
KQED's The California Report
KQED's statewide radio news program, providing daily coverage of issues, trends, and public policy decisions affecting California and its diverse population.
Latest episodes

May 2, 2025 • 11min
Tariffs Likely To Increase Cost Of Weddings In California
Weddings are pricey affairs in California — and they’re about to get even more expensive. According to the National Bridal Retailers Association, about 90 percent of all wedding gowns sold in the U.S. are made in China. With 145% tariffs now being imposed on all Chinese goods coming into the U.S., that could mean big price increases for California bridal shop owners and brides-to-be.
Reporter: Tina Caputo
Congress is moving ahead with a plan to block California’s electric vehicle mandate.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED
When Tulare Lake refilled two years ago in the middle of Kings County, two prisons narrowly avoided dangerous flooding. A new state audit now argues those prisons were not prepared for flooding or evacuation.
Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR
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May 1, 2025 • 12min
Most California Republican Voters Still Confident In Trump Administration
Nearly 40% of Californians voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election. Now, 100 days into his second term, how do they feel?
Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED
In San Francisco Wednesday night, former Vice President Kamala Harris laid into President Donald Trump at the 100 day mark of his presidency.
Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 30, 2025 • 11min
Refugee Family Remembers Fall Of Saigon
The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago when American troops pulled out of Saigon. And for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese who fled and resettled in California, April 30 is a significant day.
Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED
A bill that would have lowered the state rent cap won't be moving forward this year, after its sponsors pulled it this week.
Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 29, 2025 • 12min
Lawmakers Call for Investigations into Financial Aid Fraud at California Community Colleges
Millions of dollars meant to help California's community college students have been stolen by scammers, and now both Republican and Democratic leaders are calling for investigations. But there's debate over who's responsible and what solutions will actually help students most.
Guest: Adam Eckelman, CalMatters
An air force base in the Bay Area could be the site of a new immigration detention facility, KQED has learned. That comes as the Trump administration is moving aggressively to use military bases to expand its ability to detain and deport immigrants.
Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED
President Donald Trump continued his assault on cities and states with sanctuary immigration policies in a new executive order signed on Monday.
Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 28, 2025 • 12min
Students Push For Race-Focused College Graduations In California
College staff in Southern California are busy organizing upcoming graduation ceremonies based on racial and ethnic identity. But two months ago, the Trump administration said these graduation ceremonies are illegal. And staff are not taking that declaration lightly.
Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, LAist
Labor advocates in Los Angeles are pushing back against proposed cuts to a small city agency tasked with helping workers, who weren’t paid the wages they were owed.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 25, 2025 • 11min
Program Provides Unique Science Lessons On Tahoe Slopes
Skiers cruising down Tahoe’s white slopes this winter had a unique chance to learn about the surrounding ecosystem. UC Davis scientists clicked on their skis and led public tours down the mountain. Reporter: Anna Guth, KQEDThe American Civil Liberties Union has asked a federal court to stop the government from cutting off legal services to families who were forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border during the first Trump administration. Reporter: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 24, 2025 • 12min
Community College Job Training Program Struggles Due to Unreliable Funding
As the state grapples with the homeless population of over 187,000 people, a new program at Santa Monica Community College is training students for jobs to help people get off the streets and into housing. But it also faces an uncertain future. Guest: Marisa Kendall, CalMattersFarmworkers in the U.S. have historically been excluded from overtime pay. That’s no longer the case in California. But on Wednesday, state lawmakers tabled proposal to help ag employers afford that overtime.Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 23, 2025 • 12min
Immigration Officials Arrest More Than A Dozen People In Pomona
A bill aimed at bringing healthcare services directly to farmworker communities will be considered at the state legislature Wednesday.Immigrant rights groups say more than a dozen people were arrested by immigration officials on Tuesday at a hardware store in Pomona. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCRThe Trump Administration eliminated deportation protections for asylum seekers who entered the country through the CBP one mobile app. KPBS spoke to an immigration lawyer representing multiple migrants impacted by the decision.Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBSSupporters of reparations for Black Californians are pursuing a new strategy to advance their priorities at the state capitol. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 22, 2025 • 11min
Pope Francis Played Significant Role For Latinos In California
The death of Pope Francis is being felt around the world. And right here in California, millions of Latino Catholics are mourning not just the loss of a spiritual leader, but someone who, for many, felt like one of their own. Pope Francis was the first from Latin America. He spoke often about immigration, inequality, and the dignity of the poor.Guest: Jeff Guhin, Sociology Professor, UCLAStarting this week, Californians can buy naloxone at a discount on a state-run website. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. Reporter: Kristen Hwang, CalMatters A California state labor board says Governor Gavin Newsom may have violated the law when he issued an executive order calling state employees back into the office four days per week. Reporter: Megan Myscofski, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 21, 2025 • 12min
Shasta County DA's Office Strained Under Heavy Workload
The district attorney's office in Shasta County is facing high workloads and high vacancy rates. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public RadioDry summer conditions have long been known to cause issues for vulnerable fish populations. A recent UC Berkeley study found dry winters can cause issues, too. Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices