Is the industrialization of pollination at the root of massive honeybee die-offs?

Honey bees have been pollinating plants all over planet Earth for millennia. But now, rather abruptly, there are far fewer of them around to do the job. A new documentary examines the history of bees—and worries about their future.

Queen of the Sun: What Are The Bees Telling Us? opens the new season of Natural Heroes tonight at 7:30 on KRCB Television. You can also see the trailer and hear more from the director on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Sonoma County voters will be asked to renew protections for eight community separators next November.

A collection of Community Separators, approved by voters 20 years ago, will be back on the ballot for renewal next fall, possibly with some additional areas to be protected.

See maps of the existing community separators, and the area’s that could be added to them, on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

As even heavier rains head toward the North Bay, local government and citizens brace for a drenching.

The storm that blew through the North Bay – toppling trees and downing powerlines – is just a preview, forecasters say, of the heavy storms we can expect this winter due to El Nino.

Find out more on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

A newly opened store on the Sonoma State campus offers only items that have been made by the university’s students.

Creative and entrepreneurial students at Sonoma State now have a new outlet for the goods they make, a student-run store that is now open on their campus.

Find out more on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

Changes in the global marketplace are prompting a reassessment of single stream recycling.

Such expanded recycling programs, such as here in Sonoma County, have succeeded in cutting the waste stream going into the dump. But the economics behind them are not working out as expected. And that is leading to some reconsideration.

For more on this subject, check out the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

A revised Living Wage Ordinance for some Sonoma County workers will set a new floor at $15 per hour.

After five months of further study, and a bit of tinkering, Sonoma County Supervisors have lined up behind a new Living Wage Ordinance for the firms and non-profits that contract with the county.

Hear more about the new Living Wage measure on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

The diversity of flora and fauna on California’s North Coast fills the pages of Jeanne Jackson’s book.

“Mendonoma Sightings” is filled with facts and photographs of coastal birds, animals, flowers and mushrooms.

Hear more on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

We remember Native American poet and activist John Trudell, who died earlier this week.

Trudell was a poet, a soldier, a musician, and an outspoken activist for Native American issues. He spoke with KRCB during a North Bay visit several years ago.

You can hear some of John Trudell's music on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

International economic trends are filtering down to affect recycling in Sonoma County.

In fact, the economics of recycling are driven by oil prices, environmental regulations, and consumer demand. The aggregate results are being felt by local garbage haulers and their customers.

Hear more about those global forces behind all these considerations on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.

California winemakers need to understand their consumers better, if they hope to prosper through generational shifts.

The 4th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Expo drew a record crowd to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds yesterday. Beyond the 600+ vendors filling the two largest buildings, the event featured a series of panels, beginning with an assessment of the State of the North Coast Wine Industry.

Hear more on this topic on the North Bay Report webpage at krcb.org/news. You can also find this and past stories on our new North Bay Report Facebook page. You can comment, share and like us there. Follow the North Bay Report on Twitter @KRCBNews.