Insight With Vicki Gonzalez CapRadio

Elk Grove Police adds drones as first responders. Also, why the cost for California universities are so high, and how to get help. Finally, we’re approaching peak wildflower season in Northern California.

Elk Grove PD ‘First Responder’ Drones
The Elk Grove City Council recently voted to approve $2.1 million to the city’s police department for a new Drone as a First Responder program. These unmanned aerial systems would respond to calls for service within minutes, gather data, and allow the department to more efficiently dispatch officers. Sgt. Jason Jimenez is a public information officer with Elk Grove Police Department and joins Insight to discuss how the new drones will be used.

Mystifying Cost of College
It’s an exciting time of year for high school seniors and transfer students as they look ahead to attending a UC or CSU in the Fall.  But between the cost of tuition, fees, books, meals, and housing - the reality of affording it all may put a damper on all the excitement. A detailed report by CalMatters Higher Education Reporter, Mikhail Zinshteyn shines a light on the true cost of college in California and examines why some students will pay the full cost, while others pay next to nothing. We are also joined by Meredith Curry Nuñez, Executive Director of the Northern California College Promise Coalition, who can explain what students and families can try to do to lower the cost of college here in California.

California Wildflower Season
The weather is getting warmer and sunnier, which means wildflower season in northern California is hitting its peak. Although this year won’t be a superbloom, there are still spectacular views from the valley to the foothills. Kara Walker is the Donor Relations Director for the Placer Land Trust and Kate Mawdsley is a docent at the Jepson Prairie Preserve in Solano County. They join us with tips to take in wildflowers this spring.

 

An investigation into the voting records of state lawmakers. Also, an event tonight at Sac State discusses what reparations could look like in Sacramento. Finally, a Grass Valley author’s new book chronicles the pioneering female physicians of the Old West.

Investigation into California Lawmaker Voting Records 
They say every vote matters. They say that every vote is important.  However, newly uncovered data about voting records by California legislators shows that many of our elected leaders in the state Capitol habitually don’t cast votes on bills that come up, or that they greenlight everything that comes across their desks by rarely ever voting “No.” CalMatters Digital Democracy reporter Ryan Sabalow joins us with some of the questionable voting trends of state lawmakers, what they might point to and how simply not voting on a bill can derail legislation that voters may find necessary or important to their communities.

Sacramento Reparations Event
After two years and hundreds of hours of public testimonies across the state, California lawmakers are taking the first-in-the-nation California Reparation’s Task Force report and recommendations and crafting them into legislation. The California Legislative Black Caucus has more than a dozen bills to begin the process of atonement for the ongoing harms of slavery on African Americans and society as a whole. But none at this moment includes cash payments to Black Californians who are descendants of slavery. In Sacramento, Sheba Farms Foundation has been holding events over the past month to better understand what reparations could look like locally. Tonight at 5:30 p.m., they will be having a conversation at Sacramento State with six panelists. Moderator Zion Taddese and panelist Chris Lodgson with the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California join us with more on how these ongoing events hope to shape policy at the State Capitol. They also have a public survey for Sacramento residents on reparations here.

Grass Valley Author Chronicles First Female Physicians in the West 
A New York Times bestselling author from Grass Valley’s newest book profiles the pioneering female physicians of the Old West - from one of the first women to work in plastic surgery, to the first female dental school graduate. The new book is titled The Doctor Was a Woman: Stories of the First Female Physicians on the Frontier. Author Chris Enss talks about her literary journey and shares some of these women’s stories - including one with local ties to Nevada County.

 

San Joaquin County approved improvements for Stockton Metropolitan Airport. Also, Sacramento mayoral candidates Dr. Flojaune Cofer and state Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. Finally, “The Jacquelyn” is a new space for wellness and socializing.

Mayoral Candidates Flo Cofer & Kevin McCarty
The race for Sacramento mayor is officially underway for the November general election. Now that the primary is over and the top two candidates are set, we take time today to catch up with epidemiologist Dr. Flo Cofer and state Assemblyman Kevin McCarty to talk about lessons learned from the primary, what’s next, and how they plan on winning over voters who wanted someone else for mayor.

Stockton Metropolitan Airport Improvements
San Joaquin County just approved over $26 million in improvements for Stockton Metropolitan Airport to upgrade key infrastructure, increase airline capacity, and meet future economic goals. Airport director Richard Sokol joins Insight to talk about why the funding is necessary to “catch up” on modernization and renovations, as well as the airport’s plans to expand its services and serve a growing population.

The Creativity of ‘The Jacquelyn’
Sacramento has a brand new space for wellness, socializing, and collaborating. It’s called The Jacquelyn and it is named for Jacquelyn Anderson - a Sacramento wife, mother, photographer, and artist who left a legacy on the community. After her untimely passing, her husband dedicated himself to honoring her life, and The Jacquelyn is his latest effort to bring the community together. Maren Conrad is the CEO of the newly opened creative hub and joins us to talk about its namesake and what makes The Jacquelyn so special.

Study looks at link between types of firearm ownership and support for political violence. Also, gas prices are on the rise. Plus, why California’s electric vehicle industry is slowing down. Finally, the Sacramento Orchid Society’s 75th anniversary.

Study on Firearm Ownership and Political Violence

is an emergency medicine physician and Director of the California Firearm Violence Research Center - the nation’s first publicly funded center for research in this field to understand the nature of firearm violence and its underlying causes.  Dr. Wintemute joins us about their latest study published today about firearm ownership and support for political violence in the US, which found that subsets of firearm owners - recent purchasers and those who always or nearly always carry loaded firearms when in public - raised the greatest concerns.

Gas Prices & EV, Hybrid Sales
It’s springtime and that means gas prices are on the rise in California.  Your favorite “cheap” gas station has probably seen a surge in pricing over the past few weeks. Meantime, sales of electric vehicles seem to be slipping, giving way to hybrids - which use gas. Joining us today to help make sense of it all are Alejandro Lazo, Climate reporter for CalMatters, and John Treanor, spokesperson for AAA Northern California.

Sacramento Orchid Society’s 75th Jubilee
The Sacramento Orchid Society is celebrating its Orchid Jubilee. The society will be holding its 75th annual show this weekend, from April 12-14 at Carmichael Elks Lodge - which will include a special preview night, vendors, demonstrations, plant sales and more. Dave Veach is President of the Sacramento Orchid Society and provides a preview of the event, as well as some tips for orchid enthusiasts on how to get the most out of their plants.

Lawmakers propose an “early action plan” to tackle the state budget deficit. Also, Guy Fieri’s new Food Network show “Best Bite in Town” premieres in Davis. Finally, CLARA performing arts expands youth programs.

Early Action Plan to Tackle CA’s Budget Shortfall
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders in the state legislature announced a deal on early action to shrink California's budget shortfall by $17 billion, ahead of action on the 2024-25 budget in May and June. CalMatters Capitol Reporter Alexei Koseff provides a breakdown of the proposed “early action plan” to tackle this deficit, which is expected to come up for a vote this week.

CalMatters is a nonprofit newsroom that partners with public media stations across the state.

Guy Fieri’s ‘Best Bite in Town’ Premieres in Davis
The first episode of the new Food Network program Best Bite in Town, with executive producer Guy Fieri, premiered this weekend and highlighted the city of Davis. Six local restaurants were featured, and three had their signature dishes judged in a head-to-head-to-head competition. Tad Franks, co-owner of The Hotdogger, and Ryan Fry, co-owner of Sudwerk Brewing Co, join Insight to talk about their experiences being on the show, and what this recognition means to their establishments and the larger Davis food scene.

CLARA Performing Arts
CLARA — the E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts — focuses on arts education in Sacramento. In recent years they have expanded to bring arts education programs to Sacramento County public schools with low arts access, as well as teaching artist programs for adults. CLARA Executive Director Megan Wygant and Education Outreach Director Emili Danz join Insight with how the nonprofit is continuing to grow.

Oakland A’s to temporarily play in West Sacramento starting in 2025. Also, new Sacramento City Councilmember Shoun Thao. Finally, the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe purchases ancestral homeland. 

Oakland A’s to Temporarily Move to West Sac
The Oakland A’s will play in West Sacramento for three years starting in 2025. The team, which is in the process of moving from the Bay Area to Las Vegas, will play at Sutter Health Park, the home of the Sacramento RiverCats. Fox 40 Sports Reporter Sean Cunningham shares more behind the temporary move. Barry Broome is the President & CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council and discusses what this means for the region. And West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero explains the impact this will have on the city. 

New District 2 Councilmember Shoun Thao
Sacramento City Council District 2 spans neighborhoods like Del Paso Heights, Hagginwood and Woodlake. The city council seat has been vacant since former councilmember Sean Loloee’s resignation, following a federal indictment. An election is underway to fill that seat, with the top two candidates likely heading to the November runoff. Until then, a new councilmember has been appointed - with deep roots in the community. We’ll meet new councilmember Shoun Thao, who was raised in the district and is the executive director of Hmong Youth and Parents United. Thao was sworn in this week and will serve until December. 

Nevada City Nisenan’s ‘Homeland Return’
The Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe is closing in on the purchase of some of its ancestral homeland, a 232-acre parcel at the site of the historic Nisenan village site of Yulica. Shelly Covert is the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribal Council Spokesperson and the Executive Director of the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP) and joins us about what this venture means for their tribal community, as well as the cultural and revitalization practices they hope to bring back.