Today, we revisit our conversation with Fresno native Jeff Atamajian. He's a film music composer, arranger, and orchestrator. Atmajian most recently helped orchestrate the music for the hit blockbuster movies "Wicked" and Wicked: For Good."

The Central California Women's Facility is one of the largest prisons housing only women. On today's episode, we revisit our tour of the facility and hear about a unique program: incarcerated people at the prison are running their own newspaper. Two members of the newspaper's team — Amber Bray and Kanoa Harris-Pendang — tell us about how the idea for the newspaper came to be, and how it inspires those who take part in it.

The California High Speed Rail is a controversial project, and the federal government has slashed funding due to its lack of progress. But the CEO of the California High Speed Rail Authority, Ian Choudri, says the rail can be a point of national pride if it's given the chance to get done. Today, we revisit an August 2024 conversation that we had with Choudri about the project.

Japanese-American author Mas Masumoto has written over a dozen books. His latest takes on a different angle – and sound. In this encore episode, we revisit a conversation with Mas about the idea behind “Shadow Music” and other work it inspired.

2025 brought us so much news. In this end-of-year episode of Central Valley Daily, the news team looks back at the news that shaped the year and what to expect for the new year. Plus, the latest news headlines: What some new laws will bring in the new year, and new data shows how immigration has changed in California.

For the past year, 300 families were given $500 a month as part of a guaranteed income program in Fresno – the first in the city’s history. On today’s episode, Fresno State Professor Amber Crowell breaks down how families spent the money and what it shows about the feasibility of such programs to combat rampant poverty.Plus, the latest news headlines: A Madera casino’s future is in question; and health concerns arise in Kern County ICE facilities.

NBC’s popular singing competition show “The Voice” spotlights talented singers from across the nation. And this season, the runner-up is from Fresno. On today’s episode, Ralph Edwards recounts his experience singing on national television and working with Snoop Dogg, and he tells us what’s next for his singing career. Plus, he sings a few bars of a popular Christmas song.

The state of California protects women’s reproductive rights, including the right to an abortion. So what happens when a woman needs one at a Catholic hospital that refuses to conduct abortions? On today’s episode, San Francisco Standard reporter Anya Schultz breaks down complicated maternal care at Catholic hospitals in California. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno leaders celebrate official airport expansion, and what’s up with the Tule fog?

Professional climber Sasha DiGiulian has scaled rock faces all over the world, recently making history in Yosemite National Park. She was the first woman to free climb the Platinum Wall trail up the sheer granite face of El Capitan. On today’s episode, Sasha explains the extreme conditions she faced, and why she calls climbing a ‘global language.’ Plus, the latest news headlines: a project piloting universal basic income shows promise in Fresno, and Republicans seem to be rising in the polls in the race for California governor.

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.