Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

Caltrans updates the status of the “Fix50” highway project through downtown Sacramento. A conversation with Sacramento State’s new president. What to know about the California State Fair. Status of ‘Fix50’ highway construction The project to fix Highway 50 in Sacramento has been going on for two and a half years. Traffic delays, lane changes and round-the-clock construction have wreaked havoc on the morning and evening commutes. CalTrans Public Information Officer, Dennis Keaton, joins us with an update on the project and what drivers can expect over the next few months as schools return and summer starts to wind down. New Sacramento State President J. Luke Wood A new era at Sacramento State has begun this week. Dr. J. Luke Wood is now the ninth president in campus history. For President Wood, the new role is a homecoming for the alumnus whose time as a student here laid the foundation for his career in education. President Wood stopped by the CapRadio studios in June to share how his experience as a first-generation college student, navigating both the foster care system and housing insecurity, will shape his vision for current and future Hornets. What to know about the California State Fair An annual tradition celebrating the bounty of California is in full swing this month. The California State Fair has called Cal Expo home for more than 50 years, with a mission of reflecting the diversity of the state. Darla Givens, a spokesperson for the California State Fair & Food Festival, discusses the state fair which runs through July 30. 

The science behind heat waves across the country and world. Database tracks heatstroke deaths in vehicles. Why a child trafficking bill drew controversy at the state Capitol. The Bear Valley Music Festival starts this weekend. The science behind heatwaves Claudia Tebaldi is an earth scientist at the Joint Global Change Research Institute, a partnership between Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of Maryland, and has been studying increasingly frequent and longer lasting heat waves for more than two decades. Claudia joins Insight to explain heat waves currently happening across the United States and world, as well as how this is part of a debilitating trend for the 21st century. Also, as Northern California endures record-rivaling temperatures, Jan Null, a lecturer in the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science at San Jose State shares his database tracking heatstroke deaths of children in hot vehicles, explaining how quickly a car heats up, as well as the legal ramifications of whether or not you can break into a hot car if you see a child or pet in distress. Child trafficking bill controversy A bill that aims to increase the punishment for someone convicted of trafficking a minor in California was the source of controversy, backlash and then ultimately some rare bipartisanship last week at the State Capitol. CapRadio Politics Reporter, Nicole Nixon, joins us to breakdown the path of Senate Bill 14 and why some Democrats opposed the stiffer penalties, why it prompted Governor Newsom to get involved, and where it heads next.  We will also get a deeper understanding of how prevalent child trafficking in California is with Ashlie Bryant, Co-Founder and CEO of 3Strands Global Foundation, a leading child advocacy organization, and we’ll unpack some of the myths surrounding child trafficking. Bear Valley Music Festival Priscilla Call Essert, Executive Director of the Bear Valley Music Festival, joins us to provide a preview of the festival, which is celebrating 55 years and is considered to be the oldest cultural event in Alpine County. The festival kicks off this Friday and runs through Sunday, August 6th.

Investigation into rehabilitation program for those paroled from prison. A look inside state prisons to see how tablets are transforming sentences. A new book chronicles how Czechoslovakia used hockey to fight back against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Investigation into California's rehabilitation program California spends $100 million dollars a year on a rehabilitation program for parolees. But an investigation by our content-sharing partners at CalMatters has revealed the state does not have a way of tracking how successful the program is. Investigative reporter Byrhonda Lyons joins us to share the details of her year-long examination of the program the state pays for to help parolees stay clean, get jobs and ultimately not re-offend. Clarification: We’ve updated the description of this episode to clarify that the CalMatters investigation tracked a single program. How tablets are shaping prison Tablets have been rolling out across California prisons for the past two years, and are scheduled to complete the state’s 33 correctional facilities by this summer. The tablets are part of a statewide shift to focus on rehabilitation for those incarcerated. CapRadio Healthcare Reporter Kate Wolffe spoke with journalists incarcerated at San Quentin, Solano and Corcoran state prisons to see how tablets are transforming sentences, including growing pains and questions about the companies that stand to profit from this additional telecommunications service. Wanda Bertram, a Communications Strategist at the Prison Policy Initiative, also joins Insight about the research the non-profit has been conducting about tablets at correctional facilities across the country. Hockey vs. the Cold War Throughout history are examples of how sports reflect a political era. From the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. to the women’s movement on the tennis court, and Rugby following apartheid in South Africa. And the examples continue up to the present day. And the world stage, (like the Olympics) has become telling history lessons. A UC Davis political science professor understands this dynamic very well. And his new book takes us back to the Cold War era through the extraordinary success of a hard-scrabble hockey team whose unlikely victory over the Soviet Union inspired their nation to fight back after the global superpower invaded their country. The author is Ethan Scheiner and he joined Insight to tell us about the book titled “Freedom to Win: A Cold War Story Of The Courageous Hockey Team That Fought The Soviets For The Soul Of Its People-And Olympic Gold.”

Sacramento Observer awarded best Black newspaper in the country. California’s first in the nation Reparations Task Force has completed their final recommendations. Upcoming live music with Insight’s “Concert Connect.” Sac Observer's national award The Sacramento Observer is the best Black Newspaper in America. That paper, along with its Publisher and President Larry Lee, just walked away with more than a dozen top honors for their journalism, community service and digital impact.  Larry joins us on Insight today to discuss Black journalism’s importance in the crowded media landscape, and why The Observer stands out from the rest after being in operation since 1962 when his father, the late William Lee, started the paper. Reparations task force California’s Reparations Task Force is a first-in-the-nation initiative by a state to understand and undue the scope of harm and injustices against Black residents. After two years of research and passionate public hearings, the task force compiled an extensive report, as well as a long list of recommendations to correct the generations of outright and systemic racism in our state. KQED Reporter Annelise Finney shares her reporting on the final proposal by California’s Reparations Task Force and the potential challenges it faces now that it's in the hands of the state legislature. Don Tamaki is a member of the California Reparations Task Force and joins Insight to discuss the parallels and connections between the Japanese American redress and reparations for African Americans. Insight's Concert Connect CapRadio Hosts Nick Brunner and Andrew Garcia rejoin Insight for another edition of “Concert Connect,” highlighting their top picks for upcoming live music shows in Northern California. Today features Pool Kids performing July 14th at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, Cuffed Up performing July 17th The Starlet Room in Sacramento, Tune Yards with Os Mutantes performing August 23rd at the Grass Valley Center for the Arts, and The Mountain Goats who will be playing October 7th at Ace of Spades in Sacramento.

How pandemic disruptions reversed progress at K-12 schools in California. Researchers at UC Davis are studying the placenta to understand autism. First woman to draw Wonder Woman for DC Comics. Reversed K-12 achievement We all know that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted learning in so many ways, but recently released statistics prove just how devastating it was for English and math proficiency for California students. In fact, the pandemic wiped-out six straight years of improvement.  Iwunze Ugo is a Research Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California and joined Insight to discuss the latest data, which group of students suffered learning loss the most and what needs to be done to make-up for it. Studying the placenta Autism in American children has been steadily touching more lives. According to the CDC, the rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder have been on the rise for more than two decades, impacting one in 44 children. Experts say the rise is largely due to better screening and awareness, But the increase is prompting scientists to find clues about what causes this disorder which impacts millions of Americans. One of the challenges facing doctors and scientists is diagnosing it in childhood. While Autism can be detected in children as young as 18 months, many children do not receive a confirmed diagnosis until they’re adolescents or in some cases adults. But a researcher at UC Davis is turning to a temporary organ during pregnancy which is often discarded as medical waste in hospitals: the placenta. Dr. Janine LaSalle is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at UC Davis Health and joined us ahead of her talk at the “Davis Science Cafe”  at the G Street WunderBar about how the placenta could help us better understand neurodevelopment and causes of autism  Dr. LaSalla was also joined by one of her graduate students Julia Mouat.  Wonder Woman's first female cartoonist Cartoonist Trina Robbins is a pioneer in comic books, the first woman to ever draw Wonder Woman for DC Comics. She designed costumes for Jim Morrison, wrote for feminist magazines. Robbins also created and edited the first all-female comics book, and crafted the first comic with an out lesbian as the protagonist and currently works as a comic “HERstorian.” Robbins joined Insight ahead of her visit to Sacramento this month.

The way Sacramento pays for arts education is broken. Here’s what could help. Sacramento-based author and pioneer in gay and lesbian fiction. How to preserve Mayan languages and hieroglyphic script. Arts education Sacramento Education Reporter Srishti Prabha shares their reporting on Proposition 28 which, passed in 2022, marked a historic investment for arts education in California public schools. That, along with an arts block grant, were to be the solution for three decades of funding strains in arts education. However, Srishti explains why Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget will decrease funding for the arts, as well as how the current limitations of arts education funding in K-12 schools prompt more challenges than solutions. Sacramento-based LGBTQ pioneer in fiction According to the American Library Association– the largest and oldest library association in the world– in 2022 there were a record number of demands to censor library books and materials across the country. The vast majority involved topics about the LGBTQ+ community and people of color. In response, the Sacramento Public Library is hosting its latest in-depth speaker series “Enters the Chat” with Sacramento-based author Ann Bannon, a pioneer in gay and lesbian fiction, known for The Beebo Brinker Chronicles which earned her the title "Queen of Lesbian Pulp Fiction." Bannon, as well as Sacramento Public Library Director and CEO Peter Coyl, join Insight ahead of Bannon’s speaker series on June 22 at 6 p.m. at the Library Galleria. Preserving Mayan langugage Anthropologist and epigrapher Dr. Michael J. Grofe, President of Mayas for Ancient Mayan (MAM) and Chair of the Anthropology Department at Sacramento City College joins us to discuss the history of the indigenous Maya people and how he is working to support efforts around the world to preserve the learning, reading and writing of the Classic Maya hieroglyphic script. 

History of Juneteenth and a three-day festival in Sacramento. Documentary explores the history of Del Paso Heights. One of the authors behind the new Grammys Best African Music Performance category. Juneteenth in Sacramento Juneteenth officially became a federal holiday in 2021, but commemorations have taken place for decades, celebrating the emancipation of slaves in the United States. Here in Sacramento, 20th anniversary celebrations kick-off this weekend for a three-day festival of music, culture, food and educational opportunities.  Joining us to dig into the history of Juneteenth and our local celebrations is Gary Simon, Executive Director of “Sacramento Juneteenth, Inc.” Del Paso Heights documentary A new documentary called “Del Paso Heights, Cracking an Epidemic”, airing Thursday on KCRA, explores the history of one of Sacramento’s oldest neighborhoods and how the introduction of drugs brought on an epidemic of crime that is still impacting the community today.  Joining us to share his reporting and a preview of the documentary is KCRA reporter Jason Marks, along with Grant Union High School Principal, Darris Hinson as well as Sacramento Police Chief Kathy Lester who will discuss how Del Paso Heights is trying to emerge from its troubled past into the vibrant, healthy community like it once was. Grammys' Best African Music Performance category Sacramento-based musician Shawn Thwaites discusses being part of the Recording Academy and being an author behind the new Grammy Awards Best African Music Performance category.

A bill would fund inclusivity messaging in states with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Closing the economic and racial wealth gap to homeownership. Sac State free adult summer series “Celebrating Diversity: Telling Stories that Haven’t Been Told.” Inclusivity bill California State Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D- San Diego) discusses authoring SB 447, legislation called the BRIDGE Project– which stands for “Building and Reinforcing Inclusive, Diverse, Gender-Supportive Equality.” The bill wants to amend a previous law banning taxpayer-funded travel to states with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Pro Tem Atkins argues the 2016 law had unintended consequences and further isolated LGBTQ+ members in those states. SB 447 would lift the travel ban and create a donation-driven fund for inclusive messaging and help members of the LGBTQ+ community feel less isolated.    Sacramento homeownership equity Keisha (Kee) Mathews, Broker & Owner of Mathews & Co Realty Group and radio talk show host of Selling Sacramento, and Adam Briones, CEO of California Community Builders, join us to discuss, the current status of the housing market in the Sacramento region,  some context to the regional/state housing crisis, and solutions to closing the economic and racial wealth gaps to homeownership. Sac State free adult summer series “Celebrating Diversity: Telling Stories that Haven’t Been Told” is the theme of a free summer adult education program running June 9 - July 28 and presented by the Renaissance Society, a volunteer and peer-led lifelong learning program affiliated with Sacramento State.  Organizers, Deborah Seiler and Dora Dugars join Insight to talk about the wide variety of topics and seminars being offered.

Gov. Newsom’s national political strategy. How California’s infrastructure package impacts manufacturing. Debut book from NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour’s Aisha Harris. Gov. Newsom's political strategy CalMatters Reporter Ben Christopher discusses Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national political strategy, following a proposal to add a constitutional amendment to the US constitution for gun control policies, as well as his primetime interview with Fox News Host Sean Hannity.  Manufacturing in California Build now and build faster and that means more jobs in California. That’s Governor Newsom’s theme for his new $180 billion dollar infrastructure plan over the next decade.  From roads, to bridges, to clean energy and broadband, it seems like everything is on the table.  But why now?  And what took so long?  Lance Hastings is CEO and President of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association and joins us to breakdown the package of investments the Governor is proposing. Pop Culture Happy Hour As the host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, Aisha Harris knows how pop culture shapes how we see ourselves, how we view the world, and why that perception can evolve over time. Perhaps a movie or show we loved at one point in our lives doesn’t land well now. But as a child of the 90’s, Aisha is turning inward and putting a mirror up to that pop culture” exploration. She joins Insight to discuss her debut book “Wannabe: Reckonings with the Pop Culture That Shapes Me.” 

An investigation into the growing paycheck advance cash app industry. Sacramento transgender documentary “Never Too Late?” Poet Marilyn Nelson visits Sacramento. Cash app investigation Aaron Glantz, a California bureau chief and a senior editor at The Fuller Project, discusses his investigation into the growing cash app industry, which offers paycheck advances. He explains the lack of regulation surrounding these tech companies, and why they target women of color– with outcomes that can trap them in debt. We’ll also discuss why California is considering cracking down on this industry. "Never too late?"  A longtime Sacramentan has become one of the oldest known Americans to undergo gender-affirmation surgery. But her age is a tiny piece of her lifelong journey to live authentically as a transgender woman. We’ll meet Stephanie Haskins, who opened up about her life in a new documentary “Never Too Late?” joined by documentary director Ted Ross. A free screening of “Never Too Late?” will take place at The Sofia - Home of B Street Theatre on June 21. Poet Marilyn Nelson One of America’s most celebrated poets and winner of multiple national awards is coming to Sacramento to share her voice and perspective on racial justice in celebration of Juneteenth. Marilyn Nelson, a three-time finalist for the national Book Award. Nelson is a graduate of Hiram Johnson high school and U.C. Davis.

How access to public pools are important to the community at large. A children’s book re-imagines our relationship with fire. Showcasing the best upcoming live music shows in Northern California with Insight’s “Concert Connect.” Why public pool closures matter The closure of a Sacramento City public pool may be an inconvenience to some, but to others, the closure means stripping away a convenient and affordable way to beat the sizzling Sacramento summer heat. CapRadio City Government reporter, Kristin Lam, joins Insight to reveal why the lone pool in Sacramento’s central area has closed, what it will take to reopen it, and how access to public pools are important to the community at large. Reimagining our relationship with fire Humans have a long, complicated history with fire. Without it, we wouldn’t have evolved into the species we are today. And indigenous communities have long utilized it for both practical and cultural purposes. But over the past century our relationship with fire has become out of balance, and we’re all too aware of its destructive and deadly nature. Author Joanna Cooke joins us to discuss her new children’s book “Fire Shapes the World” which helps kids and their families reimagine fire as an essential part of life, instead of just a destructive force. All book proceeds will go to the Yosemite Conservancy. Insight's Concert Connect CapRadio Hosts Nick Brunner and Andrew Garcia  join us to highlight their top upcoming local concerts for another edition of Insight’s “Concert Connect.” This week features Rebecca Black who will be June 10th at the Sacramento Pride Festival. Erykah Badu, joined by Rapper Yasiin Bey (formerly known as Mos Def), June 20 at Golden 1 Center. Th' Losin Streaks performing at the Sacramento Trash Jubilee June 22-24. And Destroy Boys, who will be an opening act for Blink-182 on June 23.

Why rural hospitals are becoming increasingly difficult to operate. Meet the incoming Sacramento State President. Modesto celebrates the 50-year anniversary of “American Graffiti” with month-long “Graffiti Summer.” Struggling rural hospitals Rural hospitals are the lifeblood of a community. But over the years, everything from natural disasters to the skyrocketing cost of healthcare, and the ripple effects of the pandemic, have put the survivability of these remote hospitals that serve large distances at risk. Some are finding the costs are simply too great to bear and shut down completely. Some have gone bankrupt while others look to merge with larger hospital systems to stay financially afloat. Aside from critical care and life-saving services, many people are put at risk over the long term by putting off or missing routine check-ups and preventative care. For the communities themselves, many find that their hospitals are the largest employers with good wages. So when a hospital shuts down, the impact can be felt in towns to even larger cities like Sacramento. Sacramento Business Journal reporter Emily Hamman joined Insight to give a deep dive into the state of California's rural hospitals. The report is in partnership with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. New Sac State president Over the past 75 years, Sacramento State has been the Capital City’s university. Throughout the decades Sac State prides itself in growing to become one of the most diverse campuses in the West. The strides behind the university's success are guided by the vision of leadership. And this upcoming school year, Sac State will welcome its ninth president in campus history. Dr. J Luke Wood is the incoming president of Sacramento State and takes the position in July Sac State's current president Robert Nelsen is retiring after taking the position in 2015. An alumnus of Sac State, Luke’s new role is a homecoming of sorts. Insight took time to get to know the incoming president better and hear his vision for current and future Hornets. Modesto's "Graffiti Summer" As we roll closer to the start of summer, so too will hundreds of classic cars as they “rev” their engines and cruise through the streets of downtown Modesto. “Graffiti Summer” is off and running in the “classic car mecca” of California, a celebration of the place which inspired the 1973 film “American Graffiti” directed by Modesto-native George Lucas. The enduring film is based on Lucas’ own experiences growing up in the Central Valley and this year marks 50 years since the film’s release. Throughout June, the streets will be jammed packed with impressive and immaculately restored classic cars, street fairs, and of course the music which captured the essence of this bygone era. Todd Aranson with Visit Modesto joining Insight to share how Modesto has kept the “cruise era” alive.

Sacramento responds to rise in congenital syphilis cases in pregnancies disproportionately impacting unhoused residents. State Farm and Allstate stop selling new policies to California property owners. From STEM to opera, we meet UC Davis sibling prodigies. Syphilis spike Congenital Syphilis is a disease passed to a baby during pregnancy, and there has been a steep increase in recent years– a 950% rise in cases from 2011 to 2020, according to the California Department of Public Health. Jake Bradley-Rowe, Executive Director of Sunburst Projects, joins Insight to explain why Sacramento County is among the largest rise in cases per capita in the country, with a disproportionate impact of pregnancies involving those experiencing homelessness. He also explains why his non-profit received new funding from the county to house and care for those infected, including treatment before birth. Insurance companies withdrawing Two of the largest property insurers are no longer offering new policies to California residents. Michael Wara, Director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University Woods Institute for the Environment, discusses why insurers like State Farm and Allstate are withdrawing from California. We’ll unpack how climate change and building costs are driving factors behind the withdrawal, as well as how this is a part of an ongoing financial challenge facing property owners in high wildfire risk areas in recent years. Child prodigy siblings They are the wonder kids from UC Davis. One is now a 19-year-old doctorate student who will graduate with a PhD in biomedical engineering in a few weeks. The other is a 17-year-old soprano and grad student at Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. We have followed their journey on Insight and today, Tanishq and Tiara Abraham, join Vicki for an update on what they are up to, their latest accomplishments and plans for the future.

Health officials are concerned about a possible resurgence of MPOX during PRIDE month. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is not seeking a third term. Donna Apidone’s “Drivetime Meditations.” Possible mpox resurgence Pride Month has returned as a celebration, activism, and allyship for the LGTBQ+ community and the right to love and live as one’s true authentic self. But with a number of events already underway, and larger festivals still to come, state public health officials are worried about a resurgence of MPOX (the disease formerly known as Monkeypox). Although MPOX cases have declined in California since their peak last summer, the head of the state’s public health department issued a warning to healthcare providers to remain vigilant to prevent a possible resurgence. CapRadio’s Healthcare Reporter Kate Wolffe joined Insight to tell us more about the state’s concerns and how the LGBTQ+ community in Sacramento County is making access to vaccines easier. Mayor Darrell Steinberg   Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg discusses his decision to not run for a third term. The mayor explains why he is closing a chapter in Sacramento city government, how he views his accomplishments and setbacks, what he would have done differently, as well as what he hopes to still get done as mayor. Steinberg also opens up about possible opportunities he may pursue, and his initial thoughts on the current candidates running for mayor. Drivetime Meditations A beloved familiar voice returns to Insight. Interviewer, writer and author Donna Apidone, who is also CapRadio’s former Morning Edition host, stops by to share how she’s expanding her latest book, “Drivetime Meditations” into an audio series and therapeutic project, as well as continuing her mission to help others find purpose. And those are just two of the many things she’s up to.

 “Best of Insight”: An independent journalist based in Sacramento returns from his latest reporting trip from Ukraine. Also, an 80-million-year-old plant fossil discovered in Placer County has helped fill a significant gap in the fossil record. Ukraine You can measure war by atrocious loss, from lives to livelihoods, and a way of life rooted in familiar comfort that is ripped away beyond repair. In Ukraine, the death toll and diaspora at the hands of Russia cannot be ignored. But you can also understand the toll of war by what and who remains.  Their stories capture the heart of what once was as well as the drive to endure the painful costs of a war with no end in sight.  Martin Kuz is an independent journalist based in Sacramento. His father fled Ukraine following WWII, never able to return. Martin spent the past 12 months traveling to his father’s homeland, first arriving in the days leading up to the invasion, and then returning again in the summer during an all-out war that continues today.  Kuz’ reporting from last year can be found in SacTown Magazine and The Christian Science Monitor from August and April. Insight spoke with Martin upon just landing back in California from his latest three-week reporting trip this time in Eastern Ukraine. We sat down and talked on the one-year anniversary of the official start of the war. Fossilized fruit in Granite Bay More than three decades ago, construction workers unearthed something unusual while building new homes in Granite Bay. They discovered a fossilized plant buried for eons. The ancient plant was collected by researchers at Sierra College and preserved in its Natural History Museum in Rocklin. There it sat for decades, and only recently has its scientific significance been realized. A curious professor from the University of Kansas took a closer look at the fossil, and after careful examination, released a study suggesting this discovery has helped close a critical gap in the fossil record. It reveals the ancestors of an incredibly diverse family of flowering plants that we enjoy today, including close relatives of coffee and potatoes which evolved during the last days of the dinosaurs. Insight sat down with Richard Hilton, professor of earth sciences at Sierra College, and Brian Atkinson, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Kansas, who shared the fascinating story of this fossil tens of millions of years in the making.