Drought Survey: Jobs Drying Up for Indigenous Farmworkers
Hurricane Patricia today barreled toward Mexico, and all that rain may soon cause floods in Texas. But it'll do nothing to help California's punishing drought, now in its fourth year. The lack of rain here means fewer hands are needed for the harvest in Central Valley farm country, where growers are leaving some fields fallow, or planting crops like almonds, that require less labor. A new survey underscores how indigenous farmworkers from Mexico are paying an especially high price for the drought.
Restoring the Long-Lost Sounds of Native California
You might not recognize his voice, but you may recognize the name Ishi. He's the legendary last member of the Yahi tribe who lived near Mt. Lassen. UC researchers have found a new way to restore thousands of century-old recordings of Ishi and other California Indians.
Violence and Healing at Napa State Hospital: A Tale of 2 Families
California has five state psychiatric hospitals. Its patients are mostly criminal defendants found not guilty by reason of insanity, or incompetent to stand trial. It was five years ago this week that a staff member was murdered by a patient at Napa State Hospital. It's rare for the media to get into Napa State Hospital. The administration cites patient privacy and security for strictly limiting access. But Frank and Barbara Brackin recently invited host Scott Shafer to join them on a visit to their son, Shawn.
Joanna Newsom Returns With Compelling, Complex 'Divers'
When Joanna Newsom emerged in the early 2000s, she was something of a musical curiosity: a young harpist from California's Gold Country. Today, she's a respected artist. And since her last album in 2010, she married comedian Andy Samberg and had a role in the movie "Inherent Vice." So has she gone all Hollywood? Nope, says pop music critic Steve Hochman. He reviews her new album, "Divers."
My Spot: A Musician Finds a Home in Ghirardelli Square
Our occasional series "My Spot" celebrates personal experiences with special places in California. Today, we hear from musician Kippy Marks. You'll often find him playing in San Francisco's Ghirardelli Square.