Central Valley Daily

The California High Speed Rail is a controversial project, and the federal government has slashed funding due to its lack of progress. But the CEO of the California High Speed Rail Authority, Ian Choudri, says the rail can be a point of national pride if it's given the chance to get done. Today, we revisit an August 2024 conversation that we had with Choudri about the project.

Japanese-American author Mas Masumoto has written over a dozen books. His latest takes on a different angle – and sound. In this encore episode, we revisit a conversation with Mas about the idea behind “Shadow Music” and other work it inspired.

2025 brought us so much news. In this end-of-year episode of Central Valley Daily, the news team looks back at the news that shaped the year and what to expect for the new year. Plus, the latest news headlines: What some new laws will bring in the new year, and new data shows how immigration has changed in California.

For the past year, 300 families were given $500 a month as part of a guaranteed income program in Fresno – the first in the city’s history. On today’s episode, Fresno State Professor Amber Crowell breaks down how families spent the money and what it shows about the feasibility of such programs to combat rampant poverty.Plus, the latest news headlines: A Madera casino’s future is in question; and health concerns arise in Kern County ICE facilities.

NBC’s popular singing competition show “The Voice” spotlights talented singers from across the nation. And this season, the runner-up is from Fresno. On today’s episode, Ralph Edwards recounts his experience singing on national television and working with Snoop Dogg, and he tells us what’s next for his singing career. Plus, he sings a few bars of a popular Christmas song.

The state of California protects women’s reproductive rights, including the right to an abortion. So what happens when a woman needs one at a Catholic hospital that refuses to conduct abortions? On today’s episode, San Francisco Standard reporter Anya Schultz breaks down complicated maternal care at Catholic hospitals in California. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno leaders celebrate official airport expansion, and what’s up with the Tule fog?

Professional climber Sasha DiGiulian has scaled rock faces all over the world, recently making history in Yosemite National Park. She was the first woman to free climb the Platinum Wall trail up the sheer granite face of El Capitan. On today’s episode, Sasha explains the extreme conditions she faced, and why she calls climbing a ‘global language.’ Plus, the latest news headlines: a project piloting universal basic income shows promise in Fresno, and Republicans seem to be rising in the polls in the race for California governor.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently issued a special statement about their concern for immigrants in the U.S. The bishops called out the climate of fear and anxiety for many immigrants, noting they’re saddened by the vilification of immigrants. Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno breaks down the statement and why he voted for it. Plus, the latest news headlines: a former Valley Congressman gets prison time for fraud, and Fresno residents protest a plan to add thousands of acres to the city’s southeast.

For years, the City of Fresno has been renovating and expanding Fresno Yosemite International Airport. In the coming weeks, many of those projects will be fully in use – including a brand new terminal and new restaurants. But these projects met some turbulence earlier this year when the federal government threatened to pull funding. KVPR reporter Samantha Rangel talks to us about what happened and what’s next. Plus, the latest news headlines: What to know about California’s new minimum wage; and will Porterville soon have a new library?

There’s a relatively unremarkable piece of land in Merced County that appears to simply be grasslands. But this area offers a glimpse into the San Joaquin Valley’s native landscape. On today’s episode, Sarah Puckett with American Rivers explains why so many environmental partners are working to restore floodplains in Great Valley Grasslands State Park.