Central Valley Daily

Smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday in Vatican City, signaling a new pope had been elected. Chandler Marquez, spokesman for the Diocese of Fresno, witnessed the moment firsthand. He talks to us about Pope Leo XIV, the first person from the United States to lead the Catholic Church. Plus, the latest news headlines: House members reintroduce bill that would offer legal...

The national AmeriCorps program incentivizes service and volunteerism in communities. But the federal government ordered millions cut from it. Today, we speak with EdSource reporter Lasherica Thornton about how those cuts are affecting Valley programs. Plus, the latest news headlines: A tiny bug triggers emergency declarations in the Valley, and what a new study says about the impacts of wildfire...

We speak with Alex Riggins, reporter with the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has pored over court documents that highlight alleged child sex abuse by leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across California, including here in the Central Valley. Plus, the latest news headlines: President Trump says he won’t fund California’s high-speed rail, and DOGE wants to cut a Kern County far...

We talk with Magnus Lofstrom, policy director and senior fellow with the Public Policy Institute of California, about how counties are implementing Proposition 36. Voters approved the measure in November amid frustration with crime. Plus, the latest news headlines: Cal Fire’s wildfire outlook for the summer, and a Valley high school mascot is competing to be the best in the nation.

California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla sat down with KVPR for an interview about legislation he is hoping to get through Congress and on President Trump’s desk. It would address wildfire policies. Padilla also weighs in on Trump’s second term so far.

We speak with author and Bakersfield native Pam Muñoz Ryan about her writing process. She’s among the writers you should expect to see at this year’s San Joaquin Valley Bookfest. Plus, the latest news headlines: Kamala Harris’s first major speech against President Trump, and a new report says two Valley prisons are at risk of flooding.

KVPR reporter Joshua Yeager reports on recent visits by progressive politicians to Kern County, a conservative bastion in liberal California. Yeager discusses how voters are responding to recent shifts in national politics. Plus, the latest news headlines: Workers observe “May Day” occasion; and funding for a program that protects a fox species is pulled from a Valley university.

We speak with the judges of this year’s San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition. The event was held at the Fresno Fairgrounds and highlighted a growing industry in California. Plus, the latest news headlines: A judge issues a preliminary ruling in an ACLU lawsuit against U.S. Border Patrol, and valley fever cases are rising in California.

As millions of Catholics around the world mourn the death of Pope Francis, we get a local perspective. We speak with Chandler Marquez, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Fresno. The Diocese oversees over a million faithful followers of the church. Plus, the latest news headlines: A Tulare County student is the best speller in the state, and millions of dollars for COVID-19 are lost in Kings Cou...

We speak with Esther Quintanilla, reporter with the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. She details how Misty Her made it to the Fresno Unified superintendent position and the criticism from some about her selection.

We speak with reporters Susie Neilson and Megan Fan Munce about their new investigation into a system known as “360 Value.” Their reporting uncovers how major insurance companies rely on the program’s faulty algorithm to insure homes. Plus, the latest news headlines: The City of Bakersfield walks back plans to raise some utility rates, and a Fresno writer is re-chosen by the state to be poet laure...

Photographer Nevada Wier joins the show to discuss her craft and how she captures moments and people around the world. Wier is also presenting a keynote speech at a photography awards ceremony at Fresno City College. Plus, the latest news headlines: California’s high-speed rail leader says he’s committed to the project, and state leaders are trying to stem the impacts of U.S. tariffs.

Bakersfield City Manager Christian Clegg joins the show to discuss why he made a recent proposal to increase water and sewer rates. He also shares why the city’s current rates aren’t keeping up with infrastructure needs. Plus, the latest news headlines: California High Speed Rail CEO visits Fresno, and sequoia trees go up across the U.S. in honor of Earth Day.

April is Stress Awareness Month – but honestly, this is a topic we could talk about year-round. On today’s show, we speak with Bakersfield Memorial Hospital neurologist Dr. Laura Ragna. She outlines a few stress management techniques that can help us calm down when stress is running high. Plus, the latest news headlines: Valley residents mourn the death of Pope Francis, and why a local community c...

In California, many of us are dependent upon our cars. That includes some of the state’s most dangerous drivers. A new investigation by CalMatters reveals that the DMV rarely revokes licenses, even for drivers convicted of serious crimes, such as manslaughter. We speak to reporter Robert Lewis about his new investigation, “License to Kill.”

In celebration of their 25th anniversary, Mariachi Mestizo has released a new album. The group, based out of Delano, is composed of high school and middle school students, although you wouldn’t know by listening. We celebrate home-grown mariachi with band organizer Juan Morales and band member Joelynn Valencia. Plus, the latest news headlines: Dozens protest proposed Medicaid cuts outside Congress...

When the U.S. Border Patrol conducted immigration raids earlier this year in Kern County, they said they were targeting undocumented individuals with criminal records. New reporting from CalMatters shows that wasn’t the case. Today, reporter Sergio Olmos tells us what he discovered during his investigation. Plus, the latest news headlines: Governor Newsom announces his latest lawsuit against the W...

Senator Bernie Sanders, along with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes, stopped in Bakersfield for his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour on Tuesday. But not all the thousands who showed up were “feeling the Bern.” KVPR sat down with the senator to discuss why he stopped in the historically conservative town. Plus, the latest news headlines: an escaped convict from Kern County is wanted for murder in Me...

The City of Fresno’s anti-encampment ordinance has finally been put to the test. The first unhoused person arrested for violating that ordinance was due in court in early April. Lawyers on both sides were ready to make their case in what was expected to be a precedent-setting decision. That is, until the judge surprised everyone by throwing it out. Today, we speak with Fresnoland reporter Pablo Or...

The Trump Administration wants access to the tax data of undocumented people. And under a new agreement between the IRS and the Department of Homeland Security, they might get it. Today, we speak with Wall Street Journal tax policy reporter Richard Rubin, who breaks down this decision and what it means for people in the U.S. without legal status.

Have you ever been to a stand-up comedy show? How about one that’s at an unexpected place - like a laundromat or hair salon - and you only find out the address a few hours ahead of time? On today’s show, we’ll hear from KVPR reporter Rachel Livinal, who checked out a secret show in Merced. Plus, the latest news headlines: a Kern County fugitive is linked to the death of a Mexican police officer in...

We speak with Lois Henry, editor and CEO of the news website SJV Water, about the judge’s ruling and what lies ahead for those who have a stake in the Kern River’s water. Plus, the latest news headlines: Rep. Vince Fong introduces legislation to protect sequoias, and the White House’s DOGE team cuts funding for a Central Valley history program.

We just wrapped up the most deadly winter on record for commercial honeybees: a survey by the non-profit research organization “Project Apis m.” estimated that 62% of commercial bees died between fall and spring. These bees not only make honey but also pollinate more than 100 U.S. crops - contributing to a total of $18 billion dollars in agricultural revenue. What did these losses mean to commerci...

Among the many surprising revelations of the 2024 election was Latino voters' support for President Trump. Voter surveys reveal Trump won more than 40% of the Latino vote, and he performed especially well among Latino men — despite his anti-immigrant rhetoric and calls for mass deportations that mainly target Latinos. Journalist Paola Ramos is the author of a new book titled "Defectors: The Rise o...

California is pushing to secure as much renewable energy as it transitions away from fossil fuels. One of the places in the state where sunshine is in abundance is the Mojave Desert. However, a rush to build solar energy infrastructure there is having consequences for the famed plant known as Joshua Trees. Today, we speak with KVPR reporter Joshua Yeager about that battle. Plus, the latest news he...