Central Valley Daily

Joy Harjo made history when she became the first Native American to be named U.S. Poet Laureate. She’s a guest in an upcoming San Joaquin Valley Town Hall lecture in Fresno. In today’s episode, we speak with her to hear how she finds inspiration for her work. Plus, the latest headlines, including charges being formally filed against a former Kern County supervisor and a new state bill that wants to improve wastewater testing.

Agriculture has long been perceived as a male-dominated industry. However, women are increasingly taking on leadership and management roles in the field. At this year’s World Ag Expo in Tulare, challenges facing women in agriculture were the focus of one seminar. In this episode, KVPR sits down with Amy Wolfe of the California Farmland Trust to talk about this topic. Plus, the latest news headlines, including Fresno appointing a new police chief and local sheriffs' calling for reform to California's sanctuary law.

There is a crucial part of California’s water infrastructure that is key to preventing flooding. They’re called levees, and you may see them in your own community. Today, we break down the importance of these systems and how they’re holding up. Emily Zentner from The California Newsroom brings us why levees are important and the questions we still have about their sustainability. Plus, the latest news headlines, including a Kern County bakery discrimination case being reversed and what we saw at the World Ag Expo as it comes to a close.

Bird flu has wreaked havoc on dairy cattle, poultry, and egg prices. But now, there’s a risk to even one of our most beloved household pets: cats. Today, we speak with Sarah Boden, who recently reported on this topic for KFF Health News. She explains how cats have become vulnerable to the virus. Plus, the latest news headlines, including new maps revealing the state’s fire risk and advocacy groups pushing for awareness of farmworker deportations.

President Donald Trump is cutting funding for a lab that studies a small fish known as the Delta Smelt. The tiny fish are an indicator species, meaning they help reveal the health of the ecosystems where they live. But the fish have also become a symbol of the tension between environmental groups and many politicians. Today we’re talking with John Buse from the Center for Biological Diversity about the future of the fish. Plus, the latest news headlines, including the latest on the reopening of Madera Community Hospital and the opening of the World Ag Expo.

The immigration debate over President Trump’s enforcement policies has reached classrooms. In recent weeks, hundreds of Central Valley students have walked out of class and protested in the street because they are concerned about mass deportation efforts. Today, we speak with Esther Quintanilla, a reporter at the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, about how schools and educators are responding to immigration concerns among students and parents. Plus, the latest news headlines, including how farmers reacted to Trump’s release of Valley water and a rabies scare in Reedley.

Agriculture. Water. Immigration. Many of President Trump’s earliest actions back in office have had direct effects on the Central Valley. Today, we speak with Casey Creamer, president and CEO of California Citrus Mutual. He discusses Trump’s recent executive orders and how his organization is wading through the politics. Plus, the latest news headlines, including the CSU faculty union’s response to working with A.I. companies and delays for Yosemite National Park entrance reservations.

Faculty and administration at Madera Community College are at odds over a new teaching method. Competency-based education prioritizes course mastery over grades – and students learn at their own pace. It has been tried in other colleges, but a recent attempt to bring it to Madera met some roadblocks. We speak with a faculty leader about what this means for the future of the practice. Plus, the latest news headlines, including Cesar Chavez Boulevard moving forward in Fresno and Clovis residents seeking to become a “non-sanctuary city.”

One of President Donald Trump’s many executive orders since taking office last month went after the refugee admission process. Trump halted the Refugee Admissions Program and ordered a review of whether the program meets U.S. interests. But the order also affects those who were on their way to places like Fresno, and those who had already resettled here. On today’s episode, we speak with the director of a refugee resettlement agency to understand more. Plus, the latest news headlines, including more delays on the horizon for high speed rail, and monarch butterfly numbers drop.

Gov. Gavin Newsom sought to provide mental health treatment to those facing homelessness through a controversial program that established what is known as “CARE Courts.” Little data exists to know whether the program has been meeting its goals so far. But in today’s episode, we look at how it’s working in Stanislaus County. We speak with reporter Marijke Rowland from our partner, Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Plus, the latest news headlines, including how farmers are reacting to Trump’s hasty water order last week and a new indictment that was revealed in the Bitwise Industries fallout.