Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

Thousands of people have been forced from their homes, and more evacuation orders have been issued as the Caldor Fire continues to burn in El Dorado County; we get updates on what’s happening with Cal Fire and CapRadio reporter Scott Rodd. Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician Dr. Vanessa Walker discusses how smoke from the wildfires can raise the risk of COVID-19. Plus, why California State University, Stanislaus is delaying in-person classes, and we say farewell to outgoing CapRadio healthcare reporter, Sammy Caiola. Today's Guests City of Sacramento Fire Department Public Information Officer Captain Keith Wade with updates from the Caldor Fire CapRadio State Government Reporter Scott Rodd checks in on evacuation efforts with the Caldor Fire Sutter Roseville Medical Center Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician Dr. Vanessa Walker on poor air quality stemming from wildfires, how to protect yourself, and how wildfire smoke raises the risk of COVID-19 President of California State University, Stanislaus Ellen Junn discusses the university’s decision to delay in-person instruction until October 1st  CapRadio’s Data Reporter Emily Zentner and Managing Editor of Digital Content Chris Hagan talk with healthcare reporter Sammy Caiola about her time at the station on her last day as a reporter in Sacramento 

As California recall election ballots start arriving in voter mailboxes, three candidates vying to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom met in Sacramento on Tuesday night to debate. Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, businessman John Cox and state Assembly member Kevin Kiley debated at the historic Guild Theater in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood on Tuesday night. The event, hosted by the Sacramento Press Club, was recorded by CapRadio and can be listened to now (click “play” above). Moderators Vicki Gonzalez of CapRadio and Lara Korte and Sophia Bollag of The Sacramento Bee asked questions focusing on four different issues: the pandemic response, wildfires, housing and homelessness and the economy. Republican candidate Larry Elder declined the Press Club’s invitation to participate. Republican candidate Caitlyn Jenner did not respond. And Governor Newsom also declined to participate. Former Congressmember Doug Ose agreed to join the debate, but suffered a heart attack on Sunday and has since ended his campaign for governor. Each candidate was allowed a minute-long opening and closing statement, plus 60 seconds to respond to moderator questions. If a candidate was directly mentioned or criticized during another candidate’s answer, they possibly were allowed 30 seconds to respond at the moderator’s discretion.  Find more about California’s recall election here.  

Misinformation surrounding the recall election is rampant online; CapRadio PolitiFact reporter Chris Nichols explains the truth behind the most egregious posts. Sacramento is home to the largest Afghan refugee community in the country, and we check in as they watch the Taliban take over Afghanistan. Plus, a look back at the late restaurateur Randy Paragary's contributions to Sacramento’s restaurant scene. Today's Guests CapRadio PolitiFact Reporter Chris Nichols breaks down the station’s new state recall election voter guide and the misinformation surrounding the recall process  Jessie Tientcheu, Chief Executive Officer of Opening Doors, one of five refugee resettlement agencies in Sacramento, explains how the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan affects her work and the work of others helping refugees Haidar Ali Moradi, an Afghan refugee living in Sacramento, gives us his reaction to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Haidar worked as a translator for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Afghanistan. He arrived in the US with his family on a Special Immigrant Visa after his life was threatened. Co-owner and Executive Chef at Origami Asian Grill, Scott Ostrander, and co-owner of de Vere's Irish Pub, Henry de Vere White, remember longtime Sacramento-based restaurateur Randy Paragary, who passed away last Friday at the age of 74  

The number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 in the U.S hit a record high of more than 1,900 over the weekend amid outbreaks caused by the highly transmissible Delta Variant. The U.S. Census Bureau also released new raw data last week showing a more diverse country. Latinos now make up nearly 40% of the population in California, while the state's Asian population has grown by 25% in the past decade. Plus, a closer look at why the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has such high vaccination rates for COVID-19, and photojournalist Paul Kitagaki joins us with more on the encore of his traveling exhibition "Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit."  Today's Guests Public Policy Institute of California Demographer and Senior Fellow Hans Johnson breaks down the newly released census data and what it means for California  Medical Director of Children's Services at Sutter Medical Center Dr. Craig Swanson on COVID-19 in children and why the Delta Variant is sending more kids to the hospital CapRadio’s Race and Equity reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan with her reporting on why the AAPI community has such high vaccination rates for COVID-19 Photojournalist Paul Kitagaki Jr. discusses the encore of his traveling exhibition "Gambatte! Legacy of an Enduring Spirit," covering the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War Two and the resilience of those who went through it

The American River Parkway Foundation and city of Sacramento Fire Department address the issues threatening the American River Parkway. ABC10 reporter Brandon Rittiman discusses his latest season of “FIRE – POWER – MONEY,” which investigates the connection between wildfires and PG&E. CapRadio Reads joins us with James Beard Award-winning author and chef Hank Shaw. Today's Guests: Executive Director of the American River Parkway Foundation, Diana Poggetto, and City of Sacramento Fire Department Public Information Officer, Captain Keith Wade, address wildfire, illegal camping, and water contamination issues threatening the American River Parkway ABC10 investigative reporter Brandon Rittiman discusses his latest season of “FIRE – POWER – MONEY,” which looks into the connection between wildfires, PG&E and its influence on state politics as California’s wildfires continue to worsen Morning Edition and CapRadio Reads Host Donna Apidone joins us about her author interview with James Beard Award-winning author and chef Hank Shaw and his latest book “Hook, Line and Supper”

A CapRadio investigation into Gov. Newsom’s wildfire 'priority project' that didn’t contain the Lava Fire, leaving evacuees stuck in traffic. Also, the pandemic exacerbates an already worrisome digital divide; we’ll discuss how to bridge that gap. Plus, how COVID-19 is shaping special education, and managing screen time for kids with more K-12 students returning to in-person class. Today's Guests CapRadio State Government Reporter Scott Rodd who's been closely monitoring wildfires throughout Northern California explains how Gov. Newsom's wildfire 'priority project' didn't contain the Lava Fire, leaving evacuees stuck in traffic.  Brookings Institution Senior Fellow in Governance Studies and Director of the Center for Technology Dr. Nicol Turner Lee on how COVID-19 has widened the digital divide, who is affected the most, and how can we bridge the gap.  EdSource Senior Reporter Carolyn Jones explains the impact the pandemic has had on special education in the U.S. and California  Los Angeles-based integrative child psychiatrist and author of the book "Reset your Child's Brain," Dr. Victoria Dunckley, discusses screen time as more K-12 students return to class, issues with prolonged screen time, and how to reinstate screen time limits for kids

A live update from the River Fire burning in Placer and Nevada counties near the area of Colfax. Also, a recap of the first — and possibly only — gubernatorial recall debate. And KCRA Anchor and Olympics Reporter, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, recaps the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ahead of the final day. Today's Guests Cal Fire Incident Commander Jim Hudson, on the latest developments on the River Fire, burning north of I-80 in Placer and Nevada counties. As of Thursday morning, more than 2,000 residents were forced to evacuate, dozens of homes and structures have been destroyed, and the wildfire currently has zero percent containment after starting Wednesday afternoon in the area near Bear River campground.  CapRadio’s Scott Rodd reports live from the area of Colfax covering the River Fire Nicole Nixon, CapRadio’s Politics Reporter and Co-Host of California State Of Mind, recaps the first — and possibly only — recall debate and explains the tentative ruling that allows the continued use of “Republican Recall” in Governor Gavin Newsom’s voter guide argument KCRA Anchor and Olympics Reporter, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, recaps the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for us ahead of the final day.

As many still recover financially from the pandemic, food insecurity continues to burden many throughout the nation. We’ll hear from two food banks about how they shifted to meet the needs of even more people in the past year. And, when Sacramento County received CARES Act funds last year, many made public comments to show their dissatisfaction with the use of funds; we’ll hear from the reporter who’s been covering the story. Plus, how to helps kids and teens cope with their anxiety. Today's Guests Communications Director for the Sacramento Food Bank, Melanie Flood, and Nicole Lamboley, President and CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, describe the growing food insecurity in Sacramento and Northern Nevada amid the pandemic, and how you can help Senior Staff Writer for the Sacramento Observer, Genoa Barrow, brings us her reporting on how Sacramento County used funds from the America Rescue Plan Act nearly a year ago and what residents are wary of with a new influx of $300 million this year Chet Hewitt with the Sierra Health Foundation and The Center, Kim Williams with Sacramento Building Healthy Communities, and Cathy Rodriguez from the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce explain their request of Sacramento County’s Board of Supervisors on how to use funds from the America Rescue Plan Act Dr. Dawn Blacker, Associate Director of Mental Health Services at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, helps us understand signs of anxiety in children and teens as some prepare a return to in-person learning this fall

A UCSF infectious diseases physician explains the Delta variant’s impact on breakthrough cases. Also, a year-long investigation into California conservatorships and what’s being done to regulate the $13-billion industry. The Girl Scout council in the Central Valley discusses the variety of programs and how it’s evolved. Finally, the South Yuba River Citizens League discusses a spike in visitation and challenges to maintain the quality of the watershed. Today's Guests UCSF infectious diseases doctor and professor of medicine Dr. Monica Gandhi explains the Delta variant’s impact on breakthrough cases and the new masking requirements. She also serves as the Director of the UCSF Center for AIDS Research. ABC10 Investigative Reporter Andie Judson on her year-long investigation into California conservatorships and what’s being done to regulate the $13-billion industry.  Dr. Linda E. Farley, CEO of the 18-county Girl Scout council in California’s Central Valley, discusses the current programs available and how it’s evolved.  Betsy Brunner with the South Yuba River Citizens League discusses a spike in visitation and the challenges of maintaining the quality of the watershed in Nevada, Placer and Sierra counties. 

The capitol riot committee held its first hearing in Washington D.C., but there will be more to come, all as the U.S. political world continues to turn under the guise of the pandemic; we’ll make sense of it all with the Political Junkie, Ken Rudin. CapRadio reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan also joins the show with a closer look at racial disparities in PPP lending with Sacramento-area churches, and we learn more about how a volunteer-led group is cleaning up Sacramento. Today's Guests Longtime‌ ‌political‌ ‌journalist‌ ‌and‌ ‌host‌ ‌of‌ ‌Ken‌ ‌Rudin’s‌ ‌Political‌ ‌Junkie‌ ‌podcast‌ ‌‌Ken‌ ‌Rudin‌‌ navigates the latest in the U.S. political landscape  CapRadio Race and Equity Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan with her reporting on how the federal government’s financial support of Sacramento-area churches during the pandemic depended a lot on race Founder of Sacramento Picks It Up!, Allyson Seconds, on her volunteer-led group and how they’re cleaning up parts of the city where trash builds up 

Democratic State Assemblymember Kevin McCarty explains California’s record-spending on education in the state budget. Founder and Director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC Mindy Romero and political strategist Paul Mitchell discuss the impact tepid voter turnout could have on the upcoming governor recall election, and we learn more about how local venues are creating their own COVID-19 safety protocols as the delta variant continues to spread. Today's Guests Democratic State Assemblymember Kevin McCarty explains California’s record-spending on education in the state budget Founder and Director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, Mindy Romero, and Vice President of Political Data Inc. and political strategist, Paul Mitchell, discuss the impact tepid voter turnout could have on the upcoming governor recall election with a record number of registered voters CapRadio Interim News Anchor Ed Fletcher checks in with Sacramento businesses that are creating their own COVID-19 protocols in the face of the delta variant

With the Delta variant causing spikes in COVID-19 cases throughout the US, the CDC issued a recommendation that everyone, including those who are vaccinated, wear masks in indoor, public settings. We’ll hear from an infectious disease expert about the new recommendation. Plus, why certain zip codes are experiencing lower vaccination rates. Today's Guests UC Davis Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Dr. Dean Blumberg, goes over the new CDC recommendation for vaccinated individuals to wear masks in some indoor settings; CapRadio’s Politics Reporter, Nicole Nixon, explains the vaccine requirements for California State workers CapRadio reporters Sammy Caiola and Janelle Salanga explain why certain zip codes throughout the region have lower vaccination rates than others and what community leaders are doing to help those who have vaccine hesitancy Savory Cafe owner, Juan Barajas and Co-founder of Saha Float Spa, Rami Hosein, describe their struggles to find employees amid the labor shortage Jazz flutist Nora Nausbaum walks us through the Sierra Jazz Society’s Picnic, which will honor her and her husband, jazz bassist Bill Douglass, for their contributions to the Jazz scene of Nevada County

President Biden has proposed spending billions to help reconnect Black and low-income neighborhoods, who’ve been decimated by the construction of the federal highway system. And nearly 30 cities nationwide are currently discussing some form of highway removal and restoration; we learn more about how racism has shaped interstate highways. Boys and girls are also leaving Scouting in record numbers, with Scout organizations reportedly losing nearly 2 million members nationwide during the pandemic. But there were issues before COVID-19 began. Plus, a conversation with the author of a new biography on former Supreme Court Justice John Marshall Harlan, one of the most influential figures in the American political and social landscape. Today's Guests Journalist, contributing editor to the California Planning and Development Report, and author of “The Urban Mystique: Notes on California, Los Angeles, and Beyond,” Josh Stephens, and Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Connecticut, Norman Garrick, explain the racist history of the federal highway system and how racism has shaped interstate highways The New York Times Editor and Reporter Clay Risen and Professor in the Department of Family Science and Human Development at Montclair State University Jennifer Brown Urban discuss the future of Scouting in the U.S. and declining membership among Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts Executive editor at POLITICO Peter Canellos on his new biography “The Great Dissenter: The Story of John Marshall Harlan, America’s Judicial Hero”

The delta variant is driving up cases of COVID-19 and it’s troubling in Sacramento County, where less than half of residents are fully vaccinated. The Tokyo Olympics are officially kicking off this week and a local reporting duo joins us with 20 years of experience traveling around the globe covering the Games. Plus, an overview of CapRadio’s summer concert series as it wraps up. Today's Guests Sacramento County's Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye with updates on COVID-19 cases in Sacramento County KCRA Anchor and Olympics Reporter Deirdre Fitzpatrick and Photojournalist Mike Domalaog discuss their decades-long history of covering the Olympic Games for Hearst Television and what it means to not be in Tokyo this year CapRadio Midday Classical Announcer Jennifer Reason gives an overview of the station’s Summer Concert Series as we head into the finale 

For more than a century, cultural burning was banned by state and federal governments. Now, indigenous tribes are working side by side with officials, teaching others about the important role fire plays in wildfire management. Plus, what the ruling against DACA means for undocumented immigrants protected by the law, and a conversation with the Sacramento Theatre Company about acting classes and summer plans. Today's Guests Co-lead in the Training Exchange program with the Cultural Fire Management Council Elizabeth Azzuz on how she uses cultural burning and the ways it helps manage land to help with wildfire suppression Professor of law at the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law and immigration expert María Pabón discusses the DACA ruling and how it affects employed and student DREAMers RAICES staff litigation attorney Daniel Hatoum explains the legalities of the ruling against DACA and what’s next for Dreamers Young Professionals Conservatory and Adult Education Program Manager at the Sacramento Theatre Company Miranda Lawson talks about the upcoming acting classes and summer sessions for adults and kids