Central Valley Daily

Only two landfills in California are designated to handle hazardous waste – think batteries, propane tanks, and contaminated soil – and they’re both in the San Joaquin Valley. However, a new state proposal would allow more hazardous waste to be stored in municipal landfills. To capture multiple viewpoints on how the changes work and who would benefit, we spoke with Katie Butler, Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and Jane Williams, Executive Director of the nonprofit California Communities Against Toxics. Plus, the latest news headlines: Thousands plan to march in Delano for Cesar Chavez Day, and California’s snowpack clocks in at slightly lower than average in the latest survey.

California has launched a new system that lets you know when pesticides are being applied near you. For environmental advocates and people living near heavy pesticide use areas, this marks a milestone in their advocacy. Today, we speak with a community leader about how the program works and what it means for places like the Central Valley. Plus, the latest news headlines: The new funding challenge for California’s high-speed rail project and what the future holds for an iconic ice cream business in Hanford.

It's a common struggle – being a working parent – and it's all too familiar for NPR's Mary Louise Kelly, who regularly flies around the world for her job hosting All Things Considered. She also has two sons, and she explored the difficulties of balancing parenthood with journalism in her 2023 book, "It. Goes. So. Fast." She joins us today to discuss the book and her thoughts on journalism in today's political landscape. Plus, the latest news headlines: A Democratic PAC targets GOP-controlled House seats for 2026 midterms, and California is stripped of COVID-19 funding by the federal government.

The California Victim Compensation Board – a state agency that offers funding for crime victims and their families – is ailing. A recent report from our news partner CalMatters found the agency is facing a backlog of claims and recently requested an additional $4 million from the state to keep up. Today we speak with University of San Francisco professor Gena Castro Rodriguez about these struggles. Castro Rodriguez has worked with crime survivors for more than 10 years. Plus, the latest news headlines: Two children die of flu and RSV illness in Fresno County, and why some rural California communities face upcoming funding challenges.

Affordable housing is becoming increasingly hard to find, even in the San Joaquin Valley. But housing stock might be changing – particularly in Clovis. A year after a settlement in a lawsuit related to a lack of affordable housing in the city, advocates for people experiencing homelessness are optimistic that more housing options are on the way. Fresnoland reporter Pablo Orihuela shares the latest in Clovis affordable housing. Plus, the latest news headlines: A statewide pesticide notification system is finally up and running, and Madera County tackles noise.

Changes to water protection policy across the country are being debated under President Trump’s second term in the White House. Today, we talk with an environmental advocate on what he’s observing, especially around landmark laws like the Clean Water Act. Plus, the latest news headlines: A progressive House Democrat brings Medicaid message to Bakersfield, and the federal government sues a Valley farm company.

A riveting orchestral piece that explores human emotion and scientific discovery is debuting in Fresno this weekend. Today, we talk with the Director of Orchestras at Fresno State, Thomas Lownehiem, who tells us more about the meaning of “Uranium 235,” a piece written just after the atomic bombings in Japan. Plus, the latest news headlines: United States Postal Service workers in Kern County protest possible changes by the Trump Administration and two new measles cases in the Central Valley.

Journalists at the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper investigated for-profit psychiatric hospitals in California and found the facilities have alarming rates of mismanagement. Those findings come as the state has tried to invest more in mental healthcare. Today, we speak with Cynthia Dizikes and Joaquin Palomino, the journalists behind the investigation, about their findings and what is being done about them. Plus, the latest news headlines: A second case of measles is confirmed in Fresno, and Porterville city officials pause efforts to police children’s pronouns in schools.

Over 80 smoke shops are currently operating in the city of Fresno. A recent proposal to decrease that number went up before the Fresno City Council – but failed. Today we speak with Miguel Arias, a council member and the leading voice on regulating the shops. He tells us why he thinks this is a problem. Plus, the latest news headlines: Madera Community Hospital’s opening day, and a state senate seat in the Valley gets a new candidate.

The Central California Women’s Facility is one of the largest prisons housing only women. On today’s episode, we go inside the facility to hear about a unique program: the incarcerated people at the prison are running their own newspaper. We’ll hear how the idea for a news operation came to be, and how it inspires those who take part in it. Plus, the latest news headlines: Madera Community Hospital officially reopens, and Valley schools worry about federal cuts to food service programs.