KQED's The California Report

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Despite Progress, Black Californians Still Face Major Challenges In Closing Equality Gap Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

There's a new study out that takes a demographic and socioeconomic snapshot of African-Americans in the Golden State. It's called the state of Black California. Despite gains in the quality of life for Black Californians over a 20-year period, the study found that racial inequality continues to persist compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

Guest: Michael Stoll, Professor of Public Policy, UCLA

A bill that would give California cities and counties the ability to regulate robotaxi services has passed its first test in the Legislature – despite doubts expressed by some lawmakers.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Jail Deaths Prompt Calls To Separate Coroner And Sheriff's Departments In Riverside County Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

In most California counties, the sheriff also oversees the coroner’s office. But in Riverside County, families whose loved ones have died in local jails say that's a conflict of interest — and they want to change the system.

Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR

This week, US Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler announced legislation to create a new national monument on the north edge of the Salton Sea, east of Palm Springs. Supporters say the land is especially important to communities of color.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

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How Much California Students Pay For Abortion Pills Vary By Campus Apr 16, 2024

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California requires student health centers at public universities to offer the abortion pill. But how much students pay for the medication differs dramatically campus by campus, from nothing to several hundred dollars.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

Democratic state lawmakers are pushing to put a $10 billion affordable housing bond on California’s November ballot. Supporters say it could lead to thousands of affordable housing units being finished.

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio

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Despite Law In Place, Suspensions Still Common At State-Funded Early Education Programs Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Suspending or expelling children from preschool for challenging behavior is surprisingly common. And it happens way more often to Black children, boys, and kids with learning differences than others. A California law restricts the practice at state-funded early education programs, but implementing the law has been hard because of long-lasting impacts of the pandemic – like staffing shortages and learning loss.

Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED

Two San Diego environmental groups are suing the federal government in an effort to stop cross border sewage flows that endanger the environment and public health.

Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS

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Modesto High School Students Learn About Tax Filing Apr 12, 2024

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We're nearing the deadline to file taxes. While the task may seem daunting, especially for people who can’t afford an accountant, a group of high school students in Central California want to help fix that problem.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

Fewer than one in five people in California could afford to buy the median priced home last year. That’s according to a new report from the California Association of Realtors.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

The city of Stockton has settled a wrongful death suit with the family of a man who died after being held face down by police in 2020.

Reporter: Emily Zentner, The California Newsroom

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Drownings Increase Along Border As Migrants Take Different Approach To Crossing Into US Apr 11, 2024

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Last year was one of the deadliest on record for migrants. Tougher enforcement is pushing some to try swimming around the wall along the southern border. And that's prompted lifeguards on both sides of the border to respond.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

The pollutants from venting and flaring at oil and gas facilities in California are leading to 13 deaths a year, and worsen asthma in 1,800 children. A new study shows Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Kern counties suffer the worst outcomes, and low income communities are disproportionately affected.

Reporter: Kristel Jandra, KQED

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Despite Warnings, People Are Still Dying While Being Held Face Down By Police Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

The warnings go back nearly 30 years. As soon as a person is handcuffed, get them off their stomach. So says a Department of Justice bulletin from 1995. Yet, people in California continue to die after being held face down by law enforcement.

Reporter: Emily Zentner, California Newsroom

California doesn’t know if its efforts to address homelessness are working — despite billions of dollars spent to address the crisis. That’s according to a state audit released Tuesday.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Two California National Parks Rank As Most Polluted In The Country Apr 09, 2024

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National parks have been called “America’s best idea.” But a recent study says these parks are increasingly threatened by human-caused air pollution. The parks with the biggest risk are all here in California.

Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR

Shuttered Madera Community Hospital has cleared yet another hurdle in the path to reopening. It’s been approved for a $57 million interest-free loan.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

A community in Red Bluff was recently notified that their water had high concentrations of chemicals called PFAS. Data shows that the site has had high levels of contamination for several years.

Reporter: Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio

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Effort To Roll Back Proposition 47 Could Head To Voters Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Proposition 47, a criminal justice reform passed by California voters in 2014, has been controversial from the beginning, and now critics of the law are pushing a ballot measure that would roll back some of its key provisions.

Guest: Marisa Largos, KQED

A state agency wants to spend millions of dollars to tell students abortion pills are available on campus, this after an LAist investigation found many public universities are failing to do so.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

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Judge: Government Responsible for Welfare of Kids Gathered on U.S. Side of Southern Border Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

A federal judge has ruled that the U-S government is responsible for the safety and welfare of young people who’ve gathered in encampments on the California side of the US-Mexico border.

Uprooted from Oakland, the Athletics are headed to Sacramento starting next season. The team will share a 10,000 seat minor-league ballpark with its primary tenant, the Sacramento River Cats, for at least three seasons, while their permanent stadium in Las Vegas is under construction.

In Kern County, wildflower season is in full swing. Permitted volunteers are spreading out across the Indian Wells Valley to pick as many flower species as possible. Those will be displayed all in one room for the nearby Maturango Museum’s annual wildflower exhibit.

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