KQED's The California Report

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Omicron Variant Discovered in San Francisco Resident Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

The experts said it was coming, and they were right. Scientists have found the first case of the Omicron variant in the country in a San Francisco resident.

Guest: Dr. Monica Gandhi, Infectious Disease Doctor, UC San Francisco

California rules meant to protect outdoor workers from the dangers of wildfire smoke are almost never enforced. That’s the finding of an investigation by KQED and The California Newsroom.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED & California Newsroom

The state Department of Water Resources is promising no water next year for rural and urban areas, unless they need it for basic necessities. This comes as the state is dealing with another year of drought.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Abortion Access Limited for Many Living in Rural California Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Wednesday in a case that could overturn Roe v. Wade, which guarantees a woman’s right to an abortion. Here in California, abortion laws are among the most progressive in the country. But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to get an abortion here, especially if you live in a rural area.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

California’s Sierra Nevada region has been known for being a winter wonderlandin the coldest months. But a new study shows the Sierra snowpack could all but disappear in just 25 years.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

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Key Abortion Case to be Heard in U.S. Supreme Court Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments this week in a case that could overturn Roe v. Wade. That’s the 1973 ruling that affirms a woman’s Consitutional right to receive an abortion. If it's overturned, abortion advocates are preparing for a surge in out-of-state patients travelling to California for the procedure.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

A temporary injunction stopping the San Diego Unified School district's vaccine mandate for students 16 and older could be lifted as early as Tuesday. The district is being sued by a student who claims the mandate is a form of religious discrimination.

Reporter: MG Perez, KPBS

It's still not too late to apply to a U.C. or Cal State school next fall. The university systems are asking most seniors to upload their final documents by November 30.

Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh is visiting the Port of Los Angeles on Tuesday. He’ll update local officials on the Biden Administration’s efforts to ease supply chain problems.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Yosemite National Park is digging into its past to tell a more inclusive story of the people who helped contribute to its history. That includes the story of a neglected building near the Wawona Hotel in the park

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

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Migrants Desperately Seek Asylum at San Diego-Tijuana Border Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

In February, the Biden administration began winding down former President Donald Trump’s controversial “Remain-in-Mexico” program. It sent people seeking asylum in this country back to Mexico to wait months for their day in immigration court in the U.S. But over the summer, a Texas judge ordered government officials to restart the program, and the Biden administration plans to roll it back out soon.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a mandate for all prison staff in California to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, or provide proof of a religious or medical exemption. Prison officials and the union representing correctional officers have argued the mandate would lead to staffing shortages.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED

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Supply Chain Impacting Longtime Mom-and-Pop Restaurants Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

The breakdown in the global supply chain has sent food prices soaring. That’s hurting local restaurants still struggling to get out from under the pandemic.

Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

A new report from CalMatters shows the global supply chain issues are impacting California hospitals. Many medical facilities are waiting on medical devices that are critical for patient care.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Thanksgiving Offers Day of Reflection for Many Native Americans in California Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

As many people celebrate Thanksgiving in California, some Native Americans have a different perspective on this day and what it means. Among the challenges indigenous people face is keeping their cultures alive.

Reporter: Alice Daniel, Valley Public Radio

Many restaurants are open on Thanksgiving, but chefs may also be busy preparing a meal for family and friends at home.

Guests: Mark Dommen, One Market in San Francisco, Mica Talmor, Pomella in Oakland, Suzanne Tracht, Jar in Los Angeles

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NASA Launches Historic Asteroid-Deflecting Mission Nov 24, 2021

Show notes

NASA has launched a first-of-its-kind mission from California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base called DART, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test.

Guest: Jason Davis, Editorial Director, The Planetary Society

A year-long study on a part of the Mojave Desert has found that the night sky there is really, really dark. So much so, it might earn the rare distinction as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW

Winters across the U.S. are getting warmer because of climate change. And in California, an increase of even a few degrees has serious implications for water supplies.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Many of us will soon be preparing our Thanksgiving meals this week. But some of the food that will be cooked and served won’t actually be eaten, it will end up in the garbage. And that kind of food waste is a significant contributor to climate change, so much so the state of California is trying to crack down on it with big changes coming up.

Guest: Rachel Wagoner, the director of the state’s recycling agency, Cal-Recycle

Last year, Congress passed a law requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to disclose how many veterans got sick and died of the coronavirus in VA nursing homes. The department has finally released some data, but it’s incomplete.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

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State Pushes COVID Boosters as Holidays Approach Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

With many younger children finally getting their first COVID-19 vaccine shot, and adults getting their booster, many see this holiday season as a bit of a return to normalcy. But health experts say families should still take precautions during gatherings.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Diablo Canyon, California’s last remaining commercial nuclear power plant located on the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County is slated to fully close in 2025. While there's been questions raised about what this will mean for energy output and the environment, a former state lawmaker says it's the right time.

Guest: Former State Senator Bill Monning

Los Angeles County is being sued for making its poorest families endure long waits for food aid. The suit claims the county routinely fails to provide assistance to desperate families within three days, as required by state law.

Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC

Back in April, privacy advocates hailed Apple’s decision to let customers opt out of apps tracking you. But, Apple is still tracking its own customers and serving them up to advertisers.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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Congressman Seeks to Restore Land to Karuk Tribe Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

1,000 acres of sacred land could be restored to the Karuk tribe living along the Klamath River in Humboldt and Siskiyou counties. That’s if legislation introduced in Congress is passed.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Diablo Canyon in San Luis Obispo County is the state's last commercial nuclear power plant and is set to close in the coming years. But the planned closure is not without controversy.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The DMV is expanding its capacity to administer commercial driving tests, by extending weekend hours and shifting examiners from other parts of the state to Southern California. The hope is that it can clear some of the backlog at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

Universal preschool is coming to California in 2025. Yet not everyone is celebrating. In fact, some believe universal preschool could have disastrous consequences for child care centers and families seeking early care, with the impact falling hardest on communities of color.

Reporter: Deepa Fernandes, early childhood reporting fellow at Pacific Oaks College, which is funded in part by First 5 LA

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Gas Prices May Change Thanksgiving Travel Plans for Some Californians Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

As of Thursday, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in California was $4.69. According to AAA, that’s a record high and more than $1.50 higher than this time last year. That's led many Californians to rethink their Thanksgiving travel plans.

Reporter, Alex Hall, KQED

Last week, the state updated its guidance to urge pretty much all Californians to get a COVID booster shot. Now, over a week later and after much confusion online, the state’s My Turn vaccine scheduling site has finally caught up.

Reporter: Carly Severn, KQED

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California and other advocacy groups are suing Sacramento County’s Sheriff, claiming his office illegally transferred immigrants from county jails to federal immigration authorities. The lawsuit alleges Sheriff Scott Jones violated state law by contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials about the release of inmates.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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