Madera Community Hospital has remained closed for more than two years. The building’s poor condition, as well as hiring challenges, have stood in the way after it was purchased by a new company last spring. Today we speak with the man who will serve as the hospital’s new CEO, Steve Stark, about the return of Madera County’s only general hospital. Plus the latest news headlines, including California’s shifting prison funding and why some UC Merced lecturers won’t return to class.

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. Plus the latest news headlines, including mass protests in the Valley after border patrol arrests, and drought is once again setting into California.

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. Plus, the latest news headlines, including how immigrant arrests were felt in Bakersfield and a Hollywood actor who is thankful for Fresno firefighters.

In August, Community Health System, operator of two of the largest hospitals in the San Joaquin Valley, was sued for $1 billion. The lawsuit was filed by two nonprofit groups alleging the health company misused public funds between its hospitals in Clovis and Fresno. On today’s show, we speak with Fresnoland reporter Julianna Morano. She’s been following the case, and shares the latest. Plus, the latest news headlines, including border patrol agents spotted conducting arrests in the Valley and the Tule River tribe acquiring old land.

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. Plus, the latest news headlines, including potential gaps in bird flu monitoring in the Valley, and why California residents pay higher electricity rates.

A group of synthetic chemicals known as “PFAS” are more commonly known as “forever chemicals” because they are difficult to break down in the environment. They are found in everyday products like non-stick pans and waterproof clothing. But they are also posing health risks. Today, we speak with Hannah Norman, a reporter with KFF Health News, about how the chemicals are being detected in an unexpected place.Plus, the latest news headlines, including Gov. Gavin Newsom breaking ground on a high-speed rail railhead and a hiker being found dead on Mount Whitney.

The land beneath the Central Valley has been sinking since the 1920s. New research from Stanford University shows that the sinking, known as “subsidence,” is continuing at a record-breaking pace. Today, we speak with Drs. Rosemary Knight and Matthew Lees. They discuss their new research and what they say are solutions to reverse land sinking. Plus, the latest news headlines, including the status of a spider monkey found in a Madera County traffic stop and new rules for state mental hospital releases.

Thousands of cybersecurity jobs remain unfilled in the Central Valley and across California. Much of the shortage is caused by a lack of trained workers. Fresno State and other state universities are working to expand cybersecurity education to help fill the gaps. On today's show, we speak with Fresno State criminology professor Dr. Keith Clement, who is helping lead the charge in growing the local cybersecurity workforce.

With the new year comes new state laws in California. On today’s show, we speak with CalMatters reporter Alexei Koseff, who peels back the curtain on two new state laws – a ban on book bans and a law that aims to stop cities and towns from requiring voter identification.

This year, scandals, natural disasters, and human stories shaped the San Joaquin Valley. As we say goodbye to 2024, we look back at some of the stories covered by KVPR. We speak to KVPR news director Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado and Associate Editor Kerry Klein about the stories that kept the newsroom – and our airwaves – busy.