Merced County is paying more attention to mail-in ballots as Election Day approaches. A new rule at the United States Postal Service is changing up the process for voters and has resulted in hundreds of rejected ballots in the last special election. We speak with KVPR reporter Rachel Livinal about how voters can ensure their ballots count. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno County supervisors approve Pride Month participation; the Diocese of Fresno will ordain a co-founder of a multi-billion-dollar company.

With the ongoing war in Iran and the blockade of a key oil shipping route, gas prices in California continue to remain high. Today, we speak with CalMatters reporter Alejandro Lazo to discuss what’s really driving these gas prices and whether we can expect them to continue going up. Plus, the latest news headlines: Mountain West and Pac-12 reach an agreement over poaching fees, and a mushroom poisoning outbreak is alarming California officials.

The rollout of a new artificial intelligence tool within newsrooms at McClatchy Media has alarmed journalists and sparked protests. On today’s episode, we speak with media reporter Katie Robertson from The New York Times. She breaks down what the tool does, and we get a reaction from the union at the Fresno Bee, one of McClatchy’s newsrooms.

This week, 21-year-old Shavana Trejo from the rural Fresno County town of Huron is representing California in a national boxing championship, after winning a state title last month. Reporter Alice Daniel brings us the inspiring story of how she got there. Plus, the latest news headlines: Gov. Gavin Newsom releases a new proposed budget; and Fresno Unified trustees formally oppose a major housing plan.

Federal data shows DUI-related traffic deaths happen in Central California at a higher rate than any other part of the state. New research at Fresno State could shed light on how those deaths can be prevented. We speak to Alyssa Kennett, director of the Central California Public Health Consortium about the group’s work. Plus, the latest news headlines: The Trump administration withholds Medicaid money for California; and human rights concerns arise over the World Cup in LA.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As wildfires become more destructive in California, the need for forensic investigations is increasing. KVPR’s Rachel Livinal visited a recent training in Fresno that taught first responders how to identify human remains ravaged by fire. Plus, the latest news headlines: The owner of a Reedley biolab is found guilty by a federal jury; and what legislators are saying about potential fuel shortages.