Podcasts about Central Valley

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger Picture Trump is now helping the farmers out in California, he is now opening the waters in the north to help the farmers in the south. China is now purchasing soybeans from the US. The US is going to be a manufacturing powerhouse, the US is now building Tiny Cars. Trump is ready to release the liquid gold under our feet. Elon wants the EU abolished which will lead to the destruction of the ECB. The [DS] is trying to stop Trump from moving forward with his plan to take back the country and allow the people to control it. Trump and team released the NSS letting the old guard know that their days are numbered and put the countries on notice that the US is going down a different path and some of the allies we have now might not be our allies. Everything is about to change WW. Economy (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); Trump Administration to Direct More Water to California Farms  The Trump administration is making good on a promise to send more water to California farmers in the state’s crop-rich Central Valley. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation on Thursday announced a new plan for operating the Central Valley Project, a vast system of pumps, dams, and canals that direct water southward from the state’s wetter north. It follows an executive order President Donald Trump signed in January calling for more water to flow to farmers, arguing the state was wasting the precious resource in the name of protecting endangered fish species. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said the plan will help the federal government “strengthen California’s water resilience.” It takes effect Friday. But California officials and environmental groups blasted the move, saying sending significantly more water to farmlands could threaten water delivery to the rest of the state and would harm salmon and other fish. Most of the state’s water is in the north, but most of its people are in the south. Source: newsmax.com https://twitter.com/SecRollins/status/1997033961210433741?s=20  Trump Set to Sign Off on New Arctic Drilling Surge  Alaska’s Congressional delegation, along with the support of House and Senate Republicans, has scored a major win on the energy front. Representative Nick Begich (AK-At Large) introduced House Joint Resolution 131, stripping Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Rep. Begich’s resolution has passed the House of Representatives and the Senate and is headed to President Trump’s desk for signature. Alaska's congressional delegation on Thursday succeeded in stripping Biden-era protections from the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, moving to expand opportunities for drilling there. The U.S. Senate voted to eliminate the 2024 leasing program for the refuge that put much of the refuge's 1.6-million-acre coastal plain off-limits to potential drilling.  The vote does a lot more than just open the door for potential oil and gas activity.  This is another step in unlocking America’s treasure chest. The areas in question in ANWR are estimated to hold 7.7 billion barrels of oil recoverable with current technology, and the U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that there may be hundreds of millions of barrels in other areas to the west of the ANWR sites. Source: redstate.com https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/1997327003062538459?s=20 Political/Rights https://twitter.com/nicksortor/status/1997007545097961499?s=20 JUST IN: Trump-Appointed Judge Unseals Epstein Grand Jury Records in South Florida  US District Judge Rodney Smith, a Trump appointee, said the law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump overrides grand jury secrecy. The Act applies to unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials that relate to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Consequently, the later-enacted and specific language of the Act trumps Rule 6's prohibition on disclosure. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that United States' Expedited Motion to Unseal Grand Jury Transcripts and Modify Protective Order [DE 6] is GRANTED,” the judge wrote. Last month President Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency act into law to release all files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Source: thegatewaypundit.com DOGE https://twitter.com/Patri0tContr0l/status/1997015233399795932?s=20 https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1996997974455357552?s=20 European Union Fines X (Twitter) $140 Million for Violations of Europe's Digital Services Act  The European DSA is ultimately designed to control information, that reality should not be debated. All efforts to control traditional and social media are efforts to control information. The specifics of the reasoning for the fine are typically European.  (1) Twitter allows ordinary people to deliver information at the same level as people who should be defined as more important.  (2)  Advertisers of those who pay for promotion of information on X are not easily identifiable – people need to figure it out on their own.  (3)  It is too difficult to figure out who is providing the information. Basically, all of the EU concerns center around information control.  It's really an ideology issue.  In the outlook of the EU, bureaucrats and elites feel they are superior and must rule/protect the people under them.  Ordinary people having access to information that may or may not be approved by the EU is the underlying issue. Source: theconservativetreehouse.com [SOURCE] What Christopher Landau notes as the contrast and conflict in ideological priority from the EU can just as easily be applied to the USA dynamic with Canada.  As noted by Twitter user John Frank, “The same observations can easily apply to the relations with Canada, given the divergence between the US role in the military alliance with Canada, while Canada is involved in activities which work against US interests.” https://twitter.com/robbystarbuck/status/1996925010569511321?s=20 https://twitter.com/BrendanCarrFCC/status/1996945925822939407?s=20 https://twitter.com/kadmitriev/status/1997233337354895559?s=20 https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1997358453698728063?s=20 Geopolitical War/Peace EU making unacceptable demands on Ukraine peace – Kremlin Western European leaders are constantly making proposals that are unacceptable for Russia, presidential aide Yury Ushakov has said EU leaders are complicating Russia-US efforts to reach a settlement on the Ukraine conflict by making unacceptable demands, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov has said. European states, however, have reportedly been urging Kiev to reject any deal with Moscow without receiving security guarantees from the US, according to the Wall Street Journal. The EU and UK have also insisted on playing a larger role in the peace process. Source: rt.com Ukraine State Structure in Crisis: Neo-Nazi Junta Starts Unraveling. Clash within its Military-Intelligence (SBU-GUR) Apparatus   Ukrainian state stopped existing in early 2014 at the latest, when it was replaced by a US/NATO-installed regime composed of Nazis, criminals, murderers and their enforcers (it could easily be argued that these are all synonyms and listing them separately might be redundant). This was unequivocally confirmed by the infamous Victoria Nuland, one of the architects of the NATO-orchestrated    Source: theglobalist.com Trump made it a point to when meeting with Zelensky that they don’t have elections in Ukraine because of the war.  How do you get Ukraine to accept a peace deal while the EU, NATO DS is putting on pressure on Zelensky to start WWIII 1. As more corruption is brought out into the open this will put pressure on Zelensky 2. Zelensky will either going along with Trump peace deal or be exposed 3. If Zelensky does not go along, most likely he will be removed because of the corruption 4. This will pave the way for a new candidate, someone who is not controlled by the EU,NATO DS.    NATO EU DS might push a false flag to push the war 5. Trump will be able to work with the president of Ukraine because Putin is ready to go Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1997083856315224405?s=20 https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1997073307397423152?s=20   efficacy of this “schedule,” as have I! That is why I have just signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the Department of Health and Human Services to “FAST TRACK” a comprehensive evaluation of Vaccine Schedules from other Countries around the World, and better align the U.S. Vaccine Schedule, so it is finally rooted in the Gold Standard of Science and COMMON SENSE! I am fully confident Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and the CDC, will get this done, quickly and correctly, for our Nation's Children. Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAHA! https://twitter.com/profstonge/status/1996994177175855445?s=20 [DS] Agenda Grand Jury Says It Won't Indict Letitia James A federal grand jury refused Thursday to reindict New York Attorney General Letitia James. The grand jury rejected Department of Justice's (DOJ) second attempt to bring mortgage-fraud charges just 10 days after a federal judge tossed the original case, according to CNN. Another source told CNN that the decision should not be interpreted as a clean win for James, saying the department could ask a third grand jury to consider the allegations. Source: thegatewaypundit.com FBI Raids Home of High-Ranking DEA Official Under Obama, Charges Him For Conspiring to Launder Millions of Dollars For Mexican Drug Cartel  The FBI on Friday morning raided the home of a high-ranking DEA official under Barack Obama and charged him for conspiring to launder millions of dollars for a Mexican drug cartel. The Feds charged former DEA Deputy Chief of the Office of Financial Operations Paul Campo and friend Robert Sensi for conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization. Paul Campo and Robert Sensi were charged with narcoterrorism, terrorism, narcotics distribution, and money laundering charges. Campo and Sensi were arrested on Thursday afternoon in New York, according to the DOJ. Campo and Sensi agreed to launder $12 million and participate in narcotics trafficking for the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, a/k/a Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion or CJNG. Per the Department of Justice: As part of the scheme, CAMPO and SENSI agreed to launder approximately $12,000,000 of CJNG narcotics proceeds; laundered approximately $750,000 by converting cash into cryptocurrency; and provided a payment for approximately 220 kilograms of cocaine on the understanding that the payment would trigger the distribution and sale of the narcotics worth approximately $5,000,000, for which CAMPO and SENSI would (i) receive directly a portion of the narcotics proceeds as profit; and (ii) receive a further commission upon the laundering of the balance of the narcotics proceeds. Source: thegatewaypundit.com  President Trump's Plan Kash Patel Shuts Down Candace Owens’ Accusations About Charlie Kirk's Murder FBI Director Kash Patel shut down numerous accusations that have been made by podcast host Candace Owens involving the murder of the late co-founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie Kirk. During his appearance on Friday on the Sirius XM The Megyn Kelly Show podcast, Kelly started out by asking Patel if they believe they have the “proper suspect in custody” — if Tyler Robinson is “in fact, the man who killed Kirk.” Patel didn’t hesitate in the slightest and answered, “Yes.” The host then brought up one of the wild accusations that have been made by Owens, which includes claiming that Kirk’s own friends and his organization allegedly knew and approved of his murder. Insane. “Do you have any credible reason to believe that anyone connected with the Turning Point organization had anything to do with Charlie’s death?” Kelly asked. Patel’s response: “Zero.” He was then pressed about other claims that Owens has made about the alleged involvement of foreign governments in Kirk’s assassination, like French paratroopers, Egyptian Air Force planes flying out of Provo, Utah, and “potential underground assassins traveling through unseen tunnels,” as the producer of The Charlie Kirk Show, Blake Neff, previously explained. “At this time, the FBI doesn’t have credible information to connect any foreign governments to it,” Patel said. The FBI director made it clear that the investigation is continuing and they are looking into everything, no matter how small. “We are not done just because we arrest someone, just like in the pipe bomber case,” Patel said. “We don’t just say, Okay, we’re done, on to the next. The investigative team continues to work with the Utah authorities, and they’re deriving their own leads and coming back to us saying, ‘Hey, can you look at this piece of information? Can we get a search warrant on this account? What about this individual who is located in X, Y, or Z?'” Source: redstate.com https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1996873942406164855?s=20 https://twitter.com/JesseBWatters/status/1997120806212546797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1997120806212546797%7Ctwgr%5Ed963eef05511b000b3f2631742a9c8e0f0d3c2a2%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fbobhoge%2F2025%2F12%2F05%2Fdc-pipe-bomb-suspect-i-did-it-n2196869  AUTISTIC-LIKE”   SO Why didn't BIDEN'S FBI REALLY catch THIS GUY MS NOW reported that Brian Cole is a Trump supporter. https://twitter.com/DC_Draino/status/1996990984584933729?s=20 January 6 Pipe Bomb Suspect Brian Cole is NOT a Trump Supporter – Family Says He is an “Autistic Recluse” Who Lived in a Basement  January 6 pipe bomb suspect Brian Cole is not a Trump supporter like the legacy media has claimed. Brian Cole's grandmother told The Daily Mail that her grandson has no party affiliation and that he is not a Trump supporter. Cole's family said he is an “autistic recluse” and “computer nerd” who lived in the basement of his parents' Woodbridge, Virginia, home. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/talk2trav/status/1996716378066505847?s=20   until proven guilt in a court of law THREAD https://twitter.com/amuse/status/1996984026129732020?s=20  written to pardon “all targeted” and “everyone involved in the events surrounding that day”, functions as a class based pardon broad enough to include DOJ linked pre riot conduct like the pipe bomb incident. Because federal authorities folded that episode into the J6 security narrative, the defense says it sits squarely within the pardon's scope. https://twitter.com/Patri0tContr0l/status/1996975974106144923?s=20 is made up. So Kash gets a big win and the NEXT DAY the Fake News comes out with a hit piece based on anonymous sources. I can't believe there are still people out there who can't see through this bullshit. https://twitter.com/TheStormRedux/status/1996722966806028760?s=20   about this FBI is that we are running investigations while providing what we can… This pipe bomb investigation should show the American public that we, while providing information on the pipe bomb over the last 8 months and protecting the integrity of our investigation, gets us to the end point we want. Accountability & transparency… This investigation should show the world how we are going to operate in every single investigation. Arctic Frost specifically, we have HUGE investigation going… and it's gonna take a little more time to peel it back. But no, I'm not gonna let people get off the hook or get a hall pass. I don't care what position you held in the FBI, you're gonna be held accountable. And this DOJ is assuredly backing us.” Love it. We keep getting bits & pieces of the grand conspiracy investigation before ultimately the hammer drops. I'm not sure why this is hard to understand for some… Pam Bondi Gives FBI Marching Orders For Tackling Antifa Terrorists Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed federal law enforcement agents on Thursday to form a list of Antifa groups for potential prosecution, according to multiple reports. Bondi's order is part of a broader counterterrorism plan after President Donald Trump's directives targeting the Antifa movement and organized political violence, Reuters and Bloomberg Law reported, citing a Thursday memo from Bondi. The FBI must provide within 30 days a list of groups “engaged in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism” along with strategies to disrupt them, with an emphasis on left-wing extremists, the memo reportedly says.  Bondi's memo directs law enforcement agencies to unearth whatever intelligence files they have on Antifa groups for investigators and to investigate unsolved domestic terrorism incidents over the past five years, Reuters and Bloomberg Law reported. The incidents may include the “doxxing” of law enforcement officers' personal information and threats against Supreme Court justices. The FBI must also streamline its tip line to allow members of the public to “send media” on suspected domestic terrorism, the memo says, according to Reuters. Source: dailycaller.com  https://twitter.com/Geiger_Capital/status/1996984378983915761?s=20 With the New U.S. National Security Strategy, Trump Revives Monroe Doctrine     Trump administration released the 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS). The intent seems to be a return to the Monroe Doctrine by increasing the United States military presence in the Western Hemisphere, taking on the drug cartels, enhancing border security, making trade deals that are better for the United States, and enhancing American energy production. That’s not the worst high-level take on the NSS, but a look at the actual document is illustrative. The NSS states as its purpose: To ensure that America remains the world's strongest, richest, most powerful, and most successful country for decades to come, our country needs a coherent, focused strategy for how we interact with the world. And to get that right, all Americans need to know what, exactly, it is we are trying to do and why. A “strategy” is a concrete, realistic plan that explains the essential connection between ends and means: it begins from an accurate assessment of what is desired and what tools are available, or can realistically be created, to achieve the desired outcomes. A strategy must evaluate, sort, and prioritize. Not every country, region, issue, or cause—however worthy—can be the focus of American strategy. The purpose of  foreign policy is the protection of core national interests; that is the sole focus of this strategy. One of the more interesting (but not surprising) pieces of this NSS is the overt and robust return to the Monroe Doctrine, an early 19th-century policy intended to restrict further European colonization of the Western Hemisphere and to ensure American dominance in that region. The modern take on this doctrine by the Trump administration uses American power by employing both internal and external security measures. The NSS states: American policy should focus on enlisting regional champions that can help create tolerable stability in the region, even beyond those partners' borders. These nations would help us stop illegal and destabilizing migration, neutralize cartels, nearshore manufacturing, and develop local private economies, among other things. We will reward and encourage the region's governments, political parties, and movements broadly aligned with our principles and strategy. But we must not overlook governments with different outlooks with whom we nonetheless share interests and who want to work with us. Source: redstate.com The Monroe Doctrine is a foundational principle of United States foreign policy, first articulated by President James Monroe in his annual message to Congress on December 2, 1823.   It declared that the Western Hemisphere was no longer open to European colonization or interference, while affirming that the U.S. would not meddle in existing European colonies or internal affairs.   Essentially, it warned European powers—particularly those in the Holy Alliance (Russia, Austria, and Prussia)—against attempting to extend their influence or establish new colonies in the Americas, positioning the U.S. as a protector of independent nations in the region The doctrine emerged amid concerns over European monarchies potentially aiding Spain in reconquering its former Latin American colonies, which had recently gained independence. It was largely drafted by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and reflected growing American confidence following the War of 1812.  At the time, the U.S. lacked the military power to enforce it fully, so it relied on British naval support, as Britain also opposed European rivals in the Americas for trade reasons.Key excerpts from Monroe’s address include: The American continents “are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers.” Any attempt by Europe to extend its political system to the Western Hemisphere would be viewed as “dangerous to our peace and safety.”   Significance and EvolutionInitially more symbolic than enforceable, the Monroe Doctrine evolved into a justification for U.S. intervention in Latin America during the 19th and 20th centuries. For instance: In the mid-1800s, it intertwined with Manifest Destiny to support U.S. territorial expansion, such as during the Mexican-American War.  President Theodore Roosevelt’s 1904 “Corollary” expanded it to allow U.S. intervention in Latin American countries to prevent European involvement, leading to actions like the occupation of Cuba and the Dominican Republic. It influenced Cold War policies, framing U.S. opposition to communism in the hemisphere as a defense against external threats. Critics, especially in Latin America, have viewed it as a tool for U.S. imperialism, enabling dominance over sovereign nations. Though less invoked today, it remains a symbol of U.S. hemispheric influence and anti-colonial rhetoric. facebook.com https://twitter.com/onechancefreedm/status/1996970776373735933?s=20 https://twitter.com/JoeLang51440671/status/1996992569746567173?s=20   other hand, I can see how we help real allies with aid when needed, as long as we get something of economic value in return. Regardless, NGO's are the root of a lot of EVIL and this will DESTROY a lot them. This is a good thing. https://twitter.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1996951610769961070?s=20 Senate To Confirm 97 More Trump Nominees After Democrat Blockade Fails Republicans will confirm a bloc of eight dozen Trump nominees as soon as next week following an attempted blockade by Senate Democrats. Republican leadership planned Thursday to kick-off the procedural process to confirm 88 of President Donald Trump's nominees in a bloc vote, but were initially thwarted by Democratic Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, who challenged the package for violating Senate rules. When Republicans refiled the package later on Thursday, the conference included an additional nine nominees, bringing the total to nearly 100.  The Senate has confirmed 314 civilian nominees as of Thursday evening, according to a tally by the Senate Republican Communications Center. The 97-member bloc would bring the Senate to more than 410 civilian confirmations in the first year of Trump's second term. “That far outstrips total confirmations by this point in President Biden's term, and in President Trump's first term as well,” Thune said Thursday. Thune also said that Senate Republicans have virtually cleared the nominations backlog. Before Republicans changed Senate precedent to allow for certain nominees to be confirmed in groups, more than 150 of the president's picks were awaiting floor consideration. The Senate approved a 48-member nominations package in September and an additional 108 of the president's picks in a single group vote in October. Source: dailycaller.com  (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

Check out my sit down with Central Valley HC Anthony Duffield

The latest midweek edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered a fast-paced blend of California agriculture updates, community conversations, and industry innovations. Hosted by Nick Papagni and Lorrie Boyer, the episode covered everything from winter health habits to major ag policy issues, commodity challenges, and new breakthroughs shaping U.S. farming. Seasonal Trends, Food Costs & Community Life Nick and Lorrie opened the show discussing winter colds, flu season, and staying healthy in public spaces. Their lighthearted talk about potlucks and restaurant cleanliness led to a more serious point: fast food isn't the cheapest option anymore, and local restaurants continue to struggle with inflation and freight costs. Nick also announced plans to bring holiday spirit into the AgNet West studio and encouraged listeners to share local Christmas light displays for on-air features. California Christmas Tree Farms Under Pressure The hosts explored the challenges facing Christmas tree growers across California and the U.S. Rising production costs, increasing demand for artificial trees, and regulatory hurdles continue to pressure the traditional tree market. A California tree grower is expected to join the show soon for deeper insight. Winter Meeting Season: Key Agriculture Events The episode highlighted several major December events: California Farm Bureau Annual Meeting – Anaheim Almond Board of California Conference – Sacramento Organic Grower Summit – Monterey These conferences offer growers education, networking, and a break from fieldwork during the slower winter season. National Association of Farm Broadcasting: Industry Takeaways Lorrie shared updates from the NAFB Annual Meeting in Kansas City, including: Continued push for year-round E15 availability Reports from major commodity groups, including the Pork Board and NCBA Farm Credit's economic outlook pointing to high input costs, a tight farm economy, and the need for financial discipline, especially for younger producers Her takeaway: agriculture is cyclical—prepare during the good years to withstand the hard ones. Butte County Focus: Interview with Colleen Cecil A major highlight was an in-depth conversation with Colleen Cecil, Executive Director of the Butte County Farm Bureau. Key Themes: Importance of 4-H and FFA in developing leadership and communication skills Workforce challenges and the value of hiring people with agricultural backgrounds Farmland loss due to housing development Water policy and SGMA concerns Wolf reintroduction impacts The need for more farmers in public office Cecil emphasized that policymakers don't need all the answers—they just need reliable agricultural partners to ask. Butte County Commodities: A Diverse, Surprising Mix Butte County produces far more than almonds and walnuts. The region's commodities include: Citrus Nursery stock Prunes Olives & olive oil Kiwis Nick also announced plans to bring premium olive oil producer Vincent Ricchiuti onto a future episode. Innovation Spotlight: Avocados, Organics & New Crop Research The episode highlighted several exciting developments: Heat-tolerant avocado trees from Duarte Nurseries could expand production deeper into the Central Valley. Organic growers continue advancing automation, soil health, and certification practices. Researchers are working on self-fertilizing wheat, disease-resistant crops, and tools to combat threats like citrus greening. Nick reminded listeners that farmers are among the country's top environmental stewards—despite often being misunderstood. Efficiency Across Livestock & Dairy From pork to dairy, U.S. producers continue proving they can do more with less. Better nutrition, management, and automation are driving higher output even as herd sizes decline. Looking Ahead Nick and Lorrie plan to bring more Farm Bureau leaders, California growers, and industry innovators on future episodes. For full interviews, daily ag news, and podcast episodes, visit AgNetWest.com and follow AgNet West on social media.

Attorney Frank Carson spent decades defending the accused in California's Central Valley. He made powerful enemies among law enforcement. When they put him on trial for murder, he insisted he was being framed. He was acquitted after a lengthy trial, but his widow says the ordeal destroyed his health and hastened his death. As part of a malicious prosecution lawsuit, the man who once served as the state's star witness against Carson admitted his testimony was a pack of lies. In April, Stanislaus County agreed to pay $22.5 million to settle the suit—one of the largest payouts of its kind. 

Max talks with former KTVU 2 and KRON 4 anchor Ken Wayne, founder of Flying Tails, about his extraordinary animal rescue flights involving bear cubs, bald eagles, coyotes, and dozens of shelter animals across California. Drawing on his past experience as a Navy journalist, Ken describes the path that led him from military broadcasting to a major-market news career—and ultimately to a mission that blends aviation with wildlife rescue. Ken's journey began at the Navy's Defense Information School, where he learned print reporting, photography, radio, and TV production. His service assignments took him from the Aleutian Islands to the Mediterranean aboard the USS Biddle, and finally to Subic Bay in the Philippines, where he hosted a radio show and shot television stories for the Far East Network. He also frequently traveled by helicopter and even completed a carrier landing in a COD aboard USS Midway, building a deep appreciation for aviation. Years later, after buying a Cessna 182 and flying with friends, Ken discovered animal rescue missions through Pilots N Paws. His breakthrough came when he responded to a call seeking transport for two bear cubs from South Lake Tahoe to Ramona. That flight—completed the day before a long-planned trip to Paris—set the tone for what Flying Tails would become. The TV story went viral, helped earn him an award from the U.S. Humane Society, and brought new awareness to the potential of using GA aircraft for wildlife operations. Since then, Flying Tails has become California Fish & Wildlife's go-to aviation nonprofit. Ken describes rescuing seven bear cubs in one summer, including a tiny Ventura County cub that had to be bottle-fed by caregivers wearing bear suits to prevent human imprinting. That cub later lived in a world-class bear enclosure in Sonoma County before returning to the wild near Ojai. Another cub, found hairless in the El Dorado National Forest, was flown to the Sequoia Park Zoo after it was deemed unfit for winter survival. Flying Tails also rescues countless cats and dogs from overwhelmed Central Valley shelters. Ken recounts missions involving 21 animals at once—14 puppies found in a garbage bag, kittens injured in a tent fire, and dozens of animals who were mere hours away from being euthanized due to lack of space. He explains why animals move northward in California, where adoption demand is higher and shelter capacity more manageable. The organization's wildlife work includes transporting owls, hawks, raptors, and a bald eagle Ken released at Lake Almanor—a moment he describes as one of the most exhilarating of his life. Wildlife crates are lined with burlap to prevent feather damage, and after each flight, aircraft are disinfected to prevent disease transmission. Gloves, tie-downs, and careful weight-and-balance planning are essential parts of every mission. Emotionally, Ken says what keeps him going is watching animals shed their fear during flight. Many board the airplane scared, panting, or stressed from heat, only to fall asleep within 20–30 minutes at altitude. When the airplane lands in cooler Bay Area air, the animals appear visibly relieved. That shift—from fear to calm—is what Ken believes makes these missions so rewarding for pilots. Flying Tails is expanding rapidly. Ken recently premiered the first episode of his new PBS series Flying Tales, available on the PBS app, showcasing these missions and the beauty of California from the air. His long-term vision is to establish Flying Tails bases nationwide, enabling wildlife flights for sea turtles, alligators, wolves, and more. Pilots interested in joining the mission can sign up at FlyingTails.org or reach Ken directly. If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1199 HOLIDAY SPECIALNEW – Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu Send us your feedback or comments via email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone. Mentioned on the ShowBuy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Video of the Week: Episode #1 of Flying Tails television show Flying Tails website Flying Tails Facebook page Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we'll make a couple of dollars if you do. So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification Check out Max's Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/ Social Media Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium "Go Around" song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.   

Lots of Foggy Day Schedules around the Central Valley today. Parents get text messages but remember when we had to read all those delays live on KMJ? Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Broeske & Musson' on all platforms: --- The ‘Broeske & Musson Podcast’ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- ‘Broeske & Musson' Weekdays 9-11 AM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Facebook | Podcast| X | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fear, isolation, uneasiness. Ever since the Trump administration ramped up immigration enforcement efforts, immigrant communities in California have a growing sense of anxiety. One community worried about enforcement is farm workers, where many people's lives have been upended. Guest: Nigel Duara, CalMatters A shooting at a banquet hall in the Central Valley town of Stockton has left four young people dead and 11 injured. The shooting Saturday took place at a children's birthday party. California immigration lawyers are seeing a startling trend: people who are in the process of becoming legal U.S. residents attend their green card interview and are arrested on the spot. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 1 of 24: We talk to Dr Matthew Beare about his journey towards becoming an Addiction Medicine Physician and how the landscape has changed. Join us in an honest conversation!About our guest: Dr. Matthew Beare is a double board-certified Family and Addiction Medicine physician and the Program Director for Kern County's first Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Clinica Sierra Vista. Since joining Clinica in 2016, he's led the expansion of care for Kern County's most vulnerable residents, building the region's first street medicine teams and developing an integrated model of care that reaches those experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders where they are. A long-time resident of Kern County, Dr. Beare has lived, learned, and worked here for over 25 years. His work has earned recognition, including the Beautiful Bakersfield Health Award and the Kern Medical Exceptional Mentor Award, and he continues to advocate for accessible, compassionate, and stigma-free addiction care throughout the Central Valley.This episode is sponsored by Hope in the Valley, a nonprofit dedicated to providing community-based behavioral health, prevention, and recovery support services throughout Kern County. Hope in the Valley is committed to expanding access to overdose-prevention resources.

Re-Run for Thanksgiving weekJuly 11th, 2025Johnny and Rams BCN-JACKED UP DAILY!In this episode its Bobby's Crazy News day! Johnny McMahon joins in on the news and we have a story of a killer Ram! Our website is www.LetsGetJackedUp.com Welcome to Jacked Up Daily with Tim, Jack, Bobby, and Karen, a dynamic daily podcast on the Fringe Radio Network. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 AM for conservative commentary, Bible prophecy, and insights from a modern American Christian perspective. Based in Fresno, California, in the heart of the Central Valley, Jacked Up Daily brings a unique West Coast viewpoint to everything from politics and social issues to fringe topics like aliens, ghosts, and the anti-Christ. Whether discussing the rapture, end times prophecy, or offering analysis on current events, this show is perfect for your morning drive. Catch the latest episode on FringeRadioNetwork.com and join us as we explore the mysteries of the world from a bold, Christian viewpoint. Don't miss a moment of this thought-provoking and engaging show, where no topic is off-limits!FringeRadioNetwork.com LetsGetJackedup.com  E-mail us at letsgetjackedup@gmail.comFollow us on X @LetsGetJackedUp  and Facebookgo to www.StrawHatPizza.com to order your pizza if you live in Clovis or Fresno CaliforniaNote: Straw Hat Pizza Bar & Grill is no longer a sponser due to changing locations.

Re-Run- We aren't Live this week, but Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Listeners!April 24th, 2025Living Sacrifice-JACKED UP DAILY!In this episode Karen wants to talk about what it means to be a living sacrifice. What does it mean, and what does it look like? Interesting topic indeed. Our website is www.LetsGetJackedUp.com Welcome to Jacked Up Daily with Tim, Jack, Bobby, and Karen, a dynamic daily podcast on the Fringe Radio Network. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 AM for conservative commentary, Bible prophecy, and insights from a modern American Christian perspective. Based in Fresno, California, in the heart of the Central Valley, Jacked Up Daily brings a unique West Coast viewpoint to everything from politics and social issues to fringe topics like aliens, ghosts, and the anti-Christ. Whether discussing the rapture, end times prophecy, or offering analysis on current events, this show is perfect for your morning drive. Catch the latest episode on FringeRadioNetwork.com and join us as we explore the mysteries of the world from a bold, Christian viewpoint. Don't miss a moment of this thought-provoking and engaging show, where no topic is off-limits!FringeRadioNetwork.com LetsGetJackedup.com  E-mail us at letsgetjackedup@gmail.comFollow us on X @LetsGetJackedUp  and Facebookgo to www.StrawHatPizza.com to order your pizza if you live in Clovis or Fresno Californiamusic for this episode was from Back to the 80'shttps://youtu.be/0QKQlf8r7ls?si=dOoU1o_-HRiNm0Pv 

California's Crossroads: John Duarte Talks Leadership, Agriculture, and the Future of the Golden State On a special Thanksgiving edition of the AgNet News Hour, host Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,” sat down with John Duarte—farmer, nursery leader, and former congressman—for a candid discussion about California's political climate, agricultural innovation, and the future of farming families across the state. The conversation, replayed as a “best of” segment, highlighted Duarte's belief that California is on the verge of a major shift—one driven by common sense, economic revitalization, and a renewed respect for the agricultural backbone of the state. A Call for Common Sense Leadership in California When asked whether California can “switch and get back to common sense,” Duarte didn't hesitate. Yes, it can. He emphasized that meaningful change is on the horizon, largely driven by everyday Californians who are tired of policies that push families, businesses, and young people out of the state. Duarte voiced strong support for candidates like Chad Blanco and Steve Hilton, stressing that whoever emerges from the primary will have his full backing. He believes the 2026 gubernatorial race will center around one theme: California is being left behind, even as the rest of the country surges ahead economically and environmentally. According to Duarte, America is already showing signs of powerful economic growth. Environmental progress and economic success don't have to be mutually exclusive, he argues. In his view, California's current policies have unnecessarily sacrificed jobs, infrastructure, and quality of life in the name of environmentalism—often without meaningful environmental gains to show for it. Meanwhile, families across the state are watching their children move to places like Tennessee, Georgia, and Oklahoma for opportunities California can no longer offer. Duarte believes that this exodus will eventually create enough pressure to push California toward more practical, future-focused leadership. Infrastructure, Water, and the High-Speed Rail Debate Duarte didn't hold back when discussing the state's long-criticized bullet train project—calling it the “bullet to the head train.” He contrasted the billions invested into the rail line with the massive impact that same funding could have had on drinking water systems, treatment facilities, and rural infrastructure. During his time in Congress, he said, the federal government poured $4 billion into the project. At even modest estimates, that money could have built dozens—if not hundreds—of essential water projects across California's farm-dependent regions. For Duarte, this is the clearest example of a state government that prioritizes symbolism over solutions. An “abundance-oriented society,” he argues, invests in the infrastructure that improves real lives: water storage, treatment, delivery, and the systems that keep agriculture thriving. He draws a distinction between what he calls the “lords of scarcity”—coastal elites who push restrictive policies—and the “champions of abundance”—farmers, energy producers, and working people who generate the food, power, and materials society depends on. And Duarte is clear: the champions of abundance are about to kick butt in California. A Conversation Between Colleagues and Friends After wrapping the interview, Papagni and co-host Lorrie Boyer reflected on their conversation with Duarte. Boyer praised him for his clarity and willingness to elaborate on complex issues—something listeners appreciate. Papagni agreed, adding that the Duarte family itself is remarkable. John's wife, Alexandra Duarte, is now running for office, continuing the family's commitment to public service and agricultural advocacy. Papagni highlighted John Duarte's accomplishments in the nursery industry, where he helped refine varieties of almond trees, table grapes, and trellis systems. Boyer wondered how someone even gets started in such an industry; Papagni explained that Duarte entered the nursery world in the 1990s and has spent decades experimenting, innovating, and anticipating the needs of future growers. One example: Duarte's ambition to bring avocado production to California's Central Valley—a bold move that could extend the state's avocado season and reshape a key market dominated by Southern California growers. Both hosts emphasized that agriculture is one of the most technologically advanced, forward-thinking industries in the world. Duarte's continual experimentation—sometimes successful, sometimes not—is part of what makes him and his nursery widely respected. Thanksgiving Reflections and the Farming Lifestyle As the show transitioned into its Thanksgiving morning segment, Papagni and Boyer shifted into a warm, lighthearted conversation about holiday traditions, cooking turkey, and the simple joys of family time. Papagni pictured farmers out checking their orchards and fields early in the day before heading home to celebrate—a familiar rhythm for agricultural families. Their playful banter ranged from turkey recipes to brisket, to the famous Santa Maria tri-tip, to the challenge of feeding large groups with slow-cooked meats. It provided a relatable, personal counterbalance to the more serious political discussions earlier in the program. The hosts closed by previewing an upcoming “best of” interview with Stuart Woolf, a well-known Westside Fresno grower who is experimenting with agave as a low-water crop that could transform the region into an agave—and potentially tequila—hub.

Andy’s Brave New World: Part 2 The group leaves Yosemite, encounters Crystal. Based on a post by the hospital. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Day 7, Morning The morning sun caught the fresh paint scratches on the two Ford F-350 Super Duty trucks as they pulled out of the Yosemite Valley maintenance yard. Both were recent-model crew cabs in dark green, commandeered from the park's heavy maintenance fleet, their diesel engines rumbling with carefully checked fluid levels and fresh filters. Andy drove the lead vehicle, while Daniela rode shotgun, her Remington propped against the center console within easy reach and the binoculars Andy had found yesterday hanging around her neck. She sat at attention, eyes sweeping the tree line. Despite the A/C, they were sweating a little under their body armor. In the truck's bed, they'd packed their supplies with care. Multiple jerry cans of diesel fuel secured in metal racks, the heavy weapons cache (including the RPG and its rockets, carefully cushioned), cases of ammunition, tactical gear, and the most essential survival equipment. The rear seats held their medical supplies, communications gear including the Starlink array, and several days of ready-to-eat food and water. Sarah followed close behind in the second truck, its bed loaded with the bulk of their food stores, camping equipment, tools, and additional fuel. She'd gotten her way about the clothing, she wore a matching set in a striking deep purple: high-waisted Alo Yoga leggings that hugged every curve and a longline sports bra under a cropped zip-up jacket. Her highlighted hair was styled in loose waves, and she'd even put on light makeup. "If we get into any actual fighting, I'll be useless anyway," she had insisted, gesturing at Andy and Daniela's tactical loadouts. "You two are the ones with the training. I'm just a driver." She gave one of her practiced smiles. "Besides, first impressions matter. When we meet other survivors, one of us should look; approachable." Andy had started to argue, but Daniela simply shrugged. "She's right. We look scary. It'd be good to have someone look not scary." The conversation had ended there. Now, as they passed the park boundaries, Daniela pulled out their carefully annotated road atlas. Their route would take them west on Highway 140, then north on 99 through the Central Valley, avoiding both Fresno and Modesto. They'd skirt Sacramento to the east, then cut west to the Bay Area through the Delta region. The path balanced speed with security, staying on main roads for ease of travel while avoiding major population centers. "Time check," Daniela's tense voice crackled over their handhelds. "0700 hours. Three hours to the first waypoint." "Have you spent much time outside of the park?" Andy asked, trying to see if conversation might help her relax. Daniela shook her head, staring out the window at the wooded hills. "No, not really. Just for track meets. Dad hates cities. He'd always complain to the school that our trips weren't secure enough." Andy had a sudden mental image of Miguel lecturing an exasperated school bus driver on sight lines and evasive maneuvers. He chuckled slightly. "Yeah, that sounds like him." Noticing Daniela still looking somber, he tried to pivot. "Well, are you excited to see San Francisco?" A pause. "I don't know. I know it's the right place to go, but I'm a little scared to leave Yosemite behind." She looked off into the distance. "I'll definitely miss being in nature." "You might be surprised, SF has a lot of parks and green spaces. Maybe we'll end up somewhere nice." Day 7, Midday The Sierra foothills gave way to the Central Valley floor, and with it came the strange emptiness of abandoned agriculture. Vast almond orchards stretched to the horizon, their spring blossoms still clinging to the branches. A dairy farm's holding pens still contained its imprisoned casualties, forcing them to detour around the sprawling facility to avoid the smell. In an adjacent field, a small herd of escaped cattle grazed freely, looking up at the trucks' passage with mild curiosity. They passed a tomato field where harvesting machines stood frozen mid-row, the ripe fruit beginning to soften on the vine. "Movement, two o'clock, approximately two miles out," Daniela reported suddenly, her binoculars trained on the horizon. "Vehicle heading north." She tracked it for a moment, dust trail visible against the morning sky. "Pickup truck, moving fast. Can't make out details at this distance." Her voice remained neutral, but her grip tightened slightly on the Remington. Andy glanced in the indicated direction but kept the truck steadily on course. In the rearview mirror, he saw Sarah's truck maintain its careful following distance. After a few minutes, Daniela lowered the binoculars. "Vehicle has maintained its course northward. No change in direction." The radio crackled. "Everything okay up there?" Sarah's voice carried a hint of nerves. "Just another survivor," Andy replied. "They're heading away from us. Nothing to worry about." They passed through Merced without incident. The smaller city was eerily still, traffic signals dark at every intersection. A home security alarm wailed somewhere in the distance, its battery backup still functioning after a week without power. The highway was mostly clear, the outbreak had moved too quickly for large-scale evacuation traffic. Sarah's voice crackled over the radio: "Hey, I've had cell signal for the last few minutes, must be near a tower that's still running. There's a Beacon post from yesterday, someone near Turlock warning about a big pileup blocking the 99 around Keyes Road. They've been detouring around it on country roads." "Noted," Daniela responded crisply, already marking the atlas. "OK, here's the alternate route. We'll exit at Pueblo Avenue, rejoin the 99 past the blockage." She paused, then added with mechanical precision: "Adding fifteen minutes to estimated arrival time. Let us know if you see any other posts while you have signal." "Actually, let's stop real quick so I can give you my phone, it looks like I'm more likely to get signal than you, and I shouldn't be looking at this while trying to drive this thing." The valley heat was building as the day wore on. The radio stayed quiet. Each member of their small convoy seemed lost in their own thoughts, processing the scale of the abandonment around them. Occasionally they'd pass a house or farm with a hastily painted "Help" sign. Once they saw a pickup truck that had crashed into a pole, its driver still sitting upright behind the wheel, succumbing to the virus before the accident could kill them. As they approached the outskirts of Modesto, Daniela began scanning the atlas with renewed intensity, plotting their route around the city center. The midday sun cast a strong heat, and in the distance a thin column of smoke rose from somewhere in the city's north- whether from an electrical fire or something else, they couldn't tell. "Contact ahead, approximately one mile south," Daniela reported suddenly, binoculars trained on the distant road. "Single vehicle, silver Mercedes sedan. One subject visible outside the vehicle." She paused as she assessed the scene. "Vehicle appears to have front-end damage. Subject is; actively signaling for assistance." Andy keyed his radio. "Sarah, hang back for as sec." Through the windshield, he could just barely make out a glint of metal on the horizon. "Copy that," Sarah responded, as she let her truck slow to a stop behind them. "Update on subject?" Andy asked. Daniela adjusted her optics slightly. "Female, white. Light-colored hair. No visible weapons. Standing clear of the vehicle, continuing to wave." She swept her view across the surrounding terrain. "I don't see any other movement." They approached slowly, staying in the northbound lane, until they were about a hundred yards from the Mercedes. Andy could now make out a figure in light-colored clothing standing near the disabled vehicle's front end, still waving periodically. "Hello!" a woman's voice carried across the distance. "Please, I could really use some help!" "Stay where you are!" Andy called back through his opened window. "Are you alone?" "Yes! Just me! My car hit something back there, I think the suspension's broken!" Andy glanced at Daniela, who gave a slight nod. "Could be a trap," Daniela said quietly, though her tone suggested she didn't really believe it. "Though; it's a really crappy location for an ambush. A random gravel side-road in the middle of the fields? Plus you have poor sight lines, no cover, and multiple escape routes for potential targets." "Agreed," Andy said. He keyed his radio again. "Sarah, we're going to pull up closer. Stay a little bit behind us." They rolled forward slowly, closing the distance to the disabled Mercedes. As they got closer, the woman took a few steps back from her car, keeping her hands visible. Andy's breath caught slightly as her features came into focus. Even disheveled and stressed, she was stunning, the kind of beauty that belonged in magazines, not stranded on an abandoned highway. Tall and gracefully built, probably 5'9", with the kind of natural curves that didn't need strategic athletic wear to enhance them. Her light red-orange hair fell past her shoulders in natural waves, gleaming in the midday sun despite the obvious lack of styling products. Her face was a study in classical proportions, high cheekbones, full lips, straight nose, and large bright blue eyes framed by naturally long lashes. Even with smudged makeup and a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, her beauty remained striking. She wore form-fitting designer jeans that accentuated her long, slender legs, paired with an ivory silk blouse that was wrinkled and stained with grease from her attempted car repair. Impractical Italian leather boots completed the ensemble, the kind meant for Los Angeles sidewalks rather than Central Valley backroads. Despite her obvious exhaustion and the stress evident in her expression, there was something magnetic about her presence, an effortless grace that made even her nervous fidgeting seem elegant. Andy keyed his radio. "Sarah, we're going to talk to her. She's almost certainly not a threat. Your call whether to stay in your truck or join us." "Come with me," he said quietly to Daniela. "Stay alert." He opened his door and stepped out, Daniela following smoothly with her rifle held low but ready. The woman's face brightened with a nervous but dazzling smile as they approached. She took a step forward with her hand extended, but stopped when Andy halted several paces away. "Thank you so much for stopping," she said, letting her hand drop gracefully to her side. "I'm Crystal. Crystal Parker." Andy kept his stance neutral but ready. "Where are you coming from? Where are you headed?" "I'm from Manteca," she replied, her eyes flicking briefly to Daniela's rifle before returning to Andy. "I was trying to get back to my apartment in L A, but;" She gestured at her car with a delicate wave. "The highways were so crowded with abandoned cars, I thought the back roads would be safer." "Did you get sick?" Andy asked directly. "During the outbreak?" Crystal nodded. "Yes, but just a mild fever for a day or two. Not like;" Her voice caught slightly. "Not like everyone else, like my parents." She stopped, composing herself with visible effort. Behind them, Andy heard Sarah's truck pull up. Crystal's eyes shifted to watch Sarah's approach, something subtle changing in her expression. "What happened to your car?" Andy pressed. "I hit something; maybe a pothole or debris, I'm not sure. There was this awful noise and then;" She gestured helplessly at the front end. "I don't know anything about cars. I tried looking at it, but;" "Why are you going to L A? Are there people waiting for you there?" Andy asked. "Anyone you know who survived?" Crystal's shoulders dropped slightly. "No, I; I haven't been able to contact anyone. I just;" She gave a small, elegant shrug, simultaneously helpless and dignified. "I didn't know what else to do. Where else to go. I thought maybe; maybe going home made sense?" The last part came out as almost a question, like she was realizing for the first time how little sense it made. A pause, then, "If you don't mind me asking; what's your name? Where are you all headed?" "I'm Andy," he answered. "That's Sarah and Daniela. We're heading north to San Francisco." Crystal took this as permission to step closer, extending her hand again. This time Andy accepted it, noting the contrast between her dainty fingers and the engine grease on her fingertips from her attempted repairs. Their eyes met as they shook hands, and Andy found himself momentarily stunned by her beauty up close; the perfect symmetry of her features, the remarkable clarity of her blue eyes, the way the midday sun caught golden highlights in her hair. She gave a small wave to Sarah and Daniela behind him, her smile warm and practiced. "Nice to meet you all. Sarah, I love your jacket." "Thanks" mumbled Sarah, briefly taken aback by the brief change in topic. "I hate to ask, but;" Crystal glanced back at her Mercedes. "Is there any chance you could take a look at my car? Or;" She hesitated, then continued with careful tact, "Or maybe give me a ride somewhere I could find another car? I know it's a lot to ask, but I'm really not sure what to do out here." "Give us a second to discuss it," Andy said. He gestured for Sarah and Daniela to follow him a few paces away, out of earshot. "Looking at the front end damage and the way it's sitting, could be a broken control arm, maybe the sub frame," Daniela said quietly. "Either way, we'd need a lift and replacement parts. Not something we can fix on the road." "So the car's done," Andy summarized. "Question is, do we give her a ride?" "To L A?" Sarah asked skeptically. "That's like three hours away, more like six at the speed we've been going, and totally the wrong direction. To another car, maybe. Honestly;" She glanced back at Crystal, who stood waiting with perfect posture. "I know I'm not exactly Rambo here, but at least I can handle myself OK. She looks totally clueless." Sarah paused, then added with careful casualness, "She is, uh, gorgeous, though." Her eyes flicked to Andy's face, studying his reaction. Andy kept his expression neutral, though his heart raced slightly at just the thought of Crystal's striking features. The idea of leaving her stranded here seemed unthinkable, but he didn't want to appear too eager. "We could offer to let her come with us to San Francisco," he suggested, trying to sound logical rather than hopeful. "She'd never make it to L A alone anyway." "Well, she has no supplies, no useful skills;" Sarah started. "We don't know that," Daniela interjected, then paused. "Well, yeah, she probably doesn't. But still, we should help her," the younger girl said firmly. Her voice softened. "Dad always said the whole point of our preparations was so we could help others when the time came. That's why we trained so hard, why we stored so much." She glanced at Crystal, then back at the group. "Someone like her, no survival skills, no supplies, no real plan; that's exactly who he meant. We have room in the trucks. It's not that much further to San Francisco." Sarah sighed. "Fine. We can give her a ride to San Francisco. But that doesn't mean she is a part of our group." Andy raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Oh, we're officially a group now?" "Yes," Sarah said defensively. "We are. The three of us." Andy's smile faded as he recognized her genuine concern. He raised a hand and gently touched her arm. "Hey, I get it. Don't worry, I was kidding. We'll stick together, I promise." Daniela nodded, and Sarah relaxed slightly. "Okay." Andy turned and walked back to Crystal, who had been waiting with patience. "To us, it looks like the damage here isn't something we can fix, it needs replacement parts and proper equipment." Crystal's shoulders dropped again. "Also;" Andy continued carefully, "L A isn't a good place to go, now that we don't have working agriculture." He gestured vaguely around them at the quiet, empty fields. "They're gonna have real trouble with food after they scavenge everything already there." He paused to let that sink in. "We can give you a ride to somewhere you can find another car if you want. But you're also welcome to come with us to San Francisco. The Bay Area is better for a lot of reasons; it has better natural resources, direct access to farmland, etcetera. Your choice." Crystal bit her lower lip, considering. "Could I; could I think about it on the way back to a main highway?" Andy nodded. "Of course. No rush to decide." "Okay," Crystal smiled warmly. "Thank you again, I really appreciate this. Let me just grab my things." Sarah and Daniela headed back to the trucks while Andy accompanied Crystal to her Mercedes. She popped the trunk, revealing a large designer suitcase. As Andy reached for it, she gave him another dazzling smile. "You all seem so; prepared," she said softly. "I've been feeling so lost, but watching how organized you are, how you think everything through;" She trailed off as Andy lifted her suitcase. "It's impressive. Makes me feel a little less scared, you know?" To everyone's surprise, Crystal walked to the front of Andy's truck, opening the passenger door. "Oh, I;" Andy started, but Crystal was already sliding smoothly into the middle seat between the driver and passenger positions. "I hope you don't mind," she said. "I'd love to hear more about your plans, and why you think L A isn't safe. If I'm going to change my whole direction, I should probably understand why, right?" The back row was too full of equipment to sit there, so she settled in next to Daniela, the tight fit of three people in the front inevitable. Sarah caught Andy's eye, rolled hers, and shrugged before silently getting into her truck. Andy's mouth went briefly dry at the thought of Crystal pressed against him in the cramped space, but he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine. Day 7, Early Afternoon The abandoned fruit stand provided a welcome break from driving, its weathered picnic tables shaded by an old oak tree. Fresh peaches and plums, barely starting to over-ripen, made a sweet complement to their rehydrated camping meals. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across their impromptu lunch setup. It hadn't taken much to convince Crystal to change her plans and head to San Francisco instead of Los Angeles. Though Andy wasn't entirely sure she'd fully grasped the strategic reasoning behind why L A was a poor choice, she seemed to have quickly intuited that his group knew what they were doing and that she'd be better off following their lead. Daniela had grown surprisingly talkative during the drive, opening up to Crystal about her father's training regimen after Crystal had shown genuine interest in her rifle. Now she sat quietly eating her peach, some of her usual tension eased. "So," Sarah asked, casually as she picked at her meal, "Have you thought about what you'll do once we reach San Francisco?" Crystal dabbed delicately at her mouth with a napkin. "I suppose I'll need to find my place, see where I can be useful." She pretended not to notice the implication of separation behind Sarah's question. "What kind of work do you do?" Sarah pressed. "I'm a receptionist at an investment firm," Crystal admitted with a small, self-deprecating smile. "And before that I was a model. Neither are exactly critical post-apocalyptic skill sets." She straightened slightly, her natural poise asserting itself. "But I used to babysit for some of the executives' children. I'm good with kids, really good, actually. I've been thinking maybe I could help set up some kind of care center, for orphans or children who've lost their families." Her voice softened. "There must be so many of them now." Andy stood, brushing crumbs from his pants. "Need to hit the head," he said, heading toward the small concrete building at the edge of the property. When Andy emerged from the bathroom, he was startled to find Crystal standing outside, her sudden presence making him take a quick step back. Her beauty was striking. She stood with her arms clasped behind her back, the posture naturally thrusting her full, pert tits forward against her silk blouse. Her head was tilted slightly to one side, a delicate smile playing across her full lips as she looked up at him through long lashes. She'd deliberately left the top few buttons of her blouse undone, the thin fabric draping open to reveal tantalizing glimpses of lace-trimmed cleavage and smooth, flawless skin. The silk draped enticingly over her narrow waist, and her entire stance radiated a calculated vulnerability that made her seem both alluring and in need of protection. "I'm sorry," she said softly, raising a hand gently in hello. "I just wanted to talk. Privately." She stepped closer, close enough that Andy could smell her perfume, something light and expensive that she must have brought with her despite the apocalypse. Her proximity was dizzying, making it hard for him to focus. Andy was glad that the bathroom building hid them from view of the others. "I can tell Sarah wants me to find my own way once we reach the city," she said, her voice gentle, her blue eyes meeting his. "And I understand, I'm not trained like Daniela or resourceful like her. But;" She took another small step closer, her voice dropping. "I'd much rather stay with your group. With you." Andy started to respond, but Crystal continued, her voice taking on a subtle warmth. "I know I'm not useful in the traditional sense, but;" She glanced down, then back up through her lashes. "I could make it worth your while. In other ways." Her lips curved in a small, knowing smile. "And I wouldn't be reluctant about it at all. You're very attractive, and I'd be happy to show you my appreciation. Very happy." She placed a delicate hand against his chest, then slowly slid it down his torso until she found his hardening shaft through his tactical pants, giving it a gentle squeeze and rub that made his breath catch. Her breath was hot against his neck as she whispered, "I think I could make you feel really good. And I'm not jealous. I've seen the way you look at Sarah. If you also wanted her too, I wouldn't mind at all." She turned smoothly and pressed her round ass against his crotch with practiced ease, grinding against him in a way that made his hand instinctively slide from her arm to her tit, squeezing the soft fullness through her silk blouse. She threw him a knowing wink as she pulled away, fixing her blouse. "Just think about it, please, sir" she said, then walked back toward the picnic area with her natural model's grace. Andy leaned against the concrete wall, his heart racing and body still responding to Crystal's touch. The fantasy was immediate and overwhelming, Crystal's skilled hands and mouth pleasuring him, her full lips on his, while Sarah rode his cock, both women competing for his attention. He'd already decided he wanted Crystal to stay with them even before her proposition, though he'd need to find a way to present it to Sarah. Taking several deep breaths, he straightened his uniform and walked back to the group. "I've been lots of times." Sarah said, as Andy caught the tail end of their conversation. "Recently for photoshoots at the famous spots, the Golden Gate, Lombard Street, Palace of Fine Arts. So mostly tourist spots I guess." Andy grabbed a few apples from a nearby crate, tossing one to each of them. "These look good," he said, trying to keep his tone casual, though his mind was still swimming with erotic possibilities. "We should take a few crates for the road." As he distributed the fruit, he noticed Sarah's quick glance between him and Crystal. "I've only been twice, for track meets. We mostly stayed near the Golden Gate Park." said Daniela. I used to go pretty often." Crystal chimed in. "The modeling agency I was with was actually headquartered in San Francisco rather than L A. They claimed it was part of them being a more realistic, less superficial brand." She looked to Sarah. "We also did photoshoots at those spots, I wonder if we ever overlapped and just didn't know it." she said sweetly. "You're a model? I mean you look amazing." "Oh, thanks, no, just Instagram" said Sarah self-deprecatingly. "Nothing legit. I had like, a decent following, good for free gear from sponsors and stuff but not really enough for a living." "No, that's cool! I could never, too much effort to post and make hashtags and plan everything out. I was always better when people told me where to go, what to wear, how to pose, you know. But, it sounds empowering to be in control of your content. Although I guess then you've gotta cater to your audience more directly. Did you ever think about Only Fans?" Andy raised an eyebrow, while Daniela chomped on her apple only half attentive. "No, never." said Sarah firmly. "Not my thing." Her cheeks took on some color as she bristled at the suggestion. Crystal raised a hand in graceful apology. "I didn't mean any offense, sorry. We didn't have much money growing up, and I wasn't great at school. I don't think there's anything wrong with using what you have. She turned to Andy. "What about you, Andy? Have you been to San Francisco before? Where are you from actually? You haven't said much." There was a brief pause at the table. Crystal had just broken the unspoken post-apocalypse rule against asking people about their past if they didn't volunteer it. Perhaps in realization of this, Crystal slid a hand surreptitiously under the table and rested it gently against Andy's thigh. "I'm from Seattle." he said, in a stiff tone. He thought to his parents and brother, back in Korea, probably dead. "I've been to San Francisco a few times." he said curtly. Crystal gave him an understanding, apologetic smile, which he tried to return. "Are we done?" he said, glancing around the table. "Go to the bathroom if you guys need, and we should head out." Day 7, Afternoon The early afternoon sun cast shadows across Interstate 580 as their two-truck convoy approached Oakland. Traffic thinned out considerably after they'd managed to navigate around several major blockages, but abandoned vehicles still dotted the shoulder sporadically, silent witnesses to the chaos of those final days. Andy kept one eye on his rearview mirror, checking that Sarah was following OK. Crystal had switched to riding with Sarah after their lunch stop, the two women seemingly settling into an uneasy quiet, while Daniela maintained her vigilant watch of their surroundings from his passenger seat. The highway curved sharply around a hill, and suddenly there was movement, a pickup truck appearing from the opposite direction. Both vehicles slammed to a stop instinctively, tires screeching on the asphalt. "Contact front!" Daniela called sharply, already reaching for her Remington. "Armed individual, driver's side!" Andy killed the engine and was out of the truck in one fluid motion, his ranger training taking over. He reached through the rear window of the cab, grabbing the AR-15 mounted behind the seats. Daniela mirrored his movement on the passenger side, her rifle trained steadily on the other vehicle. Andy keyed his radio quickly: "Sarah, Crystal, stay in the truck, get down below the windows. Now!" The man from the other truck had taken cover behind his own door, his rifle held ready but not directly aimed. He was middle-aged, wearing casual clothes and looking almost as startled as they were. "Identify yourself!" Andy shouted, his voice carrying the authority of his ranger training. "Hey, easy!" the man called back, his voice strained but not aggressive. "I don't want any trouble! My name's Mike Peterson, I'm just trying to get to my mom up north. She's alive, I got a message from her yesterday!" "Keep your hands visible!" Daniela commanded, her young voice carrying surprising authority. "Look, I'm sorry!" Mike responded. "You scared me as much as I scared you, wasn't expecting anyone on this road!" He carefully kept his rifle pointed down. "I swear I mean no harm!" Andy studied the man's body language. "Alright," he called out. "Let's both put our weapons back in our vehicles. Show of good faith. Then we can talk!" There was a moment of tense silence before Mike nodded. "Okay! On three?" "On three," Andy confirmed. "One; two; three!" Both men slowly placed their weapons back in their vehicles, movements deliberate and visible. After a moment's hesitation, Daniela followed suit, carefully placing her Remington back in the cab. Andy let out a deep sigh of relief and keyed his radio again. "Sarah, Crystal, you can come out now. Stand a few paces from the truck, hands where he can see them." He raised his voice to Mike: "We've got two more people in the second truck. They're coming out now, no weapons!" The rear doors of the second truck opened cautiously. Sarah emerged first, her designer athletic wear incongruous against the tension of the moment. Crystal followed, her beauty drawing Mike's attention momentarily before he caught himself and returned his focus to Andy. The two men walked toward each other, meeting roughly halfway between their vehicles. The late afternoon breeze carried the salt smell of the nearby bay, rustling through the wild grass growing between the highway directions. "I'm Andy Rhee," Andy offered, his posture relaxed but alert. "We're coming from Yosemite, heading to San Francisco. You?" "Gilroy," Mike replied, running a hand through his graying hair. "Been on the road since yesterday. My mother's up near Mount Shasta, finally got a message through on Beacon that she made it." He glanced at their trucks. "Any trouble on the roads?" Andy shook his head. "We've been checking Beacon for updates about blocked sections. Had to detour around a big pileup between exits 234 and 236, and there was another rough stretch near the 99-120 interchange, but otherwise it's been quiet. You?" "Seen a few other people on the move," Mike said. "Most heading either to San Jose State or the Presidio. Stopped at SJSU myself, they gave me some medical supplies, antibiotics." He patted the bag at his hip. "What's the situation like at San Jose State?" Andy asked. Mike shrugged, his expression uncertain. "Pretty loose organization, if you can call it that. There's a professor trying to coordinate things, but;" He paused, searching for words. "Nobody's really in charge. Most folks are just passing through, or locals coming out of their homes to get supplies when they need to. Everyone's still pretty shell-shocked, you know? Scared. Confused about what to do next." "I see," Andy nodded. "You need any supplies? We've got two full trucks here." "Thanks, but I'm good," Mike replied. "Stopped at a Walmart on the way up, loaded up pretty good. What's your plan?" he asked. "We're heading to the Presidio to check things out, probably look to settle there," Andy replied. He explained the logic that made San Francisco an ideal place to settle. Mike nodded thoughtfully. "I've been debating between heading there myself or maybe taking over a farm somewhere. My dad was a farmer, I grew up on a ranch, so I know the basics at least." "If you're thinking farming, the San Joaquin delta would be your best bet," Andy suggested. "Close enough to the Bay to stay connected, and the river means you won't need complex irrigation systems." He paused. "Though once people get more organized, there might be competition for that land." "Makes sense," Mike said, considering. "Hey, we should share Beacon handles, keep each other updated on how things are going." "Good idea," Andy agreed. They quickly exchanged their information. "Alright then. Good luck," Mike said with a final nod. "You too," Andy replied, turning back toward his truck. They watched Mike's truck shrink into the distance before Andy walked back to where the others waited. The late afternoon sun cast their shadows long across the asphalt as he summarized the encounter. "He's heading up to Mount Shasta, his mom survived, managed to get a message to him," Andy explained. He saw the brief flickers of pain cross their faces at the mention of family, each of them carrying their own weight of loss. Sarah's hand moved unconsciously to the delicate necklace she wore. Daniela's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, while Crystal wrapped her arms around herself, as if suddenly cold. "He stopped at San Jose State," Andy continued quickly, pushing past the moment. "Says there's some professor trying to coordinate things, but it's pretty disorganized. Mostly just people passing through, getting supplies when they need them." "God, I was so scared when he first stopped," Crystal admitted, her voice still slightly shaky. "But he seemed nice! I hope he finds his mom." She brightened slightly. "It's kind of encouraging, right? Making new friends already?" "We're getting close to Oakland now," Andy said, his tone growing more serious. "This will be the most populated area we've been through. We should pull off somewhere, check Beacon for updates." He glanced at their loaded trucks. "And we need to cover those beds with tarps, don't want to advertise how much supplies we're carrying." Daniela was already moving toward the trucks. "There's an exit about a quarter mile ahead," she said, consulting their marked-up atlas. "Looks like it leads to some kind of business park. Should be good cover, and easy access back to the highway." The Business Park. The business park was quiet, its empty parking lot offering a clear view of the approach. Sarah and Crystal worked on setting up the Starlink array while Andy and Daniela methodically secured heavy tarps over the truck beds, their practiced movements suggesting they'd done this before. "I've been thinking about where to set up initially," Andy said, pulling the tarp tight before securing another tie-down. "There's a Korean consulate building in Presidio Heights I've visited before. It would make a good temporary base." Daniela paused in her work, considering. "Security features?" "Yeah, it's built for diplomatic security," Andy confirmed, testing the tarp's tension. "Reinforced doors, security windows, probably some basic defensive architecture. It's in a quiet residential area, but walking distance from the Presidio." He moved to secure another corner. "Plus it's designed to be relatively self-contained, might have backup generators, water storage." "Got signal," Sarah called from where she knelt by the array, her designer leggings collecting dust from the pavement. Crystal leaned over her shoulder, their phones illuminating their faces as they scrolled through Beacon updates. "The building, is it big enough for all of us?" Daniela asked practically, her young voice carrying that familiar tactical edge. "Three stories, if I recall correctly, and lots of office space we can convert," Andy replied. "And importantly, it's far enough from Downtown that we'll be far from the chaos there, and we won't be right in the middle of whatever organization efforts are happening at the Presidio, but close enough to stay connected." Crystal fidgeted with the hem of her silk blouse. "About that;" she began softly. "I was wondering if; if maybe I could stay with you all?" Her blue eyes flickered between them, settling briefly on Andy before dropping to the ground. "I know I'd be another mouth to feed, and I'm not exactly survival-trained, but I could help out. I could handle the cooking, cleaning, keep watch at night;" She trailed off, her offer hanging in the air. Sarah and Daniela both turned to Andy, waiting for his response. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the parking lot as he made a show of considering the request, though his mind was already made up. "We packed about three months of food for the three of us," he said thoughtfully, watching Crystal's face fall slightly before continuing. "But getting more shouldn't be too hard at this point. There are probably plenty of places we can scavenge from once we're in the city." He adjusted the tarp's final tie-down. "As long as you're willing to help with some scavenging runs, which we should do anyway to build up our supplies, it should work out fine. I can go with you, show you the ropes." Daniela's face brightened with obvious approval, while Sarah maintained a carefully neutral expression, offering a small nod of agreement. Crystal's relief was palpable, her usual poise returning as she straightened up. "Thank you," she said softly. "I promise I'll pull my weight." Arriving at the consulate. Andy and Sarah. Day 7, Late Afternoon The late afternoon shadows stretched across the quiet streets of Presidio Heights as their little convoy approached the Korean consulate. The building stood stolid and official-looking among the surrounding residences, its windows dark but intact. As they drove through the SF neighborhoods, they'd seen scattered survivors, mostly women. Most kept their distance, watching the trucks pass with wary curiosity before returning to whatever tasks occupied them in this new world. Andy pulled up to the front of the consulate, studying the building's facade. The American and Korean flags still hung limply from their poles. The front entrance featured heavy double doors with reinforced glass flanked by simple columns and dotted with CCTV equipment, now nonfunctional. "Stay in the trucks," Andy instructed over the radio. "Daniela and I will check the entrance first." They approached the front doors cautiously, Daniela's hand resting near her holstered Glock. Andy tried the handle, locked, as expected. He knocked firmly, the sound echoing through the empty building. "I don't see any signs of forced entry," Daniela observed, examining the door frame. "Any electronic security would be disabled when the power went out. Probably a pretty heavy deadbolt though." Andy nodded. "Let's try the back. No point destroying the front entrance if we don't have to." He keyed his radio: "We're going to check the rear access." The fence around the property's perimeter was tall but manageable. Andy went first, scaling it smoothly before dropping to the other side. Daniela followed with the grace of someone who'd trained for exactly this kind of situation, her feet barely making a sound as she landed. The back door was similarly secure, but its handle was less robust than the front entrance. Andy retrieved the fire axe from his pack, testing its weight before taking a controlled swing at the handle mechanism. The sound of splintering metal seemed impossibly loud in the quiet neighborhood. Two more precise strikes, and the handle fell away entirely. A careful push revealed an empty hallway beyond. Andy did a quick sweep before returning to the door. "Clear," he called softly. "We'll open the garage from inside." He radioed. "Gimme a sec." Minutes later, Andy and Daniela manually hauled the heavy garage door upward, revealing a spacious underground parking area. Sarah and Crystal guided the trucks inside, the engines' echoes filling the concrete space before falling silent. As the door lowered behind them, sealing them into their new sanctuary, Crystal's voice carried a mix of relief and uncertainty. "Home sweet home?" After securing the trucks, Andy pulled one of the Glock 19s from their equipment and checked the magazine. "We should clear the building together," he said, tucking a couple of flashbangs into his tactical vest. "No splitting up." Daniela nodded, already holding her father's Mossberg with practiced ease. "Standard sweep pattern?" "Sure. Let's trade" he said, handing her the pistol and flashlight. "I'll take point." The basement level revealed its first surprise in a mechanical room, a commercial-grade backup generator system connected to substantial fuel storage. Daniela examined the setup with interest, her usually sober expression breaking into a rare smile. "Looks like there's about three hundred hours of runtime with the current fuel," she calculated, sweeping her flashlight across the gauge. "If we're careful about power usage, could stretch that a while." "That would be amazing." Sarah breathed, her eyes lighting up. "Yeah, let's leave it off for now though." said Andy. Adjacent to the generator room, they discovered a significant water storage system and septic setup. "Diplomatic buildings always plan for siege scenarios," Andy explained, his own relief evident in his voice. "Four, maybe five months of water," Daniela estimated. "If we're careful." "Gosh" Crystal whispered, touching one of the tanks, almost reverently. "I never thought I'd be so happy to see plumbing equipment." "Me neither" said Sarah. "I need a shower so bad." They continued their sweep, finding a heavy steel door marked 'Security' that refused to budge. "Probably need specialized tools for that one," Andy noted, making a mental note to return later. The next door revealed a surprisingly well-equipped gym, free weights, cardio machines, and resistance training equipment. Sarah's eyes lit up immediately. "Oh thank god," she breathed, running her hand along a rowing machine. "I was terrified of losing this." She gestured winsomely at her meticulously crafted curves. "Do you know how many years it took to get my body like this?" Crystal watched her uncertainly. "You're worried about that? I'm barely holding it together right now, I couldn't imagine making myself more tired and exhausted on purpose." "I'd literally rather die than lose this body," Sarah replied firmly, her hand trailing along her flat, gently muscled abs. The seriousness in her voice made it impossible to tell if she was exaggerating. Andy watched this exchange with raised eyebrows, then noticed something else. "There's a sauna in here too," he noted, pleased. "Would be a real luxury to turn on some day." The main floor revealed a layout typical of diplomatic buildings, a reception area leading to various offices, with a modest break room and a more formal dining space clearly meant for official functions. The kitchen behind it was industrial-grade, though smaller than what you'd find in a restaurant. The second floor held more offices, their doors standing open to reveal desks still covered in papers and family photos, frozen in time. To be continued. Based on a post by the hospital, for Literotica.

Re-RunSeptember 16th, 2025The Art of Negotiating-JACKED UP DAILY!In this episode, Jack talks about the Art of Negotiating. How well does America do it, and is it easy for you to learn? Where does one learn to negotiate?Our website is www.LetsGetJackedUp.com Welcome to Jacked Up Daily with Tim, Jack, Bobby, and Karen, a dynamic daily podcast on the Fringe Radio Network. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 AM for conservative commentary, Bible prophecy, and insights from a modern American Christian perspective. Based in Fresno, California, in the heart of the Central Valley, Jacked Up Daily brings a unique West Coast viewpoint to everything from politics and social issues to fringe topics like aliens, ghosts, and the anti-Christ. Whether discussing the rapture, end times prophecy, or offering analysis on current events, this show is perfect for your morning drive. Catch the latest episode on FringeRadioNetwork.com and join us as we explore the mysteries of the world from a bold, Christian viewpoint. Don't miss a moment of this thought-provoking and engaging show, where no topic is off-limits!FringeRadioNetwork.com LetsGetJackedup.com  E-mail us at letsgetjackedup@gmail.comFollow us on X @LetsGetJackedUp  and FacebookNote: Straw Hat Pizza Bar & Grill is no longer a sponser, due to location change. check out www.christianrock.net 24/7 or download the app from Google Play Store or Apple Store.

Andy’s Brave New World: Part 1 Ranger Andy survives, the apocalypse in Yosemite. Based on a post by the hospital. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Day 1, Yosemite National Park The park was busy with spring visitors when the first reports came in. Tourists coughing in the visitor center, a family requesting medical assistance at Upper Pines campground. Andy helped coordinate with the park's small medical team, radioing updates to other rangers. Standard protocol for illness in the park, nothing too concerning yet. That evening, things took a turn, with the news reporting an alarming spread of similar outbreaks across California, and the world. Possibly a new avian flu, they said. Day 2 Everything accelerated. Half the ranger staff called in sick. The small park clinic was overwhelmed. Andy helped organize an evacuation point at the visitor center, trying to get sick tourists to hospitals in Fresno or Modesto. His training kicked in, calm, professional, reassuring visitors even as his colleague Declan started coughing blood next to him. The ill began dying in droves. The park superintendent ordered all non-essential personnel to evacuate. Andy stayed, helping the remaining medical staff set up an impromptu care center in the lodge. By the evening, Andy felt a fever rise and was soon sweating through his clothes and coughing up a lung. He weakly barricaded himself in his cabin and prepared to die like the others. Day 3 The next morning, Andy woke to fine himself still alive, surprised to feel slightly better than the night before. He pulled himself out of his cabin and began his duties. The radio channels went quiet one by one. No response from Fresno hospitals. The lodge had become a morgue. He spent the morning doing rounds, checking campsites, finding mostly bodies or critically ill visitors who died within hours. By evening, he was the only ranger still moving around. He did his best to care for the sick and dying. Andy wasn't entirely sure if this was all just an awful dream. Day 4, Morning The cough remained in his chest that morning, but Andy forced himself to continue his rounds. The ranger truck's tires crunched over broken glass in the parking lot as he checked North Pines Campground. Most sites were abandoned, their occupants having fled days ago. Others contained what he couldn't let himself think about yet. His fevered brain kept switching between ranger protocol and survival instinct. Check each site. Document. Radio in-- no, the radio was silent now. Just static and occasional distant screams that were becoming less frequent. That's when he saw it, an expensive ultralight tent in millennial pink and gray, surrounded by matching gear that looked straight out of an R E I catalog. Too pristine, barely used. A small solar charger lay futilely pointed at the clouded sky. "Hello?" His voice was rough from coughing. "Ranger service. Anyone alive in there?" "Define 'alive,'" came a strained but steady voice, followed by a cough. Andy approached cautiously, unsnapping his holster out of habit though he knew he wouldn't need it. Inside, a young woman sat cross-legged in the tent entrance, her expensive Lululemon sports bra and high-waisted hiking shorts soaked through with fever sweat. Despite everything, the death, the horror, his own fever, Andy couldn't help noticing how the wet fabric clung to her curves. Her figure was exactly the type that dominated outdoor Instagram, slim waist, toned stomach, curved hips, the sports bra struggling to contain what was clearly meant to be shown off just enough to stay within platform guidelines. He tried to push the thoughts away and focus, but his eyes kept betraying him. She looked up at him with clear eyes, fever-bright but alert. Mixed Asian-white features that hit that perfect social media sweet spot, even through the fever, high cheekbones, full lips, almond-shaped hazel eyes. Her carefully highlighted hair was plastered to her neck, mascara smudged but intact, like she'd been maintaining her appearance out of sheer habit until the fever hit. A few light freckles stood out against her flushed skin. "I'm guessing the 'shelter in place' order isn't working out great for everyone else either?" "I'm Ranger Rhee. Andy," he said, noting how her hands trembled slightly as she reached for her water bottle. "You're sick, but; not like the others." "Sarah Chen-Mitchell," she managed between sips. "And yeah, I noticed. Been listening to people cough and die all night while I just sat here with what feels like a really bad flu. Not exactly the wilderness experience I was going for." Her attempt at humor was undercut by the raw edge in her voice. Andy saw her Instagram-ready camp setup, the coordinated cookware still in its packaging, the expensive camera carefully wrapped in a rain cover, the rose gold water bottle. "We need to get you somewhere safer. Can you walk?" "Yeah, just;" She stood unsteadily, unconsciously adjusting her sports bra, a reflexive gesture that seemed absurd given the circumstances. "My car's blocked in. I tried to leave but;" She gestured at the chaos of abandoned vehicles hemming in her pristine Subaru, many with now-deceased occupants. "Look, I've got medicine and supplies back at my ranger unit," Andy said. "Pack whatever clothes and valuables you need. Leave the camping gear, we can always come back for it if;" he trailed off, not sure how to end that sentence. "Right," Sarah said, still shivering slightly in her wet athletic wear. "I should probably change too." "Do you need help?" Andy asked, then immediately regretted how that might sound. "I mean, with packing. You seem pretty weak." "No, I've got it," Sarah said quickly, pulling herself more upright. "Just; give me a few minutes?" Despite everything, there was still a hint of self-consciousness in her voice. Andy nodded and stepped away from the tent. "Take your time. We're not exactly on a schedule anymore." He heard the tent zip closed, followed by the sounds of her moving around inside. The rustle of fabric as she changed. Multiple bags being opened and closed, more than strictly necessary for just grabbing essentials, he thought. A few quiet muttered comments to herself about what to take. The distinct sound of what had to be a hairbrush being used. Even now, even here, some habits die hard. Or maybe it was just her way of holding onto normalcy for a few more minutes. Andy stood guard, trying not to listen too closely to her movements, scanning the eerily quiet campground. A crow called somewhere nearby. The mountain air was cool and clean, carrying no hint of the devastation it had helped deliver. "Ready," Sarah called softly. The tent zipper opened and she emerged with a large designer backpack, now dressed in a black Alo Yoga tube top that showcased her toned shoulders and pushed up her cleavage, paired with high-waisted leggings that clung to every curve. Her face was scrubbed clean of makeup, but her dark hair was neatly brushed, falling in waves around her shoulders. The fever flush in her cheeks only enhanced her natural beauty, that calculated mix of exotic and approachable that had probably earned her thousands of followers. She caught Andy's gaze traveling over her body and gave a small, knowing shrug, arching her back slightly. "I know, I know. Not exactly survival wear. But it's what I brought for my Instagram hiking content, so;" She did a little pose, definitely more displaying than mocking now, the movement emphasizing her curves. Andy found himself watching much longer than he should, and her slight smile suggested that was exactly the response she'd wanted. "We can probably find you something more practical at the gear store," he managed, forcing his eyes back to her face. "Heavy duty pants, boots, proper rain gear." "Perfect," she smiled, her voice dropping slightly despite her obvious exhaustion. "Though I did bring some actually useful stuff." She knelt by her bag, the movement making Andy struggle to keep his eyes up. "Latest gen military water filter, my dad's company makes them for the marines. Handles way more volume than those little Life Straws. Satellite uplink that'll work even if the normal networks are down. And this;" She pulled out a sleek black device. "GoPro 12 with infrared. Not even on the market yet, I was supposed to demo it next month." Clean water for a larger group. Communications. Night operations. He tried not to sound too eager. "That; could all come in really handy." As they walked to his truck, both carefully kept their eyes forward, ignoring the abandoned cars and what lay inside them. Andy carried her bag despite her token protest, noticing how she stayed close to his side. "So," Sarah said once they were in the truck, adjusting the AC vent toward her flushed face. "How long have you been a ranger here?" The question seemed deliberately normal, almost absurdly so given the circumstances. "Three years here. Before that, two years at Joshua Tree." "Oh, I was just at Joshua Tree! That Hidden Valley trail at sunset, it was so beautiful." She spoke wistfully, her enthusiasm fading as the weight of everything they had experienced in the past three days settled back. Andy gestured at her bag. "Tell me about that gear, you said there was a satellite uplink?" "Right." Sarah dug through her bag, pulling out sleek boxes with military-style lettering. She started reading, her voice growing more confident as she went. "Okay, so this is a 'Starlink Tactical Ground Array', it's got four encrypted receiver units that can talk to each other from anywhere on Earth. Says here it can maintain 4G speeds even without ground infrastructure." She looked up. "Guess Dad's company wasn't just being paranoid with all this survivalist tech." "Wait, you mean that little thing has internet access? I don't see a satellite dish anywhere." "Yeah I think so. I think the array can mimic the behavior of a dish without actually needing one." "That's huge. We really need more information about what's going on." Andy said, feeling hopeful about something for the first time in days. She nodded and moved on to the water system. "This one's cool, processes up to 25 gallons per hour, removes everything down to 0.0001 microns. Works on chemical and biological agents too. If we can get some acid and lye we can keep reusing it forever." "And the camera?" Andy asked. "Let's see; Military-grade infrared imaging, 4K resolution in complete darkness, range up to;" she squinted at the manual. "Thermal detection at 200 meters." "Could probably rig that into a decent night sight," Andy mused, then caught himself. Sarah glanced at his holstered pistol, then out at the empty park road. After a long pause, she cleared her throat and went back to the manual, her voice quieter. "It's got some kind of A I field-of-view system too;" Day 4, Evening After getting Sarah settled at his unit, Andy continued searching for survivors and checking on the dying. Near the clinic, he found Miguel Martinez slumped against a supply cabinet, still in his blood-stained uniform but maintaining his ramrod-straight Marine posture even now. The room around him showed signs of his final efforts, organized medical supplies, careful notes on symptoms, a log of those he'd tried to help. He looked up weakly from his notebook when Andy arrived. "Rhee." Miguel's voice was barely a whisper. "You made it. Figured you might. Always had the look." "Miguel," Andy started, but the older ranger cut him off with a weak wave. "Save it. Listen. Daniela's following protocol at home. She got sick two days ago. But she's stronger. Already sounding better on the radio this morning. She must be immune, like you, alaba al Señor". Immune. Were they immune? The idea hit Andy like a truck. Andy knew Daniela, had helped train her on basic ranger procedures, watched her grow up these past three years. Though only fourteen, her prepper father had subject her to a rigorous marine-style training regimen that made her an extremely competent survivalist. She'd always seemed almost comically over-prepared, showing up to basic first aid training with a full combat medical kit. If there was anyone left to laugh, they wouldn't be now. "Her isolation ends tomorrow morning," Miguel continued. "She knows what to do, but;" Another coughing fit wracked him, blood spattering his arm. "She'll need;" He grabbed Andy's wrist with surprising strength. "You take care of her. After. Promise me." "If it comes to that. I swear." Andy attempted a smile. "Although, she might be the one taking care of me in the end." Miguel chuckled softly. Andy tried to help Miguel up, but the older ranger shook his head. "Too late for me. Already tried everything here. Nothing helps. Just;" He pulled himself straighter. "Just let me finish my notes. Document everything. Might help someone." Andy nodded, throat tight. He gripped Miguel's hand one more time, and they looked each other in the eyes. He gave Miguel a solemn nod, and headed to the Martinez cabin. Through a small clear section in the sealed window, he could see Daniela's silhouette moving around inside, her survival supplies arranged with precision. Just like her father had taught her. "Daniela?" he called softly. She approached the window, and even through the plastic he could see the fever flush in her cheeks. But her voice was strong, clear. "Ranger Rhee. Status report: began showing symptoms approximately 36 hours ago. Fever peaked at 101.2 last night. Currently maintaining isolation." A pause. "Dad mentioned you were coming." "Seems you're also OK, like me. I found another survivor too." Daniela nodded, processing. "Isolation ends at 0600 tomorrow. That's when Dad's supposed to come get me, " Her voice caught. "Is; is dad;? I haven't asked, but; he sounds really weak right now." "We'll see. He's not looking great to be honest, Daniela. I'm sorry." The poor girl tried to maintain composure but Andy could see her eyes well up. She turned away briefly, then turned back. When she spoke again, her voice was wavered slightly. "I'll maintain quarantine until morning." "Are you sure you don't want to go see him? You seem OK, I don't think it would hurt." She shook her head "No. I'll talk to him on the radio. Protocol is protocol." "OK. I'll come get you at six." Andy headed back to his cabin, to Sarah, the weight of Miguel's last watch at the clinic and his daughter's words falling on his shoulders. Tomorrow morning would come too soon, and not soon enough. Day 4, Late Night The commissary had been eerily quiet, its automatic doors frozen half-open. Andy had gathered what he could, protein bars, dried fruit, bottles of water. The walk back to his cabin felt longer than usual, each shadow holding the potential for another body, another victim. He saw the Starlink array before he reached his door, a sleek black apparatus that looked more like a piece of modern art than military hardware. Sarah had positioned the nodes in a complex nested arrangement. Andy was mildly impressed, it looked precisely done. The cabin door creaked slightly as he pushed it open. "Sarah, I got some-" He stopped short. She was curled up in his bed, wrapped in her sleeping bag despite the warmth of the evening. Her face was peaceful in sleep, the fever flush finally fading from her cheeks. Her dark hair spilled across his pillow, and he noticed she'd changed into a pale pink Alo Yoga tank top that looked brand-new. The transformation from her carefully curated daytime appearance was striking. She looked younger, more vulnerable. Andy set the supplies down as quietly as he could and backed out of the cabin. She needed the rest more than she needed food right now. Outside, his phone buzzed, the first notification he'd received in days. The Starlink array hummed softly, its status light steady green. He pulled out his phone with slightly trembling hands and watched as notifications began flooding in. Email. Twitter. News alerts. The world outside the park still existed apparently, somehow. He sat heavily in one of the wooden chairs on his small porch, opened his laptop, and began downloading the prepper manuals Miguel had mentioned so many times, "Emergency Protocols for Systemic Collapse", "Catastrophic Event Recovery, Reference Encyclopedia" and "Technology Bootstrapping, How to Restart Industrial Society". The download started immediately, the normalcy of a digital download almost shocking after days of internet silence. Then he opened Twitter, and his breath caught in his throat. The feed was sparse but active. Scattered voices calling out from around the world, trying to find others. A woman in Seattle reporting that her entire family had survived. A doctor in Mumbai documenting recovery rates. A thread from the CDC, last updated two days ago, describing it as an avian flu with aerosol human-human and human-bird transmission, confirming what Miguel had alluded to, some people got deathly ill, a tiny fraction just got sick and recovered, and there seemed to be no pattern to it. Someone, a software engineer in Morocco, according to the about page, had anticipated the grid's imminent collapse and created a simplified Twitter clone called Beacon. It apparently ran on a solar-powered home server farm with redundant battery backups, designed specifically to operate via Starlink. The site was bare-bones but functional: just a global chronological feed, basic search, hashtags, geotags, and posts limited to 280 characters. One tweet from a virologist caught his eye: "Preliminary data suggests  roughly a point 8% survival rate globally. Fascinating gender disparity, female survivors outnumbering male 7 to 1. Genetic factor? Hormonal? Need more data." Andy scrolled through location tags, trying to piece together the scale of it. The posts from major cities painted a chaotic picture, hundreds of survivors in New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, but all isolated, scattered across vast urban landscapes. No real organization yet, just desperate attempts to connect. "Anyone alive near Brooklyn Heights?" "S O S from Miracle Mile L A, have supplies, need medical." "Twenty survivors at Pudong Hospital Shanghai, seeking others." The shock was still fresh, the posts raw with grief and disbelief. Nobody was talking about rebuilding yet. They were still counting their losses. The manuals finished downloading, and Andy forced himself to close Twitter. He needed to focus on what he could control, keeping Sarah and Daniela alive, gathering supplies, and getting out of Yosemite to a more major population center. The wider world would still be there tomorrow, whatever was left of it. He looked up at Half Dome, now silvered by moonlight. The ancient granite face was unchanged, indifferent to the apocalypse that had just played out beneath it. Somewhere in the darkness, coyotes began to howl, a sound that had always made the park feel wild and untamed. Now it felt like a reminder: nature was already moving on, reclaiming what had briefly been borrowed. Andy opened the survival manual's PDF, finding the section on "Social Collapse and Communication Strategies." The manual laid out different strategies based on mortality rates, 30%, 50%, 70%, 90%, 99%. With a grimace, he scrolled to the 99% section. "In the immediate aftermath of a >99% mortality event, social structures will be broadly erased and surviving population density will be too low for the immediate formation of antagonistic groups. Unlike smaller-scale disasters where existing social structures remain partially intact, catastrophic collapse temporarily eliminates the organizational capacity for coordinated action, hostile or otherwise. Survivors in the first weeks will be focused on immediate personal survival. During this brief window, other survivors can generally be trusted to be cooperative and helpful, as the shared experience of massive loss promotes prosocial behavior." The manual continued, further down: "Warning: This cooperative phase is temporary. As basic survival needs are met, humans will inevitably begin forming new social groups, 'tribes,' and power structures to replace those lost. Competition for resources will resume once excess pre-collapse supplies have been exhausted. Early contact and alliance formation during the cooperative phase is essential for long-term survival." Upon reading this, Andy elected to make the following post on twitter: "Ranger Andy Rhee, Yosemite National Park. Three possibly immune, North Pines/Ranger housing. Food plentiful, limited medical. Starlink operational. Main roads clear, helicopter landing sites available. Will monitor channel here & @Beacon." He followed it up with a post linking the survival manuals. He then switched to Beacon, created an account, and made the same posts. A slight rustling from inside the cabin drew his attention back to their immediate situation. He quietly stepped inside, retrieving the digital thermometer from his first aid kit. Sarah stirred slightly as he approached but didn't wake when he gently pressed the thermometer to her temple. 99 point 1, much better than this morning. He checked his own temperature next: 98 point 9. Their mild cases seemed to be resolving as quickly as they'd come on. He set his phone alarm for 5:30AM, enough time to get to Daniela's cabin by six as promised. The couch wasn't particularly comfortable, but he'd slept in far worse places. As he settled in with a spare blanket, his ranger training kicked in, categorizing the night sounds filtering through the cabin walls. Crickets. An owl. The distant yip of coyotes. Normal sounds. Safe sounds. The last thing he saw before drifting off was the green status light of the Starlink array through the window, blinking steadily like a new kind of star. The group assesses their situation, plans to leave Yosemite. Day 5, Pre-Dawn The alarm's buzz jolted Andy awake, but another sensation immediately registered, the rich aroma of fresh coffee. Sarah was curled up in his reading chair, scrolling through her phone, but as soon as she heard him stir, she immediately switched it off and turned her full attention to him. She'd changed into a new Alo Yoga set, a lavender sports bra under a white cropped tank, paired with high-waisted leggings in a matching shade. Her hair was pulled back in a messy-but-somehow-perfect bun, showing off her neck and shoulders. The fever flush was completely gone, replaced by her natural warm complexion. "Morning," she said warmly, uncurling from the chair with a practiced, fluid grace. "Made coffee. The fancy pour-over kind I found in your kitchen. Hope that's okay." Her hazel eyes met his, lingering just a moment too long as she took in his rumpled ranger uniform. "Sorry about commandeering your bed. I just meant to take a quick nap." She gave him an apologetic smile. Andy accepted the steaming mug she offered, trying not to notice how the morning light played across her toned body. "No problem. I'm used to sleeping rough. Comes with the job." Sarah tucked her legs under her on the couch next to him. The expensive fabric of her leggings caught the light as she moved, and she settled slightly closer than necessary, her knee just barely brushing his thigh. "I need to head out in about thirty minutes," Andy said, checking his phone. "There's another survivor at the park. A ranger's daughter. Her quarantine period ends at six." Sarah's eyes lit up. "Wait, really? Someone else made it?" She sat straight. "Yes. Daniela. She's fourteen, Miguel's daughter, one of our senior rangers. He;" Andy paused, remembering Miguel's final words. "He's not gonna make it." He took a deep breath. "Miguel was a big prepper. He made sure Daniela would be ready for anything. Kid's probably better prepared for this than me, honestly. He was ex-Marine, trained her in everything, survival skills, firearms, emergency medicine. I've seen her take apart and reassemble a rifle blindfolded." Sarah's eyebrows rose. "Fourteen? God." Her expression softened. "Must have been intense, growing up like that. Learning survival stuff instead of just; being a kid." "Miguel was," Andy searched for the right words. "He was paranoid I guess. We used to joke about his 'disaster preparedness' lectures." He snorted gently, irony in his voice. "And her mom?" "Passed away years ago, while Daniela was a child. Aneurysm." Andy took another sip of coffee. "Miguel basically raised her alone." Sarah held her coffee mug, pulling her legs toward her and wrapping her arms around them. "Damn, she's been through a lot already, huh? I hope she's alright." She glanced down at her designer workout wear and gave a small, self-aware smile. "Well, we should probably get ready to meet our teenage survival expert. Think she'll judge my completely impractical apocalypse wardrobe?" Andy couldn't help but smile. "Probably." He paused, then added, "Have you found Beacon yet? The Twitter alternative?" "Yeah, I was just reading through it earlier," Sarah leaned forward, coffee forgotten. "There's a virologist who's been collecting data. Says survival seems almost completely random, except for this weird seven-to-one female-to-male ratio and a slight correlation with genetic relatedness,, like if your sister survived, you had maybe a tiny bit higher chance. But besides that;" She shook her head. "No pattern. Not health status, not location or exposure level, or ethnicity, not even age. Just random genetic lottery. Either your b-cells already make the right antibodies, or they don't. I'd guess there's actually some correlation with age like there is with any disease, old immune people might still die from the mild flu symptoms we had. But; well," she sighed. "I doubt enough people are surviving in the first place right now to get that kind of data." Andy raised an eyebrow. She caught his look and shrugged, waving her hand casually. "I'm a biology major. Molecular cell biology. We learned some of this stuff last year." She continued, "Anyway, other than that it was mostly random people and groups asking for help, or offering help. It seems like all our old governments, systems, whatever, they're all gone." "Yeah. It's a whole new world out there." Andy said. "Have you thought about posting anything?" "I wasn't sure if it would be safe," Sarah admitted. "Announcing our location." "Actually," Andy said, "I already made a post last night. I was able to download survival manuals last night and they had an interesting take on it, right after something this catastrophic, people are still in shock, focused on basic survival. They don't have the resources or organization yet to be really dangerous. It's actually the best time to make contact, before people start forming new power structures and competing for resources and territory." "I see," Sarah said, working through the implications. "So what did you post?" "Just the basics. That there were survivors at Yosemite, that we have Starlink, medical supplies. That the roads are clear if anyone needs to reach us. Links to the same survival manuals." He took another sip of coffee. "Figured we should make connections while people are still helping each other." Sarah's lips curved slightly into a soft grin. "So, if you'd found me a few weeks from now, you wouldn't have been so friendly?" "Hey, don't ask me," Andy raised his hands in mock defense. "The manual knows best. Apparently I'm destined to become dangerous and territorial any day now." "Guess I met you at just the right time then," she said softly, her eyes meeting his for a moment before looking away. A quiet moment passed between them, the morning sun slowly brightening the cabin. "Where are you studying?" Andy asked, then caught himself. "Or; were you studying?" Sarah's face flickered with something complicated. "Was. Am? I;" She took a breath. "Biology at UCLA. Second year." Her voice grew quiet. "I kept searching Beacon for anyone from campus, but; nothing yet." Day 5, Morning Daniela was already sitting outside on a bench by the cabin when they arrived, military-surplus backpack at her feet, a shotgun slung over her shoulder, dressed in practical outdoor wear that made Sarah look especially out of place. She stood as they approached. Her dark hair was pulled back in a tight, no-nonsense braid, and she sat with straight-backed posture, almost too straight, like she was holding herself together through sheer will. "Ranger Rhee," she said crisply, standing as they approached. She let her eyes drift to Sarah, taking in the expensive athleisure wear and aggressively feminine curves with a quick, assessing glance that held equal parts teenage girl's envy and survival expert's dismissal. "Daniela, this is Sarah," Andy said. "She's another survivor, immune like us." Daniela gave a short nod, then launched into what felt like a rehearsed speech. "Status report: fever peaked at 101.2 three days ago, now normal temperature for 48 hours. No remaining symptoms." She gestured to her pack, her words coming slightly too fast. "I've assembled primary survival gear, in case we need to leave in a hurry. Secondary cache inside includes a hand-crank radio set, four topographical maps of Yosemite and surrounding regions, California road atlas with marked backup routes, water filtration system, three weeks of MRE, six hundred feet of para-cord in various thickness, four heavy-duty tarps." She took a quick breath, her rehearsed rhythm barely faltering. "We also have a weapons cache. One Remington 700 bolt-action with scope and 1000 rounds, one Mossberg 500 shotgun with 1000 shells, four Glock 19s with 1000 rounds of 9mm, two semi-automatic AR-15s with 5000 total rounds. RPG-7 with eight rockets. Two cases each of fragmentation grenades and flashbangs. Ten pounds of C4 with detonators. A dozen anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines." Andy's eyes widened at the arsenal, and Sarah let out a quiet "wow." Daniela continued at top speed without acknowledging their reactions. "Two sets of Level IV body armor with trauma plates. Four tactical vests. Medical supplies organized by emergency type. Dad's old paper survival guides and field manuals. Solar oven. Basic vegetable seed packets. Shortwave radio. Antibiotics." She paused. "And a sewing machine. Manual one. For repairs." That last item seemed to crack her professional veneer slightly. She looked at Andy, her carefully maintained composure slipping. "Have you; have you seen my dad since;? He; he hasn't been responding." Andy's expression told her everything before he could speak. "Not since the clinic," he said softly. Daniela's chin trembled once, but she snapped back into her military bearing so quickly it was painful to watch, like a child playing soldier to keep the monsters away. Her voice was smaller but desperately steady when she spoke again. "What's our next move, sir?" Andy stroked his chin, considering his words carefully. "I've only got the broad strokes of a plan right now. We've got internet at my cabin, Sarah brought a military-grade Starlink array." He gave Daniela a quick overview of what they'd learned: the devastating global death toll, the seemingly random pattern of who lived and died. He mentioned the scattered posts they'd seen on Beacon, survivors in major cities trying to connect, the complete collapse of traditional infrastructure. "Here's what I'm thinking," he continued, in an attempted measured tone. "We can't stay in Yosemite. Winter's going to be tough up here, isolated, we could probably survive if we stay indoors and eat canned food or whatever we can hunt the whole time but what would that get us? We wouldn't be any closer to setting up a long term settlement, even with your father's preparations;" He paused, careful with his words. "We need to find more people. We need to probably get to a major population center. More people means more survivors means more knowledge, more resources, better chances of rebuilding something sustainable." Daniela nodded, her expression suggesting she'd already run similar calculations. "I'd say we take a day or two here first," Andy added. "Sweep the park a few more times for survivors. Gather whatever useful supplies we can find from the stores, visitor centers, other ranger stations." "Ok, that makes sense. Where's my dad?" Daniela said quietly. Andy didn't hesitate. "He's at the clinic. East wing, near the supply cabinets. Do you want us to come with you?" She shook her head. "I'll go by myself." She was already turning to leave. Andy watched her go, knowing that splitting up wasn't ideal but reasoning that the park was likely empty now except for them, and with her confident shotgun slung over her shoulder, she could probably take care of herself. "Meet us back at my cabin later," he called after her. "And keep an eye out for any large trucks or gas canisters while you're out. We'll be checking the valley store," he added. "See what we can salvage." Sarah spoke up. "I'm really glad to meet you, Daniela. It's; it's good to have another girl alive." She gave a small self-deprecating smile. "I'm obviously not as prepared as you, but; I'll do my best to not be a burden." Daniela merely nodded, wearing a worried, distant expression, and headed off toward the clinic, her stride purposeful but tense. Day 5, Morning The morning air was crisp as they headed toward the valley store, Half Dome looming above them in the clear sky. Sarah walked close to Andy's side, her earlier morning quietness replaced by an almost nervous energy. "She's so; composed," Sarah said, shaking her head in wonder. "I mean, she's cataloging military-grade weapons like she's reading a shopping list." She adjusted her designer backpack, suddenly self-conscious. "Did you see how she looked at me? I swear I could hear her mentally calculating how quickly I'd die in the wilderness." The path narrowed between some fallen trees and Sarah stepped ahead, her juicy curves swaying hypnotically as she walked. Andy gave in and let himself watch, taking in how her expensive leggings showcased her plump rear and hips rolling side to side with each step. Her ass was built for likes more than functionality but no less captivating for it. "You know, she's not actually hating on you," he said, forcing his attention back to their conversation. "She just processes everything as tactical information, it's how Miguel trained her. Analyzing strengths, weaknesses, capabilities." Sarah tucked a strand of highlighted hair behind her ear. "An RPG though? Like, an actual bazooka? Does he expect to fight a freaking tank?" "Maybe. I wouldn't put it past him." Andy replied with a shrug. "But explosives actually have a lot of use besides tanks you know. If you need to blow up a wall or car someone is hiding behind for example. In war, you're often running out of RPGs before you run out of bullets." Sarah paused, considering. "Where does a park ranger even get that kind of stuff anyway?" "Miguel had connections from his Marine days. Never talked about them much." "God, poor kid." Sarah's voice softened. "All that training, and she still lost him anyway." She was quiet for a moment, then added, "At least she knows what to do now. I'm totally useless here." Andy glanced at her. "Hey, you brought the Starlink. And the filtration system. That's not nothing." "Yeah, but I wasn't even planning to use them." She gave a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I didn't even know how they worked until yesterday. I was just supposed to make them look good in pictures." They rounded a bend in the path, the store's entrance coming into view. Sarah slowed slightly, her voice more thoughtful. "You know when Daniela was listing all that gear, there was something about the sewing machine. Do you think it was her mom's?" Andy nodded. "It was just;" She trailed off, searching for words. "Like for a second the whole soldier act dropped, and she was just a kid who lost her parents." Andy nodded, remembering the slight tremor in Daniela's voice at that moment. They reached the store's entrance, its glass doors standing partially open. Sarah instinctively moved closer to Andy's side as they faced the quiet and empty building. The morning light streamed through the store's high windows and skylights, illuminating neat aisles of outdoor gear and camping supplies. Everything was still in its place, the pandemic had moved too quickly for panic buying or looting. The store felt frozen in time, like its staff had simply stepped out for lunch and never returned. "Boots and outdoor gear are in the back left," Andy said, gesturing. "Look for something waterproof, with good ankle support. And grab some proper hiking pants, the kind with zip-off legs and plenty of pockets. I'm going to check our food supplies in the storage room." Sarah nodded, already moving toward the clothing section. "I'll try to channel my inner Daniela. No more Instagram fashion choices." Andy headed to the back of the store, past rows of camping equipment and climbing gear. The storage room door was locked, but a few solid swings with the fire axe he'd retrieved from its wall mount made short work of the deadbolt. Inside, he swept his gaze across rows of shelves stacked with boxes and crates. His shoulders relaxed as he took inventory, hundreds of cans of chili, soup, and vegetables. Sealed packages of dried fruits and trail mix. Energy bars by the case. Enough preserved food to feed a small group for months, maybe longer if they rationed carefully. Way more than they could possibly take with them. Returning to the main area, Andy methodically selected gear from the high-end section, a rugged Carhartt jacket, some water-resistant hiking pants, and a pair of well-reviewed Merrell boots to supplement his ranger gear. He grabbed a Leatherman Wave+ multi-tool, a pair of Vortex binoculars, and several high-end headlamps and lanterns with spare batteries. Making his way to the women's section, he found Sarah studying her reflection in a full-length mirror. She'd changed into a pair of olive-green tactical pants that, despite their utilitarian design, hugged her curves perfectly where they cinched at her waist. A cropped camo compression top showed off her toned midriff while providing actual support and protection. Black Salomon hiking boots replaced her pristine Nikes, and an Arc'teryx jacket in sleek black completed the ensemble. She'd managed to find gear that was both practical and flattering, the pants especially seemed designed to enhance rather than hide her natural assets. She turned slightly, checking the fit from different angles. "What do you think?" she asked, adjusting the jacket. "The pants are actually really comfortable. And this top breathes really well." She moved through a few stretches, testing the range of motion, the gear moving naturally with her body, causing her ample bust to jiggle pleasantly. Andy tried not to stare. "Those boots are perfect," Andy said, nodding approvingly. "Salomon makes some of the best. They'll last for years if you take care of them." Sarah bent down to grab another small pile of clothes from the floor. "I grabbed some things for Daniela too." "Good idea. How do you know what size she is?" Andy asked, eyeing the stack of clothing. Sarah laughed, a glint in her eyes. "Trust me, I can tell. It's a girl thing." She folded the clothes with efficiency, tucking them into a rugged canvas duffel bag and her new backpack. "Plus, everything I picked has adjustable waists and drawstrings. She'll be able to make it work." Day 5, Evening The crackling of the campfire filled the silence between them as they sat in front of Andy's cabin, the flames casting flickering shadows across their faces. Steam rose from their bowls of rehydrated beef stew. Daniela sat cross-legged on a log, her new pants and boots looking almost too perfect, still creased from their packaging. Her dark hair was pulled back in a fresh braid, but a few strands had escaped during the day's labor, clinging to her neck. Her spoon moved mechanically from bowl to mouth, her expression distant and detached. The blisters on her hands from digging the grave were hidden beneath fingerless gloves. Sarah sat on a camp chair, somehow making even that look graceful. She'd changed into black leggings and an oversized ranger station sweatshirt she'd found, her hair pulled up in a messy bun. Her eyes kept flicking to Daniela. Each time she caught herself watching too long, she'd look away quickly, taking small, careful bites of her stew. Andy was hunched over his phone, the light illuminating his face as he scrolled through Beacon posts. The Starlink array hummed softly behind them, its status lights reflecting off the cabin windows. "More reports coming in from the Bay Area," he said finally, breaking the silence. "Sounds like they're organizing some kind of central meeting point in San Francisco. Using the Presidio as a base camp." Sarah nodded, seizing the conversation attempt. "Makes sense. I've been there before. It's really pretty." Daniela continued eating mechanically, showing no response. The fire popped loudly, sending up a shower of sparks. Daniela's hand dropped down to her holster before she realized what she was doing, then went back to her food. Her face remained carefully blank, but her knuckles whitened around her spoon. Sarah's eyes met Andy's over the fire. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it again, turning her attention back to her own bowl. Andy set his phone down, choosing his words carefully. "We should probably talk about where we're heading. We've got some options to consider." Sarah chimed in again. "Yeah, like you said, the Bay Area seems to be organizing faster than anywhere else," she offered. "And my parents live in Palo Alto." She let the thought hang unfinished. "L A is an option, too;" Andy said, for now trying to brush past thoughts of Sarah's lost loved ones, and by extension his own as well. "More spread out, might be easier to find supplies. And Sarah you know the area pretty well I assume?" She nodded. He continued, thoughtful. "The Central Valley has farming potential, but no real organization showing up yet. Portland and Seattle are possibilities, but that's a long trek north. If we want to go south, Vegas and Phoenix also exist." The logo of Fallout New Vegas appeared in his mind's eye. "South is out," Daniela spoke suddenly, her voice flat. "Can't farm without major irrigation infrastructure. Nobody's maintaining those systems anymore." It was the most she'd said since returning from the clinic. Andy nodded. "True. We could probably gather enough fuel to make it across the country if we wanted to risk it, but;" "That's a lot of unknown territory to cover," Sarah finished. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through Beacon posts. "Though from what I'm seeing, the East Coast isn't doing any better than we are. Maybe worse, winter is coming." "The cold and snow would be a major disadvantage," Daniela said, her voice taking on the precise tone she used when reciting her father's lessons. "Increased resource consumption, limited farming windows, higher risk of mechanical failures in vehicles and equipment." She set her empty bowl aside. "California's the logical choice. Better climate, more stable growing seasons." "Agreed," Andy said. Daniela seemed to find stability in talking about this. "So that brings us back to L A versus the Bay." "The Bay Area is the only logical choice between the two." Daniela began ticking points off on her fingers, echoing discussions that had happened many times before. "The peninsula provides natural defensive positions. Multiple deep-water harbors for future maritime operations. Significantly more unpaved space for urban agriculture compared to the L A concrete sprawl." She continued briskly. "Plus, direct river access to the Central Valley farming regions around Stockton, where there's plenty of water for farming. From L A, you'd have to cross the Transverse Ranges to get to Bakersfield- that's a major liability for supply lines." Her voice took on an edge of disdain. "And farming that far south in the Valley isn't going to be viable anymore anyway, they're almost as reliant on irrigation as Phoenix or Las Vegas." She shook her head decisively. "The L A positioning is completely unsustainable. Anyone there should be evacuating to the Bay immediately." Andy nodded slowly, impressed but not surprised by the depth of analysis. He'd seen this level of preparation in everything Miguel and Daniela did. He glanced at Sarah, eyebrows raised in silent question. Sarah gave one of her small, self-deprecating smiles. "Don't look at me for expertise. The most strategic thinking I've ever done is planning photoshoots." She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But Daniela's logic makes perfect sense. I mean, it's clearly been; thoroughly thought through." "The Bay it is then," Andy said, straightening up. "We should take two days to prepare; we can stock up on food, supplies, and then pick cars. There are plenty of abandoned vehicles in the valley, we'll need time to find the right ones and load them properly. It's not a long drive, but we should be thorough." He looked between them both. "We leave in three days." To be continued. Based on a post by the hospital, for Literotica.

Send us a textIn this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, Steph sits down with two-time marathon finisher Miriam Perales, who went from hating the mile in PE to crossing the finish line at both the Oakland Marathon and the Every Woman's Marathon by age 30.Miriam shares how running became her unexpected path to confidence, healing, and community—from early-morning miles in the Central Valley heat to joining thousands of women on the streets of Scottsdale. She opens up about running her first unofficial half marathon during COVID, pushing through the toughest miles of her full marathons, and discovering that there is no one “runner body.”Together, Steph and Miriam talk about:How Miriam went from casual jogger to marathonerThe power of run/walk intervalsThe emotional energy of the Every Woman's MarathonFinding courage in the back of the packWhy anyone—yes, anyone—can become a runnerIf you need a reminder that all runners count and that you can do hard things, this episode will speak straight to your heart. Expect encouragement, laughter, a few tears, and a whole lot of inspiration.✨ Helpful Links Mentioned in This Episode:Download your free 5:50 marathon pace band.Watch the full episode on YouTube.Join the Interval Running for Beginners course (Starting Smart & Strong).Connect with Miriam on Instagram: @mperales_066Support the showWelcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, or on my website at runstrongrun.com About Stephanie: Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 50 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"

Lee Erickson joined the Journey to discuss his almond story and experiences buying and building a fertilizer company. We also talk about his industry involvement and lessons learned while working with family in his multi-generational ventures. Erickson is the managing partner of TEP, Inc. and a partner in Erickson Farms, which produces almonds, grapes, olives, pistachios and prunes on about 3,000 acres in Madera, California. He also serves on the board of directors of the Central California Almond Growers Association and is the vice chair of the Almond Board of California's Global Communications Committee. “I own the company, but we also farm. So I know exactly what growers are going through…Watch what you're getting. Make sure what you're spending your money on is making you money. Especially right now, we're all tightening our belts.” - Lee Erickson In Today's episode: Meet Lee Erickson, almond grower and entrepreneur, who sits down with the Almond Board's Taylor Hillman and podcast host Tim Hammerich. Discover the lessons and insights Erickson has gleaned from buying and building a fertilizer company Explore the dynamics of working in a multigenerational family business Understand the rewards and responsibilities of getting involved on boards and committees The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry. ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Get ready to dive into the world of Fresno nightlife with Litty Tunes, the powerhouse party marketing team behind some of the city's hottest events. In this episode, DJ Alex and Litty Mike share how they built their brand, what it takes to keep the party scene thriving, and their vision for the future of entertainment in the Central Valley. If you love music, vibes, and community, this one's for you!

RE-RUNBible Heroes-JACKED UP DAILY!In this episode, Comic Book author Captain Amerighost joins us, as we discuss Bible Heroes! Whats the difference between a Super Hero and a regular Hero?Our website is www.LetsGetJackedUp.com Welcome to Jacked Up Daily with Tim, Jack, Bobby, and Karen, a dynamic daily podcast on the Fringe Radio Network. Tune in Monday through Friday at 7 AM for conservative commentary, Bible prophecy, and insights from a modern American Christian perspective. Based in Fresno, California, in the heart of the Central Valley, Jacked Up Daily brings a unique West Coast viewpoint to everything from politics and social issues to fringe topics like aliens, ghosts, and the anti-Christ. Whether discussing the rapture, end times prophecy, or offering analysis on current events, this show is perfect for your morning drive. Catch the latest episode on FringeRadioNetwork.com and join us as we explore the mysteries of the world from a bold, Christian viewpoint. Don't miss a moment of this thought-provoking and engaging show, where no topic is off-limits!FringeRadioNetwork.com LetsGetJackedup.com  E-mail us at letsgetjackedup@gmail.comFollow us on X @LetsGetJackedUp  and Facebookgo to www.StrawHatPizza.com to order your pizza if you live in Clovis or Fresno Californiamusic for this episode was from Back to the 80'shttps://youtu.be/0QKQlf8r7ls?si=dOoU1o_-HRiNm0Pv 

Need any advice or information, message us.In this episode, we sit down with luxury real estate expert Mariel Gracia to unpack what's really happening in Costa Rica's Central Valley. Mariel shares where she's seeing the strongest growth, the trends shaping the market, and—if you're chasing an 8%+ return—exactly where she'd be putting her money today. We also dive into the rapid rise of Grecia and San Ramón, two of the fastest-growing areas in the country right now.Free 15 min consultation:  https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsultContact us: info@investingcostarica.comMariel Gracia: marielgraciacr@gmail.com

Check out the latest episode with your music submissions! Here's a clean, organized Music Monday / Podcast Show Notes section you can copy/paste anywhere:  

n the closing session of the Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance Conference (October 24–25, 2025), Pastor Khristian Miller delivers a bold and practical teaching on Power and Authority — equipping believers to walk in the same authority Christ has given His church. This message dives into what it truly means to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit — not through persuasive words or intellect, but through demonstration. Pastor Khristian teaches that deliverance and transformation come when believers move from head knowledge to Spirit-empowered action, learning to exercise the authority that Jesus has already delegated to His people. Key insights include: • The difference between power (dunamis) and authority (exousia) • Understanding that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus — and now to His followers • How to exercise authority when confronting spiritual forces • Why believers must discern between the true and false manifestations of the Holy Spirit • Practical principles for deliverance and walking in spiritual confidence • How to minister freedom with faith, humility, and discernment Pastor Khristian reminds the church that casting out devils is part of the gospel — a demonstration of God's kingdom breaking into the lives of the broken and bound. Through stories, Scripture, and on-the-job equipping, this session empowers every believer to walk boldly, speak with authority, and partner with the Holy Spirit to bring freedom and transformation.

Northern California and Central Valley members of Congress largely voted with their parties except for Rep. Adam Gray, Wednesday as the House passed legislation to end the 43-day federal government shutdown by a 222 to 209 vote. The GOP’s Kevin Kiley of Roseville, Tom McClintock of Elk Grove, David Valadao of Hanford and Doug LaMalfa of Chico all voted for the bill. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northern California and Central Valley members of Congress largely voted with their parties except for Rep. Adam Gray, Wednesday as the House passed legislation to end the 43-day federal government shutdown by a 222 to 209 vote. The GOP’s Kevin Kiley of Roseville, Tom McClintock of Elk Grove, David Valadao of Hanford and Doug LaMalfa of Chico all voted for the bill. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded live at Central Valley Church in Madera, CA, Pastor Khristian Miller continued the SPIRITUAL WARFARE & DELIVERANCE Conference (October 24–25, 2025) with a message that cut straight to the heart — revealing how the choices we make can open or close spiritual doors in our lives. In Session Two: Doors for Demons, Pastor Khristian teaches that demons don't always need permission — they need participation. Through powerful teaching and Scripture-based insight, he exposes how sin, trauma, unforgiveness, sexual immorality, occult practices, idolatry, and addiction can become gateways the enemy uses to influence believers — and how the blood of Jesus shuts those doors for good. Topics Covered: • How participation in sin gives the enemy access • The spiritual effects of trauma, unforgiveness, and sexual sin • The dangers of occultism, witchcraft, and false religion • Freedom from generational curses and addiction • Living filled with the Holy Spirit to keep the doors closed This message challenges believers to walk in purity, forgiveness, and spiritual discernment — to become vessels fully occupied by the presence of God.

Recorded live at Central Valley Church in Madera, CA, Pastor Khristian Miller joined us for a powerful two-day conference (October 24–25, 2025) that stirred hearts and opened eyes to the reality of the unseen realm. In this first session, “Awakening & Awareness of The Unseen Realm,” Pastor Khristian teaches about spiritual warfare and the often-unnoticed battles that affect every believer. With practical insight and biblical depth, he challenges the church to be alert, equipped, and rooted in the victory of Jesus Christ. From confronting deception in the church to understanding deliverance, fear, and freedom through Christ, this message calls us to live in spiritual awareness and authority. Key themes include: • The unseen battle between good and evil • Recognizing the enemy's schemes and lies • Freedom and victory through the cross • Deliverance and the ministry of casting out devils • Living empowered by the Holy Spirit Let this session awaken your spirit and remind you that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

The November 11 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured an in-depth conversation with Ryan Jacobsen, President and CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, who joined hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill to reflect on the past year in agriculture and look ahead to 2026. Jacobsen, a fourth-generation Central Valley farmer, described 2025 as “one of the most unique and challenging years in decades.” He noted that while the weather was remarkably mild for most of the year, the harvest season tested farmers' patience and endurance. “We had about seven different storms roll through during harvest,” he said. “Farmers were working like madness between each one, trying to dry crops, pick what they could, and prepare for the next round of rain.” Despite the setbacks, Jacobsen praised growers' resilience and credited advancements in meteorology for helping minimize losses. “We get far more heads-up now than we did 20 years ago,” he said. “That preparation made all the difference this year.” Jacobsen also addressed the growing complexity of farming in an urbanized state. “We're still dealing with the same core issues—water, labor, and regulation—but the complexity of each has skyrocketed,” he said. “It's more difficult to farm today than it's ever been, but we keep finding ways to adapt.” Representing more than 1.8 million acres of farmland, Jacobsen said he feels an enormous responsibility to be a voice for California agriculture. “We grow nearly 350 different crops here,” he said. “California's diversity in crops and people is unmatched anywhere else in the world, and it's our job to protect it.” He expressed concern over increasing imports that undermine local farmers. “When I was a kid, imported food made up less than 10 percent of our supply. Today, it's over 40 percent,” he said. “Consumers want quality, but many still buy based on price. That's the challenge — we produce the safest, most sustainable food in the world, but we need fair policies and informed consumers who understand that value.” Jacobsen also discussed the need for education and outreach to reconnect Californians with farming. “So many people have no idea how food gets to their table,” he said. “Some think almonds grow underground or that chocolate milk comes from brown cows. We've got to bridge that gap.” On labor and immigration reform, Jacobsen was cautiously optimistic. “I'm hopeful this administration will finally bring common-sense reform,” he said. “If we can secure the border, recognize the people already working productively in agriculture, and support fair trade, California can thrive again.” He ended the conversation with gratitude for the people who make agriculture possible — from growers to packers, truck drivers, and farm employees. “We're entering a season of thankfulness,” Jacobsen said. “Every meal we enjoy is thanks to thousands of people working behind the scenes. That's what makes California agriculture so special.”

The November 6 edition of the AgNet News Hour packed plenty of passion and perspective as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill discussed everything from the FFA Golden Owl Awards to the fallout of Proposition 50, and featured an insightful interview with Nanette Simonian, President-Elect of the California Women for Agriculture (CWA). The show began with a look at the FFA's Golden Owl Award, which recognizes exceptional agricultural educators across California. Nominations are now open for the 2025–26 awards, a joint effort between Nationwide Insurance and the California Farm Bureau. “Without great ag teachers, there's no FFA,” McGill said. “They're the ones inspiring the next generation to love agriculture.” Each finalist will receive a plaque and $500, and the winning teacher will earn an additional $3,000 to support ag education in their community. From there, Papagni and McGill tackled the hot-button topic of Proposition 50, which passed narrowly in California's latest election. Both hosts expressed frustration with the measure, calling it “another case of misleading messaging.” Papagni warned that the new law could reshape political representation in a way that harms rural voices. “This will hurt the Central Valley,” he said. “It's about power, not people.” McGill agreed, adding that the vote may trigger other states to redistrict in response. To expand on that conversation, the hosts brought in Nanette Simonian, who serves as Marketing Development Manager for EarthSoft and was recently elected President of the California Women for Agriculture. A lifelong farmer and Fresno native, Simonian spoke candidly about CWA's firm stance against Prop 50. “We already have a bipartisan redistricting system that works,” she said. “Prop 50 hands control to people who don't understand agriculture — people from the coast making decisions for farmers in the Valley.” Simonian, who comes from a multi-generational farm family, said her agricultural roots drive her passion for advocacy. “Farming isn't just a job — it's who we are,” she said. “It's labor-intensive, complex, and deeply personal. You have to have it in your blood to understand it.” She emphasized that CWA will continue to fight for policies that protect farming families and preserve local control. Beyond politics, Simonian also discussed her work with EarthSoft and their Seasol seaweed-based plant products, which improve stress tolerance and root development. She praised her colleagues Caroline and Greg, who work across the West Coast to support sustainable crop growth and share new technologies with independent consultants through groups like the Association of Applied IPM Entomologists (AAIE). Simonian closed with a message of stewardship and education: “We need to teach the next generation why we farm the way we do. Whether it's 4-H, FFA, or CWA, it's all about preserving agriculture through knowledge.” Papagni summed up the interview with admiration: “Nanette is the definition of leadership — she's living the values that keep California agriculture strong.”

Kabir Tumber joined the Journey to discuss his background in economics and retail, and how that informs him in his current role in supply chain strategy at Blue Diamond Growers. Tumber grew up on a family farm in Yuba City where his family grew peaches, walnuts and prunes. After earning a bachelor's and master's in economics from UC Davis, he worked as a consultant at the intersection of agriculture, water and economics. “I think the best transfer of knowledge is amongst the grower community. Hearing from those early adopters of, ‘Hey, this is my experience, and this is why I continue to do it.' That's what I try to support or help facilitate in my role.” - Kabir Tumber In Today's episode:Meet Kabir Tumber, the senior manager of membership development and sustainable agriculture at Blue Diamond GrowersDiscover the many macro and micro trends that are taken into account to determine what products are the best fit for grocery shelves and consumersExplore the nuance of incorporating sustainability not only into farming practices but into marketing opportunitiesThe Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

The November 5 edition of the AgNet News Hour struck a chord with California farmers and voters alike as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Don Wagner, candidate for Secretary of State of California, to discuss the state's leadership crisis, water mismanagement, and the fight to restore common sense to Sacramento. Wagner, currently serving in Orange County and endorsed by former Secretary of State Bill Jones and former Governor Pete Wilson, said the same thing many Californians are feeling: “The problems in this state are entirely man-made.” He pointed to decades of political gridlock and poor decision-making that have crippled business, agriculture, and infrastructure. “We don't have a resource problem,” Wagner said. “We have a government problem. It's bad policy, not bad luck, that's hurting California.” He emphasized that water is at the center of nearly every issue facing the state. “We have simply failed to manage our water supply,” Wagner said. “The Central Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions on earth, is being shortchanged by people who don't understand farming.” He called out unbuilt water storage projects, overregulation, and a lack of urgency. “Fifteen years after passing bonds, the projects still aren't built. That's government failure, plain and simple.” Wagner also stressed the importance of electing leaders who understand agriculture. “Farming is California's backbone, and it's been ignored by politicians who've never set foot on a farm,” he said. “If you don't understand how food is grown, you can't govern a state that feeds the world.” Beyond agriculture, Wagner called for restoring election integrity and rebuilding trust in California's business environment. “We're the last state to report results every election cycle,” he said. “That's unacceptable. We need free, fair, and transparent elections — and we need to make it easier to do business here, not harder.” The conversation also touched on the recent Palisade fires and failures in urban emergency planning. Wagner said his experience on the Orange County Fire Authority Board taught him the importance of local preparation. “We used that tragedy as a learning opportunity,” he explained. “We created what we call the heli-hydrant — a water source for helicopters to dip and dump faster during wildfires. That's the kind of practical, local innovation California needs more of.” When asked about the upcoming Proposition 50, Wagner warned that the measure could silence rural California. “If it passes, it could cut rural and conservative representation in Congress by more than half,” he said. “That's not reform — that's erasure. Central Valley farmers deserve a voice, not a footnote.” Wagner closed with optimism, saying he believes California can return to greatness. “This is a fixable state,” he said. “We just need leaders with courage, honesty, and common sense. California can be golden again.” Papagni and McGill agreed, calling Wagner “a steady, thoughtful voice in a noisy political climate.” Papagni added, “We need calm leaders who actually understand how to fix things, not just talk about them.”

Traces of long-banned pesticides persist in U.S. groundwater, a new U.S. Geological Survey study shows, even as concentrations of most chemicals generally declined. An analysis of 59 groundwater networks from 1993 to 2023 found only one pesticide — the insecticide DBCP, outlawed since 1977 — exceeded health benchmarks in a Central Valley site in California. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The November 4 edition of the AgNet News Hour was a celebration of California citrus, featuring Jesse Silva, Vice President of Kings River Packing, who joined hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill to share an upbeat outlook on the 2024–25 season. The longtime Central Valley leader, now in its eighth generation of family farming, is off to what Silva called “a high-quality, high-demand year” for California citrus. Silva explained that Kings River Packing and its affiliated companies, including Cobblestone Fruit and Gyra Packing, are operating at full capacity across their four facilities in Sanger, Reedley, and Orosi. “We're running 24/7 right now,” he said. “The fruit looks great, and the market is strong — especially for early navels, lemons, and mandarins.” Founded in the 1860s, Kings River's legacy began when the Hazelton family planted the first orange trees in Fresno County. Nearly 150 years later, Silva said the ninth generation is preparing to carry that heritage forward. “We're still family owned and operated, and that's something we're very proud of,” he said. “Every box we ship represents decades of hard work, and our goal is to keep that tradition alive.” Silva described a season that's running ahead of schedule thanks to ideal growing conditions in both the desert and Central Valley regions. Grapefruit, lemons, and mandarins from the desert gave the company an early jump, and now the focus shifts northward. “Our early navels are maturing beautifully,” he said. “The sugar is coming on strong, the color is fantastic, and consumers are ready for California fruit.” He also reported that this year's market fundamentals look favorable for growers. “The quality is high, imported volumes were lower than expected, and demand is strong both domestically and internationally,” Silva said. “Right now, pricing is solid across navels, mandarins, and lemons. The retailers are excited.” Beyond the fields, Silva discussed the company's continued investment in organic citrus, now entering its third full year of production. “It's still a niche, but it's growing steadily,” he said. “We're proud to be a year-round organic citrus supplier in oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.” Silva credited early fall rains for boosting color and size without harming the crop. “The timing was perfect,” he said. “Rain improves sizing, and the cool nights are bringing on that rich orange color everyone loves.” Papagni and McGill also highlighted Kings River's partnership with Farmsco USA, which sources citrus from Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Morocco to complement California's growing season. “It keeps our partners stocked year-round,” Silva explained. “It's about consistency — giving our customers California quality all twelve months of the year.” As the holidays approach, Silva encouraged Californians to buy local. “When you see Kings River on the label, you're supporting family farmers,” he said. “That means a lot to us — and it means you're getting the best citrus anywhere.”

In the Central Valley, which is home to a third of the state's Republicans in Congress, the City of Clovis would go from one congressional district to three near the corner of Gettysburg and Sunnyside avenues. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Central Valley, which is home to a third of the state's Republicans in Congress, the City of Clovis would go from one congressional district to three near the corner of Gettysburg and Sunnyside avenues. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The October 31 edition of the AgNet News Hour brought a spirited mix of Halloween humor and serious ag talk as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Kevin Kester, former National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) president, to discuss Argentina trade tensions, beef pricing, and the high stakes of Proposition 50. Kester joined from his family ranch in Parkfield, California, where recent early rains have sparked some optimism. “We've got green grass already — that hasn't happened this early since about 1995,” he said. But much of the discussion turned to national issues after comments by former President Donald Trump about importing Argentine beef rattled cattle markets. “We completely support President Trump and all he's done for ranchers,” Kester said. “But some of his statements about tariffs and Argentine imports were just factually incorrect, and we had to push back.” He explained that while Trump's remarks were aimed at lowering consumer prices, they triggered a temporary futures market dip and confusion among producers. “He's trying to help, but when you insert yourself directly into the market, it sends shockwaves all the way back to the ranch.” Still, Kester stressed that this disagreement is “unfinished business, not division.” Comparing the relationship between cattlemen and the Trump administration to a football team, he said, “It's like a quarterback and an offensive coordinator — you argue about the play, but you both want to win.” He called for fair trade deals that give U.S. ranchers equal footing: “Argentina sent $800 million worth of beef here in five years, while we only exported $7 million to them. We just want balance.” The conversation also touched on consumer labeling, with Kester supporting “Product of the USA” but warning that price ultimately drives purchases. “People say they'll pay more for U.S. beef, but at the grocery store, pocketbooks often make the decision,” he said. Even so, he noted that demand remains strong. “Even with record prices, consumers are still buying American beef because of its quality.” As the interview continued, Kester discussed the ongoing threat of the New World Screwworm near the Texas–Mexico border, saying that USDA teams are “doing heroic work” to contain outbreaks. He also warned that Prop 50, if passed, could devastate rural representation and drive up food costs. “It's political redistricting disguised as reform,” he said. “If it passes, Central Valley agriculture loses its voice.” Looking ahead, Kester predicted continued strength for the cattle market in 2025 and 2026. “Prices will level out, herds will rebuild, and consumers will keep getting the safest, highest-quality beef in the world.” Papagni closed the show calling Kester “one of the great voices in California ranching,” while McGill agreed: “When Kevin talks, every farmer and rancher listens.”

The October 30 edition of the AgNet News Hour spotlighted one of the most promising voices in California's agricultural education — Cody Jacobson, Dean of Agriculture and Industrial Technology at Merced College. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill described Jacobson as a “boots-on-the-ground” leader who bridges the gap between traditional farming and the future of ag technology. Jacobson, who still farms more than 100 acres of almonds in La Grande, told listeners that real-world experience shapes everything he does as an educator. “I'm a farmer first,” he said. “That's why when we teach, it's not just theory — it's what's happening right now in the field.” Jacobson also raises sheep and comes from a family of livestock producers, giving him deep roots in Central Valley agriculture. At Merced College, Jacobson oversees one of the state's most diverse agriculture programs, spanning animal science, ag business, crop and plant science, horticulture, mechanized ag, and ag education. He also leads a rapidly growing Ag Tech Program, which trains students for emerging roles in precision farming, automation, and food processing. “We're building the workforce California agriculture will depend on,” Jacobson explained. “Whether it's digital literacy, equipment operation, or AI-driven ag systems — our students are ready to step into those jobs right away.” The college is now constructing a cutting-edge Ag Innovation Center, which will feature a meat processing facility, tree-nut and produce processing labs, a nutrition and product-development center, and a retail farm market. The facility will house optical sorters, robotic palletizers, autonomous conveyors, and advanced quality-control tools — giving students the hands-on experience they need to meet the industry's rising demand for tech-skilled workers. Jacobson emphasized that his mission goes beyond teaching technology — it's about preserving agriculture itself. “If we take away farming, small towns like La Grande will disappear,” he said. “Our job is to make sure the next generation knows how vital agriculture is to California's future.” A proud FFA and 4-H alumnus, Jacobson credits those programs for shaping his leadership path and continues to recruit students through FFA and high-school outreach. “You don't have to grow up on a farm to love farming,” he said. “FFA teaches communication, leadership, and respect — skills that help in every career.” Papagni closed the show calling Jacobson “one of the best guests we've had all year,” and McGill agreed: “What they're building at Merced College is the blueprint for keeping California farming strong.”

The Fresno County Registrar James Kus joins Philip Teresi following the announcement last week that the U.S. Department of Justice is deploying election monitors to the Central Valley. Councilmember Karbassi claimed that Fresno County Clerk-Registrar of Voters James Kus is ineffective. Kus comments and reacts to the comments. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest Let's Hear It, Eric sits down with the unstoppable Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America — and wow, is this one a shot of optimism for your civic soul. From growing up in California's Central Valley to becoming the first Latina Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate, to running Hillary Clinton's 2016 political operation, Amanda has seen power from every angle. Now she's using all that experience to reimagine how government can actually work for people — with systems that are simple, fair, and human. Amanda and Eric dig into how Code for America is helping states modernize public services, why good government is built in everyday interactions, and what gives her hope even in turbulent times. A must-listen for anyone who still believes democracy works best when it works for everyone.

The October 29 edition of the AgNet News Hour focused on the future of California agriculture, featuring two dynamic guests — Dominique Mégret, CEO of Ecorobotix, and Hannah Johnson, Director of Industry for the California Ag Tech Alliance. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill explored how automation, artificial intelligence, and state-supported innovation are reshaping the landscape of farming from Switzerland to the Central Valley. Papagni opened the show with a call to “take care of today's farming before tomorrow's farming,” stressing that growers must survive regulatory and water challenges before they can embrace full automation. That theme carried through both interviews as the hosts connected global innovation with California's local realities. Dominique Mégret joined live from FIRA USA in Woodland, introducing Ecorobotix's revolutionary ultra-high-precision sprayer. The system uses cameras and AI to identify individual weeds, applying herbicide only where needed — reducing chemical use by up to 95 percent. “We call it plant-by-plant crop care,” Mégret explained. “We replace active ingredients with artificial intelligence.” The company's flagship 20-foot sprayer, guided by computer vision and controlled from behind a tractor, sprays every four centimeters with pinpoint accuracy, allowing growers to cut input costs, labor needs, and environmental impact all at once. Ecorobotix recently raised $150 million in funding to expand its U.S. operations and announced plans to begin assembling products in America next year. “This isn't about replacing people,” Mégret said. “It's about giving them better tools and restoring balance between productivity and sustainability.” In the second half of the program, Hannah Johnson joined from FIRA USA after leading the successful Readley Ag Conference earlier this month. As head of the new California Ag Tech Alliance, Johnson described how a $15 million state grant will bring together universities, growers, and tech startups to accelerate innovation while protecting farm jobs. “There's no intent to replace skilled farm workers,” Johnson said. “It's about making their jobs safer, higher-quality, and more connected to technology.” Johnson emphasized the importance of developing a workforce that bridges traditional farming and advanced technology. “The biggest thing farmers need right now is people who understand both sides — how farms operate and how to make this technology work in the field,” she said. She also shared her personal mission, shaped by her own family's experience of losing their farm: “I don't want any other farmer to go through that. This is my way to give back and keep California agriculture alive.” Papagni and McGill wrapped the show with optimism for a sector balancing heritage with high-tech change. “From Ecorobotix's Swiss precision to Hannah Johnson's California leadership,” Papagni said, “it's clear the next generation of agriculture is already here — and it's growing stronger every day.”

Founded in 1975, UCSF Fresno commemorates 50 remarkable years of training local doctors and improving healthcare in California's Central Valley in 2025. UCSF Fresno is a regional campus of UCSF's School of Medicine, located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley. By both serving and drawing strength from extraordinarily deep community roots, UCSF Fresno brings critical health care to families while to growing the next generation of health care providers and researchers. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40987]

On the latest Let's Hear It, Eric sits down with the unstoppable Amanda Renteria, CEO of Code for America — and wow, is this one a shot of optimism for your civic soul. From growing up in California's Central Valley to becoming the first Latina Chief of Staff in the U.S. Senate, to running Hillary Clinton's 2016 political operation, Amanda has seen power from every angle. Now she's using all that experience to reimagine how government can actually work for people — with systems that are simple, fair, and human. Amanda and Eric dig into how Code for America is helping states modernize public services, why good government is built in everyday interactions, and what gives her hope even in turbulent times. A must-listen for anyone who still believes democracy works best when it works for everyone.

Founded in 1975, UCSF Fresno commemorates 50 remarkable years of training local doctors and improving healthcare in California's Central Valley in 2025. UCSF Fresno is a regional campus of UCSF's School of Medicine, located in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley. By both serving and drawing strength from extraordinarily deep community roots, UCSF Fresno brings critical health care to families while to growing the next generation of health care providers and researchers. [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40987]

The ripple effects of President Trump's national gerrymandering battle are being felt in California's rich agricultural belt. Next week, voters in the state will decide whether to support Proposition 50. That's Governor Newsom's plan to counter surprise redistricting in Texas and other red states. If Prop 50 passes, Congressman David Valadao of the Central Valley would be one of five Republicans on the chopping block. And that worries farmers in his district. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR The Los Angeles Dodgers won a marathon Game 3 of the World Series, as Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run in the 18th inning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The October 27 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered a mix of urgency and innovation, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill discussed California's expanding HLB citrus quarantine, the latest autonomous robotics technology, and the insights of UC Agriculture & Natural Resources (UC ANR) and The Reservoir founder Danny Bernstein on the state's farming future. The show opened with breaking news that California's HLB (Huanglongbing) quarantine boundaries have expanded significantly. McGill, who witnessed the disease's devastation in Florida, warned that California must learn from that experience before it's too late. “In Florida, they thought they could contain it,” he said. “Within five years, the entire state's citrus acreage was infected.” Papagni and McGill stressed that if California fails to act decisively, its citrus industry — one of the state's most iconic — could face the same fate. Their conversation highlighted the need for early detection, collaboration with Florida experts, and stronger integration between PCAs, UC researchers, and state agencies. “California citrus is world-renowned,” Papagni said. “If we lose it, the ripple effect will hit farms, jobs, and entire communities.” From disease control to digital transformation, the show then shifted gears with a spotlight on Bonsai Robotics, one of the most talked-about exhibitors at the FIRA USA 2025 Ag Automation Show in Woodland. Arif Gupta of Bonsai explained how their retrofit kits can turn any existing tractor into an autonomous vehicle — helping farmers save on labor and fuel while collecting real-time data. “We're helping growers take their current equipment and make it autonomous,” Gupta said. “It's about cutting costs, increasing precision, and building a smarter farm.” The program continued with UC ANR's Gabe Youtsey, who passionately described the university's mission to keep California farming viable amid rising regulation, labor shortages, and global competition. “California agriculture feeds the world,” Youtsey said. “If we lose the ability to produce our own food, we lose part of our national identity.” He also emphasized that farmers remain the best environmental stewards. “They're not poisoning the land — they're protecting it for future generations.” Finally, the show closed with a conversation with Danny Bernstein, founder of The Reservoir, an ag-tech incubator helping startups develop tools to solve real-world problems for growers. Bernstein called his company “the double-A league of ag tech,” connecting early-stage innovators with Central Valley and coastal farmers to help them test, refine, and scale their products. “Agriculture doesn't need innovation for luxury,” he said. “It needs innovation for resilience.” Papagni wrapped up by tying the week's stories together: “From fighting HLB to building the next generation of robotics, it's clear California agriculture is standing at a crossroads — and leading the way into the future.”

Central Valley Honor Flight 33 was a wonderful journey that brought 67 Central Valley veterans to Washington D.C. for three whirlwind days. CG spoke to most every one of them during the trip at one point or another. Remarkable individuals, all of them, spanning the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam and even Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Here are three of those conversations, all of them Air Force veterans: Gene Winsett Jr., Jerry Kinzel and John Aranjo. The Christopher Gabriel Program ----------------------------------------------------------- Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Christopher Gabriel Program' on all platforms: The Christopher Gabriel Program is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- The Christopher Gabriel Program | Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | --- Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Selah Neal and Kori James were media team members on Central Valley Honor Flight 33. Selah is a smart, talented, media-savvy junior at Fresno Christian High School. Kori is a media adviser and history teacher, also at Fresno Christian High School, as well as a professional photographer. She brought a wealth of experience as a photojournalist and educator to help document the journey with Selah. In the first of multiple segments with them, they discuss how they became a part of the trip, how they navigated a teacher-student relationship when they were ostensibly work colleagues in Washington D.C. and earning respect from all those around them... because respect is never simply handed over. The Christopher Gabriel Program ----------------------------------------------------------- Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Christopher Gabriel Program' on all platforms: The Christopher Gabriel Program is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- The Christopher Gabriel Program | Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | --- Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The October 23 edition of the AgNet News Hour was packed with innovation, insight, and a deep look at the future of farming — from fertilizer and fungicides to fully autonomous sprayers. Broadcasting from the FIRA USA Ag Automation Show in Woodland and the CAPCA Conference in Reno, hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill spotlighted some of the biggest players in ag technology, including TK, Bayer Crop Science, and GUSS, now part of John Deere. The show opened with Alex Avila, Central California representative for TK (Tessenderlo Kerley), who shared updates from the crop protection side of the business. “California is so unique — every region grows something different,” Avila said. “What we do in the Central Valley is totally different from the coast or Oregon.” TK provides fertilizers, insecticides, and fumigation solutions tailored to each region's unique needs. Avila noted that California's mild growing season in 2025 produced some of the best fruit quality and yields in years, but warned that market pressures remain tough. As winter approaches, Avila said the focus shifts to fumigation. “This is when we prep the soil for the next season,” he said. “We're getting ready for fumigation with products like Sectagon to make sure next year's crops start strong.” He also predicted another wet winter — a welcome change for water storage and dormancy cycles. “Cold, wet weather is good for trees,” he said. “They're staying dormant longer and recharging.” Next, Papagni sat down with Sabih Javid, fungicide product manager for Bayer Crop Science, who discussed emerging threats like Red Leaf Blotch in almonds, first identified in 2024. “It's taking 30 to 40 percent of yields in some orchards,” Javid warned. “Our fungicides with FRAC 3, 7, and 11 codes — like the Luna and Adamant lines — are showing the strongest results.” Bayer is also preparing for EPA approval of new Adamant and Xivana formulations, designed for aerial and drone applications. “We're ready for drones — the future is targeted spraying,” Javid said. Javid urged PCAs and retailers to plan early for next season. “Spray at bloom and post-petal fall,” he advised. “Once Red Leaf Blotch sets in, it's too late.” He emphasized that three straight wet winters could increase disease pressure, making timing and precision more important than ever. Finally, Papagni spoke with Gary Thompson, co-founder of GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System), now a John Deere company based in Kingsburg. Thompson, who grew up in the dairy industry, described how GUSS was born from necessity. “The CEO, Dave Crinklaw, couldn't find enough tractor drivers,” he said. “So he built a tractor that didn't need one.” GUSS machines are now spraying millions of acres across California, using sensors and GPS-guided autonomy to eliminate overspray, reduce labor strain, and improve precision. “Growers can now run fleets of sprayers from a tablet,” Thompson said. “It's about empowering workers — turning tractor drivers into fleet managers.” He announced that John Deere has fully acquired GUSS, giving the company access to nationwide dealer support and expanded manufacturing capabilities. “We started with one model and now have three — GUSS, Mini GUSS, and a herbicide version that spot-sprays weeds to save chemicals,” he said. “The technology is only getting smarter from here.” Papagni wrapped up the program by connecting the dots between these innovators: “Whether it's fertilizers from TK, fungicides from Bayer, or automation from GUSS, California farmers are leading the world in adapting, innovating, and feeding the future.”

Leo Zacky, a former Central Valley farmer and current candidate for Governor, joins the show to share his vision for California. He discusses his plans for the Golden State and why he believes he can defeat Republican leader Steve Hilton in the race. Oct 22nd 2025 --- Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Ray Appleton Show' on all platforms: --- 'The Ray Appleton Show’ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. --- 'The Ray Appleton Show’ Weekdays 11 AM -2 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 KMJ | Website | Facebook | Podcast | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Hyphenly; it's our no-fluff love letter with hot takes, heartfelt stories, and all the feels of living in between cultures. Come for the nuance, stay for the vibes! Link below https://hyphenly.beehiiv.com What does “enough” really mean? In this profoundly personal conversation, Saadia Khan sits down with Jaime Roque, musician, storyteller, and host of Recurrent. This Getty podcast uncovers the hidden stories behind monuments, places, and people. Born to Mexican immigrant parents, Jaime grew up between California's Central Valley and Los Angeles, surrounded by music, community, and the sounds of his family's jewelry shop. From farmwork to fatherhood, he reflects on how loss, love, and art shape his identity and why he now embraces what he calls “the art of enough.” Saadia and Jaime explore how storytelling helps us reclaim what's sacred, challenge expectations, and honor the people who shaped us.  This episode is an invitation to slow down, find meaning in the quiet moments, and celebrate the fullness of our identities. Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can find more information at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://immigrantlypod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Please share the love and leave us a review on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to help more people find us!  You can connect with Saadia on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠IG @itssaadiak⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠saadia@immigrantlypod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Lou Raskin I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound Immigrantly Podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production. For advertising inquiries, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@immigrantlypod.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Don't forget to subscribe to Immigrantly Uninterrupted ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for insightful podcasts. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The October 21 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured Todd Snider, the newly elected president of the Kern County Farm Bureau, in a wide-ranging interview that captured the passion, perspective, and urgency driving California agriculture today. Snider, a lifelong Bakersfield resident and former national champion mountain biker, brings competitive energy to his new role. A crop insurance professional with deep roots in the community, he said his goal is to protect and promote the future of farming in one of the most productive regions in the world. “It's an honor to lead the Kern County Farm Bureau,” Snider said. “We feed the world from right here, and it's time Sacramento and Washington remember that.” Kern County is the second-largest ag-producing county in the nation, and Snider said the Farm Bureau's mission is clear — to defend agriculture against overregulation, labor challenges, and water shortages. “Farmers are producing more with less — less land, less water, more cost — and yet we're still feeding millions,” he said. “People have forgotten the labor, risk, and science it takes to grow food. We have to tell our story better.” Snider emphasized the Farm Bureau's expanding educational programs that introduce local schoolchildren to farming through Farm Days and FFA partnerships. “Kids think food comes from a grocery store,” he said. “When they visit the farm, they realize agriculture isn't just tractors and dirt — it's drones, computers, and science.” He also highlighted opportunities in modern ag careers, from data technology to accounting. “You don't have to have dirty boots to be in agriculture,” he said. On policy, Snider was blunt about Proposition 50, warning it would “destroy rural representation” by allowing redistricting power to shift to political insiders. “Voters need to do their research,” he said. “If this passes, rural California will lose its voice — and that's devastating for agriculture.” He also spoke passionately about California's water crisis, calling it “a man-made problem.” “Growers pay for 100% of their water and only get 50%,” he said. “Then in wet years, they're asked to buy the rest at a premium. Imagine what this valley would look like if we actually delivered 100% of what farmers are already paying for.” The result, he said, is 27,000 acres of almonds and grapes now fallowed in Kern County alone. “Water means jobs,” he warned. “Without it, our communities will shrink, our schools will suffer, and our economy will collapse.” Despite the challenges, Snider expressed optimism and pride in the resilience of California's farmers. “We've weathered droughts, recessions, and regulations,” he said. “Farmers are problem-solvers — we'll find a way forward, but we need leaders who understand agriculture, not just politics.” The interview closed with Snider's call for unity across county lines: “We don't just want Kern County to succeed — we want Tulare, Fresno, and the entire Central Valley to thrive. When one of us grows stronger, all of California agriculture does.”