KQED's The California Report

April Dembosky, a health correspondent for KQED, dives into California's alarming mushroom poisoning outbreak caused by death cap mushrooms. She reveals it's the largest in the U.S., detailing the rising number of illnesses and fatalities. Dembosky addresses the urgent warnings for foragers while discussing the impact on immigrant communities. She highlights the challenges of effective messaging and the need for multilingual outreach, balancing public health with the passion for foraging.

Tyche Hendricks, a senior immigration editor at KQED, joins Congressman Ro Khanna to discuss alarming conditions at California's newest ICE detention center. Khanna reports shocking findings: detainees face rocks in their food, undrinkable water, and limited family visits. The episode highlights issues like inadequate medical care and the emotional toll on families. Hendricks provides insight into the rise in national detention numbers and Khanna's commitment to pushing for accountability and better oversight.

A little-known database controlled by the San Diego Association of Governments has long concerned local privacy advocates. Now, as we enter the second year of President Trump’s deportation campaign, advocates are more worried than ever about how federal immigration agents use that data. Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS Under state law, California residents can demand that data brokers stop selling their personal information. But there hasn’t been a way to submit these requests en masse – so consumers would have to complete each opt-out form individually. Now, the state has launched a website that offers one stop shopping for opting out. Reporter: Colin Lecher, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a year since the wildfires in Los Angeles County destroyed homes and communities. In order to start rebuilding their homes, everyone needs permits. A rebuild permit from the city or county determines whether a family is still in limbo waiting to start construction or is already framing up a new house. Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW California Attorney General Rob Bonta says he will not be running for governor this year, ending months of speculation around one of the state’s top Democrats. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The state of California is suing the Trump administration for freezing billions of dollars in federal child care and welfare funding. The federal government said it was withholding the funds from California and four other Democratic-led states over fraud allegations. Reporter: Daisy Nguyen, KQED San Diego is home to the nation’s second largest Somali population. And recent allegations of fraud at Somali-owned child care centers in Minnesota have now spread to their community. Somali childcare providers in San Diego say strangers are now surveilling their centers. Reporter: Katie Hyson, KPBS Governor Newsom is releasing his state budget plan Friday. This comes a day after Newsom delivered his final state of the state address at the capitol, touting California as "a marvel of invention and reinvention.” Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2005, a national report revealed that the U.S. city with the highest rate of concentrated poverty was Fresno. Now, 20 years later, we wondered: have those economic conditions changed? Reporter: Israel Cardona Hernandez, KVPR High profile defense attorney Alan Jackson has announced that he no longer represents Nick Reiner, who stands accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, last month. Reporter: Frank Stoltze, LAist A Central Valley grape grower has agreed to pay about $130,000 after a federal investigation into a crash that killed seven employees and severely injured another. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One year ago today, two fires erupted in Los Angeles County. The Palisades and Eaton fires would eventually become two of the most destructive and deadly fires in state history. Thousands of homes were destroyed and 31 people were killed. The rebuilding process has been slow in both Altadena and Pacific Palisades, the communities most greatly impacted by the fires. We wanted to get the perspective from longtime residents who are part of that process. Residents in the north state are likely to see a flurry of elections for Congress this year, after the passing of longtime Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The debate over automated license plate readers in California has increasingly shifted from local crime fighting to concerns about data privacy…. when it comes to federal crackdowns on immigration and people seeking abortions or gender-related healthcare. ALPRs are now in use in hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the state, not to mention thousands of homeowner associations and business districts. So what does this all mean for civil liberties in 2026? Guest: Rachael Myrow, KQED Venezuelans in California are going through a whole range of feelings after the Trump administration’s military attack to remove President Nicolas Maduro. There’s celebration, outrage and a lot of questions. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Hundreds of new state laws take effect in the new year. And one in particular brings sweet validation to all of us public radio lovers. That’s because it’s going to make our tote bags even more essential. Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, CalMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025 was a blockbuster year for housing in California. State lawmakers took aim at the state's landmark environmental law, which they argued was one of the main culprits blocking development for years. In 2025, they approved major reforms. They also passed another law which promises to dramatically change how housing is built near train stations and along busy bus routes. Guest: Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED More vacant home lots are going up for sale in L.A. County burn zones. And many are being scooped up by investors. Reporter: David Wagner, LAist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's free transitional kindergarten program is in full swing, creating a surge in demand for trained teachers. There’s a spotlight on the hands-on learning approach in TK classrooms, where play meets education. Meanwhile, the Lavender Names Project in San Diego highlights the historical persecution of the LGBTQ+ community, showcased through powerful imagery. Lastly, innovative water management strategies, like Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, are transforming how reservoirs are managed, aiming to better utilize water resources.