KQED's The California Report

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California State Fair To Allow Sale And Consumption Of Cannabis For First Time Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

The California State Fair kicks off this week in Sacramento. This year's State Fair will have something new that no state fair in the U.S. has ever had. For the first time, marijuana sales and on-site consumption will be allowed.

Guest: James Leitz, Executive Producer of the State Fair’s cannabis competition and exhibit

As calls continue from some elected officials for President Biden to drop out of the presidential race after his poor debate performance, Governor Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that he remains steadfast in his support of the president as the Democratic Party’s nominee. Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer is also dismissing calls for Biden to step aside.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

A new law will mandate California high schools teach students about the dangers of fentanyl.

Reporter: Heidi de Marco, KPBS

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California Almond Growers' Struggles Could be Buzzkill for PNW Beekeepers Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

Uprooting Almond Trees in California Could Impact Bees’ Ability to Pollinate Fruit Trees Further North

Yesterday we told you how over-production in California's almond industry was hurting local growers, with some resorting to uprooting almond trees to maintain their livelihoods.

That’s been a buzzkill for some beekeepers in the Pacific Northwest.

In Washington and Oregon, bee populations rely on the nectar they get from California almonds trees, which ultimately help keep fruit trees productive at home, and hive populations thriving.

After Ripping Through Thousands of North California Acres, Thompson Fire 100 Percent Contained

The toll of a wildfire that broke out last week near Oroville in Butte County has been released. State fire officials say the Thompson Fire destroyed 13 single family homes and destroyed or damaged several other buildings. The fire, which scorched nearly 4,000 acres was declared 100 percent contained on Monday of this week.

California Bills Aimed to Regulate Artificial Intelligence on Track for the Governor’s Desk

In Sacramento, a number of bills involving the regulation of artificial intelligence have a good chance of making it to Governor Newsom’s desk, Including one that would limit what can be done with AI replicas.

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Many California Almond Growers Struggling To Stay Afloat Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

In the last decade, almonds have turned up everywhere. Even at the Super Bowl, where a commercial showed actor Jeremy Renner supercharged by almond milk. Even so, California almond producers have been struggling. Growers have in some ways been the victims of their own success - although the outlook might be improving.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

A sweltering heat wave continues in much of our state this week. Now, a new report from the state’s insurance commissioner takes a long view on the dangers of high temperatures, reporting that nearly 140,000 Californians visited the hospital because of extreme heat in the last decade

Reporter: Olivia Zhao, CalMatters

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California To Test Road Charge Program Jul 08, 2024

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The state uses the billions raised from the gas tax every year to pay for the constant work of freeway and highway maintenance and new road construction. But the gas tax faces a reckoning. Newer vehicles are ever-more fuel efficient, meaning less revenue is raised from taxing the fuel that’s pumped into them. So the state could eventually move to a model where drivers pay a fee for every mile they travel.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

A $10 billion bond for California’s schools will go before voters this November. If it passes, the multi-billion dollar bond would pay for repairs and upgrades at thousands of K-12 school and community college buildings across California.

Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters

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The History Of Breaking Here In California Jul 05, 2024

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Breakdancing has been part of American culture for decades. Introduced in the Bronx in the 1970’s, it's synonymous with the birth of hip hop in this country. And it's about to be in the spotlight again this summer. For the first time, breaking will be a sport in the Summer Olympics in Paris. While New York has long been the home of breakdancing and the B-Boy and B-Girl culture here in the U.S., the West Coast played a significant role in the movement as well.

Guests: Zulu Gremlin, DJ Hazze, Asia One

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California Has Abundant Swimming Locations To Explore Jul 04, 2024

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Now that we're in the heart of summer, and given that this is California, probably a lot of us are going to go to the beach and plunge ourselves into the Pacific, or maybe will splash into a backyard or public swimming pool. But in California's wilderness areas, there are lots of other places to find bliss in the water, like lakes, waterfalls, ponds, and hot springs.

Guest: Dillon Seitchik-Reardon, Author "Places We Swim California"

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A Look At California's New State Mushroom Jul 03, 2024

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California now has an official state mushroom. The designation went into effect this year thanks to a new law signed by Governor Newsom. The Californian Golden Chanterelle was chosen in a poll by the California Institute for Biodiversity which pitted five other mushrooms against the winning chanterelle.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

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Project Looks To Unfold True Count Of Latinos Killed By Police Jul 02, 2024

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More than 6400 Latinos died in police confrontations or in police custody between 2000 and 2022. That's according to La Raza Database project, which seeks to uncover the true number of Latinos who have died in violent confrontations with police. Still, the project's researchers say that number is likely much higher.

Guests: Roberto Camacho, Reporter and Ivette Xochiyoti Boyzo, Project Manager, La Raza Database Project

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Restaurants Still Allowed To Have Service Fees On Checks Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Starting Monday, a new law goes into effect in California that will require businesses to disclose all costs up front. Basically a ban on so-called junk fees. This would impact the next time you stay at a hotel, buy concert tickets, or book a short term rental, as you should in theory, know the entire price beforehand. Restaurants were supposed to be included in this new law, but a fast track bill was passed last week and signed by Governor Newsom that exempts them. So they're allowed to continue using service charges as long as the nature of that fee is clearly stated on its menu.

Guest: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report

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The First Hijab-Wearing Athlete to Attempt the Country's Oldest Ultramarathon Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

The program allowing Californians to borrow a state parks pass from their local library has received funding for another year. The program started in 2021 as a way to make access to state parks easier for Californians who might not be willing or able to pay 195 dollars for an annual pass.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio

A woman from Michigan will become the first hijab-wearing athlete to attempt the oldest 100-mile ultramarathon in the country, right here in California. While the race is considered one of the most prestigious in the running world, it’s also one of the most exclusive.

Reporter: Mark Nieto, KQED

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