There is a California law requiring most health insurers to cover fertility preservation before medical treatments that can cause infertility. Unfortunately learning about coverage is not a guarantee.

SB 600

Five years ago, California passed a law largely geared to help cancer patients preserve their fertility before going through treatments that can cause infertility - like chemotherapy. Senate Bill 600 requires the majority of health insurers to cover procedures - like egg and sperm banking - which can normally cost thousands of dollars out of pocket. But Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez faced a hard lesson while going through breast cancer treatment last year. Learning about the law is not a guarantee and she found out when it was too late. Today we’re going to spend time learning about SB 600. Anthony Portantino is a former state lawmaker and author behind the law. He joins us about what inspired this legislation, and why Medi-Cal recipients are not included in coverage.

Raising Awareness and Evaluating SB 600's Effectiveness

We’ll also meet fertility advocates who are working to close the information gap of SB 600, so that cancer patients know about options that can be the deciding factor in having a biological child. Joyce Reinecke is the Executive Director of the nonprofit Alliance for Fertility Preservation. Dr. Irene Su is the Director of the Oncofertility Program at UC San Diego and has been researching the effectiveness of this law.

A Sacramento refugee resettlement agency cuts staff in the wake of the Trump Administration. Also, Nature Day in Woodland celebrates bees this weekend. Finally, CapRadio Music hosts Jazz Appreciation Month.

Opening Doors Cuts Staff

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has continued to carry out promises of cracking down on immigration, including refugees. Resettlement has been suspended and federal funding has been slashed. California is among the top two states for refugee resettlement. And Sacramento is home to large diaspora communities. Jessie Mabry is the CEO of Opening Doors,  a nonprofit that supports immigrants, refugees, and survivors of trafficking. She joins us to talk about how federal policy changes are affecting refugee resettlement efforts in Sacramento, including forcing her organization to lay off staff.

Nature Day at The Hive in Woodland

Spring in the Sacramento Valley is a vibrant time. Plants are blooming, orchards are coming back to life, and tiny pollinators are hard at work. If you’ve ever been curious about the business of bees, Nature Day at The HIVE in Woodland is the place to bee this weekend. They’re hosting a free event this Saturday to connect you with local beekeepers, entomologists, farmers, conservationists and horticulturalists. Amina Harris is the Owner of The HIVE and Z Specialty Food. Her daughter Shoshana Zeldner is the Director of Brand Strategy. They join us to discuss Nature Day on Sat. April 5 from 11am to 5pm.

Jazz Appreciation Month

April is Jazz Appreciation Month and we have something special in store. Every Saturday evening, CapRadio Music will transport you back in time, and across the city, playing original jazz shows recorded by CapRadio over the past 45 years - from the Old Sacramento Waterfront, Sac State Music Recital Hall and the once On Broadway Bar and Cafe, featuring many legends of the jazz scene from the last five decades. CapRadio Music Program Director Gary Vercelli and Excellence in Jazz Host Avery Jeffry join us to highlight the special programming they have planned beginning this weekend at 8 p.m. on KXPR 88.9 FM as well as streaming at capradio.org.

The Athletics home opener at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Also, an update on voter approved Prop 35 Medi-Cal funding. Finally, “Arts Talk” highlights events this month.

Athletics Home Opener

One year ago it became official. The Athletics would say goodbye to Oakland and make West Sacramento its new temporary home, as Las Vegas builds an MLB stadium. Last night, the A’s welcomed a sold out crowd for its home opener at Sutter Health Park, the home of the Sacramento RiverCats. CapRadio Communities Reporter Keyshawn Davis and Sacramento Bee Senior Reporter Chris Biderman join us with the highlights and significance of this moment in Sacramento sports.

Prop 35 and Medi-Cal Funding

Voters overwhelmingly approved Prop 35, which promised to give a long-awaited pay bump to doctors and hospitals who serve the state’s lowest-income residents via an already existing tax on health care plans. But state regulators have yet to direct a dollar for the Medi-Cal initiative’s intended purposes or even develop a framework for doing so. Rachel Bluth is the California Health Care Reporter for POLITICO and joins us with her reporting on the delay.

Arts Talk 

Arts advocate Veronica Rodriguez is back for this month’s Arts Talk hooking us up with events for all ages, including the opening of Sacramento’s newest music venue Channel 24. 

• April 11-13, Torch Club is celebrating 25 years.

• April is Photography Month with events across Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, Nevada and El Dorado counties. 

• Elk Grove Fine Arts Center will have their First Saturday Art Walk and feature the exhibit Short Centers which is a program for artists with disabilities running April 5-23. 

• Tenth anniversary of the First Friday Art Walk in Sacramento.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s MAGA-curious podcast pivot. Also, an Eid celebration marking the end of Ramadan at Cal Expo. Finally, an update on the parking lot saga at Trader Joe’s in East Sacramento.

Gov. Newsom’s Priorities

This month Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a new podcast that set off political shockwaves over his exchanges with high-profile conservative guests. It left some allies, and even critics, doing a double take on the Democratic leader’s priorities. CapRadio Politics Reporter Laura Fitzgerald and CalMatters Capitol Reporter Alexei Koseff join us for a conversation about how this latest media venture is shaping policy at the state Capitol. 

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

Eid Celebration at Cal Expo

Fauziya Faruk is the public information officer for the Council of Sacramento Valley Islamic Organizations (COSVIO) and joins us ahead of one of the state’s largest cultural and religious gatherings. The Sacramento Unity Eid Celebration marks the end of Ramadan and is expecting 40,000 attendees at Cal Expo on Sunday, March 30.

Trader Joe’s Parking Lot Saga

Over the past several months, shoppers at the East Sacramento Trader Joe’s have experienced a rollercoaster of parking emotions as an auxiliary lot meant to relieve the chaos of this notoriously crowded location has opened, closed and now reopened. CapRadio Communities Reporter Gerardo Zavala gets us up to speed on the latest developments in the parking saga.

A community hospital in Madera reopens two years after its closure. Also, remembering legendary Asian American journalist K.W. Lee. Finally, “In a Nutshell” storytelling at the Sofia.

Madera Hospital Reopens

Two years ago, Madera Community Hospital succumbed to financial pressures and shut down in the Central Valley, impacting healthcare in neighboring Fresno and Merced counties. Earlier this month, the 103-bed hospital reopened under new management. Tim Sheehan is a health reporting fellow for The Intersection from the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. He joins us with more on the medical-care landscape that continues to face more patients than there are available beds.

Remembering Journalist K.W. Lee

K.W. Lee is a legend in California journalism. He was the chief investigative reporter for The Sacramento Union, known for digging and probing into bureaucracy. Most notably, he wrote 120 articles on Chol Soo Lee, a Korean American who was wrongfully convicted of a 1973 murder in San Francisco and faced the death penalty, but was eventually acquitted. This month, at the age of 96, Lee passed away in Sacramento surrounded by family. We’ll take a look back at the life of this pioneer in news - known affectionately as “the godfather of Asian American journalism.” Lonnie Wong is a retired broadcast journalist who spent more than 40 years at FOX40. Dan Walters is an opinion columnist at CalMatters and worked with Lee at The Sacramento Union. Steve Chanecka is a journalist who co-founded Koreatown Weekly with Lee and Randy Hagihara in 1979.

‘In a Nutshell’ Storytelling

In a Nutshell is a storytelling series in Sacramento that takes place the last Friday of the month at The Sofia. This month’s theme is “Unwritten Rules: Navigating the expectations we didn’t know existed - or breaking them spectacularly.” Two of the storytellers will be joining us today. Amy Bee is a writer, editor and the co-creator of In a Nutshell Storytelling. Diana Medina is a writer, poet, performer, and Storyteller in Residence at Capital Storytelling.

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency discusses the progress and challenges facing the lake and basin. Also, the Sacramento Public Library is offering sexual health resources. Finally, Sacramento Piano Day is this weekend.

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

Lake Tahoe is unlike other natural resources when it comes to management and stewardship. The 500-mile watershed spans two states, five counties and a city. More than 50 years ago, Congress created the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency as the nation’s first bi-state environmental protection organization, tasked with balancing growth and development while preserving the lake and basin. Julie Regan is the Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and discusses the progress and challenges over the years - as well as responds to a recent investigative series into human-inflicted problems plaguing this alpine treasure. 

You can listen to CalMatters journalists Julie Cart and Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett discussing their investigation on Insight here.

Sexual Health at Sac Public Library

Books are just the beginning at the Sacramento Public Library. There is a variety of information and resources outside of the literary world, including learning about your health - from cooking classes, to diabetes education, vaccine clinics and Alzehimer’s kits. Todd Deck is the Community Engagement Services Manager for the Sacramento Public Library and joins us about their latest edition: free sexual health resources across 12 library locations - including condoms, pregnancy tests, and educational brochures.

Sacramento Piano Day 

Piano Day is a global celebration of the piano. Held annually on the 88th day of the year - in honor of the instrument's 88 keys - Piano Day is all about sharing the joy of this music and showcasing its versatility. Pianist and composer Philip Howard decided to share that joy with Northern California by starting Sacramento Piano Day. He’s here today to share some highlights from the upcoming concert scheduled Saturday, March 29 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento.

California winemakers are being impacted by the Trump Administration’s tariffs on Canada. Also, an investigative series looks into Lake Tahoe’s human-inflicted challenges. Finally, Paula Poundstone performs at the Harris Center.

CA Winemakers Impacted by Trump Tariffs 

We’re learning how an escalating trade war is impacting industries at home. Canada is the largest buyer of California wine. And local winemakers are feeling the impact of tariff threats from the Trump Administration. Bill Easton is the President, Winemaker, and Winegrower at Terre Rouge & Easton Wines in Amador County. He joins Insight to talk about how this uncertainty is affecting his business with Canada.

Investigative Series into Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is an alpine treasure. But over the years, this once pristine beauty nearly a mile-high in the Sierra Nevada has shouldered an array of human-inflicted challenges and remains in a constant tug-and-pull between development and preservation. CalMatters Environment Reporter Julie Cart and Statistical Journalist Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett share their investigative series Lake Tahoe: A Tarnished Jewel which looks into the declining health of the basin, the shift to promoting tourism and recreation projects, as well as continuing to build despite it being one of California’s riskiest places for wildfires.

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

Comedian Paula Poundstone  

Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor. The comedian and author is a regular fixture on NPR, beloved by fans of the news quiz show Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me! She’s bringing her stand-up show to the Harris Center in Folsom on April 5 and she joins us today to talk about staying funny for more than 40 years.

How federal funding cuts are impacting Stockton public agencies and nonprofits. Also, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is the only internationally-accredited Native American fire department. Finally, “Inkstravaganza” for student poets and storytellers.

Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

A new series of stories in The Intersection from the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative highlight the challenges public and nonprofit agencies in Stockton are facing amid the Trump administration's ongoing funding cuts. Vivienne Aguilar is the health equity reporter at The Intersection and she joins us to share her reporting. We’ll also hear how increased anti-immigrant harassment has impacted the work these agencies do. 

The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative is a partner of CapRadio.

Yocha Dehe Fire Department

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is in the heart of Yolo County’s Capay Valley. A beautifully remote area, which can mean long wait times in emergency response. About 20 years ago, the tribe set out to create a top-tier fire department. Fast forward to today, it has evolved to become the only internationally-accredited Native American fire department  - and recently provided mutual aid to the wildfires across the Los Angeles area. Yocha Dehe Fire Chief Shawn Kinney joins Insight about the road to becoming a state-of-the-art agency.

InkStravaganza

Mingle. Eat. Observe. Interact. Enjoy. That is the mission of an event this weekend where the next generation of storytellers are in the spotlight. 916 Ink is Sacramento’s arts-based creative writing and literacy nonprofit and their annual Inkstravaganza is an evening of food, literary-themed drinks and listening to student authors reading original poetry and prose. Angela De Claro is the Find Your Voice Program Manager for 916 Ink and joins us with more about the event happening Sat. March 22 at 4 p.m.

How the “Delta Tunnel” could impact communities along the Sacramento River. Also, the documentary “Unhoused Neighbors” seeks to challenge stereotypes about those experiencing homelessness. Finally, free therapy sessions offered in Sacramento County.

Impact of the ‘Delta Tunnel’

The proposed Delta Conveyance Project aims to divert more water from the Sacramento River to 27-million people, largely in Southern California, along with acres of farmland. Supporters say the tunnel would cut down on earthquake risks, provide cleaner water, and bolster the state’s water supply. However, Delta residents worry about how construction could affect their communities and native wildlife. CalMatters Environment Reporter Alastair Bland joins Insight to talk about these concerns, proposed alternatives, and whether the “Delta Tunnel” is too big to kill.

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

‘Unhoused Neighbors’ Documentary

A local documentary is seeking to challenge the stereotypes about those experiencing homelessness, by giving them a platform to tell their stories in their own words. Preston Allen is the Sacramento-based Director behind Unhoused Neighbors. He, along with Director of Photography Gavin Veiga, introduce us to the film ahead of its screening at the California State Railroad Museum on March 21 at 6pm.

Free Therapy for the Black Community

Sacramento County is offering free therapeutic services focused on the Black and African American Community. Sierra Health Center joins us to discuss offering culturally-informed therapy sessions. Jackie Rose is the Founder of the Rose Family Creative Empowerment Center. Amaya Noguera is a Program Officer for the Community Responsive Wellness Program. Tina Roberts is the co-Founder of the Roberts Family Development Center. And La Sonya Jones is a community member who benefitted from the program.  

The Central Sierra Snow Lab joins us with the latest on California’s snowpack. Also, a conversation with Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper. Finally, a Sac State professor’s documentary was selected for Sundance and SXSW.

California Snowpack Update

The latest storms brought significant rain and snow to Northern California. The precipitation is a welcome sign for the state’s snowpack, which was lagging behind average with just weeks until its historical April 1 peak. Dr. Andrew Schwartz is the Lead Scientist and Manager of the UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab based at Donner Summit and joins us with snow totals.

Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper

Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper has entered his third year in office. The former state Assemblymember was a supporter of Prop 36, which voters overwhelmingly approved in the November election. Sheriff Cooper joins us for a wide ranging conversation about his priorities and challenges this year.

Local Documentary Selected for Sundance & SXSW

Big budgets and celebrity names typically lead the pack at the most iconic film festivals in the world. But a Sacramento State professor’s film is defying that stereotype. Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck’s short documentary The Long Valley was selected for this year’s Sundance and SXSW festivals. He joins Insight to discuss the inspiration behind the film, which captures the lives of the Salinas Valley agricultural region.

There will be a screening of the film Wed. March 19 at 4:30 p.m. in Del Norte Hall, Room 1004.