KQED's The California Report

California's electric vehicle sales are hitting a plateau after years of growth, raising concerns about meeting ambitious zero-emission goals. A major lithium project in Imperial County is back on track, sparking economic hopes despite environmental worries. Additionally, the state's rules hinder residents from accurately spelling their names with diacritical marks, leading to a cultural identity debate. Insights from lawmakers highlight the significance of name representation and challenges posed by historical language policies.

How much water is too much for California’s levees? That’s the question many water experts have been asking since President Donald Trump ordered the release of billions of gallons of water from Central Valley dams – and as big storms produced by an atmospheric river drenched much of the state.Guest: Emily Zentner, The California Newsroom A UCLA report finds the Los Angeles area wildfires have caused between $95 and $164 billion in total property and capital losses. Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leaning on hospitals to continue offering gender-affirming care for youth, calling President Trump’s recent executive order that threatens to stop funding treatments wrong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 16,000 structures were lost in last month’s wildfires in LA. Residents there are now beginning the difficult process of deciding whether they can — or even want to — rebuild. For those who do, experts and survivors of past wildfires say there are ways to build in some resilience against future fires. In Santa Rosa’s Coffey Park, that’s what many residents did after the 2017 Tubbs Fire decimated their neighborhood. Reporter: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQEDBig water releases from two Central Valley dams are leaving farmers flummoxed. It’s the result of an executive order from President Trump that’s supposed to help fight wildfires in Los Angeles. But the water is unlikely to reach its intended destination.Reporter: Joshua Yeager, KVPR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Schools and colleges are some of the places where the fear of President Donald Trump’s pledge of “mass deportations” is hitting hardest. That’s especially after the administration reversed a policy keeping immigration agents away from schools, churches and other "sensitive locations." In California there are laws to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. But some lawmakers want to go further to protect classrooms. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQEDIn the wake of the devastating Los Angeles fires, State Farm, the largest homeowners’ insurance company in California, is seeking an emergency rate hike from the state. Those fires resulted in more than 8,700 claims made to State Farm and more than a billion dollars, so far, in payouts. Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With more than 800 miles of coastline, you’d think that one problem the Golden State wouldn’t have to worry about having enough sand -- beach sand. But up and down the coast, many beach cities, like San Clemente in Orange County, are facing a growing problem: their sand is disappearing.Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportMany federal workers in California are suspicious of the Trump administration's offer of pay and benefits, in return for resigning from civil service. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fans are tuning into a new season of so-called eagle TV, a camera trained on the nest of two beloved eagles in Big Bear, east of Los Angeles, that live streams 24-7. Last year ended in heartbreak when the eagles’ eggs did not hatch. Fans around the world are hoping for a better ending this time. Reporter: Madison Aument, KVCR A federal judge has ruled that Immigrations and Customs Enforcement can resume detaining immigrants at one of its largest California facilities near the Mojave Desert. The ruling lifts a COVID-era ban on receiving immigrants at the Adelanto Detention facility. California's western monarch butterfly population has dwindled to a near record low. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump vowed to launch what he called “the largest deportation program in American history,” targeting more than 11 million people. While many question the president’s ability to make good on that promise, the prospect has California’s grape growers and vintners on edge. Reporter: Tina Caputo In a new executive order, President Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to revise its policies toward transgender service members, saying they do not meet the standards of military service. Reporter: Andrew Dyer, KPBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Altadena residents who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire still need to get their mail. And right now that means waiting sometimes hours at a post office in Pasadena. It's a scene of grief, hope and strong community.Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist A judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's attempt to freeze federal funds. That’s after several lawsuits were filed, including by the state of California. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQEDThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began gathering hazardous materials this week from the Eaton fire at a park in eastern L.A. County. That's upset some of the surrounding cities. Reporter: Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sunday that he says will help Southern California fight future wildfires. The order directs federal agencies to bypass state and federal environmental rules, to send more water from California’s Delta. Trump has said this move will help protect against wildfires, by bolstering Southern California’s water supplies. But this order won’t actually do that.Guest: Alastair Bland, CalMattersA new strain of bird flu has been detected for the first time in the United States. It was found in Merced County.Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPRJust one week into President Donald Trump’s second term, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been seen conducting operations in San Jose. Reporter: Joseph Geha, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump has wasted no time signing executive orders that threaten the safety and livelihood of thousands of migrants living in California. That's left many in the Central Valley feeling mixed emotions.Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California ReportPresident Trump wants to deport undocumented immigrants who are accused of crimes. But working with immigration enforcement could mean skirting around California's sanctuary law. Our partner, CalMatters, asked all 58 California sheriffs if they’ll agree to work with ICE.Reporter: Nigel Duara, CalMattersMeanwhile, some schools in California are informing families of their rights, when it comes to immigration.Reporter: Billy Cruz, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices