KQED's The California Report

On this day one year ago, George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds while Floyd begged for his life. This sparked protests across California and calls for police reform. Guest: Tanya Faison, the founder of Black Lives Matter Sacramento speaking with The California Report's Mary Franklin Harvin Many of the protests following the death of George Floyd were led by young people here in California. While they see some progress being made in the state, they know the fight is far from over. Guest: Jadyn Polk, Member of Black Youth for the People's Liberation in Oakland speaking with The California Report's Keith Mizuguchi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles is mulling whether a whole new entity devoted to focusing on homelessness might be the way to address the problem. A group of civic leaders called the Committee for Greater LA think it’s worth a shot. Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW California remains on track to reopen on June 15. It's a day many businesses have been waiting for, but some are finding it hard to hire back staff to a pre-pandemic level. Guest: Margherita Sagan, Co-Owner of Piccino Restaurant in San Francisco speaking with The California Report's Keith Mizuguchi In the town of Paradise, a hundred or so survivors of the deadly 2018 Camp Fire gathered this weekend for a march along the Skyway - the main road through town. They organized this rally after KQED’s recent investigation into the finances of Pacific Gas & Electric's Fire Victim Trust. Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report It’s not your imagination -- the Cost of Being Californian is going up.That’s the key finding of a recent study by that name -- released by the Oakland based non profit the Insight Center. Guest: Anne Price, president of the Insight Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Independent Venue Association of California, which has more than 600 members, is pushing for state legislators and the governor to support a $250 million stimulus grant program. This comes as they prepare for the state to reopen on June 15. Guest: Joe Rinaldi, Managing Partner at Music Box in San Diego The owners of Starline Social Club, a popular venue in Oakland, announced late last month that they would re-open later this year, as a worker-owned co-op. The news took former employees by surprise as they found out through media reports. Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya, Associate Editor, KQED Arts & Culture A recent survey from CapRadio in Sacramento and the nonprofit “Valley Vision” has found that Black millennials suffered great financial losses during the pandemic. But they're now looking at investing to build that wealth back. Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio If you shopped for health insurance last year and decided you just couldn’t afford it, state officials are now saying: it’s time to check again. Money from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan is bringing the monthly cost of health plans to new lows -– as long as you buy through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, Covered California. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State lawmakers and county health officials are upset that the governor’s proposed budget does not include enough money to rebuild the state’s ailing public health system. The coalition says $200 million is needed to be ready for the next crisis. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED The latest state budget proposal has highlighted the fact that California is flush with cash. But exactly how much? That depends on who you ask. Guest: Scott Shafer, KQED Politics Editor Despite many successes when it comes to vaccinating the public, in L.A. County, there are some concerns about outreach. Less than half of eligible people there are fully vaccinated. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC As so many school districts around the state have at least begun the process of reopening, one in the southeast L.A. County suburb of Pico Rivera is not. The population in the El Rancho Unified School District is 97% Latino and families there have been hit especially hard by the pandemic. Guest: Melissa Gomez, Education Reporter, LA Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Citizen app brands itself as a tool to report on local crimes and emergencies in your area. But it can also lead to false reporting as was the case last week, when a man was falsely accused of starting a fire in Pacific Palisades, after his picture appeared on the app. Guest: Boone Ashworth, Contributing Writer, WIRED Santa Clara County is one of four across the state that moved into the least restrictive yellow tier for reopening this week. Now, officials are mandating that businesses keep track of the vaccination status of employees. Providing people a guaranteed income with no questions asked has moved from a fringe notion to the mainstream with pilot projects popping up across the state. The possibility of a Guaranteed Basic Income program in Los Angeles County took a step forward Tuesday with a vote by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Reporter: Libby Denkmann, KPCC Just months after Shirley Weber was confirmed as California's Secretary of State, she'll have to oversee her first statewide election. It's a recall election of Governor Gavin Newsom, who appointed Weber to her post back in December. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, allowing vaccinated people to go maskless in most settings, California won’t change its current mask mandates until the state’s scheduled reopening on June 15th. Since the pandemic began, workers in the grocery delivery business have been trying to organize to get more protections and benefits. Workers at the venture capital-backed Bay Area company, Imperfect Foods just voted to form a union, but it's likely not a model for the rest of the industry. Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED The University of California says it’s one step closer to requiring COVID-19 vaccination of students and employees who want to return to campus in the fall. Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC Two out of three Californians believe businesses like concert venues and sports stadiums should be allowed to verify their customers’ vaccination status before allowing them to come in. That’s according to a new U.C. Berkeley poll. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED San Francisco is suing the state of California because regulators would like the region to forfeit some of its water supply. The State Water Board would like to see more water flow down the Tuolumne River and not stored in reservoirs. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fire has forced about a thousand people to evacuate their homes. Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause but said that it is suspicious in nature. The recall election for Governor Gavin Newsom has gotten most of the headlines, but there are several local recall efforts underway across the state, including in Shasta County. Three county supervisors are facing backlash for following the state's guidelines during the pandemic. Guest : Doni Chamberlain, founder and editor of "A News Cafe" blog Fire victims and public officials are calling for increased oversight of the Fire Victim Trust set up to distribute billions of dollars in compensation to families displaced by fires sparked by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. equipment. That’s following a KQED investigation which found the Trust spent $51 million on overhead last year, while the vast majority of fire victims haven’t received a dime. Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report The job of Lieutenant Governor tends to be a low-profile office in California. But the campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom will put current Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis front and center. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CDC Says Vaccinated People Don't Need to Wear MasksCalifornia’s mask rules are still in place, but Governor Newsom has indicated changes are coming to the state’s mask mandate by June 15th..the target date to reopen the state. Most of California is in Extreme or Severe Categories of DroughtDrought conditions have intensified in parts of California over the past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday. These factors have prompted Governor Newsom to expand a drought emergency declaration to 41 of California's 58 counties. Guest: Cora Kammeyer, senior researcher at the Oakland-based Pacific Institute The Number of Unaccompanied Children Crossing the Border Decreased in AprilEmergency intake sites like the convention center have allowed the federal government to quickly move children out of ill-equipped Border Patrol facilities. Currently, only a few hundred children are in those facilities — and none for more than 72 hours. Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS The California Report Magazine: The Year of Singing DangerouslyIn a preview of our sister show, the California Report’s weekly magazine, KQED’s Chloe Veltman explores how singers across California got creative during the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Faulconer said he wants to eliminate state income taxes for low and middle-income Californians. He said this would allow Californians to keep more of their hard-earned revenue and make the state more affordable. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Hospital care at home is nothing new for patients with low-level health needs. But since the pandemic, a growing number of health providers, including California-giant Kaiser Permanente, are offering people with more serious health conditions hospital-level treatment in the comfort of their homes. Reporter: Stephanie O’Neill Every 4-year-old in the state would get access to transitional kindergarten under a major education spending plan announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday. It's all part of his revised budget which will be released on Friday. Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED Identity theft, fraud, ransomware. Cybercrime is a plague upon the digital landscape. It was bad before the pandemic, and it surged during . Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California health officials said the Pfizer vaccine could be available for 12-15 year olds as early as Thursday. This comes after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the shots for adolescents earlier this week. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED State Senator Richard Pan of Sacramento is a pediatrician and led the effort to tighten California’s childhood immunization law. He says parents should ask questions and do research if they're concerned about getting their kids vaccinated. Guest: State Senator Richard Pan California’s new Attorney General has announced the formation of a Racial Justice Bureau to address racial injustice, in the wake of increased attacks in Asian communities across the state. Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With more than 90% of California experiencing extreme drought conditions, Governor Gavin Newsom is expanding a state drought emergency from just two to 41 counties. The new drought proclamation represents 30% of the state’s population. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED State Attorney General Rob Bonta has championed criminal justice reform during his time in Sacramento as a legislator. But can he implement real change as attorney general? Guest: Rob Bonta, California Attorney General As he fights a recall campaign to oust him from office, there’s some good news for Governor Gavin Newsom in a new poll. The Berkeley IGS Poll finds just 36% of California voters support recalling Newsom and 49% say they’ll vote no on the recall. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED A map of power lines has been created that the California Public Utilities Commission and Pacific Gas & Electric think are at great risk of starting a fire. Reporter: The California Report's Lily Jamali with KRCB Reporter Marc Albert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Project Homekey allows cities and counties to purchase buildings and then covert them into long-term housing for the homeless. Martha Fuentes of Los Angeles says it's been a lifesaver and sanctuary as she's had to live in her car. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Governor Gavin Newsom announced an economic stimulus plan on Monday, one that will see most Californians getting tax refunds. The governor is expected to unveil more pieces of the "California Comeback Plan" in the coming days. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Tackling COVID-19 misinformation in languages other than English has been complicated. In the South Bay, that's especially been the case for the Vietnamese community, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED 2020 proved to be a historic year in California and not just because of the pandemic. The state’s population dropped for the first time since it began tracking annual population estimates. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Young kids are starting to get their first COVID vaccines in an early clinical trial at Stanford. If all goes well widespread distribution could begin by this fall. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Officials in charge of monitoring air quality in Southern California officials are voting on a rule Friday that aims to hold warehouses accountable for diesel truck pollution. The rise of e-commerce has led to a warehouse boom in the Inland Empire over the last decade. Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KVCR The State Senate has passed a bill that would clamp down on a common feature of employment in Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and beyond: the non-disclosure agreement. It's an attempt to limit the scope of NDA's. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED A lot of college students have been stuck at home during the pandemic but one way they’ve tried to find community is through online video games. This competitive gaming is gaining popularity on California college campuses, where professors say recreational play is leading to professional opportunities. Reporter: Marisa Martinez, KQED and CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After waiting months for an update on their unemployment claims, nearly a million out of work Californians will likely have to wade through even more red tape to access their benefits. That's because the Employment Development Department has disqualified their applications. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report A federal judge has struck down the CDC’s nationwide eviction moratorium, a decision the Justice Department is appealing. The ruling could have major ramifications for millions of tenants struggling to pay rent during the pandemic, but not here in California. Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED Reality TV celebrity Caitlyn Jenner caused a media frenzy when she jumped into the California governor’s race two weeks ago. On Wednesday night, she sat down for an interview on Fox News. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED A KQED investigation has found that the Fire Victim Trust, set up to distribute money to victims of wildfires caused by Pacific Gas and Electric, has spent the vast majority of its money on overhead, rather than fire survivors themselves. Guest: Scott McNutt, Bankruptcy Attorney and former California State Bar governor Most sports facilities are back in full swing, as L.A. County moves into the yellow tier for reopening this week. But that's not the case for basketball courts in Venice Beach. Reporter: Angel Carreras, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California’s recall election is in full swing, with a campaign launch featuring a live bear. Meanwhile, embattled Governor Gavin Newsom is defending his record managing the state through a tumultuous year. Reporter: Nicole Nixon, CapRadio Public health experts are keeping a close eye on data that shows the pace of COVID-19 vaccinations slowing down. While the slowdown is concerning, some early skeptics of the vaccine have had a change of heart, and are now getting their shot. Guest: Dr. Brian Castrucci, president and chief executive officer of the de Beaumont Foundation The L.A. County Board of Supervisors has voted to launch another investigation into complaints that sheriff’s deputies harass relatives of victims of law enforcement violence. This comes following a new report released by the National Lawyers Guild and American Civil Liberties Union. Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC A law passed in 2018 that requires California companies to have women on their boards of directors is having an effect. The number of female directors at California has doubled in the three years since the measure was signed into law. Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED Smaller family-owned businesses have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic, leaving some to close their doors and others to pivot to new ventures. One immigrant family in the Central Valley used generosity and foresight to help them get through the last year. Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's still unclear how many people in California have actually delayed getting the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. But there's concern about what that will mean for their immunity moving forward. Guest: Dr. Steven Parodi, Executive Director of the Permanente Group at Kaiser Permanente As COVID-19 numbers continue to improve across the state, more counties are expecting to move into the least restrictive yellow tier on Tuesday. That will mean businesses will be able to open with even fewer restrictions. Immigrant advocates in California applauded President Joe Biden’s decision to raise the limit on refugee admissions this year, from a historic low to more than 62,000. The president has also reaffirmed his goal of doubling that number by next year. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Fresno County Department of Public Health is diverting COVID-19 vaccines allocated to that county elsewhere because of low demand. Some people in the county are still waiting to get the vaccine, but for reasons that might not be often associated with hesitancy. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report Four people are dead after a 40-foot cabin cruiser, suspected of being part of a human smuggling operation, crashed and overturned Sunday in the waters off of Point Loma in San Diego. The temporary shelter for unaccompanied migrant children is located at the Fairplex in Pomona. The goal is to reunite them with their family or sponsor within two weeks. The Biden administration's Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas spoke at UCLA on Friday. He called the decision to expel most migrants and asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border "a source of pain." Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Some California students are suing the state and its top education leaders, claiming they’re denying underserved students an “equal right to an education” during the pandemic. Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Health officials said they're worried about the lack of demand for doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which has dropped significantly this week. Many California counties are experiencing similar issues as supply of the vaccines is outweighing demand. California’s underwater kelp forests are in trouble. A combination of climate change and hungry purple sea urchins have decimated these vital marine habitats. But the Monterey Peninsula has a kind of kelp forest guardian -- sea otters. Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU Disneyland and Disney California Adventure opened to guests Friday for the first time in more than 13 months. The parks have COVID-19 safety protocols in place and are limiting capacity to 25% for now. Guest: Gavin Doyle, Founder of the website MickeyVisit.com Everyone 16-and-up is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine -- and it’s now easier for older teenagers in L.A. County to get the shot. They can now bring a signed consent form with them, rather than have their parents there in person. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC Immigration rights activists in California and across the country are planning marches Saturday to call on Congress to legalize millions of unauthorized immigrants in the country. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond toured several schools in the L.A. Unified School District on Wednesday. He said districts are progressing well when it comes to getting kids back in classrooms. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Despite heated debates over school reopenings across the state, a majority of Californians approve of how their elected officials have handled classroom closures. That's according to a new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED California’s Supreme Court Chief Justice is praising a new policy issued this week by the Department of Homeland Security that will limit how federal officials operate in or near courthouses. Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED The Los Angeles Police Department says it needs nearly $70 million to address problems that contributed to its mishandling of last year’s protests, in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC Numbers from the state health department show that nearly 1,400 Californians have tested positive for COVID-19 after they were fully vaccinated. These cases are fully expected, because the vaccines don’t protect people 100 percent of the time. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED Officials are investigating how schemes to rip off the state’s unemployment insurance program, some of which was done by people in prison, may have cost California billions of dollars. Lawmakers are trying to close loopholes, but some advocates for the incarcerated argue it could do more harm than good. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Consumers often misunderstand the triangular, “chasing arrows” symbol on packaging when it comes to recycling. California lawmakers are taking on this issue with a proposal they call "Truth in Labeling For Recyclable Materials." Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

Leaders of the University of California and the California State University systems have announced that their students and employees will need proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to return to campus in the fall. But there are a few conditions to that requirement. Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC This week's conviction in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd has one Californian questioning why such a volume of video evidence was so necessary in the case at all. Guest: Allissa Richardson, Journalism Professor, USC California will soon be getting a new Attorney General as the state legislature has confirmed Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta’s appointment to the position. He'll be taking over for Xavier Becerra who is now serving as Health and Human Services Secretary under the Biden administration. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED 12 governors, including Governor Newsom, are urging the Biden Administration to set strict standards for a faster transition to clean vehicles. They want all new cars and light trucks sold to be zero-emission by 2035. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED A section of Highway 1 in Big Sur has been closed since late January after it collapsed during a storm. But it's reopening Friday, two months ahead of schedule. Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Newsom has declared a drought emergency for Mendocino and Sonoma counties. In the Klamath Basin near the California-Oregon border, officials are anticipating a summer of unprecedented drought. Reporter: Erik Neumann, Jefferson Public Radio Young people in California have been at the heart of protests and rallies since the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year. One youth organizer in Oakland says the fight will continue, even after guilty verdicts were handed down to Derek Chauvin. Guest: Luna EkunDayo, Co-Founder of Black Youth for the People’s Liberation Rob Bonta faced questions from both the Assembly and Senate in Sacramento on Wednesday. He was pressed on how he would handle various high-profile issues, should he be confirmed as California's next Attorney General. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Wildfire smoke may not just be choking the lungs. It could be irritating the skin, that according to a new study from researchers at U.C. San Francisco and U.C. Berkeley. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Low-wage workers in the Bay Area and around California say their bosses often fail to inform them of their rights during the pandemic, and may even retaliate if they ask for COVID-19 protections. That’s according to a new survey of more than 600 frontline workers. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Governor Newsom said the reopening will happen, as long as enough people are vaccinated and hospitalization rates remain low. 20 million vaccines have been administered in California so far. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED As California continues pushing forward with reopening, thousands of people in the state continue to struggle with COVID-19 symptoms, months after their initial diagnosis. San Francisco resident San Francisco resident Charlie McCone is one of the long haulers who has struggled with symptoms for more than a year. Guest: Charlie McCone, San Francisco Resident and COVID-19 long hauler Pacific Gas and Electric is facing mutiple felony and misdemeanors in connection with the its role in starting the 2019 Kincade Fire. The fire in Wine Country destroyed hundreds of buildings and burned nearly 78,000 acres. Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED Wedgewood drew national scrutiny last year after a group of Black homeless mothers occupied a vacant home the company owned in West Oakland. A KQED investigation has found that despite a new law aimed at keeping corporations from snapping up homes, Wedgewood has purchased at least 276 properties across the state during the pandemic. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

The shooting took place in the city of Orange on Wednesday afternoon. Another victim has been hospitalized and the suspect was also wounded, though it's unclear if it was self-inflicted or if he was shot by police. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report First Lady Dr. Jill Biden used the occasion of Cesar Chavez Day to show support for farmworkers. She visited the original headquarters of the United Farm Workers union, known as The 40 Acres. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report Six years ago, author Brad Balukjian spoke with The California Report from Kansas City. At the time he was on a road trip sparked by an idea to track down all the players in a single pack of 1986 Topps baseball cards. The result is a book called "The Wax Pack." Guest: Brad Balukjian, Author, "The Wax Pack" Californians who are 50 and older can now get a COVID-19 vaccine But news of manufacturing problems with one of the vaccines could prove to be problematic, as more people try to sign up for appointments. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC Arguments were heard Wednesday in the U.S. Supreme Court over student-athlete compensation involving the NCAA. It's still unclear which way the justices will lean once they come to a decision, but it will have widespread ramifications for amateur athletics. Guest: Alicia Jessop, Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, Sport Law Expert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom is facing early opposition from a majority of California voters, according to a new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California. About four out of five Republicans polled said they support the effort. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED More than 700 migrant children are now being housed temporarily at the San Diego Convention Center, including 70 who have tested positive for COVID-19. Those children are being quarantined in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. Reporter: Joe Hong, KPBS Munipal fees in the city and county of Sacramento have been found to more heavily impact low income communities and people of color. It's also had an impact on residents who are just getting out of jail and often face huge bills when they return home. Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio More businesses are being allowed to open Wednesday in Alameda and Santa Cruz counties. The transmission of COVID-19 is low enough to propel both regions into the orange tier of the state’s reopening blueprint. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED The pandemic has made it hard for some Californians to pay their utility bills. There's debate over how to cover the shortfall by customers who’ve racked up utility debt. Guest: Melissa Kasnitz, Legal Director, The Center for Accessible Technology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The massive failure of California’s Employment Development Department when it comes to unemployment claims during the pandemic are in large part due to outdated technology. Officials are looking to make it easier to update those systems. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Democrats in California’s Congressional delegation are calling on the Biden Administration to expand federal firefighting capacity. They argue that in large part due to climate change, fires in the state are a year-round problem. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Under new guidelines, people can bring adult family members to get vaccinated if one person has an appointment. But L.A. County officials worry the process could create logjams at vaccination sites. Reporter: Jackie Fortiér, KPCC The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is under scrutiny for spreading misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes after statements made by the sheriff following the death of a man back in January, shortly after he was vaccinated. Guest: Ryan Sabalow, Reporter, Sacramento Bee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Public school students won't be returning to the classroom at L.A. Unified schools until later next month. But the district has been helping those who have fallen behind academically, through mobile science labs in city parks. Reporter: Deepa Fernandes, Reporting Fellow Pacific Oaks College, funded in part by First 5 LA A street medicine team in Kern County is taking mobile vaccine clinics to remote homeless encampments. The hope is to get as many people experiencing homelessness doses of the vaccine. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio Monday marked the first day of in-person instruction for kids in preschool through second grade in Berkeley Unified School District. Students will be attending classes five days a week, but families also have the option of continuing remote learning. Guest: Brent Stephens, Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent An outbreak of the stomach bacteria H. pylori at an immigrant detention center in San Bernardino County has sparked concerns about the health and safety of detainees held there. It's prompted advocacy groups to call for the Adelanto Detention Center to be shut down. Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting next week, California will vastly expand eligibility for the coronavirus vaccine. Everyone over 50 will be eligible starting April 1, and Californians over 16 will be able to get a shot starting on April 15. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC The University of California San Francisco and the San Francisco Opera have teamed up to develop a new type of mask to keep performers safe as they return to the stage. Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED Defendants in California can no longer be held in jail simply because they can’t afford to post bail. This comes following a ruling by the State Supreme Court on Thursday. Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED At a House hearing Thursday, the chief executives of Facebook, Twitter and Google defended their mixed efforts to protect users from toxic content. The focus was on misinformation -- during the pandemic, 2020 election and insurrection at the Capitol. Reporter: Rachel Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom has tapped Rob Bonta to serve as California's next attorney general. He's expected to be confirmed by the state legislature and would replace Xavier Becerra, who will be serving in the Biden administration. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. If passed by the Senate, the bill could give legal status to roughly half a million farmworkers in California. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED For decades, single-family home neighborhoods have been synonymous with the American Dream. Now, a handful of California cities are taking on the sanctity of the suburban-style single family home neighborhood and encouraging smaller, multi-family residences. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jewish Lawmakers Call Out Offensive Messaging in Newsom Recall Attempt As an effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom looks increasingly likely to reach the ballot, Newsom supporters are saying the campaign is driven by fringe groups. And Jewish members of the state legislature are calling out what they see as anti-Semitic. messaging in the effort. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED How Religious Leaders Can Be Powerful Allies in Vaccination Effort As public health authorities try to convince people who are vaccination reluctant to get a shot powerful allies in that effort could be religious leaders who can use their authority to assure people about vaccine effectiveness and safety. Guest: Robert McElroy, Catholic Bishop of San Diego and Imperial Counties The Pandemic May Have Changed Nursing Homes Permanently Cases of COVID in California nursing homes are down 98% since the winter surge. But after a year of outbreaks, life inside these facilities has changed. Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED An Evangelical Church Looks to Buy Historic Theater in Fresno The theater is a 1930s art deco venue that typically hosts concerts, and a gay pride film festival. But now the Tower Theater will likely have a new owner, Adventure Church, by the end of March. Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s been a surge of unaccompanied minors arriving at the U.S./ Mexico border seeking asylum. That's led to questions about where to safely house these children and one Southern California city has agreed to help out. Reporter: Max Rivlin Nadler, KPBS Pacific Gas and Electric will be back in court Tuesday morning for a hearing that could determine the size of future wildfire safety power shutoffs. The hearing comes a day after Cal Fire announced the utility's infrastructure was responsible for igniting one of last year's large and deadly wildfires in Northern California. Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED Last year was devastating when it comes to wildfires in California. The state is already preparing for what could be another tough year in 2021. Guest: Thom Porter, Chief of Cal Fire The state agency in charge of unemployment claims is dealing with more issues, as outages and glitches have made it difficult for people to certify their claims online. It's the latest in a series of difficulties the EDD has faced during the pandemic, as it looks to clear a huge backlog of claims. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Governor Gavin Newsom has promised to focus much of the state's vaccination efforts on communities hit hardest during the pandemic. That includes several areas of the Central Valley. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As pandemic restrictions ease, California's public schools are starting to welcome students back to classrooms for in-person instruction. But many Californians are questioning why it didn't happen sooner. Guest: Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction According to a recent report, the rate of overdose deaths tied to synthetic opioids like fentanyl has risen by more than 500% over the last three years in California. The study's authors said overdose deaths have been on the rise in California since 2015. Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED In the debate over criminal justice policies and reforms, the desires of crime victims and survivors are often invoked. But as California rethinks many of the tough on crime laws that led to record incarceration, those survivors don’t always speak with one voice. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Along California’s coastline, there’s only one state beach where people are permitted to drive on the sand - Oceano Dunes in San Luis Obispo County. But the California Coastal Commission is banning off-roading there. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Sacramento, business leaders are looking to police for increased security in the Little Saigon neighborhood, where 15% of businesses are personal care salons. Advocates are also upset at the police description of a possible motive for the shooter. Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio A long time and well-loved member of the KQED family has died. Penny Nelson, who worked as a guest host for Forum and the California Report, passed away surrounded by her family in Portland Thursday morning. Reporter: Rachel Myrow, KQED The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would allow those who have worked in agriculture at least six months over the past two years to apply for a work permit and eventually be eligible for a green card. The American Dream and Promise Act would also lead to a path to citizenship. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report Saturday marks the start of the Persian New Year - Nowruz. It's a holiday often shared with Americans, but that's been especially hard to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guests: Amir Razavi, Owner of Middle East Market in Berkeley, and Persis Karim, Chair of San Francisco State University's Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even before the mass shooting in Atlanta that left eight people dead, including six Asian women, there has been a rise in violence against the state's Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Dr. Erica Pan discusses equity issues in the state's approach to vaccine distribution, and responds to reporting that Alameda County withheld coronavirus case data at Tesla's Fremont plant starting when Dr. Pan was the top public health official there. Guest: Dr. Erica Pan, State Epidemiologist The Biden administration has said the U.S.-Mexico border is still closed to asylum seekers. Now migrants who were affected by the Trump administration's "Remain in Mexico" policy are wondering when they’ll get a chance to ask for protection in the U.S. Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supporters of a campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom said they've collected more than the almost 1.5 million signatures needed by Wednesday's deadline to qualify it for the ballot. Newsom is already mounting a campaign to fight the effort. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED California was already facing a nursing shortage before the pandemic, but the problem has gotten even worse with hospitals at capacity due to COVID-19. But nursing students have faced numerous obstacles as they try to enter the workforce. Reporter: Shehreen Karim, Student at Pierce College, CalMatters’ College Journalism Network The family of a San Quentin inmate, who died from COVID-19, has sued California corrections officials over their response to the pandemic. 61-year-old Daniel Ruiz died in July after being transferred from a prison in Chino to San Quentin. Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQED Over 1,000 farmworkers in Kern County have gotten their first round of vaccines. The United Farm Workers Foundation and partnering organizations have plans to vaccinate thousands more in the coming weeks. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio As stimulus checks start landing in mailboxes this week, you might be wondering how the federal government is paying for it all. Guest: Ann Saphir, Reporter, Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices