Insight With Vicki Gonzalez CapRadio

An investigation into the private security forces patrolling California’s unhoused residents. Also, a new trail guide for the Lower American River. Finally, “Music at Noon” to celebrate its 1,000th performance.

Investigation into Homeless Private Security
California’s homeless population has spiked nearly 40% in the past five years. With that surge, has come a boom in private security guards patrolling shelters, encampments, and the streets. Advocates and unhoused people argue these guards, who don’t have the same training or oversight as law enforcement, can compound already difficult situations. CalMatters' Investigative Reporter Lauren Hepler reviewed more than a dozen lawsuits and public contract disputes and found that public agencies are funding private security guards, opening a new front in the state’s housing crisis - one ripe for violence and civil rights issues, but thin on oversight.

Trail Guide for Lower American River
The Lower American River spans 23 miles from downtown Sacramento to Folsom Lake and is a federally designated wild and scenic river - from the confluence with the Sacramento River to Nimbus Dam. The Lower American River is the most heavily used recreation river in California. But with many entry points across Sacramento County it can take time to know which ones best suit your needs. Someone has made that journey easier and more accessible, creating a trail guide to the Lower American river. Ashley Langdon is the author of Mildly Scenic: A Trail Guide to Sacramento's Lower American Trails.

‘Music at Noon’ Celebrates 1,000th performance
CapRadio Midday Classical Host Jennifer Reason and CapRadio Classical Coordinator Mike Nelson will be performing at the concert series Music At Noon on Wednesday May 15 at Westminster Presbyterian across from the state Capitol. The series is free and has been an institution in the musical culture of Sacramento for over 20 years. On May 15, the series will celebrate its 1,000th lunchtime performance.

Elk Grove moves forward on relocating the Sacramento Zoo. Also, a survivor of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack speaks in Folsom. Finally, Sacramento musician The Philharmonik’s “Tiny Desk” submission.

Elk Grove’s Vote on Sacramento Zoo
The Sacramento Zoo’s highly-anticipated move to Elk Grove has officially received the green light. Last night, the Elk Grove City Council voted to approve the zoo’s move from Land Park, where it first opened in 1927. Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen and Jason Jacobs, Executive Director of the Sacramento Zoo, join Insight about the years-long process behind the relocation, and what the next steps might bring.

Oct. 7 Hamas Attack Survivor Speaks in Folsom
Tonight the Chabad Jewish Community Center is welcoming a survivor from the Oct. 7th Hamas attack on Israel. Ilya Tarshansky lived in Kibbutz Be’eri. On October 7th, Hamas militants burnt down his home, murdered his son, and kidnapped his daughter. Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum and Ilya join insight ahead of their event at the Folsom Community Center at 7 p.m.

The Philharmonik’s ‘Tiny Desk’
NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest grows in popularity every year, but this is the first time the audience has gotten a chance to vote for their favorites. Forty-five were chosen from 7,000 entries for this honor and one of them is Sacramento’s own The Philharmonik. He joins us to explain What’s It All Mean?

Student journalists discuss covering campus protests. Also, Vitalant asks for blood donations for new mothers. Finally, an educational jazz series at The Sofia.

Student Journalists Covering Campus Protests
Student journalists with the CalMatters College Journalism Network Fellowship have been covering campus protests at their universities. Joining Insight is Atmika Iyer, a UCSB student-journalist, Christina Chkarboul, a student-journalist with the USC Daily Trojan, and Christopher Buchanan, a student-journalist at UCLA.

Blood Donations for New Mothers
Every year, about 219,000 units of blood and platelets are needed to help patients experiencing women’s health issues - including about 1 of every 83 births. The nonprofit Vitalant is highlighting that need. Communications Manager Victoria Wolfe and West Division Vice President Mitzy Edgecomb discuss the callout to blood donors, and the opportunity to meet maternal blood needs.

Sofia Educational Jazz Series
A new performance series at The Sofia is educating and connecting audience members with the various genres and characteristics of jazz. The series started in April, with plans to do 12 jazz shows per year. Saxophonist Jacam Manricks, who is performing in and curating the series, provides a taste of the different forms of jazz, as well as upcoming series performances of Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” on May 10, and John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” on June 13.

Valley Vision releases its first Inclusive Economy Poll. Also, a Sacramento physician pens a debut fiction novel “Dry Spells.” Finally, the Sacramento Tree Foundation explains the city’s urban forest plan.

Valley Vision’s ‘Inclusive Economy Poll’
Each year, Valley Vision fields public opinion polls in partnership with Sacramento State’s Institute for Social Research to generate greater understanding of the most pressing issues facing our region. The Inclusive Economy Poll was Valley Vision’s first public opinion poll solely focused on the economic well-being of our eight-county region. Evan Schmidt is the CEO of Valley Vision and joins us with the results of the poll.

New Book ‘Dry Spells’
 

Dr. Archana Maniar was in the throes of frontline care working as an infectious disease physician in Sacramento during the pandemic, when she made a commitment to care for herself through creative writing. And what culminated was a debut fiction novel that draws on her own life’s parallels of calling both the U.S. and Mumbai home. Archana joins us with her novel Dry Spells - described as a culmination of decades of observations of life both in the East and the West, years of studying human nature during stress and sickness, and a love for storytelling.

 

Sacramento’s Urban Forest Plan
Long known as the “City of Trees,” Sacramento has drafted an ambitious plan to nearly double its tree coverage over the next 20 years. The proposal would expand the canopy from 19% to 35% by 2045, with priority given to neighborhoods with the lowest tree coverage. Sacramento Tree Foundation Executive Director Dr. Jessica Sanders and Director of Education and Community Engagement Garrett Werner talk about how they are working with the city, as well as the steps needed to obtain “tree canopy equity.”

POLITICO’s California Playbook updates the latest in state politics. Also, Sac Republic FC celebrates 10 years and is currently undefeated. Finally, a spring music and wine pairing. 

POLITICO’s ‘California Playbook’
POLITICO California Playbook co-author Lara Korte joins Insight with an update on the latest in state politics.

Sac Republic FC Celebrates 10 Seasons
On April 26, 2014, Sacramento Republic FC played its first-ever game at Hughes Stadium in Land Park. A decade later the “Indomitable Club” has become a powerhouse in the USL Championship league, and is currently undefeated in the 2024 season. Todd Dunivant, President and General Manager of Sacramento Republic FC joins Insight to reflect on the club’s success on and off the field, its MLS ambitions, and the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - which Republic FC will enter on Tuesday, May 7 against Monterey Bay FC at Heart Health Park at Cal Expo.

Spring Music & Wine
CapRadio Midday Classical Host Jennifer Reason and resident wine expert Rick Kushman team up for an Insight seasonal tradition - pairing spring music with wine. Jennifer selects her spring music favorites and Rick will listen for the first time, live on air, and select the perfect wine to go with the song.

 

How the City of Sacramento proposed to close a $66 million deficit. Also, an update on the city sanctioned homeless encampment Camp Resolution. Plus, the author of “The Hungry Season.” Finally, artist Raphael Delgado.

City of Sacramento’s Proposed Budget & Camp Resolution Update
Sacramento released its proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, as the city aims to close a projected $66 million shortfall. That same day, Mayor Darrell Steinberg and District 2 Councilmember Shoun Thao unveiled a new proposal for Camp Resolution - a city sanctioned, self-governing homeless encampment. The city is proposing to close it this month, and Mayor Steinberg and Councilmember Thao want to transfer ownership of Camp Resolution to build affordable housing. CapRadio Sacramento Government Reporter Kristin Lam provides an update on the latest developments from city hall.

Book ‘The Hungry Season’
Following the end of the Vietnam War, thousands of Hmong refugees resettled in the United States - many making their way to California’s Central Valley. Fresno and Sacramento are home to the largest Hmong populations in the United States, only behind Minneapolis. For many refugees, farming provided a bountiful resource of nourishment, community, and reconnecting with family ancestry. A journalist spent seven years in rice fields, intimately learning the story of one radiant Hmong woman - and how growing her ancestor’s rice in the San Joaquin Valley led to newfound power. That intimate relationship, along with years of research, transformed into a literary portrait. Lisa M. Hamilton is a journalist and author of The Hungry Season: A Journey of War, Love, and Survival.

Artist Raphael Delgado
Sacramento’s Raphael Delgado has added a new accolade to his bio - “Best New Exhibitor” at Miami Art Week. The artist behind the giant mural of “California Bear” that lords over 21st Street joins Insight to talk about the business of art festivals and what he has planned next.