KQED's The California Report

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High profile defense attorney Alan Jackson has announced that he no longer represents Nick Reiner, who stands accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, last month.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

Show notes

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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Teachers Re-Energized By New Transitional Kindergarten Classes Jan 02, 2026

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All 4-year olds in California can now go to school for free in a grade called transitional kindergarten, or TK. And to lead those classrooms, the state needs teachers with special training. A lot of teachers. So what does it take to do the job?

Reporter: Julia Barajas, LAist

A new project in San Diego is gathering stories of government persecution against the LGBTQ+ community. Photos of the Lavender Names Project will be shown after select performances at the San Diego Opera this year.

Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS

Researchers at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes have spent years working on an improved way to manage reservoirs called Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, or FIRO.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Bird Flu Changes How County Fairs Live Chicken Shows Jan 01, 2026

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The fall bird migration in California typically peaks from September through November. And this past year, scientists discovered a new wave of avian influenza - or bird flu. Two farms in Sonoma County fought new outbreaks. State officials have been taking steps to mitigate the spread of infection, since major outbreaks were seen in dairy herds in August of 2024. That includes at county fairs.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED

A new children's book from a Los Angeles author is inspired by her own childhood translating for her parents.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

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Hispanic-Serving Institutions Face Challenges With Federal Funding Cuts Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

California is home to the largest number of Hispanic-serving institutions in the country. That’s a federal program that allows colleges and universities to apply for federal grants if at least a quarter of their students identify as Hispanic. Earlier this year, The Trump administration cut funding for the program, which has helped serve many Latino students in California, benefiting from supportive environments geared toward them.

Reporter: Blanca Torres, KQED

E-bike sales in the U.S. have surged, outpacing electric car sales by 20%. But California building codes haven’t kept up with where they can be safely stored.

Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRadio

Environmental advocates are criticizing the Newsom Administration, after his press office sent out a release seemingly taking credit for the year's rebound in returning salmon.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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CA Project Makes Thousands Of Rare Songs Available To The Public Dec 30, 2025

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Thousands of old and rare recordings - some that date back a full century, are now available for the public to enjoy online. That’s thanks to a collaboration between UC Santa Barbara and record company Dust-to-Digital.

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist

Mountain lions, foxes, hawks and dozens of other species are dying at an alarming rate from rat poison.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

Fort Bragg is about three hours north of San Francisco, and during droughts, the former timber town faces severe water shortages. And they're not alone. Nearby communities have had to restrict water in lean years, even while these coastal cities sit next to the biggest body of water in the world.

Reporter: Noah Abrams, Northern California Public Media

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Traditional Knowledge Meets Science in Northern California Tribe's Environmental Planning Dec 29, 2025

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The Karuk Tribe in Northern California is crafting an environmental policy that unites traditional knowledge with more contemporary environmental sciences--pushing back against years of bias dismissing tribal knowledge of the Karuk's ancestral lands.

A federal judge in the Bay Area has halted ICE from making arrests at immigration courthouses in the region.

California's Minimum Wage is increasing next year. A new law means that the state's minimum wage is jumping by $0.40.

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SF Self-Defense Class Helps Transgender Community Build Bonds Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

In San Francisco, advocates for transgender people are trying to beef up protections for their community, in the face of anti-trans policies from the Trump administration. This work isn’t just about legal threats, but also fears of physical violence.

Reporter: Bianca Taylor, KQED

A new analysis warns the Colorado River could fall to dangerously low levels next year. The river supplies water to cities and farms across San Diego and Imperial counties.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS A UC Davis study found 85% of elementary schools in California experienced some loss of trees between 2018 and 2022. Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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