal for his fishing company.

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month and while many cities across California have ambitious goals to better protect those walking on the street, they are falling well short of those goals. Can anything be done to better protect pedestrians from drivers?

Guest: Leah Shahum, Executive Director, Vision Zero Network

Revenue from parking tickets is used by cities to pay for things like public parks and trash removal. But in Los Angeles, a new report has found that parking citations just aren’t the money maker they used to be.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

A new law in California will soon mandate use-of-force training for security guards. A CapRadio investigation into the private security industry sparked the legislation.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

South Bay Congressman Ro Khanna will preside over an historic hearing later this month, where Big Oil executives and trade groups will face questions about their role in spreading climate disinformation.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Homekey Provides Stability, But No Permanent Housing For Many Participants

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 16:19:10 -0000

Last year, Governor Gavin Newsom sent nearly $850 million to cities and counties to buy empty motels and other properties to convert them into homeless housing. Now he wants to spend over $2.5 billion more on the same effort. The Homekey program has proven to be a success, but most of the sites being used aren't permanent places to stay for participants.

Reporters: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report, Anna Scott, KCRW

The Coast Guard said that back in January, a cargo vessel named the MSC Danit might have caught its anchor on the underwater pipeline involved in the Orange County oil spill, dragging it more than a 100 feet across the ocean floor.

Los Angeles Unified School District’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate takes full effect Monday. Staff and teachers in L.A. need at least one COVID shot to get on campus, and must be fully vaccinated by November 15.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

The California condor is under threat once again. The massive birds went extinct in the wild in the 1980s but through breeding and conservation programs started making a comeback. But deaths attributed to lead poisoning have been rising once again, threatening the survival of this endangered species.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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Dodgers Top Giants in Decisive Game Five

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 16:27:22 -0000

The bitter rivalry between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers came to a head in their National League Division Series playoff battle. It's the first time the teams have met in the postseason. And the Dodgers came out on top in Game Five in a nail-biter.

The Coast Guard says it’s confident the number of gallons leaked from the oil spill in Orange County is around 25,000, far less than the original estimate. Meanwhile, the oil spill was a major talking point during a Congressional hearing on Thursday.

Recent COVID-19 trends in California are very positive, with infections, hospitalizations and deaths all down because of vaccinations and mask use. And in Los Angeles the number of new infections among school children is also subsiding.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Hollywood Production Workers Set Strike Date

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 17:17:28 -0000

About 60,000 members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees are threatening to strike next Monday if they can’t reach an agreement with studios over such issues as working conditions and more reasonable hours. IATSE represents a wide range of Hollywood’s workforce from cinematographers and editors to make up artists and script coordinators.

Guest: A.J. Catoline, Editor on Apple TV’s “Ted Lasso"

The executive director of the labor union SEIU California has resigned, after being charged with tax fraud and other felonies. Alma Hernández and her husband were charged earlier this month.

Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report

One of the bills Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed mandates mental health education classes for many middle and high school students in California.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

One team will advance to the National League Championship Series. The other will have its season come to an end. The Dodgers and Giants take the field tonight in San Francisco.

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Alisal Fire Continues to Grow, Threatens Homes

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 17:09:47 -0000

The Alisal Fire has burned more than 13,000 acres in Santa Barbara County. That’s prompted evacuation orders in rural areas and forced the shut down of parts of Highway 101.

Reporter: Rachel Showalter, KCBX

Los Angeles continues its push to dismantle large homeless encampments in the city and move people into temporary shelters. It's already happened in the city's Echo Park and Venice neighborhoods. Now, the unhoused who are living in a section of MacArthur Park west of downtown, will be required to move by the end of this week.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

In the Coachella Valley, desert cities are passing laws restricting or banning short-term rentals. And that’s squeezing supply in the city of Palm Springs.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

California’s committee on reparations met again Tuesday to discuss housing and environmental inequities that have specifically disadvantaged African Americans. The committee looked at how reparations could be given in the form of direct payments and other methods to correct decades of racist policies and actions.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

Among the more than 700 bills Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed into law are several that aim to fix problems at the state’s unemployment department. The changes come in the wake of a parade of problems that jeopardized much needed help for jobless Californians.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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State Attorney General Lanches Investigation Into Orange County Oil Spill

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 16:54:01 -0000

California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla visited the site of the Orange County oil spill on Monday. Bonta has pledged to work with federal and local law enforcement to investigate the disaster.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

So far, more than two dozen birds have been rescued by the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, which is leading recovery and rehabilitation efforts for wildlife impacted by the Orange County oil spill.

Pacific Gas & Electric has been blamed for numerous fires in recent years and the utility is mired in debt. Fire survivors have struggled to get any type of compensation from the company. But there's one group that has benefited from all of the pain -- Wall Street hedge funds.

Guest: Lily Jamali, Former Co-Host, The California Report

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Pipeline Likely Damaged Months Before Orange County Oil Spill

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 14:13:00 -0000

City and state beaches are reopening in Huntington Beach after more than a thousand volunteers and workers continued with clean-up efforts over the weekend, following the recent oil spill. Investigators are looking into whether the pipeline in question may have been damaged far earlier than first thought.

Homekey is the centerpiece of California’s multi-billion dollar plans to fight homelessness. Started last year, it focuses on turning old or underused businesses, especially motels, into permanent supportive housing for the homeless. But the program is also showing other benefits in some cities.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring California high school students to take an ethnic studies class in order to graduate. The courses must be offered by the 2025-26 school year.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

A new law will afford tribes the same ambulance certification exemptions given to city and county fire departments. Previously, tribes had to jump through hoops.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

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Officials Still Unclear How Much Oil Spilled Off Coast of Orange County

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 18:58:38 -0000

Nearly a week after oil was first reported off the coast of Orange County, investigators still have not been able to determine exactly how much crude has spilled into the Pacific. Tar balls have been spotted further south in San Diego County, but it's unclear if they're from the oil spill.

During the pandemic, people have taken up lots of new hobbies and activities. That includes yoga. And some yoga instructors have found ways to create culturally sensitive spaces for students of color, in an industry where many feel white westerners have co-opted the practice.

Reporter: Gabriella Frenes, The California Report

As COVID-19 cases decline in California, Los Angeles County health officials are encouraged by another metric -- more teenagers are getting vaccinated. In the past month, there was a 5% increase in Latino 12-15 year olds receiving the free shots. The percentage was similar for Native American children in the same age group, followed by Black children.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Bay Area public health officers say the Delta COVID-19 surge is subsiding. So now, it’s time to talk about an exit strategy for indoor mask mandates.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

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German Ship Now Being Investigated For Potential Role in Pipeline Rupture

Thu, 07 Oct 2021 17:03:10 -0000

The investigation continues into this past weekend’s oil spill off the coast of Orange County, with attention now focused on a cargo container vessel named “The Rotterdam Express.” The German-owned ship was anchored near the site of the oil spill for more than a week, before the pipeline owned by Amplify Energy ruptured.

The Los Angeles City Council has passed an ordinance requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter many indoor businesses, city-owned buildings and large events.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

As California’s drought persists, there’s once again attention on saving water and a renewed push to make our homes and gardens more water efficient.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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New Details Released on Ruptured Pipeline Involved in Massive Oil Spill

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 17:20:56 -0000

The Coast Guard says a section of the pipeline that ruptured off the coast of Orange County moved more than a hundred feet along the ocean floor. It’s still unclear what caused the rupture, as authorities have not been able to confirm reports that it may have been caused by a ship’s anchor.

Southern California Congressman Mike Levin is renewing a call to pass his legislation, that would ban new offshore drilling off the coast of Southern California. He says the massive oil spill in Orange County is further evidence of the importance of the bill.

Guest: Congressman Mike Levin, Representative for California's 49th District

Governor Gavin Newsom was at a Fresno elementary school on Tuesday to sign historic education bills into law. One will expand free access to early Pre-K and fund a college savings account for low-income students.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

In a split decision, a three judge panel on the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that California’s ban on private prisons and detention centers is unconstitutional. A private prison firm and the Trump administration had sued to stop the 2019 ban from taking effect.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Why did some homes in the Northern California town of Paradise survive the 2018 Camp Fire while so many others did not? New research shows that simple actions such as creating defensible space around homes might have been a big factor.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting is Thursday and it comes days after a jury ordered the carmaker to pay $137 million to a Black worker, who accused the company of ignoring racist abuse. The former employee, who worked at Tesla’s Fremont plant from 2015 to 2016, said he was called racist names and employees drew swastikas and left racist graffiti around the plant.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

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Massive Oil Spill off Orange County Coast Called Potential Ecological Disaster

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 17:46:00 -0000

Crews are working to contain a massive oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach. The oil spill has closed many beaches in the area, and environmental groups are working frantically to save wildlife that has been impacted by the spill.

In surveys, half of Californians say they have to wait too long to see a mental health provider when they need one. A new bill currently on the governor’s desk would require health insurers to reduce those wait times to no more than 10 business days.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

California’s statewide eviction moratorium has expired. And now many tenants are looking for rent relief and legal guidance.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

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Police Reform Bills Signed by Governor Newsom

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:55:39 -0000

California should see big changes in police practices and an increase in transparency and accountability for officer misconduct because of a set of bills signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The laws include an expansion of police transparency, allowing public access to cases involving racial discrimination, unlawful arrests and excessive force by officers.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

This week, The California Report is losing a key member of our family, our team. Co-host Lily Jamali is moving onto exciting new challenges outside of KQED. Lily came to The California Report as co-host and reporter in mid-2018, and it’s overwhelming what she’s been able to accomplish these last three years.

Reporter: Angela Corral

The state’s eviction moratorium has expired. But applying for rent relief can still put off an eviction,at least for now.

Reporter: Erika Kelly, KQED

A prominent California lawyer who advised President Donald Trump on overturning election results is facing calls to be investigated -- and possibly disbarred. Chapman University Law School Professor John Eastman was forced to resign after speaking at the rally that preceded the insurrection on January 6.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Smoky Air From Wildfires Impacting Parts of California Differently

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 16:45:13 -0000

As part of our continuing investigation, “Dangerous Air,” NPR's California Newsroom found out how some Californians are coping with all the smoke created by wildfires in the state, and why the smoke hits some parts of California harder than others.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

With so much social media inundated with vaccine misinformation, YouTube has announced it’s cracking down on it, again. The company said it would remove videos claiming that vaccines do not reduce rates of transmission or contraction of disease, and content that includes misinformation on the makeup of the vaccines.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

The L.A. City Council was supposed to vote on a sweeping municipal ordinance Wednesday that would require people to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before entering many indoor public spaces. But the council had to delay action after one councilmember withheld his vote.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

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Schools in Rural Northern California See Dangerous Effects of Wildfire Smoke

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 16:50:51 -0000

In the second part of NPR's California Newsroom investigation, Dirty Air, we traveled to rural Northern California. There's been a shocking increase in wildfire smoke, and unhealthy air recently in California, and it can be particularly damaging for children.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire continue to grow as they scorch parts of Sequoia National Park. Thousands of firefighters are battling challenging conditions, including steep and rugged terrain.

During a contentious meeting, the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for eligible students and staff. The plan calls for younger students to be vaccinated as well, once the vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

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Californians Exposed to More Unhealthy, Smoke-Filled Air

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:30:50 -0000

An analysis by NPR’s California Newsroom of more than ten years of data found a tremendous spike in the amount of smoke we are breathing, from San Diego to the Oregon border, with disturbing health outcomes. In some parts of rural Northern California, people are living with unhealthy air months at a time.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

From now on, California voters will get a ballot in the mail, by default, in all future elections. It’s the result of a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

A federal judge is ordering all state prison guards and other staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to enter any prison facility.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

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PG&E Charged With Manslaughter in Deadly 2020 Zogg Fire

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 16:32:22 -0000

PG&E is facing manslaughter and other charges after its equipment started the 2020 Zogg Fire that killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes. On Friday, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett announced 31 charges against the utility, saying it failed to perform its legal duties.

Californians with the most basic homeowners insurance policies have long complained that when disasters strike, they just don't have enough coverage to pay for all of their expenses. But change is coming .

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California’s groundbreaking task force on reparations for Black Californians wrapped up its latest meeting on Friday. The group is working on drafting a reparations proposal.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

COVID-19 cases among young people were increasing last month as students started the school year. Cases have since declined, but even small COVID outbreaks at schools in the Central Valley are having major impacts on families in rural communities.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

Breathing in too much ozone gas is harmful for our health. Now researchers say the health risk is even higher for older Californians who live in areas with elevated ozone pollution.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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California Prepares to Issue Booster Shots to More Eligible Residents

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 17:16:43 -0000

Now that it’s received approval from the Food and Drug Administration, and been endorsed by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel, state health officials say they’re ready to give COVID-19 booster shots to anyone who’s eligible. Before it’s widely distributed, the efficacy of a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine still needs to be reviewed by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup.

Movie fans will soon be able to enjoy a new museum in Los Angeles that is aimed specifically for them. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opens on Septemeber 30, and will provide guests with a rich, visual history of the filmmaking industry.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

During a visit to the site of KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $15 billion climate package. But how will the money be spent?

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

The KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire are both burning in Sequoia National Park. Fire crews are trying to protect the iconic trees there and so far, have been fairly successful.

Reporter: Sorreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

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Years of Preparation Help Save Some Communities From Caldor Fire

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 19:59:55 -0000

While the Caldor Fire has destroyed more than a thousand buildings and continues to burn, communities around South Lake Tahoe mostly escaped the fire's destruction -- despite lying square in its path. That's thanks to firefighters, but also years of work preparing the forest.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 701. It’s a bill that requires warehouse operators to disclose more about the quotas and algorithms they use to squeeze more productivity out of workers, possibly creating more dangerous workplaces.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

After a month and a half-long preliminary hearing, Paul and Ruben Flores will stand trial for crimes related to the disappearance and murder of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student Kristin Smart, who went missing in 1996. Smart was never found and was declared legally dead in 2002.

Reporter: Rachel Showalter, KCBX

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As Drought Worsens, Californians Failing to Conserve Water

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 16:51:16 -0000

In July, as a response to the worsening drought, Governor Gavin Newsom asked the people of California to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15%. But so far, Californians have only reduced water consumption by less than 2 %.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Los Angeles County has two juvenile halls, but state officials say they’re both failing in their duties. The facilities are accused of treating the young people housed there so poorly, that within the next two months, they’ll have to either fix the way they operate, or remove juveniles from the detention centers all together.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

With extremely high COVID-19 hospitalization rates in the Central Valley, pediatricians are warning local doctors to be on the lookout for a related condition found in children who have been exposed to the virus. Cases of Multi Inflammatory Syndrome , or MIS-C tend to increase following a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

Next year in Los Angeles, residents will elect a new mayor, and people are starting to announce their intentions to run. The latest is L.A. City Councilman Kevin de Leon, who announced his candidacy Tuesday.

Reporter: Libby Denkmann, KPCC

With every natural disaster and humanitarian crisis, Californians apply thumbs to phones to send money to people and organizations raising funds for those in need. Which explains the presence of a bill, on Governor Newsom's desk now, that promises to boost state oversight of charitable fundraising online.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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State Imposes One Year Ban on Insurance Cancellations in Wildfire Prone Areas

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 16:44:20 -0000

In response to California's ongoing wildfires, State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has issued an order requiring insurance companies with policy holders living in fire zones to keep people's policies in place and to honor insurance renewals.

Guest: Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner

The KNP Complex Fire burning in Sequoia National Park continues to threaten a grove of giant sequoias. That includes the General Sherman, considered one of the oldest and largest trees on earth.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

Wildland firefighters accept risk when they head out to battle a blaze. But Cal Fire firefighters are getting sick, and some have even died, during training.

Reporters: Jacob Margolis, KPCC and Brian Edwards, Columbia Journalism School

The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board has told the Wall Street Journal that Tesla should address “basic safety issues” before offering its “full self-driving” package to more drivers.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Bay Area Assemblyman Marc Levine is launching a run for state Insurance Commissioner and he’ll be challenging a fellow Democrat. The election is next year.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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In-Home Health Care Workers Need to be Vaccinated in L.A. County

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 16:09:22 -0000

Los Angeles County health officials have added in-home care workers to the list of high-risk health jobs that must get COVID-19 vaccines by the end of September. The move has emboldened advocacy groups, who are pushing to make it statewide.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

A statewide bill that aims to diversify California’s arts and culture workforce, and jobs that pay a living wage, has landed on the governor’s desk after winning near-unanimous support in the Assembly and Senate. The California Creative Workforce Act is the first of its kind in the country.

Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

Pacific Gas & Electric says it’s possible that electricity continued to flow through a set of power lines for several hours after a tree fell into them and ignited the Dixie Fire. That’s according to court filings from the company.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

Labor unions made a massive effort to help Governor Gavin Newsom beat the recall and stay in office. Now, unions are expecting Newsom to show up for them.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

From a Southern California warehouse for reclaimed produce to a food distribution event for poor families, the state's efforts to boost food recycling as a way to fight climate change are on full display. Beyond current industrial-scale effort, starting next year, Californians will be required to recycle food at home.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Governor Newsom Signs Housing Bills

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 16:21:57 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills aimed at boosting housing supplies across the state. One of them, SB 9, would increase density and affordable housing options in neighborhoods dominated by single family homes.

Reporter: Erika Kelly, KQED

California health officials are now requiring that people who work in high risk medical settings be fully immunized against COVID-19. That includes employees of hospitals, nursing homes and doctors’ offices, but it doesn’t include care workers in private homes.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

An FDA committee is meeting Friday to decide whether to recommend booster shots for seniors and the general public. As of mid-August, 119,000 Californians have gotten booster shots, according to records that KQED News requested from California’s Public Health Department.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Governor Newsom will soon get a chance to make his second appointment to the California Supreme Court. That's because Associate Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuellar has decided to leave the court to head up a prestigious international think tank.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

It’s been 3.5 years since the ACLU first filed a lawsuit in San Diego against the Trump administration, over its policy of separating migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border. Now the federal government is intensifying its push to reunite those parents and children, with a new program launched this week.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

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Democrats Already Looking at Possible Recall Reform

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 17:03:12 -0000

California Democrats are looking into reforming the recall process less than 24 hours after Governor Gavin Newsom survived an effort to remove him from office. Both the Senate and the Assembly will hold hearings in the coming months to explore possible reforms.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Governor Newsom has until October 10 to decide whether to sign a bill that softens production quotas for warehouse workers. AB 701 is widely seen as targeted at Amazon, which runs more than 60 warehouses across the state.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

A new health order in Los Angeles County would require proof of vaccination for COVID-19 at indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges. It would also encompass large outdoor events and theme parks.

Fire crews are ramping up the battle against the so-called KNP Complex Fire threatening Sequoia National Park. The fire is moving closer to an iconic grove of giant sequoias, some of which are more than 2,000 years old.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

As vaccine mandates take hold around the state, some Californians are seeking exemptions on religious grounds. But verifying claims related to these exemptions involves somewhat murky legal territory.

Guest: Dorit Reiss, Law Professor, UC Hastings

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Governor Newsom Prevails in Recall Election

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 17:41:53 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has soundly defeated a recall effort to remove him from office. Although votes still need to be counted, more than 60% of those that have been tallied thus far voted no on the question of whether he should be recalled.

Reporters: Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos, KQED

With Governor Newsom's decisive win in the recall election, he can now focus on several pressing needs, from the pandemic to homelessness and wildfires. But he'll also be back on the campaign trail soon enough, as he's up for re-election next year.

Guest: David McCuan, Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at Sonoma State University

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says California’s coronavirus transmission rates are now tilting in the right direction. The state’s coronavirus transmission level has fallen from “high” to “substantial,” the second-highest tier as defined by the CDC.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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Biden Stumps for Newsom as Recall Candidates Make Last Pitch to Voters

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 17:32:26 -0000

President Joe Biden campaigned with Governor Gavin Newsom in Long Beach Monday night, a day before the recall election. Meanwhile, the candidates looking to replacing Governor Newsom made a final pitch to voters on why they should be selected to replace him.

In California, the number of people dying from methamphetamine and cocaine overdoses now outnumbers deaths from fentanyl. Health officials are desperate for more treatment options for stimulant addiction and there is a controversial drug treatment plan in the works.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

A federal judge wants Pacific Gas & Electric to explain why it took several hours to shut off electricity to a power line with blown fuses at the Dixie Fire ignition site. That delay may have caused the now nearly million-acre blaze.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

Garment workers in California are one step closer to securing hourly wages and pay theft protections, thanks to a bill that’s waiting to be signed by the governor.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

A design blogger and e-commerce entrepreneur with 5 million followers on Pinterest, who says she helped launch the social media site, is suing the company’s co-founders.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Latino Voters Voice Mixed Opinions on Recall Election

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 17:05:18 -0000

Tuesday is the last day to vote in the recall election, and the campaigns are trying to sway Latinos, who represent almost 30% of all registered voters in the state. Opinions seem to be fairly mixed on the job Governor Gavin Newsom has done since entering office.

Reporters: Maria Peña and Scott Shafer, KQED

President Joe Biden will make a couple of stops in California on Monday. He'll tour some of the biggest wildfires in the state and also join Governor Gavin Newsom, one day before the gubernatorial recall.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

California lawmakers want to make it easier for property owners and conservancies to mitigate wildfires, by setting fires themselves.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

As wildfires continue to burn across Northern California, the emerging wildfire litigation industry has become big business for attorneys in recent years. But some survivors of past fires have a message for the most recent group of fire victims: buyer beware.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

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Vaccination Mandate Approved for L.A. Unified School District Students

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 16:13:18 -0000

The Los Angeles Unified School District board has unanimously approved a vaccine requirement for all eligible students 12 and older if they want to attend classes in-person.

Latinos make up about a third of registered voters in California. And the campaigns for and against the recall are running TV and radio ads in Spanish hoping to win them over.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

With California’s recall election wrapping up next Tuesday, a new poll has good news for Governor Gavin Newsom. The poll from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies finds 60% of likely voters oppose the recall effort.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Governor Newsom and Republican frontrunner Larry Elder were both in Fresno on Thursday making their respective recall campaign pitches to voters.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

Managing California’s water supply requires an enormous amount of energy. Now, new research suggests making the state’s water system more efficient is also a climate solution.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Recall Campaigns Look to Increase Turnout in Final Days Before Election

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 18:22:35 -0000

Supporters of Governor Gavin Newsom are working furiously to turn out the “No” vote and keep him in office. They've been canvassing the state in the lead-up to election day.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

With the final day to vote in the gubernatorial recall election just five days away, tensions are flaring on the campaign trail. Republican frontrunner Larry Elder was greeted by angry protesters in Venice on Wednesday.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

The city of San Francisco and irrigation districts in the Central Valley are suing the state over drought restrictions, restrictions that prevent them from drawing water out of creeks and rivers.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Recall Campaign Enters its Final Stages

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 16:24:05 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom continues his campaign across the state, as he looks to fight off the recall election. Meanwhile, top candidates to replace the governor are also spreading their message, a week before election day.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California lawmakers wrap up their legislative session at the end of this week. And there are still a flurry of bills that may be in the pipeline.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

California is one of just a handful of states that has laws on the books meant to protect workers from excessive temperatures. But, people are still getting sick and dying from excessive heat and the state agency that's supposed to protect workers has been understaffed for years.

Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KPCC

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What to Know About At-Home COVID Tests

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 16:06:13 -0000

When it comes to COVID-19 testing, one increasingly popular option is at-home test kits. But do they really work?

Guest: Katherine Wu, Staff Writer, The Atlantic

Crews continue to build containment around the Caldor Fire in the Sierra foothills. But some communities are still in limbo as it's not safe enough for residents to return to their homes.

Over Labor Day weekend, up to 2 million Californians lost emergency unemployment benefits created to help get them through the pandemic. As people who still haven’t found work try to move forward with less support, some fear they may never recover.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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Migrant Workers on the Front Line Battling California Wildfires

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 14:12:23 -0000

With major wildfires burning across California, fire crews from across the state and other parts of the country are now on the front lines trying to contain them. That includes migrant workers, who are working under some of the most challenging conditions.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Democrats and Republicans are trying to gather support as the recall election nears. Candidates are trying to make their case to replace Governor Gavin Newsom, who is fighting the recall effort.

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Crews Get Better Handle on Caldor Fire as Conditions Improve

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 15:41:47 -0000

Firefighters have taken advantage of lighter winds as they look to get a better handle on the Caldor Fire burning in the Sierra foothills. But thousands remain evacuated from their homes.

Like in so many other fire-scarred areas, one year after wildfires devastated communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains, residents are still struggling. One problem? Strict county building codes that stop fire victims from rebuilding quickly.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

On Saturday, some 2,000,000 Californians will lose emergency federal unemployment benefits that were created to help get them through the pandemic. And as of now, the state has no plan to provide any meaningful extensions for the people losing out, although the state has started to issue a new round of stimulus checks.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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Healthcare and COVID-19 Response Loom Large in Recall Election

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 17:31:55 -0000

With the recall election less than two weeks away, one of the big issues is Governor Gavin Newsom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. And if a Republican replaces him, the state could be in for major changes when it comes to coronavirus rules and mandates.

Reporters: Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer, KQED

The Caldor Fire continues to challenge firefighters battling the massive blaze. Some residents on the western flank of the fire are finally being allowed back home.

This week marked the formal withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan after two decades -- bringing to an end American involvement in the war. In recent weeks, the world has seen images of Afghans desperately trying to leave the country, and many comparisons have been made to the fall of Saigon.

Guest: Ngoc Nguyen, Ethnic Media Editor at Kaiser Health News and a journalist who has covered the Vietnamese American community

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Many Caldor Fire Evacuees Face Uncertain Future

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 16:20:36 -0000

Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes in South Lake Tahoe this week because of dangerous conditions brought on by the Caldor Fire. If the fire does hit the city, many residents are wondering what they'll return to when the fire is under control.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Another political hot potato has been tossed into the recall election that’s just two weeks away now. State parole board commissioners recently recommended that Sirhan Sirhan, who shot and killed Senator Robert Kennedy in Los Angeles in 1968, be paroled from prison.

Reporters: Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer, KQED

Republicans in the California Legislature held an informal hearing on wildfire prevention Tuesday on the steps of the state Capitol. Democrats in the Legislature have indefinitely postponed a similar hearing, saying they don’t want to pull critical firefighter personnel away during a busy wildfire season.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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Thousands More Evacuated as Caldor Fire Moves Closer to South Lake Tahoe

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:41:43 -0000

The Caldor Fire continues to spread quickly across the Sierra Foothills. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate South Lake Tahoe on Monday, as the fire continues to make its way towards the city.

Guest:Ezra David Romero, KQED

California public health experts consider heat-related illness and death to be fully preventable. And California is one of the few states in the country with laws on the books meant to protect workers. But Californians continue to get sick and die.

Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KPCC

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Caldor Fire Prompts Evacuation Warning for Entire South Lake Tahoe Basin

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:21:13 -0000

There was rapid growth for the Caldor Fire on Sunday as it moves closer to the Tahoe Basin. Even more concerning -- the area is under a red flag warning over the next two days, with low humidity and wind gusts expected across the fire zone.

Guest:Tamara Wallace, Mayor of South Lake Tahoe

More than 8 in 10 residents of Imperial County -- east of San Diego -- are Latino, the highest percentage in the state. The county along California’s southern border also saw the state’s largest voting swing between the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections -- in favor of Republican Donald Trump.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Over the weekend, the remains of U.S. military personnel killed by a suicide bomber outside of Kabul's international airport arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Four Marines from California were killed in the attack.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Afghan Family Resettles in Modesto Following Harrowing Flight Out of Kabul

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:42:24 -0000

Mustafa, who didn't want to reveal his last name because he still has family in Afghanistan, was able to get his wife and daughter out of the country, and they just made it to Modesto this week. He described the whole experience as chaotic, but is glad to have resettled in California.

Guest: Mustafa, Afghan Translator

Two San Diego County families, who were visiting relatives in Afghanistan, have been evacuated from the country amidst the chaos of the Taliban takeover. They are among several groups in the county, including two dozen students who attend the Cajon Valley Union School District, who found themselves stranded in Afghanistan.

Reporter: Alexandra Rangel, KPBS

As the Caldor Fire continues to burn its way east, the first evacuation warning has been issued for the Tahoe basin, specifically Christmas Valley in the South Lake Tahoe area.

Efforts to loosen zoning rules in single family neighborhoods to create more housing have long been a contentious issue in California. But legislation that could create more multi-family housing took a big step forward in Sacramento Thursday.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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New Plan Could Ease Trauma for Asylum Seekers

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 16:52:18 -0000

This week the U.S. Supreme Court said the Biden administration must restart a controversial policy from the Trump administration, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are decided. And while that battle is not over, the Biden administration is moving forward with its own plan that would change how asyum cases are decided.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Spot fires continue to hamper crews battling the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County. But a shift in weather over the next few days could lead to calmer conditions over the fire zone.

At a debate appearance Wednesday night in Sacramento, California voters got a chance to learn a bit more about the most prominent Democrat running for governor in the recall election, Kevin Paffrath.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

A new report has found that California’s more rural, Republican-voting counties have higher violent crime rates than more urban, Democratic areas.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

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President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Northern California Wildfires

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 17:06:27 -0000

President Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for areas of Northern California affected by the Dixie and River fires. The declaration means federal recovery funds will be available to individuals, businesses and tribal governments.

Wih so many wildfires burning across Northern California, the smoke is causing unhealthy air across the region. In fact, areas in and around Lake Tahoe and Reno are posting the worst air quality readings in the country.

California Republicans were ecstatic in 2003 when voters ousted Democratic Governor Gray Davis and replaced him with a Republican and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger. With another recall election coming up, was the Schwarzenegger win a win for the GOP as well?

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

With the recall election just weeks away, the crowded field of candidates looking to replace Governor Gavin Newsom are trying to stand out to California voters.

Guest: Kevin Faulconer, Republican Recall Candidate

As climate change worsens, state regulators charged with overseeing development along San Francisco Bay have a new roadmap for flood protections.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Governor Newsom's Handling of Schools During Pandemic Could Play a Big Role in Recall Election

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 16:27:07 -0000

The recall campaign now aimed at Governor Gavin Newsom was fueled in part by parents who were angry with how he handled public school closures during the pandemic.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

The California Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the Bakersfield Police Department to implement a wide-range of policing reforms. It’s the result of the state’s five-year long investigation into the department following complaints of excessive force.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

The California Legislature has indefinitely postponed a planned oversight hearing to examine the Newsom administration’s track record on wildfire prevention. That as internal emails obtained by CapRadio and NPR’s California Newsroom raise new questions about whether Cal Fire is being honest with the public.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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New Agency Aims to Protect Digital Privacy of Californians

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 17:29:42 -0000

The mission of California's new Privacy Protection Agency is to help Californians fight for their digital privacy. But what will it do if big companies violate people's privacy rights?

Guest: Jennifer Urban, Chair of the California Privacy Protection Agency

The Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County crossed Highway 50 over the weekend, threatening the town of Kyburz. It's the fourth fire that has grown to more than 100,000 acres in Northern California.

Many residents in Plumas County who have been impacted by the massive Dixie Fire are being allowed to return home. That includes people in the town of Greenville, which was devastated by the fire.

The recently released census results show Latinos make up the second largest ethnic-racial group in San Diego County after white people. But more and more Latinos see themselves as multi-racial.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

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To Avoid Rolling Blackouts, State Fast-Tracks Diesel-Fueled Power

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 17:20:06 -0000

In an effort to stave off rolling blackouts in California, the Newsom administration is moving forward with five new energy projects set to be fueled by both natural gas and diesel.

If you’re among the millions of Californians who have tried to move during the pandemic, chances are, it’s been rough. And there’s more than one reason for that -- low supply and high demand among them.

Guest: Mary Daly, President of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank

Both the Caldor and Dixie Fires saw far less growth on Thursday, with calmer conditions. But fire officials say there are still concerns about the fires spreading as winds could pick up this weekend.

As we continue to watch events unfold in Afghanistan, the Afghan diaspora is watching too. The pain from some of the horrifying images out of Afghanistan is resonating half a world away on the streets of Los Angeles, especially among Afghan American women.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

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The Pandemic Has Changed the Job Market - One Key Policymaker Says That's a Good Thing

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:05:00 -0000

Despite growing concerns about the delta variant and what it means for the pandemic, there are some positive signs when it comes to the U.S. economy. And one Bay Area economic leader is optimistic about the recovery, and hopes changes in the job market remain in place.

Guest: Mary Daly, President of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank

Major wildfires across Northern California are threatening several communities. The conditions were not as bad on Wednesday as they had been earlier this week, but the Caldor and Dixie fires continue to burn large swaths of land.

Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

In the city of Visalia in Tulare County, one hospital is reporting its highest number of COVID-19 patients since February. As of earlier this week, Kaweah Health was reporting nearly 100 COVID-positive patients, which is a third of the entire hospital’s capacity.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

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Caldor Fire Explodes in Size in El Dorado County

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 16:14:13 -0000

The Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County almost quadrupled in size in just a day. The fire has ravaged the town of Grizzly Peak, and forced several communities to evacuate.

Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

The state attorney general’s office is going to independently review the actions of a former BART police officer who was involved, but never criminally charged in the 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant. Grant was fatally shot in the back at the Fruitvale BART station.

Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED

Thousands of people in Afghanistan are trying to flee the country after Taliban forces took control over the weekend. Many are looking to come to the U.S. and organizations say they’re willing to help. That includes the nonprofit World Relief, which has an office in Sacramento.

Guest: Kerry Ham, Director of World Relief Sacramento

As we continue to grapple with COVID-19, pandemic rules that many of us thought we could largely say goodbye to just a few short weeks ago, are returning. In Los Angeles County, masks are coming back for larger outdoor events like concerts and baseball games.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A federal lawsuit argues that the recall election targeting Governor Gavin Newsom is unconstitutional. In the lawsuit, lawyers for two California voters say the recall violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause and the “one-person, one-vote” principle in American Democracy.

Reporter: Libby Denkmann, KPCC

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Dixie Fire Advances Towards Communities in Lassen County

Tue, 17 Aug 2021 16:41:14 -0000

The burn area of the Dixie Fire continues to be under a red flag warning as winds gusts are expected to pick up later on Tuesday. The fire is advancing on the Lassen County communities of Janesville and Susanville.

A new book on the 2018 Camp Fire pieces together what happened in the fire and follows its devastating aftermath through the eyes of fire survivors. The book focuses on the town of Paradise, which was devastated in the fire, and the toll it's taken on the community.

Guest: Lizzie Johnson, Author of the book "Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire"

Members of the Afghan diaspora throughout California are anxiously watching developments in Afghanistan. Many are seeking help for their loved ones.

Guest: Rona Popal, Executive Director, Afghan Coalition in Fremont

Pacific Gas and Electric told a federal judge Monday it has no knowledge of a drone flight that interfered with firefighters last month, on the first day of the Dixie Fire. The FBI, FAA and local prosecutors are all investigating who was flying the drone, that got in the way of firefighting aircraft during the first hours of the Dixie Fire.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Hundreds of Thousands of Students Return to Schools in Los Angeles

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 14:06:00 -0000

Los Angeles Unified School District, the largest in the state, reopens Monday for in-person instruction. Students and staff will be required to wear masks indoors and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, regardless of their vaccination status.

There's concern that the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in San Joaquin County could spread to some neighboring areas. The brunt of this latest wave is hitting younger people who are not fully vaccinated.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

A new investigation from the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, and an environmental news collaboration called Floodlight has found that in 2017, an industry group hired Southern California residents to push for natural gas alternatives to diesel trucks, which are stoking pollution around LA’s hyper-busy port complex. The group paid advocates who say they believed they were working with an environmental campaign, and were told natural gas was the “sustainable solution” -- even as environmentalists were pushing for electric vehicles.

Guest: Miranda Green, Reporter

Researchers know wildfire smoke can make people more vulnerable to severe lung infection. A new study from Harvard University estimates that inhaling wildfire smoke contributed to the additional deaths of hundreds of Californians due to COVID-19 last year.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

With population data from the 2020 census just out, we’re starting to get a look at how California has changed over the past decade. The data now jump-starts the work of redistricting -- drawing the maps that will define legislative districts for the next decade.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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San Francisco Mandates Full Vaccination at Many Indoor Businesses

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 16:30:39 -0000

San Francisco will become the first city in the U.S. to require workers and patrons inside bars, restaurants, gyms and theaters to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The ordinance takes effect next week for customers.

The Dixie Fire has burned over 500,000 acres in Northern California, making it the second largest wildfire in state history. The fire has leveled some towns, but crews were able to save other communities in its path.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

This week, emergency unemployment benefits are ending earlier than expected for thousands of Californians who’ve exhausted every other unemployment benefit program for which they’re eligible.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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What California Voters Should Know About Recall Election

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 16:28:37 -0000

California voters will soon be getting vote-by-mail ballots for the gubernatorial recall election. And Election Day itself, September 14, is only about a month away. So what should voters know about the election?

Guest: Dr. Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State

California is the first state in the country to require that all teachers and school staff be vaccinated against the coronavirus or be tested weekly for COVID-19. School districts will have until mid-October to comply with this latest health order.

Two federal agencies have joined the investigation into an incident last month involving a drone that interfered with Cal Fire aircraft at the start of the Dixie Fire. Federal and state laws prohibit drone pilots from interfering with firefighting operations.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

A former college lecturer is being held in a Sacramento County jail on charges related to wildfire arson. Although he's been charged in connection with one fire, he's suspected of starting several others in the Lassen and Shasta Trinity National Forests recently.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

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Governor Newsom Expected to Implement Vaccination or Testing Requirement for School Staff

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 17:01:04 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to announce rules that would require teachers and staff at schools in California to either be vaccinated or submit to regular testing for COVID-19. California would be the first state in the country to implement such rules.

California could get billions of dollars to fight wildfires and drought from the $1 trillion infrastructure bill approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The plan still needs to be approved by the House.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Women make up only about 2% of skilled construction workers in California. We’re talking jobs like plumbers, carpenters, electricians. And that number is actually less than it was a few decades ago. So why have women made so little progress getting good paying blue collar jobs?

Reporter: Jill Replogle, KPCC

An activist in far Northern California’s Siskiyou County is recovering after holding a hunger strike for nearly three weeks. The protest started after police shot and killed a Hmong man during a wildfire evacuation in June.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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COVID-19 Hospitalizations on the Rise Due to Delta Variant

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:57:29 -0000

Nearly 6,000 people are hospitalized in California due to the coronavirus as the delta variant continue to surge. The vast majority of those hospitalized continue to be people who are unvaccinated.

As the Dixie Fire continues to burn across Northern California, small communities in Plumas County are trying to pick up the pieces after the fire badly damaged their towns.

Guest: Scott Rodd, Reporter with CapRadio

The head of a special trust in charge of distributing billions of dollars to 70,000 Pacific Gas & Electric fire victims says they will never be fully compensated for all that they lost.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed manslaughter charges against a former LAPD officer, who allegedly shot and killed a man with mental disabilities in 2019. The ex-cop was arrested Monday for the incident inside a Corona Costco -- nearly two years after Riverside County declined to press charges against him.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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Dixie Fire Continues to Grow, Now Second Largest Wildfire in State History

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:07:12 -0000

Crews tried to take advantage of cooler conditions over the weekend as they continue to battle the massive Dixie Fire burning in Northern California. The fire has burned more than 489,000 acres.

Brian Burrows, who grew up in Northern San Diego County, took home a bronze medal in the mixed team trapshooting event at the Tokyo Olympics. He spoke to The California Report about his time in Japan during the Summer Games.

Guest: Brian Burrows, Member of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team

Faced with a national homelenssess crisis that grew worse during the pandemic, cities across the country are opening so-called “tiny home” villages for the unhoused. The California Report visited one in Los Angeles County.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Extreme Fire Conditions Expected to Ease as Crews Battle Dixie Fire

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 15:58:12 -0000

Following two days of extreme fire weatehr conditions, crews battling the Dixie Fire in Plumas and Butte counties are expected to get a bit of a respite Friday. The fire is now the third largest in state history, burning more than 432,000 acres.

Last August, California saw rolling blackouts as the state's electricity grid was stressed during a major heat wave. With more hot weather expected this month, many are asking whether the state's power grid is prepared this time around.

Guest: Elliot Mainzer, President and CEO of California Independent System Operater

California will require that all healthcare workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 30th. Hospitals will also need to verify that all visitors are vaccinated.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

With COVID-19 hospitalization rates on the rise, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer announced this week that all unvaccinated city employees will soon be required to take weekly covid tests.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

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Extreme Fire Conditions Cause Northern California Wildfires to Spread Quickly

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 17:16:21 -0000

Extreme fire conditions on Wednesday led to spot fires from the massive Dixie Fire, as it tore through the town of Greenville in Plumas County. Meanwhile, the River Fire ignited in Placer County before crossing over into Nevada County, destroying dozens of structures.

Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

A Southern California family took a much-needed trip to Disneyland in June, and took precautions to protect themselves from the spread of the coronavirus. But even though they were vaccinated, they're now struggling with COVID-19.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Four candidates vying to replace Governor Gavin Newsom sparred in a debate on Wednesday night in Orange County.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The federal receiver in charge of medical care inside California's prisons is asking a judge to require that all corrections staff get COVID-19 vaccinations. Only 40% of corrections officers in the state are vaccinated.

Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report

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More Evacuations Ordered as Crews Battle Challenging Conditions in Fighting Dixie Fire

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 17:02:10 -0000

In Plumas County, thousands of residents have been ordered from their homes as the Dixie Fire continues to spread. Officials sent out notice Tuesday afternoon as high winds have made it tougher for firefighters trying to contain the fire’s spread.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

We’ve heard a lot about controlled burning recently –- carefully lit intentional fires that have benefits for wildfire risk and the environment. But lighting them –- like fighting fires –- takes a lot of work.

Guest: Hannah Hagemann, Reporter with the Santa Cruz Sentinel

Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature wildfire prevention measure has been 35 “priority projects” aimed at protecting the state’s most vulnerable communities. In June, one was put to the test during the Lava Fire --one of the first large fires this season. As it threatened the town of Lake Shastina near the Oregon border, one of those priority fuel breaks didn’t contain the fire, leaving evacuees stuck in dangerous traffic.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

During a wildfire, it’s often not flames or heat that ignite a home, but embers. Wind can carry these small pieces of smoldering material for miles, but there are ways to protect your home.

Reporter: Sarah Bohannon, North State Public Radio

A COVID-19 outbreak at a Northern California state prison has infected more than 100 incarcerated people in the last two weeks. It appears the cases spread at the Sierra Conservation Center in Tuolumne County after a prison employee came to work with the virus.

Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED

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PG&E Equipment May Have Sparked Northern California Wildfire

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 16:47:52 -0000

In a preliminary report filed with state regulators, Pacific Gas & Electric says the Fly Fire may have started when a tree fell on one of its power lines. The fire started in Plumas County near Highway 70 -- and combined with the Dixie Fire late last month to form the largest wildfire currently burning in the state.

With the rapid spread of the delta variant, and cases going up across the region, Bay Area heatlh officials are putting in place a mask mandate indoors again. The only counties that aren't mandating masks are Napa and Solano counties.

COVID-19 cases are rising due to the highly contagious delta variant. So what makes this strain so much more contagious than others?

Guest: Dr. Monica Gandhi, Infectious Disease Expert, UC San Francico

More California-based entertainment companies are requiring employees to get a COVID 19 vaccine. Now you can add Disney and Netflix to the list.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

The water in Lake Mendocino is dropping at an alarming rate, threatening supplies for communities along the upper Russian River. Water in the reservoir is below minimum storage levels, stressing drinking water supplies and fish that depend on the river.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

The trillion dollar infrastructure bill moving through Congress includes language that could tax cryptocurrency companies. But crypto lobbyists are pushing back.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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San Francisco Considering Indoor Mask Mandate

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 16:14:06 -0000

San Francisco is the latest county that's considering a mask mandate to help ease the spread of the delta variant. Public health officials say a decision could come as early as this week.

Subsidies for electric vehicles have been hailed by environmentalists as a key clean energy policy. But do EVs actually reduce emissions?

Guest: David Rapson, UC Davis Economics Professor

With wildfire smoke now a year-round problem in many parts of the state, Ventura County just launched a first-of-its-kind alert system to notify farmworkers when air quality conditions may pose a risk to their health.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Among the San Joaquin Valley’s community of Punjabi Sikhs, there are many reasons people have been vaccinated against COVID-19. But many in these communities are also concerned that their vaccination concerns aren’t being addressed by health authorities.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

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State on Pace to Break Last Year's Record Breaking Fire Season

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 15:37:41 -0000

California’s fire season is off to a fast start, outpacing 2020, which was the worst year on record. Wildfires have burned over 480,000 acres in California so far this year. That’s about four times the total during the same time last year.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

One of Los Angeles' most extraordinary works of public art is in a storm water channel in the San Fernando Valley. Started in the 1970's and still not complete, it's a more than half-mile long mural -- one of the longest in the world -- called the "Great Wall of L.A." The mural was conceived by artist Judy Baca.

Guest: Artist Judy Baca

Because of the drought, the top environmental issue on the minds of Californians is water and how much there is of it. Roughly two-thirds of adults say water supply and drought are big problems in this state, that according to the latest Public Policy Institute of California survey.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Gymnast Sunisa Lee has become the first Hmong-American to win gold for Team USA. And just as her hometown in Minnesota cheered her on, the San Joaquin Valley was watching as well.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

The shooting competition at the Olympics is wrapping up and one Californian is hoping to take home a medal in her first Summer Games. Sagen Maddalena grew up in Groveland near Yosemite National Park and got an early start in the sport.

Guest: Sagen Maddalena, Member of the U.S. Shooting Team

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California Health Officials Recommend Masks Indoors for Everyone

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 16:46:02 -0000

Following in the footsteps of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California public health officials are recommending that everyone wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.

Google will require employees who return to the company’s offices be vaccinated. The Mountain View-based tech giant is among the companies that is shifting gears when it comes to employees returning to the office.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Health officials and politicians have blamed people who are unvaccinated for the recent surge in coronavirus cases, saying we are now in a "pandemic of the unvaccinated." But one Bay Area pediatrician called this rhetoric damaging, because it lumps everyone who hasn't gotten a shot into one group.

Guest: Dr. Rhea Boyd, Bay Area Pediatrician and Public Health Advocate

The Los Angeles City Council has passed a sweeping ordinance that would restrict homeless encampments in many areas of the city, including near parks, schools, day care facilities, libraries and freeway bridges and offramps.

Keeping someone housed may be among the best ways to prevent a serious COVID-19 infection, or even death. That’s according to a new UCLA study that looked at eviction moratoriums during the pandemic.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

In San Diego County, tenants' rights advocates say they will continue to fight against a plan to sell nearly 6,000 housing units to the private equity firm, Blackstone. Some who live in the housing now are worried they’ll lose their homes.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

This week marks two years since the tragic Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting, and survivors are adding another defendant in a lawsuit they've filed against the festival. The lawsuit now names Century Arms LLC, which marketed and sold a military-style assault rifle used in the shooting.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Los Angeles to Require City Employees to Get COVID Vaccine or Weekly Tests

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 17:01:07 -0000

Los Angeles is the latest California city that will require municipal employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. If they don’t, those employees will have to provide regular test results to show that they haven't contracted the virus.

Squaw Valley, the famous ski resort near Lake Tahoe that once hosted the Winter Olympics, is preparing for a name change this fall in response to community concerns about the derogatory connotations of its name towards Native American women. Now, another Squaw Valley in Fresno County is at the center of a debate over the possibility of its own name change.

Reporter: Sorreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that people wear masks indoors in areas where the coronavirus is surging. That includes those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Baby salmon are dying in California rivers by the thousands because of abnormally warm temperatures following a series of heat waves.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Santa Barbara has joined the list of California cities, including San Francisco, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, moving away from natural gas in new buildings. It’s seen as one way to fight the climate crisis.

Reporter: Rachel Showalter, KCBX

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California to Require State Employees, Health Care Workers to Show Proof of Vaccination

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 13:57:11 -0000

In an order from Governor Gavin Newsom, state and health care workers will no longer be able to self attest that they've been vaccinated. Those who do not show proof of vaccination will be tested regularly for COVID-19 and have to wear a mask in the workplace.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Five people are dead following a long standoff at a home in Wasco. Three people inside the home, believed to be the gunman's sons and their mom were killed along with a Kern County Sheriff's Deputy.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

As wildfires rage across much of Northern California, it's a stark reminder that once they are contained, many families will have lost their homes. And the challenge to rebuild can take years, if thoe families stick it out.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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Evacuations Expand as Crews Continue to Battle Dixie Fire

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:41:46 -0000

The Dixie Fire burning in Plumas and Butte counties has burned nearly 193,000 and forced even more evacuations in Plumas County. Several homes and structures have been destroyed although the full extent of the damage hasn't been determined.

Los Angeles County has seen five straight days of daily COVID-19 cases topping 2,000, mainly due to the highly contagious delta variant. That's led officials to urge all residents who are eligible to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

California industries have sent manufacturing jobs overseas for years to find lower wages and fewer regulations. But as the drought tightens its grip on the state, some businesses might have an additional reason to leave -- the search for cheap water.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Even when the state isn’t in a drought, some of California’s Native American communities face challenges getting safe drinking water. There are growing concerns about what this year's dry weather will mean for those communities.

Guests: Jonathan Rash, Deputy Director of the Division of Sanitation Facilities Construction at the California Area Indian Health Service and Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians

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University of California Decides to Raise Tuition, Despite Student Protests

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 17:04:24 -0000

The tuition increases approved by the U.C. Regents will be capped at 5%. Starting in 2022, it’s estimated new in-state undergrads will pay roughly $530 more in tuition and fees.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

The major surge of new coronavirus cases is growing in Los Angeles County. And more fully-vaccinated people are testing positive with the virus.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Several new sports are making their debut at the Olympics in Tokyo -- among them are surfing and skateboarding. Both sports have a long and storied history in California.

Guest: Selema Masekela, Action Sports Commentator and Host

The state Employment Development Department has announced that it will begin paying unemployment insurance claims for applicants who have certified for benefits already and received at least one week of benefits, but who have been pending for at least two weeks. The agency has been riddled with problems since the start of the pandemic.

Guest: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

First-Time Olympian Explains How She Got Into Shooting

Sagen Maddalena is competing in the Olympics for the first time as a member of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team. Maddalena grew up in Groveland, not too far from Yosemite National Park.

Guest: Sagen Maddalena, Member of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team

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PG&E to Bury 10,000 Miles of Electric Lines Underground

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 16:15:28 -0000

Pacific Gas & Electric plans to bury 10,000 miles of its power lines in an effort to prevent its electrical grid from sparking wildfires in California. The announcement comes days after the utility said its equipment may have ignited the Dixie Fire burning in Plumas and Butte counties.

Guest: Will Abrams, 2017 Tubbs Fire Survivor

While huge fires are burning across the state, in rural areas, even a small brush fire can be devastating. An unincorporated community in Tulare County is struggling to recover after a fire burned down a lifeline for the community earlier this month.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

A popular conservative talk show host will appear as a candidate in California’s upcoming recall election. This was one of the legal rulings issued Wednesday regarding the race.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Videos of groups openly stealing from department stores and running out to waiting cars have gone viral online, and put pressure on law enforcement, despite overall decreasing crime rates. A new law signed by Governor Newsom hopes to help local police investigate these crimes.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

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Pasadena to Require Vaccination of City Employees

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 17:20:41 -0000

As coronavirus cases continue to soar across Los Angeles County, and the rest of the state, more employers are poised to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Pasadena is about to become the first city in Southern California to demand that all of its municipal employees do so.

Guest: Steven Mermell, Pasadena City Manager

Last month, California unveiled an online portal that would allow residents to gain access to a digital vaccine verification record. But millions who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 have had issues getting all their information included in their digital record.

Guest: Darion Afshar-Gomez, business intelligence analyst with the San Jose Sharks

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Crews Face Challenging Conditions in Fighting Northern California Fires

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 18:00:24 -0000

Crews continue to face challenging conditions in battling large wildfires across Northern California. Thunderstorms and wind are being replaced by dry, hot weather this week as crews continue to battle the Dixie and Tamarack fires.

Critics of Governor Gavin Newsom say his COVID-19 restrictions were unfair and damaging to small businesses -- thousands of which permanently closed during the pandemic. Now they're using that argument to drum up support for the recall of Newsom.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore says he will review body cam footage after an officer shot a protester at close range with a non-lethal round Saturday. This occurred at a protest over transgender rights outside a spa in Koreatown.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

California has approved a $500 million first of its kind fund to prevent real estate profiteering and to help families, land trusts and nonprofits purchase foreclosed properties. This comes following a KQED investigation into real estate firm Wedgewood, which purchased hundreds of properties during the pandemic.

Guest: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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Mask Mandate Put Back in Place in Los Angeles County

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 16:43:33 -0000

A significant rise in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks has led to health officials in Los Angeles County to reinstate a mask mandate in indoor settings. The requirement went into effect over the weekend.

Guest: Dr. Bob Wachter, Chair of U.C. San Francisco’s Department of Medicine

As the Tokyo Olympics get underway this week, at least three athletes have already tested positive for the coronavirus at the Olympic Village. Athletes are facing strict health guidelines as they prepare for the Summmer Games.

Guest: Brian Burrows, Member of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team

PG&E says its infrastructure may have contributed to the start of the Dixie Fire, which has burned more than 30,000 acres near the site of the deadly 2018 Camp Fire.

Guest: Dan Brekke, KQED

California’s top election official has released the list of candidates who filed to run for governor in the September recall election. They're looking to replace Governor Gavin Newsom, should voters decide to recall him.

Guest: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Olympian Describes His Path to Summer Games

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 14:07:32 -0000

David Smith grew up in Southern California and will be competing in his third Olympics for the U.S. Men's Indoor Volleyball team. He won a bronze medal with the team in 2016.

Guest: David Smith, Member of the U.S. Men's Indoor Volleyball Team

When it comes to average temperature increases due to climate change, the Bay Area and Los Angeles will not experience warming equal to the amount of greenhouse gases they produce. That’s according to a new study out of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Crews Facing Challenges in Battling Northern California Wildfires

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 16:32:24 -0000

As thousands of firefighters confront a growing number of wildland blazes around the state, crews in Butte County rushed to a new incident near the site of the deadliest fire in California history. The Dixie Fire has burned at least 1,200 acres.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Crews are facing challenging conditions as they continue to work to extinguish the massive Beckwourth Complex Fire burning north of Lake Tahoe. Major wind gusts caused the fire to grow, and forced more people to evacuate their homes.

The Biden Administration has approved what could become the first two offshore wind farms along the West Coast -- one in Humboldt County and the other in Morro Bay. The wind farms would help California reach its goal of 100% clean electric power by the year 2045, but local fishermen worry they could jeopardize their livelihoods.

Reporter: Kathryn Barnes, KCRW

Governor Newsom has nominated Natalie Palugyai to be California's next Secretary of Labor. If confirmed, she would replace Julie Su, who is joining the Biden administration.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Senate Democrats' proposal for a $3.5 trillion investment plan would support families and spur job growth. But immigrant advocates are wondering whether a proposal to legalize undocumented immigrants can pass as part of this budget bill.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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COVID-19 Cases on the Rise in California

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:40:47 -0000

Los Angeles County has seen five straight days with more than a thousand new daily COVID-19 cases. And Sacramento County has the highest number of cases per capita in the state, in counties with at least 100,000 residents.

California is in the grip of a drought, but officials have yet to require statewide water restrictions similar to those mandated during the last multi-year drought. Some experts say regional restrictions allow for a more targeted approach to reduce water waste.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

The 2018 Camp Fire was the deadliest wildfire in state history. But a new report from the California Air Resources Board shows it may have been more dangerous to people downwind than previously known.

Reporter: Ed Fletcher, CapRadio

It's been described as one of the biggest botched deals in business history. Author and journalist Lauren Etter investigates the downfall of Juul's e-cigarette business.

Guest: Lauren Etter, Author of the book "The Devil's Playbook: Big Tobacco, Juul, and the Addiction of a New Generation"

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Judge Denies Newsom's Request to be Identified as Democrat on Recall Ballot

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:45:29 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom will not be allowed to identify himself as a Democrat on the recall election ballot. Newsom's attorneys did not include the governor's Democratic Party affiliation when the recall response papers were filed with the secretary of state in early 2020

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Anyone in California who's been paying attention to unemployment issues has probably heard about the huge backlog of unpaid unemployment claims at the state’s Employment Development Department. Now, there are some anomalies in the numbers being released by the state.

Guest: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

California health officials have backtracked on how to enforce masking rules at schools in the fall. On Monday, the state issued a mandate, saying that K-12 students who aren’t wearing a mask would be barred from the classroom. Now the state is leaving it up to local school districts to enforce the new rule.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Long before the existence of Twitter, Facebook, and Google, and revelations about the government harvesting Americans' personal data, the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, or EFF, was fighting for people's civil rights and privacy online. The non-profit is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Guest: Cindy Cohn, Electronic Frontier Foundation Executive Director

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L.A. Mayor is President Biden's Pick for Ambassador to India

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 17:10:26 -0000

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has been nominated by President Biden to serve as U.S. Ambassador to India. If he's confirmed by the U.S. Senate, it will set off a chain of political activity in the city.

Reporter: Libby Denkmann, KPCC

Sanitation crews and polie have been clearing a large homeless encampment at Venice Beach. The move comes as the city of Los Angeles appears ready to move forward with an ordinance that would ban tents in many public spaces, including on sidewalks.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Governor Gavin Newsom has approved an extra $500 million for wildfire prevention. The change comes after CapRadio and NPR’s California Newsroom revealed Newsom’s administration had nixed a similar amount.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

A massive rock barrier through part of the Delta in Contra Costa County has recently been completed. The barrier is expected to help preserve water supplies for millions of Californians as drought conditions worsen in the state.

Guest: Jacob McQuirk, a principal engineer with the state Department of Water Resources

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Governor Newsom Extends Drought Emergency

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 14:06:57 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom is asking all Californians to voluntarily cut back their water usage by 15%, as drought conditions get worse across the state. The governor has also extended a drought emergency to 50 of California's 58 counties.

After California's grid operator CAISO called for rolling blackouts last August, regulators extended the expiration date of four aging power plants. But they didn't hold up during last month's extended heat wave.

Guest: Colby Bermel, Reporter with Politico

The state Employment Development Department is renewing a contract for Bank of America debit cards, which are used to get people their unemployment benefits. Bank of America told legislators earlier this year it had lost "hundreds of millions" of dollars because of card hacks and other dysfunction related to the cards. Some Californians are now suing the bank.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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Passengers at LAX Find it Hard to Get Rideshare Ride

Thu, 08 Jul 2021 13:53:36 -0000

Throngs of passengers are once again spilling out of Los Angeles International Airport as more COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in California. But these passengers are finding there aren’t a whole lot of Uber or Lyft drivers to take them where they want to go.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Many Californians have moved since the start of the pandemic, but not as many are moving out of state as some might assume. They're instead moving to places in California where it's far less expensive to live.

Guest: Sarah Parvini, LA Times Reporter

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Fire Experts Warn of Dangers of Proposed Safety Regulations

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 16:17:52 -0000

A group of current and former fire experts is pushing back against proposed reforms to California’s fire safety regulations. They say the changes will put both first responders and residents at risk.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California school districts will most likely be required to offer an at-home study option for students who don't want to return to the classroom this fall. But there will likely be changes to what has been offered during the pandemic.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

President Joe Biden has pledged to end for-profit detention. But his administration is fighting a California law that would do just that.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Climate Change and its Impact on Desert Ecosystem in California

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 13:47:07 -0000

Climate change has had a significant impact on California and now, researchers are concerned about the state's desert environments. That includes Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave Desert, which are seeing a drastic change to their ecosystems.

Guest: James Cornett, Desert Ecologist

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Investigation Finds Many Sanitation Stations for Homeless in L.A. Rarely Checked

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 14:41:16 -0000

Last year, as the pandemic was bearing down on Southern California, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city needed to do more to help unhoused people with their hygiene needs, promissing that sanitation stations would be checked daily. But an investigation from the website L.A. Taco found that despite Mayor Garcetti’s commitment, not much changed, as many of these stations have not been filled with running water, paper towels or soap during the pandemic.

Guest: Lexis-Olivier Ray, Reporter, L.A. Taco

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Date Set for Recall Election

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 16:22:38 -0000

The recall election has been set for Tuesday, September 14. Candidates looking to challenge Governor Gavin Newsom for his seat have about two weeks to officially file for the race.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

There are growing concerns about the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus in Los Angeles County. New COVID-19 cases have more than doubled since most of the state's coronavirus restrictions were lifted on June 15.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

In the wake of California's record-breaking wildfire season last fall, NPR and California affiliate stations have found that the Federal Emergency Management Agency only approved 5% of the applications it received from people for assistance. Thats the lowest approval rate for FEMA aid for any California wildfire disaster on record.

Guest: Sean McMinn, Data Editor, NPR

The Los Angeles City Council has approved a measure that would restrict homeless encampments near homeless shelters, daycare centers and a number of other public facilities. It would also prohibit tents from blocking sidewalks.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has announced a plan to combat the city’s growing homeless population. The city would adopt a right to housing law, but also calls for an obligation from those who are unsheltered to accept housing and shelter when it’s offered to them.

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California Sees Huge Surge in Hate Crimes in 2020

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 16:40:03 -0000

Hate crimes in California surged 31% in 2020, fueled mainly by a big jump in crimes targeting Black people. According to the state attorney general's office, crimes targeting members of the Asian community also surged during the pandemic.

Los Angeles has had a 50% spike in shootings in the first six months of 2021 compared to last year. Several other cities have also seen a spike in shootings. One group that’s trying to stop the violence from getting worse is the Urban Peace Institute, which trains people in the community to de-escalate tensions.

Guest: Fernando Rejon, Director of the Urban Peace Institute in Los Angeles

The Lava Fire burning in far northern California has grown to nearly 20,000 acres. Fire crews are facing challenging conditions with extremely hot weather continuing for at least a few more days.

Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

California’s COVID-19 test positivity rate has inched up in recent weeks. The number is still very low compared to what the state saw during the height of the pandemic, but there is some concern about unvaccinated people being infected with the Delta variant.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Starting Thursday, Californians with outstanding student loans have new rights and protections. A law signed last year creates an ombudsman to oversee the student loan industry and help borrowers navigate the new regulations aimed at holding loan companies accountable.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Critics Argue State Budget Relies Too Much on Ongoing Spending

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 17:03:37 -0000

California legislators have passed a new state budget and it includes billions of dollars in new ongoing spending. Now there are questions about the budget’s details and what will happen when state revenues take a dip.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

For over a century, California has locked up juvenile offenders in prisons run by the state. But starting next month, California will begin closing its remaining juvenile detention centers and turn over that authority to individual counties.

Guest: Dan Macallair, Executive Director of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice

Earlier this year, Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to increase the budget for wildfires and fire prevention to $2 billion. But an investigation by CapRadio and NPR's California Newsroom has found that the governor delivered only a fraction of the money promised for wildfire resilience in the state budget.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Ever since voters passed a $10 billion bond measure to build a high speed rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco, the project has been plagued by problems. And voters’ doubts about the project are growing.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Lawmakers Approve Massive Budget Plan

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 17:59:25 -0000

Lawmakers approved a nearly $263 billion budget Monday night, sending it to Governor Newsom. It includes a record amount of funding for education.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

The budget deal would expand public health insurance for low-income undocumented older adults.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The drought is already having a huge effect on some communities in California’s Central Valley. The rural community of Teviston, which is 40 miles north of Bakersfield in Tulare County, has been without running water since early this month after the city’s only functioning well broke down.

Large fires have already started to burn across the state and there are growing concerns about the dry weather and illegal fireworks, with July 4 being celebrated this weekend.

Guest: Brian Fennessy, Fire Chief of the Orange County Fire Authority

California has added five states to its “do not travel” list because they have laws that target LGBTQ people.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Kevin Faulconer Explains Why He Believes Governor Newsom Should Be Recalled

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:36:59 -0000

He's the former mayor of San Diego and most political observers view him as the most formidable opponent in the recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom. Kevin Faulconer explains why he believes he's the right man for the job.

Guest: Kevin Faulconer, California Gubernatorial Candidate

A nearly $263 billion spending plan will go before state legislators in Sacramento on Monday. The proposal includes expanding Medi-Cal for undocumented immigrants age 50 and older and direct cash payments for income-eligible Californians as part of a COVID-19 relief package.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

The state legislature is expected to vote Monday to extend California's eviction moratorium until the end of September. The vote comes just days before California’s eviction protections are set to expire.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

California cities are getting about $8 billion in federal funds as part of the Biden Administration's American Rescue Plan. But how cities use that money is still to be determined.

Guest: Carolyn Coleman, Executive Director of the League of California Cities

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San Diego Officials Call for US-Mexico Border Reopening

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:29:01 -0000

Citing improving vaccination rates and lower COVID-19 numbers, leaders in San Diego are asking the federal government to reopen the US-Mexico border to non-essential travel.

Britney Spears drew the world’s attention this week when she finally spoke out in a Southern California court against the conservatorship she’s been living under for more than a decade. A bill making its way through Sacramento seeks to give people like Spears more control over their cases.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

CalFire has just paused logging on a section of Jackson Demonstration State Forest, right along the Mendocino County coast. Members of the local community spoke out about the project

Guest: Alicia Bales, KZYX

Advocates expect a historic move for California in the coming days - public health coverage for undocumented older adults. The state already offers full-scope Medi-Cal to undocumented children and young adults through age 25.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Venice Beach is normally a popular tourist attraction. But during the pandemic, a large homeless encampment has developed there. Now, Los Angeles city and council officials are fighting over the best way to handle the situation.

Guest: Kate Cagle, Reporter, Spectrum News 1

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Some Lawmakers Want Answers From Governor Newsom Over Wildfire Prevention Claims

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 16:18:49 -0000

Some lawmakers are calling for more accountability from Governor Gavin Newsom. This after an investigation from CapRadio and NPR’s California Newsroom found that Newsom has overstated the wildfire prevention work completed during his time in office.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has placed his longtime chief of staff on leave over disparaging remarks she made online. This comes as a former advisor to Garcetti is facing a sexual harrassment lawsuit brought by a former member of the mayor's security detail.

Guest: Libby Denkmann, KPCC

California Secretary of State Shirley Weber has confirmed that there are officially enough signatures to place a recall of Governor Gavin Newsom on the ballot. Only 43 signatures were withdrawn from the recall petition, over the six week period when voters were allowed to change their mind.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The effort to reunite migrant families torn apart by the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown continues. But even as families are reunited, immigration advocates would like to see more changes from the Biden administration.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

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Governor Newsom Vastly Overstated Wildfire Prevention Efforts Before Record-Breaking 2020 Fire Season

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 16:18:43 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has long touted year-round wildfire prevention efforts in the state since he took office. But an investigation by CapRadio and NPR's California Newsroom has found that the governor overstated, by an astounding 690%, the number of acres treated with fuel breaks and prescribed burns in forestry projects aimed at protecting the state’s most vulnerable communities.

Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

While state lawmakers are wrangling with whether to extend a statewide eviction moratorium that was put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the board of superviors in both Los Angeles County and San Francisco have extended their local orders. The statewide moratorium expires on June 30.

For years, the Justice Department has defended the Trump administration’s decision to end humanitarian protections for an estimated 55,000 immigrants living in California. But now, under the Biden administration, there could be major changes when it comes to Temporary Protected Status for immigrants ln this country.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Investigation Sheds Light on Bakersfield Police Use of Force

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 16:45:31 -0000

Between 2016 and 2019, Bakersfield police officers used force that broke at least 45 bones in 31 people, an analysis of public records shows. No officer has been disciplined for their actions.

Guest: Lisa Pickoff-White, Data Journalist, KQED

Police and fire personnel in Los Angeles are trailing when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination rates in the city. And that's a cause of concern for health officials and community leaders who say this could impact the public health of more vulnerable people.

As the state legislature debates whether to extend California’s moratorium on evictions beyond June, some renters are already being told they have to leave.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

With California's reopening now a week old, businesses are hoping foot traffic picks up as they're finally able to do away with capacity limitations. That's especially the case in downtown business districts, which have been hit hard by a dwindling amount of office workers.

Guest: Emilie Cameron, District Affairs and Development Director with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership

The largest river restoration project in U.S. history has received a major boost. Federal regulators have approved a dam removal plan along the lower Klamath River in Northern California.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Investigation Finds School Records Don't Show True Story of Attendance in One Central Valley District

Mon, 21 Jun 2021 16:49:18 -0000

An investigation from NPR’s California Newsroom has found that despite a new state law requiring school districts to keep detailed attendance and engagement records this year, to make sure students online didn’t fall behind, the numbers may not be telling the whole story. In one Central Valley school district, students were counted as present and engaged when they did little more than log-in.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

The state Employment Development Department says that starting next month, unemployed Californians will have to show that they’re actively looking for work to stay eligible for benefits. It could be the latest roadblack for hundreds of thousands of residents who are still waiting for unemploment benefits.

Guest: Daniela Urban, Center for Workers’ Rights

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California Adopts New Workplace Rules for Vaccinated Employees

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 18:09:01 -0000

The board that oversees California’s workplace safety agency, Cal/OSHA, has voted on new rules around wearing masks in the workplace. Fully vaccinated employees in most job settings will not have to wear face coverings.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

Starting next month, the state's Employment Development Department says unemployed Californians will need to show that they’re actively looking for work to remain eligible for benefits. The EDD suspended the work search requirement in March of 2020 due to the pandemic.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

On Thursday, President Biden offiicially made Juneteenth a federal holiday. Juneteenth has been celebrated annually on June 19, as the day that marked the emancipation of African Americans who had been enslaved.

Guest: James Fugate, Co-Owner of Eso Won Books in Los Angeles

Exiled for 11 years, a deported U.S. Army veteran is back home in California. Andrew DeLeon had lived in the United States for more than 50 years, before he was deported for a nonviolent drug offense.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

Across California, young women often celebrate their 15th birthdays with quinceaneras, which is a religious ceremony and party. But many have been delayed over the past year by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

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Flex Alert Issued as Heat Wave Continues Across California

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 17:01:38 -0000

The operator of the state’s power grid is urging Californians to conserve energy on Thursday as the first major heat wave of the year continues. A Flex Alert calls for Californians to conserve power between 5 and 10 p.m.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

The month of May proved to be the busiest in the Port of Los Angeles' 114-year history, as crews processed more than a million containers. It also became the first Western Hemisphere port to process 10 million container units in a one-year period.

Guest: Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles

In Mendota, a small farmworker community in Fresno County, about half of the city’s 11,000 residents were born in Mexico and Central America. Now, the city is preparing for more Central American migrant youth to arrive in the coming months because of changes in U.S. migrant detention policies.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

This week, California ended the mask mandate in most public settings. On Thursday, the state’s Occupational Health and Safety Board is set to vote on rules about masks in the workplace.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

When California dropped most COVID-19 restrictions this week, it meant that for the first time in over a year, performers could get back on stage in front of a full house. But it's not that easy to just turn on the switch.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

Movie theaters have been hit hard by the pandemic, but they're slowly starting to see more customers with the state reopening. The Roxie Theater in San Francisco is not going to full capacity just yet.

Guest: Lex Sloan, Executive Director, Roxie Theater

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As Pandemic Restrictions Are Lifted, There's Growing Optimism and Hope in California

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 16:46:05 -0000

California lifted most of its coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday, meaning businesses can go back to full capacity and masks will no longer be required in most situations for fully vaccinated people. While many are celebrating the move, state and local officials are cautioning people that the pandemic is far from over.

More than 50,000 fans were at Dodger Stadum on Tuesday night, the first game since the start of the pandemic where there wasn't a capacity limit.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The Caifornia Report

Candidates who are hoping to be on the recall ballot to replace Governor Gavin Newsom will have to make their recent tax returns public. It's all the result of a 2019 law.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

In March of 2020, when there were still only a handful of known COVID-19 cases in the United States, Santa Clara County's Public Health Director Dr. Sara Cody issued the very first shelter in place order in the country. Now, with California reopening, she reflects on what we did right, and whether the U.S. is prepared for the next pandemic.

Guest: Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County Public Health Director

Tuesday marked the 9th anniversary of DACA -- the program that’s protected more than 800,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. California Senator Alex Padilla co-led a hearing on a bill that would permanently legalize these Dreamers, as well as others.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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California Reopens as Most COVID-19 Restrictions are Lifted

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 16:41:30 -0000

As the state reopens, restrictions on capacity and social distancing have been lifted, although businesses can implement their own rules. Mask requirements are no longer in place for people who are fully vaccinated, although there are some exceptions.

Loosened COVID-19 restrictions may be a relief to most Californians, but others may be feeling something they didn't expect–- like social anxiety. Some experts say that dealing with these concerns directly is the best way to feel more comfortable.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

As the state reopens, the hope is that travel will pick up during the summer months. Many popular destinations are already seeing an increase in visitors.

Guests: Tom Davies, President of V. Sattui Winery in Napa County, Scott Gediman, Spokesperson for Yosemite National Park, Kris Reyes, Spokesperson for Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The cards will be an option for businesses who may be concerned about the vaccination status of people not wearing masks. The governor's office says it will not be a requirement and is not a vaccine passport.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Restaurants and bars in California are finally able to open without any capacity restrictions. Most have had to adjust their business models during the pandemic based on ever-changing health guidelines.

Guests: Kim Alter, Chef and Owner of Nightbird Restaurant in San Francisco, Jessica Maria and Michael Valladares, Co-Owners of the Hotsy Totsy Club in Albany, Uyen Le, Chef and Owner of Be U Kitchen in Los Angeles

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Mask Rules May Change for Vaccinated Workers

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 16:42:04 -0000

As California prepares to officially reopen Tuesday, the state board that oversees workplace safety has come up with new guidelines. The proposed rules from Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board would allow fully vaccinated workers to remove their face coverings while on the job, but unvaccinated workers would still have to wear masks.

As drought conditions continue to get worse in California, a top water official in Southern California is warning about not just this year, but what lies ahead. Jeffrey Kightlinger, head of the Metropolitan Water District, says the state is prepared for the next few years, but has to look even further down the line when it comes to water supply.

Guest: Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

On Friday, more than 2 million people were screened at U.S. airports. That's the first time that's happened in a single day since March of 2020. Is that a sign of things to come here in the U.S., and particularly in California when it comes to travel?

Guest: Henry Harteveldt, Travel Industry Analyst with Atmosphere Research

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Many Californians Will Continue to Wear Masks Despite Mandate Being Lifted

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 16:17:23 -0000

On Tuesday, California will reopen which means an end to the state's mask mandate. There are still some situations that will require people to wear a mask, and many Californians say they don't plan to ditch face coverings just yet.

Guest: Carly Severn, Senior Engagament Editor, KQED

Conversations around the role of police in society are continuing and this week, a group gathered in San Diego to call for the elimination of police departments at universities. U.C. San Diego students and faculty say it’s time to end police presence on college campuses.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

The recall election against Governor Gavin Newsom will cost California counties $215 million. That's according to an analysis from the state Department of Finance.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Three immigrant families in the Bay Area are suing the federal government after border officials forcibly separated them in 2018. According to the lawsuit, these Central American families were seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border when the children were taken from their parents as part of the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

California has over a billion dollars in aid to give out to struggling renters and landlords. But so far, a little less than 3% of that money has actually gone out.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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State Workplace Safety Board Likely to Lift Masking Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Workers

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 16:15:57 -0000

California’s workplace safety board is expected to ease mask rules for fully vaccinated employees, but it likely won’t become official for at least a few more weeks. Cal/OSHA’s new workplace standards would align with mask rules issued by state and federal health officials.

Early in the pandemic, COVID-19 infections among farmworkers in the Central Valley and along the Central Coast were rampant. Now, those regions have become a focal point for vaccinations and in Monterey County, efforts have proven to be successful.

Guest: Kate Cimini, Reporter with the Salinas Californian and CalMatters

Two lawsuits have been filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno under a law known as the California Child Victims Act, which extends the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual assault to file lawsuits through the end of next year. The lawsuits allege a former long-time Central Valley priest sexually abused two minors in the late 80s and 90s.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

It’s been two weeks since a gunman killed nine people at a rail yard in San Jose. Shortly after the shooting, officials started talking about red flag laws, asking if they might have prevented the shooting from happening.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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Journalist Seeks Transcripts of Depositions From Sexual Harassment Case Involving Former Garcetti Aide

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 16:07:03 -0000

Lawyers for journalist Yashar Ali are asking the L.A. City Attorney's Office to release the transcripts of depositions from a lawsuit filed by former LAPD officer Matthew Garza, who says a former advisor of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti sexually harassed him. According to Garza, Garcetti witnessed the harassment firsthand and did nothing to stop it.

Guest: Yashar Ali, Journalist

Members of a newly formed union of childcare providers rallied Tuesday outside the state Capitol in Sacramento. The union is demanding the state show its members the money as it negotiates its very first contract.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has voted to expand the unarmed response to people having a mental health crisis. The county will explore using federal COVID-19 relief money to beef up its Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

The federal government plans to reunite more than two dozen families who were separated by the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policies in the coming weeks. That’s according to a new report from the Family Reunification task force.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

Back in 2013, an invasive species of mosquito was first found in California. Aedes aegpyti is known to carry diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever. Now, a professor at U.C. Santa Barbara is using the gene-editing technology known as CRISPR to try and contain its spread.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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California Issues New Guidance on COVID-19 Testing

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 17:37:09 -0000

California’s Department of Public Health has announced substantial updates to its COVID-19 testing guidance. People who are fully vaccinated can skip COVID testing in non-healthcare workplaces or at large or mass social gatherings.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

As schools across California launch into summer school, the state is following through with its pledge to pump $4.6 billion to help them deliver on mental health services and tutoring for kids who need it.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

In California, gas prices are setting new records - a gallon of unleaded now costs $4.22. And there are several factors behind the high prices.

Guest: Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio's Full Disclosure

Earlier this year, the Sacramento Bee reported an investigation into violent text messages among police officers in Eureka on the north coast. So far, a top supervisor has been placed on leave, other cops have left, and there are more text messages.

Guest: Jason Pohl, Investigative Reporter, Sacramento Bee

Cities across the state are celebrating Pride Month. In San Francisco, the original Rainbow Flag, which hasn't been seen for years, is back in the public eye at the GLBT Historical Society Museum.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Federal Judge Overturns California's Assault Weapons Ban

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 16:08:51 -0000

A federal judge has struck down California’s decades-old ban on assault weapons. The decision has drawn outrage from statewide officials including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, who made clear his office plans to appeal the ruling.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

California has been living under an official “state of emergency” since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And Governor Newsom has had almost total authority to run the state as he sees fit. But is it now time for Newsom to hand back some of his unilateral power?

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Californians head into the summer months with plenty of concerns -- wildfires, drought and the potential for more power outages. The state's power grid couldn't keep up with demand last summer, leading to rolling blackouts for the first time in nearly two decades.

Guests: Joanna Giardas and Dominic Moscatello, Students at U.C. Berkeley who took an energy regulation course at the Goldman School of Public Policy.

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Safety Board Approves New Workplace Mask Rules

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 16:09:25 -0000

New emergency rules passed by California’s workplace safety agency will keep a mask requirement at most worksites past June 15. But on that date, workers will be allowed to take their masks off if everyone in a room is vaccinated and doesn’t have COVID-19 symptoms.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Governor Gavin Newsom is extending pandemic rules that have allowed restaurants to expand outdoor seating and sell cocktails to go. The announcement comes just days before the state is scheduled to lift most pandemic restrictions on June 15.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The state Senate has unanimously passed a bill that, if it becomes law, would help promote the practice of prescribed burns as a firefighting tool. The bill would establish new liability standards and would make insurance more accessible to fire professionals known as burn bosses.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

As more asylum-seekers are allowed into the United States by the Biden Administration, those who have waited months in desperate conditions in Mexico are finally seeing some of their dreams come true. One Honduran family arrived recently in San Diego County.

Reporter Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

For the past year, students and school alums across California have used Instagram to share stories of trauma they’ve experienced in high school. Many of the young activists spearheading these efforts are graduating this month, but say they’ve created the tools and platforms for future generations of students to be heard.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

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Bill to Help Unemployed Californians Moves Through Assembly

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:33:18 -0000

Hundreds of thousands of out of work Californians are stuck with frozen accounts, and without desperately-needed unemployment benefits after being flagged for fraud by the state’s Employment Development Department. But a bill that could protect innocent people snagged by EDD’s "freeze first, verify later" policy has passed through the state Assembly.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Economists in California continue to paint a rosy picture for pandemic recovery. The latest UCLA Anderson Forecast finds that a driving force for an economic recovery will likely be a pent-up demand for leisure and hospitality, but those industries have been struggling to hire workers.

Guest: Scott Satterfield, General Manager of Hotel Trio in Healdsburg

During the Trump presidency, California and Washington DC were locked in a bitter battle over the regulation of vehicle emissions and whether the state had the authority to cut pollution from cars and trucks. Now, the state wants control back, and the Biden administration seems willing to allow it.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Federal legislation introduced by Bay Area Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren would loosen a decades-old system that puts an annual limit on the share of legal immigrants admitted from any one country.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

A bill to offer food assistance benefits to undocumented immigrants is gaining momentum in the state legislature. Advocates say it could benefit up to a million Californians who don’t qualify for federally-funded CalFresh food stamps.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Mental health services for California children could get a boost under Governor Gavin Newsom’s most recent budget proposal. Health and social service providers say the funding is needed as the state’s youngest residents struggle with mental health challenges created during the pandemic.

Reporter: Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

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New State Budget Proposal Calls for Increased Spending on Child Care

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 17:06:52 -0000

Democratic leaders of the state Senate and Assembly say they're in agreement on a state budget proposal. But a final deal still needs to be reached with Governor Gavin Newsom.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

For years, Cal/OSHA, the California agency in charge of protecting workers from health and safety hazards, has been understaffed. But the problem got worse during the pandemic, crippling the agency's ability to protect millions of people on the job, who faced new risks from COVID-19.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The state Supreme Court will hold a hearing Wednesday on an issue which could change the way the death penalty is applied in California. A ruling, which is expected in 90 days, could impact the sentences for inmates who are on death row.

Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED

A state task force studying reparations for Black Californians held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday. The group is working to identify and recommend eliminating laws that discriminate against Black people.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

The Department of Homeland Security has announced the end of a Trump administration program known as “Remain in Mexico.” The policy sent back over 68,000 asylum-seekers to Mexican border cities, where they waited while their cases went through immigration court proceedings in the U.S.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

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Debate Over Naming Comes to a Head in Sierra County

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 16:28:05 -0000

In recent years, Californians have debated whether or not to change the names of places because of their historically racist associations. That debate has now hit the rural Sierra County town of Downieville.

Guest: Brittny Mejia, Metro Reporter, LA Times

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa race massacre. Considered one of the worst acts of racial violence in American history, it's spurred growing calls for reparations.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

Even as coronavirus cases steadily decline and more people get vaccinated in Los Angeles County, Black residents are getting sick and dying from COVID-19 at a higher rate than any other race or ethnicity. Latinos had held that spot throughout the pandemic.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

California’s eviction moratorium is slated to end on June 30. Meanwhile, the state’s rental aid program has gotten off to a slow start. Tenant advocates say that could put renters across the state at risk of eviction.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers is asking California’s Attorney General to review expenditures of a Fire Victim Trust, after a KQED investigation into its overhead expenses. The Trust is charged with distributing billions of dollars to Pacific Gas & Electric fire victims.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

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L.A. Neighborhood Provides Glimpse Into Melting Pot of America

Mon, 31 May 2021 14:18:11 -0000

A new book is highlighting the history of the Boyle Heights neighborhood and its importance in shaping L.A. County.

Guest: George J. Sanchez, author of the book, "Boyle Heights: How a Los Angeles Community Became the Future of American Democracy"

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More Details Emerge About Gunman's Past

Fri, 28 May 2021 16:56:30 -0000

Details continue to surface about the gunman who killed nine people at a Valley Transportation Authority light rail yard in San Jose on Wednesday. According to his ex-girlfriend, he was prone to both physical and sexual violence. Domestic abuse is often linked to mass shootings.

Guest: April Zeoli, Professor with Michigan State University's School of Criminal Justice

California has introduced a more than $100 million incentive plan to get more people vaccinated. An example -- the next two million people who get vaccinated in the state will get a $50 gift card.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

In California, police misconduct records used to be kept hidden but that changed in 2019, when the state implemented a new police transparency law. Lots of agencies are still pushing back against this transparency mandate, but a new investigative podcast from KQED and NPR is shedding light on some of these recently unsealed records.

Guest: Sukey Lewis, Criminal Justice Reporter, KQED and host of On Our Watch

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Ninth Victim Dies in San Jose Mass Shooting

Thu, 27 May 2021 13:46:00 -0000

Ten people are now dead including the gunman who opened fire Wednesday at a Valley Transportation Authority light rail yard in San Jose. Investigators have not identified a motive.

Guest: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

California has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States. That's left many wondering how mass shootings like the one in San Jose on Wednesday continue to occur in the state.

Guest: John Donahue, Stanford University Professor who studies gun laws

The massacre at the VTA light rail yard on Wednesday touched the lives of not only employees and their friends and families, but the entire San Jose community. And many people will struggle with the stress and trauma of the deadly shooting for weeks and months to come.

Guest: Melissa Brymer, Director of Terrorism and Disaster Programs at the UCLA-Duke National Center for Child Traumatic Stress

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Federal Government to Open California Coastline for Offshore Wind Farms

Wed, 26 May 2021 17:45:34 -0000

As soon as next year, the Biden administration plans to sell leases for floating wind farms off the coast of San Luis Obispo and Humboldt counties. But the plan still faces some logistical challenges.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

New polling shows support for the recall of Governor Gavin Newsom is stagnating. The Public Policy Institute of California poll finds 40% of likely voters think Newsom should be removed from office, a number that hasn't changed since March.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

In California, doctors, lawyers and even barbers can lose their license to practice if they do something wrong. There’s no similar recourse for some of the most powerful civil servants around -- police. But advocates are hopeful that new legislation will be passed in Sacramento to change that.

Reporter: MJ Johnson, KQED

With more seniors vaccinated in L.A. County, young adults now make up the greatest share of people in the hospital with COVID-19. Over the past six weeks, there have been more 30- to 49-year-olds hospitalized with the virus than any other age group, a stark contrast to earlier in the pandemic.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom is facing increasing pressure to expand health coverage through the state’s Medi-Cal program to all low-income adults, regardless of their immigration status. But the price tag will be high, even with this year’s budget surplus.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

On Wednesday afternoon, the University of California’s center in Washington is hosting Iranian musician Sepehr Haddad for a conversation about his new book “A Hundred Sweet Promises.” The book shares the story of the author’s grandfather - who leaves his homeland in Persia for St Petersberg, where he falls in love with a princess from the Russian royal family.

Guest: Sepehr Haddad, Author of the book "A Hundred Sweet Promises"

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Racial Justice Advocates Reflect on Anniversary of George Floyd's Murder

Tue, 25 May 2021 15:32:06 -0000

On this day one year ago, George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds while Floyd begged for his life. This sparked protests across California and calls for police reform.

Guest: Tanya Faison, the founder of Black Lives Matter Sacramento speaking with The California Report's Mary Franklin Harvin

Many of the protests following the death of George Floyd were led by young people here in California. While they see some progress being made in the state, they know the fight is far from over.

Guest: Jadyn Polk, Member of Black Youth for the People's Liberation in Oakland speaking with The California Report's Keith Mizuguchi

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Coalition Calls for New Entity to Address Los Angeles' Homeless Crisis

Mon, 24 May 2021 16:42:01 -0000

Los Angeles is mulling whether a whole new entity devoted to focusing on homelessness might be the way to address the problem. A group of civic leaders called the Committee for Greater LA think it’s worth a shot.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

California remains on track to reopen on June 15. It's a day many businesses have been waiting for, but some are finding it hard to hire back staff to a pre-pandemic level.

Guest: Margherita Sagan, Co-Owner of Piccino Restaurant in San Francisco speaking with The California Report's Keith Mizuguchi

In the town of Paradise, a hundred or so survivors of the deadly 2018 Camp Fire gathered this weekend for a march along the Skyway - the main road through town. They organized this rally after KQED’s recent investigation into the finances of Pacific Gas & Electric's Fire Victim Trust.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

It’s not your imagination -- the Cost of Being Californian is going up.That’s the key finding of a recent study by that name -- released by the Oakland based non profit the Insight Center.

Guest: Anne Price, president of the Insight Center

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Music Venues in California Push for Grant Stimulus Program

Fri, 21 May 2021 17:20:00 -0000

The National Independent Venue Association of California, which has more than 600 members, is pushing for state legislators and the governor to support a $250 million stimulus grant program. This comes as they prepare for the state to reopen on June 15.

Guest: Joe Rinaldi, Managing Partner at Music Box in San Diego

The owners of Starline Social Club, a popular venue in Oakland, announced late last month that they would re-open later this year, as a worker-owned co-op. The news took former employees by surprise as they found out through media reports.

Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya, Associate Editor, KQED Arts & Culture

A recent survey from CapRadio in Sacramento and the nonprofit “Valley Vision” has found that Black millennials suffered great financial losses during the pandemic. But they're now looking at investing to build that wealth back.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

If you shopped for health insurance last year and decided you just couldn’t afford it, state officials are now saying: it’s time to check again. Money from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan is bringing the monthly cost of health plans to new lows -– as long as you buy through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, Covered California.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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Lawmakers Criticize Lack of Funding for Public Health in Governor's Budget Proposal

Thu, 20 May 2021 16:49:10 -0000

State lawmakers and county health officials are upset that the governor’s proposed budget does not include enough money to rebuild the state’s ailing public health system. The coalition says $200 million is needed to be ready for the next crisis.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

The latest state budget proposal has highlighted the fact that California is flush with cash. But exactly how much? That depends on who you ask.

Guest: Scott Shafer, KQED Politics Editor

Despite many successes when it comes to vaccinating the public, in L.A. County, there are some concerns about outreach. Less than half of eligible people there are fully vaccinated.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

As so many school districts around the state have at least begun the process of reopening, one in the southeast L.A. County suburb of Pico Rivera is not. The population in the El Rancho Unified School District is 97% Latino and families there have been hit especially hard by the pandemic.

Guest: Melissa Gomez, Education Reporter, LA Times

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Citizen App Wrongly Accuses Man of Starting Southern California Fire

Wed, 19 May 2021 16:25:40 -0000

The Citizen app brands itself as a tool to report on local crimes and emergencies in your area. But it can also lead to false reporting as was the case last week, when a man was falsely accused of starting a fire in Pacific Palisades, after his picture appeared on the app.

Guest: Boone Ashworth, Contributing Writer, WIRED

Santa Clara County is one of four across the state that moved into the least restrictive yellow tier for reopening this week. Now, officials are mandating that businesses keep track of the vaccination status of employees.

Providing people a guaranteed income with no questions asked has moved from a fringe notion to the mainstream with pilot projects popping up across the state. The possibility of a Guaranteed Basic Income program in Los Angeles County took a step forward Tuesday with a vote by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

Reporter: Libby Denkmann, KPCC

Just months after Shirley Weber was confirmed as California's Secretary of State, she'll have to oversee her first statewide election. It's a recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom, who appointed Weber to her post back in December.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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California Waits to Lift Mask Mandate

Tue, 18 May 2021 16:40:14 -0000

Despite new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, allowing vaccinated people to go maskless in most settings, California won’t change its current mask mandates until the state’s scheduled reopening on June 15th.

Since the pandemic began, workers in the grocery delivery business have been trying to organize to get more protections and benefits. Workers at the venture capital-backed Bay Area company, Imperfect Foods just voted to form a union, but it's likely not a model for the rest of the industry.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

The University of California says it’s one step closer to requiring COVID-19 vaccination of students and employees who want to return to campus in the fall.

Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC

Two out of three Californians believe businesses like concert venues and sports stadiums should be allowed to verify their customers’ vaccination status before allowing them to come in. That’s according to a new U.C. Berkeley poll.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

San Francisco is suing the state of California because regulators would like the region to forfeit some of its water supply. The State Water Board would like to see more water flow down the Tuolumne River and not stored in reservoirs.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Crews Battling Large Brush Fire in Pacific Palisades

Mon, 17 May 2021 16:25:54 -0000

The fire has forced about a thousand people to evacuate their homes. Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause but said that it is suspicious in nature.

The recall election for Governor Gavin Newsom has gotten most of the headlines, but there are several local recall efforts underway across the state, including in Shasta County. Three county supervisors are facing backlash for following the state's guidelines during the pandemic.

Guest : Doni Chamberlain, founder and editor of "A News Cafe" blog

Fire victims and public officials are calling for increased oversight of the Fire Victim Trust set up to distribute billions of dollars in compensation to families displaced by fires sparked by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. equipment. That’s following a KQED investigation which found the Trust spent $51 million on overhead last year, while the vast majority of fire victims haven’t received a dime.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

The job of Lieutenant Governor tends to be a low-profile office in California. But the campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom will put current Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis front and center.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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California Drought Conditions Intensify

Fri, 14 May 2021 17:42:16 -0000

CDC Says Vaccinated People Don't Need to Wear Masks

California’s mask rules are still in place, but Governor Newsom has indicated changes are coming to the state’s mask mandate by June 15th..the target date to reopen the state.

Most of California is in Extreme or Severe Categories of Drought

Drought conditions have intensified in parts of California over the past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday. These factors have prompted Governor Newsom to expand a drought emergency declaration to 41 of California's 58 counties.

Guest: Cora Kammeyer, senior researcher at the Oakland-based Pacific Institute

The Number of Unaccompanied Children Crossing the Border Decreased in April

Emergency intake sites like the convention center have allowed the federal government to quickly move children out of ill-equipped Border Patrol facilities. Currently, only a few hundred children are in those facilities — and none for more than 72 hours.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

The California Report Magazine: The Year of Singing Dangerously

In a preview of our sister show, the California Report’s weekly magazine, KQED’s Chloe Veltman explores how singers across California got creative during the pandemic.

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Faulconer Unveils Tax Cut Plan

Thu, 13 May 2021 16:11:04 -0000

Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Faulconer said he wants to eliminate state income taxes for low and middle-income Californians. He said this would allow Californians to keep more of their hard-earned revenue and make the state more affordable.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Hospital care at home is nothing new for patients with low-level health needs. But since the pandemic, a growing number of health providers, including California-giant Kaiser Permanente, are offering people with more serious health conditions hospital-level treatment in the comfort of their homes.

Reporter: Stephanie O’Neill

Every 4-year-old in the state would get access to transitional kindergarten under a major education spending plan announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday. It's all part of his revised budget which will be released on Friday.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Identity theft, fraud, ransomware. Cybercrime is a plague upon the digital landscape. It was bad before the pandemic, and it surged during .

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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State Health Officials Outline Plans to Vaccinate Younger Kids

Wed, 12 May 2021 16:47:19 -0000

California health officials said the Pfizer vaccine could be available for 12-15 year olds as early as Thursday. This comes after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the shots for adolescents earlier this week.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

State Senator Richard Pan of Sacramento is a pediatrician and led the effort to tighten California’s childhood immunization law. He says parents should ask questions and do research if they're concerned about getting their kids vaccinated.

Guest: State Senator Richard Pan

California’s new Attorney General has announced the formation of a Racial Justice Bureau to address racial injustice, in the wake of increased attacks in Asian communities across the state.

Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED

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Drought Emergency Expanded Across Much of California

Tue, 11 May 2021 17:07:00 -0000

With more than 90% of California experiencing extreme drought conditions, Governor Gavin Newsom is expanding a state drought emergency from just two to 41 counties. The new drought proclamation represents 30% of the state’s population.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

State Attorney General Rob Bonta has championed criminal justice reform during his time in Sacramento as a legislator. But can he implement real change as attorney general?

Guest: Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

As he fights a recall campaign to oust him from office, there’s some good news for Governor Gavin Newsom in a new poll. The Berkeley IGS Poll finds just 36% of California voters support recalling Newsom and 49% say they’ll vote no on the recall.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

A map of power lines has been created that the California Public Utilities Commission and Pacific Gas & Electric think are at great risk of starting a fire.

Reporter: The California Report's Lily Jamali with KRCB Reporter Marc Albert

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Project Homekey Provides Some Hope For Californians Experiencing Homelessness

Mon, 10 May 2021 16:19:55 -0000

Project Homekey allows cities and counties to purchase buildings and then covert them into long-term housing for the homeless. Martha Fuentes of Los Angeles says it's been a lifesaver and sanctuary as she's had to live in her car.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Governor Gavin Newsom announced an economic stimulus plan on Monday, one that will see most Californians getting tax refunds. The governor is expected to unveil more pieces of the "California Comeback Plan" in the coming days.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Tackling COVID-19 misinformation in languages other than English has been complicated. In the South Bay, that's especially been the case for the Vietnamese community, which has been hit hard by the pandemic.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

2020 proved to be a historic year in California and not just because of the pandemic. The state’s population dropped for the first time since it began tracking annual population estimates.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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Bay Area Family Provides Glimpse Into Pediatric Vaccination Trial

Fri, 07 May 2021 13:49:00 -0000

Young kids are starting to get their first COVID vaccines in an early clinical trial at Stanford. If all goes well widespread distribution could begin by this fall.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Officials in charge of monitoring air quality in Southern California officials are voting on a rule Friday that aims to hold warehouses accountable for diesel truck pollution. The rise of e-commerce has led to a warehouse boom in the Inland Empire over the last decade.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KVCR

The State Senate has passed a bill that would clamp down on a common feature of employment in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and beyond: the non-disclosure agreement. It's an attempt to limit the scope of NDA's.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

A lot of college students have been stuck at home during the pandemic but one way they’ve tried to find community is through online video games. This competitive gaming is gaining popularity on California college campuses, where professors say recreational play is leading to professional opportunities.

Reporter: Marisa Martinez, KQED and CalMatters

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Wait For Unemployment Money Continues For Hundreds of Thousands of Californians

Thu, 06 May 2021 16:44:18 -0000

After waiting months for an update on their unemployment claims, nearly a million out of work Californians will likely have to wade through even more red tape to access their benefits. That's because the Employment Development Department has disqualified their applications.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

A federal judge has struck down the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium, a decision the Justice Department is appealing. The ruling could have major ramifications for millions of tenants struggling to pay rent during the pandemic, but not here in California.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

Reality TV celebrity Caitlyn Jenner caused a media frenzy when she jumped into the California governor’s race two weeks ago. On Wednesday night, she sat down for an interview on Fox News.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

A KQED investigation has found that the Fire Victim Trust, set up to distribute money to victims of wildfires caused by Pacific Gas and Electric, has spent the vast majority of its money on overhead, rather than fire survivors themselves.

Guest: Scott McNutt, Bankruptcy Attorney and former California State Bar governor

Most sports facilities are back in full swing, as L.A. County moves into the yellow tier for reopening this week. But that's not the case for basketball courts in Venice Beach.

Reporter: Angel Carreras, KCRW

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Recall Election Ramps Up with New Ads and Campaign Launch

Wed, 05 May 2021 16:24:22 -0000

California’s recall election is in full swing, with a campaign launch featuring a live bear. Meanwhile, embattled Governor Gavin Newsom is defending his record managing the state through a tumultuous year.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Public health experts are keeping a close eye on data that shows the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations slowing down. While the slowdown is concerning, some early skeptics of the vaccine have had a change of heart, and are now getting their shot.

Guest: Dr. Brian Castrucci, president and chief executive officer of the de Beaumont Foundation

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has voted to launch another investigation into complaints that sheriff’s deputies harass relatives of victims of law enforcement violence. This comes following a new report released by the National Lawyers Guild and American Civil Liberties Union.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

A law passed in 2018 that requires California companies to have women on their boards of directors is having an effect. The number of female directors at California has doubled in the three years since the measure was signed into law.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

Smaller family-owned businesses have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, leaving some to close their doors and others to pivot to new ventures. One immigrant family in the Central Valley used generosity and foresight to help them get through the last year.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

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Some Health Officials Concerned About People Skipping Second Dose of COVID Vaccine

Tue, 04 May 2021 17:59:42 -0000

It's still unclear how many people in California have actually delayed getting the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. But there's concern about what that will mean for their immunity moving forward.

Guest: Dr. Steven Parodi, Executive Director of the Permanente Group at Kaiser Permanente

As COVID-19 numbers continue to improve across the state, more counties are expecting to move into the least restrictive yellow tier on Tuesday. That will mean businesses will be able to open with even fewer restrictions.

Immigrant advocates in California applauded President Joe Biden’s decision to raise the limit on refugee admissions this year, from a historic low to more than 62,000. The president has also reaffirmed his goal of doubling that number by next year.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Why Are People Vaccine Hesitant?

Mon, 03 May 2021 17:30:36 -0000

The Fresno County Department of Public Health is diverting COVID-19 vaccines allocated to that county elsewhere because of low demand. Some people in the county are still waiting to get the vaccine, but for reasons that might not be often associated with hesitancy.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

Four people are dead after a 40-foot cabin cruiser, suspected of being part of a human smuggling operation, crashed and overturned Sunday in the waters off of Point Loma in San Diego.

The temporary shelter for unaccompanied migrant children is located at the Fairplex in Pomona. The goal is to reunite them with their family or sponsor within two weeks.

The Biden administration's Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas spoke at UCLA on Friday. He called the decision to expel most migrants and asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border "a source of pain."

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Some California students are suing the state and its top education leaders, claiming they’re denying underserved students an “equal right to an education” during the pandemic.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

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Vaccine Supply Outweighs Demand in L.A. County

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 17:14:03 -0000

Health officials said they're worried about the lack of demand for doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which has dropped significantly this week. Many California counties are experiencing similar issues as supply of the vaccines is outweighing demand.

California’s underwater kelp forests are in trouble. A combination of climate change and hungry purple sea urchins have decimated these vital marine habitats. But the Monterey Peninsula has a kind of kelp forest guardian -- sea otters.

Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure opened to guests Friday for the first time in more than 13 months. The parks have COVID-19 safety protocols in place and are limiting capacity to 25% for now.

Guest: Gavin Doyle, Founder of the website MickeyVisit.com

Everyone 16-and-up is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine -- and it’s now easier for older teenagers in L.A. County to get the shot. They can now bring a signed consent form with them, rather than have their parents there in person.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Immigration rights activists in California and across the country are planning marches Saturday to call on Congress to legalize millions of unauthorized immigrants in the country.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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State Superintendent Praises Safety Measures as More Schools Reopen

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 16:25:15 -0000

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond toured several schools in the L.A. Unified School District on Wednesday. He said districts are progressing well when it comes to getting kids back in classrooms.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Despite heated debates over school reopenings across the state, a majority of Californians approve of how their elected officials have handled classroom closures. That's according to a new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

California’s Supreme Court Chief Justice is praising a new policy issued this week by the Department of Homeland Security that will limit how federal officials operate in or near courthouses.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

The Los Angeles Police Department says it needs nearly $70 million to address problems that contributed to its mishandling of last year’s protests, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

Numbers from the state health department show that nearly 1,400 Californians have tested positive for COVID-19 after they were fully vaccinated. These cases are fully expected, because the vaccines don’t protect people 100 percent of the time.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Officials are investigating how schemes to rip off the state’s unemployment insurance program, some of which was done by people in prison, may have cost California billions of dollars. Lawmakers are trying to close loopholes, but some advocates for the incarcerated argue it could do more harm than good.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Consumers often misunderstand the triangular, “chasing arrows” symbol on packaging when it comes to recycling. California lawmakers are taking on this issue with a proposal they call "Truth in Labeling For Recyclable Materials."

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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Will Distance Learning be Allowed in California Next School Year?

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 16:57:37 -0000

Despite billions of dollars funneled from the state Capitol, the share of school districts in California offering full-time, in-person learning ranks among the lowest in the U.S. But as more districts begin opening their doors, state lawmakers are turning their focus to next school year as part of the annual state budget process.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

For adults on the autism spectrum it can be hard to get and keep a job. Now a Sacramento-based pilot program that’s helped some autistic adults find employment is looking to expand statewide.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Bay Area immigrant advocates are urging U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to get rid of Trump-era orders that deny asylum to many immigrants fleeing domestic violence.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

As thousands of migrant families cross into the United States, many are being flown by Customs and Border Protection to San Diego, where they are then removed to Mexico, without any of their belongings. This type of treatment is likely contributing to the rise of unaccompanied children crossing the border.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

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Recall Effort Officially Qualifies for Ballot

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 16:42:43 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom will face a recall election later this year. State officials have announced that the campaign to remove the governor from office has gathered enough signatures to put it before voters.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The 2020 Census results came out Monday and California is among the losers. The state is among those losing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

With California losing a Congressional seat due to the latest Census results, some are wondering whether the final tally was truly accurate, or if the results undercounted communities of color in the state.

Guest: Fernando Guerra, Director for the Center of the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University

California’s new Attorney General Rob Bonta, who was appointed by Governor Newsom, has only been on the job for a few days. But he already has a high profile challenger for the 2022 election.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The city of Fresno has reached settlements totaling nearly $10 million with the families of people killed in separate incidents by police in that city.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

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Homeless on L.A.'s Skid Row Have Mixed Feelings Over Judge's Ruling

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 16:47:14 -0000

The ruling to offer shelter to the homless by October has been sharply criticized by the city and county of Los Angeles, which plan to appeal the decision. Many of the homeless who live on Skid Row said that despite the ruling, people may not leave the area.

L.A. County is home to the largest Armenian community outside of Armenia itself. Many welcomed the news that President Biden formally recognized the mass killings of Armenians by Turkish forces during World War I as a genocide.

On Friday, Governor Newsom took a big step to ban fracking in California. He said California will stop issuing fracking permits by 2024 and halt all oil extraction by 2045.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

With the deadline for validating signatures fast approaching, Gavin Newsom will almost surely face a recall election later this year. Democrats learned some hard lessons when then Governor Gray Davis faced his own recall, nearly two decades ago.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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UC, Cal State Systems to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations for the Fall

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 16:10:04 -0000

Leaders of the University of California and the California State University systems have announced that their students and employees will need proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to return to campus in the fall. But there are a few conditions to that requirement.

Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC

This week's conviction in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd has one Californian questioning why such a volume of video evidence was so necessary in the case at all.

Guest: Allissa Richardson, Journalism Professor, USC

California will soon be getting a new Attorney General as the state legislature has confirmed Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta’s appointment to the position. He'll be taking over for Xavier Becerra who is now serving as Health and Human Services Secretary under the Biden administration.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

12 governors, including Governor Newsom, are urging the Biden Administration to set strict standards for a faster transition to clean vehicles. They want all new cars and light trucks sold to be zero-emission by 2035.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

A section of Highway 1 in Big Sur has been closed since late January after it collapsed during a storm. But it's reopening Friday, two months ahead of schedule.

Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU

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Governor Declares Drought Emergency in Two Counties

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 16:50:02 -0000

Governor Newsom has declared a drought emergency for Mendocino and Sonoma counties. In the Klamath Basin near the California-Oregon border, officials are anticipating a summer of unprecedented drought.

Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio

Young people in California have been at the heart of protests and rallies since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year. One youth organizer in Oakland says the fight will continue, even after guilty verdicts were handed down to Derek Chauvin.

Guest: Luna EkunDayo, Co-Founder of Black Youth for the People’s Liberation

Rob Bonta faced questions from both the Assembly and Senate in Sacramento on Wednesday. He was pressed on how he would handle various high-profile issues, should he be confirmed as California's next Attorney General.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Wildfire smoke may not just be choking the lungs. It could be irritating the skin, that according to a new study from researchers at U.C. San Francisco and U.C. Berkeley.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Low-wage workers in the Bay Area and around California say their bosses often fail to inform them of their rights during the pandemic, and may even retaliate if they ask for COVID-19 protections. That’s according to a new survey of more than 600 frontline workers.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Californians React to Conviction of Derek Chauvin

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 17:00:05 -0000

Leaders up and down California expressed joy and relief following the guilty verdicts handed down to former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd.

Members of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles were overjoyed by the guilty verdicts handed down in the murder of George Floyd. But they know that more work lies ahead for them.

Guest: Dr. Melina Abdullah, Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles

A community gathering in Fresno honored the life of George Floyd following the verdicts announced Tuesday. Now, organizers are preparing for a large march to remember the lives also lost in Fresno.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

The California Legislature will take up the governor’s nomination of Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta to be the state’s next Attorney General.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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L.A. Mayor Proposing Basic Income Pilot Program

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 16:50:46 -0000

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will formally introduce his budget proposal on Tuesday. It includes money for a universal basic income pilot program.

The trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd is now in the hands of the jury. One Bay Area professor said the defense's arguments have been rooted in a long history of looking at the health and well-being of Black people differently.

Guest: Denise Hurd, Professor of Public Health, UC Berkeley

An audit last year of the California District Attorney’s Association revealed that the group had misused at least $2.9 million in public funds meant to help prosecutors enforce environmental and worker safety laws. Instead, the audit found, it was used on things like lobbying.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Los Angeles is home to the largest urban oil field in the country, and about a third of L.A. County residents live less than a mile from an active drilling site. A new study from the University of Southern California has found that the area's long history with fossil fuel extraction has health impacts for residents living near active and inactive sites.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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Pandemic Devastates Latino Community in Kings County

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 17:50:18 -0000

In Kings County, there’s been a 90% increase in deaths among Latino immigrants between 2019 and 2020. That’s according to a data analysis by UC Merced.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

Tax day is less than a month away and for out of work Californians who still haven’t filed their returns, the process could feel extra complicated. One Bay Area tax expert said it's best to get it done as soon as possible.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Following the news of the pause in administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, misinformation and conspiracy theories ran rampant. It raises the question of how to educate the public when it comes to vaccinations as a health measure.

Guest: Scott Ratzan, Distinguished Lecturer, CUNY School of Public Health

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Hundreds of Thousands of COVID-19 Cases Linked to Meatpacking Plants

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 16:24:26 -0000

More than 300,000 COVID-19 cases involve the nation’s meatpacking workers, leading to billions of dollars in economic damage, according to a new study from U.C. Davis.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

With Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement that he wants the state to fully reopen on June 15, the live music industry is preparing for what could be a busy second half of 2021. But not all music venues will open in June.

State utility regulators have voted to take new action against Pacific Gas and Electric, after finding the company hasn’t done enough in regards to wildfire safety work. The California Public Utilities Commission said the utility has fallen short when it comes to removing dangerous trees in areas that are prone to wildfires.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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As Vaccine Eligibility Expands, Questions Remain About Equity

Thu, 15 Apr 2021 16:33:08 -0000

Everyone over the age of 16 in California can now sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the state's My Turn website. But as eligibility expands in the state, some are concerned people in the hardest hit communities will be left behind in trying to get a shot.

Guest: Kiran Savage-Sangwan, Executive Director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network

Restaurants in a dozen California counties have filed class-action lawsuits seeking refunds for pandemic-era business permits, licensing fees, and late charges.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

During the pandemic, lots of Americans have been kept afloat financially with the help of stimulus payments from the federal government, like the most recent one for $1,400. But is that money getting to people most in need, like the homeless here in California?

As Republicans in many states work to enact tighter restrictions on voting, California lawmakers are going in the opposite direction. California could become the sixth state in the country to permanently send all voters a ballot in the mail for every election.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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State Officials Don't Anticipate Vaccination Timeline to be Impacted by Johnson & Johnson Pause

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 15:51:07 -0000

The state is following federal guidance by pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as officials investigate six blood clot cases that may be tied to the vaccine. Governor Gavine Newsom said he doesn't anticipate this affecting the state's vaccination or reopening timeline.

Whistleblower Sophie Zhang details how authoritarian governments used Facebook to target activists and journalists, and spread misinformation campaigns, and the company did little about it.

Guest: Julia Carrie Wong, Senior Technology Reporter with The Guardian

The San Francisco-based online newsletter platform Substack has become a popular home for many well-known journalists who’ve abandoned mainstream media outlets. But now, the company's choice of some of the writers it’s invited aboard has come under fire.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Federal Health Agencies Pause Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 16:53:50 -0000

The FDA has called for a pause in use of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, after six people developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within about two weeks of vaccination. Nearly 7 million people in the United States have already received a Johnson and Johnson dose.

Guest: Sydney Lupkin, Pharmaceuticals Correspondent, NPR

As the holy month of Ramadan continues, health leaders are encouraging Muslims to get the COVID-19 vaccine. And they're trying to spread the word that vaccines can be safely administered, even while people are fasting.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Street vendors in Central Valley communities have been victimized by violence and thefts. Just last month vendor Lorenzo Perez was shot and killed while he was selling corn in southeast Fresno.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

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Schools In San Francisco, San Diego Reopen for In-Person Instruction

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 16:55:57 -0000

In San Francisco, schools will only be open for the youngest students. In San Diego County, the state's second largest school district, in-person learning will be an option for all students.

The Biden Administration's infrastructure plan includes a huge push for getting more electric vehicles on the roadway. At least one expert says a lot can be learned from California's EV push.

Guest: Chelsea Sexton, Electric Vehicle Industry Analyst

The site in L.A. County is expected to hold up to 2,500 unaccompanied migrant children at a time. It will be the third site to open in Southern California, after the cities of Long Beach and San Diego also added temporary shelters.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Much of the controversy surrounds Commissioner Alison Collins. But now, some students say they want their voices heard as the board makes decisions on the future of schools.

Guest: Holly McDede, KQED

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Punjabi Truck Drivers Face Unique Challenges During Pandemic

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 16:33:52 -0000

California’s health agencies offer information about COVID-19 in many languages – including Spanish, Hmong and American Sign Language. But one language that’s largely been missing is Punjabi.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Governor Newsom has struck a deal with lawmakers and hopes to sign the plan into law next week. This comes after a record-breaking fire season in 2020, and mostly dry winter, which could make California more susceptible to fires in 2021.

In the private sphere, California is a high-tech mecca, but the pandemic has exposed the frailties and age of the state government’s technology infrastructure. One Bay Area lawmaker said he has a plan to fix some of the state's issues.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

The family of a mentally ill man, who was beaten by Ukiah police officers, is planning to sue the city and the men who beat him. This is not the first incident that’s drawn criticism for the Ukiah Police Department.

Reporter: Sarah Reith, KZYX

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Long Term COVID Clinics Offer Some Hope for Long Haulers

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 16:50:27 -0000

Many Californians are still suffering from COVID-19 symptoms, months after they were initially diagnosed. Many of these long haulrs are hoping to get answers for what's ailing them from long term COVID-19 clinics.

Guest: Dr. Lekshmi Santhosh, Physician Faculty Lead, UCSF OPTIMAL Clinic.

State health officials tell the Mercury News that California's allocation of Johnson & Johnson doses from the federal government will drop by 90% next week. This comes as the state will allow everyone over the age of 16 to get their vaccination shot.

Fresno leaders have announced a proposal to respond to a rise in violence against the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The city hopes to create an Office of Community Affairs, hiring local community liaisons.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

A community of Haitian migrants has been in Tijuana for nearly a decade, fleeing a devastating earthquake, hurricanes, financial collapse and now, deep political instability and violence. But many have been unable to make a life for themselves in Mexico.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

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Governor Newsom Expects Full Reopening in California by June

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 17:16:35 -0000

Governor Newsom said the reopening will happen, as long as enough people are vaccinated and hospitalization rates remain low. 20 million vaccines have been administered in California so far.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

As California continues pushing forward with reopening, thousands of people in the state continue to struggle with COVID-19 symptoms, months after their initial diagnosis. San Francisco resident San Francisco resident Charlie McCone is one of the long haulers who has struggled with symptoms for more than a year.

Guest: Charlie McCone, San Francisco Resident and COVID-19 long hauler

Pacific Gas and Electric is facing mutiple felony and misdemeanors in connection with the its role in starting the 2019 Kincade Fire. The fire in Wine Country destroyed hundreds of buildings and burned nearly 78,000 acres.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Wedgewood drew national scrutiny last year after a group of Black homeless mothers occupied a vacant home the company owned in West Oakland. A KQED investigation has found that despite a new law aimed at keeping corporations from snapping up homes, Wedgewood has purchased at least 276 properties across the state during the pandemic.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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Long Beach Mayor Backs Plan for Temporary Shelter for Migrant Children

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 17:46:52 -0000

The plan would turn the Long Beach Convention Center into a temporary shelter for unaccompanied migrant children. If approved, the city would be able to house up to a thousand children at a time.

For the first time since becoming vice president, Kamala Harris returned to her hometown of Oakland Monday. The visit focused on jobs and infrastructure.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The Major League Baseball season is underway and minor league teams are preparing for their season. But there will be big changes, including for teams here in California, in large part due to the pandemic.

Guest: Benjamin Hill, Writer who covers the business of minor league baseball

Merced County has been hit especially hard during the pandemic. While efforts continue to try to get vaccine doses to the hardest hit communities, there is still some vaccine hesitancy, and a shortage of doses.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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More Pandemic Restrictions Lifted in California

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 16:27:42 -0000

L.A. County is the latest to move into the state's less restrictive orange tier for reopening. Meanwhile, concerts, theater performances and other indoor gatherings will be allowed with restrictions beginning April 15.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

Across the country, members of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities continue to speak out against a spike in violence targeting them.

Guests: Myrla Baldonado, organizer at L.A.'s Filipino Workers Center, Hypein Im, President and CEO of Faith and Community Empowerment

California is home to an estimated 900,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Many are now waiting for the Senate to pass legislation that would offer them a path to citizenship.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

At the start of the pandemic, Congress passed an emergency expansion of food stamps, but it was blocked by the Trump administration. Participants in California sued and now, the Biden administration said it will settle the suit, and send out extra benefits.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Orange Police Say Mass Shooting Suspect Knew Victims

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 16:25:12 -0000

Police have identified the suspect as Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez and said he had a business or personal relationship with the four victims. Officers recovered a backpack at the scene containing pepper spray, handcuffs and ammunition that they believe belong to the suspect.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California's Employment Development Department has been besieged with numerous problems as it tries to deal with a huge backlog of unemployment claims during the pandemic. But there are new concerns about the debt that's piling up and who will be on the hook to pay for these claims.

Guest: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report with Lauren Hepler, Reporter, CalMatters

The federal government was going to stop operating the Oakland Coliseum vaccination site later this month. But the state is working with Alameda County officials to keep it going past April 11.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Hospitals up and down the state have been overwhelmed at times during the pandemic. KQED Health Reporters April Dembosky and Lesley McClurg got a firsthand look inside a Sacramento hospital.

Guests: April Dembosky and Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Four People Killed Including a Child in Mass Shooting in Orange

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:35:44 -0000

The shooting took place in the city of Orange on Wednesday afternoon. Another victim has been hospitalized and the suspect was also wounded, though it's unclear if it was self-inflicted or if he was shot by police.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden used the occasion of Cesar Chavez Day to show support for farmworkers. She visited the original headquarters of the United Farm Workers union, known as The 40 Acres.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

Six years ago, author Brad Balukjian spoke with The California Report from Kansas City. At the time he was on a road trip sparked by an idea to track down all the players in a single pack of 1986 Topps baseball cards. The result is a book called "The Wax Pack."

Guest: Brad Balukjian, Author, "The Wax Pack"

Californians who are 50 and older can now get a COVID-19 vaccine But news of manufacturing problems with one of the vaccines could prove to be problematic, as more people try to sign up for appointments.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Arguments were heard Wednesday in the U.S. Supreme Court over student-athlete compensation involving the NCAA. It's still unclear which way the justices will lean once they come to a decision, but it will have widespread ramifications for amateur athletics.

Guest: Alicia Jessop, Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, Sport Law Expert

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New Poll Shows Majority of Californians Don't Support Recall

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 19:53:31 -0000

The campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom is facing early opposition from a majority of California voters, according to a new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California. About four out of five Republicans polled said they support the effort.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

More than 700 migrant children are now being housed temporarily at the San Diego Convention Center, including 70 who have tested positive for COVID-19. Those children are being quarantined in an effort to stop the spread of the virus.

Reporter: Joe Hong, KPBS

Munipal fees in the city and county of Sacramento have been found to more heavily impact low income communities and people of color. It's also had an impact on residents who are just getting out of jail and often face huge bills when they return home.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

More businesses are being allowed to open Wednesday in Alameda and Santa Cruz counties. The transmission of COVID-19 is low enough to propel both regions into the orange tier of the state’s reopening blueprint.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

The pandemic has made it hard for some Californians to pay their utility bills. There's debate over how to cover the shortfall by customers who’ve racked up utility debt.

Guest: Melissa Kasnitz, Legal Director, The Center for Accessible Technology

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Unemployment Problems Highlight State's Outdated Technology

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 17:45:58 -0000

The massive failure of California’s Employment Development Department when it comes to unemployment claims during the pandemic are in large part due to outdated technology. Officials are looking to make it easier to update those systems.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Democrats in California’s Congressional delegation are calling on the Biden Administration to expand federal firefighting capacity. They argue that in large part due to climate change, fires in the state are a year-round problem.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Under new guidelines, people can bring adult family members to get vaccinated if one person has an appointment. But L.A. County officials worry the process could create logjams at vaccination sites.

Reporter: Jackie Fortiér, KPCC

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is under scrutiny for spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes after statements made by the sheriff following the death of a man back in January, shortly after he was vaccinated.

Guest: Ryan Sabalow, Reporter, Sacramento Bee

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L.A. Unified Brings Classrooms to Students

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:06:52 -0000

Public school students won't be returning to the classroom at L.A. Unified schools until later next month. But the district has been helping those who have fallen behind academically, through mobile science labs in city parks.

Reporter: Deepa Fernandes, Reporting Fellow Pacific Oaks College, funded in part by First 5 LA

A street medicine team in Kern County is taking mobile vaccine clinics to remote homeless encampments. The hope is to get as many people experiencing homelessness doses of the vaccine.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

Monday marked the first day of in-person instruction for kids in preschool through second grade in Berkeley Unified School District. Students will be attending classes five days a week, but families also have the option of continuing remote learning.

Guest: Brent Stephens, Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent

An outbreak of the stomach bacteria H. pylori at an immigrant detention center in San Bernardino County has sparked concerns about the health and safety of detainees held there. It's prompted advocacy groups to call for the Adelanto Detention Center to be shut down.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR

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California Expands Vaccine Eligibility

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:17:36 -0000

Starting next week, California will vastly expand eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine. Everyone over 50 will be eligible starting April 1, and Californians over 16 will be able to get a shot starting on April 15.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

The University of California San Francisco and the San Francisco Opera have teamed up to develop a new type of mask to keep performers safe as they return to the stage.

Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

Defendants in California can no longer be held in jail simply because they can’t afford to post bail. This comes following a ruling by the State Supreme Court on Thursday.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

At a House hearing Thursday, the chief executives of Facebook, Twitter and Google defended their mixed efforts to protect users from toxic content. The focus was on misinformation -- during the pandemic, 2020 election and insurrection at the Capitol.

Reporter: Rachel Myrow, KQED

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Governor Newsom Selects Rob Bonta as Next Attorney General

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 16:22:27 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom has tapped Rob Bonta to serve as California's next attorney general. He's expected to be confirmed by the state legislature and would replace Xavier Becerra, who will be serving in the Biden administration.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. If passed by the Senate, the bill could give legal status to roughly half a million farmworkers in California.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

For decades, single-family home neighborhoods have been synonymous with the American Dream. Now, a handful of California cities are taking on the sanctity of the suburban-style single family home neighborhood and encouraging smaller, multi-family residences.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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How Religious Leaders Can Be Powerful Allies in Vaccination Efforts

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 18:53:14 -0000

Jewish Lawmakers Call Out Offensive Messaging in Newsom Recall Attempt

As an effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom looks increasingly likely to reach the ballot, Newsom supporters are saying the campaign is driven by fringe groups. And Jewish members of the state legislature are calling out what they see as anti-Semitic. messaging in the effort.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

How Religious Leaders Can Be Powerful Allies in Vaccination Effort

As public health authorities try to convince people who are vaccination reluctant to get a shot powerful allies in that effort could be religious leaders who can use their authority to assure people about vaccine effectiveness and safety.

Guest: Robert McElroy, Catholic Bishop of San Diego and Imperial Counties

The Pandemic May Have Changed Nursing Homes Permanently

Cases of COVID in California nursing homes are down 98% since the winter surge. But after a year of outbreaks, life inside these facilities has changed.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

An Evangelical Church Looks to Buy Historic Theater in Fresno

The theater is a 1930s art deco venue that typically hosts concerts, and a gay pride film festival. But now the Tower Theater will likely have a new owner, Adventure Church, by the end of March.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

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San Diego Agrees to House Unaccompanied Migrant Children

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 19:18:23 -0000

There’s been a surge of unaccompanied minors arriving at the U.S./ Mexico border seeking asylum. That's led to questions about where to safely house these children and one Southern California city has agreed to help out.

Reporter: Max Rivlin Nadler, KPBS

Pacific Gas and Electric will be back in court Tuesday morning for a hearing that could determine the size of future wildfire safety power shutoffs. The hearing comes a day after Cal Fire announced the utility's infrastructure was responsible for igniting one of last year's large and deadly wildfires in Northern California.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Last year was devastating when it comes to wildfires in California. The state is already preparing for what could be another tough year in 2021.

Guest: Thom Porter, Chief of Cal Fire

The state agency in charge of unemployment claims is dealing with more issues, as outages and glitches have made it difficult for people to certify their claims online. It's the latest in a series of difficulties the EDD has faced during the pandemic, as it looks to clear a huge backlog of claims.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Governor Gavin Newsom has promised to focus much of the state's vaccination efforts on communities hit hardest during the pandemic. That includes several areas of the Central Valley.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

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State Superintendent Expects Most Schools to Open Within a Month

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 14:24:00 -0000

As pandemic restrictions ease, California's public schools are starting to welcome students back to classrooms for in-person instruction. But many Californians are questioning why it didn't happen sooner.

Guest: Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

According to a recent report, the rate of overdose deaths tied to synthetic opioids like fentanyl has risen by more than 500% over the last three years in California. The study's authors said overdose deaths have been on the rise in California since 2015.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

In the debate over criminal justice policies and reforms, the desires of crime victims and survivors are often invoked. But as California rethinks many of the tough on crime laws that led to record incarceration, those survivors don’t always speak with one voice.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Along California’s coastline, there’s only one state beach where people are permitted to drive on the sand - Oceano Dunes in San Luis Obispo County. But the California Coastal Commission is banning off-roading there.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

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Atlanta Shootings Hit Close to Home for Asian Americans in California

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 17:58:37 -0000

In Sacramento, business leaders are looking to police for increased security in the Little Saigon neighborhood, where 15% of businesses are personal care salons. Advocates are also upset at the police description of a possible motive for the shooter.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

A long time and well-loved member of the KQED family has died. Penny Nelson, who worked as a guest host for Forum and the California Report, passed away surrounded by her family in Portland Thursday morning.

Reporter: Rachel Myrow, KQED

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would allow those who have worked in agriculture at least six months over the past two years to apply for a work permit and eventually be eligible for a green card. The American Dream and Promise Act would also lead to a path to citizenship.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

Saturday marks the start of the Persian New Year - Nowruz. It's a holiday often shared with Americans, but that's been especially hard to do during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guests: Amir Razavi, Owner of Middle East Market in Berkeley, and Persis Karim, Chair of San Francisco State University's Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies

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Police Step Up Patrols in California's Asian American Communities

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 16:44:01 -0000

Even before the mass shooting in Atlanta that left eight people dead, including six Asian women, there has been a rise in violence against the state's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Dr. Erica Pan discusses equity issues in the state's approach to vaccine distribution, and responds to reporting that Alameda County withheld coronavirus case data at Tesla's Fremont plant starting when Dr. Pan was the top public health official there.

Guest: Dr. Erica Pan, State Epidemiologist

The Biden administration has said the U.S.-Mexico border is still closed to asylum seekers. Now migrants who were affected by the Trump administration's "Remain in Mexico" policy are wondering when they’ll get a chance to ask for protection in the U.S.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

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Governor Newsom Acknowledges Recall Effort Likely to Qualify

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 17:08:31 -0000

Supporters of a campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom said they've collected more than the almost 1.5 million signatures needed by Wednesday's deadline to qualify it for the ballot. Newsom is already mounting a campaign to fight the effort.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

California was already facing a nursing shortage before the pandemic, but the problem has gotten even worse with hospitals at capacity due to COVID-19. But nursing students have faced numerous obstacles as they try to enter the workforce.

Reporter: Shehreen Karim, Student at Pierce College, CalMatters’ College Journalism Network

The family of a San Quentin inmate, who died from COVID-19, has sued California corrections officials over their response to the pandemic. 61-year-old Daniel Ruiz died in July after being transferred from a prison in Chino to San Quentin.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

Over 1,000 farmworkers in Kern County have gotten their first round of vaccines. The United Farm Workers Foundation and partnering organizations have plans to vaccinate thousands more in the coming weeks.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

As stimulus checks start landing in mailboxes this week, you might be wondering how the federal government is paying for it all.

Guest: Ann Saphir, Reporter, Reuters

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Californians Can Now Apply for Rent Relief Program

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 15:30:00 -0000

The $2.6 billion dollar program is using federal funds to get relief into the hands of struggling renters and landlords. It’s unknown how much back rent is owed across the state, but estimates range from $400 million to nearly $2 billion.

The Center for Black Student Success at Cal State Monterey Bay is fairly new, and while it's been forced to stick with virtual outreach during the pandemic, many students said it's been a valuable resource.

Reporter: Kayleen Carter, Sacramento State University, CalMatters’ College Journalism Network

Governor Gavin Newsom and other California Democrats have formally launched a campaign to fight the effort to recall him from office. This comes as the deadline approaches for organizers to turn in signatures in an effort to trigger a recall election.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

California’s junior U.S Senator Alex Padilla tells KQED that the federal government faces challenges in housing the spiking number of unaccompanied migrant children crossing the border with Mexico.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

People with disabilities under the age of 65 are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine in California. But they do face some challenges before getting their first shot.

Guest: Andy Imparato, Executive Director of Disability Rights California

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Vaccine Eligibility Expands in California

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 17:50:00 -0000

People under the age of 65 with underlying health conditions and disabilities are now eligible to be vaccinated. Migrant detainees held in California by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are also eligible to receive their first dose.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The pandemic has brought barriers for college students taking part in remote learning. But it also brought some benefits that might stick around once it's over. We're taking a closer look this week and issues that have impacted college students, part of our collaboration with CalMatters’ College Journalism Network.

Reporter: Emma Hall, Sacramento State University, CalMatters’ College Journalism Network

Starting Monday, museums, zoos, movie theaters, and gyms will be among the businesses allowed to reopen indoors in Los Angeles County, with limited capacity. It's part of a move across the state to get businesses open more quickly.

Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC

The Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force has launched a new hotline to help older, non-English speakers schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Project Abuelita has already helped hundreds of residents.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

In October, bankrupt opioid giant Purdue Pharma settled with the U.S. Department of Justice over its role in helping start our nation’s opioid crisis. Now, it will lay out its plan to re-organize the company.

Guest: Charlotte Bismuth, Author of the new book "Bad Medicine"

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Gun Violence Researchers Push Back on DOJ Proposed Rule Change

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 17:19:01 -0000

Researchers argue the proposal would make it harder to study gun violence in the state. Much of the data they use in their research comes from the Department of Justice.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

New numbers from L.A. County’s child welfare system show a significant rise in the number of children in the state’s care during 2020. But that doesn't necessarily mean more children were abused or neglected.

Reporter: Deepa Fernandes, Fellow, Pacific Oaks College

The federal government is reportedly looking for vacant facilities in California and elsewhere to house migrant children who’ve crossed the U.S./Mexico border recently without a parent or guardian. More than 9,000 crossed the border just last month, surpassing the space at available shelters.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The report on the LAPD's response to protests following the killing of George Floyd was commissioned by the L.A. City Council. It found the department lacked the necessary training and there was minimal communication that led to a fragmented response to the protests.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

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High School Athletes, Coaches Adjust to Pandemic Guidelines

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 17:52:00 -0000

Across California, student athletes are returning to training as public health officials give the green light for both outdoor and indoor sports. But there will be plenty of changes, and new safety guidelines in place.

Guest: Rob Wigod, Commissioner of Athletics, CIF Southern Section

The relief bill passed by Congress earmarks billions for California cities and counties. Some cities already have plans for what to use the money for, as they continue to struggle economically during the pandemic.

Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS

As schools in San Francisco prepare for a return to in-person instruction, San Francisco Unified Superintendent Vincent Matthews has announced he'll be retiring. He has not given a reason for why he's leaving.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

There’s a push to change how members of the San Francisco school board are selected. In fact, questions are being raised statewide, as schools have struggled to reopen during the pandemic.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Millions more Californians will be eligible for vaccines beginning next week, including people with developmental disabilities. The state is also trying to make it easier for people in this group to have the necessary paperwork ready when they do get their shot.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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Newsom Defends Pandemic Response in State of the State Address

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 15:00:00 -0000

Governor Newsom delivered his annual state of the state address at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. He focused on the pandemic's toll on California and how the state will recover.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Governor Newsom also talked about the problem of rising numbers of homeless people in California in his State of the State address. He says they're working on the crisis, and knows more needs to be done.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

When the pandemic hit, many home-based childcare providers in California saw their businesses fall apart overnight. But in San Diego, a coalition of local organizations has helped many childcare providers stay in business, and, in some cases, thrive.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

State legislation has been introduced that would require health companies to pay frontline health care workers a bonus. The compensation would help those who have become burned out by working during the pandemic.

Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors wants to expand the hours of county-run COVID-19 vaccine sites. Many essential workers work night or early morning shifts, making it harder for them to schedule time to get vaccinated.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Disneyland hopes to open sometime next month. The Anaheim theme park has been shuttered for nearly a year due to the pandemic.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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California Republican Party Hopes to Benefit From Recall Effort

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 17:15:45 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom will deliver the State of the State address from Dodger Stadium on Tuesday evening. It comes as the deadline to gather signatures supporting a recall approaches.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The school reopening bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last week sends money to districts to help them re-start classroom learning, but it doesn’t force schools to reopen. Some critics said the state needs to abandon its hands-off approach when it comes to local control and education.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom was in the Central Valley Monday talking about vaccine distribution. He said plans for a mass vaccination site in the region have stalled, in part because other states don't even have a single site up and running.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

The Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a controversial ordinance Monday night, allowing the addition of 40,000 oil and gas wells over the next 15 years. But before the vote, supervisors heard eight hours of public comments

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

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California Officials Still Concerned About Vaccine Supply

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:47:31 -0000

President Joe Biden said last week the U.S. is on track to have enough COVID-19 vaccine to cover all American adults by the end of May. But California officials are tempering expectations of an abundant supply of doses in the state, at least for the short term.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

A new study looked at the program's first year and found that it measurably improved participants' job prospects, financial stability and overall well-being. Independent researchers determined that full-time employment rose among those who received the guaranteed income of $500 per month.

Guest: Michael Tubbs, Former Mayor of Stockton

California will begin allowing attendance at outdoor sporting events, concerts and amusement parks starting April 1. There will be limited capacity and the openings will occur gradually.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Google is under scrutiny after a new report from NBC News. It alleges that Google advised mental health care as a solution, when workers complained about racism and sexism there.

Guest: April Glaser, Reporter, NBC News

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School Reopening Bill Approved by Lawmakers

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:40:45 -0000

California school districts could soon get billions of dollars, if they restart classes in-person . But it does not require that schools have to reopen.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Attorneys representing student athletes said the state has agreed to relax restrictions, part of a settlement that would allow kids to play both outdoors and indoors. There will be safety protocols in place, including regular testing.

Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS

Despite suggestions that Californians have been leaving in droves during the pandemic, that may not be the case. A new report from the California Policy Lab finds that most people are moving are staying in California.

Guest: Natalie Harris, PhD Student, UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy

California plans to almost double vaccine allocations to vulnerable populations, with state officials vowing to send 40% of doses to communities hit hardest by the pandemic. Officials said this will also help the state reopen more quickly.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

A state lawmaker wants to make it easier for people who have been convicted of a crime and completed their sentence to erase that conviction from their record. An estimated 8 million Californians have criminal or arrest records that prevent them from doing fundamental things like getting a job, or securing housing.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

The city of Pacific Grove near Monterey has long been known as “Butterfly Town USA”. But conservationists there suffered a double blow last year - when both state and federal governments refused to grant monarch butterflies protections as an endangered species.

Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU

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California Will Send More COVID-19 Vaccines to Vulnerable Areas

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 19:08:47 -0000

Governor Newsom is working with Major League Baseball and county health officials on a plan to allow fans at California's five ballparks. This comes as his administration is dedicating more vaccine doses to vulnerable communities, in an effort to reopen businesses sooner.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is one step closer to becoming the nation's next Secretary of Health and Human Services. This follows an important vote Wednesday in the Senate Finance Committee.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Anti-Asian hate crimes have been on the rise since the pandemic began last year. In Sacramento, an incident at a Chinese-owned butcher shop is under investigation as a hate crime and several businesses are struggling in the Little Saigon neighborhood.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

New research from UCLA looks at what businesses received loan money and how much they received. It shows ZIP code and race played significant roles in determining how much loan money small business owners in California secured from the federal Paycheck Protection Program last year.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

New PG&E CEO Patti Poppe said it took some convincing to take the job. But she said watching media reports and investigations about the deadly fires caused by utility equipment played a big role in accepting the position.

Guest, Brandon Rittiman, Reporter, ABC 10 in Sacramento

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Indoor Dining Can Proceed in San Francisco, Two Other Bay Area Counties

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 17:48:51 -0000

An investigation is underway after an SUV carrying more than two dozen people, some of whom were citizens of Mexico, collided with a big rig Tuesday in a rural area about ten miles from the US-Mexico border. 13 people died in the crash.

Guest: Faith Pinho, Reporter, LA Times

The volunteers in Southern California are helping seniors and other eligible people find coveted COVID-19 vaccine appointments. One started out by helping her parents and is now helping others navigate the system.

Reporter: Carla Javier, KPCC

Seven California counties, including San Francisco, have moved to a less restrictive coronavirus tier. While that means restaurants and movie theaters can reopen for indoor service, not every owner is jumping to do so.

Guest: Yuka Ioroi, Owner of Cassava restaurant in San Francisco

California was the first state in the nation to require gender diversity in corporate boardrooms. And according to a new report from the Secretary of State, compliance with the law is on the rise.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

The section of roadway was washed out by a powerful rain storm. The scenic highway is a lifeline to local residents and critical to tourism in the area.

Reporter: Erika Mahoney,

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Newsom's Schools Reopening Plan Draws Rebuke

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 17:49:46 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders have reached an agreement that could restart in-person learning for the state's youngest students. The hope is to reopen by April 1.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

District Attorney George Gascon won last year promising to upend the tough on crime policies of his predecessor. But prosecutors both in and outside his office are fighting to stop those same reforms he campaigned on.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Many older Californians looking to get the COVID-19 vaccine are feeling frustrated and left-out by the appointment process. That's because they don't have broadband at home, and access in their community is limited.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

A new study from the California Policy Lab looks at unemployment benefits Californians are receiving at a county level. It shows that regions with populations who need the most support, and who’ve already been harder-hit by COVID-19, are less likely to get help.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

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For Farmworkers Hoping to Get Vaccinated, Information is Scarce

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 18:50:46 -0000

Lawmakers Reach Deal on Reopening Schools

Under the deal, schools that reopen by the end of March stand to get a cut of money earmarked by the state legislature. The deal would not mandate students and staff to get vaccinated before returning to the classroom, nor does it require districts to get approval from teachers unions before returning.

California Farmworkers Now Eligible for Vaccines

Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced an initiative to get more Central Valley farmworkers vaccinated for COVID-19 as part of his plan to make distribution more equitable. Farmworkers are showing interest in getting the vaccine, but it's not always clear how to do so.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

Three Fresno Janitors Win Settlement Against Nation's Largest Cleaning Company

One of the plaintiffs in the case, Araceli Sanchez, says she endured 14 years of harassment, including sexual assault and attempted rape, from her supervisor while working the night shift.

Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report

Advocates Locate Parents of 112 Migrant Children Separated From Parents Under Trump

Attorneys searching for parents whose children were taken away from them at the border under the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy say they have made significant progress.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

New State Bill Could Severely Limit Corporate Role in Rental Market

In the wake of the Great Recession, investors scooped up thousands of single-family homes across the country, including in California. A new state bill would impose limits on corporations that own 10 or more residential properties across the state.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Fresno Bee Investigation Shows Police Stop Black Drivers More Often

The analysis shows Black drivers are stopped by police at twice the rate of white and Latino drivers, and were also searched and arrested more than other races.

Guest: Manuela Tobias, Fresno Bee reporter

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Has the Campaign to Support Black Businesses Faded?

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 17:34:20 -0000

Millions of people marched to support the Black Lives Matter Movement following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. With that came a call to support Black-owned businesses, which saw an initial surge of new customers, but many are now struggling to stay afloat.

Guest: Hank Jenkins, Owner of Plant Provocateur in Los Angeles

Governor Newsom said he hopes to inoculate 75,000 teachers a week. Priority would go to educators currently working at schools or those who are about to head back to their classrooms.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Psychiatric experts are warning Bay Area obstetricians to be on the lookout for higher rates of postpartum psychosis. They believe the condition, characterized by paranoia and confusion, is being exacerbated by the pandemic.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Horse racing on tracks in California has continued throughout the pandemic. While live spectators have not been allowed, that hasn't stopped people from placing their wagers.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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Warehouse Industry Booming in Inland Empire Despite Concerns

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:26:15 -0000

Southern California’s Inland Empire has been transformed in recent years by the growth of the warehouse and logistics industry. While many argue it's a job creator, those living in the region have major environmental concerns.

Guest: Orlando Mayorquin, Journalism Student, Report for CalMatters

The L.A. City Council voted 14 to 1 to approve a hazard pay ordinance requiring workers at supermarkets and drug stores to be paid an extra $5 an hour. Several other cities and counties have passed similar legislation.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Officials with the San Diego Unified School District have unveiled a plan to reopen schools for classroom instruction starting in April. But not all parents are impressed.

Reporter: Joe Hong, KPBS

Kaiser Permanente is using the mountains of health data it has on millions of Californians to help figure out who’s at higher risk of getting COVID-19. It's also helping the health provider pinpoint who should get vaccinated first.

Reporter: Polly Stryker, KQED

Many have been targets of people who don't agree with health orders or think the pandemic is a hoax. While the problems were elevated during the height of the pandemic, some are still taking added precautions to this day.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

The new lawsuit has been filed by a trust for survivors of wildfires started by Pacific Gas & Electric equipment. They claim these officials were negligent when it comes to ensuring the public's safety.

Guest: Lily Jamali, The California Report

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California Surgeon General Pushes for Health Equity During Pandemic

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:32:58 -0000

Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris was sworn in as California's first Surgeon General back in 2019. She's been helping lead the response to the coronavirus pandemic and has been especially concerned about the toll it's taking on communities of color and children.

Guest: Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, California Surgeon General

The vaccine code system that was designed to help people in hard-hit communities across California get access to vaccinations may need a makeover. The codes are being shared and people who don't qualify are taking up spaces reserved for those communities.

A national environmental group is suing the Newsom Administration. The Center for Biological Diversity claims thousands of oil and gas drilling permits have been illegally approved.

Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED

A new report has found that regulators overstated reductions in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. A key problem is that emissions from the transportation sector have increased in recent years.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

A report by the Energy Institute at Berkeley's Haas School of Business and the nonprofit Next 10 found rates are much higher for Californians. In fact, Pacific Gas & Electric customers pay 80% more than the national average.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

With the death Monday of Lawrence Ferlinghetti at the age of 101, San Francisco has lost a figure synonymous with more than a half century of the city’s cultural history. His lasting legacy will go far beyond just the City Lights Book Store.

Guest: Chloe Veltman, KQED Arts and Culture Reporter

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Becerra Expected to Face Tough Questions on Capitol Hill

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:57:43 -0000

California Attorney General Xavier Becerrra begins the Congressional confirmation process to become the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services on Tuesday. He's expected to face lots of questions from Senate Republicans, who have pushed to block his confirmation.

Guest: Ryan Levi, Journalist and Producer of the Tradeoffs podcast

State lawmakers have passed a $7.6 billion COVID relief plan. Among the items in the package, direct payments to the state's lowest earners.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

The "tougher" test was seen by some as an unnecessary barrier to becoming an American citizen. Now, the Biden administration is going back to the 2008 version that they argue was carefully developed.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Governor Newsom said the San Joaquin Valley will get a big boost to its COVID-19 vaccine allocation. It's in part due to the region’s farm workers, who are now eligible for the vaccine.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

The facility in Santa Barbara County was the site of the worst COVID outbreak in a federal prison last year. And while conditions have improved, officials and some former inmates are questioning the response to the pandemic.

Reporter: Dena Montague

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Governor Admits to Problems With Vaccine Rollout in Hard-Hit Communities

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 17:44:11 -0000

Out of the more than seven million vaccine doses that have been administered thus far, more than 32 percent have gone to white Californians. Governor Newsom said the state is not doing enough to help the hardest-hit communities, when it comes to vaccinations.

State legislators will begin a busy session in Sacramento on Monday. Among the agenda items -- a possible plan to reopen schools, that has already received pushback Governor Newsom.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Improving coronavirus reached the threshold on Friday to allow for schools to reopen. In addition to public elementary schools, private ones like those within the San Bernardino Catholic Diocese can now reopen as well.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR

One of the Trump administration’s most controversial changes to U.S. immigration policies was its so called “Remain in Mexico” program, but it's being rolled back by the Biden administration. A group of asylum-seekers was processed at the San Ysidro Port of Entry late last week.

Reporter: Max Rivlin Nadler, KPBS

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Governor at Odds With Legislature On Plan to Reopen Schools

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 23:43:23 -0000

The proposal would get California school kids back in classrooms by mid-April. But Governor Newsom said it doesn't go far enough or fast enough.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

The biography of the Marvel Comics icon sheds light not only on Stan Lee's immense success, but also his failures. While Lee had a lasting impact on the world of comics, his influence also extends to the global entertainment industry.

Guest: Abraham Reisman, Author of "True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee"

California Republicans will gather for a virtual convention this weekend. It comes following a strong election year and renewed enthusiasm surrounding the recall effort.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

U.S Senator Alex Padilla and other California members of Congress introduced the bill on Thursday. It's backed by President Biden and would offer a path to citizenship for more than 2 million immigrants in California.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Journalist Brandon Rittiman with ABC10 in Sacramento reviewed an internal report from Pacific Gas and Electric's material lab. He said it shows the utility knew old parts like the one that caused the fire needed replacing.

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New Stimulus Deal Would Include Checks for Low-Income Workers

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 18:09:19 -0000

The $9.6 billion relief package includes nearly $3.7 billion for the state's lowest earners and another $2 billion for small business grants. Lawmakers are expected to vote on it next week.

Reporter: Katie Orrr, KQED

The Sacramento City Unified School District said almost a thousand of its students are connecting with school just two days a week or less. There's growing concern it will affect their ability to graduate.

Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio

Earlier this month, Attorney General Xavier Becerra and his counterparts in dozens of other states announced a major opioid settlement against the influential consulting firm McKinsey. But lawyers for Native American tribes say they're not part of the agreement, even though the community has been among the hardest hit by opioids.

Guest: Lloyd Miller, Attorney representing tribes in the litigation

A new bill in the California legislature would give victims of online sex trafficking a new tool to fight back against their exploitation. They would be given the option of suing to force the explicit content to be removed.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

A new poll by U.C. Berkeley’s Institute on Governmental Studies shows that Californians' view of the pandemic will likely be swayed by their political party. There is still a wide spread from Democrats and Republicans when it comes to even contracting the virus.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

West Hollywood is the latest city in California that plans to shut down a busy thoroughfare during the pandemic. The hope is to increase foot traffic at local businesses.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Facebook announced this week it will block people in Australia from reading or sharing news content on its platform. It comes as the Australian parliament debates whether news outlets should be paid for work that's featured on websites.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Lawmakers Approve Mailed Ballots for 2021 Elections

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:54:36 -0000

California voters will get a ballot in the mail for any election this year under a bill heading to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. Voters were mailed ballots last year over safety concerns due to the pandemic.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Some contributors to Governor Gavin Newsom also happen to be corporations that have secured valuable no-bid contracts with the state. It's raising questions about possible favoritism for big donors.

Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez's legislation would protect workers in warehouses from unsafe quotas and productivity standards. Right now, workers for companies like Amazon can be fired for failing to collect, box, and ship enough orders fast enough.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Two new mass vaccination sites opened Tuesday in California, with help from the federal government. The Biden administration's goal is to open 100 vaccinations sites in 100 days nationwide.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Millions of Texans remain without power as rolling blackouts continue amid a massive winter storm. California faced a similar situation last summer, during an extended heat wave.

Guests: Former CPUC President Loretta Lynch, Reliability Expert Rick Humphries

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Non-Disclosure Agreements Targeted by State Lawmaker

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 18:12:20 -0000

The tech industry is infamous for making prospective and departing employees sign agreements designed to prevent them from speaking out on just about everything. But social movements have exposed the way non-disclosure agreements have served as a cover for illegal behavior.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

For the first time since the pandemic, the average cost of gas in the state is going up. Demand is rising faster than production, as more people return to commuting and traveling long distances by car.

Reporter: Emily Hung, KQED

It's one of two sites that opened on Tuesday, with the other in Los Angeles. The goal is to eventually vaccinate 6,000 people a day at each location.

Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED

Communities of color have been hit especially hard during the pandemic. For queer Latinos, there's an extra cost - the loss of places to gather, like LGBTQ bars.

Guest, Andrea Castillo, L.A. Times Reporter

The state is investing more than $200 million in the Salton Sea project that will create flooded ponds and other habitat on the exposed lakebed at the Southern edge of the lake. The hope is to complete the project by 2023.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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Verification Process Leaves Nearly a Million Unemployment Claims Up in the Air

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 17:15:42 -0000

At the end of 2020, the state’s unemployment agency froze almost a million and a half accounts in an attempt to prevent fraud. Now, many of those account holders could have their claims disqualified, even if there applications are legitimate.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

The campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom has another month to collect the million and a half valid signatures needed to trigger an election. While big business has had gripes with the governor's handling of the pandemic, for the most part, they've steered clear of the recall effort.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Governor Newsom has yet to unveil the location of a new vaccination site in the Central Valley. But leaders in the region say there should also be added focus on rural areas, where access to vaccines is extremely limited.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

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L.A. Closes Mass Vaccination Sites Over Shortage of Doses

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:26:00 -0000

The City of Los Angeles has temporarily closed five of its COVID-19 vaccination super-centers, including the one at Dodger Stadium, because of a shortage of vaccine supplies. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is urging state and federal officials to fix the problem.

A professional vocalist is doing her part to help people during the pandemic. Nova Jimenez is serenading the elderly at a retirement home, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom is currently negotiating with legislators over a deal that could be reached as early as Friday. The $6.6 billion deal could send students back this year, starting with the youngest, perhaps up through elementary school.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Dozens of community and business leaders have sent a letter to Governor Newsom and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, demanding that school staff get COVID vaccines before they can reopen. But there could be a delay in getting the doses to teachers.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Although he lost the election and is in the midst of a post-presidential impeachment trial, Donald Trump maintains his grip on the GOP. But a group of Republicans and former party officials are discussing the possibility of forming a new center-right party.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Performing Arts Venues Pushing for Faster Reopening

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 16:50:32 -0000

Some of the last businesses that are expected to open during the pandemic are performing arts venues. But many argue they're a lifeline of the community and driver of local economies, and can reopen safely with help.

Guest: Rachel S. Moore, President and CEO, L.A. Music Center

A new poll shows that Senator Dianne Feinstein's approval rating has sunk to the lowest level of her career. Her approval rating among California voters has always been a net positive, but that's not the case anymore, according to the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

A state lawmaker is trying to reconcile the competing values of public and secular university hospitals and Catholic hospitals when the institutions collaborate on patient care. It could open the door to abortions at Catholic hospitals.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Julie Su, who leads the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, has been nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary of Labor. But she may face tough questions about the struggles of the Employment Development Department.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

There's some relief on the way for renters, as state officials figure out how to distribute billions of dollars in federal aid. But some tenant advocates say the most vulnerable could be left out altogether.

Reporter, Molly Solomon, KQED

On Thursday morning, the California Public Utilities Commission will take up an issue that’s critical for people living in wildfire-prone parts of the state. The agency could require backup for landline phones.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

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Governor Newsom Pushes for Schools to Reopen

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 17:11:30 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom says he's close to a deal with state legislators on a reopening plan for elementary schools. He says he's committed to balancing safety with the importance of getting kids back in classrooms.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

A 28-year-old-man has been arrested in Oakland in connection with a series of attacks on the elderly in the city's Chinatown. The assaults have gained national attention with growing concerns about hate crimes against the Asian American community.

A lawsuit has been filed to end in-person traffic and eviction hearings in Los Angeles Superior Court. The legal aid groups claim that during the pandemic, courtrooms are unsafe for court staff and defendants alike.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

Chevron said a mixture of gasoline and oil leaked from a pipeline on the "Long Wharf" at the Richmond facility on Tuesday. The incident is now being investigated by local, state and federal officials.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Many Californians continue to struggle through the process of trying to get unemployment benefits from the state. But it's been particularly challenging for those whose primary language is not English or Spanish.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Central Valley Democrat Josh Harder has been inundated with phone calls, emails and angry tweets following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last month. The problem: they were meant for Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Ambitious COVID-19 Testing Facility Falls Short of Goal

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 01:19:55 -0000

California’s newest coronavirus testing lab remains far short of its goal for processing COVID tests. The Valencia facility was hailed as a game-changer when it opened in November, with the goal of turning around 150,000 tests per day by March.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

The Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District is floating a proposal to reopen elementary school campuses under some conditions. To reopen campuses he says 25,000 elementary school teachers and staff would need to be vaccinated.

Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC

San Diego County continues to administer thousands of vaccines a day, and county officials aren't concerned with the citizenship of those getting vaccinated. Some of the shots are going to Mexican citizens who cross the border frequently for work.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler KPBS

The Employment Development Department, the state agency responsible for sending out unemployment benefits is facing more scrutiny. State lawmakers say they are so busy fielding constituent complaints about EDD, they hardly have time for anything else.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

A new state commission is recommending that California end mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes, and allow judges to reconsider all criminal sentences after someone has spent 15 years in prison.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

California is set to develop new rules aimed at making homes more resilient against wildfires. State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said his office is partnering with a group of state agencies to come up with home hardening standards statewide.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Republican businessman John Cox is taking another shot at running for California governor. In a new ad, Cox comes out hard against Gavin Newsom, and another Republican candidate, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler KPBS

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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Campaign to Recall Newsom Appears to be Gaining Steam

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:42:57 -0000

U.S Supreme Court Rules Against Parts of California's Ban on Indoor Worship

Over the weekend, some parishioners gathered in houses of worship across the state after the U.S Supreme Court ruled against parts of California’s ban on indoor worship services put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Collapse of Highway 1 Means Big Economic Consequences for Big Sur Communities

Highway 1 along the coast of Big Sur is one of the most scenic stretches of pavement in the country, but it can also be fragile. A big chunk of Highway One collapsed in heavy rains last month, and that has big economic consequences for the tourism-dependent communities in Big Sur.

Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU

Campaign to Recall Newsom from Office Appears to be Gaining Steam

A recent poll by UC Berkeley shows support for Governor Gavin Newsom falling. And the campaign to recall him from office, once a fringe idea, appears to be gaining steam. Recall organizers have until March 17th to turn in a million and half verified voter petition signatures to qualify a recall measure for the ballot.

Inside a Vaccination Super Center

More than nine million Californians get their health care from Kaiser-Permanente. And for both its members and non-members, Kaiser is playing a growing role in the distribution of the coronavirus vaccines.

Guest: Dr. Michael Moore, a director of Kaiser's COVID-19 vaccination programs

Families Wait for Relief After President Biden Revokes Travel Ban

One of Joe Biden’s first actions as president was to revoke Donald Trump’s travel ban against several Muslim-majority and African nations.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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How Brain Fog Lingers Even After Mild COVID-19 Cases

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 18:08:38 -0000

Bay Area Congressional Representatives Condemn Enduring Trauma from Family Separation Policy

Congressional representatives from the Bay Area condemned the enduring trauma caused by the Trump administration’s family separation policy. That policy has drawn shock and anger since coming to light in 2018.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

Scientists Still Unsure How to Treat COVID-19 Related Brain Fog

A new study out this week suggests long-term cognitive issues may be more common than we thought, especially in people who had mild COVID-19 cases.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Berkeley Considers Upending Rules Around Single Family Zoning

Berkeley was the first city in the country to adopt single-family zoning. Or rules that restrict housing development to one home on one lot. That was back in 1916. Now Berkeley is one of a handful of California cities considering upending those rules.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

New Labor Laws Reveal Glaring Inequities in State's Art Sector

Small arts groups are struggling to comply with the new rules while coping with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

Incentives Allowed by California Regulators May Have Made Rural Grids More Vulnerable

PG&E is suspected of causing last year’s deadly Zogg Fire in Shasta County last year. At the time, the utility had turned off power in parts of several counties, but not in the area where the Zogg Fire started.

Guest: Steve Weissman, Policy Advisor, Center for Sustainable Energy & Lecturer, UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy

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Battle over 'Hero Pay' Reaches Boiling Point

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 19:37:04 -0000

California Grocery Association Sues Over 'Hero Pay' for Essential Workers

The California Grocers Association sued Oakland on Wednesday, a day after the city council mandated an additional $5 an hour in pay for workers at supermarkets there. Disputes have escalated as more California cities consider ordinances aimed at compensating grocery workers during the pandemic. Workers protested in Long Beach, where Krogers has announced two store closures in response to a similar mandate.

Guest: Howard Simmons, Ralphs Employee

KQED's Digital Team Takes on Listener Questions about Vaccinations

California’s COVID vaccine rollout has been among the slowest in the nation. Those eligible have found it hard to know where to get the vaccine. So people are looking for information where they can, including from KQED.

Guest: Carly Severn, KQED

San Francisco Files Lawsuit Against District to Force Classrooms Open

San Francisco’s school board president is calling a lawsuit filed .. against the district by the city petty and embarrassing. The city maintains the district lacks a plan to safely reopen public schools during the pandemic.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Biden Administration Works with State to Open Two New Vaccination Sites in California

The sites will be at the Oakland Coliseum and California State University - Los Angeles. Governor Newsom said the locations were chosen intentionally.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

PG&E Faces New Conditions on Federal Probation

The conditions were prompted by the company's suspected role in starting a deadly Shasta County fire last fall.

REporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Two Bay Area Lawmakers Propose Building 'Social Housing' to Address High Housing Costs

Assemblymembers Alex Lee of San Jose and Buffy Wicks of Oakland introduced the Social Housing Act earlier this week. It would create a statewide housing authority to build and manage housing that’s available to not just the poorest residents, but to middle-income people as well.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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President Biden Works to Undo Trump's Immigration Policies

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 17:53:45 -0000

President Joe Biden signed several executive orders on immigration Tuesday, including one that creates a task force to reunify migrant families separated by the Trump administration.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

President Biden recently signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to stop contracting with private prisons. What impact could this have on detention facilities here in California?

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR

As the COVID-19 surge slowly subsides in our hospitals, the state public health department says nurse staffing ratios will begin to return to normal. Hospitals desperate to find enough staff during the surge applied for waivers allowing nurses to care for more patients than they normally would.

Reporter: Jackie Fortiér, KPCC

Dealing with COVID skeptics in your family isn't easy. Take it from one L.A. journalist who’s been working at it with his dad this past year. He consistently provided his father with accurate information about COVID-related health risks, and even convinced him to get the vaccine.

Guest: Gustavo Arellano, L.A. Times

California's outgoing Attorney General Xavier Becerra has filed a brief with a federal appeals court, arguing the federal government should be allowed to enforce its robocall ban for the years 2015-2020.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Poll Shows Governor Newsom's Approval Plummeting

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 16:12:00 -0000

As a campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom inches closer to the ballot, a new poll shows voters are unhappy with his handling of the pandemic, just 46% approve of the job he’s doing.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

As Newsom’s ratings fall, former San Diego Mayor and Republican Kevin Faulconer, announced last night he’s running for governor, whether in 2022 or a recall election, if there is one. Opinions on his time as mayor are mixed.

Guest: Katie Orr, KQED

Immigrant advocates are calling on federal authorities to release most people held at immigration detention centers in California. This comes after the Biden administration issued new priorities for who should be arrested and locked up.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress are proposing an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Five years ago, California debated its own $15 minimum wage.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

In Southern California, two grocery chains are planning to close stores in Long Beach. it’s a move that comes after the city passed a temporary pay raise for local grocery workers because of the pandemic.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

TV, movie, and commercial shoots in the L.A. area have gotten the go-ahead to resume production this week. This comes a month after three industry groups recommended that local production be put on hold, due to a surge in COVID cases.

Reporter: Chery Glaser, KCRW

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L.A. Hospitals: Full of Patients, Low on Oxygen

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 18:38:52 -0000

Oxygen Suppliers Struggle to Keep Up with Demand from COVID-19 patients

COVID-19 patients who recover enough to go home from the hospital often need supplemental oxygen. But with so many COVID patients, oxygen companies are struggling to keep up with the demand.

Reporter: Jackie Fortiér, KPCC

At least four employees linked to the company’s plant in south Fresno have now died. A December outbreak there infected at least 193 workers and prompted an investigation by the county health department.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

New preliminary data show the University of California got a record number of applications this year, with a remarkable surge in members of underrepresented groups looking for a spot.

Guest: Teresa Watanabe, Reporter, L.A. Times

It’s back to business for many parts of the Los Angeles economy this month. Restaurants are open for outdoor dining, mini golf and batting cages are hosting guests, and nail salons are opening too.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

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Shirley Weber Confirmed as California's Top Election Official

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 19:13:30 -0000

Shirley Weber Confirmed as California's Top Election Official

San Diego Assemblywoman Shirley Weber will become California's first Black Secretary of State roughly half a century after her family fled Arkansas when her father was threatened by a lynch mob. No legislator in either house opposed the nomination, but all Senate Republicans abstained.

Guy Marzorati, KQED

There have been a lot of major announcements in the last few weeks related to the pandemic, from Governor Gavin Newsom's lifting of the stay at home order to new rules for who gets priority for getting a COVID-19 vaccination.

Guest: Molly Peterson, KQED health reporter

The state has vaccinated more than 8,000 people incarcerated in state prisons, but it’s unclear if any ICE detainees have been vaccinated yet.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

People with underlying health conditions were originally set to get vaccinated after most essential workers. Now that the governor is shifting to an age-based system, people with disabilities feel they’ve been pushed out of line.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

The audit says EDD had a heads up from the Department of Labor as far back as May that it needed to prepare for more than a billion dollars’ worth of potentially fraudulent claims.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Adhiti Bandlamudi shares this story about living with two people who have a different idea about what it is to be safe during COVID.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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Republicans Sense Opportunity as Criticism Brews Over Newsom's Pandemic Response

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 18:22:00 -0000

Democratic State Lawmakers Renew Push for Bail Reform

In November, state voters sided the bail industry, and killed legislation that would have ended cash bail in the state and replaced it with a system that gave judges more power to decide who should be released from jail before trial.Now Democratic state lawmakers are taking another swing at bail reform.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Governor Gavin Newsom is going through a political rough patch, with people criticizing his sometimes confusing pandemic announcements and tendency to act first and explain himself later to other elected officials.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California’s slow vaccine rollout has been blamed on a limited vaccine supply, but having enough trained people to actually give the shots on an industrial scale is also a factor.

Reporter: Tarryn Mento, KPBS

According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, nearly 4,000 inmates and staff members have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Tony Botti says the high caseload in the jail reflects what’s happening in the county.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Most changes in the virus don’t raise alarm bells. But genomic sequencing can help identify variants that are more deadly or contagious.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

The newly formed Open Schools California unifies parent groups from San Diego to Marin. These are parents who accuse the governor of not having the political will to re open school campuses, after nearly a year of distance learning.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

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Labor Unions Among Those Lobbying for Vaccine Eligibility

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:56:33 -0000

Labor Unions Lobby for Vaccine Eligibility

For weeks, labor unions like the powerful Service Employees International Union have been pressing state and local officials to provide vaccinations to their members as quickly as possible. As vaccine eligibility shifts, other groups are making pleas too.

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

Supervisors got a report on Tuesday from the L.A. County counsel’s office about how Villanueva could be removed from office. County counsel said there are four possibilities to remove the elected sheriff: one would be to amend the county charter, another would be a voter recall.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

A street medicine team in Bakersfield is working to educate people experiencing homelessness about the pandemic, including misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, KQED

Many Californians were surprised when this week Governor Gavin Newsom announced he was lifting the state’s stay at home order. But a lot of state legislators were also surprised. They say it’s part of a pattern that’s emerged with this governor.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

It’s called MyTurn. You can go online now to register… the system will notify you when

you’re eligible for a shot. Beginning in February those who qualify can begin booking appointments.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

State Auditor Finds Agency Charged with Sending Out Unemployment Checks Still Falling Short

According to the audit, the Employment Development Department’s call centers still aren’t functioning efficiently, despite the agency hiring more 55,000 new staffers.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

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California to Adopt Age-Based Vaccine Distribution

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 17:11:44 -0000

As the state works to speed up delivery of the coronavirus vaccine, Governor Gavin Newsom says California will shift its priorities for who’s at the top of the list, and put people over 65 in line to get shots first.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

California renters who faced the prospect of mass evictions at the end of this month might not have to worry in the short term. That after the state's top lawmakers and Governor Newsom reached a tentative agreement to extend an eviction moratorium through June.

Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

Governor Newsom lifted regional stay-at-home orders yesterday in favor of county-by-county restrictions. The changes mean hair and nail salons can reopen, and allows outdoor dining in many places. Local officials could choose to impose stricter rules.

Guest: Anne Rimoin, Professor of Epidemiology, UCLA

Fresno County officials say they want to prioritize farmworkers for vaccination, but the county is facing a challenge, they are ready to vaccinate 30,000 people every week, but don't have the supply to do so.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

A new economic forecast says things are improving for the Los Angeles area, fed by optimism around the coronavirus vaccines. From construction, to healthcare, to retail, companies are hiring. But some sectors of the local economy are months away from recovery

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Nine school districts in California are starting rapid COVID-19 testing of their students and staff. It’s a pilot program that could allow more schools in the state to reopen safely.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

A lot of people are struggling to pay their rent, mortgage and other bills because of the pandemic. 1.6 million California households are behind on their water bills according to a recent survey from the State Water Resources Control Board.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

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Volunteer Tech Workers Turn to Crowdsourcing to Speed Up Vaccine Rollout

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 17:47:33 -0000

California's Justice Department Launches Civil Rights Investigation Into L.A. County Sheriff Department

Attorney General Xavier Becerra said the inquiry comes after credible reports of excessive force, retaliation and other misconduct at the Sheriff’s Department.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

Throughout the pandemic private citizens have crowdsourced everything from COVID case tallies to behavior risk calculators

Lesley McClurg, KQED

COVID-19 has spread like wildfire inside a jail north of Sacramento that also holds immigrant detainees. Now, about half of all the people locked up there have tested positive for the virus.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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The Search for California's Next Top Prosecutor Heats Up

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 16:46:10 -0000

Who Will be the Next California Attorney General?

Other than Governor, being California’s Attorney General is arguably the most coveted political job in California. It makes you the Golden State’s top prosecutor, you get tons of attention, and the job can serve as a launching pad to higher office, like it did for Vice President Kamala Harris. The Attorney General’s position will soon be vacant and lots of people want the job.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

This will mean more regular beds and ICU beds at Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley. And the state is reopening Pacific Gardens Medical Center in Hawaiian Gardens, which had closed four years ago.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

San Jose Senator Dave Cortese says despite the fanfare around Newsom's goal to start re-opening next month, plenty of disagreements remain. That includes a proposal for weekly testing of students.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Just over three thousand inmates have gotten their first dose of the vaccine so far, but it still takes a few weeks for it to take effect. Health experts fear the worst is yet to come.

Reporter: Marco Siler-Gonzales, KQED

COVID-19 has spread like wildfire through California’s prisons and jails. To reduce caseloads and deaths, the state has prioritized certain groups of inmates for early release.

Reporter: Lucy Copp

The California Report Magazine: The History of 'Amazing Grace' and U.S Presidents

For years, there’s been this link between Amazing Grace” and U.S. presidents all along the political spectrum.

Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

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People Who Knew Kamala Harris Best Reflect on Watching Her Ascend to the White House

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 16:39:02 -0000

People Who Knew Kamala Harris Best Reflect on Watching Her Ascend to the White House

Kamala Harris represents a lot of firsts, from the first female vice president to the first Black vice-president to the first vice president of South Asian descent. But what do the people who knew Harris as a San Francisco D.A., California Attorney General, and U.S Senator think about her ascent?

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

After the new vice president was sworn in yesterday, Kamala Harris turned her attention to her first official duty: swearing in her replacement to represent California in the U.S. Senate.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Amanda Gorman is the 22-year-old poet from Los Angeles who recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration. Gorman got her start writing poetry through an LA-based non-profit called WriteGirl.

Caroline Champlin, KPCC

The Biden White House has unveiled an ambitious immigration agenda, including a reform bill that would set a path to legalization for the estimated 11 million undocumented people in this country.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero

Overall, Latinos cast an estimated 16.6 million ballots in November and preferred Biden to Trump by a 3 to 1 margin. This new study by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Initiative looked at counties with the most Latino voters in more than a dozen states

Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW

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Political and Legal Warfare Between California and the Trump Administration Comes to an End

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 15:35:00 -0000

Biden Inauguration Marks End of Political and Legal Warfare Between California and the Trump Administration

The presidency of Donald Trump ends Wednesday morning, and when it does, it will mark the end of four years of feuding with the Trump Administration over issues like health care, the environment, and immigration.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The New Year’s surge is not as bad as health officials feared. The number of people requiring medical care has stabilized and declined slightly.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Under the new Trump administration rule, immigration court fees would jump by hundreds of dollars.

U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta says the fee hikes would have caused plaintiffs irreparable harm, and were likely unlawful.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Albertson's Dumps Drivers for Doordash, Critics Blame Prop 22

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 17:33:00 -0000

Health care workers are treating more COVID19 patients than ever in this pandemic, and hospitalizations from the virus are mounting more pressure on an already strained health care system.

Reporter: Marco Siler Gonzales, KQED

State health officials are recommending a pause in using one batch of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine because of unexpected adverse reactions.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

Weeks after Proposition 22 became law, we are already seeing the effects ripple out into industries beyond the “gig economy.” The country’s second-largest grocery store chain, Albertsons, is now laying off its grocery delivery employees and replacing them with contractors at DoorDash. Critics of the measure say they warned this would happen.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

As the sun sets on the Trump Administration, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has proposed removing the protected status of millions of acres of desert lands across California. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, CapRadio

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Incoming California Senator Pushes for Citizenship Path for Undocumented Essential Workers

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 18:11:43 -0000

Alex Padilla Calls for Legalization of Undocumented Immigrants in Essential Services

Kamala Harris will officially resign her California U.S. Senate seat as she prepares to be sworn in as vice president on Wednesday. Harris's appointed successor, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, says undocumented immigrants working in essential services deserve not just labor protections, but the security of a path to citizenship.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks

Todd Gloria is San Diego's new mayor. He's a Democrat, and the first openly gay person and person of color to lead San Diego, a city of nearly 1.5 million people.

Guest: Todd Gloria, San Diego mayor

Fraudsters have stolen as much as $8 billion dollars and counting in unemployment benefits from the state. Now Bank of America is facing a federal lawsuit in connection with that fraud, and the impact it’s had on innocent customers.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris resigned her California U.S. Senate seat today, but that vacant seat won’t be vacant for long. Governor Gavin Newsom tapped current Secretary of State Alex Padilla to serve out the final two years of Harris’s Senate term.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Local Leaders Ask For Help With Vaccine Rollout

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 19:55:00 -0000

Los Angeles County Approaches Nearly a Million COVID-19 Cases

With around 10 million residents, L.A. is the most populous county in the U.S. As the county approaches a million cases, that also means roughly 1 in 10 Angelenos has had a confirmed case of the virus at some point throughout the pandemic.

Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Los Angeles County Latino Residents Now Dying from COVID-19 at Eight Times the Rate in November

The region has been the epicenter of the pandemic for months, but the speed of transmission continues to alarm officials. COVID-19 has devastated communities of color more than any other, and the data is alarming.

Guest: Ron Lin, Reporter, Los Angeles Times

Pistachio Plant Workers Take to the Streets to Demand Safety

Farmworkers and those in food production have been left vulnerable by the pandemic. In the Central Valley, employees of the pistachio producer Primex recently made the rare, risky decision to take to the streets.

Guest: Julia Lurie, Mother Jones

California Fall Short on Ambitious Vaccination Goals

Counties in California aren’t giving shots to members of the public yet. To make that happen, lawmakers and county health officials say they’re going to need a lot more help from the state.

Reporter: Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

California Steps Up Security Prep as Biden Inauguration Draws Near

Newsom activated up to one thousand of the state’s National Guard to work closely with the CHP to protect infrastructure in and around the State Capitol in Sacramento. The move comes just days after the FBI warned of possible armed violence planned by extremist groups targeting all 50 state capitals.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, Politics Editor, KQED

California Lawmakers Eager for Immediate Action Begin Budget Hearings

Lawmakers wasted little time beginning to debate Newsom’s $227 billion budget proposal. It calls for immediate action on several pandemic relief items, including cash payments to the state’s lowest income earners.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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On Impeachment, CA's GOP Sticks With Trump, With One Exception

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 18:22:14 -0000

State Officials Announce New Approach to Getting Vaccines to People 65 or Older

The idea is to ramp up vaccine distribution to those at greatest risk of becoming hospitalized.

This comes after deaths in the state continue to climb, with nearly 600 deaths on Tuesday, according to state data.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Members of California's GOP Congressional Delegation Speak Out Against Impeachment

Out of California’s 10 Republican members of congress, only the Central Valley’s David Valadao voted for impeachment.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Trump Ally Kevin McCarthy Stays Loyal to Trump

When House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) spoke on the House floor yesterday, he said President Trump was partly to blame for inciting the insurrection. But, he added that impeaching the president would only divide the country further.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

With Accounts Frozen, 1.4 Million Californians Wait for Unemployment Benefits

The Employment Development Department locked the accounts in another attempt to fight potential fraud. Applicants got notices saying their claims had been frozen for suspected fraud, and that staff would send instructions on how to unfreeze accounts starting January 6th.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Los Angeles Leaders Look to Toughen COVID-19 Mask Mandate

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to have an ordinance drawn up that would add penalties for people who don’t cover their faces as infections reach new highs across Southern California.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

Legislators Consider Whether to Continue Mailing Every Voter Ballots

In an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus at the polls, every registered voter in California was mailed a ballot last year. State Senator Tom Umberg of Orange County is introducing a bill to continue universal vote-by-mail for any election this year.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Coalition of Public Defenders Urges Biden Administration to Reform Immigration System

Public defenders are demanding a halt in deportations for a year while repairing the damage they say was done by Trump anti-immigrant policies. The nearly 40 public defense offices also want President-Elect Joe Biden to slash the immigration detention budget and reinvest that money instead in offering lawyers to those who can’t afford one while fighting deportation.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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State and Local Officials Prepare for the Possibility of Unrest

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:07:36 -0000

California Lawmakers Consider Domestic Terrorism Units

State Senator Tom Umberg is proposing a unit to investigate and thwart acts of domestic terrorism and criminal activities by white nationalists, anti-government militia and groups like the Proud Boys.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

The FBI warned this week of the potential for armed protests at all 50 state Capitols. In California, local law enforcement say they are on alert to protect city and county buildings as well.

Marisa Lagos, KQED

Legal aid groups in California sued to block the fee hikes, and a federal court is hearing the case Thursday. Plaintiffs say low-income immigrants facing deportation will be priced out of a fair day in court.

Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Dodger Stadium Transforms from Testing Site to Vaccination Center

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 18:05:09 -0000

L.A. Moves from Pushing COVID-19 Testing to Vaccination

COVID-19 testing at Dodger Stadium ended Monday as L.A. transitions to more of an emphasis on the distribution of coronavirus vaccines. A vaccination center will soon be set up at the stadium parking lot, where officials hope 12,000 people a day will be able to get a shot when the facility is fully operational.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

San Luis Obispo Prison Suffers Largest COVID-19 Outbreak Yet

State data show about a third of the population incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony has tested positive for COVID-19 over the past two weeks..

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

New Biography "Kamala's Way" Looks at Kamala Harris's Path to Power

Kamala Harris will soon make history as the first woman to become vice president. Journalist Dan Morain has a biography out called" Kamala's Way".

Guest: Dan Morain, Sacramento Press Club president and author of "Kamala's Way"

California Lawmaker Moves to Repeal Law Requiring Public School Teachers on Extended Sick Leave to Pay for Substitutes

The policy was put into the California Education Code by the Legislature and the governor back in the 1970s. The Protect School Employees and Medical Leave Act would make sure school employees could continue receiving their full pay while on extended sick leave.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Facebook Attempts to Manage Fallout from Suspending Trump

Menlo Park-based Facebook is warning employees not to wear company swag after its crackdown on content falsely claiming that Trump actually won the election. Now the company has a warning for employees.

Alex Heath, The Information

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L.A. County Stops Using Curative COVID-19 Test After FDA Warns of False Results

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:24:49 -0000

Most Commonly Used COVID-19 Test in Los Angeles Prone to Inaccuracy, FDA Says

The test is made by the company Curative, which was hired to provide tens of thousands of tests at city and county sites throughout Los Angeles. The Food and Drug Administration says the test poses a “risk of false results, particularly false negative results."

Jackie Fortier, KPCC

People who test positive for COVID-19 typically have symptoms like coughing or headaches that can last for a few days or a few weeks. But for a small number of people, the symptoms linger for months, and can cause debilitating illness even after they test negative.

Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

It’s notoriously difficult to get housing built in California, and that’s why lawmakers have passed a number of bills in recent years to override local opposition and clear the way for new projects.

Now Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing to direct millions of dollars to ensure those laws are actually working so the state can chip away at its chronic housing shortage.

Erin Baldassari, KQED

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Central Valley Trump Supporters React to Insurrection on Capitol Hill

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 16:58:00 -0000

California Educators Help Students Make Sense of U.S Capitol Insurrection

Teachers Help Students Process Violence at U.S Capitol

The storming of the U.S Capital by pro-Trump mob was an awful episode in American history. It also provides a teaching moment for California educators, who are leading difficult discussions about what happened, and why.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Some Supporters Defend Trump after Capitol Hill Insurrection

California is a progressive-leaning Blue state, but it also has big patches of red. Some Republicans in the Central Valley say the insurrection on Capitol Hill does not represent Trump supporters.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Doctors and Nurses Exhausted and Angry as Some Patients Ignore COVID-19 Warnings

In California, the virus is claiming about 360 lives a day and infecting thousands more. In overburdened hospitals, doctors and nurses are frustrated by people who are blasé about COVID's dangers or pandemic deniers.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

California Orders Hospitals in Certain Regions to Postpone Non-Essential Surgeries

The state issued a new health order to try to ease the strain on over burdened hospitals. Hospitals that have room also must accept patients from other facilities that have maxed out their intensive care beds.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

How College Students Are Processing the Insurrection and Violence in D.C

Cal State Los Angeles senior, Marisa Martinez got reactions from two of her fellow students after the insurrection at the Capitol.

Reporter: Marisa Martinez

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Insurrectionists Overrun U.S. Capital as Trump Refuses to Admit Defeat

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:47:46 -0000

After Donald Trump’s words rallied them to action, rioters bent on overturning results of the lawful election stormed the U.S. Capitol building as congress tallied the electoral college vote. Lawmakers were forced to flee the chambers, and hunker down in offices. Some were evacuated to undisclosed safe locations.

In response to yesterdays attack on the U.S. Capitol, elected officials were removed to secure locations and told to shelter in place. One California lawmaker said the experience of hiding in her office as rioters roamed the halls, reminded her of school shootings.

Guest: Los Angeles Congresswoman, Nanette Diaz Barragan

Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the rioters in Washington D.C. and San Francisco Mayor London Breed tweeted that it was quote “an attempted coup encouraged by the president of the United States.” As chaos enveloped the U.S. Capitol. there were also protests in California.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Yesterday’s insurrection has many Americans asking themselves how the country reached this point. One of them is a political scholar and author of the book “Black Nationalism in the United States: From Malcolm X to Barack Obama.”

Guest: James Taylor, Professor, African American Studies, University of San Francisco

Members of California law enforcement and civil rights leaders expressed dismay and outrage at the tepid response to the insurrectionists who stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election. They say the response would have been very different if the crowd was made up of people of color.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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California Approaches Grim Milestone: 30,000 COVID-19 Deaths

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 16:45:01 -0000

The state’s pandemic numbers continue to worsen, with mushrooming infection rates and more than 27,000 COVID fatalities. California is averaging more than 35,000 cases per day, according to the state.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Frontline health care workers are supposed to be some of the first people to get the coronavirus vaccines. But many of those workers are hesitant to get the shots. In response, the Los Angeles Fire Department has turned to prizes to encourage its personnel to get vaccinated.

Reporter: Angel Carreras, KCRW

many California grocery workers could soon get a temporary pay raise under proposals cities and counties are considering. That includes parts of Los Angeles, where COVID cases are higher than ever.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

Cash bail has long been controversial because of equity and class. If you have access to funds, you can get out of jail. If you don’t, you stay behind bars. Yesterday, California Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a landmark cash bail case that tackles that issue.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

More than 200 workers at Alphabet, the parent company of Google, have announced they are forming a union with the Communications Workers of America. In the past, service workers at companies like Apple and Facebook have joined traditional unions. But the Alphabet union is the first of its kind in Silicon Valley.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

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Campaign to Recall Governor Gavin Newsom Collects Nearly A Million Signatures

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:09:00 -0000

Californians who are unhappy with the way Governor Gavin Newsom has handled the coronavirus pandemic are gathering signatures in an attempt to qualify a recall measure in a special election. 1.5 million verified signatures need to be collected by March 17th.

Guest: Randy Economy, Gavin Newsom Recall Campaign

California's former top elections watchdog is calling for the state to investigate the largest donor to the campaign to recall Governor Newsom. An Orange County Company is suspected of failing to follow rules regarding campaign contributions.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The California corrections department has reported 19 COVID-related deaths of incarcerated people this week, more than any other week since the pandemic began. 45 people have died over the course of the month.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

In many parts of California that were ravaged by wildfire last year, the rainy season brings a new risk: debris flows. Officials on the Monterey Peninsula are urging the public to follow debris flow evacuation orders, just as they would for a wildfire.

Reporter: Michelle Loxton, KAZU

California regulators have failed to meet a deadline to create new safety and health rules for oil drilling in the state. At Issue are setback rules for drilling near homes, schools, and playgrounds.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

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Pandemic Pushes Hospitals to Brink of Catastrophe

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 16:01:29 -0000

1,200 Medical Workers Deployed to Respond to Pandemic

The extra staff includes more than 800 contract workers, but those workers are from the same pool that a lot of hospitals around the state already pull from to get extra help.

Reporter: Marco Siler-Gonzales, KQED

Last week, stay at home orders were extended for another 3 weeks for the Greater Sacramento region, due to low ICU capacity and rising coronavirus numbers.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Companies are now requirement to notify employees within 24 hours if there's been a COVID-19 exposure in the workplace. In labor news, the minimum wage is now $14 dollars an hour for larger companies.

Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Giant Sequoias Face New Danger in Bark Beetles

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 12:42:23 -0000

Bark Beetles Pose New Threat to Giant Sequoias

Giant Sequoias are found along a 260 mile range on the slopes of the Sierras. Many of the trees are ancient, and face threats like climate change, droughts and wildfires. Bark beetles are now posing yet another challenge.

Reporter:Ezra David Romero, CapRadio

Test Can Now Detect Deadly Mushroom Poison in Minutes

A team at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Northern California has developed a simple, portable test that can rapidly detect a deadly mushroom poison. The test is now available for sale online just in time for mushroom season.

Chloe Veltman, KQED

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True Cost of Wildfires: Thousands Dead, and $150 Billion in Economic Losses

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 14:00:00 -0000

This year California saw some of the most destructive wildfires in state history, blazes that when combined scorched more than three million acres, an area larger than the state of Delaware. Fires also destroyed or damaged thousands of structures and killed dozens of people.

Guest: Yana Valachovic, UCANR Forest Advisor

A new study on the comprehensive cost of wildfires, estimates that the 2018 California wildfires led to thousands of deaths, far more than the official count. It also cost the state around $150 Billion Dollars. That larger number factors in the harm of air pollution, and the broader economic impacts of these disasters.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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How COVID-19 Changed How We Get Around

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 15:34:56 -0000

This week we’re looking back on 2020 and how some of the year’s biggest news stories changed our lives. The coronavirus has had a huge impact on transportation and how Californians get from point A to point B. Public transportation systems have been hit hard. When many people began working from home, buses, trains, and subways saw dramatic decreases in ridership

Guest: Ethan Elkind, UC Berkeley Center for Law, Energy, and the Environment

Five years ago, Volkswagen was in the news for all the wrong reasons. VW's cheating was partly discovered by California air quality regulators, but not before the company had sold or leased 85,000 of its dirty diesel cars to unsuspecting drivers. Now the automaker is hoping it's new all-electric SUV will help repair its image.

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Black Lives Matter Reflects on Strength and Heartbreak in 2020

Tue, 29 Dec 2020 15:21:43 -0000

As we look back on this difficult and confusing year we reflect on the events, movements, and people who helped shape it. Racial justice issues and civil unrest took center stage, and Black Lives Matter was at the forefront of the ongoing fight to end injustice against people of color.

Guest: Melina Abdullah, Professor, Cal State Los Angeles

Long before the Black Lives Matter movement, at the beginning of the 20th century, a newspaper called The Liberator served L.A.’s Black community, during a time when only a few thousand Black people lived in LA, and were barely represented in other media.

Guest: Shaya Tayefe Mohajer, L.A. Bureau Chief, Cronkite News

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How California Confronted the Pandemic in 2020

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 13:46:04 -0000

A Look Back at Lessons Learned from the Pandemic

There was no bigger or more tragic story than the pandemic this year. KQED's Saul Gonzalez spoke with epidemiologist and public health expert Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo to talk about the coronavirus and how California officials responded to it.

Guest: Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo with UC San Francisco

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How a Great Depression Government Program Kept Musicians at Work

Fri, 25 Dec 2020 13:46:54 -0000

Richmond Museum Saves Lost Historic Mural

A mural called "Richmond: Industrial City" hung in a post office from 1941 to 1976. After it was taken off the wall while the building was renovated, it was put in a crate and put in a basement. It took four years to raise $45,000 dollars to restore the canvas.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

In 1933, Congress passed a series of reforms aimed at pulling America out of the Depression. The New Deal gave rise to the Works Progress Administration, which established the Federal Music Project to help keep musicians at work.

Reporter: Austin Cross, KPCC

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'Fire in Paradise' Illuminates the Destruction of a Town Razed by Fire

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 15:06:00 -0000

On November 8th, 2018 The Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise. It killed at least 85 people, and displaced tens of thousands. Two California-based journalists were on the ground as the fire burned and have turned their experience, as well as hundreds of interviews with locals and experts, into a book about the tragedy.

Guest: Dani Anguiano, Author, Fire in Paradise

The relationship between San Diego and Tijuana, right across the border, is often misunderstood. A new book explores the misunderstood relationship, and common cause, residents of the two cities often find.

Guest: Michael S. Malone, Author, El Tercer Pais

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Alex Padilla Will Be California's First Latino Senator

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 15:11:32 -0000

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla is heading to Washington to finish Senate term of vice-president-elect Kamala Harris. Governor Gavin Newsom made the historic announcement yesterday.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

If the surge continues, the state could run out of intensive care beds by the end of the month. The state broke another record on Monday with more than 60,000 newly identified cases. That’s despite most of the state now under the governor’s latest regional stay-at-home order.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

In Washington, Congress finally passed a stimulus package this week. Critics say it’s not nearly enough support, but it does offer some relief. Unemployed workers-turned advocates were among those who lobbied lawmakers to do something, by taking on the cause like it’s their job.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

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Current COVID-19 Restrictions Will Likely Extend Into 2021

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 14:49:59 -0000

The stay-at-home orders affecting most Californians are likely to be renewed and extended into the new year. Statewide two and a half percent of ICU beds are still available, but Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley are at zero percent capacity.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Police use of non-lethal projectiles at demonstrations in California have injured some protestors. Now state leaders are proposing ways to restrict their use.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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How the Failure to Remove a Tree Could Have Sparked Zogg Fire

Mon, 21 Dec 2020 18:32:52 -0000

Federal Court Filing Looks into PG&E's Role in Deadly Zogg Fire

Crews hired to remove potentially hazardous trees in Shasta County were chased away two years ago by a woman brandishing a firearm, according to information PG&E shared with a federal judge.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Court filings reviewed by KQED show just one of the law firms representing PG&E charged more than $143 million in fees and expenses. PG&E voluntarily entered bankruptcy protection early last year because of liabilities from wildfires caused by its equipment. While PG&E has funded a trust for fire victims, just a tiny fraction of them have received any compensation.

Facebook conducted a pre-election misinformation sweep in August, deleting a bunch of groups. One woman in Walnut Creek lost 13 years worth of photos on Facebook in the process.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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ICU Capacity Drops to Zero Percent at Many L.A. Area Hospitals

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 16:06:47 -0000

The availability of intensive care beds at many Southern California hospitals has reached zero percent because of an explosion of new COVID patients. Forecasts predict if infection rates continue, there could be thousands of people in need of ICU beds in the region by early next month.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been tough for California’s child care providers. Many have struggled to keep their doors open in order to care for the children of essential workers, and getting little support themselves.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

For child care providers there is now a direct line to state officials to make the case that they need more resources to work safely during the pandemic. Yesterday, the newly ratified Child Care Providers Union had its second bargaining meeting with the state.

Reporter: Deepa Fernandes

The United Farm Workers union and two Foster Farms employees are suing the poultry company. They’re asking a judge to immediately force Foster Farms to protect workers from COVID-19 inside one of the company’s plants in the Central Valley.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Any business that serves food in San Diego County is now allowed to reopen after a superior court judge ruled in favor of two San Diego strip clubs that defied the statewide shutdown order.

Reporter: Jacob Aere, KPBS

Democratic state lawmakers are renewing a push to end mandatory prison sentences for certain drug crimes. The bill would allow judges to choose between jail time, probation, or other options for nonviolent drug offenders.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

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L.A. County Health Director Warns 'The Worst is Still Before Us'

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 16:34:56 -0000

293 people died from the coronavirus in California yesterday and more than 50,000 new cases were reported, setting new daily records as the virus surges. This is putting the statewide healthcare system under great strain.

Next year, there are big changes coming to how California deals with young people convicted of crimes. Starting July 1st, the Department of Juvenile Justice will stop accepting virtually all new wards, leaving the state’s 58 counties to figure out how to handle those young people.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

A lot of the Golden State’s history is the story of booming population growth, but according to new state figures, California's population grew at the slowest rate in more than a century.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Early in the pandemic some grocery store chains offered employees hazard pay to compensate workers for the health risks they faced at work during the pandemic. Now, the City of Long Beach is looking to make it a requirement for large chain stores operating in the city.

Reporter: Angel Carreras, KCRW

Many Americans, including hundreds of thousands of people in California, are hoping for more than just money in the new relief package being hashed out in Congress. They’re hoping they won’t have to pay back unemployment money they’ve been overpaid by their state unemployment agencies.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

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Governor Orders 5,000 Body Bags as California Sees Record COVID-19 Deaths

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 18:16:58 -0000

the first doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine are going out to frontline healthcare workers across the state. We’ve tracked that story all this week and this morning we look at vaccinations in San Diego.

Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS

The arrival of the Pfizer vaccine and the anticipated approval of Moderna's vaccine could mean people who are involved in clinical trials for other vaccines might drop out of those studies.

Reporter: Tarryn Mento, KPBS

A Sacramento disability rights advocate says it took him days to get a COVID-19 test because many of the county’s testing sites are not ADA accessible.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

The University of California, Irvine just signed an agreement with the state prison system to create the first UC bachelor’s degree program behind bars.

KQED’s Vanessa Rancaño reports.

There are new faces joining Los Angeles’ City Council who have vowed to confront L.A.’s homelessness crisis. They are Mark Ridley-Thomas and Nithya Raman, along with California veteran politician Kevin DeLeon.

Reporter: Libby Denkman, KPCC

Federal wildlife officials announced this week that Monarch butterflies qualify to be protected as an endangered species. But the iconic insect won’t get that status under the Endangered Species Act right now, because there’s a backlog of species in line for protection.

Reporter: Peter Arcuni, KQED

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Who Should Be Prioritized for the Coronavirus Vaccine?

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:08:13 -0000

ICU bed capacity hit zero percent in the Central Valley over the weekend. Health officials are activating a COVID surge facility in the Tulare County town of Porterville to treat patients they don’t have room for at the local hospitals.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

As coronavirus vaccinations begin in California many public health experts worry that people may start letting their guard down when it comes to social distancing and other safety measures.

Guest: Dr. Kirstin Bibbins Domingo, Epidemiologist, UCSF

Frontline health care workers are first in line for the coronavirus vaccine, but which essential workers should come next? Teachers? Delivery drivers? How about the farm workers who pick California’s food crops? The state of California is working with counties to figure it out, and they may not always see eye to eye.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

After making progress last month, California's Unemployment Development Department is once again facing a big backlog of claims even after a new verification system showed initial promise.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Companies like Uber warned they’d have to raise prices if Prop 22 failed and they had to pay for employee protections. Prop 22 passed last month, and Uber’s market value surged, but they're raising prices anyway.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

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First COVID-19 Vaccines Ship to California

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 17:49:54 -0000

California Doctors Ready for Reluctant Patients as Vaccines Arrive

As people start getting vaccinated, California doctors are preparing to talk to patients about it, and the physicians are expecting some resistance.

Reporter: Sammy Caiola, KQED

That number of restaurants likely to close could be significantly higher in the Bay Area and Los Angeles County where immigrants make up a larger share of restaurant owners.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

L.A County health officials are going to use the Moderna vaccine at nursing homes, and it’s training nursing home staff to administer it. Unlike the Pfizer vaccine, Moderna’s doesn’t require deep-freeze storage.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Early numbers show Sacramento City Unified enrolled about 600 fewer kindergartners this year, and Los Angeles Unified has thousands fewer.

Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, KQED

PG&E got out of bankruptcy protection almost six months ago.

As part of that deal, the utility agreed to pay a billion dollars to California cities and counties harmed by the wildfires it’s equipment caused. It's unclear where all the money will go.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

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For California Latinos, COVID Testing Resources Remain Scarce

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 20:47:37 -0000

The Federal Trade Commission and more than 40 states, including California, have accused Facebook of illegally squashing competition by operating as a social media monopoly.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Latinos are almost 40% of California’s population but they make up nearly 60% of the state’s cases of COVID-19, and half of the deaths. A new survey shows Latinos are more concerned than any other group about how the pandemic is affecting them.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Nine months into the pandemic, COVID testing remains top of mind for Latino activists in the Bay Area. In July, we took you to a pop-up testing site set up by the Latino Task Force in San Francisco’s Mission District. Since then, they've been able to expand testing, but outcomes are still frustrating.

Guest: Jon Jacobo, Health Chair, Latino Task Force

It's December, but the 2020 Census isn’t over yet. The legal fight over the count continues to play out in court. The 34th congressional district in central L.A. had the state’s lowest response rate to this year’s census, and that has local leaders worried.

Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC

The closure of playgrounds has been frustrating for frazzled parents during the pandemic. Following outcry from moms, dads, and some lawmakers, the state announced yesterday it will reopen playgrounds at reduced capacity. The California Report’s Saul Gonzalaez visited a playground in L.A.’s Griffith Park.

Guest: Mariah Lajara, Mother

As COVID cases surge, many hospitals in the Central Valley are approaching capacity. That’s not the case in Mariposa County, But the county’s health officer is warning that resources are becoming scarce for those who need critical care.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

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Hospitals in Parts of California Have Reached a Breaking Point

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 17:53:42 -0000

San Diego County Hospitals Grapple with Staffing Shortages

Almost 900 COVID positive or suspected positive patients are hospitalized in San Diego County, more than double a month ago. Hospitals are struggling with shortages of staff, personal protective equipment, and testing supplies.

Reporter: Tarryn Mento, KPBS

Back in 2016, voters in Los Angeles approved Proposition HHH, a $1 billion measure to pay for thousands of new housing units for the homeless over 10 years. KCRW’s Anna Scott has been looking at one project funded with a small slice of those funds.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

50 states have certified their election results, and Joe Biden has won the presidency. But Texas is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate the ballots of millions of voters in four swing states, and 106 House Republicans have signed onto an amicus brief to support this.

Guest: Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale)

Officials in San Francisco and Los Angeles introduced resolutions last week asking for school workers to get priority in phase 1 of the vaccination roll out. That would put them right after health care workers and seniors living in congregate settings.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Public health and other officials in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties want to be designated a separate region, and they want only their metrics used to determine pandemic restrictions.

Reporter: Greta Mart, KCBX

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L.A.'s Outdoor Dining Ban Survives Legal Challenges

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 17:28:00 -0000

An L.A. County judge overturned a ban on outdoor dining Tuesday. In a tentative ruling, the judge called the ban an arbitrary way to control the coronavirus, adding that L.A. County public health officials failed to balance health risks with potential harm to the economy.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

To find out more about the controversy over outdoor dining, and the people on both sides of that debate, The California Report's Mary Franklin Harvin spoke to a journalist who's been following the issue closely.

Guest: Farley Elliot, Senior Editor, Eater LA

New research that estimates the comprehensive cost of wildfires, found that the 2018 California wildfires led to thousands of deaths, far more than the official count. That larger number factors in the harm of air pollution.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Four men who were set to be released from California prisons earlier this year, were instead handed over to federal immigration authorities. Now they are seeking thousands of dollars in damages from the state.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

This week the city of Fresno named its next police chief. When he’s sworn in next year, Paco Balderrama will make history as the first Latino to lead the department.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

California lawmakers have introduced a new bill calling on the state to declare racism a public health crisis. The bill is big on goals but short on details at the moment.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

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A Plan to Reopen California Schools by March... With Conditions

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 18:27:30 -0000

State lawmakers are introducing a bill that would give public schools a deadline for reopening campuses. The effort comes amid rising concern about the effects of distance learning on children.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

California is launching a new smartphone app to let people know when they’ve been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19. Governor Gavin Newsom says the app is voluntary and anonymous.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Three Foster Farms facilities in the Central Valley are seeing several cases of COVID-19. They include the site of a major COVID-19 outbreak this summer that resulted in nine deaths nearly 400 infections and.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Uber has struck a deal that hands the keys of its self-driving car division over to startup Aurora Innovation. The deal involves Uber making a $400 million investment in Aurora.

Guest: Chris Urmson, CEO, Aurora Innovation

Bank of America told California lawmakers as much as $2 billion in unemployment benefits may have been stolen from the state, nearly double the amount previously thought to be lost.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Oral Arguments were heard Monday in San Francisco's 9th Circuit Court of Appeals over whether video of the trial that led to legalization of same-sex marriage in California should be released.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

A U.S.C. survey shows the percentage of people staying home hasn't changed much since June, even as public health experts have urged caution in recent weeks. As much of the state returns to lockdowns approaching what California experienced in March, some experts wonder if the approach makes sense.

Guest: Dr. Monica Gandhi, Professor of Medicine and Infectious Disease, UCSF

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Xavier Becerra's Cabinet Appointment Spells Political Change in California

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 18:20:25 -0000

California Legislature to Introduce Pair of Eviction Protection Bills

The proposals would get relief into the hands of renters and landlords facing mounting debt and extend eviction protections adopted during the pandemic. Tenants who have been struggling to keep up with rent say the measures can’t come soon enough.

Molly Solomon, KQED

San Bernardino County now has the second highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state. Instead of paramedics answering every emergency call in an ambulance, healthcare workers will do more symptom assessments over the phone.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR

Positive COVID tests and hospitalizations are both at record highs in California. Doctors and nurses are particularly vulnerable. Medical staffers in the Bay Area, Orange County, and the Central Valley weigh in as they watch cases mount.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

President-elect Joe Biden has chosen California’s Attorney General as his nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services. Xavier Becerra would be the first Latino to serve in that role, a critical one now as impacts of the pandemic get worse.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Becerra’s selection is getting mixed reactions from the medical community. Last week, the American Academy of Family Physicians was one of several groups that called on President-Elect Joseph Biden to select qualified physicians to serve in key health roles.

Guest: Dr. Ada Stewart, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians

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Newsom Issues Regional Stay-At-Home Order

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 17:53:00 -0000

As a new wave of coronavirus cases engulf California, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a new regional stay at home order. Areas of the state where ICU capacity dips below 15 percent will have to shut down bars, hair salons, and in person dining both indoor and outdoor.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

The survey from Blue Shield of California was conducted in early October and found that when it came to education, nearly half of the parents were most concerned about COVID-19 health risks, followed by helping their child with remote learning, and their childs’ mental health.

Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED

The National Labor Relations Board complaint names two employees, both of whom Google fired just before Thanksgiving last year. One of them was organizing against Google's decision to work with a corporate consultant known for helping firms fend off unionization efforts.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

In a letter to Governor Newsom this week, the prosecutors say it was only the results of a federal subpoena that made the scope of the fraud clear to them. They are calling for an executive order to make it easier to identify fraudulent applications.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Trying to guess who Governor Newsom will pick to fill Kamala Harris’ California U.S. Senate seat as she becomes Vice-President. Newsom’s under pressure to select someone who reflects the state’s diversity….but in a state as diverse as ours that’s no easy task.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED News

This week on our sister show, The California Report Magazine, they dedicate their whole show to a documentary about Luna Guzmán, a transgender asylum seeker from Guatemala, and her long and sometimes agonizing journey to make it to California.

Reporter: Sasha Khoka, The California Report Magazine

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L.A. County Health Director Seeing 'Terrifying Increases' in COVID-19 Cases

Thu, 03 Dec 2020 17:27:10 -0000

California reported more than 20,000 new coronavirus cases yesterday. In Los Angeles County, public health director Barbara Ferrer pleaded with people to wear masks when out of the house.

Los Angeles County will begin mailing COVID-19 test kits to some people’s homes. This new effort is aimed at those with mobility issues.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier KPCC

Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones has tested positive for COVID-19. He has been vocal about his refusal to enforce public health mandates, including mask requirements.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

A red flag warning went into effect for most of Southern California last night as 70-80mph Santa Ana winds whipped through the region. The Bond Fire broke out in Orange County around 10pm and has burned thousands of acres.

High profile California politicians, including the Governor and San Francisco Mayor, have been called out recently for defying their own health advice by dining out in groups. Behavior like this can undermine public trust in coronavirus guidelines.

Guest: Kimberly Elsbach, Professor of Management, UC Davis

A San Francisco based appeals court has blocked the Trump administration from enforcing the so-called public charge rule, which penalizes low income immigrants who use public benefits like Medi-Cal and food stamps.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

With the pandemic, the lives of Farmworkers in California have gotten more difficult, and dangerous. A new UC Berkeley study looks at the toll on laborers in one corner of California and why some are hesitant to get vaccinated when treatments do become available.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

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State Recommends Weekly COVID-19 Testing for Health Care Workers

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 17:27:40 -0000

The California Department of Public Health is recommending weekly COVID testing for all health care workers at hospitals. Nurses have been calling for this for months.

Reporter: Polly Stryker, KQED

As COVID-19 cases soar, communities of color are bearing much of the burden, including Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. These communities around Sacramento are utilizing several strategies to bring infection rates down.

Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio

Government climatologists say two-thirds of California is in some state of drought. With little rain in the forecast, is this the beginning of another prolonged dry spell?

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

One L.A. area restaurant is defying the ban on outdoor dining which went into effect Monday, and also poking fun at the politicians who didn’t follow their own advice about mask-wearing and social distancing.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

California lawmakers are demanding accountability after it was revealed that a statewide unemployment scam was being run out of jails and prisons. This week, officials confirmed at least $400 million in stolen benefits has been lost through the scheme.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

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Hospital Admissions Surge as Governor Considers New Stay-at-Home Order

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 16:55:05 -0000

Governor Gavin Newsom says the state could see another stay-at-home order for regions where COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admission rates are surging.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Nearly a month after Election Day, the last of California’s close congressional races has been decided, and it brings good news for Republicans.

Reporter Guy Marzorati, KQED

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday over whether the Trump Administration can exclude immigrants without legal status from the census totals to determine Congressional seats for each state. The stakes are enormous for California.

Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC

A group of families have filed a lawsuit against the State of California. The suit claims the state is denying underserved students the equal right to education during the pandemic.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

The San Jose city council will vote today on a measure to ban natural gas in nearly all new buildings beginning next year. The city estimates the ban will prevent hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon emissions from wafting into the atmosphere over the next fifty years.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Oil and gas companies got approval to drill hundreds of wells in California last year without proper review. That’s outraged environmental groups.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

The pandemic has forced millions of Californians to file for unemployment benefits, which has led the state to look for possible unemployment fraud. Those efforts have left some San Diego residents in a months-long fight for their payments.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

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Which Healthcare Workers Will Receive COVID-19 Vaccine First?

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 16:25:00 -0000

Record Number of Californians Hospitalized for COVID-19

There are now more than 7,400 people hospitalized in California because of the coronavirus. That’s more than triple the number who were hospitalized just a month ago. As coronavirus cases surge, a new stay at home order takes effect for Los Angeles County residents.

Which Healthcare Workers Will Receive COVID-19 Vaccine First?

Health care workers will be first in line to receive the coronavirus vaccine once it’s available, but that first shipment may not be enough to vaccinate all of them. California has 2.4 million health care workers, but the state expects to receive just 1 to 2 million vaccines in the first allocation from the federal government.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Tobacco Industry Coalition Looks to Referendum to Overturn Flavored Tobacco Ban

California legislators passed a law this year banning the retail sale of flavored tobacco products in the state as a way to stop young people from getting hooked on the products. Now a coalition backed by the tobacco industry says it’s collected more than a million voter signatures to place a referendum on the November 2022 ballot that would overturn the flavored tobacco ban if passed.

US Citizenship Test Just Got Longer and Potentially Harder to Pass

Starting Tuesday, applicants for naturalization will have to take a new naturalization test. The Trump administration is doubling the length of the test from 10 to 20 questions, and the list of possible questions people need to study will also increase to 128. Critics say a longer test is meant to discourage people from becoming citizens.

Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

UC Application Deadline Extended Due to Technical Difficulties

Because of an online power outage it experienced, UC is extending the deadline for applications from today, Monday, to Friday of this week. But now that the system is back up and running, UC is advising prospective students not to procrastinate and get in their applications as soon as possible.

How a Controversial News Blog Helped Cost Michael Tubbs Re-Election in Stockton

The defeat of Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs was a surprise to many and in part attributed to how he was covered in a Stockton news blog, the 209 Times. Without trusted news sources, residents go to other places for information.

Sarah Minez-Tan, CapRadio

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Young Queer Candidates of Color are Changing the Bay Area Political Scene

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:00:00 -0000

Young Queer Candidates of Color are Changing the Bay Area Political Scene

KQED podcast 'The Bay' is kicking off a series about expanding concepts of democracy and increasing representation in government. In the first episode, The Bay’s host Devin Katayama talks to KQED reporter Adhiti Bandlamudi about LGBTQ candidates of color who've recently been elected in the Bay Area.

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Food Banks Face Enormous Need This Thanksgiving

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 14:00:00 -0000

Food Banks Face Enormous Need This Thanksgiving

Many Californians confront incredible hardships this Thanksgiving because of the pandemic. Food banks all over the state are stepping in to fill in the gaps, including distributing Thanksgiving meals. They expect the need this year to be enormous.

Guest: Amanda Green, Director, Union Station Homeless Services

Rare Rose Flourishes on Alcatraz After Decades of Neglect

Many of Alcatraz Island’s indoor spaces are off-limits to visitors because of the pandemic. But The Rock’s craggy outdoor landscape is full of unexpected finds, like a rare rose once thought to be extinct.

Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

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Incarcerated People Got Hundreds of Millions in California Unemployment Scam

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 17:52:22 -0000

Incarcerated People Got Hundreds of Millions in California Unemployment Scam

A group of California prosecutors says thousands of state prison inmates have scammed California's Employment Development Department out of hundreds of millions of dollars of unemployment benefits.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Trump Gives Uber and Lyft Five Year Government Contract

California-based ride hail companies Uber and Lyft have negotiated a big contract with the Trump Administration to provide transportation services to federal employees. Those who’ve traditionally provided those services are not happy.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Elected Officials Weigh Public Health Against Economic Needs

As many California counties and cities implement pandemic restrictions, elected officials confront the charged issue of how to balance public health and the needs of the economy. The mayor of Long Beach, felt the pain of the pandemic personally when his mother and stepfather died from the coronavirus.

Guest: Robert Garcia, Mayor of Long Beach

L.A. County Suspends Outdoor Dining As COVID-19 Spike Continues

It will soon be back to take-out and delivery only for restaurants in Los Angeles County. Starting tonight outdoor dining will be suspended as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. But not all areas of the county will adopt the new restriction.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Survey Shows Latino Californians Most Impacted by COVID-19

More than 40% of Californians personally know someone who’s tested positive for the coronavirus and 25% know someone who has died from it. That’s according to a new survey from Covered California. The Latino community is bearing the heaviest burden.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Homesick College Students Face Tough Thanksgiving Decision

Homesick college students are torn about whether or not to go home for the holidays. They're being warned they risk bringing the virus back to their families, and are having to make complicated decisions.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

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Health Officials Urge Californians to Scale Back Holiday Plans as COVID-19 Cases Surge

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 17:48:40 -0000

Health Officials Urge Californians to Scale Back Holiday Plans as COVID-19 Cases Surge

New COVID-19 cases in the state continue to increase rapidly, with well over a million cases so far. In Los Angeles County, supervisors are contemplating a strict stay-at-home order, similar to the one implemented in the early days of the pandemic.

Judge Denies Reopen Request from San Diego Businesses

A San Diego judge has denied a request from a group of local businesses demanding to be allowed to reopen indoor operations, despite record numbers of coronavirus cases in California. The judge found that the risk to public health outweighed the needs of the businesses.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

COVID -19 Vaccines Require Rigorous Safety Procedures

Coronavirus vaccines may be available to the general public soon. That’s extraordinarily fast, but experts say the vaccines must still go through a rigorous safety process and California will have a role.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Dianne Feinstein Resigns from Senate Judiciary Committee

Senator Dianne Feinstein says she’s stepping down from her role as the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, a position she’s had for the past four years. Dissatisfaction with the 87-year-old senator grew more intense over her handling of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Apple's Head of Security Indicted in Santa Clara County Bribery Scandal

The head of global security at Apple and a county undersheriff have been indicted by a grand jury in Santa Clara County. These are the latest of six indictments in a widening bribery scandal.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

How Far Will the Biden Administration Go To Reunite Separated Immigrant Families?

President-elect Joe Biden has said that on his first day in office, he'll create a task force to reunite migrant families separated at the border by the Trump administration. It's a monumental task that could prove easier said than done.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

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Hospitals Brace for COVID-19 Surge

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 16:05:37 -0000

L.A County Suspends Outdoor Dining

As the state and counties put in place new coronavirus restrictions, California businesses try to survive. Guelaguetza is a well known restaurant here in L.A. known for its Oaxacan dishes from Mexico.

Guest: Bricia Lopez, the co-owner of Guelaguetza, a restaurant in L.A

Hospitals Brace for COVID-19 Surge

California hospitals are seeing an increase in COVID-19 patients, which they expect will only increase. Hospitals are applying lessons learned at the beginning of the pandemic to deal with the surge.

Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

Kaiser Enrolls Youth in Sacramento and Santa Clara for Vaccine Study

Kaiser Permanente says it’s enrolling 12 to 15 year olds in Sacramento and Santa Clara in an expanded late-stage study of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine. Pfizer has said the vaccine is safe and 95 percent effective in adults. Now researchers want to determine how well it will work in adolescents and teenagers.

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Newsom Orders Overnight Curfew for Most Californians

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 17:33:50 -0000

How Police and the Public Are Likely to Respond to Newsom's Curfew Order

Governor Gavin Newsom is imposing an overnight curfew as California tries to head off a surge in coronavirus cases. California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly says the limited stay-at-home order is being implemented in 41 counties.

Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

New Report Shows State Employment Agency Left People Vulnerable to Identity Theft

The report says E.D.D. has sent at least 38 million pieces of mail containing Social Security numbers since the start of the pandemic. The problem persists even though the state auditor asked the agency to remove this information from many of these documents a year and a half ago.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

New Rules Aim to Protect California Workers from COVID-19

The emergency standard approved unanimously by the board that oversees Cal OSHA standards requires employers to implement cleaning protocols, investigate and respond to positive COVID cases in the workplace, and provide testing in cases of outbreak.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Prison Officials Defend Transferring Inmates Leaving State Prisons to ICE

State law currently restricts local law enforcement from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But inmates leaving state prisons are excluded from those protections. Prison officials are defending that policy.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Salton Sea Could Get Funding Boost

Coachella congressman Raul Ruiz introduced a bill this week which seeks to hold the federal government financially accountable for restoring and cleaning up California’s Largest Lake.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KVCR

The California Report Magazine Preview: Sounds of Boyle Heights

A new musical project spearheaded by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts tells the story of Boyle Heights. The immigrant neighborhood is quickly gentrifying. “Sounds of Boyle Heights” is featured on this week’s California Report Magazine.

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Stockton's Mayor Lost Reelection. Will His Initiatives Continue?

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 15:39:40 -0000

Stockton's Mayor Lost Reelection. Will His Initiatives Continue?

Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs has lost reelection to his challenger, Republican pastor and veteran Kevin Lincoln. Tubbs conceded the race on Tuesday. Tubbs launched initiatives that generated national attention. When he leaves office, the resilience of those programs will be tested.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

California's Economic Outlook is Better than Expected

Budget projections released yesterday show the state’s finances are in a better position than many expected this far into the pandemic. The number of people signing up for assistance programs has been below expectations, and tax revenue is higher.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Apple to Pay $113 Million Over Battery Lawsuits

California and 33 other states have announced a $113 million settlement against Apple. It accounts for false claims made by the company about battery performance and processing power in some iPhones.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Nurses Grapple With Pandemic Fatigue and Frustration as COVID Cases Surge

As COVID cases surge in California, we decided to check back in with some of the nurses and doctors we followed early in the outbreak, including an emergency room nurse in the Bay Area.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

About That Blue Wave...

More than two weeks after Election Day, two of California’s congressional districts remain uncalled. But we already know that the 'Blue Wave' from 2018, when Democrats flipped several Republican house seats, didn’t hold up so well in 2020.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Largest River Restoration in History to Proceed with Removal of Klamath Dams

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 03:19:53 -0000

Largest River Restoration in U.S. History to Proceed with Removal of Klamath Dams

The largest river restoration in U.S. history will proceed along the Klamath in 2023, under a new agreement announced Tuesday. This summer the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission threw a wrench in the gears of an agreement decades in the making, to remove the dams.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

L.A. County Could Be Headed for Lockdown as COVID Cases Surge

California’s most populated county could be headed for a three-week lockdown. Yesterday officials in Los Angeles County imposed new restrictions on businesses after daily confirmed coronavirus cases more than doubled in the last two weeks. Hospitalizations there are up 30%.

Childcare Industry on the Verge of Collapse Due to COVID-19 Requirements

Child care providers who care for some of the state’s neediest families are warning the system is about to collapse if they don’t get help. Their union has filed an unfair labor practice complaint against the state.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

California Squandered 2.4B of Affordable Housing Funds

A scathing new report from the state’s auditor says state agencies squandered billions of dollars from bonds meant for building affordable housing. Developers missed a deadline to use state money that could have helped finance low-income housing units.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Black Student Group Hopes Grant Will Bolster Racial Equity

California voters rejected Prop 16, the ballot measure that would have reinstated affirmative action. That’s despite polling this summer that showed most Californians think racial inequality is a major issue. Student groups working to bridge long-term equity gaps on their campuses hoped Prop 16 would bolster their efforts.

Reporter: Kayleen Carter, CalMatters Student Journalism Network

Big Tech Testimony Leads to Partisan Senate Judiciary Disagreement

The CEOs of Twitter and Facebook testified on Capital Hill again yesterday about their efforts to moderate content. They walked a fine line aimed at ensuring lawmakers in Washington D.C. don’t try to actually regulate the industry.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Twitter Hires Legendary Hacker 'Mudge' as Head of Security

Security at Twitter in 2020 has been a mess. The company has been under a lot of scrutiny for its handling of misinformation during and after the election. In response, twitter has hired a new head of security known as Mudge.

Guest: Joseph Menn, Reuters

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Most Californians Back To Tightest COVID-19 Restrictions

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 17:26:54 -0000

Why State is 'Putting the Brakes' on Reopening

According to Governor Gavin Newsom, 41 counties in the state are now in the "purple" tier, indicating the most widespread risk. This comes as the holidays loom near. Will these new restrictions make a difference?

Guest: Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, UC San Francisco Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Chair

Most Californians Back To Tightest COVID-19 Restrictions

Governor Gavin Newsom and his top health advisors are concerned about a sharp jump in California’s COVID cases. They’re rising at a level that, if unchecked, Newsom says could overwhelm the state’s healthcare system.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

State Lawmakers Head to Honolulu for Policy Conference

As our state’s COVID cases rise at the fastest rate since the pandemic began, a group of state lawmakers is in Honolulu, Hawaii for a policy conference.

Guest: Hannah Wiley, Sacramento Bee

Federal Judge Considers Extending COVID-19 Rules at Detention Center

A federal judge in San Francisco is considering whether to extend Covid-related rules in place to protect immigrants at an ICE detention center in Bakersfield.

Sara Hossaini, KQED

Public Defenders Wants Inmates and Jail Staff to be Priority for Eventual Vaccine

Brendon Woods says it's not surprising that some of the state's worst outbreaks have been in prisons, and that's why he is pushing for incarcerated people to be first in line if and when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.

State Audit Shows Insufficient Oversight in Lead Cleanup at L.A Exide Battery Site

Toxic lead has long contaminated a working class Latino neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Now a state audit concludes clean up around that facility will take longer than planned.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

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How Biden's Pledge to End Travel Ban Could Impact Immigrant Communities

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 17:00:45 -0000

How Biden's Pledge to End Travel Ban Could Impact Immigrant Communities

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to end the Trump administration’s travel ban on several Muslim-majority nations, including Iran. The impact could be big in California, which is home to the largest Iranian community in the country.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Why The LA Times Handed Over Letters Page to Trump Supporters

The Los Angeles Times provided a page full of letters from Trump supporters this weekend. The move led to a lot of pushback online.

Guest: Sewell Chan, Los Angeles Times Editorial Page Editor

What's Next for California's Bail Industry?

California voters have shot down Proposition 25, a referendum on whether to ban cash bail. That means people working in the bail industry will stay in business, and lawmakers who supported the measure are weighing their next steps.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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A Smooth Election in California Despite Manufactured Suspicions

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 16:56:17 -0000

Over One Million Coronavirus Infections Confirmed in California

California has now reached one million confirmed coronavirus infections. This comes nearly 10 months after the first cases were confirmed here.

San Francisco Lawyers Say ICE Misled Federal Judge About Coronavirus Outbreak

San Francisco lawyers representing immigrants detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement say the agency ignored CDC protocols, and misled a federal judge about the causes of a coronavirus outbreak at an ICE jail in Bakersfield.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

A Smooth Election in California Despite Manufactured Suspicions

Well over 150 million Americans cast ballots this year. And in California, a majority of the more than 15 million votes cast were sent by mail after Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order to ensure all registered voters in the state would get a mail-in ballot.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Secretary of State Alex Padilla Frontrunner to Fill Kamala Harris Senate Seat

Speculation is rising over who Governor Gavin Newsom will pick to fill the California US Senate seat of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris until the next election. One name that keeps coming up is Alex Padilla, currently California’s Secretary of State.

Reporter: Chery Glaser, KCRW

Commissioner Asks Insurance Companies to Extend Some Benefits to Wildfire Victims

State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is asking insurance companies to extend some benefits for victims of 2017 and 2018 wildfires.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Big Game Hunters and a Surprise Discovery

Nine thousand years ago, in the highlands of Peru, people made a living in the harsh landscape by hunting and gathering. UC Davis anthropologist Randy Haas studies these early people, and the discovery of a new burial site took him in a new direction.

Reporter: Daniele Venton, KQED

California Report Magazine: Comfort Food to Soothe Stress

As part of the California Report’s 25th anniversary, we’re taking a dive into the archives with some of the most delicious California food stories we’ve brought you over the years, from traditional favorites to creative fusion.

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California Has Recorded Nearly One Million COVID-19 Cases

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 17:24:59 -0000

California Has Recorded Nearly One Million COVID-19 Cases

California is on the brink of recording it’s one millionth COVID-19 infection. That’s more than any other state except Texas. This grim milestone has been accelerated by the virus’ recent uptick, with more than 6,000 new daily cases recorded in the state over the past week.

False Claims of Voter Fraud in Nevada Persist

Republicans and conservative groups continue to make unproven claims about voter fraud in Nevada’s presidential election. Some have even suggested that Californians unlawfully helped President-elect Joe Biden win that state.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio’s PolitiFact California

Orange County Swings Purple in 2020 Election

In 2018, Democrats were elated when they flipped four Orange County congressional seats held by Republicans. This year, the GOP managed to claim at least one back and appears to be on track to flip another.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Election Spotlight on Jones Day Expands to Other Clients

As President Trump refuses to concede defeat in last week’s election, the law firm Jones Day is in the spotlight for representing Republican interests in that fight. The unwelcome press attention is renewing scrutiny into Jones Day’s role in a legal case much closer to home.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Lawmakers Consider De-Criminalization of Psychedelics

Next year, the state lawmakers will consider legislation that would de-criminalize psychedelic drugs. State Senator Scott Wiener of San Francisco says he believes all drugs should be de-criminalized, and this is just one more step towards that goal.

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Xavier Becerra Looks Forward to Biden Administration

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 17:00:20 -0000

Trump's Immigration Policies Could be Difficult to Reverse

The Trump administration has focused much of its energy on the border over the past 4 years. Joe Biden has promised to undo many of these policies, but that might be difficult, according to a report out this week from the non-partisan Migration Policy Institute.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

COVID-19 Increases Restrictions in 11 Counties, Cases Continue to Rise

Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise across the state. 11 California counties have moved into to more restrictive tiers. If COVID-19 rates continue on their current trajectory more than half of the state’s 58 counties could be back in restrictive tiers by next week.

COVID-19 Spreads Among Fresno County Officials

Fresno’s incoming mayor announced yesterday he’s tested positive for the coronavirus. This comes as Fresno county’s top health official says COVID cases there are increasing, and that he expects the region will soon move into a more restrictive category.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

L.A. Board of Supervisors Look Into Firing the Sheriff

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors will look into weather they have the power to remove the sheriff from office. It’s the latest power struggle between Sheriff Alex Villanueva and the supervisors who say he's failed to crack down on police gangs, fatal shootings and other misbehavior.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

New Whale Protections Restrict Crab Fisheries

California’s endangered humpback whales now have protection against potentially fatal entanglements in commercial fishing lines. This month state wildlife officials issued new regulations for the Dungeness Crab fishery, which can shut down crabbing in areas where whales are spotted.

Reporter: Peter Arcuni, KQED

Xavier Becerra Looks Forward to Biden Administration

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has been one of President Trumps greatest adversaries. Becerra has filed a barrage of lawsuits against the administration, challenging it on a variety of issues, from the environment to immigration to health care.

Guest: California Attorney General, Xavier Becerra

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Who Should Get the Coronavirus Vaccine First?

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 17:42:33 -0000

Governor Warns Against Complacency as COVID-19 Cases Swell

The U.S. has surpassed more than 10 million coronavirus cases and looks on track to hit record hospitalizations. Here in California, COVID-19 cases are increasing as well. In a press conference yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom warned against complacency.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Who Should Get the Coronavirus Vaccine First?

A panel of experts with the state’s Department of Public Health is getting to work this week on how to decide who’s first in line to get a coronavirus vaccine. This comes after Pfizer’s announcement yesterday that the company’s vaccine is more than 90% effective.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Newly Conservative SCOTUS Reconsiders Obamacare

Today, with it's new six-to-three majority, the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments over whether the Affordable Care Act should be struck down. If that happens, California will lose several billion dollars a year in federal health insurance subsidies.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Liberal California Leans to the Right on Propositions

The Golden State is often painted as solidly blue, but the 2020 election has shown that when issues are on the ballot, California leans a little bit more to the right.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

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Biden-Harris Supporters Celebrate Across California

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 21:41:12 -0000

Biden-Harris Supporters Celebrate Across California

People celebrated in downtown L.A. on Saturday morning after it was announced that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris had won the 2020 election and Donald Trump had been defeated. The same kind of scenes played out in many cities and town across California as people gathered spontaneously to express their joy.

The Extraordinary Rise of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris

With Joe Biden now poised to become the nation’s 46th president, Vice President-elect Harris will break a glass ceiling other women, like Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin, before her tried and failed to break.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

A Historic Mayoral Win for Todd Gloria in San Diego

Todd Gloria is a Democrat and member of the State Assembly. Gloria ran a mayoral campaign emphasizing how it was time for San Diego to recognize its increasingly urban character and start tackling big problems facing the city, like housing and homelessness, transportation and combating climate change.

Hopes for Vaccine as Cases Surge in Los Angles

Drug giant Pfizer and a German company have co-developed a vaccine that might be 90% effective in protecting people from the virus. Meanwhile, L.A. County continues to be the state’s hottest of coronavirus hotspots with more than 2,200 new cases announced over the weekend.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Survivors Wrestle with Aftermath Two Years after Camp Fire Destroyed Paradise

Sunday marked two years since the town of Paradise and nearby communities were destroyed by our state’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire. The “Camp Fire” killed 85 people, and displaced tens of thousands.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

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A Complicated Portrait of the California Voter

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 17:48:08 -0000

California's College Students Come to Grips with Prop 16's Defeat

Students who lobbied hard this year to overturn the state’s ban on affirmative action are coming to terms with the rejection of Proposition 16.

Reporter: KQED’s Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Criminal Justice Reform Advocates Celebrate Wins at the Ballot Box

California voters gave people on parole the right to vote, and half dozen Bay Area cities passed police accountability measures. In Los Angeles, the progressive District Attorney candidate George Gascon appears to have prevailed over his rival who was backed by law enforcement.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Public Advocate at California Public Utilities Commission Recommends Fine Against SoCalGas

The public advocate at the California Public Utilities Commission is recommending $255 million dollars in fines against SoCalGas. They claim the utility wrongly used ratepayer funds to sabotage California’s clean energy goals. SoCalGas calls the claims “demonstrably wrong” and says the proposed fine has no merit.

Lionsgate and ESPN Announce Job Cuts

Santa Monica-based studio Lionsgate and ESPN, which is owned by Disney, are the latest to announce job cuts.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

LA County Board of Supervisors All Female For First Time in History

For decades, L.A. County's powerful Board of Supervisors was an all male "boys club." But things started changing in the 1990s with the election of the first woman to the board. Fast forward to this week, where the Board is now all female.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

Rideshare Drivers React to Approval of Prop 22

California rideshare drivers will remain independent contractors as a result of Prop 22’s resounding victory this election. Drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft have long been split on the question of employee status.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

A Complicated Portrait of the California Voter

Californians overwhelmingly voted for Democrat Joe Biden this election. But dig deeper, and you get a more complicated portrait of California voters.

Guest: Scott Shafer, KQED Politics Editor

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Prop 22's Passage Could Set a Precedent For the Future of Low Wage Work

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 17:57:55 -0000

Latino Support For President Trump is Growing

Latino voters overwhelmingly supported Joe Biden for the presidency, but a growing share of Latinos voted for President Donald Trump both in California and nationwide. That’s according to a poll of more than 5,000 Latinos across the U.S., taken the day before election day.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Prop 21's Defeat is a Big Win for the Real Estate Industry

Rent control lost big on election night in California. Prop 21 was defeated by a huge margin. It was a repeat of results from a similar ballot measure two years ago, and a major victory for the real estate industry.

Reporter Erin Baldassari, KQED

Prop 22's Passage Could Set a Precedent For the Future of Low Wage Work

On Tuesday, California voters passed Prop 22 by a large margin. Backed by 200 million dollars from Silicon Valley companies like Uber and Doordash, the measure makes it legal for gig companies to classify workers as contractors.

Guest: Sam Harnett, KQED

California's COVID-19 Cases Are Rising Slowly and Steadily

California continues to see an uptick in new coronavirus cases. The state added more than 5 thousand new cases on Tuesday.

Since October, California’s test positivity rate has ticked up to 3.3%.

Misinformation on Social Media Expected to Surge in Coming Weeks

Silicon Valley’s social media giants are working to quash misinformation in these tense days after the election. Twitter and Facebook have flagged a number of President Trumps' posts, including one on Tuesday night where Trump falsely said the election was being “stolen” from him.

Guest: Shirin Ghaffary, Recode

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Many California Races Too Close To Call With 71% of Precincts Reported

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 17:14:21 -0000

Biden's Lead in Nevada Dwindles to 8,000 Votes

Here in California, Joe Biden won a decisive victory against President Donald Trump capturing 64% of the vote. But the presidential race is tight next door in Nevada, where Biden's lead has dwindled to less than 8,000 votes.

Reporter: Paul Boger, KUNR

Prop 22 Passed, Allowing Tech Companies to Deny Employee's Benefits

Silicon valley’s gig companies like Uber and Doordash spent more than $200 million on Proposition 22, and it has passed, making it legal for those companies to classify workers as contractors and deny them basic employee benefits.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Hotly Contested House Races Too Close to Call

There are several important Congressional races happening in California this year. From record-breaking spending in East San Diego's District 50, to the tight Central Valley race that might flip District 21 from blue to red.

Guest: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

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Last-Minute Registration and Voting Tips For This Unprecedented Election

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 17:16:00 -0000

Judge Upholds 'Abuse of Power' Lawsuit Against Governor Newsom

A judge in Sutter County has handed a victory to two Republican state lawmakers who filed an “abuse of power” lawsuit against Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom. The judge struck down an executive order the governor issued in June which set up new requirements for the 2020 election.

Guest: Assemblymember James Gallagher, Dictrict 3, Yuba City

California Businesses Brace for Potentially Violent Protests

Californians have already voted in record numbers. There is excitement, but there’s also tension in cities and towns around the state. Many businesses are boarding up their windows and bracing for potentially violent protests.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Oakland Law Enforcement on Standby for Election Night Unrest

Law enforcement agencies across the state are also preparing for potentially violent protests as a result of today’s election. In Oakland, Mayor Libby Schaaf says the city’s emergency operations center will be up and running.

Last-Minute Registration and Voting Tips For This Unprecedented Election

It’s finally Election Day and the California Voter Foundation has some last-minute voting advice. Even if you haven’t registered, you can still vote today, and more than 10 million Californians already have.

Guest: Kim Alexander, President, California Voter Foundation

PG&E Could Begin Paying Wildfire Victims This Month

Victims of wildfires caused by PG&E could soon start getting money from a multi-billion dollar trust fund set up in the utility’s recent exit from bankruptcy protection. The fund’s trustee plans to disburse partial payments of up to $25,000 to those who need it most.

Director of California's Embattled Unemployment Agency Announces Retirement

The state’s Employment Development Department is set to have a new leader come January. Current director Sharon Hilliard announced late last week that she would retire at the end of this year. Lawmakers are thinking about what comes next for the state agency.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Distance Learning Struggles Mean More L.A. Teens Are Failing Classes

Struggles with distance learning are leading to more D and F grades among L.A. Unified middle and high school students. Superintendent Austin Beutner says it'll be a while before campuses are able to reopen.

Reporter: Carla Javier, KPCC

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Eager California Democrats Hope to Help Flip Arizona Blue

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 17:59:37 -0000

Record Turnout as Californians Vote Early

More than 22 million people are now registered to vote in California. That's nearly 88% of those eligible, and according to the Secretary of State's office, it's the highest percentage heading into a general election in the past 80 years.

Head of California's Employment Development Department Steps Down

Governor Gavin Newsom's office is set to launch a search for a new head of the state's Employment Development Department after the current director announced late last week that she'll be retiring at the end of this year.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Eager California Democrats Hope to Help Flip Arizona Blue

Arizona has been a reliably red state in all but one presidential race since 1948 , but this year Democrats are convinced they have a shot at carrying it. That’s prompted eager California Democrats to flood the zone in the final days before this election.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Newsom Unveils New High-Speed COVID-19 Testing Lab

The new 25 million dollar lab in Valencia will be able to process up to 150,000 COVID-19 test kits daily with results sent to patients in less than two days.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Why Newsom Campaigned Next Door in Nevada

In the final stretch of this election season, Governor Gavin Newsom is campaigning in Nevada. It's a rare campaign outing this year for the governor. The presidential race has big implications for Newsom's agenda at home.

Guest: Sophia Ballag, Sacramento Bee

Californians Weigh Prop 23 Dialysis Regulations

Californians are voting on Proposition 23, a measure that would put doctors in dialysis centers. Two major dialysis providers have poured nearly $100 million into making sure that doesn’t happen. Reporter Brett Simpson .

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As Election Day Nears, Cities Prepare for Unrest

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 16:00:17 -0000

As Election Day Nears, Cities Prepare for Unrest

Governor Gavin Newsom says that the state is taking precautions to make sure Californians remain safe, although he wouldn’t go into details. In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti says the city’s received no intelligence about possible acts of violence or voter intimidation, but that quote “We prepare for the worst.”

Mexican Consulate Speaks Out After Fatal Shootings by U.S Police and Border Patrol

39-year-old Jose Alfredo Castro Gutierrez, a legal permanent resident of the United States, was shot by San Diego police outside his home last month. 30-year-old David Villalobos, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents near the San Ysidro Port-of-Entry. Their families of both men say they were suffering from mental illness.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS reporter

Prop 20 Could Roll Back Some Criminal Justice Reforms and Stiffen Penalties

Law enforcement groups have put Prop. 20 on the ballot. It would increase penalties on some theft and fraud crimes, and exclude thousands of people from early parole.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Death Toll Grows in California's Historic Fire Season

The Butte County Sheriff's Office announced the death of Win Naing this week. He is the 32nd person to die in California wildfires this year.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Firefighters Who Came to from Mexico to Battle CA Wildfires Positive for COVID-19

About a month ago, a group of Mexican firefighters came here to help contain a wildfire burning in Central California. On Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service confirmed that two have contracted COVID-19.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Report from House Committee Says White House Family Separation Policy Marked By 'Intentional Cruelty'

The Trump administration’s family separation policy was marked by "reckless incompetence and intentional cruelty," according to a report released Thursday by the House Judiciary Committee.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

Trade Groups Sues Over Declaring Western Joshua Tree a Threatened Species

Several trade groups have filed a lawsuit against the California Fish and Game Commission’s decision to consider the Western Joshua Tree a threatened species. The iconic desert yucca’s habitat spans more than five million acres of the Mojave Desert. It was granted provisional protection in September.

Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED

Older and Overlooked: What Went Wrong After Hundreds of Seniors Fled Glass Fire

In our sister show, the California Report’s weekly magazine, guest hosts April Dembosky and Molly Peterson investigate what went wrong with evacuation protocols when hundreds of seniors were forced to flee a wildfire in Santa Rosa last month.

Reporters: April Dembosky and Molly Peterson, KQED

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How Affirmative Action Shapes Community on Campus

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 17:01:46 -0000

Inside the Race for California's 50th Congressional District

One of the most closely watched political races in California is happening in the 50th Congressional district covering much of eastern San Diego County and part of Riverside County. The race pits a veteran Republican politician, and a young Democrat who ran for the same seat two year ago and lost.

Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS

How Affirmative Action Shapes Community on Campus

This week, we’ve brought you stories about how the ban on affirmative action passed by California voters in 1996 through Prop 209 has affected college students, and what they think about the current measure on the ballot, Prop. 16, to bring affirmative action back.

Reporter: Kayleen Carter, Sacramento State junior

L.A City Council Weighs Proposal to Ban Camping Near Freeway Overpasses

L.A.’s city council was supposed to vote on whether to ban camping near freeway overpasses and some homeless shelters on Wednesday, but members kicked the can down the road as they tried to find consensus.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

New Report Highlights Gaps in Calculating Costs of Wildfires

Amid a record-breaking fire year in the state, a new report says California doesn’t have a grasp on the true cost of wildfires.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Battling Misinformation Around Incarceration and Voting Rights

This election year, there’s a lot of attention paid to the voting rights of people who have a criminal history. After all, we send so many people to prison and jail in this country, and in our state, that the formerly incarcerated could be a pretty big voting block of millions of people.

Guest: Tim Cornegay, an organizer with the L.A. Free the Vote campaign.

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L.A. Studying Reliability of At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 16:31:43 -0000

Western States Join California's COVID Vaccine Advisory Group

Governor Gavin Newsom says Oregon, Washington, and Nevada are joining California's vaccine advisory working group, which will evaluate the safety of COVID-19 vaccines once they become available.

L.A. Studying Reliability of At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests

The city and county of Los Angeles are conducting a pilot study to test the reliability of rapid antigen tests, designed to tell in a few minutes if someone is infectious with the coronavirus. Besides being faster, the small at-home nasal swab tests are much cheaper than the tests L.A. has been using.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier KPCC

UCSF Doctors Call Treatment of Migrant Children "Torture"

A group of UC San Francisco doctors is calling the Trump administration’s treatment of migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border, "torture" under international law. Pediatricians say the children suffer from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

Polling is Close on Prop 22 Days Before Election Day

Election Day is less than a week away, and polling is close on Proposition 22, which would allow ride hailing and delivery companies to keep classifying their workers as contractors. Each side is trying to sway undecided voters in the final stretch.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

State Cleanup of Toxic Battery Plant Behind Schedule and Short of Funds

For decades, a now shuttered battery recycling plant polluted working class neighborhoods in East and South Los Angeles. Now California’s State Auditor reports that state clean-up work is behind schedule, short more than 390 million dollars to finish the job, and leaves quote “Californians at continued risk of lead poisoning.”

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Breaking Down Asian American Perspectives on Prop 16

From our collaboration with CalMatters’ College Journalism Network we look into the conflicting feelings Prop 16 brings out across the Asian American community. It underscores that the common narrative we hear about Asian Americans and affirmative action is often oversimplified.

Reporter: Janelle Salanga, UC Davis

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Two Firefighters Critically Injured in Silverado Fire

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 16:29:00 -0000

Two Firefighters Critically Injured in Silverado Fire

In Southern California, The Silverado and Blue Ridge Fires have forced the evacuation of tens of thousands, and left two firefighters in critical condition with second and third degree burns. Like other recent blazes, the Silverado fire might be connected to a utility company.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Governor Newsom Strikes Another Blow Against the Death Penalty

Three months after he was sworn into office, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a moratorium on executions in California. Now he’s trying to strike another blow against the death penalty, this time in the courtroom.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

L.A. to Test Unarmed Mental Health Crisis Response Program

In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others by police, Sacramento, Oakland, and San Francisco are all exploring alternatives to cops responding to some emergencies. The City of Los Angeles has also announced a partnership with L.A. County that will test a model of unarmed mental health crisis response.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

GOP House Candidates Hope to Hold Onto Northern L.A. County

In northern L.A. county, the Antelope and Santa Clarita Valleys have become one of California’s fiercest electoral battlegrounds. Two Republicans running in the area have taken different paths to hold off challengers this fall.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Faculty Diversity Gaps Persist at California's Community Colleges

This week, in collaboration with CalMatters’ College Journalism Network, we’re providing a student-centered perspective on Proposition 16. Today we hear from Marisa Martinez, a senior at Cal State L.A. about the representation gaps between faculty and students across California Community College campuses.

Reporter: Marisa Martinez

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How Prop 16 Could Reshape Higher Education Campuses Across California

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:58:37 -0000

How Prop 16 Could Reshape Higher Ed Campuses Across California

Student journalists are taking over The California Report to kick off a special collaboration with CalMatters' College Journalism Network. They're looking into Prop 16, is a statewide ballot measure that would restore affirmative action in public institutions and government contracts.

Reporters: Kayleen Carter, Marisa Martinez, Janelle Salanga

Early Voters Cast Ballots in Voting Centers Across L.A County

Over the weekend, Los Angles County voters could start casting their ballots in-person as the county opened up over 100 vote centers. Hundreds more centers will open on October 30th.

Ballot Measure to Raise Commercial Property Taxes Falling Short, IGS Poll Shows

A ballot measure to raise commercial property taxes and generate billions of dollars for schools and local services is falling short of 50 percent, according to a new Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California State University System Students Graduating at Highest Rates Ever

The good news is that students are graduating from the California State University system at the highest rates ever. The bad news? Just 31 percent of first time students get a diploma in four years.

Reproter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Uber Drivers Sue Over Pop Up Messages Soliciting Support for Prop 22

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 16:23:16 -0000

Uber Drivers Sue Over Pop Up Messages Soliciting Support for Prop 22

The lawsuit identifies three messages in the Uber app that began popping up in August. One asked drivers to vote for Prop 22, which would legalize contractor status for gig workers.

Reporter: Sam Harnet, KQED

Creative Economy Slammed by Coronavirus Pandemic, New Study Shows

A study out this week from Otis College of Art and Design found the creative economy has been slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. The downturn is particularly affecting Southern California.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

How California Latinos Are Mobilizing to Get Out the Vote

Nearly a million California Latinos have already voted. Sounds like a lot, but the raw numbers are not the whole story, because Latinos are nearly a third of the state’s eligible voters. And a lot of folks are working to ensure they can flex that political muscle.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

U.S Government Told to Do More to Reunite Children Seperated from Parents

In court in San Diego on Thursday, federal Judge Dana Sabraw said he wants to see more coordination from the government in finding the parents of 545 families that were separated at the border. This comes as part of a status conference meant to enforce the settlement that was supposed to stop the government’s “family separation” policy along the border.

Reporter: Max Rivlin Nadler, KQED

Federal Court Blocks Federal Effort to Exclude Unauthorized Immigrants from Census

A federal court in San Jose has blocked the Trump administration’s effort to exclude unauthorized immigrants from the census population count used to distribute Congressional seats among the states.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

West Hollywood Could Name Official “Drag Laureate”

The West Hollywood City Council is eyeing the creation of an official “drag laureate” who would serve as an ambassador to local businesses.

Reporter: Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRW

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More than 4.8 Million Californians Have Voted So Far

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 13:47:46 -0000

More than 4.8 Million Californians Have Voted So Far

Californians are exceptionally motivated to vote in this election, with more than 4.8 million vote-by-mail ballots already returned. A new statewide poll also finds deep-seated skepticism about a potential coronavirus vaccine.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Competitive Central Valley House Race is a Toss-Up Following Debate

The two candidates in one of the most competitive House races in California, the 21st district, which includes parts of Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern Counties, squared off this week in Bakersfield.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

How Do Fire Victims Vote-By-Mail? Registrars Are Helping

There are only 12 days until election day, and because of the pandemic, all registered voters in the state have been sent mail-in ballots. But what about people who have lost their homes to wildfires, how do they vote?

Reporter: Isabella Bloom

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Advocates Work to Mobilize California's Unlikely Voters

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 17:32:09 -0000

State Coronavirus Numbers Up Slightly, But Positivity Rate Remains Low

California counties find themselves on very different paths when it comes to reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday San Francisco learned it is moving into the yellow tier of the state’s framework on restrictions as Shasta and Riverside counties are being downgraded to purple after a spike in cases.

$100 Million Scholarship Fund Supports Community College Students

Students often quit California's community colleges before graduating. It's long been a pain point for the state. This week, college leaders are celebrating a $100 million dollar donation meant to help students finish their degrees.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Universities Sue Over Skilled-Worker Visa Restrictions

Caltech and the University of Southern California are among the plaintiffs suing the federal government for placing new restrictions on hiring highly skilled foreign workers.

Reporter: Caroline Champlin KPCC

Investigation Finds Human Error Caused Tragic Boat Fire

A federal investigation into a deadly boat fire off the Santa Barbara coast a year ago has found human error mostly to blame. The fire aboard the Conception killed 34 people. It's the deadliest maritime disaster in modern state history.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

San Francisco Bans Racist Non-Emergency 911 Calls

San Francisco supervisors have unanimously approved new legislation which makes it a hate crime to make racist, non-emergency calls to the police. It’s called the CAREN legislation, a nod to the privileged white woman meme.

Purdue Pharma Pleads Guilty in Opioid Investigation

The Department of Justice says it’s reached an $8 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma, the maker of the prescription painkiller OxyContin. Officials say the company will plead guilty to three counts, including conspiracy to defraud the United States. It does not release members of the Sackler family from criminal liability.

Guest: Anand Giridharadas, Author, Winners Take All

Advocates Work to Mobilize California's Unlikely Voters

We are less than two weeks away from Election Day, but nearly four million Californians have already cast their ballots by mail. Those robust early returns are causing excitement among groups dedicated to increasing voter turnout, but there's a catch.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Satirist and Math Professor Puts Work in Public Domain

Legendary Satirist Tom Lehrer is also a distinguished emeritus professor of mathematics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. the 92-year-old has just put much of his intellectual property in the public domain so that others can use it freely.

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Fire Experts Use Satellites to Monitor and Understand Wildfires

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:37:50 -0000

Fire Experts Use Satellites to Monitor and Understand Wildfires

As this epic fire season drags on, the state is watching for new fires from space. Satellites allow scientists and fire officials see where wildfires are, and help them understand how quickly these fires grow and what controls their growth.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Residents Protest Bankrupt Battery Plant's Contamination of East L.A.

In Los Angeles, more than 100 residents joined community activists last night to protest a troublesome battery recycling plant that polluted homes and businesses for decades. They're energized over a recent court ruling that leaves state taxpayers responsible for the rest of the cleanup bill.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Uber and Lyft Flood Drivers With Pro Prop 22 Ads During Shifts

Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft are using in-app pop up ads to urge riders and drivers to vote for proposition 22. That ballot measure would allow companies that depend on gig workers to continue a key part of their business model: classifying workers as contractors, not employees.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

September Home Sales 20% Higher Than a Year Ago

New data from the California Association of Realtors shows homes sales in September up more than 20% from a year ago, beating a record set more than a decade ago. It’s a conundrum, as the pandemic appears to have put a damper on many parts of the economy.

Guest: ChrisThornberg, Beacon Economics

Beloved L.A. Diner Reopens With Limited Service

The coronavirus pandemic and shutdowns have been devastating for many small businesses all over CA. But in the economic wreckage, there are examples of beloved businesses that many people thought were gone for good, finding a way to reopen.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

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Court Rules Bankrupt Battery Recycler Not Responsible for Cleanup of Toxic Waste

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 16:00:16 -0000

GOP Agrees to Modify Controversial Ballot Boxes

California’s Republican Party says it plans to modify but expand its ballot collection program after legal threats by California’s Attorney General. The boxes appeared in counties with competitive congressional races, including Fresno where the boxes have been removed, for now.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Polls Show Suburban Women Turning Away From Trump

In the final days of the 2020 campaign, President Donald Trump is openly courting suburban women, a crucial group of voters for both candidates. But polls show those women pulling away from the president.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Court Rules Bankrupt Battery Recycler Not Responsible for Cleanup of Toxic Waste

A bankruptcy court in Delaware has approved a plan to abandon a battery recycling plant in L.A. County, siding with the Trump administration over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom. The decision could leave a toxic mess in a poor community with no money to pay for cleanup.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

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Online Detection Tool Could Keep Ships from Colliding with Whales

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 17:30:34 -0000

Trump Administration Rejects State's Petition for Wildfire Relief

The Trump Administration has rejected California’s petition for a federal disaster declaration and relief funds in the aftermath of several recent wildfires, including the devastating August Complex Fire, the biggest wildfire in state history.

Oakland, Portland Sue Over Use of Federal Agents at Protests

The City of Oakland is challenging the Trump administration's authority to send federal law enforcement to respond to protests.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

Civilian Watchdog Group Demands L.A County Sheriff Resign

The civilian watchdog group overseeing LA. County’s Sheriff’s Department has released an unanimous resolution demanding that the county’s sheriff, Alex Villanueva, resign immediately.

Newsom Releases Recommendations for Police Response During Protests

New recommendations that aim to make demonstrations more peaceful are out. Tensions between police, protestors and journalists have been especially high since demonstrations broke out after the killing of George Floyd in the spring.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

The Mental Health Toll of a Coronavirus Outbreak Inside Avenal State Prison

Some of the largest COVID-19 clusters in the country are in California’s jails and prisons, and at the top of the list is Avenal State Prison in the San Joaquin Valley. Inmates say the prison's handling of the virus has been chaotic, and that impacts inmate safety as well as mental health.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Statue of Former Governor Pete Wilson Removed in San Diego

The statue of Pete Wilson, put up just thirteen years, ago, has become a target for recent protests by activists who objected to Wilson’s stance on immigration and LGBTQ rights.

New Online Detection Tool Could Stop Ships from Colliding with Whales

In recent years these waters, especially around Santa Barbara, have gotten more dangerous for the giant mammals because of the increased danger of collisions between whales and cargo ships. In response, researchers at UC Santa Barbara’s Benioff Ocean Initiative have developed a first of its kind system to help ships avoid hitting whales.

Guest: Morgan Visalli, Benioff Ocean Initiative scientist and Whale Safe project lead

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Record-Breaking Numbers of Californians Have Already Voted

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 16:14:07 -0000

Dangerous Weather Conditions Mean More Power Shut-Offs in Northern California

53,000 Pacific Gas and Electric customers in Northern and Central California are without power this morning. The utility has shut it off because of dangerous weather conditions that could spark a wildfire.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

State Grid Operator Faces Tough Questions About Rolling Blackouts

The agency that manages the state’s power grid is calling for Californians to conserve power today, two months after almost a million Californians were left in the dark by the state’s first planned rolling blackouts in 20 years. The agency is also under scrutiny over distribution of the state power supply.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Democrats Cry Foul Over GOP's Unofficial Ballot Drop-Boxes

Democrats in California’s three most competitive Congressional races are crying foul over the Republican Party's unauthorized vote-by-mail drop boxes. The GOP is defending the use of the ballot boxes and the issue has gotten the attention of President Trump.

Reporter: Guy Marzaroti, KQED

Record-Breaking Numbers of Californians Have Already Voted

Every registered voter has been mailed a ballot this election and a a result, record-breaking numbers of Californians have already voted. Secretary of State Alex Padilla says more people voting by mail means election day will be safer for everyone who needs to be there in person.

Reporter: Angela Corral, KQED

Unemployment Agency Seeks to Reduce Backlog With New ID System

California’s Employment Development Department says it’s making progress towards eliminating its massive unemployment claims backlog thanks in part to a new identity verification system helping EDD process claims faster and head off fraud.

Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED

L.A. City Council Votes To Develop Non-Police Crisis Response

When people are experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s often the police who respond. San Francisco and Oakland are implementing programs that would remove police from crisis response. Now the City of Los Angeles is also moving forward with developing its own unarmed civilian crisis response team.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

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SCOTUS Ruling Ends Census, Leaving Marginalized Communities Undercounted

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 13:24:37 -0000

SCOTUS Ruling Ends Census, Leaving Marginalized Communities Undercounted

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump Administration can end counting for the 2020 Census now instead of waiting until the end of the month. The court’s decision is a blow to local governments and advocacy groups, who say stopping the count now will lead to a big undercount of marginalized communities.

Trick-Or-Treating and Parties Discouraged For Halloween and Dia de los Muertos

The State of California is strongly discouraging trick-or-treating and large gatherings for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, health officials are suggesting alternatives to traditional holiday activities.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Prop 18 Would Allow Some Californians to Vote Before They Turn 18

When you turn 18 you’re allowed to do a lot of things you weren’t allowed to do before, like vote. But should California allow 17-year-olds to vote in the primary if they'll be 18 on election day? That’s what Proposition 18 would allow.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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GOP Says They Will Not Remove Unauthorized Ballot Drop Boxes

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 14:36:58 -0000

State Eases Restrictions as COVID Hospitalizations Drop

Hospitalizations for coronavirus patients in California are at their lowest level in six months. Just over 2,200 COVID patients were hospitalized as of this past Saturday compared to the peak of nearly 7,200 patients hospitalized in July. And coronavirus patients in intensive care units are now at their second-lowest level since the pandemic began.

California Looks to Florida for Guidance on Reopening Amusement Parks

One huge economic blow caused by the pandemic is the continued closure of California’s amusement parks. But across the country, Florida is reopening its parks. Governor Gavin Newsom says he’s sending California officials to Florida to see how things are going since Disney World and other parks reopened last month.

GOP Says They Will Not Remove Unauthorized Ballot Drop Boxes

California’s top election official and the state’s Attorney General are demanding that California’s Republican Party remove unauthorized ballot drop off boxes that have appeared in at least three counties in the state. GOP officials insist they aren't breaking any laws.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

PG&E Considers Power Shut-Offs As Temperatures and Winds Pick Up

Northern California is in for another round of hot, windy weather this week. PG&E is preparing for another possible round of “wildfire safety” blackouts to prevent its equipment from sparking another blaze.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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The History of Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated People

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 17:52:41 -0000

PG&E Under Investigation in Connection with Deadly Shasta County Wildfire

Utility giant, Pacific Gas and Electric says state authorities are investigating whether the company’s equipment might have started a Northern California fire that killed four people late last month and destroyed over 200 structures.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Thousands March in Beverly Hills in Solidarity with Armenia

Thousands of Armenian-American protestors marched in Los Angeles on Sunday, demanding an end to a decades-old, violent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that’s flared up in recent weeks.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

State Regulators Plan to Cut Cost of Jail and Prison Phone Calls

The California Public Utilities Commission plans this fall to start discussing placing a cap on the price of the calls. This move is part of a national movement to reduce expensive phone rates for incarcerated people.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

The History of Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated People

This election year, California voters will decide on Proposition 17, a ballot measure that would restore voting rights to people on parole if it passes.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Some Call for a Less Partisan Election Chief in California

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:09:44 -0000

Private Firefighters Accused of Allegedly Setting Illegal Backfires

State fire officials are investigating several private firefighters for allegedly setting illegal backfires to protect some structures threatened by the Glass Fire in the wine country.

Jackie Lacey and George Gascón Square Off in LA County District Attorney Race

The candidates to lead the largest prosecutor’s office in the country squared off last night in a virtual debate. Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey is running for her third term against George Gascón, the former San Francisco D.A., who is campaigning as a progressive challenger.

Some Call for a Less Partisan Election Chief in California

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla is charged with overseeing the state's elections. But he's also a Democrat, who has to face his own election every four years. Some election experts think the job needs a fundamental overhaul.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Over 100,000 College Students Lack Tech for Online Classes

More than 100,000 California college students don’t have the technology they need for online classes. That’s according to a new estimate from the nonprofit Ed Trust West.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Wineries Struggle With Fires and Other Impacts of Climate Change

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:11:58 -0000

Harris and Pence Spar Over Forest Management and Wildfires During Debate

Issues important to California, like climate change and wildfires came up in Wednesday’s Vice Presidential debate. The candidates started off discussing the COVID pandemic and the administration’s handling of it, but the conversation soon turned to the environment.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Facebook Bans Political Ads Until After the Election

Facebook has announced plans to prohibit all political ads until after the polls close on November 3rd. The tech giant says it will also place notifications at the top of the News Feed, reminding users that no winner is decided until “real news outlets” announce one.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Changes to White Collar Worker Visa Has Bi-Partisan Support

The U.S. Department of Labor enacts big changes today, to the H1-B visa program for high-skilled guest workers. The changes are supported both by pro-labor Democrats and anti-immigration Republicans.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Governors New Executive Order Dedicates 30% Of California's Land to Conservation

Governor Gavin Newsom is setting a goal of conserving 30% of state land and coastal waters by the year 2030. Yesterday he signed an executive order that calls for using the state’s own natural resources to remove carbon emissions which drive climate change.

Wineries Struggle With Fires and Other Impacts of Climate Change

The Glass Fire has ravaged 67,420 acres of land around California's wine country. The vineyards and wineries lucky enough to have survived are still struggling with the impacts of the smoke and hotter temperatures driven by climate change.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

7th Grader Remembers Tubbs Fire Three Years On

Three years ago today, dozens of fires broke out in Northern California’s wine country. Those fires ultimately killed 44 people and destroyed or damaged more than 20,000 homes. including the home of 7th grader Leo Abrams.

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Gig Workers Divided Over Prop 22

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 17:01:33 -0000

Before Reopening, Counties Must Increase COVID-19 Testing, Reduce Positive Cases

Starting this week in order to qualify to reopen more industries and loosen restrictions, California will require its 35 largest counties to bring down coronavirus rates in hard-hit neighborhoods. That means hitting goals both for overall testing and in lowering the percentage of new positive cases.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Data Indicates In-Person Learning Hasn't Caused More COVID Transmission

California’s Health and Human Services secretary Dr Mark Ghaly says in-person learning hasn’t caused an uptick in COVID-19 transmission rates in the counties where schools have re-opened.

Vallejo Declares Public Safety Emergency to Implement Police Reforms

The Vallejo City Council has declared a public safety emergency in an effort to reform a police department plagued by officer misconduct, controversial police shootings and low morale. Police departments across the state are facing similar criticism.

Facebook Bans All QAnon Accounts, But Implementation Could Take Weeks

Less than a month before Election Day, Facebook has announced it’s banning all QAnon accounts from its platforms. Previously only QAnon accounts that discussed violence were banned. The tech giant warns implementing the ban will take weeks.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Firefighters Save Historic Napa Valley Grist Mill

California’s record breaking wildfires have destroyed many beloved local attractions, from parks to restaurants and wineries. But in Napa Valley, firefighters went went to great lengths to save one local treasure.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Gig Workers Divided Over Prop 22

A "yes" vote on Proposition 22 means app-based ride hailing and delivery drivers in California would be classified as independent contractors. A "no" vote means the drivers are classified as employees of the companies, and receive protections, like minimum wage, sick time and health insurance.

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First Openly Gay Justice Nominated to State Supreme Court

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 16:51:00 -0000

First Openly Gay Justice Nominated to State Supreme Court

Governor Gavin Newsom has nominated veteran Judge Martin Jenkins as his first appointee to the California Supreme Court. If he's appointed Jenkins will be the first openly gay justice on the California Supreme court.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California Physicists Awarded Nobel Prize

Two Californians have been awarded the Nobel Prize in physics with a British scientist. They share the prize for discovering a supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Tenants Protest Eviction as Moratoriums Expire

As local rent moratoriums expire, landlords have begun filing evictions across the state, and tenants are now protesting a new state law that they say creates new problems for renters instead of protections.

Reporter Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

LAUSD Conflicted About How To Cut Police Budget

In June, a divided Los Angeles Unified School Board voted to reduce the school police budget by 25 million dollars and to reallocate the money to schools with more Black students. More than three months later, the district still hasn’t figured out how to do it.

Reporter: Carla Javier, KPCC

Colossal August Complex Fire Chars More Than a Million Acres

In a season of disastrous and record-setting wildfires across California, one blaze stands out. The August Complex began seven weeks ago with a series of lightning strikes scattered through remote forests. It has since scorched more than a million acres, and is the largest fire ever recorded in the state.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Communities in Los Angeles Unimpressed with Community Policing Efforts

In the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of the police many law enforcement agencies are wrestling with how to better serve the communities they’ve sworn to protect. In Los Angeles, the LAPD thinks it has a program that works. It’s called the Community Safety Partnership and it’s about strengthening relationships between cops and residents.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

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Record Four Million Acres Burned in California, With Months of Fire Season Remaining

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 16:30:55 -0000

Record Four Million Acres Scorched in California, With Months of Fire Season Remaining

State fire officials announced yesterday that wildfires have burned a record four million acres this year in California. That’s more than double the previous record year of 2018 when 1.8 million acres burned in the state.

Elder Care Homes Keep Familiar Routines While Evacuated

California’s wildfires have forced tens of thousands of Californians to evacuate from their homes. Such evacuations can be stressful even for those who are young, healthy, and mobile. For residential care homes, keeping elderly residents comfortable and safe while evacuating can be a challenge.

Reporter: Polly Stryker, KQED

Following Complete Destruction, Beloved Santa Rosa Stables Will Be Rebuilt

The Glass Fire has burned through Napa and Sonoma counties destroying or damaging many wineries and vineyards. The blaze also annihilated beloved community stables, the Pony Express Ranch.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Ballots for All Californians' Mailed This Week

Because of the pandemic, every California voter will get a ballot in the mail. This week is the deadline for counties to mail those ballots to voters, and in-person voting begins for some counties.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

ICE Detainees Say They Were Illegally 'Quarantined' in Solitary Confinement

About 6,000 undocumented immigrants held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have tested positive for COVID, including hundreds in California. Some detainees say they were quarantined in solitary confinement for weeks.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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After Positive COVID-19 Test, Trump's Swing Through Southern California Likely On Hold

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 16:53:47 -0000

After Positive COVID-19 Test, Trump's Swing Through Southern California Likely On Hold

News that President Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 is expected to end a swing through Southern California that had been planned for next week. This diagnosis has been confirmed this morning by White House doctors.

Guest: Jessica Levinson, Loyola Law School professor

Republicans Are No Longer a Third Party in California

For the first time in over two years, more California voters are registered as Republican than no-party-preference, or independent voters. The GOP’s recent gains have done little to chip away at the huge registration advantage still held by California Democrats.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Newsom Plans to Increase Already Historic Spending for Battling Wildfires

Governor Gavin Newsom says he plans to dedicate more state resources for wildfire prevention in next year’s budget. Newsom made the announcement Thursday while touring the damaged areas of Santa Rosa where the Glass Fires have been burning.

Hotel and Hospitality Workers Disappointed After Newsom Vetoes Labor Protection Bill

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill this week that would have provided extensive new labor protections for laid-off employees during the pandemic.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

Why Some Civil Rights Groups Oppose Proposition to End Cash Bail in California

California voters are being asked whether the state should end cash bail. Some progressive civil rights groups are siding with the bail industry and law enforcement to bail in place.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Firefighters Deploy Emergency Shelters Amid Intense Conditions

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 16:14:04 -0000

Firefighters Deploy Emergency Shelters Amid Intense Conditions

Cal Fire is reporting a close call for two crew members who were forced to deploy emergency shelters while fighting the Glass Fire. The incident occurred Sunday night as gusty northeasterly winds created chaotic conditions on the fire.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

New State Law Considers Slavery Reparations

Governor Gavin Newsom made the final call on a slew of bills that passed in the Legislative session that just ended. Among the legislation signed Wednesday are bills tied to racial justice and police reform.

Reporter: Katie Orr KQED

Court Blocks Trump 'Wealth Test' on Immigrants

A federal court has blocked a plan from the Trump administration to charge immigrants a lot more money to apply for U.S. citizenship, green cards and other benefits. Critics of the plan call it a wealth test.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

How Prop 13 Hurt Schools and Helped Corporations

California voters have a shot at overturning one of the most notorious propositions of recent decades. Proposition 15 on the November ballot would increase property taxes on corporations undoing a key component of Prop 13. That 1978 landmark ballot measure which was sold to voters as a way to help homeowners. But critics say it decimated state school funding, and helped corporations.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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California Still Unprepared For Wildfires After $2.5 Billion Investment

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 15:41:00 -0000

Immigrant Workers Hit Hard by Wildfires

The Glass Fire is just the latest blow to low-wage immigrant workers in Sonoma and Napa counties, who were already struggling during the pandemic. Many of them don't have the option to stay home from work.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Local Businesses Step Up Support to Firefighters Fighting the Glass Fire

Small businesses in Napa and Sonoma counties have stepped up their efforts to support those on the frontlines of the Glass fire tearing through the community. Food trucks and restaurant owners and feeding and providing supplies to firefighters and other first responders.

Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED

California Still Unprepared For Wildfires After $2.5 Billion Investment

A Bay Area state Senator says California was not prepared for this current fire season, even though the state recently purchased a dozen black hawk helicopters, seven c-130 air tankers and invested $2.5 billion in emergency preparedness.

California Wildfire Policy Flares Up in Presidential Debate

California’s wildfires came up in last night’s chaotic presidential debate. Joe Biden pledged to return to Obama era policies, while President Trump says a billion trees will be planted,

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Poll Finds Declining Concern Around COVID-19

California voters’ concern about the coronavirus pandemic is on the decline according to a survey out this morning from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Happiest Place on Earth Lays of 28,000 Workers

Disney says it’s laying off 28,000 employees as the pandemic continues to ravage its theme park division. The entertainment giant says the state of California is partially to blame.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Affirmative Action Measure Stuggling Amid Calls for Racial Equity

25 years ago California voters banned affirmative action. Now voters will decide on Proposition 16, which would overturn that ban. It comes during a nationwide conversation on race and social justice. But recent polls show the measure is struggling.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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Heartbreaking Toll of Wildfires Continues to Grow

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 17:54:34 -0000

Heartbreaking Toll of Wildfires Continues to Grow

Three people have died in the Zogg Fire burning in Shasta County outside of Redding. The Glass Fire has burned at least 36,000 acres, tripling in size in just 24 hours in Napa and Sonoma counties, and destroying homes. It’s also forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate.

California's Emergency Alert System is in Shambles

Making sure people get advance word about advancing flames is a matter of life and death. But are California’s emergency alert systems up the task at a time when many people have lost power because of Pacific Gas and Electric utility shut offs?

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Wine Industry Faces Big Fire Losses

The fires have dealt a big blow to California’s wine industry. Some wineries have burned to the ground and over a hundred others are within wildfire evacuation zones. The future of some are in question.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

Firefighting Resources Streched Thin Across the State

Firefighting resources are stretched thin, with 18,000 people fighting 27 major wildfires across the state. CalFire officials say crews are focusing resources on containing the Zogg and Glass Fires burning in Shasta, Napa, and Sonoma Counties.

Preparation is Crucial When Evacuating Animals

As the Glass Fire in Napa and Sonoma counties tripled in size, many evacuees have had to make the difficult decision to leave their animals behind. The Napa Community Animal Response Team helps with livestock and pets left behind.

Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED

Legislators Anxiously Anticipate Outcome of Pending Bills

September 30th, is the last day Governor Gavin Newsom has to sign bills into law or veto them. This can be an anxious time for legislators who are wondering about the fate of bills they’ve championed. Will the Governor take out his pen and sign them or not?

Governor Promotes Flu Shot By Getting One

As a way to encourage people to get their shots early, Governor Newsom got his annual flu shot during a press conference on Monday. He said widespread inoculations could avoid an overlap of influenza and COVID19 infections that might overwhelm the healthcare system.

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Venture Capitalists Consider Gig Economy Potential of Homecooked Meals

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:49:00 -0000

Wildfires Burning in Napa and Sonoma Counties Hit Santa Rosa

Wildfires burning in Napa and Sonoma counties north of San Francisco have reached the city of Santa Rosa where homes in a residential neighborhood on the city’s eastern edge have been destroyed.

Newsom Signs Law to Expand Access to Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law on Friday that gives California some of the most expansive standards in the country for providing access to mental health care.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Californians Worried about Integrity of Presidential Votes

A lot of Californians are worried about the integrity of their presidential votes, according to a new poll from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The Rematch Heating up in California's 21st District

One of the most vulnerable House Democrats in California this year is Representative TJ Cox, who narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Congressman David Valadao two years ago in California’s 21st district.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Venture Capitalists Consider Gig Economy Potential of Homecooked Meals

Because of a state law on the books, a homecooked meal might do more than feed you and your family. It could also make you a little extra money. But now venture capitalists are wondering if they too can profit from the law by turning home cooks into the next gig economy workforce.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

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Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Ending Census Early

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 16:14:23 -0000

Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Ending Census Early

A federal judge in San Jose has barred the Trump Administration from putting a halt to counting for the 2020 U.S. Census a month early. Judge Lucy Koh issued a preliminary injunction preventing the administration from doing so.

Biden's Massive Lead Against Trump Continues in California

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden continues to hold a huge lead with state voters over President Trump in California. That's according to a new Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Some Progressive Democrats Say Feinstein Not Equipped to Lead Supreme Court Fight

As the nation waits to see who President Trump will name to the US Supreme Court seat left empty by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, some are wondering whether Senator Dianne Feinstein is the right person to lead the fight against the confirmation.

Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Governors Executive Order Bans Gas-Burning Car Sales by 2035

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 18:12:09 -0000

Governors Executive Order Bans Gas-Burning Car Sales by 2035

California is the largest automobile market in the country, but those cars we love so much are big contributors to climate change. That’s why Governor Newsom signed a historic executive order yesterday banning the sale of new gas-powered cars in the state by the year 2035, replacing them with zero emission vehicles.

Reporter Kevin Stark, KQED

Car Dealers Push Back Against Electric Car Mandate

The governors' vow to end the sale of gas-fueled cars in California has critics. They include the California New Car Dealers Association, which represents about 1,200 dealers in the state. The associations president says one problem with implementing the order is infrastructure.

Guest: Brian Maas, President, California New Car Dealers Association

New CSU Chancellor Faces Big Challenges

The California State University System is the country’s largest four year public university system, with 23 campuses and about 480,000 students. This mammoth system now has a new chancellor, Joseph Castro, who’s also its first leader of color.

Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC

U.S. Senate Looks to California as it Considers Data Privacy Legislation

The clout of California’s tech companies are getting a lot of scrutiny in Washington D.C. right now. As U.S. senators consider federal data privacy legislation, they took testimony from California’s attorney general. California has the most comprehensive data privacy law in the country.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Audit Finds Some UC Campuses Improperly Admitted Wealthy Students

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 16:56:00 -0000

Audit Finds UC Campuses Favor Wealthy Students

“Who you know” can be a big advantage in life, getting you that new job or investment tip. But it’s not supposed to help you get a spot in a University of California school. A new state audit found that four UC campuses improperly admitted dozens of wealthy students over the past six years as favors to donors, family, and friends.

Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

California Counties Expand Partial Reopening

As they meet coronavirus metrics, most of the Bay Area and Riverside County in Southern California have been given the green light by the state to partially reopen restaurants, houses of worship, fitness centers and movie theaters.

Long Beach Mayor Won't Rush Reopening

Even as California makes gains against the virus and reopens, some elected officials warn not to rush that process. One of them is Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, who recently lost both his mother and stepfather to COVID.

Guest: Robert Garcia, Long Beach Mayor

California Defends Affordable Care Act Before Congress

The head of Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, will testify before a Congressional committee today about the importance of the Affordable Care Act during the pandemic. The current opening on the U.S. Supreme Court could mean an uncertain future for the law.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

COVID-19 Outbreak at San Bernardino Detention Center Grows

At least 53 detainees have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County. Nine people confirmed with the coronavirus have been hospitalized so far.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

California Votes to Protect Joshua Trees

Both climate change and development are threatening Joshua Trees in the Mojave Desert. The state's Fish and Game Commission voted to extend temporary protected status to California's Joshuas yesterday.

Poll Finds California Voters Are Not Enthusiastic About Prop 22

A new poll shows California voters feel lukewarm about Prop 22. Tech companies like Uber and Lyft are pushing the ballot measure, which would exempt some gig workers from employee status.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

How Inequity Shows Up in Kindergarten

Across California, parents of school age kids face the same challenge of making sure their children get a good education virtually as schools remain closed because of the pandemic But some parents have way more time, money and resources to do that than others.

Reporter: Claire Trageser, KPBS

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Governor Announces Additional Funding for Homeless Housing Initiative

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 16:43:08 -0000

Hotshot Firefighter Dies in El Dorado Blaze

A firefighter died last week fighting the El Dorado fire in San Bernardino County. Charlie Morton was a squad boss of a hotshot crew in the San Bernardino National Forest. The Bobcat Fire burning in the San Gabriel Mountains is about 13% contained. It has damaged about 30 structures.

California's COVID-19 Numbers Continue To Fall

Though more than 15,000 Californians have died from the coronavirus, the states' COVID-19 numbers, seven-day positivity rate, and hospitalization rates continue to drop, says Governor Gavin Newsom. The state is also expanding testing, with 124,000 average daily tests over the last week.

CDC Reverses Guidelines Around COVID-19 Transmission

On Friday the CDC issued new guidelines for how coronavirus spreads, saying aerosol transmission might mean the virus could travel more than six feet through the air. On Monday, the CDC removed that information, saying it was posted in error.

Reporter: Peter Arcuni, KQED

Unemployment Audit Recommends Overhaul of State Agency

California’s Employment Development Department has had a huge backlog of cases since the pandemic began. An audit by a state strike team released over the weekend recommended lots of changes at the department.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Lawsuit Alleges CBP Intentionally Broke the Law

A class action lawsuit filed against the Trump administration alleges that Customs and Border Protection personnel knew they were breaking the law as they reviewed migrants’ claims for asylum at the U.S. - Mexico border.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

Governor Announces Additional Funding for Homeless Housing Initiative

Governor Newsom has announced a second round of funding for the state’s Project Homekey. $236 million dollars will be spent turning hotels, motels, and vacant apartment buildings into housing for homeless individuals. That struggle to create more housing is explored in a new KQED podcast called “Sold Out”.

Guest: Molly Solomon, KQED

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Mourners Gather in San Francisco's Castro Neighborhood to Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 18:22:22 -0000

California to Temporarily Halt Accepting Unemployment Claims

California’s Employment Development Department plans to stop accepting unemployment claims until October 5 while it tackles a massive backlog of 600,000 cases. This comes as an investigative strike team set up by Governor Gavin Newsom released a report saying the agency needs a massive overhaul.

Reporter: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED

Newsom Signs law to Make More Undocumented Immigrants Eligible for Tax Credits

Governor Gavin Newsom signed the measure to expand eligibility for the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, which benefits low-income workers. The new law removes a requirement that eligible undocumented filers must have at least one child under the age of six.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Mourners Gather in San Francisco's Castro Neighborhood to Honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Millions of Americans are mourning the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. On Friday evening in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood, many gathered for a candlelight vigil honoring the trailblazing Supreme Court Justice.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

The History of California's Statewide Initiative System

A dozen statewide propositions will appear on California's November ballot, asking voters to decide on complex issues from affirmative action to digital privacy. The state's initiative system was created in 1911, and it was pitched as a way to give voters a direct voice in governing.

Guest: Joe Matthews, Connecting California columnist

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How to Build in the Era of Climate Change and Raging Wildfires

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:59:19 -0000

State Prison Officials Meet with Inmate Advocates to Discuss Efforts to Contain COVID-19 Outbreaks

What started as a handful of coronavirus cases early last month at Folsom State Prison has ballooned to over 500. Further south, Avenal State Prison in Kings County has had 22 hundred cases. That’s more than any prison in California, including San Quentin.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Adelanto Immigration Detention Center Grapples with COVID-19 Outbreak

The immigration detention center in the desert city of Adelanto, northeast of Los Angeles, continues to face a COVID-19 outbreak there. 39 individuals have tested positive.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR

How to Build in the Era of Climate Change and Raging Wildfires

As fire crews across the state continue to battle record-setting blazes, many people are asking what can be done to make sure future fires aren’t as destructive in an era of climate change. Many experts say one big solution is improved planning and not building homes where they’re threatened by fire.

Guest: David Shew, CalFire

Calls Grow for LA County Sheriff to Resign

There are increasingly angry calls from elected officials for LA. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who runs the largest sheriff’s department in the country, to resign. Villanueva’s critics cite an attempt to rehire a deputy accused of domestic abuse, his threat of lawsuits against critics, gang-like cliques of deputies in the department, and controversial deputy-involved shootings

Hot, Dry Summer Likely to Continue For Most of California in The Fall

Our state has had a hot and dry summer, and scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are forecasting that will continue for most of California in autumn. That means the wildfire threat continues.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

UC Berkeley Launches New Center to Study Science of Psychedelics

Berkeley’s center will instead focus on how psychedelics affect the brain. The center will also train people to be guides or facilitators for psychedelic research and therapies.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

How the Pandemic is Shaping Dialogue Around Death and Dying

The pandemic is forcing us to have hard conversations about something no one really wants to talk about: our wishes around death and dying.

Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

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Neighbors Step Up to Help One Restaurant Worker Out of Work Since Pandemic Began

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:38:00 -0000

How Some Families are Coping with Unhealthy Air Quality in Southern California

Air quality may finally be improving in the Bay Area, but things are still smoky down in Southern California. That’s especially true in in the foothill communities of the San Gabriel Valley, where the Air Quality Index has hit 500 this week.

Reporter: KCRW’s Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

New Poll Shows Tough Fight for Proposition to Reinstate Affirmative Action

The poll from the Public Policy Institute of California shows just 31 percent support a proposition to reinstate affirmative action. The poll also shows a slim majority of likely voters support Proposition 15, which would change how property taxes are assessed on commercial and industrial properties in the state.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Neighbors Step Up to Help One Restaurant Worker Out of Work Since Pandemic Began

The restaurant industry has been hard hit during the pandemic, losing nearly 400,000 jobs in the state since March. As some businesses reopen, those workers are competing for fewer positions. Victor Moreno is one restaurant worker finding unexpected support from people in his neighborhood.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

250 Marines and Sailors Sent to Battle Creek Fire

250 marines and sailors are being sent to Central California to help fight the Creek Fire, which has grown to over 220,000 acres and is now 18% contained.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Firefighters Fight to Save Historic Mount Wilson Observatory

The Bobcat Fire has gotten dangerously close to the observatory. It’s surrounded by firefighters and helicopters there to defend the structures, which contain scientifically important telescopes.

Sharon McNary, KPCC

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Women's Groups Vow to Defend Kamala Harris from Racist, Sexist Attacks

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 14:03:00 -0000

Kamala Harris Visits Fresno to Meet with Emergency Personnel Battling Wildfires

Democratic Vice Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris met Tuesday with emergency service personnel who have been battling the Creek Fire in the mountains near Fresno.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Women's Groups Vow to Defend Kamala Harris from Racist, Sexist Attacks

As the first woman of color on a major party’s presidential ticket, Kamala Harris is already facing subtle and not so subtle personal attacks that observers say most white men would not encounter. Women's groups are geared up to defend her.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

New Alliance of Progressive Prosecutors Founded to Lobby for Criminal Justice Reform

A group of California prosecutors say they are fed up with their peers’ opposition to criminal justice reform and are starting a new group dedicated to pushing political change.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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Trump Blames Forest Management, Dismisses Climate Change During California Visit

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 18:52:00 -0000

Trump Blames Forest Management, Dismisses Climate Change During California Visit

Both presidential nominees turned their attention Monday to the wildfires roaring across the west coast. President Donald Trump landed in Sacramento to receive a wildfire briefing. In his own address on climate issues, across the country, Democratic nominee Joe Biden said four more years of Trump would lead to more fires, floods and storms.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Researchers Use 3-D Simulation to Show the Pending Catastrophe of Sea Level Rise

Rising sea levels could be exponentially more expensive to deal with than wildfires. Dr. Patrick Barnard, director of climate research at the U.S. Geological Survey, and executive producer Tobin Jones have set out to show rather than tell what climate change could look like.

Guests: Dr. Patrick Barnard, director of climate research at the U.S Geological Survey, and animator Tobin Jones

Outrage Continues after Journalist Arrested While Covering Protest

The search continues for a man who shot two L.A. County Sheriff's Deputies in their patrol car in Compton on Saturday night. Shortly after the shooting, sheriffs’ deputies arrested KPCC reporter Josie Huang. The Sheriff’s office said she did not clearly identify herself as a member of the press, although video footage contradicts that account.

Court Rules Trump Administration Can End Humanitarian Protections for Immigrants

The 9th circuit court of appeals has ruled on Monday that the Trump administration can end humanitarian protections for more than 400,000 immigrants nationwide. That would pave the way for their deportation.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Young Voters More Likely to have Vote-by-Mail Ballots Rejected

As California prepares to mail every voter a ballot this fall, the issue of ballot rejections is a rising concern. Over the last decade, an average of 1.7% of mail ballots have been rejected, according to the California Voter Foundation.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

QAnon Followers Threaten, Dox Scott Wiener Over Sex Offender Law

Some Republican politicians stand accused of seizing on a new law, signed by the Governor late last week, as an opportunity to rally QAnon believers

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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President Trump Expected to Visit California as Wildfires Rage

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 14:14:00 -0000

President Trump Expected to Visit California as Wildfires Rage

President Donald Trump is set to visit California in Sacramento as fire fighters make progress containing wildfires. Before this Friday, President Trump went three weeks without saying anything about the wildfires

Unprecedented Fire Conditions Continue to Strain Resources

Firefighters in California are battling nearly 30 major blazes burning across the state. Chief Dave Winnacker with the Moraga-Orinda Fire District is in the field at the Red Salmon Complex burning in Trinity County.

Guest: Dave Winnacker, Fire Chief at Moraga-Orinda Fire District

Newsom Signs Bill to Allow More Formerly Incarcerated Firefighters to Join Professional Fire Crews

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Friday to make it easier for formerly incarcerated fire fighters to be hired by fire agencies in full time positions.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies Shot in Compton

Two Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies were shot Saturday, and the suspect is still on the loose. Both deputies are in critical conditions and expected to recover. Shortly after the shooting, Josie Huang with member station KPCC was documenting the arrest of a protestor when she was arrested.

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Up and Down the West Coast, Wildfires Become Hard to Avoid

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:48:17 -0000

Darrell Satzman

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Three Dead and a Dozen Missing in Massive North Complex Fire

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 16:19:44 -0000

Three Dead and a Dozen Missing in Massive North Complex Fire

Driven by high winds the North Complex fire in Butte County exploded across more than 230,000 acres over the last two days. It’s claimed the lives of three people and 12 are reported missing. The blaze also brings back painful memories for the residents of Paradise.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Clearer Skies Above the Bay Area Mean Worsening Air Quality

Californians woke up yesterday to deep orange skies that conjured up images of the apocalypse or another world. Today, the air is expected to look more normal, but that doesn’t mean the air quality is better.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Three Firefighters Injured as Blaze Claims Fire Station

The people at greatest risk when it comes to wildfires are the firefighters on the front lines. Earlier this week, while trying to protect a fire station, 14 firefighters were injured in the Dolan Fire in Monterey County near Big Sur.

Volunteer Fire Chief Draws on Faith When Delivering Bad News

Firefighters do more than battle blazes. Sometimes they have deliver bad news. The volunteer fire chief of one mountain town is uniquely suited to doing just that.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

Turnout is Higher in California Counties that Vote-By-Mail

In less than a month, counties will begin mailing every voter a ballot. It's part of California’s shift to vote-by-mail in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a dozen counties that already send every voter a ballot, could provide clues for how this year’s election will play out.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

New Laws Aim to Keep Smaller Businesses Afloat With Tax Breaks

Governor Newsom signed several bills into law on Wednesday aimed at helping small businesses recover from downturns related to the coronavirus pandemic. Two new laws are designed to help smaller businesses stay afloat with tax credits and exemptions.

Facebook Faces Ongoing Scrutiny Over Hate Speech

A coalition of more than forty civil rights groups are calling for Facebook’s public policy chief in India to step down. This comes a day after a software engineer resigned over the company's mishandling of hate messages and conspiracy theories.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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As Evacuations are Lifted Homeowners Take on Insurance Companies

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 16:37:53 -0000

Santa Ana Winds Threaten Communities Burning East of Los Angeles

Residents in several foothill communities east of Los Angeles are being warned to prepare for possible evacuations due to the Bobcat Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest. The blaze started on Sunday, and firefighters fear it might grow quickly because of forecast Santa Ana winds.

Evacuees from Creek Fire Number 30,000 and Counting

The Creek Fire east of Fresno has grown to over 162,000 acres and is still zero percent contained. Hundreds of people who were trapped by the blaze have been rescued, and officials are trying to find others who might still need help.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

PG&E Inspects Lines Before Restoring Power to 172,000 Customers

Power is expected to be restored to 172,000 Pacific Gas and Electric customers by the end of today. The utility giant intentionally shut the power off as a way to prevent electrical equipment from sparking even more wildfires in hot, dry and windy conditions.

Victims of the 2015 Butte Fire Relive Their Loss as they Await Settlements

On this day in 2015, PG&E lines caused a deadly fire in Amador County east of Sacramento. Five years later, some survivors are still waiting for settlement money and many have been unable to rebuild their homes.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

As Evacuations are Lifted Homeowners Face Insurance Bureaucracy

After fleeing wildfires, many Californians are returning to homes that have been destroyed or severely damaged. That means they'll be dealing with insurance issues that can get confusing very quickly.

Guest: Amy Bach, Co-Founder, United Policyholders

Governor Eases Coronavirus Restrictions on Five More Counties

In consultation with public health experts, Governor Gavin Newsom is relaxing coronavirus restrictions in five more California counties. That means restaurants, churches, gyms and nail salons are now allowed to open for indoor activities with fewer people and other modifications.

Governor Newsom Calls Christian Gathering a 'Public Health Menace'

Redding pastor Sean Feucht is calling on his followers to join him for a worship service in Sacramento that took place last weekend. The service, like others Feucht has organized along the West Coast, is being criticized by Governor Gavin Newsom as a menace to public health.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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California Wildfires Have Already Burned a Record-Breaking Two Million Acres

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 16:21:50 -0000

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200 People Airlifted to Safety from Creek Fire Near Fresno

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 14:18:14 -0000

200 People Airlifted to Safety from Creek Fire Near Fresno

the Creek Fire broke out Friday night near Fresno trapping around 200 people at the Mammoth Pool Reservoir. They were airlifted out to safety by helicopter. Officials say 20 people had injuries, including burns. The Creek Fire spread quickly and has now burned more than 73,000 acres.

Extreme Behavior of Creek Fire Baffles Fire Scientists

Dr. Scott Stephens has been monitoring the behavior of the Creek Fire. He says this fire is behaving differently than other fires he's observed in the Sierra Nevada region. Drought conditions have created enormous smoke plumes and intense heat in the interior of the fire.

Guest: Dr. Scott Stephens, Professor of Fire Science, UC Berkeley

Record-Breaking Temperatures Recorded in Southern California

Across California temperatures reached well into the triple digits on Saturday and Sunday with many places shattering old temperature records. North of Lost Angeles, Woodland Hills recorded a high temperature of 121 degrees on Sunday. The National Weather Service says that's the hottest temperature ever recorded by a weather station in Los Angeles County.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

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Meteorologists Warn of Dangerous Heatwave to Hit Labor Day Weekend

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 14:04:00 -0000

Meteorologists Warn of Dangerous Heatwave to Hit Labor Day Weekend

From COVID-19 spread to possible blackouts, there is a lot to worry about when the forecasted heatwave hits. The National Weather Service says the temperatures will climb starting today and should peak by Monday. In Southern California, many temperature records are likely to fall.

Reporter: Angela Corral, KQED

Firefighters Battle Three Major Sets of Wildfires as Heatwave Looms

The heat wave over this Labor Day is expected to bring temperatures in the 90s and 100s in areas where firefighters continue to battle major wildfires. Fire officials say hotter and drier weather could spread current fires or start news ones, but they remain confident in their containment efforts so far.

Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED

State of Postal Service Means Delayed Prescriptions and Vital Documents

Big changes at the U.S Postal Service have many concerned about the upcoming election and mail-in-voting. But issues at the postal service have also made it harder for state and local agencies to do their jobs.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

Remembering Mets Baseball Pitching Legend and Fresno Native Tom Seaver

Tom Seaver passed away this week at age 75. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992 for his 20-year career in the Major Leagues. He put the Mets on the map, and earned the nickname "Tom Terrific" for his pitching prowess.

Reporter: Laura Tsutsui, Valley Public Radio

Census Bureau Lays off Workers Soon After In-Person Counting Begins

Across the country and in California, census workers called "enumerators " are supposed to be knocking on doors this month to help people complete 2020 census forms. But last week one worker received a text message that the Census Bureau was starting to lay off these workers, citing "lack of work."

Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC

State Legislature Passes Bill to Allow Some Inmates Who Fought Fires to Become Firefighters

California relies on incarcerated fire fighters to help fight many of its big wildfires. But can these inmates turn this into a career once their sentence is over?

Reporter: Ariella Markowitz, The California Report Magazine

Long Beach Councilman on the Pandemic's Impact on Atlantic Avenue

In recent weeks on this show, we've been checking in with people who live and work along Atlantic Avenue in Los Angeles County to see how they're dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Rex Richardson is councilman for the city of Long Beach who represents a stretch of Atlantic Boulevard.

Guest: City of Long Beach Councilman Rex Richardson

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Utilities Urge Conservation During Upcoming Labor Day Heat Wave

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 16:34:20 -0000

Poll Reveals Ethnic and Racial Disparities in COVID-19 Death Rates

The coronavirus has killed more than 13,000 people in our state since the pandemic began. According to a new poll 20% of Californians know someone who’s died of COVID-19, but that number is much higher in some communities.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

California Sees Declines in COVID-19 Positivity Rates and Hospitalizations

California is seeing positive numbers in the fight against coronavirus. Governor Gavin Newsom says there's been a 23% decline in both COVID-19 related hospitalizations and patients admitted into ICUs in the past two weeks.

Latino Task Force Tackles COVID-19 in Central Valley

And as COVID-19 continues to take a disproportionate toll on Latinos, the Kern County Health Department is creating a first of its kind task force to address the issue.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

Utilities Urge Conservation During Upcoming Labor Day Heat Wave

Much of California is expected to face record breaking high temperatures this Labor Day weekend. Utilities are urging energy conservation to avoid energy shortages as temperatures soar.

Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KQED

California Takes Action to Protect Post Office Ahead of Elections

California wants the US Postal Service to roll back changes that have led to mail delays. Those changes include removing mail sorting machines and limiting employee overtime. California is joining a group of states to file a preliminary injunction to reverse the changes.

Tobacco Industry Pushes Back Against Flavored Product Ban

Last week, Governor Newsom signed into law a ban on flavored tobacco sales in retail stores, which begins in January. Advocates say the law is a huge win for public health, but the tobacco industry is pushing back.

Congressional Races Heat Up as Election Day Approaches

With election day approaching, congressional races are heating up across the state. Challengers to house incumbents, who might have little name recognition, need to overcome the difficulties of campaigning during a pandemic. That's the task that faces Democrat Phil Arballo who's challenging well-known incumbent and Trump loyalist Devin Nunes in the Central Valley.

Guest: Phil Arballo, Democratic Candidate for CA District 22

Chico Students Ordered Out of Dorms Following Campus Outbreak

Students in the dorms at California State University, Chico have until Sunday to find a new place to live. This comes after an outbreak of the coronavirus on campus. One student is wondering if staying at the university for online classes is worth it.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

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Velvet Bandit Brightens Streets With Vibrant Illustrations of our Current Moment

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 16:49:19 -0000

Drop in COVID Cases in the Bay Area Allows More Businesses to Reopen

Top state health officials say new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to drop. in Northern California, risk in San Francisco and Napa counties is only considered “substantial” which means schools and some businesses can open sooner.

Central Valley Schools Use Day Camp Loophole to Reopen

Most counties in the Central Valley have been on the state’s COVID-19 watch list for months. For counties where the virus is deemed widespread, schools are not allowed to reopen for in-person lessons, but some schools in Tulare county are partially reopening as day camps.

Reporter: Laura Tsutsui, Valley Public Radio

To Reopen, Schools Need Better Ventilation Infrastructure

A growing number of schools across the state are moving to reopen in-person classes. One piece of the safety equation is improving ventilation systems inside older school buildings. A bill that would help that happen is now on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Jerry Brown Throws His Weight Behind Criminal Justice Reform

Former Governor Jerry Brown is putting a million dollars into defeating a November ballot measure, backed by police, that would reverse some of the criminal justice reforms he championed in office.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Velvet Bandit Brightens Streets With Vibrant Illustrations of Our Current Moment

A prolific Northern California street artist has been going out at night and plastering her vibrant illustrations from the Bay Area to Mendocino county. Her work speaks to the moment we are in, from commentary on life in a pandemic to the death of George Floyd.

Guest: Gabe Meline, KQED

Local Dairies on the Brink as Restaurant Orders Plummet

The coronavirus has devastated businesses. Some temporarily, others for good. When a business gets slammed, so do its workers and suppliers. In Sonoma county small dairy producers are struggling with diminished demand from restaurants.

Reporter: Stephanie O’Neill

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Newborn Baby Appears on Assembly Floor As Time Runs Out on Final Legislative Session

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 17:20:30 -0000

Newborn Baby Appears on Assembly Floor As Time Runs Out on Final Legislative Session

Lawmakers voted to approve statewide eviction protections in the final hours of this year’s legislative session -- and just as California’s eviction ban was set to expire. In a dramatic legislative session lawmakers ran out of time to several pass bills before the midnight deadline.

Guests: Katie Orr, KQED, and CA Assemblywoman Monique Limón, District 27

AB 3216 Prioritizes Laid-Off Workers For Rehire

As the legislative session comes to an end scores of bills are headed to the governor’s desk. One new bill, AB 3216, puts pressure on companies to rehire hospitality and transportation workers laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Poultry Plant Closed for Cleaning Following Eight COVID-19 Deaths

In the Central Valley a facility belonging to poultry processor Foster Farms is planning to shut down for about a week. The plant has seen 400 confirmed cases of COVID-19. At least eight workers have died.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Remote Learning Puts Teachers on IT Duty

As millions of students across CA start the new school year online, they’re running into the same problems as many of us now working from home, like Security hurdles, wifi dilemmas, and Zoom glitches. In many cases, teachers are taking on IT duty

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Imagining a Greenbelt to Surround And Protect Paradise from Wildfires

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 17:52:13 -0000

Deadline Nears for Lawmakers to Pass Eviction Moratorium

A new state law would ban evictions for tenants who miss paying their rent due to pandemic-related hardships, like company layoffs or wage reductions. Those protections would largely be in place until the end of January.

Reporter: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED

Hot, Dry Weather Expected to Return to California

Fire crews have been able to take advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity, but that’s about to change. The National Weather Service says a high pressure system will keep the air hot and dry for the next week or so.

Reporter: Angela Corral, KQED

Imagining a Greenbelt to Protect and Surround Paradise from Future Wildfires

It’s been nearly two years since the Camp fire raced through the Butte County town of Paradise. 85 people were killed and nearly all buildings in town were destroyed. Now the rebuilding is underway. Community leaders are looking at new ideas to make sure how they rebuild will protect Paradise when the next wildfire fire comes.

Guest: Laura Bliss, Bloomberg City Lab

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Bonny Doon Mountain Community Bands Together to Battle the Flames

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 18:20:09 -0000

Foster Farms Poultry Processing Plant Ordered to Shut Down

Amidst a massive COVID 19 outbreak among workers, Merced County health officials in the Central Valley have ordered a Foster Farms poultry processing plant to shut down.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Newsom Boosts Funding to Aid Early Release Efforts Across State Prisons

California is releasing thousands of inmates in state prisons early. Governor Gavin Newsom says California will commit 15 million dollars to help formerly incarcerated people re-enter society.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Bonny Doon Mountain Community Bands Together to Battle the Flames

As hundreds of wildfires burned across California, fire crews were stretched thin. Many Santa Cruz County residents came together to defend their mountain community.

Reporter: Hannah Hagemann, KQED

Disability Advocates Say Some Wildfire Evacuation Centers were Filled with Access Barriers

In Watsonville and in Santa Cruz this week, disability advocates found many accessibility problems for those who needed to flee their homes during the wildfires. Some evacuation centers lacked braille signs, and shower stalls were difficult to get wheelchairs into.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

UC Santa Cruz Chancellor on the Wildfires Threat and the Virtual Academic Year

One of the biggest institutions threatened by fires was UC Santa Cruz, which had a campus-wide evacuation. That came as the university was preparing for the coming academic year and figuring out how to teach most students virtually because of the pandemic.

Guest: Cynthia Larive, UC Santa Cruz Chancellor

The 50th Anniversary of the Chicano Moratorium

Capping two years of protests, on August 29th, 1970, tens of thousands of Mexican Americans marched in the streets of East L.A. in opposition to the Vietnam War and social and economic inequities.

100 Years Later, California Women Reflect on the Right to Vote

A hundred years ago this week, women officially won the right to vote. But it was only a partial victory, and it excluded many immigrants and women of color. This week, our sister show, the California Report Magazine, features women talking about what the vote means to them.

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New Lab Would Double Statewide Testing Capacity

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:01:32 -0000

New State Emissions Standards Move Closer to Approval

After a public hearing, California’s Air Resources Board is expected to approve tough new pollution emission standards for both commercial trucks and ships docked in California ports. The standards are the state’s most stringent in ten years

New Lab Would Double Statewide Testing Capacity

Governor Gavin Newsom says the state will build a new laboratory that will more than double California’s COVID-19 testing capacity. Newsom says the lab will allow the state to conduct 150-thousand additional coronavirus tests per day.

State Senate Scrambles to Finish Session as Member Tests positive for COVID-19

A state senator says he’s tested positive for COVID 19. The Senate cancelled its session yesterday after learning of his diagnosis. The case comes as lawmakers are already scrambling to finish their legislative work.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

NBA and MLB Games Cancelled Following Players Boycott Over Racial Injustice

Professional athletes continue to expand their protests against the killings of African Americans by the police. There are reports that players for the Los Angeles Clippers and the L.A. Lakers, like other NBA teams, will sit out the rest of the season in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.

Indigenous Cultural Sites at Risk From Flames and Fire Prevention Efforts

As wildfires continue to burn across the state, native groups are sharing traditional burn practices that could reshape future fire seasons here. Some Native American cultural sites are at risk and not just because of flames, but because of fire prevention efforts.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

California Wildlife Well Adapted to Survive Wildfires

The hundreds of wildfires, large and small, burning in California have threatened people and communities, but what’s been the effect on animals and their habitats? Experts say, in some cases, not as bad as you might think.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

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Squaw Valley Resort To Change Racist Name

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 17:35:01 -0000

Firefighters Make Progress During Cooler Calm Weather

Containment continues to steadily grow against the LNU, CZU and SCU fires because of cooperative weather conditions and the hard work of firefighters. But the scope of damage from these blazes and hundreds of others burning around th e state is staggering.

Squaw Valley Resort To Change Racist Name

That’s a piece a tape from the 1960 Winter Olympics held in a Lake Tahoe area ski resort. The resort will soon get a new name, one that’s not offensive to Native American women.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, CapRadio

State Finds Discrimination Against Black and Disabled Students In Three School Districts

The state justice department has reached settlements with three California school districts over discriminatory treatment of Black students and students with disabilities.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

'Black Thriving Initiative' Seeks to Confront Racism at UC Irvine

UC Irvine here in Southern California has a tiny number of Black students compared to most other UC campuses. In response, UCI has launched an initiative to boost the recruitment of Black students and faculty, and help them succeed once they’re on campus.

Reporter: Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRW

Fearing COVID-19, ICE Detainees Hold Hunger Strike

In the U.S., nearly 5,000 people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have tested positive for COVID-19. in Yuba County, immigrant detainees held at the local jail are coming off a six-day hunger strike to protest conditions they say make them very vulnerable.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Demand at Food Banks Skyrocket but Fires Stall Distribution

Since the beginning of the pandemic and shutdowns began, there’s been a big increase in people turning to food banks for help. Now, those food banks face the challenge of fire season.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

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More Than a Million Acres Scorched as Help Arrives from Out of State

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 17:16:52 -0000

Over One Million Acres Scorched as Help Arrives From Out of State

Firefighters are making some progress in containing the enormous wildfires burning in a ring around the Bay Area, but the toll has been immense. Governor Gavin Newsom reports 1.2 million acres have burned and at least 1,200 homes and other structures have been destroyed or damaged. Seven people have also died because of the blazes.

Lake County Bulldozer Cafe Feeds Evacuees and Firefighters

Near the LNU Lightning Complex Fire, a cafe owner who also operates a firefighting bulldozer will cut you a fire break and then serve you breakfast.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

Affirmative Action Ban Restricts Minority's Access to College

In the coming election, voters will decide whether to undo Proposition 209, a landmark ban on affirmative action passed by California voters in 1996. A new report out is the most detailed analysis yet of how Proposition 209 affected people of color trying to get into the UC system.

Guest: Zach Bleemer, U.C. Berkeley’s Center for Studies in Higher Education

Unemployment Agency Faces Scrutiny Over Ongoing Inefficiency

As it grapples with fires California is also dealing with joblessness caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The state’s embattled Employment Development Department which sends out unemployment checks, is under scrutiny yet again this week for poor customer service.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Supervisor Opposes Lawsuit Requiring Distance Learning

Despite public health warnings about the coronavirus, a private Christian school in Fresno County has started in-person classroom instruction. That’s prompted the county to file an injunction against the school. One county supervisor is speaking out in support of the campus.

Reporter: Laura Tsutsui, Valley Public Radio

Californians Show Support for Post Office As Mail-In Election Approaches

As the November election approaches, the debate over mail-in voting is heating up. Protests in support of the post office continue across the state, and a new survey shows Californians have faith in the vote-by-mail process.

Reporter: Guy Marzaroti, KQED

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How the Once Mighty GOP Faded from California Politics

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 13:44:00 -0000

"This is an Absolute Marathon" Fire Crews Make Progress Fighting Wildfires

Some of the biggest wildfires in state history continue to burn over a vast stretch of Northern California with blazes raging in counties surrounding the Bay Area and along the Central Coast.

Senior California Public Utility Regulator Claims Whistleblower Retaliation

Alice Stebbins was appointed in early 2018 as the California Public Utility Commission’s executive director. She says she's being targeted because she's pushing to collect millions in fees the California Public Utility Commission is owed, but has never demanded from utilities.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

How the Once Mighty GOP Faded from California Politics

As the Golden State became bluer, the Republican Party lost clout and now trails Democrats and independent voters in membership. Mike Madrid, a veteran California Republican political strategist, says it will likely get worse for the party.

Guest: Mike Madrid, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, a group of Republicans bent on defeating Donald Trump

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Tens of Thousands Flee as Wildfires Rip Across Northern California

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 17:08:50 -0000

Tens of Thousands Flee as Wildfires Rip Across Northern California

The enormous wildfires burning around the Bay Area have claimed the lives of at least five people. Residents from Wine Country north of San Francisco to the edges of San Jose and Santa Cruz have been forced to evacuate.

Some Residents Stay Put to Save Their Homes from the Flames

Official firefighting resources on the dozens of lightning-caused fires around the Bay Area are spread very thin. As the blazes spread, some residents have wound up having to try to defend their own property from the advancing flames.

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Vacaville Farmer Describes 'Obliteration' After Wildfires

Tom Walter, the caretaker of La Ferme Soleil, was forced to evacuate in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He says all that remains of his home is an unrecognizable heap of blackened, twisted metal.

Reporter: Peter Arcuni, KQED

Care Homes Carve Out Fire Escape Plans Amidst Coronavirus Threat

The Department of Social Services and the Department of Public Health say care homes should organize people to keep those known to have COVID-19 separate from people who don’t.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

Farmworkers Work Through Dense Smoke as Fires Burn

The River Fire outside Salinas is just miles away from fields where many farmworkers continue to work harvesting fruits and vegetables.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

Doctors Brace for Patient Surge from Wildfire Smoke

For months, doctors have urged us to stay outside for any kind of socializing. But wildfire smoke is forcing a new lockdown on much of the state

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Northern California Grapples With Heavy Smoke, High Temperatures, and Dozens of Wildfires

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 16:37:23 -0000

Northern California Grapples With Heavy Smoke, High Temperatures, and Dozens of Wildfires

Hundreds of wildfires are burning across the state. The largest are concentrated in Northern California around the Bay Area, where residents are also grappling with high temperatures, and the looming threat of power outages.

Rural Evacuees Pull Together at Santa Cruz Fairgrounds

Meanwhile, a group of fires has burned 25,000 of acres in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties and also triggered widespread evacuations of both people and livestock from far flung rural areas.

Reporter: Hannah Hagemann, KQED

Texas, Arizona, Nevada Send Engines to California Wildfires

The fires have placed enormous pressure on emergency responders, pushing CALFIRE and the state’s Office of Emergency Services to request 375 engines from other states and the federal government.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

Helicopter Pilot Killed During Firefighting Water Drop Mission

A helicopter pilot was killed yesterday while fighting a fire in the Central Valley. 52 year-old Mike Fournier from Rancho coucamonga was on a water drop mission near Fresno when his helicopter crashed.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Coronavirus Changes Wildfire Evacuation Protocol

The CZU lightning complex fire near Santa Cruz, almost doubled in size overnight. It’s now burning 40,000 acres in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. Three people have been injured and 20 buildings have been destroyed.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Californians Take Center Stage at Joe Biden's Nomination

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 17:42:19 -0000

Californians Take Center Stage at Joe Biden's Nomination

263 California delegates were awarded to Joe Biden -- as he was officially nominated for president at last night’s Democratic National Convention. Several Californians took center stage at last night’s virtual event.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

New Law Requires Ethnic Studies for All CSU Students

Governor Newsom has signed a bill into law requiring California State University students to take an ethnic studies class in order to graduate. Many professors support the law, but CSU opposes the law, saying it gives the state too much power over curriculum.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Report Finds Prison Officials Mishandled Pandemic

Public health officials and legal experts are reacting to the recent Office of Inspector General report that finds weaknesses in the way state prison officials initially handled the pandemic.

Reporter: Shannon Lin, KQED

State Releases Prisoners Early Without Adequate Reentry Support

In response to the spread of the coronavirus behind prison walls, California is releasing thousands of state prisoners early. Those getting freed are generally non-violent offenders with less than a year remaining on their sentences.

Guest: Judith Tata, Executive Director of the California Reentry Program

Central Valley Makes Progress Against COVID-19

California’s Central Valley has been a hot spot for COVID infections in the state. But Governor Gavin Newsom says following state intervention, trends in that region are now headed in the right direction.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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ISO "Dropped the Ball" Says Board Member

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 17:40:27 -0000

Governor Newsom Orders Investigation Following Heat-Wave Power Outages

Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into why the state’s electrical grid wasn’t ready for a heat wave-related surge in power demand over the weekend.

ISO "Dropped the Ball" Says Board Governor

The state didn’t end up calling for blackouts yesterday, thanks in part to Californians who conserved energy. The California Independent System Operator is the non-profit that makes the call on blackouts. A member of its Board of Governors says communication should have been better.

Guest: Severin Borenstein, Member, CAISO Board of Governors & Professor, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business

California Prepares Legal Action Against Trump Administration Over U.S. Postal Service

California has already sued the Trump Administration more than 95 times, and Attorney General Xavier Becerra is looking to add one more suit to the list -- this time, over the U.S. Postal Service.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Rates of Depression and Anxiety Soar Among University Students

The rate of students at universities who likely have depression is double what it was a year ago, that’s according to a survey released today from UC Berkeley and other institutions.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

COVID-19 Spreads Rapidly Through ICE Detention Center

More than half of the men locked up at a privately-run detention center in Bakersfield have been confirmed with COVID-19. That’s after a federal judge ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to test all detainees at the facility.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

L.A. County Provides Rental Assistance for Tenants Hit by Pandemic

Local officials in Los Angeles are releasing more relief money for renters struggling because of the pandemic. Starting this week the county has launched a $100 million dollar emergency rental assistance program for those tenants.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

How Did Local Agencies Spend Coronavirus Relief Funds?

A new analysis from the Associated Press and Kaiser Health News shows what government agencies are doing with the money they got from the 150 billion dollar Coronavirus Relief Fund. How quickly they spent that money, and what they spent it on, varied widely throughout the state.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

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Scorching Heat Sets off Power Outages Across California

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 13:22:00 -0000

Scorching Heat Sets off Power Outages Across California

Hundreds of thousands of people across California lost power beginning Friday evening and again on Saturday as hot temperatures became unbearable. The California Independent Systems Operator, instructed utilities to power down parts of the system.

'Firenados' Spotted as Crews Battle Blazes Throughout State

Observers of the Loyalton Fire in the Tahoe National Forest reported a fire-induced tornado on on Saturday. That blaze is one of several burning throughout the state.

Federal Court Strikes Down California's Ban on High-Capacity Magazines

State Attorney General Xavier Becerra says his office is reviewing a decision by the 9th Circuit of the Court of Appeals that struck down California's ban on high-capacity ammunition magazines. A three-judge panel ruled on Friday that the blanket ban is an unconstitutional violation of the 2nd amendment.

Democratic Party National Convention Kicks Off Tonight — from a Distance

The Democratic Party begins its national convention tonight, and what was supposed to be a massive gathering in Milwaukee is now a dramatically pared down event.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

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State Lawmakers Scramble as Eviction Ban Set to End

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 13:54:00 -0000

State Lawmakers Scramble as Eviction Ban Set to End

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting job losses, courts in California placed a stop on evictions and foreclosures. But evictions will soon resume again unless state lawmakers can figure out a solution.

Reporter: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED

New Data Shows Disparities in Nursing Home Workers Dying from COVID-19

Los Angeles County has released new data this week on deaths tied to nursing homes, and it shows that nursing home workers who have died from COVID-19 are more likely to be people of color.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

San Diego County to Begin Free Testing for People Crossing Border

Many people continue to travel between San Diego and Tijuana daily. Now the people crossing the border can get a coronavirus test without an appointment.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

Californians are Registering to Vote at Historic Rates

More than 83% of eligible voters in California are registered ahead of the November election. According to the Secretary of State’s office, the last time a higher portion of eligible voters signed up, was when Harry Truman was president.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Over 200 Workers at Merced County's Foster Farms Positive for COVID-19

With the number of infections among plant employees at Foster Farms Poultry Plant increasing, some say they want all of the plants workers to be tested and for the facility to shut down so it can be cleaned.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

COVID Diaries: California's State Library Documents the Pandemic

California's State Library has started the California COVID Diaries, an on-going project to collect and display items from Californians about what they've seen and experienced during the pandemic.

Guest: California's State Librarian Greg Lucas

Remembering the Brown Berets Who Occupied Catalina Island for Chicano Rights

In 1972, The Brown Berets took on housing discrimination against Mexican-Americans, and occupied Catalina Island, arguing the land did not belong to the U.S government.

Reporter: Ariella Markowitz, The California Report Magazine

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Uber Threatens Temporary Shutdown to Avoid Paying Overtime and Unemployment

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 16:06:58 -0000

Hughes Lake Fire Forces Evacuations North of L.A.

This morning in rural north L.A. County, west of Palmdale, hundreds of firefighters are battling the Lake Hughes Fire. It’s scorched approximately 10,000 acres and is zero percent contained. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for residents in the area.

Uber Threatens Temporary Shutdown to Avoid Paying Overtime and Unemployment

Uber and Lyft drivers in California could become employees of those companies instead of contract workers in 8 days because of a court injunction involving lawsuit brought by the state attorney general against the companies. Uber and Lyft are using their network of customers and drivers to fight the ruling

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

UC Reinstates Striking Graduate Students After Union Negotiation

UC Santa Cruz has come to an agreement with the union representing graduate students who have been on strike since February. Dozens of the students who were fired from their teaching jobs after withholding grades, are now eligible to work again.

Reporter: Hannah Hagemann, KQED

Supporting Black Lives Sparks Positive Change in San Joaquin Medical Community

In the San Joaquin Valley, close to 300 medical professionals have signed a letter in solidarity with the Black Lives Movement. Some of those who signed say it’s already had a powerful impact.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

Working From Home Means Shocking Electricity Bills for Some Californians

Californians are seeing their electricity bills rise as they’re forced to spend more time at home. This comes amid the uncertainty and economic hardship caused by the pandemic.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Farmstand Thrives as Rural Residents Shop Closer to Home

The COVID-19 pandemic and the state of the economy have disrupted the food supply chain across the state. In rural Plumas county, a farm stand is helping to reduce food insecurity by offering fresh produce on the honor system.

Reporters: Nina Sparling, KQED, and Tessa Paoli

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Kamala Harris Makes History as Joe Biden's Running Mate

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 17:28:03 -0000

Kamala Harris Makes History as Joe Biden's Running Mate

Joe Biden has picked California Senator Kamala Harris to be his vice-presidential running mate. It’s the first time ever that a woman of color will be on a major party presidential ticket and the first time that a California Democrat will also be at the top of such a ticket.

Guest: Scott Shafer, KQED

Californians Support of Black Lives Matter Movement Grows

Harris’ nomination comes as Californians are increasingly concerned about race relations in the state — and supportive of the Black Lives Matter movement. That’s according to a new survey out this week from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Companies Seek More Diversity on Corporate Boards

In the wake of calls to recognize and fight systemic racism in American institutions, there’s growing evidence companies want to do more to add people of color to corporate boards of directors.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Kaiser Is Investing $63 Million in Contact Tracing

Health care giant Kaiser Permanente is now getting in the game of contact tracing. It is investing $63 million dollars in the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Charter School Law May Escalate Tensions at LAUSD

A new state law just took effect that was supposed to de-escalate tensions over charter schools. The LA Unified School Board narrowly approved a plan to carry out the new law. But there’s concern this new policy might actually escalate tensions in the district with the most charter schools in California. KPCC's

Reporter: Kyle Stokes, KPCC

Android Phones Now Come With Earthquake Alert

Millions of Android smartphones users in California will now receive automatic alerts from an earthquake early warning system. Bay Area tech giant Google announced that earthquake warnings are now fully integrated with its operating system.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

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Advocates Say Curtailing the Census Targets Latino and Immigrant Communities

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 17:20:25 -0000

CA Public Health Director Resigns Following Data Errors

There’s much speculation about the resignation of California's top public health director last weekend, but Governor Gavin Newsom is staying tight-lipped. Her departure comes after a glitch in a disease tracking system that delayed the processing of data from hundreds of thousands of COVID 19 test results.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Should Uber and Lyft Drivers Be Employees of Freelancers?

Should gig economy workers be employees or freelancers? That’s an issue that’s consumed California politics over the past couple of years. A court injunction issued yesterday means Uber and Lyft drivers could become employees of those companies within 10 days.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Youth Who Vape Are More Likely to Get COVID-19

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the danger of vaping was one of the big public health discussions in the U.S. A study released by Stanford University this morning says young adults who vape are more likely to get COVID19.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

Flu Season Could Further Strain Hospital Resources

Flu season is coming, and experts say getting a vaccine is more important than ever. Flu patients can show up with severe coughs and fevers, just like COVID-19 patients, so demand for ventilators, beds and protective gear for staff could rise.

Reporter: Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

Excluding Undocumented People From CARES Act Cost The US Economy Big

Undocumented people were not eligible to receive $1200 federal stimulus checks earlier this year. A new study from UCLA found that excluding this community from federal relief through the CARES Act cost the United States economy ten billion dollars in potential economic activity.

Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

ICE Detainee Barred from Receiving Outside Medical Treatment for COVID-19

Last week a judge ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to test all detainees at a facility in Bakersfield with a growing COVID-19 outbreak. One of the detainees who tested positive is a 22-year old man who an immigration judge already ruled should stay in the country.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Advocates Say Curtailing the Census Targets Latino and Immigrant Communities

Conducting the 2020 U.S. Census during a pandemic isn’t easy, especially in California’s poorer and immigrant communities. But Trump Administration critics say the administration is making it even harder to get an accurate count by cutting the amount of time census workes will spend going door to door.

Guest: Lizette Escobedo, director of the national census program at the NALEO Educational Fund

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OC Registrar of Voters Confident County Can Handle Mail-in-Ballot Surge

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 16:52:00 -0000

California Parents Anxious as Distant Learning Begins in Some Districts

This morning the Oakland Unified School District and others across the state start their school year.It won’t be typical, and all instruction is being done remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Guest: Parent Stephanie Campos

Southern California Women's Prison COVID-19 Cases Climb to 160

The number of infections at the California Institution for Women in Chino has soared to 160 women, and 13 employees at the prison have active COVID-19 cases.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

California's Top Public Health Official Abruptly Resigns

Director of California's Public Health Department Sonia Angell stepped down from her position last night. Angell’s resignation comes just days after it was announced that the state had a backlog of as many as 300,000 coronavirus test results.

Ventura County's Godspeak Calvary Chapel Remains Defiant Against Shutdown Order

County authorities say the religious gatherings could turn into coronavirus super-spreader events that pose a threat to public health. Godspeak Pastor Rob McCoy is encouraging church goers to continue to show up for indoor Sunday service.

Bay Area Lebanese Woman Plans Shaken After Deadly Beirut Explosion

Beirut, Lebanon is still reeling from the massive explosion that destroyed vast swaths of the city last week. The blast killed at least 150 people, injured thousands more, and destroyed countless homes and businesses in the heart of Beirut. It's also scrambled future plans for so many Lebanese, including one woman living in the Bay Area.

Reporter: Lily Jamali

OC Registrar of Voters Confident County Can Handle Mail-in-Ballot Surge

Election Day is 85 days away, and it will be like no other in American history because of the coronavirus pandemic. Neal Kelley is Orange County's Registrar of Voters. He oversees voting in the fifth largest election jurisdiction in the country with more than one and half million voters.

Guest: Neal Kelley, Orange County's Registrar of Voters

Calls to Defund Police Draws Mixed Reaction from Black Clergy

In this moment of reckoning over racial justice and equity, many people are looking to churches for guidance. Black pastors in particular are speaking out against police violence. Some of California's Black clergy do not support the push to defund the police.

Reporter: Ashlea Brown, CapRadio

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COVID-19 Cases Top 200,000 in Los Angeles County

Fri, 07 Aug 2020 17:12:00 -0000

COVID-19 Cases Top 200,000 in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County has the highest number of reported COVID-19 cases of any county in the U.S. Since January, the coronavirus has killed 4,869 people in L.A. County. That makes it the second leading cause of death after coronary heart disease and far deadlier than the flu.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Coronavirus Outbreak Hits Santa Cruz Farmworkers

For the first time since the pandemic started, COVID-19 outbreaks have been documented at agricultural workplaces in Santa Cruz.

Reporter: Hannah Hagemann, KQED

Judge Orders Weekly COVID-19 Testing for Detainees at Mesa Verde

A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to test for COVID all detainees at a facility in Bakersfield. That’s after at least nine people held there were diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Disability-Rights Group Sues to Move People out of San Bernadino Psychiatric Hospital

About 115 patients and 150 staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at Patton Hospital in San Bernadino. An Oakland-based disability rights group is suing the state to move people out of the psychiatric hospital.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

California Counties Allowed Fewer Polling Places this Election

Senate Bill 423 from Democratic State Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana) allows counties to consolidate voting locations if they allow at least three days of early, in-person voting.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

State Lawmakers Push to Remove Racist Language from Property Records

Some Democratic state lawmakers are proposing a system that removes racist language from property records whenever a property is sold or transferred.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

'Everyday was on Repeat' Healthcare Workers Confront Isolation of the Pandemic

For the last five months doctors have seemed unflappable as they confront daily horrors that most of us can’t imagine. They've become our heroes, but now they’re exhausted.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, The California Report

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CA Lawmakers Demand Immediate Unemployment Reform

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 16:42:53 -0000

Lawmakers Demand Immediate Unemployment Reform

There are new demands for immediate reform at the state’s Employment Development Department which is in charge of providing unemployment benefits to Californians who’ve lost their jobs. Those demands are coming from more than 60 California lawmakers.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Nancy Pelosi Calls For Extension Of Federal Unemployment Benefits

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says additional unemployment payments for people who lost their jobs because of COVID are crucial as the country tries to deal with the economic fallout of the pandemic.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Advocates Say Early End to Census Strategically Targets Under-Resourced Communities

The U.S. census bureau will now end its counting efforts on September 30th, a month earlier than previously announced. this puts local census efforts in San Diego, already constrained by the pandemic, under even more pressure to get the count done quickly and accurately.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

L.A. County's COVID Cases Might Be Higher Than Reported

Los Angeles county’s COVID-19 cases are growing by more than 2000 cases a day, but the real number may be much higher. As technical issues on the state level may have led to under-reporting of cases for the last two weeks.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Californians' Views on the Pandemic Fall Along Party Lines

A poll from UC Berkeley finds that Democrats and no party preference voters overwhelmingly believe the state moved too quickly to ease pandemic-related restrictions on businesses. But a strong majority of Republicans say the business restrictions needed to be lifted because of the damage they were doing to the economy

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Local Business Owners Bring Entire Staff To Mission District Testing Site

In San Francisco's Mission District activists convinced public health officials to set up a pop-up testing site after research revealed that Latinos make up 15% of the city's population, but half of all its COVID cases. The owners of a local tortilla business recently brought their entire staff to get tested together.

Guests: Theresa Pasion and Aida Ibarra, Owners, La Palma Mexicatessan

CA Attorney General Sues Uber and Lyft Over Worker Status

Uber and Lyft are being sued by the state Attorney General for how they classify workers, and now California’s Labor Commissioner is suing the companies, too. The lawsuit comes after over 5,000 drivers filed claims of wage theft for being misclassified as contractors.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

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Data is Power for Latino Activists Fighting for More COVID-19 Testing

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 13:42:00 -0000

Husband of L.A.'s Incumbent District Attorney Faces Criminal Charges

In Los Angeles, the race for District Attorney just got more complicated for incumbent Jackie Lacey. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is filing criminal charges against Lacey’s husband after he pulled a gun on Black Lives Matter activists who had gathered outside their house in March.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

CA Attorney General Urges Feds to Expand Production of Remdesivir

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has sent a letter to federal health officials, urging them to allow other companies to manufacture and distribute the Remdesivir. Doctors say the antiviral drug is one of the few treatments that benefits patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Reporter: Peter Arcuni, KQED

Data is Power for Latino Activists Fighting for More COVID-19 Testing

Early in the pandemic, we thought anybody could get coronavirus. We now know your odds depend a lot on things like where you live and how much money you make. In San Francisco’s Mission District, which is among the hardest hit in the city, community activists with the Latino Task Force have set up a pop-up COVID-19 testing site on the street.

Guest: Jon Jacobo, Latino Task Force

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Huey P. Newton's Legacy Resonates With a New Generation of Activists

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 18:17:51 -0000

Apple Fire Caused By Malfunctioning Car Exhaust Pipe

In Southern California the Apple Fire has burned almost 27,000 acres in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Firefighters now have the blaze 15% contained. CalFire says it was caused by diesel soot from the exhaust pipe of a malfunctioning car on Friday

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR

State and Federal Workers Scramble to Contain Outbreak in Central Valley

There are few parts of California that have been hit as hard by the coronavirus pandemic as the Central Valley. The region is a major hub of food production, and a lot of Californians who live there aren’t able to shelter in place. Yesterday Governor Gavin Newsom raised concerns about the valley's growing cases of COVID-19.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

New Research Shows Young Children Are Less Susceptible to COVID-19

Pediatricians say the death of a California teenager from COVID-19 last week is a reminder that children aren’t immune to the illness. Though they are less at-risk than adults.

Reporter Sammy Caiola: CapRadio

CPB Faces Scrutiny Over Munitions Used Against Protestors

The aggressive response by Customs and Border Protection to ongoing protests across the country has come under intense scrutiny from California’s lawmakers. In June, the agency supplied munitions that San Diego law enforcement fired on protesters.

Reporter Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

Trump Administration Announces Steep Increase in Application Fees for Citizenship

Under a new rule the Trump administration published yesterday, millions of immigrants in California will have to pay hundreds of dollars more to apply for U.S. citizenship and other benefits.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Huey P. Newton's Legacy Resonates With a New Generation of Activists

50 years ago tomorrow, crowds gathered outside the Alameda County Courthouse to greet Huey P. Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party for Liberation. Newton had been convicted, with murky evidence, for his involvement in a shooting where a police officer died, and the California Courts of Appeal reversed the decision. The significance of Newton’s release still resonates with activists fighting for racial equity and justice today.

Guest: Pendarvis Harshaw, Host, KQED'S Rightnowish podcast

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One Man's Desperate Pursuit of Unemployment Benefits

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 17:17:07 -0000

One Man's Desperate Pursuit of Unemployment Benefits

At least seven million Californians have lost their jobs since the pandemic began earlier this year. It took Antonio Rael an estimated 5,600 calls before he could get an Employment Development Department worker on the phone to re-certify his claim.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Basic Questions Are Clogging the Phone Lines, Says EDD Spokesperson

Loree Levy, a spokesperson for EDD, says the agency is in the process of hiring more than 5,000 new workers. She is also encouraging applicants to review the agency's FAQs closely before calling in, and says people have been tying up the phone lines with questions already answered online.

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Reporter Still Haunted Months after Being Shot by Police with Foam Round

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 14:42:00 -0000

California Lawmakers Look to Tax the Ultra-Rich

More than a dozen Democratic lawmakers have signed on to a bill that would tax earnings above a million dollars an extra one percent. There would also be an additional, higher tax brackets for income above two million and five million.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

COVID-19 Spreads at Foster Farms Poultry Processing Plant

A COVID-19 outbreak at a big Central Valley poultry processing plant has grown to 73 confirmed cases with one worker dying. Livingston Mayor Gurpal Samra and other city officials met with Foster Farms representatives this week to make sure the company is following adequate safety protocols.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

California Lawmakers Demand Fix to Unemployment Benefit Process

Over a million Californians still want to know why they haven’t received their unemployment benefits. The director of the Employment Development Department said at a hearing yesterday it will be until September to process even the backlogged claims that have been resolved.

Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED

Fight Intensifies Over Gig Worker Classification Bill

California’s Attorney General opened a lawsuit in May against Uber and Lyft for allegedly misclassifying workers. Now supporters of Prop 22, a referendum that would allow these companies to classify workers as contractors, are suing the attorney general for how he worded the title of their ballot initiative.

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Documentary Chronicles Closure of Public Hospital in West Contra Costa County

Doctors Medical Center in West Contra Costa County shut down five years ago, citing budget concerns. This hospital mostly served patients who were uninsured or on Medi-Cal. Now former hospital employees have set up a tiny urgent care clinic, where they try to triage patients with just a quarter of their former staff.

Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

Reporter Still Haunted Months after Being Shot by Police with Foam Round

Journalists have been injured by police using tear gas, batons and projectiles to disperse crowds these last few months. KPCC's Adolfo Guzman Lopez was hit in the neck by a policeman’s foam bullet while covering a protest in Long Beach in May.

Guest: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC and LAist reporter

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Tenants Call for Statewide Rent Forgiveness

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 13:47:00 -0000

Governor Newsom Announces Strike Team to tackle Unemployment Backlog

The state agency that sends out unemployment insurance checks. has been overwhelmed with applications since the pandemic began, which has led to lots of complaints about late checks and terrible customer service. The Newsom Administration says it’s taking actions to improve the situation.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Tenants Call for Statewide Rent Forgiveness

On August 1st rent will be due for lots of Californians. But since the pandemic began, millions of people haven’t been able to pay, and they’ve been protected by a moratorium on evictions. Many renters say more help is necessary and are calling for a statewide program of rent forgiveness.

Guest: Pea Nunez, Boyle Heights Rent Striker

Proposed Bill Seeks to Extend Eviction Moratorium

State Assemblymember David Chiu introduced a bill which gives qualifying tenants protection from eviction until the current state of emergency ends, or until April of next year. Tenants unable to pay rent because they’ve lost work, or who can’t pay because of expenses related to COVID-19 would have an extra year to pay back past rent.

The Future of Commercial Real Estate Looks Grim

With so many people working from home because of the pandemic, the demand for office space has plummeted. A new UCLA survey reports people in the California commercial real estate market are feeling grim about the future.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

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L.A. County’s Atlantic Avenue is Quiet Amid High Unemployment

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 13:33:00 -0000

Trump Administration Defies Supreme Court, Rejects New DACA Applications

Advocates for immigrants in California are blasting the Trump administration for its decision to reject new applications for the DACA program, which allows undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to stay in the country. The Administration’s decision comes in spite of a Supreme Court ruling last month striking down President Trump’s attempt to end the program

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

CA Sues Trump Administration to Include Undocumented Residents in the Census

Last week President Trump issued a memorandum ordering that undocumented residents not be counted when it comes to determining seats in Congress. California’s Attorney General Xavier Becerra responded yesterday with a lawsuit arguing that counting everyone is a constitutional mandate, and not including the undocumented could cost California seats in Congress.

L.A. County's Atlantic Avenue is Quiet Amid High Unemployment

we've been checking in on how the pandemic has affected people along L.A. County's Atlantic Avenue, a thoroughfare more than 20 mile long that cuts through a variety of working class communities, with large Black, Latino and immigrant populations. Today we hear from Reginald Hall, who lives just off of Atlantic.

Guest: Reginald Hall, Atlantic avenue resident

Esselen Tribe Purchases 1,200 Acres of Ancestral Land

For the first time in more than two centuries, The Esselen tribe in the picturesque Big Sur area has land to call its own. Through a state grant, the Monterey county tribe this week purchased almost 1,200 acres of its traditional territory.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

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Doctors Stock Up on PPE at Drive-Thru Giveaway

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:29:44 -0000

Governor Newsom Will Direct Tens of Millions to Central Valley for COVID Relief

When it comes to the coronavirus pandemic, L.A. county and the Bay Area often get the lion’s share of attention. But the Central Valley is also grappling with growing virus caseloads and deaths. Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state will direct tens of millions of dollars to the Central Valley to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Healthcare Workers Call for Reduction of State Prison Population

In an open letter published this week, hundreds of healthcare workers are calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to reduce the state prison population to lessen the spread of COVID-19.
Reporter:Shannon Lin, KQED

L.A. Hopes to Improve Contact Tracing With Financial Incentive

In the battle against the pandemic, contact tracing of infected people is supposed to be a powerful weapon, but so far it’s had mixed results. Now Los Angeles County has a new approach involving dollar incentives.
Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

California Child Care Providers Vote Overwhelmingly to Unionize

Some 45,000 child care providers across the state can now bargain with the state for better pay and benefits after voting overwhelmingly to unionize Monday.
Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Doctors Stock Up on PPE at Drive-Thru Giveaway

Although shortages aren’t as bad as they were when the coronavirus pandemic broke out, many medical professionals still struggle to find personal protective equipment, or PPE .Yesterday crates of it were distributed free of charge to doctors and nurses in the parking lot of Pasadena’s Rose Bowl.
Guest: Gustavo Friedrichsen, CEO of the Los Angeles County Medical Association

New Podcast Explores the Strange Dark History of California City

In the California desert there’s an unusual town called California City. It has a ‘Twilight Zone” vibe with miles of neatly laid out streets with nothing on them and that go nowhere. It's also a place where people have had their dreams and finances destroyed by questionable real estate investment schemes over the decades. Most recently those schemes have targeted immigrants.
Guest: Emily Guerin, Host, California City Podcast

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LA County’s Manhattan Beach Resorts to Mask Fines

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:29:08 -0000

California Legislators Return to Session

California legislators return to Sacramento today after taking an extended summer recess because of COVID 19, and lawmakers have a lot of catching up to do. There are more than 500 bills pending in the Senate and close to 200 in the Assembly.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

New Study Shows Impact of Pandemic on Asian-Americans

A new study reports that Asian Americans are suffering financially in this economic crisis. It also shows that racism tied to COVID-19 plays a role.
Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC

U.S Citizenship Backlog Shuts Many Immigrants Out of Voting

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, more than 150,000 immigrants in California were applying to become U.S. citizens. Now many of them may not become citizens in time to vote this November because of the massive backlog and furloughs facing the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero , KQED

L.A County's Manhattan Beach Turns to Mask Fines

More California cities are increasingly using the threat of fines as a way to get people to wear face coverings to slow the spread of the coronavirus. One of the first cities to implement a fine for not wearing a face covering was Manhattan Beach in L.A. County.
Guest: Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery

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How Financial Shock Takes a Toll on the U.S Census

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:03:59 -0000

State Lawmaker Calls for Second Round of Lockdowns

The coronavirus crisis is reaching new, bleak heights in California, where the state reported the highest daily death count on Thursday. State Senator Steve Glazer is calling for a second round of stay-at-home orders in regions where more than 2% of of COVID-19 tests come back positive.
Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

UCLA Outlines Policy Priorities for California's Latino Communities

The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Initiative has put together a policy document outlining economic and health focuses for Latinos in California. The initiative offers up a national vision on education, housing, voting rights, and political representation.
Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

The Great American Outdoors Act Could Revive California Parks

California favorites like Joshua Tree and Yosemite need up to hundreds of millions of improvements ranging from fixed roads to new wastewater treatment plants. The Great American Outdoors Act passed by Congress this week would help, but President Trump would need to sign it into law.
Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KPCC

How Financial Shock Takes a Toll on the U.S Census

Californians are not completing the census at the same rates they did in 2010. New research from U.C Merced suggests the pandemic is playing a role because people experiencing financial blows are less likely to complete the census.
Reporter: Haley Gray, KQED

Without Comic-Con, San Diego Loses A Major Tourism Boom

If not for the pandemic, Comic-Con would be in full swing right now, bringing 100,000 people to San Diego. The event brings an estimated $150 million dollars to the city annually, but it's been pushed online this year and downtown businesses are losing out on the revenue.
Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS

"Soundtrack of Silence" Heads to Hollywood

When Matt Hay learned he was going to lose his hearing, he decided to listen to as much music as possible in an effort to create a soundtrack to last the rest of his life. This story, first reported by KQED health correspondent April Dembosky in 2017, is now headed to Hollywood.
Guest: April Dembosky, KQED

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California Has More Cases of COVID-19 Than Any Other State

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 13:03:57 -0000

California Has More Cases of COVID-19 Than Any Other State

California is now reporting more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than any other state in the nation. The state is reaching the grim milestone as it struggles to stem the spread of the virus.
Reporter: Guy Marzaroti, KQED

Hospital Capacity Dwindles As Cases Surge Across the State

The surge is cases is wreaking havoc on healthcare facilities throughout the state, forcing them to prepare for the worst. Many are still struggling with shortages of supplies and staffing.
Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

COVID-19 is Becoming the Leading Cause of Death in L.A.

COVID-19 is on track to become the leading cause of death in L.A. County. Health officials warn that unless people wear face masks and physically distance, more people will die.
Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Administrative Error Prevents Nurses From Providing Mental Health Care

As coronavirus cases are surging, so are reports of depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. But even as mental health professionals are needed more than ever, those who graduated from a Fresno State nursing program are being told to return to school and repeat their classes.
Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

How Systemic Inequality Is Fueling The Spread of COVID-19

Systemic racial inequality has left members of low-income and minority communities most vulnerable to transmission and death from COVID-19. In San Francisco, Latinos make up 15% of the population but account for nearly half of all positive COVID-19 cases.
Guest: Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, UCSF Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

NJ Shooting Linked To Killing of Lawyer in San Bernardino Mountains

The FBI has confirmed they have linked the shooting of a men’s rights lawyer in the San Bernardino Mountains to the suspect in the ambush shooting of a federal judge's family in New Jersey.
Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR

Sierra Club Confronts John Muir's Racism

One of the country’s largest and most influential environmental organizations is acknowledging its racist past. The Sierra Club is publicly calling out its co-founder John Muir -- who made derogatory comments about Black and Indigenous people and supported racist policies.
Reporter: Kathryn Barnes, KCRW

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For Many, Working From Home Will Outlast the Pandemic

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 14:06:04 -0000

COVID-19 Has Pushed Childcare Industry to the Brink

A new report out today paints a grim picture of the future of child care in our state. The industry was struggling even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now it’s been driven to the brink.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Cal State Moves Closer To Requiring Ethnic Studies Classes

In higher education it’s looking more and more like undergrads at the 23 Cal State University campuses will be required to take an ethnic studies class.
Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC

Conservative Group Sues to Reopen Schools This Fall

A conservative nonprofit is suing Governor Gavin Newsom and state officials on behalf of nine parents. They claim the statewide order which prevents districts from holding in-person classes is unconstitutional.
Reporter: Hannah Hagemann, KQED

For Many, Working From Home Will Outlast the Pandemic

Sacramento area workers say they want to keep working from home when the coronavirus threat is over. A new poll finds that employers are listening to their workers and making plans for the future.
Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio

Lassen Wolf Pack Has Eight New Pups

California's only wolf pack is growing. for the fourth straight year, Scientists have announced northeastern California is home to eight new wolf pups. But advocates worry efforts by the Trump administration could threaten the future of wolf recovery.
Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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California Workers Join Nationwide Action for Black Lives Matter

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 13:50:58 -0000

Bay Area Workers Join Nationwide Action for Black Lives Matter

Workers across the country protested economic and racial injustice Monday by walking off the job for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time that a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd.
Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Los Angeles Service Workers Stand In Solidarity With Black Colleagues

Protests also took place in Los Angeles, where workers from the fast-food, gig work, and health care industries led several different demonstrations. Service workers supporting Black colleagues drew comparisons between the labor and racial justice movements.
Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Trump Says Oakland Could see Federal Law Enforcement Next

All eyes are on Portland, Oregon, where the Trump administration has deployed federal law enforcement officers at police protests. Monday, President Trump indicated that Oakland was on his list of major U.S. cities that could see federal agents come in next.
Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

California Hair Salons May Now Operate Outside

Governor Gavin Newsom released new guidelines that could provide some relief for hair care businesses that have had to close because of health orders designed to stop the spread of coronavirus. Newsom acknowledged there was a lot to take into consideration before making the move.

New Hotline Offers Support for Harassment in Online Gaming

The video game industry has seen huge jumps in revenue during the pandemic, thanks to everyone sheltering in place. But gaming can also be a hotbed of harassment and abuse. A new hotline launching in August seeks to address this.
Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Mail In Ballots Could Have a Big Impact on the Student Vote

Colleges and universities around California are limiting the number of students they’ll allow on campus this fall -- and shifting classes online -- in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes could have a big impact on the college student vote this November.
Reporter: Guy Marzaroti, KQED

Renowned Writer Unleashes Epic Drunk Tweet Storm

This weekend, writer and author Susan Orlean almost broke the Internet with a stream of posts on Twitter. She was at home with her family after having a few glasses of wine at a neighbor's house. Her musings were exactly what the world needs right now.
Guest: Susan Orlean, Writer at The New Yorker and Author of "The Library Book"

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California Highway Patrol Officer Harassed More Than 20 Women

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 13:36:25 -0000

Many Bay Area Teachers Relieved Classes to Stay Remote

Most of the state’s largest school districts are now focusing on reopening schools this fall with distance learning. No county on the state’s monitoring watch list for increases in COVID-19 cases will be able to reopen without special approval.
Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Public Health Officials Warn Against Testing Mandates from Employers

Public health officials say employers should not be directing their employees to free, government-run COVID-19 testing sites.
Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services Faces Massive Furloughs

California lawmakers say they’re trying to reach a bailout deal for U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency in charge of issuing green cards, work permits and U.S citizenship. More than two-thirds of the agency’s staff, including 23,000 employees in California, could soon be furloughed.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Kaiser Records Highest Number of Employee Complaints Over Coronavirus Concerns

The health system Kaiser Permanente has received more complaints from employees feeling threatened by the coronavirus than any other workplace in California by far. Dozens of complaints claim staff were not given adequate protective equipment.
Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Traces of COVID-19 Found in Yosemite Wastewater

Mariposa County health officials sent samples of raw sewage from Yosemite National Park to a Massachusetts lab, and the results show that as many as 170 people in Yosemite Valley were likely infected with COVID-19 but didn’t know it.
Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

California Highway Patrol Officer Harassed Over 20 Women

A statewide KQED reporting project has uncovered serious abuse by a California Highway Patrol officer in Los Angeles. The investigation found that Officer Morgan McGrew sexually propositioned or harassed at least 21 women during appointments at a CHP field office.
Guest: Sukey Lewis, KQED

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Away from the Opera House, Long Beach Performers Get Creative

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 13:57:23 -0000

Without the Opera House, Long Beach Performers Get Creative

The coronavirus has shuttered live performance venues and created enormous headaches for California's theaters, symphonies, and opera companies. That includes Long Beach Opera.
Guest: Jennifer Rivera, Long Beach Opera executive director

Kincade Fire Caused By PG&E Power Lines, Says CalFire

State fire investigators have ruled that last fall's Kincade Fire in Sonoma County was caused by power lines belonging to Pacific Gas and Electric.
Lily Jamali, KQED

Judge Set to Uphold California's Ban on Private Prisons

A federal judge in San Diego is set to allow parts of California’s ban on private prisons to move forward. The ban includes immigration detention centers.
Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

With Visits Off-limits, Nursing Home Staff Step Up

COVID-19 cases are surging again in California, calling into question the health and safety of some of our most vulnerable: the elderly.
Benjamin Gottlief, KCRW

Most Nursing Home Staff Know Co-worker Infected by Covid-19, New Poll Shows

A new poll by the California Healthcare Foundation finds more than three quarters of the state’s nursing home employees say they know a coworker who’s had COVID-19, or are part of a staff with suspected cases.

Former San Quentin Inmate Fights for Friends Still Behind Bars

Adnan Khan got life in prison but was freed after 16 years thanks to a new law that challenged his sentence. He says the state is not doing enough to protect prisoners who are getting sick, and he’s calling on Governor Newsom and prison officials to step up.
Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine

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Environmentalists Fight to List the Joshua Tree as Endangered

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 13:20:20 -0000

Many Schools Will Remain Closed This Fall

There are about 1,000 public school districts in California. And Tony Thurmond, the state’s top education official is acknowledging pandemic conditions have deteriorated to a point where many of them won’t have students physically present in classrooms this fall.

Trump Reverses Visa Decision, Allowing International Students to Stay

After intense blowback, the Trump Administration told a federal judge on Tuesday that it’s withdrawing a plan to strip international students of their visas if they’re enrolled only in online college classes this fall because of the pandemic.
Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC

California Sues Trump Administration Over Student Loan Relief

The state of California filed a lawsuit yesterday against the Trump Administration eliminating the Obama-era “borrower defense” rule, which provides loan relief for students defrauded by for-profit universities.
Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED

Environmentalists Fight to List the Joshua Tree as Endangered

The Joshua Tree is now at the center of a growing political dispute. Environmentalists want the state to add it to California’s endangered species list, but many property owners and desert communities are against that, saying it could hobble new development.
Guest: Brenden Cummings: Conservation Director, Center for Biological Diversity

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More Than 100,000 Mail-In Ballots Were Rejected in CA Primary

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 13:50:53 -0000

New Testing Guidelines Priorotize Vulnerable Populations

Californians are now facing long lines, limited appointments, and delayed results when they get tested for coronavirus. State health officials have announced new testing guidelines that will prioritize vulnerable populations as the state faces testing backlogs.
Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

61 injured in Fire Aboard Navy Ship

The Navy says that 61 sailors and civilians have been treated for minor injuries as a fire continues to burn on board the amphibious assault ship the USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego. The fire started Sunday morning and it’s still unclear if the ship can be saved.
Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS

Attorney General Closes LAPD's Inaccurate Gang Database

The State of California maintains a massive database of gang members called CalGang. Law enforcement agencies use it to investigate gang-related crimes and they contribute names to it. Now California Attorney General Xavier Beccera is shutting down LAPD's entries to Cal Gang after investigations found many of the department's entries were false and inaccurate.
Reporter: Jerome Campbell, KCRW

Kern County Launches First-Ever Community Advisory Council

The Kern County Sheriff’s Department is facing scrutiny. Following a month of discussions with community leaders the department has agreed to collaborate with a community-led advisory council. It will be the first of its kind for Kern county.
Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

Gym Owners Frustrated Over New Closures

As coronavirus cases surge week Governor Gavin Newsom announced new shutdown orders for indoor businesses across the state. So what it’s like to own a business that has to close again?
Reporter: Shannon Lin, KQED

AB 5 Enforcement Begins With Mobile Wash Lawsuit

Mobile Wash is a Southern California-based gig economy company that offers car washing services. Now the state’s Labor Commissioner’s office is suing Mobile Wash for misclassifying about 100 of its employees as independent contractors.
Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

100,000 Mail-In Ballots Were Rejected in CA Primary

More than 100,000 mail-in ballots sent in by Californian voters in the March presidential primary were rejected, meaning those votes weren't counted. This news comes as California moves forward with plans to send mail in ballots to every voter in the state to use in the November election because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Guest: Kim Alexander, President, California Voter Foundation

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Governor Newsom Orders Statewide Shutdown As COVID Cases Rise

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 13:53:36 -0000

Governor Newsom Orders Statewide Shutdown As COVID Cases Rise

If the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is a return to some sort of normal life, that light got fainter in the last 24 hours. With COVID-19 cases rising in the state, Governor Gavin Newsom has once again ordered all California counties to shut-down indoor activities at restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.
Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Central Valley Officials Expect Public Backlash to Shutdown

Seven of the California counties that will have to once again shutter businesses are in the Central Valley. Elected officials expect there will be public backlash to the closures of businesses and churches.
Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

L.A. and San Diego Schools Will Be Online This Fall

California’s two largest school districts, Los Angeles and San Diego Unified, announced yesterday that students would not be returning to campuses next month because of the pandemic, instead instruction will be done online.
Reporter: Kyle Stokes, KPCC

Judge Denies Request To Extend Hospital Settlement

Northern California hospital system Sutter Health says the pandemic is making it hard for them to pay off half a billion dollars in settlement money to the state, but a judge won’t extend the deadline.
Reporter: Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

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LA County Residents Wait in Long Lines, Eager for COVID-19 Testing

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 13:18:20 -0000

LA County Residents Wait in Long Lines, Eager for Covid-19 Tests

People in places like Los Angeles County are struggling to make appointments at often swamped coronavirus testing facilities. Many people at a testing city in the city of Long Beach lined up well before sunrise to make sure they could be tested.
Guests: Maria Solis, Marta Miranda

LA Unified Teacher's Union Urges Against Reopening Classrooms

Right now, classes in the country’s second largest school district, the Los Angeles Unified School District, are supposed to start again in August. But the union representing L.A. Unified school teachers says campuses should remain closed because of the coronavirus.
Carla Javier, KPCC

With Inmate Workforce in Quarantine, State Races To Hire Firefighters

California is hiring more than 850 seasonal firefighters to make up for fire fighting work done by prisoners, who are now in coronavirus quarantine.
Julie Chang, KQED

Support Groups Step Up as California Inmates Prepare for Release

As many as 8,000 people are expected to be released from prisons across California to slow the spread of COVID-19. Support groups are filling in the gaps for the inmates who are going to need help to make this transition successful.
Kate Wolffe, KQED

Young Smokers Risk Severe Cases of COVID-19, Study Shows

More young people are ending up in the hospital with Covid-19. And a new study says smoking is the biggest risk factor for young people who get really sick.
April Dembosky, KQED

Aslyum-Seeking Mother and Newborn Born in U.S Driven Back to Border

An asylum-seeking mother was given the choice of leaving her new U.S. born child in this country alone or both of them returning to Mexico.
Max Rivlin, KPBS

The Potential and Perils of Antibody Tests

There is some evidence the coronavirus was present in California before March when the state shutdown. But assuming you’re now immune to COVID just because you were sick early in the year with flu like systems is risky.
Claire Trageser, KPBS

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Santa Cruz Braces for Coronavirus Surge

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 13:47:41 -0000

Santa Cruz Braces for Coronavirus Surge

Health officials in Santa Cruz are preparing for a spike in coronavirus cases. The county's chief doctor says summer weather and beach season have contributed to the spread of Covid-19.
Reporter: Hannah Hagemann, KQED

Fire Officials Prepare for Wildfires Amidst Budget Woes

Governor Gavin Newsom warned Thursday that the state faces a riskier-than-average fire year, following a dry winter and a hot early summer. Wildfire preparation this year has been complicated by the pandemic and resulting state budget shortfalls.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

San Francisco Assemblyman Slams State Agency with #EDDFailofTheDay

California's Employment Development Department has been flooded with applications for unemployment benefits. But millions are still waiting for help. Assemblyman David Chiu and other state lawmakers have been documenting the agency's failure to respond on social media.
Guest: Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco)

California Sues Feds Over On-Site International Student Requirements

California is suing to stop a new Trump administration policy that bars hundreds of thousands of international students from staying in the U.S. if their schools go fully online in the fall.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

How We Got Here: New Series Looks At History of Gig Work

COVID-19 has made clear how precarious so many peoples' life situations are across California and the country, and a lot of that uncertainty is linked to lacking support in the workplace. KQED's podcast The Bay is out with a new 5-part series looking into this.
Guest: Sam Harnett, KQED

The Black Panther Party's Unofficial House Band

This week, the California Report's weekly magazine documents the rise and fall of an unlikely musical group born out of a period of social upheaval fifty years ago.
Reporter: Sasha Khokha, KQED

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L.A. Faces Testing Shortages As Cases of COVID Grow

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 13:44:41 -0000

L.A. Faces Testing Shortages as Cases of COVID Grow

Los Angeles County remains the center of the state’s coronavirus pandemic four months in. The county has more than 123,000 confirmed cases so far. But even as the toll from the virus grows, it's gotten harder for many in the L.A. area to schedule appointments to get tested.
Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

Stanford Eliminates a Third of Its Varsity Sports

Here in the Bay Area, Stanford says its cutting nearly a third of its varsity sports programs due to financial strain from the pandemic. The school says the cuts will directly impact more than two hundred and forty students, and over forty staffing and coaching positions.
Reporter: Marco Siler-Gonzalez, KQED

Many Workers Welcome the Option to Work From Home Permanently

For some workers, the pandemic is bringing about permanent changes. Case in point: Silicon Valley-based tech company Quora, the Q&A website, is giving all of its 200 employees the option to work from home even after this is all over.
Guest: Adam D'Angelo, CEO Quora

Sacramento Grapples With Police Reform

Cities and counties all around our state are grappling with how to approach police reform. In Sacramento, that conversation has been taking place for two years, ever since the deadly police shooting of an unarmed Black 22 year-old named Stephon Clark.
Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Vallejo Police Release Video of Deadly Shooting of Sean Monterrosa

Police in the Bay Area city of Vallejo have released body camera footage from an officer’s deadly shooting of a man last month. The video doesn’t show what many were waiting for: Images of what Sean Monterrosa was doing before he was killed.
Reporter: Ericka Cruz Guevarra , KQED

Autopsy Reveals Details From Police Shooting In L.A. County

In L.A. county another family is searching for answers after a loved one's death at the hands of Police. 18-year-old Andres Guardado was shot and killed by an L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy last month. Large public protests followed. Weeks later, an independent autopsy is giving Guardado’s familo some details about what happened.
Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

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Regents Appoint First Black President to Lead UC System

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 13:42:34 -0000

Regents Appoint First Black President to Lead UC System

The University of California Board of Regents has elected its first Black president in its 152-year history. Former UC Irvine Chancellor Michael Drake will lead the 10 campus system that serves some 280,000 students.

International Students Scramble Amidst In-Person Requirements

Colleges and universities all across California are grappling with how to meet new federal guidelines for the fall semester. Those guidelines require international students to take at least a portion of their classes in-person.
Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Covid-19 Response Could Make TB Harder To Contain

Los Angeles County’s top doctor is worried that the fight against the coronavirus could jeopardize decades of hard won gains in the battle against tuberculosis.
Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

How Geography Shapes Access to Covid-19 Testing

Depending on where in California you live, it may be harder to get a COVID-19 test than it was a few weeks ago. Some counties still don’t have enough lab space, or test kits, or funding to keep up.
Reporter: Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

Most Californians are Anxious About Reopening

More than three quarters of Californians are worried that they or a family member will get COVID-19, according to a new poll by the California Health Care Foundation.

Imperial County Hit Hard by Pandemic

Imperial County has the highest rate of cases and a shortage of ICU beds. Some patients have had to wait for a bed for as long as three days. Officials have transferred hundreds of patients to facilities outside the county to get treated.
Guest: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters

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COVID Outbreak Shuts Down California Assembly

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 13:43:46 -0000

COVID Outbreak Shuts Down California Assembly

A coronavirus outbreak in the state Legislature has indefinitely delayed the Assembly’s return to work from a scheduled summer recess. Speaker Anthony Rendon’s office says five people who work there have tested positive for COVID-19.
Reporter: Angela Corral, KQED

Governor Says San Quentin Outbreak is a 'Top Concern'

After weeks of criticism over the state’s handling of a massive COVID-19 outbreak at San Quentin State Prison, Governor Newsom said it’s one of his top concerns. The governor said the population at the over-crowded facility has been reduced since March, adding that his office is looking at other ways to move vulnerable people out.
Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Lawmakers Call for Halt to ICE Transfers During Outbreak

Dozens of state lawmakers are calling on the Governor to stop California prisons from transferring people to federal immigration detention during the pandemic. The coronavirus has sickened thousands in state prisons and immigration detention centers.
Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Davis Peak Name Change Mired In Bureaucracy

Monuments to controversial historical figures are being removed essentially overnight across the nation, including here in California --following impassioned demonstrations against police brutality and racial injustice, but that’s not the case with every landmark.
Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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Finding Home: Camp Fire Survivors Settle in Crossville, Tennessee

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 14:36:07 -0000

PG&E is out of bankruptcy. The utility entered into Chapter 11 in January 2019, weeks after the Camp Fire, which killed 86 people and wiped out much of the town of Paradise. A California State University, Chico, study has been mapping out where survivors of the wildfire ended up. A cluster of around 20 people had moved in and around Crossville, Tennessee, a town of just 12,000 people.
Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

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Wine Industry Limps Along With Tasting Rooms Closed

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 13:05:43 -0000

Wine Industry Limps Along With Tasting Rooms Closed

A report out this week from Sonoma State University estimates California wine businesses lost more than $4 billion dollars since the start of the coronavirus shutdown. More than 40,000 people, directly or indirectly involved in making, distributing and serving wine, could lose their jobs. We’re talking everyone from laborers harvesting grapes to sommeliers at upscale restaurants in L.A. and San Francisco. Saul Gonzalez visited wineries in Paso Robles to learn how they're coping.
Guests: Jason Haas, Tablas Creek Vineyard, and Dorothy Schuler, Bodegas Paso Robles

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Lawmakers Question Prison Officials Over San Quentin Outbreak

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:12:00 -0000

Newsom Reinstates Closures in 19 Counties As COVID Cases Surge

Not so long ago California was seen as a model when it came to fighting the coronavirus pandemic. But in the last couple of weeks, COVID cases and hospitalizations have surged in many places in California. Yesterday day Governor Newsom announced a step back from reopening.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Southern California Hit Hard By High Unemployment

A new report shows big differences between north and south when it comes to job losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic. They’re terrible in the L.A. area, but not as bad around the Bay Area.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Lawmakers Question Prison Officials Over San Quentin Outbreak

At a state Senate oversight hearing yesterday, lawmakers asked prison officials to take responsibility for the role they may have played in increased COVID-19 cases in the state’s prisons. State Senator Nancy Skinner, chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, called for the oversight hearing in response to an outbreak at San Quentin State Prison.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin

COVID Positive Refugee Not Turned Over to ICE

A Cambodian refugee, who feared being turned over to immigration authorities after completing his prison sentence, is a free man after his release yesterday from San Quentin prison. He’s also infected with COVID-19.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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State Senate Takes Up Prison COVID-19 Outbreaks

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 13:41:45 -0000

What Happened to Sacramento's Focus on Housing

Before the coronavirus hit, housing and housing affordability seemed to be the state's biggest problems and there were lots of proposals in Sacramento to fix them. But is getting roofs over people's heads still a priority for Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature?
Guest: Erin Baldassari, KQED

LA Wants to Divert Non-Violent 911 Calls from LAPD

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to explore replacing armed LAPD officers with unarmed first responders in some cases. They’re going to look for ways to divert non-violent 9-1-1 calls away from the police.
Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

A Third of San Diego Essential Workers Are Immigrants

As the coronavirus crisis continues, there’s an even greater reliance on essential workers. In San Diego, a new report by the city and UCSD shows that more than a third of the most critical essential workers are immigrants.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

State Senate Wants to Know Why Coronavirus Is Spreading in State Prisons

COVID-19 is sweeping through San Quentin State Prison, where over a thousand inmates have tested positive for the virus and one has died. The coronavirus is also spreading at several other prisons across California. At a hearing in Sacramento this morning, state senators are expected look for answers and solutions.
Reporter: Julie Small, KQED

Did San Diego Biotech Lab Inflate Progress on Coronavirus Vaccine?

A coronavirus vaccine being developed by a southern California biotech lab is showing promising results in human trials. At least that’s what Inovio Pharmaceuticals announced yesterday.
But a series of lawsuits says the CEO has intentionally misled investors for profit.
Reporter: Tarryn Mento, KPBS

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Coronavirus Cases Spike Across The State

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 14:06:00 -0000

Coronavirus Cases Spike Across The State

When it comes to progress in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the news out of Los Angeles County, where about one in four Californians live, is bad. There were more than 2,900 new COVID cases in the county reported on Monday.

Fresno County Jail Hit By Coronavirus Outbreak

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Department reported 507 positive COVID-19 cases at the county jail on Monday. That’s almost a quarter of the lock up’s population. But testing has been limited to just one part of the facility.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

Golden State Killer Pleads Guilty In Public Hearing

Joseph DeAngelo, the defendent in the Golden State Killer case, has pleaded guilty to dozens of rape and murder charges, stemming from crimes in the 1970s and 80s. The guilty pleas were part of a deal to avoid the death penalty.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Workers Strike Over Outbreak At Pistachio Plant

Workers at a Central Valley pistachio plant say they were exposed to COVID-19 because their employer did not take preventive measures. After closing for cleaning and on-site testing Monday, the plant is set to reopen today. But union representatives are still worried about worker safety.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Enforcement of Consumer Privacy Act Begins July 1st

Starting tomorrow enforcement will begin for the California Consumer Privacy Act. The landmark law went into effect in January and is intended to give consumers greater control over what companies do with their personal information online.

Guest: Rachael Myrow, KQED

New Americans Take Part in 'Drive-Thru' Naturalization

The coronavirus pandemic put a hold on large-scale naturalization ceremonies across California, But thousands of immigrants have safely become citizens thanks to naturalization “drive-thrus.”

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

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Cal State University System Prepares to Reopen in the Fall

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 13:59:53 -0000

Reopening Halted as Coronavirus Spreads Across the State

If you thought you could ease up a bit on worrying about the coronavirus pandemic, news the last few days has been like a big bucket of cold water to the face.

Coronavirus Cases on the Rise at San Quentin

971 people incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison have tested positive for COVID-19. One state lawmaker is calling it a major catastrophe.
Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report

Cal State University System Prepares to Reopen in the Fall

How do you plan for safely educating more than 480,000 students on 23 different campuses during a pandemic? As the fall school year approaches, that's the challenge facing the California State University system, the largest four year university system in the country.
Guest: Timothy White, Cal State Chancellor

King City to Outfit Police Guns with Cameras

Monterey County’s King City—at the southern end of the Salinas Valley—is the first California city to outfit all of its police officers with cameras on their guns. This is even though the city of just over 14,000 residents has had no officer-involved shootings in recent memory.
Guest: Greta Mart, KCBX

Mayors Take Their Push for Universal Income National

A coalition of U.S. mayors is kicking off a campaign in support of the idea of universal basic income. It’s led by Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, who started a guaranteed income pilot project in his city in February 2019.
Guest: Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs

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Construction Firms Offer COVID-19 Tests To Workers

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 13:53:45 -0000

Stuck and Scared Amid San Quentin Outbreak

As of this morning, 539 inmates have contracted the coronavirus at San Quentin State Prison -- more than at any other state prison in California. Inmates are stuck and scared.
Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

Construction Firms Offer COVID-19 Tests To Workers

If you’ve tried to get a covid19 test lately, it may have felt like a scramble. But what if your job offered you one? Some Sacramento construction crews now have that option. Other employers are exploring if they should do the same.
Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio

Injunction Would Make Gig Workers Into Employees

California’s Attorney General is seeking a court injunction that would force ride-hailing companies Lyft and Uber to make their drivers employees immediately.
Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Samaritan Podcast Explores Homelessness in LA

A new podcast from our partners at KCRW in Los Angeles looks at homelessness through the eyes of one native Angeleno who's trying to get a roof over her head in the midst of the pandemic. It’s called "Samaritans."
Guest: Anna Scott, KCRW and "Samaritans" podcast producer

Rounding Up a Big Week in Immigration News

It has been quite a week for immigration news. The Supreme Court yesterday agreed with the Trump administration that if asylum seekers are turned down in an initial interview, they can be rapidly deported without the right to go before a judge. We have a roundup of all things immigration and what it means for California.

Guest: Tyche Hendricks, Immigration Editor, KQED

Injunction Would Make Gig Workers Into Employees

California’s Attorney General is seeking a court injunction that would force ride-hailing companies Lyft and Uber to make their drivers employees immediately.
Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

'He Played With People’s Minds': Fresno Priest Left a Trail of Sexual Abuse Allegations

This week on our sister show, The California Report Magazine, Reporter Alex Hall takes us inside a Latino church in Fresno where parishioners are forced to confront whether their priest is a miracle worker or a predator.

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Berkeley Lab Testing New Saliva-Based COVID Test

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 14:10:11 -0000

Californians Will Vote on Affirmative Action In November

California voters will decide in November whether the state should restore affirmative action. This after the state Senate voted yesterday to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Dr Fauci Says Coming Weeks Are Critical for California

Perhaps no one has been as vocal during the COVID 19 pandemic than infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. He’s often the bearer of bad, but indispensable news. Here are some highlights from a virtual Sacramento Press Club event yesterday.
Reporter: Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

Berkeley Lab Testing New Saliva-Based COVID Test

California is experiencing a surge in reported cases of COVID-19. Three months into the pandemic tests remain scarce. Early on, at UC Berkeley, Dr. Jennifer Doudna who co-discovered CRISPR gene editing technology, transformed her lab into one focused on COVID testing. Her team has come up with a saliva-based test, they’ve been trying out on campus this week.
Guest: Jennifer Doudna, Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UC Berkeley

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COVID-19 Spreads at San Quentin, Other State Prisons

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 14:01:59 -0000

LA City Councilman Arrested in Bribery Scandal

The FBI says longtime Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar shook down real estate developers looking to get projects approved for $1.5 million in bribes and campaign donations.
Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

New Coronavirus Cases on the Rise in California

There is a spike in reported cases of COVID-19 around the state.
And it’s not entirely clear why. Health experts say there’s no real evidence that recent protests led to it.
Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED Science

State Budget Deal Includes Help for Undocumented Immigrants

The new state budget brokered by the governor and Democratic legislative leaders this week.. includes two important victories for Undocumented immigrants in California. But advocates say the accommodations leave much to be desired.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Politics

COVID-19 Spreads at San Quentin, Other State Prisons

The coronavirus is spreading inside 19 correctional facilities in California. San Quentin has 407 inmates with active infections. The State Senate Committee on Public Safety has announced it’s holding an oversight hearing to shed light on decisions made by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that many believe made prison outbreaks much worse.
Guest: Don Specter, Prison Law Office

Lawmakers Pressure Employment Dept. To Speed Up Processing Checks

With the economy in a slump because of the pandemic, many out-of-work Californians now rely on unemployment checks to make ends meet. But getting that check hasn’t been easy. And lawmakers are noticing. In a Tweet thread, Bay Area State Assemblyman David Chiu introduced the hashtag, "EDD Fail of the Day," and slammed the state’s Employment Development Department saying the agency is failing Californians.

Black Scientists on Racism in Academia

Like many corners of society right now, academia is in the middle of a reckoning. Systemic racism, tolerated for so long, is now front-and-center. Our colleagues at the KQED Science desk have been speaking with black scientists and academics about their lives and work, and how things need to change.
Reporters: Kevin Stark, Danielle Venton, Jon Brooks, KQED Science

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Data Dividend Project Pushes Tech Companies To Pay Users For Data

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 13:49:34 -0000

CA Sees Dramatic Rise In COVID-19 Cases

California has seen 47 thousand new cases of COVID-19 in the past two weeks. That's a dramatic uptick, making up about a quarter of all known cases in California. This is just one troubling fact revealed in Governor Gavin Newsom’s press briefing Monday.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

New State Budget Proposal Relies On Federal Aid

At the state capitol, the pandemic has forced lawmakers to rethink a budget that’s being pared back because of the pandemic. The governor and Legislative leaders have struck a deal to close a 54 billion dollar budget deficit caused by the pandemic.
Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Guards Use Pepper Spray During Protest Inside ICE Detention Center

Immigrants held at Adelanto Detention Center near Riverside report that they were pepper sprayed by guards for protesting a lockdown at the facility. ICE Says the crackdown was necessary.
Reporter: Elly Yu, KPCC

Health Officials Resign Under Increasing Stress and Public Scrutiny

The public health director of LA County announced yesterday that she’s received hate mail and death threats over restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. She’s not the only one. So far, seven high-level health officials in california have resigned due to increasing stress and public scrutiny.
Guest: Anna Maria Barry-Jester, Kaiser Health News

Data Dividend Project Pushes Tech Companies To Pay Users For Data

Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang is launching an initiative called the Data Dividend Project. It aims to get tech consumers to pay consumers for their data. The program begins as officials get ready to begin enforcing the California Consumer Privacy Act next week.
Guest: Andrew Yang, Data Dividend Project

Black Doctors Carry the Weight of Pandemic And Police Brutality

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for health care workers across the board - It’s been especially hard on Black doctors. They're working long hours away from their families -- while trying to process disturbing images of police brutality in the news.
Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

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Calls for Police Reform Echo Across California

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 14:02:39 -0000

Calls for Police Reform Echo Across California

This weekend, demonstrations against police brutality continued all around the state. In Los Angeles yesterday afternoon, protests had particular urgency after the recent killing of 18-year old Andres Guardado. Last week, in the city of Gardena, an LA County Sheriff’s deputy shot Guardado in the back seven times. Protesters are calling for an independent investigation. His death has added fuel to weeks of protests demanding police reform. We get an update on reform efforts from reporters from our partner stations in Sacramento and San Diego.
Guests: Claire Trageser, KPBS and Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

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Labor Unions Shut Down West Coast Ports for Juneteenth

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 14:04:34 -0000

Governor Requires Face Masks in Public Statewide

In a directive issued yesterday by Governor Gavin Newsom, most Californians everywhere in the state must wear masks when in public places. It’s a response to a worrying spikes in coronavirus cases in many parts of California.
Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Labor Unions Shut Down West Coast Ports for Juneteenth

Cargo ports up and down the West Coast are going to be pretty quiet today. That’s because workers of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have voted to spend the day protesting police violence and racism instead of loading and unloading ships.
Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED

Young Black Actvists Claim Juneteenth as 'Our Independence Day'

In West Oakland some teenagers are claiming Juneteenth for themselves. A group calling themselves Black Youth for the People’s Liberation will hold a rally today in Oakland.
Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

DACA Recipients Mobilize for Path to Citizenship

Across California recipients of DACA are celebrating yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling that preserves protects undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. But despite the high court’s decision, that protection is temporary. The so-called Dreamers are mobilizing for a permanent path to American citizenship.

Congressman Says Tech Companies Not Fully Prepared To Prevent Election Meddling

There are worries that as Election Day looms, social media is again becoming a place where misinformation and half-baked conspiracy theories spread, like what happened when Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Yesterday, the House Intelligence Committee held a hearing on what big tech companies are doing to fight off disinformation campaigns.

Guest: Congressman Adam Schiff

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Big Win for Dreamers in the Supreme Court

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 15:09:17 -0000

Big Win for Dreamers in the Supreme Court

Earlier this morning, the Trump Administration was dealt defeat by the U.S. Supreme Court. In a 5 to 4 decision, the justices rejected the administration’s attempt to get rid of DACA. That’s the program protecting so-called Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. The decision affects about 200,000 people here in California.
Guest: Kevin Johnson, Dean, UC Davis School Of Law

Poway Synagogue Sues Shooter and Gun Manufacturer

Victims of last year’s shooting at a synagogue in the San Diego County community of Poway are now suing the alleged shooter and the gun manufacturer that made the semi-automatic weapons used in the attack. Investigators say the attack was motivated by anti-Semitism.
Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS

Judge Rules in Favor of Emergency Relief for Undocumented Students

A federal judge in San Francisco has ruled that the Trump Administration cannot withhold pandemic-related emergency grants from undocumented college students in California.
Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Election Officials in Conservative Counties Weigh in On Mail-In Ballots

This November election every voter in the state will have the option of voting by mail. It’s generally a pretty popular idea in Blue State California, but some Republicans aren’t happy with it. They argue voting by mail could create opportunities for election fraud.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

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Fort Bragg Considers a Name Change

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 13:58:23 -0000

PG&E CEO Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter in Camp Fire

It’s pretty extraordinary to hear the CEO of a big company plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter, but it happened in a Butte County courtroom Tuesday. Pacific Gas and Electric CEO Bill Johnson entered guilty pleas again and again for the deaths of 84 people, all of them victims of the 2018 Camp Fire which was sparked by PG&E equipment near the town of Paradise.

As Coronavirus Spreads in Prisons, Non-Violent Inmates Can Get Early Release

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says it will allow for the early release of inmates who have 6 months or less left on their sentences. The non-violent offenders will have to prove they have a place to live once they’re free. Cases of COVID-19 inside California prisons continue to balloon.
Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED

Developments in Case of Black Man Found Hanging in Palmdale

The family of Robert Fuller, the 24-year-old Black man found hanging from a tree in Palmdale, says they will seek an independent autopsy to determine Fuller’s cause of death. City officials initially called his death a suicide, until that conclusion was challenged by protests.
Reporter: Darrell Salzman, KCRW

Statues Coming Down in Sacramento

You might’ve heard about statues being pulled down around the country, and around the world. The artworks commemorate historical figures, once hailed as heroes, but who now are seen by many as oppressors and exploiters. In Sacramento, a statue of John Sutter was removed from a hospital and the state legislature promised to remove statues of Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella of Spain.

Fort Bragg Considers a Name Change

There’s a push to rename U.S. military bases that are named for Civil War-era generals who fought for the Confederacy. The small Northern California coastal town of Fort Bragg now confronts the issue. Like the Army Base in North Carolina, the town is named for Braxton Bragg, a slave-owning Confederate general.
Guest: Mayor Will Lee, Fort Bragg

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Study: Prosecutors Strike Black and Latino People from Juries

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 13:32:33 -0000

UC Endorses Return to Affirmative Action in Admissions, Hiring

UC Regents have voted to endorse reversing their past position and repealing Prop 209. That would once again allow the UC system to use affirmative action again in admissions and hiring.

Legislature Passes a Budget, But Much Is Still Up-in-the-Air

The State Legislature passed a budget yesterday, but that does not mean the spending discussion is over... especially in a year when California is grappling with a pandemic and the economic toll it’s taken on state finances.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

Newsom: California Is Ready for Spike in Coronavirus Cases

As California continues to reopen, the number of COVID-19 cases in California is steadily increasing. But Governor Gavin Newsom says the state is well-prepared for a possible future spike.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Politics

LA's City Council Discusses De-Funding the LAPD

In the wake of police abuse cases, cities and counties across California are facing mounting public pressure to rethink police practices and funding. In Los Angeles, a push to de-fund the LAPD got its first official hearing at LA City Hall Monday.
Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

California's AG Wants to Make Sure Bad Cops Don't Get Rehired

Americans are engaging in a debate about how to reform police departments so officers don’t engage in discriminatory practices, and don’t kill people like George Floyd. Some analysts say one problem isn’t just a few rotten apples, it’s that when officers get fired for misconduct, they easily get hired elsewhere. California’s Attorney General wants to pass new laws that ensure that bad cops don’t get to stay on the job anywhere.
Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Politics

Study: Prosecutors Strike Black and Latino People from Juries

A new study from UC Berkeley finds that California prosecutors disproportionately strike people of color, especially African-Americans, from serving on juries. We asked the person who spearheaded the study to break down the report’s findings and their implications for the justice system.
Guest: Law Professor Elisabeth Semel, UC Berkeley Death Penalty Clinic

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Imperial Co. Has Highest COVID-19 Infection Rate in Calif.

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 13:45:28 -0000

Supreme Court Won't Take Up California's Sanctuary Law Case

This morning the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the Trump Administration’s challenge to California’s so called “sanctuary state” law. That leaves in place state rules that prohibit local California law enforcement from helping federal immigration authorities apprehend and deport people in the country illegally.
Guest: Prof. Jessica Levinson, Loyola Law School

Protests Erupt in Palmdale and Victorville Over Two Black Men Found Hanging

Amid the ongoing protests for racial justice, two Black men have been found dead, hanging from trees in desert cities outside of Los Angeles.
Reporter: Cerise Castle, KCRW

Should I Get Tested? And When?

Mass protests and the loosening of shelter-at-home orders are bringing more people together. Public health officials recommend getting tested for COVID-19 if you think you’ve been exposed. But doctors say it’s important to know when to get a test and to understand what the results mean.
Reporter: Peter Arcuni, KQED Science

Imperial Co. Has Highest COVID-19 Infection Rate in Calif.

So far, more than 4-thousand people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Imperial County and 43 people have died from the virus there.
Reporter: Julie Small, KQED

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What Will Schools Look Like When They Reopen This Fall?

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 16:48:43 -0000

Los Angeles County Reopens Gyms, Museums, Pools, And More

Today is a big day for LA county. It's set to start letting a lot of places reopen for the first time since coronavirus closure orders were issued in March. Museums, Gyms, zoos and and public pools are now allowed to do business again, and the county is allowing film and television production to restart.
Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, KQED

Sacramento School Officials Seek Out Hard-To-Reach Students

This summer, educators are taking stock of just how dramatically COVID-19 has changed how kids learn. More than 1600 students in Sacramento lost touch with their public schools when the city district closed classrooms in March. Officials have had to find ways to reconnect with kids who are the hardest to reach.
Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio

What Will Schools Look Like When They Reopen This Fall?

Superintendents around the state are grappling with how to reopen schools safely. They’re figuring out how to keep kids learning, while getting a crash course in logistics.
Guest: Robert Nelson, Superintendent, Fresno Unified School District

Reflecting on UC President Napolitano's Tenure: 'I Want to be Remembered as Being Lively'

Janet Napolitano is nearing the end of the tenure as the President of the University of California. She sat down with us this week and spoke about the decision to suspend standardized tests in admissions, the ongoing pay dispute with UC grad students, and the future of Dreamers whose immigration status is now in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Guest: UC President Janet Napolitano

UCLA Grad Reflects On Graduation And Uncertainty

seniors at UCLA are graduating today. The university’s 100th graduating class will don their caps and gowns virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon-to-be-graduate Noor Bouzidi recorded some reflections.

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U.C. President Janet Napolitano on the Fight to Protect DACA

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 13:36:20 -0000

New State Bill Would Bring Back Affirmative Action

California’s Assembly has advanced a possible constitutional amendment that would once again allow affirmative action in the state. The measure, ACA 5, would repeal a current section of the California Constitution written in the 1990’s.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Janet Napolitano Fights To Protect DACA

The Supreme Court will soon make a decision on whether so-called "Dreamers" can stay in the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Janet Napolitano created DACA as Homeland Security Secretary under President Obama. And in her current role as President of the University of California, has taken the lead in the fight over whether DACA is legal.
Guest: Janet Napolitano, University Of California President

28,000 Californians Face Deportation If Temporary Protected Status Ends.

An estimated 28,000 essential workers in California could be at risk of deportation if the courts allow President Donald Trump to end humanitarian protections called Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. We bring you the story of one Bay Area man who’s afraid his future in the U.S. could come to an abrupt end at any moment.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Visiting Black-Owned Restaurants Doesn't Address Police Brutality

You might have seen lists of Black-owned restaurants on social media or your favorite food blog, along with the suggestion that patronizing these establishments is a way to support the Black community and protest police brutality. We spoke to someone who picked that apart.
Guest: Ruth Gebreyesus, KQED

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Cop-Turned-Politician Wants to Ban Chokeholds

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 14:05:57 -0000

Coronavirus Cases Spike in Some Parts of State

As California moves to reopen bars, gyms and other businesses on Friday, some areas are seeing their coronavirus numbers spike. Hospitalizations in Sacramento have quadrupled in the past two weeks.
Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Orange County's Public Health Direct Resigns

Scientists say masks protect those around you and help stop the spread of the coronavirus. But in Orange County, the debate has grown so intense that the county’s public health director has resigned.
Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report co-Host

Former Cop Turned State Politician Wants to Ban Certain Police Chokeholds

Democratic state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would outlaw police from using certain holds to restrain people. Assembly Bill 1196 bans chokeholds that halt blood from flowing to someone’s brain, including the carotid restraint that killed George Floyd in Minneapolis. Assemblyman Mike Gipson, a former police officer from Carson, authored the bill.
Guest: Assemblyman Mike Gipson, Carson

Calls for Feds to End High-Tech Drone Surveillance

More than half a dozen California members of Congress are calling on the Trump administration to stop using high-tech surveillance gear to monitor peaceful protests. They sent a letter to four federal agencies yesterday.
Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Legislature Considers Expanding Medi-Cal to Undocumented Senior Citizens

The Legislature is seeking to help undocumented immigrants on the healthcare front as well. Lawmakers are supporting a plan to expand Medi-Cal to undocumented adults 65 and older.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

Earned Income Tax Credit Not Helping Many Immigrants

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, income and wealth inequality were rampant throughout the state, especially in communities of color. One program aimed at addressing that was supposed to put cash into the pockets of the working poor. But it’s not available to many immigrant families, at least not yet.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Politics

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California Reacts to Calls to “Defund the Police”

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 14:01:03 -0000

California Reacts to Calls to "Defund the Police"

There’s a growing movement calling on governments to “defund the police,” as nationwide protests continue over the killing of George Floyd. It’s a provocative idea. But what exactly these kind of long overdue police reforms might look like in real life?
Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Mayors: Some Promise to Reallocate Police Funding, Others Balk

Some mayors are resisting calls to reallocate police funding, saying it’s not realistic. The city of San Jose released its budget just yesterday. And the mayor there says defunding urban police departments is "the wrong idea at the worst possible time."
Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

"Defund the Police": Just a Slogan Or An Opportunity?

Police unions will stand in opposition to many of the reforms that are being proposed in this moment. But what about the officials who run those departments? We wanted to know if there's appetite for change at the top.
Guest: Prof. David Kennedy, director of the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

State Releases Guidelines for Reopening Schools

Facial coverings, temperature checks, and spacing of students per public health guidelines are among several of the recommendations.

Courts Balance Safety Against Rights As They Reopen

The state’s court system has been paralyzed over the last few months, first by the pandemic, and then by protests, which forced courts to close just as trials were restarting. California courts are trying to balance public safety with constitutional rights.
Reporter: Sheraz Sadiq, KQED

Oakland Protests Birth Murals on Plywood Protection

Downtown Oakland has been the site of massive protests in the past week and a half -- and now it's the site of an outdoor art gallery of sorts. Bonafide artists and amateurs alike painted giant murals on the plywood covering windows of businesses there.
Guest: Jonathan Long, artist and organizer

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Black and Tired in an American Newsroom

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 13:50:54 -0000

Black and Tired in an American Newsroom

We have a saying in the news business: report the story, don't become it. And yet, during this difficult year, it's hard to find anyone whose life hasn’t been affected in some way by the news, including the unrest that we've seen in recent weeks. Austin Cross is a producer and reporter at our partner station KPCC in Los Angeles. As he explained in an article on the website LAist, it can be challenging to separate yourself from some stories when the ones getting hurt look like you.
Reporter: Austin Cross, KPCC

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Curfews Are Lifted As Protests Continue

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 15:02:32 -0000

Curfews Are Lifted As Protests Continue

Across California cities and counties, that had curfews in place, started lifting them. Authorities felt that was safe to do because of a noticeable cooling of anger on the streets. Protesters marching against police violence and racism increasingly emphasized a message of non-violence and dialogue over confrontation.

Governor Proposes Help For Businesses Damaged During Protests

This week’s protests across California against police brutality have been overwhelmingly peaceful. But for businesses that did suffer vandalism, break-ins and ransacking…. Governor Gavin Newsom wants to offer financial help. At a press conference in Stockton yesterday, he said that aid should come in a variety of ways.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

SCOTUS To Decide The Fate Of DACA This Month

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule this month on whether the Trump administration can end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals --or DACA. The program protects nearly 200,000 Californians from deportation and gives them work permits.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Half-A-Dozen County Public Health Leaders Have Resigned Or Retired Since Mid‐April.

As California faces its greatest public health crisis in decades, half-a-dozen county public health leaders in the state have resigned or retired since mid‐April. Filling vacant leadership positions can be challenging, especially if counties are competing against each other for talent.
Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

COVID-19 Continues To Spread In State Prisons

The California Department of Corrections has released its latest report on COVID-19’s spread within its population of prison inmates. CDCR reports two more inmates have died from what appear to be complications of COVID-19.
Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Reflections From An Activist, Cop, Pastor, And City Council Member

This morning we hear leaders from around the Monterey Bay reflect on the last couple of weeks of unrest in America. A longtime community activist and teacher has seen it all before, politician speaks about police reform, and a pastor urges black folks to vote.
Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU

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Protesters Dance in the Streets Defying Oakland Curfew

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 13:47:20 -0000

Governor Issues Pandemic Voting Guidelines

California counties must hold three days of in-person early voting before the November election. It’s one of several guidelines set out in an executive order issued Wednesday by Governor Gavin Newsom to address concerns of holding an election during a pandemic.

Reporter: Tara Siler, KQED

New State Budget Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

As California wrestles with the costs of the coronavirus pandemic, leaders in the state legislature have struck a deal on a framework for a new state budget. But this new budget leaves a lot of questions unanswered.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Wildfire Survivors Question PG&E Settlement Vote

PG&E is close to getting out of bankruptcy. A few weeks back, survivors of several fires caused by PG&E equipment voted on a settlement. But a KQED investigation has revealed that many ballots arrived several weeks after PG&E claims they were mailed out. Now, there are calls for an audit of the vote.
Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Protestors Dance In The Streets Defying Oakland Curfew

Thousands of people turned out last night for a rally in downtown Oakland. The event was called in defiance of a curfew imposed after recent police violence protests. Unlike some recent demonstrations this one ended joyfully.
Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED

Privacy Groups Oppose New Facial Recognition Bill

The ability of artificial intelligence programs to recognize people’s faces has many governments and businesses around the world salivating at its possible applications. In California, a bill introduced in the State Assembly attempts to create ground rules for the development and use of facial recognition. But civil rights and digital privacy groups oppose the bill.
Guest: Hayley Tsukayama, Electronic Frontier Foundation

CA Attorney General To Enforce Data Privacy Law

Companies that gather your information online were hoping the California Attorney General’s office would delay enforcing the state’s landmark consumer privacy law. It appears they might have another thing coming.
Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Protests Against Police Violence Stay Mostly Peaceful

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 13:53:33 -0000

No Show of Force from Police During Oakland Protests, Despite Curfew

Last night was different in Oakland. For the first time since protests started there last week, there were no flash-bang grenades, no teargas and no arrests. And protests throughout the Bay Area over the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police were calmer, too.
Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

Anti-Police Violence Protests Stay Mostly Peaceful in L.A.

Really big, multi-racial protests against police violence and racism stayed mostly peaceful across the state Tuesday. Though there were confrontations here and there.Here in L.A. protesters marched in Hollywood and downtown..and things stayed civil.
Guest: Pastor Winfred Bell, Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church

Protesters Grateful When Police 'Take a Knee'

Protesters are challenging police officers to "take a knee" to show respect for the march’s message: an end to police violence and institutional racism. Is it meaningful or purely symbolic?
Guest: John Bernard, protester

Do Curfews Help Keep the Peace or Inflame Tensions?

Elected officials and law enforcement say curfew orders help keep people safe and restore order. But the Southern California chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union disagrees. It asked Los Angeles County to revise or rescind the curfew there.
Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

State Capitol's Black Caucus Wants to Turn Protests into Legislative Action

Protesters say their goal is systemic change. But what does that mean in terms of legislation? California’s African American state lawmakers have a list of bills they want to pass this year.
Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

Child Care Funding Cuts Could Hit Vulnerable Kids

Child care advocates in California were expecting to see funding cuts in Governor Gavin Newsom’s revised budget proposal following the COVID-19 pandemic. But some worry one cut in particular could make it harder for the state’s poorest kids to get care.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

Facebook Employees Still Angry About Zuckerberg's Handling of the President's Tweets

Facebook employees are still publicly criticizing Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg for not taking down or flagging some of Donald Trump’s most incendiary social media posts. At least one Facebook employee has resigned on principle over this.

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Anti-Police Brutality Protests Grow Across State

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 13:44:46 -0000

LA Mostly Peaceful Protests Move Into San Fernando Valley

Last night, there were more protests against racial injustice and police abuse across the state. Many cities and counties imposed curfews on residents. The footprint of the protests also continued to expand. For the first time since the demonstrations began, large protests were held in LA’s San Fernando Valley, home to roughly 2 million people.
Reporter: Ben Gottlieb, KCRW

Organizers Worried About Risk of Catching Coronavirus While Protesting

Health professionals who are worried about the hazards of demonstrating during a pandemic. Organizers, like Cat Brooks with Oakland's Anti-Police Terror Project, are taking precautions.
Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

Progressive Prosecutors Want to Limit Political Donations from Police Unions

In the wake of George Floyd’s killing, a coalition of California prosecutors is pushing for a new ethics rule to limit law enforcement’s political influence.
Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

San Diego Bans Controversial Choke-Hold

In San Diego, the death of George Floyd has led to an immediate ban on a controversial chokehold called a carotid restraint, and it involves an officer applying pressure to a person’s neck until the suspect temporarily loses consciousness.
Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, The California Report

South LA Stays Calm, Welcomes Peaceful Protests

In this week’s protests, South LA has been quiet. Community leaders in Watts say they welcome any peaceful protests that might come to their area but they won’t tolerate violence or vandalism.
Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

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Outrage Over Police Violence Erupts Across California

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 14:10:56 -0000

Outrage Over Police Violence Erupts Across California

Over the weekend, thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across the state to express anger and pain. The immediate spark was George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police, as well as other acts of violence against people of color by law enforcement. But in many cities—Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and even suburban Huntington Beach and Walnut Creek—violence clouded that message of justice.
Guest: Charlotte Smith, Oakland hair salon owner

Mayors Ask for Calm, Impose Curfews

Mayor Eric Garcetti made an appeal to not let violent individuals hijack the protests’ message about racial injustice.

Audio Postcard from Fresno

Voices from the Fresno protest, as organizers struggled to keep out interlopers and maintain a peaceful demonstration.
Producer: Alex Hall, KQED

Michael Tubbs: On Leading Stockton and His Hopes for a Better World for His Son

Mayor Michael Tubbs says the protests are an "expression of nihilism and hurt" which strive to correct 400 years of historical oppression. In Stockton they were mostly peaceful, with only a few cases of vandalism and stealing. "They're children who need direction and correction," he said. He also talked about his hope that his small son will live in a different and better America when he grows up.
Guest: Michael Tubbs, Mayor of Stockton

San Diego Demonstrators Focus on La Mesa Police

Protesters converged on the La Mesa Police Department, spurred by not only the death of George Floyd but also a recent incident in which a white La Mesa police officer repeatedly shoved a young black man before arresting him.
Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

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Dentists Reopen With Changes To Protect Workers, Patients

Fri, 29 May 2020 13:44:46 -0000

Long Beach Restaurants Hope Closing Streets to Cars Will Help Business

Few industries have been hit harder by the COVID-19 outbreak than the hospitality business. A recent state tally shows that 900,000 jobs have been lost in California alone. As the state continues to reopen, cities and counties are exploring ways that restaurants can serve customers again in person, including shutting down streets to cars.
Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

California's Cap-and-Trade Auction Didn't Raise Much Money

Every three months, our state auctions off what are known as "cap and trade" credits. It’s a way of raising money that the state can then turn around and spend on environmental programs. But the action held this month? It didn’t make much money. It’s more coronavirus fallout.
Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED Science

Dentists Reopen With Many Changes To Protect Workers and Patients

Are you overdue for a dental cleaning? Dentistry looks a lot different in the age of COVID-19.
Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED Science

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13 People, One Bathroom: A Mom’s Home Isolation Story

Thu, 28 May 2020 13:36:45 -0000

OC Sheriff Won't Enforce Mask Order

As much of California reopens, elected officials in Orange County are doing so while disregarding the orders of their own public health department to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Sheriff there says he will NOT enforce a new countywide order requiring people to wear face coverings in public.
Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

Key Testing Milestone: CVS Pharmacies to Offer Tests to Uninsured

More than a hundred CVS pharmacies in California now offer coronavirus testing even to the uninsured.
Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Science

OC Assemblyman Loses Committee Seats After Harassment Investigation

In Sacramento, an embattled Orange County Assemblyman has been stripped of his committee memberships after a sexual harassment investigation.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

Schools Consider Policies for Fall

Several Bay Area school districts are considering temperature checks for students and staff, that’s “if” they reopen physical campuses at the start of the new school year.
Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

How to Self-Isolate with 12 Other People and One Bathroom: A Mother's Story

Doctors tell patients recovering from COVID-19 at home, to stay in a room by themselves, and avoid sharing a bathroom. But that’s not easy for low-income immigrants doubling or tripling up to afford rent.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Fire Victims Say They Didn't Get Ballots on PG&E's Bankruptcy Deal

One of the last steps in PG&E’s planned exit from bankruptcy got underway yesterday. The “confirmation trial,” as it’s called, is taking place on Zoom.
Guest: Cheryl Maynard, lost her home in the 2017 Camp Fire

California AG Sues EPA Over Fuel Economy Standards

California is once again suing the Trump Administration. This time it's over the move to roll back national standards that require better fuel economy for new cars and trucks.
Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

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Nursing Home Patients Often Can’t Say Goodbye To Loved Ones

Wed, 27 May 2020 13:59:00 -0000

Governor Newsom Says You Can Now Get A Haircut

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that California counties can now allow barbershops and hair salons to re-open with precautions. It’s the latest example of Newsom turning over the keys to reopening to local officials.

Reporter: Guy Marzaroti, KQED

Prison Officials Ask Governor For Help With Outbreak

Avenal State prison in Kings County now has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in the state corrections system: 198. Kings County is reaching out to Governor Gavin Newsom for help.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, KVPR

Mental Health Workers Step Up To Support Frontline Colleagues

Mental Health experts are worried about the psychological toll the pandemic is taking on doctors, nurses, paramedics and other first responders. Mental health workers are now participating in a new volunteer effort to support these frontline workers.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

Private Spacecraft Leaves For International Space Station

Wednesday NASA is scheduled to send two astronauts to the International Space Station aboard the first privately built spacecraft. It's the first time astronauts are leaving for space from the U.S. since 2011.

Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED Science

Nursing Home Patients Often Can't Say Goodbye To Loved Ones

Nearly 8 thousand Californians in skilled nursing facilities have tested positive for COVID-19. So far almost 20 percent of those patients have died. That heightened risk is why the state has locked down nursing homes to most visitors - with a few exceptions.

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

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Assembly Meets to Take Back Control from Governor

Tue, 26 May 2020 13:30:17 -0000

A Look at Coronavirus Outbreaks at Prisons around California
Protesters gathered over the weekend outside a federal prison facility in Lompoc, home to the worst COVID-19 outbreak in the entire federal prison system with 900 inmates testing positive and 2 deaths so far.
Reporter: Kathryn Barnes, KCRW
Assembly to Discuss State Budget and Take Back Control from Newsom
Today at the State Capitol, the Assembly is meeting as what’s known "a Committee of the Whole." That means the Assembly will talk about a topic without having to take a vote. That topic, no surprise, is the sad state of California’s budget during the state shutdown. And it comes against the backdrop of a restless legislature that’s ceded quite a bit of power to Governor Gavin Newsom during this emergency and is ready to take some control.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Politics
California Could Lose a Seat in Congress
Despite some COVID-19 related delays, the census is still underway. Next year that data will determine how many representatives in Congress each state gets. And for the first time ever in California’s history one seat will likely be on the chopping block.
Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC
Memorial Day Beach-Goer: Everyone Needs an Escape Hatch During Quarantine
On this Memorial Day weekend, a lot of Californians did as Californians do. They and went to the beach. For the most part, it seems, we did a pretty good job of following social distancing rules. Getting outside is usually a big part of the holiday weekend which is the unofficial start of summer. The California Report’s Saul Gonzalez checked out the boardwalk at Venice Beach this weekend.
Guest: Michael Dorfman, Venice Boardwalk juggler

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Nurse and Army Vet Reflects on Caring for COVID-19 Patients

Mon, 25 May 2020 13:11:26 -0000

SF General Nurse Who Served in Afghanistan Reflect on Caring for COVID-19 Patients

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced all of us to find new tools to cope with this unprecedented crisis. Perhaps no group has been affected more than first responders working at hospitals throughout the state. We spoke with a registered nurse at San Francisco General Hospital who served in the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 who says he's using lessons from his military service more than ever right now.
Guest: Adam Visher, RN and Army veteran

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UC Admissions To Phase Out SAT and ACT Requirement

Fri, 22 May 2020 14:19:43 -0000

Unemployment in California Climbs to 15%

There are new unemployment figures out this morning from the U.S. Department of Labor showing unemployment in California in April climbed to 15.5 %. But for a lot of people who are newly jobless, filing for unemployment benefits has been difficult because of the crush of applications. State elected officials also expressed frustration at a legislative hearing yesterday.
Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

UC Admissions Won't Require Standardized Tests Anymore

The University of California Regents voted unanimously to phase out SAT and ACT test scores as admissions requirements. The standardized tests have long been criticized for creating barriers to higher education for less privileged high school students.
Guest: Education Professor Frances Contreras, UC San Diego

More Questions Than Answers About Reopening Schools

California’s superintendent of public instruction says most districts plan to open on time this fall. Tony Thurmond hosted a statewide meeting yesterday to get input on how to do that safely during the pandemic.
Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

Facebook Says Half Its Staff Can Work From Home

If you’re lucky enough to still have steady work, you might be doing your job from home these days. Now Facebook plans to let half of its 48-thousand employees work from home permanently.
Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

When Can I See My Friends in Person? Some Guidelines

As stay at home orders lift across California, many people are beginning to wonder whether some degree of face-to-face socializing is safe. Seeing friends or family is more tempting every day we have to endure social distancing. But what's safe?
Guest: Lesley McClurg , KQED Science

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Pastors Want To Resume In-Person Religious Services

Thu, 21 May 2020 13:49:02 -0000

Pastors Want To Resume In-Person Religious Services

More than 1,200 California pastors are vowing to hold religious services on May 31st, Pentecost Sunday. That would be in defiance of a state moratorium on religious services put into place to help halt the spread of the coronavirus. One pastor explains what it's like to shut down his house of worship at a time when people's needs, both spiritual and practical, are so great.
Guest: Pastor Robert Chavez of Victory Outreach Church

Film and TV Production To Resume, But Probably Far from Hollywood

Governor Gavin Newsom says he’s "drafting" guidelines and standards so television and film projects can resume production as California emerges from the pandemic shutdown. But Los Angeles County likely won’t meet those standards at first, so Hollywood still won’t be able to shoot in Hollywood.
Reporter: Shannon Lin, KQED

Watchdogs: Cuts to Senior Services Could Endanger Elderly, Disabled

Nursing home watchdogs say proposed cuts to programs serving the elderly and the disabled will put more people at risk for COVID-19.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Subcontractors Won't Get Part of Federal Bailout of Airlines

Many people whose work is critical to the airline industry aren’t seeing a dime of that money. They’re subcontractors: janitors, maintenance workers and caterers, like one airline cook at San Francisco International Airport.
Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Joshua Tree Park Reopens with New Rules

After a two month closure over coronavirus concerns, Joshua Tree National Park reopened this week with some limits in place. While the park is a welcome day trip for Southern Californians who’ve been cooped up and want to get out for Memorial Day weekend. But locals near the park are conflicted about the impending influx of visitors.
Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

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California Lawmakers Propose Plans To Make Housing a ‘Human Right’

Wed, 20 May 2020 15:34:31 -0000

U.S. Justice Department Warns State Not To Violate Religious Freedoms

Are measures put into place to protect Californians from the coronavirus also stepping on religious freedoms? In a letter sent to Governor Gavin Newsom, the U.S. Justice Department warns that keeping houses of worship closed might violate constitutional rights.

Over One Million Undocumented Californians Seek Financial Relief

This is the first week undocumented Californians hit hard by the pandemic can apply for state financial relief. The response has been overwhelming. Just two of the dozen nonprofits the state selected to screen applicants say they got 1.3 million calls on the first day.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

UC Regents Consider Cuts

The financial toll of the pandemic is coming into focus for the University of California system. As UC Regents meet to discuss the issues this week, advocates are making a case against cuts.
Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED

California Lawmakers Consider Making Housing a 'Right'

California’s housing crisis has driven state lawmakers to think big: How can they guarantee housing as a right? Two different approaches to that problem have made their way to the the state capitol. Now the coronavirus pandemic is shaping the debate.
Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED Housing

Imperial County Is Turning Away COVID-19 Patients

Two hospitals in Imperial County are turning away coronavirus patients because they say they can't handle any more. The hospitals attribute the recent spike to American citizens living in Mexico who've tested positive for COVID-19 there and are crossing the border to seek treatment.

People Experiencing Heart Attacks Are Staying Away From Hospitals

For weeks, doctors have been worried that patients having heart attacks were not coming in to emergency rooms because they were afraid of contracting the coronavirus. A new study confirms doctors’ suspicions.
Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Already Struggling, Recycling Industry Nosedives During Pandemic

Californians are stuck at home and producing more trash than ever. However, the centers that process residential recycling say they can’t operate with workers standing six feet apart. Which means a lot of those materials aren’t getting recycled.
Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

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Is Mass Transit Ready for Reopening? Who’s Ready to Ride?

Tue, 19 May 2020 13:53:17 -0000

Newsom Changes Qualifications for Next Phase of Reopening

The vast majority of counties in the Golden State can start easing pandemic restrictions and reopening their economies, says Governor Gavin Newsom. This despite the fact that there are more than 80,000 confirmed coronavirus infections in the Golden State and more than 3,200 Californians have died from COVID-19.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Legislators Ready to Reassert Power in Sacramento

Since the pandemic started and the state shut down, Governor Newsom has wielded an enormous amount of power. But the legislature is now back in session and at a state Senate hearing Monday, lawmakers seemed ready to reassert themselves as budget negotiations get underway. These discussions are going to be tough because of the need to make up for a huge drop in tax revenue.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Barbershops and Nail Salons Worry They Can't Last Until Reopening

Maybe you can’t wait to get back to your favorite barber or nail salon. But it may still be a while, as these places are supposed to open last, in the state’s final phase of re-opening. And many of these businesses are worried they won’t survive until then.

Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio

How One Slaughterhouse Avoided Outbreaks

Across the country, slaughterhouses have been forced to shut down because of coronavirus outbreaks that endanger workers. This has disrupted the meat supply chain. But one employee-owned processor near Sacramento acted quickly to protect its workers and has managed to avoid closure.
Reporter: Alice Woelfle, The California Report

Is Mass Transit Ready for Reopening? Are People Ready to Ride Again?

As stay at home restrictions are loosened, how many people will really feel safe returning to buses trains and subways? The experts really have no idea what's ahead. But for now trains and buses are mostly empty.
Guest: Phillip A. Washington, CEO, L.A. County's Metropolitan Transportation Agency

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Coping with COVID-19 on L.A. County’s Atlantic Boulevard

Mon, 18 May 2020 13:59:45 -0000

Undocumented Californians Get Access to Financial Help

Starting Monday, undocumented Californians affected by the pandemic can get financial assistance through a 125 million dollar fund set up by the state and philanthropic groups.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Hospitals Ask for State Funds for Fall COVID-19 Wave

California hospitals are disappointed that Governor Gavin Newsom’s new state spending proposal doesn’t include any financial support for them. The hospitals say without more help, they won’t be ready for a possible second wave of COVID-19 this fall.
Reporter: Sammy Caiola, CapRadio

Maternal Mental Health Program Cuts Coming

Psychologists are warning that the coronavirus pandemic could soon be followed by a mental health crisis. But the governor is proposing making cuts to funding for mental health services for new moms.
Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Coping with COVID-19 on Atlantic Boulevard: From Hip Hop Clothing to Face Masks

From time to time, we're checking in with people along Los Angeles County's Atlantic Boulevard. More than twenty miles long, it cuts through a variety of hardscrabble blue collar communities, like Cudahey, Maywood, South Gate, and North Long Beach. That's where we met Lena Durr, who owns a small hip hop clothing store.
Guest: Lena Durr, small business owner

Does Contact Tracing via App Provide Enough Privacy?

Smartphones, if combined with the right app, could be a powerful tool in tracing the spread of the coronavirus and warning people about possible exposure. Many local governments, including San Diego county, are seriously considering using these apps to track potential COVID-19 cases, which—no surprise—raises privacy concerns.
Reporter: Claire Trageser, KPBS

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Coronavirus Pandemic Decimates State Budget

Fri, 15 May 2020 14:45:12 -0000

Coronavirus Pandemic Decimates State Budget

State lawmakers there are looking at painful cuts to the state budget. Governor Gavin Newsom has projected a somber picture in his revised budget proposal for the state post-coronavirus.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

California's Schools Face Deep Budget Cuts

Just as schools across the state gear up to reopen, they’re facing deep budget cuts. Governor Newsom is asking legislators to approve some adjustments to soften the blow.
Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Less Money for Housing for Homeless in Revised Budget

An ambitious plan to invest more than 1 billion dollars from the general fund to tackle homelessness. It’s been scrubbed from the Governor’s revised budget.
Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

Governor's Budget Proposes Cuts to Medi-Cal

In addition to the many other reductions, Governor Gavin Newsom has announced substantial cuts to Medi-Cal as part of his May revision to California’s budget.
Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Help for Nursing Homes in Latest Federal Relief Package

In Washington, the House of Representatives will vote on a coronavirus relief package today. It’ll include a proposed $500 million specifically for nursing homes.
Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED Science

Growing Food and Veggies in South LA

COVID19 times have uncovered a sad irony: As farmers report crops rotting in the fields, hunger is growing nationwide. Food banks are seeing demand skyrocket. One organization in South LA is dedicated to making its community more self sufficient when it comes to food.
Reporter: Deepa Fernandes

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What’s Next for California’s Budget?

Thu, 14 May 2020 14:32:24 -0000

California AG Sues Federal EPA Over Regulation Relaxation

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is once again suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency.... this time for saying they'll suspend enforcement of some environmental requirements during the coronavirus pandemic.
Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

COVID-19 Hits State Women's Prison

The state Department of Corrections has announced a new COVID-19 outbreak at a women's prison in San Bernardino County. The California Institution for Women has tested at least 400 inmates since last Friday, and positive cases are increasing there.

Pharmacies Get Green Light to Test for COVID-19

Soon it might be as easy as stopping at a local pharmacy to find out if you have the coronavirus. The new state guidance allows tests that tell you if you have the virus or you had it in the past.
Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Science

State Attempts to Test Workers and Residents of All Nursing Homes

California officials say it will take more time to test all workers and patients for coronavirus at over 1200 nursing homes statewide. They’re looking at what three counties -- LA, San Francisco and Alameda -- already are doing to inform it.
Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED Science

State Task Force Weighs Costs of School Reopening

A state task force is working on what it will take to reopen schools safely, but it will be up to individual districts to decide when to reopen. That’s according to State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond.
Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

What's Next for California's Budget?

The Governor’s revised budget proposal comes out today, and one thing is sure: California's coffers have seen better days. KQED Politics reporter Katie Orr joins Lily Jamali to explain where things stand and what can be expected.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

One Doctor's Experience Helping Members of the Navajo Nation

The Navajo Nation in the southwestern U.S. currently has the second highest per-capita infection rate after New York state. The illness is taking a devastating toll on the community, where access to water and multi-generational housing are helping the virus spread.
Guest: Aylin Ulku, UCSF volunteer physician

Trump Administration Looks To Continue Pandemic-Policy of Sending Back Migrants

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf toured the San Diego/Tijuana border from a Coast Guard helicopter yesterday. That’s at the same time that the Trump administration is looking to extend indefinitely its restrictive border policies that were put in place during the pandemic.
Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

Coronavirus Complicates A Ban on Cashless Restaurants

Businesses in California are taking new precautions to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. Some are no longer accepting cash. However, a bill at the state Capitol, introduced in February, would ban this practice.
Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

Republican Mike Garcia Projected to Win 25th District

The AP now projects Republican Mike Garcia will defeat Democrat Christy Smith, flipping back a seat Democrats won during the 2018 midterms. Garcia and Smith will be on the ballot again in November, facing off for a full two-year term to represent the Simi, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys in Congress.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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LA Residents Set To Shelter-in-Place Through July

Wed, 13 May 2020 14:15:20 -0000

COVID-19 Outbreak Hits Turlock Nursing Home

Fourteen residents of a nursing facility have died of COVID-19 in Stanislaus County, at the Turlock Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. It's one of the deadliest outbreaks at a skilled nursing facilities in Northern California.
Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

LA Residents Set To Shelter-in-Place Through July

Los Angeles has become the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the state. Yesterday, the county's 10 million residents were told they'll be sheltering in place for longer than they expected. L.A. County's public health director, Barbara Ferrer, said the stay-at-home order need to be extended because coronavirus infection rates and death rates keep rising in the county.
Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, Co-host, The California Report

Oceanside Official Rallies Local Support to Reopen

Oceanside City Councilman Christopher Rodriguez is asking local business owners to join his push to get the economy back up and running right away. Rodriguez published a letter over the weekend telling business owners to reopen if they feel comfortable.
Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS

New Poll Finds Bipartisan Concern About COVID-19 Response

The online poll of 2,500 likely California voters found that a bipartisan majority are concerned about the government response to COVID-19, as well as the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Politics

Newsom Announces Easing of Restrictions

The governor says he’s amending the statewide stay-at-home order to allow more offices to reopen, as well as stores in malls, but only for pickup. The governor says Butte and El Dorado counties can now reopen restaurants for dine-in. Another 27 counties are also asking to reopen on a faster timeline.

Republican Mike Garcia Holds Lead for 25th District

Republicans in the 25th district were motivated by the opportunity to flip a California honuse seat from blue to red for the first time this century. Both parties spent over a million dollars on the special election. Looks like Republican Mike Garcia will hold the seat.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Facebook Moderators Win Lawsuit Over PTSD Issues

Facebook has agreed to pay a total of $52 million to content moderators to compensate them for mental health issues they develop on the job.
Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

What Does Universal Basic Income Look Like During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

In our current reality of widespread illness and record unemployment, a concept like "universal basic income" may be more welcome than ever. Stockton is piloting a program that gives residents a lump sum every month, no strings attached,
Guest: Michael Tubbs, Stockton Mayor

How Arts and Culture Workers are Proving Essential

When facing major disasters, California looks to first responders like firefighters and nurses to save lives. But what about rebuilding those lives after they’ve been saved? Some say that’s where arts and culture workers might prove essential.
Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

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Newsom Defends Mask Deals That Fell Through

Tue, 12 May 2020 13:52:00 -0000

900+ Inmates Test Positive for COVID-19 at Lompoc Prison

The largest cluster of coronavirus cases in the entire federal prison system is centered at the prison complex in Lompoc along California’s Central Coast. More than 900 inmates there have now tested positive for COVID-19. That’s more than three-quarters of the prison's population of inmates.
Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Newsom Defends Mask Deals That Fell Through

Governor Gavin’s Newsom’s administration is defending several unsuccessful deals it made to buy medical masks and face shields that help protect against COVID-19. In an Assembly oversight hearing at the state Capitol Monday afternoon, officials stressed no taxpayer money was actually lost in the deals.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

Oil and Gas Industry Wants Help, and Less Regulation, Amid Crisis

Several weeks ago, an oil and gas group representing hundreds of companies that drill in California asked the state for help to prevent a collapse of their industry and the loss of jobs. California regulators say they’re prepared to give a break to oil and gas producers dealing with severe drops in fuel demand because of the COVID-19 crisis.
Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED

Tallying Lost Income for CSU System

The COVID-19 pandemic is costing universities across the state millions, as key sources of revenue have disappeared. In the Cal State system, officials say the final tally of lost income could end up topping $300 million.
Reporter: Shannon Lin, KQED

Work Sharing Provides Business with Flexibility, Workers with Benefits

One out of every five workers in the state has filed for unemployment since the coronavirus hit California. And economists say for many companies, there’s a better way. It’s called Work Sharing, a lesser-known program that lets employers cut hours and use unemployment benefits to make up for lost wages. But employers say California’s Work Sharing application process is outdated. Long waits have been discouraging for their workers.
Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

Why All Eyes Are on California's 25th Congressional District

Today, voters in one of Southern California’s most hotly contested congressional districts decide who will replace Democrat Katie Hill. Hill resigned six months ago after affair allegations. Some of her private photos were leaked.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Politics

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Rural NorCal Sheriffs Want Flexible Shutdown Rules

Mon, 11 May 2020 14:06:20 -0000

Tourism in Southern California Expects Big Hit

The coronavirus has brought the travel and hospitality industries to a standstill. People aren’t flying, hotels are empty, and bars and restaurants are barely getting by with takeout service. A forecast commissioned by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board expects the city to lose billions of dollars and millions of visitors.
Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Small and Medium Cities Looking at Vast Budget Deficits

Just six cities in the state expect to get a cut of a $150 billion in federal help from the CARES Act, which only applies to cities with at least half a million people qualify. What about the rest?
Guest: Ben Christopher, CalMatters

Sheriffs in Far Northern Reaches of State Want More Flexible Shutdown Rules

Sheriffs in Northern California are pushing back against some aspects of Governor Gavin Newsom’s shelter in place orders. They argue the rules should be different for their counties, because cases of COVID-19 there make up a small portion of the state’s total.
Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

Tesla CEO Threatens to Move Away Bay Area Over Shutdown Order

Tesla CEO Elon Musk had a busy weekend on Twitter. Upset at the Bay Area’s extension of stay-at-home orders that have kept Tesla’s facilities closed, Musk said he’d immediately move the electric car-maker’s Palo Alto headquarters out of the state. He said Tesla’s plant in Fremont could be next.
Guest: Dana Hull, Bloomberg News

How Mail-In Voting Will Work for Sutter County

Governor Newsom signed an executive order last week to ensure that all registered voters in California receive a mail-in ballot for the November election. In Sutter County election officials say it’s a matter of voter safety, but also safety for poll workers.
Reporter: Ashlea Brown

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Mom-and-Pop Shops Prepare to Re-Open at LA’s Flower Mart

Fri, 08 May 2020 14:13:58 -0000

Newsom: Some Retailers Can Re-Open

Nearly two months after many California businesses shut their doors to slow the spread of the coronavirus, some retailers and manufacturers are re-opening… just a little bit... starting today.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Mom-and-Pop Shops Prepare to Re-Open at LA's Flower Mart

Small shops prepare for a partial reopening and hope they can make enough sales to stay open.
Guest: Marta Hernandez, flower shop owner

Why Some People Can't Get Unemployment Benefits

Millions of newly jobless people have filed for unemployment benefits since March. In California, many who’ve applied aren't getting their payments, for several reasons. One of them is something known as "false claim penalty cases." These are people who either tried to defraud the state when they filed for unemployment in the past, or just made honest mistakes when filling out complicated paperwork.
Guest: Kaila Hoppe, unemployed television costumer

Working Actors Find Residuals Reduce Their Unemployment

Turns out, there are a lot of ways to lose your unemployment check, or at least part of it. Consider the plight of working actors. Work they did years ago, can count against their current unemployment benefits, just when they need them most.
Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

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Silicon Valley Is Still Hiring, At Least For Now

Thu, 07 May 2020 14:12:03 -0000

With Revenues Down, California's Budget Outlook is Bleak

Less than an hour ago, the state of California released a snapshot of what the coronavirus pandemic has done to the state’s finances. And the numbers are bad. Surging unemployment and business closures mean the state is projecting a drop of more than 25 percent in both personal income tax and sales tax revenues, and a more than 20 percent decline in corporate taxes. Mix this all together we’re looking at a $41 billion dollar drop in state revenue compared to projections in January. This comes as the state spends more on health care to deal with the pandemic.
Guest: H.D. Palmer, California Department of Finance

First ICE Detainee Dies of COVID-19 at Otay Mesa

A sixth prisoner at the Terminal Island federal detention center in San Pedro has died from COVID-19. And more than half of the facility’s thousand inmates have tested positive for coronavirus, as well as fourteen staffers. This makes Terminal Island, which is in between the Ports of L.A and Long Beach, one of the most significant concentrations of coronavirus cases in the state. Meanwhile, a detainee in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody has died of COVID-19. He was being held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego County. This marks the first coronavirus death in ICE custody nationwide.
Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

Beef Shortage in California? Not Likely

There’s been much talk recently about whether America’s supply of beef and poultry is threatened, as workers in meat processing plants test positive for the coronavirus, forcing those facilities to temporarily close. Meat suppliers in California say there will be changes, but no shortages.
Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Librarians Make Good Contact Tracers

UC-San Francisco is launching a statewide effort to train 20,000 new contact tracers. These are the disease detectives who connect the dots between people who have COVID-19 and the people they’ve come into contact with... and may have infected. Individuals who might have a particular knack for the job are librarians.
Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Details Emerge on California's Contract to Buy Masks from Chinese Company

State officials are releasing details of a huge and secretive contract for California to purchase protective gear from China. This follows reporting from the L.A. Times. The document trail reveals the Newsom administration scrambling to acquire hospital masks in the absence of federal leadership.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Politics Editor

New Website Features Map of Coronavirus Testing Sites

Many people want to get tested to see if they’re infected with coronavirus. But where? Governor Newson has announced a new interactive map Californians can use to find COVID-19 testing locations nearby.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

Silicon Valley Is Still Hiring, For Now...

A lot of California industries are laying off employees. But companies in Silicon Valley are actually hiring people—a lot of people. It’s a good time to be in the market for a mid-level white collar job in web development and tech support.
Reporter: Rachael Myrow, Silicon Valley Desk Editor, KQED

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California City Attorneys Sue Uber and Lyft Over Worker Misclassification

Wed, 06 May 2020 13:49:41 -0000

California, City Attorneys Sue Uber and Lyft Over Worker Misclassification

The state of California and some cities are suing Uber and Lyft for misclassifying their drivers as contractors and denying them access to employee benefits like unemployment insurance, which is especially needed during the pandemic.
Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Advocates Call For Prisoner Release As Inmate Cases Grow

More than 200 prisoners at California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County have tested positive for COVID-19 along with 44 staff members. One inmate has died, while four have been released. Prison officials say another 287 inmates have tests pending.
Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Children With Undocumented Parents Are Being Denied Federal Aid

A federal law providing coronavirus emergency aid discriminates against millions of U.S. citizen kids by denying them payments because their parents are undocumented. That’s according to a class-action lawsuit on behalf of these children -- including roughly 1 million in California.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Rural Counties Defy Governor's Stay-At-Home Orders

Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that he’s given permission for more beaches in Orange County to reopen after reaching agreement with local officials. But the governor is unhappy with other counties that are defying state health orders.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Debt Collectors To Cash In On Coronavirus

A new study from the Pew Research Center predicts that debt collections will grow dramatically in the pandemic’s aftermath, and debt collectors are likely to sue to get other assets.
Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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Newsom Says Business Can Reopen, A Little Bit

Tue, 05 May 2020 14:47:20 -0000

Newsom Says Business Can Reopen, A Little Bit

Governor Gavin Newsom announcing that the Golden State can start to reopen, at least a little bit, beginning as soon as Friday.

State Finances Take Hit from Coronavirus

This crisis has taken a huge bite out of state tax revenue... just as the demand for California’s social safety programs is skyrocketing. All those people in need put extra pressure on state finances.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

Immigrant Activists Want Stimulus Checks for Undocumented

An L.A.-based immigrant advocacy group is pushing for all immigrants to be included in economic and health recovery efforts from the pandemic.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Working Hollywood Copes with Coronavirus Shutdown

Like with other industries, the coronavirus pandemic has shut down Hollywood. And that's been disastrous for all the companies that supply goods and services to film and television productions.
Guest: Mikel Elliot, CEO of Quixote Studios

Mariposa County's Successful Contract Tracing Effort

Mariposa County, which includes Yosemite National Park, confirmed its first coronavirus case last week. Within a few days that jumped to thirteen cases. County officials say they’re containing the spread.
Reporter: Laura Tsutsui, Valley Public Radio

In-Home Healthcare Workers Lack PPE

In-home supportive services workers help older, disabled people in their homes—so they don’t have to seek care elsewhere. Many of these minimum wage workers say the state hasn’t provided them with enough personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, shipments of N-95 masks and gloves have finally arrived, but there’s a catch. Only those who have been exposed to COVID-19 have access.
Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED

Consumer Privacy Advocates Want Stricter Rules

The California Consumer Privacy Act created new rights around how businesses collect and share our personal information. Now the group Californians for Consumer Privacy has announced it’s submitting voter signatures to qualify a new measure for the November ballot. It would create even stricter rules to protect users’ privacy.
Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Drive-By Protests and Outreach to Help Day Laborers

Mon, 04 May 2020 13:55:08 -0000

State Assembly Heads Back to Work After Emergency Recess

State legislators are returning to Sacramento today after leaving for an emergency recess in March because of the coronavirus crisis.
Guest: Anthony Rendon, California Assembly Speaker

State's First Election During Pandemic Heats Up North of LA

The first election during California's COVID-19 crisis is next Tuesday. Voters north of Los Angeles in the Simi, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys are casting ballots in a special election. They’ll decide who fills a Congressional seat left vacant by the resignation of freshmen Democrat Katie Hill last October. The pandemic has re-framed the candidates' messages—and reshaped how the election will take place.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Politics

Drive-By Protests and Outreach to Help Day Laborers

Even under stay at home orders, most counties have allowed construction projects to continue, including home remodeling and landscaping. So day laborers have kept looking for the little work that remains. In Los Angeles, activists are reaching out to workers to tell them about programs that can help.
Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

FaceBook Page Provides for Needs of Prisoners During Pandemic

Jails and prisons are hot spots when it comes to the spread of COVID-19. They’re also places where personal hygiene products to keep clean are in short supply. There’s a new online effort to help, one prisoner at a time.
Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

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As Economy Stalls, Renters Organize for Relief

Fri, 01 May 2020 14:33:50 -0000

As Economy Stalls, California Renters Organize for Relief

It’s the first of the month. Which means rent is due. But with the COVID-19 pandemic gutting parts of the economy, a lot of California renters can’t pay it. KQED’s Molly Solomon reports advocates have organized a “rent strike” in hopes of winning support for rent relief on a massive scale.
Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED

Surf's Up, But Some SoCal Beaches are Closed

With clear skies and some pretty good surf forecasted this weekend, health officials are once again warning people *not* to gather at local beaches. The coast along Orange County will be CLOSED altogether—per Governor Gavin Newsom’s orders—and the beaches in LA County remain shut down as well. Neighboring regions are taking a softer approach.
Reporter: Kathryn Barnes, KCRW

Sacramento Adjusts to New Reality of Pandemic

Before this pandemic, the politicians we send to Sacramento were expected to tackle issues like homelessness, housing and PG&E’s bankruptcy. But the coronavirus has forced new priorities in the state capitol. Lobbyists are adjusting to the new reality.
Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Politics

Remote Modoc County Reopens for Business

Today, one of the state’s least populated counties, in the far northeast corner of the state, starts a “staged reopening” of its non-essential businesses.

Isolated Together: CapRadio Documents Sheltering-in-Place

Sheltering-in-place has been... real. Our partners at CapRadio are documenting it with help from listeners, in a new project they’ve launched called Isolated Together.
Guest: Scott Rodd, Reporter, CapRadio

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Judge: PG&E ‘Cheated’ on Power Line Maintenance

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 13:52:33 -0000

PG&E 'Cheated on Maintenance,' Judge Writes — Then Orders New Probation Conditions

We’ll start a San Francisco federal judge’s order to require Pacific Gas and Electric to take a series of steps to improve its safety practices and head off future disasters.
Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Fire Victims Vote on PG&E Settlement, But What’s The Plan?

As tens of thousands of PG&E fire victims vote on their settlement with the utility, recent court filings make it clear that key details of that plan are still being negotiated, including the timing and amount of compensation. Meanwhile, some fire survivors who are navigating this complex process without legal help say they have yet to receive ballots. Voting ends May 15.

One-on-One with Erin Brockovich

Activist Erin Brockovich gained fame fighting PG&E. These days, she’s a consultant for attorneys who helped negotiate PG&E’s compensation settlement with fire survivors. She fielded questions that survivors shared with The California Report about her current role.
Guest: Erin Brockovich, Activist

Retiring CalFire Spokesman Worried about Firefighters and Their Families

Hot weather last weekend was a reminder that fire season isn’t just around the corner—it’s already here. Captain Scott McLean, whose voice you might recognize as the department's spokesman, is retiring this week and discussed the challenges CalFire faces in the near future.
Guest: Capt. Scott McLean, CalFire

Why It's Hard to File for Unemployment Right Now

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, it’s been clear from your emails and tweets to us that for so many of you, the process of filing for unemployment benefits has been confusing and sometimes infuriating. We went looking for answers and an explanation of the technical issues that people are coming up against when they try to file their claims.
Guest: Jenna Gerry, senior attorney with Legal Aid At Work

How Hospitals Prepared for the COVID-19 Surge

Governor Gavin Newsom says it’s not safe to loosen shelter-at-home orders unless hospitals can handle a potential surge in COVID19 cases. Even though California seems to have flattened the curve so far, a future spike is possible, especially when current restrictions soften.
Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Science

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Fewer Traffic Collisions Mean Longer Waits For Organ Donations

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 13:55:57 -0000

California's Finances Will Take A major Hit From Coronavirus

It’s too early to tell just how hard the COVID-19 pandemic will hit California’s finances. The state official in charge of signing the checks issued by California is keeping a close eye on the revenues coming into the state’s coffers.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Governor Newsom May Open Schools This Summer

Concerned about California students’ falling behind academically, Governor Gavin Newsom says some schools could open in late July or early August. But they will need to adopt social distancing protocol.
Reporter: Julia McEvoy

Fresno City Officials Call For And End To Shelter-In-Place

Even as the San Francisco Bay Area hunkers down for another month of sheltering in place, some Central Valley elected officials are saying it’s time non essential businesses there are allowed to reopen.
Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

New Study Finds Harmful Indoor Pollution From Gas Appliances

UCLA is out with a new study about the emissions gas appliances release in our homes. This is at a time when many of us are spending more time at home than maybe ever. The study finds that gas appliances cause harmful indoor air pollution.
Guest: Rachel Golden, Sierra Club

Fewer Traffic Collisions Mean Longer Waits For Organ Donations

As we shelter in place, an unintended consequence of the coronavirus pandemic has come to light. The number of traffic collisions and fatalities has gone down. Aas a result, people waiting for kidney, liver, and heart transplants are having to wait longer.
Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

Students Teach Online Music Lessons And Support Coronavirus Relief

It’s tough being cooped up at home right now, especially if you’re a teenager. But some California high school student and undergraduates are using their weeks in quarantine to teach music to kids, and donating the proceeds to support coronavirus relief efforts.
Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED

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The Battle of the Beaches in the War on Coronavirus

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 13:21:42 -0000

Emergency Room Doctors Have Coronavirus Homework

Turns out it’s not just the risk of infection and the long hours that makes being an hospital Emergency Room staffer draining right now. Treating COVID-19 comes with homework. Once doctors finish their shifts, they still have to try and catch up on the latest coronavirus research. Following the latest medical literature about coronavirus is exhausting and, sometimes, discouraging.
Guest: Clay Josephy, emergency medicine doctor in South Lake Tahoe

NASA Scientists Build a Better Ventilator

Months into this pandemic, there remains a national shortage of ventilators. Well, a team of engineers at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena is figuring out how to build more -- and fast.
Reporter: Jerome Campbell, KCRW

Student Volunteers Help at Monterey's Public Health Lab

Monterey County’s Public Health Laboratory has increased its COVID-19 testing capacity seven-fold over the last 5 weeks thanks to one graduate student who offered to help, after hearing a story on local public radio.
Reporter: Michelle Loxton, KAZU

The Battle of the Beaches in the War on Coronavirus

Governor Gavin Newsom says those weekend crowds at some Southern California beaches don’t help contain the coronavirus. It's shaping up to be the Battle of the Beaches, one of many in the War on Coronavirus.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Politics

The Case for Expanding Medi-Cal to Protect Undocumented Seniors from Coronavirus

At the start of this year, before most of us had ever heard of COVID-19, Gov. Newsom proposed expanding the state’s health insurance, Medi-Cal, to low-income undocumented seniors. This pandemic may derail those plans, just when they need it most.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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