California Attorney General Xavier Becerrra begins the Congressional confirmation process to become the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services on Tuesday. He's expected to face lots of questions from Senate Republicans, who have pushed to block his confirmation.

Guest: Ryan Levi, Journalist and Producer of the Tradeoffs podcast

State lawmakers have passed a $7.6 billion COVID relief plan. Among the items in the package, direct payments to the state's lowest earners.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

The "tougher" test was seen by some as an unnecessary barrier to becoming an American citizen. Now, the Biden administration is going back to the 2008 version that they argue was carefully developed.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

 Governor Newsom said the San Joaquin Valley will get a big boost to its COVID-19 vaccine allocation. It's in part due to the region’s farm workers, who are now eligible for the vaccine.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, Valley Public Radio

The facility in Santa Barbara County was the site of the worst COVID outbreak in a federal prison last year. And while conditions have improved, officials and some former inmates are questioning the response to the pandemic.

Reporter: Dena Montague

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