KQED's The California Report

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Small Farms Could Feel Pinch From Reconciliation Bill Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

California’s small farmers are used to tough seasons. But this year, they’re not just battling drought or the rising costs of maintaining their farms. Small farmers say President Trump’s reconciliation bill could make it even harder to stay in business.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

More dads in California are taking paid leave to care for a new child.

Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist

Transgender rights advocates are pushing back against a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, contesting a California law that protects trans athletes.

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Longtime Central Valley Resident Makes Difficult Decision To Voluntarily Leave U.S. Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

The Trump administration continues immigration enforcement efforts across California. There's growing concern among the state's immigrant population about possible deportation. Many are not showing up to work. Some are even fearful of leaving the house at all. But one Central Valley resident made the difficult decision to leave the country on her own.

Guest: Patricia Vázquez Topete

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla is introducing a bill to require federal immigration officers to display ID.

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED

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Volunteers Look To Preserve History Of Altadena Though Voices Of Fire Survivors Jul 08, 2025

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When the Eaton Fire burned through Altadena, not only did it erase homes, but also family photos, heirlooms, and history. A group of volunteers is aiming to restore some of that history, through the voices of fire survivors.

Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is denouncing the actions of the Trump administration, after federal immigration officers swept through MacArthur Park on Monday.

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Whales Face Increasing Risks In Busy Santa Barbara Channel Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

The Santa Barbara Channel is a busy gateway-- for tourists heading to island parks, fishermen chasing the day's catch, and massive cargo ships ferrying goods along the coast. It's also home to some of California's oldest marine protected areas and a critical migratory path for endangered whales. But with as many as 20 ships passing through daily, those whales are at constant risk. Scientists estimate more than 80 are fatally struck by vessels off the West Coast each year. So what's being done to protect whales?

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Authorities have found the bodies of all seven people who went missing after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County last week.

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Klamath River Bounces Back Following Dam Removal Jul 04, 2025

Show notes

The Klamath River flows some 268 miles from inland Southern Oregon to coastal Northern California before emptying into the Pacific, crossing high deserts, mountain ranges, and forests. The Klamath watershed is also the ancestral homeland of the Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Shasta and Klamath tribes. And it's an area prime for recreation, especially in the summer months. And the Klamath River is once again free flowing after being held back by four dams for the better part of a century.

Guests: Danielle Venton, KQED and Gabrielle Canon, The Guardian

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Crystal Cave Reopens At Sequoia National Park Jul 03, 2025

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Sequoia National Park is known for its iconic trees - the giant sequoias. They tower hundreds of feet above the Sierra Nevada. But another draw to this park is hidden thousands of feet below. It’s called Crystal Cave, and it recently reopened to the public after a parade of natural disasters left it inaccessible for years.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Recent immigration raids in Southern California have been unconstitutional. That’s according to a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles against the federal government.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

Organizers of one of Northern California's best-loved and longest-running music festivals are scrambling to save the July 4th weekend event, amid slow ticket sales.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Facility In California City Expected To Be State's Largest Migrant Detention Center Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

A soon to be reopened private prison in California City, about two hours north of Los Angeles, is expected to be the largest immigration and detention center in California. The facility is operated by the Tennessee-based correctional company CoreCivic. But residents of California City have mixed feelings on the plan.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

With the worst of wildfire season ahead, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging President Donald Trump to increase the federal government's investment in wildfire prevention in California.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The announcement comes almost a year later than expected.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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Central Valley Grocery Store Lends Helping Hand To Immigrant Community Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions ramp up across California, fear is spreading through communities, even in small Central Valley towns like Dinuba. But one grocery store owner is doing more than just ringing up customers; he is delivering food right to their doors.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

State lawmakers passed two controversial bills that will overhaul the state’s landmark environmental law, known as CEQA.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

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Golden Mussel Presents Widespread Threat To Major California Reservoir Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Lake Oroville in Northern California’s Butte County is one of the state’s most important reservoirs. It’s part of a state-spanning system that delivers water to 27 million people and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. Now officials are working to keep an invader out of the reservoir -- a freshwater bivalve mollusk called the golden mussel.

Reporter: Sarina Grossi, North State Public Radio

The American Civil Liberties Union says the federal government is breaking its promise to protect migrant families who were forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border during the first Trump Administration.

Reporter: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom

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How Grants Pass Ruling Affected Homeless Enforcement In California Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

This weekend marks the one year anniversary of the Grants Pass Supreme Court ruling. It gave cities in California and across the country more power to crack down on homeless encampments. Our California Newsroom partner CalMatters has been tracking the impact of that ruling.

Guest: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

A federal judge is siding with California in the latest legal maneuvering over President Donald Trump‘s decision to send armed troops to Los Angeles.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

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