Central Valley Daily

The historic Crystal Palace in Bakersfield may be gone, but not forgotten. We revisit our conversation with KGET reporter Robert Price about the venue’s closure and Buck Owens’ enduring country music legacy. Plus the latest headlines: Orange Cove rejects a controversial climate project; and UC Merced announces layoffs.

A Fresno cooking class is keeping Hmong food and language traditions alive. We speak to Central Valley Journalism Collaborative reporter Esther Quintanilla about the non-profit teaching Hmong culture to a new generation. Plus, the latest news headlines: An earthquake shakes a northern California region; and Fresno breaks ground on a new housing project.

President Trump’s second term in office has been marked by a crackdown on immigration. And in the latest wrinkle, the federal government has ended a program that protected some kids from deportation. KVPR Associate Editor Kerry Klein discusses the policy change and who’s affected. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno passes a record budget; and a bill seeks to crack down on cockfighting.

Muralists recently took to downtown Merced to give the district a fresh coat of paint. On today’s episode, KVPR’s Rachel Livinal reports from downtown, where muralists express the meaning behind their work. Plus, the latest news headlines: Kern County water leaders battle with golden mussels; and a public records law raises alarms among First Amendment advocates.

Fresno State’s 50th Chicano/Latino Commencement Ceremony celebrated the collective achievements of more than 1,000 graduates from the Class of 2026. The event is the largest bilingual graduation of its kind in the nation, and it’s the subject of a new Latino USA profile. We get a preview from producer Adreanna Rodriguez.

It’s easy for visitors to Yosemite National Park to marvel at the park’s ancient trees and landscape. But what about the many creatures that call the park home? Before you get out there this summer, there’s a book you’ll want to pick up first. On today's episode, we speak with Beth Pratt, the author of that new and unique book. Plus the latest headlines: A mountain lion is caught in a Valley city; and a proposed billionaire tax heads to the ballot.

The growing popularity of raw milk has given a major boost to Fresno County dairy, Raw Farm. But the farm has been the subject of recalls and outbreaks in recent years that have increased scrutiny over the safety of their products. We speak to ProPublica reporter Annie Waldman about her recent investigative report featuring the farm’s owner, Mark McAfee. Plus, the latest news headlines: Victims of B-52 Bomber crash are identified; and how hospitals are faring after major warehouse fire.

A new report from the New York Times outlines a culture of abuse involving the men who worked with the late civil rights leader Cesar Chavez. This adds to the fallout from an investigation into sexual assault allegations against Chavez earlier this year. We speak with Fresno native and California Editor at the Times, Manny Fernandez, about the women coming forward with their stories. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County supervisors approve “nuclear family” resolution; and the latest on a B-52 Bomber crash at Kern County base.

Rising ocean temperatures are building momentum for what will be a strong El Niño year. Scientists are watching for major changes in climate patterns, including here in California. We speak with San Francisco Chronicle meteorologist Anthony Edwards about what to expect. Plus, the latest news headlines: A B-52 Bomber carrying passengers crashes in the Mojave Desert; and Gov. Gavin Newsom says the Trump administration is investigating him and his wife.

A new lawsuit makes claims of animal cruelty at Foster Farms locations in the Central Valley. The company declined to comment, but on today’s episode, we learn more about the undercover investigation at the center of the filing and hear from attorney Drew Givens about this case against the poultry giant.