
Samantha Rangel
ReporterSamantha Rangel reports on stories for KVPR in the Fresno and Clovis areas. After growing up in the town of Firebaugh, Samantha is now enrolled at California State University, Fresno. There, she is studying to earn her B.A. in Media, Communications, and Journalism. Before joining the KVPR news team, she was a reporter for The Westside Express, where she covered education and other local news in Firebaugh.
Outside of reporting, Samantha enjoys making music with her younger brothers, throwing a softball around with her dad, and going on walks with her mom. She can also be found driving around with her friends, Dutch Bros drink in hand, with her music on.
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Downtown Hanford’s Civic Auditorium has stood firm for a century. The city hosted a centennial celebration to honor its memories.
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The city of Clovis has found itself at the epicenter of a national debate about the role of transgender athletes in sports. That’s because a trans female athlete competed alongside cisgender girls from across the state at the state track and field championships that took place at Buchanan High School. The competition was the subject of intense debate before, during, and even after it took place, and now the Department of Justice has escalated the situation for public schools. KVPR reporter Samantha Rangel breaks down the latest updates.
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Officials in California are assuring schools that state law protects students’ rights to participate in sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
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Fresno native Ananya Vinay was 12 years old when she won the ultra-competitive Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2017. Now that this year’s champion has been crowned, KVPR’s Samantha Rangel talks with Vinay to hear how her own win all those years ago changed her life. Plus, the latest news headlines: Federal judge sentences man in Bitwise Industries fraud scheme; and Central Unified names a new superintendent.
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Fresno’s recently appointed superintendent Misty Her admits that AI was used to fabricate quotes from Fresno Teachers Association against her.
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A nationwide election will take place in Mexico this weekend to decide hundreds of judicial positions – re-shaping the country’s justice system. Mexicans abroad are watching closely with their doubts.
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The Scripps National Spelling Bee kicks off on Tuesday in Maryland, and a Fresno County speller is among those competing. This is the Super Bowl of spellers across the country. But how do students prepare for it? KVPR’s Samantha Rangel takes us behind the scenes.
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“They’re building this framework of learning that is going to serve them well no matter what career they end up in.”
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Robert Sundre is credited with stopping a 19-year-old stabbing suspect who entered his classroom at Monache High School.
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Educator and poet Lee Herrick was reappointed this spring as California Poet Laureate for the next two years. Herrick traveled across the state during his first term to share his work. In this episode, he speaks with KVPR’s Samantha Rangel about what inspires his craft. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County releases info on ICE jail transfers, and a Valley man recalls a Mexican ship that crashed into the Brooklyn Bridge.