Water is scarce on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, but installing solar arrays could be a reliable new source of income for farmers. On today’s episode, Dan Charles discusses his report for NPR on the country’s largest solar project underway here in the San Joaquin Valley. Plus, the latest news headlines: A Bakersfield girl was invited to the State of the Union speech, and how Fresno leaders plan to pay out arts grants amidst an embezzlement scandal.

A college degree comes with a sense of accomplishment, but it comes at a financial cost. At California State University campuses, students pay fees in addition to tuition. On today’s episode, Amy DiPierro with our news partner EdSource explains why Fresno State enforced one of its sharpest fee hikes in the last decade. Plus, the latest news headlines: former Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner’s family speaks out publicly, and Fresno sees a rise in affordable housing rentals.

Proposition 50 is now in effect in California. The law redrew congressional district boundaries, and one of the communities soon to have new congressional representation in Washington is Coalinga, which is now in the same district as parts of Silicon Valley. KVPR Samantha Rangel reports on what this could mean for the small agricultural town. Plus, the latest news headlines: Cartel violence in Mexico disrupts flights from Fresno, and Los Banos gets a new clinic.

Visitors won’t need reservations for Yosemite National Park this summer. Instead, the park will take a “targeted approach” to regulate traffic and crowd control. Park advocates warn this could have damaging effects. On today’s episode, conservation leader and author Beth Pratt explains her concerns.

A bipartisan group of state lawmakers has introduced 10 new laws designed to strengthen consequences for California’s most dangerous drivers. The laws are inspired in part by reporting from our news partner CalMatters. On today’s episode, investigative reporter Robert Lewis explains how his series, “License to Kill,” is inspiring change at the Capitol. Plus, the latest news headlines: Yosemite does away with daily reservations; and Tehachapi celebrates a new medical residency program to bring in more doctors.

In 2022, KVPR brought you a series of investigative stories highlighting a health crisis in Kern County - specifically, that mothers and babies were dying there at a higher rate than in the rest of the state. Now, almost four years later, has pregnancy-related health improved? KVPR’s Kerry Klein discusses new data and developments from the region. Plus, the latest news headlines: California’s attorney general challenges a diversion given to a former Kern County supervisor, and why the High Speed Rail Authority CEO is on leave.

Several Democratic candidates are vying to replace Republican Rep. David Valadao in the newly redrawn congressional district 22. On today’s episode, Maya C. Miller with our news partner CalMatters breaks down the strategy of two first-time congressional candidates hoping to turn the district blue. Plus, the latest news headlines: a second group attempts to reboot a transportation tax in Fresno County, and a Catholic Bishop holds mass at Kern County ICE facility.

In light of violent immigration enforcement in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis, immigrants around the country are wondering: could this happen in my community? KVPR Associate Editor Kerry Klein reports on fear and misinformation among immigrant communities in the San Joaquin Valley.

In 1948, a plane carrying mostly Mexican farm laborers crashed near Coalinga, killing all on board. When first reported, a local paper only referred to the laborers as “deportees.” Decades later, Tim Z. Hernandez set out to find their names and connect with their families. Today, we revisit our conversation with Hernandez, who discusses his book that remembers the crash victims.

School enrollment has been declining in California, yet more students are qualifying for special education. On today’s episode, Emma Gallegos with our news partner Ed Source explains how this phenomenon is playing out in one Kern County school district and how the state may help. Plus, the latest news headlines: Clovis police threaten charges for adults in student protests, and a Fresno church holds a “holy hour.”