KQED's The California Report

Cannabis businesses say California’s weed regulations are hurting the industry, but public health groups are pushing back, saying regulators are leaving protections for youth on the table. In Santa Cruz, known for its cannabis culture, the city says keeping both groups happy is an ongoing challenge. Reporter: Alonso Daboub, KQED New data shows cuts to Medi-Cal — the state’s Medicaid program — are...

San Francisco drone delivery company Zipline hopes to one day fly your burrito — and other consumer goods — right to your front porch. It’s already doing so in Dallas and elsewhere across the country. But before it can expand, Zipline’s drones are flying thousands of test missions above a serene Yolo County cattle ranch near Esparto. Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio San Diego is exploring selling...

The California's governor's race remains too close to call. Republican Steve Hilton currently leads the pack, but is closely followed by Democrat Xavier Becerra. Fellow Democrat Tom Steyer is sitting in third but still has a chance to overtake one of the two other candidates, with millions of ballots left to be counted. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED We already know the two candidates advancing to sev...

It's election day. And California's first truly open governor's race in decades has sparked a lot of speculation, including early fears that the state's top-two primary system could leave Democrats shut out of the general election entirely. But that scenario is looking far less likely. Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED About 150 immigrants detained at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center are on their 11th d...

California voters passed Prop 50 last year to flip some congressional seats in favor of Democrats. That means one of the most progressive Democrats in congress will now have to make a case to some of the most conservative voters. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio In a controversial move, state regulators have approved major changes to a key state climate program. California’s Air R...

One of the most competitive primary races for Congress right now is a swing district in the Central Valley. Democrats there are hoping to flip a seat long held by Republican David Valadao. But first they need a nominee. With just days until the primary , the party’s two candidates in the 22nd Congressional District are competing for who can appeal to the most voters - as the national Democratic Pa...

This week, we’ve been looking at the rise of "generational change candidates" in Democratic primaries. That's a politician who has positioned themselves as a fresh, modern alternative to long-term incumbents. Think passing the torch to Millennials or Gen Zers who are more focused on climate and health care for all. Well, Prop 50, the ballot measure voters passed in November. has opened up an oppor...

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has become the darling of progressives with his populist platform and his ability to connect with young voters. Here in California, two candidates are trying to take a similar message to voters - in the San Francisco race to replace Nancy Pelosi and the Los Angeles Mayor's race. Reporters: Sydney Johnson, KQED and Frank Stoltze, LAist All evacuation orders have b...

We're just a week away from the June 2 primary and in California, several younger, more progressive-leaning candidates are looking to replace longtime incumbents. Two congressional races are highlighting this potential "generational change"- the District 7 race pitting Doris Matsui against challenger Mai Vang and the 32nd Congressional District with incumbent Brad Sherman facing off against Jake L...

Some good news from Orange County, as fire officials have ruled out the possibility that a damaged chemical tank will explode. About 50,000 people remain under evacuation orders in Orange County, and several shelters have quickly filled up. It's unclear when evacuees might be able to return home. Reporter: Chelsea Kurnick A young boxer from the remote Fresno County town of Huron won bronze in her...

In California's crowded race for governor, almost every candidate has made housing affordability a central part of their campaign. While the candidates have varied approaches on this issue, and there's a lot they agree on, there are also some key differences. Guest: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED Data centers are expanding into water-stressed communities across California, like the Imperial Valley. At th...

For the past four months, many people with friends and family in Iran haven't known if their loved ones are safe. The Iranian government cut off internet access inside the country on January 8 amid widespread protests. There were moments in the weeks that followed when Iranians could access the outside world. But when the U.S. and Israel attacked the country in late February, the blackout resumed....

The crowded field of candidates running for governor in the June 2 primary all agree on one thing — the need to make California a more affordable place to live. Prices for housing, electricity and gas here remain far above the national average. But it could be a challenge for any of the candidates to deliver on affordability. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED The Muslim community is mourning the death...

Five people are dead including two suspected gunmen after a shooting at San Diego's largest mosque. The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime. This week we’ve been taking a look at PG&E. On  Monday, we talked about the utility's efforts to keep its Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant open. Today, we’re looking at their political spending. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad cho...

Nuclear advocates are pushing to keep Diablo Canyon – California’s only running nuclear power plant – open even longer than planned. The plant passed its final hurdle to run until 2030 last month, but legislators are talking about extending that expiration date even further. Guest: Laura Klivans, KQED While lawmakers debate how long Diablo Canyon should stay open, local support for the nuclear pla...

Six weeks. That's how long state officials say California has until it runs out of a stable supply of gasoline. After that, the supply picture gets a little murky. With the Iran War now in its third month and gas averaging more than $6 a gallon, the state is racing to lock in long-term deals with overseas refiners before that window closes. It's a crisis that's also exposing the tensions in Califo...

Hundreds of Californians who make countertops are getting sick with an often deadly, job-related lung disease. Those who can no longer work because of it are often left struggling to make ends meet, even after pursuing benefits that are supposed to help them long term. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED State health officials have identified another California resident who has been exposed to...

In the crowded field of mostly Democratic candidates vying to be California’s next governor, one MAGA Republican has had surprising staying power. That’s Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. He’s recently been in national headlines for seizing hundreds of thousands of ballots, among other controversies. Bianco has built his profile on bashing the state’s Democrats and Governor Gavin Newsom. Repor...

Driven by concerns that Democrats could be locked out of this year's governor's race, a new ballot initiative seeks to repeal California’s top-two primary system. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require California’s DMV to notify vehicle owners when their towed cars are sold for profit. Reporter: Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters An investigation from KQED and...

Several state bills pending in Sacramento this week seek more guardrails on Artificial Intelligence in the workplace. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED A proposed state budget change could stall the program that sends behavioral health workers — instead of police — to respond to mental health emergencies. Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters California’s newest grade — transitional kindergarten —...

Ron Eby spent 20 years in the Navy before he retired from his role as a commander. But after a while, he got bored - so he signed up for a new covert mission. Looking for otters. Not enemy warships, but threatened sea otters, as a volunteer with the Elkhorn Slough Reserve in Moss Landing. Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal joined...

As wildfires become more destructive in California, the need for forensic investigations is increasing. Specifically: the need for finding and identifying bodies after a wildfire. A recent intensive academy at Fresno City College addressed this need by training working professionals. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR Advocates are criticizing the state's tracking of evictions, saying California has f...

Immigration enforcement is affecting recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. Since 2012, the program has allowed people brought to the United States as children to stay in the US and work, go to school, and buy property. But one Sacramento woman's life unraveled within days of learning that her immigration case was being reopened. Reporter: Gerardo Zavala, CapRad...

A major change to a federal farmworker visa program known as H-2A is sparking a heated debate across California. The program allows farms to bring in temporary workers from other countries, but a change from the Trump administration has altered how they are paid, sparking a lawsuit from the United Farmworkers Union. Supporters say it’s a lifeline for farmers facing rising labor costs. Critics call...

Shasta County voters will consider a ballot measure that's faced legal challenges before the primary election. It could change the way elections are conducted in the county. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio The World Cup is about a month away. And FIFA luxury suites can cost over $200,000 for a single match in Los Angeles. Union workers at SoFi Stadium say they want their pay to r...