KQED's The California Report

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Winter Rains Lead To A Rare Sight At Death Valley Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

Death Valley is normally known for its extreme heat. But this winter, rain and winds pushed tons of water into the area, creating a lake locals grew to call "Lake Manly." People could kayak and wade out. But the lake has begun to dry up and boating is now suspended there.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

One of the most expensive state races has been waged in state Senate District 25 which spans from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga east of L.A. More than $5 million has flowed into the race – much of it coming from one of the candidates.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

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Schiff, Garvey Advance To November General Election Mar 06, 2024

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In the U.S. Senate race to fill the seat once held by the late Dianne Feinstein, Democrat and L..A area Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican and former pro baseball player Steve Garvey will advance to the November general election.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The result of California's only statewide ballot measure -- Proposition 1 -- is still too close to call. Latest results show just over 50% of voters supporting the measure aimed at housing more Californians with mental health and addiction problems.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Californians Head To Polls For Primary Election Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Polling places are open in California, as local and statewide races are on the ballot. Two of the biggest races -- the U.S. Senate seat that had long been held by the late Dianne Feinstein and Proposition 1, a proposal dealing with mental health and homelessness.

The cold winter storm and blizzard conditions that complicated mountain travel and closed ski resorts in the Sierra this past weekend also significantly boosted California’s snowpack and the state’s water supply. Last week, the snowpack was at 80% of average. It’s now 104%, a massive increase from just one storm.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

Do you ever think you'll never get your foot into the door of California's residential real estate market? Well, applications open in early April for a state program that could help you buy your first home in California. It's called the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation loan. And when it first launched last year, it was so popular it exhausted its $300 million in funding in the first 11 days.

Guest: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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Would Measure HLA In Los Angeles Really Make Streets Safer? Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

In recent years, traffic fatalities have remained stubbornly high across California despite efforts to reduce them. That’s especially true in Los Angeles where last year, more than 330 people -- drivers, pedestrians and cyclists -- were killed in collisions, a number higher than the city’s homicide rate. In response to the toll, L.A. voters are voting this election on a ballot measure that’s supposed to make the city’s streets safer.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

Several feet of snow fell in higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada over the weekend. The blizzard closed many businesses and shut down I-80.

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Fresno County Mobile Home Park Residents Fight Rising Rents By Buying Their Park Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Amid California’s housing crisis, a group of mobile home park residents in Fresno County have done something that might seem impossible. They purchased their park from their corporate landlord, securing stable affordable housing for themselves. But the road to get there wasn't easy.

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report

Communities in the Sierra Foothills are preparing for several more feet of snow over the next two days. This week's blizzard will also bring extremely high wind gusts. Local residents and businesses have been busy preparing for what's to come.

Reporter: Sophia Holm, KUNR

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Blizzard Warning In Effect Through The Weekend In Sierra Nevada Feb 29, 2024

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A blizzard warning is in effect through much of the Sierra foothills through the weekend. The National Weather Service says some higher elevations could see as much as ten feet of snow. Ski resorts in Lake Tahoe are preparing for dangerous conditions on the mountains.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

Voting in California’s primary election doesn’t end until Tuesday night. But election officials are getting worried about low levels of voter turnout.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Name Changes Are At Center Of Ballot Measure In Fresno County Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

When Fresno County voters go to the polls next week, they will be asked to choose whether local officials should have more control over naming. And re-naming things like towns, cities, and street names.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

San Diego County shut down its migrant welcome center last week . That means border officials will continue to drop migrants off on San Diego streets.

Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the greater Tahoe region and much of the Sierra from Thursday morning until Sunday.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

When you’re voting for a candidate running for state office, like a state legislator or the governor, you can evaluate them based on their voting record, policy positions and more. But finding information on candidates for local judge seats can be trickier.

Reporter: Olivia Zhao, CalMatters

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What To Know Before Heading To The Polls On March 5 Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Californians will head to the polls on March 5 to vote in the presidential primary. While there's only one statewide measure on the ballot, voters will have plenty else to ponder.

Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED Politics Correspondent

In Shasta County, a citizens commission created by right-wing politicians is recommending that county officials violate state law by hand-counting election ballots.

Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio

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Voters Will Decide On Proposition 1, Mental Health And Homelessness Measure Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

Proposition 1 would allow the state to issue more than $6 billion in bonds, for supportive housing and residential treatment facilities for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness. But local governments are eyeing the measure through a different lens, and what may be impacted locally.

Reporters: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU and Erik Adams, North State Public Radio

Prop 1 isn't the first ballot measure that's tried to help Californians who live in that overlap between homelessness and mental illness. In 2018, voters passed No Place Like Home, a proposition that committed to building thousands of affordable housing units for homeless residents experiencing mental health issues. But a new investigation from CalMatters shows it delivered only a fraction of what proponents promised.

Guest: Marisa Kendall, Reporter CalMatters

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Fresno's Rogue Festival Features Performance Of Latehomecomer, A Hmong Family Memoir Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

The Rogue Festival in Fresno’s Tower District showcases local talent through improv, comedy and storytelling. This year the festival will host nearly 200 performances over the course of two weekends. One of them is a performance of the novel Latehomecomer by Hmong American author Kao Kalia Yang.

Guest: Jasmine Vang, Hmong American Actor

The Sierra is glittering white. Over the last week, recent storms have added up to four feet of snow to the mountain range.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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