Elizabeth Arakelian
Director of RadioA Valley native, Elizabeth earned her bachelor's degree in English Language Literatures from the University of California, Santa Cruz and her master's degree in journalism from New York University. She has covered a range of beats. Her agriculture reporting for the Turlock Journal earned her a first place award from the California Newspaper Publishers Association.
While in graduate school she covered the New Hampshire Primary for NBC Owned Television Stations and subsequently worked as a television ratings analyst for the company's business news network, CNBC. Upon returning to California, her role as a higher education public relations professional reconnected her to the Valley's media scene. She is happy to be back to her journalism roots at KVPR.
Elizabeth has hosted KVPR's local broadcasts of Morning Edition and All Things Considered. She is currently KVPR's Director of Radio, and the host of KVPR's Central Valley Daily podcast.
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In the 1990s, a high school music teacher in Fresno couldn’t find sheet music to help teach Latin jazz to his students. So he decided to build a publishing company from scratch. In this encore episode, we talk with KVPR reporter Kerry Klein about how Steve Alcala is helping students play Latin jazz all around the globe.
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As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, we revisit a conversation on one of the nation’s most emblematic issues: immigration. Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno joins us in this encore episode. Plus the latest news headlines: What did California include in America’s 250th time capsule? And new figures show sluggish voter turnout in the primaries.
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San Francisco Chronicle reporters Susie Neilson and Megan Fan Munce join us in this encore episode of Central Valley Daily to discuss their investigation into a system known as “360 Value.” Their Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting uncovered how major insurance companies rely on the program’s faulty algorithm to insure homes. Plus the latest news headlines: Investigators serve search warrants in Avenal amid city scandal; and a plan to share driver data with the federal government is moving forward.
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The historic Crystal Palace in Bakersfield may be gone, but not forgotten. We revisit our conversation with KGET reporter Robert Price about the venue’s closure and Buck Owens’ enduring country music legacy. Plus the latest headlines: Orange Cove rejects a controversial climate project; and UC Merced announces layoffs.
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It’s easy for visitors to Yosemite National Park to marvel at the park’s ancient trees and landscape. But what about the many creatures that call the park home? Before you get out there this summer, there’s a book you’ll want to pick up first. On today's episode, we speak with Beth Pratt, the author of that new and unique book. Plus the latest headlines: A mountain lion is caught in a Valley city; and a proposed billionaire tax heads to the ballot.
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After over 400 episodes, some changes are coming to Central Valley Daily. Today, the podcast's founding host, Elizabeth Arakelian, speaks with our new host, Soreath Hok. We'll learn more about Soreath's background and what she's looking forward to in this new role.
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Expecting Black mothers are more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white mothers. It’s a national statistic that holds true in Kern County. On today’s episode, Cecil Egbele with the Bakersfield Observer explains the statistics and why doulas can help Black mothers-to-be in Kern County. Plus, the latest news headlines: Election officials urge early voting; and California is monitoring four people exposed to a hantavirus outbreak.
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A recent ruling brought a long legal fight to an end in the city of Fresno. But what will it mean for how the city conducts public business in the future? We speak to Fresnoland reporter Omar Rashad about the ruling on a transparency issue and the city’s reaction. Plus, the latest news headlines: Advocates in Fresno rally in support of LGBTQ outreach; and Gov. Gavin Newsom won’t say who he supports to succeed him.
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Brent Stratton was sworn in as Bakersfield’s new police chief on May 1. His promotion comes after more than two decades with the department. On today’s episode, Stratton tells us how he plans to lead the department at a time when tensions are high, and sympathy for many law enforcement agencies is low.
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Since day one in office, the Delta Conveyance Project has been a key pillar of Governor Gavin Newsom’s agenda. With him now leaving office, the project’s future still remains uncertain. Today, we speak with CalMatters water reporter Rachel Becker. She discusses the project's status and breaks down exactly what it would do. Plus, the latest news headlines: House District 22 candidates call for reducing extremism; and new analysis shows state impacts of remote work.