Insight With Vicki Gonzalez

Conversation with Sacramento State President Luke Wood. Also, unpacking two new state laws about policing and a traffic speed camera pilot. Finally, Sacramento County needs volunteers for it’s homelessness point-in-time count. Sac State President Luke Wood From the day Sacramento State President Luke Wood arrived on campus, he was tasked with overcoming big obstacles that could jeopardize the success of the university– from ongoing negotiations and labor strikes for faculty and staff, as well as steering the campus auxiliary CapRadio off a financial cliff. Less than six months in, President Wood’s time has been filled with big tests– but not all are crises. President Wood joins us with the highlights and some big milestones to look forward to for the new year. New Laws: Police Stops and Traffic Cameras Continuing our breakdown of new legislation taking effect in 2024, CapRadio State Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon joins Insight to talk about two new laws related to policing and safety on California’s roadways. Assembly Bill 2773 requires law enforcement officers to tell drivers why they were stopped or pulled over, while Assembly Bill 645 establishes a new traffic speed camera pilot program in six cities across the state. Nicole also highlights new workplace and labor legislation that took effect in the new year. Sacramento’s 2024 Point-In-Time Count The last count of unsheltered homeless living in the Sacramento area showed an increase of 67% since the last report in 2019.  Known as the “point-in-time count,” volunteers fan across the county over two days, providing a conservative snapshot of who is unhoused. Lisa Bates, Chief Executive Officer of Sacramento Steps Forward, joins us with information on the latest PIT, the need for volunteers for the upcoming count in late January, and how that can translate into federal homelessness response dollars.

A new state law paves the way for salary increases for certain city councils - the first adjustment in four decades. Also, PG&E ratepayers experience another increase to their utility bills. Finally, realistic wellness tips for the new year. City Council Salary Caps A new year means new laws taking effect in California, including one that paves the way for salary increases for certain city councils - the first adjustment in four decades. CapRadio’s Sacramento Government Reporter Kristin Lam breaks down the provisions of the law, Senate Bill 329, and also provides an update on recent important developments within Sacramento’s governing body, including calls for the resignation of councilmember Sean Loloee after his federal indictment. PG&E Rate Hikes (Again) This month brings a new rate increase for PG&E customers, amounting to an average of $33 a month to utility bills. The utility giant says it needs the money to pay for undergrounding lines in wildfire-prone areas, among other safety improvements. However, PG&E is already requesting an additional rate hike, on top of the already-approved increase. Mark Toney is the Executive Director of TURN (The Utility Reform Network) and Meredith Fowlie is a Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley, and the Faculty Director at the Energy Institute at Haas. They join us to discuss why the utility giant is asking for more money again, and the impact it will have on customers. Realistic Wellness Tips for the New Year Jan. 1 is usually when a lot of us think about wellness. And health can mean a lot of things: from committing more time to fitness, prioritizing mental health, a work-life-balance, eating better, reducing stress, and taking up a new hobby or pastime. The list is varied, and often they relate to each other. We’re going to focus on incorporating healthy habits that can meet different lifestyles and abilities. Dr. Brandee Waite is the Director of UC Davis Health Sports Medicine and a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Skyler Hanka is the Associate Director of Culinary Health at the UC Davis Office of Wellness Education.

Glenna Walters at her home during the summer 2022 in Rio Linda, Calif. Andrew Nixon/CapRadio We’re highlighting two CapRadio podcasts that launched this year: “Mid Pacific” which explores what it means to be Asian American and “This is What it Feels Like” which puts us in the shoes of everyday people. Mid Pacific CapRadio’s launched “Mid Pacific” this spring, which explores what it means to be Asian American and the feeling of being caught between two worlds. As host Sarah Mizes-Tan explains, through food, politics, mental health, music– and much more– we learn how loaded of a question it can be. Today, we’re going to revisit a conversation we had about family. Whether Asian American, or you have a story of immigration– or you’re a 10th generation Californian– the family that comes before us shapes how we walk through life. And in recent years, the dynamic of Asian American families is taking more of the spotlight in pop culture. The biggest example this year is the Oscar winning film “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.” And this film resonates deeply with some CapRadio journalists. Back in May, I sat down with Mid Pacific host Sarah Mizes-Tan, as well as CapRadio reporters Janelle Salanga and Kristin Lam about the significance of the film.  This is What it Feels Like CapRadio’s new podcast “This is What it Feels Like” has a simple, open-ended premise: “In a world that feels more divided than ever, put yourself in the shoes of everyday people at the center of issues often overlooked or politicized by society. It’s not simple. It’s not black and white.” Host Terra Lopez explains the life experiences were wide ranging, and all first person narratives. The first season just wrapped this fall, and while all episodes were powerful, there was a fan favorite. It features a 106-year-old woman named Glenna who dismantles, and gives us, a deeper understanding about getting older. As Terra Lopez puts: Instead of focusing on what we lose as we age, Glenna’s focus is living simply and staying inspired– to the very last moment. Glenna passed away shortly after her 107th birthday, surrounded by family. 

Insight’s best conversations of the year. Today we listen back to the creatives behind the local art scene– from music, to children’s books, a new Grammys category with Sacramento roots, art for healing, and a bittersweet goodbye to Luna’s Cafe. The Creation District  Music is transformative and has the power to overcome many of life’s challenges. But for kids and young adults experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, finding opportunities to realize this potential can be few or virtually non-existent. But one organization in Sacramento has been providing a safe haven for them since 2015, cultivating an atmosphere where they can create, discover, and dream big. The Creation District offers a wide array of workshops and programs for Sacramento’s youth to help them build a brighter future for themselves and the community. Grace Loescher, Director of The Creation District, joined Insight in August to tell us more about this incubator for creation. Chasing A Spider Publishing  Finding children’s books that reflect our diverse community can be difficult, especially for children and families of color. A Sacramento husband and wife team, inspired by their daughter, decided it was time to make cultural books more accessible to all by publishing picture books for kids.  Award-winning author and publisher Samuel Narh joined Insight in December to talk about the need for diverse children’s books and what led him to start Chasing a Spider Publishing. Best African Music Performance Grammy is a Sacramento-based musician with a unique expertise as a steel drum musician from his Trinidadian roots. He is also a member of The Recording Academy, a.k.a. The Grammys. In June, Shawn Joined Insight about a huge milestone in music excellence. He helped author the new Best African Music Performance category, which will debut at the upcoming awards show. Shawn opened up about how this is a big step forward to recognize the contributions of musical traditions of Africa that have entertained people for generations. Monterey Jazz Festival The Monterey Jazz Festival  is coined as the “longest continuously running jazz festival in the world.” Each year the festival features several student bands, like the Next Generation Women in Jazz Combo, which was created in 2019 to feature top high school women jazz players from across the country. Only six students get in, and this year, two of them happen to be from Sacramento. In September, CapRadio's Excellence in Jazz host Avery Jeffry sat down with the two student musicians ahead of the 66th annual festival. Paloma Cobbs-Silva and Salome Ospina discussed their journey to Monterey. Both were involved in the “Teagarden Jazz Camp” with the Sacramento Jazz Education Foundation. Luna's Cafe has long cemented itself as an artistic center of Sacramento where live performances and art have graced the walls and stage since 1983. After 40 years, Luna’s Cafe owner Art Luna made the bittersweet decision to close its doors. In August, CapRadio’s Paul Conley took a look back to celebrate the end of a beloved chapter in Sacramento arts.

Insight’s best conversations of the year. We revisit interviews with two Sacramento-based Pulitzer-Prize winning editorial cartoonists– Jack Ohman and Darrin Bell. Jack Ohman  At 19 years old Jack Ohman became a nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist and, decades later, earned a Pulitzer Prize for the Sacramento Bee. For almost a decade, Jack’s cartoons at the SacBee evoked a wide range of thoughts and emotions from readers about the politicians or events shaping our lives. But earlier this year, the Sacramento Bee’s parent company “McClatchy” let go of Jack, along with other Pulitzer-Prize-winning editorial cartoonists saying it would no longer publish editorial cartoons. Insight sat down with Jack Ohman in July as he closed a chapter with the SacBee and opened up about his remarkable career, and point of view, that spans more than 40 years, and is far from over. Darrin Bell Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist Darrin Bell is turning to his youth for his new graphic memoir “The Talk.” Bell grew up in Los Angeles in the ‘80s and ‘90s to a white mother and Black father, and through vulnerable illustrations he shares personal experiences that shaped his understanding of race and racism throughout his life, culminating into fatherhood and whether he and his son are ready to have “the talk.” Bell joined Insight in September about his career as an editorial cartoonist with syndicated comic strips, and a passion for graphic novels.

CapRadio’s interim GM provides an end-of-year update on the public media station’s financial challenges. Plus, a winter classical music and wine tour around the world. Finally, some favorite new music from musical acts with local ties. Update on CapRadio Financial Challenges  CapRadio Interim General Manager Tom Karlo gives an end-of-year update on the financial challenges facing the NPR-member station, which is home to both news and music channels, and operates North State Public Radio in Chico. CapRadio is an auxiliary of Sac State, which holds the public media station’s license. Chico State holds the license to NSPR. This summer, CapRadio laid off 12% of its staff and canceled longtime music programs. An audit commissioned by the California State University system found numerous instances of financial mismanagement, largely tied to an ambitious yearslong move to a new downtown headquarters and creation of a live venue, which now has an uncertain future. CapRadio still operates on campus.  Following NPR’s protocol for reporting on itself, no CapRadio corporate official or news executive reviewed this story before it was broadcasted or posted publicly. Winter Wine & Classical Tour Around the World If you are planning on hosting or attending a holiday party in the coming weeks, we have the perfect pair to help you with your wine and music selections.  CapRadio Midday Classical Host, Jennifer Reason and wine expert, Rick Kushman joins us today with their picks to help make the holidays extra bright. Jennifer will also share with us a preview of her annual “December Around the World” music special that will air on CapRadio this month. Local(ish) Music Picks of 2023 Many of you already have your “Spotify Wrapped” playlists. But there are great musical acts, with local ties, that released new music this year(ish). We put a callout to CapRadio colleagues and asked which songs rose to the top for them in 2023. CapRadio Midday Host Andrew Garcia presents the picks. The selections are Rituals of Mine “Overcome,” Slow Pulp “Cramps,” Cosmic Roots “Weight Up,” Victoria Monet “On My Mama,” Mediocre Cafe “Coolpix Sled Jam.”

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg reflects on 2023. Also, Cal OES delivers humanitarian aid to Israel and Gaza. Plus, how Palestinians across the Sacramento Valley are coping with war abroad. Finally, a snow season outlook in the central Sierra. Sacramento Mayor Year in Review Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg joins Insight to reflect on the year and look ahead to 2024– as his final year as mayor.  From homelessness to the post-COVID economy in Sacramento, we ask the mayor how he measures success, as well as what are his goals for this final year in office. We also ask him about who he thinks might be the best fit to replace him as mayor when his term ends, as well as what his plans are in the future and if they include a run for higher office. Cal OES Delivers Aid to Israel & Gaza The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has been assisting civilians impacted by the war between Israel and Hamas. Cal OES Deputy Director of Crisis Communication Brian Ferguson discusses the shipment of nearly identical supplies of humanitarian aid that arrived to Israel and Gaza. The pallets of medical supplies include a field hospital, wound and IV kits, defibrillators, wheelchairs, personal protective equipment, and other emergency-response items. Palestinians in Sacramento Valley is the Executive Director of the civil rights organization CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) in the Sacramento Valley. A Palestinian himself, Elkarra shares how the Palestinian community is coping and grappling with war abroad– many with loved ones in Gaza. Sierra Snow Outlook California saw near record-breaking snowfall from 2022-2023, with hundreds of inches accumulating in some areas. But how will the current snow season stack up? Dr. Andrew Schwartz, the Lead Scientist and Manager of UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Lab provides an update on current snowfalls and future predictions, and also discusses a new sensor network the lab is rolling out this winter.

Final environmental impact report for the Delta Conveyance Project. Also, Shriners partners with Sacramento-area high schools to empower women in orthopedic surgery. Finally, K-ZAP brings their music box selections released this year. Delta Conveyance (Tunnel) Project Climate change is challenging the way California captures and delivers water to drier parts of the state, like the South Bay and Southern California. For years, farmers, preservationists and environmentalists have fought over the proposed ‘Delta Tunnel’ project. Last week, the project cleared a major environmental hurdle which could re-energize plans to drill a single tunnel under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and divert water to parts of the Bay Area, Central Coast and Southern California. Jay Lund is a water resource engineering expert with the PPIC and UC Davis and joins us to explain the latest on the ‘Delta Conveyance' proposal and how the new environmental impact report could affect water delivery in the future. Women in Orthopedic Surgery Women make up roughly half of all medical students, but that doesn’t trickle down to all specialties. Orthopedics rank at the bottom with just 7% female surgeons. We’ll go straight to the source to better understand why that’s the case. Dr. Michelle James is an Emeritus Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and a pediatric hand surgeon at Shriners Children’s Northern California, and Dr. Claire Manske is an orthopedic surgeon at Shriners Children’s Northern California. They join Insight to discuss an event this weekend with The Perry Initiative designed to encourage and empower young women to explore careers in orthopedic surgery and engineering. Participants across Sacramento-area schools will engage in mock surgical exercises, and attendees will hear lectures from local women surgeons and engineers about their experiences and journeys in these fields. New Music Box Set Selections When holiday shopping for the music-lovers in your life, one of the best gifts to get is a CD box set, packed full of unreleased tracks, remastered tunes, memorabilia and more. And 2023 saw no shortage of musical offerings. Dennis Newhall, co-founder and announcer of K-ZAP returns to Insight with a selection of box set collections released this year, from Bob Dylan and The Who, to Joni Mitchell and The Doors.

California’s projected $68 billion budget shortfall. Also, the how California Bountiful Foundation uplifts upcoming farmers and ranchers. Finally, Peter Petty’s “Hepcat’s Holla-Daze! Swinging Yuletide Revue” at the Crest Theatre. $68 Billion Budget Shortfall California's projected budget shortfall has gone from bad to worse.  The state now faces a $68 billion gap and the projections for the next couple of years are not much better.  CapRadio State Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon joins us with details on how the deficit doubled in size in a matter of months.  We’ll also learn why this budget gap is different from those the state experienced in the early to mid-2000s and examine a few different paths the state can take to avoid deep, across-the-board cuts. California Bountiful Society’s New Project for Farmers and Ranchers The USDA recently announced the investment of nearly $28 million to support programs that will teach new farmers and ranchers. One of the funding recipients is the California Farm Bureau’s nonprofit California Bountiful Foundation, which plans to offer an agricultural mentoring and education program to people who are veterans or socially disadvantaged. CFB Administrator Jim Houston and Michael O’Gorman, founder of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, join Insight to shed more light on the new project. Peter Petty ‘Hepcat’s Holla-Daze! Swinging Yuletide Revue’ We are well into holiday music this month. If you’re craving something different, the Crest Theatre this weekend may be just what you’re wanting to experience. Peter Petty’s upcoming event with a 12-piece orchestra has become a holiday tradition, inspired by the swing era, burlesque and traditional jazz, which make for a lively evening. Bandleader Peter Petty joins us ahead of his annual “Hepcat’s Holla-Daze! Swinging Yuletide Revue” at the Crest Theatre on Saturday Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. And a heads up, the show is a full variety program with some adult language.

Sacramento study recommends ways to improve the city’s entertainment economy. Also, Sacramento Jewish leaders discuss how they are observing Hanukkah amid ongoing war. Finally, the author of “Poster Girl” and the story of WWII women welders. Improving Sacramento’s Entertainment Economy    Last year, Sacramento created a new position to build the city’s nighttime economy so that entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and other businesses can thrive after hours. Tina Lee-Vogt became the city’s first Nighttime Economy Manager in October 2022. In the year-plus since leading the new Office of Nighttime Economy, Tina has been canvassing downtown and midtown Sacramento listening to what’s needed, the city’s strengths, and the challenges to creating a vibrant entertainment economy. Tina returns to Insight with what she learned from a Sociable City Assessment and Music Economy Census conducted this year, as well as the changes that could happen in 2024.   How Sacramento is Observing Hanukkah Today marks two months since the attack on Israel by Hamas. Today is also the start of Hanukkah. Rabbi Mona Alfi, from Sacramento’s Congregation B’nai Israel and Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum, from the Chabad Jewish Community Center, join Insight to discuss how their congregations are celebrating the holiday while their hearts and minds are on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. We will also understand what conversations are taking place within their communities during a rise in antisemitism. “Poster Girl” and the Story of WWII Women Welders During World War II millions of women took up jobs on production lines and in the defense industry to fulfill wartime orders for aircraft, munitions, and ships. These “Rosie the Riveters” and “Wendy the Welders” broke down barriers, and became symbols of inspiration and empowerment. On the 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor, we speak with historical novelist Shelley Blanton-Stroud about her newly-released book “Poster Girl,” which captures the experiences - and hardships - faced by these female patriots.