KQED's The California Report

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How New California Rules Protect Indoor Workers From Heat Aug 08, 2024

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Multiple cities throughout California have seen temperatures way above 90 degrees this week. Workers, both indoors and outdoors, are feeling the heat, but for the first time ever, indoor workers finally have protections against excessive heat in the workplace. At the end of last month, state officials unveiled new rules of what’s required in indoor workplaces when temperatures surpass 82 degrees.

Guest: Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí, KQED

California put hundreds of millions worth of federal homelessness dollars at risk. A federal audit out this week blames “chaotic” and “disorganized” anti-fraud policies at the state’s housing agency. Auditors gave the California agency it's lowest possible ranking.

Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters

A new report says abortions are up nationwide compared to before Roe v. Wade was overturned two years ago. California is leading the way, providing more than 16,000 abortions a month on average.

Reporter: Spencer Whitney, KQED

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Young California Voters Energized By Presidential Campaigns Aug 07, 2024

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It's been just a few weeks since President Joe Biden decided to end his presidential campaign. And now with Vice President Kamala Harris atop the ticket, young Democratic voters in California are energized in the lead-up to the November election.

Guests: Aashi Jhawer and Dzian Tran, Voters of Tomorrow

For many young GOP voters in California, the selection of JD Vance speaks volumes to them. He's a younger running mate who shares many of the same values as them. And it's not just the presidential race that's on their mind.

Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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Homeless Numbers More Than Double In LA County's Northern Desert Area Aug 06, 2024

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Stories about homelessness in Los Angeles tend to focus on problems in big, urban cities. But homelessness has actually been growing faster in a remote desert region 90 minutes north of Downtown L.A.’s Skid Row.

Reporter: David Wagner, LAist

Sacramento State has released the findings of a highly anticipated forensic examination of Capital Public Radio’s finances. It found more than $700,000 in “unsupported” payments, or payments that could not be backed up by expense reports or receipts. Nearly $400,000 was paid out to one individual, whose name was redacted.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Many Park Fire Evacuees Feel Fortunate To Return Home Aug 05, 2024

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Despite some unsettled weather this weekend, crews continue to make progress on the massive Park Fire burning northeast of Chico. The fire, the fourth largest in state history, has burned more than 401,000 acres. Many evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, meaning residents can return to their homes.

Reporter: Alec Stutson, North State Public Radio

A UC Davis report confirms a years-long trend at Lake Tahoe, where water clarity improves in the winter but becomes far worse in the summer.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

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Local Radio Host Reaches International Audience at the Olympics Aug 02, 2024

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If you're watching the Olympics, you may recognize world famous athletes like Lebron James or Coco Gauff. But residents of a California beach town might recognize the voice of an announcer from their local radio station. Brad Jay typically works for a Santa Barbara classic rock station, but right now he's with the Olympic Broadcasting Service doing TV commentary. Lately he's been calling kayak and canoe slalom, and will also do three-on-three basketball and BMX freestyle. This is his eighth time covering the games since Salt Lake City in 2002. He hopes to continue calling at the 2028 Los Angeles Games in his resident Southern California.

Reporter: Lance Orozco, KCLU

In addition to five firefighting crews from Texas and Utah, the California National Guard is also joining in the fight against the Park Fire with aircraft assistance. Crews from the National Guard are expected to join also. The Park fire is on the verge of becoming the fourth largest in California history. Cal Fire announced that wildfires have scorched more than 750,000 acres in California this year. That’s 29 times the area that burned last year.

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Concerns Growing About Public Health Risks From California's Planned Hydrogen Projects Aug 01, 2024

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California's strategy to fight climate change includes hydrogen. The universe's most abundant element that, under the right circumstances, can power everything from trucks to turbines without greenhouse gas emissions. Now there's a national effort to promote hydrogen energy. But there are concerns about health and safety.

Guest: Molly Peterson, Public Health Watch

In addition to destroying homes and property, the explosive Park Fire is also putting one of California’s most iconic species at risk.

Reporter: Rachel Becker, CalMatters

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California Advocates Push For Passage Of Bill Offering Path To Citizenship For Immigrants Jul 31, 2024

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The situation at the U.S.-Mexico border is a contentious election issue this year. Polls show a large number of Americans want to restrict immigration, but they also support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who’ve long lived in this country. California immigrant advocates hope to capitalize on that support this week as they lobby in Washington DC for a bill that could make legalization possible for millions.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

Among all of former President Donald Trump’s border policies, forced separations of migrant families was the most controversial. President Joe Biden vowed to end the separations when he took office. But they’re still happening.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

Wildfires continue to grow across the state. The Park Fire in Northern California is the fifth largest in state history. And in southwest Riverside County, firefighters are working to contain the rapid spread of the Nixon Fire. The blaze has burned nearly 5,000 acres.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

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LA Looks To Make Improvements To Bus Stops In The City Jul 30, 2024

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A persistent misconception about Los Angeles is that the city doesn't have a real mass transit system, especially when it comes to buses. But L.A. has one of the largest transit riderships in the country. Unfortunately, many of the bus shelters are shoddy, with no canopies, shelters or nighttime lighting. But the city is working to make improvements.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The Park Fire continues to grow in Northern California. The fire has now grown to more than 380,000 acres.

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Park Fire Continues To Challenge Crews In Northern California Jul 29, 2024

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Fire crews were able to take advantage of calmer and cooler weather conditions on Saturday, to make some progress on the Park Fire burning in Northern California. But the fire has grown to be the sixth largest on record in California, burning more than 368,000 acres.

In Kern County, the Borel Fire has also erupted in size, burning more than 50,000 acres. That includes tearing through the town of Havilah. The community is considered a California Historical Landmark, becoming the county seat in Kern County back in 1866.

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Massive Wildfire Explodes In Size Near Chico Jul 26, 2024

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The Park Fire north of Chico is chewing huge amounts of land and has exploded to more than 164,000 acres in just over a day. The fast-moving grass and brush fire forced more than 4,000 people to evacuate the foothills of Lassen National Forest to find shelter on flatland. Evacuation warnings now include Paradise, which the Camp Fire all but destroyed in 2018.

Guest: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Homeless rights advocates blasted a decision by Governor Gavin Newsom to crack down on homeless encampments across the state. Meanwhile, some city officials are celebrating the decision.

Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED

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