Kqeds The California Report

California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. Next week state lawmakers are expected to pass a bill that will make carrying a concealed weapon her even harder. Reporter: Kris Hooks, CapRadio Nathan Hochman, a former prosecutor and defense lawyer, has won enough votes to face California's Democratic Attorney General, Rob Bonta, in the November general election in California. Hochman won 18% of the vote in the June 7th primary, while Bonta garnered 54.8%, according to the latest figures released on Thursday by the California Secretary of State's Office. Prosecutors say the accused gunman who attacked a Taiwanese congregation in Laguna Woods was motivated by hate. The shooting shows a painful and complex past for Taiwanese immigrants and their American children. Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC

A Paradise homeowner is one of the first to get her home fire proofed. It's part of a program that helps residents who lost homes during the 2018 Camp Fire pay for safety improvements. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED The trustee for a more than $13-billion-dollar fund set up to compensate Pacific Gas and Electric wildfire victims is stepping down. Retired Judge John K. Trotter has overseen the "Fire Victim Trust" for the past two years, but next week he leaves the post. Reporter:  Dan Brekke, KQED California’s public pension systems won’t have to divest their funds from fossil fuels anytime soon. A bill that would have forced the state's public pension systems to sell their oil and gas holdings by the end of the decade died in the state assembly this week. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW Los Angeles renters may have to start paying back payments owed for rent during the pandemic now that the LA City Council is considering reversing measures that protected renters for the past two years. Reporter: David Wagner,

Cal Fire is not only dealing with an increasing amount of wildfires across California, but many of its firefighters are facing their own mental health crisis. An investigation by CalMatters looked at the trauma these firefighters are facing and how it's affecting fire crews across the state. Guest: Julie Cart, Reporter, CalMatters Governor Gavin Newsom's plan to compel severely mentally ill Californians into treatment has cleared its latest legislative hurdle, despite concerns from civil liberties advocates. The CARE Court proposal is now headed to its next committee hearing in Sacramento. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED   Los Angeles County health officials are being urged to be more aggressive in their efforts to help stop the spread of Monkeypox. Currently, there are at least a dozen confirmed, or suspected, Monkeypox cases in LA County, and 37 total cases across the state. California health authorities are being asked to work harder on getting the word out about the disease, and the Aids Health Foundation

California has the highest gasoline prices in the country. Now, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers is investigating whether price gouging by energy companies is the biggest factor. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio Cal Fire responds to thousands of fires every year, often at great risk to firefighters. That’s earned the agency a heroic image in the public’s eye. But Cal Fire is also responsible for work that helps prevent catastrophic fire damage, and an investigation by the California Newsroom has found that the agency has failed to meet many of those responsibilities. Guest: Danielle Venton, KQED

Thousands of people will line the streets of downtown San Francisco on Monday to celebrate the Golden State Warriors NBA Championship. This is the team's fourth title in the last eight years. At least one bill that would legalize sports betting in California will go before voters in November. And while California could join more than two dozen states with some form of legalized wagering on sports, some are concerned it could have a negative effect on those struggling to kick the habit of sports betting and gambling addiction. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The Golden State Warriors went on the road and defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, 103-90, to clinch their fourth NBA title in the last eight seasons. Guard Stephen Curry was named Finals MVP, after leading the team with 34 points in the finale. A Bay Area state senator is introducing a bill that would require California gun owners to have liability insurance. The bill from Senator Nancy Skinner of Berkeley would make gun owners take out policies similar to car insurance, that would make them financially responsible for injuries, damages, or deaths caused by the negligent or accidental use of their weapons.  Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED Immigrant detainees who work at two privately run detention facilities around Bakersfield have confirmed they are on strike. This comes as California’s workplace health and safety regulators have opened an investigation into their working conditions at one of the detention centers. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Glenn Burke is not a household na

For nearly a decade, the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant has been the only active nuclear plant in California -- and the state’s single largest source of electricity. It's been set for decommissioning over the next three years, but recently Governor Gavin Newsom has discussed delaying its closure, to help offset possible energy shortages predicted in the next few years. Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KCBX  The city of Sacramento has adopted an emergency ordinance aimed at better protecting patients and staff at reproductive health care clinics from harassment. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report   In a win for California employers, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday placed limits on a state law that lets workers sue over certain labor law violations, even if they agreed to arbitration. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED  An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for young children under the age of 5. Babies,

More California homeowners could get mortgage relief, as the state expands access to a program designed to help those who have struggled to make payments during the pandemic. Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED Southern California’s sizzling real estate market may finally be getting a little cooler. As mortgage rates and inflation rise, some sellers now find themselves slashing asking prices to make a sale. Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW Despite the cooling market in parts of Southern California, rent and property prices still remain out of reach for some Californians. Among them -- many child care providers in San Diego. Reporter: Claire Trageser, KPBS 

Legislators in Sacramento have passed a new state budget, just in time for Wednesday's constitutional deadline. The $300 billion package is the largest spending plan ever. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Since the beginning of the pandemic, the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Richmond have all adopted rules to stop landlords from harassing their tenants. Now, the city of Concord is the latest to take up these protections for renters. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED  This past weekend, there were multiple incidents across the country involving right wing groups targeting Pride Month events. And we had at least two notable examples of LGBTQ hate here in California. It's something that many say is happening far more frequently. Guest: Ari Drennen, LGBTQ Director for Media Matters for America

The Supreme Court’s ruling on a Mississippi case that could alter the future of abortions in this country could come any day now. With the decision likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, states across the country are already looking to severely restrict or outright ban access to abortions. That includes California’s next door neighbor, Arizona. Guest: Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest

On Thursday, the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will start sharing its findings, in the first of six public hearings. Dozens of people, here in California, have been criminally charged for their alleged involvement in the insurrection. Guest: Brian Levin, Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino A far right militia led the charge to recall a supervisor in Shasta County earlier this year. Far right activists started an organization meant to back candidates that shared their views in the primary election. But all six lost their races this week. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report The town of Susanville, about 200 miles northeast of Sacramento in Lassen County, is a former mining and logging area best known for the two state prisons it’s home to. The facilities are a driving force for Susanville’s economy, even with a third of the town’s population being incarcerated. But one of those facilities could close soon

During Tuesday's primary election, incumbents had strong showings in statewide races, as they head to runoffs in November. And several closely contested congressional seats will also be up for grabs in the general election. Guests: Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos, KQED Congressman David Valadao, who represents the 22nd District in the Central Valley is locked in a tight battle for his seat, with Democratic State Assemblyman Rudy Salas. Guest: Sorreath Hok, Valley Public Radio Attorney General Rob Bonta is headed to a November election date with one of his Republican challengers, although that race is still too close to call. Guest: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio The 45th Congressional District race covers much of Orange County. It's expected to be a close battle in November, with Republican incumbent Michelle Steel taking on Democrat Jay Chen. Reporter: Josie Huang, KPCC Developer Rick Caruso and longtime politician Karen Bass are heading for a November faceoff to see who will be the next mayor of the city of Los A

The primary election is being held Tuesday in California. While a number of statewide offices are up for grabs, there are also several key Congressional races across the state. Guest: Scott Shafer, KQED California tenants rights groups have sued the state, claiming its process for denying emergency rental assistance isn’t fair. The lawsuit comes as pandemic-related eviction protections are set to expire at the end of the month. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED A bill in the House of Representatives would help non-citizen military veterans who are being threatened with deportation stay in this country. Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED  It’s been nearly a year since thousands of Afghan nationals fled their home country, as the Taliban seized power, following the U.S. withdrawal. Many have made California their new home. But in one Central Valley community, it's been an everyday struggle for these refugees. Guest: Deepa Fernandes, Reporter, San Francisco Chronicle

Recently a few dozen Black Californians gathered in Oakland to discuss their visions for reparations. It was the first "listening session" hosted by the State Task Force studying reparations for descendants of enslaved Americans. To vote in Tuesday’s primary election, Californians must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. But you don’t need to have a permanent address to cast a ballot. Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio  

Due to rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, Alameda County is now requiring masks in most indoor public settings. With more California counties entering the CDC's highest community level for COVID-19 danger, it's unclear if more counties will do the same in the weeks ahead. The Summit of the Americas convenes in Los Angeles next week. It's a gathering of heads of state from across the Western Hemisphere. But this year, it's unclear how recent tensions between the U.S.and Mexico could affect the gathering. Guest: Arturo Sarukhán, Mexico's Former Ambassador to the U.S. The U.S. Department of Education is canceling student loan debt for some 500,000 students who attended Corinthian Colleges. Corinthian was accused of targeting low income students, leaving them with a mountain of debt and too often without the jobs promised with the degrees offered. Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED Dancers at the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar in North Hollywood could be the first strip club workers to successfully unionize s

As California's drought conditions worsen, the state is looking for more answers beyond just asking residents to conserve.  There's now renewed debate about whether or not to build the Sites Reservoir, a massive reservoir project in the western Sacramento River Valley. Guest: Ann Willis, Senior Staff Researcher, Center for Watershed Sciences at UC Davis California’s Reparations Task Force released its first report on Wednesday. The report has preliminary recommendations including the establishment of an Office of African American/Freedmen Affairs to address past and potential future harms, and to assist people in filing eligibility claims. Reporter: Lakshmi Sarah, KQED  State officials are warning people seeking abortion services about potential misleading information offered by so-called crisis pregnancy centers. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert about these facilities. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report UCLA researchers have analyzed the autopsies of people w

The Los Angeles City Council has voted in favor of drafting new municipal ordinances that will ban homeless encampments within 500 feet of all schools and daycare centers in the city. A new state audit has found major problems with the state's Child Abuse Central Index. The audit only reviewed six of California’s 58 counties, but found information gaps in tens of thousands of cases. Reporter: Sara Hossaini, KQED  Our sister station KVPR in Fresno has launched a new podcast series called “The Other California.” It profiles small towns around the San Joaquin Valley. One recent episode focuses on the expansion of the cannabis industry in the community of Woodlake in Tulare County.  Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR  After a very long meeting Tuesday, Democrats in the State Assembly have settled on a new Speaker to succeed Anthony Rendon. But it's still unclear when Robert Rivas will actually become the next Assembly Speaker. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED  This week the Biden Administration has launched a new system

There’s growing concern about the potential health and safety risks from more than a dozen leaking oil wells in Bakersfield. At least five of the wells were found to be emitting methane at high enough levels that could either be explosive or cause serious health risks. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report With the primary election coming up next month in California, many voters will be casting their ballot for the candidates they feel best represent their interests and needs. But is there equal representation in the state? Guest: Joe Mathews, Policital Columnist and President of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy During the worst months of the pandemic, many childcare providers had to temporarily close their doors. That pushed some providers over the edge, especially in low income communities.  Reporter: Claire Trageser, KPBS  

The Hollywood Bowl has been hosting musicians from far and wide for years. This year is something special as the Los Angeles venue celebrates 100 years with another summer of concerts and performances. Guest: Chad Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Workers in the California Legislature are not allowed to unionize, and often work long and grueling hours, without overtime. But a new bill would change that. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio Immigrant advocates and the U.S. government have reached an agreement on standards for the treatment of children in Border Patrol facilities. It comes two years after advocates raised alarms over shocking conditions at the Texas border during the Trump administration. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED  Hundreds of unionized workers, who've been on strike against Chevron's Bay Area refinery, are set to start voting on a deal that could end what's been a bitter two month long walk-out. Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED A strike by thousands of nurses has been averted at four Los Angeles County-run hospitals and multiple clinics. It happened after an all-night bargaining session led to a tentative agreement. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC