Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

With the vaccine getting into people’s arms, California could be on its way to herd immunity; we have the latest on which counties are ahead of the curve. A clinical psychologist also helps us unpack the term ‘panic buying’ and the psychology behind it, and more on why it’s important to teach Asian American history in classrooms. Today's Guests Sacramento Fire Department Captain Richard Alamo discusses how mental health is addressed with first responders and what programs are made available to those in need of services CalMatters health reporter Ana Ibarra with her latest reporting on California’s road to herd immunity and which counties are ahead of the curve Professor and clinical psychologist at the University of British Columbia Steven Taylor explains the psychology behind panic buying Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the Asian American Education Project Stewart Kwoh on why it’s important to teach Asian American history in classrooms and what the organization is doing to help schools with their curriculum

Sacramento County’s new Director of the Department of Health Services, Chevon Kothari, discusses the latest COVID-19 response and the most pressing health issues facing the county. Also, as drought conditions intensify across the state, the Northern California Water Association, California Rice Commission, and Ducks Unlimited’s Western Region explain the wide-reaching impacts. Plus, CapRadio’s Nick Brunner with “Hey, Listen!” breaks down NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert Contest, currently accepting music submissions. Today's Guests Sacramento County Department of Health Services Director Chevon Kothari on the most pressing health issues, from COVID-19 and closing health equity gaps, to health specialists role with law enforcement   Northern California Water Association President David Guy explains how the dry year will impact water supplies, Region Director of Operations for Ducks Unlimited's Western Region Jeff McCreary discusses how the drought affects waterfowl, and California Rice Commission President and CEO Tim Johnson talks about what farmers are facing this year CapRadio Assistant Program Director and Modern Music Director Nick Brunner breaks down this year’s Tiny Desk concert contest

The Centers for Disease Control announced last week that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks or physically distance in most circumstances; we discuss what that means for California’s June 15th reopening and more happenings across the state’s political landscape. The future of the workforce and whether jobs will follow people is also top of mind, with the pandemic slowly ending and a look at Sacramento’s restaurant and eatery scene heading into the summer. Today's Guests POLITICO California Playbook Co-Writer Jeremy B. White on what the CDC’s new mask guidelines mean for California’s June 15th reopening, Caitlyn Jenner's struggle to gain traction in the recall election, and more  MIT Technology Review Senior Editor James Temple explains how the state's carbon offset program might be pumping millions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere   Public Policy Institute of California Vice President of Research and Senior Fellow Sarah Bohn discusses the future of work in California post-COVID-19 and the prospect of whether jobs will follow people or not The Sacramento Bee Food and Beverage Reporter Benjy Egel on the region's restaurant and eatery scene heading into the summer 

The State Senate race for California’s 6th district is filling up with candidates hoping to represent Sacramento. In our first in a series of upcoming interviews with the candidates, City Council Member Angelique Ashby talks about her priorities as she officially launches her campaign.  Plus, new survey results show people working from home with children have been struggling with productivity, and now that the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for 12 to 15 year-olds, we take a look at what parents, children, and educators need to know about vaccinating adolescents. Today's Guests Sacramento City Council Member Angelique Ashby discusses her bid for California’s 6th District Senate seat California Employers Association Senior Vice President Jessica Hawthorne navigates the latest findings in the CapRadio-Valley Vision COVID-19 Resilience Poll that shows people who work from home and have children are finding themselves struggling with productivity UC Davis Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Dr. Dean Blumberg explains Pfizer's authorization to make its vaccine available to 12 to 15-year-old adolescents and what parents and their children need to know before getting their shots. Tahoe Author Suzanne Roberts’ on her new book “Bad Tourist: Misadventures in Love and Travel,” taking us across four continents to fifteen countries, showing us what not to do when traveling

Facing a recall and a massive surplus, Governor Newsom proposed more stimulus checks. About 11 million low and middle-income Californians would receive payments under Newsom's so-called 'Golden State Stimulus' plan; we have the latest with CapRadio Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon. Plus, our latest COVID-19 survey with Valley Vision shows the increasing economic divide for people of color has grown since the pandemic began. Today's Guests CapRadio’s Politics Reporter and California State of Mind co-host Nicole Nixon gives an update on Governor Newsom’s proposed California stimulus  President of Shaw Law Group and employment law expert Jennifer Shaw explains navigating the state’s EDD website and call center as the organization continues to face growing backlogs CapRadio’s Race and Equity Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan discusses the results of the latest Valley Vision survey, which showed evidence of an increasing economic divide between people of color and white people Assistant Specialist in Cooperative Extension - Apiculture, Elina L. Niño, on why bees swarm, what to do if you find a swarm at home, and how to ensure they have a safe place to drink water, so they don’t drown in your ponds, pools or birdbaths 

Are you concerned your children are falling behind in school? CapRadio’s Pauline Bartolone speaks with parents and educators as part of the latest COVID-19 Resilience Poll with Valley Vision. We also learn more about a San Joaquin County campaign addressing the alarming rate Black mothers, and their babies are dying due to insensitive or inadequate care. Plus, a preview of a powerful art exhibition premiering at SacState covering ‘unequal freedoms.’ Today's Guests CapRadio News and Features Editor Pauline Bartolone explains why Sacramento area parents are concerned about their children falling behind in school because of the pandemic  Perinatal Equity Initiative Coordinator, Reanna Wyatt, SistaCoach at the Amelia Ann Adams Whole Life Center, Coleen Sykes-Ray, and Lactation Consultant and Program Manager for Delta Health Care's SistaCoach Program, Tamesha Valverde, discuss San Joaquin County’s new campaign Rally Around our Sisters, which addresses the disproportionate death rate Black American mothers and their babies face when compared to other ethnic groups. SacState’s Center on Race, Immigration and Social Justice is hosting a virtual art exhibition ‘Un/Equal Freedoms: Expressions for Social Justice ‘ with artist and educator Christie Frields, ethnomusicologist Dr. Luis Chavez, Assistant Professor of Dance Bernard Brown, Julius Austin with the Sacramento Promise Zone, and Abraham Perez with Instituto Mazatlan Bellas Artes de Sacramento (IMBASAC). 

Updated at 8:50 a.m. Rob Bonta is making history as California's first Filipino American Attorney General; we talk with Bonta about his new role and transition to being one of the most influential officials in the state. Civic leadership organization Valley Vision has also released a new survey covering a number of topics, such as education equity and health care. Plus, a look at the spike in eating disorders among youths and teenagers during the pandemic and how an upcoming mini-medical school event can help improve the health of the Vietnamese community. Today's Guests Attorney General of California Rob Bonta on his appointment to head the state's Department of Justice, his plans for addressing criminal justice reform and hate crimes, and how he's preparing for the 2022 attorney general's race Valley Vision CEO Evan Schmidt discusses what her organization does and its latest surveys findings covering education equity, health care, and more  Psychologist, Professor of Pediatrics, and Medical Director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic and Eating Disorders Program at the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Sara Buckelew, explains the rise and prevalence of eating disorders among youths and teenagers, how the pandemic has exacerbated the issue, and ways to help  UC Davis Neurology Assistant Professor Oanh Meyer talks about the first-of-its-kind Vietnamese Mini-Medical School event on May 15th, addressing the unique health challenges and disparities of Sacramento’s older Vietnamese population

Updated at 9:28 a.m. A new UC Berkeley study shows that gun violence reduction programs, such as Sacramento’s ‘Advance Peace,’ are working; we learn more today. California is also stepping up to help with India’s COVID-19 crisis and supplies are being airlifted to the stricken country, which has had a long relationship with the Golden State. Plus, the pandemic shut down Opera Modesto’s live performances, but its latest virtual concert, “The Race,” is winning awards worldwide.  Today's Guests Program Manager with Advance Peace Sacramento Julius Thibodeaux and Community Violence Initiative Director with the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence Paul Carrillo discuss a new UC Berkeley study showing that grassroots, community-based incentive programs are showing positive results in reducing gun violence in cities such as Sacramento and Stockton Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis on the state’s effort to help India combat the worsening COVID-19 crisis  Opera Modesto’s Artistic Director Roy Stevens and his daughter/director of “The Race,” Carolina Stevens, talk about the pandemic’s impact on the arts and how their new virtual musical is gaining worldwide attention

The California State University system announced students and staff across all campuses must get their COVID-19 vaccine before returning to school grounds as soon as the vaccine receives FDA approval; we hear about how Chancellor Joseph Castro came to that decision. Senator Alex Padilla also joins the show to discuss his transition to representing the most diverse state in the country. Plus, recapping recent recall campaign events, and boating guidelines at Folsom Lake ahead of Mother’s Day. Today's Guests California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro explains the CSU system’s decision to require a COVID-19 vaccine for all students and employees who want to return to campus once there is FDA approval Sen. Alex Padilla reflects on his first 105 days in office as a freshman in Congress and what he has planned for the rest of his tenure CapRadio Politics Reporter and California State of Mind co-host Nicole Nixon recaps recent campaign events for Governor Newsom and John Cox as the state prepares for a recall election Folsom Lake Supervising Ranger Eric Dales talks about COVID-19 and boating restrictions at the lake ahead of Mother’s Day weekend 

The California Department of Water Resources gives an update on one of the driest water years on record. Political columnist with The Washington Post, Karen Tumulty, discusses her new biography “The Triumph of Nancy Reagan.” CLARA classrooms expands free virtual performing arts modules to 250,000 children in Sacramento County, and we hear more on biking legislation and how ‘micromobility’ has been impacted by the pandemic. Today's Guests California Department of Water Resources Information Officer Chris Orrock explains the impact one of the driest water years on record will have on the state The Washington Post political columnist Karen Tumulty discusses her new biography “The Triumph of Nancy Reagan”  CLARA classrooms is expanding free virtual performing arts modules to 250,000 children in Sacramento County; we talk with Sacramento-area artist, Kazoua Kajol Yang, who films Bollywood dancing alongside CLARA Classroom Program Creator, Emili Danz, and Executive Director, Megan Wygant UC Davis BicyclingPlus Research Collaborative Co-Director and Professional Researcher Dillon Fitch on how ‘micromobility’ has been impacted by the pandemic, including updates on biking legislation Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates Executive Director Debra Banks discusses events for this year’s ‘Bike Month’ 

California lawmakers are ready to talk about universal basic income, but they’re not ready to fund it; CapRadio Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon has the latest, including what happened at the state democratic convention over the weekend. We also weigh the pros and cons of returning to in-person work, why suicide rates have doubled among the Black community during the pandemic, and how COVID-19 has changed the public use of streets. Today's Guests CapRadio Politics Reporter and California State of Mind podcast co-host Nicole Nixon on lawmakers proposal for Universal Basic Income, what happened at the state democratic convention and the party’s strategy regarding the recall of Governor Newsom  Point Loma Nazarene University Economist Lynn Reaser navigates the prospect and challenges of returning to work to in-person, pros and cons, and employee/employer options Johns Hopkins University Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Assistant Professor Dr. Paul Nestadt discusses suicide rates right now and his recent study that found suicides fell by almost half among white Americans, but doubled among Black people during the pandemic  Professor of City Planning and Co-Director of the Sustainable Cities Institute Marc Schlossberg and Associate Professor in the School of Planning, Public Policy and Management Rebecca Lewis at the University of Oregon talk about their recently published book “Rethinking Streets During COVID-19” and the ways that the pandemic has changed public use of streets around the world  

The ‘Political Junkie’ Ken Rudin breaks down President Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress. Plus, a deep dive into Sacramento’s ‘Government Economy’ and how it’s fared after a year of pandemic lockdowns and the hopes for an economic turnaround. And as summer nears, Disneyland reopens with new restrictions and precautions.  Today's Guests Longtime‌ ‌political‌ ‌journalist‌ ‌and‌ ‌host‌ ‌of‌ ‌Ken‌ ‌Rudin’s‌ ‌Political‌ ‌Junkie‌ ‌podcast‌ ‌‌Ken‌ ‌Rudin‌‌ on President Biden’s speech to a joint session of Congress and what to make of his first 100 days in office Public Policy Institute of California Senior Fellow and Vice President of Research Sarah Bohn discusses new research showing that the Greater Sacramento Region did not take as big of an unemployment hit as originally feared during the pandemic Sacramento State University Finance Professor Sanjay Varshney looks ahead to a post-pandemic economy for the Greater Sacramento Region and how President Biden's economic and infrastructure plan will impact the area planDisney Panelist Andres Villa talks about Disneyland’s reopening plans and what pandemic-related safety precautions will be in place

California Attorney General Rob Bonta already has challengers looking to take his spot; we talk with Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert on throwing her hat into the race. Plus, the leading voices in wildfire science and prevention join us with a sobering outlook on this fire season and how more resources for prevention and restoration could make a difference. Today's Guests Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert discusses her announcement to run for state Attorney General in 2022, just days after Robert Bonta was confirmed as California’s top law enforcement official Professor of Fire Science at UC Berkeley Scott Stephens describes the challenging aspects of the upcoming wildfire season and how fire seasons could be different if there are more resources for prevention and restoration Director of the Fire Restoration Group Craig Thomas discusses the importance of using fire and planned burning for mitigation and the barriers faced due to current policies Fire Advisor with the University of CA Cooperative Extension Lenya Quinn-Davidson shares how prescribed burns work and what is being done to help property owners learn how to safely use fire to prevent a disaster on their property or home during the wildfire season

Recycling isn’t always as easy as it seems; we take a closer look at how state lawmakers are hoping to clear up confusion on what’s recyclable and what isn’t. Following the 2020 Census results, California is also taking a hit with the loss of a seat in Congress, and a new biography on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi explains why she is ‘the most powerful woman in American history.’ Today's Guests CapRadio State Government Reporter Scott Rodd breaks down California’s recycling problem and how state lawmakers introduced a bill to clear up mislabeling the triangular ‘chasing arrows’ symbol, which they argue contributes to a significant portion actually being disposed of in landfills California is poised to lose a congressional seat for the first time in state history following the first release of the 2020 Census results. USC's Center for Inclusive Democracy Founder and Director Mindy Romero and CalMatters political and election reporter Ben Christopher discuss the larger fallout and next steps with redistricting USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page on her newly released biography, “Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power”

It's been a challenging time for small businesses since the pandemic began a little more than a year ago. Nationwide polling shows many have cut employee hours, significantly changed their business model, or have closed permanently; we hear from small business owners in Sacramento about how they're surviving COVID-19. Plus, a closer look at Project Roomkey happenings and new 'safe ground' sites opening for unhoused residents and the anxieties about going out into society as pandemic restrictions continue to loosen. Today's Guests CapRadio PolitiFact California Reporter Chris Nichols on the first pair of city-sponsored 'safe ground' sites opening for unhoused residents, and updates on Sacramento County's plans with Project Roomkey motel rooms  Small business owners in Sacramento explain their challenges and triumphs during the pandemic and how they’re surviving the COVID-19 economy Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce CEO Amanda Blackwood on the challenges still facing small businesses and the best ways to support them during this time Michigan State University Physician, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Director of Wellness, Resilience and Vulnerable Populations Dr. Claudia Finkelstein on the anxieties and stressors about going out into society as pandemic restrictions continue to loosen