Central Valley Daily

Tamara Keith grew up here in the Central Valley before eventually heading to the University of California at Berkeley to study philosophy. From there, she spent some years reporting news in various positions before landing a job as Senior White House Correspondent with National Public Radio. On this bonus episode of Central Valley Daily, we sit down with Keith to discuss her Valley roots and what...

In one school district in the Central Valley, students and teachers are seeing surprising learning improvements among English learners. That’s despite a pandemic causing learning delays for many students. In today’s episode, we talk with Esther Quintanilla, a reporter with the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, about what’s behind the learning improvements. Plus, the latest news headlines: A...

Whether you know Paula Poundstone as a stand-up comedian, actor, or panelist on NPR’s popular quiz show Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, she’s a long-time comedy veteran. She’s making two tour stops in the Valley this coming weekend, and she sat down with KVPR producer Jonathan Linden for this episode to talk about authenticity on stage, her evolution as a performer, and life with a house full of animals....

The 559 area code in the San Joaquin Valley is running out of availability. So what do we do when that happens? On today’s episode, we speak with a regulator from the California Public Utilities Commission to hear how the agency fixes these issues. Plus, the latest news headlines: Water allocations increasing for Valley farmers and a new guilty plea tied to Bitwise Industries.

The San Joaquin River, just along the City of Fresno, offers recreation and a getaway from city life. But it also provides another crucial resource: gravel. The multinational company Cemex is proposing to dig deeper for the resource, but community residents are trying to stop the project. Today, we speak with Sharon Weaver from the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust about the concern...

A California farm tax break approved in the 1960s is still helping produce profits for farmland owners today. But a new investigation by the news website Fresnoland is shining light on the unequal distribution of those profits. Today, we speak with Fresnoland’s Gregory Weaver, who breaks down The Williamson Act. Plus, the latest news headlines: Protest against Republicans are planned over proposed...

Japanese-American author and local Valley farmer Mas Masumoto has written over a dozen books. His latest takes on a different angle – and sound. In this episode, we talk with him about the idea behind “Shadow Music” and other work it inspired. Plus, the latest news headlines: Trump officials attack California’s high-speed rail project and new research on bird flu safety among Valley workers.

Every year, the city of Tulare doubles its population when the world’s largest farm trade show comes to town. The World Ag Expo wrapped up last week, but in today’s episode, KVPR reporter Kerry Klein brings us a story from the show’s grounds. We hear what makes the expo so attractive and what it takes to make it happen. Plus, the latest news headlines: Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s next mo...

Decades after his death, Cesar Chavez continues to influence the region of California where he lived and died. There have been numerous ways he has been remembered, too. In today’s episode, we speak with Venancio Gaona, a retired educator who has spent many years fighting to honor Chavez by placing his name along a long stretch of road in Fresno. Gaona tells us about the meaning behind the effort....

Joy Harjo made history when she became the first Native American to be named U.S. Poet Laureate. She’s a guest in an upcoming San Joaquin Valley Town Hall lecture in Fresno. In today’s episode, we speak with her to hear how she finds inspiration for her work. Plus, the latest headlines, including charges being formally filed against a former Kern County supervisor and a new state bill that wants t...

Agriculture has long been perceived as a male-dominated industry. However, women are increasingly taking on leadership and management roles in the field. At this year’s World Ag Expo in Tulare, challenges facing women in agriculture were the focus of one seminar. In this episode, KVPR sits down with Amy Wolfe of the California Farmland Trust to talk about this topic. Plus, the latest news headline...

There is a crucial part of California’s water infrastructure that is key to preventing flooding. They’re called levees, and you may see them in your own community. Today, we break down the importance of these systems and how they’re holding up. Emily Zentner from The California Newsroom brings us why levees are important and the questions we still have about their sustainability. Plus, the latest...

Bird flu has wreaked havoc on dairy cattle, poultry, and egg prices. But now, there’s a risk to even one of our most beloved household pets: cats. Today, we speak with Sarah Boden, who recently reported on this topic for KFF Health News. She explains how cats have become vulnerable to the virus. Plus, the latest news headlines, including new maps revealing the state’s fire risk and advocacy groups...

President Donald Trump is cutting funding for a lab that studies a small fish known as the Delta Smelt. The tiny fish are an indicator species, meaning they help reveal the health of the ecosystems where they live. But the fish have also become a symbol of the tension between environmental groups and many politicians. Today we’re talking with John Buse from the Center for Biological Diversity abou...

The immigration debate over President Trump’s enforcement policies has reached classrooms. In recent weeks, hundreds of Central Valley students have walked out of class and protested in the street because they are concerned about mass deportation efforts. Today, we speak with Esther Quintanilla, a reporter at the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, about how schools and educators are respondi...

Agriculture. Water. Immigration. Many of President Trump’s earliest actions back in office have had direct effects on the Central Valley. Today, we speak with Casey Creamer, president and CEO of California Citrus Mutual. He discusses Trump’s recent executive orders and how his organization is wading through the politics. Plus, the latest news headlines, including the CSU faculty union’s response t...

Faculty and administration at Madera Community College are at odds over a new teaching method. Competency-based education prioritizes course mastery over grades – and students learn at their own pace. It has been tried in other colleges, but a recent attempt to bring it to Madera met some roadblocks. We speak with a faculty leader about what this means for the future of the practice. Plus, the lat...

One of President Donald Trump’s many executive orders since taking office last month went after the refugee admission process. Trump halted the Refugee Admissions Program and ordered a review of whether the program meets U.S. interests. But the order also affects those who were on their way to places like Fresno, and those who had already resettled here. On today’s episode, we speak with the direc...

Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to provide mental health treatment to those facing homelessness through a controversial program that established what is known as “CARE Courts.” Little data exists to know whether the program has been meeting its goals so far. But in today’s episode, we look at how it’s working in Stanislaus County. We speak with reporter Marijke Rowland from our partner, Central Valley Jo...

What’s in a pile of dirt? For residents of the small Sierra Nevada community of Oakhurst, the answer is unity–and a little bit of mischief. On today’s show, KVPR reporter Rachel Livinal takes us to the town where a seemingly normal dirt mound became a viral sensation. We also hear what it inspired residents to do next. Plus, the latest news headlines, including the reason why some are taking part...

San Joaquin Valley agriculture has a rich history, particularly the largely immigrant workers who have sustained it for generations. An education program in Bakersfield is calling teachers to learn about it. Today, we speak with Adam Sawyer, who is leading the project "California Dreamin’: Migration, Work, and Settlement in the Other California." We’ll hear about its goals and mission. Plus, the l...

Water in California is a complicated subject. But now, President Donald Trump is pushing an idea to send water from Northern California down to places like Los Angeles. His reason? Provide enough water to fight fires. But moving water like that is not so simple. And then there are issues like drought. Today we speak with Alastair Bland from CalMatters, who brings us the logistical challenges of th...

Immigration is a major topic driving the news these days. From a crackdown on immigrants without legal status – to a promise of mass deportations – there are human stories behind the headlines. Today, we speak with Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana, who is turning to art in order to showcase the faces of those affected by immigration policies. Plus, the latest news headlines, including Fresno Unified goi...

The City of Fresno has been dealing with a pet problem. There are too many animals needing care and there are also not enough potential pet owners. Today, we speak with Alma Torres, Interim Director of the Fresno Animal Center, about how the shelter is trying to close the gaps in animal services in such a large city. Plus, the latest news headlines, including a new strain of bird flu found in Merc...

President Trump wants to enlist local law enforcement to implement his immigration policies, including deportation. But what does local law enforcement say about this? Today, we speak with Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, who has his own views on the broad sweep of immigrants in his county. Plus, the latest news headlines, including what led to a Fresno police pursuit on the Fresno State camp...