Central Valley Daily

Clovis North High School graduate McKay Madsen accomplished a feat not done in more than 100 years — winning back to back state championships in shot put and discus at this year’s California Track and Field Championships. On today’s episode of Central Valley Daily, we dive into McKay’s sports philosophy and explore how he balances natural talent and hard work.

President Trump’s decision to federalize the National Guard in response to protests in Los Angeles has voters and elected officials on edge. California U.S. Senator Adam Schiff speaks to KVPR in this episode about what he views as growing concerns. Plus, the latest news headlines: Advocates say farmworkers are being targeted by immigration agents; and Yosemite National Park will soon open all of i...

Immigration is a fraught issue in the United States. Author Freeman Ng’s latest book, titled “Bridge Across the Sky,” explores the difficulties immigrants faced coming to the U.S. around the turn of the 19th Century. We explore Angel Island in San Francisco and the Chinese immigrant experience in this episode. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno’s sheriff weighs in on immigration protests in L...

The land beneath the Central Valley has been sinking since the 1920s. Stanford University researchers have found it’s happening at a record-breaking pace. We speak with them to hear what they say is a solution to stop – and potentially reverse – the sinking. Plus, the latest news headlines: Response grows to immigration protests in Los Angeles; and a traffic warning if you're headed to the Central...

The summer season brings hot temperatures and poor air quality to the San Joaquin Valley. In today’s episode, we revisit a conversation with former State Senator Dean Florez about how banning agricultural burning is one solution to fixing air quality. Plus, the latest news headlines: Residents in Fresno protest federal immigration actions in Los Angeles; and Tower District business owners pick up...

The city of Clovis has found itself at the epicenter of a national debate about the role of transgender athletes in sports. That’s because a trans female athlete competed alongside cisgender girls from across the state at the state track and field championships that took place at Buchanan High School. The competition was the subject of intense debate before, during, and even after it took place, a...

Have you ever seen cave bacon, or incandescent, lavender fairy pools? These are some of the many wonders visitors can now see at Crystal Cave beneath Sequoia National Park. KVPR Reporter Joshua Yeager tells us about what he saw on the first tour of the cave since it reopened after a parade of natural disasters. Plus, the latest news headlines: California’s big city mayors call for protecting homel...

Fresno leaders crafted a so-called Project Labor Agreement in 2022 that sought to guarantee a workforce to take on construction projects. But the agreement has fallen short of expectations. We speak with Fresnoland reporter Julianna Morano about what changes could be made. Plus, the latest news headlines: Federal immigration officials allow a Bakersfield 4-year-old girl to stay in the country for...

A night club in Merced is giving disabled adults a taste of the party life. Brianna Vaccari from our news partner The Merced Focus takes us inside Club 67 and tells us why it’s meaningful for those who are disabled, as well as those who care for them. Plus, the latest news headlines: A state bill would protect funding for schools whose students are absent during immigration raids; and President Tr...

Fresno native Ananya Vinay was 12 years old when she won the ultra-competitive Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2017. Now that this year’s champion has been crowned, KVPR’s Samantha Rangel talks with Vinay to hear how her own win all those years ago changed her life. Plus, the latest news headlines: Federal judge sentences man in Bitwise Industries fraud scheme; and Central Unified names a new sup...

A program is helping students in rural Fresno County get an early look at university life. Central Valley Journalism Collaborative reporter Esther Quintanilla brings us the story on how students as young as kindergarten through 8th grade are taking part.

A proposed development that would bring 45,000 homes to southeastern Fresno is now top of mind for city officials. However, pursuing the project could be financially risky. Fresnoland’s Gregory Weaver discusses the controversial Southeastern Development Area project. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County elected officials stand against a transgender athlete competing in Clovis, and Mexica...

A recent Kern County Grand Jury report is highlighting problems within Child Protective Services. High staff turnover, inadequate funding and employee burnout are among the issues. We hear from a veteran social worker about what it’s like on the ground. Plus, the latest news headlines: Federal government investigates California as a trans athlete plans to participate in championships; a Bakersfiel...

California is looking at deep cuts to balance its budget before the next fiscal year starting in July. But how is it going to get there, and what programs could suffer? We speak with CalMatters reporter Alexei Koseff, who gives us clues. Plus, the latest news headlines: President Trump threatens state funding over a trans athlete competing in Clovis this weekend, and KVPR mourns the death of long-...

The Scripps National Spelling Bee kicks off on Tuesday in Maryland, and a Fresno County speller is among those competing. This is the Super Bowl of spellers across the country. But how do students prepare for it? KVPR’s Samantha Rangel takes us behind the scenes.

Millions are observing Memorial Day this three-day weekend and recalling the service members in the U.S. military. On today’s episode, we bring you a conversation with author Steve Emerson. He talks to us about his book chronicling what it was like growing up during the Vietnam War. Plus, the latest news headlines: What the House budget bill could mean for Medicaid funding in the Valley, and a Por...

Every year, residents in the western United States live under constant threat of wildfires. Staying informed is one way many stay out of danger. Today, we talk with Sekhar Padmanabhan, a reporter with the Watch Duty app, who lays out how the service helps people stay updated on fires. Plus, the latest news headlines: A Porterville teacher is hailed as a hero as the stabbing suspect faces attempted...

Educator and poet Lee Herrick was reappointed this spring as California Poet Laureate for the next two years. Herrick traveled across the state during his first term to share his work. In this episode, he speaks with KVPR’s Samantha Rangel about what inspires his craft. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County releases info on ICE jail transfers, and a Valley man recalls a Mexican ship that...

The Trump administration’s efforts to scale down federal agencies have partly led to worker shortages, including at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We speak with Washington Post reporter Scott Dance about how that is having an effect on staffing levels for NOAA’s National Weather Service office in Hanford and other locations. Plus, the latest news headlines: A teen girl is sta...

Earlier this year, a wave of international students suddenly had their visas and work permits revoked by the Trump Administration. This comes as the federal government cracks down on immigration enforcement more broadly. Students eventually gained their permits and visas back, but it left them feeling uncertain about their future. KVPR’s Rachel Livinal joins us to discuss the effect of these chang...

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Today, we hear how a family-owned Harley-Davidson dealership in Fresno, California, is helping would-be riders get a taste of riding with a free course this weekend. Plus, the latest news headlines: A missing hiker in the Sierra Nevada has been found safe, and Sen. Adam Schiff is pushing to reverse USDA field office closures.

Two prisons in the small city of Corcoran in Kings County nearly flooded when Tulare Lake returned in 2023. A recent state audit found that it would have taken at least three days for the prisons to evacuate in an emergency. KVPR’s Kerry Klein discusses some of the problems state prisons face in cases of an emergency. Plus, the latest news headlines: Teenage Clovis shooting suspects appear in cour...

Baby boomers are aging, and that means the number of senior citizens is on the rise. However, there are not enough medical providers in the San Joaquin Valley to treat this aging population. Journalist Tim Sheehan explains the state of healthcare for Valley seniors. Plus, the latest news headlines: What a civil grand jury report says about Fresno Unified, and Valley healthcare jobs could be impact...

Black bears are endemic to North America. And California has the second-largest population of black bears in the country, after Alaska. Today, we talk with Arjun Dheer from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife about how the state manages a ballooning population. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno files first wage theft lawsuit under new law, and a popular Fresno shopping center is s...

Affordable housing projects in the city of Merced are taking off. But it’s a different story in its neighboring rural towns. Today we speak with reporter Alma Villegas about why increasing the affordable housing stock is so challenging in this county, especially as California continues to face a housing shortage. .