KQED's The California Report

A person was hospitalized with measles earlier this month after traveling extensively through California on Amtrak trains and buses. Now public health officials across the state are trying to find other passengers who were exposed. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED California’s Supreme Court has ruled that the Republican sheriff in Riverside County illegally seized hundreds of thousands of ballots earlier this year, and must return them. The ballots were from a vote on Proposition 50 which asked whether to redraw California's congressional map to favor Democrats. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR Incarcerated people in Humboldt County will soon be unable to receive physical mail as authorities crack down on contraband. Critics say the policy could have unintended consequences. Reporter: Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal grand jury has subpoenaed Shasta County's registrar of voters to report to Sacramento on Thursday. They've asked him to bring ballots he seized from the June election. The subpoenas came after Clint Curtis, the registrar, locked up stacks of those ballots, saying they looked and smelled suspicious. Curtis counters that he doesn't have to bring ballots to Sacramento because the FBI is already on the case. Guest: Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters The group behind a ballot measure to reform California’s landmark environmental protection law is rejecting claims it will make it easier to build data centers. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED Residents in Riverside County are raising the alarm on a small data center project being proposed for the fairgrounds near Lake Perris. But officials say the proposal is still in its early stages. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7UP is one of the most recognizable drinks in the world. But what’s less known is a connection in the San Joaquin Valley that began almost a century ago. Billboards and signs of the once flourishing Valley industry have enticed historians for years. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR The governor has signed legislation that strengthens protections for abused children. Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a potentially historic El Niño brewing, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Monday ahead of winter storms and high tides that could wreak havoc across the state. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Governor Newsom is signing a package of bills placing new regulations on data center development. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED It’s less than a month away from when ballots will hit Merced County residents’ mailboxes, and officials are urging voters to drop off their ballot in–person. The county is providing more ballot drop boxes to avoid using mail delivery. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR The Trump administration’s current mass deportation push has echoes of a long-ago immigration campaign, when roughly a million people were sent to Mexico. That’s according to a historian who spoke at UC Berkeley recently. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re in the most dangerous months for wildfires across the state. And in Chico, the city is taking steps to clear out vegetation in Bidwell Park. But like a lot of cities, staff is being stretched thin and funding is limited. Reporter: Claudia Brancart, North State Public Radio Shasta College, based in Redding, is seeking approval on the November ballot for a $129 million bond. The money would be used to expand and remodel the college’s facilities. Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The warden of the state women’s prison in Chowchilla has been demoted and reassigned from her position this week. Reporter: Madi Bolanos The HBO drama, The Pitt, won six Emmy's this week... but it's also getting another kind of recognition. Health care workers say it gives viewers a glimpse inside the ER. KPBS health reporter Heidi de Marco takes us inside suburban San Diego's Sharp Grossmont hospital to find out what local doctors and nurses think it gets right…and how it may be shaping patient expectations. Reporter: Heidi de Marco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday signed legislation to exempt certain collector cars from smog checks. Reporter: Billy Cruz, KQED Written public comment closes at the end of this week for governor Newsom’s plan to ensure water for cities and farms and a healthy habitat for wildlife in the Delta. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Two bills sitting on Governor Gavin Newsom's desk aim to protect incarcerated people from sexual abuse and strengthen legal protections for survivors. This comes after a report from the Department of Justice found an “unbroken pattern” of sexual assault at state women’s prisons. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, KQED Residents in a Fresno County foothill community are raising concerns with county leaders about the water coming from their taps. Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal scientists now say it’s very likely that a strong El Niño will continue through the end of the year. The natural phenomenon is pushing a massive stretch of warm water toward California, and climate scientists worry that this process could trigger monumental flooding later this year. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED California just became the first state in the nation to pass rules that require insurance companies to address smoke damage after major fires. Reporter: David Wagner, LAist Backers of a November ballot measure that would levy a tax on billionaires are facing an uphill battle, according to a new poll released today. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Voting in November's midterm election will begin in less than three weeks, and a handful of California districts are at the center of the fight for control of Congress. That includes the 48th House District in Riverside and San Diego counties. KQED politics correspondent Guy Marzorati has been reporting in the district, and he joins us this morning from San Diego. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED President Donald Trump is expanding the Interior Department’s authority over energy projects under the Defense Production Act. The executive order could affect the Central Coast, where the administration has already invoked the federal law to support a pipeline restart off the Santa Barbara coast. Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A nonprofit that has helped disempowered children around the world is now working in Downtown LA. They’ve opened at Homeboy Industries, the noted gang rehabilitation program. It’s an experimental new daycare… for families who have been involved with gangs. Reporter: Clare Wiley, KCRW California senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff are sounding the alarm on wildfire preparedness … They’re concerned that federal agencies won’t have enough money for the rest of the 2026 wildfire season. Reporter: Kendra Hanna, KCBX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This summer, KPBS and KQED teamed up to look at different ways that Major League Baseball fans save money when going to a game, so that maybe you can too during some of these last games, or keep this in mind for next season. Reporters - Jake Gotta, KPBS and Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom says he is signing a packageof bills that institute some of the strongest protections for children in the country. Reporter: Chris Alam, KQED The San Joaquin Valley air basin has long been out of compliance with federal air quality standards. That includes ozone and fine particulate matter that can be inhaled and lodged into the lungs. One often overlooked element in this regions air pollution: fast-food drive-through lanes. Reporter: Tim Sheehan, The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new plant is taking root in ag classrooms: agave. At a test plot in Merced County, agave is becoming the primary subject of coursework. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR A new lawsuit filed in Kern County details sexual abuse allegations by an unnamed plaintiff against the late civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. It accuses nonprofits tied to Chavez of negligence. Reporter: Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado The US Department of Justice is alleging that UC Berkeley law school’s admissions policy discriminates against white and Asian applicants. Reporter: Katie DeBenedetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Changes are coming to a controversial drone code enforcement program in Northern California’s Sonoma County. The county's land use planning and development permitting agency, Permit Sonoma, recently [[last week]] agreed to settle after being sued for allegedly spying on much more than what the program initially intended. Reporter: Noah Abrams, KRCB Democratic candidate Xavier Becerra has a strong lead over Republican Steve Hilton in the race for California governor. But Becerra has kept a relatively low profile since the June Primary and made few specific commitments about what he would do as governor. Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio Attorneys for Santa Clara County say they’re optimistic after a federal judge in San Jose extended a halt on the construction of a new ICE holding facility near Gilroy. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero The clean-up effort following last year’s battery fire at Texas-based energy company's Vistra facility in Moss Landing is moving into its final phase. Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California signed off earlier this summer on an agreement to share state driver’s license data with a national database. Reporter: Wendy Fry, CalMatters As the Trump administration ramps up immigration arrests… worker advocates and state officials say some employers are taking advantage of the political climate to exploit immigrant workers in lower-wage jobs. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Powwows are common in many parts of the country where Native Americans call home. But did you know some regions have powwow seasons? California’s powwow season recently kicked off in Central California. And it brought tribes from as far as New York and Canada to Table Mountain Rancheria casino just outside of Fresno, where the sound of a long tradition rang out. Reporter: Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado, KVPR California sea lion poisonings are surging along the coast, and warm waters brought by El Niño could make things worse. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Researchers estimate that close to 6,000 unsheltered people live within a mile of venues for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Reporter: Libby Rainey, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Sur is being consumed by two wildfires …the Timber Fire to the north started in the first week of August. And at the end of the month, the Plaskett Fire broke out to its south. Earlier this week, KAZU spoke with folks keeping the now-opened strip of the Big Sur Valley alive. Reporter: Katie Brown, KAZU Labor Day weekend is here, and as you’ve heard we’re still in the middle of fire season without much rain in sight. We know many of you will likely be heading outdoors to enjoy California's wilderness so KQED Outdoors reporter Sarah Wright is joining us today to walk us through some ways to stay safe. Reporter: Madi Bolanos and Sarah Wright, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California prison officials and advocates met this week in Sacramento to discuss the ongoing crisis of sexual abuse and assault in men's prisons and work toward solutions. We spoke with formerly incarcerated community activist Darnel Washington about why sexual violence persists behind bars, and what needs to change to better protect incarcerated people. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, KQED California lawmakers have sent a slew of bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk aiming to increase state oversight of federal immigration detention. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his second term, president Donald Trump has done very little that can be considered even remotely bi-partisan. But one thing stands out - The Laken Riley Act. We explore the impacts of this immigration legislation a year after Trump signed it into law. Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS A bill that could give the public more access to information about emergencies inside private immigrant detention centers is on its way to becoming a law. It just needs Governor Newsom’s signature. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Students without legal status aren’t allowed to work for California’s public colleges or universities. A bill that could change that is now on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, one of the top issues for voters across the country is healthcare, following major cuts last year to Medicaid. California’s 22nd congressional district has high Medicaid enrollment…and it’s one of the most competitive seats in the country…now that Democrats recently gained a voter advantage there due to redistricting. In a partnership with KFF Health News, KVPR spoke to residents in this district about how healthcare could influence their vote. Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR California lawmakers are set to vote today on changes to what happens AFTER a damaging wildfire is sparked by utility equipment. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED An Imperial County judge appears poised to strike down the county's moratorium on data center development. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration wants to overhaul Head Start .. an early education and antipoverty program .. that serves about 75 THOUSAND children in California. The proposed rules would strip away regulations on class sizes, disciplinary policies and other standards. But buried in that proposal is a requirement to teach only in English. Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED Immigration agents arrested more people in Northern California in July… than at any previous time in President Donald Trump’s second term. That’s according to new data from UC Berkeley's Deportation Data Project. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California... is linking a voter-backed proposition to a rise in homelessness. Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been six years since the CZU fire burned nearly 700 homes in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Less than 1/3 of those have been rebuilt. Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU Palm Springs is the latest city to approve a temporary ban on large-scale data centers… as more communities across Southern California consider their impacts on infrastructure and the environment. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR California Attorney General Rob Bonta is responding to concerns that the $17 billion dollar settlement deal he and other attorneys general just reached with Meta is too weak. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water shortages, climate change and rising production costs are a few of the many challenges California agriculture has been facing in recent years. But researchers at UC Davis are looking at whether combining farming and solar energy could help farmers adapt. It’s a relatively new approach called agrivoltaics. Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration's deportation policies are separating families across the country. And for some children left behind, that separation can take a serious toll on their mental health and wellbeing. Today, we're diving deeper into how immigration arrests are affecting children and their communities in Los Angeles with Cora Cervantes, a reporter with MindSight News. Reporter: Cora Cervantes, MindSite News, Madi Bolanos Nearly 300,000 K through 12 students experienced homelessness last school year, a 10 percent increase since the last recorded peak in 2019. Reporter: Billy Cruz, KQED A bill that would make it easier for people to sue federal agents for civil rights violations has advanced in the legislature Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For centuries, Mexico has capitalized on growing and harvesting a plant often distilled into Tequila or Mezcal. It’s called agave and it thrives on little water and a lot of heat. Now, with a California law restricting water use on farms, Valley farmers are looking to agave as a new revenue stream on their land. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR California’s highest court is weighing whether a sheriff broke the law when he seized hundreds of thousands of ballots earlier this year. The court heard oral arguments yesterday. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR The Trump administration ended a long standing agreement that kept ICE out of workplaces that the U.S. Department of LABOR is investigating. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across the US, communities are mobilizing in the fight against data centers. And they’re turning to Monterey Park in LA County, which this year became the first city in the US to ban them. That was entirely due to the efforts of a group of residents called, appropriately, No Data Center Monterey Park. So, what advice do they have? Reporter: Brandon Reynolds, KCRW The California Supreme Court will hear arguments today in two separate lawsuits over the Riverside County sheriff’s seizure of hundreds of thousands of ballots earlier this year. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR Counties up and down the state are reporting decreases in their homeless populations. Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Senators are expressing grave concern over a plan by Shasta County’s top elections official to hire former Colorado clerk Tina Peters who was convicted in an election interference case in 2024. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED Hayward State Senator Aisha Wahab is the Bay Area's newest member of Congress after winning a special election for the seat formerly held by Eric Swalwell. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Health Net, one of the largest Medi-Cal insurers, is planning to cancel assisted living benefits for members by the end of this year. Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of Ukrainians across the Bay Area are waiting anxiously for a decision today from the Trump administration on whether they’ll be able to stay – or told to go back to a war zone. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED California is experiencing hotter days more frequently each year… while many families are struggling to get access to AC. Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom says California will fight the Trump administration’s push to open national forests up to commercial use. Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED Before any of the cities, cars and highways that came to dominate California’s landscape, the vast open land was home to many animals, plants and natural ecosystems. Today, much of the geography has been engineered for human development – and with it… a host of non-native species and insects. But just outside Fresno, there’s an effort to bring the native ecosystem into balance with the new. Reporter: Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge in Oakland heard opening statements in a lawsuit brought by four states against Meta. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED A national survey by a California advocacy group found that 70 percent of teenagers are using Artificial Intelligence to complete their schoolwork. Reporter: Jose Velazquez, KQED It’s been five years since the Caldor Fire nearly burned down the entire community of Grizzly Flats, a remote canyon town nestled in El Dorado County. Since then, residents say they’ve received little to no help from the federal government and the community is working to become whole again. Reporter: Riley Palmer, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A California lifeguard and the boy he rescued off the coast of Santa Cruz last month were reunited at the White House yesterday as the president honored both as heroes. Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report Governor Gavin Newsom has set a goal to add 2.5 million new units to California’s housing stock by 2030. Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters A state bill heading for a final vote as early as this week would permanently extend a fund to help oil industry workers affected by California’s transition away from fossil fuels. Reporter: Julie Small, KQED A federal judge in Oakland is weighing whether a Trump administration plan to replace a network of seasoned legal aid organizations with new groups is an adequate way to represent unaccompanied children in immigration court. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A significant El Niño will continue warming California coastal waters into fall and winter, and likely bring new marine visitors to Monterey Bay. Reporter: Katie Brown, KAZU Republican lawmakers are pushing new measures with the goal of making California’s top elections office nonpartisan. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dinosaur bones and taxidermied animals get most of the attention at the Natural History Museum in LA County. But researchers are excited about a new collection that could have big implications for monitoring climate change.  Reporter: Lucas Brady Woods, LAist The U.S. Department of Justice says California is failing to protect incarcerated women from sexual abuse and harassment by prison staff. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Central Coast leaders are saying the threat of offshore drilling could extend beyond the environment to the region’s economy. Reporter: Jillian Smith/KAZU Since the pandemic, Californians have been able to get craft liquor delivered to their doorstep. But it could be last call for deliveries from small distilleries, unless lawmakers intervene soon. Reporter: Ryan Sabalow/CalMatters For many young people the default blueprint for life after high school is clear: go to college, and then get a job. But with soaring tuition, and an uncertain job market, that calculus isn’t adding up like it used to. Today, more young people are considering the skilled trades. Reporter: Megan Jamerson/KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Demand for pistachios is booming worldwide – from Dubai-inspired chocolate bars to pistachio cookies and lattes. But in the Central Valley, growers are worried that this year’s harvest could be smaller than anticipated. That’s after some unexpected weather earlier this spring. Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR People in five Monterey County zones have been evacuated due to the Timber Fire in Big Sur. It’s burned more than 3,000 acres and hundreds of homes are currently threatened. A portion of Highway One is now closed, due to the spread of the fire. The limited access to the area has also threatened the lives of two captive birds. Reporter: Amy Mayer, KAZU A bill advancing in the state Legislature would limit how long law enforcement agencies can retain data from license plate readers. The proposal caps that retention period at 30 days. And it comes amid growing concern that license plate reader data is being shared and used inappropriately. Reporter: Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles is a city. But it’s also an urban oilfield. About a third of L.A. County residents live less than a mile from an active oil drilling site. Now one of those sites in South L.A. could be shut down. Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist A federal agency is conducting an unusual review of California's Coastal Management Program. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, did a review of the program just two years ago. But Trump administration officials asked for a new one because they say the current version doesn't reflect "national priorities." Governor Gavin Newsom says he won’t oversee an extension for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, California’s last functioning nuclear plant. Reporter: Kendra Hanna, KCBX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jury selection begins Wednesday in Oakland in a federal trial pitting four state attorneys general, including California's, against Meta. The AGs argue the company deliberately engineered addiction into Facebook and Instagram, aimed them at children, and lied to the public about the risks. Guest: Rachael Myrow, KQED Cases of the foodborne cyclospora parasite have risen sharply in California. But officials say the rise is still not linked to the major national outbreak. The parasite has not been detected on produce grown in California. But local farmers here are still feeling the effects of the outbreak. Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU A Shasta County judge has blocked a number of controversial changes to the elections system that voters approved earlier this year. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goats have become a critical tool for wildfire mitigation in California. But grazing companies warn their businesses are at risk now that wage requirements for herders have increased. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio A federal judge in Oakland has given the Trump administration until today, August 7th, to reimburse legal non-profits representing more than 20,000 immigrant children. That’s after it stopped paying them in December. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED The Salinas City Council has unanimously approved extending a moratorium on new tobacco retailer licenses into 2027. Reporter: Katie Brown, KAZU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before he jumped into the governor's race, Steve Hilton wasn't exactly a household name here in California. If you had heard of him, it was probably because of his long-running Fox News show, The Next Revolution. But the Republican gubernatorial candidate has a long history of political consulting in England, and much of the messaging there can be seen in his current campaign. Guest: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters California’s Latino Legislative Caucus is rolling out a set of bills to boost state oversight of federal immigration detention centers. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California’s oil and gas industry is shrinking as the state transitions away from fossil fuels. A state fund is helping displaced workers land well-paying jobs in other industries, but that lifeline could soon disappear. Reporter: Julie Small, KQED A Los Angeles County jury has awarded a $47 million verdict to the family of a stoneworker who died of silicosis. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED A new report has determined the cause of the deadly and destructive Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County. Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A California bill meant to keep problematic teachers out of the classroom has collapsed. It would have created a database to allow schools to see if teachers applying to work there had previously been fired or resigned over claims of misconduct. But that proposal was dropped after pushback from the state's teachers licensing agency and unions. They warned it would violate privacy and due process. Guest: Holly McDede, KQED California is suing the Trump administration in an effort to protect the private information of people on a federal cash assistance program. Reporter: Julie Small, KQED Washington state is in its most destructive wildfire season on record. It’s been a rough fire summer around the West, but not necessarily in California. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California lawmakers are returning to Sacramento from summer recess on Monday -- and a fight is already brewing over the future of the state’s climate fund. Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration has changed environmental rules to prevent higher gas prices. And that could lead to less money for affordable housing, transit and other projects to reduce carbon emissions. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED The executive board of the California Democratic Party threw its support behind Proposition 40, the so-called billionaire's tax on the November ballot. If approved, the measure would impose a 5%, one-time tax on billionaires’ assets to pay for healthcare. The CARE court mental health program has seen an increase in participation, according to officials in Los Angeles County. Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tariffs, inflation, difficulty in finding buyers for grapes. It’s all been a challenge for local winemakers on the Central Coast. Many wineries are now looking at alternative business models to try to satisfy a fragmented consumer base. Reporter: Mira Honeycutt Much of California is preparing for more hot weather this weekend. Temperatures could reach triple digits for many inland areas. And that means people near the coast will likely be looking for a way to cool off, at local beaches. But the combination of heat waves and rough water conditions is resulting in lifeguards across the state becoming that much more important. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valley fever cases continue to climb across California. The fungal disease is showing up in places where doctors may not expect it. And now a new study suggests an experimental drug could offer hope for people with the most severe form of the illness. Guest: Fariba Donovan, University of Arizona College of Medicine Valley Fever Center for Excellence A Southern California lawmaker has introduced a bill to end what she calls medical neglect in ICE detention facilities. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove says she was inspired by the treatment of one of her constituents. At this week's LA Police Commissioners meeting, a report documented potential misconduct by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers operating in the city. Reporter: Jared Bennett, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you get free air conditioning to California homeowners who need it the most? One Los Angeles contractor is using state incentives creatively, and it’s not just a win for residents - it helps the climate too. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED International students in Southern California say new visa limits coming in September are adding to the uncertainty they already experience. Reporter: Yusra Farzan, LAist A new court filing reveals federal agents used slurs to identify people they were targeting during immigration sweeps in Los Angeles last year. Guest: Sergio Olmos, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A healthcare company that brands itself as a modern, women-centered alternative to traditional doctor's offices is facing scrutiny about the quality of care it provides. A new investigation from LA Public Press found some patients at Tia clinics, including locations here in California, say they were misdiagnosed, hit with surprise medical bills, and in some cases, incorrectly told they were not pregnant. Guest: Madhri Yehiya, LA Public Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the small, quiet Kings County community of Avenal, there’s a war waging over political power. Voters recently recalled four council members, but the city is disputing the election results, and the only member who wasn’t recalled now claims he is the mayor. Reporter: Israel Cardona Hernandez, KVPR Healthcare advocates are calling for stronger state oversight over rising hospital costs in Santa Barbara County. Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX A team leading the closure of L.A. County’s aging Men’s Central Jail says people will have to be held there for at least five more years even though the facility was supposed to close in 2021. Reporter: Jordan Rynning, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Western snowy plovers are tiny, shy shorebirds that are slowly making a recovery along the West Coast. Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU Doctors are announcing an effort to unionize nearly 10,000 senior physicians at the University of California. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the last decade, a 24-7 livestream of an eagle’s nest in Big Bear has captivated people around the world, and made its occupants Jackie and Shadow internet celebrities. Eagle advocates worry that plans to develop the lakeshore and forest near the nest will harm Jackie and Shadow. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR In the year since large-scale ICE raids began in Los Angeles County, the fallout for families and people’s livelihoods has been profound. Now, a new study by UCLA finds that 95% of local Latino small business owners are struggling financially. Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW In Los Angeles County, a new soil cleanup program is launching this year for residents impacted by the Eaton Fire. Reporter: Cato Hernandez, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Cup has come and gone, and for cities like Los Angeles, it was mostly a success. Officials saw the event as a test run for what's to come, the 2028 Summer Olympics, which is also set to take place in LA. Guest: Libby Rainey, LAist Californians who haven’t paid their utility bills will be protected from power shut offs if temperatures reach 90 degrees or above. The California Public Utilities Commission voted to approve the new standard late last week. Reporter: Molly Peterson, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tule Lake Segregation Center in Modoc County was one of ten camps where Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II. Eighty years after its closure, a group of pilgrims recently paid tribute to the people who died there. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio Federal fire investigators are looking into a possible link between PG&E equipment and a fire in Plumas County that started earlier this month. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED As a new school year approaches, some Los Angeles special education teachers and parents are worried the LA Unified School District won’t bring ballooning class sizes down this fall. That’s despite an agreement reached last spring between the district and UTLA, the union representing teachers. Reporter: Maya Mukherjee, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In April, the House of Representatives passed their 2026 Farm Bill. Now the US Senate is working on their iteration of the massive legislation package, the first since 2018. But while Congress debates, many small farmers are still reeling from the second Trump administration's blitz of the federal bureaucracy in early 2025. Reporter: Noah Abrams, Northern California Public Media A federal judge has ordered major changes at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County. It comes as part of a lawsuit in which detainees have claimed that conditions at the facility violate their Fifth Amendment protections. Reporter: Sergio Olmos, CalMatters A new federal law seeks to regulate college programs that offer poor returns on investment. The policy requires that colleges and universities nationwide prove their graduates earn at least the median wage of workers with only a high school diploma. Reporter: Alex Echelman, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Cup games have attracted thousands to stadiums across the country, as fans gathered to attend matches in person. That includes in Inglewood, which hosted eight games. It’s the latest global event to come to the city’s revitalized sports and entertainment district. But the extra foot traffic hasn’t been a boon for everyone. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report One Salinas teen will represent Monterey County, and the Boys and Girls Club, at the World Cup Final, representing her home town on one of the world’s largest stages. Reporter: Jillian Smith, KAZU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A law enforcement practice that’s being used in California jails is coming under increasing scrutiny. In what’s known as a “Perkins operation,” undercover agents attempt to elicit confessions from people booked at county jails. The tactic has helped secure hundreds of murder convictions. But critics say they are coercive, can produce false confessions and disproportionately target people of color. Reporter Cayla Mihalovich, CalMatters Scorching heat has hit much of California this week. In Southern California, triple digit temperatures were recorded in cities across the region on Wednesday. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much of the Central Valley is under a heat advisory Wednesday, as temperatures could reach triple digits. Many of the region’s unincorporated communities don’t have public swimming pools where they can cool off. That also means residents don’t have a place to learn how to swim which could have tragic consequences. Reporter: Alice Daniel California health officials say an outbreak of a foodborne stomach parasite -- that's generated nearly 7,000 suspected cases nationwide -- has not reached the state. Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED Riverside County’s Board of Supervisors has agreed to create a committee to study recommendations that call for oversight of its sheriff’s department. A grand jury recently made the recommendations after investigating concerns about jail deaths and a lack of oversight. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Peach farmers in the Central Valley have had to pull their crops and are facing financial hardship. They’re hoping a new farm bill will help keep them going. Reporter: Claudia Brancart, North State Public Radio A bill to cut red tape and make affordable housing easier and cheaper to build just became law Monday. It focuses on a controversial mechanism. Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED The Los Angeles Police Department will not be renewing its contract with the surveillance company Flock Safety. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Close to two hundred years ago, people from all over the world flocked to California's rivers in search of gold. This year, they're back at it, hoping that with the price of gold trending upward in the last year or so, they might just get lucky. But is it really that easy? Reporter: Katherine Monahan, KQED A bill advancing in the state Legislature would let insurance companies track how you drive, in exchange for a possible discount on your premium. Reporter: Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At colleges across California, many campus police departments have AR-15s, stun grenades and sonic weapons. This military-grade gear is supposed to be catalogued and open to public scrutiny. But according to recent reporting from CalMatters’ College Journalism Network, the law meant to sunshine that information isn’t really being followed. Guest: Phoebe Huss, CalMatters College Journalism Network New research from UC Davis shows California gray wolves are eating cattle more than anything else, and their presence is causing significant stress among livestock. Reporter: Chris Felts, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July has officially started, and if you haven't gone hiking or camping yet, you're probably thinking about it. But California, the great state that it is, is brimming with possibilities, especially when it comes to outdoor adventures. Do you go to Yosemite and deal with the big crowds that park has seen after it dropped its reservation system this year? Or maybe you stay local. Or what about hike intensity? What about the heat, crowds, gear? Guest: Sarah Wright, KQED As California state employees begin to follow Governor Gavin Newsom's return to office mandate, some workers in Sacramento are raising alarms about the conditions they're facing, including bed bugs. Reporter: Chris Felts, CapRadio For years, tribal casinos in California have claimed they have exclusive rights to host blackjack and other Las-Vegas style gambling. But tribes are facing yet another defeat, in the wake of a new court ruling last week. Reporter: Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the aftermath of a catastrophic wildfire we often ask, how do we stop this from happening again? Fire experts and the insurance industry have an answer to this. But there’s a tradeoff. It calls for getting rid of something we often love very much - our plants. Officials are now slowly phasing in this step called “Zone Zero,” but the strongest push may come from insurance companies themselves. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED A federal judge has rejected a Trump administration effort to shift how states spend federal homelessness money. It’s a win for California in what’s been an ongoing legal battle. Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters Three satellites launched this week are the start of a global fire detection network that California helped shape. Reporter: Desmond Meagley, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Life in California has become more expensive, and people are trying to find ways to survive. Among the Latino diaspora – from the Bay Area to the Central Valley – more people are turning to tandas: an old tool, now with a modern twist. It’s a way to get out of a tight spot, save money and build credit. Reporter: Israel Cardona Hernandez, KVPR A Bay Area carpenter who was rushed to the emergency room during an immigration arrest last year is suing the Trump administration, saying violent treatment and months of medical neglect in immigration detention left him seriously disabled. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Black English is older than America herself. The language is rooted in African American history and has become ubiquitous on social media and pop culture, yet it hasn’t been embraced in the classroom. But one Bay Area woman wants to legitimize Black English starting in the early years. Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED Salinas is temporarily putting the brakes on new tobacco retailers. The move comes as city leaders consider stricter rules to prevent children from accessing tobacco products. Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly half the nation's vegetables and more than three quarters of the country's fruits are grown right here in California? That means Californians have a big stake in what happens with the farm bill, which is overdue for renewal and in front of the Senate now. Reporters: Amy Mayer, KAZU and Samantha Rangel, KVPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fourth of July weekend is almost here and many of us are pulling out the grills and the barbecue sauce. But across the state, fire crews are bracing for a very different kind of heat. California's weather has become more unpredictable, drier in some places and potentially wetter in others, and that's due to the El Nino weather pattern. But what does that mean for potential wildfires? Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED California’s Department of Motor Vehicles is on track to share driver’s license data with a national database. The plan is moving forward despite concerns from immigrant advocates that the information could expose people to deportation. Reporter: Khari Johnson, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to help people injured on the job. But sometimes, they fall through the cracks. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED California civil rights leaders are expressing relief and gratitude. That’s after the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that all children born on US soil are US citizens, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court upheld equal citizenship for all born on American soil Tuesday, in a landmark victory for the country’s immigrant communities. Guest: Kevin Johnson, UC Davis Law Professor The Humboldt County Sheriff says the rescue at the center of a multiagency investigation into potential fraud and animal abuse will stay open for now, even though the remains of more than 117 dogs were found on the property. Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Search and rescue crews from Los Angeles have arrived in Venezuela to help after two massive earthquakes devastated large swaths of the Northern part of the country last week. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, KQED Dilapidated mobile home parks across the state are getting revamped…thanks to a state program that launched a few years ago. Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters President Trump’s second term in office has been marked by a crackdown on immigration. Now, the government has ended a program that protected some kids from deportation. Including many who arrived in the U.S. as unaccompanied minors, without a parent, and without legal status. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although “students” are typically thought of as young people enrolled in K through 12 schools or college…many people over 64 also make up the student population in the San Joaquin Valley. And they’re still reaping the benefits of learning…physically and emotionally. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR California voters will decide on 14 state ballot measures this November. That includes a controversial wealth tax on California billionaires that remains on the ballot after yesterday's deadline despite a flurry of negotiations. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Senator Alex Padilla is launching a first of its kind initiative to help protect against interference in the November midterm election. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, KQED The FIFA World Cup continues. The U.S. saw its first defeat Thursday night against Turkey, in a 3-2 loss, but the Americans will still advance to the knockout stage … along with fellow hosts Mexico and Canada. Over in Watsonville, one group of kids got to experience the World Cup real close. Reporter: Erin Malsbury, KAZU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new investigation reveals how California law enforcement agencies disciplined about 150 officers, who used racial slurs and acted in other prejudiced ways, and in many cases, officers kept their jobs. Guests: Emily Zentner, California Newsroom and Lisa Pickoff-White, UC Berkeley's Investigative Reporting Program The Trump Administration is taking another step toward restarting oil and gas development on federal lands in California. Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX The Los Angeles Unified School Board voted unanimously Wednesday to appoint Andrés Chait as superintendent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its highly anticipated ruling on birthright citizenship in the coming days. The decision arrives as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary. And it highlights a legacy of Chinese immigrants, and the role they played in building American democracy. Reporter: Cecilia Lei, KQED A federal judge in San Jose has ruled that it’s illegal for immigration officers to arrest people at courthouses. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED A major earthquake in Southern California is more likely than ever, a new study has found. Reporter: Sena Chang, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americans are drinking less wine, but growers say there’s another reason demand is down for California grapes. It’s a law that allows U.S. wineries to include cheaper imported wines in products labeled as American. On Tuesday, the State Senate will vote on a bill sponsored by California grape growers that aims to close that international blending loophole. Reporter: Tina Caputo California is suing the Trump administration over its latest attempt to undo Clean Air Act waivers, which govern many of the state's auto emission standards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Monterey Park, which is east of Los Angeles, the city made history when it became the first to ban data centers earlier this month. But it’s likely not the last, as data center fights are erupting across California. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Firefighters have made significant progress in the warehouse fire that has been burning for several days in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Juneteenth holiday, we’re taking a closer look at the reparations movement here in California. The state has been at the forefront of efforts to atone for state-inflicted harms from slavery to the present day. But some of that momentum stalled last year after Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a handful of reparations-related bills. Guest: Kristin Nimmers, California Black Power Network California lawmakers included one year of funding in the state budget to keep alive a federal program many small farmers and food banks rely on. The Local Food Purchase Assistance Program helps food banks buy fresh food directly from local and underserved producers. But the program lost future federal funding earlier this year. Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the past decade, dozens of maternity wards have shut down across California, and that raises risks for pregnant patients. At one rural Monterey County hospital, family medicine doctors are stepping in to help fill the gaps in service. Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU A controversial proposal to tax California billionaires has qualified for the November ballot. In Orange County, workers earning six figures can now qualify for low-income housing. Reporter: David Wagner, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a tough time for the California wine industry because alcohol sales are dropping. But a growing number of Latino winemakers in Sonoma County hope to turn that tide. Reporter: Shandra Back, KRCB California lawmakers adopted a state budget on Monday. The legislature’s spending plan pushes back on some of Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed cuts. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new study in the journal Science finds that annual prescribed burning could substantially reduce smoke pollution during California’s worst wildfire years. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Eight people are dead after a military plane crashed on Monday shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert. An Imperial Valley data center developer has filed a lawsuit seeking access to water from the Colorado River. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS A migrant from Belize, who was leading a hunger strike at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, has been deported. Immigrant rights groups say it was an act of retaliation. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The state legislature is expected to vote today on a budget plan that rejects some of the health care cuts proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED California Democrats are urging the Trump administration to release millions in transportation funds it withheld in a dispute over drivers licenses for immigrant truckers. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Iran’s men’s soccer team is scheduled to play its first match in this year’s World Cup this evening in Inglewood. But many members of the Iranian diaspora say they can’t support the team. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the FBI served a search warrant at the GKN Aerospace plant in Orange County. That’s the facility where a near-explosion triggered an evacuation of more than 50-thousand residents last month. Reporter: Molly Peterson, CalMatters The California Department of Fish & Wildlife is celebrating the survival of five rehabilitated bear cubs. CDFW says the orphaned black bears were released last November and have successfully hibernated through the winter and returned healthy and active. Reporter: Chris Felts, CapRadio The U-S Men’s Soccer Team takes the field Friday evening at SoFi Stadium for their opening World Cup match. They’ll be taking on Paraguay. It’s the first time the U-S has hosted the global event since 1994. Cobi Jones was a midfielder for that 1994 team, before starring with Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy. Jones spoke with my California Report colleague Keith Mizuguchi about his experiences in 1994. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In California’s congressional primaries, a slate of younger, often progressive, Democrats challenged some of their party’s aging incumbents…testing voters’ appetite for generational change. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED Reports of medical neglect in immigration detention are rampant – and deaths are rising. And when sick or injured detainees do get to an outside hospital, many say their care is still compromised. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Two of California’s largest courts are testing an AI tool that can do a lot of the same work as a legal assistant. Right now, judges are mainly using this AI clerk for civil cases. But documents obtained by our partner CalMatters show that, in the future, it could be used in criminal cases where the stakes are much higher. Reporter: Cayla Mihalovich, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions of Californians who buy their own health insurance on Covered California are struggling to keep up with the cost. Now, Governor Gavin Newsom wants the state to chip in, and pay a bigger share of their monthly premiums. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News Republican Steve Hilton is advancing to the general election for California governor, edging out Democrat Tom Steyer for the second spot in the November race. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED The White House is appealing a judge’s decision to strike down President Trump’s $100,000 fee on the H-1B visa. That’s Silicon Valley’s main pipeline for foreign talent. But this case is one of three, and Big Tech is still waiting to exhale. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been one week since California's primary Election Day and a handful of closely watched races are still up for grabs. Imperial Valley voters have rejected a controversial candidate for the Imperial Irrigation District, the region’s powerful water and power agency. Carlos Duran’s campaign was backed by a Southern California data center developer. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS Immigration courts across the country are using a new tactic to expedite hearings, which advocates say could lead to more deportation orders. Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California scientists are nervous about the fate of sea life, which could face a double whammy of warming water later this year. Coastal waters have already warmed during an ongoing marine heat wave and could warm further if a potential super El Niño materializes. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Hundreds of residents of Orange Cove in rural, eastern Fresno County are speaking out against a clean energy trial that city leaders agreed to. Reporter: Marek Warszawski, KVPR It's been nearly a week since California's primary election and a handful of races remain too close to call. That includes in Los Angeles where the latest vote count on Sunday shows Democrat Nithya Raman overtaking Republican Spencer Pratt for second place in the LA Mayor's race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cannabis businesses say California’s weed regulations are hurting the industry, but public health groups are pushing back, saying regulators are leaving protections for youth on the table. In Santa Cruz, known for its cannabis culture, the city says keeping both groups happy is an ongoing challenge. Reporter: Alonso Daboub, KQED New data shows cuts to Medi-Cal — the state’s Medicaid program — are taking a steep toll on California’s once-celebrated “Health Care for All” movement. Reporter: Salina Arredondo, Public Health Watch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco drone delivery company Zipline hopes to one day fly your burrito — and other consumer goods — right to your front porch. It’s already doing so in Dallas and elsewhere across the country. But before it can expand, Zipline’s drones are flying thousands of test missions above a serene Yolo County cattle ranch near Esparto. Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio San Diego is exploring selling its Colorado River water to other states that need it. Desalinated seawater is making it possible. Reporter: Katie Anastas, KPBS Voters in Shasta County appear to be rejecting a controversial county clerk who’s been trying to implement major reforms to the elections system there. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The California's governor's race remains too close to call. Republican Steve Hilton currently leads the pack, but is closely followed by Democrat Xavier Becerra. Fellow Democrat Tom Steyer is sitting in third but still has a chance to overtake one of the two other candidates, with millions of ballots left to be counted. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED We already know the two candidates advancing to several congressional races here in California. But others are still very much up for grabs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's election day. And California's first truly open governor's race in decades has sparked a lot of speculation, including early fears that the state's top-two primary system could leave Democrats shut out of the general election entirely. But that scenario is looking far less likely. Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED About 150 immigrants detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center are on their 11th day of a hunger strike. Members of Congress toured the facility Monday to seek answers. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Authorities say a months-long investigation into a Fresno County gang network has disrupted organized criminal activity throughout the Central Valley and led to dozens of arrests. Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California voters passed Prop 50 last year to flip some congressional seats in favor of Democrats. That means one of the most progressive Democrats in congress will now have to make a case to some of the most conservative voters. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio In a controversial move, state regulators have approved major changes to a key state climate program. California’s Air Resources Board voted Friday to create a $4 billion fund for big polluters to invest in decarbonization projects. 1,037 people donning white halter dresses and platinum blonde wigs descended on Palm Springs on Saturday afternoon. They broke the Guinness World Record for most Marilyn Monroe lookalikes in one place. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most competitive primary races for Congress right now is a swing district in the Central Valley. Democrats there are hoping to flip a seat long held by Republican David Valadao. But first they need a nominee. With just days until the primary , the party’s two candidates in the 22nd Congressional District are competing for who can appeal to the most voters - as the national Democratic Party contemplates its own identity. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR California is rolling out first-of-its-kind regulations pushing manufactures to cut plastic pollution. One of the deadlines for producers is Monday. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we’ve been looking at the rise of "generational change candidates" in Democratic primaries. That's a politician who has positioned themselves as a fresh, modern alternative to long-term incumbents. Think passing the torch to Millennials or Gen Zers who are more focused on climate and health care for all. Well, Prop 50, the ballot measure voters passed in November. has opened up an opportunity for one of those change candidates to emerge in the race for Congressional District 3, which stretches from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio A new poll shows Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton are leading the still very crowded field for California Governor. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill providing some additional protections for California election workers and voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has become the darling of progressives with his populist platform and his ability to connect with young voters. Here in California, two candidates are trying to take a similar message to voters - in the San Francisco race to replace Nancy Pelosi and the Los Angeles Mayor's race. Reporters: Sydney Johnson, KQED and Frank Stoltze, LAist All evacuation orders have been lifted in Orange County after authorities determined that there was no further danger of an explosion, chemical leak or fire at an aerospace manufacturing plant in Garden Grove. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're just a week away from the June 2 primary and in California, several younger, more progressive-leaning candidates are looking to replace longtime incumbents. Two congressional races are highlighting this potential "generational change"- the District 7 race pitting Doris Matsui against challenger Mai Vang and the 32nd Congressional District with incumbent Brad Sherman facing off against Jake Levine. Guest: Maya Miller, CalMatters Evacuation orders have been lifted for more than 30,000 Orange County residents who were ordered to leave their home, over concerns a damaged chemical tank in Garden Grove might explode. Many who were forced to evacuate are questioning how safe their neighborhoods are, in the wake of the scare. Reporter: Chelsea Kurnick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some good news from Orange County, as fire officials have ruled out the possibility that a damaged chemical tank will explode. About 50,000 people remain under evacuation orders in Orange County, and several shelters have quickly filled up. It's unclear when evacuees might be able to return home. Reporter: Chelsea Kurnick A young boxer from the remote Fresno County town of Huron won bronze in her weight class in the national Golden Gloves tournament in Tulsa, Oklahoma this month. To get there, she had to win the California Golden Gloves State Championship in Pasadena in April. But her road to success hasn't been easy. Reporter: Alice Daniel, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In California's crowded race for governor, almost every candidate has made housing affordability a central part of their campaign. While the candidates have varied approaches on this issue, and there's a lot they agree on, there are also some key differences. Guest: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED Data centers are expanding into water-stressed communities across California, like the Imperial Valley. At the same time, data center operators are using loopholes to hide how much water these facilities are using. These findings are from a new report backed by Santa Clara University and the think tank Next10. Reporter: Molly Peterson, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the past four months, many people with friends and family in Iran haven't known if their loved ones are safe. The Iranian government cut off internet access inside the country on January 8 amid widespread protests. There were moments in the weeks that followed when Iranians could access the outside world. But when the U.S. and Israel attacked the country in late February, the blackout resumed. Now, despite the fragile ceasefire, many Americans of Iranian descent are left in limbo, including students at UC Santa Cruz. Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU The First Amendment Coalition is suing Los Angeles Unified, accusing the second largest school district in the country of concealing teacher misconduct records. Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED Immigrant detainees at a detention center in the Mojave Desert are staging a hunger and economic strike. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The crowded field of candidates running for governor in the June 2 primary all agree on one thing — the need to make California a more affordable place to live. Prices for housing, electricity and gas here remain far above the national average. But it could be a challenge for any of the candidates to deliver on affordability. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED The Muslim community is mourning the death of three men who were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday. Reporter: Katie Anastas, KPBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five people are dead including two suspected gunmen after a shooting at San Diego's largest mosque. The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime. This week we’ve been taking a look at PG&E. On  Monday, we talked about the utility's efforts to keep its Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant open. Today, we’re looking at their political spending. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nuclear advocates are pushing to keep Diablo Canyon – California’s only running nuclear power plant – open even longer than planned. The plant passed its final hurdle to run until 2030 last month, but legislators are talking about extending that expiration date even further. Guest: Laura Klivans, KQED While lawmakers debate how long Diablo Canyon should stay open, local support for the nuclear plant is growing. Reporter: Kendra Hanna Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Six weeks. That's how long state officials say California has until it runs out of a stable supply of gasoline. After that, the supply picture gets a little murky. With the Iran War now in its third month and gas averaging more than $6 a gallon, the state is racing to lock in long-term deals with overseas refiners before that window closes. It's a crisis that's also exposing the tensions in California's long push away from fossil fuels. Guest: Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing for a November ballot measure to stash more of California's tax revenue in a rainy day fund. It's part of a plan for savings that Newsom outlined in his final budget proposal as governor on Thursday. The former chief of staff for Governor Newsom has pleaded guilty to three felony charges, including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Late last week, Paradise High School’s Class of 2022 graduated. For the seniors who lived in Paradise and the surrounding area for all of high school, the past four years have been chaotic – to say the least. A few months into their freshman year in 2018, the deadliest fire in California history – the Camp Fire – broke out nearby and spread to their town. And they've also had to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Guest: Colleen Hagerty, Freelance Journalist based in Los Angeles Hundreds of fast-food restaurant workers rallied Thursday in Sacramento, Oakland, Los Angeles and San Diego, calling on the governor and state legislature to pass a bill, rally organizers say would help reduce employee abuse. The bill would give employees greater say about wages and working conditions, by including them in a new advisory council.  Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED  Survivors of sexual harassment and assault at the hands of state legislative staff members are calling for changes to the way their claims are investigated in Sacramento. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California’s high speed rail project, is supposed to one day whisk passengers between L.A. and San Francisco at over 200 miles per hour. But the project is tens of billions of dollars over budget and years behind schedule. Despite that, it's brought big changes to the Central Valley. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report A federal trial over San Francisco’s bid to hold drug manufacturers, suppliers and pharmacies liable for opioid addiction and overdoses starts Monday. Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year calls for almost $1.2 billion in spending on fighting homelessness. But questions are being raised if there's enough transparency in how that money is spent. Reporter: Ethan Ward, KPCC The state’s Employment Development Department – or EDD – has started rolling out a promised expansion of language resources. That’s to better serve the at least 7 million Californians who use a first language other than English.  Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hundreds of Californians who make countertops are getting sick with an often deadly, job-related lung disease. Those who can no longer work because of it are often left struggling to make ends meet, even after pursuing benefits that are supposed to help them long term. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED State health officials have identified another California resident who has been exposed to the deadly hantavirus strain. State lawmakers have a new report on how California can better avoid - or recover from - wildfires and other natural disasters. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices