KQED's The California Report

The $2.6 billion dollar program is using federal funds to get relief into the hands of struggling renters and landlords. It’s unknown how much back rent is owed across the state, but estimates range from $400 million to nearly $2 billion. The Center for Black Student Success at Cal State Monterey Bay is fairly new, and while it's been forced to stick with virtual outreach during the pandemic, many students said it's been a valuable resource. Reporter: Kayleen Carter, Sacramento State University, CalMatters’ College Journalism Network Governor Gavin Newsom and other California Democrats have formally launched a campaign to fight the effort to recall him from office. This comes as the deadline approaches for organizers to turn in signatures in an effort to trigger a recall election. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report California’s junior U.S Senator Alex Padilla tells KQED that the federal government faces challenges in housing the spiking number of unaccompanied migrant children crossing the border with Mexico. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED People with disabilities under the age of 65 are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine in California. But they do face some challenges before getting their first shot. Guest: Andy Imparato, Executive Director of Disability Rights California Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People under the age of 65 with underlying health conditions and disabilities are now eligible to be vaccinated. Migrant detainees held in California by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are also eligible to receive their first dose. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED The pandemic has brought barriers for college students taking part in remote learning. But it also brought some benefits that might stick around once it's over. We're taking a closer look this week and issues that have impacted college students, part of our collaboration with CalMatters’ College Journalism Network. Reporter: Emma Hall, Sacramento State University, CalMatters’ College Journalism Network Starting Monday, museums, zoos, movie theaters, and gyms will be among the businesses allowed to reopen indoors in Los Angeles County, with limited capacity. It's part of a move across the state to get businesses open more quickly. Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC The Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force has launched a new hotline to help older, non-English speakers schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Project Abuelita has already helped hundreds of residents. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio In October, bankrupt opioid giant Purdue Pharma settled with the U.S. Department of Justice over its role in helping start our nation’s opioid crisis. Now, it will lay out its plan to re-organize the company. Guest: Charlotte Bismuth, Author of the new book "Bad Medicine" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Researchers argue the proposal would make it harder to study gun violence in the state. Much of the data they use in their research comes from the Department of Justice. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED New numbers from L.A. County’s child welfare system show a significant rise in the number of children in the state’s care during 2020. But that doesn't necessarily mean more children were abused or neglected. Reporter: Deepa Fernandes, Fellow, Pacific Oaks College The federal government is reportedly looking for vacant facilities in California and elsewhere to house migrant children who’ve crossed the U.S./Mexico border recently without a parent or guardian. More than 9,000 crossed the border just last month, surpassing the space at available shelters. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED The report on the LAPD's response to protests following the killing of George Floyd was commissioned by the L.A. City Council. It found the department lacked the necessary training and there was minimal communication that led to a fragmented response to the protests. Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across California, student athletes are returning to training as public health officials give the green light for both outdoor and indoor sports. But there will be plenty of changes, and new safety guidelines in place. Guest: Rob Wigod, Commissioner of Athletics, CIF Southern Section The relief bill passed by Congress earmarks billions for California cities and counties. Some cities already have plans for what to use the money for, as they continue to struggle economically during the pandemic. Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS As schools in San Francisco prepare for a return to in-person instruction, San Francisco Unified Superintendent Vincent Matthews has announced he'll be retiring. He has not given a reason for why he's leaving. Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED There’s a push to change how members of the San Francisco school board are selected. In fact, questions are being raised statewide, as schools have struggled to reopen during the pandemic. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Millions more Californians will be eligible for vaccines beginning next week, including people with developmental disabilities. The state is also trying to make it easier for people in this group to have the necessary paperwork ready when they do get their shot. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Newsom delivered his annual state of the state address at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. He focused on the pandemic's toll on California and how the state will recover. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Governor Newsom also talked about the problem of rising numbers of homeless people in California in his State of the State address. He says they're working on the crisis, and knows more needs to be done. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED When the pandemic hit, many home-based childcare providers in California saw their businesses fall apart overnight. But in San Diego, a coalition of local organizations has helped many childcare providers stay in business, and, in some cases, thrive. Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS State legislation has been introduced that would require health companies to pay frontline health care workers a bonus. The compensation would help those who have become burned out by working during the pandemic. Reporter: Alice Woelfle, KQED The L.A. County Board of Supervisors wants to expand the hours of county-run COVID-19 vaccine sites. Many essential workers work night or early morning shifts, making it harder for them to schedule time to get vaccinated. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC Disneyland hopes to open sometime next month. The Anaheim theme park has been shuttered for nearly a year due to the pandemic. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom will deliver the State of the State address from Dodger Stadium on Tuesday evening. It comes as the deadline to gather signatures supporting a recall approaches. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED The school reopening bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom last week sends money to districts to help them re-start classroom learning, but it doesn’t force schools to reopen. Some critics said the state needs to abandon its hands-off approach when it comes to local control and education. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom was in the Central Valley Monday talking about vaccine distribution. He said plans for a mass vaccination site in the region have stalled, in part because other states don't even have a single site up and running. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED The Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a controversial ordinance Monday night, allowing the addition of 40,000 oil and gas wells over the next 15 years. But before the vote, supervisors heard eight hours of public comments Reporter: Madi Bolanos, Valley Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden said last week the U.S. is on track to have enough COVID-19 vaccine to cover all American adults by the end of May. But California officials are tempering expectations of an abundant supply of doses in the state, at least for the short term. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED A new study looked at the program's first year and found that it measurably improved participants' job prospects, financial stability and overall well-being. Independent researchers determined that full-time employment rose among those who received the guaranteed income of $500 per month. Guest: Michael Tubbs, Former Mayor of Stockton California will begin allowing attendance at outdoor sporting events, concerts and amusement parks starting April 1. There will be limited capacity and the openings will occur gradually. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio Google is under scrutiny after a new report from NBC News. It alleges that Google advised mental health care as a solution, when workers complained about racism and sexism there. Guest: April Glaser, Reporter, NBC News Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California school districts could soon get billions of dollars, if they restart classes in-person . But it does not require that schools have to reopen. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Attorneys representing student athletes said the state has agreed to relax restrictions, part of a settlement that would allow kids to play both outdoors and indoors. There will be safety protocols in place, including regular testing. Reporter: Matt Hoffman, KPBS Despite suggestions that Californians have been leaving in droves during the pandemic, that may not be the case. A new report from the California Policy Lab finds that most people are moving are staying in California. Guest: Natalie Harris, PhD Student, UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy California plans to almost double vaccine allocations to vulnerable populations, with state officials vowing to send 40% of doses to communities hit hardest by the pandemic. Officials said this will also help the state reopen more quickly. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED A state lawmaker wants to make it easier for people who have been convicted of a crime and completed their sentence to erase that conviction from their record. An estimated 8 million Californians have criminal or arrest records that prevent them from doing fundamental things like getting a job, or securing housing. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED The city of Pacific Grove near Monterey has long been known as “Butterfly Town USA”. But conservationists there suffered a double blow last year - when both state and federal governments refused to grant monarch butterflies protections as an endangered species. Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Newsom is working with Major League Baseball and county health officials on a plan to allow fans at California's five ballparks. This comes as his administration is dedicating more vaccine doses to vulnerable communities, in an effort to reopen businesses sooner. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is one step closer to becoming the nation's next Secretary of Health and Human Services. This follows an important vote Wednesday in the Senate Finance Committee. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Anti-Asian hate crimes have been on the rise since the pandemic began last year. In Sacramento, an incident at a Chinese-owned butcher shop is under investigation as a hate crime and several businesses are struggling in the Little Saigon neighborhood. Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadio New research from UCLA looks at what businesses received loan money and how much they received. It shows ZIP code and race played significant roles in determining how much loan money small business owners in California secured from the federal Paycheck Protection Program last year. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW New PG&E CEO Patti Poppe said it took some convincing to take the job. But she said watching media reports and investigations about the deadly fires caused by utility equipment played a big role in accepting the position. Guest, Brandon Rittiman, Reporter, ABC 10 in Sacramento Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An investigation is underway after an SUV carrying more than two dozen people, some of whom were citizens of Mexico, collided with a big rig Tuesday in a rural area about ten miles from the US-Mexico border. 13 people died in the crash. Guest: Faith Pinho, Reporter, LA Times The volunteers in Southern California are helping seniors and other eligible people find coveted COVID-19 vaccine appointments. One started out by helping her parents and is now helping others navigate the system. Reporter: Carla Javier, KPCC Seven California counties, including San Francisco, have moved to a less restrictive coronavirus tier. While that means restaurants and movie theaters can reopen for indoor service, not every owner is jumping to do so. Guest: Yuka Ioroi, Owner of Cassava restaurant in San Francisco California was the first state in the nation to require gender diversity in corporate boardrooms. And according to a new report from the Secretary of State, compliance with the law is on the rise. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW The section of roadway was washed out by a powerful rain storm. The scenic highway is a lifeline to local residents and critical to tourism in the area. Reporter: Erika Mahoney, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders have reached an agreement that could restart in-person learning for the state's youngest students. The hope is to reopen by April 1. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED District Attorney George Gascon won last year promising to upend the tough on crime policies of his predecessor. But prosecutors both in and outside his office are fighting to stop those same reforms he campaigned on. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Many older Californians looking to get the COVID-19 vaccine are feeling frustrated and left-out by the appointment process. That's because they don't have broadband at home, and access in their community is limited. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio A new study from the California Policy Lab looks at unemployment benefits Californians are receiving at a county level. It shows that regions with populations who need the most support, and who’ve already been harder-hit by COVID-19, are less likely to get help. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawmakers Reach Deal on Reopening Schools Under the deal, schools that reopen by the end of March stand to get a cut of money earmarked by the state legislature. The deal would not mandate students and staff to get vaccinated before returning to the classroom, nor does it require districts to get approval from teachers unions before returning. California Farmworkers Now Eligible for Vaccines Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced an initiative to get more Central Valley farmworkers vaccinated for COVID-19 as part of his plan to make distribution more equitable. Farmworkers are showing interest in getting the vaccine, but it's not always clear how to do so. Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio Three Fresno Janitors Win Settlement Against Nation's Largest Cleaning Company One of the plaintiffs in the case, Araceli Sanchez, says she endured 14 years of harassment, including sexual assault and attempted rape, from her supervisor while working the night shift. Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Advocates Locate Parents of 112 Migrant Children Separated From Parents Under Trump Attorneys searching for parents whose children were taken away from them at the border under the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy say they have made significant progress. Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED New State Bill Could Severely Limit Corporate Role in Rental Market In the wake of the Great Recession, investors scooped up thousands of single-family homes across the country, including in California. A new state bill would impose limits on corporations that own 10 or more residential properties across the state. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED Fresno Bee Investigation Shows Police Stop Black Drivers More Often The analysis shows Black drivers are stopped by police at twice the rate of white and Latino drivers, and were also searched and arrested more than other races. Guest: Manuela Tobias, Fresno Bee reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions of people marched to support the Black Lives Matter Movement following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. With that came a call to support Black-owned businesses, which saw an initial surge of new customers, but many are now struggling to stay afloat. Guest: Hank Jenkins, Owner of Plant Provocateur in Los Angeles Governor Newsom said he hopes to inoculate 75,000 teachers a week. Priority would go to educators currently working at schools or those who are about to head back to their classrooms. Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED Psychiatric experts are warning Bay Area obstetricians to be on the lookout for higher rates of postpartum psychosis. They believe the condition, characterized by paranoia and confusion, is being exacerbated by the pandemic. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED Horse racing on tracks in California has continued throughout the pandemic. While live spectators have not been allowed, that hasn't stopped people from placing their wagers. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Southern California’s Inland Empire has been transformed in recent years by the growth of the warehouse and logistics industry. While many argue it's a job creator, those living in the region have major environmental concerns. Guest: Orlando Mayorquin, Journalism Student, Report for CalMatters The L.A. City Council voted 14 to 1 to approve a hazard pay ordinance requiring workers at supermarkets and drug stores to be paid an extra $5 an hour. Several other cities and counties have passed similar legislation. Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRW Officials with the San Diego Unified School District have unveiled a plan to reopen schools for classroom instruction starting in April. But not all parents are impressed. Reporter: Joe Hong, KPBS Kaiser Permanente is using the mountains of health data it has on millions of Californians to help figure out who’s at higher risk of getting COVID-19. It's also helping the health provider pinpoint who should get vaccinated first. Reporter: Polly Stryker, KQED Many have been targets of people who don't agree with health orders or think the pandemic is a hoax. While the problems were elevated during the height of the pandemic, some are still taking added precautions to this day. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED The new lawsuit has been filed by a trust for survivors of wildfires started by Pacific Gas & Electric equipment. They claim these officials were negligent when it comes to ensuring the public's safety. Guest: Lily Jamali, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris was sworn in as California's first Surgeon General back in 2019. She's been helping lead the response to the coronavirus pandemic and has been especially concerned about the toll it's taking on communities of color and children. Guest: Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, California Surgeon General The vaccine code system that was designed to help people in hard-hit communities across California get access to vaccinations may need a makeover. The codes are being shared and people who don't qualify are taking up spaces reserved for those communities. A national environmental group is suing the Newsom Administration. The Center for Biological Diversity claims thousands of oil and gas drilling permits have been illegally approved. Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED A new report has found that regulators overstated reductions in the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. A key problem is that emissions from the transportation sector have increased in recent years. Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED A report by the Energy Institute at Berkeley's Haas School of Business and the nonprofit Next 10 found rates are much higher for Californians. In fact, Pacific Gas & Electric customers pay 80% more than the national average. Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report With the death Monday of Lawrence Ferlinghetti at the age of 101, San Francisco has lost a figure synonymous with more than a half century of the city’s cultural history. His lasting legacy will go far beyond just the City Lights Book Store. Guest: Chloe Veltman, KQED Arts and Culture Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Attorney General Xavier Becerrra begins the Congressional confirmation process to become the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services on Tuesday. He's expected to face lots of questions from Senate Republicans, who have pushed to block his confirmation. Guest: Ryan Levi, Journalist and Producer of the Tradeoffs podcast State lawmakers have passed a $7.6 billion COVID relief plan. Among the items in the package, direct payments to the state's lowest earners. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED The "tougher" test was seen by some as an unnecessary barrier to becoming an American citizen. Now, the Biden administration is going back to the 2008 version that they argue was carefully developed. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Governor Newsom said the San Joaquin Valley will get a big boost to its COVID-19 vaccine allocation. It's in part due to the region’s farm workers, who are now eligible for the vaccine. Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio The facility in Santa Barbara County was the site of the worst COVID outbreak in a federal prison last year. And while conditions have improved, officials and some former inmates are questioning the response to the pandemic. Reporter: Dena Montague Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Out of the more than seven million vaccine doses that have been administered thus far, more than 32 percent have gone to white Californians. Governor Newsom said the state is not doing enough to help the hardest-hit communities, when it comes to vaccinations. State legislators will begin a busy session in Sacramento on Monday. Among the agenda items -- a possible plan to reopen schools, that has already received pushback Governor Newsom. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Improving coronavirus reached the threshold on Friday to allow for schools to reopen. In addition to public elementary schools, private ones like those within the San Bernardino Catholic Diocese can now reopen as well. Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR One of the Trump administration’s most controversial changes to U.S. immigration policies was its so called “Remain in Mexico” program, but it's being rolled back by the Biden administration. A group of asylum-seekers was processed at the San Ysidro Port of Entry late last week. Reporter: Max Rivlin Nadler, KPBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The proposal would get California school kids back in classrooms by mid-April. But Governor Newsom said it doesn't go far enough or fast enough. Reporter: Vanessa Rancano, KQED The biography of the Marvel Comics icon sheds light not only on Stan Lee's immense success, but also his failures. While Lee had a lasting impact on the world of comics, his influence also extends to the global entertainment industry. Guest: Abraham Reisman, Author of "True Believer: The Rise and Fall of Stan Lee" California Republicans will gather for a virtual convention this weekend. It comes following a strong election year and renewed enthusiasm surrounding the recall effort. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED U.S Senator Alex Padilla and other California members of Congress introduced the bill on Thursday. It's backed by President Biden and would offer a path to citizenship for more than 2 million immigrants in California. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Journalist Brandon Rittiman with ABC10 in Sacramento reviewed an internal report from Pacific Gas and Electric's material lab. He said it shows the utility knew old parts like the one that caused the fire needed replacing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The $9.6 billion relief package includes nearly $3.7 billion for the state's lowest earners and another $2 billion for small business grants. Lawmakers are expected to vote on it next week. Reporter: Katie Orrr, KQED The Sacramento City Unified School District said almost a thousand of its students are connecting with school just two days a week or less. There's growing concern it will affect their ability to graduate. Reporter: Pauline Bartolone, CapRadio Earlier this month, Attorney General Xavier Becerra and his counterparts in dozens of other states announced a major opioid settlement against the influential consulting firm McKinsey. But lawyers for Native American tribes say they're not part of the agreement, even though the community has been among the hardest hit by opioids. Guest: Lloyd Miller, Attorney representing tribes in the litigation A new bill in the California legislature would give victims of online sex trafficking a new tool to fight back against their exploitation. They would be given the option of suing to force the explicit content to be removed. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED A new poll by U.C. Berkeley’s Institute on Governmental Studies shows that Californians' view of the pandemic will likely be swayed by their political party. There is still a wide spread from Democrats and Republicans when it comes to even contracting the virus. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED West Hollywood is the latest city in California that plans to shut down a busy thoroughfare during the pandemic. The hope is to increase foot traffic at local businesses. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW Facebook announced this week it will block people in Australia from reading or sharing news content on its platform. It comes as the Australian parliament debates whether news outlets should be paid for work that's featured on websites. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California voters will get a ballot in the mail for any election this year under a bill heading to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. Voters were mailed ballots last year over safety concerns due to the pandemic. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Some contributors to Governor Gavin Newsom also happen to be corporations that have secured valuable no-bid contracts with the state. It's raising questions about possible favoritism for big donors. Guest: Scott Rodd, CapRadio Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez's legislation would protect workers in warehouses from unsafe quotas and productivity standards. Right now, workers for companies like Amazon can be fired for failing to collect, box, and ship enough orders fast enough. Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED Two new mass vaccination sites opened Tuesday in California, with help from the federal government. The Biden administration's goal is to open 100 vaccinations sites in 100 days nationwide. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Millions of Texans remain without power as rolling blackouts continue amid a massive winter storm. California faced a similar situation last summer, during an extended heat wave. Guests: Former CPUC President Loretta Lynch, Reliability Expert Rick Humphries Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tech industry is infamous for making prospective and departing employees sign agreements designed to prevent them from speaking out on just about everything. But social movements have exposed the way non-disclosure agreements have served as a cover for illegal behavior. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED For the first time since the pandemic, the average cost of gas in the state is going up. Demand is rising faster than production, as more people return to commuting and traveling long distances by car. Reporter: Emily Hung, KQED It's one of two sites that opened on Tuesday, with the other in Los Angeles. The goal is to eventually vaccinate 6,000 people a day at each location. Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED Communities of color have been hit especially hard during the pandemic. For queer Latinos, there's an extra cost - the loss of places to gather, like LGBTQ bars. Guest, Andrea Castillo, L.A. Times Reporter The state is investing more than $200 million in the Salton Sea project that will create flooded ponds and other habitat on the exposed lakebed at the Southern edge of the lake. The hope is to complete the project by 2023. Reporter: Erik Anderson, KPBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of 2020, the state’s unemployment agency froze almost a million and a half accounts in an attempt to prevent fraud. Now, many of those account holders could have their claims disqualified, even if there applications are legitimate. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report The campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom has another month to collect the million and a half valid signatures needed to trigger an election. While big business has had gripes with the governor's handling of the pandemic, for the most part, they've steered clear of the recall effort. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED Governor Newsom has yet to unveil the location of a new vaccination site in the Central Valley. But leaders in the region say there should also be added focus on rural areas, where access to vaccines is extremely limited. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The City of Los Angeles has temporarily closed five of its COVID-19 vaccination super-centers, including the one at Dodger Stadium, because of a shortage of vaccine supplies. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti is urging state and federal officials to fix the problem. A professional vocalist is doing her part to help people during the pandemic. Nova Jimenez is serenading the elderly at a retirement home, just in time for Valentine's Day. Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom is currently negotiating with legislators over a deal that could be reached as early as Friday. The $6.6 billion deal could send students back this year, starting with the youngest, perhaps up through elementary school. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Dozens of community and business leaders have sent a letter to Governor Newsom and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, demanding that school staff get COVID vaccines before they can reopen. But there could be a delay in getting the doses to teachers. Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRW Although he lost the election and is in the midst of a post-presidential impeachment trial, Donald Trump maintains his grip on the GOP. But a group of Republicans and former party officials are discussing the possibility of forming a new center-right party. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the last businesses that are expected to open during the pandemic are performing arts venues. But many argue they're a lifeline of the community and driver of local economies, and can reopen safely with help. Guest: Rachel S. Moore, President and CEO, L.A. Music Center A new poll shows that Senator Dianne Feinstein's approval rating has sunk to the lowest level of her career. Her approval rating among California voters has always been a net positive, but that's not the case anymore, according to the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED A state lawmaker is trying to reconcile the competing values of public and secular university hospitals and Catholic hospitals when the institutions collaborate on patient care. It could open the door to abortions at Catholic hospitals. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED Julie Su, who leads the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, has been nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary of Labor. But she may face tough questions about the struggles of the Employment Development Department. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED There's some relief on the way for renters, as state officials figure out how to distribute billions of dollars in federal aid. But some tenant advocates say the most vulnerable could be left out altogether. Reporter, Molly Solomon, KQED On Thursday morning, the California Public Utilities Commission will take up an issue that’s critical for people living in wildfire-prone parts of the state. The agency could require backup for landline phones. Reporter: Lily Jamali, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom says he's close to a deal with state legislators on a reopening plan for elementary schools. He says he's committed to balancing safety with the importance of getting kids back in classrooms. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED A 28-year-old-man has been arrested in Oakland in connection with a series of attacks on the elderly in the city's Chinatown. The assaults have gained national attention with growing concerns about hate crimes against the Asian American community. A lawsuit has been filed to end in-person traffic and eviction hearings in Los Angeles Superior Court. The legal aid groups claim that during the pandemic, courtrooms are unsafe for court staff and defendants alike. Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW Chevron said a mixture of gasoline and oil leaked from a pipeline on the "Long Wharf" at the Richmond facility on Tuesday. The incident is now being investigated by local, state and federal officials. Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED Many Californians continue to struggle through the process of trying to get unemployment benefits from the state. But it's been particularly challenging for those whose primary language is not English or Spanish. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Central Valley Democrat Josh Harder has been inundated with phone calls, emails and angry tweets following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol last month. The problem: they were meant for Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California’s newest coronavirus testing lab remains far short of its goal for processing COVID tests. The Valencia facility was hailed as a game-changer when it opened in November, with the goal of turning around 150,000 tests per day by March. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio The Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District is floating a proposal to reopen elementary school campuses under some conditions. To reopen campuses he says 25,000 elementary school teachers and staff would need to be vaccinated. Reporter: Caroline Champlin, KPCC San Diego County continues to administer thousands of vaccines a day, and county officials aren't concerned with the citizenship of those getting vaccinated. Some of the shots are going to Mexican citizens who cross the border frequently for work. Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler KPBS The Employment Development Department, the state agency responsible for sending out unemployment benefits is facing more scrutiny. State lawmakers say they are so busy fielding constituent complaints about EDD, they hardly have time for anything else. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED A new state commission is recommending that California end mandatory minimum sentences for nonviolent crimes, and allow judges to reconsider all criminal sentences after someone has spent 15 years in prison. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED California is set to develop new rules aimed at making homes more resilient against wildfires. State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said his office is partnering with a group of state agencies to come up with home hardening standards statewide. Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED Republican businessman John Cox is taking another shot at running for California governor. In a new ad, Cox comes out hard against Gavin Newsom, and another Republican candidate, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED San Diego County continues to administer thousands of vaccines a day, and county officials aren't concerned with the citizenship of those getting vaccinated. Some of the shots are going to Mexican citizens who cross the border frequently for work. Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler KPBS Republican businessman John Cox is taking another shot at running for California governor. In a new ad, Cox comes out hard against Gavin Newsom, and another Republican candidate, former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S Supreme Court Rules Against Parts of California's Ban on Indoor WorshipOver the weekend, some parishioners gathered in houses of worship across the state after the U.S Supreme Court ruled against parts of California’s ban on indoor worship services put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. Collapse of Highway 1 Means Big Economic Consequences for Big Sur CommunitiesHighway 1 along the coast of Big Sur is one of the most scenic stretches of pavement in the country, but it can also be fragile. A big chunk of Highway One collapsed in heavy rains last month, and that has big economic consequences for the tourism-dependent communities in Big Sur. Reporter: Erika Mahoney, KAZU Campaign to Recall Newsom from Office Appears to be Gaining SteamA recent poll by UC Berkeley shows support for Governor Gavin Newsom falling. And the campaign to recall him from office, once a fringe idea, appears to be gaining steam. Recall organizers have until March 17th to turn in a million and half verified voter petition signatures to qualify a recall measure for the ballot. Inside a Vaccination Super CenterMore than nine million Californians get their health care from Kaiser-Permanente. And for both its members and non-members, Kaiser is playing a growing role in the distribution of the coronavirus vaccines. Guest: Dr. Michael Moore, a director of Kaiser's COVID-19 vaccination programs Families Wait for Relief After President Biden Revokes Travel BanOne of Joe Biden’s first actions as president was to revoke Donald Trump’s travel ban against several Muslim-majority and African nations. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bay Area Congressional Representatives Condemn Enduring Trauma from Family Separation PolicyCongressional representatives from the Bay Area condemned the enduring trauma caused by the Trump administration’s family separation policy. That policy has drawn shock and anger since coming to light in 2018. Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED Scientists Still Unsure How to Treat COVID-19 Related Brain FogA new study out this week suggests long-term cognitive issues may be more common than we thought, especially in people who had mild COVID-19 cases. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED Berkeley Considers Upending Rules Around Single Family ZoningBerkeley was the first city in the country to adopt single-family zoning. Or rules that restrict housing development to one home on one lot. That was back in 1916. Now Berkeley is one of a handful of California cities considering upending those rules. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED New Labor Laws Reveal Glaring Inequities in State's Art SectorSmall arts groups are struggling to comply with the new rules while coping with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED Incentives Allowed by California Regulators May Have Made Rural Grids More VulnerablePG&E is suspected of causing last year’s deadly Zogg Fire in Shasta County last year. At the time, the utility had turned off power in parts of several counties, but not in the area where the Zogg Fire started. Guest: Steve Weissman, Policy Advisor, Center for Sustainable Energy & Lecturer, UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Grocery Association Sues Over 'Hero Pay' for Essential Workers The California Grocers Association sued Oakland on Wednesday, a day after the city council mandated an additional $5 an hour in pay for workers at supermarkets there. Disputes have escalated as more California cities consider ordinances aimed at compensating grocery workers during the pandemic. Workers protested in Long Beach, where Krogers has announced two store closures in response to a similar mandate. Guest: Howard Simmons, Ralphs Employee KQED's Digital Team Takes on Listener Questions about Vaccinations California’s COVID vaccine rollout has been among the slowest in the nation. Those eligible have found it hard to know where to get the vaccine. So people are looking for information where they can, including from KQED. Guest: Carly Severn, KQED San Francisco Files Lawsuit Against District to Force Classrooms Open San Francisco’s school board president is calling a lawsuit filed .. against the district by the city petty and embarrassing. The city maintains the district lacks a plan to safely reopen public schools during the pandemic. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED Biden Administration Works with State to Open Two New Vaccination Sites in California The sites will be at the Oakland Coliseum and California State University - Los Angeles. Governor Newsom said the locations were chosen intentionally. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED PG&E Faces New Conditions on Federal Probation The conditions were prompted by the company's suspected role in starting a deadly Shasta County fire last fall. REporter: Dan Brekke, KQED Two Bay Area Lawmakers Propose Building 'Social Housing' to Address High Housing Costs Assemblymembers Alex Lee of San Jose and Buffy Wicks of Oakland introduced the Social Housing Act earlier this week. It would create a statewide housing authority to build and manage housing that’s available to not just the poorest residents, but to middle-income people as well. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden signed several executive orders on immigration Tuesday, including one that creates a task force to reunify migrant families separated by the Trump administration. Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED President Biden recently signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to stop contracting with private prisons. What impact could this have on detention facilities here in California? Reporter: Benjamin Purper, KVCR As the COVID-19 surge slowly subsides in our hospitals, the state public health department says nurse staffing ratios will begin to return to normal. Hospitals desperate to find enough staff during the surge applied for waivers allowing nurses to care for more patients than they normally would. Reporter: Jackie Fortiér, KPCC Dealing with COVID skeptics in your family isn't easy. Take it from one L.A. journalist who’s been working at it with his dad this past year. He consistently provided his father with accurate information about COVID-related health risks, and even convinced him to get the vaccine. Guest: Gustavo Arellano, L.A. Times California's outgoing Attorney General Xavier Becerra has filed a brief with a federal appeals court, arguing the federal government should be allowed to enforce its robocall ban for the years 2015-2020. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom inches closer to the ballot, a new poll shows voters are unhappy with his handling of the pandemic, just 46% approve of the job he’s doing. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED As Newsom’s ratings fall, former San Diego Mayor and Republican Kevin Faulconer, announced last night he’s running for governor, whether in 2022 or a recall election, if there is one. Opinions on his time as mayor are mixed. Guest: Katie Orr, KQED Immigrant advocates are calling on federal authorities to release most people held at immigration detention centers in California. This comes after the Biden administration issued new priorities for who should be arrested and locked up. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress are proposing an increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Five years ago, California debated its own $15 minimum wage. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED In Southern California, two grocery chains are planning to close stores in Long Beach. it’s a move that comes after the city passed a temporary pay raise for local grocery workers because of the pandemic. Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC TV, movie, and commercial shoots in the L.A. area have gotten the go-ahead to resume production this week. This comes a month after three industry groups recommended that local production be put on hold, due to a surge in COVID cases. Reporter: Chery Glaser, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oxygen Suppliers Struggle to Keep Up with Demand from COVID-19 patients COVID-19 patients who recover enough to go home from the hospital often need supplemental oxygen. But with so many COVID patients, oxygen companies are struggling to keep up with the demand. Reporter: Jackie Fortiér, KPCC At least four employees linked to the company’s plant in south Fresno have now died. A December outbreak there infected at least 193 workers and prompted an investigation by the county health department. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report New preliminary data show the University of California got a record number of applications this year, with a remarkable surge in members of underrepresented groups looking for a spot. Guest: Teresa Watanabe, Reporter, L.A. Times It’s back to business for many parts of the Los Angeles economy this month. Restaurants are open for outdoor dining, mini golf and batting cages are hosting guests, and nail salons are opening too. Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shirley Weber Confirmed as California's Top Election Official San Diego Assemblywoman Shirley Weber will become California's first Black Secretary of State roughly half a century after her family fled Arkansas when her father was threatened by a lynch mob. No legislator in either house opposed the nomination, but all Senate Republicans abstained. Guy Marzorati, KQED There have been a lot of major announcements in the last few weeks related to the pandemic, from Governor Gavin Newsom's lifting of the stay at home order to new rules for who gets priority for getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Guest: Molly Peterson, KQED health reporter The state has vaccinated more than 8,000 people incarcerated in state prisons, but it’s unclear if any ICE detainees have been vaccinated yet. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED People with underlying health conditions were originally set to get vaccinated after most essential workers. Now that the governor is shifting to an age-based system, people with disabilities feel they’ve been pushed out of line. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED The audit says EDD had a heads up from the Department of Labor as far back as May that it needed to prepare for more than a billion dollars’ worth of potentially fraudulent claims. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED Adhiti Bandlamudi shares this story about living with two people who have a different idea about what it is to be safe during COVID. Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democratic State Lawmakers Renew Push for Bail Reform In November, state voters sided the bail industry, and killed legislation that would have ended cash bail in the state and replaced it with a system that gave judges more power to decide who should be released from jail before trial.Now Democratic state lawmakers are taking another swing at bail reform. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom is going through a political rough patch, with people criticizing his sometimes confusing pandemic announcements and tendency to act first and explain himself later to other elected officials. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED California’s slow vaccine rollout has been blamed on a limited vaccine supply, but having enough trained people to actually give the shots on an industrial scale is also a factor. Reporter: Tarryn Mento, KPBS According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, nearly 4,000 inmates and staff members have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Tony Botti says the high caseload in the jail reflects what’s happening in the county. Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR Most changes in the virus don’t raise alarm bells. But genomic sequencing can help identify variants that are more deadly or contagious. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio The newly formed Open Schools California unifies parent groups from San Diego to Marin. These are parents who accuse the governor of not having the political will to re open school campuses, after nearly a year of distance learning. Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Labor Unions Lobby for Vaccine EligibilityFor weeks, labor unions like the powerful Service Employees International Union have been pressing state and local officials to provide vaccinations to their members as quickly as possible. As vaccine eligibility shifts, other groups are making pleas too. Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW Supervisors got a report on Tuesday from the L.A. County counsel’s office about how Villanueva could be removed from office. County counsel said there are four possibilities to remove the elected sheriff: one would be to amend the county charter, another would be a voter recall. Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC A street medicine team in Bakersfield is working to educate people experiencing homelessness about the pandemic, including misinformation about Covid-19 vaccines. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, KQED Many Californians were surprised when this week Governor Gavin Newsom announced he was lifting the state’s stay at home order. But a lot of state legislators were also surprised. They say it’s part of a pattern that’s emerged with this governor. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED It’s called MyTurn. You can go online now to register… the system will notify you when you’re eligible for a shot. Beginning in February those who qualify can begin booking appointments. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED State Auditor Finds Agency Charged with Sending Out Unemployment Checks Still Falling ShortAccording to the audit, the Employment Development Department’s call centers still aren’t functioning efficiently, despite the agency hiring more 55,000 new staffers. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the state works to speed up delivery of the coronavirus vaccine, Governor Gavin Newsom says California will shift its priorities for who’s at the top of the list, and put people over 65 in line to get shots first. Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED California renters who faced the prospect of mass evictions at the end of this month might not have to worry in the short term. That after the state's top lawmakers and Governor Newsom reached a tentative agreement to extend an eviction moratorium through June. Reporter: Molly Solomon, KQED Governor Newsom lifted regional stay-at-home orders yesterday in favor of county-by-county restrictions. The changes mean hair and nail salons can reopen, and allows outdoor dining in many places. Local officials could choose to impose stricter rules. Guest: Anne Rimoin, Professor of Epidemiology, UCLA Fresno County officials say they want to prioritize farmworkers for vaccination, but the county is facing a challenge, they are ready to vaccinate 30,000 people every week, but don't have the supply to do so. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED A new economic forecast says things are improving for the Los Angeles area, fed by optimism around the coronavirus vaccines. From construction, to healthcare, to retail, companies are hiring. But some sectors of the local economy are months away from recovery Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW Nine school districts in California are starting rapid COVID-19 testing of their students and staff. It’s a pilot program that could allow more schools in the state to reopen safely. Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED A lot of people are struggling to pay their rent, mortgage and other bills because of the pandemic. 1.6 million California households are behind on their water bills according to a recent survey from the State Water Resources Control Board. Reporter: Nina Sparling, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's Justice Department Launches Civil Rights Investigation Into L.A. County Sheriff Department Attorney General Xavier Becerra said the inquiry comes after credible reports of excessive force, retaliation and other misconduct at the Sheriff’s Department. Reporter: Robert Garrova, KPCC Throughout the pandemic private citizens have crowdsourced everything from COVID case tallies to behavior risk calculators Lesley McClurg, KQED COVID-19 has spread like wildfire inside a jail north of Sacramento that also holds immigrant detainees. Now, about half of all the people locked up there have tested positive for the virus. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who Will be the Next California Attorney General?Other than Governor, being California’s Attorney General is arguably the most coveted political job in California. It makes you the Golden State’s top prosecutor, you get tons of attention, and the job can serve as a launching pad to higher office, like it did for Vice President Kamala Harris. The Attorney General’s position will soon be vacant and lots of people want the job. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED This will mean more regular beds and ICU beds at Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley. And the state is reopening Pacific Gardens Medical Center in Hawaiian Gardens, which had closed four years ago. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC San Jose Senator Dave Cortese says despite the fanfare around Newsom's goal to start re-opening next month, plenty of disagreements remain. That includes a proposal for weekly testing of students. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Just over three thousand inmates have gotten their first dose of the vaccine so far, but it still takes a few weeks for it to take effect. Health experts fear the worst is yet to come. Reporter: Marco Siler-Gonzales, KQED COVID-19 has spread like wildfire through California’s prisons and jails. To reduce caseloads and deaths, the state has prioritized certain groups of inmates for early release. Reporter: Lucy Copp The California Report Magazine: The History of 'Amazing Grace' and U.S PresidentsFor years, there’s been this link between Amazing Grace” and U.S. presidents all along the political spectrum. Reporter: Chloe Veltman, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People Who Knew Kamala Harris Best Reflect on Watching Her Ascend to the White HouseKamala Harris represents a lot of firsts, from the first female vice president to the first Black vice-president to the first vice president of South Asian descent. But what do the people who knew Harris as a San Francisco D.A., California Attorney General, and U.S Senator think about her ascent? Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED After the new vice president was sworn in yesterday, Kamala Harris turned her attention to her first official duty: swearing in her replacement to represent California in the U.S. Senate. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Amanda Gorman is the 22-year-old poet from Los Angeles who recited her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration. Gorman got her start writing poetry through an LA-based non-profit called WriteGirl. Caroline Champlin, KPCC The Biden White House has unveiled an ambitious immigration agenda, including a reform bill that would set a path to legalization for the estimated 11 million undocumented people in this country. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero Overall, Latinos cast an estimated 16.6 million ballots in November and preferred Biden to Trump by a 3 to 1 margin. This new study by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Initiative looked at counties with the most Latino voters in more than a dozen states Reporter: Darrell Satzman, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Biden Inauguration Marks End of Political and Legal Warfare Between California and the Trump Administration The presidency of Donald Trump ends Wednesday morning, and when it does, it will mark the end of four years of feuding with the Trump Administration over issues like health care, the environment, and immigration. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED The New Year’s surge is not as bad as health officials feared. The number of people requiring medical care has stabilized and declined slightly. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Under the new Trump administration rule, immigration court fees would jump by hundreds of dollars. U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta says the fee hikes would have caused plaintiffs irreparable harm, and were likely unlawful. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Health care workers are treating more COVID19 patients than ever in this pandemic, and hospitalizations from the virus are mounting more pressure on an already strained health care system. Reporter: Marco Siler Gonzales, KQED State health officials are recommending a pause in using one batch of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine because of unexpected adverse reactions. Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED Weeks after Proposition 22 became law, we are already seeing the effects ripple out into industries beyond the “gig economy.” The country’s second-largest grocery store chain, Albertsons, is now laying off its grocery delivery employees and replacing them with contractors at DoorDash. Critics of the measure say they warned this would happen. Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED As the sun sets on the Trump Administration, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has proposed removing the protected status of millions of acres of desert lands across California. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Padilla Calls for Legalization of Undocumented Immigrants in Essential Services Kamala Harris will officially resign her California U.S. Senate seat as she prepares to be sworn in as vice president on Wednesday. Harris's appointed successor, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, says undocumented immigrants working in essential services deserve not just labor protections, but the security of a path to citizenship. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks Todd Gloria is San Diego's new mayor. He's a Democrat, and the first openly gay person and person of color to lead San Diego, a city of nearly 1.5 million people. Guest: Todd Gloria, San Diego mayor Fraudsters have stolen as much as $8 billion dollars and counting in unemployment benefits from the state. Now Bank of America is facing a federal lawsuit in connection with that fraud, and the impact it’s had on innocent customers. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris resigned her California U.S. Senate seat today, but that vacant seat won’t be vacant for long. Governor Gavin Newsom tapped current Secretary of State Alex Padilla to serve out the final two years of Harris’s Senate term. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles County Approaches Nearly a Million COVID-19 Cases With around 10 million residents, L.A. is the most populous county in the U.S. As the county approaches a million cases, that also means roughly 1 in 10 Angelenos has had a confirmed case of the virus at some point throughout the pandemic. Matt Guilhem, KCRW Los Angeles County Latino Residents Now Dying from COVID-19 at Eight Times the Rate in November The region has been the epicenter of the pandemic for months, but the speed of transmission continues to alarm officials. COVID-19 has devastated communities of color more than any other, and the data is alarming. Guest: Ron Lin, Reporter, Los Angeles Times Pistachio Plant Workers Take to the Streets to Demand Safety Farmworkers and those in food production have been left vulnerable by the pandemic. In the Central Valley, employees of the pistachio producer Primex recently made the rare, risky decision to take to the streets. Guest: Julia Lurie, Mother Jones California Fall Short on Ambitious Vaccination Goals Counties in California aren’t giving shots to members of the public yet. To make that happen, lawmakers and county health officials say they’re going to need a lot more help from the state. Reporter: Sammy Caiola, CapRadio California Steps Up Security Prep as Biden Inauguration Draws Near Newsom activated up to one thousand of the state’s National Guard to work closely with the CHP to protect infrastructure in and around the State Capitol in Sacramento. The move comes just days after the FBI warned of possible armed violence planned by extremist groups targeting all 50 state capitals. Reporter: Scott Shafer, Politics Editor, KQED California Lawmakers Eager for Immediate Action Begin Budget Hearings Lawmakers wasted little time beginning to debate Newsom’s $227 billion budget proposal. It calls for immediate action on several pandemic relief items, including cash payments to the state’s lowest income earners. Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State Officials Announce New Approach to Getting Vaccines to People 65 or Older The idea is to ramp up vaccine distribution to those at greatest risk of becoming hospitalized. This comes after deaths in the state continue to climb, with nearly 600 deaths on Tuesday, according to state data. Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED Members of California's GOP Congressional Delegation Speak Out Against Impeachment Out of California’s 10 Republican members of congress, only the Central Valley’s David Valadao voted for impeachment. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Trump Ally Kevin McCarthy Stays Loyal to Trump When House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) spoke on the House floor yesterday, he said President Trump was partly to blame for inciting the insurrection. But, he added that impeaching the president would only divide the country further. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED With Accounts Frozen, 1.4 Million Californians Wait for Unemployment Benefits The Employment Development Department locked the accounts in another attempt to fight potential fraud. Applicants got notices saying their claims had been frozen for suspected fraud, and that staff would send instructions on how to unfreeze accounts starting January 6th. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report Los Angeles Leaders Look to Toughen COVID-19 Mask Mandate The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to have an ordinance drawn up that would add penalties for people who don’t cover their faces as infections reach new highs across Southern California. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRW Legislators Consider Whether to Continue Mailing Every Voter Ballots In an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus at the polls, every registered voter in California was mailed a ballot last year. State Senator Tom Umberg of Orange County is introducing a bill to continue universal vote-by-mail for any election this year. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Coalition of Public Defenders Urges Biden Administration to Reform Immigration System Public defenders are demanding a halt in deportations for a year while repairing the damage they say was done by Trump anti-immigrant policies. The nearly 40 public defense offices also want President-Elect Joe Biden to slash the immigration detention budget and reinvest that money instead in offering lawyers to those who can’t afford one while fighting deportation. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Lawmakers Consider Domestic Terrorism Units State Senator Tom Umberg is proposing a unit to investigate and thwart acts of domestic terrorism and criminal activities by white nationalists, anti-government militia and groups like the Proud Boys. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED The FBI warned this week of the potential for armed protests at all 50 state Capitols. In California, local law enforcement say they are on alert to protect city and county buildings as well. Marisa Lagos, KQED Legal aid groups in California sued to block the fee hikes, and a federal court is hearing the case Thursday. Plaintiffs say low-income immigrants facing deportation will be priced out of a fair day in court. Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

L.A. Moves from Pushing COVID-19 Testing to VaccinationCOVID-19 testing at Dodger Stadium ended Monday as L.A. transitions to more of an emphasis on the distribution of coronavirus vaccines. A vaccination center will soon be set up at the stadium parking lot, where officials hope 12,000 people a day will be able to get a shot when the facility is fully operational. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report San Luis Obispo Prison Suffers Largest COVID-19 Outbreak YetState data show about a third of the population incarcerated at the California Men’s Colony has tested positive for COVID-19 over the past two weeks.. Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report New Biography "Kamala's Way" Looks at Kamala Harris's Path to PowerKamala Harris will soon make history as the first woman to become vice president. Journalist Dan Morain has a biography out called" Kamala's Way". Guest: Dan Morain, Sacramento Press Club president and author of "Kamala's Way" California Lawmaker Moves to Repeal Law Requiring Public School Teachers on Extended Sick Leave to Pay for Substitutes The policy was put into the California Education Code by the Legislature and the governor back in the 1970s. The Protect School Employees and Medical Leave Act would make sure school employees could continue receiving their full pay while on extended sick leave. Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED Facebook Attempts to Manage Fallout from Suspending TrumpMenlo Park-based Facebook is warning employees not to wear company swag after its crackdown on content falsely claiming that Trump actually won the election. Now the company has a warning for employees. Alex Heath, The Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Commonly Used COVID-19 Test in Los Angeles Prone to Inaccuracy, FDA Says The test is made by the company Curative, which was hired to provide tens of thousands of tests at city and county sites throughout Los Angeles. The Food and Drug Administration says the test poses a “risk of false results, particularly false negative results." Jackie Fortier, KPCC People who test positive for COVID-19 typically have symptoms like coughing or headaches that can last for a few days or a few weeks. But for a small number of people, the symptoms linger for months, and can cause debilitating illness even after they test negative. Sammy Caiola, CapRadio It’s notoriously difficult to get housing built in California, and that’s why lawmakers have passed a number of bills in recent years to override local opposition and clear the way for new projects. Now Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing to direct millions of dollars to ensure those laws are actually working so the state can chip away at its chronic housing shortage. Erin Baldassari, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Educators Help Students Make Sense of U.S Capitol Insurrection Teachers Help Students Process Violence at U.S Capitol The storming of the U.S Capital by pro-Trump mob was an awful episode in American history. It also provides a teaching moment for California educators, who are leading difficult discussions about what happened, and why. Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED Some Supporters Defend Trump after Capitol Hill Insurrection California is a progressive-leaning Blue state, but it also has big patches of red. Some Republicans in the Central Valley say the insurrection on Capitol Hill does not represent Trump supporters. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED Doctors and Nurses Exhausted and Angry as Some Patients Ignore COVID-19 Warnings In California, the virus is claiming about 360 lives a day and infecting thousands more. In overburdened hospitals, doctors and nurses are frustrated by people who are blasé about COVID's dangers or pandemic deniers. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED California Orders Hospitals in Certain Regions to Postpone Non-Essential Surgeries The state issued a new health order to try to ease the strain on over burdened hospitals. Hospitals that have room also must accept patients from other facilities that have maxed out their intensive care beds. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC How College Students Are Processing the Insurrection and Violence in D.C Cal State Los Angeles senior, Marisa Martinez got reactions from two of her fellow students after the insurrection at the Capitol. Reporter: Marisa Martinez Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Donald Trump’s words rallied them to action, rioters bent on overturning results of the lawful election stormed the U.S. Capitol building as congress tallied the electoral college vote. Lawmakers were forced to flee the chambers, and hunker down in offices. Some were evacuated to undisclosed safe locations. In response to yesterdays attack on the U.S. Capitol, elected officials were removed to secure locations and told to shelter in place. One California lawmaker said the experience of hiding in her office as rioters roamed the halls, reminded her of school shootings. Guest: Los Angeles Congresswoman, Nanette Diaz Barragan Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the rioters in Washington D.C. and San Francisco Mayor London Breed tweeted that it was quote “an attempted coup encouraged by the president of the United States.” As chaos enveloped the U.S. Capitol. there were also protests in California. Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio Yesterday’s insurrection has many Americans asking themselves how the country reached this point. One of them is a political scholar and author of the book “Black Nationalism in the United States: From Malcolm X to Barack Obama.” Guest: James Taylor, Professor, African American Studies, University of San Francisco Members of California law enforcement and civil rights leaders expressed dismay and outrage at the tepid response to the insurrectionists who stormed the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election. They say the response would have been very different if the crowd was made up of people of color. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The state’s pandemic numbers continue to worsen, with mushrooming infection rates and more than 27,000 COVID fatalities. California is averaging more than 35,000 cases per day, according to the state. Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED Frontline health care workers are supposed to be some of the first people to get the coronavirus vaccines. But many of those workers are hesitant to get the shots. In response, the Los Angeles Fire Department has turned to prizes to encourage its personnel to get vaccinated. Reporter: Angel Carreras, KCRW many California grocery workers could soon get a temporary pay raise under proposals cities and counties are considering. That includes parts of Los Angeles, where COVID cases are higher than ever. Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC Cash bail has long been controversial because of equity and class. If you have access to funds, you can get out of jail. If you don’t, you stay behind bars. Yesterday, California Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a landmark cash bail case that tackles that issue. Reporter: Kate Wolffe, KQED More than 200 workers at Alphabet, the parent company of Google, have announced they are forming a union with the Communications Workers of America. In the past, service workers at companies like Apple and Facebook have joined traditional unions. But the Alphabet union is the first of its kind in Silicon Valley. Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices