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The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra recently announced it has extended its contract with conductor Stilian Kirov. The conductor and musical director will now usher the orchestra through to its historic 100th anniversary in 2032. On today’s episode, Kirov explains the art of conducting as well as which music resonates with Bakersfield. Plus, the latest news headlines: Regulations to control pollution in a Kings County town arrive seven years late, and Fresno County voters may see competing ballot measures in November.

Golden mussels were first discovered in California in 2024. They’re not a dish in seafood restaurants – they’re an invasive species that can harm waterways and native fish. And now they’ve appeared in the San Joaquin Valley, sparking concerns for water districts who are burdened with eradicating the tiny pests. On today’s episode, Lois Henry, with our news partner SJV Water, explains where the golden mussels situation stands for Valley water districts. Plus, the latest news headlines: Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer speaks out against ICE tactics, and state lawmakers eye bachelor’s degrees at community colleges.

Kettleman City is a small Kings County town with a big problem: pollution. That’s due in part to a nearby hazardous waste dump. Lawmakers took steps to protect residents from the harms of cumulative pollution in such towns, but critics say regulations have been delayed and may not be enough to fight the problem. On today’s episode, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde with our news partner CalMatters explains why.

Keely “Big Country” Cashman, a skier with Team USA, is set to compete in the upcoming 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. On today’s episode, she discusses how her upbringing in the small Sierra town of Strawberry shaped her athleticism, and what her hopes are for Italy. Plus, the latest news headlines: A biological lab in Las Vegas may have links to the Valley, and a Fresno study puts a spotlight on Southeast Asian-run businesses.

Several Central Valley Carnegie library buildings still remain, in cities like Clovis, Hanford, Exeter and Orosi.

Fresno is home to many Southeast Asian communities, including the second-largest Hmong population in the U.S. On today’s episode, we discuss a pilot research study aimed at better understanding the needs of Fresno’s Southeast Asian business owners. Plus, the latest news headlines: Three dead after another house fire in Porterville, and confusion abounds after a ceremony to swear in new U.S. citizens was cancelled last month in Fresno.

Women incarcerated at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla have filed a lawsuit against the prison. They allege they were rounded up and targeted with pepper spray in retaliation for making sexual misconduct complaints against guards. On today’s episode, Hannah Krenn recounts the leaked video of the alleged incident in her report for the San Francisco Chronicle. Plus, the latest news headlines: Kern County sues an oil operator, and Amtrak offers discounted rides to Allensworth for Black History Month.

Congressman David Valadao is up for re-election in November, and several Democrats are hoping to unseat him. On today’s show, Maya C. Miller with our news partner CalMatters breaks down how Valadao’s vote to cut Medicaid could impact his political future. Plus, the latest news headlines: An illegal biolab busted in Las Vegas echoes one found in Reedley; state officials celebrate a high-speed rail construction milestone in Kern County.

The federal government is cracking down on commercial driver's licenses after recent fatal crashes involved truck drivers without legal status. On today's episode, journalist Gagandeep Singh explains how this impacts Central California's Sikh community, many of whom are truck drivers.

On this week’s Valley Edition: We speak with some of the researchers working to keep ag alive in a future of changing climate. Listen to this conversation and more on the podcast.