Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

The latest results and analysis of the midterm election from statewide races and ballot measures to races and measures in the Sacramento area.  Midterm election recap with CapRadio Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon After weeks of analysis and speculation, we’re getting a picture that is still very much taking shape about how this Midterm is shaping up. From statewide, congressional, as well as local races and measures. Patience is key, and election results take days, in some cases weeks, to finalize. Some election races have already been called, and there are bigger themes and messages beyond this single election. We’re starting off with a statewide look. CapRadio Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon had a busy night bouncing around watch parties in Sacramento and joins us with what we know so far. Political Data Inc. We’re sifting through Midterm election results across the state and country. From the highly competitive races in California and beyond, the balance of Congress is still taking shape. Still, within the unknowns of election returns are broader themes and messages of where voters stand and what issues fueled them to the polls. We will have a roundtable of analysis with Laurel Rosenhall from the LA Times, political strategist Luis Alvarado and Paul Mitchell with the ballot tracking firm “Political Data Inc.” CapRadio Digital The CapRadio news and digital teams have been on high alert over the last 13 hours since the polls closed, gathering and carefully organizing and analyzing the midterm election results. CapRadio Sacramento Government Reporter Kristin Lam and CapRadio’s Managing Editor of Digital Content Chris Hagan break down the latest on the races and measures in Sacramento.

Midterm Election Day coverage, including last-minute voting tips from the California Voter Foundation. Understanding the untapped power of the Latino vote. Author of the new book “Bravo Company: An Afghanistan Deployment and its Aftermath.” Election Day CapRadio Reporter Chris Nichols joins us live from a polling center in Sacramento to share what’s motivating voters in this midterm election and how they feel about Measure O on the city’s ballot.   Last minute voting tips Kim Alexander, President of the California Voter Foundation, joins us to navigate last-minute voting in California and the greater Sacramento area. We will also discuss new protections afforded to election day workers and monitor any news regarding irregularities or voter intimidation across the country and here at home. Power of the Latino vote CapRadio Race and Equity Reporter Sarah Mizes-Tan discusses the untapped power of the Latino vote and why campaigns often ignore them.  Bravo Company The Wall Street Journal Reporter Ben Kesling joins Insight to discuss his new book “Bravo Company: An Afghanistan Deployment and Its Aftermath.”

The outreach and challenges with mobilizing first-time and younger voters. The ongoing efforts to preserve indigenous languages in California. A Dixon-based author discusses new book “Awaiting the Sun: WWII Veterans Remember the Aleutians.” Voter outreach It’s “Election Eve.” According to “Political Data Inc,” which tracks mail-in ballots, roughly a fifth of ballots have been turned in. About 20%, which makes up more than four million returned ballots. The largest voting block showing up so far are those 65 and older making up 41% of ballot returns – as of midnight. The age group at the bottom, those 18 to 34 just 7% of the electoral pie slice. Despite the single-digit percentile a day before the Midterm, there has been a push to fire up enthusiasm for the youngest generation of voters. CapRadio’s Srishti Prabha discusses the outreach and challenges of mobilizing first-time and younger voters leading up to the Nov.8 Midterm.   Preserving indigenous language November is “Native American Heritage Month,” first enacted in 1990 to pay tribute to the ancestry and culture of this nation’s indigenous people. One of the essential pillars of Native American culture is under threat of fading from existence: Their languages. According to Ethnologue, a resource on world languages, 98% of indigenous languages in the US are considered endangered. And a United Nations report suggests that California could lose all of its American Indian languages if serious efforts aren’t taken to preserve them. One of the groups behind that effort is the “Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival.” An organization striving to restore and revive these languages so they may survive as an everlasting piece of indigenous culture in the state. Joining us is Carly Tex, the advocacy group’s executive director Awaiting the Sun: WWII Veterans Remember the Aleutians When thinking of WWII, the attack on Pearl Harbor and the theaters in Europe and the South Pacific may come to the top of mind. But an author based in Dixon devoted to research to telling a neglected story of WWII. Aleutian veterans deployed to the islands off the Alaskan mainland that were the only North American territory invaded and occupied during the war; many soldiers never returned home. Bill Paul is that author and a veteran himself. He joins us to discuss his new book “Awaiting the Sun: WWII Veterans Remember the Aleutians.”  

Wildfires in California have grown increasingly extreme and devastating in the last decade. BURNED, a yearlong investigation from the California Newsroom, reveals how the U.S. Forest Service is struggling to complete the work it knows it must do to keep Californians safe from wildfires. For decades, the agency has developed projects to thin and manage overgrown forests in an effort to reduce wildfire intensity. But those plans routinely stall out, and sometimes are abandoned completely. The 2021 Caldor Fire destroyed most of Grizzly Flats, a foothills community in Northern California that borders Forest Service land. CapRadio’s Scott Rodd investigated how the Forest Service took years to develop a large forest management project around Grizzly Flats, and only finished a small portion by the time the Caldor Fire ignited in 2021. The agency originally committed to finishing the 15,000-acre project by 2020. Towns up and down California fear they could be next. KCRW’s Caleigh Wells uncovered how the Forest Service tackles only a fraction of the prescribed burning work it needs to get done to protect communities in Southern California. The agency delayed or canceled multiple projects around Big Bear Lake, a popular tourist town surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. The town narrowly avoided disaster this year when the Radford Fire ignited. CapRadio’s Scott Rodd and KCRW’s Caleigh Wells reported this special investigation. Additional reporting by George LeVines and Emily Zentner. It was edited by Adriene Hill and Mike Kessler of the California Newsroom, a collaboration of the state’s public radio stations.

A glimpse of voting behaviors as the midterm election approaches. A new study e political factions and the likelihood they’ll support or engage in political violence. Revisiting our conversation about monarch butterflies and the effort to preserve their migration to the California coast. Midterm voting behaviors We have five days left to turn in our mail-in ballot or vote the old-fashioned way. Despite ballots being sent out a month in advance and offering conditional “same day” registration on Election Day, there is a wide range of factors why someone shows up to take part in the electoral process while others sit it out. Insight's first guest today argues the simplified explanation of “apathy” isn’t only inaccurate but ultimately harmful to voter engagement. Mindy Romero is a professor and director of the USC Center for Inclusive Democracy, a nonpartisan research center focused on elections, voting behaviors, and political participation. She also has a strong understanding of the barriers and factors that lead to a voter turnout that is far from reflective of California’s diversity with the goal of creating opportunities to close that historical gap so that elections are representative of all those impacted by policies. Political violence study As we head into a midterm election there is concern over the potential for political violence if election results are not accepted by Trump-endorsed politicians. In the aftermath of the attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the threat of political violence is more real. A recent survey conducted by UC Davis focuses on the identification of groups that may be at high risk for political violence, such as MAGA Republicans. Dr. Garen Wintemute, the emergency medicine physician and firearm violence researcher who conducted the survey, joined Insight to share these alarming findings and discussed potential solutions to prevent political violence. Monarch butterfly migration As the weather cools down and we break out those winter coats and hats, a beloved insect makes their return to the California coast. The famed monarch butterflies are making their epic migration from the Rockies to California gathering in impressive clusters along our coast. But in recent years scientists have seen sharp declines and slight increases in their populations leading scientists to question why their numbers are fluctuating. One of the keys to solving this riddle are “butterfly counters” which help provide a tally of butterflies fluttering along our coast. Earlier this year, CapRadio’s environment reporter Manola Secaira took a trip to the coast to better understand how both Monarchs and their dedicated counters descend upon Pacific Grove this time of year to measure the health of these incredible creatures.   

Updated 10:14 a.m. How hospitals are responding to the rise of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). Discussion about recent instances of antisemitism. Understanding California’s Filipino history.  RSV cases in hospitals It's being called a "tripledemic." Along with the ongoing threat of COVID and the seasonal Flu, the CDC is seeing an increase in ER visits and hospitalizations across the country due to a common respiratory illness called RSV. The virus usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can be more severe in young children and older adults. Pediatric hospitals across America are reporting unusually high RSV case numbers, and some are overwhelmed with the number of patients they're receiving. Today, we'll better understand what RSV is, why parts of the country are seeing so many cases this early in the season, how it's impacting pediatric care, and what families should know as we head into the holiday season. Two doctors from pediatric hospitalists from our region have seen an uptick in R-S-V cases in recent weeks. Dr. Nicole Webb with Valley Children's Health in Madera County and Dr. Bronwyn Carlson with Renown Children's Hospital in Reno joined Insight to discuss RSV in their communities.  Antisemitism in California Type in "AntiSemitism," and you'll find dozens and dozens of recent incidents. From rapper and fashion designer Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and his offensive and inflammatory statements about Jews to new revelations, the man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband shared extremist views about Jews. And locally, a number of recent situations in the Greater Sacramento area with Anti-Semitic incidents on or near UC Davis and Sac State campuses. And there are concerns that the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk (who is no stranger to controversy) could lead to more hate speech online. According to data collected by the "Anti-Defamation League," last year, white supremacist propaganda doubled year-over-year, and data shows that already in 2022, there have already been nearly 6,000 incidents nationwide. So why are we hearing more about Anti-Semitism? Is this a new wave, or just making more headlines? Seth Brysk, Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League, based in San Francisco, and Rabbi Mona Alfi with Sacramento's Congregation B'nai Israel joined Insight to discuss the most recent incidents of antisemitism. Alfi is also President of the Board of Rabbis of the Greater Sacramento Region. Filipino American History Month This weekend the California Museum opened a new exhibit showcasing some of the histories of Filipinos in California, one of the largest Asian ethnic groups in the state. The exhibit is presented in partnership with the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies at UC Davis, the Filipino American National Historical Society, and the California Nurses Association. It’s called California is in the Heart, and CapRadio’s Sacramento Communities Reporter Janelle Salanga joined Insight us to share more about the exhibit.     Correction: Dr. Nicole Webb practices medicine in Madera county. This has been corrected.

Updated Nov. 1, 2022 at 10:27 a.m. State Senator Brian Dahle is running for California governor. A conversation with the Republican candidate about his vision for the state. Also, a Sacramento chef competes in the new Hulu series “Chefs vs. Wild.” Brian Dahle     In one week, polls will close across California, and votes will be tallied for the Midterm. A statewide race that hasn’t garnered as much of the spotlight as one would think is for governor. Governor Gavin Newsom is running for a second term in what might feel like déjà vu after surviving a gubernatorial recall last year. His challenger is Republican State Senator Brian Dahle, with a decade of experience in the state legislature. The two challenged each other in the one and only debate that competed with NFL on a Sunday afternoon. We reached out to Gov. Newsom for an interview about running for re-election and have yet to get a response from his campaign. But Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez and State Senator Dahle had a wide-ranging conversation about his vision for California and different solutions he believes would move the state forward. Their conversation was part of an event hosted by the Sacramento Press Club and held at CalMatters in downtown Sacramento. Chefs vs. Wild Chefs vs. Wild on Hulu is a show where foraging meets fine dining as world-class chefs are dropped into the wilderness, forcing them to survive and create a five-star meal. If you've watched the show, you may have spotted Sacramento chef Kevin O'Connor competing on the show. Kevin is no beginner when it comes to foraging and cooking in nature with an open fire. Insight caught up with Kevin about how his life has influenced his cooking and how he teaches others to forage, cook and appreciate olive oil.     Editor's note: Sen. Brian Dahle said the Oroville spillway crisis happened in 2018. The correct year was Feb. 2017.

A conversation with the chairwoman of the California Republican Party ahead of the Midterm. UC Davis successfully conducts the world’s first stem cell treatment for Spina Bifida on a fetus before birth. Former SacBee reporter discusses his new book, “The Abolitionist’s Journal.”  California Republican Party's midterm strategy California is well known for its deep-blue political tilt, but this November the Golden State is providing opportunities for Republicans to potentially win their first statewide race in more than a decade and possibly determine the balance of power in Congress. The party is hoping to tap into Californian’s concerns over soaring inflation, crime, and homelessness — and to turn that discontent into votes. But Democrats have utilized the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion to energize their base in the hopes of flipping a handful of congressional seats they lost in 2018. Jessica Millan Patterson, Chairwoman of the California Republican Party, joined us on Insight to provide her party’s strategy and priorities less than a month before Election Day.  World's first Spina Bifida fetal surgery Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it also can bring understandable stress. There are big unknowns and discoveries along the way that are out of our control. A variety of testing and screenings are available to give soon-to-be parents a clearer picture of the baby’s overall health and development. One screening is for Spina Bifida which is an abnormal development of the spine that can carry lifelong disabilities including, at its most extreme, paralysis. Up until now, parents have had the option of treatment after birth to reduce Spina Bifida’s defects, but it is far from a perfect solution. But UC Davis Health has discovered a completely novel approach that is a “first in the world.” A surgery using stem cell treatment that takes place while the fetus is still in the womb. The trial began last year, and this month achieved a historic milestone. UC Davis announced three babies have been born after undergoing this groundbreaking treatment. Dr. Diana Farmer, chair of the Department of Surgery at UC Davis Health and leading the trial, joined Insight to discuss this groundbreaking surgery.  "An Abolitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family" Regardless of how well we know our family history, the generations before us help shape who we are today, whether we know it or not. For those interested in learning about their ancestors, it is a great deal of work with a lot of curves, dead ends, and unexpected roads. James Richardson was more than up for the task. The former senior writer with the Sacramento Bee and retired Episcopal priest spent more than 20 years retracing the life of his great-great-grandfather George Richardson. Without giving too much away what he found was powerful, but nearly at risk of becoming forgotten. This journey culminated in Jim’s new book, “The Abolitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family.” 

A survey reveals the inequities of child-care access for Black families in the Sacramento region. Stockton’s Police Chief provides the latest on a string of deadly shootings his department says are connected. A world-renowned violinist will perform with the Davis High School Baroque Ensemble.  Inequities in child-care access Child-care can rival a mortgage and rent in California. A financial burden that is further weighed down by the reality that there is a shortage of available spaces. KidsData is a non-profit that tracks child-care costs and availability. Statewide the average cost for a child-care center is just under $1,500 a month. But that number is from 2018. The pandemic further strained what was already a difficult or unaffordable option for working households.  A poll conducted by Valley Vision and in partnership with CapRadio surveyed residents across our six-county region (Sacramento, Sutter, Yuba, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties).  It found about a third of parents say they do not have access to the child-care that they need.  CapRadio’s Education Reporter Srishti Prabha spent time understanding the “why” as well as sharing the voices and lived experiences behind this data.    Update on serial shooter from Stockton Police Chief Stockton has been on edge in recent weeks. Police are searching for who they believe is a serial shooter, killing six people in the past year-and-a-half and injuring another victim who survived.  The shootings were recently linked through ballistics analysis. Police are not saying that the shootings are race-related, but there is a common theme. The shootings are happening late at night in isolated areas. Four of the victims appear to be of Hispanic descent and some of the victims were also experiencing homelessness. So far, police have shared a grainy security camera video of a person of interest. Stockton’s new police chief Stanley McFadden joined Insight to provide the latest on the investigation.  Rachel Barton Pine to perform with Davis High School Baroque Ensemble Rachel Barton Pine has used her remarkable musical talent to connect with people around the world. Described as an exciting, boundary-defying performer, Pine’s versatility on the violin has helped her earn countless awards and frequent performances among some of the most renowned orchestras. Her powerful and evocative performances have even been featured on the big screen/ including the award-winning 2018 film “The Favourite.”  Pine’s next stop is here in Northern California where she’ll be performing with the Davis High School Baroque Ensemble. The virtuoso joined Insight to tell us more about this performance along with Angelo Moreno, the Orchestra Director for Davis Senior High School.   

Sen. Alex Padilla ahead of the Midterm. A breakdown of CapRadio’s voter guide. California Voter Foundation discusses a new bill expanding poll worker protections. GoldenSky Music Festival this weekend.   Senator Alex Padilla Less than one month until Americans head to the polls in what is shaping up to be a pivotal Midterm election. California voters will begin receiving their ballots in the mail and can begin weighing in on the candidates and issues most important to them. One of those candidates (who you’ll see on the ballot twice) is Democratic Senator Alex Padilla. Padilla is running to complete the current term he was appointed to after Kamala Harris became Vice President and Sen. Padilla is also running for a full six-year term against Republican candidate Mark Meuser. Insight spoke with the senator about the challenges of rising above congressional gridlock and why he thinks the stakes are so high this November. He also discussed recent legislation to address the federal government's response to wildfires and strengthen environmental justice for underserved communities.    CapRadio Voter Guide, Protections for Election Day Poll Workers The November ballot can be overwhelming.  From local, state, and congressional, candidates, to propositions (not to mention city and county measures). The General Election is a lot to sort through.  CapRadio's Managing Editor of News and Information Nick Miller joined Insight to break down the comprehensive Sacramento voter guide. Insight also spoke with Kim Alexander, President of the California Voter Foundation, about what voters need to know about the voting process and expanded protections for poll workers.  GoldenSky Music Festival   Sacramento is quickly becoming a music festival destination. The success of Aftershock has helped make Sacramento a yearly destination for the best in rock music. The same festival producers are following up with GoldenSky, the country music festival featuring country music’s biggest names and upcoming artists but also in the festival spirit provides much more than music. Chamie McCurry with Danny Wimmer Presents, which puts on Aftershock and GoldenSky joined us to take a broader look at how the Capital City is carving its way into the festival shuffle.   

An immigration attorney provides an update Ukrainians and Russians seeking asylum in Northern California. The CEO of WEAVE discusses Domestic Violence Action Month. A conversation with the new host of NPR’s “It’s Been a Minute” show and podcast.   Russians and Ukrainians seeking refuge It’s been more than seven months since Russia’s war in Ukraine and developments are continuing to unfold rapidly. This week, Russia claims more than 200,000 people have been drafted into their army, but the conscription has also sparked an exodus of hundreds of thousands of Russians from their homeland as well as protests. Many have escaped to neighboring countries. But we're learning some are also seeking asylum here in Northern California. Alex Tovarian is an immigration attorney who is active in the Russian, Ukrainian, and broader Slavic communities in California. He’s joined us on Insight a few times since the onset of the war to share the experiences of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict and provided an update on the ever-evolving asylum crisis.  Domestic Violence Action Month Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been serious discussions about the unintended consequences of sheltering at home beyond COVID-19. The United Nations has called it a “shadow pandemic” a rise in domestic violence that is difficult to measure behind closed doors but one that the UN believes has risen to unprecedented levels. The Harvard Gazette reports an increase in the U.S. at about 8% / following the 2020 lockdowns, but finding an accurate number is difficult because calls to hotlines dropped at the beginning of the pandemic. But that doesn’t mean domestic violence dropped. Two and a half years in, we’re starting to get a better picture of the demand for domestic violence resources and support. WEAVE is leading the provider for domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking in Sacramento County and their CEO Beth Hassett joined us to discuss this issue as well as Domestic Violence Action Month. NPR's new It's Been A Minute host NPR’s “It’s Been a Minute” explores how pop culture shapes current events. But for the past several months, the search has been on for a new host to take the place of Sam Sanders. That search is over. Brittany Luse is the new host of NPR’s “It's Been a Minute” podcast.  Brittany is an award-winning journalist and cultural critic with a love for podcasting.  Most recently, she has been co-hosting the podcast “For Colored Nerds.”  Brittany’s work has been seen in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Vulture, Harper's Bazaar as well as NPR’s “Planet Money” podcasts. Insight spoke with Brittany ahead of her weekend debut.   

An annual livability poll is revealing Sacramento’s Black residents are most concerned about the region’s high housing costs. A conversation with Sacramento’s new nighttime economic manager. A preview of the Riverbank Food and Wine Festival. Black Sacramento's housing concerns The housing market may be cooling due to the rise in interest rates, but homes are still out of reach for many people in the Sacramento area. Rents are really no better higher than the year prior. Housing affordability is a widespread issue that breaks down unevenly, affecting communities of color the most. A new poll published this week by Valley Vision in partnership with CapRadio found nearly nine of every 10 Black residents are concerned about the cost of housing in the Sacramento region, a level higher than any other racial or ethnic group. And policy experts are not surprised. CapRadio reporter Chris Nichols covers affordable housing and homelessness and joins us this morning to discuss the findings. Sacramento's nighttime economy manager Let’s face it. It’s been a painful year in Sacramento. Just as the city started to emerge from the pandemic with restaurants, bars, and clubs reopening with looser restrictions, a mass shooting on K Street between rival gangs left six dead and 12 injured in April. Three months later, a shooting outside “Mix” nightclub killed one person and injured four others. And then, in late September, a shooting happened outside of BarWest on J Street; a man was shot and killed. The aftermath is trauma and mourning, something we still are very much in. But there are also people nervous about going out and staying late in the city center. And it’s hard because businesses want the crowds after being shut down or limited, in so many ways during the height of COVID. They need the crowds, and we all want the vibe of downtown to come back. Sacramento was on a roll with DOCO, the arena, bars and restaurants. But safety comes first. The city is moving forward with Sacramento’s first “nighttime economy manager.” Her name is Tina Lee-Vogt, and she joins us to talk about her new role and how she plans on making the city core a vibrant, fun and safe place to enjoy. Riverbank Food and Wine Festival The City of Riverbank North of Modesto in Stanislaus County is celebrating its centennial. 100 years! This weekend is the “Riverbank Wine & Cheese Festival,” the 45th anniversary of the event. The festival is a homage to the region’s diversity of people, food and wine. With a year to make changes and expand the festival, there is much to see, smell and taste. The event will highlight local wineries and have entertainment to enjoy. Joining us is Tamra Spade, festival organizer and CEO of “Simply Divine Events.”  

New study links bias in medical technology to COVID-19 clinical care. A preview of one of the largest public works projects in Sacramento’s history. Sacramento native Tim McCord, who is the guitarist of the rock band Evanescence, performs at Aftershock Festival.  Medical bias in COVID-19 clinical technology The pulse oximeter sounds like something from the movie "Back to the Future," but it's a very common medical device. It's a clip the nurse or doctor puts on your finger to measure the oxygen level in your blood: simple, painless, yet an important measure of what's going on inside. However, there is concern about the pulse oximeter's effectiveness in evaluating patients during the COVID pandemic, especially for Black patients. Now we are learning about how a potential bias in the device could have led to hours-long delays in patients with darker skin tones getting the care they needed. This is important considering that, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA, although Black individuals represent 13 percent of the US population, they account for 20 percent of COVID-19 cases and 23 percent of COVID-19–related deaths. This study of the pulse oximeter's effectiveness was led by researchers at Sutter's Institute for Advancing Health Equity and conducted in collaboration with the Roots Community Health Center in Oakland and U-C San Francisco. Kristen M.J. Azar, the Scientific Medical Director with Sutter, and Dr. Noha Aboelata, CEO of Roots Community Health Center, joined us to provide more details on this study. Sacramento regional sewer upgrades One of the largest public works projects in Sacramento’s history has been quietly underway out of sight for most people in the region. Starting November 2022, big portions of it are expected to go online, drastically changing how one dirty aspect of our lives is handled. A massive one-point-six billion dollar upgrade to the Echo Water system is about to start cleaning sewage to the point that it can be used to irrigate ag crops. CapRadio News Anchor Randol White took a tour of the Echo Water facility and sat down with Regional San and Sac Sewer General Manager Christoph Dobson, who helped explain a bit more about this big change that’s more than a decade in the making. Sacramento native, Tim McCord from Evanescence performs at Aftershock Festival Tim McCord, former bassist and current guitarist for Evanescence, discusses his work as a musician, being a Sacramentan, and performing at the Aftershock music festival. McCord and his band join many iconic rock bands like Slipknot, My Chemical Romance, and Kiss, who will descend on Sacramento to perform at the four-day festival, which will also inject an economic boost to the local Sacramento economy. 

A breakdown of the bills Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law or vetoed. A CapRadio News investigation into Sacramento’s enforcement of illegal marijuana growers. A 16-year-old music prodigy from Elk Grove who can play over 100 different instruments is capturing national attention.  Gov. Newsom signs new laws The midnight deadline has come and passed. Governor Newsom has signed nearly 1,000 bills into law. But many others were stopped in their legislative tracks. Newsom vetoed 169 bills, amounting to roughly 14.5%. Collectively, the outcome of the legislative session has a larger tone and message of the governor’s priorities and political ambitions. Emily Hoeven writes the daily “WhatMatters” newsletter for CalMatters and joins us with a comprehensive roundup of some of the bigger surprises as well as how these new laws reflect California. CapRadio's investigation into Sacramento cannabis enforcement Illegal marijuana grows are a legitimate problem across the state, but the city of Sacramento has been accused of running a controversial enforcement program issuing hefty six-figure fines against landlords even when unaware tenants were breaking the law. CapRadio State Government reporter Scott Rodd started investigating the program a few years ago and recently uncovered new details about how the city has operated an enforcement system with accusations of anti-Asian bias and claims of violating privacy data. Elk Grove's music prodigy Many of us know how to play an instrument, whether done well is up to interpretation. Or you may be like myself, who has a guitar that has become more of decoration over the years. Whether musically inclined or not, our next guest defies what is expected of a single musician. Neil Nayyar has learned to play not one, not even a dozen, but more than 100 instruments. He’s also composed a score for a short film and has both a new album and a music book to be released soon. Did we mention Neil is only 16 years old? The teenage music prodigy has set world records for the number of instruments he’s learned to play at such a young age garnering national attention. The Elk Grove teen joined us in our studio to share his music and remarkable journey.

The latest on California’s Reparations Task Force. Valley Vision hosts its inaugural Livability Summit at Sac State. Central Valley native Aaron Judge with the NY Yankees inches closer to breaking a Major League homerun record.  California's reparations task force It's been two years since California launched a task force recognizing the legacy of harm slavery has had on the state and taking steps to atone for that painful history. Part of that includes pinpointing a dollar amount for reparations to help repair the harm that still reverberates today, from disproportionate incarceration rates to housing discrimination and health disparities experienced by generations of Black Californians throughout the decades. That was largely the focus of the task force's most recent meeting in Los Angeles as they tried to determine potentially a dollar amount and other forms of reparations for descendants of enslaved people in California. The task force currently has less than a year to complete its work, and there are many logistical and political challenges left to untangle, including a bill allowing the task force to extend its 2023 deadline is sparking a contentious debate. Annelise Finney is a reporter at KQED in the Bay Area and has been reporting on the task force for the last year and joins us to get us up to speed with where things stand now.  Valley Vision Livability is a loaded word that many cities, like Sacramento, are grappling with. From cost of living to education, economic opportunity, and public safety, there is a lot of meaning behind “quality of life.” For nearly 30 years, “Valley Vision” has worked to understand these complex, and systemic, issues across the Sacramento region. CapRadio has been a partner reporting on Valley Vision’s research to better understand and improve the quality of life for all residents. This year comes with a new addition for solutions. Next week, on Tuesday, October 4, “Valley Vision” will be hosting its first-ever “Livability Summit” at Sacramento State. A day with honest conversations about what an “equitable neighborhood” is, from homelessness to housing and building a more livable future for the next generation. We’re joined by Evan Schmidt, CEO of Valley Vision. Also joining is keynote speaker Alicia John-Baptiste who leads the Bay Area urban policy nonprofit SPUR. Baseball player Aaron Judge NY Yankee superstar Aaron Judge achieved something which hasn’t been done in baseball in 61 years, tying an American League homerun record set by another Yankee in 1961. The 30-year-old slugger’s pursuit of baseball glory began in his hometown of Linden, a small farming community just east of Stockton. Former Linden Herald sports journalist Craig Anderson joins us to discuss Aaron Judge’s historic season and what the Yankee superstar’s homerun chase means for his small hometown in the Central Valley.