Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

California’s Treasurer Race | New Podcast ‘Are We Doomed?’ | The Origin of ‘Big Day of Giving’

webmaster@capradio.org — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

California’s Treasurer Race

California is in the midst of election season, with early voting underway and the primary coming up on June 2. Many races are drawing attention, from the gubernatorial contest on the statewide level to local contests for city and county seats. But one race that might not be drawing the most attention is the race to become California's next treasurer. CalMatters Housing Reporter Ben Christopher joins Insight to talk about the wonkiness of being the state's top banker, and some of the major names vying for the seat.

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

New Podcast ‘Are We Doomed?’

Could killer robots take over the world? Will the Northern hemisphere be destroyed by a supervolcano or an asteroid? These are the questions at the center of “Are We Doomed?,” a provocative new podcast series from Ben Bradford. The award-winning public radio journalist and founder of NuanceTales explores the threats that haunt humanity and separates fact from fiction.

The Origin of ‘Big Day of Giving’

Every year in May, thousands of people in the Sacramento region come together for 24 hours to support hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the region. Big Day of Giving is an annual event that has raised more than $117 million since it began in 2013. We’re going to learn more about the foundation behind what’s become known as “Big Dog.” Kelly Siefkin is the Chief Philanthropy Officer, Sacramento Region Community Foundation, which supports non-profits organizations in Sacramento, Yolo, El Dorado, and Placer counties.

CapRadio is a media partner of Big Day of Giving.

Primary Election Ballot Preparation | Governor Candidate Katie Porter | Local ‘Tiny Desk’ Concert Submissions

webmaster@capradio.org — Tue, 05 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Primary Election Ballot Preparation

California’s primary election is less than a month away, and ballots are going out to voters full of information on races — from statewide offices like governor and attorney general, to local city council seats. But navigating this much information can be overwhelming as voters try and make informed decisions. Kim Alexander, Founder and President of the nonpartisan California Voter Foundation joins Insight with tips on how to navigate the many candidates and races on your ballot ahead of Election Day.

You can read CapRadio’s ballot guide here.

Governor Candidate Katie Porter

Top of the ticket is the race for California governor. We’re continuing our series of conversations with the gubernatorial candidates. Up next is former Congresswoman Katie Porter, who just received an endorsement from the McClatchy California Editorial Board, which includes the Sacramento Bee. We’ll learn what sets her apart from the other Democrats in a crowded field, as well as her first priorities in office if elected.

Insight has reached out to all gubernatorial candidates. You can find our ongoing interviews here.

Local ‘Tiny Desk’ Concert Submissions

Twelve years ago NPR started the Tiny Desk Contest where unsigned artists across the country enter a video of their original music for a chance to play a Tiny Desk Concert of their own in Washington D.C. Two years ago Sacramento’s The Philharmonik won the top prize and this year close to a thousand Northern California artists threw their hat into the ring. Today on Insight, Senior Producer Andrew Garcia joins Communities Reporters Keyshawn Davis and Ruth Finch to preview some of their favorite entries.

Find all of their picks here.

Sac City Council Races | Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton | Comedian Paula Poundstone

webmaster@capradio.org — Mon, 04 May 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Sac City Council Races

Ballots are being mailed out to voters ahead of the June primary elections, covering everything from statewide races to multiple seats on the Sacramento City Council. Three councilmembers — for District 1, District 5 and District 7 — are facing challengers, while a fourth is running unopposed. CapRadio Local Government Reporter Riley Palmer joins Insight to talk about these races, and the ongoing issues that the council faces.

Gubernatorial Candidate Steve Hilton

We’re continuing our series of conversations with the candidates for governor. Steve Hilton is an entrepreneur and former Fox News commentator, who became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and has called the Bay Area home for more than decade. The Republican also received a key endorsement from President Trump. Hilton joins us about his vision for California.

Insight has reached out to all gubernatorial candidates. You can find our ongoing interviews here.

Comedian Paula Poundstone

For longtime public radio listeners the name Paula Poundstone will no doubt be familiar. Paula has been gracing CapRadio's airwaves as perhaps the most well-known panelist on “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” for almost as long as it's been running. And that is just the tip of the iceberg of a career that has seen her perform standup around the world and on late night TV from Carson to Colbert, and start a beloved podcast called “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.” Senior Producer Andrew Garcia sat down with the comedian ahead of her standup show in Sacramento this Thursday at the Crest Theater.

Celebrating 100 Episodes of the Local Artist Feature

webmaster@capradio.org — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Celebrating 100 Episodes of the Local Artist Feature

There’s just something in the water here. Northern California is home to an amazing array of talented Classical artists who regularly light up international stages. From performers to composers, Sacramento is practically overflowing with talent and it can be a lot to keep track of. That’s where CapRadio’s Jennifer Reason comes in. Every Friday at noon (and 6 p.m.) on the Classical station she hosts a different artist from the area and explores their work through song and conversation.

In honor of the 100th episode, we recorded a live concert at CapRadio featuring both Classical and Jazz musicians, to celebrate the richness and diversity of the talent in the region, which is reflected in CapRadio’s programming.

Performers:

Guitarist George England

Cellist Mike Dahlberg, accompanied by Jennifer Reason

Pianist Arend Aldama

Tenor Robert Vann, accompanied by Jennifer Reason

Italian Soprano Vanessa Martucci, accompanied by Jennifer Reason

Violinist Bill Barbini and Flutist Mathew Krejci, accompanied by Jennifer Reason

CapRadio’s Mike Nelson on French horn, accompanied by Jennifer Reason

Jazz Combo with Avery Jeffry on standup bass, Andrew Maloney on sax, Andrew Mills on jazz guitar, and drummer Jeremy Paz

Sac Bee’s AI Scaling Tool | 10 Years of Prop 64 Cannabis Legalization | RSVP Choir Spring Concert Series

webmaster@capradio.org — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Sac Bee’s AI Scaling Tool

The Sacramento Bee has rolled out a new AI scaling tool to summarize and generate content, including stories reported and written by the paper’s journalists. The new tool, developed by the Bee’s parent company McClatchy Media, has raised concerns among reporters who have been withholding their bylines from stories generated by AI. CapRadio Communities Reporter Ruth Finch breaks down the controversy, and how other news organizations are utilizing artificial intelligence.

10 Years of Prop 64 Cannabis Legalization

In 2016, voters passed Proposition 64, legalizing the sale and possession of recreational cannabis in California for adults 21 and over. Medical marijuana was legalized 20 years earlier in the state with the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996. But Prop 64 marked the creation of a much larger market that advocates promised would bring with it a windfall of new tax revenue. While opponents worried legal weed could lead to more dangerous roadways and higher rates of cannabis use in teens. Now that it's been almost a decade since its passage, Health Reporter Grant Stringer took a look at how Prop. 64 lived up to the hopes (and concerns) that surrounded it and wrote about it in the Mercury News and the East Bay Times.

RSVP Choir Spring Concert Series

For over 25 years the Reconciliation Singers Voice of Peace ensemble, also known as RSVP, has been using their voice to inspire audiences, while uplifting the community. The group of professional musicians donate their time and talents to put on performances that benefit local charities. This weekend they have two performances to support Bigger Than Us Arts who look to make arts education accessible and affordable for all. Joining us to tell us more about the history and future of RSVP is Founding Artistic Director Julie Adams and president of the Board of Directors Karen Percy.

Investigation Into USFS Use of Roundup | Chico State Human Identification Lab | Catriona McPherson’s ‘The Dead Room’

webmaster@capradio.org — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Investigation Into USFS Use of Roundup

A popular weedkiller has long been at the center of a heated debate about whether a key ingredient causes cancer. That debate made its way to the Supreme Court yesterday as oral arguments began over whether to block thousands of lawsuits alleging the maker of the weedkiller Roundup failed to warn people it could cause cancer. This tension has reached an inflection point with the Trump Administration. President Trump supports the use of glyphosate and recently signed an executive order boosting its production and providing manufacturers with legal immunity. As all of this is unfolding a new investigation hones in on California and the widespread use of this controversial weed killer across forests ravaged by wildfires in Lassen, Yosemite and Tahoe. Nate Halverson is a Senior Reporter and Producer for the radio show and podcast Reveal and he joined us with his investigation.

Chico State Human Identification Lab

Established in 1972, the Chico State Human Identification Lab has been working to solve the mysteries of unidentified human remains, aiding investigations and helping to bring closure to families. This work has taken its team of forensic anthropologists into natural disaster zones, to the battlefields of World War II to identify long-lost servicemembers. Director Dr. Ashley Kendell and forensic anthropologist Dr. Colleen Milligan join Insight to shed more light on the lab’s work, including a recent expedition to Poland.

Catriona McPherson’s ‘The Dead Room’

Catriona McPherson has a mind for mystery. The Winters-based crime fiction author is back with her latest stand alone novel. Set in Scotland, where McPherson is from, “The Dead Room” is a psychological thriller with an audiobook narrator at the center of the tale. It will be released this Friday, May 1, with a book launch scheduled at the Avid Reader in Davis.

DACA Under Trump Administration | New CA State Parks | Joshua’s House Homeless Hospice

webmaster@capradio.org — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

DACA Under Trump Administration

A growing number of people part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program are facing immigration enforcement under the Trump Administration. Set as immigration policy in 2012 by the United States, it allows some individuals brought to this country illegally as children to apply for a limited work permit. Today on Insight, CapRadio Statehouse Politics Reporter Gerardo Zavala shares the story of one Sacramento woman whose life was upended after her case was reopened last month.

New CA State Parks

California is already home to the most state parks in the country, but few can be found in the Central Valley. That will change this year with the addition of three new state parks, including one along the Feather River in Yuba County. State Parks Director Armando Quintero and Rachel Abbott, Public Information Officer for Yuba County, join us today to explain more about what’s to come.

Joshua’s House Homeless Hospice

For the past year, a new facility in South Natomas has been helping people experiencing homelessness and living with a terminal illness see out their final days with dignity and compassion. The idea for Joshua’s House was in the works for more than a decade, the brainchild of former UC Davis and Sac State professor Dr. Marlene von Friederichs-Fitzwater, who lost her grandson Joshua on the streets of Nebraska in 2014. Chris Erdman joins Insight to talk about the work of Joshua's House, the first hospice-like home of its kind on the West Coast caring for people experiencing homelessness.

California Gubernatorial Debate | Iran War and the Bahá'í Faith | NABJ Sacramento

webmaster@capradio.org — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

California Gubernatorial Debate

The leading candidates for governor took the stage for a televised debate. The Insight California Politics debate aired across the state on stations owned by parent company Nexstar - including KRON4 in San Francisco, KTLA in Los Angeles, KSWB/KUSI in San Diego, KTXL FOX40 in Sacramento and KGET in Bakersfield. The six candidates for Wednesday’s debate, two Republicans and four Democrats, qualified through Nexstar’s standardized qualifying criteria: Steve Hilton (R), Tom Steyer (D), Chad Bianco (R), Xavier Becerra (D), Katie Porter (D), Matt Mahan (D). FOX40 Anchor and Political Journalist Nikki Laurenzo co-moderated the debate and joins us with her takeaways.

Iran War and the Bahá'í Faith

The Iran war has killed thousands of people, and conditions continue to change daily amid a tenuous ceasefire and ongoing hostilities. It has also ignited strong responses and emotions from across the Iranian diaspora. Dr. Hengameh Roohi is an Iranian-born clinical psychologist, and a member of the Bahá'í Faith, the largest non-Muslim minority in Iran. She joins Insight to talk about how Bahá'ís are facing persecution in Iran, and why she centers human rights while navigating the ever-changing situation of the war.

NABJ Sacramento

National Association of Black Journalists, Sacramento (NABJS) is a nonprofit organization representing media professionals in the region. They are hosting a regional conference from April 23 to April 25 at Aggie Square. Joining Insight is Courtney Dempsey, NABJ Sacramento Vice President and Anchor for Good Day Sacramento, along with NABJ Sacramento Member Lanaya Lewis.

K-12 Enrollment Declines | My Favorite Tree | Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra | Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel

webmaster@capradio.org — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

K-12 Enrollment Declines

California is home to more than five million K-12 students, the highest number in the country. But for almost a decade, statewide enrollment has declined including a nearly 75,000-student drop this year. This has major implications for school funding, which is tied to daily attendance. EdSource reporters John Fensterwald and Diana Lambert join Insight to talk about this ongoing slide, and how some districts in the Sacramento region appear to be bucking the trend.

My Favorite Tree

In honor of Earth Day, CapRadio is going all in on Sacramento being the City of Trees. The SacramenKnow team has launched My Favorite Tree asking listeners and readers to send a photo and message of their favorite tree. Communities Reporters Keyshawn Davis and Ruth Finch join us to share some of the responses so far. We’ll also get a tour of Capitol Park to learn about native trees. And if you’d like some shade, they’ll tell us about a SMUD program where you can plant them free of charge.

Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra

Jeannie Wood is the Executive Director of the Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra (CATS) based in Grass Valley. She joins us ahead of the premiere of Rashomon at the Nevada Theatre with Director Sonny Alforque and Actors Josh Laquian and Eileen Hoang. The production is based on the 1950 film exploring notions of truth and justice. It runs from April 23 to May 16.

Guitarist Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel is an award-winning Australian guitarist and composer who has been performing since he was a young child in the early 1960s. His distinct style and blend of pop, folk, country, jazz and classical have garnered him worldwide recognition as one of the greatest living guitar players. He is currently on tour for his latest album Living in the Light and has a stop at the historic Crest Theatre April 22. Excellence in Jazz Host Avery Jeffry sat down with Emmanuel to discuss his star studded musical career.

Patterson ICE Shooting | Sacramento Urban Debate League | West Coast Book Club

webmaster@capradio.org — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Patterson ICE Shooting

The case of a Central Valley man shot multiple times by immigration agents during a traffic stop is in federal court in Sacramento County. Federal prosecutors say Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez was initially targeted because he did not have legal status in the U.S., and ICE agents shot him after he tried to drive into them. But the circumstances of the shooting have been challenged by Mendoza Hernandez's defense team and family. Sharon Bernstein, Senior Reporter at The Sacramento Bee joins Insight with the latest updates as the case moves through court.

Sacramento Urban Debate League

At a time when politics and the debates surrounding them can get contentious, a local event is looking to bring some decorum back to how we talk about policy. The Sacramento Urban Debate League is holding SUDL Speaks: A Public Debate Event Wednesday, April 22 at the Serna Center in Sacramento. Debate students will take the stage with local public officials to tackle the pressing issues of our day. Treasurer Kevin Woodruff and one of the student debaters, high school senior Sofia Yee joined Insight to tell us more.

West Coast Book Club

Reading a book doesn’t have to be a solitary experience. Book clubs have long been a way to connect with literature. And the largest collective reading group on the West Coast is happening now. We’ll learn about One Book, One Coast which unites nearly 200 libraries across California, Oregon and Washington for a shared experience reading George Takei’s graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy. Todd Deck is the Community Engagement Services Manager with the Sacramento Public Library and joins us about the events through May 31, culminating with a virtual author talk with George Takei.

Commercial Salmon Fishing Reopens | Gubernatorial Candidate Sheriff Chad Bianco | Sac Youth Center’s Cafe Paso

webmaster@capradio.org — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Commercial Salmon Fishing Reopens

After an unprecedented three-year closure, California’s commercial salmon season is reopening next month with significant restrictions. This move comes as the state has implemented a plan to help this iconic species recover, but fishing communities have faced more than $100 million in losses without salmon as a source of income. CalMatters Water Reporter Rachel Becker joins Insight to talk about the return of commercial salmon fishing, and what the future could hold for the species and the people who rely on them.

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

Gubernatorial Candidate Sheriff Chad Bianco

As we close in on the California Primary, we are working to interview the candidates for governor. And you may have strong opinions about their beliefs and platforms. When you hear their responses, they are unedited. Our goal is for you to get an authentic sense of how each candidate views California’s most pressing issues, and what they would do if elected. Today, Insight sits down with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. The Republican is regularly polling in the top three. He sees a lot of problems with California and wants to take the state in a different direction. We’ll hear his views on a host of issues, from affordability to immigration.

Insight has reached out to all gubernatorial candidates. You can find our ongoing interviews here.

Sac Youth Center’s Cafe Paso

Since 2019 the Sac Youth Center, in the city's Del Paso Heights neighborhood, has been serving hundreds of young people. Providing resources and support for neighborhood youth ages 14 to 24. Offering them mentorship and skill building classes that will help them plan out who they want to be in the future. From basic skills like sewing, to vital skills for immigrant youth like reading and writing in english. And now, with the reopening of their Cafe Paso, students can learn to be baristas. Giving them valuable work experience, while funneling the money made on every drink and bagel sold back into the Center itself. Program Specialist Bibi Bahari and Office Coordinator Veronica LuVisi joined the show to tell us more.

International Gangs Targeting Sikh Communities | Gubernatorial Candidate Antonio Villaraigosa | Sacramento Book Festival

webmaster@capradio.org — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

International Gangs Targeting Sikh Communities

California is home to the largest Sikh populations outside of India, numbering more than 250,000 people — many of whom live in the Central Valley. But for years this community has been threatened by gangs and international criminal networks based in India, extorting victims and threatening violence against loved ones or property back in India. Investigative journalist Gagandeep Singh joins Insight with his recent reporting into these threats, which was recently published by the nonprofit newsroom CalMatters.

Gubernatorial Candidate Antonio Villaraigosa

As the race for governor ramps up, the nine remaining Democratic and Republican candidates are looking for ways to stand out. Earlier this week, Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa pledged to only serve one term if elected saying, “I would rather be transformative and successfully lead our state in the next four years, than be mediocre for the next eight.” He was State Assembly Speaker from 1998 to 2000 and was mayor of Los Angeles for eight years before terming out in 2013. He also previously ran for governor in 2018, losing to Gavin Newsom in the primary. Villaraigosa joined the show to talk about why he wants to be our state’s next leader.

You can find our ongoing interviews with the gubernatorial candidates here.

Sacramento Book Festival

Calling all book lovers, burgeoning authors and readers of all ages, the 2026 Sacramento Book Festival is taking place this weekend. Starting out 2 years ago with 20 authors at a local farmer’s market, the annual festival put on by the Sacramento Branch of the California Writer’s Club returns this year with over 200 local authors. Who will be selling books, talking on panels and sharing the experiences they’ve collected on their writing journeys. J. Scott Coatsworth, an author himself and Chair of the Sacramento Book Festival was on the show to tell us more. He was joined by two of the festival’s featured authors Wendelin Van Draanen and Allison Brennan.

The Sacramento Book Festival is a financial supporter of CapRadio.

EMPACT Sacramento | Sacramento County District 1 Race | Play ‘Godspell’ in Folsom

webmaster@capradio.org — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

EMPACT Sacramento

The Natomas High School community is reeling following a deadly shooting last Friday. The victim has been identified as 16-year-old De’Jon Sledge, a sophomore at Discovery High School, and two more people have been arrested. The Sacramento County District Attorney says it will not file homicide charges, calling the shooting an act of self-defense during an attempted robbery. Leia Schenk is the founder of the grassroots organization EMPACT, which has been a major source of support since the shooting. She joins Insight to talk about how her organization helps families feel supported and heal during difficult times.

Sacramento County District 1 Race

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will have a new member after District 1 Supervisor Phil Serna announced he will not seek reelection after 16 years. The crowded field of candidates looking to replace him include City Councilmember Erica Guerra, epidemiologist and former mayoral candidate Dr. Flojaune Cofer, former State Senator Deborah Ortiz and computer programmer Tim Riley. CapRadio Local Government Reporter Tony Rodriguez breaks down the race, which covers much of the Sacramento city core.

Play ‘Godspell’ in Folsom

Folsom Lake College’s Falcon’s Eye Theatre is presenting “Godspell” at the Harris Center beginning this Friday, April 17. Isaiah Mendiola stars as Jesus and he joins us, along with Director Jennifer Provenza Wallace, to preview the musical.

Falcon's Eye Theatre is a financial supporter of CapRadio.

Esparto Explosion | Incorporate North Lake Tahoe | California Native Plant Society

webmaster@capradio.org — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Esparto Explosion

Murder charges have been filed in relation to a deadly explosion that happened at a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County that killed seven people. CapRadio’s Greg Micek and Sarit Laschinsky join Insight to share the latest from court, where prosecutors accuse the companies of operating a criminal enterprise. We’ll also check in with Mike Vitiello, Distinguished Professor of Law at McGeorge School of Law.

Incorporate North Lake Tahoe

Could you soon find yourself visiting the town of North Lake Tahoe? A group of volunteers have banded together in eastern Placer County in an attempt to incorporate. Wally Auerbach and Sarah Coolidge are two local residents who are also members of the Eastern Placer Future Interim Executive Committee and they joined us today to explain what happens now that they’ve started the formal application process with LAFCO.

California Native Plant Society

Adding native plants to a garden has become a popular trend as of late. From people looking to add some regional flair to their existing landscaping or folks going all in, replacing their lawn with local species that need less water. For those curious to try something like that themselves, a local organization with over 60 years of experience is here to provide you with the inspiration you need to get started. Their 13th annual Gardens Got Natives tour is happening this weekend and will feature over forty native plant gardens in the Sacramento region. Lesley Hamamoto, is the President of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the California Native Plant Society and joined the show to tell us more. Register for the tour here.

Eric Swalwell Drops Out of Governor’s Race | California GOP Convention | Gubernatorial Candidate Betty Yee | In a Nutshell: Bad Jobs

webmaster@capradio.org — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Eric Swalwell Drops Out of Governor’s Race

The crowded field of Democratic candidates for governor saw a major shakeup over the weekend as Congressman Eric Swalwell, one of the frontrunners, dropped out following multiple accounts of sexual assault and misconduct reported by CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. Blake Jones, co-author of POLITICO’s California Playbook talks about the rapid collapse of Swalwell’s campaign and the ripple effects both in the governor’s race and Congress.

California GOP Convention

President Donald Trump has endorsed former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton over Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to be the Republican candidate for governor. But at the California Republican Party’s annual convention in San Diego over the weekend, delegates were unable to reach enough votes to endorse either candidate. CalMatters Politics Reporters Nadia Lathan and Maya C. Miller join Insight with details from the convention, and how the state GOP is juggling Trump’s unpopularity with a difficult political landscape heading into the midterms.

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

Gubernatorial Candidate Betty Yee

The California Primary is fast approaching. Mail-in voting begins in a couple weeks and Election Day is less than two months away. With Eric Swalwell ending his campaign over the weekend, nine candidates remain in the crowded race for Governor. We’re looking to interview all of them in the lead up to the election. We’re kicking off our series of interviews today with former State Controller Betty Yee. She was the state’s top financial officer during both Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom’s administrations from 2015 to 2023. The Democratic candidate joined to talk about why she’s running to be the next Governor of California.

This interview was recorded on Friday, April 10th.

In a Nutshell: Bad Jobs

Terrible jobs are a rite of passage when entering the workforce. From gross situations to bad bosses, there is no shortage of stories out there of workplaces that have gone amuck. “Take This Job and &%@!” is the theme of this month’s In a Nutshell storytelling series, taking place this Friday, April 17 at the Sofia in Sacramento. Two of the featured performers, Jessica Robinson and Claire Hennessey, join us today to discuss bringing bad job stories to the stage.

Sacramento Company Aids Artemis II Mission | Recent ADA Lawsuits | Planet Money Releases Book

webmaster@capradio.org — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Sacramento Company Aids Artemis II Mission

Artemis II has captivated the world, as astronauts witness parts of the moon no human has seen before. As the crew makes its return to Earth, we’ll meet a small Sacramento company doing big things to bring manned space exploration out of hibernation, with a history that dates back to the Apollo missions - and now includes the recent Artemis launch. TECMA owner and president Sonia Susac joins us about their history producing parts for aerospace programs.

Recent ADA Lawsuits

The Americans with Disabilities Act has been law for more than 30 years. Passed in 1990, it aims to make public life more accessible for the estimated 70 million U.S adults who report having a disability. Under its regulations, employers can’t discriminate based on disability, schools must provide accommodations to those who need them and businesses open to the public must be accessible. And one of the key ways this legislation is enforced is through litigation. People with disabilities can sue businesses they feel aren’t accessible, in violation of the ADA. In California, these lawsuits originate from a relatively small number of disabled people and law firms. Recently, a number of ADA suits have been filed against Sacramento-area restaurants drawing attention to this issue. Business owners say the litigation is a significant financial challenge while disability rights groups say this is the law working as intended. This debate has sparked a number of California legislators to introduce bills aimed at striking a balance and combating lawsuits that have been called predatory in nature. Kate Wolffe is a Legislative Reporter for the Sacramento Bee and joins us with her reporting.

Planet Money Releases Book

For the better part of two decades, NPR’s Planet Money has been going out over the airwaves and gracing the podcast feeds of millions of listeners, bringing to light the hidden economic forces that shape our day to day lives in digestible and often rather funny hour long episodes. They take their dedicated audience along with them on outlandish adventures like launching their own satellite or the time they crowdfunded a t-shirt so they could follow it around the global supply chain. All in the pursuit of answering one question: How do we make the economy fun? Now they’ve turned their sights on the publishing world. Earlier this week they released a book called, Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life. Insight Producer Andrew Garcia interviewed the author of the book Alex Mayyasi and fellow Planet Money reporter Kenny Malone.

7th Congressional District Race Heats Up | Small Business Loans Dry Up for Non-Citizens | Sierra Poetry Festival

webmaster@capradio.org — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

7th Congressional District Race Heats Up

We’re less than eight weeks to the California Primary and a longtime Sacramento politician is being challenged for reelection. Rep. Doris Matsui has represented the 7th Congressional District for the past two decades, and prior to that, her late husband Rep. Robert Matsui represented Sacramento for more than 25 years. This Midterm, Congresswoman Matsui is facing a prominent challenger in fellow Democrat and Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang. CapRadio Reporter Tony Rodriguez breaks down the race and a recent forum with all the candidates for District 7.

Small Business Loans Dry Up for Non-Citizens

The Small Business Administration has restricted access to its loans, meaning green-card holders and other non-citizen entrepreneurs no longer qualify. This move could have major impacts in California, which is home to the most small businesses and immigrants in the country. CalMatters Economy Reporter Levi Sumagaysay joins Insight to talk about the potential impacts to the state’s economy.

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

Sierra Poetry Festival

A full day of poetry readings, workshops and presentations from an acclaimed array of international poets and performers is planned in the Sierra foothills next weekend. The Sierra Poetry Festival takes place Saturday, April 18 in Grass Valley. Eliza Tudor is President of the Nevada County Arts Council and directs the poetry festival. She joins us today to discuss the festival, along with presenter Marcelo Hernandez Castillo. He’s the co-founder of UnDocupoets and will be leading a conversation during the event.

Yuba County Food Insecurity | ICE Deports Natomas DACA Recipient | Sactown Movie Buffs Film Festival

webmaster@capradio.org — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Yuba County Food Insecurity

According to a recent study from the UC Davis Labor and Community Center, CalFresh enrollment across the Sacramento region has grown since the pandemic. Researchers looked at the effects on the seven county region - Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado, Nevada, Yuba and Sutter - sparked by the Trump Administration’s seismic H.R.1 spending plan which restricts food assistance funding to certain recipients. On today’s Insight, we’ll check in with Yuba County, where CalFresh enrollment for adults aged 18-59 is nearly double the statewide average. A higher rate not driven by unemployment, but low-wages - the median household income is nearly 20% lower than the statewide median. Chaya Galicia is the Program Director at the Yuba County Department of Health and Human Services and Maria Ball is the Executive Director of the Yuba-Sutter Food Bank. They join us to discuss how the changes at the federal level will impact food security in the communities they serve.

ICE Deports Natomas DACA Recipient

A Natomas woman has been thrust into the Trump Administration’s hardlined immigration enforcement. Maria de Jesús Estrada Juárez immigrated to the U.S. as a minor and is protected under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). The 42-year-old was deported in February after attending a scheduled hearing for a green card, only to return to the U.S. last week, after a federal judge ruled the deportation unlawful. But that isn’t where the story ends, as Estrada Juárez is due back in court. Sacramento Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes organized a press conference following her return and joins us with more on the city’s role and next steps.

Maria de Jesús Estrada Juárez was unable for an interview today, but spoke with NPR Weekend Edition on April 4.

We reached out to the Department of Homeland Security which said, in part, “This is yet another ruling from a Biden-appointed activist judge… DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country.”

Sactown Movie Buffs Film Festival

What started as two friends debating movies has become a showcase for local filmmakers. Kierre Stowes and Jason Alley have been best friends since childhood, but they haven’t always seen eye to eye when it comes to movies. They channeled their love of film and debate with each other into the Sactown Movie Buffs TV show and podcast, where they review films and discuss the movie industry with professionals from the Sacramento scene. They joined us today to talk about their upcoming Sactown Movie Buffs Film Festival taking place this weekend.

New Restrictions Impacting CalFresh Eligibility | AI Usage in CA Schools and Universities | Sacramento Orchid Society’s Annual Show

webmaster@capradio.org — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

New Restrictions Impacting CalFresh Eligibility

Hundreds of thousands of people across the Sacramento region rely on SNAP benefits, known as CalFresh in California, and the rate of enrollment has increased over the past half-decade. But new changes enacted last week under H.R.1 now exclude many lawfully-present immigrants including refugees, asylum seekers and victims of trafficking. Marcos Lopez, Director of Research at the UC Davis Labor and Community Center joins Insight to talk about what the impact of these new restrictions could look like across the region, and whether resources are available to help these communities.

AI Usage in CA Schools and Universities

From social media to the workplace, artificial intelligence or AI is becoming more widely used in our day to day lives. Including in the classroom. But a new survey shows students and faculty remain weary about its use. We spoke to a pair of education reporters about how AI is being integrated in both college and middle school classrooms. Kate Rix covers higher education for EdSource and Amelia Angeles, is a journalism major at UC Irvine and a member of the EdSource California Student Journalism Corps.

Sacramento Orchid Society’s Annual Show

Is there a secret to success when it comes to growing orchids? If you’re a fan of the flowering plant and thinking about learning to grow them yourself, the Sacramento Orchid Society is the place to go. They host their annual Orchid Show and Exotic Plant Sale April 17 through 19 in Carmichael. Dave Veach is the Outreach Coordinator for the Sacramento Orchid Society and he joins us today to explain what it takes to care for these plants.

California’s Immigration History | San Joaquin Valley Housing Plans Get a ‘Final Warning’ | ‘The Tallest Dwarf’ Documentary

webmaster@capradio.org — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT

California’s Immigration History

The Supreme Court is weighing whether President Trump can limit birthright citizenship to children born to U.S. citizens or legal residents. But the question of who gets to be an American has deep roots. Jane Hong is an Associate Professor of History at Occidental College and is a historian of U.S. immigration. She joins us with the history of U.S. immigration laws, and why California is a prime case study.

San Joaquin Valley Housing Plans Get a ‘Final Warning’

Governor Gavin Newsom is warning more than a dozen municipalities in the San Joaquin Valley that their housing plans are out of compliance with state requirements, and potential lawsuits could be on the horizon. But many of these jurisdictions say they are diligently working to get their plans in order. Alma Villegas from the Merced Focus and Garth Stapley from the Modesto Focus talk about the local responses to Newsom’s order, and the help some of these communities say they need to get it done.

‘The Tallest Dwarf’ Documentary

Sparked by a desire to explore the possibility of dwarfism in her family history, filmmaker Julie Forrest Wyman turned to her camera. The film she ended up making is an exploration of her own dwarfism that leads her to learn more about where she fits into dwarf culture and the little people community. Teaming up with others to confront the troubled history of how dwarfs have been viewed in society and forge a new vision of beauty and power for their community. Julie joins us to talk about her new film, The Tallest Dwarf, premiering on PBS Independent Lens on Monday April 6th and streaming on the PBS app.

Reserve your spot for the local in-person screening in Davis, here.