The Pier 14 Shooting: San Francisco's Sanctuary City Policy in the Spotlight
Everyone has opinions these days about San Francisco's policy toward undocumented immigrants, its status as a so-called "Sanctuary City." It started after Francisco Sanchez -- an immigrant here illegally from Mexico and released from the county jail in April -- was arrested and charged with murdering 32-year-old Kate Steinle. She was shot and killed with a gun as she walked along a waterfront pier with her father. Sanchez had been repeatedly deported and re-entered the U.S. illegally. The whole thing set off a firestorm with presidential candidate Donald Trump fueling the flames; then the mayor, sheriff, the feds and police all started pointing fingers at each other. So much of this debate -- it's become part of the presidential campaign now -- focuses on why this undocumented immigrant was released in San Francisco by the sheriff -- without notifying federal immigration authorities. Host Scott Shafer speaks about sanctuary cities and the complexities of immigration law with Kevin Johnson, Dean of UC Davis Law School.
Recycling Water: Farmers Get Creative
Many California farmers are in a tight spot this summer -- their normal water supplies just aren't there. Reservoirs are low and groundwater levels are dropping. It's all driving some farmers to get creative. As KQED Science reporter Lauren Sommer tells us, they're looking at buying water from cities - and not fresh water, but water that's already gone down the drain.
Is a 'Godzilla' El Nino Coming?
Help us El Nino, you're our only hope ... As California moves into the fourth consecutive year of the drought, many are hoping for relief from this weather pattern. Scott Shafer speaks with KQED science editor Craig Miller about the possibility of what experts are predicting could be an incredibly large El Nino hitting our state this winter.
The LAPD's Community Safety Partnership Program
This national conversation we're having about policing and communities of color -- it has many cities looking at new ways to build better relationships with the people they serve. L.A. is trying that with a program singled out this year by the President's Commission on 21st Century Policing. Reporter Frank Stoltze of KPCC in Los Angeles rode along with the sergeant who runs the LAPD's Community Safety Partnership program.
Sunken City: A Forbidden Playground
At the southernmost tip of Los Angeles is a post-apocalyptic wasteland in San Pedro -- the ruins of Sunken City. Even though it's closed to the public, Sunken City is a haven for graffiti artists and young people looking to party. They find a way to sneak in. Now, there's a move underfoot to open it during daylight hours. But locals are mixed on the idea. From KCRW in Los Angeles, Avishay Artsy has more.