Kqeds The California Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Republican National Convention came to an end Thursday night with a speech from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. The Trump campaign is gaining momentum as we head to November. But will the national GOP agenda resonate in deeply blue California, particularly in a region that had long been a GOP stronghold, Orange County? Guest: Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Politics Editor, Orange County Register Departments of the University of California must now post opinions on a separate page instead of their website homepage. The new rules would require academic departments to only post research, course information and other administrative announcements on their homepage. Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republican National Convention wraps up Thursday night in Milwaukee with a speech from presidential nominee Donald Trump. The talk around the convention this week is the importance of congressional races in California, and how the state can be involved in the GOP's national agenda. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED A state ballot measure set to go before voters this November could trigger a wage hike for California prisoners. Reporter: Shaanth Nanguneri, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most migrants and asylum seekers, San Diego is not a final destination. It's a layover. But more migrants are choosing to stay in San Diego. And many are becoming homeless. Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS California will have to build public charging stations at an unprecedented — and some experts say unrealistic — pace to meet the needs of the millions more electric cars expected on its roads in the next decade. Reporter: Alejandro Lazo, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year, the city of Fontana hired a private contractor to help enforce its strict new street vending law. Officials say it’s working. But some vendors say the crackdown is affecting their livelihoods. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR California delegates to the Republican National Convention are cheering former president Donald Trump's pick of Ohio Senator JD Vance as his vice presidential nominee. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom has signed landmark legislation prohibiting forced outing policies in schools, making it the first state to do so. The bill bans schools from requiring educators to disclose information regarding a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity to parents. Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a fast-moving fire broke out over the hills near the town of Mariposa earlier this month, residents rushed out of their homes. The French Fire started on the Fourth of July, and was the latest fire to hit so close to the town. And for residents, fire is becoming a part of life. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR California Republicans are in Milwaukee this week for the Republican National Convention, just days after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.  Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices