Why it is difficult to navigate California’s education data. Revisiting a conversation with NBA Champion Bill Cartwright. Finally, Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork Festival wraps up this weekend with its Street Fair.

California’s Confusing Education Data

California releases a significant amount of education data, from test scores and graduation rates to absenteeism. However, that information is spread across multiple websites with dozens of graphics and filters, which can make it difficult for parents to gauge how the schools - and their children - are performing. CalMatters K-12 Education Reporter Carolyn Jones joins Insight to talk about the criticism around how California presents its data, and how tracking student success could be improved.

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

Best Of: Bill Cartwright

The celebration gala for the 2024 Sacramento Walk of Stars will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 18, honoring four inductees who have called the region home. One of the individuals being honored is Elk Grove native and five-time NBA Champion, Bill Cartwright. CapRadio’s Chris Nichols spoke with Cartwright earlier this year about his life journey, from playing with Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls to his current role as the Director of University Initiatives at his alma mater, the University of San Francisco.

2024 Farm-to-Fork Festival

Sacramento’s annual Farm-to-Fork Festival wraps up this weekend with the Street Festival. Held on Capitol Mall, the free two-day event combines fresh food, local beers and wines, cooking demonstrations, interactive exhibits and a concert series. Visit Sacramento President and CEO Mike Testa explains what to expect from the Street Festival, which is the culmination of events held throughout the month of September to celebrate Sacramento’s designations as a Farm-to-Fork Capital.

California farmers increasingly growing agave amid warming conditions. Celebrating Insight’s 20th anniversary on the air. Finally, the Sierra Valley Arts & Ag Trail taking place on Sept. 21.

The Growth of California Agave

As California continues to experience drought conditions and the effects of climate change, farmers are turning to more resilient crops - like agave. CapRadio Environment Reporter Manola Secaira joins Insight to talk about how farmers are sourcing plants and adapting to California’s climate, as well as the growing market for spirits made from agave grown in the Golden State.

Insight’s 20th Anniversary

Insight is celebrating a big milestone this summer - 20 years on the air on CapRadio. And who better to celebrate than the hosts who have guided the show over the years? Current Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez sat down with former hosts Jeffrey Callison and Beth Ruyak for a special anniversary celebration.

Sierra Valley Art & Ag Trail

If you’re looking for a new weekend drive, the Sierra Valley Art & Ag Trail in Sierra and Plumas counties might be a great place to make your next destination. On Sept. 21, you can take a self-guided tour through the Sierra Valley, exploring historic sites like barns and cattle ranches, and browsing the work of more than 80 local artists and exhibitors. The event is organized by the Sierra County Arts Council with support from Plumas Arts, and Musica Sierra. Joining us is event producer Lindsay McIntosh and Ag and Art Trail participant Renee Smith.

Breaking down the closure of Camp Resolution. How the teen vaping crisis is affecting Sacramento high school students. Finally, Davis musician Nat Lefkoff releases a new album.

The Clearing of Camp Resolution

Camp Resolution, a self-governed homelessness encampment which reached a first-of-its-kind lease with the city of Sacramento, was finally cleared last month. The closure comes after months of threats by the city to shut the encampment down, as well as a series of reprieves. CapRadio Sacramento Government Reporter Kristin Lam and Communities Reporter Gerardo Zavala join Insight to talk about what they saw as Camp Resolution was cleared, and how it will be remembered as a way to address the ongoing homelessness crisis.

Vaping in Sacramento Schools

Vaping among teens has become a growing issue across Sacramento schools. Despite legislative efforts and school policies, The problem of nicotine and e-cigarettes persists. Today we are going to hear directly from Sacramento students about their experiences with vaping at school. These voices were captured as part of a six-month investigation into this crisis by CapRadio South Sacramento Reporter Tony Rodriguez, who is California Local News Fellow with UC Berkeley. Tony sat down with Insight Host Vicki Gonzalez about his latest series into the nicotine and vaping crisis across Sacramento schools.

Davis Musician Nat Lefkoff

A relationship forged through roller hockey leads to a life-long collaboration for two Davis musicians. We’ll meet singer-songwriter Nat Lefkoff and producer Rowan McGuire. They’re releasing their second album, “There You Are,” Sept. 14 with a live show at the Odd Fellows Hall in Davis. We’ll hear clips from the album and discuss what it’s like to make it as an independent musician.

Recapping the end of the legislative session. A new Tahoe Basin evacuation analysis. The Classical Concert Series at the Crocker. Finally, the Behind the Barre festival celebrates 10 years.

End of CA’s Legislative Session

The final legislative session of 2024 wrapped up last week at the State Capitol, which included some progress and drama. Lawmakers sent bills to the governor on some of California's biggest issues from retail theft to artificial intelligence. CapRadio Politics Reporters Megan Myscofski and Laura Fitzgerald join Insight to explain what happened.

Lake Tahoe Evacuation Analysis

A new, independent study says that wildfire evacuations from the Lake Tahoe Basin could take between 9-14 hours, especially if one of the few routes out of the area is blocked. Doug Flaherty, President of the Tahoe Sierra Clean Air Coalition discusses why this new study was commissioned, the different simulations it modeled, and how this analysis might impact wildfire preparedness.

Crocker’s ‘Classical Concert’ Series

The Crocker Art Museum has been holding its Classical Concert Series for over 50 years, featuring musical performances inspired by the museum’s collections. The next show on Sunday, Sept. 8 will feature CapRadio Midday Classical Host Jennifer Reason and Morning Classical Host Mike Nelson, who join Insight with a preview of their 1940s-inspired performance.

‘Behind the Barre’ Festival

A celebration of all things art will dance to life this weekend at the Red Museum as the Capital Dance Project presents its 10th Behind the Barre festival. Julia Feldman is a founding member of the Capital Dance Project and she sat down with Insight host Vicki Gonzalez to set the scene for this weekend’s festivities, which are the culmination of a months-long collaboration between Sacramento dancers and artists.

Capital Dance Project is a financial supporter of CapRadio.

First 5 California’s new “Raise CA Strong” awareness campaign. ABC10’s John Bartell talks about dam removals on the Klamath River. Finally, revisiting the work of Sacramento’s Food Literacy Center.

Raise CA Strong Childcare Campaign

A new awareness campaign is drawing attention to California’s ongoing affordable childcare crisis, specifically its economic and social impacts. Called “Raise CA Strong,” the campaign was launched by the California Children and Families Commission, also known as First 5 California. Executive Director Jackie Thu-Huong Wong talks about the scale of this crisis, and how their “solution agnostic” initiative hopes to educate community members and businesses to push for more funding.

Klamath Dam Removals

Last week, a controversial dam removal project along the Klamath River was completed, restoring hundreds of miles of river habitats for California salmon and other native species for the first time in a century. The project is the culmination of decades-worth of work, but it also created tensions between local tribes and residents. Travel reporter John Bartell, the host of Bartell’s Backroads on ABC10, joins Insight to talk about the significance of the dam removals, and what they mean for the environment, tribes, and the larger community.

Best Of: Food Literacy Center

September is Food Literacy Month in California. And since it’s also the start of the school year, it’s a great time to start getting kids excited about eating their veggies. That’s where the Food Literacy Center and Veggie of the Year come in. Amber Stott runs the nonprofit organization, which has done work in Sacramento schools since 2011. In this rerun from June, Stott talks about the center’s legacy and why the veggie-of-year program is so successful.

Discussing all things school-related on “Chalk Talk.” Occupational segregation in California’s workforce. Finally, the Sac Halloween Show performs this weekend at the Red Museum.

Educational ‘Chalk Talk’

It is back to school season here in the Sacramento region. On the first edition of the recurring segment “Chalk Talk,” CapRadio Sacramento Education Reporter Srishti Prabha joins Insight to talk about our local schools, and the policies and developments that affect students.

Organizational Segregation in CA Jobs

California is one of the most diverse states in the country, and its overall workforce largely reflects this demographic variety. However, many of the state’s most common professions are significantly less diverse, with divisions across gender, race/ethnicity, and place of birth.  Researcher Tess Thorman from the Public Policy Institute of California talks about this “occupational segregation,” the negative impacts it can have on wages and job opportunities, and how policy might be able to provide some solutions.

Sac Halloween Show

Did you ever think it would be possible to see Queen, The Kinks and No Doubt all on the same ticket in Sacramento? Well, this weekend you can, as a variety of local musicians come together to perform a Royal tribute show at the Red Museum. We’ll learn more about the Sac Halloween Show from organizers and participants Becky Gruenwalk, Matt Maxwell and Nic Offer.

California’s bad Valley fever season this year. Capital Stage’s season kicks off with “Fairview.” The Hot Jazz Jubilee returns over Labor Day weekend. Finally, Insight host Vicki Gonzalez shares an update on her breast cancer treatment.

Valley Fever Season in CA

Earlier this year, five people at a music festival in Kern County contracted a fungal infection known as Valley fever. Cases of the disease have tripled in California over the last decade, and more than 5,300 cases have been reported this year through June - 63% higher than last year. Dr. George Thompson, co-director of the Center for Valley Fever at UC Davis Health joins Insight to discuss the risks associated with this infection, and the role climate change plays in spreading Valley fever to more areas.

UC Davis Health is a financial supporter of CapRadio.

‘Fairview’ Premieres at CapStage

Capital Stage is presenting the Sacramento premiere of Pulitzer Prize winning play “Fairview.” Directed by Sacramento’s Anthony D’Juan, “Fairview” used the standard family dramedy for a sharp examination of race in America. Anthony, actor Kathryn Smith-McGlynn (who plays Beverly Fraiser) and Managing Director Keith Riedell talk about bringing this thought-provoking production to life.

Capital Stage is a financial supporter of CapRadio.

Hot Jazz Jubilee

Sacramento’s long-running love affair with Jazz music continues this weekend with the Hot Jazz Jubilee. Patti Jones is the festival’s director and she joins Insight to talk about the history of the jubilee and why Sacramento audiences can’t seem to get enough. We’ll also learn more about its dedication to teaching young musicians.

Vicki Gonzalez Update

For the past several months, Insight host Vicki Gonzalez has been updating listeners on her ongoing treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Vicki rejoins Insight with the latest step in her journey, what the next several months of treatment and recovery will look like, and how she hopes to continue being a presence on CapRadio during this time.

How a new deal between lawmakers and Google impacts journalism in California. The controversial city plan from California Forever is off this year’s election ballot. Finally, the Chalk It Up! Festival returns to Fremont Park over Labor Day weekend.

California, Google, and Funding Journalism

California lawmakers and tech giant Google have reached a deal to provide almost $250 million over five years to support journalism in California, as well as an artificial intelligence accelerator. However, the deal replaced Assembly Bill 886 - which sought to use tech revenues to fund newsrooms every year across the state, but drew significant opposition from companies like Google and Meta. Executive Director Alma Martinez and Executive Editor Joe Kieta from the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative join Insight to discuss how the deal compares to AB 886, how to ensure the funds are being distributed equitably, and the importance of having a well-funded newsroom.

Postmortem of ‘California Forever'

A controversial plan to build a new city in Solano County is on hold until 2026, after the company behind the initiative - California Forever - pulled it off the November ballot last month. The billionaire-backed East Solano Plan promised affordable housing and jobs for hundreds of thousands of residents, but attracted questions and criticism around its feasibility. KQED Housing Reporter Adhiti Bandlamudi discusses how this proposal came to be, how the effort to get it to voters fell apart, and what comes next.

Chalk It Up!

The family-friendly Chalk It Up! festival is returning for its 34th year. The free art and music festival takes place every Labor Day weekend in Midtown Sacramento’s Fremont Park. Rocki Solis Nelson is the organization’s board director, and she joins Insight to talk about how the festival started and why money raised is used to fund mini-grants for Sacramento arts programs.

Kamala Harris’s importance for Black women in power. The legal challenges to California’s child social media law. Finally, Sacramento photographer and music director Raul Gonzo’s first major exhibit.

Kamala Harris at the DNC

The Democratic National Convention is underway in Chicago, and the opening night featured a number of prominent appearances including President Joe Biden, former nominee Hillary Clinton, and the presumptive nominee - Vice President Kamala Harris. Jamilah King, editorial director at Mother Jones joins Insight to talk about Harris’ political journey from the state to the national level, and what her candidacy means for Black women in power. 

CA’s Social Media Law and the 1st Amendment

A federal appeals court ruled last week that parts of California’s social media law, which was intended to protect children, might violate the First Amendment. Leslie Gielow Jacobs, Anthony Kennedy Professor of Law at University of the Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law provides a breakdown of the law’s components, the various legal challenges, and the difficulty around regulating social media.

Artist Raul Gonzo

Raúl Gonzo is a Latin American artist, director, and photographer known for his colorful and imaginative visual style. His work can be viewed at the Crocker Art Museum, which is currently hosting his first solo show "Color Madness" through Oct. 20. He joins Insight ahead of an appearance at Creativity Speaks to talk about how he gained his name and developed his bold, unique visual style.

Discussing public trust and CapRadio’s latest reporting on its financial examination. Caltrans improvements along I-80 in Sacramento and Yolo counties. Finally, how excessive heat and wildfire smoke affect wine grapes.

CapRadio Examination and Public Trust

Last week Sacramento State released the findings of a highly-anticipated forensic examination of Capital Public Radio’s finances, The redacted summary focused heavily on prior leadership and found several instances of misuse of funds and conflicts of interests at the public media station, which is an auxiliary of Sac State. On Tuesday the CapRadio newsroom revealed that the station’s former general manager –  Jun Reina – received nearly $500,000 in unsupported payments and reimbursements, as outlined in the exam summary. CapRadio Digital Editor Claire Morgan talks more about what the reporting team discovered. Additionally, Kelly McBride, Senior Vice President and Chair of the Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership at The Poynter Institute talks about how nonprofit organizations can rebuild public trust and audience confidence after a financial crisis.

Caltrans I-80 Improvement Updates 

Caltrans Public Information Officer Dennis Keaton gives updates on the Yolo 80 Corridor Improvement Project, which aims to ease congestion during peak times between West Sacramento and Davis, by adding toll lanes over the Yolo Causeway, as well as pedestrian and bike facilities and better electronic monitoring of current conditions.

How Smoke and Heat Affect Wine

It has been a hot summer in the Sacramento region and across California. The heat has not just affected people, but also takes a toll on some of the state’s most well-known crops - wine grapes. CapRadio’s resident wine expert Rick Kushman explains how this year’s wine crop is doing, as well as how both extreme heat and wildfire smoke can affect both grapes and wines.