

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

Jul 11, 2025 • 11min
California's Medi-Cal Recipients Concerned About Impacts Of Budget Bill
It's been a week since President Donald Trump signed the budget reconciliation bill into law, and California officials are still reviewing how this legislation will impact Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program for low-income residents, which covers 15 million Californians. Governor Gavin Newsom's office estimates that Medi-Cal could lose billions of federal dollars over the next few years, and on social media, folks on Medi-Cal are worried that they could lose their coverage soon.
Guest: Carlos Cabrera Lomeli, KQED
Federal authorities conducting an immigration raid at a legal cannabis farm in Ventura County clashed with demonstrators on Thursday.
Reporter: Susana Canales Barron, Calo News
An immigration sweep also took place at a cannabis farm in the Santa Barbara County community of Carpinteria.
Reporter: Lance Orozco, KCLU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 10, 2025 • 11min
Small Farms Could Feel Pinch From Reconciliation Bill
California’s small farmers are used to tough seasons. But this year, they’re not just battling drought or the rising costs of maintaining their farms. Small farmers say President Trump’s reconciliation bill could make it even harder to stay in business.
Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report
More dads in California are taking paid leave to care for a new child.
Reporter: Elly Yu, LAist
Transgender rights advocates are pushing back against a federal lawsuit filed Wednesday, contesting a California law that protects trans athletes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 9, 2025 • 11min
Longtime Central Valley Resident Makes Difficult Decision To Voluntarily Leave U.S.
The Trump administration continues immigration enforcement efforts across California. There's growing concern among the state's immigrant population about possible deportation. Many are not showing up to work. Some are even fearful of leaving the house at all. But one Central Valley resident made the difficult decision to leave the country on her own.
Guest: Patricia Vázquez Topete
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla is introducing a bill to require federal immigration officers to display ID.
Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED
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Jul 8, 2025 • 11min
Volunteers Look To Preserve History Of Altadena Though Voices Of Fire Survivors
When the Eaton Fire burned through Altadena, not only did it erase homes, but also family photos, heirlooms, and history. A group of volunteers is aiming to restore some of that history, through the voices of fire survivors.
Reporter: Erin Stone, LAist
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is denouncing the actions of the Trump administration, after federal immigration officers swept through MacArthur Park on Monday.
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Jul 7, 2025 • 11min
Whales Face Increasing Risks In Busy Santa Barbara Channel
The Santa Barbara Channel is a busy gateway-- for tourists heading to island parks, fishermen chasing the day's catch, and massive cargo ships ferrying goods along the coast. It's also home to some of California's oldest marine protected areas and a critical migratory path for endangered whales. But with as many as 20 ships passing through daily, those whales are at constant risk. Scientists estimate more than 80 are fatally struck by vessels off the West Coast each year. So what's being done to protect whales?
Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED
Authorities have found the bodies of all seven people who went missing after an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County last week.
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Jul 4, 2025 • 11min
Klamath River Bounces Back Following Dam Removal
The Klamath River flows some 268 miles from inland Southern Oregon to coastal Northern California before emptying into the Pacific, crossing high deserts, mountain ranges, and forests. The Klamath watershed is also the ancestral homeland of the Yurok, Hupa, Karuk, Shasta and Klamath tribes. And it's an area prime for recreation, especially in the summer months. And the Klamath River is once again free flowing after being held back by four dams for the better part of a century.
Guests: Danielle Venton, KQED and Gabrielle Canon, The Guardian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 3, 2025 • 11min
Crystal Cave Reopens At Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is known for its iconic trees - the giant sequoias. They tower hundreds of feet above the Sierra Nevada. But another draw to this park is hidden thousands of feet below. It’s called Crystal Cave, and it recently reopened to the public after a parade of natural disasters left it inaccessible for years.
Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR
Recent immigration raids in Southern California have been unconstitutional. That’s according to a new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles against the federal government.
Reporter: David Wagner, LAist
Organizers of one of Northern California's best-loved and longest-running music festivals are scrambling to save the July 4th weekend event, amid slow ticket sales.
Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 10min
Facility In California City Expected To Be State's Largest Migrant Detention Center
A soon to be reopened private prison in California City, about two hours north of Los Angeles, is expected to be the largest immigration and detention center in California. The facility is operated by the Tennessee-based correctional company CoreCivic. But residents of California City have mixed feelings on the plan.
Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report
With the worst of wildfire season ahead, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging President Donald Trump to increase the federal government's investment in wildfire prevention in California.
Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQED
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The announcement comes almost a year later than expected.
Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR
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Jul 1, 2025 • 11min
Central Valley Grocery Store Lends Helping Hand To Immigrant Community
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions ramp up across California, fear is spreading through communities, even in small Central Valley towns like Dinuba. But one grocery store owner is doing more than just ringing up customers; he is delivering food right to their doors.
Reporter: Madi Bolaños, The California Report
State lawmakers passed two controversial bills that will overhaul the state’s landmark environmental law, known as CEQA.
Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 30, 2025 • 10min
Golden Mussel Presents Widespread Threat To Major California Reservoir
Lake Oroville in Northern California’s Butte County is one of the state’s most important reservoirs. It’s part of a state-spanning system that delivers water to 27 million people and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. Now officials are working to keep an invader out of the reservoir -- a freshwater bivalve mollusk called the golden mussel.
Reporter: Sarina Grossi, North State Public Radio
The American Civil Liberties Union says the federal government is breaking its promise to protect migrant families who were forcibly separated at the U.S.-Mexico border during the first Trump Administration.
Reporter: Mark Betancourt, The California Newsroom
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