Central Valley Daily

California ecosystems are highly invaded by non-native species that have creeped in for hundreds of years. Getting rid of those species is a big, costly job. But KVPR News Director brings us a story of one effort in Fresno County where conservation groups are using a natural solution to help bring back some of the original landscape. Plus, the latest news headlines: Residents rally to support a tr...

Is the Central Valley prepared for another wet year? A strong El Niño is brewing, and the Tulare Lake Bed is at risk of flooding once again. We speak with Fresno-based civil engineer John Ennis about new research he hopes will help those in the lake’s path. Plus, the latest news headlines: Children have been picked up by ICE in the Valley; and a new report outlines concerns for healthcare amid pol...

Critical transportation funding is on the line this November in Fresno County as a tax is poised to expire. The delay of a citizen-led tax initiative is pushing Fresno city leaders to oversee a radical plan to create their own tax measure. We speak to a Fresnoland reporter who is following the proposal, which is under a tight deadline. Plus, the latest news headlines: A new report details medical...

Can performing arts help you stay sharp as you age? Jane Parsons and Mac McIntosh say so, and there’s scientific research to back them up. Today we hear from KVPR reporter Rachel Livinal, who spoke with Parsons, McIntosh, and others about how being on the stage helps them feel young. Plus, the latest news headlines: Former Kern County District Attorney Ed Jagels has been formally charged with a DU...

The massive San Andreas Fault line in California has not produced a major earthquake in decades. But new research indicates it's under major strain. We speak to scientist Dr. Liliane Burkhard, who authored a new study that explores the increasing potential for the next big quake. Today’s episode was hosted by Soreath Hok and produced by Jonathan Linden.

Major construction is happening at Arte Américas. For the first time in the cultural art center’s nearly 40-year history. This first phase of construction will tackle persistent problems, and executive director Arianna Paz Chávez envisions its future in the Valley. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno city leaders propose a new sales tax; and measles cases on the rise in California.

The demand for pistachios is booming worldwide, but here in the Central Valley, growers are worried that this year’s pistachio harvest could be smaller than expected. Today we hear from KVPR reporter Samantha Rangel, who visited a local orchard to hear from a farmer and learn more about what’s at stake. Plus, the latest news headlines: New details emerge on sale of ICE facilities; and residents in...

The Fresno Police Department is addressing growing community concerns over privacy and data that is captured by AI-powered cameras spread across the city. The cameras are from the company Flock Safety, and are a form of Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) technology. Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto answers questions from Central Valley Daily about the use of the technology. Plus, the latest...

A Fresno church is taking advantage of a new state law that allows housing to be built on empty land. It’s part of a growing movement across the state and country. We speak to KVPR News Director Cresencio Rodriguez Delgado about what the project seeks to accomplish and how it’s being done. Plus, the latest news headlines: Residents plan to protest plans for Valley data centers; and California read...

Should the Democratic party be making a stronger push to appeal to voters who are in the political center? Merced Congressman Adam Gray thinks so. Today we speak with Gray about a new initiative called “Promise To America,” that he helped launch. The program is a counter attack to “socialist” politics.

Data centers have sprung up around the country to meet the growing demand of artificial intelligence and tech boom. But they’re facing steep opposition from communities because of the strain on local resources. Megan Fan Munce, a reporter with the San Francisco Chronicle, joins us to discuss a new idea that could bring the centers to local fairgrounds. Plus, the latest news headlines: Effort begin...

Yosemite National Park gets four million visitors every year, and summer is the busiest time. But how is the park managing its peak season with fewer staff and no reservation system in place? We speak to former Yosemite ranger and wilderness manager Laurel Munson Boyers, who is also the author of the new book “Across Yosemite’s Wilderness.” Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County supervisor...

California Poet Laureate and Fresno resident Lee Herrick’s poem “My California” was selected for the America250 time capsule, one of seven contributions from the Golden State. In today’s episode, he talks about how his own background shaped his writing of the poem and what it represents about the experience of living in California. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County supervisors shoot d...

The growth of California’s ag industry is fueled by research funding – and much of it comes from the U.S. Farm Bill. But as Congress struggles to update the legislation, scientists are working with limited resources and growing needs. We speak to KVPR reporter Samantha Rangel about what is at stake. Plus, the latest news headlines: California congressmen request more fighter jets at the Lemoore na...

The federal government is ramping up its immigration enforcement in communities across the country. In Kern County, where the government now runs several immigrant detention centers, residents are concerned about conditions inside. We speak with a longtime county supervisor, Leticia Perez, who shares what she has heard from the community and what the county’s authority is.

It’s stone fruit season in the Central Valley. But getting access to the rich bounty of local farms can be tough. In this episode, KVPR goes to the 18th annual Stone Fruit Jubilee in Kingsburg to get to know some local organic farmers and hear some of the challenges you may not know about. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno State launches a supercomputing system; and Valley leaders plan to ad...

Thousands of people in the United States die annually due to unintentional drowning. And the problem is much worse for children. So how does a community respond to this need? Journalist Alice Daniel speaks with us about how one community in Tulare County is looking to reduce drowning deaths with a new pool. Plus, the latest news headlines: A Kern County city continues support of ICE detention cent...

Fresno County has one of the highest rates of 911 calls for domestic violence. But resources can be scarce. Now a new reporting series examines the link between domestic violence and homelessness. We speak to independent journalist Megan Myscofski about it. Plus, the latest news headlines: A change in ownership of California immigration detention facilities; plus the Valley’s Iranian community rea...

A whistleblower complaint alleges Fresno developer Darius Assemi diverted millions of dollars from Granville Homes to secretly buy back a family parcel of land. It’s land that the news website Fresnoland reports has been under a $700 million default as part of the Assemi family’s struggling farming business. We speak to Fresnoland reporter Gregory Weaver about the explosive claims. Plus, the lates...

In the 1990s, a high school music teacher in Fresno couldn’t find sheet music to help teach Latin jazz to his students. So he decided to build a publishing company from scratch. In this encore episode, we talk with KVPR reporter Kerry Klein about how Steve Alcala is helping students play Latin jazz all around the globe.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, we revisit a conversation on one of the nation’s most emblematic issues: immigration. Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno joins us in this encore episode. Plus the latest news headlines: What did California include in America’s 250th time capsule? And new figures show sluggish voter turnout in the primaries.

San Francisco Chronicle reporters Susie Neilson and Megan Fan Munce join us in this encore episode of Central Valley Daily to discuss their investigation into a system known as “360 Value.” Their Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting uncovered how major insurance companies rely on the program’s faulty algorithm to insure homes. Plus the latest news headlines: Investigators serve search warrants in Aven...

While college student enrollment among older adults is very low, those who do enroll say they reap physical, mental and social benefits. On today's episode, KVPR reporter Rachel Livinal takes us into the classroom to learn how older adults are finding meaning in college at a later age. Plus, the latest news headlines: Local attorney reacts to Supreme Court’s birthright ruling; and Gov. Gavin Newso...

County farm bureaus are important for connecting farmers and ranchers with local resources. In Tulare County, the long-time executive director of the farm bureau retires on June 30th. In this episode, KVPR’s Kerry Klein discusses the legacy and major accomplishments of Tricia Stever Blattler. Plus, the latest news headlines: A bombshell report accuses a Fresno developer of financial abuse; and a m...

You can find South Asian culture anywhere in California. But how much do we really know about how it got there? On today’s show, we speak with Madhushree Ghosh, author of a new book that explores how migration has helped shape a rich community in the state.