There’s a relatively unremarkable piece of land in Merced County that appears to simply be grasslands. But this area offers a glimpse into the San Joaquin Valley’s native landscape. On today’s episode, Sarah Puckett with American Rivers explains why so many environmental partners are working to restore floodplains in Great Valley Grasslands State Park.

Hanukkah, the 8-day festival of lights, starts on Sunday. Rabbi Shmuli Schlanger with the Chabad of Bakersfield explains the meaning of the holiday and highlights events in Bakersfield and Tehachapi. Plus, the latest news headlines: how Valley Catholics are celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Reedley College wins a prestigious national award.

Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. Or if you’re Rebecca Jo Jackson, to write one. On today’s episode, the Visalia-based author discusses the latest book in her Sweet River romance series, “Olivia’s Only Pretending.” Plus, the latest news headlines: Hundreds of millions of dollars to address California homelessness could be in jeopardy, and some childcare providers are asking the state for support.

For decades, so-called “forever chemicals” have been increasingly used on crops and consumer products in the U.S. Environmental advocates are raising alarm over the lack of regulation and research into how these chemicals affect the human body. Today we speak with a policy analyst with the Environmental Working Group who breaks down how these chemicals show up in places like our crops. Plus, the latest news headlines: A mother speaks out after her family is killed in a Porterville house fire; and why a Kingsburg pesticide company is facing state penalties.

Space is becoming increasingly commercialized. This has given rise to so-called “memorial spaceflights.” That’s when people can choose to send their loved one’s ashes into orbit. In this encore episode of Central Valley Daily, we revisit a story by KVPR’s Kerry Klein about a Central Valley native’s decision to honor her travel-loving sister with one final exploration in space. Plus, the latest news headlines: Four children die in a Porterville house fire; and Merced looks to increase its number of fire stations.

A number of nursing homes in California are facing lawsuits for purported negligence and abuse. Some have already had to pay millions to residents or family members. On today’s episode, Jocelyn Wiener with our news partner CalMatters introduces us to one owner at the center of CalMatters reporting.

The Valley has been blanketed in thick Tule fog in recent weeks, which may remind some Valley residents of years past. So why is it unusual to see these conditions now, and why are they so different than in the past? San Francisco Chronicle Meteorologist Anthony Edwards breaks down what’s changed. Plus, the latest news headlines: Valley Congressmen re-introduce legislation to prevent illegal biomedical laboratories; and the CEO of a Fresno health care company faces fraud allegations.

Kratom is among the many substances on the market that claim to improve health and wellness. But many in the medical community worry about widespread abuse, and leaders in Fresno are seeking to ban it. Pablo Orihuela, with our news partner Fresnoland, breaks down why. Plus, the latest news headlines: California’s economy is likely to keep worsening before it gets better, and hundreds of acres of land near Yosemite National Park have been returned to the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation.

Small farm towns that typically balloon in size during peak harvest seasons in the San Joaquin Valley are seeing less activity as the Trump Administration cracks down on immigration. CalMatters reporter Nigel Duara set out to examine what these impacts look like, even as enforcement has largely been confined to major cities for now. Plus, the latest news headlines: Thousands of trucking schools at risk of closing; and how the Asian American Pacific Islander community views the state’s direction.

The AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s brought tragedy for more than 100,000 Americans. Four decades later, Kern County is honoring victims through art. On today’s episode, Audrey Chavez with the Bakersfield AIDS Project discusses the community’s display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Plus, the latest news headlines: our neighbors in Stockton reel after a deadly mass shooting this past weekend; judges dismiss a lawsuit filed by a local agribusiness; and a Christmas heist in the Kern County foothills gets a fairy tale ending.