KQED's The California Report

A state audit report shows hundreds of thousands of Californians are drinking water that is unsafe, and many live in disadvantaged communities in the Central Valley.  The state auditor’s report found nearly a million people in California face possible long-term health problems, like liver or kidney damage, or cancer, because their water comes from a failing system with some sort of contaminant, like nitrates or arsenic. Reporter: Alex Hall, KQEDAs the drought persists, many farmers are making the decision to fallow or set aside land that isn't being used to grow crops. But what does that actually mean and how does that impact residents living near these fields?  Guest: Andrew Ayers, a research fellow with the Public Policy Institute of California's Water Policy CenterGovernor Gavin Newsom and the California Teachers Association are opposing Proposition 30, a “clean air initiative” on the November ballot that would tax the wealthiest Californians to pay for electric car rebates. Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED Officials say more than 6 million passengers passed through Los Angeles International Airport last month for the first time since January 2020.Reporter: Janaya Williams, KCRW  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. monkeypox outbreak is swiftly expanding. The CDC reports over 3400 known cases concentrated mainly among men who have sex with men. And in these early days of its spread, people can spend days in search of the right diagnosis.Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCCSan Francisco Supervisors on Tuesday are expected to urge U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra to suspend plans to shut down Laguna Honda Hospital. It’s the largest skilled nursing facility in California. Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQEDL.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva refused to testify before the Civilian Oversight Commission on Monday. The county’s top cop says he’ll speak with the watchdog group about alleged deputy cliques only if certain conditions are met.Reporter: Matt Guilhem, KCRWAs the city of Pasadena struggles with an increase in gun violence, it's turning to gang interventionists for help. The latest effort to stem the violence was a three on three basketball tournament at Robinson Park on a recent weekend.Reporter: Emily Elena Dugdale, KPCC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of Bills on Thursday aimed at reducing gun violence across the state. Of the 8 bills Newsom signed, one targets the sale of gun parts made from 3D printers, another prevents those convicted of child abuse or elder abuse from having a gun for 10 years … a third requires schools to report student threats or perceived threats of violence.Politics Editor Scott Shafer, KQED RadioThis week's protests by truckers at the Port of Oakland follows a U-S Supreme Court decision that rejected an industry bid to exclude truckers... who often own their own vehicles.  Truckers are demanding either a repeal of AB5, or clarification as to how it will be enforced.  Governor Gavin Newsom says truckers should work to implement the transition to AB5.Mexican-American lowrider cruising enthusiasts are working to roll back a decades old cruising ban. If you’re of a certain age, you might remember the 1973 George Lucas film “American Graffiti” which celebrated California car cruising culture. But in a lot of cities, cruising has been illegal for years. The California Reports' Mary Franklin Harvin reports from San Jose…which recently scrapped its decades-old cruising ban.Reporter Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report California’s Fair Political Practices Commission voted unanimously this week to allow people to use crypto currency for political campaign donations. Cryptocurrency donations have been allowed at the federal level since 2014. But California banned the practice four years ago, largely due to concerns about transparency.  The new state rule incorporates safeguards. Donors must be identified — and the donation must be converted to cash immediately.Reporter Rachael Myrow, KQED RadioThe University of California Regents has decided to investigate UCLA’s decision to leave the PAC-12 Athletic Conference for the Big Ten. The move comes after Governor Gavin Newsom expressed anger and confusion about the sudden move and after he spoke during a closed door meeting of the regents.  Newsom wants UCLA to explain how the move will help student-athletes. The California State Fair is back for the first time since 2019. The familiar sights, smells and sounds are back, too... such as livestock, games, funnel cakes, corn dogs and so much more.  You and the family can take in some of the attractions at the Cal Expo fairgrounds in Sacramento. The fair runs through the 31st and children 4 and younger get in for free. Reporter Chris Nichols, CapRadioCheck out a preview of our Sister Show, The California Report’s Weekly Magazine. For their Hidden Gems road trip series, reporter Amanda Font takes us to Big Bear Lake, in San Bernardino County.  That’s where she set sail on a quirky boat ride bringing together 80s movie history and pirate adventure.   Reporter Amanda Font, KQED Radio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a press conference in Los Angeles yesterday, State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon called on U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Xavier Becerra, to declare a public health emergency. As of yesterday, San Francisco has 141 cases of Monkeypox more than any other county, followed by LA County with 132.UCLA’s departure will leave just UC Berkeley as the only UC campus in the Pac 12. In a statement, Newsom says he wants to know from UCLA how moving to the Big Ten will benefit its student-athletes and preserve college sports rivalries and traditions along the Pacific Coast?Rob Adams was fatally shot by police in a San Bernardino parking lot on Saturday while running away from officers. Police say Adams was carrying a gun and was displaying the weapon when officers drove up. But family members dispute that story and say he was holding his cell phone, not a firearm.  The San Bernardino police department reported to the state Department of Justice that officers shot and killed 13 men from 2016 to 2020.Reporter Jonathan Linden, KVCR RadioThis week Governor Newsom signed into law a bill that would require the use of GPS devices to monitor so called “sexually violent predators” when they're granted conditional release from a state mental hospital in Fresno County. Supporters of the law say it's necessary to protect California communities.  But some critics say the GPS tracking of offenders would be an invasion of their right to privacy.Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportIt was just four years ago that the commission voted to prohibit campaigns from receiving any crypto donations. But as we know- things change fast in the digital world.  So far, 12 states and Washington, DC now allow Crypto donations. California has been among nine states banning these digital contributions because they’re tough to regulate and trace.  If the change is approved, crypto donations must be processed using a service that collects the donor’s name, address, occupation, and employer.Reporter Tara Siler, KQED RadioHouse Democrats Want To Update A Law From The 1920s That Lets The Government Grant Legal Residence To Long-Time Immigrants Who Lack Documentation. The Registry Act Bill was introduced on Wednesday and has been updated over the years, but the current version only offers green cards to people who’ve lived here since at least 1972.  Under the new bill, with a rolling cutoff date, immigrants could apply on a case-by-case basis if they’ve lived in the U.S. for seven years. Opponents say it would reward illegal immigration.Reporter Tyche Hendricks, The California ReportHow Far Should Society Go In Trying To Help The Most Severely Mentally Ill? There's a bill moving through the state legislature seeking to create a new kind of court system in California with the authority to compel some people to receive mental health treatment even if they don’t want it.  The proposal has sparked an intense debate about personal freedom and how best to protect people from the toll of mental illness. Reporter Robert Garrova, The California Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Health Officials Expand Access for Monkeypox VaccineIn Los Angeles, some high-risk people can now sign up for shots to combat Monkeypox online. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC California Trees Dying at An Alarming RateThe loss of California trees is posing a direct threat to one of the state’s climate solutions.Reporter: Megan Jamerson, KCRW The Aftermath of the Creek FireAs we warily prepare for what might be another devastating wildfire season in California, many communities are dealing with the aftermath of past blazes. It’s been almost two years since the state’s massive Creek Fire destroyed nearly half of the homes in one tight-knit mountain community in Fresno County. Alice Daniel, KVPR New Report Documents Harassment and Discrimination in Asian American and Pacific Island CommunitiesMore than 11,000 incidents of harassment, discrimination, and hate crimes against members of the nation’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities were reported in the last two years. That’s according to a new report out by a California- based research and advocacy group. Nina Thorsen, KQED House Speaker Nanci Pelosi Urges Feds to Step Up Response to MonkeypoxIn a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera, Pelosi said the slow federal response to monkeypox is leaving health care providers with massive waitlists and telephone hotlines overrun by desperate callers. Scott Shafer, KQED Apple Is Abusing Its Market Power with Apple Pay, Lawsuit SaysThis lawsuit accuses Apple of ensuring its devices exclusively use its mobile wallet to make contactless payments. That’s a monopoly, the complaint says, allowing Apple to charge card issuers for a service they get free on Android devices. Rachael Myrow, KQED Community College Students Continue to Wait for Promised Free TextbooksState lawmakers announced last year that they were carving out money to provide relief, community college students are still waiting to receive promised free textbooks. But a bureaucratic logjam is holding up the state funding. Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRW    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With summer in full swing, vacationers are heading to places like Lake Tahoe. But seasonal workers at vacation spots around the lake are feeling the effects of the rising cost of living.Reporter: Sarah Mizes-Tan, CapRadioInflation has been hitting Californians at the gas pump and the grocery store. Now many are facing another new expense - double digit rent increases.Reporter: David Wagner, KPCC   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With highly infectious subvariants of Omicron, like BA.5, increasing the spread of COVID-19, mask mandates continue to be re-introduced in the state. Starting Monday, the San Diego Unified School District will require indoor masking for thousands of students and staff involved with summer school activities.A ballot initiative that would’ve taxed the wealthy to fund public health programs won’t make it to the ballot this year. But that doesn’t mean the idea is dead.Reporter: Caleigh Wells, KCRWA group of foster youth gave a presentaton to the state public health director last week about why it's important to include young people in COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Reporter: Holly J. McDede, KQEDNew sales numbers are out showing Americans are buying EVs at record levels, and they'd actually be buying a lot more if it weren’t for supply chain problems affecting the availability of vehicles. California, perhaps not surprisingly, is leading the electric vehicle buying spree. Guest: Loren McDonald, Electric Vehicle Industry AnalystIn an effort to boost sagging recycling rates, the state has looked to local pilot programs to make it easier for consumers to get that nickel or dime deposit back on bottles and cans they return. But rather than helping people keep items out of landfills, an investigation by the LA nonprofit Consumer Watchdog found the pilot programs aren't taking off. Reporter: Tara Atrian, KCRWAs more states pass restrictions on abortions, California wants to be a sanctuary state for people seeking to end their pregnancies, But thousands arriving annually from out of state for reproductive services could put a strain on California abortion providers. Some have brought up the possibility of opening clinics on land owned by Native American tribes, but that’s not an easy solution.Guest: Lauren van Schilfgaarde, Legal Clinic Director at the UCLA School of Law Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the state. And now, federal health officials say L.A. County’s COVID community risk is high. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCCHousing is an issue across the state and it's been aggravated by the pandemic. A new podcast, Undocumented and Unhoused, released in partnership with El Timpano and Latino USA, looks at how COVID-19 and rising rent prices has led to an increase of undocumented and unhoused people in the Bay Area.Guests: Madeleine Bair, Founder of El Timpano, and Marta Martinez, Senior Editor, Latino USALawyers for five women suing Uber over its response to sexual assaults by drivers, say they plan to file similar claims on behalf of more than 500 people. The complaint alleges women were stalked, harassed, kidnapped, and raped during their rides.Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One in seven California tenants are behind on their rent. So, Attorney General Rob Bonta is issuing instructions to sheriff and police departments across the state on how to respond when someone reports an illegal eviction. Reporter Erin Baldassari, KQED Overall, 91 percent of jobs at daycare centers in California have come back.  That might sound good, but the state lags behind the rest of the U.S. economy. Reporter Daisy Nguyen, KQED Starting January 1, the University of California and Cal State school systems will offer *all* students medication abortions through their student health centers. Thanks to a law that passed in 2019, the new policy will connect more than 62-hundred students statewide with those services. And for some, including those in the UC system, student insurance plans will cover all associated costs.Reporter Danielle Chiriguayo, KCRWBig money donors supporting Proposition 30 include San Francisco venture capitalist Ron Conway and former Presidential Candidate Tom Steyer. But Lyft has contributed by far the most -- more than seven million dollars.  Last year California approved a mandate for ride hailing companies: 90 percent of their miles logged must be with electric cars by 2030. Climate Editor Kevin Stark, KQEDThe statue of Frank Bogert was removed from the front of Palm Springs' City Hall this week. The former actor and rodeo announcer was Mayor of Palm Springs in the 1950s and 60s and oversaw much of the desert city's growth. What's raising controversy is that he also authorized the bulldozing of homes of poor Native American, Black and Latino families from an area of the city called Section 14, back in the 1960s. Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportAround 1,600 people in the community of Wawona have been evacuated, and that includes kids from the summer camp, Adventure Risk Challenge. About 10 high schoolers from rural Fresno and Merced Counties were in the middle of a month-long expedition when the evacuation orders came in.Reporter Kerry Klein, KVPR For years, Chief Caleen Sisk has fought to bring salmon back to the river where the Winnenmem Wintu tribe has lived for thousands of years.  Because of Shasta Dam the salmon are forced to spawn in waters that can grow quite warm, especially during drought. This past Monday, a truck carrying a small, orange cooler that had 20,000 winter-run eggs came to the remote campground on the McCloud River, now owned by the Forest Service.  Chief Sisk says if the salmon can come back, maybe the tribe can bounce back as well.Reporter Judy Silber, The California Report  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BA.5 is now the most dominant variant showing up in wastewater in the South Bay, San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Sacramento and elsewhere.  The latest data from researchers who study sewage shows clues into how COVID-19 is spreading across the Bay Area. Science Editor Kevin Stark, KQEDThere's a 25% increase in COVID hospitalizations in Los Angeles County. Health officials say on Thursday LA County could move into the CDC’s high risk category for COVID community spread due to high hospitalizations.Reporter Jackie Fortier, The California ReportThe FDA has revised its Emergency Use Authorization to let licensed pharmacists prescribe Paxlovid, the treatment given to those at risk of serious illness from COVID.Reporter Carly Severn, The California ReportCity attorney David Chiu announced that Allergan and Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay $34 million-dollars in cash, and another $20 million dollars worth of Narcan, a treatment for opioid overdose.  Walgreens is the only remaining defendant in the case; their lawyers are set to give closing arguments today. Californians who are in mental distress and thinking about suicide will be able to call, or text, a new three digit number (9-8-8) to get help.  But if they call, will someone pick-up the line? Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California Report Starting on Saturday, Californians who are in mental distress and thinking about suicide will be able to call, or text, a new three digit number to get help. But if they call, will someone pick-up the line?Reporter Saul Gonzalez, The California ReportAB 1594 allows state and local governments, and private individuals, to sue gun-makers and sellers for damage caused by their products. Newsom signed legislation last month – adding restrictions on hard to trace ghost guns, and restricting ads for firearms aimed at minors.Politics Editor Scott Shafer, KQEDNext week, Dodger Stadium will host the Major League Baseball... All Star Game. But, unions representing the stadium’s 15-hundred food and beverage workers say they’ve got enough votes to authorize a strike. All Star festivities kick off this weekend with MLB's Futures Game. The union is hoping to hear from Levy Restaurants before the start of the game. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices