KQED's The California Report

The state says it's offering aid to communities that have been deeply impacted by this year's storms. But for many residents in the San Bernardino mountains, the challenges are mounting.Reporter: Jill Replogle, LAistA group of hunger strikers at two California immigration detention centers say they're pausing their protest, after what they call violent tactics by ICE officials. The 35-day hunger strike began in mid-February – with dozens of men at the Mesa Verde and Golden State Annex facilities protesting substandard conditions.Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Continuing their series “Mixed! Stories of Mixed Race Californians,” The California Report Magazine spoke with Professor Reginald Daniel. He taught the nation’s longest running course on Mixed Race Studies at UC Santa Barbara.Reporter: Sasha Khokha, The California Report Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shasta County Board of Supervisors will replace voting equipment targeted by former President Trump and others, promoting the lie that the 2020 election was stolen. The county is now going to be hand counting ballots.Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQEDHousing advocates say landlords have been taking advantage of a loophole in California’s Tenant Protection Act to kick renters out. Lawmakers passed the landmark legislation in 2019 to keep tenants in their homes.Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The experience of climate-fueled storms since the turn of the year is lodged into the minds of Californians — levee failures displaced thousands, blizzard conditions trapped people in their homes, hundreds of thousands lost power and a vast inland California lake appeared. Climate scientists say the storms and flooding are just a fraction of what’s expected in a warmer world.Reporter: Ezra David Romero, KQEDGovernor Newsom is asking the Biden Administration to declare a major disaster for counties in California, that have been impacted by storms over the past month. That includes Monterey County, where residents in Pajaro have been asking for help from the state and federal government.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State lawmakers have approved Governor Gavin Newsom's bill, which is attempting to increase transparency of the oil industry in the state. It would allow the California Energy Commission to impose penalties, through a regulatory process, if the agency believes oil companies are making excessive profits from gas prices.California's crisis support centers want to better serve Native Americans in need. But right now, less than one percent of calls to the 988 crisis line are from Native People.Reporter: Kate Wolffe, CapRadioA state task force developing proposals to provide reparations for Black Californians is nearing the end of its work. The panel faces a June deadline to send recommendations to the legislature to compensate Black residents for the harms dating back to slavery. And the California state legislature -- well it has its own pro-slavery history. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water is back on, but it's still not drinkable in the Monterey County community of Pajaro, which was hit by massive flooding a few weeks ago. Residents are being allowed back in their homes to assess the damage, and start the process of cleaning up their property.Reporter: Jonathan Linden, KAZUOver 5 million people around California use CalFresh, the state's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as "food stamps." But starting in April, these folks will notice a steep drop in the amount of food benefit they’re receiving.Guest: Carly Severn, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland teachers at 14 middle and high schools are planning a walkout on Friday. But, the teachers union has not sanctioned a strike. Meanwhile, LA educators are back in the classroom today after reaching an agreement late Thursday.Communities in the San Bernardino Mountains, east of Los Angeles, are once again struggling to dig out of more snow following this week's latest atmospheric river. But, to assist residents with questions they may have about receiving possible aid, assistance centers are opening over the weekend.A levee that has protected the city of Corcoran for decades is at risk of filling up after the recent rains that have drenched California. Authorities say they are monitoring the situation. TCR Reporter, Kerry Klein in Fresno has the details.A father who was separated from his family by a Trump administration immigration policy is finally back home in California after nearly four years. EdSource Reporter, Zaidee Stavely, introduces us to Jose Luis Ruiz Arevalos, who's looking forward to getting back to life with his family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was a rare sight in the LA County city of Montebello on Wednesday after a tornado ripped through the city, damaging 11 buildings. One person was injured.As the latest atmospheric river ravaged the state this week, some communities are left with more mess to clean up. Farming communities have been especially impacted by this year's wet weather -- from Planada in Merced County to Pajaro in Monterey County. And this will likely have a major impact on farmworkers.Guest: Sarait Martinez, Executive Director, Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indí-gena OaxaqueñoBids are due on Friday to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for Silicon Valley Bank’s assets, and liabilities. But there’s no word yet as to whether purchasers will be required to honor the company's $11 billion community benefit agreement.Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Downed trees, widespread power outages, flooded roadways -- it was all part of the latest atmospheric river to hit California. At least two people died due to falling trees in the Bay Area on Tuesday.In Tulare County, where signs reading “pray for rain” line the highway, many communities are still underwater. And so are agricultural fields.Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPRWe’re still waiting to hear whether the Service Employees International Union will appeal last week’s court ruling upholding most of Proposition 22. That's the voter approved measure that lets Uber, Lyft and the like classify their drivers as independent contractors, rather than employees.Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Los Angeles Unified School District workers have begun a three day strike on Tuesday, a labor action that will affect hundreds of thousands of students and families across the city. Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportThe 12th atmospheric river this winter is set to once again pummel California. During past storms, washed out roads and fallen trees have isolated many residents in rural communities. But that hasn’t stopped emergency responders from rescuing people. Reporter: Lesley McClurg, KQED  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is this a possible solution to climate change? Capture the greenhouse gasses heating our planet and bury them deep underground? Well such a carbon storage facility has been proposed for part of Kern County.Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportThe historic Black community of Allensworth in Tulare County is the latest to be placed under evacuation orders. This comes after a breach in some waterways over the weekend. All told, more than 11,000 people in Tulare County have been ordered to evacuate their homes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices