KQED's The California Report

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.

In recent decades, Dr. Bronner’s evolved from a niche soap company to a powerhouse home brand with a worldwide following. But a recent wrongful death lawsuit makes some troubling allegations against the San Diego County-based company. The lawsuit alleges the company has turned a blind eye to an internal culture of drug use.Reporter: Scott Rodd, KPBS Riverside County’s firebrand sheriff is the first high-profile Republican to join the 2026 race for California governor. Chad Bianco kicked off his campaign on Monday at a banquet hall in Riverside. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tiny town of Scotia, California on the state’s remote redwood coast was built up entirely around a large sawmill. An attached biomass plant that burns the wood waste for electricity stands in the middle of a climate debate in the region. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public RadioSome college aid experts in California are tying a recent drop in student aid applications to fears around immigration enforcement. Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American society often feels divided. But sometimes, even the most surprising things can bring us together. For a small Central Sierra Nevada community, residents recently found themselves rallying around an unlikely source. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR Communities across California are waking up this morning to the damage left behind from Thursday's powerful storm system. The brunt of the damage was in Southern California.We'll learn on Friday the results of a strike vote by 20,000 University of California healthcare and other workers. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artificial Intelligence is being touted as the next big advancement to take almost every industry into a new direction, and at one of the world's largest agriculture expos, AI evangelists see the new tech as the next big advancement in farming.Authorities in Southern California have issued evacuation warnings for parts of Los Angeles County that were scorched by wildfires last month, as heavy rains in the region increase the risks of dangerous mudslides in those areas.Meanwhile, in the Bay Area, an atmospheric river is pounding the region, causing roadway flooding and blackouts across the region. The National Weather Service said the storm could bring down as much as an inch of rain per hour in some parts of the Bay Area, as well winds reaching up to speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of people are attending this week's World Ag Expo in Tulare County. There’s plenty to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for. And for many in the farming industry, a big issue right now is bird flu.Guest: Lucas Fuess, Senior Dairy Analyst, Rabobank California's FAIR Plan, the state's insurer of last resort, is asking for help paying customer claims due to the Eaton and Palisades fire. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices