KQED's The California Report

In recent years, you’ve likely heard news stories about fiery school board meetings. But most often, they’re pretty routine. In the November election, there are several school board races on the ballot. But many are not, because the races have not attracted more than one candidate. Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU Shasta County in far Northern California has been the epicenter of election denialism in the state, and the tension is taking a toll on election workers. Officials have confirmed that 10 out of 21 workers with the Shasta County Registrar of Voters have quit as of last week. Reporter: Sergio Olmos, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tens of thousands of University of California workers have authorized their unions to call a strike in coming weeks. They say many departments are understaffed and accuse UC administrators of bargaining in bad faith. Although California's more than 180,000 unhoused residents could be impacted by the results of next week's election, many may not vote due to various challenges. Data from Sacramento County shows less than 10 percent of unhoused voters there are registered. Reporter: Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters Statewide Proposition 34 is, on its face, about requiring health care providers to spend nearly all of their revenue on patients. But the measure is backed by a landlord lobbying group and only applies to a single provider who is pushing for more rent control in California. Reporter: Aaron Schrank, KCRW Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Young voter turnout across the U.S. has historically been low. But this year, youth voter registration has surged. And that could make a difference in the Congressional District 13 race in northern San Joaquin Valley. Two years ago, Republican John Duarte beat Democrat Adam Gray by less than 600 votes. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR Another demographic that could sway the vote in California’s 13th District is Latinas. They make up 1 in every 4 voters in the District, according to Lucete Latina, a Federal Political Action Committee. Guest: Roxana Pantoja, 19-year-old Merced resident The Los Angeles Dodgers won in dramatic fashion Wednesday night, coming from behind to beat the New York Yankees 7-6 in Game 5 of the World Series. It's the franchise's eighth World Series championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California election officials are bracing for Election Day amidst concerns about distrust. Officials have been investing in outreach and education. One county that's dealt with a lot of distrust is Shasta County in far northern California. The county's longtime registrar of voters, Cathy Darling Allen, retired in May this summer. The board appointed a new registrar to replace her. Guest: Alex Hall, KQED Proposition 35 is one of ten statewide ballot measures that Californians will be voting on this election. It would put new guidelines around Medi-Cal spending to help secure better pay for doctors who serve low-income Californians. Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the last few months, voting rights advocates have been hitting the ground across the Imperial Valley as part of a new effort to get more people ready to cast their ballots in November. They’re fighting an ongoing battle: decades of low voter turnout. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS More than 37,000 University of California service and patient care workers are voting this week on whether to authorize a statewide strike. The Los Angeles Dodgers are a win away from a World Series Championship. L.A. defeated the New York Yankees in Game 3 Monday night, 4-2, to take a 3-0 lead in the series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should a California town change its name because of its association with a murderous settler? That’s the question at the heart of a ballot measure this election season, in Lake County. It’s a rural area about two hours drive north of Sacramento. Voters are being asked if the small town of Kelseyville should be renamed Konocti. Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio Southern California’s largest Asian American advocacy group is training its poll monitors to keep an eye out for racist rhetoric and bullying. Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist Californians will vote on ten statewide ballot propositions this fall. Among them is Proposition 2, which would let California borrow $10 billion through a state bond to pay for updates to school facilities. Reporter: Carolyn Jones, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Forest Service this week directed its employees in California to stop prescribed burning "for the foreseeable future," a directive that officials said is meant to preserve staff and equipment to fight wildfires if needed. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Californians will vote on ten statewide ballot propositions this fall. Among them is Proposition 3, which would enshrine the right to same-sex marriage in the California constitution. Reporter: Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters Voter support appears to be waning for a ballot measure that would increase the state’s minimum wage. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED The head of the federal agency in charge of securing our nation’s election infrastructure is on a speaking tour, trying to instill confidence in the integrity of the coming vote. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final weeks of the presidential campaign, migration at the U.S.-Mexico border remains a heated topic. Former President Donald Trump calls it an “invasion.” And Vice President Kamala Harris is vowing tougher enforcement. So what is actually happening at the border? Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED The editorials editor of the Los Angeles Times has resigned after the newspaper’s owner, billionaire biotech entrepreneur Patrick Soon-Shiong, blocked the editorials team’s plan to endorse Kamala Harris in this year’s presidential election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Orange County is once again poised to help decide control of Congress this November. The 47th district is one of the swing seats up for grabs. And college education levels are dividing voters in the district’s two largest cities. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED America, Mexico and Los Angeles have all lost an athletic and cultural icon with the death of former L.A. Dodgers player Fernando Valenzuela at the age of 63. Embattled Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do has resigned from his position and agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy to steal millions of taxpayer dollars, funds that were intended to feed seniors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this year, state energy officials approved a strategic master plan to start developing enormous offshore wind farms in the waters off the coast, with hundreds of wind turbines each the size of the Eiffel Tower sitting atop floating platforms. But what's on tap for the growing industry? Guest: Adam Stern, Executive Director of Offshore Wind California It's day 2 of a strike by thousands of Kaiser Permanente mental health care workers in Southern California. More than 100 picketed outside the healthcare provider’s medical center on Sunset Blvd. Monday. Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weeks Ago, We Heard From an Opponent of Prop 36, Now, We Speak With a Supporter We hear from the owner of a 7-Eleven franchise in Los Angeles, whose store has been targeted by thieves at least twice. He tells us how his experience shaped how he feels about Prop 36. The bill would undo criminal justice reforms that voters approved more than a decade ago; that means tougher sentencing on non-violent crimes, reclassifying some misdemeanors as felonies, and placing harsher penalties on repeat offenders. Kaiser Permanente Workers in Southern California Go on Strike More than 2,400 mental health workers with Kaiser Permanente in Southern California went on strike this morning, setting up picket lines at facilities from Los Angeles to San Diego. Represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers, the mental health professionals mobilized to strike over the weekend, after rejecting Kaiser's terms on Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Proposition 33 once again puts rent control on the ballot. The previous initiatives failed, but the idea is gaining momentum in California, and nationally. Even President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have embraced it. Still, rent regulations remain controversial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this high stakes election year, many politically-engaged Californians are volunteering in their communities. But some feel they can make more of a difference traveling out of state, like to neighboring Nevada. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million dollars to victims of clergy sex abuse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most healthcare employers in California are required to increase their minimum wage starting Wednesday. This is the first raise of its kind in the U.S. specific to healthcare. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED This fall, school districts throughout the state are asking voters to approve billions of dollars in bonds to repair and renovate aging campuses. But what is a bond? Reporter: Mariana Dale, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Californians gear up for the upcoming election, we've got some big races on the ballot, you know, President of the United States and U.S. Senate. But there's also a pivotal decision looming whether to back a $10 billion state climate bond. Guest: Caleigh Wells, KCRW Governor Gavin Newsom signed a controversial special session measure aimed at lowering gas prices. But it has plenty of critics. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Proposition 6 on the November ballot aims to get rid of “involuntary servitude” for people in prison. You might know that some of these folks fight wildfires, but people who are in prison also do jobs as varied as cooking and making furniture, and usually they’re paid pennies an hour. Reporter: Audy McAfee The nonprofit California Fire Foundation has expanded its memorial wall, which honors fallen firefighters at the State Capitol. Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, a Fresno County ordinance went into effect that prohibits people from sleeping or camping on public property. So where will the city’s thousands of unhoused people go next? An untraditional program is attempting to reduce some barriers to housing. Reporter: Esther Quintanilla, KVPR The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA, gives protection from deportation to more than half a million undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as kids, including tens of thousands in California. The latest in a series of legal battles over the program came Thursday in a federal appeals court. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the campaign trail, Vice President Kamala Harris often talks about standing up for voters. One of her biggest tests of this promise came more than a decade ago, during the peak of the subprime mortgage crisis. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Riverside’s city council struck down a proposal by the city attorney and police department to prohibit items that could be used as weapons during protests. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the race for control of Congress, all eyes are on California. Election analysts see more competitive contests for the House of Representatives here than in any other state. One of those is the 47th District in Orange County, where Democrat Dave Min is taking on Republican Scott Baugh. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED State workplace regulators have fined a farm labor contractor near Sacramento more than $17,000 for serious heat safety violations. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recent hot weather has brought attention to schools, and how many of them lack air conditioning and other infrastructure to keep kids safe. The issue is even more crucial at child care centers because young kids have a harder time adapting. Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED Smoggy air has plagued California cities during this recent heat wave. And new research shows that pollution may affect children’s brains. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED Spending more time on screens increases the likelihood that 9-and 10-year-olds will develop symptoms of mental illness. That's according to a new study out this week from UC San Francisco. Reporter: Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been one year since Hamas-led militant groups launched attacks on Israel, killing more than 1200 Israelis and taking more than 200 people hostage. Many of those hostages have still not been released. And more than 41,500 people in Gaza have been killed by the Israeli bombardment according to Palestinian health officials, with a ceasefire still nowhere in sight. The war in the Middle East has also led to growing tensions here in the US. An LA-based organization is working to ease the tensions between the two communities. Guests: Ben Ginsburg and Tasneem Noor, NewGround The state Department of Public Health is investigating a possible third human case of bird flu in the Central Valley. The first two confirmed human cases were in Tulare County. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of foster children in the state are at risk of being moved from their homes. That’s after a major insurer for foster family agencies says it will no longer cover these organizations, starting this month. These agencies recruit and oversee foster parents, and without insurance, they can’t operate. Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist California needs to do more to contain bird flu on dairy cattle ranches. That's what one infectious disease expert says, as state health officials investigate the first two confirmed human cases of bird flu in the state. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Draft One is software that uses basically the same AI as Chat GPT. In seconds it generates the narrative for a police officer's report by analyzing the transcript of their bodycam audio. East Palo Alto is among a handful of cities across the state including Fresno, San Mateo, Campbell and Bishop that have started testing or using the program. But some experts are questioning its accuracy. Reporter: Sukey Lewis, KQED Flood officials are strengthening a levee system in Monterey County that burst during a storm last year, flooding nearly 300 homes in Pajaro. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED The largest dam removal project in U.S. history was completed Wednesday on the Klamath River near the California-Oregon border. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CARE Court turns one this week. When it rolled out last year in eight California counties, the program took aim at one of the state’s most pressing challenges -- how to treat people whose illness often makes them believe they are not sick, particularly those who, left untreated, move between jail, hospitals and homelessness. So how's it going? Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED The Line Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains flared up over the weekend, forcing more evacuations in areas south of Big Bear Lake. On Tuesday, prosecutors gave details about how they believe the fire was started. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Tuesday is the second day of a strike by thousands of dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts. And so far, there hasn't been a huge impact at two major ports on the West Coast, the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Oakland. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Borel Fire was the largest wildfire in Kern County’s history. It tore through 60,000 acres in the southern Sierra Nevada and consumed the historic town of Havilah earlier this summer. State crews have only just begun cleanup efforts as those displaced reckon with the devastation. Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing a Eureka hospital for denying a patient a needed abortion. Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the highest profile measures on California's November ballot is Proposition 36. If passed, it would roll back criminal justice reforms approved by voters ten years ago to reduce incarceration rates and increase punishments for certain drug and theft crimes like carjacking, burglary and shoplifting. Supporters say Prop 36 needs to pass because of increases in some property crimes and growing public anxiety over retail theft. But what does a person who once committed those kinds of offenses think about the measure? Guest: Robyn Williams, LA Resident New CDC data show how important COVID vaccines are during pregnancy. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News A new poll finds a majority of California voters support two bond measures on the November ballot. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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