Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

By CapRadio

Award-winning journalist Vicki Gonzalez hosts daily interviews with community leaders, advocates, experts, artists and more to provide background and understanding on breaking news, big events, politi... more

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How many episodes does Insight With Vicki Gonzalez have?

The podcast currently has 1,663 episodes available.

Insight With Vicki Gonzalez episodes:

April 02, 2026 California’s Immigration History | San Joaquin Valley Housing Plans Get a ‘Final Warning’ | ‘The Tallest Dwarf’ Documentary
California’s Immigration History
The Supreme Court is weighing whether President Trump can limit birthright citizenship to children born to U.S. citizens or legal residents. But the question of who gets to be an American has deep roots. Jane Hong is an Associate Professor of History at Occidental College and is a historian of U.S. immigration. She joins us with the history of U.S. immigration laws, and why California is a prime case study.
San Joaquin Valley Housing Plans Get a ‘Final Warning’
Governor Gavin Newsom is warning more than a dozen municipalities in the San Joaquin Valley that their housing plans are out of compliance with state requirements, and potential lawsuits could be on the horizon. But many of these jurisdictions say they are diligently working to get their plans in order. Alma Villegas from the Merced Focus and Garth Stapley from the Modesto Focus talk about the local responses to Newsom’s order, and the help some of these communities say they need to get it done.
‘The Tallest Dwarf’ Documentary
Sparked by a desire to explore the possibility of dwarfism in her family history, filmmaker Julie Forrest Wyman turned to her camera. The film she ended up making is an exploration of her own dwarfism that leads her to learn more about where she fits into dwarf culture and the little people community. Teaming up with others to confront the troubled history of how dwarfs have been viewed in society and forge a new vision of beauty and power for their community. Julie joins us to talk about her new film, The Tallest Dwarf, premiering on PBS Independent Lens on Monday April 6th and streaming on the PBS app.
Reserve your spot for the local in-person screening in Davis, here.
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50min
April 01, 2026 April Snowpack Among Lowest on Record | Sac City Unified Budget Update | Jazz Harpist Motoshi Kosako
April Snowpack Among Lowest on Record
April 1 is historically the time of peak snowpack - but not this year. Much of California’s winter snow has been reduced to runoff, as early season heat melted the state’s frozen reservoir. And this critical measurement looks to be one of the lowest snowpacks recorded in state history. Dr. Andrew Schwartz is the Director of UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab at Donner Summit. Jeffrey Mount is a Senior Fellow of the Water Policy Center at the Public Policy Institute of California. We’ll learn what this means for our water supply, as we approach the drier months.
Sac City Unified Budget Update
We are getting a clearer picture of the Sacramento City Unified’s dire budget issues. The district is navigating poor financial waters for the second time in less than a decade. Once again, at risk of fiscal insolvency and facing the threat of state receivership. The latest financial report revealed a current budget deficit of $170 million. As the school board is making difficult decisions about where to cut costs, it came under fire after approving up to $400,000 to hire consultants to help untangle the budget - when the county and the state are already providing oversight. Jennah Pendleton is the Education Reporter for the Sacramento Bee and joined us to provide an update on where things stand with SCUSD’s budget saga.
Jazz Harpist Motoshi Kosako
As a young man in his native Japan, Mostoshi Kosako walked away from a lucrative promising medical career to become a jazz guitarist. He now divides his time between music and tending to his ranch in Oregon House. CapRadio Music Program Director Gary Vercelli interviewed jazz harpist Motoshi Kosako ahead of his April 3 show at Twin Lotus Thai in Sacramento. On April 16, he’ll participate in the World Harp Competition in the Netherlands.
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51min
March 30, 2026 POLITICO's California Playbook | ‘The Path of Least Regret’ | ‘Shakespeare Anyone?’ Podcast
POLITICO's California Playbook
It’s a busy time in California politics. State lawmakers are taking steps to rename tomorrow’s holiday from Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day, following a damning investigation by the New York Times. Also, thousands of people turned out across the state this weekend in the latest round of No Kings protests. And, the crowded race for California’s next governor has everyone guessing. Dustin Gardiner is the co-author of POLITICO’s California Playbook and he joins us today to break this all down.
‘The Path of Least Regret’
Debut author Parul Somani joins us with her book The Path of Least Regret, a roadmap for making hard decisions in the face of uncertainty and change. Somani developed this framework out of her own experience navigating cancer shortly after childbirth, faced with life-altering decisions when there was no clear “right” answer.
‘Shakespeare Anyone?’ Podcast
The study of Shakespeare can often be intimidating. Two Sacramento actors are on a quest to make The Bard more accessible and relatable to our modern lives and they’re doing it through a podcast. Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp are the creators and hosts behind Shakespeare Anyone? They join us today to discuss their efforts to foster Shakespeare appreciation and understanding.
Elyse Sharp will present Why Shakespeare Still Matters April 20 in East Sacramento.
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March 26, 2026 ‘No Kings’ Protests Return to the Region | River City Waterway Alliance | Sacramento Piano Day
‘No Kings’ Protests Return to the Region
A variety of rallies are scheduled throughout Northern California this weekend, part of a series of nationwide demonstrations voicing opposition to the Trump Administration’s policies. Today on Insight, we’ll hear from organizers of events happening Saturday, March 28, including Greg Bergantz and Gina Abrams from Indivisible El Dorado and Ellen Chapman from Indivisible Sacramento.
River City Waterway Alliance
During the pandemic a group of neighbors came together looking to clean up the local areas they lived near. These efforts soon expanded to removing the trash and debris that end up in Sacramento area rivers and waterways. In 2023, the three founded the River City Waterway Alliance. The founders of the group - David Ingram, Kathleen Farren Ford, and Lisa Sanchez - join us to explain what the volunteer organization does and how it’s growing.
Sacramento Piano Day
This Sunday is the 88th day of the year and a piano has 88 keys, so that means it's time for Sacramento Piano Day. Celebrated internationally, Piano Day honors the instrument and its performers, builders and listeners through public performances. Philip Howard founded the local event and he joins us today, along with pianist Quinn Vance, who will debut a brand new commissioned piece of music at this weekend’s concert.
Insight Senior Producer Andrew Garcia is today's guest host.

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March 25, 2026 Heat Impacts on Farmworkers | Author Craig Harwood and ‘Bridget’s Gambit’ | In a Nutshell: All You Can Eat
Heat Impacts on Farmworkers
It’s been unusually warm for this time of year. The early heat can take a toll on anyone who has to work outside, including some of the state’s most critical workforces like the hundreds of thousands of farmworkers in California. Last week, Cal/OSHA put out a reminder to employers to protect their workers from heat illness amid the temperature spikes. California was the first state in the country to pass regulations to protect the agricultural workforce more than two decades ago, but how well are these protections being implemented? Edward Flores is the Faculty Director of the UC Merced Community and Labor Center and he joins us today with some perspective.
Author Craig Harwood and ‘Bridget’s Gambit’
The history of the California gold rush is a story the state takes pride in sharing. From the San Francisco 49ers to the variety of former gold rush towns that dot our roadways to the gold rush history that is often taught in public schools. But the story of one of the era’s most influential entrepreneurs, Bridget Miranda Evoy, has long gone unheard. Until now. Craig S. Harwood is a geologist and the author of “Bridget’s Gambit: A Saga of Family Enterprise in Gold Rush California.” He joins us today to explain why he wrote this book.
In a Nutshell: All You Can Eat
Food often shapes the rhythm of our days, from breakfast to lunch to dinner. But it also plays a role in how we view a variety of issues from culture to health to community. “All You Can Eat” is the theme of this month’s In a Nutshell storytelling series at The Sophia. Storytellers Anne Rutherford and Keith Staten join host and co-producer Keith Lowell Jensen for a preview of this Friday’s show.
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March 24, 2026 Media Company Merger Sparks Controversy | YoloFest Debuts | Latinx Comic Arts Festival
Media Company Merger Sparks Controversy
A major shakeup is set to impact the television news landscape across the country. Federal agencies have approved a merger between media companies Nexstar and TEGNA, which would give the joint business the ability to reach up to 80% of U.S. households. This could have big impacts in the Sacramento region, where Nexstar owns FOX40 and TEGNA owns ABC10. The deal is also facing significant criticism from officials like Governor Gavin Newsom, Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Attorney General Rob Bonta, who filed a lawsuit trying to block the merger and argues it could raise prices, harm local news and decrease competition. Professor Frank Gevurtz from University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law joins Insight to talk about how federal antitrust laws could shape this multi-billion-dollar merger deal.
YoloFest Debuts
Probably best known as the home of UC Davis and for supplying the region with produce, Yolo County has become a destination for more than just students and foodies. To highlight the growing number of activities cropping up in the area from wineries to farm tours, the region has come together for YoloFest, which debuts this weekend. Terry Selk is the executive director for Visit Yolo and joins us today to explain more about it.
Latinx Comic Arts Festival
The medium of comic books has often been a place where artists imagine what the distant future could look like. And that tradition continues at this year’s Latinx Comic Arts Festival in Modesto as they explore a theme of Latino-futurism. The festival takes place next week at Modesto Junior College’s West Campus, on Friday and Saturday, April 3-4. The two-day event will showcase talented Latinx cartoonists, writers, artists, animators, and educators from across the country. Dr. Theresa Rojas tells us more about the family friendly event that is open to the public. She is a professor of Ethnic Studies and English at Modesto Junior College and is the Director of the Latinx Comic Arts Festival.
Politics Editor Chris Nichols is today's guest host.
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March 23, 2026 Impact of California’s Extreme Heat Conditions | How are CA Ballot Initiatives Polling? | Too Hot for Superbloom?
Impact of California’s Extreme Heat Conditions
California has been baking under a heat wave that has shattered temperature records across the state. Unseasonably warm conditions have also raised concerns about the state’s snowpack, which officials say has melted at a rate of 1% a day, as well as the forecast for fire season. KCRA Meteorologist Tamara Berg and California State Climatologist Dr. Michael Anderson join Insight to break down what impact this will have on the state heading into summer.
How are CA Ballot Initiatives Polling?
Two major ballot measures could go before California voters this November, asking them to decide the fate of a billionaire’s wealth tax and voter ID mandates. A recent Berkeley IGS poll shows voters are split heavily down political and ideological lines on these two initiatives. LA Times political reporter Nicole Nixon breaks down the results.
Too Hot for Superbloom?
Spring has sprung! Officially starting last Friday, Spring tends to mark the time when people look for ways to get more time outdoors. Taking advantage of the longer days and warmer weather to spend some time taking in our state’s natural beauty. One such gem of the region is wildflowers and the often talked about phenomenon of the superbloom. But as we heard earlier in the show all this heat has a downside too. Warm temperatures this early in the season could mean this year’s blooms, while still beautiful, might not quite be “super”. Kate Mawdsley tells us more about where and when you should go see the wildflowers. She’s a volunteer docent at the 16-hundred acre Jepson Prairie Preserve and self-described enthusiastic wildflower seeker.
Statehouse Politics Reporter Laura Fitzgerald is today's guest host.
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50min
March 19, 2026 Sac Considers Renaming Cesar Chavez Plaza | Cesar Chavez Biographer | KVMR Community Radio | Sacramento Kavanagh’s Hurling Team
Sac Considers Renaming Cesar Chavez Plaza
A New York Times investigation has unraveled the heroic reputation of Cesar Chavez, accusing the late labor leader of sexually assaulting underage girls. Dolores Huerta, who cofounded the United Farm Workers with Chavez, also revealed that he raped and sexually assaulted her - and that she had two children from those encounters. This morning, she gave her first interview since the investigation was published with Latino USA’s Maria Hinojosa. In the immediate hours since the investigation went public, an increasing number of officials have been grappling with what to do with the holiday - and many public places - named in his honor. Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty joins us about how the city is considering renaming Cesar Chavez Plaza.
Cesar Chavez Biographer
We are also joined by an acclaimed biographer who explains why Cesar Chavez the man is more complicated than his legacy as a labor icon. Miriam Pawel is a journalist, and author of The Crusades of Cesar Chavez and The Union of Their Dreams.
KVMR Community Radio
For close to 50 years, KVMR has been offering eclectic music programming and news coverage to the listeners of Nevada County. First broadcast in 1978, KVMR prides itself as a radio station “by the community and for the community.” And they continue to share original programming despite losing a major source of funding from the federal government with the dissolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Today on Insight, we’ll meet the station’s new General Manager Luis Estrada and hear his vision for the foothills station.
Sacramento Kavanagh’s Hurling Team
Hurling is the national sport of Ireland, with a history dating back thousands of years. For the past year a new club called the Sacramento Kavanagh’s has been introducing players in the Sacramento region to hurling, which has been described as a mix of field hockey, baseball and lacrosse. The club’s Chairperson David Neligan and players Kai Uchio and Connor Gorry join Insight to talk about “the fastest game on grass.”
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March 18, 2026 Trump Launches Fraud Investigation | Cracking Down on Kratom | CapLit Season Opener
Trump Launches Fraud Investigation
President Trump declared a “war on fraud” this week as he signed an executive order Monday, formally creating a benefits fraud task force. It will be led by Vice President J.D. Vance, and targets states such as Minnesota, Illinois, New York, Maine, Colorado and California. Alexei Koseff is the Washington D.C. correspondent for The San Francisco Chronicle and joins us today to explain what programs may come under scrutiny in the state.
Cracking Down on Kratom
Advocates for the herbal supplement Kratom tout its benefits as an energy booster and an alternative pain reliever to opioids. However, the evidence of its benefits remains largely anecdotal and the FDA cautions the public about the use of kratom for medical treatment. Meanwhile, authorities in California are working to end the sale of kratom products in the state. Today on Insight, we’re going to learn more from Dr. Rita Nguyen, the State of California’s Assistant Health Officer, and Michael Needham, who serves as the Chief of Emergency Response for the California Department of Public Health, and Dr. Rais Vohra, a Medical Director for California Poison Control.
CapLit Season Opener
CapLit returns to the CLARA Auditorium stage for another season Saturday, March 21, with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Adam Johnson’s new novel, The Wayfinder. Today on Insight, we’ll meet Johnson and hear about the inspiration behind his epic, historical novel set in Polynesia centuries ago. We’ll also meet actress Fetalaiga Faga, who will read excerpts from Johnson’s book.

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51min
March 17, 2026 Sacramento County Superintendent | CapRadio, KVIE Settle Tower Dispute | California’s Grape Crops are Down
Sacramento County Superintendent
Tens of thousands of students in Sacramento County are in the middle of labor disputes between teachers and their school districts. Strikes continue at Twin Rivers and Natomas unified as teachers demand higher salaries and better benefits. Something that districts say would lead to cuts in other programs and cause long-term financial challenges. This comes as Sacramento City Unified faces a budget crisis to the tune of a $134 million dollar deficit. We speak with Dave Gordon, the Superintendent of Sacramento County Office of Education which provides financial oversight and support to 13 school districts including Twin Rivers, Natomas and Sac City.
CapRadio, KVIE Settle Tower Dispute
A long running dispute between Sacramento’s public media stations over a broadcasting tower has ended. CapRadio, PBS affiliate KVIE and the Capital Public Radio Endowment, a separate nonprofit founded decades ago to support the radio station, released a joint statement announcing a “comprehensive settlement agreement” had been reached following successful mediation. CapRadio Producer Sarit Laschinsky joins us to break down the history of the nearly two-year legal fight.
Editor’s note: Shortly after this segment aired at noon CapRadio fulfilled a public records request and revealed more details about the settlement. This has been included in this updated segment, and you can read more about it here.
Following NPR’s protocol for reporting on itself, no CapRadio corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was posted or broadcast. You can read our independent ongoing coverage of financial issues at Capital Public Radio here.
Editor’s note: CapRadio is licensed to Sacramento State, which is also an underwriter.
California’s Grape Crops are Down
It’s been a rough few years for California’s wine industry. Sales have shrunk globally as drinking habits have changed across the generations and that’s led to one of the smallest crushes in the state in the last 20 years, according to a new report released last week. Wine expert Rick Kushman joins us today to explain what’s going on in the industry and how this week’s heat wave may affect vines.
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FAQs about Insight With Vicki Gonzalez:

How many episodes does Insight With Vicki Gonzalez have?

The podcast currently has 1,663 episodes available.

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