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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Actor Travis Andre Ross grew up in Santa Nella, California. His rough upbringing inspired his gritty film “Central Valley.” On today’s episode, Ross explains what inspired him to write, produce, and star in the film that is now available on Amazon Prime. Plus, the latest news headlines: Merced’s high-speed rail dreams take a hit, and a Kern County school board member faces criticism related to son’s abuse charges. -
More than 500 employees are taking advantage of an early retirement incentive offered by Fresno Unified School District. On today’s episode, Superintendent Misty Her explains why the district made the offer and how the multi-million- dollar savings will benefit the district. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County community groups introduce their own tax initiative to replace Measure C, and a federal court upholds California’s new congressional maps.
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The Hanukkah massacre last month at Australia’s Bondi Beach may have taken place across the world, but it had a profound effect on a Bakersfield family. One of the 15 people killed was Rabbi Eli Schlanger, whose brother Shmuli Schlanger is also a rabbi - at the Chabad of Bakersfield synagogue. You may recognize his name from an episode just days before the attack. In today’s episode, we attended a memorial service Shmuli held for his brother, and spoke with Shmuli’s wife, Esther Schlanger, about the aftermath of Eli’s death. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno takes steps to become a professional soccer city, and the Kern County Sheriff weighs in on new accusations in the child abuse case against former County Supervisor Zack Scrivner.
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A law in Fresno says government contracts only need city council approval if they exceed $100,000. A new investigation by our news partner, Fresnoland, shows that contractors have received multiple contracts exceeding that amount. Is this a legal loophole? Fresnoland’s investigative reporter Omar Rashad breaks down his findings. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County reports its first flu-related death of the year, and virtual reality delivers rehabilitation to those incarcerated in a Valley prison.
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Sex abuse allegations at school districts in California have been rising as a result of a recent change in state law. But how school districts handle those allegations, including many in the San Joaquin Valley, shows a pattern of secrecy – including settlements that are protected from the public. Reporter Matt Hamilton discusses his latest investigation for the Los Angeles Times.
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The red-and-blue logo featuring a growling, ferocious Fresno State Bulldog is easily identifiable, but the artist who created it is less well known. 94-year-old Joseph G. Garcia, who created the 1981 logo as well as numerous others, discusses his work in advance of a gallery show in downtown Fresno this weekend. Plus, the latest news headlines: what Gov. Newsom said at his last State of the State speech, and the latest plans to rebuild the Porterville library.
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New year, new laws. 900 new pieces of legislation are rolling out in California for 2026. In this episode, San Francisco Chronicle reporter Sophia Bollag brings us a rundown of a handful of laws related to artificial intelligence, drug costs, and sexual assault lawsuits – as well as a reboot of the plastic bag ban. Plus, the latest news headlines: Valley health officials stick to previous childhood vaccine rules amid federal changes, and Fresno homicide rate drops to a historic low.
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This week, Governor Gavin Newsom will deliver his State of the State address, as well as his proposed budget. In the face of a continued multi-billion-dollar state deficit, CalMatters politics reporter Yue Stella Yue explains how the state budget could impact Californians. Plus, the latest news headlines: Federal regulators issue fines after a deadly 2024 farmworker crash; and Fresno Unified retirees face insurance disruptions.
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As homeowners continue to pick up the pieces from the Southern California fires that started a year ago, a new investigation shows insurance companies could be undercutting claims. Susie Nielson with the San Francisco Chronicle explains how some hidden rules are designed to benefit insurers at homeowners’ expense. Plus, the latest news headlines: Thousands of California residents need to update their REAL IDs; and Congress marks five years since the Jan. 6th attacks.
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In 2005, a national report revealed that Fresno contained some of the highest rates of concentrated poverty in the country. Now, 20 years later, we wondered: have those economic conditions changed? In today’s episode, we speak with KVPR reporter Israel Cardona Hernandez about how Fresno’s economy has evolved in the last 20 years, how the situation feels for Fresno residents, and how local organizations are trying to turn the tide.
