KQED's The California Report

An unhoused Bay Area woman and her advocates are claiming a big win after a judge stopped officials from clearing her elaborate shelter. It’s believed to be the first court victory of its kind since the U.S. Supreme Court last year made it harder to stop encampment sweeps.Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQEDCalifornia is rolling back its more flexible work from home policies that began during the pandemic. Governor Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order requiring state employees to work from the office at least four days a week.Reporter: Megan Myscofski, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Sunday night, Hollywood had its biggest night of the year with the Academy Awards ceremony. But here’s a plot twist. None of the ten films that were up for the best picture Oscar were shot in Hollywood or the greater L.A. area. It’s just the latest example of how much film and television production now occurs outside of Los Angeles, costing local jobs and raising questions about the very future of Hollywood.Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportOn Saturday, people gathered at national parks across the country to protest the firing of 1,000 National Park employees. Some 90 miles east of Los Angeles at Joshua Tree National Park, hundreds joined the movement. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge in San Francisco has temporarily blocked a Trump administration directive to mass terminate thousands of federal employees. The ruling only covers some federal agencies, including Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQEDThe Sierra Nevada Snowpack is about average for this time of year. Several storms expected in the coming days will likely add several inches. Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQEDPresident Trump's plans to impose tariffs on imported goods have faced heavy criticism among some experts who warn that the move will raise prices for American consumers and harm U.S. businesses that rely on imports. But the tariffs have also found support among one state industry: California grape growers.Reporter: Tina CaputoShasta County leaders are pushing for voter identification requirements and an elimination of the state's universal mail-in ballots. They advocated for those changes in recent letters to Governor Newsom and President Trump. Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Del Norte County, starting Thursday, teenagers in trouble will be held accountable by a true jury of their peers. Teen court is a diversion program run by teenagers for teenagers. Reporter: Jane Vaughan, Jefferson Public Radio California insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara says he'll make a decision soon on State Farm's request for an emergency rate increase. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's homeless shelters are deadlier than the state's jails and only a fraction of the people in them end up in permanent housing. Those are just a couple of the startling findings in a new investigation out this week from our California newsroom partner CalMatters. Guest: Lauren Hepler, CalMatters More than 50,000 University of California workers are set to go on strike statewide starting Wednesday.Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might think people whose homes survived the recent Los Angeles area fires might feel fortunate. But those homeowners are wrestling with their own problems, like how to make their homes livable again in largely destroyed neighborhoods. Reporter: Erin Stone, LAistGovernor Newsom on Monday announced hundreds of millions of dollars in new homelessness spending, along with a new website meant to let Californians track whether it’s making a difference. Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's healthcare workers are undergoing urgent training on constitutional law in light of new immigration enforcement policies. Clinics are on high alert, preparing to protect patient rights while managing fears from vulnerable communities. This proactive response aims to maintain quality care amid looming threats from ICE. Meanwhile, the political landscape shifts as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass parts ways with the fire chief, adding another layer of tension in city management.

The Trump administration's renewed investigation into California's high-speed rail project threatens $4 billion in federal funding. Lawmakers are also pushing to lower rising electricity bills, but this could create disparities among ratepayers. In light of recent wildfires, concerns about the state's preparedness for aiding older adults and people with disabilities during disasters are highlighted, revealing significant gaps in evacuation strategies. Join the discussion on these pressing issues affecting the Golden State.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has returned home to Los Angeles after losing to Donald Trump in the November election. The question now is what will she do next? Many pundits are speculating about a possible run for California governor. Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQEDInsurers have already paid out around $7 billion in claims to people who lost homes or suffered property damage in the LA fires.Reporter: Levi Sumagaysay, CalMattersAnother fire flared up Tuesday night at a Monterey County battery storage facility, one month after a massive blaze damaged it and caused major health concerns in the region. Reporter: Joseph Geha, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast delves into the troubling history of migrant family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border during Trump's presidency. It examines the Biden administration's efforts to reunite families and the recent dissolution of that task force, raising serious concerns among legal experts and advocates. Additionally, it highlights California senators questioning the impact of reduced federal funding on zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, amidst discussions about military tests and price gouging in the state.