KQED's The California Report

At colleges across California, many campus police departments have AR-15s, stun grenades and sonic weapons. This military-grade gear is supposed to be catalogued and open to public scrutiny. But according to recent reporting from CalMatters’ College Journalism Network, the law meant to sunshine that information isn’t really being followed. Guest: Phoebe Huss, CalMatters College Journalism Network...

July has officially started, and if you haven't gone hiking or camping yet, you're probably thinking about it. But California, the great state that it is, is brimming with possibilities, especially when it comes to outdoor adventures. Do you go to Yosemite and deal with the big crowds that park has seen after it dropped its reservation system this year? Or maybe you stay local. Or what about hike...

In the aftermath of a catastrophic wildfire we often ask, how do we stop this from happening again? Fire experts and the insurance industry have an answer to this. But there’s a tradeoff. It calls for getting rid of something we often love very much - our plants. Officials are now slowly phasing in this step called “Zone Zero,” but the strongest push may come from insurance companies themselves. R...

Black English is older than America herself. The language is rooted in African American history and has become ubiquitous on social media and pop culture, yet it hasn’t been embraced in the classroom. But one Bay Area woman wants to legitimize Black English starting in the early years. Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED Salinas is temporarily putting the brakes on new tobacco retailers. The move comes a...

Life in California has become more expensive, and people are trying to find ways to survive. Among the Latino diaspora – from the Bay Area to the Central Valley – more people are turning to tandas: an old tool, now with a modern twist. It’s a way to get out of a tight spot, save money and build credit. Reporter: Israel Cardona Hernandez, KVPR A Bay Area carpenter who was rushed to the emergency ro...

Nearly half the nation's vegetables and more than three quarters of the country's fruits are grown right here in California? That means Californians have a big stake in what happens with the farm bill, which is overdue for renewal and in front of the Senate now. Reporters: Amy Mayer, KAZU and Samantha Rangel, KVPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fourth of July weekend is almost here and many of us are pulling out the grills and the barbecue sauce. But across the state, fire crews are bracing for a very different kind of heat. California's weather has become more unpredictable, drier in some places and potentially wetter in others, and that's due to the El Nino weather pattern. But what does that mean for potential wildfires? Guest: Daniel...

Workers’ compensation benefits are intended to help people injured on the job. But sometimes, they fall through the cracks. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED California civil rights leaders are expressing relief and gratitude. That’s after the Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that all children born on US soil are US citizens, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Reporter: Tyche Hendric...

The Supreme Court upheld equal citizenship for all born on American soil Tuesday, in a landmark victory for the country’s immigrant communities. Guest: Kevin Johnson, UC Davis Law Professor The Humboldt County Sheriff says the rescue at the center of a multiagency investigation into potential fraud and animal abuse will stay open for now, even though the remains of more than 117 dogs were found on...

Search and rescue crews from Los Angeles have arrived in Venezuela to help after two massive earthquakes devastated large swaths of the Northern part of the country last week. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, KQED Dilapidated mobile home parks across the state are getting revamped…thanks to a state program that launched a few years ago. Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters President Trump’s second term...

Although “students” are typically thought of as young people enrolled in K through 12 schools or college…many people over 64 also make up the student population in the San Joaquin Valley. And they’re still reaping the benefits of learning…physically and emotionally. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR California voters will decide on 14 state ballot measures this November. That includes a controversial...

A new investigation reveals how California law enforcement agencies disciplined about 150 officers, who used racial slurs and acted in other prejudiced ways, and in many cases, officers kept their jobs. Guests: Emily Zentner, California Newsroom and Lisa Pickoff-White, UC Berkeley's Investigative Reporting Program The Trump Administration is taking another step toward restarting oil and gas develo...

The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its highly anticipated ruling on birthright citizenship in the coming days. The decision arrives as the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary. And it highlights a legacy of Chinese immigrants, and the role they played in building American democracy. Reporter: Cecilia Lei, KQED A federal judge in San Jose has ruled that it’s illegal for immigration...

Americans are drinking less wine, but growers say there’s another reason demand is down for California grapes. It’s a law that allows U.S. wineries to include cheaper imported wines in products labeled as American. On Tuesday, the State Senate will vote on a bill sponsored by California grape growers that aims to close that international blending loophole. Reporter: Tina Caputo California is suing...

In Monterey Park, which is east of Los Angeles, the city made history when it became the first to ban data centers earlier this month. But it’s likely not the last, as data center fights are erupting across California. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Firefighters have made significant progress in the warehouse fire that has been burning for several days in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los An...

On this Juneteenth holiday, we’re taking a closer look at the reparations movement here in California. The state has been at the forefront of efforts to atone for state-inflicted harms from slavery to the present day. But some of that momentum stalled last year after Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a handful of reparations-related bills. Guest: Kristin Nimmers, California Black Power Network Californ...

Over the past decade, dozens of maternity wards have shut down across California, and that raises risks for pregnant patients. At one rural Monterey County hospital, family medicine doctors are stepping in to help fill the gaps in service. Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU A controversial proposal to tax California billionaires has qualified for the November ballot. In Orange County, workers earning six...

It’s been a tough time for the California wine industry because alcohol sales are dropping. But a growing number of Latino winemakers in Sonoma County hope to turn that tide. Reporter: Shandra Back, KRCB California lawmakers adopted a state budget on Monday. The legislature’s spending plan pushes back on some of Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed cuts. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio Learn more...

A new study in the journal Science finds that annual prescribed burning could substantially reduce smoke pollution during California’s worst wildfire years. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Eight people are dead after a military plane crashed on Monday shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base in the Mojave Desert. An Imperial Valley data center developer has filed a lawsuit seeking access...

The state legislature is expected to vote today on a budget plan that rejects some of the health care cuts proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED California Democrats are urging the Trump administration to release millions in transportation funds it withheld in a dispute over drivers licenses for immigrant truckers. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Iran’s men’s soccer team...

This week, the FBI served a search warrant at the GKN Aerospace plant in Orange County. That’s the facility where a near-explosion triggered an evacuation of more than 50-thousand residents last month. Reporter: Molly Peterson, CalMatters The California Department of Fish & Wildlife is celebrating the survival of five rehabilitated bear cubs. CDFW says the orphaned black bears were released last N...

In California’s congressional primaries, a slate of younger, often progressive, Democrats challenged some of their party’s aging incumbents…testing voters’ appetite for generational change. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED Reports of medical neglect in immigration detention are rampant – and deaths are rising. And when sick or injured detainees do get to an outside hospital, many say their care is still...

Millions of Californians who buy their own health insurance on Covered California are struggling to keep up with the cost. Now, Governor Gavin Newsom wants the state to chip in, and pay a bigger share of their monthly premiums. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News Republican Steve Hilton is advancing to the general election for California governor, edging out Democrat Tom Steyer for the secon...

It's been one week since California's primary Election Day and a handful of closely watched races are still up for grabs. Imperial Valley voters have rejected a controversial candidate for the Imperial Irrigation District, the region’s powerful water and power agency. Carlos Duran’s campaign was backed by a Southern California data center developer. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS Immigration courts a...

California scientists are nervous about the fate of sea life, which could face a double whammy of warming water later this year. Coastal waters have already warmed during an ongoing marine heat wave and could warm further if a potential super El Niño materializes. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Hundreds of residents of Orange Cove in rural, eastern Fresno County are speaking out against a clean...