California's signature climate change program, cap-and-trade, passed its first test since lawmakers extended the program last month. The state's quarterly auction of pollution allowances -- which give companies the right to release emissions -- sold out. Capital Public Radio's Ben Bradford reports.

A week from today, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors will debate the pros and cons of permitting marijuana sales and commercial cultivation in Riverside County's unincorporated communities. KVCR's Ken Vincent has more.

The contentious effort to recall Democratic state Senator Josh Newman -- who represents a district that spans Orange, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties -- is in part a microcosm of fundamental battles between Democrats and Republicans nationwide. KQED's Marisa Lagos spent time talking with Senator Newman, his supporters, and his opponents.

A bill to make California a "sanctuary state" is moving forward in the state Legislature, including a hearing before the Assembly Appropriations Committee today (Wednesday). Oregon has had a similar law for almost three decades. More in this collaborative report from Capital Public Radio's Ben Bradford and Oregon Public Broadcasting's Conrad Wilson.

This past Friday, Crafton Hills College opened the door of its new Veteran's Resource Center. The secretary of California Veterans Affairs, Dr. Vito Imbasciani, was there for the celebration. KVCR's Lillian Vasquez was also there, and has this report.

KVCR contributor John Husing, the chief economist for the Inland Empire economic partnership, continues talking with KVCR's Ken Vincent about the positive and negative aspects of the IE economy as ou region competes with the coastal communities for economic growth, higher-paying jobs, and a better quality of life. In this segment, Dr. Husing focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of increased environmental regulation in the Inland Empire.

California Republicans have again failed to topple GOP Assembly Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley. Mayes yesterday (Monday) survived a second vote to remove him from his post, but he'll face another next Tuesday, as Capital Public Radio's Ben Bradford reports.

A new report from the California EPA furthers a discussion on whether the state should ban a widely-used and controversial pesticide. Capital Public Radio's Sammy Caiola has the story.

While the unemployment rate across the state went down a slight bit from June to July,. the jobless rate in the Inland Empire took a sharper tick upward last month from the month before. Still, the unemployment rate this year remains better than this time last year.. More from KVCR's Ken Vincent

Students, administrators, and professors gathered to watch Monday's eclipse at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa. KVCR's Ben Purper has more.