KQED's The California Report

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Opinions Over Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant Remain Mixed Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

For nearly a decade, the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant has been the only active nuclear plant in California -- and the state’s single largest source of electricity. It's been set for decommissioning over the next three years, but recently Governor Gavin Newsom has discussed delaying its closure, to help offset possible energy shortages predicted in the next few years.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

The city of Sacramento has adopted an emergency ordinance aimed at better protecting patients and staff at reproductive health care clinics from harassment.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

In a win for California employers, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday placed limits on a state law that lets workers sue over certain labor law violations, even if they agreed to arbitration.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young children under the age of 5. Babies, toddlers and preschoolers have been the last age group here in the U.S. without access to the COVID vaccines. If all regulatory steps are cleared, the shots could be available as soon as next week.

Guest: Dr. Bob Wachter, Chair, UC San Francisco Department of Medicine

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Mortgage Relief Program Expands In California Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

More California homeowners could get mortgage relief, as the state expands access to a program designed to help those who have struggled to make payments during the pandemic.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

Southern California’s sizzling real estate market may finally be getting a little cooler. As mortgage rates and inflation rise, some sellers now find themselves slashing asking prices to make a sale.

Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW

Despite the cooling market in parts of Southern California, rent and property prices still remain out of reach for some Californians. Among them -- many child care providers in San Diego.

Reporter: Claire Trageser, KPBS

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Lawmakers In Sacramento Approve Budget Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Legislators in Sacramento have passed a new state budget, just in time for Wednesday's constitutional deadline. The $300 billion package is the largest spending plan ever.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Richmond have all adopted rules to stop landlords from harassing their tenants. Now, the city of Concord is the latest to take up these protections for renters.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

This past weekend, there were multiple incidents across the country involving right wing groups targeting Pride Month events. And we had at least two notable examples of LGBTQ hate here in California. It's something that many say is happening far more frequently.

Guest: Ari Drennen, LGBTQ Director for Media Matters for America

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As Abortion Ruling Looms, Counties Near Arizona Border Prepare For Influx Of Patients Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

The Supreme Court’s ruling on a Mississippi case that could alter the future of abortions in this country could come any day now. With the decision likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, states across the country are already looking to severely restrict or outright ban access to abortions. That includes California’s next door neighbor, Arizona.

Guest: Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

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Paradise High's Graduating Class Reflects On Painful Four Years Jun 10, 2022

Show notes

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

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A Closer Look At Extremist Behavior In California Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

On Thursday, the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will start sharing its findings, in the first of six public hearings. Dozens of people, here in California, have been criminally charged for their alleged involvement in the insurrection.

Guest: Brian Levin, Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino

A far right militia led the charge to recall a supervisor in Shasta County earlier this year. Far right activists started an organization meant to back candidates that shared their views in the primary election. But all six lost their races this week.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

The town of Susanville, about 200 miles northeast of Sacramento in Lassen County, is a former mining and logging area best known for the two state prisons it’s home to. The facilities are a driving force for Susanville’s economy, even with a third of the town’s population being incarcerated. But one of those facilities could close soon under an order from the state.

Guest: Piper French, Independent Reporter who wrote about Susanville for the digital magazine Bolts

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has approved a tiny home community for unhoused people in South Sacramento. The goal is to build 100 shed-sized homes at the site.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Incumbents Dominate In Primary Election Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

During Tuesday's primary election, incumbents had strong showings in statewide races, as they head to runoffs in November. And several closely contested congressional seats will also be up for grabs in the general election.

Guests: Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos, KQED

Congressman David Valadao, who represents the 22nd District in the Central Valley is locked in a tight battle for his seat, with Democratic State Assemblyman Rudy Salas.

Guest: Sorreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

Attorney General Rob Bonta is headed to a November election date with one of his Republican challengers, although that race is still too close to call.

Guest: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

The 45th Congressional District race covers much of Orange County. It's expected to be a close battle in November, with Republican incumbent Michelle Steel taking on Democrat Jay Chen.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

Developer Rick Caruso and longtime politician Karen Bass are heading for a November faceoff to see who will be the next mayor of the city of Los Angeles.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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California Voters Head To The Polls For Primary Election Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

The primary election is being held Tuesday in California. While a number of statewide offices are up for grabs, there are also several key Congressional races across the state.

Guest: Scott Shafer, KQED

California tenants rights groups have sued the state, claiming its process for denying emergency rental assistance isn’t fair. The lawsuit comes as pandemic-related eviction protections are set to expire at the end of the month.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

A bill in the House of Representatives would help non-citizen military veterans who are being threatened with deportation stay in this country.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

It’s been nearly a year since thousands of Afghan nationals fled their home country, as the Taliban seized power, following the U.S. withdrawal. Many have made California their new home. But in one Central Valley community, it's been an everyday struggle for these refugees.

Guest: Deepa Fernandes, Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle

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Community Able To Voice Opinions On Reparations Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

Recently a few dozen Black Californians gathered in Oakland to discuss their visions for reparations. It was the first "listening session" hosted by the State Task Force studying reparations for descendants of enslaved Americans.

To vote in Tuesday’s primary election, Californians must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. But you don’t need to have a permanent address to cast a ballot.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Alameda County Reimplements Indoor Mask Mandate Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

Due to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Alameda County is now requiring masks in most indoor public settings. With more California counties entering the CDC's highest community level for COVID-19 danger, it's unclear if more counties will do the same in the weeks ahead.

The Summit of the Americas convenes in Los Angeles next week. It's a gathering of heads of state from across the Western Hemisphere. But this year, it's unclear how recent tensions between the U.S.and Mexico could affect the gathering.

Guest: Arturo Sarukhán, Mexico's Former Ambassador to the U.S.

The U.S. Department of Education is canceling student loan debt for some 500,000 students who attended Corinthian Colleges. Corinthian was accused of targeting low income students, leaving them with a mountain of debt and too often without the jobs promised with the degrees offered.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

Dancers at the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood could be the first strip club workers to successfully unionize since performers at a club in San Francisco’s did the same thing. The dancers say the owners and security guards at the North Hollywood business haven’t been keeping them safe when customers violate boundaries, and ongoing picketing hasn’t been enough to motivate changes.

Reporter: Robin Estrin, KCRW

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