KQED's The California Report

Death Valley is normally known for its extreme heat. But this winter, rain and winds pushed tons of water into the area, creating a lake locals grew to call "Lake Manly." People could kayak and wade out. But the lake has begun to dry up and boating is now suspended there.Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportOne of the most expensive state races has been waged in state Senate District 25 which spans from Glendale to Rancho Cucamonga east of L.A.  More than $5 million has flowed into the race – much of it coming from one of the candidates.Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the U.S. Senate race to fill the seat once held by the late Dianne Feinstein, Democrat and L..A area Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican and former pro baseball player Steve Garvey will advance to the November general election.Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED The result of California's only statewide ballot measure -- Proposition 1 -- is still too close to call. Latest results show just over 50% of voters supporting the measure aimed at housing more Californians with mental health and addiction problems.Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Polling places are open in California, as local and statewide races are on the ballot. Two of the biggest races -- the U.S. Senate seat that had long been held by the late Dianne Feinstein and Proposition 1, a proposal dealing with mental health and homelessness.  The cold winter storm and blizzard conditions that complicated mountain travel and closed ski resorts in the Sierra this past weekend also significantly boosted California’s snowpack and the state’s water supply. Last week, the snowpack was at 80% of average. It’s now 104%, a massive increase from just one storm.Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQEDDo you ever think you'll never get your foot into the door of California's residential real estate market? Well, applications open in early April for a state program that could help you buy your first home in California. It's called the California Dream for All Shared Appreciation loan. And when it first launched last year, it was so popular it exhausted its $300 million in funding in the first 11 days.Guest: Erin Baldassari, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent years, traffic fatalities have remained stubbornly high across California despite efforts to reduce them. That’s especially true in Los Angeles where last year, more than 330 people -- drivers, pedestrians and cyclists -- were killed in collisions, a number higher than the city’s homicide rate. In response to the toll, L.A. voters are voting this election on a ballot measure that’s supposed to make the city’s streets safer.Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportSeveral feet of snow fell in higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada over the weekend. The blizzard closed many businesses and shut down I-80.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid California’s housing crisis, a group of mobile home park residents in Fresno County have done something that might seem impossible. They purchased their park from their corporate landlord, securing stable affordable housing for themselves. But the road to get there wasn't easy.Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California ReportCommunities in the Sierra Foothills are preparing for several more feet of snow over the next two days. This week's blizzard will also bring extremely high wind gusts. Local residents and businesses have been busy preparing for what's to come.Reporter: Sophia Holm, KUNR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A blizzard warning is in effect through much of the Sierra foothills through the weekend. The National Weather Service says some higher elevations could see as much as ten feet of snow. Ski resorts in Lake Tahoe are preparing for dangerous conditions on the mountains.Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California ReportVoting in California’s primary election doesn’t end until Tuesday night. But election officials are getting worried about low levels of voter turnout. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Fresno County voters go to the polls next week, they will be asked to choose whether local officials should have more control over naming. And re-naming things like towns, cities, and street names.Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California ReportSan Diego County shut down its migrant welcome center last week . That means border officials will continue to drop migrants off on San Diego streets.Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBSThe National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for the greater Tahoe region and much of the Sierra from Thursday morning until Sunday. Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED When you’re voting for a candidate running for state office, like a state legislator or the governor, you can evaluate them based on their voting record, policy positions and more. But finding information on candidates for local judge seats can be trickier.Reporter: Olivia Zhao, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Californians will head to the polls on March 5 to vote in the presidential primary. While there's only one statewide measure on the ballot, voters will have plenty else to ponder.Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED Politics CorrespondentIn Shasta County, a citizens commission created by right-wing politicians is recommending that county officials violate state law by hand-counting election ballots. Reporter: Roman Battaglia, Jefferson Public Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Proposition 1 would allow the state to issue more than $6 billion in bonds, for supportive housing and residential treatment facilities for people experiencing homelessness and mental illness. But local governments are eyeing the measure through a different lens, and what may be impacted locally.Reporters: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU and Erik Adams, North State Public RadioProp 1 isn't the first ballot measure that's tried to help Californians who live in that overlap between homelessness and mental illness. In 2018, voters passed No Place Like Home, a proposition that committed to building thousands of affordable housing units for homeless residents experiencing mental health issues. But a new investigation from CalMatters shows it delivered only a fraction of what proponents promised.Guest: Marisa Kendall, Reporter CalMatters  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rogue Festival in Fresno’s Tower District showcases local talent through improv, comedy and storytelling. This year the festival will host nearly 200 performances over the course of two weekends.  One of them is a performance of the novel Latehomecomer by Hmong American author Kao Kalia Yang.Guest: Jasmine Vang, Hmong American Actor The Sierra is glittering white. Over the last week, recent storms have added up to four feet of snow to the mountain range.Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices