KQED's The California Report

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the country's Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has promised that the Trump administration will advise all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from public water on day one in office. But what will that mean for water, and our teeth?

Guest: Dr. Howard Pollick, Professor of Dentistry, UCSF

The state Legislature’s fiscal analyst is out with its first round of budget projections this week. The takeaway? The budget is roughly balanced, for now.

Reporter: Alexei Koseff, CalMatters

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Several California tribes are renewing their push for the federal government to protect their ancestral lands. They’re urging the Biden administration to create three new national monuments across the state before the end of the year.

Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS

On Wednesday, unions representing tens of thousands of healthcare, professional, service and technical employees at the University of California launched a two-day strike.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

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If you’re one of the unlucky people who get bitten by a venomous snake, you’re going to need antivenom. And it’s costly. Millions of Californians live in rattlesnake territory, and are unaware that the medical bill could be enormous.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KFF Health News

It's been two weeks since Lake County’s Measure U asked voters if the town of Kelseyville should change its name to Konocti. Over 70% voted against the change.

Reporter: Manola Secaira, CapRadio 

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President-elect Donald Trump has yet to announce his pick to lead the Labor Department. His choice will reveal the direction the administration plans for the agency.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED

The first case of a more severe strain of mpox has been found in California. State health officials confirmed the first known U.S. case of the strain – known as clade I – in San Mateo County over the weekend.

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The LA County city of Inglewood has been on a roll the last few years. SoFi Stadium, home to two NFL teams, the L.A. Rams and L.A. Chargers opened in 2020 at a cost of over $5 billion. And just this year, the Intuit Dome became the home of the LA Clippers. While the sport venues were supposed to be a boon for the area, some Black-owned small business owners say they're actually doing more damage than good.

Reporter: Saul Gonzalez, The California Report

The Palm Springs City Council unanimously approved a settlement with Section 14 residents and descendants Thursday night. The neighborhood was home to mostly Black and Latino families, whose homes were burned down by the city in the 1960's.  

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report

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As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to reenter the White House, California housing advocates are bracing for how a second term could impact the state’s challenges in building housing, notoriously high home prices, rents, rates of homelessness.

Guest: Dan Dunmoyer, President and CEO, California Building Industry Association

The Palm Springs City Council will vote Thursday on whether to approve a settlement for the survivors and descendants of a predominantly black and brown neighborhood that was burned down 60 years ago.

Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report 

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Supporters of criminal justice reform in California suffered some big losses in last week’s election. But people on both sides of the debate over crime and punishment say the election shouldn’t be seen as a renunciation of progressive reforms entirely.

Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED

In the Central Valley, Republican Congressman David Valadao has won re-election, moving the GOP closer to control of the House. 

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

For the first time in history, women will make up at least half of the California State Senate.

Reporter: Sameea Kamal, CalMatters

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President-elect Donald Trump made plenty of promises during his campaign that could affect the state of California. But California is already taking action to defend itself against potential Trump administration policies. Will it work?

Guest: Melanie Mason, Politico

Federal health officials are making a new push to test more workers who might be infected with bird flu. 

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

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On this Veterans Day, a reminder that thousands of veterans, young and old, are homeless in our state. But in Sacramento and surrounding communities, the numbers of homeless vets has noticeably dropped over the past couple of years.  

Reporter: Chris Nichols, CapRadio 

The California Air Resources Board is moving ahead with changes to toughen the state’s low carbon fuel standard. Regulators voted to approve the controversial amendments late Friday.

Reporter: Kevin Stark, KQED

As the Southern California Kaiser mental health worker strike enters its fourth week, some patients are turning to social media to show their support. 

Reporter: Robert Garrova, LAist 

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This week marks the 70th anniversary of the release of the original Godzilla film across Japan. But the movie that American audiences first saw was actually an altered version with added scenes shot at a small Los Angeles studio.

Reporter: Josie Huang, LAist

The Mountain Fire burning in Ventura County has destroyed 132 structures, most of which were homes.

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