KQED's The California Report

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One Dead Following Avalanche At Palisades Tahoe Jan 11, 2024

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The Placer County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who died in an avalanche at Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort on Wednesday as 66-year-old Kenneth Kidd. One other person was buried and injured; two other skiers were caught up in the avalanche but rescued.

California is facing a nearly $38 billion budget shortfall, but to hear Governor Gavin Newsom tell it, things aren’t too dire. As he rolled out his proposed spending plan on Wednesday, Newsom framed the shortfall as a return to normal of sorts: After several years of unusual spikes in capital gains, sales and corporate tax revenues, driven by low interest rates and historic federal pandemic aid, things are leveling off.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

As Senate negotiators struggle to hammer out a deal in Washington, trading tougher asylum rules for more aid to Ukraine and Israel, California Senator Alex Padilla says more border restrictions are not the best way to manage the migration crisis.

Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED

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Real Estate Developer Fails To Provide Housing For Unhoused, Despite Millions In State Funding Jan 10, 2024

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If we're spending tens of billions of dollars fighting homelessness, why isn't the problem getting better? An investigation by KCRW and The California Newsroom looked at the massive failures of one major recipient of Governor Gavin Newsom's Homekey program. That's his administration's big effort to turn buildings like hotels and motels into low income housing, which has cost more than $3 billion since it launched in 2020.

Guest: Anna Scott, Reporter KCRW

Governor Newsom is expected to release the state’s spending plan on Wednesday morning. This comes as the state is dealing with a $68 billion shortfall.

Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report

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Governor Newsom Sets Date For Special Election For Kevin McCarthy's Seat Jan 09, 2024

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Governor Newsom has officially ordered a special election on March 19 to fill the seat vacated by former Congressman Kevin McCarthy. The district will see up to four different ballots to determine who will serve the remainder of McCarthy’s term and who will succeed him in Congress. Meanwhile, California lawmakers want to clean up state election law after a judge ruled that a Republican candidate can run for both Congress and the Assembly this year.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

A suite of options to allow psychedelic use in California could soon be on the table, including regulated therapies. As officials wrestle with what comes next, the state recently cleared advocates to collect signatures for a statewide decriminalization vote as a ballot measure in November.

Reporter: Anna Marie Yanny, KQED

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RV Laws In Butte County Leave Many Fire Victims With Few Options Jan 08, 2024

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People are still struggling to find a place to live years after devastating wildfires ripped through Butte County. In the remote town of Berry Creek, many are living in RVs on the lots where houses once stood. But they face deadlines to rebuild their homes or move.

Reporter: Jamie Jiang, North State Public Radio

Doctors are bracing for more COVID patients as people return to school and work after the holiday break.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, LAist

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Gray Wolves Returning To California Jan 05, 2024

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In the 20th century, the last California gray wolf was observed in the 1920s, but that changed in 2011 with the sighting of a wolf who had crossed into California from Oregon. Now, a small but growing population of wolves have reestablished themselves in the state.

Reporter: Jordan Traverso, California Department of Fish and Wildlife

A parents rights group says it plans to sue Attorney General Rob Bonta because of how his office titled and summarized an initiative the group hopes to get on the ballot. The proposal from the group Protect Kids California would prohibit gender-affirming care for minors, exclude trans girls from girls competitive sports, and require schools to disclose a students’ gender identity to their parents.

Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio

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Could Tech Workers Face Retribution For Speaking Out On Israel-Hamas War? Jan 04, 2024

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Passions over war in the Middle East have spilled into where many of us work. So as an employee, what rights do you have to share your opinions or protest on the job?

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

In Sacramento, state legislators ended their first session of the year early Wednesday, after hundreds of Israel-Hamas war protesters broke out into songs and chants in the Assembly chamber.

Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

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Women With Postpartum Depression Struggle To Get Drug Treatment Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

Federal regulators are investigating Kaiser Permanente for how it treats women with postpartum depression. The health provider has twice revised its guidelines to make it easier for women to get a new drug that targets the condition. These developments are the result of a KQED investigation that first revealed Kaiser's restrictions on postpartum care.

Guest: April Dembosky, KQED

State surveyors have measured the snowpack near Lake Tahoe, and found only a small amount of snow compared to this time last year.

Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED

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New Laws Go Into Effect In 2024 Jan 02, 2024

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Hundreds of new laws have gone into effect with the beginning of the new year. They affect everything from workplaces, to crime and health care.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

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Dealing With Grief From Climate Change Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

In our state, we see the effects of climate change around us seemingly every day - storms, flooding, wildfires, extreme heat waves. Such events are changing the landscape and feeling of California and making a lot of us worried. So how do we handle the anxiety and even the grief that stem from climate change?

Guest: Erica Hellerstein, Investigative Reporter

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California Program Helps Increase Access To State Parks Dec 29, 2023

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The state of California has been experimenting with ways to make it easier for residents to enjoy our state parks and beaches. A pilot program that allows Californians to visit many state parks for free — after checking out a pass from their local library — is helping increase access for more people.

Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio

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