Kqeds The California Report

Despite billions of dollars funneled from the state Capitol, the share of school districts in California offering full-time, in-person learning ranks among the lowest in the U.S. But as more districts begin opening their doors, state lawmakers are turning their focus to next school year as part of the annual state budget process. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED For adults on the autism spectrum it can be hard to get and keep a job. Now a Sacramento-based pilot program that’s helped some autistic adults find employment is looking to expand statewide. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Bay Area immigrant advocates are urging U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to get rid of Trump-era orders that deny asylum to many immigrants fleeing domestic violence. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED   As thousands of migrant families cross into the United States, many are being flown by Customs and Border Protection to San Diego, where they are then removed to Mexico, without any of their belongings. This type of treatment is li

Governor Gavin Newsom will face a recall election later this year. State officials have announced that the campaign to remove the governor from office has gathered enough signatures to put it before voters. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED The 2020 Census results came out Monday and California is among the losers. The state is among those losing a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED With California losing a Congressional seat due to the latest Census results, some are wondering whether the final tally was truly accurate, or if the results undercounted communities of color in the state. Guest: Fernando Guerra, Director for the Center of the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University  California’s new Attorney General Rob Bonta, who was appointed by Governor Newsom, has only been on the job for a few days. But he already has a high profile challenger for the 2022 election. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED The city of Fresno has reached settlements totaling nearly $10 milli

The ruling to offer shelter to the homless by October has been sharply criticized by the city and county of Los Angeles, which plan to appeal the decision. Many of the homeless who live on Skid Row said that despite the ruling, people may not leave the area. L.A. County is home to the largest Armenian community outside of Armenia itself. Many welcomed the news that President Biden formally recognized the mass killings of Armenians by Turkish forces during World War I as a genocide. On Friday, Governor Newsom took a big step to ban fracking in California. He said California will stop issuing fracking permits by 2024 and halt all oil extraction by 2045. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED With the deadline for validating signatures fast approaching, Gavin Newsom will almost surely face a recall election later this year. Democrats learned some hard lessons when then Governor Gray Davis faced his own recall, nearly two decades ago. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED 

Leaders of the University of California and the California State University systems have announced that their students and employees will need proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to return to campus in the fall. But there are a few conditions to that requirement.  Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC  This week's conviction in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd has one Californian questioning why such a volume of video evidence was so necessary in the case at all. Guest: Allissa Richardson, Journalism Professor, USC California will soon be getting a new Attorney General as the state legislature has confirmed Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta’s appointment to the position. He'll be taking over for Xavier Becerra who is now serving as Health and Human Services Secretary under the Biden administration. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED 12 governors, including Governor Newsom, are urging the Biden Administration to set strict standards for a faster transition to clean vehicles. They want all new ca

Governor Newsom has declared a drought emergency for Mendocino and Sonoma counties. In the Klamath Basin near the California-Oregon border, officials are anticipating a summer of unprecedented drought. Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio Young people in California have been at the heart of protests and rallies since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year. One youth organizer in Oakland says the fight will continue, even after guilty verdicts were handed down to Derek Chauvin. Guest: Luna EkunDayo, Co-Founder of Black Youth for the People’s Liberation Rob Bonta faced questions from both the Assembly and Senate in Sacramento on Wednesday. He was pressed on how he would handle various high-profile issues, should he be confirmed as California's next Attorney General. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Wildfire smoke may not just be choking the lungs. It could be irritating the skin, that according to a new study from researchers at U.C. San Francisco and U.C. Berkeley.   Reporter: Lesley McClurg

Leaders up and down California expressed joy and relief following the guilty verdicts handed down to former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd. Members of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles were overjoyed by the guilty verdicts handed down in the murder of George Floyd. But they know that more work lies ahead for them. Guest: Dr. Melina Abdullah, Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles A community gathering in Fresno honored the life of George Floyd following the verdicts announced Tuesday. Now, organizers are preparing for a large march to remember the lives also lost in Fresno. Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio  The California Legislature will take up the governor’s nomination of Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta to be the state’s next Attorney General.  Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti will formally introduce his budget proposal on Tuesday. It includes money for a universal basic income pilot program. The trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd is now in the hands of the jury. One Bay Area professor said the defense's arguments have been rooted in a long history of looking at the health and well-being of Black people differently. Guest: Denise Hurd, Professor of Public Health, UC Berkeley An audit last year of the California District Attorney’s Association revealed that the group had misused at least $2.9 million in public funds meant to help prosecutors enforce environmental and worker safety laws. Instead, the audit found, it was used on things like lobbying. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Los Angeles is home to the largest urban oil field in the country, and about a third of L.A. County residents live less than a mile from an active drilling site. A new study from the University of Southern California has fou

In Kings County, there’s been a 90% increase in deaths among Latino immigrants between 2019 and 2020. That’s according to a data analysis by UC Merced. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio Tax day is less than a month away and for out of work Californians who still haven’t filed their returns, the process could feel extra complicated. One Bay Area tax expert said it's best to get it done as soon as possible. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report  Following the news of the pause in administering doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, misinformation and conspiracy theories ran rampant. It raises the question of how to educate the public when it comes to vaccinations as a health measure.   Guest: Scott Ratzan, Distinguished Lecturer, CUNY School of Public Health

More than 300,000 COVID-19 cases involve the nation’s meatpacking workers, leading to billions of dollars in economic damage, according to a new study from U.C. Davis. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report With Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement that he wants the state to fully reopen on June 15, the live music industry is preparing for what could be a busy second half of 2021. But not all music venues will open in June. State utility regulators have voted to take new action against Pacific Gas and Electric, after finding the company hasn’t done enough in regards to wildfire safety work. The California Public Utilities Commission said the utility has fallen short when it comes to removing dangerous trees in areas that are prone to wildfires. Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Everyone over the age of 16 in California can now sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the state's My Turn website. But as eligibility expands in the state, some are concerned people in the hardest hit communities will be left behind in trying to get a shot. Guest: Kiran Savage-Sangwan, Executive Director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network Restaurants in a dozen California counties have filed class-action lawsuits seeking refunds for pandemic-era business permits, licensing fees, and late charges.  Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED During the pandemic, lots of Americans have been kept afloat financially with the help of stimulus payments from the federal government, like the most recent one for $1,400. But is that money getting to people most in need, like the homeless here in California? As Republicans in many states work to enact tighter restrictions on voting, California lawmakers are going in the opposite direction. California could become the sixth state in the country to permane

The state is following federal guidance by pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as officials investigate six blood clot cases that may be tied to the vaccine. Governor Gavine Newsom said he doesn't anticipate this affecting the state's vaccination or reopening timeline. Whistleblower Sophie Zhang details how authoritarian governments used Facebook to target activists and journalists, and spread misinformation campaigns, and the company did little about it. Guest: Julia Carrie Wong, Senior Technology Reporter with The Guardian The San Francisco-based online newsletter platform Substack has become a popular home for many well-known journalists who’ve abandoned mainstream media outlets. But now, the company's choice of some of the writers it’s invited aboard has come under fire.  Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

The FDA has called for a pause in use of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, after six people developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within about two weeks of vaccination. Nearly 7 million people in the United States have already received a Johnson and Johnson dose.  Guest: Sydney Lupkin, Pharmaceuticals Correspondent, NPR As the holy month of Ramadan continues, health leaders are encouraging Muslims to get the COVID-19 vaccine. And they're trying to spread the word that vaccines can be safely administered, even while people are fasting. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC Street vendors in Central Valley communities have been victimized by violence and thefts. Just last month vendor Lorenzo Perez was shot and killed while he was selling corn in southeast Fresno.  Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

In San Francisco, schools will only be open for the youngest students. In San Diego County, the state's second largest school district, in-person learning will be an option for all students. The Biden Administration's infrastructure plan includes a huge push for getting more electric vehicles on the roadway. At least one expert says a lot can be learned from California's EV push. Guest: Chelsea Sexton, Electric Vehicle Industry Analyst The site in L.A. County is expected to hold up to 2,500 unaccompanied migrant children at a time. It will be the third site to open in Southern California, after the cities of Long Beach and San Diego also added temporary shelters. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW   Much of the controversy surrounds Commissioner Alison Collins. But now, some students say they want their voices heard as the board makes decisions on the future of schools. Guest: Holly McDede, KQED

California’s health agencies offer information about COVID-19 in many languages – including Spanish, Hmong and American Sign Language. But one language that’s largely been missing is Punjabi.  Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR Governor Newsom has struck a deal with lawmakers and hopes to sign the plan into law next week. This comes after a record-breaking fire season in 2020, and mostly dry winter, which could make California more susceptible to fires in 2021. In the private sphere, California is a high-tech mecca, but the pandemic has exposed the frailties and age of the state government’s technology infrastructure. One Bay Area lawmaker said he has a plan to fix some of the state's issues.  Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report The family of a mentally ill man, who was beaten by Ukiah police officers, is planning to sue the city and the men who beat him. This is not the first incident that’s drawn criticism for the Ukiah Police Department.  Reporter: Sarah Reith, KZYX

Many Californians are still suffering from COVID-19 symptoms, months after they were initially diagnosed. Many of these long haulrs are hoping to get answers for what's ailing them from long term COVID-19 clinics. Guest: Dr. Lekshmi Santhosh, Physician Faculty Lead, UCSF OPTIMAL Clinic. State health officials tell the Mercury News that California's allocation of Johnson & Johnson doses from the federal government will drop by 90% next week. This comes as the state will allow everyone over the age of 16 to get their vaccination shot. Fresno leaders have announced a proposal to respond to a rise in violence against the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The city hopes to create an Office of Community Affairs, hiring local community liaisons. Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio A community of Haitian migrants has been in Tijuana for nearly a decade, fleeing a devastating earthquake, hurricanes, financial collapse and now, deep political instability and violence. But many have been unable to make a

Governor Newsom said the reopening will happen, as long as enough people are vaccinated and hospitalization rates remain low. 20 million vaccines have been administered in California so far. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED  As California continues pushing forward with reopening, thousands of people in the state continue to struggle with COVID-19 symptoms, months after their initial diagnosis. San Francisco resident San Francisco resident Charlie McCone is one of the long haulers who has struggled with symptoms for more than a year. Guest: Charlie McCone, San Francisco Resident and COVID-19 long hauler Pacific Gas and Electric is facing mutiple felony and misdemeanors in connection with the its role in starting the 2019 Kincade Fire. The fire in Wine Country destroyed hundreds of buildings and burned nearly 78,000 acres.  Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED Wedgewood drew national scrutiny last year after a group of Black homeless mothers occupied a vacant home the company owned in West Oakland. A KQED investigation h

The plan would turn the Long Beach Convention Center into a temporary shelter for unaccompanied migrant children. If approved, the city would be able to house up to a thousand children at a time. For the first time since becoming vice president, Kamala Harris returned to her hometown of Oakland Monday. The visit focused on jobs and infrastructure. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED The Major League Baseball season is underway and minor league teams are preparing for their season. But there will be big changes, including for teams here in California, in large part due to the pandemic. Guest: Benjamin Hill, Writer who covers the business of minor league baseball Merced County has been hit especially hard during the pandemic. While efforts continue to try to get vaccine doses to the hardest hit communities, there is still some vaccine hesitancy, and a shortage of doses. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

L.A. County is the latest to move into the state's less restrictive orange tier for reopening. Meanwhile, concerts, theater performances and other indoor gatherings will be allowed with restrictions beginning April 15. Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED Across the country, members of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities continue to speak out against a spike in violence targeting them.  Guests: Myrla Baldonado, organizer at L.A.'s Filipino Workers Center, Hypein Im, President and CEO of Faith and Community Empowerment California is home to an estimated 900,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Many are now waiting for the Senate to pass legislation that would offer them a path to citizenship. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED  At the start of the pandemic, Congress passed an emergency expansion of food stamps, but it was blocked by the Trump administration. Participants in California sued and now, the Biden administration said it will settle the suit, and send out extra ben

Police have identified the suspect as Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez and said he had a business or personal relationship with the four victims. Officers recovered a backpack at the scene containing pepper spray, handcuffs and ammunition that they believe belong to the suspect. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report California's Employment Development Department has been besieged with numerous problems as it tries to deal with a huge backlog of unemployment claims during the pandemic. But there are new concerns about the debt that's piling up and who will be on the hook to pay for these claims. Guest: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report with Lauren Hepler, Reporter, CalMatters The federal government was going to stop operating the Oakland Coliseum vaccination site later this month. But the state is working with Alameda County officials to keep it going past April 11. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Hospitals up and down the state have been overwhelmed at times during the pandemic. KQED Health Reporte

The shooting took place in the city of Orange on Wednesday afternoon. Another victim has been hospitalized and the suspect was also wounded, though it's unclear if it was self-inflicted or if he was shot by police. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report First Lady Dr. Jill Biden used the occasion of Cesar Chavez Day to show support for farmworkers. She visited the original headquarters of the United Farm Workers union, known as The 40 Acres. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report Six years ago, author Brad Balukjian spoke with The California Report from Kansas City. At the time he was on a road trip sparked by an idea to track down all the players in a single pack of 1986 Topps baseball cards. The result is a book called "The Wax Pack." Guest: Brad Balukjian, Author, "The Wax Pack" Californians who are 50 and older can now get a COVID-19 vaccine But news of manufacturing problems with one of the vaccines could prove to be problematic, as more people try to sign up for appointments. Reporter: Jac