Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

Today on Insight, where California stands with vaccinating farmworkers. And is organic produce worth the cost? We take a closer look, including what new research has to say about how changing what cattle are fed could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, breaking down The Sacramento Bee’s newest list of the area’s best restaurants. Today's Guests Politico Pro Agriculture and food policey reporter Liz Crampton discusses where California stands in terms of vaccinating farmworkers and how the nation is doing with this as we head into peak harvesting months UC Davis Department of Animal Science Professor and Associate Dean Dr. Ermias Kebreab talks about how changing what we’re feeding cattle could greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the dairy and beef industries Toxicologists Dr. Alexis Temkin and Dr. Thomas Galligan on the Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ and ‘Clean 15’ lists, which help consumers decide whether spending extra for organic produce is worth the cost The Sacramento Bee Food and Beverage Reporter Benji Egel breaks down the paper’s new list of the 50 best restaurants in the region and how the restaurant industry is doing at this stage of the pandemic 

Though unofficial, it appears California voters will be deciding whether or not to recall Governor Newsom in the fall.  What could help stave off a recall, and why did Newsom wait so long to address it?Plus, we're covering the surge of racist attacks against Asian Americans.  Why words matter and how the media needs to pay special attention.  We're also looking at California population trends. Is a "silver wave" about to hit California? Today's Guests Politico California Reporter Jeremy B. White on the latest Newsom recall news and notes, including the top contenders for the California Attorney General post. CapRadio Race and Equity Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan joins us to discuss the Sacramento area’s reaction to the deadly shootings in Georgia of 8 people — including 6 Asian women. Asian American Journalists Association Executive Director Naomi Tacuyan Underwood will help us understand the delicate nuances of covering a tragedy in Georgia and why it is imperative for journalists to choose their words carefully so as to not help perpetuate any further stereotypes, even though unintended. Public Policy Institute of California Senior Fellow Hans Johnson shares new research into the state’s changing demographics and population trends.

Updated at 10:02 a.m. Gov. Gavin Newsom breaks his silence on the recall push as organizers hit the signature deadline. So, now what? We explain what the coming weeks and months will look like and what the makeup of the electorate could be for if there is a recall election. We’ll also hear from both supporters of the governor — and supporters of the recall. Plus, CapRadio’s Hey, Listen! introduces us to new music for weekend listening.  Today's Guests CapRadio political reporter and California State of Mind podcast co-host Nicole Nixon updates us on the latest news in the Gov. Newsom recall effort, as well as what the next weeks and months will look like. Reform California Chairman Carl DeMaio explains why he is backing the recall.  Gov. Newsom consultant and strategist Dan Newman defends the governor’s record, arguing that the recall is a political push instead of a grassroots movement.  Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost is an honorary co-chair of Rescue California. The organization is one of the main leaders behind the recall.  USC Sol Price School of Public Policy Center for Inclusive Democracy Director Dr. Mindy Romero explains what the makeup of the electorate could be if there is a recall election. Nick Brunner with CapRadio’s Hey, Listen! introduces us to songs for weekend listening.  After the interview with Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost, the supervisor’s office provided a study by “Let them Play California,” a movement created during the pandemic for a return of youth sports. The study surveyed a specific group: high school football coaches who voluntarily submitted responses. We don’t know how that compares with the broader student body or how that compares to prior years. After the interview, we asked Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost's office to provide data supporting her claim that teen pregnancies have increased during the pandemic. Her office provided a survey conducted by Let Them Play California.Courtesy: Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost We also fact checked one more of Frost’s claims. The supervisor said California’s vaccination rate is behind Mississippi, West Virginia and Alabama. CDC data updated by the New York Times Wednesday shows only West Virginia is true. However, when it comes to the percentage of people given at least one dose California ranks in the bottom half — 34th of the 59 states and U.S. territories being recorded.

A UCLA report states that California will recover from the pandemic faster than the rest of the country. On today's Insight, we discuss California's economic outlook, the budget surplus, and what's in store for the nation as we get out of the pandemic-induced recession. We'll also hear about Nevada's economic outlook with a UNR professor and the Tahoe Prosperity Center. Plus, a check-in with Dr. Dean Blumberg about the pandemic outlook as more get vaccinated. Today's Guests State Department of Finance spokesman H.D. Palmer breaks down how the federal COVID relief bill will inject more funds into California and in what ways the state will use the money UCLA Anderson School of Management Senior Economist Dr. Leo Feler explains the forecast for the US economy and how California differs from the rest of the nation University of Nevada, Reno, the College of Business Assistant Research Professor Dr. Frederick Steinmann will discuss Nevada's economic forecast. Tahoe Prosperity Center Chief Executive Officer Heidi Hill Drum drills down on the North Tahoe economy and how it differs from other parts of the state and the prognosis for an economic rebound in 2021. UC Davis Medical Center Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Dr. Dean Blumberg discusses the precautions people should take as more receive the COVID-19 vaccine and counties begin to move into less restrictive tiers

As more people are getting vaccinated and counties in California begin to open up, some begin to make travel plans. On today’s Insight, we talk about how to stay safe when traveling amid the pandemic as restrictions are lifted. We also take a look at plans for Sacramento’s Convention Center schedule and possible travel hotspots as we head into the spring and summer. Today's Guests UC Davis Division of Infectious Diseases Assistant Clinica Professor Dr. Natascha Tuznik is part of the university's Travelers Clinic, which provides medical consultation for those planning international trips. She can speak to the likely evolution of restrictions and trends, plus the current travel can and can't dos — also, the importance of vaccines in all of this. President and CEO of Visit Sacramento Mike Testa as he discusses plans for the new convention center and how the pandemic has affected its schedule. Visit California President and CEO Caroline Beteta shares how important the travel industry is to the state and what it will take to get back to “normal.” Travelzoo Executive Producer and Airline Vertical Lead Lily Fu will discuss the post-vaccination hot travel destinations, status of the market, and how to hunt out the best bargains given the unusual Covid landscape. Also, what does Spring Break look like this year?

More than 10 million women and men experience violence from an intimate partner. Amid the pandemic and lockdown orders, new research has found that incidences of domestic violence and abuse spiked across the country, and advocates and experts say it’s a crisis that’s only getting worse. Today on Insight, the rise in domestic abuse and violence during the pandemic, what’s being done about it, and the challenges in helping survivors. Today's Guests USA Today National Housing and Social Services Reporter Romina Ruiz-Goiriena with her reporting on how the new federal stimulus bill could help women and children leave abusers and why violence rose after pandemic lockdowns Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney at the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office, Domestic Violence Unit Dawn Bladet talks about how her office has adapted during lockdown orders to help survivors and why domestic violence and attempted strangulations are rising in Sacramento County California Partnership to End Domestic Violence Director of Programs Jacquie Marroquin discusses the domestic violence and abuse rates in California, demographics, and why providers are also struggling to maintain services amid increased demand  WEAVE, Inc. Director of Legal Services Allison Kephart on the legal challenges for survivors amid more reopenings and how the legal system can better address the rise in domestic violence and abuse cases. Note: If you or someone you know has or is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org.

Editor's note: During this Insight show, misinformation was presented by one of our guests, Berry Accius, about COVID-19 vaccines. You can hear his segment at the 28:00-minute mark. Our host immediately offered to fact-check his claims and did so at the 47:15-minute mark. Here is a link to the CDC report mentioned in the fact check. Today on Insight, California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond updates school reopenings. Rural and underserved communities also discuss the challenges with vaccination rates and the hesitancy some are weighing. Plus, we take a closer look at the so-called ‘California exodus’ during the pandemic, and as we prepare to ‘spring forward,’ whatever happened to voters approving a bill making Daylight Saving Time permanent? Today's Guests California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond updates school reopenings, explains why parents have the right to be frustrated, and what summer school and the fall semester potentially look like for students Nevada County Health and Human Services Director Ryan Gruver discusses vaccination rates in the smaller, rural county as well as the challenges and solutions from the state-led vaccination rollout Sacramento-based nonprofit Voice of the Youth CEO Berry Accius explains the challenge of trust and skepticism underserved communities of color are weighing, as the state prioritizes the most at-risk zip codes for COVID-19 vaccines in an effort towards equity. Want to learn more? NPR's Code Switch covers the notorious medical study, the Tuskegee experiment. UC Bekerely California Policy Lab Research Fellow Natalie Holmes debunks the claim of a mass California exodus during the pandemic and explains where people are actually relocating Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) co-authored a voter-approved bill making Daylight Saving Time permanent year-round back in 2018 and explains why we are still ‘springing forward’ this weekend

Today on Insight, a recap of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s State of the State address and reaction from lawmakers from CapRadio’s special coverage. Plus, a look at the spike in racism and violence towards Asian Americans during the pandemic and recent discriminatory incidents against Sacramento residents. Today's Guests CapRadio Politics Reporter and California State of Mind podcast Co-Host Nicole Nixon and Political Strategist and California Target Book publisher Darry Sragow break down Governor Newsom’s State of the State address Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus Executive Director Aarti Kohli discusses the racism Asian Americans have experienced since the pandemic began and even beforehand CapRadio Race and Equity Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan checks-in with her reporting on the recent discriminatory incidents against Asian Americans in Sacramento Abey Lin and Nani Lin, a sibling songwriting duo, talk about the advocacy they have done against Asian American violence and how they reflected over the past year to create a song

Governor Gavin Newsom is set to deliver his State of the State Address one year into the pandemic; we preview what to expect Tuesday night. Housing also continues to be a key issue in California, and the market only got hotter during the pandemic. Some cities, including Sacramento, are looking to end single-family exclusive zoning in an effort to open up more housing options; we’ll hear from a couple of CapRadio reporters and their sources about the highly controversial issue.Plus, we discuss concerns over displacement and gentrification as the Aggie Square development project moves forward in Sacramento and how expanding access to credit could shrink the homeownership racial gap. Today's Guests CapRadios Politics Reporter and California State of Mind podcast host Nicole Nixon previews Governor Newsom’s 2021 State of the State address Political Consultant Rob Stutzman gives perspective on Governor Newsom’s likely topics from a moderate Republican standpoint  CapRadio PolitiFact California Reporter Chris Nichols and CapRadio Race and Equity Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan discuss the reporting they’ve done on efforts to change single-family zoning laws in the state, including in the city of Sacramento UC Davis Campus Planning and Environmental Stewardship Associated Vice-Chancellor and Aggie Square Project Planning Director Robert Segar and Sacramento Investment Without Displacement President of the Board Gabby Trejo talk about how the Aggie Square project could affect residents living in the surrounding Oak Park and Tahoe Park neighborhoods Zillow Principal Economist Chris Glynn breaks down data that shows how expanding access to credit could shrink the homeownership race gap

The pandemic is disproportionately affecting tribal communities. According to the CDC, they’ve been one of the hardest-hit groups by the pandemic. Leaders and experts now say the death and infection tally numbers in their communities are far too low, and that COVID-19, like other illnesses, just exacerbates pre-existing health disparities. Today on Insight, how the coronavirus is impacting Indigenous peoples and the factors behind it. Today's Guests USA Today Agriculture, Housing and Health Reporter Kate Cimini with her recent reporting on the disparities in the health, health care, and economic welfare of Indigenous peoples during the pandemic  Chair of the Committee of Native Affairs and Democratic Assemblymember James Ramos, of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribes, discusses the work he’s doing to address racial disparities in health care and treatment in California Sacramento Native American Health Center CEO Britta Guerrero, of San Carlos Apache tribe, on pre-existing health disparities and how the pandemic has exacerbated the issue  Chapa-De Indian Health Medical Director and Physician Dr. Alinea Stevens explains how COVID-19 affects vulnerable populations and what her center is doing to meet the needs of American Indians during the pandemic

As the vaccine rollout intensifies, there’s hope and optimism that the second largest school district in the region will be able to open in a few weeks; we talk with the superintendent for the Sacramento City Unified School District and the teachers’ union about how close both sides are on welcoming students back to class. Also, how do the ‘return-to-school’ plans help improve our local economy? Plus, a legendary Sacramento restaurant hopes to stay open as downtown takes yet another economic hit. Today's Guests Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Jorge Aguilar and Sacramento City Unified Teachers’ Association First Vice President Nikki Milevsky discuss the district’s reopening plan, negotiations with the teachers’ union, and the impact Governor Newsom’s incentive program had on the district’s decision to open CapRadio Politics Reporter and “California State of Mind” co-host Nicole Nixon takes a closer look at what the return-to-school means for students of color Greater Sacramento Economic Council President and CEO Barry Broome talks about how the return-to-school plan can impact economic growth, as well as the status of the Sacramento region one year after COVID-19 forced the shutdown of thousands of businesses Fat Family Restaurants President Jerry Fat on the state of his restaurant group a year after the shutdown, the outlook for 2021, and the impact of downtown Sacramento’s closure

The $1.9 trillion stimulus bill has moved onto the Senate, where Democrats hope to pass it into law before unemployment benefits expire mid-March. In California, lawmakers passed a state stimulus package last week. We hear about both packages, including the reality of having to pay taxes on unemployment benefits. Today's Guests POLITICO budget & appropriations reporter Caitlin Emma talks about the trajectory of the stimulus as the Senate takes on the bill that would provide funds for vaccination programs, expanded unemployment insurance, and $1,400 stimulus checks Democratic Congressman Ami Bera on what is included in the stimulus package beyond financial aid and what he thinks might change before it gets passed in the Senate CalMatters economic inequality reporter Jackie Botts explains California’s stimulus and how those who qualify can get the funds allocated to them by the state Washington Post economics correspondent Heather Long breaks down the up to thousands of dollars those getting unemployment insurance have to pay back after filing their taxes

The pandemic has radically changed many aspects of our lives, including transportation. Car and bicycle use is up, while public transit and air travel is down. What does this mean moving forward? We’ll hear from experts about the causes and permanency of the changes. Plus, the long-term health effects faced by children exposed to car exhaust and what to make of the latest snowpack totals. Today's Guests California Department of Water Resources Spokesperson Chris Orrock talks about the March 2nd snow survey during an exceptionally warm and dry winter stretch Stanford University Director of Air Pollution and Health Research Dr. Mary Prunicki explains a new study that links air pollution with long-term health effects in children UC Davis 3 Revolutions Future Mobility Program Director Dr. Giovanni Circella discusses how the pandemic has increased the use of cars Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates Executive Director Debra Banks looks at active transportation during the pandemic and efforts by local governments to design better traffic corridors for pedestrians and cyclists Host of NSPR's "Blue Dot" Dave Schlom interviewed Dr. Gil Tal, head of The Plug-in Hybrid & Electric Vehicle Research Center at UC Davis, about the future creation of a "smart grid"  

The nation’s overcrowded prisons and jails have been hotbeds of coronavirus infections and deaths. In California, a new report from the inspector general found that multiple state prisons risked thousands of lives in rushed transfers of inmates with COVID-19, among other oversights. It comes as the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announces that 40% of its inmates have been vaccinated. Today on Insight, corrections during the pandemic, what that looks like in the state, and how prisons are managing the health of inmates and staff. Today's Guests Los Angeles Times Reporter Anita Chabria on prisons and jails in the state amid the pandemic, the inspector general’s recent report on poor oversight in correctional facilities, and the news of 40% of inmates in California being vaccinated  Los Angeles Democratic Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo discusses the legislative push to stop deportations and jail and prison transfers to ICE, and the ongoing issues with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation UC Hastings College of the Law Professor Hadar Aviram explains the state of private prisons nationwide and in California  We Are Their Voices Founder Renee Benavidez on the prison reform needed during this time and the value of connecting prison inmates with families Listener note: We reached out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to join us today — they declined our request.

Confused on how schools are planning on returning back to campus? What are the hold-ups and why are some schools already fully open? We break down the return-to-school confusion in our area. Plus, Yolo County's Health Officer on how the county earned a move to the less-restrictive 'red tier.' And California's Surgeon General with an update on the vaccination distribution effort across the state. Today's Guests Sacramento Bee School Accountability Reporter Sawsan Morrar on how school districts in the area are preparing for return-to-campus and why private schools are seeing increased interest  Yolo County Public Health Officer Dr. Aimee Sisson discusses the county’s entrance back into the ‘red tier’ and what it means for businesses and schools West Sacramento restaurant Club Pheasant owner Pete Palamidessi talks about Yolo County’s reopening and how he’s navigated the challenges of the pandemic CapRadio politics reporter Nicole Nixon and CalMatters health and social services reporter Elizabeth Aguilera share their interview with California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris from their podcast “California State of Mind,” and what to expect in the new season