Central Valley Daily

Every year, NPR collaborates with its team of reporters and puts together a list titled “Books We Love.” It’s a curated list of hundreds of books that staff members and trusted critics say are worth a read. NPR Arts Desk reporter Andrew Limbong joins us to discuss the thorough list and some of his favorite books from this year. Plus, the latest news headlines, including, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stop in Kern County, and the Trump cabinet member with Valley ties.

This past election, voters across the Central Valley were asked to approve or reject over 30 different school bond measures. That would open up funding to make campus infrastructure and program upgrades. As vote counts wrap up, many of the bonds in the Valley have passed. So what’s next? We speak with EdSource reporter Lasherica Thronton. Plus, the latest news headlines, including bird flu found in a raw milk sample from a Fresno-based company and a new report on just how fast the Valley is sinking.

A “bomb cyclone” hit the Pacific Northwest earlier this week. While the storm’s intensity has diminished, it is boosting the strength of another storm – known as an atmospheric river – that is hitting much of Northern California. We speak with National Weather Service Meteorologist David Spector about the first significant storms of the season and what’s next. Plus, the latest news headlines, including Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stop in Fresno and almond acreage continues to drop.

In 2017, Tulare Regional Medical Center declared bankruptcy and closed its doors. In the years leading up to the closure, the hospital had been run by Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA). After the bankruptcy, Dr. Benny Benzeevi, who was CEO of HCCA, was accused of a long list of financial crimes that led the hospital to its fate. He was eventually charged with 40 felony counts and, just this month, was sentenced after pleading no contest to some of the charges. We speak with Reggie Ellis from The Sun-Gazette newspaper, who gave us an overview of the case. Plus, the latest news headlines, including, why a Valley high school volleyball team skipped out on a match, and a Bitwise Industries settlement is approved.

What does it take to be a top lumberjack? Madera County resident Nate Hodges recently traveled to France to compete in an international timbersports competition that featured top talent in wood cutting. Earlier this month, Hodges defeated woodcutters from countries like New Zealand and Canada to become the 2024 Stihl Timbersports Individual World Champion. In this episode, we speak with him about his victory and how he got into this unique sport. Plus, the latest news headlines, including a report card on a decade-old state water law and why voter turnout may have been lower this year.

Earlier this month, the California Air Resources Board approved a revision to a state climate program known as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. The program tries to encourage cleaner transportation fuels with financial incentives. But the change had one side effect that raised eyebrows among many: it could raise already high gas prices. We spoke with CalMatters reporter Alejandro Lazo about this decision to learn more about the program. Plus, the latest news headlines, including a professional diver joining the search for a missing Kern County woman and a warning for the Merced City Schools District.

The City of Tehachapi in Kern County is a major thoroughfare for trains getting to or from the Central Valley. But what happens during a major disaster? Tehachapi officials have also been wondering about this and are pushing for more precise communication to be prepared. We speak with Tehachapi City Manager Greg Garrett about his concerns. Plus, the latest news headlines, including an E. coli outbreak hitting a Valley carrot producer and Fresno County seeing its first case of bird flu in a human.

Across California, over 1.1 million people are deaf or hard of hearing, with many of them calling the Central Valley home. What type of resources are available to assist them? We speak with Michelle Bronson from the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center. She discusses the organization’s work and an upcoming event. Plus, the latest news headlines, including a report on UC Merced’s 20th anniversary and a league shakeup for a Valley soccer team.

The riparian woodrat is native to the San Joaquin Valley. But the endangered species hadn’t been seen in its natural habitat for many years. That was until recently, when biologists discovered the species at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge near Modesto. We speak with ecologist Ashley Verna about the significance behind the discovery. Plus, the latest news headlines, including county officials dispelling election rumors and a bird flu clinic aiming to test farmworkers in the Valley.

What role does artificial intelligence play in police departments? While not yet widely used, the Fresno Police Department is already utilizing the technology to write its police reports. We speak with KVPR editor and reporter Kerry Klein about her new reporting that looks into this. Plus, the latest news headlines, including a bomb threat investigated at the Kings County elections office and Fresno's search for a new poet laureate.