KQED's The California Report

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Tenants' Rights Bill Stalls In Sacramento Jan 16, 2026

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Renters are worried after a major tenants’ rights bill died this week in Sacramento. It would have capped annual rent increases and expanded protections to more households. With affordability top of mind, some tenants are concerned about their own housing security now that relief is nowhere in sight.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

The Trump administration is not entitled to sensitive information on California's 23 million voters. That's according to a federal court out of Southern California on Thursday.

Reporter: Jill Replogle, LAist

In a 4-3 vote, the Santa Barbara City Council approved two tenant protection ordinances this week -- a temporary rent freeze and changes to its eviction protections.

Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX

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Health Officials Work To Combat Mushroom Poisoning Outbreak Jan 15, 2026

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California health officials are renewing their warning to avoid mushroom foraging this season as more people have become ill from eating death caps. They’re calling it the largest outbreak of mushroom poisonings in the country.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

A federal court has upheld California’s voter-approved congressional redistricting map, handing Governor Gavin Newsom and state Democrats a big win.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Republican Assemblymember James Gallagher is running in the special election to fill the vacancy left by the death of Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

Reporter: Andre Byik, North State Public Radio

State fish and wildlife officials are gathering input on the first new deer conservation and management plan since 1976.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Fresno is moving towards becoming a professional soccer city. City leaders gathered at city hall Tuesday to announce the next steps toward bringing the sport in a professional capacity to the Valley.

Reporter: Samantha Rangel, KVPR

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Bay Area Congressman Describes "Horrific" Conditions At ICE Detention Center Jan 14, 2026

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In recent days, immigration authorities have turned away members of Congress who were trying to visit a detention facility in Minnesota. But here in California, Congressman Ro Khanna recently did get inside the newest and largest immigration detention center in the state. And he said what he found was alarming.

Guest, Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Survivors of November's mass shooting in Stockton gathered at the state capitol Tuesday, calling on lawmakers to change what they say are misplaced priorities in California’s budget.

Reporter: Chris Felts, CapRadio

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Government Database May Be Aiding Trump Administration's Deportation Efforts Jan 13, 2026

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A little-known database controlled by the San Diego Association of Governments has long concerned local privacy advocates. Now, as we enter the second year of President Trump’s deportation campaign, advocates are more worried than ever about how federal immigration agents use that data.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Under state law, California residents can demand that data brokers stop selling their personal information. But there hasn’t been a way to submit these requests en masse – so consumers would have to complete each opt-out form individually. Now, the state has launched a website that offers one stop shopping for opting out. Reporter: Colin Lecher, CalMatters

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Permits Still Tough To Come By For Fire Victims Looking To Rebuild In LA County Jan 12, 2026

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It's been a year since the wildfires in Los Angeles County destroyed homes and communities. In order to start rebuilding their homes, everyone needs permits. A rebuild permit from the city or county determines whether a family is still in limbo waiting to start construction or is already framing up a new house.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says he will not be running for governor this year, ending months of speculation around one of the state’s top Democrats.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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California Sues Trump Administration Over Attempts To Freeze Childcare Funding Jan 09, 2026

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The state of California is suing the Trump administration for freezing billions of dollars in federal child care and welfare funding. The federal government said it was withholding the funds from California and four other Democratic-led states over fraud allegations.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

San Diego is home to the nation’s second largest Somali population. And recent allegations of fraud at Somali-owned child care centers in Minnesota have now spread to their community. Somali childcare providers in San Diego say strangers are now surveilling their centers.

Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS

Governor Newsom is releasing his state budget plan Friday. This comes a day after Newsom delivered his final state of the state address at the capitol, touting California as "a marvel of invention and reinvention.”

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Fresno Looks To Shed Poverty Label Jan 08, 2026

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In 2005, a national report revealed that the U.S. city with the highest rate of concentrated poverty was Fresno. Now, 20 years later, we wondered: have those economic conditions changed?

Reporter: Israel Cardona Hernandez, KVPR

High profile defense attorney Alan Jackson has announced that he no longer represents Nick Reiner, who stands accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, last month.

Reporter: Frank Stoltze, LAist

A Central Valley grape grower has agreed to pay about $130,000 after a federal investigation into a crash that killed seven employees and severely injured another.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Residents Look Back At The Devastating Los Angeles County Wildfires Jan 07, 2026

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One year ago today, two fires erupted in Los Angeles County. The Palisades and Eaton fires would eventually become two of the most destructive and deadly fires in state history. Thousands of homes were destroyed and 31 people were killed. The rebuilding process has been slow in both Altadena and Pacific Palisades, the communities most greatly impacted by the fires. We wanted to get the perspective from longtime residents who are part of that process.

Residents in the north state are likely to see a flurry of elections for Congress this year, after the passing of longtime Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Privacy Advocates Have Growing Concerns Over Use Of Automated License-Plate Readers Jan 06, 2026

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The debate over automated license plate readers in California has increasingly shifted from local crime fighting to concerns about data privacy…. when it comes to federal crackdowns on immigration and people seeking abortions or gender-related healthcare. ALPRs are now in use in hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the state, not to mention thousands of homeowner associations and business districts. So what does this all mean for civil liberties in 2026?

Guest: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Venezuelans in California are going through a whole range of feelings after the Trump administration’s military attack to remove President Nicolas Maduro. There’s celebration, outrage and a lot of questions.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Hundreds of new state laws take effect in the new year. And one in particular brings sweet validation to all of us public radio lovers. That’s because it’s going to make our tote bags even more essential.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, CalMatters

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New Laws Aim To Ease Housing Crunch In California Jan 05, 2026

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2025 was a blockbuster year for housing in California. State lawmakers took aim at the state's landmark environmental law, which they argued was one of the main culprits blocking development for years. In 2025, they approved major reforms. They also passed another law which promises to dramatically change how housing is built near train stations and along busy bus routes.

Guest: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

More vacant home lots are going up for sale in L.A. County burn zones. And many are being scooped up by investors.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

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