KQED's The California Report

California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla visited the site of the Orange County oil spill on Monday. Bonta has pledged to work with federal and local law enforcement to investigate the disaster. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED So far, more than two dozen birds have been rescued by the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, which is leading recovery and rehabilitation efforts for wildlife impacted by the Orange County oil spill. Pacific Gas & Electric has been blamed for numerous fires in recent years and the utility is mired in debt. Fire survivors have struggled to get any type of compensation from the company. But there's one group that has benefited from all of the pain -- Wall Street hedge funds. Guest: Lily Jamali, Former Co-Host, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

City and state beaches are reopening in Huntington Beach after more than a thousand volunteers and workers continued with clean-up efforts over the weekend, following the recent oil spill. Investigators are looking into whether the pipeline in question may have been damaged far earlier than first thought. Homekey is the centerpiece of California’s multi-billion dollar plans to fight homelessness. Started last year, it focuses on turning old or underused businesses, especially motels, into permanent supportive housing for the homeless. But the program is also showing other benefits in some cities. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report On Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring California high school students to take an ethnic studies class in order to graduate. The courses must be offered by the 2025-26 school year. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED A new law will afford tribes the same ambulance certification exemptions given to city and county fire departments. Previously, tribes had to jump through hoops. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly a week after oil was first reported off the coast of Orange County, investigators still have not been able to determine exactly how much crude has spilled into the Pacific. Tar balls have been spotted further south in San Diego County, but it's unclear if they're from the oil spill. During the pandemic, people have taken up lots of new hobbies and activities. That includes yoga. And some yoga instructors have found ways to create culturally sensitive spaces for students of color, in an industry where many feel white westerners have co-opted the practice. Reporter: Gabriella Frenes, The California Report As COVID-19 cases decline in California, Los Angeles County health officials are encouraged by another metric -- more teenagers are getting vaccinated. In the past month, there was a 5% increase in Latino 12-15 year olds receiving the free shots. The percentage was similar for Native American children in the same age group, followed by Black children. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC Bay Area public health officers say the Delta COVID-19 surge is subsiding. So now, it’s time to talk about an exit strategy for indoor mask mandates. Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The investigation continues into this past weekend’s oil spill off the coast of Orange County, with attention now focused on a cargo container vessel named “The Rotterdam Express.” The German-owned ship was anchored near the site of the oil spill for more than a week, before the pipeline owned by Amplify Energy ruptured. The Los Angeles City Council has passed an ordinance requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter many indoor businesses, city-owned buildings and large events. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW As California’s drought persists, there’s once again attention on saving water and a renewed push to make our homes and gardens more water efficient. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Coast Guard says a section of the pipeline that ruptured off the coast of Orange County moved more than a hundred feet along the ocean floor. It’s still unclear what caused the rupture, as authorities have not been able to confirm reports that it may have been caused by a ship’s anchor. Southern California Congressman Mike Levin is renewing a call to pass his legislation, that would ban new offshore drilling off the coast of Southern California. He says the massive oil spill in Orange County is further evidence of the importance of the bill. Guest: Congressman Mike Levin, Representative for California's 49th District Governor Gavin Newsom was at a Fresno elementary school on Tuesday to sign historic education bills into law. One will expand free access to early Pre-K and fund a college savings account for low-income students. Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio In a split decision, a three judge panel on the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that California’s ban on private prisons and detention centers is unconstitutional. A private prison firm and the Trump administration had sued to stop the 2019 ban from taking effect. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Why did some homes in the Northern California town of Paradise survive the 2018 Camp Fire while so many others did not? New research shows that simple actions such as creating defensible space around homes might have been a big factor. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting is Thursday and it comes days after a jury ordered the carmaker to pay $137 million to a Black worker, who accused the company of ignoring racist abuse. The former employee, who worked at Tesla’s Fremont plant from 2015 to 2016, said he was called racist names and employees drew swastikas and left racist graffiti around the plant. Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are growing questions about why the emergency response wasn’t faster to a massive oil spill in Orange County over the weekend. And an investigation into the pipeline’s rupture is also underway. The oil spill is also threatening to destroy ecologically sensitive marsh areas in Southern California. Wetlands in Huntington Beach, which have been carefully restored and maintained since the 1990s, are now inundated with oil, and they're critical for coastal life. Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KPCC Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that aims to address racial health disparities for new moms of color and their babies. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED In response to an investigation by California public radio stations into the health risks from wildfire smoke, state and federal lawmakers plan to introduce legislation and hold at least one hearing on the topic. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crews are working to contain a massive oil spill off the coast of Huntington Beach. The oil spill has closed many beaches in the area, and environmental groups are working frantically to save wildlife that has been impacted by the spill. In surveys, half of Californians say they have to wait too long to see a mental health provider when they need one. A new bill currently on the governor’s desk would require health insurers to reduce those wait times to no more than 10 business days. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED California’s statewide eviction moratorium has expired. And now many tenants are looking for rent relief and legal guidance. Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California should see big changes in police practices and an increase in transparency and accountability for officer misconduct because of a set of bills signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. The laws include an expansion of police transparency, allowing public access to cases involving racial discrimination, unlawful arrests and excessive force by officers. Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED This week, The California Report is losing a key member of our family, our team. Co-host Lily Jamali is moving onto exciting new challenges outside of KQED. Lily came to The California Report as co-host and reporter in mid-2018, and it’s overwhelming what she’s been able to accomplish these last three years. Reporter: Angela Corral The state’s eviction moratorium has expired. But applying for rent relief can still put off an eviction,at least for now. Reporter: Erika Kelly, KQED A prominent California lawyer who advised President Donald Trump on overturning election results is facing calls to be investigated -- and possibly disbarred. Chapman University Law School Professor John Eastman was forced to resign after speaking at the rally that preceded the insurrection on January 6. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As part of our continuing investigation, “Dangerous Air,” NPR's California Newsroom found out how some Californians are coping with all the smoke created by wildfires in the state, and why the smoke hits some parts of California harder than others. Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW With so much social media inundated with vaccine misinformation, YouTube has announced it’s cracking down on it, again. The company said it would remove videos claiming that vaccines do not reduce rates of transmission or contraction of disease, and content that includes misinformation on the makeup of the vaccines. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED The L.A. City Council was supposed to vote on a sweeping municipal ordinance Wednesday that would require people to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before entering many indoor public spaces. But the council had to delay action after one councilmember withheld his vote. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of NPR's California Newsroom investigation, Dirty Air, we traveled to rural Northern California. There's been a shocking increase in wildfire smoke, and unhealthy air recently in California, and it can be particularly damaging for children. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED The KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire continue to grow as they scorch parts of Sequoia National Park. Thousands of firefighters are battling challenging conditions, including steep and rugged terrain. During a contentious meeting, the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for eligible students and staff. The plan calls for younger students to be vaccinated as well, once the vaccine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An analysis by NPR’s California Newsroom of more than ten years of data found a tremendous spike in the amount of smoke we are breathing, from San Diego to the Oregon border, with disturbing health outcomes. In some parts of rural Northern California, people are living with unhealthy air months at a time. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED From now on, California voters will get a ballot in the mail, by default, in all future elections. It’s the result of a new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED A federal judge is ordering all state prison guards and other staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to enter any prison facility. Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PG&E is facing manslaughter and other charges after its equipment started the 2020 Zogg Fire that killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes. On Friday, Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett announced 31 charges against the utility, saying it failed to perform its legal duties. Californians with the most basic homeowners insurance policies have long complained that when disasters strike, they just don't have enough coverage to pay for all of their expenses. But change is coming . Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report California’s groundbreaking task force on reparations for Black Californians wrapped up its latest meeting on Friday. The group is working on drafting a reparations proposal. Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS COVID-19 cases among young people were increasing last month as students started the school year. Cases have since declined, but even small COVID outbreaks at schools in the Central Valley are having major impacts on families in rural communities. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio Breathing in too much ozone gas is harmful for our health. Now researchers say the health risk is even higher for older Californians who live in areas with elevated ozone pollution. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that it’s received approval from the Food and Drug Administration, and been endorsed by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel, state health officials say they’re ready to give COVID-19 booster shots to anyone who’s eligible. Before it’s widely distributed, the efficacy of a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine still needs to be reviewed by the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. Movie fans will soon be able to enjoy a new museum in Los Angeles that is aimed specifically for them. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opens on Septemeber 30, and will provide guests with a rich, visual history of the filmmaking industry. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report During a visit to the site of KNP Complex Fire in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $15 billion climate package. But how will the money be spent? Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED The KNP Complex Fire and Windy Fire are both burning in Sequoia National Park. Fire crews are trying to protect the iconic trees there and so far, have been fairly successful. Reporter: Sorreath Hok, Valley Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the Caldor Fire has destroyed more than a thousand buildings and continues to burn, communities around South Lake Tahoe mostly escaped the fire's destruction -- despite lying square in its path. That's thanks to firefighters, but also years of work preparing the forest. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 701. It’s a bill that requires warehouse operators to disclose more about the quotas and algorithms they use to squeeze more productivity out of workers, possibly creating more dangerous workplaces. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED After a month and a half-long preliminary hearing, Paul and Ruben Flores will stand trial for crimes related to the disappearance and murder of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student Kristin Smart, who went missing in 1996. Smart was never found and was declared legally dead in 2002. Reporter: Rachel Showalter, KCBX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In July, as a response to the worsening drought, Governor Gavin Newsom asked the people of California to voluntarily reduce their water use by 15%. But so far, Californians have only reduced water consumption by less than 2 %. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Los Angeles County has two juvenile halls, but state officials say they’re both failing in their duties. The facilities are accused of treating the young people housed there so poorly, that within the next two months, they’ll have to either fix the way they operate, or remove juveniles from the detention centers all together. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW With extremely high COVID-19 hospitalization rates in the Central Valley, pediatricians are warning local doctors to be on the lookout for a related condition found in children who have been exposed to the virus. Cases of Multi Inflammatory Syndrome , or MIS-C tend to increase following a rise in COVID-19 cases. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio Next year in Los Angeles, residents will elect a new mayor, and people are starting to announce their intentions to run. The latest is L.A. City Councilman Kevin de Leon, who announced his candidacy Tuesday. Reporter: Libby Denkmann, KPCC With every natural disaster and humanitarian crisis, Californians apply thumbs to phones to send money to people and organizations raising funds for those in need. Which explains the presence of a bill, on Governor Newsom's desk now, that promises to boost state oversight of charitable fundraising online. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In response to California's ongoing wildfires, State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has issued an order requiring insurance companies with policy holders living in fire zones to keep people's policies in place and to honor insurance renewals. Guest: Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner The KNP Complex Fire burning in Sequoia National Park continues to threaten a grove of giant sequoias. That includes the General Sherman, considered one of the oldest and largest trees on earth. Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio Wildland firefighters accept risk when they head out to battle a blaze. But Cal Fire firefighters are getting sick, and some have even died, during training. Reporters: Jacob Margolis, KPCC and Brian Edwards, Columbia Journalism School The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board has told the Wall Street Journal that Tesla should address “basic safety issues” before offering its “full self-driving” package to more drivers. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Bay Area Assemblyman Marc Levine is launching a run for state Insurance Commissioner and he’ll be challenging a fellow Democrat. The election is next year. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles County health officials have added in-home care workers to the list of high-risk health jobs that must get COVID-19 vaccines by the end of September. The move has emboldened advocacy groups, who are pushing to make it statewide. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC A statewide bill that aims to diversify California’s arts and culture workforce, and jobs that pay a living wage, has landed on the governor’s desk after winning near-unanimous support in the Assembly and Senate. The California Creative Workforce Act is the first of its kind in the country. Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED Pacific Gas & Electric says it’s possible that electricity continued to flow through a set of power lines for several hours after a tree fell into them and ignited the Dixie Fire. That’s according to court filings from the company. Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED Labor unions made a massive effort to help Governor Gavin Newsom beat the recall and stay in office. Now, unions are expecting Newsom to show up for them. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED From a Southern California warehouse for reclaimed produce to a food distribution event for poor families, the state's efforts to boost food recycling as a way to fight climate change are on full display. Beyond current industrial-scale effort, starting next year, Californians will be required to recycle food at home. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills aimed at boosting housing supplies across the state. One of them, SB 9, would increase density and affordable housing options in neighborhoods dominated by single family homes. Reporter: Erika Kelly, KQED California health officials are now requiring that people who work in high risk medical settings be fully immunized against COVID-19. That includes employees of hospitals, nursing homes and doctors’ offices, but it doesn’t include care workers in private homes. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC An FDA committee is meeting Friday to decide whether to recommend booster shots for seniors and the general public. As of mid-August, 119,000 Californians have gotten booster shots, according to records that KQED News requested from California’s Public Health Department. Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED Governor Newsom will soon get a chance to make his second appointment to the California Supreme Court. That's because Associate Justice Mariano-Florentino Cuellar has decided to leave the court to head up a prestigious international think tank. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED It’s been 3.5 years since the ACLU first filed a lawsuit in San Diego against the Trump administration, over its policy of separating migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border. Now the federal government is intensifying its push to reunite those parents and children, with a new program launched this week. Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Democrats are looking into reforming the recall process less than 24 hours after Governor Gavin Newsom survived an effort to remove him from office. Both the Senate and the Assembly will hold hearings in the coming months to explore possible reforms. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Governor Newsom has until October 10 to decide whether to sign a bill that softens production quotas for warehouse workers. AB 701 is widely seen as targeted at Amazon, which runs more than 60 warehouses across the state. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED A new health order in Los Angeles County would require proof of vaccination for COVID-19 at indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges. It would also encompass large outdoor events and theme parks. Fire crews are ramping up the battle against the so-called KNP Complex Fire threatening Sequoia National Park. The fire is moving closer to an iconic grove of giant sequoias, some of which are more than 2,000 years old. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report As vaccine mandates take hold around the state, some Californians are seeking exemptions on religious grounds. But verifying claims related to these exemptions involves somewhat murky legal territory. Guest: Dorit Reiss, Law Professor, UC Hastings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom has soundly defeated a recall effort to remove him from office. Although votes still need to be counted, more than 60% of those that have been tallied thus far voted no on the question of whether he should be recalled. Reporters: Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos, KQED With Governor Newsom's decisive win in the recall election, he can now focus on several pressing needs, from the pandemic to homelessness and wildfires. But he'll also be back on the campaign trail soon enough, as he's up for re-election next year. Guest: David McCuan, Professor and Chair of the Political Science Department at Sonoma State University The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says California’s coronavirus transmission rates are now tilting in the right direction. The state’s coronavirus transmission level has fallen from “high” to “substantial,” the second-highest tier as defined by the CDC. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden campaigned with Governor Gavin Newsom in Long Beach Monday night, a day before the recall election. Meanwhile, the candidates looking to replacing Governor Newsom made a final pitch to voters on why they should be selected to replace him. In California, the number of people dying from methamphetamine and cocaine overdoses now outnumbers deaths from fentanyl. Health officials are desperate for more treatment options for stimulant addiction and there is a controversial drug treatment plan in the works. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED A federal judge wants Pacific Gas & Electric to explain why it took several hours to shut off electricity to a power line with blown fuses at the Dixie Fire ignition site. That delay may have caused the now nearly million-acre blaze. Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED Garment workers in California are one step closer to securing hourly wages and pay theft protections, thanks to a bill that’s waiting to be signed by the governor. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW A design blogger and e-commerce entrepreneur with 5 million followers on Pinterest, who says she helped launch the social media site, is suing the company’s co-founders. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday is the last day to vote in the recall election, and the campaigns are trying to sway Latinos, who represent almost 30% of all registered voters in the state. Opinions seem to be fairly mixed on the job Governor Gavin Newsom has done since entering office. Reporters: Maria Peña and Scott Shafer, KQED President Joe Biden will make a couple of stops in California on Monday. He'll tour some of the biggest wildfires in the state and also join Governor Gavin Newsom, one day before the gubernatorial recall. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED California lawmakers want to make it easier for property owners and conservancies to mitigate wildfires, by setting fires themselves. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio As wildfires continue to burn across Northern California, the emerging wildfire litigation industry has become big business for attorneys in recent years. But some survivors of past fires have a message for the most recent group of fire victims: buyer beware. Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Los Angeles Unified School District board has unanimously approved a vaccine requirement for all eligible students 12 and older if they want to attend classes in-person. Latinos make up about a third of registered voters in California. And the campaigns for and against the recall are running TV and radio ads in Spanish hoping to win them over. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED With California’s recall election wrapping up next Tuesday, a new poll has good news for Governor Gavin Newsom. The poll from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies finds 60% of likely voters oppose the recall effort. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Governor Newsom and Republican frontrunner Larry Elder were both in Fresno on Thursday making their respective recall campaign pitches to voters. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report Managing California’s water supply requires an enormous amount of energy. Now, new research suggests making the state’s water system more efficient is also a climate solution. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supporters of Governor Gavin Newsom are working furiously to turn out the “No” vote and keep him in office. They've been canvassing the state in the lead-up to election day. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED With the final day to vote in the gubernatorial recall election just five days away, tensions are flaring on the campaign trail. Republican frontrunner Larry Elder was greeted by angry protesters in Venice on Wednesday. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW The city of San Francisco and irrigation districts in the Central Valley are suing the state over drought restrictions, restrictions that prevent them from drawing water out of creeks and rivers. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom continues his campaign across the state, as he looks to fight off the recall election. Meanwhile, top candidates to replace the governor are also spreading their message, a week before election day. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED California lawmakers wrap up their legislative session at the end of this week. And there are still a flurry of bills that may be in the pipeline. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio California is one of just a handful of states that has laws on the books meant to protect workers from excessive temperatures. But, people are still getting sick and dying from excessive heat and the state agency that's supposed to protect workers has been understaffed for years. Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KPCC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to COVID-19 testing, one increasingly popular option is at-home test kits. But do they really work? Guest: Katherine Wu, Staff Writer, The Atlantic Crews continue to build containment around the Caldor Fire in the Sierra foothills. But some communities are still in limbo as it's not safe enough for residents to return to their homes. Over Labor Day weekend, up to 2 million Californians lost emergency unemployment benefits created to help get them through the pandemic. As people who still haven’t found work try to move forward with less support, some fear they may never recover. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With major wildfires burning across California, fire crews from across the state and other parts of the country are now on the front lines trying to contain them. That includes migrant workers, who are working under some of the most challenging conditions. Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED Democrats and Republicans are trying to gather support as the recall election nears. Candidates are trying to make their case to replace Governor Gavin Newsom, who is fighting the recall effort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Firefighters have taken advantage of lighter winds as they look to get a better handle on the Caldor Fire burning in the Sierra foothills. But thousands remain evacuated from their homes. Like in so many other fire-scarred areas, one year after wildfires devastated communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains, residents are still struggling. One problem? Strict county building codes that stop fire victims from rebuilding quickly. Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting, KAZU On Saturday, some 2,000,000 Californians will lose emergency federal unemployment benefits that were created to help get them through the pandemic. And as of now, the state has no plan to provide any meaningful extensions for the people losing out, although the state has started to issue a new round of stimulus checks. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the recall election less than two weeks away, one of the big issues is Governor Gavin Newsom's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. And if a Republican replaces him, the state could be in for major changes when it comes to coronavirus rules and mandates. Reporters: Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer, KQED The Caldor Fire continues to challenge firefighters battling the massive blaze. Some residents on the western flank of the fire are finally being allowed back home. This week marked the formal withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan after two decades -- bringing to an end American involvement in the war. In recent weeks, the world has seen images of Afghans desperately trying to leave the country, and many comparisons have been made to the fall of Saigon. Guest: Ngoc Nguyen, Ethnic Media Editor at Kaiser Health News and a journalist who has covered the Vietnamese American community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes in South Lake Tahoe this week because of dangerous conditions brought on by the Caldor Fire. If the fire does hit the city, many residents are wondering what they'll return to when the fire is under control. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Another political hot potato has been tossed into the recall election that’s just two weeks away now. State parole board commissioners recently recommended that Sirhan Sirhan, who shot and killed Senator Robert Kennedy in Los Angeles in 1968, be paroled from prison. Reporters: Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer, KQED Republicans in the California Legislature held an informal hearing on wildfire prevention Tuesday on the steps of the state Capitol. Democrats in the Legislature have indefinitely postponed a similar hearing, saying they don’t want to pull critical firefighter personnel away during a busy wildfire season. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Caldor Fire continues to spread quickly across the Sierra Foothills. Thousands of people were forced to evacuate South Lake Tahoe on Monday, as the fire continues to make its way towards the city. Guest:Ezra David Romero, KQED California public health experts consider heat-related illness and death to be fully preventable. And California is one of the few states in the country with laws on the books meant to protect workers. But Californians continue to get sick and die. Reporter: Jacob Margolis, KPCC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There was rapid growth for the Caldor Fire on Sunday as it moves closer to the Tahoe Basin. Even more concerning -- the area is under a red flag warning over the next two days, with low humidity and wind gusts expected across the fire zone. Guest:Tamara Wallace, Mayor of South Lake Tahoe More than 8 in 10 residents of Imperial County -- east of San Diego -- are Latino, the highest percentage in the state. The county along California’s southern border also saw the state’s largest voting swing between the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections -- in favor of Republican Donald Trump. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Over the weekend, the remains of U.S. military personnel killed by a suicide bomber outside of Kabul's international airport arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Four Marines from California were killed in the attack. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mustafa, who didn't want to reveal his last name because he still has family in Afghanistan, was able to get his wife and daughter out of the country, and they just made it to Modesto this week. He described the whole experience as chaotic, but is glad to have resettled in California. Guest: Mustafa, Afghan Translator Two San Diego County families, who were visiting relatives in Afghanistan, have been evacuated from the country amidst the chaos of the Taliban takeover. They are among several groups in the county, including two dozen students who attend the Cajon Valley Union School District, who found themselves stranded in Afghanistan. Reporter: Alexandra Rangel, KPBS As the Caldor Fire continues to burn its way east, the first evacuation warning has been issued for the Tahoe basin, specifically Christmas Valley in the South Lake Tahoe area. Efforts to loosen zoning rules in single family neighborhoods to create more housing have long been a contentious issue in California. But legislation that could create more multi-family housing took a big step forward in Sacramento Thursday. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week the U.S. Supreme Court said the Biden administration must restart a controversial policy from the Trump administration, requiring asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their cases are decided. And while that battle is not over, the Biden administration is moving forward with its own plan that would change how asyum cases are decided. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Spot fires continue to hamper crews battling the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County. But a shift in weather over the next few days could lead to calmer conditions over the fire zone. At a debate appearance Wednesday night in Sacramento, California voters got a chance to learn a bit more about the most prominent Democrat running for governor in the recall election, Kevin Paffrath. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED A new report has found that California’s more rural, Republican-voting counties have higher violent crime rates than more urban, Democratic areas. Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for areas of Northern California affected by the Dixie and River fires. The declaration means federal recovery funds will be available to individuals, businesses and tribal governments. Wih so many wildfires burning across Northern California, the smoke is causing unhealthy air across the region. In fact, areas in and around Lake Tahoe and Reno are posting the worst air quality readings in the country. California Republicans were ecstatic in 2003 when voters ousted Democratic Governor Gray Davis and replaced him with a Republican and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger. With another recall election coming up, was the Schwarzenegger win a win for the GOP as well? Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED With the recall election just weeks away, the crowded field of candidates looking to replace Governor Gavin Newsom are trying to stand out to California voters. Guest: Kevin Faulconer, Republican Recall Candidate As climate change worsens, state regulators charged with overseeing development along San Francisco Bay have a new roadmap for flood protections. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recall campaign now aimed at Governor Gavin Newsom was fueled in part by parents who were angry with how he handled public school closures during the pandemic. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED The California Department of Justice has reached an agreement with the Bakersfield Police Department to implement a wide-range of policing reforms. It’s the result of the state’s five-year long investigation into the department following complaints of excessive force. Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio The California Legislature has indefinitely postponed a planned oversight hearing to examine the Newsom administration’s track record on wildfire prevention. That as internal emails obtained by CapRadio and NPR’s California Newsroom raise new questions about whether Cal Fire is being honest with the public. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The mission of California's new Privacy Protection Agency is to help Californians fight for their digital privacy. But what will it do if big companies violate people's privacy rights? Guest: Jennifer Urban, Chair of the California Privacy Protection Agency The Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County crossed Highway 50 over the weekend, threatening the town of Kyburz. It's the fourth fire that has grown to more than 100,000 acres in Northern California. Many residents in Plumas County who have been impacted by the massive Dixie Fire are being allowed to return home. That includes people in the town of Greenville, which was devastated by the fire. The recently released census results show Latinos make up the second largest ethnic-racial group in San Diego County after white people. But more and more Latinos see themselves as multi-racial. Reporter: Cristina Kim, KPBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an effort to stave off rolling blackouts in California, the Newsom administration is moving forward with five new energy projects set to be fueled by both natural gas and diesel. If you’re among the millions of Californians who have tried to move during the pandemic, chances are, it’s been rough. And there’s more than one reason for that -- low supply and high demand among them. Guest: Mary Daly, President of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank Both the Caldor and Dixie Fires saw far less growth on Thursday, with calmer conditions. But fire officials say there are still concerns about the fires spreading as winds could pick up this weekend. As we continue to watch events unfold in Afghanistan, the Afghan diaspora is watching too. The pain from some of the horrifying images out of Afghanistan is resonating half a world away on the streets of Los Angeles, especially among Afghan American women. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite growing concerns about the delta variant and what it means for the pandemic, there are some positive signs when it comes to the U.S. economy. And one Bay Area economic leader is optimistic about the recovery, and hopes changes in the job market remain in place. Guest: Mary Daly, President of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank Major wildfires across Northern California are threatening several communities. The conditions were not as bad on Wednesday as they had been earlier this week, but the Caldor and Dixie fires continue to burn large swaths of land. Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio In the city of Visalia in Tulare County, one hospital is reporting its highest number of COVID-19 patients since February. As of earlier this week, Kaweah Health was reporting nearly 100 COVID-positive patients, which is a third of the entire hospital’s capacity. Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Caldor Fire burning in El Dorado County almost quadrupled in size in just a day. The fire has ravaged the town of Grizzly Peak, and forced several communities to evacuate. Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio The state attorney general’s office is going to independently review the actions of a former BART police officer who was involved, but never criminally charged in the 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant. Grant was fatally shot in the back at the Fruitvale BART station. Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED Thousands of people in Afghanistan are trying to flee the country after Taliban forces took control over the weekend. Many are looking to come to the U.S. and organizations say they’re willing to help. That includes the nonprofit World Relief, which has an office in Sacramento. Guest: Kerry Ham, Director of World Relief Sacramento As we continue to grapple with COVID-19, pandemic rules that many of us thought we could largely say goodbye to just a few short weeks ago, are returning. In Los Angeles County, masks are coming back for larger outdoor events like concerts and baseball games. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report A federal lawsuit argues that the recall election targeting Governor Gavin Newsom is unconstitutional. In the lawsuit, lawyers for two California voters say the recall violates the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause and the “one-person, one-vote” principle in American Democracy. Reporter: Libby Denkmann, KPCC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The burn area of the Dixie Fire continues to be under a red flag warning as winds gusts are expected to pick up later on Tuesday. The fire is advancing on the Lassen County communities of Janesville and Susanville. A new book on the 2018 Camp Fire pieces together what happened in the fire and follows its devastating aftermath through the eyes of fire survivors. The book focuses on the town of Paradise, which was devastated in the fire, and the toll it's taken on the community. Guest: Lizzie Johnson, Author of the book "Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire" Members of the Afghan diaspora throughout California are anxiously watching developments in Afghanistan. Many are seeking help for their loved ones. Guest: Rona Popal, Executive Director, Afghan Coalition in Fremont Pacific Gas and Electric told a federal judge Monday it has no knowledge of a drone flight that interfered with firefighters last month, on the first day of the Dixie Fire. The FBI, FAA and local prosecutors are all investigating who was flying the drone, that got in the way of firefighting aircraft during the first hours of the Dixie Fire. Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles Unified School District, the largest in the state, reopens Monday for in-person instruction. Students and staff will be required to wear masks indoors and undergo weekly COVID-19 testing, regardless of their vaccination status. There's concern that the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in San Joaquin County could spread to some neighboring areas. The brunt of this latest wave is hitting younger people who are not fully vaccinated. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED A new investigation from the Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, and an environmental news collaboration called Floodlight has found that in 2017, an industry group hired Southern California residents to push for natural gas alternatives to diesel trucks, which are stoking pollution around LA’s hyper-busy port complex. The group paid advocates who say they believed they were working with an environmental campaign, and were told natural gas was the “sustainable solution” -- even as environmentalists were pushing for electric vehicles. Guest: Miranda Green, Reporter Researchers know wildfire smoke can make people more vulnerable to severe lung infection. A new study from Harvard University estimates that inhaling wildfire smoke contributed to the additional deaths of hundreds of Californians due to COVID-19 last year. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED With population data from the 2020 census just out, we’re starting to get a look at how California has changed over the past decade. The data now jump-starts the work of redistricting -- drawing the maps that will define legislative districts for the next decade. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco will become the first city in the U.S. to require workers and patrons inside bars, restaurants, gyms and theaters to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The ordinance takes effect next week for customers. The Dixie Fire has burned over 500,000 acres in Northern California, making it the second largest wildfire in state history. The fire has leveled some towns, but crews were able to save other communities in its path. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio This week, emergency unemployment benefits are ending earlier than expected for thousands of Californians who’ve exhausted every other unemployment benefit program for which they’re eligible. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California voters will soon be getting vote-by-mail ballots for the gubernatorial recall election. And Election Day itself, September 14, is only about a month away. So what should voters know about the election? Guest: Dr. Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State California is the first state in the country to require that all teachers and school staff be vaccinated against the coronavirus or be tested weekly for COVID-19. School districts will have until mid-October to comply with this latest health order. Two federal agencies have joined the investigation into an incident last month involving a drone that interfered with Cal Fire aircraft at the start of the Dixie Fire. Federal and state laws prohibit drone pilots from interfering with firefighting operations. Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED A former college lecturer is being held in a Sacramento County jail on charges related to wildfire arson. Although he's been charged in connection with one fire, he's suspected of starting several others in the Lassen and Shasta Trinity National Forests recently. Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom is expected to announce rules that would require teachers and staff at schools in California to either be vaccinated or submit to regular testing for COVID-19. California would be the first state in the country to implement such rules. California could get billions of dollars to fight wildfires and drought from the $1 trillion infrastructure bill approved by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday. The plan still needs to be approved by the House. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Women make up only about 2% of skilled construction workers in California. We’re talking jobs like plumbers, carpenters, electricians. And that number is actually less than it was a few decades ago. So why have women made so little progress getting good paying blue collar jobs? Reporter: Jill Replogle, KPCC An activist in far Northern California’s Siskiyou County is recovering after holding a hunger strike for nearly three weeks. The protest started after police shot and killed a Hmong man during a wildfire evacuation in June. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly 6,000 people are hospitalized in California due to the coronavirus as the delta variant continue to surge. The vast majority of those hospitalized continue to be people who are unvaccinated. As the Dixie Fire continues to burn across Northern California, small communities in Plumas County are trying to pick up the pieces after the fire badly damaged their towns. Guest: Scott Rodd, Reporter with CapRadio The head of a special trust in charge of distributing billions of dollars to 70,000 Pacific Gas & Electric fire victims says they will never be fully compensated for all that they lost. Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed manslaughter charges against a former LAPD officer, who allegedly shot and killed a man with mental disabilities in 2019. The ex-cop was arrested Monday for the incident inside a Corona Costco -- nearly two years after Riverside County declined to press charges against him. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crews tried to take advantage of cooler conditions over the weekend as they continue to battle the massive Dixie Fire burning in Northern California. The fire has burned more than 489,000 acres. Brian Burrows, who grew up in Northern San Diego County, took home a bronze medal in the mixed team trapshooting event at the Tokyo Olympics. He spoke to The California Report about his time in Japan during the Summer Games. Guest: Brian Burrows, Member of the U.S. Olympic Shooting Team Faced with a national homelenssess crisis that grew worse during the pandemic, cities across the country are opening so-called “tiny home” villages for the unhoused. The California Report visited one in Los Angeles County. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following two days of extreme fire weatehr conditions, crews battling the Dixie Fire in Plumas and Butte counties are expected to get a bit of a respite Friday. The fire is now the third largest in state history, burning more than 432,000 acres. Last August, California saw rolling blackouts as the state's electricity grid was stressed during a major heat wave. With more hot weather expected this month, many are asking whether the state's power grid is prepared this time around. Guest: Elliot Mainzer, President and CEO of California Independent System Operater California will require that all healthcare workers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September 30th. Hospitals will also need to verify that all visitors are vaccinated. Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED With COVID-19 hospitalization rates on the rise, Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer announced this week that all unvaccinated city employees will soon be required to take weekly covid tests. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Extreme fire conditions on Wednesday led to spot fires from the massive Dixie Fire, as it tore through the town of Greenville in Plumas County. Meanwhile, the River Fire ignited in Placer County before crossing over into Nevada County, destroying dozens of structures. Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio A Southern California family took a much-needed trip to Disneyland in June, and took precautions to protect themselves from the spread of the coronavirus. But even though they were vaccinated, they're now struggling with COVID-19. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC Four candidates vying to replace Governor Gavin Newsom sparred in a debate on Wednesday night in Orange County. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED The federal receiver in charge of medical care inside California's prisons is asking a judge to require that all corrections staff get COVID-19 vaccinations. Only 40% of corrections officers in the state are vaccinated. Reporter: Angela Corral, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Plumas County, thousands of residents have been ordered from their homes as the Dixie Fire continues to spread. Officials sent out notice Tuesday afternoon as high winds have made it tougher for firefighters trying to contain the fire’s spread. Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED We’ve heard a lot about controlled burning recently –- carefully lit intentional fires that have benefits for wildfire risk and the environment. But lighting them –- like fighting fires –- takes a lot of work. Guest: Hannah Hagemann, Reporter with the Santa Cruz Sentinel Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature wildfire prevention measure has been 35 “priority projects” aimed at protecting the state’s most vulnerable communities. In June, one was put to the test during the Lava Fire --one of the first large fires this season. As it threatened the town of Lake Shastina near the Oregon border, one of those priority fuel breaks didn’t contain the fire, leaving evacuees stuck in dangerous traffic. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio During a wildfire, it’s often not flames or heat that ignite a home, but embers. Wind can carry these small pieces of smoldering material for miles, but there are ways to protect your home. Reporter: Sarah Bohannon, North State Public Radio A COVID-19 outbreak at a Northern California state prison has infected more than 100 incarcerated people in the last two weeks. It appears the cases spread at the Sierra Conservation Center in Tuolumne County after a prison employee came to work with the virus. Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices