

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

Sep 1, 2025 • 11min
Dolores Huerta On The State Of Worker's Rights In California
On this Labor Day, we're taking a closer look at the labor force here in California. With increased immigration enforcement from the Trump administration, the state of the immigrant workforce has perhaps never been more in flux.
Guest: Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder of United Farm Workers, President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 29, 2025 • 11min
Modesto Loses Its Longtime Minor League Baseball Team
Minor league baseball has a rich history in California, going back more than a century. But minor league baseball is changing. Like other professional sports, it has become a big-money game, attracting owners looking to cash in on rising team values. One Central Valley city is witnessing what that big-money game looks like firsthand, as its longtime team plays its last few home games, before moving to Southern California.
Reporter: Keith Mizuguchi, The California Report
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Aug 28, 2025 • 11min
What Newsom's Approach To Battling Trump Might Mean For Political Aspirations
California Governor Gavin Newsom is making national waves as he takes on President Donald Trump -- on social media and, soon, at the ballot box, with an initiative that would redraw congressional districts to give Democrats more seats in the House of Representatives. What does all this mean for the famously ambitious politician?
Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED
In a hearing in Sacramento on Wednesday, state lawmakers grilled officials tasked with protecting the health and safety of workers.
Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED
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Aug 27, 2025 • 11min
North State Voters Brace For Changes With Possible Redistricting On The Horizon
In rural Northern California, voters represented by Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa are bracing for big changes. A proposed congressional map on the November ballot would shift them into a more Democratic-leaning territory.
Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED
Some foreign dissidents in California say they need law enforcement help when the governments they fled threaten them here on U.S. soil. A bill moving through the legislature would train police on how to respond.
Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 26, 2025 • 11min
The Playbook to Fight Wildfires' Unseen Threat to Tap Water
The Tubbs Fire that struck the North Bay in 2017 shed light on an unseen threat that wildfires pose to clean water supplies; and a civil engineering professor out of Indiana has devised the playbook that utilities rely on to address the contamination.
As the redistricting battle heats up between California and Texas, Republican legislators in the Golden State are suing to block the plan spearheaded by Governor Newsom to gerrymander California in favor of House Democrats. The move aims to offset congressional gains that Texas would get with their own redistricting plans.
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Aug 25, 2025 • 11min
California Heads Into Uncharted Territory With Redistrict Vote
State Lawmakers have paved the way for Governor Newsom's redistricting plan to go before voters on a November ballot, but not all voters are sold on the idea of taking a partisan approach to draw up California's district map--even if Texas plans to do the same in an attempt to tip the mid-term elections in the GOP's favor. Some worry the move would take California into murky political waters down the line.
Wildfire victims in Los Angeles County are starting to rebuild their lives. A bill is making its way through Sacramento to make sure that renters are not excluded from help that is extended to home owners--however, it's facing mounting criticism from both landlords and tenants.
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Aug 22, 2025 • 11min
Hikers Can Walk Among Grazing Cattle At New Coastal National Monument
A stunning national monument just opened to the public in Santa Cruz County. It’s called Cotoni-Coast Dairies. It's opening was delayed due to the pandemic, neighbors’ fears over traffic, and figuring out how to keep a herd of nearly 100 cows that graze there away from hikers and bikers.
Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting
California voters will decide this November whether to redraw the state's congressional lines to help Democrats pick up seats in the House of Representatives.
Reporter: Guy Marzorati , KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 21, 2025 • 11min
Two Recent In Custody Deaths Increase Scrutiny Over San Diego Jails
San Diego County’s jail system is facing new scrutiny in a class action lawsuit that challenges nearly every aspect of daily operations. The case centers on years of reported neglect inside the jails, where at least 250 people have died since 2006. A hearing had been set for Thursday, on whether evidence from two recent jailhouse deaths can be used in the case, but the judge canceled it, saying he already has enough information to make a ruling.
Guest: Kelly Davis, Reporter, San Diego Union Tribune
The California Supreme Court has ruled against state Republicans, who were attempting to slow down Governor Newsom's redistricting efforts. The state legislature is expected to approve the proposal on Thursday, after which Newsom will call for a special election on November 4. That gives local election offices less than three months to prepare.
Reporter: Maya Miller, CalMatters
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Aug 20, 2025 • 11min
Heat Wave Brings Dangerously Hot Conditions, Increased Fire Risk
It's heating up here in California! From the deserts of Southern California to the foothills of the Sierra and parts of the Bay Area, we’re looking at triple-digit temperatures and dangerous fire weather through the weekend.
Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report
It's the first few weeks of school and for some families, the usual back-to-school stress, like packing lunches and making the morning bus is now mixed with more serious concern: immigration enforcement near campuses. A group of volunteers in San Diego are trying to ease some of the stress.
Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS
In the Inland Empire, two nurses accused of trying to stop immigration agents from arresting a man at a surgery center have pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor assault.
Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR
A new report is highlighting how often fast food workers are subjected to dangerously high temperatures in the workplace.
Reporter: Brian Krans, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 19, 2025 • 11min
Sonoma County Wineries Have Mixed Feelings On Wine Improvement District Plan
In Sonoma County, leaders in the wine industry are floating the idea of a Wine Improvement District. Under the proposed plan, consumers would pay 1 to 2 percent more for tasting room visits, wine club memberships within California, and every bottle purchased at a local winery. Supporters say the plan would provide much-needed collective marketing dollars to boost the industry, but many Sonoma County winery owners are not thrilled with the idea.
Reporter: Tina Caputo
In Sacramento, Democrats are moving quickly on a sweeping redistricting plan. And Republicans are pushing back. California Democrats formally introduced legislation on Monday to establish a new congressional map and bypass the state’s independent redistricting rules.
Reporter: Laura Fitzgerald, CapRadio
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