Central Valley Daily

Journalist Jeanne Kuang from CalMatters joins us to discuss the impacts of a federal government shutdown on agencies that provide services in California. Congress failed to reach a spending deal to keep the government running after Oct. 1 and has created an impasse between Republicans and Democrats. Plus, the latest news headlines: What officials expect for California’s new water year; and a beloved Fresno brewery is returning.

Teachers in the Clovis Unified School District have never unionized. That could change as two unions compete for the favor of teachers after their traditional “faculty senate” model was ruled illegal by state leaders. EdSource reporter Lasherica Thornton breaks down this tipping point for Clovis teachers. Plus, the latest news headlines: Bobby Salazar begins to mount defense in arson trial; and the whopping economic boost from visits to nearby national parks.

Oil is at the heart of Kern County’s economy. But as the state looked to transition to cleaner energy sources under a changing climate, the economic reality clashed with ambitious policy goals. We speak with Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove about the recent signing of a state law that seeks to reboot the county’s oil industry. Plus, the latest news headlines: The looming battle with Fresno and its bus driver union, and the Clovis police car that will livestream around the clock.

California City in Kern County used to house a state prison. The federal government's recent move to turn it into an immigrant detention facility sparked confusion and outrage. San Francisco Chronicle reporter Sara DiNatale explains the “David versus Goliath" political battle playing out in this tiny desert city.

Officials and experts agree there is no wildfire “season” anymore, only a wildfire year. So, lawmakers put money in the budget this year to transition seasonal firefighters into year-round positions. What could this mean for the firefighters and those they serve? On today’s episode of Central Valley Daily, KVPR’s Rachel Livinal takes this special report on how firefighters feel about the change. Plus, the latest news headlines: Bakersfield State Senator Shannon Grove reacts to the new law increasing Kern County oil production, and a new state law will notify students and parents if immigration officers enter a school campus.

Professor Samina Najmi teaches English at Fresno State. But unlike most colleagues, she is also a student. Samina is earning her MFA in creative writing, and her first non-scholarly book will be published soon. She will be doing a reading from her forthcoming book, “Sing Me a Circle: Love, Loss, and a Home in Time,” at the third-annual Fresno Writers Summit this weekend. Samina came to the KVPR studios to discuss her new role as personal essayist. Plus, the latest news headlines: A federal judge rules against the Trump administration in a lawsuit led by Fresno, and how UC Merced researchers look for clues on smoking habits.

There are thousands of hyper-local government bodies across the country known as “special districts.” But, what exactly do they do? On today’s episode, we speak with Lorenzo Rios, executive officer of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, who will soon lead statewide special districts. Plus, the latest news headlines: A large carrot producer is found liable for discrimination; and Kern leaders celebrate oil permitting bill.

Accidents are so common at a Fresno intersection that a neighbor set up a webcam to monitor traffic 24 hours a day. Thousands now tune in to a YouTube channel just to watch accidents and close calls. KVPR’s Samantha Rangel joins us today to talk about the residents who are fed up with the accidents and what’s being done to fix the intersection. Plus, the latest news headlines: A Sanger police officer gets five life sentences, and a complaint goes after a committee group for a Fresno County tax.

Many Californians rely on Covered California, the public health insurance marketplace. It’s supposed to be relatively affordable, so why are enrollees facing skyrocketing premiums that could double in the next year? Covered California’s Executive Director Jessica Altman explains what’s at stake.

A controversial bill that would allow more solar panels on farmland in the San Joaquin Valley has passed in the state legislature. So why did the legislator who introduced it pull it at the last minute? CalMatters reporter Rachel Becker shares where AB 1156 stands, and why it’s dividing the agriculture industry. Plus, the latest news headlines: A new study shows steady progress among English learners in the Valley; and how Tulare city officials plan to attract more visitors.