Small farm towns that typically balloon in size during peak harvest seasons in the San Joaquin Valley are seeing less activity as the Trump Administration cracks down on immigration. CalMatters reporter Nigel Duara set out to examine what these impacts look like, even as enforcement has largely been confined to major cities for now. Plus, the latest news headlines: Thousands of trucking schools at risk of closing; and how the Asian American Pacific Islander community views the state’s direction.

The AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s brought tragedy for more than 100,000 Americans. Four decades later, Kern County is honoring victims through art. On today’s episode, Audrey Chavez with the Bakersfield AIDS Project discusses the community’s display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Plus, the latest news headlines: our neighbors in Stockton reel after a deadly mass shooting this past weekend; judges dismiss a lawsuit filed by a local agribusiness; and a Christmas heist in the Kern County foothills gets a fairy tale ending.

Every year, NPR collaborates with its team and puts together ‘Books We Love.’ It’s a curated list of hundreds of books that staff members and trusted critics say are worth a read. NPR’s Andrew Limbong joins us to discuss the thorough list and some of his favorite books from this year.

The police chief and assistant police chief in the City of Porterville are both out on “authorized leave,” as an interim police chief is leading the department. At the same time, the department is facing multiple civil rights lawsuits. KVPR Associate Editor Kerry Klein breaks down what we know about the department’s current affairs. Plus, the latest news headlines: Health budget cuts in Kern County are being felt; and the potential impacts of a federal lawsuit over college tuition for immigrant students.

Thousands of children work in California’s agricultural fields – and while child labor is legal in the ag industry, lax enforcement means kids are suffering. On today’s episode, journalist Robert J. Lopez tells the stories of dozens of child laborers whom he spoke with for his report for Capital and Main entitled “California’s Child Farmworkers: Exhausted, Underpaid and Toiling in Toxic Fields.” Plus, the latest news headlines: A federal funding fight might be back on for Fresno; and Valley food pantries are struggling to meet the need.

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? For the first time in more than 100 years, there’s a new book dedicated just to Yosemite’s wildlife. On today's episode, we speak with the author of that new book, Beth Pratt.

Hard Rock Casino Tejon opened this month to much enthusiasm – especially from the Tejon Indian Tribe. Tribal leaders say the new event space will bring jobs and revenue to the region. On today’s episode, we speak with tribal chairman Octavio Escobedo III about how the casino’s presence could benefit the tribe. Plus, the latest news headlines: The CSU and UC systems approve new tuition rates and compensation packages; and the state DOJ declines to press charges over Fresno police shooting.

What’s the future of transportation in Fresno County? A new proposal seeks to build a regional rail to connect communities in the west with those in the east. Today we speak with Paul Herman, deputy director of the Fresno Council of Governments, about the plan and what it means about the future of transportation in the county and the wider region. Plus, the latest news headlines: California could be headed for a tough financial year; and the new Democratic candidate entering the race for governor.

Earlier this month, The Fresno Bee’s parent company McClatchy laid off three long-time editors at the local newspaper. As a result, the local opinion pages will now be managed from hundreds of miles away by editors at The Sacramento Bee. To understand what this means for local media, we speak with Jim Boren, a former executive editor of the newspaper. Plus, the latest news headlines: Advocates speak out about pesticide regulation in the Valley; and a new wolf pack is found in California.

The nation’s trucking industry is one of the latest targets of President Trump’s immigration crackdown agenda. Recent deadly trucking accidents provided the administration with examples of why it needs to take some immigrant drivers off the road. So how is the industry reacting? We speak with industry veteran Craig Fuller, from the industry website “FreightWaves.” Plus, the latest news headlines: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders endorses Visalia school trustee Randy Villegas for Congress; and Valley community college faculty revolt against their chancellor.