POPULARITY
KCBX's Robin Coleman talks with Jaime Pierce, owner of the Caffeinated Cat Cafe in Grover Beach for Peace, Love and Pets. Sam DJ, Programming Intern at KCBX, talks to members of Cal Poly's Mariachi ensemble about their heritage and what Mariachi means to them. From the California Report, reporter Benjamin Purper talks to Chencho Perez, a musician, who is part of a community of artists celebrating and experimenting with Norteño music, in the Santa Maria valley. Last but not least, KCBX's Tom Wilmer is in conversation with award-winning author Yang Huang about her literary works and her lived experiences in China and the degree to which they inform her work.
People affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles are only just starting to get a handle on what it's going to mean to rebuild their lives and mend their broken communities. And it's going to take a long time. We spend time with neighbors in Altadena and Pasadena who are coming together and relying on each other. One of those neighbors is Steven Cuevas. He's The California Report's former LA Bureau Chief, and he lives in Altadena. Thankfully his house survived, but he's been talking to folks in his community every day since the fire broke out about healing, helping and moving forward. And one of the first executive orders Donald Trump signed this week could radically transform who gets to be a U.S. citizen. It would deny birthright citizenship to anyone who doesn't have at least one parent who is a citizen or a lawful permanent resident. But California is fighting back. State Attorney General Rob Bonta filed our state's first lawsuit against the new administration to challenge that order. And on Thursday, a federal judge in Washington State temporarily froze that executive order. But that's only short-term, and the legal battle between the states and the federal government will continue. The government recognizing that all babies born in the U.S. are U.S. citizens runs deep in our history. One hundred and twenty-nine years ago, a Chinese American man who was born in San Francisco took the U.S. government to court after officials denied him entry into his own country. His name was Wong Kim Ark, and as KQED's Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí explains, his victory back in 1898 might make it much harder for Trump to win this legal battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Friday declared the Los Angeles wildfires a public health emergency, as President Biden reiterated his promise to cover disaster response costs over the next six months. Displaced L.A. residents are mourning their lost pets, homes and schools, and entire communities are grieving the loss of arts institutions, hiking trails, businesses and restaurants. We provide an update on the latest and hear from you: What impact have the wildfires had on you – even from afar? How to help. Guests: Saul Gonzalez, co-host, The California Report, KQED Daniel Swain, climate scientist, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) & UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (UCLA IoES) Chris Harvey, Public Information Officer with CalFire INT-4 Jake Viator, mastering and recording engineer, lost his home and property in the Eaton Fire in Altadena
A summary of state laws taking effect this year, from the California Report. Frank Lanzone, KCBX Director and General Manager, and Greg Perry, Development Director and key organizer of the Live Oak Music Festival chat with KCBX's Meher Ali about their best moments at Live Oak. Festival tickets go on sale January 20th at 10 am. Researchers Against War is a group founded by grad students at the University of California, Santa Barbara that is highlighting the university's ties to the Department of Defense as well as military companies. Zoha Malik from KCSB, the university's student radio station reports. A story from our archives! KCBX's Tom Wilmer travelled to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis in 2018 and spoke to Faith Morris, the museum's External Affairs Officer about the importance of educating people on history.
There are not enough words to describe the impact of the wildfires in Los Angeles – one of the most destructive and costly firestorms in our state's history. Whether we've lost our homes, are fleeing for safety, or desperately worried about people we love, so many people in California are grieving. Tens of thousands of residents have evacuated, leaving everything behind. We bring you some voices of people who are living this nightmare right now. Plus, we talk with the California Report's Saul Gonzalez about Pacific Palisades, and journalist Steven Cuevas about the videos he's been making to document the destruction in his own neighborhood in Altadena. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Meteorologists say firefighters may get a respite today and tomorrow from the strong Santa Ana winds fueling the massively destructive wildfires in Los Angeles. There have been 10 confirmed deaths so far and an estimated $135-$150 billion dollars in loss and damages.. We check in with reporters on the scene about how Angeleno's are processing the swaths of destruction, evacuations, heartbreak and uncertainty. Guests: Rachael Myrow, senior editor, Silicon Valley News Desk, KQED Saul Gonzalez, co-host, The California Report, KQED Beans are rich in nutrients, easy to cultivate and transport, and are beloved in cuisines around the world. But on many plates, beans are a side dish, not the main attraction. That may be hard to believe if you're someone who craves a simmering pot of frijoles negros or lives for the sweet and savory taste of Boston baked beans. We talk to Steve Sando, the founder of Rancho Gordo, a Napa company that revitalized the heirloom bean market, and Jessica Battlana, a chef, about how beans can and should be the center of any meal. What's your favorite bean? Guests: Steve Sando, founder and CEO, Rancho Gordo; a company that sells heirloom varieties of beans; author, "The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans" Jessica Battilana, co-author, "Rintaro: Japanese Food from an Izakaya in California"; Battilana is also the author of "Repertoire: All The Recipes You Need" and a staff editor at King Arthur Baking Sponsored
Three major wildfires fueled by winds up to 100 miles an hour are tearing through the Los Angeles region of Southern California this morning. The fires are destroying property and forcing evacuations in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Malibu. Many homes have been lost and officials are warning that the worst is yet to come. We'll provide an update and hear from you. Guests: Saul Gonzalez, co-host, The California Report, KQED Nicholas Tuttle, South Pasadena resident; his home is now in the mandatory evacuation zone A national funeral service will be held Thursday for former President Jimmy Carter, who died late last month at the age of 100. The peanut farmer-turned-Georgia governor's long-shot presidential campaign centered reform and the restoration of trust in government after Watergate and the Vietnam War. As president, Carter brokered the Camp David Accords and championed human rights and the environment, though his handling of the Iran hostage crisis and slumping U.S. economy tanked his chances of re-election. In 2002, Carter received the Nobel Peace Prize. We'll talk about Carter's legacy and hear from you: What will you remember about Jimmy Carter? Guests: Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, served as the chief White House domestic policy adviser in the Carter administration; author, “President Carter: The White House Years” Jonathan Alter, analyst, MSNBC; author, “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life” Mary Frances Berry, professor of American Social Thought Emerita and professor of history, University of Pennsylvania; served as assistant secretary for education in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in the Carter administration
You might think of Palm Springs as a wealthy town filled with luxury hotels and swimming pools. But it's also a place shaped by brutal racism. People who lived in Section 13, a once a predominantly Black and Latino neighborhood, were pushed off their land. Their homes were bulldozed and burned down. Now, The California Report's Madi Bolanos. talked to some of the former residents who are now fighting for reparations. And we continue our Hidden Gems series with a visit to Mineral King. It's located in the southern part of Sequoia National Park. Mineral King's remote location means it gets fewer visitors than other parts of the park. But the campers and backpackers that make the trek are rewarded with a spectacular mountain range with rushing waterfalls. There are only a handful of buildings here, including some historic wooden cabins that belong to a few families who've been here long before this was a national park. One of those cabins belongs to Laile Di Silvestro's family. Her connection to Mineral King goes back to the 1870s. Today, she's an archeologist, and she's looking for the stories she didn't hear growing up. The California Report Magazine host Sasha Khokha hiked Mineral King with Di Silvestro to learn about some surprising trail blazers in the California gold rush. And the discrimination some people faced during those boom times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oakland Composer and Harpist Destiny Muhammad Has Always Charted Her Own Path Sitting on stage with her harp resting in her lap, Destiny Muhammad repeats this mantra: “Excellence, Beauty, and Success.” It's part mic-check and part pump-up. When she first started learning to play the harp, the Oakland-based composer and musician used to suffer from stage fright. Now, more than 30 years later, she commands the stage with a presence fit for a woman who calls herself the “sound sculptress.” As part of our series on California composers, KQED's Bianca Taylor brings us her story. The Pesky (But Lovable) Pine Native to the Northern CA Coast California is home to a lot of iconic trees, including giant sequoias, windswept Monterey cypresses, and Joshua trees. The bishop pine doesn't have that kind of celebrity status. But if you live on the Point Reyes Peninsula in west Marin County you're all too familiar with it. These indigenous trees are so well-suited to growing here, that to locals they're notorious pests, not because of how easily they grow, but because of how they die. The California Report's intern Lusen Mendel takes us to Tomales Bay State Park to meet someone who's made it his mission to deal with the pesky and strangely loveable, pines. Meeting Monarch the Grizzly Bear If you spend much time in the Sierra, you've probably been warned to look out for black bears. But there's another kind of bear that once roamed our state, one that's got a much bigger – and fiercer – reputation: the California grizzly. It's been 100 years since the extinction of the grizzly, but you can see one of the last of its kind, a bear named Monarch, up close at a new exhibit at San Francisco's California Academy of Sciences. Host Sasha Khokha paid a visit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
California transports water to Central Valley farmers through a complex network of reservoirs, aqueducts, and canals. This water system is controversial… and without constant maintenance, it might collapse. For REAP/SOW, reporter Lisa Morehouse, host of the “California Foodways” podcast, profiles California's irrigation canal divers. This episode was produced in partnership with “California Foodways” and KQED's “California Report” podcast.
Los Angeles was running out of water in the early 1900s, and Payahuunadü, "land of flowing water" in the Nüümü language, had lots of it. City officials hatched a plan to take the water from what white settlers had renamed the Owens Valley. Today, about a third of L.A.'s water comes from Payahuunadü and other parts of the Eastern Sierra, and many of its streams and lakes are mostly gone. FERN staff writer and REAP/SOW host Teresa Cotsirilos digs into Indigenous efforts to forge a modern resolution of this water conflict. This episode was produced in partnership with KQED's California Report.
Famous for showcasing transgender performers for more than a quarter century, AsiaSF, the beloved San Francisco restaurant and club, closed its doors this week. Reporter Wilma Consul went to one of the final shows at AsiaSF, and tells us how the groundbreaking venue became a place where people from all over the world could find joy and authenticity. And, California has had a state flower and state animal for awhile now, but this year we finally got an official state mushroom. KQED's Danielle Venton takes us foraging to try to find the Golden Chanterelle. Finally, we head to Fresno County, where a group of farmworkers living in a mobile home park did something that might seem impossible in a time of rising housing costs: They bought the park from their corporate landlords. The California Report's Madi Bolanos tells us how they did it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hundreds of law enforcement officers descended on the UCLA campus on Wednesday night, eventually breaking up a large Pro-Palestinian encampment. Dozens of people were taken into custody. Guests: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report and Sergio Olmos, Investigative Reporter, CalMatters While we've been reporting this week about some of the chaotic scenes at UCLA, USC and Cal Poly Humboldt, for the most part, protests on campuses across the state have been peaceful. That includes at UC Santa Cruz, where hundreds of students and faculty gathered on Wednesday, Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're in your feeds a little early this week, but for good reason: We're giving you a little peek behind the scenes! You'll be meeting some of the people who make The California Report Magazine, and we'll take you through the process of how a story gets made. If you like what you hear, please consider visiting donate.kqed.org/podcast and supporting the work we do at KQED. Thanks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Can California Legislate Its Way to Happiness? The newly formed Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy Outcomes had its first meeting this week to explore the topic of 'happiness.' Lynn La, CalMatters Indian Students Lead Way for Increase in International Students in United States India's U.S. consular team issued over 140,000 student visas last year, more than any other country in the world. California remains a top destination for these students. But what is life like when they get here? Madi Bolanos, The California Report
How The Bay Area's Biggest City Wants to Overcome Its Sprawl The cars and trucks we drive account for nearly half of California's total carbon emissions. And bringing those emissions down is going to require more than just swapping out gas guzzling cars for electric ones. It's going to mean redesigning our cities around people, not cars. KQED's Adhiti Bandlamudi takes us to San Jose where local leaders are trying to rethink how residents live and how they get around. This story comes to us from KQED's podcast Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America. LA's Bé Ù Puts a New Spin on Vietnamese Takeout, and Workers' Rights Many chefs will tell you their cooking reflects the food they grew up eating. Food shared on holidays or at family parties. For our series Flavor Profile, The California Report's Keith Mizuguchi introduces us to a chef cooking up Vietnamese comfort food inspired by her family's recipes. She's also a former union organizer trying to build a business where workers are paid a fair wage.
EV Charging at Home w/ Broc TenHoutin of Intrinsic Power AZ TRT S05 EP05 (220) 2-4-2024 What We Learned This Week Intrinsic Power - Next Gen EV Charger EV Charging in your home will be standard Electrical Panel upgrade to handle new tech Electric Grid not prepared for consumer demand & EV charging needs EV Infrastructure for charging stations as EV Cars w/ longer range are the Future Guest: Broc TenHouten of Intrinsic Power https://www.linkedin.com/in/tenhouten/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/intrinsic-power-inc/ https://www.intrinsicpower.com/ Broc TenHouten, Co-founder and CEO, Intrinsic Power, Inc. Broc is an experienced technical leader with a general management background in the commercialization of EV technology. Broc was COO and chief engineer of Divergent 3D, developer of the 3D-printed 21C hybrid hypercar. He served as director of technology development at EnerSys Advanced Systems and led the engineering and industrialization of multiple electric vehicle and energy storage companies. Broc began his career at General Motors, where he held various positions in vehicle development. Broc has more than 50 vehicle technology patents issued or in process. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan-Ross and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley. Intrinsic's innovation has positioned the company to become the leader in distributed energy management–and one to watch. · The compact Intrinsic Power charger is more powerful than the competition, 11kW charging reduces charging time by up to 830%. Perfectly optimized for your current electric vehicle, and your next one · Web and mobile apps allow you to review charger use and syncronise useage across a portfolio of charging stations · Advanced connectivity enables real-time information and grid demand response, helping to avoid local power outages · Machine learning enables automatic time of use management, continuously optimizing to lower power bills over time HISTORY Intrinsic Power was founded in 2015, as a Los Angeles based internally-funded startup dedicated to delivering better EV charging solutions. Today Intrinsic is conducting field demonstrations, collecting data in preparation for mass production. TEAM Managed and staffed by a team of technical leaders in the EV space. The Intrinsic Power team is dedicated to improving residential charging though a combination of improved hardware and machine learning based algorithms for better charging performance. Notes: Seg 2 Broc has 15 years working in the EV car industry. In 2015, Broc and his brother were working out a plan to start a company. They realized the electric grid was not prepared for EV charging needs at home. Their goal was to build the next generation EV charger, which got a patent in 2020. 2022 of the electric grid saw a year over year growth of 12% energy usage. There is a need to change the net meter storage of energy used through solar and battery storage. Currently there are many consumer incentives for installing more clean energy type devices. EV cars at home need to share the breaker and most homes do not have the proper amps to charge car. The way new homes are built, they have larger panels and are EV capable. Current legacy homes cannot support EVs. Can get rebates to install a new electrical system. The current available power house would use 1 kW power per day. EV cars though use 11 kW. The transformers on the current grid are not ready for this. EV charge time, with 100 kW battery would take 10 hours. Intrinsic power works with the panel and other devices in your home to take into account usage of the vehicle charging. This is done through a Wi-Fi connector between your charger and the house. Seg 3 Intrinsic power expects to deliver their charging units to channel partners in Q2 of 2024. It's taken 2 1/2 years to build and test their product in Los Angeles. There is a standard charging plug for EVs (see below), and if different, there are adapters. NACS – North American Charging Standard The North American Charging Standard (NACS), currently being standardized as SAE J3400 and also known as the Tesla charging standard, is an electric vehicle (EV) charging connector system developed by Tesla, Inc. It has been used on all North American market Tesla vehicles since 2021 and was opened for use to other manufacturers in November 2022. Between May and December 2023, many other vehicle manufacturers have announced that starting from 2025, their electric vehicles in North America will be equipped with the NACS charge port. Several electric vehicle charging network operators and equipment manufacturers have also announced plans to add NACS connectors. See More: HERE Rate plans and usage need uniform regulations between states, which is the direction the process is going – similar rules in California, Arizona, & Texas where Intrinsic is doing business. EV charger for the smart that has been tested with multiple types of vehicles. EV batteries are becoming more efficient in the energy capacity and will have 2x growth in next 7 years. There are some range issues - where some EV‘s get less than 200 miles, but this is becoming less of an issue. The next 7 years, EVs will be more efficient with energy, have a smaller battery and could travel as much as 400 to 500 miles on a charge. Projected Market for EV chargers is $16 billion, with $6 billion in the US residential charging market. There are also destination charging stations, a growing industry. Most people want to charge at home and over time the charging rates will drop. Obviously traditional energy methods like ooil and gas will be reduced in the next 10 years, as demand drops. Seg 4 Oil companies are actually investing in charging companies, and charging stations to diversify operations. Intrinsic Power is concerned with charging your EV car at your home. They expect homes to be all electric in the future with battery packs and distributed solar. This will even take over traditional natural gas type products like lawnmowers which will also go electric. Electric Grid saw the EV wave coming. A California Report in 2018 estimated the growth of the EV industry. New technologies coming for EV at home. Solar will help the grid long term, but not that efficient in the near term. Only 4% of homes have solar and this needs to be pushed up to 30%. There are still issues with energy storage on solar. There is a need to improve the fluctuated use of the energy with time shifts when needed. Most EV car owners must charge at night. There are currently many regulations and standardization of home electric and EV charging. It's expensive with EV charging at home now, but in the future they'll be one electrical panel on the backend. Need a 40 Amp panel to charge a EV Car. Intrinsic Power works with home builders and solar installers. Keep the installation & maintenance cost down. Investors include: Plug and Play, Hatcher +, Building the CR50 Charging Station for homes: https://www.intrinsicpower.com/product.html Related Notes: BRIDGING THE ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE GAP - ENABLING THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES - HERE Full Charge: The Economics of Building a National EV Charging Network California Reaches 7.84% EV Market Share for 2018; US Hits 1.97% 2018 was the best year in history for sales of electric vehicles in the US with a total of 328,118 BEVs and PHEVs and an increase of 74.5% over 2017 (187,985), according to data from the Auto Alliance and IHS Markit. (Note: These numbers differ somewhat from the sales numbers from the InsideEVs Sales Scorecard that we have based 2018 data on previously.) Sales of BEVs in the US reached 203,625 units, an increase of 112% over 2017's 96,261 units. For the first time in the US, BEVs and PHEVs (328,118) outsold regular hybrids (323,912) in 2018. Hybrids had lowest sales in the US since 2011. Sales of fuel cell vehicles declined slightly to 1,735 from 1,862 in 2017. From 3/2019 - Article Link: HERE Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Assessment - AB 2127 AB 2127 (2018) requires the California Energy Commission to biennially assess the electric vehicle charging infrastructure needed to meet the state's goals of putting at least 5 million zero-emission vehicles on California roads by 2030 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. Report: HERE Seg 1. – Related Energy Clips from: Kenmore is Home Electricity Made Easy - Modernize the Smart Home from Appliances to the Electric Grid w/ CEO Sri Solur - BRT S04 EP19 (181) 5-7-2023 What We Learned This Week · Kenmore is home electricity made easy. Kenmore is on a mission to modernize the home. Live More & Live Better. Also need to make it Affordable. · Clean Tech goes w/ the smart home, smart appliances (that connect to the home) and the electrical power grid for better living · Electrical Grid needs to be modernized – cannot handle the current & future power demands · Homes built Pre-1990 run on Electric Panels that are outdated – costs of $40K + to modernize to handle charging EVs at home · Design of the Future House would have a Battery in it that could recharge your appliances and electronics during down hours. · Solving problems in electricity and energy also have the same issues with working on better water and clean food. It is more than just an energy and electric issue. Guest: Sri Solur, CEO, Kenmore / Brands https://www.linkedin.com/in/solur https://www.kenmore.com/ Sri Solur, CEO, Brands Sri Solur is chief executive officer of brands for Kenmore at Transformco. An industry veteran with 25+ years of experience, Sri has a rich history of success leading high tech products and businesses. He previously served as CPO and GM at Berkshire Grey, a leader in industrial robotics, and was a member of the leadership team that took the company public. Sri also served as CPO at SharkNinja, and was instrumental in bringing the Shark IQ Robot vacuum and NinjaFoodi products to market, while also holding a leadership role to take the company public. Sri spent 20 years at Hewlett Packard, serving as founder and CPO of CloudPrint, the company's wearables and IOT business. In his career, Sri has created products for world-renowned brands including Hugo Boss, Movado, Ferrari, Juicy Couture, and more. Sri holds a bachelor's degree in Engineering from NIT and an MBA from Boston University. Full Show: HERE Clean Energy & the State of AZ Tech in 2022 w/ Steve Zylstra of the AZ Tech Council - BRT S03 EP55 (154) 10-30-2022 What We Learned This Week Chips & Science Act is good for Semiconductors & the U.S. Supply Chain Clean Energy - many Tech Co's working on zero emission plan Semiconductor – big Tech Co's building plants in AZ Nuclear Power tech is vastly improved & viable in the future Guest: Steve Zylstra, President / CEO AZ Tech Council https://www.aztechcouncil.org/ https://www.aztechcouncil.org/kfnx_july2021/ Steve Zylstra of AZ Tech Council joins BRT to talk all things technology in the Valley. The Arizona Technology Council is one of the largest technology-driven trade associations in North America, with over 850 members and growing, the only organization specifically serving technology companies statewide. They protect innovators and truly believe that technology moves all of us forward; and are dedicated to the future of Arizona. Steve Zylstra advocates for AZ tech, as well as his recurring writing about the industry. Steve, and the Council are a major source for updates on technology, business growth, and what legislation is being drafted. We talk about AZ as a great technology hub in the U.S., and how it compares to Silicon Valley, Boston, etc. Also the Future tech Co's moving to the valley, influx of people moving to the valley from CA, NY, etc. How high tech jobs help the valley, and surrounding business plus VC and Angel Investing. The importance of semiconductors and Aerospace, two of the most prominent industries in AZ. Full Show: HERE Best of Biotech from AZ Bio & Life Sciences to Jellatech: HERE Biotech Shows: HERE AZ Tech Council Shows: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/size/5/?search=az+tech+council *Includes Best of AZ Tech Council show from 2/12/2023 ‘Best Of' Topic: https://brt-show.libsyn.com/category/Best+of+BRT Thanks for Listening. Please Subscribe to the BRT Podcast. AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/ ‘Best Of' AZ TRT Podcast: Click Here Podcast on Google: Click Here Podcast on Spotify: Click Here More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/ KFNX Info: https://1100kfnx.com/weekend-featured-shows/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts, Guests and Speakers, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities they represent (or affiliates, members, managers, employees or partners), or any Station, Podcast Platform, Website or Social Media that this show may air on. All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes. Nothing said on this program should be considered advice or recommendations in: business, legal, real estate, crypto, tax accounting, investment, etc. Always seek the advice of a professional in all business ventures, including but not limited to: investments, tax, loans, legal, accounting, real estate, crypto, contracts, sales, marketing, other business arrangements, etc.
During the COVID pandemic, ridership on California's public transit systems plummeted. Now, ridership levels for one agency – Los Angeles Metro – are nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, but there are still big concerns about quality of service, safety and how to deal with drug abuse and homelessness on subways, buses and light rail. The transportation agency is trying to deal with those concerns by putting a friendly face on mass transit. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report
If we're spending tens of billions of dollars fighting homelessness, why isn't the problem getting better? An investigation by KCRW and The California Newsroom looked at the massive failures of one major recipient of Governor Gavin Newsom's Homekey program. That's his administration's big effort to turn buildings like hotels and motels into low income housing, which has cost more than $3 billion since it launched in 2020. Guest: Anna Scott, Reporter KCRW Governor Newsom is expected to release the state's spending plan on Wednesday morning. This comes as the state is dealing with a $68 billion shortfall. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report
Hundreds of new laws have gone into effect with the beginning of the new year. They affect everything from workplaces, to crime and health care. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report
California will soon allow water agencies to heavily treat wastewater, converting it into drinking water. The State Water Resources Control Board approved regulations to extensively treat sewage water for human consumption. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Congressman Kevin McCarthy officially submitted his letter of resignation on Tuesday, announcing he will step down December 31. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Right now, people all over the world are sending friends and family Christmas cards and holiday gifts. But often overlooked is the one delivering this mail, the mail carrier. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report
Not-for-profit credit unions have long billed themselves as community-based alternatives to big commercial banks. Yet, many California credit unions charged customers millions in overdraft fees last year. Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS A new law protecting California workers who use marijuana goes into effect next year. Starting January 1, it will be illegal for employers in California to discriminate against an employee for their marijuana use off the job. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report
On this Salcedo Storm Podcast:Quisha King is a fighter for faith, culture and politics for the next generation. One of her missions is to expand school choice and encourage parents to trigger a mass exodus out of gov-ed. She's the host of the Quisha King Show.Carl DeMaio is the host of The California Report on AM 600 KOGO, in San Diego. He's a former city councilman and the chairman of Reform California.
More than 70, 000 Californians are still waiting on support from the state's COVID-19 rent relief program. And now, that program could run out of money before it pays out the remaining eligible applicants. Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters Heavier than expected snow is falling this week in the Lake Tahoe area, with some places getting over a foot of "powder". That, of course, is a good thing for ski resorts, who were worried this year's ski season was getting off to a slow start. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report It's the story of two California cities and two prisons. One city is Blythe on the border of California and Arizona. It's home to the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison. Since the lock up first opened in 1988, Chuckwalla has become synonymous with Blythe, with the prison creating hundreds of local jobs and helping to pump lots of dollars into Blythe's economy. But last year, the state decided to close Chuckawalla. Now, the city of Norco, hundreds of miles away, wants to make a switch, and instead close its prison. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report
Four decades ago, California went to war against an enemy that wasn't human. The adversary was the Mediterranean fruit fly, an invasive pest that threatened to destroy California's agricultural economy. To fight the fly, the state launched controversial aerial pesticide spraying campaigns and set up roadblocks and quarantine zones. Fast forward to today and the fruit fly threat to California is back. Guest: Bodil Cass, Professor on Entomology, UC Riverside Faculty members at four California State University campuses are staging a series of single day strikes starting Monday. It comes after months of bargaining. Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED For the first time, the state's Department of Fish and Wildlife is returning land to an indigenous tribe. The Fort Independence Indian Community will get back 40 acres of sacred land in Inyo County. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report
PG&E is currently in the process of “undergrounding” a considerable portion of their powerlines – if you're not familiar, that's the process of burying the lines in an effort to help prevent wildfires caused by equipment. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça speaks with Paul Moreno, PG&E Spokesperson, to learn more about what the project entails.Have you ever spotted a native Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep while out hiking? If you answered no, you're not alone – there are only a few hundred of them spread over thousands of miles in Northern California. The California Report brings us the story of a Department of Fish and Wildlife team that's been tasked with trying to bring them back from the brink of extinction.We close with an essay by Molly Fisk.
This upcoming Saturday is Nisenan Heritage Day. It celebrates the Nisenan people who have resided in the Sierra foothills for thousands of years. KVMR's Al Stahler speaks with Nisenan spokesperson, Shelly Covert, about what the day represents, and Nisenan culture and history in its whole.Did you know that immigrants can be held in ICE jails for months or even years while they wait for their deportation and asylum cases to be heard? California Senator Alex Padilla is calling on the Biden administration to change that – the California Report has the details.Then, after a look at local news and weather, The California News Service reports on Covered California's new open enrollment term, and how you may or may not be eligible to reap its benefits.
Downtown Nevada City was bustling this evening due to the annual Nevada City Halloween Spooktacular Event, which took place from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The event provided families with a fun, safe trick or treating experience while helping to support local businesses. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça took to the streets to bring the trick or treaters to us in the form of a sound collage.In California, an increasing number of college students are choosing to commute to Tijuana to obtain degrees. Why? Well, cheaper tuition costs are just one of several advantages. The California Report has more.We close with a commentary by Marc Cunniberti.
The countdown to Halloween is on and we have intel from Nevada County's Public Information Officer on what trick-or-treaters should be sure not to miss. The KVMR News Desk has some big changes on the horizon. Stick around to hear from News Director Cláudio Mendonça on the future of your local news room. Tonight's California Report looks at responses to Israel's bombardment of Gaza through the perspective of Californians. And National Native News follows a viral sensation in a tiny native village off the coast of Alaska.
KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça speaks to Nevada County's Office of Emergency Services Program Manager about how residents should prepare for this weekend's Red Flag Warning. Then the KVMR News team asks just what “prescribed fire season” entails. Listen in for details on preparedness and prevention efforts from the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team. And in a kick-off to the Halloween weekend, The California Report brings us along on a spooky stroll down Horror Row.
Since 2008, NEO has provided young people, aged 11-18, with a fun and safe place to spend their time after school. Now, its parent organization, Bright Futures For Youth, is celebrating the grand opening of its brand new Neo Youth Center. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça visits the site and speaks with executive director Jennifer Singer to learn more.A rural town in Riverside County is facing an unusual new challenge: packs of aggressive stray dogs that are killing dozens of livestock and terrorizing locals. Who's to blame? Authorities point the finger at illegal marijuana farms. The California Report has the story.We close with an essay by Molly Fisk.
Each year, United Way of Nevada County holds their Project Warmth program, distributing new or gently used winter clothing items like coats, hats, gloves, and scarves throughout the community for Nevada County residents in need. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça speaks with Louise Reed, United Way of Nevada County's executive director, to learn more.Teachers from the Fresno Unified School District, which happens to be California's third largest public school system, have voted to strike. The California Report brings us the details, as well as a scope into what this may mean for the district going forward.That's all before KVMR's Al Stahler speaks with a prescribed fire and fuel specialist about fuel reduction in our forests.
After local news and weather, Gary Zimmerman joins KVMR News Director, Cláudio Mendonça, to talk about what we might expect from the soon-to-be-released Third Quarter Gross Domestic Product data in another installment of The Economic Report.Mountain lions are one of the state's largest native predators – but have you ever wondered just how many of them live here? The California Report brings us the news of a recently discovered estimate, as well as potential causes and solutions for what it means.
A chunk of Nevada County residents have yet to weigh in on the area's future. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça tells us who, and how this group can ensure their opinions are incorporated during county planning. Farming towns in the Central Valley always have water front of mind. But supply, access, and management are in constant question. The California Report looks at innovative strategies to tackle these shaky variables. National Native News tags along with US Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland as she makes her way to Alaska on a “Road to Healing Tour”.
California regulators are poised to shake-up the solar market for apartments, schools and farms. An administrative law judge is proposing changes that make the economics of investing in solar projects unappealing. Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are proposing significant changes to the use of solitary confinement in the state's prisons. But advocates say the process is rushed, and the changes don't go far enough. Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio Pacific Gas & Electric pledged to bury ten thousand miles of power lines in California to reduce the risk of them sparking wildfires. But now, state regulators are considering two proposals that would limit that plan, in favor of cheaper and faster alternatives. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report
Senator Dianne Feinstein, a California political legend, was laid to rest in a private ceremony in San Francisco Thursday. Hours earlier, 1500 invited guests attended a memorial service on the steps of San Francisco's City Hall. Those who gathered there reflected on the long arc of Feinstein's life in San Francisco, where she served as a supervisor and then mayor before being elected to the Senate. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED At the US-Mexico border, immigrant rights activists say thousands of asylum seekers have been dropped off in San Diego by Customs and Border Protection over the last few weeks. In response, the nonprofit Casa Familiar set up a makeshift aid center at San Ysidro Community Park. But it's now at risk of shutting down, over a lack of funding. Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS The Golden State Warriors have announced a new WNBA will be created and they'll start playing in 2025. The team will practice at the Warriors facility in Oakland, and play its home games at Chase Center in san Francisco. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report 100 years ago, women mariachi bands didn't exist. Even 50 years ago, women playing mariachi music was rare. Today though, women like Sacramento's Dinorah Klingler are rewriting the story of male dominated mariachi culture. Reporter: Bianca Taylor, The California Report Magazine
Sacramento County's district attorney says he's taking the city of Sacramento to court, for failing to enforce its own homelessness laws. County DA Tien Ho says Sacramento city officials “allowed, created and enabled” a public safety crisis, by not enforcing their own laws, including the city's ban on blocking sidewalks and camping on public property. Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio More water to replenish a natural spring in a California forest - less water for the company that bottles and sells it as Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water. That's the result of a decision by California's Water Resources Control Board. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR California is suing oil and gas companies for deceiving the public for their role in climate change. The lawsuit could be a landmark for holding oil companies accountable. Reporter: Dana Cronin, KQED A federal judge this week temporarily blocked a California law meant to protect children when they use the internet. Known as the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, the law would require social media companies to take steps to protect minors' privacy and would limit the use of their information. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report
When you think of a meadow, what comes to mind? Probably a peaceful expanse of grass and flowers straight out of a postcard. A perfect place to have a picnic or read a book. But meadows are also key to the health of forests And in the Sierra Nevada most meadows have been degraded or lost. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR Meeting in Long Beach Wednesday morning, California State University's Board of Trustees is expected to vote on whether to increase tuition at all 23 CSU campuses. The proposal would include a 6% tuition hike over the next five years. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED California currently bans state-funded travel to 26 states because of their anti-LGBTQ laws. But state lawmakers have voted to repeal the travel bans after acknowledging that they haven't been successful. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report
The York Fire, California's largest wildfire this year, is currently burning in the Mojave National Preserve along the border of California and Nevada. The fire is also the largest on record for the Mojave Desert, where wildfires are rare. Guest: Jacob Margolis, Reporter, LAist Former President Donald Trump will campaign in California next month, speaking at the state Republican Party's fall convention in Anaheim. The announcement comes even as Trump faces new indictments, this time over his efforts to overturn his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, and his role in the January 6th insurrection. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio This summer marks the 59th year that Northern California's Yurok Tribe is holding its Klamath Salmon Festival. But this year, there won't actually be any salmon served, because of historically low salmon stocks. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report
California bans state-funded travel to other states that discriminate against LGBTQ people. That list has ballooned as legislation targeting trans people sweeps the country. Now Democratic lawmakers want to change tactics. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio Residents in Orange County's Anaheim Hills are voting on a self-imposed tax that would fund a groundwater pump system. That pump system has protected homes from landslides for 30 years, but funding will run out at the end of this year. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, The California Report
After months of alarm, forecasters predict that Tulare Lake has peaked in size. That means the risk of flooding has likely subsided for the city of Corcoran. But questions still surround what could have happened if floodwaters had overtaken two state prisons on the outskirts of the city. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR Ford, General Motors and several other truck manufacturers have agreed to abide by California's ban on the sale of new diesel big rigs by 2036. The deal puts an industry stamp of approval on rules California solidified this year, to fight air pollution and climate change. Reporter: Kevin Stark , KQED From time to time this summer, we're talking to Californians about how they're spending their summer months. Today, we head to the Venice Beach Boardwalk. It's a place that's long been popular with street performers, and it's where we met musician Eric Gray, who's a fixture on the boardwalk. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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