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Today on Inland Edition, Lillian Vasquez speaks with Julie Bank, Director of Riverside County Animal Services. Julie shares information about animal welfare, assisting first responders during emergencies, and matching animals with loving homes. To view pets available for adoption in Riverside County, find out about volunteering, or make a donation, visit rcdas.org

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: Authorities announced they have seized hundreds of tons of pyrotechnics throughout San Bernardino County, as illegal fireworks continue to blast off throughout many neighborhoods. Riverside's new state-of-the-art main library on Mission Inn Ave opened last weekend, featuring 60,000 materials, story time areas, laptop kiosks, beautiful views, and more. Riverside County is showing progress against the coronavirus pandemic, with 2.2 million vaccine doses administered and the closing of a testing site and vaccination clinic. California is phasing out its state-run youth prisons and shifting the burden to counties. The National Weather Service warns of dry lightning strikes and wind gusts in the region, but warm and dry weather are expected for the holiday weekend.

On today's edition, Shawn Michael Perry stops by to talk about new material coming out soon, and hopefully a tour which will bring him to this area soon. To listen to some of his music, go to .

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: A fire in the mountains north of San Bernardino forced the closure of Highway 18 in both directions, but it has since reopened. UC Davis launched a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for people with special needs. California lawmakers are looking at revamping the state's recycling system. California's new $262 billion operating budget includes rebates for most taxpayers and money for business impacted by the pandemic, as well as free breakfast and lunch for all public school students.

Longtime Inland Empire journalist and KVCR news contributor Cassie MacDuff and KVCR's Rick Dulock review some of the big Inland Empire news stories from the past week: 1. The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office allegedly shortchanged students by allowing local districts to spend state funds on school police instead of education programs. 2. San Bernardino County Sheriff John McMahon announced he is retiring as of July 15. 3. A San Jacinto city councilman has been charged with running an illegal marijuana dispensary in the city. 4. Colton has extended its moratorium on new warehouses. THIS SEGMENT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWS GROUP, PUBLISHER OF THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE , SAN BERNARDINO SUN , INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN , AND OTHER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPERS.

June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month. On today's show, Lillian speaks with flutist, journalist, and author Eugenia Zukerman. Eugenia was also the CBS Sunday Morning arts correspondent for 25 years. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and writes about her experience in her book Like Falling Through a Cloud: A Lyrical Memoir. For more information about Eugenia Zukerman, visit www.eugeniazukerman.com

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: It was the wettest June 23 in Riverside and Palm Springs in 128 years, but after the showers come triple-digit temperatures again by Sunday. Governor Newsom has overstated the wildfire prevention work completed during his time in office, and now some lawmakers are calling for additional accountability. Boat inspectors have detected that invasive species have affected 13 watercraft in Lake Tahoe so far this summer.

The Voice on KVCR is a weekly discussion with the Black Voice News editorial team about important issues in the inland region. Executive Editor Stephanie Williams returns to talk to KVCR's Megan Jamerson about a state investigation into the case of a local man on death row. To read Williams' story, San Bernardino District Attorney Disputes Claim Kevin Cooper Framed, Disagrees with Newsom's Order , click here .

Today on Inland Edition, Lillian Vasquez speaks with Philip Cutler, the CEO of Paper, an educational support system implemented by some school districts in an effort to improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Also on the show, Lillian has a conversation with Chastity Heyward, owner of Sylvan Learning Center in Murrieta. Chastity talks about their tutoring methods and a partnership her center has entered with the non-profit, School On Wheels. To learn more about Paper, visit paper.co You can learn more about Sylvan Learning Centers at sylvanlearning.com . Enter your zip code and you'll be directed to a Sylvan Learning Center near you.

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: Applications are being welcomed as San Bernardino County Supervisors prepare to appoint the next Sheriff-Coroner. Proposed rail passenger service linking the Coachella Valley and Los Angeles has reached the public hearings stage, with residents, commuters, and other stakeholders asked to weigh in at the virtual hearing Saturday. Two people survived a plane crash Tuesday in a residential area near Big Bear Airport with moderate to serious injuries- no one on the ground was hurt. California restaurant owners say there's a labor shortage, blaming extended federal jobless benefits and workers moving out of state as two of the factors involved. A group of firefighting monks was ready to defend a Buddhist monastery threatened by wildfire burning in the mountains south of Big Sur. California oil regulators have missed another deadline aimed at improving health and safety measures

On today's edition of KVC-Arts, Maraget Worsley speaks with Dana Zimbric, Artistic Director and conductor with the California Chamber Orchestra. You 'll hear about the California Chamber Orchestra organization , as well as an upcoming performance by the Hausmann Quartet in the garden at the Murrieta Public Library, with works by Haydn and more.

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: The Inland Empire's jobless rate is now half of what it was a year ago, down to 7.2%. An Israeli citizen who spent time in Corona is one of five people named in a federal indictment alleging illegal exports of military devices in Russia. California is making it easier for people to prove they've received their COVID-19 vaccination by making the information available online. Californians who buy health insurance through the state's Covered California exchange could see their monthly payments go down this summer. 2020 was the deadliest year for crashes in over a decade and that's prompted the CHP to crackdown on speeders.

Longtime Inland Empire journalist and KVCR news contributor Cassie MacDuff and KVCR's Rick Dulock review some of the big Inland Empire news stories from the past week: 1. San Bernardino's mayor is in hot water with his city council and constituents over a VIP reception that excluded them. 2. Moreno Valley city council members have decided to leave their late colleague's seat vacant until the November election. 3. The former Fontana deputy police chief is among the men charged in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. 4. Two Inland Empire colleges are among 286 organizations receiving millions of dollars this week from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott. THIS SEGMENT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWS GROUP, PUBLISHER OF THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE , SAN BERNARDINO SUN , INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN , AND OTHER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPERS.

Today on Lifestyles, Lillian speaks with Dr. Stephanie Ryan, whose background is in chemistry and biology. Dr. Ryan uses her science knowledge to help make learning science fun with projects that parents can do with their kids at home. She's also the author of the children's book Let's Learn About Chemistry and shares science projects that families can enjoy together. Also on the show, KVCR reached out to local artists and Walter Wogee, a lifelong wood worker and owner of WoodArt, shares his story. Walter talks about his process of making furniture, like rocking chairs, out of wood sourced from around the world. To learn more about Dr. Stephanie Ryan, visit letslearnaboutscience.com To learn more about WoodArt, visit www.rockingchairsbywogee.com

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: While ridership on RTA buses dropped 70% during the pandemic, they have now opened up to full capacity and are getting back to normal. Riverside County's 2021-2022 budget was approved Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors, with funding for public safety, social services, community services, and more included in the spending program. Governor Newsom announced that California is giving away 50,000 tickets to Six Flags Magic Mountain as part of a vaccination initiative Vax for the Win. The California Independent System Operator says it should have enough electricity to meet demand and avert outages as California swelters in three-digit heat. Disney plans to restart fireworks in July for its California and Florida parks.

The Voice on KVCR is a weekly discussion with the Black Voice News editorial team about important issues in the inland region. This week KVCR's Megan Jamerson spoke with Executive Editor Stephanie Williams about the financial burden many inland households face from high housing costs, and how a 40 hour workweek is often not enough to afford rent. To read Williams' article, Many Who Work 40 Hour Weeks Cannot Afford Housing, click here .

Today on Inland Edition, Lillian Vasquez speaks with Dr. Rick Axelrod, CEO and Medical Director for Lifestream Blood Bank. Lifestream is celebrating its 70th anniversary this month, but today, blood inventory is at its lowest since the beginning of the pandemic. Dr. Axelrod discusses this nationwide crisis and basic requirements and tips for donating blood. Visit www.lstream.org to learn more about donating blood. You can also call 1-800-TRY-GIVING (1-800-879-4484)

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: 1. Carbon Health, in partnership with Color, will be administering the Pfizer and J&J COVID-19 vaccines at the San Bernardino Depot Metrolink Station every day this week until Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Everyone receiving the vaccine will get a free round trip Metrolink ticket. Appointments are not necessary, but encouraged. Visit myturn.ca.gov to make an appointment. 2. San Bernardino health officials echo CDC requirements, stating that fully-vaccinated individuals won't need face masks in most outdoor and indoor settings. 3. Ten California residents are $1.5 million richer via the vaccine jackpot awarded Tuesday. 4. Californians may be asked to conserve power amid the heat wave this week. 5. The University of California is reversing course and will require all students, staff, and faculty to be vaccinated against the coronavirus this fall

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: Three Inland Empire women have pleaded guilty to federal charges accusing them of committing unemployment fraud. Aiden Leos, the 6-year-old killed in a road rage shooting, will be memorialized at the Orange County Zoo. On California's reopening day, Governor Newsom ushers in a new chapter. Stolen Army assault rifles keep showing up in California. The popular Pfeiffer Falls Trail in Big Sur is set to open Friday after a 13-year closure.

June 14 th was World Blood Donor Day, and there is a major blood shortage right now. This is due in large part to the coronavirus pandemic. KVCR's Lillian Vasquez connected with Dr. Frederick Axelrod, the CEO and Medical Director for Life Stream Blood Bank to find out more about the day and the current blood shortage. Potential donors can make a donation appointment online or by phone: lstream.org 1-800-TRY-GIVING 1-800-879-4484

Longtime Inland Empire journalist and KVCR news contributor Cassie MacDuff and KVCR's Rick Dulock review some of the big Inland Empire news stories from the past week: 1- Rep. Ken Calvert has agreed to stop blocking his critics on his social media accounts. 2- The only candidate for Riverside City College student body president is a registered sex offender. 3- The Temecula councilwoman who compared herself to Rosa Parks for refusing to wear a mask is defending her comments. 4- The Inland Empire has lost two longtime civic leaders. We remember them. THIS SEGMENT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWS GROUP, PUBLISHER OF THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE , SAN BERNARDINO SUN , INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN , AND OTHER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPERS.

On today's show, Lillian speaks with journalist, filmmaker, and TV host Brandy Yanchyk. Brandy talks about one of her newest projects Breaking Loneliness , a documentary about people finding ways to escape loneliness and social isolation. The documentary was filmed in Edmonton, Calgary and on the Blood Reserve in Southern Alberta, Canada. Brandy reveals her inspiration behind making the film and shares some of the stories featured in the documentary. Brandy also discusses her travel series, Seeing Canada . Breaking Loneliness and Seeing Canada can be seen on FNX. To learn more, visit brandyyanchyk.com

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: A statewide poll shows support for Governor Gavin Newsom and opposition to his recall is holding steady. It’s estimated there are 3,000 Riverside County residents confined to their homes, and Corona-based United Lab Services has signed a contract with the county to vaccinate them. The San Bernardino Public Library’s summer reading program kicks off June 7 with the return of regular service days and hours. Information at sbpl.org The Recording Academy updated its rules for the Album of the Year Grammy, giving more individuals the chance of winning the award. Knotts Berry Farm is commemorating its 100-year anniversary with a summer-long celebration after reopening to California residents.

The Voice on KVCR is a weekly discussion with the Black Voice News editorial team about important issues in the inland region. This week KVCR's Megan Jamerson spoke with reporter Cheetara Piry about about her profile of the city of San Bernardino's three newly elected Black council members who took on their roles in January. To read Piry's story, San Bernardino's Newly Elected Black Councilmembers at the 'Forefront' of a Reimagined City, click here .

Today on Inland Edition, Lillian Vasquez speaks with Dr. Gayani DeSilva, Medical Director of Behavior Health for IEHP, the Inland Empire Health Plan. Dr. DeSilva discusses mental health as an ongoing issue in everyday life and the impact COVID has had. For more information visit IEHP.com

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: Controlled burns are planned today and Thursday around the Lake Perris State Recreation Area, where almost 400 acres of brush are slated to be eliminated. Riverside County Fire noted that the Jurupa Valley Lake Fire has been held to 115 acres and is 85% contained. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a $277 million sports and entertainment venue that will seat about 12,000, slated to be built near Palm Desert. Schools try pep-rally tactics to get students vaccinated. CalFire has added six Firehawk helicopters to its fleet. Religious artifacts have been returned to Thailand 50 years overdue.

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: A Jurupa Valley brush fire, which began Monday morning, holds at 105 acres and 10% contained. Governor Gavin Newsom wants to spend nearly $2 billion on wildfire mitigation and preparing for other natural disasters. Ontario International Airport is expecting passenger traffic at near pre-pandemic levels during the summer months. A massive new $1.73 billion concourse with 15 gates has opened at LAX and includes biometric boarding gates, wireless internet, and touchscreen kiosks. Postal workers plead guilty to California unemployment fraud. Two victims of a barbershop stabbing in Riverside are recovering in the wake of a shooting that left a former employee dead.

Memorial Day weekend officially kicks off the summer travel season, and KVCR’s Megan Jamerson reports Ontario International Airport is expecting passenger traffic at near pre-pandemic levels during the summer months. Airport officials credit a strong inland economy and growing population for the predicted summer travel rebound. According to a news release, between Memorial Day and Labor Day one-point-four million passengers are predicted to travel through Ontario Airport. Also, 75 percent of seats are expected to be filled on the airport’s more than 66 flights per day. Travelers will still need to keep wearing those masks at the airport and aboard aircrafts.

For the past 13 years, Torta Sinaloa has been in the same corner of a small retail center off the 91 in Corona. In the windows, are posters advertising their steak sandwich and juices. Inside it’s quiet, with only a family of three waiting for their order. Owner Sergio Desantido was working the kitchen. Like many small businesses in the region, he has been hit hard by the lockdowns. “ At the beginning of this whole COVID-19 we dropped the sales by 60 percent,” said Desantido. Desantido laid off all but three of his workers, sending 13 others to the unemployment line in a region that was already seeing record high job losses. Last May, unemployment rate here was 15 percent, two points higher than the nation. The Paycheck Protection Program was supposed to help small business owners like Desantido avoid layoffs. It was a big part of the federal government’s COVID-19 relief package, extending more than half a trillion dollars to small businesses through banks to keep workers paid. Here in

Longtime Inland Empire journalist and KVCR news contributor Cassie MacDuff and KVCR's Rick Dulock review some of the big Inland Empire news stories from the past week: 1. Two women who were Redlands PD officers are alleging gender discrimination. 2. The former Upland city manager will receive severance of about 10 months pay. 3. The city of Riverside has reached a $24m settlement over utility fees. 4. Remembering prominent Inland Empire attorney and philanthropist, Bruce Varner. T HIS SEGMENT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWS GROUP, PUBLISHER OF THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE , SAN BERNARDINO SUN , INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN , AND OTHER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEWSPAPERS.

A Riverside County plan to shift resources to mobile vacciation teams, means two area clinics will be closing. The Beaumont based vaccine clinic at Chatingy Senior Center will close on May 22, and the Menifee clinic at Heritage High will close on May 28. According to a county news release, the focus on mobile vaccination teams will allow for quicker service for communities in need. The only county operated brick and mortar site that will remain open will be the Moreno Valley Mall. It can serve several thousand people per day. In Riverside County, more than 1.9 million vaccines doses have been given through county run sites and community partners. Appointments for doses are encouraged by not required. To learn more visit www.rivcoph.org/covid-19-vaccine . For assistance call 2-1-1.

The Voice on KVCR is a weekly discussion with the Black Voice News editorial team about important issues in the inland region. This week KVCR's Megan Jamerson speaks with Phyllis Kimber Wilcox about the story of a local domestic violence organization that quickly pivoted during the pandemic to handle a spike in violence. To read Kimber Wilcox's full story, Pushing Through the Pandemic: How a Local Domestic Violence Agency Stayed True to Its Mission, click here.

A recent survey conducted by Men’s Health showed that out of 1100 people, approximately 75% of respondents said they are close to someone struggling with addiction and 40% reported an increase in cravings for addictive substances or behaviors. One of the main reasons was that they didn’t have other people around to keep them feeling connected, grounded, and upbeat. This according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ken Duckworth from the National Alliance on mental Illness . May is Mental Health Awareness Month, 91.9 KVCR’s Lifestyles would like to spotlight an interview we did during the pandemic with actor, recovering addict and intervention counselor Danny Trejo. Mr. Trejo talks about his background, his acting roles, and how he went from prison to Hollywood to helping others overcome addiction.

Today on Lifestyles, Lillian speaks with Cal State University San Bernardino Art Professor Katherine Gray. Katherine was recently named Outstanding Professor of the Year at CSUSB. She’s also the resident evaluator for the Netflix series Blown Away . The series features contestants in a glass blowing competition. Katherine talks about her profession and her experience with the mesmerizing 2,000-degree art technique of glass blowing. For more information about Blown Away, visit www.netflix.com/title/80215147

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: Cal Fire is seeking the origin of two small fires that combined into a larger one that exploded across 300 acres in Moreno Valley. California home prices have hit a milestone, with April’s median price at $813,980. California readies to prevent blackouts, but some threats, including heat waves, remain. More California counties see COVID-19 case improvements and no counties are in the purple tier. California restaurants expect a rebound that will take years following the pandemic. A shooting targeting a party bus on a San Francisco Bay Area freeway kills 2 and wounds 5.

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: Five people were injured Tuesday evening in a shooting that broke out after an argument in a Hemet neighborhood. California has decided to not yet follow the CDC’s updated mask guidance for vaccinated people, to allow more time for people to adapt. March Air Reserve Base is in the running as a main operating base for the KC-46A Pegasus air refueling tankers. Low-income families could pay a lot less for their cable-internet service under the FCC’s broadband subsidy, which is part of a COVID-19 relief package. Information at GetEmergencyBroadband.org

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. KVCR's Lillian Vasquez speaks with Dr. Michael Potoczniak, Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health at Loma Linda VA. Dr. Potoczniak discusses mental health resources for veterans at VA Loma Linda, where they are opening a brand-new Mental Health Access clinic for military veterans in Southern California. To learn more about Loma Linda VA Healthcare, visit www.lomalinda.va.gov

California has decided to not yet follow the Centers for Disease Control’s updated guidance on masking for vaccinated folks. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson has more from inland officials on how to understand the state’s announcement. Last week, the CDC said vaccinated individuals can safely go unmasked indoors in most public situations, but on Monday the state of California decided they wanted to give everyone a little more time to adapt says Riverside County Director of Public Health Kim Saruwatari. “So what that means for us in Riverside County since we are in alignment with the state and following the state order. The state’s mask mandate stays in effect until June 15,” said Saruwatari. The same goes for San Bernardino county. Officials in both counties advocated for adopting the CDC guidance but they will follow the state mandate for the next month. They say the back and forth has been confusing. To keep it all straight they recommend vaccinated Californian’s think about masking in three

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: California plans to keep its mask rules in place for another month, delaying federal guidelines that say fully vaccinated people can safely go without face coverings. A controlled burn targeting more than 100 overgrown acres is planned near Lake Mathews. Scuba divers have launched a six-month program to go underwater three days a week and clean up Lake Tahoe. The city of Fullerton has agreed to pay $350,000 and take back its accusations of criminal computer hacking to settle a lawsuit against two local bloggers. California-based Rocket Lab says a launch of satellites from its facility in New Zealand has failed. An arson suspect has been arrested in connection with a Los Angeles wildfire near Topanga State Park that forced evacuations.

The Centers for Disease Control announced last week, that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks in most indoor or outdoor situations, but until the state of California offers clarification, inland county health officials are keeping mask mandates in place. Inland News Today reports that across the region, people can still see signs requiring masks and social distancing at supermarkets, gas stations, and retail shops and most patrons are complying. California officials have said they will not weigh in on the CDC guidance until they are finished with their own review. Over the weekend, the state’s largest nurses’ union urged officials to keep mask mandates in place saying that their removal would be a blow to the safety and welfare of healthcare and frontline workers. Meanwhile, both Riverside and San Bernardino County have started vaccinating young people age 12 and older.

April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month. On today's show, Lillian Vasquez speaks with Pamela Kattouf, one of the founders of Beloved Bath, an online shop that offers candles, soaps, sugar scrubs, and more. The goal of Beloved Bath is to provide training and meaningful employment is for individuals with autism. Pamela shares how making relaxing lavender-scented bath salts with her son went from a fun pastime to a business venture. To learn more about Beloved Bath, visit belovedbath.com

One in ten Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders reported hate crimes and hate incidents in 2021, according to survey results released by AAPI Data and SurveyMonkey Tuesday. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson reports, this rate which is higher than the national average is driven by a specific harmful stereotype. Karthick Ramakrishnan, CEO and Co-Founder of AAPI Data, and U.C. Riverside professor says the survey found 64 percent of AAPI respondents have been asked where they are from with the assumption it’s not the U.S. Many also reported being treated like they don’t speak English and told they should Americanize or “whiten” their names. “Part of what is likely driving this increase in hate incidents for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in particular is this presumed foreigner status,” said Ramakrishnan. The survey was designed and distributed shortly after the Atlanta shooting that killed eight people, including six Asian American women. The incident is bringing new attention to anti-Asian

Riverside County partners gave the one millionth COVID-19 vaccination dose at a clinic in Beaumont Wednesday. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson reports. The milestone dose was given to 65-year-old retired nurse Shirley Ann Gruenke of Cherry Valley. “It was a surprise, but I sure thank you all,” said Gruenke, in a news release. “You know, I went back and forth saying I was not going to get the shot, but when I got COVID in December and I felt sick, I said I’m ready for it. I’m getting my shot.” Riverside County currently operates four vaccination clinics and has more than 230 private partners also giving the vaccine. They also operate six mobile clinics in hard to reach communities. In neighboring San Bernardino County, efforts to expand vaccine access now includes a free bus service to the area’s two biggest vaccination sites. Starting Monday, April 5, Onmitrans will provide a wheelchair accessible shuttle service to the Ontario Convention Center and Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino.

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: The Riverside University Health System has a system in place that they say improves patients’ experience and treating colon cancer. A new police chief has been appointed to lead the Corona Police Department.

The Voice on KVCR is a weekly discussion with the Black Voice News editorial team about important issues in the Inland region. This week KVCR's Megan Jamerson spoke with Executive Editor Stephanie Williams about her report Coronavirus Pandemic Past Due Utility Bills' Crisis Continues for California Households .

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and the Riverside University Health System has a system in place that they say improves patients’ experience screening and treating colon cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women, excluding skin cancers. It’s also the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. “Colon cancer with the screening programs has the potential to be a preventable condition,” says Dr. Steve Serrao, Chair of Gastroenterology at the Riverside University Health System. He says certain populations are especially at risk of developing colon cancer. “What we have found in population-based studies is the fact that certain populations have higher disparities when it comes to outcomes. So we've identified that the African-American population in addition to the Hispanic population tend to have a higher risk, the highest being African-African males.” Serrao

Today on Inland Edition, Lillian Vasquez speaks with Evita Tapia-Gonzalez, Director of Communications for Corona-Norco Unified School District. Evita talks about reopening schools safely and the unique, fun video one of the District’s schools shared with parents and students to educate them about safety measures when they return. For more information about the Corona-Norco Unified School District, visit cnusd.k12.ca.us You can view the creative, flight-themed video here www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7kV6qoK3p0

Monday through Thursday at lunchtime, KVCR News has your daily news rundown. Stories highlighted today include: Riverside County health officials say the latest COVID-19 numbers are looking good and on track to put the county in the orange re-opening tier, but there are concerns about a fourth wave. Cal State San Bernardino received recognition for several of its graduate programs in U.S. News and World Report’s latest school rankings. Riverside City Hall reopens to the public today for limited-contact services in multiple offices. Santa Ana winds linger in Riverside County, heightening fire concerns.

Riverside County health officials say the latest COVID-19 numbers are looking good, but there are concerns about a fourth wave and how new virus variants might play a role. KVCR’s Megan Jamerson has more from Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting. The latest COVID case numbers are on track to put the county in the orange re-opening tier as soon as next week, but Director of Public Health, Dr. Kim Saruwatari told the board that the public still needs to follow health guidelines, like masking and social distancing. Concerns are growing that a more contagious west coast variant of the virus could drive a fourth wave of cases. “There are lots of theories out there about what a fourth wave might look like," said Saruwatari. "Because a lot of our older population has been vaccinated many think a fourth wave would occur among our younger populations, and so we might not see the hospitalizations and deaths that we saw with this last wave.” With the new variants, county Public Health Officer

Cal State San Bernardino received recognition for several of its graduate programs in U.S. News and World Report’s latest school rankings. Under the 2022 edition of Best Graduate Schools, its public affairs, public health and part-time MBA graduate programs were listed. “We are deeply honored to be named by U.S. News & World Report among the best graduate programs in the country,” said CSUSB President Tomás Morales in a news release. “This recognition underscores the hard work and commitment of our CSUSB faculty and staff to provide our students with the knowledge and training not only to succeed but to excel." The university was also ranked the 40 th best regional university in the West and the 18 th top public regional university of the west.

Caltrans would like to extend the Brightline West high-speed rail project from Apple Valley to Rancho Cucamonga. The proposed project called the Cajon Pass Segment would add 50 miles of track along the I-15 corridor, ending with a station near the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink train station. Inland News Today reports that the privately funded rail project would first connect Apple Valley to Las Vegas over 170 miles of track. The public can provide feedback on the Cajon Pass Segment before April thirteenth.