More than 300,000 COVID-19 cases involve the nation’s meatpacking workers, leading to billions of dollars in economic damage, according to a new study from U.C. Davis.

Reporter: Alex Hall, The California Report

With Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement that he wants the state to fully reopen on June 15, the live music industry is preparing for what could be a busy second half of 2021. But not all music venues will open in June.

State utility regulators have voted to take new action against Pacific Gas and Electric, after finding the company hasn’t done enough in regards to wildfire safety work. The California Public Utilities Commission said the utility has fallen short when it comes to removing dangerous trees in areas that are prone to wildfires.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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Everyone over the age of 16 in California can now sign up to get a COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the state's My Turn website. But as eligibility expands in the state, some are concerned people in the hardest hit communities will be left behind in trying to get a shot.

Guest: Kiran Savage-Sangwan, Executive Director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network

Restaurants in a dozen California counties have filed class-action lawsuits seeking refunds for pandemic-era business permits, licensing fees, and late charges. 

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

During the pandemic, lots of Americans have been kept afloat financially with the help of stimulus payments from the federal government, like the most recent one for $1,400. But is that money getting to people most in need, like the homeless here in California?

As Republicans in many states work to enact tighter restrictions on voting, California lawmakers are going in the opposite direction. California could become the sixth state in the country to permanently send all voters a ballot in the mail for every election.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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The state is following federal guidance by pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, as officials investigate six blood clot cases that may be tied to the vaccine. Governor Gavine Newsom said he doesn't anticipate this affecting the state's vaccination or reopening timeline.

Whistleblower Sophie Zhang details how authoritarian governments used Facebook to target activists and journalists, and spread misinformation campaigns, and the company did little about it.

Guest: Julia Carrie Wong, Senior Technology Reporter with The Guardian

The San Francisco-based online newsletter platform Substack has become a popular home for many well-known journalists who’ve abandoned mainstream media outlets. But now, the company's choice of some of the writers it’s invited aboard has come under fire. 

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

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The FDA has called for a pause in use of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, after six people developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within about two weeks of vaccination. Nearly 7 million people in the United States have already received a Johnson and Johnson dose. 

Guest: Sydney Lupkin, Pharmaceuticals Correspondent, NPR

As the holy month of Ramadan continues, health leaders are encouraging Muslims to get the COVID-19 vaccine. And they're trying to spread the word that vaccines can be safely administered, even while people are fasting.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Street vendors in Central Valley communities have been victimized by violence and thefts. Just last month vendor Lorenzo Perez was shot and killed while he was selling corn in southeast Fresno. 

Reporter: Madi Bolaños, Valley Public Radio

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In San Francisco, schools will only be open for the youngest students. In San Diego County, the state's second largest school district, in-person learning will be an option for all students.

The Biden Administration's infrastructure plan includes a huge push for getting more electric vehicles on the roadway. At least one expert says a lot can be learned from California's EV push.

Guest: Chelsea Sexton, Electric Vehicle Industry Analyst

The site in L.A. County is expected to hold up to 2,500 unaccompanied migrant children at a time. It will be the third site to open in Southern California, after the cities of Long Beach and San Diego also added temporary shelters.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW  

Much of the controversy surrounds Commissioner Alison Collins. But now, some students say they want their voices heard as the board makes decisions on the future of schools.

Guest: Holly McDede, KQED

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California’s health agencies offer information about COVID-19 in many languages – including Spanish, Hmong and American Sign Language. But one language that’s largely been missing is Punjabi. 

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Governor Newsom has struck a deal with lawmakers and hopes to sign the plan into law next week. This comes after a record-breaking fire season in 2020, and mostly dry winter, which could make California more susceptible to fires in 2021.

In the private sphere, California is a high-tech mecca, but the pandemic has exposed the frailties and age of the state government’s technology infrastructure. One Bay Area lawmaker said he has a plan to fix some of the state's issues. 

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, The California Report

The family of a mentally ill man, who was beaten by Ukiah police officers, is planning to sue the city and the men who beat him. This is not the first incident that’s drawn criticism for the Ukiah Police Department. 

Reporter: Sarah Reith, KZYX

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Many Californians are still suffering from COVID-19 symptoms, months after they were initially diagnosed. Many of these long haulrs are hoping to get answers for what's ailing them from long term COVID-19 clinics.

Guest: Dr. Lekshmi Santhosh, Physician Faculty Lead, UCSF OPTIMAL Clinic.

State health officials tell the Mercury News that California's allocation of Johnson & Johnson doses from the federal government will drop by 90% next week. This comes as the state will allow everyone over the age of 16 to get their vaccination shot.

Fresno leaders have announced a proposal to respond to a rise in violence against the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The city hopes to create an Office of Community Affairs, hiring local community liaisons.

Reporter: Soreath Hok, Valley Public Radio

A community of Haitian migrants has been in Tijuana for nearly a decade, fleeing a devastating earthquake, hurricanes, financial collapse and now, deep political instability and violence. But many have been unable to make a life for themselves in Mexico.

Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

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Governor Newsom said the reopening will happen, as long as enough people are vaccinated and hospitalization rates remain low. 20 million vaccines have been administered in California so far.

Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED 

As California continues pushing forward with reopening, thousands of people in the state continue to struggle with COVID-19 symptoms, months after their initial diagnosis. San Francisco resident San Francisco resident Charlie McCone is one of the long haulers who has struggled with symptoms for more than a year.

Guest: Charlie McCone, San Francisco Resident and COVID-19 long hauler

Pacific Gas and Electric is facing mutiple felony and misdemeanors in connection with the its role in starting the 2019 Kincade Fire. The fire in Wine Country destroyed hundreds of buildings and burned nearly 78,000 acres. 

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Wedgewood drew national scrutiny last year after a group of Black homeless mothers occupied a vacant home the company owned in West Oakland. A KQED investigation has found that despite a new law aimed at keeping corporations from snapping up homes, Wedgewood has purchased at least 276 properties across the state during the pandemic.

Reporter: Erin Baldassari, KQED

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The plan would turn the Long Beach Convention Center into a temporary shelter for unaccompanied migrant children. If approved, the city would be able to house up to a thousand children at a time.

For the first time since becoming vice president, Kamala Harris returned to her hometown of Oakland Monday. The visit focused on jobs and infrastructure.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

The Major League Baseball season is underway and minor league teams are preparing for their season. But there will be big changes, including for teams here in California, in large part due to the pandemic.

Guest: Benjamin Hill, Writer who covers the business of minor league baseball

Merced County has been hit especially hard during the pandemic. While efforts continue to try to get vaccine doses to the hardest hit communities, there is still some vaccine hesitancy, and a shortage of doses.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

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L.A. County is the latest to move into the state's less restrictive orange tier for reopening. Meanwhile, concerts, theater performances and other indoor gatherings will be allowed with restrictions beginning April 15.

Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED

Across the country, members of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities continue to speak out against a spike in violence targeting them. 

Guests: Myrla Baldonado, organizer at L.A.'s Filipino Workers Center, Hypein Im, President and CEO of Faith and Community Empowerment

California is home to an estimated 900,000 undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children. Many are now waiting for the Senate to pass legislation that would offer them a path to citizenship.

Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED 

At the start of the pandemic, Congress passed an emergency expansion of food stamps, but it was blocked by the Trump administration. Participants in California sued and now, the Biden administration said it will settle the suit, and send out extra benefits. 

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED 

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