KQED's The California Report

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Valley Students Work Towards College Degree While In High School Sep 19, 2024

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More students in the San Joaquin Valley are graduating high school not just with a diploma, but also with an associate’s degree. Taking college classes while still in high school can help them finish college and accelerate their careers.

Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR

Women and people of color are still among the lowest-paid workers in California. That’s according to a new report released on International Equal Pay Day.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

Five UC campuses are hoping to bolster their police forces with the purchase of more military and surveillance equipment. That includes drones, pepper powder and less-lethal firearms, also known as “anti-riot guns.”

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Nonprofit Fails To Provide Housing As Part of State's Project Homekey Sep 18, 2024

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A few years ago, two companies, one nonprofit, one for profit, received more than $100 million in taxpayer dollars to quickly house homeless people in California. It was part of Governor Gavin Newsom's Project Homekey, which turned hotels into shelters for unhoused people. But little has come from the partnership.

Guest: Anna Scott, Reporter, The California Newsroom

The man accused of starting the Line Fire in San Bernardino County pleaded not guilty to arson charges on Tuesday.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

California's Surgeon General introduced a new initiative Tuesday that aims to cut the state's maternal mortality rate by 50% in two years.

Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED

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Compton Judge Transforms Courtroom Into Place Where Parent-Child Relationship Is Strengthened Sep 17, 2024

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Babies and toddlers are removed from their homes and placed in the child welfare system far more than older kids. It’s a traumatic experience that takes place during a pivotal period of development. A judge in Compton is transforming the way she handles cases involving kids under three, by supporting their parents so they can better care for their babies.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

State energy officials warn Californians will soon see higher gas prices during another annual cost spike. It comes as the legislature prepares to hold hearings on gas prices this week.

Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio

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As Negotiations Continue, Animation Union Looks To Close Gender Gap Sep 16, 2024

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The Animation Guild, which represents thousands of animation artists, writers and technicians, is restarting negotiations with Hollywood studios on Monday. Hollywood’s been churning out animated hits since the 1930’s. And since this heyday certain jobs have been dominated by women. There's now growing evidence that a historical gender bias could be the reason for an existing pay gap.

Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW

Governor Gavin Newsom signed more than two dozen bills into law over the weekend, and vetoed six others.

Reporter: Nik Altenberg, KQED

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As Immigration Grabs the National Spotlight, California Forges its Own Path on the Issue Sep 13, 2024

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Democrats and Republicans are using immigration as a political flashpoint, as we approach election day in November. Meanwhile, California has been on the front lines of the issue for decades, and it has taken some unique approaches to help those that have made the journey to make the Golden State their new home.

Police have arrested a man they suspect started the Line Fire that's currently burning in the mountains of San Bernardino.

Officials say that 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco ignited the fire on September 5th in Highland near Baseline Road. Prosecutors say he tried to set to other fires that same day.

Meanwhile, crews in Southern California are continuing to battle the Airport Fire, which is now burning in both Orange and Riverside Counties.

Since igniting on Monday, the wildfire has scorched more than 23,000 acres. It's only 8% contained as of this morning.

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Incarcerated Women Say Officers Used Unprecedented Force In August Attack Sep 12, 2024

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The California Department of Corrections is investigating after more than 100 women incarcerated in a Central Valley prison were allegedly pepper sprayed and tear gassed by staff for more than an hour. Inmates who’ve been in the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla for years say it was the most severe use of force they’ve seen.

Guest: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

Wildfires continue to burn out of control across Southern California. The largest is the Bridge Fire burning in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. That fire has burned more than 51,000 acres as of Thursday morning with no containment. Evacuation orders are still in place for the Bridge, Airport and Line fires.

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Fires Explode In Size, Threaten More Communities Across Southern California Sep 11, 2024

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The Bridge Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest outside of L.A. has exploded in size growing to more than 47,000 acres with no containment. Evacuation orders are in place for small mountain communities and flames have consumed homes in Wrightwood and swept through the Mountain High Ski resort.

The Airport Fire continues to burn across dry chaparral covered hills in Orange County. The wind-driven blaze had charred more than 22,000 acres, and jumped into Riverside County on Tuesday.

The Line Fire has burned more than 34,000 acres in and around the San Bernardino National Forest. Smoke from the blaze– and others around the state— is making air quality unhealthy for more than 10 million people in Southern California, especially in inland areas. Some people are getting creative to protect themselves.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

California’s unhoused population has grown by 8% to 186,000 people. That’s according to a new analysis of state homelessness data from our California Newsroom partner, CalMatters.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

With the presidential race entering its final weeks, a new survey finds that economic issues are top of mind for California’s 9 million Latino voters.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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Line Fire In San Bernardino Mountains Continues To Challenge Crews Sep 10, 2024

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In the San Bernardino mountains, the Line Fire has burned more than 26,000 acres. The fire is only 5% contained and is expected to get bigger in the next few days. More than 65,000 homes and other structures are threatened.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

In Orange County, a fire that broke out on Monday and rapidly grew has burned about 9,000 acres as of Tuesday morning. The Airport Fire broke out between rugged scrublands and suburban neighborhoods in the county’s Trabuco Canyon area.

Authorities continue to assess damage to the city of Clearlake from a wildfire that ignited Sunday in Lake County. The Boyles Fire burned at least 30 homes and as many as 60 cars.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

A new report that assessed K-12 schools nationwide gives California a “D” on school data transparency.

Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters

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Santa Ana Voters To Decide On Whether To Allow Non-Citizens To Vote In Municipal Elections Sep 09, 2024

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Should people who aren’t U.S. citizens be allowed to vote in some elections? Well, that very question is going to be on the November ballot in the Orange County City of Santa Ana in the form of local measure DD. If passed, DD would amend Santa Ana’s municipal charter and allow non-citizen residents of the city, both documented and undocumented, to vote in all local elections.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The hot weather across California this past weekend once again provided a huge challenge for fire crews. In the San Bernardino Mountains, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, the Line Fire exploded in size. It’s burned more than 20,000 acres.

Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR

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New Rules Aim To Keep High School Athletes Safe During Hot Weather Sep 06, 2024

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California schools must now adjust sports practices and games when it’s too hot outside. The state law went into effect this summer.

Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist

A bill on Governor Newsom’s desk would ban employers from forcing workers to attend anti-union meetings.

Reporter: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

Criminal justice advocates are hopeful the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into two California state prisons will bring much needed change. The investigation into facilities in Chowchilla and Chino comes after what officials say are "hundreds" of lawsuits and some criminal allegations of sexual assault.

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