KQED's The California Report

A Haitian community group filed a criminal complaint this week in Ohio over former president Donald Trump’s false claims that Haitian immigrants were eating cats and dogs. The same group helps Haitian immigrants along California’s border, and says Trump’s accusations are reverberating there too. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED A bill designed to help Black families reclaim land taken by the government, or get compensation for it, has been vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here are the morning’s top stories on Thursday, September 26, 2024… The FBI is investigating an explosion that took place the lobby of the superior court complex Wednesday morning in Santa Maria, California. Five people were sent to the hospital with minor injuries, and people living or working several blocks around the court complex were evacuated. A suspect has been taken into custody. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez / The California Report As outer space becomes more accessible and more commercial, more people are choosing to launch their cremated ashes into the cosmos. Reporter: Kerry Klein / KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here are the morning’s top stories on Wednesday, September 25, 2024… Mexican drug cartels are recruiting San Diegans to smuggle fentanyl into the United States. Prosecutors are worried about teenagers getting caught up in the cross-border drug trade. Gustavo Solis / KPBS Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will remove debt owed to a medical office or hospital from Californian's credit reports. Ana Ibarra / CalMatters Invitation Homes, a massive corporate landlord, has agreed to pay $48 million to settle a lawsuit with the Federal Trades commission. The FTC alleges Invitation Homes charged tenants junk fees, and withheld security deposits. Adhiti Bandlamudi / KQED Hotel workers in Hawaii's largest resort are joining thousands of others striking hotels in California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here are the morning’s top stories on Tuesday, September 23, 2024… In January of 2025 the Los Angeles Unified School District will ban cellphones on campus. More California school districts will follow suit, as Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law Monday that will require districts to restrict phones on campus. It’s part of a growing movement to help students improve academically, socially and emotionally. But one school has a cell phone ban already in place... and the students seem to be thriving. At least 18 cities and counties across California have put in place new bans on homeless encampments since the Supreme Court in June gave them more power to do so. One of those cities is Fresno. California is suing ExxonMobil for an alleged "campaign of deception" around the true impact of plastic recycling. What One CA School Learned When They Banned Cell Phones Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill this week that will direct schools to create policies to restrict student cell phone use. But at Marina Del Rey Middle School in Los Angeles, cell phones have already been banned. There, Principal Sidra Dudley requires students to power off their phones each morning, then enclose them in neoprene pouches secured by a magnetic lock, created for that purpose by a company called Yondr. The pouches stay locked throughout the day.. Six months after the school implemented the ban, the Los Angeles Unified School District followed suit. With a 5-2 majority, the school board passed a resolution forbidding cellphones in all public schools. Students at Marina Del Rey Middle School say this ban has made them less distracted in class. And teachers say test scores are improving. Fresno Rolls out Plans for Homeless Ban Fresno city leaders on Monday laid out plans for enforcing one of the state’s harshest crackdowns on homeless encampments, which bans public camping anywhere, anytime. Since the Supreme Court in June empowered cities to crack down on homeless encampments, and Gov. Gavin Newsom seized on the opening to push for ramped-up sweeps, at least 18 jurisdictions around the state have put in place new camping bans — the most of any state, according to a tally maintained by the National Homelessness Law Center. CA Sues ExxonMobil California is suing ExxonMobil for an alleged "campaign of deception" around the true impact of plastic recycling. The lawsuit was filed by The California Department of Justice on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that Exxon knowingly misled Californians by promoting all plastic as recyclable. The company is the world’s largest producer of fossil fuel materials that are used to make single-use plastics. The lawsuit is seeking billions of dollars. This comes at a time when California Environmental groups, including Sierra Club and Baykeeper, have also announced a separate lawsuit against ExxonMobil over the same issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California is home to most of the country’s fruits and nuts, like avocados and almonds. But climate change means hotter temperatures and increased drought for the state, making it harder to grow those crops. That’s pushing farmers to seek alternative crops that don’t need as much water, like agave. Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio It was a busy weekend for Governor Newsom, who signed and vetoed dozens of bills on his desk. He approved several bills aimed at helping aging Californians, and also vetoed legislation that would have required public universities to hire undocumented students for campus jobs. Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of Californians serving jail time are legally eligible to vote, but many don’t know it, according to advocates and inmates themselves. Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters Protesters disrupted a University of California Board of Regents meeting Thursday, where university leaders approved requests from campus police departments to purchase military equipment and weapons. Reporter: Juan Carlos Lara, KQED Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani blasted three home runs and stole two bases during the team's 20-4 win on Thursday. He became the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More students in the San Joaquin Valley are graduating high school not just with a diploma, but also with an associate’s degree. Taking college classes while still in high school can help them finish college and accelerate their careers. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR Women and people of color are still among the lowest-paid workers in California. That’s according to a new report released on International Equal Pay Day. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Five UC campuses are hoping to bolster their police forces with the purchase of more military and surveillance equipment. That includes drones, pepper powder and less-lethal firearms, also known as “anti-riot guns.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A few years ago, two companies, one nonprofit, one for profit, received more than $100 million in taxpayer dollars to quickly house homeless people in California. It was part of Governor Gavin Newsom's Project Homekey, which turned hotels into shelters for unhoused people. But little has come from the partnership. Guest: Anna Scott, Reporter, The California Newsroom The man accused of starting the Line Fire in San Bernardino County pleaded not guilty to arson charges on Tuesday. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR California's Surgeon General introduced a new initiative Tuesday that aims to cut the state's maternal mortality rate by 50% in two years. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Babies and toddlers are removed from their homes and placed in the child welfare system far more than older kids. It’s a traumatic experience that takes place during a pivotal period of development. A judge in Compton is transforming the way she handles cases involving kids under three, by supporting their parents so they can better care for their babies. Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED State energy officials warn Californians will soon see higher gas prices during another annual cost spike. It comes as the legislature prepares to hold hearings on gas prices this week. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Animation Guild, which represents thousands of animation artists, writers and technicians, is restarting negotiations with Hollywood studios on Monday. Hollywood’s been churning out animated hits since the 1930’s. And since this heyday certain jobs have been dominated by women. There's now growing evidence that a historical gender bias could be the reason for an existing pay gap. Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW Governor Gavin Newsom signed more than two dozen bills into law over the weekend, and vetoed six others. Reporter: Nik Altenberg, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats and Republicans are using immigration as a political flashpoint, as we approach election day in November. Meanwhile, California has been on the front lines of the issue for decades, and it has taken some unique approaches to help those that have made the journey to make the Golden State their new home. Police have arrested a man they suspect started the Line Fire that's currently burning in the mountains of San Bernardino. Officials say that 34-year-old Justin Wayne Halstenberg of Norco ignited the fire on September 5th in Highland near Baseline Road. Prosecutors say he tried to set to other fires that same day. Meanwhile, crews in Southern California are continuing to battle the Airport Fire, which is now burning in both Orange and Riverside Counties. Since igniting on Monday, the wildfire has scorched more than 23,000 acres. It's only 8% contained as of this morning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The California Department of Corrections is investigating after more than 100 women incarcerated in a Central Valley prison were allegedly pepper sprayed and tear gassed by staff for more than an hour. Inmates who’ve been in the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla for years say it was the most severe use of force they’ve seen. Guest: Madi Bolaños, The California Report Wildfires continue to burn out of control across Southern California. The largest is the Bridge Fire burning in Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. That fire has burned more than 51,000 acres as of Thursday morning with no containment. Evacuation orders are still in place for the Bridge, Airport and Line fires. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bridge Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest outside of L.A. has exploded in size growing to more than 47,000 acres with no containment. Evacuation orders are in place for small mountain communities and flames have consumed homes in Wrightwood and swept through the Mountain High Ski resort. The Airport Fire continues to burn across dry chaparral covered hills in Orange County. The wind-driven blaze had charred more than 22,000 acres, and jumped into Riverside County on Tuesday. The Line Fire has burned more than 34,000 acres in and around the San Bernardino National Forest. Smoke from the blaze– and others around the state— is making air quality unhealthy for more than 10 million people in Southern California, especially in inland areas. Some people are getting creative to protect themselves. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR California’s unhoused population has grown by 8% to 186,000 people. That’s according to a new analysis of state homelessness data from our California Newsroom partner, CalMatters. Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters With the presidential race entering its final weeks, a new survey finds that economic issues are top of mind for California’s 9 million Latino voters. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the San Bernardino mountains, the Line Fire has burned more than 26,000 acres. The fire is only 5% contained and is expected to get bigger in the next few days. More than 65,000 homes and other structures are threatened. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR In Orange County, a fire that broke out on Monday and rapidly grew has burned about 9,000 acres as of Tuesday morning. The Airport Fire broke out between rugged scrublands and suburban neighborhoods in the county’s Trabuco Canyon area. Authorities continue to assess damage to the city of Clearlake from a wildfire that ignited Sunday in Lake County. The Boyles Fire burned at least 30 homes and as many as 60 cars. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED A new report that assessed K-12 schools nationwide gives California a “D” on school data transparency. Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should people who aren’t U.S. citizens be allowed to vote in some elections? Well, that very question is going to be on the November ballot in the Orange County City of Santa Ana in the form of local measure DD. If passed, DD would amend Santa Ana’s municipal charter and allow non-citizen residents of the city, both documented and undocumented, to vote in all local elections. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report The hot weather across California this past weekend once again provided a huge challenge for fire crews. In the San Bernardino Mountains, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, the Line Fire exploded in size. It’s burned more than 20,000 acres. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California schools must now adjust sports practices and games when it’s too hot outside. The state law went into effect this summer. Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist A bill on Governor Newsom’s desk would ban employers from forcing workers to attend anti-union meetings. Reporter: Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters Criminal justice advocates are hopeful the U.S. Department of Justice's investigation into two California state prisons will bring much needed change. The investigation into facilities in Chowchilla and Chino comes after what officials say are "hundreds" of lawsuits and some criminal allegations of sexual assault. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hot weather will continue across much of the state on Thursday. Triple digit temperatures are expected, and heat advisories have been issued for many inland regions. The extreme heat can be life-threatening for many Californians, especially those without air conditioning in their homes. Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR Cities that aren't following state housing laws are on notice: California Governor Gavin Newsom says he’ll sign a bill that will impose hefty penalties for those that don’t follow the rules. Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fentanyl is a dangerous narcotic that kills more than 100,000 Americans each year. Donald Trump and many other politicians say this deadly drug is regularly smuggled into the U.S. by undocumented immigrants. But experts said those claims are largely false. Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS Two major California health plans have been hit with a combined $850,000 in fines for illegally denying coverage for gender-affirming care. Reporter: Shaanth Nanguneri, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new round of COVID shots is shipping to doctor's offices across California. And for the second year in a row, the federal government is not picking up the tab. Physicians have to order the vaccine weeks in advance and pay up front for the shots. And because of that, many are taking a more cautious approach when it comes to ordering the shots. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News Thousands of migratory birds have died so far in an avian botulism outbreak in the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge. Reporter: Juliet Grable, Jefferson Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Highway 99 has its share of iconic landmarks: there’s Buck Owens Crystal Palace, the Delano Box of Mandarins, the McFarland Runners, and the Merced Mammoths. But in Madera County, you might not recognize the Palm and the Pine. The two trees are said to represent the middle of California and have been there for nearly a hundred years. But they might not have much time left. Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR California lawmakers passed a controversial warehouse bill on the final day of the legislative session, despite opposition from environmental justice groups, industry and cities and counties statewide. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal labor enforcement authorities recover millions of dollars for workers each year from employers who break minimum wage, overtime pay and other laws. But a significant chunk of that money never makes it to wage-theft victims, many of whom are in California. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED State lawmakers are jockeying to push remaining bills through to Governor Newsom before the Legislature adjourns on Saturday. Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters A bill that would compensate people for property taken by racially-motivated uses of eminent domain is headed to the governor’s desk after being approved by the state legislature on Thursday. Reporter: Annelise Finney, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the state is dealing with a big budget deficit, it's harder to get bills with big price tags approved. But now, a handful of lawmakers say they think the Newsom administration purposely overestimated how much their bills would cost to help ensure they wouldn't advance in the legislature. Guest: Ryan Sabalow, CalMatters A milestone in the largest dam removal in U.S. history happened early Wednesday. Two temporary dams were breached, directing the Klamath River back into its historic channel for the first time in more than a century. Reporter: Juliet Grable, Jefferson Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bill making its way through the state legislature in Sacramento would commemorate a little-known chapter of US history: a large-scale deportation of Mexicans – and Mexican-Americans – nearly a century ago that hit California hard. It comes in an election year when mass deportation is again a political topic. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Undocumented immigrants may soon qualify for a California program that gives loans to first time, first generation home-buyers. A bill expanding the program - known as The California Dream For All - advanced in the state senate on Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve had a close loved one pass away, what comes next includes a lot of logistical hurdles: planning a funeral, reading a will, and deciding what to do with their body. There’s traditional burial, there’s cremation, and recently a new method has taken off. It’s called terramation. Basically, human composting. Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW Public school teachers in California are required to call the police if a student assaults or threatens them. This week, state lawmakers will vote on a bill that could change that. Reporter: Jenna Peterson, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the last week for state lawmakers to decide on a set of reparation bills meant to address hundreds of years of racial discrimination. Meanwhile in Santa Monica, one woman is still seeking justice decades after the city took her father's land. Silas White was a black entrepreneur who planned to turn the land into a beach club for black beach goers. In March, the Santa Monica City Council voted to explore compensating White's descendants for his plot of land. But in late July, the city missed its self-imposed deadline for a report that would have provided recommendations on reparations to the council. Guests: Connie White, daughter of Silas White and Kavon Ward, CEO of Where Is My Land State occupational health and safety regulators are trying to speed up their investigations of fatal accidents. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the biggest stage of her political career, Kamala Harris introduced herself as the party’s official presidential nominee. In a packed arena at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Harris addressed delegates, elected officials and voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As record-breaking temperatures melt California this summer, medical professionals are sounding the alarm about the added risks extreme heat poses to people with diabetes. But one bakery in Imperial County has some solutions. Reporter: Philip Salata, inewsource The Newsom administration has cut a deal with Google and OpenAI to kill two state bills that would have made tech platforms share ad revenues with news organizations. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED San Bernardino County is California’s largest county in terms of size, with a population of just over 2 million people. The county has studied the idea of seceding from the rest of California, arguing that San Bernardino County doesn’t get its fair share of state money. But a new independent study that’s out says that argument is just wrong. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the last ten years, something strange has been happening in Monterey Bay. Juvenile white sharks, whose range historically didn’t reach Northern California, have been spotted in droves in places like Aptos and Marina. And these new predators are changing the ecosystem. Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU Governor Newsom touted new job figures showing the state added thousands of fast-food jobs this year. Those gains occurred after California raised the minimum wage for most fast food workers to $20 an hour in April. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

University of California President Michael Drake sent out a letter this week calling on campuses to enforce a zero tolerance policy when it comes to protest encampments on college campuses. But some UC students say the crackdown is untenable. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report Long Beach is the latest city in California to tackle the issue of homeless encampments. Because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on encampments, giving cities more leeway to enforce anti-camping regulations, more local governments will likely take the same route as Long Beach, and start to clear the unhoused population off the streets. Governor Gavin Newsom has also threatened to withhold state funds if cities don’t start working to clear encampments. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, Hollywood Boulevard has been marketed to the world as a glamorous and sophisticated place. But the reality of contemporary Hollywood Boulevard is very different. Some blocks, like around Grauman’s Theater, are packed with throngs of tourists, merchants and street performers. But they’re on overcrowded sidewalks with few amenities, like shade and seating. But planners are working to make it more friendly for walkers and cyclists alike. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Thousands of Democratic Party delegates, party leaders and politicians are in Chicago to kick off this week’s Democratic National Convention and officially name Vice President Kamala Harris as their party's presidential candidate. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. And that’s true at a landfill in Riverside County. Workers at the Lamb Canyon Landfill have started rescuing items to resell at a new store. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR A new poll shows California voters are supportive of a plan to increase penalties for theft and drug offenses, and to raising the state's minimum wage. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Last month, Governor Newsom signed a bill into law that bans school districts from requiring staff to disclose a student’s gender identity or sexual orientation to anyone without the student’s permission. But this week, the school board of the Cajon Valley Union School District in San Diego County voted unanimously to do just that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three years ago today, as the U.S military completed its pull out, Taliban forces captured Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. In the wake of that change, many Afghan refugees fled to the U.S. and California. They settled in the Bay Area, L.A. and San Diego, but some also found a new home in California’s Mojave Desert. Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR The Boise Fire, burning in Humboldt and Siskiyou counties, has charred more than 9600 acres, according to fire officials. The fire has led to mandatory evacuations. Reporter: Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio Some California Democrats have announced a campaign to back a state proposition that would increase penalties for theft and drug crimes. Reporter: Kristin Lam, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Syringe exchange programs have been around in the U.S. since the 1980s, and offer people who use drugs clean needles to reduce the spread of HIV and other infectious diseases. But in some California cities or counties, residents or political leaders are fighting to keep them out. Harm reduction advocates are hoping for the state's support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republicans are hammering Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris on immigration. They're calling her a 'failed border czar' responsible for the surge of migrants coming to the U.S., but she's pushing back with a tough on the border message. So where does she stand on immigration and the border? Guest: Tyche Hendricks, KQED A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck 2.5 miles southeast of Highland Park, in LA County on Monday afternoon. In terms of intensity, the shaking was strong enough to knock items off shelves, but didn't cause any widespread damage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A group of incarcerated people, led by a former prison doctor, are trying to influence policy in California. They’re doing this by looking inward, and reflecting on their beginnings. Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio On Sunday, the 2024 Summer Olympic Games concluded in Paris. Now attention shifts to Los Angeles, host of the Games four years from now. How’s planning for the L.A. Olympics going and what's left to do? Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five actors take the stage for a performance in Humboldt County. One of them is Black, the others are white. In this region, fewer than 25% of residents identify as people of color and they often find themselves victims of lifelong habits of the white majority. This production of The White Card aims to shake up those entrenched dynamics. Reporter: Kelby McIntosh California Governor Gavin Newsom helped clear a homeless encampment in the Los Angeles region on Thursday. Newsom vowed to take money away from local governments if they don't clean up homeless encampments. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Multiple cities throughout California have seen temperatures way above 90 degrees this week. Workers, both indoors and outdoors, are feeling the heat, but for the first time ever, indoor workers finally have protections against excessive heat in the workplace. At the end of last month, state officials unveiled new rules of what’s required in indoor workplaces when temperatures surpass 82 degrees. Guest: Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí, KQED California put hundreds of millions worth of federal homelessness dollars at risk. A federal audit out this week blames “chaotic” and “disorganized” anti-fraud policies at the state’s housing agency. Auditors gave the California agency it's lowest possible ranking. Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters A new report says abortions are up nationwide compared to before Roe v. Wade was overturned two years ago. California is leading the way, providing more than 16,000 abortions a month on average. Reporter: Spencer Whitney, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been just a few weeks since President Joe Biden decided to end his presidential campaign. And now with Vice President Kamala Harris atop the ticket, young Democratic voters in California are energized in the lead-up to the November election. Guests: Aashi Jhawer and Dzian Tran, Voters of Tomorrow For many young GOP voters in California, the selection of JD Vance speaks volumes to them. He's a younger running mate who shares many of the same values as them. And it's not just the presidential race that's on their mind. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stories about homelessness in Los Angeles tend to focus on problems in big, urban cities. But homelessness has actually been growing faster in a remote desert region 90 minutes north of Downtown L.A.’s Skid Row. Reporter: David Wagner, LAist Sacramento State has released the findings of a highly anticipated forensic examination of Capital Public Radio’s finances. It found more than $700,000 in “unsupported” payments, or payments that could not be backed up by expense reports or receipts. Nearly $400,000 was paid out to one individual, whose name was redacted. Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite some unsettled weather this weekend, crews continue to make progress on the massive Park Fire burning northeast of Chico. The fire, the fourth largest in state history, has burned more than 401,000 acres. Many evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, meaning residents can return to their homes. Reporter: Alec Stutson, North State Public Radio A UC Davis report confirms a years-long trend at Lake Tahoe, where water clarity improves in the winter but becomes far worse in the summer. Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're watching the Olympics, you may recognize world famous athletes like Lebron James or Coco Gauff. But residents of a California beach town might recognize the voice of an announcer from their local radio station. Brad Jay typically works for a Santa Barbara classic rock station, but right now he's with the Olympic Broadcasting Service doing TV commentary. Lately he's been calling kayak and canoe slalom, and will also do three-on-three basketball and BMX freestyle. This is his eighth time covering the games since Salt Lake City in 2002. He hopes to continue calling at the 2028 Los Angeles Games in his resident Southern California. Reporter: Lance Orozco, KCLU In addition to five firefighting crews from Texas and Utah, the California National Guard is also joining in the fight against the Park Fire with aircraft assistance. Crews from the National Guard are expected to join also. The Park fire is on the verge of becoming the fourth largest in California history. Cal Fire announced that wildfires have scorched more than 750,000 acres in California this year. That’s 29 times the area that burned last year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's strategy to fight climate change includes hydrogen. The universe's most abundant element that, under the right circumstances, can power everything from trucks to turbines without greenhouse gas emissions. Now there's a national effort to promote hydrogen energy. But there are concerns about health and safety. Guest: Molly Peterson, Public Health Watch In addition to destroying homes and property, the explosive Park Fire is also putting one of California’s most iconic species at risk. Reporter: Rachel Becker, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The situation at the U.S.-Mexico border is a contentious election issue this year. Polls show a large number of Americans want to restrict immigration, but they also support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who’ve long lived in this country. California immigrant advocates hope to capitalize on that support this week as they lobby in Washington DC for a bill that could make legalization possible for millions. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Among all of former President Donald Trump’s border policies, forced separations of migrant families was the most controversial. President Joe Biden vowed to end the separations when he took office. But they’re still happening. Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS Wildfires continue to grow across the state. The Park Fire in Northern California is the fifth largest in state history. And in southwest Riverside County, firefighters are working to contain the rapid spread of the Nixon Fire. The blaze has burned nearly 5,000 acres. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A persistent misconception about Los Angeles is that the city doesn't have a real mass transit system, especially when it comes to buses. But L.A. has one of the largest transit riderships in the country. Unfortunately, many of the bus shelters are shoddy, with no canopies, shelters or nighttime lighting. But the city is working to make improvements. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report The Park Fire continues to grow in Northern California. The fire has now grown to more than 380,000 acres. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fire crews were able to take advantage of calmer and cooler weather conditions on Saturday, to make some progress on the Park Fire burning in Northern California. But the fire has grown to be the sixth largest on record in California, burning more than 368,000 acres. In Kern County, the Borel Fire has also erupted in size, burning more than 50,000 acres. That includes tearing through the town of Havilah. The community is considered a California Historical Landmark, becoming the county seat in Kern County back in 1866. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Park Fire north of Chico is chewing huge amounts of land and has exploded to more than 164,000 acres in just over a day. The fast-moving grass and brush fire forced more than 4,000 people to evacuate the foothills of Lassen National Forest to find shelter on flatland. Evacuation warnings now include Paradise, which the Camp Fire all but destroyed in 2018. Guest: Ezra David Romero, KQED Homeless rights advocates blasted a decision by Governor Gavin Newsom to crack down on homeless encampments across the state. Meanwhile, some city officials are celebrating the decision. Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California has strong, clean air and clean energy goals that are currently aligned with federal policy. Arguably, the state has never had so much climate momentum. And now, with Kamala Harris poised as the Democratic standard bearer, the Golden State could see one of its own in the White House. Harris has spent much of her career working on environmental and climate issues. A Harris administration could help the state meet its goals and perhaps give it additional momentum. But what might happen to the state goals under a second Trump presidency? Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Cal Fire is rushing crews to the latest rapidly growing wildfire in Northern California – this time forcing thousands of people from their homes in Butte and Tehama counties. The Park Fire has burned more than 45,000 acres. Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kamala Harris is the first Black and Asian American woman to ever serve as vice president. And now, Harris will likely be the first person of South Asian descent to lead a major party's presidential ticket. This comes as there's a growing grassroots movement to empower these communities to take part in the democratic process. Guest: Taher Hasanali, Political Director with India America Impact A 15 year old boy from Gaza, who lost both legs in a bombing earlier this year, is now in California to receive prosthetics and medical treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The phrase "representation matters" might sound trite, but it's true and meaningful. Bay Area resident Joti Singh says the possibility of a Kamala Harris presidency means something to her young daughters, who like Harris, are also of Black and South Asian descent. Reporters: Sasha Khokha & Marisa Lagos, KQED Kamala Harris' rise to the possible Democratic Party nominee is once again putting a spotlight on the Black community. Many feel a deep sense of pride in her likely nomination. But they also wonder whether the U.S. is ready for a Black woman to be President. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a historic announcement, President Joe Biden announced Sunday he's ending his reelection campaign. The president endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to run in his place as the Democratic presidential nominee. Guest: Marisa Lagos, KQED Most California delegates were quick to voice their support for Kamala Harris as the next Democratic Party nominee. Guest: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices