Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

Sacramento City Unified School Superintendent Jorge Aguilar talks about the new COVID vaccine mandate for students and staff. How the needs and challenges for those experiencing homelessness are evolving—and what deep issues still remain. A look at wildfire's impact on animal habitat when the footprint is as large as the Dixie Fire. CapRadio Jazz Host Andrew Mills speaks with singer Samara Joy, who is performing at the Pacific Jazz Festival in Stockton. Today's Guests Sacramento City Unified School Superintendent Jorge Aguilar talks about the new COVID vaccine mandate for students and staff and answers parent questions. Sister Libby Fernandez, longtime homelessness advocate and director of Mercy Pedalers, discusses how the needs and challenges for those experiencing homelessness are evolving — and what deep issues still remain.  Dr. Rachel Blakey, Postdoctoral Fellow at UCLA and Research Associate at The Institute for Bird Populations, on wildfire's impact on animal habitat when the footprint is as large as the Dixie Fire. CapRadio Jazz Host Andrew Mills speaks with 21-year-old singer Samara Joy who is performing this weekend at the Pacific Jazz Festival in Stockton.

It’s the Sacramento Kings opening night and they’re celebrating five years at Golden 1 Center. We check in on the status of California’s redistricting process. How Wall Street hedge funds cashed out billions in PG&E stock, as wildfire survivors wait. A look at the 2021 inductees of the California Hall of Fame. Today's Guests John Rinehart, Sacramento Kings President of Business Operations, on opening night and celebrating five years at Golden 1 Center. CapRadio Politics Reporter, Nicole Nixon, gives us the status of the state’s redistricting process. Every decade, following the Census, maps are redrawn for federal, state and local elected officials by the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.   Lily Jamali, co-host of KQED's "The California Report," brings us her latest reporting, taking a look at how Wall Street hedge funds cashed out billions in PG&E stock as wildfire survivors suffer and wait. California Museum Executive Director Amanda Meeker gives us the 2021 inductees of the California Hall of Fame.  

CapRadio investigates a no-bid contract in the state’s COVID-19 response connected to former President Trump’s border wall construction. After being stranded in Afghanistan, a Sac City Unified Afghan family begins their return home following the U.S. withdrawal. The pandemic’s impact on child care providers. Critical shortage of blood supply plummeting to levels not seen since pandemic’s start. Today's Guests CapRadio State Government Reporter Scott Rodd shares his investigation into a no-bid contract in the state’s COVID-19 response that is connected to former President Trump’s border wall construction in California and Texas.  Read Scott’s previous investigations on no-bid contracts Big Newsom Donors — Including Blue Shield — Received No-Bid Contracts During COVID-19 Response As Newsom Pushes To Extend Emergency Spending Authority During Pandemic, Lobbyist Influence Remains Opaque Another $282M In No-Bid Pandemic Contracts To Major Newsom Contributor UnitedHealth Ethel I Baker Principal Nate McGill updates the return of a Sacramento City Unified family stranded in Afghanistan since the U.S. withdrawal.  A photo of a SCUSD family that will return home after being stuck in Afghanistan following the U.S.'s withdraw.Courtesy of Ethel I Baker Principal Nate McGill Heidi Keiser, Public Policy Officer for the non-profit Child Action, Inc., on the pandemic's impact on child care providers in Sacramento County.  Dr. Chris Gresens, Medical Director Mountain and West Divisions with the blood services provider Vitalant, on the critical shortage of blood supply, plummeting to levels not seen since pandemic’s start.

As the FDA reviews the safety of mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines, we’ll get the latest developments on the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson boosters. Amid the push to have all teachers, staff and students vaccinated or regularly tested, we look at how the mandates could exacerbate ongoing staffing shortages. Despite many body-positivity campaigns across social media, teen girls still face body image issues; we learn what the research says about social media and body image. Finally, we speak with the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera's outgoing and incoming executive directors about the challenges and successes over the past six years. Today's Guests Dr. Donald J. Alcendor, Associate Professor at Meharry Medical College and former voting member on the FDA Antimicrobial Drug Advisory Committee, explains the latest developments regarding Moderna and J&J booster shots. Diana Lambert, a senior education reporter with EdSource, shares her reporting about whether new Covid testing and vaccine mandates will worsen school staffing shortages throughout California. Jessica Grose, parenting columnist at the New York Times, on what research says about teen girls, body image and Instagram.  Executive Director Designate for The Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, Giuliano Kornberg, and Executive Director, Alice Sauro, discuss the transition for the organization

Lake Tahoe’s water level amid drought and how it is impacting the Truckee River. Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation discusses their ongoing campaign to end racism in sports names and mascots. Rep. Adam Schiff (D) joins us to talk about his new book ‘Midnight in Washington.’ Lassen Volcanic National Park reopens for the first time since the Dixie Fire burned more than half of the area. Today's Guests UC Davis Civil and Environmental Engineering professor Geoffrey Schladow explains Lake Tahoe’s water level amid drought and how it is impacting the Truckee River. Yocha Dehe Wintun Tribal Secretary, James Kinter, talks about their ongoing campaign to end racism in sports names and mascots, which is the subject of an upcoming documentary.  Congressman and Chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff (D), joins us to talk about his new book Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could ahead of his speaking engagement in Sacramento on Friday.  Lassen Volcanic National Park Program Manager, Kevin Sweeney, on the park reopening for the first time since the Dixie Fire burned more than half of the area. 

The bills that the governor vetoed become new state laws. Also, learning about the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe. One tribal member joins us with their journey to preserve the native language. Finally, CapRadio’s Donna Apidone shares her interview with the author of “All We Can Save,” a women-penned anthology of the climate movement. Today's Guests CalMatters Reporter Laurel Rosenhall explains the bills that Gov. Newsom blocked from becoming new state laws.  Shelly Covert, Spokesperson for the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe and Executive Director of the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP), discusses why the tribe is still fighting to restore federal recognition.  Nisenan-descendant Alan Wallace on working to preserve the language, which has been disappearing, with only one living documented Nisenan speaker.  CapRadio’s Donna Apidone discusses “All We Can Save,” an anthology about the environment and brings us parts of her conversation with Abigail Dillen, the president of Earthjustice, a law organization specializing in large environment cases. Dillen is one of the 60 women who wrote essays and poetry for the book.

Gov. Newsom signed a series of police reform bills into state law. Also, a CapRadio/Valley Vision food resilience survey looks at the challenges to accessing community gardens and food banks. Finally, the aftermath of the oil spill off the Southern California coast. Today's Guests Co-founders of the Law Enforcement Accountability Directive (LEAD) Richard Owen and Mark T. Harris discuss the new police reform laws recently signed by the governor and what work they think still needs to be done California Peace Officers Association Deputy Director Shaun Rundle explains what positions the association took on the police reform laws and how they could affect training going forward CapRadio Race and Equity Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan shares her reporting on the Hmong community, following the new Valley Vision/CapRadio survey on food access that shows that Latino and AAPI residents want to access farm-grown and specialty cultural foods, but that it isn't always easy.  CapRadio Reporter Janelle Salanga shares their reporting on solutions, following the new Valley Vision/CapRadio survey that shows access to food aid and food banks isn't as easy as walking down that street. Some communities must travel long distances. And, during the pandemic, the food need has increased. Ronald Tjeerdema, an environmental toxicology professor at UC Davis, joins us to discuss the work being done in Southern California to contain and clean up the oil spill off the coast. He will also help us understand the grave concern for the sensitive wildlife in the area and how they are being cared for and treated.

The challenges and successes of obtaining locally grown food. The latest CDC recommendations for pregnant women and the vaccine. The new ‘Faith J McKinnie Gallery’ featuring artist Brandon Gastinell. Today's Guests B&L Owner Patrick Mulvaney and Nugget Market’s Vice President of Grocery Operations and Purchasing Saj Khan explain the challenges and successes of obtaining locally grown food in response to a regional survey conducted by CapRadio and the non-profit Valley Vision asking residents if their needs are being met and how the pandemic affected access to food.  GoodDay Sacramento / CBS13 anchor and journalist Dina Kupfer joins us to discuss her fertility journey and decision to get the COVID-19 vaccination after becoming pregnant. Dina will be joined by her doctor, Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh, who will also discuss the latest CDC recommendations for pregnant women and the vaccine. Black Artist Foundry founder, curator and gallerist Faith J McKinnie, along with artist Brandon Gastinell, discuss a new contemporary gallery in midtown Sacramento celebrating underrepresented and marginalized queer artists and artists of color. 

California is the first state in the country to require eligible students to get the COVID-19 vaccine pending full FDA approval. A Valley Vision-CapRadio regional survey focuses on food access and sustainability. Manetti Shrem Museum of Art discusses the new Wayne Thiebaud exhibit by highlighting contemporary artists inspired by Thiebaud — including former students. Today's Guests CapRadio Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon and State Senator and pediatrician Dr. Richard Pan discuss California becoming the first state in the country to require eligible students to get the COVID-19 vaccine pending full FDA approval. Evan Schmidt, CEO of Valley Vision, and Shawn Harrison with Soil Born Farms discuss the latest regional survey partnership with CapRadio focusing on food access and sustainability.  Susie Kantor, exhibit curator at Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, and former student Vonn Cummings Sumner discuss the new Wayne Thiebaud exhibit celebrating the legacy of the 100-year-old UC Davis professor emeritus by highlighting contemporary artists inspired by Thiebaud — including a selection of his former students. 

Latest local business headlines from historic sales and sudden closures. A new law ends the subminimum wage, impacting thousands of Californians with disabilities. The first-ever hotline for employees and employers with disabilities. The highlights of Apple Hill. Today's Guests We get an update on the latest local business headlines with Real Estate Reporter Ben van der Meer and Managing Editor Sonya Sorich of the Sacramento Business Journal, including the latest plans for the old Campbell’s Soup plant and the sudden closing of de Vere’s Irish Pub. Bridget Kolakosky with the State Council on Developmental Disabilities discusses a bill signed into law that ends the subminimum wage, impacting thousands of Californians with disabilities who have been paid below the minimum wage as employees.  Leah Burdick with PRIDE Industries, one of the nation's largest employers of people with disabilities, discusses the first-ever hotline for employees and employers.  Chris Delfino, President of Apple Hill Growers Association, helps us explore Apple Hill during harvest season.

Updated 9:52 a.m. An absenteeism surge is happening at schools across the state following reopening for in-person learning. The human rights crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. California’s first-in-the-nation Transgender Advisory Council. The Sacramento Greek Food Festival returns for its 58th year. Today's Guests Senior reporter at EdSource Carolyn Jones discusses an absenteeism surge happening at schools across the state following reopening.  Britta Guerrero, CEO of the Sacramento Native American Health Center (SNAHC) and member of the San Carlos Apache tribe, discusses the human rights crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women. Interim Director of Impact Strategies Zoë Flowers with the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence expands the conversation surrounding Gabby Petito to include women of color and the LGBTQ+ community.  Ebony Harper, the executive director at California TRANScends, on her appointment to the newly created Transgender Advisory Council, created by Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.  Terry Kastanis and Koula Gianulias join Insight to talk about the long history and tradition of the Sacramento Greek Food Festival, which is returning this year after being sidelined last year due to COVID.

The state updates Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots now available to eligible Californians. A California NPR investigation about air quality due to wildfires, breaking down the data by zip code. The Sacramento Zoo explains potential plans to move to Elk Grove. Today's Guests California Department of Public Health epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan provides an update on Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots available to eligible Californians.  Data reporter Alison Saldanha with NPR’s California Newsroom, and KQED reporter Farida Jhabvala Romero, join us with their investigative project surrounding air quality due to wildfires. Elk Grove Mayor Bobby Singh-Allen, Sacramento Councilmember Katie Valenzuela and President of the Sacramento Zoological Board of Trustees, Elizabeth Stallard, discuss the future of the Sacramento Zoo and the potential plans to move it to Elk Grove.

A new bill signed into law creates a separate workforce from CalFire to help with fire prevention. PG&E manslaughter charges in a 2020 Zogg Fire. Winter was the deadliest season for Sacramento's homeless residents. How indigenous knowledge is changing how California tracks climate change. Remembering state political ‘insider’ Scott Lay, who passed away at the age of 48. Today's Guests CapRadio’s State Government Reporter Scott Rodd explains a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that creates a separate workforce to help with fire prevention and also why PG&E is facing manslaughter charges in the 2020 Zogg Fire that killed four people.  CapRadio Reporter Chris Nichols on his recent reporting regarding deaths among homeless residents in Sacramento and the debate surrounding a new shelter built under the W-X overpass in downtown.  CapRadio Environment Reporter Manola Secaira explains how indigenous knowledge is changing the way California tracks the effects of climate change.  Paul Mitchell, Vice President of Political Data, Inc., and Anthony York, the former editor at Capitol Weekly, remember Scott Lay, who passed away at the age of 48. 

An overview of the end to California’s eviction moratorium. Sacramento restaurateurs discuss navigating the ever-changing scene amid the COVID pandemic. And a benefit show in honor of the Folsom Marine severely injured in Kabul during suicide bombings in the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Today's Guests CapRadio’s Race and Equity Reporter, Sarah Mizes-Tan, gives us an overview of the end to California’s eviction moratorium and what tenant advocates’ concerns are as the end of the month draws near. Debra Carlton, Executive Vice President of the California Apartment Association, explains how landlords have fared without the rent that helps pay for the mortgage and bills that come with their rental property and what the end of the eviction moratorium means for property owners. Chris Barnum-Dann of Sacramento’ Localis Restaurant, Ryan Rose, President of Zocalo restaurants, join us for a conversation about the ‘state of the restaurant business’ in Sacramento and how they are navigating the ever-changing scene in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Comedians Joey C and Mike Betancourt are hosting the “Tyler Vargas Andrews Benefit Show” on Oct. 14 in Lincoln, in honor of the U.S. Marine from Folsom who was severely injured in Kabul during suicide bombings at Hamid Karzai International Airport in the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.  Courtesy of the artist

Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones discusses his decision to retire. A California bill, awaiting the governor’s signature, could alter Amazon’s labor practices. Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care discusses caring for wildlife injured during wildfires, as well as evacuating during the Caldor Fire. Finally, an interview with Kate Washington, author of ‘Already Toast: Caregiving And Burnout In America,’ offers resources and advice for family caregivers learned through Washington’s personal experience while caring for her husband. Today's Guests Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones discusses his decision to retire, accomplishments, and where his department needs to improve. NY Times reporter Noam Scheiber on how a California bill that could alter Amazon's labor practices is awaiting the governor's signature.  Denise Upton with Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care discusses caring for wildlife injured during wildfires, as well as the center’s experience evacuating during the Caldor Fire. CapRadio’s Donna Apidone discusses her interview with Kate Washington, author of ‘Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America,’ which offers resources and advice for family caregivers learned through Washington’s personal experience while caring for her husband.