KQED's The California Report
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KQED's statewide radio news program, providing daily coverage of issues, trends, and public policy decisions affecting California and its diverse population.
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23 hours ago
Emissions Lab To Be Ground Zero For Fight Against Air Pollution
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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1 day ago
Summer Means Travel, Outdoor Activities Here In California
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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4 days ago
LA Homeless Count Up Nine Percent
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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5 days ago
Removal Of Dams On Klamath River Worry Some Local Residents
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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6 days ago
Reported Hate Crimes Rise 20% In California
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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Jun 27, 2023
California Lagging On Recycling Food Scraps
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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Jun 26, 2023
Budget Agreement Still Not Reached As Deadline Looms
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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Jun 23, 2023
Two Bay Area Companies Get Approval To Sell Cell-Cultivated Meat
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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Jun 22, 2023
State Superintendent Calls On Publishers To Create More Inclusive Textbooks
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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Jun 21, 2023
New Study Finds Homelessness Mainly Tied To High Housing Costs
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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Jun 20, 2023
Communities Devastated By Flooding Seek More Help From State
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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Jun 19, 2023
Reparations Task Force Prepares Final Report
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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Jun 16, 2023
California Mayors Increasingly Turn To Temporary Housing Solutions
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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Jun 15, 2023
Group Of Migrants Bussed Into Los Angeles From Texas
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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Jun 14, 2023
Gardeners Struggle To Adjust As Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers Being Phased Out
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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Jun 13, 2023
California Congressmembers Want EPA To Support Prescribed Burns
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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Jun 12, 2023
Training For Private Security Guards Called Into Question
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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Jun 9, 2023
Salton Sea Could Provide Clues To Seismic Activity On San Andreas Fault
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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Jun 8, 2023
Push To Make Housing A Human Right In State Constitution Moves Forward
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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Jun 7, 2023
Florida Agency Confirms Sending Migrants To Sacramento
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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Jun 6, 2023
Many LA Renters Left Without Legal Representation In Eviction Court
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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Jun 5, 2023
LA County Promises To Be Ready To Implement CARE Court Program
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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Jun 2, 2023
Renters Could Get A Break On Security Deposits With New Proposal
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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Jun 1, 2023
San Francisco Faces Challenges As It Prepares To Roll Out CARE Court
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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May 31, 2023
Catalytic Converter Theft Frustrates LA Residents
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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May 30, 2023
Inside Carmel-by-the-Sea's Address Controversy
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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May 29, 2023
Beaver Seen As Climate-Saving Creature In California
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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May 26, 2023
Cal State System Has Massive Financial Gap, May Have To Raise Tuition
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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May 25, 2023
Salmon Run Highlights Efforts To Protect Klamath Watershed
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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May 24, 2023
Plan To Turn Los Angeles Gas Plant To Hydrogen Not Without Critics
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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May 23, 2023
States Reach Colorado River Water Deal
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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May 22, 2023
California Food Banks See Major Spike In Demand
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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May 19, 2023
The End Of Wood Street, Oakland's Largest Settlement Of Unhoused People
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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May 18, 2023
Whitewater Rafting Could See Big Business This Summer
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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May 17, 2023
State Announces Plan To Return Chinook Salmon To Its Native Habitat
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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May 16, 2023
Protecting Molok Luyuk, A Space Known For Its Biological Diversity
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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May 15, 2023
A Firsthand Look At The Border After Title 42 Ended
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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May 12, 2023
Thousands Of Migrants Gather At Border As Title 42 Expires
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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May 11, 2023
Hundreds Kept At Makeshift Migrant Camp At San Ysidro Port Of Entry
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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May 10, 2023
As Federal Public Health Emergency Ends, Long COVID Patients Still Suffering
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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May 9, 2023
Financially Strapped Hospitals Could Get Help From State
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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May 8, 2023
With End Of Title 42, California's Border Communities Brace For Influx Of Migrants
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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May 5, 2023
Oakland Teachers Back On The Picket Line For Second Day
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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May 4, 2023
Writer's Strike Could Extend For Months
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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May 3, 2023
Writers Strike Moves Into Second Day
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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May 2, 2023
Women Face Challenges With Child Care As They Look To Enter Construction Industry
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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May 1, 2023
San Bernardino Police Officers Involved In Deadly Shooting Had History Of Excessive Force
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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Apr 28, 2023
Lawsuit Claims California's Prison System Targeting "Foreign-Born" Inmates
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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Apr 27, 2023
Central Valley On Edge As Weather Heats Up
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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Apr 26, 2023
Warehouse Boom Focus Of New Legislation In Sacramento
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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Apr 25, 2023
Big Melt Could Lead To Flooding In Parts Of State
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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Apr 24, 2023
New Center Will Attempt To Lead Fight Against Air Pollution, Climate Change
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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Apr 21, 2023
Voters Weigh In On Calls For Senator Feinstein To Resign
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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Apr 20, 2023
Northern California Is A Hotbed For Hoops Fans
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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Apr 19, 2023
Complaints About Rent Hikes Soaring In Los Angeles
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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Apr 18, 2023
In Humboldt County, Mental Health Resources Hard To Come By
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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Apr 17, 2023
Survivors Of Palm Springs Neighborhood Destruction Seek Reparations
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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Apr 14, 2023
Kings Fans Hope To Light The Beam In Playoff Series With Warriors
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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Apr 13, 2023
Bill Would Help Immigrants Released From Prison From Being Turned Over To ICE
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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Apr 12, 2023
Planada Still Struggling To Recover Months After Flooding
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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Apr 11, 2023
Wildfire Experts Express Concern Over Plans For Clean Air Act
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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Apr 10, 2023
Tulare Lake Re-Emergence Causes Uncertainty Over Flooding
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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Apr 7, 2023
Child Care Providers Still Waiting For Pandemic Pay
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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Apr 6, 2023
California Sees Sharp Rise In K-12 Students Experiencing Homelessness
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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Apr 5, 2023
Historic Snowpack Could Prove Dangerous Down The Line In Central Valley
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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Apr 4, 2023
California's Snowpack One Of The Largest Ever
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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Apr 3, 2023
Santa Cruz Sees Mixed Success In Composting Program
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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Mar 31, 2023
State Continues To Try To Help Communities Impacted By Storms
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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Mar 30, 2023
Shasta County Switches To Hand Counting Of Election Ballots
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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Mar 29, 2023
Flooding This Year Could Be A Precursor To Future Climate-Related Disasters
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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Mar 28, 2023
Governor Newsom's Bill On Regulating Oil Industry Quickly Approved By State Lawmakers
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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Mar 27, 2023
Pajaro Community Begins To Clean-Up After Being Allowed Back In Their Homes
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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Mar 24, 2023
Oakland Teachers Plan Walk-Out; LA Educators Head Back To Classroom
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 Areva…
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Mar 23, 2023
Tornado Touches Down In LA County, Damages Several Buildings
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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Mar 22, 2023
Storm Once Again Batters California
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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Mar 21, 2023
LA Unified Employees Begin Three Day Strike
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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Mar 20, 2023
Is Carbon Capture And Storage A Possible Solution For Climate Change?
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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Mar 17, 2023
At The Start Of Harvesting Season, Many Pajaro Farmworkers Are Without Work
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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Mar 16, 2023
Governor Newsom Surveys Flood Damage in Pajaro
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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Mar 15, 2023
Pajaro Levee Breach Nearly Repaired, But Work Continues Ahead Of More Storms
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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Mar 14, 2023
Silicon Valley Bank's Black Swan Event
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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Mar 13, 2023
Thousands Evacuated In Monterey County By Levee Break, Flooding
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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Mar 10, 2023
Hospital Closure Upends Residents In Paradise
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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Mar 9, 2023
Volunteers Quickly Organize To Help Those In Need In San Bernardino Mountains
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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Mar 8, 2023
Communities In Northern And Southern California Trying To Dig Out From Massive Snowstorms
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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Mar 7, 2023
Many Trapped Residents Need Food, Medicine in San Bernardino Mountains
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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Mar 6, 2023
Many Residents In San Bernardino Mountain Communities Remain Stranded Due To Snow
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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Mar 3, 2023
National Guard Sent To Help Trapped Residents In San Bernardino Mountains
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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Mar 2, 2023
San Bernardino County Struggles To Recover From Massive Snowfall
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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Mar 1, 2023
New Deadline For California Taxpayers Provides Challenges For Budget Writers
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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Feb 28, 2023
Winter Storms Creating A Mess Across California
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 fa…
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Feb 27, 2023
Lawmaker Wants To Turn Empty Office Space Into Housing
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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Feb 24, 2023
Snow, Hail, Rain All Part Of Latest Winter Storm In California
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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Feb 23, 2023
State Legislature Holds First Hearing On What Caused Soaring Gas Prices
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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Feb 22, 2023
Lawmakers Seek Answers On What Led To Skyrocketing Gas Prices
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 pro…
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Feb 21, 2023
Los Angeles Bishop Remembered For His Kindness, Helping Others
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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Feb 20, 2023
Researchers Aim To Study Threats To Lake Tahoe
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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Feb 17, 2023
Report Offers Glimpse Of How State Is Spending Money To Combat Homelessness
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 pas…
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Feb 16, 2023
Right To Repair Bill Aims To Make Everyday Products Fixable
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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Feb 15, 2023
Dianne Feinstein Will Leave Office At End Of Her Term
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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Feb 14, 2023
Member Of Anti-Semitic Extremist Group Flees Country Before Facing Hate Crime Charges
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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Feb 13, 2023
Fast Food Industry, Workers In Fight Over New Law
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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Feb 10, 2023
California's Attorney General Renews Call For Worker Protections Against Extreme Heat
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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Feb 9, 2023
Hospitals Struggling To Stay Afloat Across California
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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Feb 8, 2023
Riverside County Housing Development Uses Its Own Microgrid System
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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Feb 7, 2023
Farmworkers, Immigrants Could Be Provided Protections Under New Federal Policy
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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Feb 6, 2023
Undocumented Residents In Planada Struggle To Get Help They Need After Storms
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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Feb 3, 2023
Governor Newsom Says Environmental Law Needs To Be Modernized To Increase Housing
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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Feb 2, 2023
Governor Newsom Pushes For New Gun Restrictions Following Mass Shootings
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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Feb 1, 2023
Murders Still On The Mind Of Many Residents In Goshen
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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Jan 31, 2023
Vigil Held In Sacramento To Honor Tyre Nichols
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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Jan 30, 2023
After Storms and Landslides, Big Sur Residents May Be Isolated For Weeks
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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Jan 27, 2023
Authorities Investigating Conditions At Half Moon Bay Farms
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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Jan 26, 2023
Suspect Arraigned In Half Moon Bay Shooting
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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Jan 25, 2023
More Details Released About Suspect In Half Moon Bay Mass Shootings
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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Jan 24, 2023
Another Mass Shooting In California, This Time In Half Moon Bay
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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Jan 23, 2023
Monterey Park Community Devastated By Weekend Mass Shooting
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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Jan 20, 2023
President Biden Surveys Damage From California Storms
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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Jan 19, 2023
Madera County Hospital Closure Deeply Impacts Community
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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Jan 18, 2023
Suspects Still At Large In Mass Shooting In Central Valley
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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Jan 17, 2023
Six Killed In Shooting At Tulare County Home
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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Jan 16, 2023
President Biden Declares Major Disaster In California Due To Storms
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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Jan 13, 2023
Salinas River Flooding Still A Threat For Monterey County Residents
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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Jan 12, 2023
Planada Enters Third Day of Evacuations As More Storms Loom Ahead
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 mor…
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Jan 11, 2023
Newsom Surveys Flood Damage In Santa Cruz County
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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Jan 10, 2023
Storm Forces Montecito Residents To Evacuate Five Years After Deadly Mudslides
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 Cen…
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Jan 9, 2023
California Faces 'A Relentless Parade of Atmospheric Rivers'
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?…
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Jan 6, 2023
Historic Rainfall Is Especially Tough On The Unhoused
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 Representative…
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Jan 5, 2023
CA Storm Packs A Punch With Heavy Rains and 70-80 mph Winds
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 Ancie…
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Jan 4, 2023
Another Storm To Drench California On Wednesday
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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Jan 3, 2023
Storm Leaves California Drenched, With Another On The Way
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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Jan 2, 2023
New Moms Face "Snapback" Pressure After Childbirth
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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Dec 30, 2022
The Science Behind Hangovers
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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Dec 29, 2022
Million Year Old Ecosystem Dying Off In San Bernardino Mountains
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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Dec 28, 2022
As Drought Continues, Many In Central Valley Drill Deeper For Water
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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Dec 27, 2022
Looking Back At The Year In Space
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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Dec 26, 2022
Checking In On High Speed Rail In Central Valley
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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Dec 23, 2022
The Tradition Of Tamales During Christmas Holiday
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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Dec 22, 2022
Recovery Efforts Underway In Humboldt County Following Tuesday's Earthquake
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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Dec 21, 2022
Two Dead, Thousands Still Without Power Following Tuesday's Earthquake In Humboldt County
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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Dec 20, 2022
Sacramento Takes A New Approach To Helping The City's Unhoused Community
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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Dec 19, 2022
Historically Black Neighborhood Devastated In Mill Fire Struggles To Rebuild
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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Dec 16, 2022
California Cuts Subsidies For Rooftop Solar
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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Dec 15, 2022
Central California Now Has Its First Holocaust Memorial
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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Dec 14, 2022
Solar Projects In California's Deserts Draw Concerns From Environmentalists
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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Dec 13, 2022
Offshore Wind Projects Could Impact Whales That Migrate Off California's Coast
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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Dec 12, 2022
Indigenous Tribes Want Their Voices Heard As Offshore Wind Projects Advance Off The Central Coast
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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Dec 9, 2022
ICE Plans To Stop Detaining Immigrants At Yuba County Jail
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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Dec 8, 2022
Bill Would Ban Homeless Encampments Near Parks, Schools
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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Dec 7, 2022
New Law Ends Jaywalking Tickets When Streets Are Safe To Cross
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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Dec 6, 2022
Governor Newsom Unveils Plan He Hopes Will Bring Lower Gas Prices
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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Dec 5, 2022
Special Session To Tackle Possible Penalties For Oil Companies In Effort To Lower Gas Prices
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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Dec 2, 2022
Data Breach Reveals Gun Owners' Personal Information
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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Dec 1, 2022
UC Strike Continues Despite Tentative Deal
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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Nov 30, 2022
Cal Poly SLO Struggles To Attract And Retain Black Students
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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Nov 29, 2022
Team Of Trained Dogs and Archeologists Recover Cremated Remains Lost In Wildfire
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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Nov 28, 2022
Should California Officials Recognize The Joshua Tree As An Endangered Species?
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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Nov 25, 2022
California Seed Bank Insures Against Possible Future Plant Apocalypse
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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Nov 24, 2022
Performing Arts Troupe Creates Community For Students Of Color
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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Nov 23, 2022
College Food Pantries Try To Meet Increased Need
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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Nov 22, 2022
California's Last Nuclear Plant Gets $1 Billion To Stay Open
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…
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Nov 21, 2022
San Francisco's LGBTQ Community Holds Vigil For Victims of Colorado Nightclub Shooting
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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Nov 18, 2022
Farmworkers Rally In Washington D.C. Calling for Path to Citizenship
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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Nov 17, 2022
Karen Bass Wins LA Mayoral Race
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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Nov 16, 2022
LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva Concedes Election
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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Nov 15, 2022
Inside One of the Biggest Strikes in History of U.S Higher Education
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…
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Nov 14, 2022
Californians Elect Latino Candidates To Key Offices
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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Nov 11, 2022
California Proposes Cutting Compensation For Solar Power Owners
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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Nov 10, 2022
After Red Wave Fails To Materialize, McCarthy's Future Is Uncertain
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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Nov 9, 2022
McCarthy Promises Republican Majority, But Many California Races Are Still Too Close To Call
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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Nov 8, 2022
Newsom Signs Controversial Bill That Will Change California's Approach To Mental Health Care
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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Nov 7, 2022
Tug-Of-War Over Values In Some School Board Elections
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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Nov 4, 2022
UC Student Worker Strike Looms Ahead of Final Exams
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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Nov 3, 2022
Candidates In Fiercely Contested District Reflect Region's Changing Demographics
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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Nov 2, 2022
"Voter Integrity" Groups Question Residents At Home In Possible Voter Intimidation
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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Nov 1, 2022
Man Accused of Attacking House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Husband Will Be Arraigned in San Francisco Superior Court Today
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…
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Oct 31, 2022
Pelosi Attacker Faces Attempted Murder Charges
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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Oct 28, 2022
Intruder Breaks Into Nancy Pelosi's Home, Attacks Speaker's Husband
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…
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Oct 27, 2022
Residents Push Back On New Affordable Housing Rules
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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Oct 26, 2022
Longtime Republican In Key Congressional Battle In Southern California
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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Oct 25, 2022
Prop 27 Creates Record Spending War Between Gambling Companies and Tribal Governments
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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Oct 24, 2022
Gubernatorial Candidates Square Off In Debate
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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Oct 21, 2022
Study Finds Dangerous Chemicals Leaking From Gas Stoves In California
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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Oct 20, 2022
Embattled LA City Councilman Kevin de Leon Says He Won't Resign
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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Oct 19, 2022
Tentative Deal Reached Between Mental Health Workers And Kaiser Permanente
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 Latin…
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Oct 18, 2022
Card Rooms May Face Uncertain Future If Gambling Proposition Passes
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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Oct 17, 2022
Proposition 28 Would Increase Funding For Arts And Music Education
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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Oct 14, 2022
Los Angeles Councilmembers Resist Calls for Resignation
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 Stol…
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Oct 13, 2022
LA City Councilmember Nury Martinez Resigns
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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Oct 12, 2022
L.A. Residents Call For Councilmembers To Resign Following Use Of Racist Language
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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Oct 11, 2022
Outrage Grows Over Leaked Racist Comments From L.A. City Councilmembers
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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Oct 10, 2022
Janitors For Meta Strike Amid Mass Layoffs
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 b…
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Oct 7, 2022
California is Giving Out $9.5 billion in Tax Rebates
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 bu…
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Oct 6, 2022
Project Aims To Name All Japanese Americans Incarcerated During Word War II
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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Oct 5, 2022
California Department Of Corrections And Rehabilitation Sued Over Transparency Laws
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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Oct 4, 2022
Former Orange County Official Now Leading Efforts To Protect Election Workers, Voters
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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Oct 3, 2022
Questions Raised About Whether Proposition 1 Will Actually Expand Abortion Rights
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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Sep 30, 2022
Former PG&E Executives Settle With Fire Victim Trust
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 Ala…
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Sep 29, 2022
Mexico's Rich Surfing History Being Told
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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Sep 28, 2022
Gas Prices Rising, But Rebate Checks On The Way
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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Sep 27, 2022
PG&E Faces Criminal Investigation For Possibly Starting Mosquito Fire
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 f…
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Sep 26, 2022
Thousands of Californians Protest the Death of Iranian Woman Mahsa Amini
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…
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Sep 23, 2022
Governor Newsom Signs Legislation Ending Parking Requirements Near Transit
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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Sep 22, 2022
Wildfire Smoke Exposing Millions To Extreme Air Pollution
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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Sep 21, 2022
Governor Newsom Signs Bills That Gives Redistricting Power To Community Commission
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…
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Sep 20, 2022
Water Restrictions Lifted For Millions Of Southern Californians
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,…
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Sep 19, 2022
State Workers No Longer Required To Test For COVID
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…
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Sep 16, 2022
Kaiser Strike Continues As Talks Break Down
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 sh…
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Sep 15, 2022
California Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amazon
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…
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Sep 14, 2022
Change In Weather Sparks Activity On Front Lines Of Mosquito Fire
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…
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Sep 14, 2022
Drilling Deeper For Water In The Central Valley
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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Sep 12, 2022
Crews Get Better Handle On Mosquito Fire
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 t…
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Sep 9, 2022
Wildfires Threatening Communities Across California
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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Sep 8, 2022
More Hot Weather On The Way
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 se…
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Sep 7, 2022
Heat Wave Continues Across California
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, K…
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Sep 7, 2022
Heat Wave Continues, Power Grid Stressed
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,…
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Sep 5, 2022
Can Churches Help With Affordable Housing Crisis?
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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Sep 2, 2022
Bill That Aimed to End Prison-to-ICE Transfers Fails in California Legislature
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
Calif…
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Sep 1, 2022
California Prepares for Extreme Temperatures
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 h…
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Aug 31, 2022
CARE Court Plan Passes State Assembly
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 Ve…
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Aug 30, 2022
Bill To Help Fast Food Workers Heads To Governor's Desk
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…
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Aug 29, 2022
Counties Prepare For The End Of Juvenile Lockups
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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Aug 26, 2022
California Sets Historic Policy On Zero Emission Vehicles
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.…
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Aug 25, 2022
State Regulators Poised To Approve Plan To End Sale Of New Gas-Powered Cars
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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Aug 24, 2022
Abortion Access Will Play Important Part Of How Californians Vote In November
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…
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Aug 23, 2022
Governor Newsom Vetoes Safe Consumption Site Bill
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 Go…
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Aug 22, 2022
California Issues New Guidance On Monkeypox Isolation
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 cha…
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Aug 19, 2022
Siskiyou County Residents Sue Utility Over McKinney Fire
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 t…
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Aug 18, 2022
Monkeypox Vaccine In Short Supply In Central Valley
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. The…
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Aug 17, 2022
State Asks Californians To Conserve Energy
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…
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Aug 16, 2022
Effort To Recall LA District Attorney Fails To Qualify For Ballot
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…
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Aug 15, 2022
Newsom Wants To Extened Life Of California's Last Nuclear Power Plant
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 w…
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Aug 12, 2022
State Senate To Vote On Affordable Housing Bill
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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Aug 11, 2022
Judge Rules Walgreens Contributed To Opioid Crisis In San Francisco
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 a…
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Aug 10, 2022
LA City Council Approves Ban On Encampments Near Schools During Raucous Meeting
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 pe…
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Aug 9, 2022
New Report Blasts California's Employment Development Department
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 C…
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Aug 8, 2022
Hotels Could Be Required To Provide Rooms For The Unhoused Population In LA
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 l…
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Aug 5, 2022
As Monkeypox Cases Surge In California, Feds Look To Increase Vaccine Supply
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…
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Aug 4, 2022
Childcare Crisis Hits Home For Many California Families
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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Aug 3, 2022
Dodgers Legendary Announcer Vin Scully Dies At 94
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…
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Aug 2, 2022
California Declares State Of Emergency Over Monkeypox Outbreak
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…
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Aug 1, 2022
Two People Killed In The McKinney Wildfire That Burns Out Of Control In Siskiyou County
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 statewi…
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Jul 29, 2022
L.A. County Decides Not To Re-Implement Mask Mandate
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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Jul 28, 2022
Monkeypox Vaccine Extremely Limited In L.A. County
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 C…
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Jul 28, 2022
Families Deal With Devastating Losses From Oak Fire
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…
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Jul 27, 2022
Audit Finds Thousands Of Californians Without Safe Drinking Water
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…
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Jul 26, 2022
California Man Details Monkeypox Experience
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 a…
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Jul 22, 2022
Governor Newsom Signs A Package Of Bills Aimed At Reducing Gun Violence
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 celebr…
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Jul 21, 2022
State Assembly Speaker Calling On Feds For More Urgent Response Regarding The Spread Of Monkeypox
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 ki…
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Jul 20, 2022
New Report Documents Harassment and Discrimination in Asian American and Pacific Island Communities
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 y…
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Jul 19, 2022
Inflation Hits California Renters
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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Jul 18, 2022
Mask Mandates Back At Some California Schools
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.…
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Jul 15, 2022
Los Angeles County Could Face Mask Mandate In The Coming Weeks
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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Jul 14, 2022
CA Attorney General Has Plan For Nearly 1.5 Million California Tenants At Risk Of Eviction
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 President…
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Jul 13, 2022
The BA Five Variant Is Outcompeting Other Strains Of COVID-19 Across The Bay Area
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 rema…
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Jul 12, 2022
The Washburn Fire In Yosemite National Park Is Now More Than 2700 Acres, But Fire Crews Are Optimistic About Saving The Giant Sequoias
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…
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Jul 11, 2022
LA County Ramping Up Its Distribution Of Monkeypox Vaccines
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 St…
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Jul 11, 2022
L-A County Could Reinstate Mask Mandate Due To Increase In COVID Hospital Cases
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 develo…
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Jul 7, 2022
Test Launch At Vandenberg Space Force Base Ends With Huge Explosion
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 n…
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Jul 6, 2022
Electra Fire Officials Say Wildfire Is Now 10-Percent Contained
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 Invest…
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Jul 5, 2022
Fire Danger Higher Than Normal In Northern, Central California
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 whos…
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Jul 4, 2022
Company In California Desert Looking To Help With Next Moon Mission
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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Jul 1, 2022
Supreme Court Decision On Carbon Pollution Not Expected To Impact California Rules
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 pa…
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Jun 30, 2022
Two Sports Gambling Bills To Be On November Ballot
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 die…
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Jun 29, 2022
Thousands Waiting For Help As Eviction Moratorium Set To Expire
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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Jun 28, 2022
California Voters Get To Decide On Abortion Issue in November
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 bud…
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Jun 27, 2022
Californians Prepared To Help People From Out Of State With Abortion Care
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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Jun 24, 2022
After the Supreme Courts Ruling This Week California Lawmakers Gearing Up To Tighten Gun Laws
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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Jun 23, 2022
New Program Helps Paradise Residents Rebuild With Wildfire Prepared Homes
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 t…
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Jun 22, 2022
California Firefighters Dealing With Mental Health Crisis On The Job
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…
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Jun 21, 2022
Legislators Announce Committee To Investigate High Gas Prices
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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Jun 20, 2022
Thousands Of Warriors Fans Expected For Victory Parade
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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Jun 17, 2022
Warriors Win Fourth Championship In Last Eight Seasons
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…
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Jun 16, 2022
Opinions Over Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Remain Mixed
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 child…
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Jun 16, 2022
Mortgage Relief Program Expands In California
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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Jun 14, 2022
Lawmakers In Sacramento Approve Budget
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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Jun 13, 2022
As Abortion Ruling Looms, Counties Near Arizona Border Prepare For Influx Of Patients
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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Jun 9, 2022
A Closer Look At Extremist Behavior In California
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 tho…
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Jun 8, 2022
Incumbents Dominate In Primary Election
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 ma…
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Jun 7, 2022
California Voters Head To The Polls For Primary Election
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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Jun 6, 2022
Community Able To Voice Opinions On Reparations
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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Jun 3, 2022
Alameda County Reimplements Indoor Mask Mandate
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…
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Jun 2, 2022
With Worsening Drought, Long-Delayed Reservoir Project Gets New Life
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 an…
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Jun 2, 2022
Los Angeles Clears The Way To Ban Homeless Encampments Near Schools
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 Admin…
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May 31, 2022
More Than A Dozen Oil Wells Found To Be Leaking Methane In Bakersfield
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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May 30, 2022
Hollywood Bowl Celebrates 100 Years
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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May 27, 2022
Legislative Staff Would Be Allowed To Unionize Under New Bill
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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May 26, 2022
Governor Newsom Calls For Immediate Action On Gun Legislation
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…
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May 25, 2022
How To Help Young People Cope With Tragic School Shooting In Texas
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…
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May 24, 2022
Governor Newsom Warns Of Possible Statewide Water Restrictions
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 d…
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May 23, 2022
San Francisco Archbishop Denies Communion For Pelosi Over Abortion Views
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: Etha…
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May 20, 2022
Legislators In Stalemate Over Gas Rebate Plans
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.
Rep…
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May 19, 2022
Taiwanese Community Has Trouble Coming To Grips WIth Church Shooting
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 Priv…
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May 18, 2022
Man Accused In Orange County Church Shooting Faces Murder Charge
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…
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May 17, 2022
FBI Investigating Orange County Church Shooting As Possible Hate Crime
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…
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May 16, 2022
Bomb Plot Case In Northern California Highlights Domestic Extremism Movement
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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May 13, 2022
Baby Formula Shortage Leaves Parents In California Scrambling
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…
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May 12, 2022
Workers At Two Santa Cruz Starbucks Stores Vote To Unionize
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…
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May 11, 2022
Despite Drought Warnings, Californians Using More Water
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 cou…
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May 10, 2022
Thousands Of Fast Food Workers Still Dealing With Wage Theft In California
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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May 9, 2022
Financial Justice Advocates Call For End To Traffic Citation-Related Court Fees
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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May 6, 2022
Bill To Protect Abortion Services For Out-of-State Patients Moves Forward
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…
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May 5, 2022
911 Dispatchers Could Play Key Role In Prosecuting More Hate Crimes
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…
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May 4, 2022
California Legislators Vow To Protect Abortion Rights In The State
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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May 3, 2022
California Prepares For Possibility Of Roe v. Wade Being Overturned
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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May 2, 2022
Fate of California's Last Nuclear Power Plant Up In The Air
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.
Rep…
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Apr 29, 2022
What's Changed and What Hasn't 30 Years After LA Unrest
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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Apr 28, 2022
Foster Farms, Hiring Firms Fined Millions Over Sick Pay Violations
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 A…
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Apr 27, 2022
More Water Districts Adding Drought-Related Restrictions
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 issu…
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Apr 26, 2022
Mayors Call For More Funding For Homelessness Services
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 Califor…
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Apr 22, 2022
Masks Will Once Again Be Required On Public Transportation In Los Angeles
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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Apr 21, 2022
Home Sales Slowing Down In California
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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Apr 20, 2022
Gun Legislation Advances In Sacramento
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…
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Apr 19, 2022
Los Angeles Landlords Fail To Overturn Eviction Moratorium
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 willi…
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Apr 18, 2022
Bill Would Boost Renter Tax Credit For First Time In Decades
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…
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Apr 15, 2022
Report Questions Senator Feinstein's Mental Fitness
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,…
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Apr 14, 2022
California Pushes Forward With Electric Vehicle Plan
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 st…
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Apr 13, 2022
Proposal For Shorter Workweek in California Sparks Debate
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.
Re…
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Apr 12, 2022
State Wildfire Prevention Program Shows Little Progress
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 ef…
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Apr 11, 2022
COVID Treatment More Readily Available in Los Angeles
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…
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Apr 8, 2022
COVID Outbreaks Rising at Los Angeles Schools
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. T…
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Apr 7, 2022
Sacramento Police - Mass Shooting Likely Involved Rival Gangs
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 technolog…
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Apr 6, 2022
Suspect in Sacramento Mass Shooting Makes First Court Appearance
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 peop…
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Apr 5, 2022
Second Arrest Made in Sacramento Mass Shooting As Community Mourns
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 unt…
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Apr 4, 2022
Sacramento Mass Shooting Over Weekend Leaves Six Dead, Twelve Injured
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:…
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Apr 1, 2022
Free Tax Prep Not Free
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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Mar 31, 2022
Investigation Finds California’s Private Homecare Industry In Crisis
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 y…
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Mar 30, 2022
State Task Force Votes on Who Qualifies for Reparations
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…
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Mar 29, 2022
Governor Newsom Orders Additional Water Restictions
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…
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Mar 28, 2022
Sacramento City Teachers Remain on Strike
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 i…
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Mar 25, 2022
California Legislators Look to Extend Eviction Protections
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 th…
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Mar 24, 2022
Governor Newsom Offers New Gas Relief Plan
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…
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Mar 23, 2022
First Latina Confirmed to California Supreme Court
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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Mar 22, 2022
Gas Prices Could Be Impacted By Chevron Refinery Strike
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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Mar 21, 2022
Different Pictures Painted in Recall Effort in Los Angeles
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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Mar 18, 2022
Bill Would Provide Protection, Refuge for Transgender Kids
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.…
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Mar 17, 2022
State Lawmakers Proposing Rebate Plan to Help Californians Struggling With Gas Prices
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.…
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Mar 16, 2022
Events to be Held to Honor Victims of Atlanta Spa Shootings
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…
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Mar 15, 2022
Ukrainians Seek Asylum at U.S. Southern Border
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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Mar 14, 2022
Health Clinics in Los Angeles Still Waiting to be Reimbursed After Vaccinating Thousands
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 pub…
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Mar 11, 2022
State Officials Warn of Another Dry Year, But No Water Use Mandates Put in Place
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 Oran…
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Mar 10, 2022
California Can Once Again Set Rules on Vehicle Emissions
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 Forti…
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Mar 9, 2022
Immigration Attorney From Central Valley Helps Ukrainian Refugees in Poland
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…
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Mar 8, 2022
Governor Newsom to Deliver State of the State Address
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…
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Mar 7, 2022
California Communities Continue to Offer Their Support to Ukraine
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 f…
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Mar 4, 2022
LA County Lifts Indoor Mask Mandate
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…
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Mar 3, 2022
LA Zoning for Single Family Homes Leads to Racial Disparities
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…
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Mar 2, 2022
Unvaccinated People No Longer Have to Wear a Mask in Most Indoor Settings
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 f…
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Mar 1, 2022
Father Kills Three Daughters, Himself in Mass Shooting at Sacramento-Area Church
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 Calif…
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Feb 28, 2022
Wait Times Increase For Those Expecting Hearing on Wage Theft Cases
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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Feb 25, 2022
Californians Rally for Peace in Ukraine
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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Feb 24, 2022
Ukrainians in California Devastated by Russian Invasion
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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Feb 23, 2022
COVID Testing Could Be a Requirement for California Schools Moving Forward
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 o…
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Feb 22, 2022
Putin's Actions in Ukraine Felt Across the Globe in California
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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Feb 21, 2022
LA Unified Superintendent Outlines Plans for New Job
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 Aut…
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Feb 18, 2022
CSU Chancellor Resigns Amidst Scrutiny Over Handling of Sexual Misconduct Claims
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…
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Feb 17, 2022
Police Transparency Law Provides Information on How Law Enforcement Investigates Discrimination
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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Feb 16, 2022
Historic Sea Level Rise Predicted in U.S. Over Next 30 Years
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…
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Feb 15, 2022
As State Begins Relaxing Mask Guidelines, Schools Wonder When it Will be Their Turn
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 i…
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Feb 14, 2022
Booster Shots in Short Supply for Those in Immigrant Detention Centers
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 Lo…
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Feb 11, 2022
Republican Lawmakers Want to End Pandemic State of Emergency
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…
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Feb 10, 2022
Recall Efforts in Los Angeles, San Francisco Highlight Criminal Reform Efforts
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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Feb 9, 2022
Fresno State Establishes Task Force Following Sexual Harrassment Scandal
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 pro…
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Feb 8, 2022
State to Lift Indoor Mask Mandate Next Week
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…
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Feb 7, 2022
Families Struggle With Nursing Home COVID Rules
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…
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Feb 4, 2022
Los Angeles Minimum Wage Going Up to $16 in July
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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Feb 3, 2022
LA Officials Double Down on Mask Requirement Ahead of Super Bowl
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.
Re…
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Feb 2, 2022
Dry January Leads to Shrinking Snowpack
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
Calif…
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Feb 1, 2022
COVID-19 Surge Waning Across California
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…
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Jan 31, 2022
Rams Win Nail-Biter Over Rival 49ers in NFC Championship Game
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 t…
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Jan 28, 2022
Niners, Rams Fans Search for Last Minute Tickets to NFC Championship Game
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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Jan 28, 2022
Los Angeles to Ban New Oil, Gas Wells
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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Jan 26, 2022
Deal Reached to Restore Paid Sick Leave in California
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 f…
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Jan 25, 2022
Single-Payer Health Proposal Faces Key Deadline
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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Jan 24, 2022
State Regulators Table Rooftop Solar Plan
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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Jan 21, 2022
Alex Padilla on a Year of Victories and Failures in the U.S Senate
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 pressur…
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Jan 20, 2022
Resentencing Program Finds Support From Prosecutors Across the State
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 m…
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Jan 19, 2022
At-Home COVID Tests Now Available Through USPS
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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Jan 18, 2022
California Can Learn From Other Countries About Better Containing the Spread of Omicron
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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Jan 17, 2022
State Legislator Reflects on Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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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Jan 14, 2022
Nurses Concerned About Working Conditions
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…
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Jan 13, 2022
At-Home COVID Tests to be Covered by Health Insurers
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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Jan 12, 2022
Single Payer Healthcare Plan Passes First Hurdle
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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Jan 11, 2022
Governor Newsom Proposes Expanded Healthcare Coverage for Californians
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 t…
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Jan 10, 2022
Hospitals Ask for Help Amid Surge in Staff Getting COVID-19
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…
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Jan 7, 2022
State Extends Indoor Mask Mandate
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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Jan 7, 2022
Inside a COVID-19 Testing Clinic Amid Omicron
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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Jan 5, 2022
California Experiencing Record-High Spike in COVID Cases
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 t…
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Jan 4, 2022
LA Unified Staff, Students Required to Get COVID Test Before Returning to School
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…
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Jan 3, 2022
COVID Cases Continue to Surge in California
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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Dec 31, 2021
Space Exploration Has Another Banner Year
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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Dec 30, 2021
Riverside Boarding School Highlights Long History for Indigenous Community
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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Dec 29, 2021
Afghan Refugee and His Family Settling Into Life in the Bay Area
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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Dec 28, 2021
Groundwater's Importance in California and the Plans for Sustainability
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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Dec 27, 2021
During the Holidays, Kindness Can be Key
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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Dec 24, 2021
Why is Sanger Known as "The Nation's Christmas Tree City"
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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Dec 23, 2021
California Pushes Booster as Omicron COVID Cases Surge in the State
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…
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Dec 22, 2021
Governor Newsom to Require Healthcare Workers to Get COVID Booster
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 yo…
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Dec 21, 2021
Schools Send Students Home with Rapid COVID Tests
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…
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Dec 20, 2021
More Rain on the Way to California
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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Dec 17, 2021
Monarch Butterflies Return to Pacific Grove
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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Dec 16, 2021
Oil Company, Subsidiaries Charged in Southern California Oil Spill
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. Roughl…
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Dec 15, 2021
New L.A. Unified Superintendent Pledges to Help Lead District Through Pandemic
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 her…
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Dec 14, 2021
State Health Officials Reinstitute Indoor Mask Mandate
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'…
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Dec 13, 2021
Torrance Police Department Being Investigated for Racist, Homophobic Texts
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 C…
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Dec 10, 2021
Health Officials Concerned About Possible Winter Coronavirus Surge in LA County
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…
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Dec 9, 2021
Two Men Arrested on Suspicion of Starting Caldor Fire
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 pr…
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Dec 8, 2021
Winter Storm Could Bring Much Needed Snow to Sierra Mountains
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.
R…
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Dec 7, 2021
Central Valley Republican Devin Nunes is Resigning From Congress
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 Sacrame…
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Dec 6, 2021
California’s Tough Gun Laws Often Fail to Protect Domestic Violence Victims
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.…
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Dec 3, 2021
Omicron Variant Detected in L.A. County Resident
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 o…
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Dec 2, 2021
Omicron Variant Discovered in San Francisco Resident
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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Dec 1, 2021
Abortion Access Limited for Many Living in Rural California
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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Nov 30, 2021
Key Abortion Case to be Heard in U.S. Supreme Court
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 ea…
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Nov 29, 2021
Migrants Desperately Seek Asylum at San Diego-Tijuana Border
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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Nov 26, 2021
Supply Chain Impacting Longtime Mom-and-Pop Restaurants
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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Nov 25, 2021
Thanksgiving Offers Day of Reflection for Many Native Americans in California
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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Nov 24, 2021
NASA Launches Historic Asteroid-Deflecting Mission
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…
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Nov 23, 2021
State Pushes COVID Boosters as Holidays Approach
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 o…
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Nov 22, 2021
Congressman Seeks to Restore Land to Karuk Tribe
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…
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Nov 19, 2021
Gas Prices May Change Thanksgiving Travel Plans for Some Californians
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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Nov 18, 2021
Recent Criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris May Not Tell the Whole Story
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…
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Nov 17, 2021
Governor Newsom Promotes Boosters, Warns of Winter COVID Surge
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…
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Nov 16, 2021
Confusion Remains Over Booster Shot Eligibility in California
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…
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Nov 15, 2021
Kaiser, Employees Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
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 Rep…
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Nov 12, 2021
Will U.N. Climate Conference Have Significant Impact on California Policies?
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 aroun…
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Nov 11, 2021
State Health Officials Push For More People to Get COVID Booster Shots
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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Nov 10, 2021
California's Rules on Methane Emissions Produce Mixed Results
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 m…
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Nov 9, 2021
Infrastructure Bill to Bring Jobs, Modernize Infrastructure in California
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…
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Nov 8, 2021
Southern California Air Regulators Enact New Rules on Refineries
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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Nov 5, 2021
Union Representing Kaiser Workers Gives Notice of Planned Strike
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 a…
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Nov 4, 2021
Some California Counties Begin Administering COVID-19 Shots for Younger Children
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…
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Nov 3, 2021
California Prepares to Roll Out COVID Vaccine for Younger Children
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 G…
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Nov 2, 2021
Study Finds Climate Change is Primary Source Behind Increasing Western Wildfires
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 st…
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Nov 1, 2021
California Officials to Tout State's Ambitious Climate Change Goals at U.N. Summit
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-integ…
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Oct 29, 2021
State Senate Holds First Hearing on Orange County Oil Spill
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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Oct 28, 2021
California Health Officials Prepared to Vaccinate Younger Children
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 rec…
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Oct 27, 2021
FDA Panel Endorses Pfizer Vaccine for Younger Children
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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Oct 26, 2021
EDD Officials Grilled Over Backlog and Fraudulent Claims
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…
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Oct 25, 2021
Rain Pummels Bay Area, Northern California
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 thre…
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Oct 22, 2021
Governor Newsom Proposes Ban on Oil Drilling Near Neighborhoods
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 juveni…
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Oct 21, 2021
Rain Brings Reprieve, but the Drought Carries On
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…
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Oct 20, 2021
Unvaccinated L.A. City Employees Could Get Extra Time to Get Shots
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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Oct 19, 2021
Orange County Businesses Continue to Struggle Following Oil Spill
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.
Report…
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Oct 18, 2021
Homekey Provides Stability, But No Permanent Housing For Many Participants
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…
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Oct 15, 2021
Dodgers Top Giants in Decisive Game Five
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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Oct 14, 2021
Hollywood Production Workers Set Strike Date
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 tak…
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Oct 13, 2021
Alisal Fire Continues to Grow, Threatens Homes
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…
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Oct 12, 2021
State Attorney General Lanches Investigation Into Orange County Oil Spill
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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Oct 11, 2021
Pipeline Likely Damaged Months Before Orange County Oil Spill
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 departmen…
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Oct 8, 2021
Officials Still Unclear How Much Oil Spilled Off Coast of Orange County
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 For…
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Oct 7, 2021
German Ship Now Being Investigated For Potential Role in Pipeline Rupture
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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Oct 6, 2021
New Details Released on Ruptured Pipeline Involved in Massive Oil Spill
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 Calif…
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Oct 6, 2021
More Questions Raised About Response to Massive Southern California Oil Spill
There are growing questions about why the emergency response wasn’t faster to a massive oil spill in Orange County over the weekend. And an investigation into the pipeline’s rupture is also underway.
The oil spill is also threatening to destroy ecologically sensitive marsh areas in Southern California. Wetlands in Huntington Beach, which have been carefully restored and maintained since the 1990s, are now inundated with oil, and they're critical for coastal life.
Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KPCC
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that aims to address racial health disparities for new moms of color and their babies.
Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED
In response to an investigation by California public radio stations into the health risks from wildfire smoke, state and federal lawmakers plan to introduce legislation and hold at least one hearing on the topic.
Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio
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Oct 4, 2021
Massive Oil Spill off Orange County Coast Called Potential Ecological Disaster
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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Oct 1, 2021
Police Reform Bills Signed by Governor Newsom
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…
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Sep 30, 2021
Smoky Air From Wildfires Impacting Parts of California Differently
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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Sep 29, 2021
Schools in Rural Northern California See Dangerous Effects of Wildfire Smoke
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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Sep 28, 2021
Californians Exposed to More Unhealthy, Smoke-Filled Air
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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Sep 27, 2021
PG&E Charged With Manslaughter in Deadly 2020 Zogg Fire
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 rur…
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Sep 24, 2021
California Prepares to Issue Booster Shots to More Eligible Residents
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 Sequo…
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Sep 23, 2021
Years of Preparation Help Save Some Communities From Caldor Fire
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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Sep 22, 2021
As Drought Worsens, Californians Failing to Conserve Water
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…
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Sep 21, 2021
State Imposes One Year Ban on Insurance Cancellations in Wildfire Prone Areas
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.
Repor…
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Sep 20, 2021
In-Home Health Care Workers Need to be Vaccinated in L.A. County
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…
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Sep 17, 2021
Governor Newsom Signs Housing Bills
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 Associa…
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Sep 16, 2021
Democrats Already Looking at Possible Recall Reform
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 Ha…
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Sep 15, 2021
Governor Newsom Prevails in Recall Election
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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Sep 14, 2021
Biden Stumps for Newsom as Recall Candidates Make Last Pitch to Voters
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.
Rep…
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Sep 13, 2021
Latino Voters Voice Mixed Opinions on Recall Election
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, Th…
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Sep 10, 2021
Vaccination Mandate Approved for L.A. Unified School District Students
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 cl…
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Sep 9, 2021
Recall Campaigns Look to Increase Turnout in Final Days Before Election
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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Sep 8, 2021
Recall Campaign Enters its Final Stages
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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Sep 7, 2021
What to Know About At-Home COVID Tests
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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Sep 6, 2021
Migrant Workers on the Front Line Battling California Wildfires
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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Sep 3, 2021
Crews Get Better Handle on Caldor Fire as Conditions Improve
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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Sep 2, 2021
Healthcare and COVID-19 Response Loom Large in Recall Election
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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Sep 1, 2021
Many Caldor Fire Evacuees Face Uncertain Future
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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Aug 31, 2021
Thousands More Evacuated as Caldor Fire Moves Closer to South Lake Tahoe
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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Aug 30, 2021
Caldor Fire Prompts Evacuation Warning for Entire South Lake Tahoe Basin
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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Aug 27, 2021
Afghan Family Resettles in Modesto Following Harrowing Flight Out of Kabul
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.…
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Aug 26, 2021
New Plan Could Ease Trauma for Asylum Seekers
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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Aug 25, 2021
President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Northern California Wildfires
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 worsen…
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Aug 24, 2021
Governor Newsom's Handling of Schools During Pandemic Could Play a Big Role in Recall Election
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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Aug 23, 2021
New Agency Aims to Protect Digital Privacy of Californians
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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Aug 20, 2021
To Avoid Rolling Blackouts, State Fast-Tracks Diesel-Fueled Power
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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Aug 19, 2021
The Pandemic Has Changed the Job Market - One Key Policymaker Says That's a Good Thing
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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Aug 18, 2021
Caldor Fire Explodes in Size in El Dorado County
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 A…
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Aug 17, 2021
Dixie Fire Advances Towards Communities in Lassen County
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…
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Aug 16, 2021
Hundreds of Thousands of Students Return to Schools in Los Angeles
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…
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Aug 13, 2021
San Francisco Mandates Full Vaccination at Many Indoor Businesses
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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Aug 12, 2021
What California Voters Should Know About Recall Election
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 s…
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Aug 11, 2021
Governor Newsom Expected to Implement Vaccination or Testing Requirement for School Staff
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 d…
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Aug 10, 2021
COVID-19 Hospitalizations on the Rise Due to Delta Variant
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,…
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Aug 9, 2021
Dixie Fire Continues to Grow, Now Second Largest Wildfire in State History
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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Aug 6, 2021
Extreme Fire Conditions Expected to Ease as Crews Battle Dixie Fire
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 Pub…
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Aug 5, 2021
Extreme Fire Conditions Cause Northern California Wildfires to Spread Quickly
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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Aug 4, 2021
More Evacuations Ordered as Crews Battle Challenging Conditions in Fighting Dixie Fire
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.
Re…
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Aug 3, 2021
PG&E Equipment May Have Sparked Northern California Wildfire
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…
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Aug 2, 2021
San Francisco Considering Indoor Mask Mandate
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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Jul 30, 2021
State on Pace to Break Last Year's Record Breaking Fire Season
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 f…
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Jul 29, 2021
California Health Officials Recommend Masks Indoors for Everyone
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 facilit…
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Jul 28, 2021
Los Angeles to Require City Employees to Get COVID Vaccine or Weekly Tests
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 o…
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Jul 27, 2021
California to Require State Employees, Health Care Workers to Show Proof of Vaccination
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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Jul 26, 2021
Evacuations Expand as Crews Continue to Battle Dixie Fire
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 communiti…
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Jul 23, 2021
University of California Decides to Raise Tuition, Despite Student Protests
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 Califo…
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Jul 22, 2021
PG&E to Bury 10,000 Miles of Electric Lines Underground
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…
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Jul 21, 2021
Pasadena to Require Vaccination of City Employees
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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Jul 20, 2021
Crews Face Challenging Conditions in Fighting Northern California Fires
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 KQE…
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Jul 19, 2021
Mask Mandate Put Back in Place in Los Angeles County
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…
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Jul 16, 2021
Olympian Describes His Path to Summer Games
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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Jul 15, 2021
Crews Facing Challenges in Battling Northern California Wildfires
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 J…
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Jul 14, 2021
COVID-19 Cases on the Rise in California
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 Tob…
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Jul 13, 2021
Judge Denies Newsom's Request to be Identified as Democrat on Recall Ballot
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 Twitte…
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Jul 12, 2021
L.A. Mayor is President Biden's Pick for Ambassador to India
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…
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Jul 9, 2021
Governor Newsom Extends Drought Emergency
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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Jul 8, 2021
Passengers at LAX Find it Hard to Get Rideshare Ride
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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Jul 7, 2021
Fire Experts Warn of Dangers of Proposed Safety Regulations
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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Jul 6, 2021
Climate Change and its Impact on Desert Ecosystem in California
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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Jul 5, 2021
Investigation Finds Many Sanitation Stations for Homeless in L.A. Rarely Checked
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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Jul 2, 2021
Date Set for Recall Election
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 othe…
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Jul 1, 2021
California Sees Huge Surge in Hate Crimes in 2020
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 duri…
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Jun 30, 2021
Critics Argue State Budget Relies Too Much on Ongoing Spending
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…
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Jun 29, 2021
Lawmakers Approve Massive Budget Plan
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 S…
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Jun 29, 2021
Kevin Faulconer Explains Why He Believes Governor Newsom Should Be Recalled
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…
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Jun 25, 2021
San Diego Officials Call for US-Mexico Border Reopening
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 n…
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Jun 24, 2021
Some Lawmakers Want Answers From Governor Newsom Over Wildfire Prevention Claims
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 cra…
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Jun 23, 2021
Governor Newsom Vastly Overstated Wildfire Prevention Efforts Before Record-Breaking 2020 Fire Season
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 Stat…
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Jun 22, 2021
Investigation Sheds Light on Bakersfield Police Use of Force
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 A…
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Jun 21, 2021
Investigation Finds School Records Don't Show True Story of Attendance in One Central Valley District
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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Jun 18, 2021
California Adopts New Workplace Rules for Vaccinated Employees
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…
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Jun 17, 2021
Flex Alert Issued as Heat Wave Continues Across California
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 Th…
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Jun 16, 2021
As Pandemic Restrictions Are Lifted, There's Growing Optimism and Hope in California
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 di…
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Jun 15, 2021
California Reopens as Most COVID-19 Restrictions are Lifted
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 g…
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Jun 14, 2021
Mask Rules May Change for Vaccinated Workers
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 C…
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Jun 11, 2021
Many Californians Will Continue to Wear Masks Despite Mandate Being Lifted
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 t…
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Jun 10, 2021
State Workplace Safety Board Likely to Lift Masking Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Workers
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 Hal…
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Jun 9, 2021
Journalist Seeks Transcripts of Depositions From Sexual Harassment Case Involving Former Garcetti Aide
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…
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Jun 8, 2021
California Issues New Guidance on COVID-19 Testing
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,…
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Jun 7, 2021
Federal Judge Overturns California's Assault Weapons Ban
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 Pub…
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Jun 4, 2021
Safety Board Approves New Workplace Mask Rules
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 ha…
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Jun 3, 2021
Bill to Help Unemployed Californians Moves Through Assembly
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 wa…
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Jun 2, 2021
New State Budget Proposal Calls for Increased Spending on Child Care
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…
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Jun 1, 2021
Debate Over Naming Comes to a Head in Sierra County
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:…
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May 31, 2021
L.A. Neighborhood Provides Glimpse Into Melting Pot of America
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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May 28, 2021
More Details Emerge About Gunman's Past
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…
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May 27, 2021
Ninth Victim Dies in San Jose Mass Shooting
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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May 26, 2021
Federal Government to Open California Coastline for Offshore Wind Farms
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 be…
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May 25, 2021
Racial Justice Advocates Reflect on Anniversary of George Floyd's Murder
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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May 24, 2021
Coalition Calls for New Entity to Address Los Angeles' Homeless Crisis
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…
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May 21, 2021
Music Venues in California Push for Grant Stimulus Program
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…
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May 20, 2021
Lawmakers Criticize Lack of Funding for Public Health in Governor's Budget Proposal
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,…
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May 19, 2021
Citizen App Wrongly Accuses Man of Starting Southern California Fire
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…
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May 18, 2021
California Waits to Lift Mask Mandate
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.…
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May 17, 2021
Crews Battling Large Brush Fire in Pacific Palisades
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 Gov…
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May 14, 2021
California Drought Conditions Intensify
CDC Says Vaccinated People Don't Need to Wear MasksCalifornia’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 DroughtDrought 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 AprilEmergency 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,…
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May 13, 2021
Faulconer Unveils Tax Cut Plan
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 t…
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May 12, 2021
State Health Officials Outline Plans to Vaccinate Younger Kids
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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May 11, 2021
Drought Emergency Expanded Across Much of California
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 Mar…
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May 10, 2021
Project Homekey Provides Some Hope For Californians Experiencing Homelessness
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,…
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May 7, 2021
Bay Area Family Provides Glimpse Into Pediatric Vaccination Trial
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 recreati…
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May 6, 2021
Wait For Unemployment Money Continues For Hundreds of Thousands of Californians
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 s…
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May 5, 2021
Recall Election Ramps Up with New Ads and Campaign Launch
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 d…
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May 4, 2021
Some Health Officials Concerned About People Skipping Second Dose of COVID Vaccine
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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May 3, 2021
Why Are People Vaccine Hesitant?
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, claimi…
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Apr 30, 2021
Vaccine Supply Outweighs Demand in L.A. County
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 t…
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Apr 29, 2021
State Superintendent Praises Safety Measures as More Schools Reopen
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
Numb…
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Apr 28, 2021
Will Distance Learning be Allowed in California Next School Year?
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.…
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Apr 27, 2021
Recall Effort Officially Qualifies for Ballot
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 settle…
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Apr 26, 2021
Homeless on L.A.'s Skid Row Have Mixed Feelings Over Judge's Ruling
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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Apr 23, 2021
UC, Cal State Systems to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations for the Fall
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 v…
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Apr 22, 2021
Governor Declares Drought Emergency in Two Counties
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.…
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Apr 21, 2021
Californians React to Conviction of Derek Chauvin
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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Apr 20, 2021
L.A. Mayor Proposing Basic Income Pilot Program
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…
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Apr 19, 2021
Pandemic Devastates Latino Community in Kings County
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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Apr 16, 2021
Hundreds of Thousands of COVID-19 Cases Linked to Meatpacking Plants
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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Apr 15, 2021
As Vaccine Eligibility Expands, Questions Remain About Equity
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 stat…
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Apr 14, 2021
State Officials Don't Anticipate Vaccination Timeline to be Impacted by Johnson & Johnson Pause
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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Apr 13, 2021
Federal Health Agencies Pause Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
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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Apr 12, 2021
Schools In San Francisco, San Diego Reopen for In-Person Instruction
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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Apr 9, 2021
Punjabi Truck Drivers Face Unique Challenges During Pandemic
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: Sar…
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Apr 8, 2021
Long Term COVID Clinics Offer Some Hope for Long Haulers
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…
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Apr 7, 2021
Governor Newsom Expects Full Reopening in California by June
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 Oak…
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Apr 6, 2021
Long Beach Mayor Backs Plan for Temporary Shelter for Migrant Children
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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Apr 5, 2021
More Pandemic Restrictions Lifted in California
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 su…
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Apr 2, 2021
Orange Police Say Mass Shooting Suspect Knew Victims
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 pan…
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Apr 1, 2021
Four People Killed Including a Child in Mass Shooting in Orange
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 ap…
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Mar 31, 2021
New Poll Shows Majority of Californians Don't Support Recall
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…
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Mar 30, 2021
Unemployment Problems Highlight State's Outdated Technology
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…
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Mar 29, 2021
L.A. Unified Brings Classrooms to Students
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 concern…
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Mar 26, 2021
California Expands Vaccine Eligibility
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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Mar 25, 2021
Governor Newsom Selects Rob Bonta as Next Attorney General
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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Mar 24, 2021
How Religious Leaders Can Be Powerful Allies in Vaccination Efforts
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, K…
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Mar 23, 2021
San Diego Agrees to House Unaccompanied Migrant Children
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 o…
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Mar 22, 2021
State Superintendent Expects Most Schools to Open Within a Month
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 Obis…
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Mar 19, 2021
Atlanta Shootings Hit Close to Home for Asian Americans in California
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…
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Mar 18, 2021
Police Step Up Patrols in California's Asian American Communities
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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Mar 17, 2021
Governor Newsom Acknowledges Recall Effort Likely to Qualify
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 Founda…
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Mar 16, 2021
Californians Can Now Apply for Rent Relief Program
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 unaccompani…
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Mar 15, 2021
Vaccine Eligibility Expands in California
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…
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Mar 12, 2021
Gun Violence Researchers Push Back on DOJ Proposed Rule Change
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 ther…
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Mar 11, 2021
High School Athletes, Coaches Adjust to Pandemic Guidelines
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
Mil…
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Mar 10, 2021
Newsom Defends Pandemic Response in State of the State Address
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 Bo…
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Mar 9, 2021
California Republican Party Hopes to Benefit From Recall Effort
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, supervi…
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Mar 8, 2021
California Officials Still Concerned About Vaccine Supply
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…
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Mar 5, 2021
School Reopening Bill Approved by Lawmakers
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.
Repor…
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Mar 4, 2021
California Will Send More COVID-19 Vaccines to Vulnerable Areas
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 busin…
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Mar 3, 2021
Indoor Dining Can Proceed in San Francisco, Two Other Bay Area Counties
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 r…
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Mar 2, 2021
Newsom's Schools Reopening Plan Draws Rebuke
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 Ha…
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Mar 1, 2021
For Farmworkers Hoping to Get Vaccinated, Information is Scarce
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 Kho…
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Feb 26, 2021
Has the Campaign to Support Black Businesses Faded?
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: Sco…
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Feb 25, 2021
Warehouse Industry Booming in Inland Empire Despite Concerns
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 St…
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Feb 24, 2021
California Surgeon General Pushes for Health Equity During Pandemic
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…
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Feb 23, 2021
Becerra Expected to Face Tough Questions on Capitol Hill
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 San…
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Feb 22, 2021
Governor Admits to Problems With Vaccine Rollout in Hard-Hit Communities
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…
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Feb 20, 2021
Governor at Odds With Legislature On Plan to Reopen Schools
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…
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Feb 18, 2021
New Stimulus Deal Would Include Checks for Low-Income Workers
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 exploi…
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Feb 17, 2021
Lawmakers Approve Mailed Ballots for 2021 Elections
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 remai…
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Feb 16, 2021
Non-Disclosure Agreements Targeted by State Lawmaker
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 t…
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Feb 15, 2021
Verification Process Leaves Nearly a Million Unemployment Claims Up in the Air
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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Feb 12, 2021
L.A. Closes Mass Vaccination Sites Over Shortage of Doses
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: Ca…
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Feb 11, 2021
Performing Arts Venues Pushing for Faster Reopening
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 t…
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Feb 10, 2021
Governor Newsom Pushes for Schools to Reopen
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 s…
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Feb 10, 2021
Ambitious COVID-19 Testing Facility Falls Short of Goal
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 a…
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Feb 8, 2021
Campaign to Recall Newsom Appears to be Gaining Steam
U.S Supreme Court Rules Against Parts of California's Ban on Indoor WorshipOver 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 CommunitiesHighway 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 SteamA 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…
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Feb 5, 2021
How Brain Fog Lingers Even After Mild COVID-19 Cases
Bay Area Congressional Representatives Condemn Enduring Trauma from Family Separation PolicyCongressional 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 FogA 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 ZoningBerkeley 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 SectorSmall arts gr…
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Feb 4, 2021
Battle over 'Hero Pay' Reaches Boiling Point
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…
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Feb 3, 2021
President Biden Works to Undo Trump's Immigration Policies
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-r…
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Feb 2, 2021
Poll Shows Governor Newsom's Approval Plummeting
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 a…
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Feb 1, 2021
L.A. Hospitals: Full of Patients, Low on Oxygen
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 Got…
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Jan 29, 2021
Shirley Weber Confirmed as California's Top Election Official
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 w…
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Jan 28, 2021
Republicans Sense Opportunity as Criticism Brews Over Newsom's Pandemic Response
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. She…
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Jan 27, 2021
Labor Unions Among Those Lobbying for Vaccine Eligibility
Labor Unions Lobby for Vaccine EligibilityFor 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…
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Jan 26, 2021
California to Adopt Age-Based Vaccine Distribution
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 vaccin…
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Jan 25, 2021
Volunteer Tech Workers Turn to Crowdsourcing to Speed Up Vaccine Rollout
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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Jan 22, 2021
The Search for California's Next Top Prosecutor Heats Up
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 vac…
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Jan 21, 2021
People Who Knew Kamala Harris Best Reflect on Watching Her Ascend to the White House
People Who Knew Kamala Harris Best Reflect on Watching Her Ascend to the White HouseKamala 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 th…
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Jan 20, 2021
Political and Legal Warfare Between California and the Trump Administration Comes to an End
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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Jan 19, 2021
Albertson's Dumps Drivers for Doordash, Critics Blame Prop 22
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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Jan 18, 2021
Incoming California Senator Pushes for Citizenship Path for Undocumented Essential Workers
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 Cali…
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Jan 15, 2021
Local Leaders Ask For Help With Vaccine Rollout
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 Fal…
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Jan 14, 2021
On Impeachment, CA's GOP Sticks With Trump, With One Exception
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 Departm…
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Jan 13, 2021
State and Local Officials Prepare for the Possibility of Unrest
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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Jan 12, 2021
Dodger Stadium Transforms from Testing Site to Vaccination Center
L.A. Moves from Pushing COVID-19 Testing to VaccinationCOVID-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 YetState 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 PowerKamala 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…
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Jan 11, 2021
L.A. County Stops Using Curative COVID-19 Test After FDA Warns of False Results
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…
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Jan 8, 2021
Central Valley Trump Supporters React to Insurrection on Capitol Hill
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
C…
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Jan 7, 2021
Insurrectionists Overrun U.S. Capital as Trump Refuses to Admit Defeat
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…
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Jan 6, 2021
California Approaches Grim Milestone: 30,000 COVID-19 Deaths
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…
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Jan 5, 2021
Campaign to Recall Governor Gavin Newsom Collects Nearly A Million Signatures
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 publ…
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Jan 4, 2021
Pandemic Pushes Hospitals to Brink of Catastrophe
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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Jan 1, 2021
Giant Sequoias Face New Danger in Bark Beetles
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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Dec 31, 2020
True Cost of Wildfires: Thousands Dead, and $150 Billion in Economic Losses
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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Dec 30, 2020
How COVID-19 Changed How We Get Around
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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Dec 29, 2020
Black Lives Matter Reflects on Strength and Heartbreak in 2020
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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Dec 28, 2020
How California Confronted the Pandemic in 2020
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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Dec 25, 2020
How a Great Depression Government Program Kept Musicians at Work
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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Dec 24, 2020
'Fire in Paradise' Illuminates the Destruction of a Town Razed by Fire
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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Dec 23, 2020
Alex Padilla Will Be California's First Latino Senator
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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Dec 22, 2020
Current COVID-19 Restrictions Will Likely Extend Into 2021
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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Dec 21, 2020
How the Failure to Remove a Tree Could Have Sparked Zogg Fire
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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Dec 18, 2020
ICU Capacity Drops to Zero Percent at Many L.A. Area Hospitals
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 worke…
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Dec 17, 2020
L.A. County Health Director Warns 'The Worst is Still Before Us'
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 c…
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Dec 16, 2020
Governor Orders 5,000 Body Bags as California Sees Record COVID-19 Deaths
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,…
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Dec 15, 2020
Who Should Be Prioritized for the Coronavirus Vaccine?
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…
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Dec 14, 2020
First COVID-19 Vaccines Ship to California
California Doctors Ready for Reluctant Patients as Vaccines ArriveAs 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 do…
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Dec 11, 2020
For California Latinos, COVID Testing Resources Remain Scarce
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…
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Dec 11, 2020
Hospitals in Parts of California Have Reached a Breaking Point
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…
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Dec 9, 2020
L.A.'s Outdoor Dining Ban Survives Legal Challenges
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 do…
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Dec 8, 2020
A Plan to Reopen California Schools by March... With Conditions
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 u…
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Dec 7, 2020
Xavier Becerra's Cabinet Appointment Spells Political Change in California
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 Se…
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Dec 4, 2020
Newsom Issues Regional Stay-At-Home Order
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 res…
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Dec 3, 2020
L.A. County Health Director Seeing 'Terrifying Increases' in COVID-19 Cases
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 p…
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Dec 2, 2020
State Recommends Weekly COVID-19 Testing for Health Care Workers
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 s…
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Dec 1, 2020
Hospital Admissions Surge as Governor Considers New Stay-at-Home Order
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 estimat…
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Nov 30, 2020
Which Healthcare Workers Will Receive COVID-19 Vaccine First?
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 pr…
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Nov 27, 2020
Young Queer Candidates of Color are Changing the Bay Area Political Scene
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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Nov 26, 2020
Food Banks Face Enormous Need This Thanksgiving
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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Nov 25, 2020
Incarcerated People Got Hundreds of Millions in California Unemployment Scam
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.
Gue…
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Nov 24, 2020
Health Officials Urge Californians to Scale Back Holiday Plans as COVID-19 Cases Surge
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 Feinste…
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Nov 23, 2020
Hospitals Brace for COVID-19 Surge
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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Nov 20, 2020
Newsom Orders Overnight Curfew for Most Californians
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 po…
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Nov 19, 2020
Stockton's Mayor Lost Reelection. Will His Initiatives Continue?
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…
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Nov 19, 2020
Largest River Restoration in History to Proceed with Removal of Klamath Dams
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 again…
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Nov 17, 2020
Most Californians Back To Tightest COVID-19 Restrictions
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 federa…
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Nov 16, 2020
How Biden's Pledge to End Travel Ban Could Impact Immigrant Communities
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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Nov 13, 2020
A Smooth Election in California Despite Manufactured Suspicions
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
Speculati…
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Nov 12, 2020
California Has Recorded Nearly One Million COVID-19 Cases
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…
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Nov 11, 2020
Xavier Becerra Looks Forward to Biden Administration
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.…
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Nov 10, 2020
Who Should Get the Coronavirus Vaccine First?
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.
Report…
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Nov 9, 2020
Biden-Harris Supporters Celebrate Across California
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 combati…
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Nov 6, 2020
A Complicated Portrait of the California Voter
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”…
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Nov 5, 2020
Prop 22's Passage Could Set a Precedent For the Future of Low Wage Work
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
C…
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Nov 4, 2020
Many California Races Too Close To Call With 71% of Precincts Reported
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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Nov 3, 2020
Last-Minute Registration and Voting Tips For This Unprecedented Election
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 wi…
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Nov 2, 2020
Eager California Democrats Hope to Help Flip Arizona Blue
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 La…
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Oct 30, 2020
As Election Day Nears, Cities Prepare for Unrest
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…
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Oct 29, 2020
How Affirmative Action Shapes Community on Campus
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 t…
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Oct 28, 2020
L.A. Studying Reliability of At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests
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…
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Oct 27, 2020
Two Firefighters Critically Injured in Silverado Fire
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…
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Oct 26, 2020
How Prop 16 Could Reshape Higher Education Campuses Across California
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 Univ…
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Oct 23, 2020
Uber Drivers Sue Over Pop Up Messages Soliciting Support for Prop 22
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…
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Oct 22, 2020
More than 4.8 Million Californians Have Voted So Far
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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Oct 21, 2020
Advocates Work to Mobilize California's Unlikely Voters
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…
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Oct 20, 2020
Fire Experts Use Satellites to Monitor and Understand Wildfires
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…
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Oct 19, 2020
Court Rules Bankrupt Battery Recycler Not Responsible for Cleanup of Toxic Waste
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.…
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Oct 16, 2020
Online Detection Tool Could Keep Ships from Colliding with Whales
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…
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Oct 15, 2020
Record-Breaking Numbers of Californians Have Already Voted
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…
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Oct 14, 2020
SCOTUS Ruling Ends Census, Leaving Marginalized Communities Undercounted
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…
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Oct 13, 2020
GOP Says They Will Not Remove Unauthorized Ballot Drop Boxes
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 unauthorize…
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Oct 12, 2020
The History of Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated People
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…
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Oct 9, 2020
Some Call for a Less Partisan Election Chief in California
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 O…
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Oct 8, 2020
Wineries Struggle With Fires and Other Impacts of Climate Change
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: S…
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Oct 7, 2020
Gig Workers Divided Over Prop 22
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.
Fac…
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Oct 6, 2020
First Openly Gay Justice Nominated to State Supreme Court
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…
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Oct 5, 2020
Record Four Million Acres Burned in California, With Months of Fire Season Remaining
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
Ballot…
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Oct 2, 2020
After Positive COVID-19 Test, Trump's Swing Through Southern California Likely On Hold
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 are…
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Oct 1, 2020
Firefighters Deploy Emergency Shelters Amid Intense Conditions
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…
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Sep 30, 2020
California Still Unprepared For Wildfires After $2.5 Billion Investment
Immigrant Workers Hit Hard by WildfiresThe 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 FireSmall 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 InvestmentA 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 Fl…
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Sep 29, 2020
Heartbreaking Toll of Wildfires Continues to Grow
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 re…
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Sep 28, 2020
Venture Capitalists Consider Gig Economy Potential of Homecooked Meals
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…
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Sep 25, 2020
Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration from Ending Census Early
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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Sep 24, 2020
Governors Executive Order Bans Gas-Burning Car Sales by 2035
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. Thi…
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Sep 23, 2020
Audit Finds Some UC Campuses Improperly Admitted Wealthy Students
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
Cal…
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