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Japanese-American author and local Valley farmer Mas Masumoto has written over a dozen books. His latest takes on a different angle – and sound. In this episode, we talk with him about the idea behind “Shadow Music” and other work it inspired. Plus, the latest news headlines: Trump officials attack California’s high-speed rail project and new research on bird flu safety among Valley workers.

A California farm tax break approved in the 1960s is still helping produce profits for farmland owners today. But a new investigation by the news website Fresnoland is shining light on the unequal distribution of those profits. Today, we speak with Fresnoland’s Gregory Weaver, who breaks down The Williamson Act.Plus, the latest news headlines: Protest against Republicans are planned over proposed medicaid cuts, and Fresno State basketball players are accused of sports betting.

The San Joaquin River, just along the City of Fresno, offers recreation and a getaway from city life. But it also provides another crucial resource: gravel. The multinational company Cemex is proposing to dig deeper for the resource, but community residents are trying to stop the project. Today, we speak with Sharon Weaver from the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust about the concerns she and others have about the proposal. Plus, the latest news headlines: Yosemite National Park workers protest job cuts, and Kern County voters head to a special election.

Saddles made in Visalia in the 1800s became famous among ranchers worldwide.

A Fresno man wrote the song that was a hit for Buck Owens and the Beatles.

A desolate stretch of land in Kern County served as the backdrop to a memorable scene starring Cary Grant.

The Fresno Scraper is the foundation for today's modern earthmovers, and helped build everything from highways to the Panama Canal.

The 2025 Oscars are now behind us. And many of us witnessed our favorite movies take home awards for costume, design and picture. But another important part of films is the music. On today’s show, we speak with Fresno native Jeff Atamajian about what it means to be a film music orchestrator. Atmajian had a role in orchestrating music for the latest hit movie “Wicked.” Plus, the latest news headlines: California’s latest snowpack results and changes coming to the Big Fresno Fair.

Spring is weeks away, and it’s time for crops like almond farms to bloom. A key part of that process is bees, but they’re dying in large numbers. Today, we speak with San Francisco Chronicle reporter Maliya Ellis about this concerning phenomenon to hear what’s behind it and what it could mean for the Central Valley. Plus, the latest news headlines: DOGE cuts are hitting the Valley, and the Sierra Nevada snowpack is so far lower than last year.

The weather terms “El Niño” and “La Niña” have long been indicators of how wet a year is likely to be. El Niño years are typically predicted to be super wet years, while La Niña years are considered dry. But new research suggests those forecasts aren’t always accurate. We speak with UC San Diego oceanographer Rosa Luna-Niño about why – and what she suggests we look at instead. Plus, the latest news headlines, including: Mass worker protests in Kern County and why two eagles in the San Bernardino Mountains are now internet celebrities.