New Medical School Planned in Stockton

University of the Pacific has announced a historic expansion, with plans to open a new school of medicine at its Stockton campus. The program is expected to welcome its first cohort of students in 2030, and will be the first M.D.-granting institution outside of the Bay Area, Sacramento region and Southern California. It also aims to address a chronic shortage of medical professionals in the Central Valley. Pacific President Christopher Callahan and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom join Insight to talk about what the impact of this new school will be for the Central Valley and beyond.

Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Steyer

A crowded field of candidates is still vying for the chance to become California’s next governor, with the primary election looming. One Democratic candidate has poured in a record-breaking amount of money for broadcast advertisements to try and secure a spot in the top-two primary, billionaire Tom Steyer. A former hedge fund manager and 2020 presidential candidate, Steyer’s political experience has largely been as a fundraiser for Democratic campaigns as well as liberal or progressive causes. And he is one of the Democratic frontrunners in the 2026 California gubernatorial race, touting a progressive platform. Vicki spoke with Steyer about his plans to address California’s issues and how he interprets the “billionaire” label differently from his critics.

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

Cobweb Cabaret

Emma Vauxdevil is a performer and producer of Cobweb Cabaret. The show is debuting in Sacramento at the Crest Theatre on Sat. June 6 at 8pm. Performers Qu’in de la Noche and Edie Eve give us a taste of the eclectic burlesque show. 

Sacramento’s MLB Expansion Bid

The Athletics are playing in Sacramento - for now - but the city is telling Major League Baseball, “Put me in coach!” We’ll hear about the capital region’s bid to get an MLB team of its own and how their chances stack up against other cities across the country. CapRadio Communities Reporter Keyshawn Davis and Forbes Senior Contributor and National Baseball Reporter Maury Brown joined us to break down the “Sacramento Pitch.”

David Kulcyzk’s ‘1926 - Murder in America’

The 1920s are remembered as a time of great change in America, but it was also one of the deadliest non-war years in history. Today on Insight, we’ll meet David Kulczyk, the Sacramento author behind the new book “1926 - Murder in America.”

Misner & Smith

What does it take to keep a music project fresh and relevant? How do you maintain creativity and continue to evolve? The folks behind the Northern California band Misner & Smith know a thing or two about it. For nearly two decades, Sam Misner and Megan Smith have been recording and performing beautifully crafted songs with soaring harmonies. They will make their first appearance at the Sofia in Sacramento this Saturday, May 30.

Watch the video version of Misner & Smith's performance of "Tears and Ink" recorded at the CapRadio studios here.

California Congressional Races: Districts 3 and 6

Many California voters will be casting their ballots during this election cycle in districts redrawn under Prop 50. Two of those in the Sacramento region are District 3, covering parts of Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado and Nevada counties and District 6, lying along I-80 in parts of Sacramento, Yolo and Placer counties. CapRadio Statehouse Politics Reporter Laura Fitzgerald joins Insight to break down these races, which both cover a range of urban, suburban and rural voters.

Lawmakers Kill Lobbying Transparency Bills

Being the Capital City, Sacramento frequently gets described as a government town, playing host to a plethora of state workers, government officials, and lawmakers. But another group is often overlooked in the public eye - lobbyists. While lobbyists have to register with the state and are listed publicly by the Secretary of State’s office, knowing what impact they have on the lawmaking process can be harder to find out. And two bills aimed at making lobbying more transparent in California recently died in the state legislature. CalMatters’ Ryan Sabalow reported on the bills and joined us to talk more about them.

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

California Composer Wins Pulitzer Prize for Music 

2026 has been a banner year for Northern California Composer Gabriela Lena Frank. She was named Musical America’s Composer of the Year. Her opera about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera is being performed at the Met. And earlier this month she won the Pulitzer Prize for Music. This past school year, Frank was also the Artist-in-Residence at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. CapRadio Midday Classical Host Jennifer Reason recently spoke with Frank about her work and accolades.

POLITICO’s California Playbook

It’s one week until the California Primary and nearly two million people have taken advantage of early voting - roughly 8 percent of the electorate, according to the latest numbers from Political Data Inc, which tracked ballot returns across the state. Blake Jones is co-author of POLITICO’s California Playbook and joins us with the latest on the election, as well as other political headlines.

Carlos Reales Dominguez’s Retrial

Jury selection is underway for the retrial of former UC Davis student Carlos Reales Dominguez, who was charged with a deadly 2023 stabbing spree that left two people dead and a third injured. Last June a jury found Dominguez not guilty of first-degree murder, but deadlocked on charges of second-degree and attempted murder. Mike Vitiello, Distinguished Professor of Law at McGeorge School of Law talks about the latest updates in Dominguez’s case, and what a retrial could look like.

Sacramento Pop Choir

Have you ever wanted to sing in a choir? The Sacramento Pop Choir offers adults the opportunity to “Sing Better Together.”  We’ll meet Emily Perez and Heather Waid, the co-founders and directors behind one of the fastest growing choirs in Sacramento as they prepare to perform concerts dedicated to Yacht Rock.

California’s Gas Prices and Supply

The average price at the pump in California is more than $6 for a gallon of gas, an increase that has been driven by the conflict with Iran. State officials are working to secure more supplies to help keep prices stable, including by importing more gas and oil. But it is also raising questions about how these efforts work with California's push to reduce its emissions and transition to alternative power sources. CalMatters Climate Reporter Alejandro Lazo joins Insight to talk about how the state is trying to keep prices from climbing even higher.

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

Make It Happen Yolo County

Moving into a first apartment is a rite of passage for many, but for some foster youth it’s just another challenge. Today on Insight, we’ll learn about furniture poverty and why Make It Happen Yolo County is committed to addressing it from Co-Founder and Board Member Jan Judson and Executive Director Cathi Schmidt.

Teen & Adult Self-Growth Workshop

At some point we’ll feel stuck in life. It can be particularly hard when starting out in adulthood. One may be academically capable, but can still feel uncertain about navigating real life, career direction, and personal growth. There are two workshops taking place in Sacramento this summer to offer guidance for both teens and adults who would like to recalibrate and find purpose at any life stage. The 10-week programs are taking place at Swanston Community Center in Sacramento. The Future Builder Workshop Series is designed for students in grades 9-12 to build confidence, develop essential life skills, and gain clarity about their future. The Blueprint for Your Future Workshop is for adults ages 18 and older focused on building clarity, confidence, and a structured plan for the future. TaniQua Welch is the Founder of NiQ Life Coaching LLC, and is teaching the workshops. To register email [email protected] or call (916) 410-4586.

Getting Ahead of the Summer Crud

There are a lot of bugs going around and the warmer temperatures are doing little to lessen the chance of getting sick. As we head towards graduations and holiday crowds, we check in with an infectious disease expert about the different strains capturing the headlines. Dr. Dean Blumberg, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis weighs in on what you need to know to stay healthy and have a good time.

California Stoneworkers With Silicosis

Artificial stone, or quartz, is the most popular countertop in the country. But in recent years, there has been a growing concern about the health consequences workers face, particularly breathing in toxic dust when powercutting the engineered stone. There have been hundreds of confirmed cases of silicosis, an often incurable lung disease. Farida Jhabvala Romero is a Labor Correspondent at KQED and she joined us today to share her reporting on the topic.

Roy and Gaynell Rogers

Roy and Gaynell Rogers both have storied careers in the world of music, film and the arts. Roy is an eight-time Grammy nominated producer, songwriter, and slide guitar player. Taking his talents as a blues artist, on tour around the globe for decades now. Gaynell has had her own storied career in the worlds of film, publicity and marketing. Working for the likes of Pixar and Lucasfilm. Between the two of them, the married couple have enough stories to fill endless hours. And Gaynell has now turned those stories and her experience as a chef into a new book “Gaynell’s Kitchen: Down Home Cooking from a Wayward Southern Belle.” And alongside the cookbook, Roy has a new album out, his first in ten years, called “The Sky’s the Limit.” He’ll also be performing this Saturday at the Center for the Arts in Grass Valley. They both joined the show to tell us more about the book and the album.

Early Voting Returns

Early voting is well underway and more than a million Californians have cast their ballots. Today on Insight, we’ll get a look at some of the key trends popping up ahead of the Primary Election on June 2 with Paul Mitchell, Vice President of Political Data Inc., who joined us with his 2026 Primary CA Ballot Tracker.

Sacramento Suns Australian Football Club

For over a decade, the Sacramento Suns have been introducing players across the region to the fast-paced action of Australian Rules Football, or footy. Described as a mix of rugby and soccer, the sport is played on an oval-shaped field and draws tens of thousands of fans to games down under. Suns players Lauré Kwoka and Sean MacEachern join Insight to talk about how this Australian staple has found its home in California's capital city. 

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’s winner is Cure for Paranoia hailing from Dallas, Texas. But 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.

Editor's Note: Ukrainian band Kommuna Lux joined us during the 12 p.m. airing of Insight but due to poor sound quality and technical difficulties we could not continue with the segment. You can find more information about their performance in Sacramento on May 29, here.

Breaking Down the May Revise

Governor Gavin Newsom has released his final May budget revision, which he says will close a projected $3 billion deficit and leave the Golden State on solid financial ground. CapRadio Statehouse Politics Reporter Laura Fitzgerald joins Insight to break down the details behind Newsom’s revision, and what the next steps in the budget process look like.

LAO’s Response to May Revise

The Legislative Analyst’s Office serves as a fiscal advisor to the legislature. Gabe Petek from the LAO joined us to talk about the nonpartisan agency’s initial responses to Governor Newsom’s revised budget.

State Superintendent’s Race

Today we’re going to dive into the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Currently held by Tony Thurmond, who is terming out and running for governor, the position oversees nearly 6 million students across 10,000 K-12 public schools. But it comes with limited authority due to local school districts in California largely controlling budget and curriculum decisions. And whoever succeeds Superintendent Thurmond may be walking into a different position, now that a bill is making its way through the state Capitol that would strip the position of most of its duties and fold the Department of Education into the governor’s office. CalMatters K-12 Education Reporter Carolyn Jones joins us with her reporting on this race.

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

‘The Host’ Television Pilot

What does it actually take to create a television pilot? Especially if you don’t have the backing of a studio? The creators of “The Host” are in the process of finding out. The new TV sitcom takes place in Sacramento and features the exploits of a guy who books backyard comedy shows, starring real comedians. A screening and live comedy show is scheduled May 19 at the Sofia. Joe Hauner, Luke Sion and Jack Matranga are the folks behind the show and they’re here today to tell us more.

Point-In-Time Count Shows Rise in Unhoused Population

Sacramento County’s homeless population is once again on the rise. That’s according to the region’s Point-In-Time Count released yesterday. The county is now home to nearly 7500 unhoused residents, that’s about 800 more than two years ago and a 13 percent increase. The jump comes despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent regionwide in recent years to address Sacramento’s homeless crisis. The numbers are lower than a few years back, when the region saw a dramatic 67 percent spike and a record-setting 9,300 unhoused residents just a couple years after the pandemic. But why does the region still have thousands on the streets, and thousands more in shelters? What do this year’s numbers show, and what are local officials saying about them? CapRadio reporters Riley Palmer and Ruth Finch joined us to talk about their reporting on the matter.

CalMatters Investigates DMV Loophole

For years, the California DMV has collected millions of dollars in profits from the sale of auctioned cars. The vehicle owners have the right to collect this money within a three-year period, but state law does not require the DMV to tell them these funds are available. CalMatters Investigative Reporter Byrhonda Lyons joins Insight with her reporting on this legal loophole, and how a new bill aims to try and close it. 

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

Davis Art Studio Tours

This weekend, 48 artists across the region will open their Davis studios to the public for free, self-guided tours. The Davis Art Studio Tour is a two-day event that celebrates creativity in the community. An annual event for nearly two decades, it was almost lost to the pandemic before being revived and relaunched by three local artists. We’ll meet two of them today, Thelma Weatherford and Cathie James-Robinson, and learn more about the event.

Campaign Spending

Election season is in full swing, with candidates and campaigns opening the financial floodgates. This is especially apparent in the California governor's race, where Democratic candidate Tom Steyer has put in more than $130 million to self-fund his campaign, while tech giants in Silicon Valley have also donated millions to support other candidates. Sac State Political Science Professor Wesley Hussey joins Insight to talk about the impact of campaign finance on elections in the Golden State, and how it shapes the perceptions of voters.

Gubernatorial Candidate Xavier Becerra

Election Day for California’s primary is less than three weeks away. During the past month, Insight has been getting to know the leading candidates running for governor through one-on-one interviews, which you can find here. Two candidates we have not spoken with yet are Democrats Tom Steyer and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Becerra has recently been surging in the polls and held a campaign rally at Sacramento State earlier this week. CapRadio’s Statehouse and Politics reporter Gerardo Zavala was there and spoke with the Democratic front runner.

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

Vanessa Hua Releases ‘Coyoteland’

Vanessa Hua has a way with words. The Bay Area author and journalist is releasing a new novel this month, “Coyoteland”. Set in the affluent Bay Area suburb of El Nido, “Coyoteland” explores identity, privilege and belonging through multiple perspectives, including a coyote. She joined us today to preview the book and an upcoming appearance at CapLit.

Project Homekey Investigation

As California’s state leaders look to put forth a balanced budget later this week, every dollar spent to tackle issues becomes even more important. It is estimated that California has spent $24 billion addressing homelessness from 2019 to 2024, but have Californians felt the impact of those dollars? Additionally, for those experiencing homelessness, what does the data show about how these efforts have impacted their lives? CalMatters recently investigated how some of that money has been spent through Project Homekey. Homelessness Reporter Marisa Kendall is one half of the reporting duo that took on the question, “Did Project Homekey pay off?” She joined us today to explain what they discovered.

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

California Wildfire Season Preview

Wildfires have become a nearly year-round risk across California, with blazes growing larger and more unpredictable amid the worsening impacts of climate change. The Golden State is also coming off a dry winter, and a new report suggests California could be especially vulnerable this summer. Fire Meteorologist Julia Ruthford and Wildland Fire Specialist Kristen Allison from the U.S. Forest Service provide an update on current conditions, and projects about what might lie ahead. Also, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief David Acuña provides a look at how the state's fire agency is gearing up for another fire season.

In a Nutshell: Glynn Washington

Glynn Washington knows his way around a story … and a cult. The host of Snap Judgement and Spooked is one of four featured performers at this month’s In a Nutshell storytelling series taking place Friday, May 15 at the Sophia in Sacramento. He joined us today to talk about his history with cults as he prepares to take on the theme “Cults, Crackpots and Swindlers.”