KQED's The California Report

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Flex Alert Issued as Heat Wave Continues Across California Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

The operator of the state’s power grid is urging Californians to conserve energy on Thursday as the first major heat wave of the year continues. A Flex Alert calls for Californians to conserve power between 5 and 10 p.m.

Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report

The month of May proved to be the busiest in the Port of Los Angeles' 114-year history, as crews processed more than a million containers. It also became the first Western Hemisphere port to process 10 million container units in a one-year period.

Guest: Gene Seroka, Executive Director, Port of Los Angeles

In Mendota, a small farmworker community in Fresno County, about half of the city’s 11,000 residents were born in Mexico and Central America. Now, the city is preparing for more Central American migrant youth to arrive in the coming months because of changes in U.S. migrant detention policies.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio

This week, California ended the mask mandate in most public settings. On Thursday, the state’s Occupational Health and Safety Board is set to vote on rules about masks in the workplace.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

When California dropped most COVID-19 restrictions this week, it meant that for the first time in over a year, performers could get back on stage in front of a full house. But it's not that easy to just turn on the switch.

Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU

Movie theaters have been hit hard by the pandemic, but they're slowly starting to see more customers with the state reopening. The Roxie Theater in San Francisco is not going to full capacity just yet.

Guest: Lex Sloan, Executive Director, Roxie Theater

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As Pandemic Restrictions Are Lifted, There's Growing Optimism and Hope in California Jun 16, 2021

Show notes

California lifted most of its coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday, meaning businesses can go back to full capacity and masks will no longer be required in most situations for fully vaccinated people. While many are celebrating the move, state and local officials are cautioning people that the pandemic is far from over.

More than 50,000 fans were at Dodger Stadum on Tuesday night, the first game since the start of the pandemic where there wasn't a capacity limit.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The Caifornia Report

Candidates who are hoping to be on the recall ballot to replace Governor Gavin Newsom will have to make their recent tax returns public. It's all the result of a 2019 law.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

In March of 2020, when there were still only a handful of known COVID-19 cases in the United States, Santa Clara County's Public Health Director Dr. Sara Cody issued the very first shelter in place order in the country. Now, with California reopening, she reflects on what we did right, and whether the U.S. is prepared for the next pandemic.

Guest: Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County Public Health Director

Tuesday marked the 9th anniversary of DACA -- the program that’s protected more than 800,000 immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. California Senator Alex Padilla co-led a hearing on a bill that would permanently legalize these Dreamers, as well as others.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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California Reopens as Most COVID-19 Restrictions are Lifted Jun 15, 2021

Show notes

As the state reopens, restrictions on capacity and social distancing have been lifted, although businesses can implement their own rules. Mask requirements are no longer in place for people who are fully vaccinated, although there are some exceptions.

Loosened COVID-19 restrictions may be a relief to most Californians, but others may be feeling something they didn't expect–- like social anxiety. Some experts say that dealing with these concerns directly is the best way to feel more comfortable.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

As the state reopens, the hope is that travel will pick up during the summer months. Many popular destinations are already seeing an increase in visitors.

Guests: Tom Davies, President of V. Sattui Winery in Napa County, Scott Gediman, Spokesperson for Yosemite National Park, Kris Reyes, Spokesperson for Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

The cards will be an option for businesses who may be concerned about the vaccination status of people not wearing masks. The governor's office says it will not be a requirement and is not a vaccine passport.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Restaurants and bars in California are finally able to open without any capacity restrictions. Most have had to adjust their business models during the pandemic based on ever-changing health guidelines.

Guests: Kim Alter, Chef and Owner of Nightbird Restaurant in San Francisco, Jessica Maria and Michael Valladares, Co-Owners of the Hotsy Totsy Club in Albany, Uyen Le, Chef and Owner of Be U Kitchen in Los Angeles

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Mask Rules May Change for Vaccinated Workers Jun 14, 2021

Show notes

As California prepares to officially reopen Tuesday, the state board that oversees workplace safety has come up with new guidelines. The proposed rules from Cal/OSHA’s Standards Board would allow fully vaccinated workers to remove their face coverings while on the job, but unvaccinated workers would still have to wear masks.

As drought conditions continue to get worse in California, a top water official in Southern California is warning about not just this year, but what lies ahead. Jeffrey Kightlinger, head of the Metropolitan Water District, says the state is prepared for the next few years, but has to look even further down the line when it comes to water supply.

Guest: Jeffrey Kightlinger, general manager for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

On Friday, more than 2 million people were screened at U.S. airports. That's the first time that's happened in a single day since March of 2020. Is that a sign of things to come here in the U.S., and particularly in California when it comes to travel?

Guest: Henry Harteveldt, Travel Industry Analyst with Atmosphere Research

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Many Californians Will Continue to Wear Masks Despite Mandate Being Lifted Jun 11, 2021

Show notes

On Tuesday, California will reopen which means an end to the state's mask mandate. There are still some situations that will require people to wear a mask, and many Californians say they don't plan to ditch face coverings just yet.

Guest: Carly Severn, Senior Engagament Editor, KQED

Conversations around the role of police in society are continuing and this week, a group gathered in San Diego to call for the elimination of police departments at universities. U.C. San Diego students and faculty say it’s time to end police presence on college campuses.

Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS

The recall election against Governor Gavin Newsom will cost California counties $215 million. That's according to an analysis from the state Department of Finance.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

Three immigrant families in the Bay Area are suing the federal government after border officials forcibly separated them in 2018. According to the lawsuit, these Central American families were seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border when the children were taken from their parents as part of the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

California has over a billion dollars in aid to give out to struggling renters and landlords. But so far, a little less than 3% of that money has actually gone out.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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State Workplace Safety Board Likely to Lift Masking Requirement for Fully Vaccinated Workers Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

California’s workplace safety board is expected to ease mask rules for fully vaccinated employees, but it likely won’t become official for at least a few more weeks. Cal/OSHA’s new workplace standards would align with mask rules issued by state and federal health officials.

Early in the pandemic, COVID-19 infections among farmworkers in the Central Valley and along the Central Coast were rampant. Now, those regions have become a focal point for vaccinations and in Monterey County, efforts have proven to be successful.

Guest: Kate Cimini, Reporter with the Salinas Californian and CalMatters

Two lawsuits have been filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno under a law known as the California Child Victims Act, which extends the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual assault to file lawsuits through the end of next year. The lawsuits allege a former long-time Central Valley priest sexually abused two minors in the late 80s and 90s.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

It’s been two weeks since a gunman killed nine people at a rail yard in San Jose. Shortly after the shooting, officials started talking about red flag laws, asking if they might have prevented the shooting from happening.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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Journalist Seeks Transcripts of Depositions From Sexual Harassment Case Involving Former Garcetti Aide Jun 09, 2021

Show notes

Lawyers for journalist Yashar Ali are asking the L.A. City Attorney's Office to release the transcripts of depositions from a lawsuit filed by former LAPD officer Matthew Garza, who says a former advisor of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti sexually harassed him. According to Garza, Garcetti witnessed the harassment firsthand and did nothing to stop it.

Guest: Yashar Ali, Journalist

Members of a newly formed union of childcare providers rallied Tuesday outside the state Capitol in Sacramento. The union is demanding the state show its members the money as it negotiates its very first contract.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has voted to expand the unarmed response to people having a mental health crisis. The county will explore using federal COVID-19 relief money to beef up its Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC

The federal government plans to reunite more than two dozen families who were separated by the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policies in the coming weeks. That’s according to a new report from the Family Reunification task force.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

Back in 2013, an invasive species of mosquito was first found in California. Aedes aegpyti is known to carry diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever. Now, a professor at U.C. Santa Barbara is using the gene-editing technology known as CRISPR to try and contain its spread.

Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX

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California Issues New Guidance on COVID-19 Testing Jun 08, 2021

Show notes

California’s Department of Public Health has announced substantial updates to its COVID-19 testing guidance. People who are fully vaccinated can skip COVID testing in non-healthcare workplaces or at large or mass social gatherings.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

As schools across California launch into summer school, the state is following through with its pledge to pump $4.6 billion to help them deliver on mental health services and tutoring for kids who need it.

Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED

In California, gas prices are setting new records - a gallon of unleaded now costs $4.22. And there are several factors behind the high prices.

Guest: Roben Farzad, host of Public Radio's Full Disclosure

Earlier this year, the Sacramento Bee reported an investigation into violent text messages among police officers in Eureka on the north coast. So far, a top supervisor has been placed on leave, other cops have left, and there are more text messages.

Guest: Jason Pohl, Investigative Reporter, Sacramento Bee

Cities across the state are celebrating Pride Month. In San Francisco, the original Rainbow Flag, which hasn't been seen for years, is back in the public eye at the GLBT Historical Society Museum.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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Federal Judge Overturns California's Assault Weapons Ban Jun 07, 2021

Show notes

A federal judge has struck down California’s decades-old ban on assault weapons. The decision has drawn outrage from statewide officials including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, who made clear his office plans to appeal the ruling.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

California has been living under an official “state of emergency” since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. And Governor Newsom has had almost total authority to run the state as he sees fit. But is it now time for Newsom to hand back some of his unilateral power?

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Californians head into the summer months with plenty of concerns -- wildfires, drought and the potential for more power outages. The state's power grid couldn't keep up with demand last summer, leading to rolling blackouts for the first time in nearly two decades.

Guests: Joanna Giardas and Dominic Moscatello, Students at U.C. Berkeley who took an energy regulation course at the Goldman School of Public Policy.

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Safety Board Approves New Workplace Mask Rules Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

New emergency rules passed by California’s workplace safety agency will keep a mask requirement at most worksites past June 15. But on that date, workers will be allowed to take their masks off if everyone in a room is vaccinated and doesn’t have COVID-19 symptoms.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Governor Gavin Newsom is extending pandemic rules that have allowed restaurants to expand outdoor seating and sell cocktails to go. The announcement comes just days before the state is scheduled to lift most pandemic restrictions on June 15.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

The state Senate has unanimously passed a bill that, if it becomes law, would help promote the practice of prescribed burns as a firefighting tool. The bill would establish new liability standards and would make insurance more accessible to fire professionals known as burn bosses.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

As more asylum-seekers are allowed into the United States by the Biden Administration, those who have waited months in desperate conditions in Mexico are finally seeing some of their dreams come true. One Honduran family arrived recently in San Diego County.

Reporter Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

For the past year, students and school alums across California have used Instagram to share stories of trauma they’ve experienced in high school. Many of the young activists spearheading these efforts are graduating this month, but say they’ve created the tools and platforms for future generations of students to be heard.

Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED

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