California GOP Reps Break Ranks on Immigration
California's Republican members of the U.S. House are grappling with a dicey question: whether or not to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants. Legalization is the hot-button, make-or-break issue in a broader deal over comprehensive immigration reform. As of now, at least three of California's 15 Republican members of Congress are speaking out in favor of granting green cards that lead to citizenship.
Silicon Valley Deepens Its Political Involvement
It's no secret that California's agriculture industry relies heavily on migrant workers -- but so do high tech companies. Out of self-interest, Silicon Valley has long pushed for higher limits on H-1B visas that allow foreign born techies to work at places like Google and Intel. Now high tech companies are pulling out the stops for immigration reform, convincing Republicans and Democrats that now is the time to do something big. Led by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, the tech sector created a bipartisan advocacy organization called FWD.us.
Santa Barbara's Keiki Paddle Lets Kids with Devastating Illnesses Help Each Other
Take a group of water-loving kids, add stand-up paddleboards and a flotilla of support boats, and you've got the Keiki Paddle, an annual summertime relay event that recently took place off the coast of Santa Barbara. The Keiki paddlers are a close-knit group that provides financial and emotional support to children who face devastating illnesses.
Book Review: 'Cool Grey City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco' by Gary Kamiya
Journalist and author Gary Kamiya was born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley, but for decades he's called San Francisco home. In his new book, "Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco," he scrutinizes his beloved city, trying to explain why he -- and many others -- are so crazy about it.
California Songs: Woody Guthrie's 'California Stars'
"California Stars" may well be the most famous Woody Guthrie song he never recorded. The iconic songwriter died in 1967, but his songs found new life 30 years later, after his daughter Nora uncovered thousands of his unrecorded lyrics. She got in touch with British singer Billy Bragg and the band Wilco, who put music to many of these unheard songs and released them in a series of collections called "Mermaid Avenue". As part of our series "California Songs," KQED's Rachael Marcus spoke with Nora Guthrie about how one of the most popular songs of this modern collaboration came together.
