With more than three million acres burned so far this year in California, wildfires are at top of mind. The term “wildfire suppression” is often cited as a main reason for blazes getting so big, but the term has a long history. Story by Ezra David Romero. (Photo: Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires burn in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 - AP Photo/Noah Berger) There’s a patchwork of state and federal policies to protect workers during the pandemic. But that has left gaps for employees at large companies. Story by Scott Rodd. USPS Postcard Causes Confusion About Mail-In Voting In California. The postcard was sent out nationwide urging Americans to… read more

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors is expected to finalize the county’s 2020-2021 budget today. Supervisors faced a 46-million-dollar deficit and spent Wednesday discussing where to make cuts. KRCB’s Adia White spoke with Board Chair Susan Gorin Thursday about which programs the county is planning on cutting and which will likely be spared. (Image: Supervisor Susan Gorin. Courtesy of the subject.) read more

Californians will vote on Proposition 15 this fall. If approved, the measure would increase taxes on factories, stores, and other commercial and industrial properties worth $3 million or more. It would raise billions for schools, cities, and counties. Story by Chris Nichols. (Photo: Andrew Nixon/CapRadio) read more

We're debuting a new feature today. It’s a weekly conversation with CapRadio's Politi-Fact California reporter Chris Nichols about his latest fact checks and reporting on misinformation. It’s called, “Can You Handle The Truth?” Story by Steve Milne. Find full versions of all fact checks. read more

Governor Gavin Newsom says the current record-breaking wildfire year underscores the need not only for innovation in wildlands management but for an increased commitment in the battle against climate change. Story by Mike Haggerty. (Photo: The Creek Fire burning in the Sierra National Forest Sept. 5, 2020 – Courtesy of Sierra National Forest) The California Highway Patrol says it is reviewing its event permitting policies after a crowd of roughly 3,000 attended a religious event at the building on Sunday, without masks or social distancing. Story by Nicole Nixon. An investigative report in the Washington Spectator alleges the Trump campaign encouraged conservative Christian activists and… read more

The outcome of the 2020 presidential election could dictate the pace of how climate change is fought for decades. A summer poll suggests amid the pandemic, Americans don’t care about climate change as much as they did just eight months ago. Story by Ezra David Romero. (Photo: NASA / Public domain) Scientists are trying to find out whether children’s lungs and immune systems are negatively affected by the chemicals in wildfire smoke. Story by Sammy Caiola. With demand for mental health services at a high due to COVID-19, California clinicians and nonprofit staff are finding remote ways to try to prevent suicides, especially among teens, veterans, and other high-risk groups. Story by Sammy… read more

Last week, two federal courts ruled that transgender students can access the restrooms and facilities that match their gender identity and that the meaning of “sex” in Title 9 includes gender identity. A 28-year-old gay man may become Hawaii’s first LGBT member of the state legislature. In California, lawmakers unanimously passed a new law requiring health care providers to track sexual orientation and gender identity when testing for COVID 19 and 90 other communicable diseases. The bill’s author, Senator Scott Wiener, says that this is critical to ensure LGBTQ people get equal access to health services. Outbeat News is a service of NorCal Public Media and can be heard Sunday nights at 8 as… read more

More than a million acres have burned this summer, including wild areas like Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The fires are devastating to people who’ve lost family members and property, but the burns could have long-term ecological benefits. Story by: Ezra David Romero. (Photo: Flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires burning in unincorporated Napa County, Calif., on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020 - AP Photo/Noah Berger) Scientists are trying to find out whether children’s lungs and immune systems are negatively affected by the chemicals in wildfire smoke. Story by Sammy Caiola. With demand for mental health services at a high due to COVID-19, California clinicians and nonprofit staff are finding… read more

California lawmakers approved a small slate of police reform bills before the legislative session ended Monday. But many others were left on the table. Story by Nicole Nixon. (Photo: Andrew Nixon/CapRadio) read more

The clock is now ticking for California cities, housing agencies, and tribal authorities to apply for Homekey, a 600-million dollar plan promoted by Governor Gavin Newsom to buy hotels, motels, and apartment buildings around the state. Story by Mike Hagerty. (Photo: Rich Pedroncelli - Pool / AP Photo) More than 10 million California households have responded to the 2020 census - more than any other state. But California’s enumerators are making a big push this month to get more people counted. Story by Pauline Bartolone. A new campaign encourages disaster preparedness in the LGBTQ+ Community. The Listos California program will be handing out empty "go bags" this month to partner… read more

Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County has been hosting weekly conversations to discuss racism in our community. In Monday’s conversation, CAP's Communications Manager, Marcus Clarke, spoke with Sheba Person-Whitley, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board. In this excerpt, Clarke asks Person-Whitley what it means to fight for equity in a County that considers itself liberal and inclusive. read more

Editor's Note: Our Northern California Public Media newsroom is taking part in a national program to introduce journalists to a set of tools called Solutions Journalism, which you can read more about here. The basic thrust of Solutions Journalism is to look at societal problems and issues with an eye toward uncovering and explaining ways that communities have moved toward solving those problems. Driven by community input, our current work is focused on the November 3 election. A key local issue in the election is a proposition supported by some community members to strengthen police oversight in Sonoma County. That's why we were attracted to this story of a new approach to policing the… read more

California’s legislative session wrapped up after 1 AM this morning [Tuesday]…and it was truly one for the ages. Gaffes, glitches...and of course some notable legislation. Story by Scott Rodd. (Photo: Andrew Nixon/CapRadio) California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly held a news conference Tuesday to discuss the state’s new four-tiered COVID-19 plan for safely re-opening the economy in California’s 58 counties. Story by Mike Haggerty. If you’ve been to the California coast and expect a warm day often instead you’re greeted with chilly, damp fog. Researchers say climate change is decreasing the amount of coastal fog and that could lead to increased fire risk. Story by Ezra… read more