Insight With Vicki Gonzalez CapRadio

The South Yuba River Citizens League discusses summer river safety. Also, what people can do to minimize interactions with urbanized black bears. Finally, a groundbreaking coffee research center opens at UC Davis.

River Dangers

, Executive Director at the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL), discusses the dangers of the South Yuba River in Nevada County, what makes this year different than most years, and tips for visitors this summer.

Tahoe Bears
The Lake Tahoe basin is a prime habitat for black bears. They often make their presence known by rummaging through trash cans and breaking into homes and vehicles. Which means that bear encounters with people are pretty common - and in rare cases can be deadly. Last week, a young bear was shot and killed by a homeowner in South Lake Tahoe. Toogee Sielsch is an urbanized black bear expert and discusses what people can do to minimize these negative wildlife experiences. We’re also joined by Alexia Ronning and Eric Kleinfelter. Alexia is a Tahoe Bear Specialist and Eric is a Senior Environmental Scientist and Supervisor for CDFW North Central Region, which includes 17 counties - including San Joaquin, Calaveras, El Dorado, Plumas, Butte, Glenn and Yolo counties.

New UC Davis Coffee Center
A new center at UC Davis is the first academic research and teaching facility in the country dedicated to studying coffee. The Coffee Center opened last month, and offers a variety of research opportunities in roasting, brewing, bean storage and more. Bill Ristenpart, a professor of Chemical Engineering at UC Davis and the Director of the Coffee Center, talks about the science behind coffee, as well as the social and cultural aspects of this popular morning brew.

Sacramento County’s unhoused population drops 29%, bucking recent trends. Also, how this year’s Sacramento Pride is aiming to be the greenest celebration yet. Finally, a new production in Yuba City called “Salt of the Earth.”

Sacramento Homeless Population Drops
Sacramento County’s unhoused population plummeted 29% over the past two years to an estimated 6,615 people, according to a closely-watched survey conducted by Sacramento Steps Forward. The 2024 Point In Time Count shows a dramatic drop from the nearly 9,300 people counted in 2022, when the region’s unhoused population spiked 67% from the previous survey conducted in 2019. The surveys are typically conducted every two years and are mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to qualify for federal funding. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg discusses the strides made, as well as the ongoing challenges to overcome.

Eco-Friendly Sacramento Pride
The 2024 Sacramento Pride March & Festival is kicking off this weekend, June 8-9. And this year, the event also has made additional changes to make sure that the celebrations are environmentally friendly. Priya Kumar, Marketing and Communications Manager at the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, talks about how this year’s Pride is aiming to be the greenest celebration yet.

Yuba City Play ‘Salt of the Earth’
A new play in Yuba City is adapting a famous 1954 film that was blacklisted during the McCarthy era for alleged ties to communism. Salt of the Earth will be performed at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts from June 6-8, coinciding with the film’s 70th anniversary. Creator Marc Flacks, director Lydia Crist, and lead actress Maria Ornelas talk about Salt of the Earth’s continued relevance today, and the democratic process that was used to create this adaptation.

Proposed bridge park over I-5 would reconnect downtown Sacramento and the riverfront. Checking up on the CARE Court pilot program in Stanislaus County. Finally, the SacramenKnow newsletter is rolling out audio “local legend” features.

Proposed Downtown Park Over I-5
A new plan seeks to connect Downtown Sacramento with the city’s riverfront - by building a deck park over a stretch of I-5 between Capitol Mall and O Street. The proposal, called the Sacramento Stitch Park Riverfront Reconnection Project, is supported by the Downtown Sacramento Partnership and Rep. Doris Matsui, who has requested $5 million in federal funding to help with planning efforts. Scott Ford, Deputy Director of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership joins Insight to talk about the project’s vision, and how it plans to reconnect communities.

Stanislaus County CARE Court
In late 2023, Stanislaus County became one of seven California counties to pilot the state’s new CARE Court system - a new judicial division intended to handle serious mental health conditions and substance addiction, and address the homelessness crisis. Marijke Rowland, the Senior Health Equity Reporter for the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, provides a look at how the court has been working so far in its first six months.

SacramenKnow’s ‘Local Legend’
Throughout the month of June, you’ll hear sound-rich feature stories from CapRadio reporters that take you into some unique worlds and subcultures that make up this place we call home. SacramenKnow Newsletter editor Claire Morgan has the lowdown on local legends.

An update on the Corral Fire in San Joaquin County. Also, why farmworkers continue to die in crashes — in vans state law doesn’t cover. Finally, how the Yolo County ‘Cultivo’ program curbs food insecurity for agricultural worker households.

Corral Fire in San Joaquin County 
The Corral Fire ignited near Tracy in San Joaquin County on Saturday. The fire, which grew to more than 14,000 acres this morning, also destroyed a home and injured two firefighters. Portions of I-580 were closed over the weekend, but Caltrans said all lanes reopened last night. Cal Fire says the fire is now 75% contained and evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings. Cecile Juliette is a Public Information Officer with Cal Fire and explains how officials hope to continue to gain ground, as well as provides an outlook on wildfire preparedness for the drier months.

Farmworker Deaths on Roadways
California cracked down after a crash killed 13 farmworkers in 1999. The tragedy 25 years ago pushed state lawmakers and the California Highway Patrol to make farmworkers’ commutes safer. But farmworkers are still dying in crashes - in vans the law doesn’t cover. CalMatters Capitol Reporter Jeanne Kuang joins us with her reporting, which found that this unique workforce, half of whom are undocumented immigrants, routinely die in traffic at higher rates than other workers who die on the job.

Yolo County ‘Cultivo’ Food Program for Agricultural Workers
A recent food survey in Yolo County found that more than half of agricultural worker households are food insecure. In response, a new initiative is trying to solve hunger for these crucial members of our community. The Cultivo program, established by the Yolo Food Bank and Sutter Health, is nourishing these workers in the workplace and at home with year-round distributions. Maria Segoviano is the food bank’s Director of Development and Communications and talks about the scale of the food insecurity problem, as well as how it influenced the creation of this new program.

The executive director of First 5 California, a state commission which helps children ages 5 and under. Also, how a relationship to food shapes Asian American identity. Finally, the Auburn Trails Alliance.

First 5 California
A little over two decades ago, California voters approved a proposition to benefit the state’s children. In 1998, Prop 10 added a 50-cent tax to each pack of cigarettes, and that money went to the creation of a California Children and Families Commission - more commonly known as First 5 California, which helps children from the womb through age 5 - including parents and caregivers. The person leading this state commission is also charting a new path. Executive Director Jackie Thu-Huong Wong is the first woman of color to lead the commission. Jackie explains how her childhood as a refugee following the fall of Saigon shapes her work today.

How Food Shapes Asian American Identity
How does our relationship to food shape Asian American identity? And how does our identity influence the food we make? As we close AAPI Heritage Month, we are revisiting episodes of CapRadio’s podcast Mid Pacific. In today’s episode, host Sarah Mizes-Tan discusses food appropriation, who has “ownership” over certain foods, and what happens when a much beloved drink goes mainstream.

Auburn Trails Alliance
Auburn is the self-proclaimed endurance capital of Northern California. It’s home to two of the most prestigious long-distance races in the world: the Tevis Cup 100-Mile Endurance Equestrian Ride and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. Kelley Davis is the Director of the Auburn Trails Alliance and spoke with Insight producer Jen Picard about new initiatives and events tied to May is Bike Month.

Chronic Wasting Disease in deer has been detected in California for the first time. Also, how our relationships with our parents affect our sense of self. Finally, CalMatters will be hosting its inaugural Ideas Festival in Sacramento.

Chronic Wasting Disease in CA Deer
Chronic Wasting Disease is considered the most important disease affecting deer and elk populations in North America. And it has been detected in California for the first time. Brandon Munk is a Senior Wildlife Veterinarian for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and explains why scientists are concerned about the spread of this neurological condition, the risks to humans, as well as the efforts being made to curb its spread.

Mother-Daughter Relationship in AAPI Families
How do our relationships with our parents affect our sense of self? And why does the mother-daughter relationship, in particular, seem so complex? As we close AAPI Heritage Month, we are revisiting episodes of CapRadio’s podcast Mid Pacific. In today’s episode, host Sarah Mizes-Tan explores her own relationship with her mother and how it has affected her identity.

CalMatters Ideas Festival
The nonprofit news organization CalMatters will be hosting its inaugural Ideas Festival on June 5-6 in Sacramento. The event will feature a variety of speakers, panel discussions, and summits to talk about the most pressing issues in California, from broadband access to homelessness. CalMatters CEO Neil Chase provides a preview of the festival, and talks about how the organization is expanding its coverage with the recent acquisition of The Markup.

CapRadio is a content-sharing partner with CalMatters, and a media sponsor of the Ideas Festival.