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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The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently issued a special statement about their concern for immigrants in the U.S. The bishops called out the climate of fear and anxiety for many immigrants, noting they’re saddened by the vilification of immigrants. Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno breaks down the statement and why he voted for it. Plus, the latest news headlines: a former Valley Congressman gets prison time for fraud, and Fresno residents protest a plan to add thousands of acres to the city’s southeast. -
For years, the City of Fresno has been renovating and expanding Fresno Yosemite International Airport. In the coming weeks, many of those projects will be fully in use – including a brand new terminal and new restaurants. But these projects met some turbulence earlier this year when the federal government threatened to pull funding. KVPR reporter Samantha Rangel talks to us about what happened and what’s next. Plus, the latest news headlines: What to know about California’s new minimum wage; and will Porterville soon have a new library?
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There’s a relatively unremarkable piece of land in Merced County that appears to simply be grasslands. But this area offers a glimpse into the San Joaquin Valley’s native landscape. On today’s episode, Sarah Puckett with American Rivers explains why so many environmental partners are working to restore floodplains in Great Valley Grasslands State Park.
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Hanukkah, the 8-day festival of lights, starts on Sunday. Rabbi Shmuli Schlanger with the Chabad of Bakersfield explains the meaning of the holiday and highlights events in Bakersfield and Tehachapi. Plus, the latest news headlines: how Valley Catholics are celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Reedley College wins a prestigious national award.
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Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a good book. Or if you’re Rebecca Jo Jackson, to write one. On today’s episode, the Visalia-based author discusses the latest book in her Sweet River romance series, “Olivia’s Only Pretending.” Plus, the latest news headlines: Hundreds of millions of dollars to address California homelessness could be in jeopardy, and some childcare providers are asking the state for support.
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For decades, so-called “forever chemicals” have been increasingly used on crops and consumer products in the U.S. Environmental advocates are raising alarm over the lack of regulation and research into how these chemicals affect the human body. Today we speak with a policy analyst with the Environmental Working Group who breaks down how these chemicals show up in places like our crops. Plus, the latest news headlines: A mother speaks out after her family is killed in a Porterville house fire; and why a Kingsburg pesticide company is facing state penalties.
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Space is becoming increasingly commercialized. This has given rise to so-called “memorial spaceflights.” That’s when people can choose to send their loved one’s ashes into orbit. In this encore episode of Central Valley Daily, we revisit a story by KVPR’s Kerry Klein about a Central Valley native’s decision to honor her travel-loving sister with one final exploration in space. Plus, the latest news headlines: Four children die in a Porterville house fire; and Merced looks to increase its number of fire stations.
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A number of nursing homes in California are facing lawsuits for purported negligence and abuse. Some have already had to pay millions to residents or family members. On today’s episode, Jocelyn Wiener with our news partner CalMatters introduces us to one owner at the center of CalMatters reporting.
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The Valley has been blanketed in thick Tule fog in recent weeks, which may remind some Valley residents of years past. So why is it unusual to see these conditions now, and why are they so different than in the past? San Francisco Chronicle Meteorologist Anthony Edwards breaks down what’s changed. Plus, the latest news headlines: Valley Congressmen re-introduce legislation to prevent illegal biomedical laboratories; and the CEO of a Fresno health care company faces fraud allegations.
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Kratom is among the many substances on the market that claim to improve health and wellness. But many in the medical community worry about widespread abuse, and leaders in Fresno are seeking to ban it. Pablo Orihuela, with our news partner Fresnoland, breaks down why. Plus, the latest news headlines: California’s economy is likely to keep worsening before it gets better, and hundreds of acres of land near Yosemite National Park have been returned to the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation.
