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6 days ago | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian |Jonathan Linden
The national AmeriCorps program incentivizes service and volunteerism in communities. But the federal government ordered millions cut from it. Today, we speak with EdSource reporter Lasherica Thornton about how those cuts are affecting Valley programs. Plus, the latest news headlines: A tiny bug triggers emergency declarations in the Valley, and what a new study says about the impacts of wildfire smoke.
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2 weeks ago | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian |Jonathan Linden
We speak with reporters Susie Neilson and Megan Fan Munce about their new investigation into a system known as “360 Value.” Their reporting uncovers how major insurance companies rely on the program’s faulty algorithm to insure homes. Plus, the latest news headlines: The City of Bakersfield walks back plans to raise some utility rates, and a Fresno writer is re-chosen by the state to be poet laureate.
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Jan 13, 2025 | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian
The death toll from fires raging in Los Angeles County has risen to 24. Thousands of structures are destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of people are under evacuation. As that wildfire disaster continues to unfold, what awaits us in our own backyard? We speak with Ashley Nebeker, executive director of the Eastern Madera County Fire Safe Council, about the critical information residents in places like California’s Sierra Nevada need to know.
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Jan 10, 2025 | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian
This week, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency conducted dozens of arrests in Kern County. More arrests are expected in other parts of the Central Valley, according to officials. On today's show, we speak with Eleazar Valdez of the non-profit Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative, or CVIIC. He discusses people's rights when encountering border patrol.
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Jan 8, 2025 | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian
California Gov. Gavin Newsom marked a significant milestone in the construction of the state’s high-speed rail this week. He visited Kern County to break ground on a railhead needed to begin laying track. But where exactly does the long-anticipated – and costly – project stand today? On today’s show, we speak with Fresno Bee reporter Tim Sheehan, who has been covering the project for a decade.
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Dec 11, 2024 | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian
An effort is growing to designate over a million acres of Sierra Nevada land as a national monument. But the proposal also has strong opposition. Opponents say it would devastate the local outdoors economy. On today’s show, we speak with Deanna Lynn Wulff, who is part of a group advocating for the “Range of Light National Monument.”Plus, the latest news headlines, including a new social media bill going before the state legislature and Fresno city workers plan to strike.
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Dec 9, 2024 | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian
Earlier this year, Merced County officials raised alarm over a struggle to keep necessary staffing at the sheriff, district attorney, and fire departments. The county proposed a tax measure on the November ballot to help with funding. But the measure failed. We speak with Brianna Vaccari, a reporter with the Merced Focus newsroom, to hear what might be next for the county. Plus, the latest news headlines, including Rep.
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Dec 6, 2024 | 
themercedfocus.org | Jonathan Linden |Elizabeth Arakelian
Reading Time: < 1 minuteEditor’s Note: This episode of the Central Valley Daily podcast first aired on Dec.4. The podcast is produced by KVPR, a proud partner of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. The city of Los Banos has quadrupled in size since the 1980s, with over 48,000 residents calling it home today. This election cycle, voters decided to shake things up in a major way for their city government. Two city councilmembers and the mayor were ousted.
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Dec 6, 2024 | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian
California homeowners have had their insurance dropped or significantly increased in recent years. And many say the California Department of Insurance could be doing more to help them. On today’s show, we speak with Stephanie Sierra, an investigative reporter with ABC7 in San Francisco. She recently spoke to people impacted by insurance increases and even tracked down the state insurance commissioner himself.
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Dec 3, 2024 | 
kvpr.org | Elizabeth Arakelian
The University of California Health Milk Bank is working with groups across the state to help get human milk to children who need it most – but might not have access otherwise. Experts say breastmilk is one of the best ways to help nurture a newborn to health when they are born sick or premature. In this episode, we speak with Alison Wolf, executive director of the milk bank, to discuss the program helping ensure there's enough supply.
