

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

Apr 29, 2025 • 11min
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 • 11min
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 • 10min
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 • 11min
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 • 11min
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 • 10min
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 • 11min
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

Apr 18, 2025 • 11min
From Science Fiction to Science Fact: Cal Scientists Discover Jupiter's "Mush Balls"
Imagine that severe storms sent ice balls containing chemical slush raining down onto the ground. While that sounds like science fiction here on earth, researchers at UC Berkeley have discovered, that is science-fact on our solar system's biggest planet--Jupiter.The U.S. Justice Department has ruled that tech giant Google has been holding an unlawful monopoly over online ads, enabling them to manipulate the market and keep competition out.A new report shows that Black and Latina women in California continue to face disproportionate challenges when it comes to accessing maternal healthcare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 17, 2025 • 11min
License to Kill: California DMV's History of Keeping Dangerous Drivers on the Road
It might sound farfetched, but the California Department of Motor Vehicles has a track-record of renewing the licenses of drivers whose dangerous maneuvers behind the wheel have caused deaths on the road.In Southern California, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has decided to move forward with plans to stabilize the coastal highway corridor that links Los Angeles, Orang and San Diego counties. However, the plan is not being met with much fanfare by local environmentalists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 16, 2025 • 10min
Sour Grapes Over Tariffs Could Cost California Wineries Canadian Market
The US wine industry let out a sigh of relief last week when President Trump decided to pause placing 20 percent tariffs on goods from the European Union, which would have included wine. However, the White House's global trade war is creating sour grapes with another major US trading partner--Canada; and that is jeopardizing California's wineries, which usually bank big with our neighbors to the North.In other tariff news, Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, saying that the president does not have the authority to impose unilateral tariffs.A non-profit watchdog group has released a report that sheds light on the world of black market rideshare and food delivery accounts, where people who wouldn't normally pass a background or criminal records check to register as a legitimate gig worker, can instead rent a vetted account on social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices