KQED's The California Report

Latest Episodes:

California's Biggest Voting District Faces Seismic Change if Prop. 50 Passes Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

In Part 4 of our series, ⁠California Divided⁠, we head north, to speak with residents in District 1, who've expressed concern over the impact that Proposition 50 will have on their voting power if it passes.

The Trump Administration is halting automatic renewals of work permits for immigrants. The policy, which begins today, could force thousands of immigrants out of work, and leaving them in limbo, as their applications for renewal get stuck in a growing queue.

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Central Valley Farmers Express Concerns About Possibility Of New Political Maps Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

The ripple effects of President Trump’s national gerrymandering battle are being felt in California’s rich agricultural belt. Next week, voters in the state will decide whether to support Proposition 50. That’s Governor Newsom’s plan to counter surprise redistricting in Texas and other red states. If Prop 50 passes, Congressman David Valadao of the Central Valley would be one of five Republicans on the chopping block. And that worries farmers in his district.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

The Los Angeles Dodgers won a marathon Game 3 of the World Series, as Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off home run in the 18th inning.

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In Lake Tahoe, Some Voters See Redistricting As Opportunity For Change Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Californians are deciding on a ballot measure that could reshape how our state is represented in Congress. Proposition 50 would redraw California's congressional district lines to help Democrats pick up five additional seats in the House. Prop 50 is part of a national fight over redistricting. And if it passes, political lines from Sonoma down to San Diego will be transformed.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED

To understand what’s at stake with Proposition 50, we’re going to some of the districts that would be redrawn. It’s a series we’re calling California Divided. We begin in the state’s 3rd Congressional District, at Lake Tahoe: a blue dot in a Republican-held district.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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In Northeast San Diego County, Democrats See Redistricting Battle As Chance For Change Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Northeast San Diego County is becoming a battleground in the nationwide fight over congressional districts and control of the House of Representatives. Ballots are out now for a special election that could change several districts in California to give Democrats the advantage. Democrats are working on the ground in an effort to flip the congressional seat.

Reporter: Jake Gotta, KPBS

California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of 25 states in a lawsuit against the USDA. That's after the federal agency announced that it will not issue SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

The McKinleyville Union School District in far Northern California has sued the U.S. Department of Education over a mental health grant.

Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio

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As World Series Begins, Dodgers Look For Repeat Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

The World Series gets underway Friday night from Toronto as the Blue Jays take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic. LA is looking to become the first back-to-back champs in 25 years. Toronto hasn’t won a championship since 1993.

Guest: Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times

President Trump says he will not be sending a surge of federal agents to San Francisco. This comes after a call with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. While that’s eased some concerns in San Francisco, across the Bay in Alameda County, tensions remain high.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Some of the same families that were forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border during President Trump's first administration are being split up again. That's according to the ACLU, which is in a pitched battle with the government over what it says are violations of a federal settlement agreement.

Reporter: Mark Betancourt, California Newsroom

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The Megadonor Opposing Proposition 50 Explains His Position Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Proposition 50 would temporarily let the legislature draw new congressional maps, a move supporters, including Governor Newsom, say is meant to stop gerrymandering and protect democracy. But opponents are calling it a partisan power grab, warning it could weaken the state's independent redistricting commission. One of the most vocal critics is Charles Munger Jr., a physicist and political activist who is the top donor for the No on Prop 50 campaign.

Guest: Charles Munger Jr.

Bay Area officials are pushing back on news of Trump administration plans to send dozens of Border Patrol agents to the Bay Area.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Lawsuits Against Trump Administration Argue Immigration Policies Are Breaking The Law Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

California civil rights advocates are calling on the federal courts to halt Trump administration policies leading to the arrest of asylum seekers, victims of trafficking and people attending immigration court hearings. A series of recent class action lawsuits argue: the arrests violate federal law and the U.S. Constitution.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks/KQED

At an election cybersecurity forum hosted by USC, experts discussed how to maintain the system’s resiliency after the Trump administration knee-capped the federal agencies previously entrusted with that task.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow/KQED

Humboldt County is getting $75 million for mental health care. The hope is that it will relieve pressure on emergency departments and jails serving those in crisis. Reporter: Justin Higginbottom/Jefferson Public Radio

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The Challenges Facing The Uninsured Looking To Rebuild In Altadena Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Rebuilding after January’s fires in Los Angeles County is underway for some people. But an Altadena family is facing what may be insurmountable financial obstacles.

Reporter: Erin Stone/LAist

Congressional Democrats plan to investigate reports that federal agents unlawfully detained U.S. citizens during the Trump administration's ongoing immigration crackdown.

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Both Sides In Prop 50 Argument Rely On Familiar Messaging In Lead-Up To Election Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

As Democrats in California attempt to convince voters to approve new maps next month to give them more seats in Congress, and Republicans fight back against the redistricting measure, both sides are relying on familiar political playbooks.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

Hundreds of thousands of people took part in No Kings rallies across California on Saturday. In the conservative stronghold of far Northern California, more than a dozen communities also participated. That includes Chico.

Reporter: Ken Devol, North State Public Radio

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After a Tough Season, Wine Country Famers Are Working to Harvest Grapes Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Federal immigration officials could be setting their sights on Sonoma county. A local supervisor says Department of Homeland Security officials asked in a meeting if the sheriff's office would notify DHS when undocumented immigrants are arrested.

Shandra Back, KRCB

Farmers in wine country have been working at all hours to get their grapes off the vine before they rot. The harvest follows an especially hard season slowed by a cooler summer and made worse by other obstacles including tariffs.

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