KQED's The California Report

When the Trump administration takes office later this month, it'll be on a collision course with California cities that have vowed to protect their undocumented residents from Donald Trump's plans for mass deportation. But when the city says it will protect immigrants, what does that practically mean? Guest: Eunisses Hernandez, Los Angeles City CouncilTwo people were killed and 19 injured when a small aircraft crashed into a furniture manufacturing building in the Orange County city of Fullerton on Thursday afternoon.California's snowpack near Lake Tahoe is higher than it was this time last year, but still just below average for early January. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Several new laws went into effect on January 1, dealing with everything from workplace issues to education.Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportThe future of foreign labor in the tech sector could hinge on the outcome of a debate now raging in the orbit of President-elect Donald Trump, over the H1-B, a temporary visa for skilled workers.Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scientists project the Bay Area could rise more than a foot over the next few decades. Solutions implemented now can help communities prepare for a wetter future. This is especially true for the most vulnerable places, like San Francisco’s iconic waterfront. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To end homelessness, California’s political leaders have championed a seemingly simple solution: build homes for people who don’t have them. Even better, put those homes in places where unhoused folks are already living — in cities, close to public transportation and services. But insurers are increasingly eyeing those properties as too risky to serve — not because of potentially catastrophic storms or wildfires — but because of who lives there and the urban neighborhoods where they’re located. Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQEDA new law that goes into effect in the new year could give tenants facing eviction a better shot at staying in their homes.Reporter: Felicia Mello, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since the Supreme Court gave local governments greater power to police homelessness this summer, some 40 cities across California have passed anti-camping laws, according to the National Homelessness Law Center. In the Central Valley, the city of Fresno is home to one of the state’s harshest crackdowns, banning public camping anywhere, anytime. Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cal State Monterey Bay researchers and several partners are working to make Central Coast farming more climate resilient. The grant-funded project is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from specialty crops - think lettuce and strawberries - by using things like compost and cover crops.Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZUA new law in 2025 will scrub most medical debt from Californians’ credit reports.Reporter: Ana Ibarra, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been nearly two months since election night, when we learned Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. And since then, we’ve brought you coverage on how different sections of our society are preparing for this new administration. Today, we’re checking in with former US Poet Laureate and recent Genius Grant recipient Juan Felipe Herrera. He’s written extensively about the migrant experience in California. Guest: Juan Felipe Herrera, former US Poet Laureate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve found yourself at a makeup store recently, especially in a mall after school, you might’ve noticed more young people around you. Like really young. Like elementary and middle school young. This is a trend and it has a name: Sephora Kids. And their purchases are doing damage to more than just their parents’ bank accounts.Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRWAs the saying goes, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. And that’s true at a landfill in Riverside County. Workers at the Lamb Canyon Landfill have started rescuing items to resell at a new store. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you grew up here in California, you've likely visited a neighborhood that goes all out for Christmas. We're talking decorations on the roof in the front yard and lining the street. In Fresno, that neighborhood is known as Christmas Tree Lane during the holidays. Groups of families or friends get in their cars and drive down the street, blasting the Christmas radio station. Or they pick one of the walking days, stop at the Starbucks just outside the neighborhood, and walk the lane to really soak up its Christmas magic.Guest: Dean Alexander, Christmas Tree Lane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, many of you will be gathering with friends and family to celebrate Christmas. But what’s on your table could depend on traditions your family grew up with.Guest: Ken Albala, Food Historian and History Professor, University of the Pacific Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices