The Scripps National Spelling Bee kicks off on Tuesday in Maryland, and a Fresno County speller is among those competing. This is the Super Bowl of spellers across the country. But how do students prepare for it? KVPR’s Samantha Rangel takes us behind the scenes.

Millions are observing Memorial Day this three-day weekend and recalling the service members in the U.S. military. On today’s episode, we bring you a conversation with author Steve Emerson. He talks to us about his book chronicling what it was like growing up during the Vietnam War. Plus, the latest news headlines: What the House budget bill could mean for Medicaid funding in the Valley, and a Porterville teacher is hailed as a hero after a stabbing attack in his classroom.

Every year, residents in the western United States live under constant threat of wildfires. Staying informed is one way many stay out of danger. Today, we talk with Sekhar Padmanabhan, a reporter with the Watch Duty app, who lays out how the service helps people stay updated on fires. Plus, the latest news headlines: A Porterville teacher is hailed as a hero as the stabbing suspect faces attempted murder charges, and Kern County workers reach a tentative deal with local government.

Educator and poet Lee Herrick was reappointed this spring as California Poet Laureate for the next two years. Herrick traveled across the state during his first term to share his work. In this episode, he speaks with KVPR’s Samantha Rangel about what inspires his craft. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County releases info on ICE jail transfers, and a Valley man recalls a Mexican ship that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Trump administration’s efforts to scale down federal agencies have partly led to worker shortages, including at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We speak with Washington Post reporter Scott Dance about how that is having an effect on staffing levels for NOAA’s National Weather Service office in Hanford and other locations. Plus, the latest news headlines: A teen girl is stabbed inside a Porterville classroom, and homelessness goes up in Fresno and Madera counties.

Earlier this year, a wave of international students suddenly had their visas and work permits revoked by the Trump Administration. This comes as the federal government cracks down on immigration enforcement more broadly. Students eventually gained their permits and visas back, but it left them feeling uncertain about their future. KVPR’s Rachel Livinal joins us to discuss the effect of these changes at places like UC Merced.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Today, we hear how a family-owned Harley-Davidson dealership in Fresno, California, is helping would-be riders get a taste of riding with a free course this weekend. Plus, the latest news headlines: A missing hiker in the Sierra Nevada has been found safe, and Sen. Adam Schiff is pushing to reverse USDA field office closures.

Two prisons in the small city of Corcoran in Kings County nearly flooded when Tulare Lake returned in 2023. A recent state audit found that it would have taken at least three days for the prisons to evacuate in an emergency. KVPR’s Kerry Klein discusses some of the problems state prisons face in cases of an emergency. Plus, the latest news headlines: Teenage Clovis shooting suspects appear in court for the first time, and Community Health System settles in an alleged fraud case.

Baby boomers are aging, and that means the number of senior citizens is on the rise. However, there are not enough medical providers in the San Joaquin Valley to treat this aging population. Journalist Tim Sheehan explains the state of healthcare for Valley seniors. Plus, the latest news headlines: What a civil grand jury report says about Fresno Unified, and Valley healthcare jobs could be impacted if cuts are made to Medicaid.

Black bears are endemic to North America. And California has the second-largest population of black bears in the country, after Alaska. Today, we talk with Arjun Dheer from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife about how the state manages a ballooning population. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno files first wage theft lawsuit under new law, and a popular Fresno shopping center is sold.