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"content": "\u003cp>A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a former Yosemite National Park ranger who was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053078/yosemite-biologist-fired-after-hanging-transgender-pride-flag-from-el-capitan\">fired after flying a giant transgender pride flag\u003c/a> from a rock wall that looms over the California park’s main thoroughfare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>U.S. District Judge Jennifer Thurston found on Friday that Shannon “SJ” Joslin, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronoun they, must follow the process set out by the Civil Service Reform Act. Since Joslin was still a probationary employee at the time of their firing last year, that means they must file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel, which they have done.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Office of Special Counsel denied Joslin’s initial request to put their termination on hold while investigating whether the Park Service broke the law, according to court filings. A final determination is due in August.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin, a biologist who studied bats, said they helped hang a 66-foot wide transgender pride flag on El Capitan for about two hours on May 20, 2025, before taking it down voluntarily. Joslin hung the flag on their day off, not while they were on duty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They told The Associated Press last year that hanging the flag was their way of saying, “We’re all safe in national parks.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12074490\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12074490\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">SJ Joslin, Yosemite National Park ranger and biologist, was fired in August after hanging a transgender pride flag on El Capitan. Joslin is now suing the Department of the Interior, alleging First Amendment and Privacy Act violations. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Miya Tsudome)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Joslin’s termination letter, received in August of 2025, accused them of “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” and cited the flag incident. “You participated in a small group demonstration in an area outside the designated protest and demonstration area without a permit … and thus circumvented rules applicable to all park visitors,” the letter stated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many parks have designated “First Amendment areas” where groups of 25 or fewer people can protest without permits. Yosemite has several of those areas, including one in Yosemite Valley, where El Capitan is located.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074453/yosemite-park-ranger-who-was-fired-after-hanging-transgender-flag-files-lawsuit\">lawsuit accuses\u003c/a> the National Park Service, the Department of Interior and other defendants of constitutional violations, including violating Joslin’s right to free speech. It says Joslin’s termination was “vindictive, retaliatory, intended to communicate disapproval of a particular point of view,” according to court filings. While others have flown flags on El Capitan, Joslin says they know of no one else who has been punished for it.[aside postID=news_12086884 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MariaSuAP1.jpg']In her Friday ruling, Thurston acknowledged that the procedure for challenging a termination set out in federal civil service rules leaves probationary employees like Joslin with very limited recourse when a decision goes against them. But the judge noted that allowing probationary employees to take complaints directly to the courts would give them more options than tenured employees have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A day after Joslin’s flag display, the park instituted a \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/management/upload/yose-compendium.pdf\">rule prohibiting people from hanging\u003c/a> banners, flags or signs larger than 15 square feet in park areas designated as “wilderness” or “potential wilderness.” That covers 94% of the park, according to Yosemite’s website.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rule followed another high-profile demonstration from February 2025 when a group of demonstrators hung an upside down American flag on El Capitan to protest the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-park-firings-yosemite-california-yosemite-89cb4ae304446a0de22fbebae05ce057\">firing of National Park Service employees\u003c/a> by President Donald Trump’s administration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin issued a statement saying they have dedicated their life to caring for Yosemite National Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So it doesn’t matter if it takes months or years to get back to working for Yosemite and the people who want to visit the park, I will fight as long as I have to,” Joslin said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin, a biologist who studied bats, said they helped hang a 66-foot wide transgender pride flag on El Capitan for about two hours on May 20, 2025, before taking it down voluntarily. Joslin hung the flag on their day off, not while they were on duty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They told The Associated Press last year that hanging the flag was their way of saying, “We’re all safe in national parks.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12074490\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12074490\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/SJ-with-Trans-Flag-in-Background-Photographer-Miya-Tsudome-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">SJ Joslin, Yosemite National Park ranger and biologist, was fired in August after hanging a transgender pride flag on El Capitan. Joslin is now suing the Department of the Interior, alleging First Amendment and Privacy Act violations. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Miya Tsudome)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Joslin’s termination letter, received in August of 2025, accused them of “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” and cited the flag incident. “You participated in a small group demonstration in an area outside the designated protest and demonstration area without a permit … and thus circumvented rules applicable to all park visitors,” the letter stated.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many parks have designated “First Amendment areas” where groups of 25 or fewer people can protest without permits. Yosemite has several of those areas, including one in Yosemite Valley, where El Capitan is located.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074453/yosemite-park-ranger-who-was-fired-after-hanging-transgender-flag-files-lawsuit\">lawsuit accuses\u003c/a> the National Park Service, the Department of Interior and other defendants of constitutional violations, including violating Joslin’s right to free speech. It says Joslin’s termination was “vindictive, retaliatory, intended to communicate disapproval of a particular point of view,” according to court filings. While others have flown flags on El Capitan, Joslin says they know of no one else who has been punished for it.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>In her Friday ruling, Thurston acknowledged that the procedure for challenging a termination set out in federal civil service rules leaves probationary employees like Joslin with very limited recourse when a decision goes against them. But the judge noted that allowing probationary employees to take complaints directly to the courts would give them more options than tenured employees have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A day after Joslin’s flag display, the park instituted a \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/management/upload/yose-compendium.pdf\">rule prohibiting people from hanging\u003c/a> banners, flags or signs larger than 15 square feet in park areas designated as “wilderness” or “potential wilderness.” That covers 94% of the park, according to Yosemite’s website.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The rule followed another high-profile demonstration from February 2025 when a group of demonstrators hung an upside down American flag on El Capitan to protest the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-park-firings-yosemite-california-yosemite-89cb4ae304446a0de22fbebae05ce057\">firing of National Park Service employees\u003c/a> by President Donald Trump’s administration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joslin issued a statement saying they have dedicated their life to caring for Yosemite National Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So it doesn’t matter if it takes months or years to get back to working for Yosemite and the people who want to visit the park, I will fight as long as I have to,” Joslin said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "2026 World Cup’s Bay Area Matches Kick Off, But It’s No Super Bowl",
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"content": "\u003cp>For the first time in decades, people from around the world are supposed to be making their way to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bay-area\">Bay Area\u003c/a> for one of the largest sporting events on the planet. But some fans are wondering where everyone is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">2026 FIFA World Cup’s\u003c/a> Bay Area debut at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086949/levis-stadium-is-no-more-san-francisco-bay-area-stadium-hosts-world-cup\">rebranded \u003c/a>from the Levi’s Stadium name for now — did bring some fans to the city for a Saturday afternoon game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coming with them? Plenty of empty seats, and criticism of the federal government, FIFA and high ticket prices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Suhail Virana, who was rooting for Qatar, said outside the stadium that it was exciting to have the World Cup in the Bay Area, but some things fell short in comparison to previous World Cups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not as nice; there’s too many problems,” Virana said. “This is a whole bunch of chaos here. Football is about unity. There’s been a lot of division.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087527\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087527\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_020-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_020-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_020-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_020-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ali Alyfei, 45, a Qatar fan, waves his hands in the air as he exits Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Trump administration policies, high ticket costs and a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086953/the-world-cup-has-arrived-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-is-anyone-else-coming\">less than expected show of excitement\u003c/a> have hung over the event since before it even started. Several participants have been detained or denied entry into the U.S., including a Somali referee, Iraq’s team photographer, and several members of Iran’s team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The tournament itself is the largest it’s ever been, double in size since the U.S. hosted back in 1994. The U.S., a co-host this year with Mexico and Canada, is holding most of the competition, and six of the matches will take place in Santa Clara.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087518\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087518\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_016.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_016-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_016-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">People walk past an empty parking lot during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For the Bay Area, it’s supposed to be a big economic driver. The Bay Area Host Committee estimated back in 2024 that the region would rake in up to $630 million, with half of that going to Santa Clara County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But days before the Bay Area’s opening match, hotel bookings were lower than expected, and during the game there were patches of empty seats.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087522\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087522\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/AP26164716916112.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/AP26164716916112.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/AP26164716916112-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/AP26164716916112-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans watch from the stands during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Eakin Howard/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mike Borghetti, who was outside the stadium, said the match didn’t look like a Super Bowl.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Super Bowl? This place is packed. People are barbecuing, just having fun,” Borghetti said. “But now it seems, I don’t know, people are not trusting the world right now.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087528\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087528\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_022.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_022.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_022-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_022-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A robot in soccer gear interacts with people outside of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Unlike at 49ers games at the stadium, tailgating is not allowed at World Cup games, so the parking lot was bare in comparison.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rodolfo Mora, a Switzerland fan for the day, had a different take on the event.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I traveled just for the World Cup. It’s just a dream come true,” said Mora, who lives in Mexico City.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087531\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087531\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_042.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_042.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_042-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_042-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rodolfo Mora waves a Mexican flag outside of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Some of the empty spots in the stadium could be due to the high ticket prices fans were facing. FIFA’s ticket prices reached \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-fifa-tickets-guadalajara-toronto-e80e3ddc277d653c475a9d8544c7584a\">record highs\u003c/a> amid what FIFA President Gianni Infantino \u003ca href=\"https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/fact-checking-claims-about-unprecedented-demand-for-world-cup-tickets\">said \u003c/a>was “unprecedented demand.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dennis Cruz, a Santa Clara resident who came out in support of Switzerland, said he didn’t think the two teams warranted the high prices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“$350? I feel like it’s a little too much,” Cruz said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087529\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087529\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_034.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_034.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_034-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_034-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anthony Burdel, right, exits Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara with his family during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>FIFA \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/fifamedia/status/2065492696693661760\">said\u003c/a> Friday that it doesn’t calculate attendance numbers by visual assessment, but by “the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SFGATE \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/fifa-world-cup-heat-avoid-22304081.php\">reported \u003c/a>that hundreds of fans actually took cover in the concourse from the heat in the area, which the National Weather Service had issued an advisory for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Outside the stadium, some protestors took issue with more than ticket prices. Ahead of the game, they joined together in the streets nearby to protest the U.S.’s role as a host and called for people to boycott the games. They say the country’s policies, including on immigration, should not be rewarded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087521\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087521\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_002.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_002.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_002-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_002-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters gather outside of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“We need to draw the line somewhere,” said Bernice Onuoha at the Black Alliance for Peace-hosted protest near the stadium. “It’s not right for these games to be held while ICE is actively torturing and starving people in captivity with undue process, while we are bombing Iran, helping a genocide in Palestine, which has spread to Lebanon.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Virana, the Qatar fan, said he mostly agreed with protestors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I believe Palestine is being occupied. I do think them using the game to bring attention to it is very good,” Virana said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087520\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087520\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_011.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_011.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_011-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_011-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Suhail Virana holds a Qatar banner outside of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Still, Cruz and Virana said they still planned on going to other games.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Just for the experience,” Virana said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Santa Clara will next host Austria and Jordan on Tuesday, followed by Türkiye and Paraguay on Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/calam\">\u003cem>Christopher Alam\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>For the first time in decades, people from around the world are supposed to be making their way to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/bay-area\">Bay Area\u003c/a> for one of the largest sporting events on the planet. But some fans are wondering where everyone is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/world-cup\">2026 FIFA World Cup’s\u003c/a> Bay Area debut at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara — \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086949/levis-stadium-is-no-more-san-francisco-bay-area-stadium-hosts-world-cup\">rebranded \u003c/a>from the Levi’s Stadium name for now — did bring some fans to the city for a Saturday afternoon game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Coming with them? Plenty of empty seats, and criticism of the federal government, FIFA and high ticket prices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Suhail Virana, who was rooting for Qatar, said outside the stadium that it was exciting to have the World Cup in the Bay Area, but some things fell short in comparison to previous World Cups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s not as nice; there’s too many problems,” Virana said. “This is a whole bunch of chaos here. Football is about unity. There’s been a lot of division.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087527\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087527\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_020-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_020-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_020-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_020-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ali Alyfei, 45, a Qatar fan, waves his hands in the air as he exits Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Trump administration policies, high ticket costs and a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086953/the-world-cup-has-arrived-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-is-anyone-else-coming\">less than expected show of excitement\u003c/a> have hung over the event since before it even started. Several participants have been detained or denied entry into the U.S., including a Somali referee, Iraq’s team photographer, and several members of Iran’s team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The tournament itself is the largest it’s ever been, double in size since the U.S. hosted back in 1994. The U.S., a co-host this year with Mexico and Canada, is holding most of the competition, and six of the matches will take place in Santa Clara.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087518\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087518\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_016.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_016-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_016-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">People walk past an empty parking lot during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>For the Bay Area, it’s supposed to be a big economic driver. The Bay Area Host Committee estimated back in 2024 that the region would rake in up to $630 million, with half of that going to Santa Clara County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But days before the Bay Area’s opening match, hotel bookings were lower than expected, and during the game there were patches of empty seats.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087522\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087522\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/AP26164716916112.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/AP26164716916112.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/AP26164716916112-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/AP26164716916112-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans watch from the stands during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, California, near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Eakin Howard/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mike Borghetti, who was outside the stadium, said the match didn’t look like a Super Bowl.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Super Bowl? This place is packed. People are barbecuing, just having fun,” Borghetti said. “But now it seems, I don’t know, people are not trusting the world right now.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087528\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087528\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_022.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_022.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_022-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_022-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A robot in soccer gear interacts with people outside of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Unlike at 49ers games at the stadium, tailgating is not allowed at World Cup games, so the parking lot was bare in comparison.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rodolfo Mora, a Switzerland fan for the day, had a different take on the event.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I traveled just for the World Cup. It’s just a dream come true,” said Mora, who lives in Mexico City.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087531\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087531\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_042.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_042.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_042-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_042-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rodolfo Mora waves a Mexican flag outside of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Some of the empty spots in the stadium could be due to the high ticket prices fans were facing. FIFA’s ticket prices reached \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-fifa-tickets-guadalajara-toronto-e80e3ddc277d653c475a9d8544c7584a\">record highs\u003c/a> amid what FIFA President Gianni Infantino \u003ca href=\"https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/fact-checking-claims-about-unprecedented-demand-for-world-cup-tickets\">said \u003c/a>was “unprecedented demand.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dennis Cruz, a Santa Clara resident who came out in support of Switzerland, said he didn’t think the two teams warranted the high prices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“$350? I feel like it’s a little too much,” Cruz said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087529\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087529\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_034.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_034.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_034-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_034-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anthony Burdel, right, exits Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara with his family during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>FIFA \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/fifamedia/status/2065492696693661760\">said\u003c/a> Friday that it doesn’t calculate attendance numbers by visual assessment, but by “the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>SFGATE \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/fifa-world-cup-heat-avoid-22304081.php\">reported \u003c/a>that hundreds of fans actually took cover in the concourse from the heat in the area, which the National Weather Service had issued an advisory for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Outside the stadium, some protestors took issue with more than ticket prices. Ahead of the game, they joined together in the streets nearby to protest the U.S.’s role as a host and called for people to boycott the games. They say the country’s policies, including on immigration, should not be rewarded.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087521\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087521\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_002.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_002.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_002-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_002-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters gather outside of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“We need to draw the line somewhere,” said Bernice Onuoha at the Black Alliance for Peace-hosted protest near the stadium. “It’s not right for these games to be held while ICE is actively torturing and starving people in captivity with undue process, while we are bombing Iran, helping a genocide in Palestine, which has spread to Lebanon.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Virana, the Qatar fan, said he mostly agreed with protestors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I believe Palestine is being occupied. I do think them using the game to bring attention to it is very good,” Virana said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087520\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087520\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_011.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_011.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_011-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260613_WorldCup_EG_011-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Suhail Virana holds a Qatar banner outside of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara during the Qatar versus Switzerland World Cup match on Saturday, June 13, 2026. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Still, Cruz and Virana said they still planned on going to other games.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Just for the experience,” Virana said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Santa Clara will next host Austria and Jordan on Tuesday, followed by Türkiye and Paraguay on Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/calam\">\u003cem>Christopher Alam\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "‘A Moment Under the Sun’: Queer-Led Groups Are Getting Outside This Pride",
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"content": "\u003cp>Celebrations for Pride Month are happening all June long. And if you’re even a little bit outdoorsy, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12043590/pride-2025-outdoor-meetups-lgbtq-hiking-bay-area#FindcommunitythroughBranchingOutAdventures\">there’s no shortage of groups \u003c/a>leading hikes, birding adventures and even surfing celebrations around the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The outdoors, it belongs to everybody,” said Ryan McCauley, spokesperson for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, which hosts yearly Pride events with community groups like Branching Out Adventures to “make sure we have equitable access to our preserves,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year, the district is hosting its \u003ca href=\"https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=1260152\">own habitat restoration volunteer event\u003c/a> on June 26 at the Sierra Azul Preserve’s Cathedral Oaks, which was \u003ca href=\"https://www.numulosgatos.org/uncovering-untold-stories-feedback/the-boys\">home to a South Bay couple\u003c/a>, Frank Ingerson and George Dennison, who created a haven there for the queer community.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They were both big artists and invited artists from across the country to their home,” McCauley said. “So the specific space has a lot of history as well.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if you don’t typically consider yourself the outdoorsy type, summer is nonetheless a great time to get outside in the Bay Area, McCauley said — when the birds and other wildlife are particularly active.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#MoreoutdoorsPrideeventsintheBayAreathisJune\">More outdoors Pride events in the Bay Area this June\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>One group taking full advantage of the summer weather’s possibilities for creating community is \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/\">Trailhead Gays. \u003c/a>Founded by Gio Orantes, the group is a gathering space for gay men interested in exploring the outdoors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Orantes’s collective organizes free events all year round, including hikes, camping, backpacking and other trips, but for Pride month this year, they’re hosting \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/experiences/3979f231-e9ba-44ed-8d12-ee483b9e8f38\">a hike around Angel Island\u003c/a> on June 21 and \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/experiences/7f3fad5c-f33d-40e2-b76f-64e7a30ffd29\">a daytime campout in Dolores Park\u003c/a> on June 28.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087487\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087487\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Members of Trailhead Gays gather under redwoods for their monthly outdoors-oriented adventures. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Gio Orantes)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Orantes, who is originally from Guatemala, said he came out as gay 17 years ago, just three days after moving to San Francisco: “It’s a beautiful city, and with the sense of community, it just felt like the right moment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After becoming more interested in the outdoors as an alternative to the party scene, Orantes took up sports, joining local leagues and organizing hikes with friends every month. At first, it started with just a few friends, but more and more kept joining. “And suddenly it was like, 50 people hiking,” Orantes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the participants don’t have cars, so everyone started carpooling — which sealed the deal on building community, he said.[aside postID=news_12043590 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/06/SEASACHI-SWITCH-QUEERSURF-JUNE-7-2025-_23-scaled-e1749590375194.jpg']“Sometimes you are driving for an hour or two hours with people you have never met,” he said. “So it helps us to start creating those friendships and start getting people to connect and get a lot more social and make new friends.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since then, word about Trailhead Gays has spread throughout the San Francisco LGBTQ+ community, especially among those new to the city. Online interest through Instagram has also resulted in the group’s more unique events, like their upcoming \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/experiences/840e3042-0deb-4926-a8d7-5827fcffdb18\">New Year’s camping trip to Death Valley\u003c/a>, attracting people from across the country. Now, he’s hoping to expand the website to serve as a community portal, powered entirely by donations, and even introduce a housing page for those seeking rentals, World Cup watch parties and more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While “San Francisco is so gay in a sense,” Orantes said, there is still “a lot of isolation between gay men.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said organizing Trailhead Gays felt more urgent than ever last year, when a friend died by suicide.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The kind of events the group organizes offer “a moment under the sun with people like them,” Orantes said. “A lot of people come for different reasons, and they keep coming, at the core, I think, because they want to be with their community.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087492\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087492\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-3-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Members of Trailhead Gays gather for their monthly outdoors-oriented adventures. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Gio Orantes)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Orantes himself has only grown more and more proud of his identity, with the green stripe on the Pride flag, \u003ca href=\"https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags\">which represents nature\u003c/a>, serving as his inspiration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[I went] from feeling ‘unnatural’ being gay to now fully embracing myself as a gay man, and understanding that it’s part of nature as well,” he said. “Nature itself just gave me a new outlook on life and a place where I feel like I belong.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Knowing he would probably still be in the closet if he were in Guatemala, “it also feels good to give back to San Francisco,” Orantes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Anyone interested in joining Trailhead Gays can \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/members\">register online for free.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"MoreoutdoorsPrideeventsintheBayAreathisJune\">\u003c/a>More outdoor Bay Area Pride events this month\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://events.humanitix.com/en-plein-air-queer-art-class-at-antonelli-pond\">\u003cstrong>Queer Art Workshop\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>June 13 @ 9:30 a.m., hosted by Branching Out Adventures\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Visit Antonelli Pond in Santa Cruz for a workshop on queer art and capturing landscape with artist Taylor Seamount. All skill levels welcome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://scvbirdalliance.org/event-calendar/field-trip-birding-with-pride-at-ulistac-santa-clara\">\u003cstrong>Birding with Pride\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>June 20 @ 8 a.m., hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A leisurely 2-mile visit to Ulistac Natural Area showcases the diversity and resilience of nature in the heart of the Santa Clara Valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://sfhiking.com/event-6682718\">\u003cstrong>Queer History Walking Tour\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>June 20 @ 9:45 a.m., hosted by San Francisco Hiking Club\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A 5.5-mile hike starting from the Ferry Building brings hikers back in time for a guided walking tour of San Francisco’s queer history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Celebrations for Pride Month are happening all June long. And if you’re even a little bit outdoorsy, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12043590/pride-2025-outdoor-meetups-lgbtq-hiking-bay-area#FindcommunitythroughBranchingOutAdventures\">there’s no shortage of groups \u003c/a>leading hikes, birding adventures and even surfing celebrations around the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The outdoors, it belongs to everybody,” said Ryan McCauley, spokesperson for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, which hosts yearly Pride events with community groups like Branching Out Adventures to “make sure we have equitable access to our preserves,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This year, the district is hosting its \u003ca href=\"https://volunteer.openspace.org/need/detail/?need_id=1260152\">own habitat restoration volunteer event\u003c/a> on June 26 at the Sierra Azul Preserve’s Cathedral Oaks, which was \u003ca href=\"https://www.numulosgatos.org/uncovering-untold-stories-feedback/the-boys\">home to a South Bay couple\u003c/a>, Frank Ingerson and George Dennison, who created a haven there for the queer community.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They were both big artists and invited artists from across the country to their home,” McCauley said. “So the specific space has a lot of history as well.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if you don’t typically consider yourself the outdoorsy type, summer is nonetheless a great time to get outside in the Bay Area, McCauley said — when the birds and other wildlife are particularly active.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#MoreoutdoorsPrideeventsintheBayAreathisJune\">More outdoors Pride events in the Bay Area this June\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>One group taking full advantage of the summer weather’s possibilities for creating community is \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/\">Trailhead Gays. \u003c/a>Founded by Gio Orantes, the group is a gathering space for gay men interested in exploring the outdoors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Orantes’s collective organizes free events all year round, including hikes, camping, backpacking and other trips, but for Pride month this year, they’re hosting \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/experiences/3979f231-e9ba-44ed-8d12-ee483b9e8f38\">a hike around Angel Island\u003c/a> on June 21 and \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/experiences/7f3fad5c-f33d-40e2-b76f-64e7a30ffd29\">a daytime campout in Dolores Park\u003c/a> on June 28.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087487\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087487\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Members of Trailhead Gays gather under redwoods for their monthly outdoors-oriented adventures. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Gio Orantes)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Orantes, who is originally from Guatemala, said he came out as gay 17 years ago, just three days after moving to San Francisco: “It’s a beautiful city, and with the sense of community, it just felt like the right moment.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After becoming more interested in the outdoors as an alternative to the party scene, Orantes took up sports, joining local leagues and organizing hikes with friends every month. At first, it started with just a few friends, but more and more kept joining. “And suddenly it was like, 50 people hiking,” Orantes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the participants don’t have cars, so everyone started carpooling — which sealed the deal on building community, he said.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“Sometimes you are driving for an hour or two hours with people you have never met,” he said. “So it helps us to start creating those friendships and start getting people to connect and get a lot more social and make new friends.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since then, word about Trailhead Gays has spread throughout the San Francisco LGBTQ+ community, especially among those new to the city. Online interest through Instagram has also resulted in the group’s more unique events, like their upcoming \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/experiences/840e3042-0deb-4926-a8d7-5827fcffdb18\">New Year’s camping trip to Death Valley\u003c/a>, attracting people from across the country. Now, he’s hoping to expand the website to serve as a community portal, powered entirely by donations, and even introduce a housing page for those seeking rentals, World Cup watch parties and more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While “San Francisco is so gay in a sense,” Orantes said, there is still “a lot of isolation between gay men.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said organizing Trailhead Gays felt more urgent than ever last year, when a friend died by suicide.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The kind of events the group organizes offer “a moment under the sun with people like them,” Orantes said. “A lot of people come for different reasons, and they keep coming, at the core, I think, because they want to be with their community.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087492\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087492\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-3-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Trailhead-Gays-3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Members of Trailhead Gays gather for their monthly outdoors-oriented adventures. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Gio Orantes)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Orantes himself has only grown more and more proud of his identity, with the green stripe on the Pride flag, \u003ca href=\"https://www.hrc.org/resources/lgbtq-pride-flags\">which represents nature\u003c/a>, serving as his inspiration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“[I went] from feeling ‘unnatural’ being gay to now fully embracing myself as a gay man, and understanding that it’s part of nature as well,” he said. “Nature itself just gave me a new outlook on life and a place where I feel like I belong.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Knowing he would probably still be in the closet if he were in Guatemala, “it also feels good to give back to San Francisco,” Orantes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Anyone interested in joining Trailhead Gays can \u003ca href=\"https://trailheadgays.com/members\">register online for free.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"MoreoutdoorsPrideeventsintheBayAreathisJune\">\u003c/a>More outdoor Bay Area Pride events this month\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://events.humanitix.com/en-plein-air-queer-art-class-at-antonelli-pond\">\u003cstrong>Queer Art Workshop\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>June 13 @ 9:30 a.m., hosted by Branching Out Adventures\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Visit Antonelli Pond in Santa Cruz for a workshop on queer art and capturing landscape with artist Taylor Seamount. All skill levels welcome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://scvbirdalliance.org/event-calendar/field-trip-birding-with-pride-at-ulistac-santa-clara\">\u003cstrong>Birding with Pride\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>June 20 @ 8 a.m., hosted by the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A leisurely 2-mile visit to Ulistac Natural Area showcases the diversity and resilience of nature in the heart of the Santa Clara Valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://sfhiking.com/event-6682718\">\u003cstrong>Queer History Walking Tour\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>June 20 @ 9:45 a.m., hosted by San Francisco Hiking Club\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A 5.5-mile hike starting from the Ferry Building brings hikers back in time for a guided walking tour of San Francisco’s queer history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "us-soccer-fans-flood-streets-around-sofi-as-world-cup-kicks-off-in-la",
"title": "US Soccer Fans Flood Streets Around SoFi as World Cup Kicks Off in LA",
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"headTitle": "US Soccer Fans Flood Streets Around SoFi as World Cup Kicks Off in LA | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The streets around SoFi Stadium were awash in red, white and blue on Friday as fans of the U.S. men’s national soccer team converged on Los Angeles to watch their team play its first match of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990640/where-to-watch-world-cup-bay-area-best-bars-classic-pubs\">2026 FIFA World Cup\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Stars and Stripes aren’t expected to dominate the tournament, a massive global undertaking playing out across 16 host cities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Powerhouse teams like Spain and France are likely to fill that role.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the U.S.’s middling rankings and the eye-watering ticket prices hardly mattered to the soccer fans crammed into bars, boisterous watch parties and the streets around SoFi ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff against Paraguay at the temporarily renamed Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kevin and Katie Howell came to the game with their kids, Alexander and Lily, from Washington, D.C.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087449\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087449\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0137-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0137-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0137-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0137-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Kevin Howell, Alexander Howell, Katie Howell and Lily Howell outside SoFi Stadium ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“The 1994 World Cup inspired me to fall in love with soccer as an 8-year-old boy, and I passed that down to my son, and it’s a thing we share as a family,” said Kevin, referring to the year the U.S. last hosted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kevin said his dad took his older brother to some of the ‘94 games, some of which were played at Stanford University, but deemed him too young, giving him a serious case of “FOMO.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087444\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087444\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0045-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0045-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0045-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0045-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A fan wears USA-themed hat and pins ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087446\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087446\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0070-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0070-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0070-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0070-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans wear USA-themed crocs and socks ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Just hours ahead of his first World Cup match, he was thrilled to be sharing the experience with his family, including his own 8-year-old-son.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This was kind of me…I don’t know, a midlife crisis maybe, or something I had to do. Bucket list item for me,” the 39-year-old said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alexander was especially excited, he said, to see U.S. forward Christian Pulisic play. “I really like seeing him.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087453\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087453\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_9973-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_9973-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_9973-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_9973-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Matthew Payano, Junior Payano, Julian Payano and Larry Payano gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087443\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087443\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0039-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0039-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0039-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0039-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Siblings Beth and Andy Viner, 49 and 47, gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>While SoFi won the opportunity to host the first match featuring the U.S., six games are set to be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086949/levis-stadium-is-no-more-san-francisco-bay-area-stadium-hosts-world-cup\">played at Levi’s Stadium\u003c/a> in Santa Clara, presenting what some local officials said could be an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086953/the-world-cup-has-arrived-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-is-anyone-else-coming\">economic boon for the San Francisco Bay Area\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Paraguay’s team has made their \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086567/team-paraguay-arrives-in-san-jose-ahead-of-world-cup-games-at-levis\">base camp at San José State University\u003c/a>, while Australia is based in Alameda at the Oakland Roots and Soul facility.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Straining to be heard over the raucous crowd behind him near SoFi, Chris Powers was looking forward to watching the U.S. play, and hopefully win, with his friend, Jeff Wilson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087442\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087442\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0012-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0012-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0012-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0012-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087462\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087462\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_2163-KQED-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_2163-KQED-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_2163-KQED-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_2163-KQED-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Everyone is just so excited to be here,” the 40-year-old from Connecticut said. “It’s been a really cool experience.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nearby, Pedro Mendoza had flown in from Paraguay to see his team take on the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Soccer is a big deal in Paraguay,” the 45-year-old said. “It’s like another religion for us.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mendoza, who joked that his nosebleed seats put him “closest to God,” paid about $1,500 to attend the game, and was hoping to go to one more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087460\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087460\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0112-KQED-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0112-KQED-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0112-KQED-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0112-KQED-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paraguay fan Pedro Mendoza walks to SoFi Stadium for the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087445\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087445\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0059-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0059-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0059-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0059-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Luis Ibarra, Juan Lugo and Nate Johnston gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>He said traveling to the U.S. amid the current political climate and President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown was “a little concerning,” but that he had everything “in order” and was ready to enjoy the game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Juan Lugo and Luis Ibarra of Texas said they were also prepared to do whatever it took to attend the match.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I wouldn’t miss it,” Lugo said. “There’s no way we were going to miss a World Cup on home soil.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The streets around SoFi Stadium were awash in red, white and blue on Friday as fans of the U.S. men’s national soccer team converged on Los Angeles to watch their team play its first match of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990640/where-to-watch-world-cup-bay-area-best-bars-classic-pubs\">2026 FIFA World Cup\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Stars and Stripes aren’t expected to dominate the tournament, a massive global undertaking playing out across 16 host cities in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Powerhouse teams like Spain and France are likely to fill that role.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the U.S.’s middling rankings and the eye-watering ticket prices hardly mattered to the soccer fans crammed into bars, boisterous watch parties and the streets around SoFi ahead of the 6 p.m. kickoff against Paraguay at the temporarily renamed Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kevin and Katie Howell came to the game with their kids, Alexander and Lily, from Washington, D.C.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087449\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087449\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0137-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0137-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0137-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0137-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Kevin Howell, Alexander Howell, Katie Howell and Lily Howell outside SoFi Stadium ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“The 1994 World Cup inspired me to fall in love with soccer as an 8-year-old boy, and I passed that down to my son, and it’s a thing we share as a family,” said Kevin, referring to the year the U.S. last hosted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kevin said his dad took his older brother to some of the ‘94 games, some of which were played at Stanford University, but deemed him too young, giving him a serious case of “FOMO.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087444\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087444\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0045-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0045-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0045-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0045-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A fan wears USA-themed hat and pins ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087446\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087446\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0070-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0070-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0070-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0070-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans wear USA-themed crocs and socks ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Just hours ahead of his first World Cup match, he was thrilled to be sharing the experience with his family, including his own 8-year-old-son.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This was kind of me…I don’t know, a midlife crisis maybe, or something I had to do. Bucket list item for me,” the 39-year-old said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alexander was especially excited, he said, to see U.S. forward Christian Pulisic play. “I really like seeing him.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087453\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087453\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_9973-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_9973-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_9973-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_9973-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">(From left) Matthew Payano, Junior Payano, Julian Payano and Larry Payano gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087443\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087443\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0039-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0039-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0039-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0039-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Siblings Beth and Andy Viner, 49 and 47, gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>While SoFi won the opportunity to host the first match featuring the U.S., six games are set to be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086949/levis-stadium-is-no-more-san-francisco-bay-area-stadium-hosts-world-cup\">played at Levi’s Stadium\u003c/a> in Santa Clara, presenting what some local officials said could be an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086953/the-world-cup-has-arrived-in-the-san-francisco-bay-area-is-anyone-else-coming\">economic boon for the San Francisco Bay Area\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Paraguay’s team has made their \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086567/team-paraguay-arrives-in-san-jose-ahead-of-world-cup-games-at-levis\">base camp at San José State University\u003c/a>, while Australia is based in Alameda at the Oakland Roots and Soul facility.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Straining to be heard over the raucous crowd behind him near SoFi, Chris Powers was looking forward to watching the U.S. play, and hopefully win, with his friend, Jeff Wilson.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087442\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087442\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0012-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0012-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0012-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0012-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087462\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087462\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_2163-KQED-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_2163-KQED-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_2163-KQED-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_2163-KQED-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Everyone is just so excited to be here,” the 40-year-old from Connecticut said. “It’s been a really cool experience.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nearby, Pedro Mendoza had flown in from Paraguay to see his team take on the U.S.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Soccer is a big deal in Paraguay,” the 45-year-old said. “It’s like another religion for us.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mendoza, who joked that his nosebleed seats put him “closest to God,” paid about $1,500 to attend the game, and was hoping to go to one more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087460\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087460\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0112-KQED-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0112-KQED-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0112-KQED-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0112-KQED-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Paraguay fan Pedro Mendoza walks to SoFi Stadium for the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087445\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087445\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0059-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0059-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0059-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061226_WORLDCUPFANS_0059-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Luis Ibarra, Juan Lugo and Nate Johnston gather ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay World Cup game in Los Angeles on June 12, 2026. \u003ccite>(Lauren Justice for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>He said traveling to the U.S. amid the current political climate and President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown was “a little concerning,” but that he had everything “in order” and was ready to enjoy the game.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Juan Lugo and Luis Ibarra of Texas said they were also prepared to do whatever it took to attend the match.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I wouldn’t miss it,” Lugo said. “There’s no way we were going to miss a World Cup on home soil.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "college-grads-vs-ai-lodi-vineyards-pivot-to-new-crops-fresno-students-head-to-clarinet-olympics",
"title": "College Grads vs. AI; Lodi Vineyards Pivot to New Crops; Fresno Students Head to Clarinet ‘Olympics’",
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"headTitle": "College Grads vs. AI; Lodi Vineyards Pivot to New Crops; Fresno Students Head to Clarinet ‘Olympics’ | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>\u003ca href=\"http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Listen to this and more in-depth storytelling by subscribing to The California Report Magazine podcast.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003ci> \u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12087201/what-do-californias-recent-college-grads-think-about-ai\">\u003cb>What Do California’s Recent College Grads Think About AI?\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003cb>\u003c/b>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Over the past few weeks, several college commencement speakers who praised artificial intelligence were booed by graduates. As these graduates enter an uncertain job market, they’re grappling not only with an unpredictable economy but also with the feeling that artificial intelligence is unstoppable. AI can impact whether or not you get your resume in front of a hiring manager or what career you decide to pursue. We hear from some recent California graduates and other students who talk about not whether AI will impact them, but how. \u003c/span>\u003cb>\u003ci> \u003c/i>\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cbr>\n\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12087134/as-californias-wine-industry-struggles-some-lodi-grape-growers-pivot-to-new-crops\">\u003cb>As California’s Wine Industry Struggles, Some Lodi Grape Growers Pivot to New Crops\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">California produces 80% of all American wines. But most wine grapes aren’t grown in places like Napa or Paso Robles. Most of them actually come from vineyards around one small city in San Joaquin County, Lodi. No matter where you are in Lodi, you’re always less than a 10-minute drive from a vineyard, but it’s no longer just the land of grapes. Orchards full of pistachios, almonds and olives are popping up all over the outskirts of Lodi. As Hannah Weaver reports, that’s because new challenges in the wine industry are pushing grape growers to try other crops.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cb>\u003c/b>\u003cb>\u003c/b>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kvpr.org/local-news/2026-05-28/fresno-state-music-group-to-perform-in-south-korea-this-summer\">\u003cb>For This Quartet of Fresno State Musicians, a Chance to Play in South Korea\u003c/b>\u003c/a>\u003cb> \u003c/b>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Every summer, a prestigious international music festival highlights an instrument that may not always take center stage: the clarinet. \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">S\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">tudents from universities around the world are invited to perform at Clarinetfest, and this summer, for the first time ever, some of those students will be coming from Fresno State. KVPR’s Samantha Rangel tells us how they came together to play, and what it means to represent the Central Valley. \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16px;font-weight: 400\">[ad fullwidth]\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cp>As college graduates throw off their caps and move on to their next life chapter, one topic is surely on their minds: Has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/artificial-intelligence\">artificial intelligence\u003c/a> made their skills irrelevant? And what does an entry-level job even look like anymore?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the past month, graduates across the country have\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5822419/ai-colleges-commencement-booing\"> booed and jeered\u003c/a> college commencement speakers at the very mention of AI.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s no surprise. Recent polling suggests the technology weighs heavily on the minds of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12079472/stanford-study-ai-experts-are-optimistic-about-ai-the-rest-of-us-not-so-much\">those already in the job market\u003c/a> and those who seek to \u003ca href=\"https://news.gallup.com/poll/704087/college-students-weigh-impact-majors-careers.aspx\">join it\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Several college graduates from around the state spoke with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/californiareportmagazine\">\u003cem>The California Report Magazine\u003c/em>\u003c/a> about how they’re navigating the unpredictable economy, and how AI factors into their job search. The testimonies below have been edited for brevity and clarity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087236\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087236\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gisselle Ulloa poses with her diploma from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Ulloa, who plans to be a teacher, said she witnessed the impact of AI on her middle-schoolers in the classroom. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Gisselle Ulloa)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Gisselle Ulloa\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> California State Polytechnic University, Pomona\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Liberal Studies\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are your plans after graduation? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I plan to be a teacher in the near future.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How does AI affect you? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a recent graduate, it is intimidating to apply to jobs and fail to meet the criteria of artificial intelligence. There’ve been occasions where I feel … the employer is not even going to gaze at my resume. Of course, jobs don’t come easily, and you have to earn your position. But it’s really difficult to learn to satisfy an algorithm instead of a person.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With my experience tutoring, I saw the effects of AI, social media and electronics in the classroom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I worked with middle schoolers last year. Seeing my students struggle to write paragraphs with a pencil or solve math problems [with] ChatGPT was discouraging. It put into perspective the amount of work needed from teachers and staff to get students to where they need to be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Teachers can only do so much. As an aspiring educator, [AI] is a really pivotal tool, and I’m sure it works for bigger things, [like] social media and technology. But I fear it’s going to impact classrooms negatively in the years to come.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Camalah Saleh\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> California State University, Fresno\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Political Science and Communication\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are your plans after graduation?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I go to China at the end of August to earn a master’s in Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University. My goal is to connect international affairs and global affairs to immigration because I want to be an immigration attorney and work on refugee and asylum cases.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087227\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087227\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/CamalahSaleh.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/CamalahSaleh.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/CamalahSaleh-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/CamalahSaleh-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Camalah Saleh smiles after graduating from California State University, Fresno. She said she initially tried to ignore ChatGPT but realized AI is not going anywhere. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Camalah Saleh)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How does AI affect you?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When ChatGPT first came out, everyone was talking about it, and I didn’t know what it was. I ignored it. I’m in a field where you need to critically write and be a critical thinker, and it can’t just do your work for you. Then, I realized [AI] is not going away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’ve looked at the way it’s going to impact my career. To see lawyers using it is really worrisome because … there’s a lot of ethical concerns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But I need to pay attention to how it’s going to advance. And people need to be literate in AI so that they can analyze what is and is not made by AI.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087237\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087237\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Michelle Yang poses with her diploma at Oracle Park in San Francisco. She said the threat of AI taking over peoples’ jobs is “pretty scary.” \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Michelle Yang)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Michelle Yang\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> San Francisco State University\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Marketing\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are your plans after graduation? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I want to go into event [planning]. Hopefully, within the music industry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How does AI affect you?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With most jobs that include administration and planning, AI definitely has or could have the potential to take over certain skills.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But with events, it’s a very in-person, human interaction type of industry. So, that’s not something I’m worried about.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Graduating college right now, it’s pretty scary with this threat of AI taking over. We spent so much time in school figuring out what we want to do after college.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I can decide not to use AI within my life. But as society progresses, especially in San Francisco, AI [will] become more incorporated into society, [and] there might not be a choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Michelle Yang is a Live Events intern at KQED. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Amelia Zai\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> UCLA (incoming senior)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Mechanical Engineering\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are your plans after graduation?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’ll probably start applying [for entry-level jobs] in the fall. I already know that even without AI, the job market is really difficult.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087221\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 1280px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087221\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Amelia_Zai.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Amelia_Zai.jpeg 1280w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Amelia_Zai-160x107.jpeg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amelia Zai \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Amelia Zai)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How do you feel about AI?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m the president of the AI Robotics and Ethics Society at the University of California, Los Angeles. A lot of students here are aware of how AI is reshaping the world. They see it in the news; they’re seeing it in their classes; they use AI to help them understand assignments. I do that too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During every discussion, it’s inevitable that the question of whether AI will replace roles in some field comes up. I think it’s less of a competition between AI and people, and more of a competition between people who use AI and people who don’t know how to use AI.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because I know that AI is such a powerful tool, I’m trying to use that to my advantage and integrate it into my workflow to make myself a more efficient thinker. It’s the responsibility of universities to ensure that their graduates are competitive. And one way to achieve that goal is to integrate AI.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Aaron Kim\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> UC Berkeley\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Political Science\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Career path: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Labor/Union Organizing\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How does AI affect you? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Luckily, in terms of my personal career trajectory, it still feels pretty peripheral. I ended up doing a lot of stuff in the union/labor world, so AI affects me less. None of the jobs that I was looking for are AI-exposed as much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A lot of the organizations I’m interested in are concerned with progressive issues and working people. How would you feel if your union rep is ChatGPT and tries to get you to sign union cards? That’s something AI can never take away. Because so much of organizing is based on building trust, human to human.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>As college graduates throw off their caps and move on to their next life chapter, one topic is surely on their minds: Has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/artificial-intelligence\">artificial intelligence\u003c/a> made their skills irrelevant? And what does an entry-level job even look like anymore?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the past month, graduates across the country have\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5822419/ai-colleges-commencement-booing\"> booed and jeered\u003c/a> college commencement speakers at the very mention of AI.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s no surprise. Recent polling suggests the technology weighs heavily on the minds of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12079472/stanford-study-ai-experts-are-optimistic-about-ai-the-rest-of-us-not-so-much\">those already in the job market\u003c/a> and those who seek to \u003ca href=\"https://news.gallup.com/poll/704087/college-students-weigh-impact-majors-careers.aspx\">join it\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Several college graduates from around the state spoke with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/californiareportmagazine\">\u003cem>The California Report Magazine\u003c/em>\u003c/a> about how they’re navigating the unpredictable economy, and how AI factors into their job search. The testimonies below have been edited for brevity and clarity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087236\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087236\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GisselleUlloa-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gisselle Ulloa poses with her diploma from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Ulloa, who plans to be a teacher, said she witnessed the impact of AI on her middle-schoolers in the classroom. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Gisselle Ulloa)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Gisselle Ulloa\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> California State Polytechnic University, Pomona\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Liberal Studies\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are your plans after graduation? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I plan to be a teacher in the near future.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How does AI affect you? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a recent graduate, it is intimidating to apply to jobs and fail to meet the criteria of artificial intelligence. There’ve been occasions where I feel … the employer is not even going to gaze at my resume. Of course, jobs don’t come easily, and you have to earn your position. But it’s really difficult to learn to satisfy an algorithm instead of a person.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With my experience tutoring, I saw the effects of AI, social media and electronics in the classroom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I worked with middle schoolers last year. Seeing my students struggle to write paragraphs with a pencil or solve math problems [with] ChatGPT was discouraging. It put into perspective the amount of work needed from teachers and staff to get students to where they need to be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Teachers can only do so much. As an aspiring educator, [AI] is a really pivotal tool, and I’m sure it works for bigger things, [like] social media and technology. But I fear it’s going to impact classrooms negatively in the years to come.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Camalah Saleh\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> California State University, Fresno\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Political Science and Communication\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are your plans after graduation?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I go to China at the end of August to earn a master’s in Global Affairs as a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University. My goal is to connect international affairs and global affairs to immigration because I want to be an immigration attorney and work on refugee and asylum cases.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087227\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087227\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/CamalahSaleh.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/CamalahSaleh.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/CamalahSaleh-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/CamalahSaleh-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Camalah Saleh smiles after graduating from California State University, Fresno. She said she initially tried to ignore ChatGPT but realized AI is not going anywhere. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Camalah Saleh)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How does AI affect you?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When ChatGPT first came out, everyone was talking about it, and I didn’t know what it was. I ignored it. I’m in a field where you need to critically write and be a critical thinker, and it can’t just do your work for you. Then, I realized [AI] is not going away.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’ve looked at the way it’s going to impact my career. To see lawyers using it is really worrisome because … there’s a lot of ethical concerns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But I need to pay attention to how it’s going to advance. And people need to be literate in AI so that they can analyze what is and is not made by AI.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087237\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087237\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"2560\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-scaled.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MichelleYang-1536x2048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Michelle Yang poses with her diploma at Oracle Park in San Francisco. She said the threat of AI taking over peoples’ jobs is “pretty scary.” \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Michelle Yang)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Michelle Yang\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> San Francisco State University\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Marketing\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are your plans after graduation? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I want to go into event [planning]. Hopefully, within the music industry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How does AI affect you?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With most jobs that include administration and planning, AI definitely has or could have the potential to take over certain skills.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But with events, it’s a very in-person, human interaction type of industry. So, that’s not something I’m worried about.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Graduating college right now, it’s pretty scary with this threat of AI taking over. We spent so much time in school figuring out what we want to do after college.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I can decide not to use AI within my life. But as society progresses, especially in San Francisco, AI [will] become more incorporated into society, [and] there might not be a choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Michelle Yang is a Live Events intern at KQED. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Amelia Zai\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> UCLA (incoming senior)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Mechanical Engineering\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are your plans after graduation?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’ll probably start applying [for entry-level jobs] in the fall. I already know that even without AI, the job market is really difficult.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087221\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 1280px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087221\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Amelia_Zai.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Amelia_Zai.jpeg 1280w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Amelia_Zai-160x107.jpeg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amelia Zai \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Amelia Zai)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How do you feel about AI?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m the president of the AI Robotics and Ethics Society at the University of California, Los Angeles. A lot of students here are aware of how AI is reshaping the world. They see it in the news; they’re seeing it in their classes; they use AI to help them understand assignments. I do that too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During every discussion, it’s inevitable that the question of whether AI will replace roles in some field comes up. I think it’s less of a competition between AI and people, and more of a competition between people who use AI and people who don’t know how to use AI.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because I know that AI is such a powerful tool, I’m trying to use that to my advantage and integrate it into my workflow to make myself a more efficient thinker. It’s the responsibility of universities to ensure that their graduates are competitive. And one way to achieve that goal is to integrate AI.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Aaron Kim\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>School:\u003c/strong> UC Berkeley\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Major:\u003c/strong> Political Science\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Career path: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Labor/Union Organizing\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How does AI affect you? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Luckily, in terms of my personal career trajectory, it still feels pretty peripheral. I ended up doing a lot of stuff in the union/labor world, so AI affects me less. None of the jobs that I was looking for are AI-exposed as much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A lot of the organizations I’m interested in are concerned with progressive issues and working people. How would you feel if your union rep is ChatGPT and tries to get you to sign union cards? That’s something AI can never take away. Because so much of organizing is based on building trust, human to human.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "as-californias-wine-industry-struggles-some-lodi-grape-growers-pivot-to-new-crops",
"title": "As California’s Wine Industry Struggles, Some Lodi Grape Growers Pivot to New Crops",
"publishDate": 1781262002,
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"headTitle": "As California’s Wine Industry Struggles, Some Lodi Grape Growers Pivot to New Crops | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story was originally published in the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.lodinews.com/news/article_5861a96a-6744-4727-8a92-f52dcf7a6e0c.html\">\u003cem>Lodi News-Sentinel\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> and has been edited for KQED.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the Mohr-Fry Ranch, just south of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/central-valley\">Central Valley\u003c/a> city of Lodi, peacocks roamed through one vineyard on a blindingly sunny spring day. Mohrgan Fry strolled through her family’s ranch, pointing a manicured pink nail at rows of dark brown, gnarly vine branches that split off in all directions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They all look like they have a story to tell, right?” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That includes the story of her family, who have been farming grapes in the region for six decades. For the past 13 years, they’ve been cultivating grapes exclusively.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But when \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060895/visiting-a-vineyard-to-see-how-the-bays-wine-industry-is-doing\">California’s wine industry began bottoming out \u003c/a>over the past few years, driven by what growers say is the worst industry storm they have seen in their lifetimes, the family started looking at different options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Where the industry is at, you have to be able to diversify and be willing to try something new,” Fry said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Grapes are everywhere in Lodi — in the city’s official logo. On murals downtown. They’re the namesake of the stadium and the annual “Lodi Grape Festival.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city of 66,000 has about a dozen wine tasting rooms — and that’s just within the city limits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087157\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087157\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-25-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1302\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-25-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-25-KQED-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-25-KQED-1536x1000.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The entrance to Mohr-Fry Ranches, a six-generation family farming operation since 1855, in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But it’s no longer just the land of the grape.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Orchards full of pistachios, almonds and olives are popping up all over the city’s outskirts as challenges in the wine industry are pushing growers to try other crops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wine consumption is down globally, according to reports from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. National reports from the Napa-based Wine Market Council show baby boomers are drinking less as they age. Younger generations are drinking less too, as they become more health — and wallet — conscious. On the supply side, California grape growers are having to compete with cheaper foreign-grown grapes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consequently, growers in Lodi and across the state are ripping vines out. About 10% of vines in the Lodi area were removed in the last year alone, according to a report from the California Association of Winegrape Growers.[aside postID=news_12077310 hero= 'https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/031226_DRAGONDEN-_GH_015-KQED.jpg']About a fifth of California’s vineyard acreage has been ripped out since 2022, state data shows.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some smaller vineyards are closing shop altogether. Others are taking unique approaches, like leasing their land for use as water-recharge basins. But for grape growers who want to continue growing, there is one key to staying afloat — crop diversification.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s especially true for larger farming operations, according to Lodi Winegrape Commission Executive Director Stuart Spencer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We honestly think this is a good thing,” he said. “I think diversification is always good from an economic and business perspective and … ecological perspective.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a sixth-generation farmer, it’s not surprising that Fry knows so much about grapes. She grew up around the family business and always knew she wanted to be a part of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I hate sitting in the office,” she said. “But I love being outside. I love being with Mother Nature.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Given the choice, she’d spend every minute in the vineyards.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You get to make decisions that are different than in an office or in a lab, because you’re out there and you’re making pruning decisions, and then you see the results within a few months,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087149\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087149\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-2-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-2-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-2-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-2-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bruce Fry, left, and his daughter Mohrgan Fry, right, examine grape vines at their ranch Mohr-Fry Ranches, a six-generation family farming operation since 1855, in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>After studying the business and engineering of agriculture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she knew she wanted to bring what she’d learned back to her family’s ranch as operations manager.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But when she graduated two years ago, the industry was tanking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Ironically, I think it was actually the best time to come join the industry, I think for me, for my family,” she said. “It’s a time for us to really think about the decisions we’re making and how we can be more efficient, how we can save money, but still be able to provide for our employees and continue to farm.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Frys are no strangers to diversification. Over the 171 years their family has been farming, they’ve grown 30 different crops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They started out in what is now Hayward, but at the time was land claimed by the Spanish. Fry’s great-great-great-grandfather left a whaling ship in the San Francisco Bay to start farming.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The family didn’t start with grapes. Instead, they grew crops like tomatoes, sugar beets and wheat. As Hayward became more urban, they moved the operation to Lodi in 1965 and got into the wine business.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087155\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087155\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-19-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-19-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-19-KQED-160x109.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-19-KQED-1536x1048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bottles of wine, made with Mohr-Fry Ranches’ grapes, are displayed in the ranch’s office in Lodi on June 10, 2026. Mohr-Fry Ranches is a six-generation family farming operation. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>It was right around that time that Mohrgan’s grandfather, Jerry Fry, took over the business. He’s seen it through labor shifts from World War II to the Bracero Program that brought workers from Mexico.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A few decades later, Mohrgan’s dad, Bruce Fry, came into the business. Like Mohrgan, he’d just graduated from Cal Poly. At that time, wineries were consolidating, leaving grape growers with fewer buyers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the same issues the family faced then have continued. Fewer wineries, increasing labor costs, damaging pests. And now, more foreign competition and decreasing wine consumption. Jerry said none of the previous threats have been quite like the current one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In my perspective, this has been the most challenging of anything that I think our family has dealt with,” Jerry said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the past, they could plant a different crop every year and rip it out if it wasn’t selling well. Now, because of the soil type and price of the land, annual crops don’t make financial sense for them. That means picking a permanent crop, one they’ll be committed to for the next two decades.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For the past year or so, the family’s been weighing their options. They’ve been talking to neighbors, looking at research, setting up spreadsheets. At the moment, they’re leaning toward olives.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087154\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087154\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-17-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1367\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-17-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-17-KQED-160x109.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-17-KQED-1536x1050.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A plaque awarding Marian’s Vineyard for the California State Fair’s “2025 Vineyard of the Year” is displayed at Mohr-Fry Ranches, a six-generation family farming operation, in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And last fall, they ripped out a block of their vineyards to begin their next chapter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On another one of the Frys’ properties just north of Lodi, Mohrgan and Bruce stood on a gravel path that runs right through the past and future of their farming operation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the south side, where there once were Chardonnay grapes, little green sprouts stick up out of the dirt, far into the distance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s safflower, a transitional crop. Mohrgan explained it will help add some nutrients to the soil that the vineyards had used up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s really good for the soil health, for its porosity, all those other fun things,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Transitioning crops is a yearslong process. After the grape harvest this past fall, they ripped out the vines. For several months, they planted safflower in its place. By this time next year, the safflower will be swapped out for the new permanent crop, likely olives.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The process was made possible with the aid of a regional government initiative, the Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program, that paid to help remove the vines in an environmentally friendly way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think that the program is really great because [it] saves you some money,” she said. “Getting your tax dollars back, right?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mohrgan and her family are keenly aware of what the government is — and isn’t — doing to help farmers like them. Even as they spoke with a reporter, Bruce got an alert on his phone and pulled up a livestream of a state Assembly hearing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087150\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087150\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-3-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-3-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-3-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-3-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bruce Fry, left, and his daughter Mohrgan Fry, right, examine grape clusters at their ranch Mohr-Fry Ranches, a six-generation family farming operation since 1855, in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The hearing focused on \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab1585\">AB 1585\u003c/a>, a bill that would require wines to be made with 100% American grapes if vintners want to use an “American” designation on the label.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Fry family and many other growers in the state say it will stop wineries from blending in cheaper foreign grapes. They also hope it will encourage them to buy from American growers, most of which are in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For 40 minutes, Mohrgan held the phone on the hood of her blue Chevy truck. She and her dad watched intently as assemblymembers debated the bill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Eventually, the committee members voted to move the bill along to the next stage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Hopefully this bill keeps going, keeps rolling,” Mohrgan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Baby steps,” Bruce said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the bill does pass, it might alleviate one of the industry’s challenges. But there’s a long way to go if grape growers and vintners are to fully bounce back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yet many growers like the Frys remain optimistic. They feel connected to grapes and believe the industry could be turning the corner soon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is the wine grape region, [and] it’s going to stay that way, but it’s just, it’s not going to be as big as what it was before,” Bruce said. “I think change is hard, but change makes things better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087158\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087158\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-26-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1384\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-26-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-26-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-26-KQED-1536x1063.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A peacock walks through a vineyard at Mohr-Fry Ranches in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mohrgan said she feels encouraged by both the older generation’s willingness to pivot and her generation’s fresh ideas. Last year, the Lodi Winegrape Commission elected its youngest leadership team ever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s just a lot of knowledge to learn from, like my grandpa and my dad, and I think because of that, we’ll make it through,” Mohrgan said. “You have, I wouldn’t say it’s a weight, but … you want to make your family proud.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With generations working together, they’re hoping to make wine feel less pretentious and more approachable for consumers. If they’re successful, Lodi could remain the land of the grape for years to come.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Hannah Weaver writes for the Lodi News-Sentinel as a cohort member of the California Local News Fellowship program, a multi-year, state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting in California.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"title": "As California’s Wine Industry Struggles, Some Lodi Grape Growers Pivot to New Crops | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story was originally published in the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.lodinews.com/news/article_5861a96a-6744-4727-8a92-f52dcf7a6e0c.html\">\u003cem>Lodi News-Sentinel\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> and has been edited for KQED.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the Mohr-Fry Ranch, just south of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/central-valley\">Central Valley\u003c/a> city of Lodi, peacocks roamed through one vineyard on a blindingly sunny spring day. Mohrgan Fry strolled through her family’s ranch, pointing a manicured pink nail at rows of dark brown, gnarly vine branches that split off in all directions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They all look like they have a story to tell, right?” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That includes the story of her family, who have been farming grapes in the region for six decades. For the past 13 years, they’ve been cultivating grapes exclusively.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But when \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060895/visiting-a-vineyard-to-see-how-the-bays-wine-industry-is-doing\">California’s wine industry began bottoming out \u003c/a>over the past few years, driven by what growers say is the worst industry storm they have seen in their lifetimes, the family started looking at different options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Where the industry is at, you have to be able to diversify and be willing to try something new,” Fry said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Grapes are everywhere in Lodi — in the city’s official logo. On murals downtown. They’re the namesake of the stadium and the annual “Lodi Grape Festival.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city of 66,000 has about a dozen wine tasting rooms — and that’s just within the city limits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087157\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087157\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-25-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1302\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-25-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-25-KQED-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-25-KQED-1536x1000.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The entrance to Mohr-Fry Ranches, a six-generation family farming operation since 1855, in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But it’s no longer just the land of the grape.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Orchards full of pistachios, almonds and olives are popping up all over the city’s outskirts as challenges in the wine industry are pushing growers to try other crops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wine consumption is down globally, according to reports from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. National reports from the Napa-based Wine Market Council show baby boomers are drinking less as they age. Younger generations are drinking less too, as they become more health — and wallet — conscious. On the supply side, California grape growers are having to compete with cheaper foreign-grown grapes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Consequently, growers in Lodi and across the state are ripping vines out. About 10% of vines in the Lodi area were removed in the last year alone, according to a report from the California Association of Winegrape Growers.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>About a fifth of California’s vineyard acreage has been ripped out since 2022, state data shows.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some smaller vineyards are closing shop altogether. Others are taking unique approaches, like leasing their land for use as water-recharge basins. But for grape growers who want to continue growing, there is one key to staying afloat — crop diversification.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s especially true for larger farming operations, according to Lodi Winegrape Commission Executive Director Stuart Spencer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We honestly think this is a good thing,” he said. “I think diversification is always good from an economic and business perspective and … ecological perspective.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a sixth-generation farmer, it’s not surprising that Fry knows so much about grapes. She grew up around the family business and always knew she wanted to be a part of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I hate sitting in the office,” she said. “But I love being outside. I love being with Mother Nature.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Given the choice, she’d spend every minute in the vineyards.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You get to make decisions that are different than in an office or in a lab, because you’re out there and you’re making pruning decisions, and then you see the results within a few months,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087149\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087149\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-2-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-2-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-2-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-2-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bruce Fry, left, and his daughter Mohrgan Fry, right, examine grape vines at their ranch Mohr-Fry Ranches, a six-generation family farming operation since 1855, in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>After studying the business and engineering of agriculture at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she knew she wanted to bring what she’d learned back to her family’s ranch as operations manager.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But when she graduated two years ago, the industry was tanking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Ironically, I think it was actually the best time to come join the industry, I think for me, for my family,” she said. “It’s a time for us to really think about the decisions we’re making and how we can be more efficient, how we can save money, but still be able to provide for our employees and continue to farm.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Frys are no strangers to diversification. Over the 171 years their family has been farming, they’ve grown 30 different crops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>They started out in what is now Hayward, but at the time was land claimed by the Spanish. Fry’s great-great-great-grandfather left a whaling ship in the San Francisco Bay to start farming.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The family didn’t start with grapes. Instead, they grew crops like tomatoes, sugar beets and wheat. As Hayward became more urban, they moved the operation to Lodi in 1965 and got into the wine business.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087155\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087155\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-19-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-19-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-19-KQED-160x109.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-19-KQED-1536x1048.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bottles of wine, made with Mohr-Fry Ranches’ grapes, are displayed in the ranch’s office in Lodi on June 10, 2026. Mohr-Fry Ranches is a six-generation family farming operation. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>It was right around that time that Mohrgan’s grandfather, Jerry Fry, took over the business. He’s seen it through labor shifts from World War II to the Bracero Program that brought workers from Mexico.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A few decades later, Mohrgan’s dad, Bruce Fry, came into the business. Like Mohrgan, he’d just graduated from Cal Poly. At that time, wineries were consolidating, leaving grape growers with fewer buyers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of the same issues the family faced then have continued. Fewer wineries, increasing labor costs, damaging pests. And now, more foreign competition and decreasing wine consumption. Jerry said none of the previous threats have been quite like the current one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“In my perspective, this has been the most challenging of anything that I think our family has dealt with,” Jerry said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the past, they could plant a different crop every year and rip it out if it wasn’t selling well. Now, because of the soil type and price of the land, annual crops don’t make financial sense for them. That means picking a permanent crop, one they’ll be committed to for the next two decades.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For the past year or so, the family’s been weighing their options. They’ve been talking to neighbors, looking at research, setting up spreadsheets. At the moment, they’re leaning toward olives.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087154\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087154\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-17-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1367\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-17-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-17-KQED-160x109.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-17-KQED-1536x1050.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A plaque awarding Marian’s Vineyard for the California State Fair’s “2025 Vineyard of the Year” is displayed at Mohr-Fry Ranches, a six-generation family farming operation, in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>And last fall, they ripped out a block of their vineyards to begin their next chapter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On another one of the Frys’ properties just north of Lodi, Mohrgan and Bruce stood on a gravel path that runs right through the past and future of their farming operation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the south side, where there once were Chardonnay grapes, little green sprouts stick up out of the dirt, far into the distance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s safflower, a transitional crop. Mohrgan explained it will help add some nutrients to the soil that the vineyards had used up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s really good for the soil health, for its porosity, all those other fun things,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Transitioning crops is a yearslong process. After the grape harvest this past fall, they ripped out the vines. For several months, they planted safflower in its place. By this time next year, the safflower will be swapped out for the new permanent crop, likely olives.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The process was made possible with the aid of a regional government initiative, the Ag Burn Alternatives Grant Program, that paid to help remove the vines in an environmentally friendly way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think that the program is really great because [it] saves you some money,” she said. “Getting your tax dollars back, right?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mohrgan and her family are keenly aware of what the government is — and isn’t — doing to help farmers like them. Even as they spoke with a reporter, Bruce got an alert on his phone and pulled up a livestream of a state Assembly hearing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087150\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087150\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-3-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-3-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-3-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-3-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Bruce Fry, left, and his daughter Mohrgan Fry, right, examine grape clusters at their ranch Mohr-Fry Ranches, a six-generation family farming operation since 1855, in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The hearing focused on \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202520260ab1585\">AB 1585\u003c/a>, a bill that would require wines to be made with 100% American grapes if vintners want to use an “American” designation on the label.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Fry family and many other growers in the state say it will stop wineries from blending in cheaper foreign grapes. They also hope it will encourage them to buy from American growers, most of which are in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For 40 minutes, Mohrgan held the phone on the hood of her blue Chevy truck. She and her dad watched intently as assemblymembers debated the bill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Eventually, the committee members voted to move the bill along to the next stage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Hopefully this bill keeps going, keeps rolling,” Mohrgan said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Baby steps,” Bruce said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If the bill does pass, it might alleviate one of the industry’s challenges. But there’s a long way to go if grape growers and vintners are to fully bounce back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Yet many growers like the Frys remain optimistic. They feel connected to grapes and believe the industry could be turning the corner soon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is the wine grape region, [and] it’s going to stay that way, but it’s just, it’s not going to be as big as what it was before,” Bruce said. “I think change is hard, but change makes things better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12087158\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12087158\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-26-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1384\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-26-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-26-KQED-160x111.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260610_LodiWine_GC-26-KQED-1536x1063.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A peacock walks through a vineyard at Mohr-Fry Ranches in Lodi on June 10, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Mohrgan said she feels encouraged by both the older generation’s willingness to pivot and her generation’s fresh ideas. Last year, the Lodi Winegrape Commission elected its youngest leadership team ever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s just a lot of knowledge to learn from, like my grandpa and my dad, and I think because of that, we’ll make it through,” Mohrgan said. “You have, I wouldn’t say it’s a weight, but … you want to make your family proud.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With generations working together, they’re hoping to make wine feel less pretentious and more approachable for consumers. If they’re successful, Lodi could remain the land of the grape for years to come.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Hannah Weaver writes for the Lodi News-Sentinel as a cohort member of the California Local News Fellowship program, a multi-year, state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local news reporting in California.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "1-in-4-covered-california-enrollees-could-get-state-aid-under-newsom-proposal",
"title": "1 in 4 Covered California Enrollees Could Get State Aid Under Newsom Proposal",
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"headTitle": "1 in 4 Covered California Enrollees Could Get State Aid Under Newsom Proposal | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>When Congress allowed COVID-era subsidies for health insurance to expire, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california\">California\u003c/a> used its own funds to offset the hike in Obamacare premium costs for residents with low incomes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the reach has been limited.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As Gov. Gavin Newsom negotiates his last budget with the legislature, the Democrat wants to offer financial help to more than 1 in 4 enrollees in Covered California, the nation’s largest state-run health insurance marketplace. Democratic lawmakers, who hold a supermajority, are still debating the plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My budget proposal would KEEP $0 monthly plans for low-income Californians to help clean up the financial disaster Trump created,” Newsom \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/posts/pfbid0D7ZbfX4NexjyjBrNuyXribDdCep4aDahzNSHaZX9g8Cnyu9MA7AaUAg99dxp7K7Sl\">posted on Facebook\u003c/a>, where he often chides the president and GOP Congress.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://stateline.org/2026/02/18/some-states-are-helping-to-make-obamacare-plans-more-affordable/\">Ten blue states\u003c/a> have put up their own funds to keep Affordable Care Act plans affordable and residents insured, as the rising cost of healthcare has emerged as a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/poll-the-cost-of-health-care-remains-at-the-top-of-the-publics-list-of-economic-concerns-even-as-concerns-about-gas-prices-climb/\">top concern\u003c/a> among voters. Newsom’s $300 million proposal would make California’s program among the most generous, but even the nation’s richest state can’t patch a \u003ca href=\"https://hbex.coveredca.com/data-research/library/Brief%201%20IRA%20ACA%20Premium%20Impacts%202026.pdf\">$2.5 billion hole\u003c/a> left by the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the end of last year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The gap between what people can pay in their monthly budget and what health insurance costs is so big that it’s a lot for states to take on,” said \u003ca href=\"https://www.commonwealthfund.org/person/stacey-pogue\">Stacey Pogue\u003c/a>, a senior research fellow at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. “They’re going to have to figure out how they can finance that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>New Mexico lawmakers have \u003ca href=\"https://stateline.org/2026/02/18/some-states-are-helping-to-make-obamacare-plans-more-affordable/\">backfilled 100%\u003c/a> of the lost federal subsidies with state money. It seems to have worked; New Mexico saw \u003ca href=\"https://www.hca.nm.gov/2026/02/10/health-insurance-enrollment-up-in-new-mexico-amid-national-decline/\">double-digit increases\u003c/a> in marketplace enrollment this year, but state analysts \u003ca href=\"https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/firs/HB0004.PDF\">have warned\u003c/a> that the subsidy program isn’t sustainable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040844\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1760px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040844\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1760\" height=\"1174\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn.jpg 1760w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1760px) 100vw, 1760px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters gather outside Kern Medical Hospital in Bakersfield. They’re opposing proposed GOP cuts to Medicaid, which provides health insurance to lower-income Americans. \u003ccite>(Joshua Yeager/KVPR)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2026-01-08/massachusetts-spending-250-million-to-blunt-cost-increases-from-expired-health-care-subsidies\">Massachusetts\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/05/20/new-jersey-healthcare-fiscal-abyss/\">New Jersey\u003c/a>, which, like California, tax residents \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/faqs/faqs-health-insurance-marketplace-and-the-aca/marketplace-basics/im-uninsured-am-i-required-to-get-health-insurance/\">for not having health insurance\u003c/a>, are also spending hundreds of millions of dollars to try to keep premium payments low. Their hope, healthcare experts say, is to avoid the exodus seen in states such as Georgia that didn’t offer enrollees help.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since the enhanced subsidies expired, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/what-we-know-so-far-about-2026-aca-marketplace-enrollment-premiums-and-deductibles/\">enrollees nationwide\u003c/a> have seen their premium payments increase by $65 a month on average.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Conservatives, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.ocregister.com/2026/01/13/insurance-company-subsidies-are-no-prescription-for-lowering-healthcare-costs/\">congressional Republicans\u003c/a>, have long argued that the subsidy expansion was too generous to high-income enrollees and \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/25473637075567865\">inflated healthcare costs\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are never enough subsidies to make health insurance affordable because subsidies are the problem,” said Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute. “They are causing people to turn a blind eye to fraud and waste and excessive prices because it’s someone else’s money that they’re spending, not their own.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Helping the poorest?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>People who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid got relief starting in January after Newsom and legislators softened the blow for about 300,000 of the lowest-income enrollees. They offset lost federal premium tax credits for individuals who \u003ca href=\"https://board.coveredca.com/meetings/2026/May%2021,%202026/Presentation_2027_State_Premium_Subsidy_Program_Design.pdf\">earned up to $23,475\u003c/a> last year and partially filled the gap for those who earned up to $25,823.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The governor now wants to expand subsidies to those who earn up to $31,920 this year for an individual and $66,000 for a family of four — an estimated 218,000 additional people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Veronica and William Walter, who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, earn less than $40,000 a year in one of the nation’s most expensive regions. They’re counting on a more generous state healthcare tax credit if they have to pay for health insurance next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086988\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086988\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PricedOutCA2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PricedOutCA2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PricedOutCA2-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PricedOutCA2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Veronica Walter talks through her financial challenges while sitting at the dining table in her two-bedroom condo in Newark, California. Walter says she wouldn’t be able to afford the nearly $200 monthly premium for health insurance that she and her husband would likely pay on Covered California, even after a proposed expansion of state subsidies. \u003ccite>(Christine Mai-Duc/KFF Health News)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>A car accident two years ago left William temporarily disabled, qualifying the couple for Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now he’s back at work as a security guard, and Veronica said she’s worried they’ll be kicked off Medi-Cal. She’s even more worried about how they’ll get by with federal premium tax credits not nearly as generous as before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Without it, we’re going to be facing worse problems than we have now,” she said. Under Newsom’s proposal, Veronica and others in the highest eligible income bracket could receive an average monthly subsidy of $36 a person.[aside postID=news_12084761 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/IMG_1522.jpg']“For them, $36 a month is the sort of thing that can make a difference between keeping coverage and losing coverage,” said Peter Lee, former executive director of Covered California. “We can’t fix everything with that gap, but we can focus the dollars on those who need it most.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Walter family, though, may still face a nearly $200 monthly premium payment to cover both of them, $130 more than they previously paid for healthcare and prescriptions through Covered California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I can’t afford that, not really,” said Veronica, a pet sitter who works part-time at a school. “A giant state like this with this many people, and this many resources? You can’t just leave the people with nothing for healthcare or healthcare they can’t afford.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California policy researchers and health advocates acknowledge the limits of a partial subsidy but say that concentrating funds on those who earn less is the most efficient way to maximize impact. People who drop coverage are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/what-we-know-so-far-about-2026-aca-marketplace-enrollment-premiums-and-deductibles/#:~:text=Declines%20in%20plan%20sign%2Dups%20for%20young%20adults%20ages%2018%20to%2034%20account%20for%20more%20of%20the%20decrease%20in%20ACA%20Marketplace%20plan%20selections%20than%20any%20other%20age%20group.\">often younger\u003c/a>, healthier, and less likely to have high healthcare costs — all factors that help stabilize the insurance risk pool. Without coverage, Lee said, they’re also more likely to experience debt from medical emergencies or leave unpaid hospital bills that strain the \u003ca href=\"https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5180\">taxpayer-funded safety net\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cary Sanders, senior policy director at the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, a health advocacy group, said the state’s move last year kept low-income enrollment in Covered California steady and reduced racial disparities in coverage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s working; it’s just that it’s not enough,” Sanders said. “We need the federal subsidies back.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Still no help for many\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When Congress passed enhanced subsidies in 2021, it capped monthly premium payments for \u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/obamacare-premiums-subsidies-trump-republicans-policy-fallout-kff-analysis/\">even the highest earners\u003c/a> at 8.5% of income. Those temporary enhancements allowed about 8 million Americans to choose robust plans with no monthly premium payment last year and helped double Obamacare enrollment to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/enrollment-growth-in-the-aca-marketplaces/\">an all-time high\u003c/a> of 24 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the end of last year, 22 million of them lost that help when the GOP Congress blocked the extension.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The pressures on Obamacare enrollees don’t stop at premiums. Federal legislation Republicans passed last summer, known as the \u003ca href=\"https://dmhc.ca.gov/Portals/0/Docs/OFR/FSSB/Feb2026/CoveredCaliforniaUpdate.pdf#page=11\">One Big Beautiful Bill Act\u003c/a>, also shortens enrollment windows, tightens income verification requirements for subsidies, and requires enrollees who earn more than they projected to pay back the full amount.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12052592\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12052592\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Covered-CA-lawn-sign.jpg\" alt=\"Una persona camina sobre la acera, a lado del patio de una casa donde está el letrero de Covered California.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1232\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Covered-CA-lawn-sign.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Covered-CA-lawn-sign-160x99.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Covered-CA-lawn-sign-1536x946.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carteles de Covered California en Berkeley el 13 de enero de 2017. A partir del 31 de agosto, los beneficiarios de DACA ya no podrán encontrar planes de salud a través de Covered California. Hay algunas opciones limitadas disponibles. \u003ccite>(Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle vía Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even if Newsom’s proposal passes, most Covered California customers won’t get state help. Nearly 1 million enrollees — 52% — earn above the $31,300-a-year individual earning cutoff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Victoria Garzouzi was one of many \u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/insurance-premium-payments-terminal-diagnosis-aca-subsidies-covered-california/\">middle-income retirees\u003c/a> hit with one of the most extreme premium increases: The monthly payment for her low-level bronze plan jumped eightfold to $1,600.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To make ends meet, she came out of retirement and dipped into her savings. “I’m working to pay for my insurance,” she said. “I am an army of one.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite a $6,000 deductible, her health insurance premium payment is more than the mortgage on her two-bedroom house. She’s putting off a needed cataract surgery until October, when she turns 65 and qualifies for Medicare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While GOP leaders have not publicly weighed in on the state subsidies, some Democratic lawmakers have questioned why more help hasn’t been proposed.[aside postID=news_12086370 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MBC-profile-view-with-driver.jpg']Assembly member Dawn Addis, who chairs the chamber’s budget subcommittee on health, suggested Newsom could tap an additional $230 million from a fund for healthcare cost relief — money raised from a state penalty levied on those who can afford to enroll in health insurance but choose not to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lawmakers have \u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/california-stockpiles-penalties-from-uninsured-residents-instead-of-lowering-care-costs/\">previously criticized state officials\u003c/a> for socking away much of the penalty revenue, which was supposed to go toward healthcare affordability. After California discontinued its premium subsidies thanks to increased federal assistance, the Newsom administration said the state was saving to help consumers once those temporary subsidies expired. Instead, California borrowed from the subsidy fund to cover state budget shortfalls, to the tune of $771 million. Starting this year, the subsidy fund should see an influx of cash as the state pays back the loan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At a May legislative hearing, Joseph Donaldson, then a Department of Finance analyst, said maintaining the reserve was a prudent and financially sustainable approach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dylan Roby, a public health professor at the University of California-Irvine who consults for Covered California, said the focus on lower-income enrollees is deliberate. They qualify for federal subsidies that higher earners don’t, maximizing federal investment and strengthening the broader system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You end up with more advanced premium tax credits flowing into the state that you would have been leaving on the table,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State lawmakers have until June 15 to pass a state budget. Then, Covered California’s board would decide eligibility and benefit amounts, a decision that could come this summer, with new subsidies starting Jan. 1.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even with the extra help, Walter and her husband worry they won’t be able to afford a potential $200 monthly premium payment. Walter said she’d likely have to rely on free clinics or ration medications.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I take so many pills, I rattle,” she said. “That, on top of the $200? For us, it really adds up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Are you struggling to afford your health insurance? Have you decided to forgo coverage? \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/help-us-report-on-rising-insurance-costs/\">\u003cem>Click here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> to contact KFF Health News and share your story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us/\">\u003cem>KFF Health News\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at\u003c/em> \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/about-us/\">\u003cem>KFF\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "California is considering expanding financial help for low-income residents struggling to pay high health insurance premiums after losing federal subsidies. But relief for state marketplace customers will be limited. Here’s who may get help and what it could mean for premiums.",
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"title": "1 in 4 Covered California Enrollees Could Get State Aid Under Newsom Proposal | KQED",
"description": "California is considering expanding financial help for low-income residents struggling to pay high health insurance premiums after losing federal subsidies. But relief for state marketplace customers will be limited. Here’s who may get help and what it could mean for premiums.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>When Congress allowed COVID-era subsidies for health insurance to expire, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california\">California\u003c/a> used its own funds to offset the hike in Obamacare premium costs for residents with low incomes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the reach has been limited.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As Gov. Gavin Newsom negotiates his last budget with the legislature, the Democrat wants to offer financial help to more than 1 in 4 enrollees in Covered California, the nation’s largest state-run health insurance marketplace. Democratic lawmakers, who hold a supermajority, are still debating the plan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“My budget proposal would KEEP $0 monthly plans for low-income Californians to help clean up the financial disaster Trump created,” Newsom \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CAgovernor/posts/pfbid0D7ZbfX4NexjyjBrNuyXribDdCep4aDahzNSHaZX9g8Cnyu9MA7AaUAg99dxp7K7Sl\">posted on Facebook\u003c/a>, where he often chides the president and GOP Congress.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://stateline.org/2026/02/18/some-states-are-helping-to-make-obamacare-plans-more-affordable/\">Ten blue states\u003c/a> have put up their own funds to keep Affordable Care Act plans affordable and residents insured, as the rising cost of healthcare has emerged as a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/public-opinion/poll-the-cost-of-health-care-remains-at-the-top-of-the-publics-list-of-economic-concerns-even-as-concerns-about-gas-prices-climb/\">top concern\u003c/a> among voters. Newsom’s $300 million proposal would make California’s program among the most generous, but even the nation’s richest state can’t patch a \u003ca href=\"https://hbex.coveredca.com/data-research/library/Brief%201%20IRA%20ACA%20Premium%20Impacts%202026.pdf\">$2.5 billion hole\u003c/a> left by the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the end of last year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The gap between what people can pay in their monthly budget and what health insurance costs is so big that it’s a lot for states to take on,” said \u003ca href=\"https://www.commonwealthfund.org/person/stacey-pogue\">Stacey Pogue\u003c/a>, a senior research fellow at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. “They’re going to have to figure out how they can finance that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>New Mexico lawmakers have \u003ca href=\"https://stateline.org/2026/02/18/some-states-are-helping-to-make-obamacare-plans-more-affordable/\">backfilled 100%\u003c/a> of the lost federal subsidies with state money. It seems to have worked; New Mexico saw \u003ca href=\"https://www.hca.nm.gov/2026/02/10/health-insurance-enrollment-up-in-new-mexico-amid-national-decline/\">double-digit increases\u003c/a> in marketplace enrollment this year, but state analysts \u003ca href=\"https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/26%20Regular/firs/HB0004.PDF\">have warned\u003c/a> that the subsidy program isn’t sustainable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12040844\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1760px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12040844\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1760\" height=\"1174\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn.jpg 1760w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/05/npr.brightspotcdn-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1760px) 100vw, 1760px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters gather outside Kern Medical Hospital in Bakersfield. They’re opposing proposed GOP cuts to Medicaid, which provides health insurance to lower-income Americans. \u003ccite>(Joshua Yeager/KVPR)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2026-01-08/massachusetts-spending-250-million-to-blunt-cost-increases-from-expired-health-care-subsidies\">Massachusetts\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://newjerseymonitor.com/2026/05/20/new-jersey-healthcare-fiscal-abyss/\">New Jersey\u003c/a>, which, like California, tax residents \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/faqs/faqs-health-insurance-marketplace-and-the-aca/marketplace-basics/im-uninsured-am-i-required-to-get-health-insurance/\">for not having health insurance\u003c/a>, are also spending hundreds of millions of dollars to try to keep premium payments low. Their hope, healthcare experts say, is to avoid the exodus seen in states such as Georgia that didn’t offer enrollees help.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since the enhanced subsidies expired, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/what-we-know-so-far-about-2026-aca-marketplace-enrollment-premiums-and-deductibles/\">enrollees nationwide\u003c/a> have seen their premium payments increase by $65 a month on average.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Conservatives, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.ocregister.com/2026/01/13/insurance-company-subsidies-are-no-prescription-for-lowering-healthcare-costs/\">congressional Republicans\u003c/a>, have long argued that the subsidy expansion was too generous to high-income enrollees and \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/reel/25473637075567865\">inflated healthcare costs\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are never enough subsidies to make health insurance affordable because subsidies are the problem,” said Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies at the libertarian Cato Institute. “They are causing people to turn a blind eye to fraud and waste and excessive prices because it’s someone else’s money that they’re spending, not their own.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Helping the poorest?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>People who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid got relief starting in January after Newsom and legislators softened the blow for about 300,000 of the lowest-income enrollees. They offset lost federal premium tax credits for individuals who \u003ca href=\"https://board.coveredca.com/meetings/2026/May%2021,%202026/Presentation_2027_State_Premium_Subsidy_Program_Design.pdf\">earned up to $23,475\u003c/a> last year and partially filled the gap for those who earned up to $25,823.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The governor now wants to expand subsidies to those who earn up to $31,920 this year for an individual and $66,000 for a family of four — an estimated 218,000 additional people.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Veronica and William Walter, who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, earn less than $40,000 a year in one of the nation’s most expensive regions. They’re counting on a more generous state healthcare tax credit if they have to pay for health insurance next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086988\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086988\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PricedOutCA2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PricedOutCA2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PricedOutCA2-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/PricedOutCA2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Veronica Walter talks through her financial challenges while sitting at the dining table in her two-bedroom condo in Newark, California. Walter says she wouldn’t be able to afford the nearly $200 monthly premium for health insurance that she and her husband would likely pay on Covered California, even after a proposed expansion of state subsidies. \u003ccite>(Christine Mai-Duc/KFF Health News)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>A car accident two years ago left William temporarily disabled, qualifying the couple for Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now he’s back at work as a security guard, and Veronica said she’s worried they’ll be kicked off Medi-Cal. She’s even more worried about how they’ll get by with federal premium tax credits not nearly as generous as before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Without it, we’re going to be facing worse problems than we have now,” she said. Under Newsom’s proposal, Veronica and others in the highest eligible income bracket could receive an average monthly subsidy of $36 a person.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“For them, $36 a month is the sort of thing that can make a difference between keeping coverage and losing coverage,” said Peter Lee, former executive director of Covered California. “We can’t fix everything with that gap, but we can focus the dollars on those who need it most.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Walter family, though, may still face a nearly $200 monthly premium payment to cover both of them, $130 more than they previously paid for healthcare and prescriptions through Covered California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I can’t afford that, not really,” said Veronica, a pet sitter who works part-time at a school. “A giant state like this with this many people, and this many resources? You can’t just leave the people with nothing for healthcare or healthcare they can’t afford.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California policy researchers and health advocates acknowledge the limits of a partial subsidy but say that concentrating funds on those who earn less is the most efficient way to maximize impact. People who drop coverage are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/what-we-know-so-far-about-2026-aca-marketplace-enrollment-premiums-and-deductibles/#:~:text=Declines%20in%20plan%20sign%2Dups%20for%20young%20adults%20ages%2018%20to%2034%20account%20for%20more%20of%20the%20decrease%20in%20ACA%20Marketplace%20plan%20selections%20than%20any%20other%20age%20group.\">often younger\u003c/a>, healthier, and less likely to have high healthcare costs — all factors that help stabilize the insurance risk pool. Without coverage, Lee said, they’re also more likely to experience debt from medical emergencies or leave unpaid hospital bills that strain the \u003ca href=\"https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/5180\">taxpayer-funded safety net\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cary Sanders, senior policy director at the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, a health advocacy group, said the state’s move last year kept low-income enrollment in Covered California steady and reduced racial disparities in coverage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s working; it’s just that it’s not enough,” Sanders said. “We need the federal subsidies back.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Still no help for many\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>When Congress passed enhanced subsidies in 2021, it capped monthly premium payments for \u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/health-industry/obamacare-premiums-subsidies-trump-republicans-policy-fallout-kff-analysis/\">even the highest earners\u003c/a> at 8.5% of income. Those temporary enhancements allowed about 8 million Americans to choose robust plans with no monthly premium payment last year and helped double Obamacare enrollment to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/enrollment-growth-in-the-aca-marketplaces/\">an all-time high\u003c/a> of 24 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the end of last year, 22 million of them lost that help when the GOP Congress blocked the extension.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The pressures on Obamacare enrollees don’t stop at premiums. Federal legislation Republicans passed last summer, known as the \u003ca href=\"https://dmhc.ca.gov/Portals/0/Docs/OFR/FSSB/Feb2026/CoveredCaliforniaUpdate.pdf#page=11\">One Big Beautiful Bill Act\u003c/a>, also shortens enrollment windows, tightens income verification requirements for subsidies, and requires enrollees who earn more than they projected to pay back the full amount.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12052592\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12052592\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Covered-CA-lawn-sign.jpg\" alt=\"Una persona camina sobre la acera, a lado del patio de una casa donde está el letrero de Covered California.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1232\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Covered-CA-lawn-sign.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Covered-CA-lawn-sign-160x99.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Covered-CA-lawn-sign-1536x946.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carteles de Covered California en Berkeley el 13 de enero de 2017. A partir del 31 de agosto, los beneficiarios de DACA ya no podrán encontrar planes de salud a través de Covered California. Hay algunas opciones limitadas disponibles. \u003ccite>(Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle vía Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Even if Newsom’s proposal passes, most Covered California customers won’t get state help. Nearly 1 million enrollees — 52% — earn above the $31,300-a-year individual earning cutoff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Victoria Garzouzi was one of many \u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/insurance-premium-payments-terminal-diagnosis-aca-subsidies-covered-california/\">middle-income retirees\u003c/a> hit with one of the most extreme premium increases: The monthly payment for her low-level bronze plan jumped eightfold to $1,600.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To make ends meet, she came out of retirement and dipped into her savings. “I’m working to pay for my insurance,” she said. “I am an army of one.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite a $6,000 deductible, her health insurance premium payment is more than the mortgage on her two-bedroom house. She’s putting off a needed cataract surgery until October, when she turns 65 and qualifies for Medicare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While GOP leaders have not publicly weighed in on the state subsidies, some Democratic lawmakers have questioned why more help hasn’t been proposed.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Assembly member Dawn Addis, who chairs the chamber’s budget subcommittee on health, suggested Newsom could tap an additional $230 million from a fund for healthcare cost relief — money raised from a state penalty levied on those who can afford to enroll in health insurance but choose not to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lawmakers have \u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-costs/california-stockpiles-penalties-from-uninsured-residents-instead-of-lowering-care-costs/\">previously criticized state officials\u003c/a> for socking away much of the penalty revenue, which was supposed to go toward healthcare affordability. After California discontinued its premium subsidies thanks to increased federal assistance, the Newsom administration said the state was saving to help consumers once those temporary subsidies expired. Instead, California borrowed from the subsidy fund to cover state budget shortfalls, to the tune of $771 million. Starting this year, the subsidy fund should see an influx of cash as the state pays back the loan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At a May legislative hearing, Joseph Donaldson, then a Department of Finance analyst, said maintaining the reserve was a prudent and financially sustainable approach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dylan Roby, a public health professor at the University of California-Irvine who consults for Covered California, said the focus on lower-income enrollees is deliberate. They qualify for federal subsidies that higher earners don’t, maximizing federal investment and strengthening the broader system.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You end up with more advanced premium tax credits flowing into the state that you would have been leaving on the table,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State lawmakers have until June 15 to pass a state budget. Then, Covered California’s board would decide eligibility and benefit amounts, a decision that could come this summer, with new subsidies starting Jan. 1.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even with the extra help, Walter and her husband worry they won’t be able to afford a potential $200 monthly premium payment. Walter said she’d likely have to rely on free clinics or ration medications.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I take so many pills, I rattle,” she said. “That, on top of the $200? For us, it really adds up.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Are you struggling to afford your health insurance? Have you decided to forgo coverage? \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/help-us-report-on-rising-insurance-costs/\">\u003cem>Click here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> to contact KFF Health News and share your story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://kffhealthnews.org/about-us/\">\u003cem>KFF Health News\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at\u003c/em> \u003ca href=\"https://www.kff.org/about-us/\">\u003cem>KFF\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> — the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>Eight days after its primary election, California officials \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086054/ballots-are-all-in-but-california-election-results-could-take-weeks-to-settle-why\">are still counting ballots\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That in itself isn’t a big deal — \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines\">many states\u003c/a> give election officials more than a week to tally votes, and California’s sheer size makes a fast turnaround especially unlikely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the lag in calling some of the state’s most high-profile races has captured national attention. Social media has exploded with misleading or false posts claiming Democrats are cheating — that’s despite the primary success of a Republican at the top of the ballot, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086501/california-governor-election-steve-hilton-advances\">gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton\u003c/a>. President Donald Trump and other national Republicans have also made unfounded allegations of fraud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The lies — combined with Trump’s sustained attacks on election security and a number of moves or threats his administration has made to interfere with local election processes — have raised alarms about what could happen in November.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To set the record straight, KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086764/is-californias-election-system-crooked-an-election-integrity-expert-weighs-in\">Political Breakdown podcast sat down with election security expert David Becker\u003c/a> to discuss California’s voting process, the federal government’s role in elections and the likelihood that the Trump administration could interfere in the midterms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085478\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085478\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/ap26090784092005-scaled-e1781134932262.jpeg\" alt=\"President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March. \u003ccite>(Alex Brandon/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Becker is executive director and founder of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research, which works with election officials of both parties to ensure voting is secure, including providing pro bono legal assistance to election officials who are threatened with frivolous criminal prosecution, harassment, or physical violence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He was previously a senior trial attorney at the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, overseeing voting rights enforcement in several states, including California and Georgia.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#Howcommonaproblemiselectionfraudanddopeoplegetawaywithit\">How common a problem is election fraud, and do people get away with it?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Why does it take so long to count ballots in California?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In short: Because California’s a giant state with 23 million registered voters that has enacted a slew of policies aimed at making voting as easy and accessible as possible. Most notably, the state automatically sends every registered voter a mail-in ballot — and allows those ballots to arrive up to seven days after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As Becker said, when people mail in their ballots, it takes longer for county election officials to verify that legitimate voters cast those ballots and ensure that they aren’t fraudulent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“And we want that to happen. We want every single one of those ballots to be assessed to make sure the person hasn’t voted in another way,” he said, “and to confirm that the right person is returning it. When you vote in person, that’s done at the polling place, before you ever get a ballot. When you do it by mail, it’s done afterwards, when the election officials get it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085720\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12085720 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/voter.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/voter.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/voter-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/voter-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Monica Holguin places her ballot at City Hall in San Francisco on May 15, 2026. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Becker said that by the end of election night, some 5.1 million ballots were counted around the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That’s more than most states see in a presidential general election,” he said, noting that many counties have been counting at a fast clip since. “Los Angeles County, for instance, is counting about 200,000 mail ballots every single day. That’s huge.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(Los Angeles County has 9.6 million residents — more than the population of 40 U.S. states.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to verifying mail-in ballots, election officials in California are working to review provisional ballots — those cast when a voter’s eligibility can’t be immediately confirmed — and ballots from members of the military deployed overseas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Becker said that this year, amid a competitive governor’s race, many Democrats \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12084978/california-democrats-anxious-about-wasted-votes-are-clinging-to-their-ballots\">held onto their ballots\u003c/a> until the last minute, delaying the count even further.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are California’s election laws out of step with American tradition?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No, Becker said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve had mail voting since at least the Civil War, probably before that. We have extensive federal laws that actually accommodate late-arriving ballots for people like military and overseas voters, which is really important,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When we talk about a slow count, are we actually talking about counting ballots or calling races?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Calling races. Becker said that the public doesn’t really care when every single ballot is tallied — they care about knowing the outcome of important races.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The slow count only matters, he said, when there are close races that are difficult to call.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085889\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085889\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-20-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-20-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-20-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-20-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters cast their ballots at UC Davis in Davis on June 2, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“On election night in 2024, at 8:01 p.m. Pacific time, they called the presidential race. Is that because they finished counting the presidential ballots? Not even close. But the margins were so big, there was no question who won the presidential race. But in those congressional races that were really close, that were decided by a few-thousand-vote margin, they needed a lot more detail,” he said, adding that “every single state that ran a June 2 primary, not just California, is still counting some ballots.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Speaking with KQED on June 9, Becker said that a week after the election, “most of the major races are pretty clear and have been called by the media” in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What could California do to speed up its vote counts?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Becker said individual voters could speed things along by turning in mail-in ballots earlier, or voting prior to Election Day at early vote centers. In other words: don’t wait until the last minute.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Counties and the state could also give \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086735/why-california-takes-forever-to-count-ballots\">election offices more resources \u003c/a>to speed up the count, according to election officials.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s not clear whether barring ballots from arriving after Election Day — the subject of \u003ca href=\"https://bipartisanpolicy.org/article/what-could-the-supreme-courts-decision-in-watson-v-rnc-mean-for-mail-voting/\">a case\u003c/a> now before the U.S. Supreme Court — \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-06-09/californias-slow-vote-count-faces-changes-as-supreme-court-decision-on-late-ballots-looms\">would actually speed things up\u003c/a>, since many of the mail-in ballots counted later are the ones turned in on or just before Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Trump has talked about nationalizing elections — why \u003cem>doesn’t \u003c/em>the federal government control elections?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“If you go back to the founders, they had just fought a war against a monarch,” Becker said. “And if you read the original Constitution, even before the Bill of Rights, there is one thread that is woven throughout the Constitution. And that is the limitations on executive power. They were really careful about this. They wanted power to be retained by the states.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said that the elections clause — giving states the power to decide the time, place and manner of elections — “is literally the fourth paragraph in the Constitution.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085822\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085822\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260602-PRIMARYVOTERVOX-20-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260602-PRIMARYVOTERVOX-20-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260602-PRIMARYVOTERVOX-20-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260602-PRIMARYVOTERVOX-20-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A polling place at SOMArts Cultural Center in San Francisco on June 2, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>That dispersal of power is a “security feature,” Becker said, that makes it more difficult for anyone to carry out election fraud on a large scale.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We don’t run a national election. We run 10,000 little elections all over the country. We run 58 little elections here in California,” he said, one for each of the state’s 58 counties. “If there were a bad actor, that bad actor could not overturn the will of the people nationally or in a state.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Could President Trump put military troops or immigration agents at polling places?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. That’s prohibited by \u003ca href=\"https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/federal-and-state-election-laws-ban-federal-forces-polling-places\">law\u003c/a>, Becker said. But even the threat of it is troubling, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think that there are individuals in the government and in the United States that would like American voters to be scared,” he said. “They would like them to think that voting might be dangerous. Because that actually could depress turnout, but it’s a lot easier to get them to worry about that than it is to actually do it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howcommonaproblemiselectionfraudanddopeoplegetawaywithit\">\u003c/a>How common a problem is election fraud, and do people get away with it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“It’s extraordinarily rare,” Becker said. But he said that it does occur — among both \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-22/california-woman-registered-dog-to-vote-cast-ballots-for-pooch\">Republicans\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/former-us-congressman-and-philadelphia-political-operative-pleads-guilty-election-fraud\">Democrats\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Becker said offenders are almost always caught.[aside postID=news_12086288 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2277856381.jpg']“It is one of the dumbest crimes someone can commit,” Becker said. He knows from experience: he investigated voter fraud cases as a DOJ attorney.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is one of the easiest crimes to detect. … If you want to spend some time in lodging courtesy of your state or federal government, you should try to commit voter fraud, because you will be caught and you will go to prison. And if you’re a noncitizen, before you get sent to prison, you will be deported. And this is why we know it’s so rare. The incentive structure just isn’t there to cast one ballot in an election, which 150 million are gonna be cast.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Becker also said that despite Trump’s obsession with voter fraud, “this administration has had nearly 18 months [and] the full power of the federal government and the Justice Department. And they’ve been spending a ton of resources looking for fraud. And what have they shown us so far? Nothing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are the president’s attacks on elections working?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Becker doesn’t think so. He said that despite the drumbeat of fraud allegations, turnout in the last two presidential elections was the highest in modern American history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said it’s easier and more secure than it has ever been to vote — and that Americans largely report being happy with their voting experience and with how local officials are running elections. That’s how it should be, Becker said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to remember how much elections are a celebration of our democracy, a celebration of our nation, of our citizenry and the joy of voting. We should recapture that,” he said, predicting that this fall will set a record for midterm election turnout nationally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Eight days after its primary election, California officials \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086054/ballots-are-all-in-but-california-election-results-could-take-weeks-to-settle-why\">are still counting ballots\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That in itself isn’t a big deal — \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/election-certification-deadlines\">many states\u003c/a> give election officials more than a week to tally votes, and California’s sheer size makes a fast turnaround especially unlikely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the lag in calling some of the state’s most high-profile races has captured national attention. Social media has exploded with misleading or false posts claiming Democrats are cheating — that’s despite the primary success of a Republican at the top of the ballot, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086501/california-governor-election-steve-hilton-advances\">gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton\u003c/a>. President Donald Trump and other national Republicans have also made unfounded allegations of fraud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The lies — combined with Trump’s sustained attacks on election security and a number of moves or threats his administration has made to interfere with local election processes — have raised alarms about what could happen in November.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To set the record straight, KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086764/is-californias-election-system-crooked-an-election-integrity-expert-weighs-in\">Political Breakdown podcast sat down with election security expert David Becker\u003c/a> to discuss California’s voting process, the federal government’s role in elections and the likelihood that the Trump administration could interfere in the midterms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085478\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085478\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/ap26090784092005-scaled-e1781134932262.jpeg\" alt=\"President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March. \u003ccite>(Alex Brandon/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Becker is executive director and founder of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research, which works with election officials of both parties to ensure voting is secure, including providing pro bono legal assistance to election officials who are threatened with frivolous criminal prosecution, harassment, or physical violence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He was previously a senior trial attorney at the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, overseeing voting rights enforcement in several states, including California and Georgia.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#Howcommonaproblemiselectionfraudanddopeoplegetawaywithit\">How common a problem is election fraud, and do people get away with it?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Why does it take so long to count ballots in California?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In short: Because California’s a giant state with 23 million registered voters that has enacted a slew of policies aimed at making voting as easy and accessible as possible. Most notably, the state automatically sends every registered voter a mail-in ballot — and allows those ballots to arrive up to seven days after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As Becker said, when people mail in their ballots, it takes longer for county election officials to verify that legitimate voters cast those ballots and ensure that they aren’t fraudulent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“And we want that to happen. We want every single one of those ballots to be assessed to make sure the person hasn’t voted in another way,” he said, “and to confirm that the right person is returning it. When you vote in person, that’s done at the polling place, before you ever get a ballot. When you do it by mail, it’s done afterwards, when the election officials get it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085720\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12085720 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/voter.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/voter.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/voter-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/voter-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Monica Holguin places her ballot at City Hall in San Francisco on May 15, 2026. \u003ccite>(Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Becker said that by the end of election night, some 5.1 million ballots were counted around the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“That’s more than most states see in a presidential general election,” he said, noting that many counties have been counting at a fast clip since. “Los Angeles County, for instance, is counting about 200,000 mail ballots every single day. That’s huge.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>(Los Angeles County has 9.6 million residents — more than the population of 40 U.S. states.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to verifying mail-in ballots, election officials in California are working to review provisional ballots — those cast when a voter’s eligibility can’t be immediately confirmed — and ballots from members of the military deployed overseas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Becker said that this year, amid a competitive governor’s race, many Democrats \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12084978/california-democrats-anxious-about-wasted-votes-are-clinging-to-their-ballots\">held onto their ballots\u003c/a> until the last minute, delaying the count even further.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are California’s election laws out of step with American tradition?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No, Becker said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve had mail voting since at least the Civil War, probably before that. We have extensive federal laws that actually accommodate late-arriving ballots for people like military and overseas voters, which is really important,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>When we talk about a slow count, are we actually talking about counting ballots or calling races?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Calling races. Becker said that the public doesn’t really care when every single ballot is tallied — they care about knowing the outcome of important races.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The slow count only matters, he said, when there are close races that are difficult to call.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085889\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085889\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-20-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-20-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-20-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-20-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Voters cast their ballots at UC Davis in Davis on June 2, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“On election night in 2024, at 8:01 p.m. Pacific time, they called the presidential race. Is that because they finished counting the presidential ballots? Not even close. But the margins were so big, there was no question who won the presidential race. But in those congressional races that were really close, that were decided by a few-thousand-vote margin, they needed a lot more detail,” he said, adding that “every single state that ran a June 2 primary, not just California, is still counting some ballots.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Speaking with KQED on June 9, Becker said that a week after the election, “most of the major races are pretty clear and have been called by the media” in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What could California do to speed up its vote counts?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Becker said individual voters could speed things along by turning in mail-in ballots earlier, or voting prior to Election Day at early vote centers. In other words: don’t wait until the last minute.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Counties and the state could also give \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086735/why-california-takes-forever-to-count-ballots\">election offices more resources \u003c/a>to speed up the count, according to election officials.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s not clear whether barring ballots from arriving after Election Day — the subject of \u003ca href=\"https://bipartisanpolicy.org/article/what-could-the-supreme-courts-decision-in-watson-v-rnc-mean-for-mail-voting/\">a case\u003c/a> now before the U.S. Supreme Court — \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2026-06-09/californias-slow-vote-count-faces-changes-as-supreme-court-decision-on-late-ballots-looms\">would actually speed things up\u003c/a>, since many of the mail-in ballots counted later are the ones turned in on or just before Election Day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Trump has talked about nationalizing elections — why \u003cem>doesn’t \u003c/em>the federal government control elections?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“If you go back to the founders, they had just fought a war against a monarch,” Becker said. “And if you read the original Constitution, even before the Bill of Rights, there is one thread that is woven throughout the Constitution. And that is the limitations on executive power. They were really careful about this. They wanted power to be retained by the states.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said that the elections clause — giving states the power to decide the time, place and manner of elections — “is literally the fourth paragraph in the Constitution.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085822\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085822\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260602-PRIMARYVOTERVOX-20-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260602-PRIMARYVOTERVOX-20-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260602-PRIMARYVOTERVOX-20-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260602-PRIMARYVOTERVOX-20-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A polling place at SOMArts Cultural Center in San Francisco on June 2, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>That dispersal of power is a “security feature,” Becker said, that makes it more difficult for anyone to carry out election fraud on a large scale.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We don’t run a national election. We run 10,000 little elections all over the country. We run 58 little elections here in California,” he said, one for each of the state’s 58 counties. “If there were a bad actor, that bad actor could not overturn the will of the people nationally or in a state.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Could President Trump put military troops or immigration agents at polling places?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. That’s prohibited by \u003ca href=\"https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/federal-and-state-election-laws-ban-federal-forces-polling-places\">law\u003c/a>, Becker said. But even the threat of it is troubling, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think that there are individuals in the government and in the United States that would like American voters to be scared,” he said. “They would like them to think that voting might be dangerous. Because that actually could depress turnout, but it’s a lot easier to get them to worry about that than it is to actually do it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"Howcommonaproblemiselectionfraudanddopeoplegetawaywithit\">\u003c/a>How common a problem is election fraud, and do people get away with it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>“It’s extraordinarily rare,” Becker said. But he said that it does occur — among both \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-22/california-woman-registered-dog-to-vote-cast-ballots-for-pooch\">Republicans\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/former-us-congressman-and-philadelphia-political-operative-pleads-guilty-election-fraud\">Democrats\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And Becker said offenders are almost always caught.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“It is one of the dumbest crimes someone can commit,” Becker said. He knows from experience: he investigated voter fraud cases as a DOJ attorney.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is one of the easiest crimes to detect. … If you want to spend some time in lodging courtesy of your state or federal government, you should try to commit voter fraud, because you will be caught and you will go to prison. And if you’re a noncitizen, before you get sent to prison, you will be deported. And this is why we know it’s so rare. The incentive structure just isn’t there to cast one ballot in an election, which 150 million are gonna be cast.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Becker also said that despite Trump’s obsession with voter fraud, “this administration has had nearly 18 months [and] the full power of the federal government and the Justice Department. And they’ve been spending a ton of resources looking for fraud. And what have they shown us so far? Nothing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Are the president’s attacks on elections working?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Becker doesn’t think so. He said that despite the drumbeat of fraud allegations, turnout in the last two presidential elections was the highest in modern American history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>He said it’s easier and more secure than it has ever been to vote — and that Americans largely report being happy with their voting experience and with how local officials are running elections. That’s how it should be, Becker said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to remember how much elections are a celebration of our democracy, a celebration of our nation, of our citizenry and the joy of voting. We should recapture that,” he said, predicting that this fall will set a record for midterm election turnout nationally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "How to Explore Muir Woods After Dark (If You Can Get a Ticket)",
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"content": "\u003cp>“Breathe in deeply through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth. You are a part of the life cycle of this forest.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s just after 6 p.m. in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/muir-woods\">Muir Woods\u003c/a> National Monument, and below a thick canopy of redwoods, Ranger Jace Ritchey is speaking to a large group of people gathered on the boardwalk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But instead of walking these wooden boards, as thousands of tourists do every day at this national park, these people are lying down on them — gazing up at the forest from below as Ritchey leads them through a guided meditation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At this time of day, birds are chirping all around as dusk falls and the gurgle of a creek can be heard far off. The usually bustling park is nearly empty, apart from the lucky group lying on the ground.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is not your typical walk through these famous trees. This is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.parksconservancy.org/events/mount-tamalpais-muir-woods-national-monument/muir-woods-night-tour\">Muir Woods night tour\u003c/a>, a monthly event on the last Friday of each month, between January and October.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078106\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12078106 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-21-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-21-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-21-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-21-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026, during a ranger-led night walking tour. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But getting tickets to this in-demand ranger program is no easy feat. They go on sale two weeks before the tour and sell out almost immediately, Ritchey said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tickets for the May tour were all snapped up within 30 seconds, with a waitlist of 200 people. And the next tour on June 26 — for which tickets become available this week, at 8 a.m. on Friday — looks to be no less competitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#muir-woods-night-tour-tickets\">How to get tickets for the Muir Woods night tour\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Behind the scenes on the night tour\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The tour itself is a two-mile walk, hitting all the famous landmarks in the central part of the park, meandering along the Redwood Grove Trail and Hillside Trail to pass landmarks like Founders Grove and Cathedral Grove.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the entrance to the park, Ritchey explains to the assembled night tourers that, unlike so many other places where old-growth redwood trees were logged or destroyed, this forest was protected, preserving its biodiversity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The theme of this April tour, Ritchey tells the group on the boardwalk, is “community and perspective.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078111\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078111\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-48-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-48-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-48-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-48-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors walk through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026, during a ranger-led night walking tour. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“So as we walk into this old-growth ecosystem, I invite you to connect and reflect on what community means to you,” they said, leading the group into the forest just as the sun was setting.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of them, Oakland resident Oren Finard, who’s attending with his in-laws tonight, is actually visiting Muir Woods for the first time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I can’t think of a prettier way to see this place than at twilight and with nobody else in the park,” he said. “That is pretty special.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Founders Grove, Muir Woods intern Ellie Hennessy asks the group to share a place where they’ve felt a sense of awe in nature. For Kenny Coy, visiting from Novato with his wife, that’s the Gualala River in Sonoma County.[aside postID=news_12050823 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/Armstrong-Redwoods-1.png']“The river will get super calm and glassy,” Coy said. “It’s really awesome.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When the group lies down on the boardwalk for their meditation, they find that the sounds of the forest become amplified. A woodpecker can be heard, the signature “tuck tuck tuck” of its beak pounding into a nearby tree.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The evening especially is one of those moments where the forest quiets for the visitors, but the forest comes alive for the wildlife,” Ritchey said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ritchey shows photos of other animals that call this park home at night, like bats, deer and even mountain lions, but promises the latter shouldn’t make an appearance tonight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At Redwood Creek, Ritchey points out the handiwork of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/civilian-conservation-corps.htm\">Civilian Conservation Corps\u003c/a>, which, back in the ’30s and ’40s, built stone walls along the creek to control erosion and prevent flooding. Today, they explain, the park takes a more modern approach, allowing debris to build up in the creek naturally to support coho salmon habitat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cori Castro, who lives in San Rafael, said she tried for months to get a Muir Woods night tour ticket. Then, this month, her friend came to the rescue with an extra.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her serendipitous luck even continued on the tour, Castro said, when she glanced up during the meditation and realized she recognized a specific tree from an earlier encounter decades ago.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078109\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12078109 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-37-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-37-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-37-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-37-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ranger Jace Ritchey leads a night walking tour through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I looked over, and I was like, ‘That tree looks really familiar,’” she said. “I remember it’s from a picture that I took of my kids.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That tree from the photograph “looks exactly the same,” she said. “And my kids are 30 and 28 now.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Castro said she’s been feeling weighed down by politics, the news and the general state of the world.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But you come here, and you’re like — all that goes away,” she said. “That’s what this reminds me of: how insignificant I am, and we are. It gives me hope.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘Be one, benevolent’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The night hikers follow a trail that climbs up above the trees, bringing them eye-to-eye with the canopy. Darkness is closing in, and they’re watching their step carefully while using their flashlights and the light of the moon high in the sky, a bright beacon above.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The group stops for a history lesson. It starts with all the usual players — the white men who fought to protect this place from logging and destruction, and who named this park after naturalist John Muir.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Ritchey said there’s more to the story, telling the assembled hikers about the stewardship of the Coast Miwok and the contributions of \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/how-women-saved-muir-woods.htm\">a group of women \u003c/a>who fought for park conservation in the early 1900s. And Ritchey calls out the founders’ belief in eugenics, “who I kid you not saw in redwood trees a metaphor for the greatness of white people,” they said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078114\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078114\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-59-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-59-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-59-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-59-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ranger Jace Ritchey leads a night walking tour through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In keeping with tonight’s theme of community and perspective, Ritchey draws a lesson for the group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Just like the trees are connected to their ecosystem, people connected, shared their resources, and said, ‘We want to protect a place we love. We will take action to do so,’” Ritchey said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As darkness falls upon this place — and only feet away from you, you cannot see the faces of each other — know you are surrounded by people who care.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s the end of the tour, and time to pass back through Cathedral Grove — a federally designated “quiet area.” In the 1940s, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-united-nations-memorial-service-at-muir-woods.htm\">delegates from the United Nations came\u003c/a> to this spot during the organization’s founding to remind them what peace feels like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078107\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12078107 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-31-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-31-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-31-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-31-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oren Finard (left) and Rye Jupiter Seekins take part in a forest-bathing exercise, lying down and listening to the surrounding forest, during a night walking tour through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Ritchey asks the group to turn off their lights and “bask in moonglow.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And to end, Ritchey’s favorite part of the tour: When the hikers make a single file line and wait for the person ahead of them to disappear into the silent darkness before they follow. Even though they’re all just a few paces behind each other, it feels like they’re out here alone in the forest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I hope to inspire people to be one, benevolent, like so many presences in this forest are,” Ritchey said. “But ultimately, we have that choice to make. So make a good one.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Happy trails and good night.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"muir-woods-night-tour-tickets\">\u003c/a>How to get Muir Woods night tickets or sign up for other ranger tours\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm\">Tickets for the free Muir Woods night tour\u003c/a> are released on \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm\">nps.gov\u003c/a> two weeks ahead of the program at 8 a.m., and you can reserve tickets for a maximum of 4 people (was previously 6 people). You won’t be able to go through the ticket reservation process until that “two weeks before” date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re unsuccessful at grabbing a ticket, the form will ask you if you’d like to join the waitlist. Stay hopeful but realistic: Ritchey said more than 200 people signed up for May’s waitlist, with only about five of those people ultimately getting a ticket.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12050823/muir-woods-reservation-parking-redwood-forests-bay-area-alternative\">Muir Woods parking reservations\u003c/a> are not required for this tour if you arrive after 6 p.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078108\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12078108 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-36-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-36-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-36-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-36-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026, during a ranger-led night walking tour. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm\">2026 Muir Woods night tours\u003c/a> take place on the following Fridays:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>June 26 (opens June 12)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 31 (opens July 17)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Aug. 28 (opens Aug. 14)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 25 (opens Sept. 11)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Oct. 30 (opens Oct. 16)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You could also check out the more strenuous 3-mile \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqnJu2D8tp/\">“Owl Prowl”\u003c/a> guided hike at dusk in Muir Woods. Reservations are also required for this tour, which takes place on:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Aug 15 (reservations open Aug. 1)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Nov 7 (reservations open Oct. 24)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078118\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078118\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-66-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-66-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-66-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-66-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors walk through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026, during a ranger-led night walking tour. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>While night tour tickets are tough to snag, if you miss out, there are other free Muir Woods tours open to the public that don’t require signups, including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>“Welcome to The Woods” 15-minute talks: Offered daily at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. (and at 3:15 p.m. starting in May)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>One-hour ranger tours: Offered Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 11 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Occasional Muir Woods \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=18475460-98D8-FFE0-AD0BA5EC3E0972AB\">Junior Ranger Days\u003c/a> with activities for all ages. Entry fee is waived for this event, but parking reservations are still required.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>“Breathe in deeply through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth. You are a part of the life cycle of this forest.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s just after 6 p.m. in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/muir-woods\">Muir Woods\u003c/a> National Monument, and below a thick canopy of redwoods, Ranger Jace Ritchey is speaking to a large group of people gathered on the boardwalk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But instead of walking these wooden boards, as thousands of tourists do every day at this national park, these people are lying down on them — gazing up at the forest from below as Ritchey leads them through a guided meditation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At this time of day, birds are chirping all around as dusk falls and the gurgle of a creek can be heard far off. The usually bustling park is nearly empty, apart from the lucky group lying on the ground.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is not your typical walk through these famous trees. This is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.parksconservancy.org/events/mount-tamalpais-muir-woods-national-monument/muir-woods-night-tour\">Muir Woods night tour\u003c/a>, a monthly event on the last Friday of each month, between January and October.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078106\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12078106 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-21-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-21-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-21-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-21-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026, during a ranger-led night walking tour. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>But getting tickets to this in-demand ranger program is no easy feat. They go on sale two weeks before the tour and sell out almost immediately, Ritchey said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tickets for the May tour were all snapped up within 30 seconds, with a waitlist of 200 people. And the next tour on June 26 — for which tickets become available this week, at 8 a.m. on Friday — looks to be no less competitive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#muir-woods-night-tour-tickets\">How to get tickets for the Muir Woods night tour\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Behind the scenes on the night tour\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The tour itself is a two-mile walk, hitting all the famous landmarks in the central part of the park, meandering along the Redwood Grove Trail and Hillside Trail to pass landmarks like Founders Grove and Cathedral Grove.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the entrance to the park, Ritchey explains to the assembled night tourers that, unlike so many other places where old-growth redwood trees were logged or destroyed, this forest was protected, preserving its biodiversity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The theme of this April tour, Ritchey tells the group on the boardwalk, is “community and perspective.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078111\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078111\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-48-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-48-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-48-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-48-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors walk through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026, during a ranger-led night walking tour. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“So as we walk into this old-growth ecosystem, I invite you to connect and reflect on what community means to you,” they said, leading the group into the forest just as the sun was setting.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One of them, Oakland resident Oren Finard, who’s attending with his in-laws tonight, is actually visiting Muir Woods for the first time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I can’t think of a prettier way to see this place than at twilight and with nobody else in the park,” he said. “That is pretty special.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Founders Grove, Muir Woods intern Ellie Hennessy asks the group to share a place where they’ve felt a sense of awe in nature. For Kenny Coy, visiting from Novato with his wife, that’s the Gualala River in Sonoma County.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“The river will get super calm and glassy,” Coy said. “It’s really awesome.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When the group lies down on the boardwalk for their meditation, they find that the sounds of the forest become amplified. A woodpecker can be heard, the signature “tuck tuck tuck” of its beak pounding into a nearby tree.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The evening especially is one of those moments where the forest quiets for the visitors, but the forest comes alive for the wildlife,” Ritchey said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ritchey shows photos of other animals that call this park home at night, like bats, deer and even mountain lions, but promises the latter shouldn’t make an appearance tonight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At Redwood Creek, Ritchey points out the handiwork of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/civilian-conservation-corps.htm\">Civilian Conservation Corps\u003c/a>, which, back in the ’30s and ’40s, built stone walls along the creek to control erosion and prevent flooding. Today, they explain, the park takes a more modern approach, allowing debris to build up in the creek naturally to support coho salmon habitat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cori Castro, who lives in San Rafael, said she tried for months to get a Muir Woods night tour ticket. Then, this month, her friend came to the rescue with an extra.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her serendipitous luck even continued on the tour, Castro said, when she glanced up during the meditation and realized she recognized a specific tree from an earlier encounter decades ago.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078109\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12078109 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-37-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-37-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-37-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-37-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ranger Jace Ritchey leads a night walking tour through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“I looked over, and I was like, ‘That tree looks really familiar,’” she said. “I remember it’s from a picture that I took of my kids.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That tree from the photograph “looks exactly the same,” she said. “And my kids are 30 and 28 now.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Castro said she’s been feeling weighed down by politics, the news and the general state of the world.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“But you come here, and you’re like — all that goes away,” she said. “That’s what this reminds me of: how insignificant I am, and we are. It gives me hope.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>‘Be one, benevolent’\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The night hikers follow a trail that climbs up above the trees, bringing them eye-to-eye with the canopy. Darkness is closing in, and they’re watching their step carefully while using their flashlights and the light of the moon high in the sky, a bright beacon above.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The group stops for a history lesson. It starts with all the usual players — the white men who fought to protect this place from logging and destruction, and who named this park after naturalist John Muir.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But Ritchey said there’s more to the story, telling the assembled hikers about the stewardship of the Coast Miwok and the contributions of \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/how-women-saved-muir-woods.htm\">a group of women \u003c/a>who fought for park conservation in the early 1900s. And Ritchey calls out the founders’ belief in eugenics, “who I kid you not saw in redwood trees a metaphor for the greatness of white people,” they said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078114\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078114\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-59-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-59-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-59-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-59-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ranger Jace Ritchey leads a night walking tour through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In keeping with tonight’s theme of community and perspective, Ritchey draws a lesson for the group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Just like the trees are connected to their ecosystem, people connected, shared their resources, and said, ‘We want to protect a place we love. We will take action to do so,’” Ritchey said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“As darkness falls upon this place — and only feet away from you, you cannot see the faces of each other — know you are surrounded by people who care.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s the end of the tour, and time to pass back through Cathedral Grove — a federally designated “quiet area.” In the 1940s, \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-united-nations-memorial-service-at-muir-woods.htm\">delegates from the United Nations came\u003c/a> to this spot during the organization’s founding to remind them what peace feels like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078107\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12078107 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-31-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-31-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-31-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-31-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oren Finard (left) and Rye Jupiter Seekins take part in a forest-bathing exercise, lying down and listening to the surrounding forest, during a night walking tour through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Ritchey asks the group to turn off their lights and “bask in moonglow.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And to end, Ritchey’s favorite part of the tour: When the hikers make a single file line and wait for the person ahead of them to disappear into the silent darkness before they follow. Even though they’re all just a few paces behind each other, it feels like they’re out here alone in the forest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I hope to inspire people to be one, benevolent, like so many presences in this forest are,” Ritchey said. “But ultimately, we have that choice to make. So make a good one.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Happy trails and good night.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"muir-woods-night-tour-tickets\">\u003c/a>How to get Muir Woods night tickets or sign up for other ranger tours\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm\">Tickets for the free Muir Woods night tour\u003c/a> are released on \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm\">nps.gov\u003c/a> two weeks ahead of the program at 8 a.m., and you can reserve tickets for a maximum of 4 people (was previously 6 people). You won’t be able to go through the ticket reservation process until that “two weeks before” date.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re unsuccessful at grabbing a ticket, the form will ask you if you’d like to join the waitlist. Stay hopeful but realistic: Ritchey said more than 200 people signed up for May’s waitlist, with only about five of those people ultimately getting a ticket.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12050823/muir-woods-reservation-parking-redwood-forests-bay-area-alternative\">Muir Woods parking reservations\u003c/a> are not required for this tour if you arrive after 6 p.m.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078108\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12078108 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-36-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-36-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-36-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-36-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026, during a ranger-led night walking tour. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/muwo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm\">2026 Muir Woods night tours\u003c/a> take place on the following Fridays:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>June 26 (opens June 12)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>July 31 (opens July 17)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Aug. 28 (opens Aug. 14)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sept. 25 (opens Sept. 11)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Oct. 30 (opens Oct. 16)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>You could also check out the more strenuous 3-mile \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DUqnJu2D8tp/\">“Owl Prowl”\u003c/a> guided hike at dusk in Muir Woods. Reservations are also required for this tour, which takes place on:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Aug 15 (reservations open Aug. 1)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Nov 7 (reservations open Oct. 24)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12078118\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12078118\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-66-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-66-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-66-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/260327-MUIRWOODSNIGHTTOUR-66-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visitors walk through Muir Woods National Monument on March 27, 2026, during a ranger-led night walking tour. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>While night tour tickets are tough to snag, if you miss out, there are other free Muir Woods tours open to the public that don’t require signups, including:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>“Welcome to The Woods” 15-minute talks: Offered daily at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. (and at 3:15 p.m. starting in May)\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>One-hour ranger tours: Offered Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 11 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Occasional Muir Woods \u003ca href=\"https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=18475460-98D8-FFE0-AD0BA5EC3E0972AB\">Junior Ranger Days\u003c/a> with activities for all ages. Entry fee is waived for this event, but parking reservations are still required.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>One of the defining storylines of California’s congressional primaries this year was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085139/young-progressive-candidates-look-for-change-of-guard-in-ca-congressional-races\">a generational battle\u003c/a> within the Democratic Party driven by a wave of young, often progressive, challengers who took on their own party’s aging incumbents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This rebuke of the so-called gerontocracy targeted Congress members across the state: 75-year-old \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085544/in-redrawn-napa-valley-house-seat-voters-appear-to-stick-with-incumbent-they-know\">North Bay Rep. Mike Thompson\u003c/a>, 81-year-old Solano and Sacramento Valley Rep. John Garamendi, 81-year-old Sacramento Rep. Doris Matsui, 87-year-old South Los Angeles Rep. Maxine Waters and 71-year-old San Fernando Valley Rep. Brad Sherman.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How did they do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Challengers to Sherman, Waters and Garamendi fell short of the second-place finish needed to advance under California’s top-two primary system. Each incumbent represents a safe blue district, setting them up for a smooth path to reelection in November.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, 41, had the greatest success of any challenger, running a close race against Matsui. As of Tuesday afternoon, with 95% of votes counted, Vang is nearly 2 percentage points ahead of Matsui. In the North Bay, former venture capitalist Eric Jones, 35, is still sweating out the final results, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/elections/results/california/congress-4th-district\">sitting less than 2 percentage points\u003c/a> behind Republican business owner Ray Riehle in a contest for second to face Thompson in the runoff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The results hint at what it takes to mount a successful generational challenge. Age alone, it turns out, is not enough. Candidates and analysts point to name recognition, money and redistricting as key factors shaping the outcomes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You have to have a reason other than ‘the person is old,’” said Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California. “You have to have a case to make for why you would be better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086912\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086912\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MaiVang.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MaiVang.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MaiVang-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MaiVang-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang is running against incumbent Doris Matsui for the congressional District 7. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of the Mai Vang Campaign)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Challengers were generally more successful when they could articulate ideological differences, Grose said. For instance, Vang has criticized Matsui for accepting funding from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), not calling the war in Gaza a genocide and previously voting to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement, though her position has changed in recent years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Progressivism, I think, helps in a primary,” Grose said. “A left progressive can get people’s attention, especially with the crowd of [the] governor’s election too.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Vang also attributes her strong showing to a clear progressive platform, running for something instead of against someone.[aside postID=news_12082765 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2274165052-scaled-e1778866234143.jpg']“Are you for working families? Are you for making their lives better?” Vang said. “It can’t just be that you’re anti-Trump. You’ve got to be for these bold issues for our working families.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Addisu Demissie, a veteran Democratic political consultant and former campaign manager for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2018 bid, \u003ca href=\"https://omny.fm/shows/kqed-segmented-audio/establishment-democrats-largely-prevail-in-primary-races\">told KQED\u003c/a> last week that results prove name recognition remains among the biggest obstacles for newcomers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I don’t think it’s necessarily an indictment of those candidates or even that much of a celebration of incumbents and incumbency as much as voters tend to go with the name,” Demissie said. “And the name frankly has probably provided for you, in some way, constituent services or representation over the course of several years.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Matsui was first elected in a 2005 special election to fill her husband’s seat after he died of pneumonia; the Matsui name has represented the Sacramento area for a combined 47 years. Waters is also a nationally recognized figure who first took her seat in 1991, and Sherman has served in Congress since 1997.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if voters want generational change broadly, they tend to be less likely to vote against their own representative, Grose said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you ask somebody, ‘Do you want younger people in Congress? Do you want to say goodbye to 80-year-olds?’ People say yes,” Grose said. “But when you ask them about their own Congress member, they really like their own member.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086915\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086915\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Jake-Levine.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Jake-Levine.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Jake-Levine-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Jake-Levine-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Former Obama and Biden White House climate aide Jake Levine ran against incumbent Brad Sherman for the congressional District 32. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of the Jake Levin Campaign)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Jake Levine, a 42-year-old former White House climate aide under Presidents Obama and Biden, said his loss to Sherman should not be interpreted as a rejection of the generational message.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think that that is less a reflection of whether people want a new generation and more a reflection of some of the structural aspects of this race,” Levine said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Levine believes \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12064834/how-prop-50-just-rewrote-californias-2026-congressional-map\">California’s redistricting under Proposition 50\u003c/a>, whose new maps debuted in this month’s election, worked against him.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I really supported Prop. 50, but at the same time, for my district, that made our district significantly more Republican in terms of its complexion,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other cases, Grose said redistricting could work against incumbents like Matsui and Thompson by bringing in a swath of new voters who may be unfamiliar with them, weakening their name recognition advantage. Nearly half of Thompson’s District 4 is now new territory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086017\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086017\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-34-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-34-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-34-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-34-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Eric Jones, Democratic candidate for California’s 4th Congressional District, center, speaks to a supporter at his watch party at Three Mile Brewing in Davis on June 2, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Levine also argues the state Democratic Party “intentionally make[s] it very difficult for challengers,” noting that he was not allowed to speak at the California Democratic Party convention.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jones, who challenged Thompson in the North Bay, agreed on this point.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Democratic Party is a party built to protect incumbency,” Jones said. “You see that the way the party chooses to endorse, where the California Democratic Party has never once in its history endorsed against a congressional incumbent. And I think that is the biggest uphill battle.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It is rare for the state party to back a challenger, but not unprecedented. In 2018, the party endorsed former state Sen. Kevin de León for U.S. Senate over then-Sen. Dianne Feinstein.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With California’s count still ongoing, Jones’ campaign manager Brian Parvizshahi said he remains confident Jones will advance to the general election, where he expects to make up ground.[aside postID=news_12086288 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2277856381.jpg']“When you expand the electorate [from the primary to the general election] … they typically become much more young and much more working class and more people of color. And that’s who makes up Eric Jones’ base,” Parvizshahi said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Parvizshahi previously ran Rep. Ro Khanna’s 2014 and 2016 campaigns against Rep. Mike Honda. In 2014, Khanna gained 17 points between the primary and general election. He lost, but returned to defeat Honda in 2016.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Parvizshahi believes Jones could follow a similar trajectory, arguing that the longer runway to November offers time to build name recognition and that a younger, more diverse general election electorate could help him close the current 16-point gap.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s never good for an incumbent to be under 50%,” Parvizshahi said. Thompson is currently sitting at 38% of the vote. “That’s pretty damning. That’s 62% of the electorate saying, ‘I do not want you as my congressman.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Democratic strategist Orrin Evans said if Jones does squeak through to the general election, it would indicate voters have an appetite for the generational change message.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If two out of five made it through, I would say that’s a pretty good night for the kids,” Evans said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Money proved to be the biggest hurdle for Sacramento City Councilmember Vang. She raised roughly $800,000, significantly less than Matsui’s $1.5 million. Matsui also loaned her campaign an additional $1.4 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We always knew we were going to be outspent,” Vang said. “The only way to beat money is to have organized people. And that’s what we did. We knocked on thousands of doors and spoke to thousands of voters. We did it because this region is ready for change.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086029\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086029\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/060226CHAKRABARTI_GH_009-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/060226CHAKRABARTI_GH_009-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/060226CHAKRABARTI_GH_009-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/060226CHAKRABARTI_GH_009-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Congressional candidate Saikat Chakrabarti converses with his supporters during an election night event at The Chapel on June 3, 2026, in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Money didn’t guarantee challengers would sail through to the general election. Compared to Thompson’s $3.4 million, Jones raised $3 million and poured in an additional $5.2 million of his own money and still found himself fighting for second place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, Saikat Chakrabarti announced his intent to run for Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s seat before the 86-year-old said she would not run for reelection. Chakrabarti’s incredible $8.8 million in loans to his campaign also did not get him into the runoff, which has been called for state Sen. Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite the many hurdles these young challengers face, Grose said this cycle gave them their best shot at a congressional seat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They would do really bad in a crowded field of 40-somethings in an open seat,” he said. “Trying to run against an old person who’s an incumbent is the better strategy for them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>One of the defining storylines of California’s congressional primaries this year was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085139/young-progressive-candidates-look-for-change-of-guard-in-ca-congressional-races\">a generational battle\u003c/a> within the Democratic Party driven by a wave of young, often progressive, challengers who took on their own party’s aging incumbents.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This rebuke of the so-called gerontocracy targeted Congress members across the state: 75-year-old \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085544/in-redrawn-napa-valley-house-seat-voters-appear-to-stick-with-incumbent-they-know\">North Bay Rep. Mike Thompson\u003c/a>, 81-year-old Solano and Sacramento Valley Rep. John Garamendi, 81-year-old Sacramento Rep. Doris Matsui, 87-year-old South Los Angeles Rep. Maxine Waters and 71-year-old San Fernando Valley Rep. Brad Sherman.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How did they do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Challengers to Sherman, Waters and Garamendi fell short of the second-place finish needed to advance under California’s top-two primary system. Each incumbent represents a safe blue district, setting them up for a smooth path to reelection in November.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, 41, had the greatest success of any challenger, running a close race against Matsui. As of Tuesday afternoon, with 95% of votes counted, Vang is nearly 2 percentage points ahead of Matsui. In the North Bay, former venture capitalist Eric Jones, 35, is still sweating out the final results, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/elections/results/california/congress-4th-district\">sitting less than 2 percentage points\u003c/a> behind Republican business owner Ray Riehle in a contest for second to face Thompson in the runoff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The results hint at what it takes to mount a successful generational challenge. Age alone, it turns out, is not enough. Candidates and analysts point to name recognition, money and redistricting as key factors shaping the outcomes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You have to have a reason other than ‘the person is old,’” said Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California. “You have to have a case to make for why you would be better.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086912\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086912\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MaiVang.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MaiVang.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MaiVang-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/MaiVang-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang is running against incumbent Doris Matsui for the congressional District 7. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of the Mai Vang Campaign)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Challengers were generally more successful when they could articulate ideological differences, Grose said. For instance, Vang has criticized Matsui for accepting funding from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), not calling the war in Gaza a genocide and previously voting to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement, though her position has changed in recent years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Progressivism, I think, helps in a primary,” Grose said. “A left progressive can get people’s attention, especially with the crowd of [the] governor’s election too.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Vang also attributes her strong showing to a clear progressive platform, running for something instead of against someone.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“Are you for working families? Are you for making their lives better?” Vang said. “It can’t just be that you’re anti-Trump. You’ve got to be for these bold issues for our working families.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Addisu Demissie, a veteran Democratic political consultant and former campaign manager for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s 2018 bid, \u003ca href=\"https://omny.fm/shows/kqed-segmented-audio/establishment-democrats-largely-prevail-in-primary-races\">told KQED\u003c/a> last week that results prove name recognition remains among the biggest obstacles for newcomers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I don’t think it’s necessarily an indictment of those candidates or even that much of a celebration of incumbents and incumbency as much as voters tend to go with the name,” Demissie said. “And the name frankly has probably provided for you, in some way, constituent services or representation over the course of several years.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Matsui was first elected in a 2005 special election to fill her husband’s seat after he died of pneumonia; the Matsui name has represented the Sacramento area for a combined 47 years. Waters is also a nationally recognized figure who first took her seat in 1991, and Sherman has served in Congress since 1997.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even if voters want generational change broadly, they tend to be less likely to vote against their own representative, Grose said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If you ask somebody, ‘Do you want younger people in Congress? Do you want to say goodbye to 80-year-olds?’ People say yes,” Grose said. “But when you ask them about their own Congress member, they really like their own member.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086915\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086915\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Jake-Levine.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Jake-Levine.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Jake-Levine-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Jake-Levine-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Former Obama and Biden White House climate aide Jake Levine ran against incumbent Brad Sherman for the congressional District 32. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of the Jake Levin Campaign)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Jake Levine, a 42-year-old former White House climate aide under Presidents Obama and Biden, said his loss to Sherman should not be interpreted as a rejection of the generational message.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think that that is less a reflection of whether people want a new generation and more a reflection of some of the structural aspects of this race,” Levine said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Levine believes \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12064834/how-prop-50-just-rewrote-californias-2026-congressional-map\">California’s redistricting under Proposition 50\u003c/a>, whose new maps debuted in this month’s election, worked against him.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I really supported Prop. 50, but at the same time, for my district, that made our district significantly more Republican in terms of its complexion,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In other cases, Grose said redistricting could work against incumbents like Matsui and Thompson by bringing in a swath of new voters who may be unfamiliar with them, weakening their name recognition advantage. Nearly half of Thompson’s District 4 is now new territory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086017\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086017\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-34-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-34-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-34-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/20260602_PRIMARY2026CD4_GC-34-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Eric Jones, Democratic candidate for California’s 4th Congressional District, center, speaks to a supporter at his watch party at Three Mile Brewing in Davis on June 2, 2026. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Levine also argues the state Democratic Party “intentionally make[s] it very difficult for challengers,” noting that he was not allowed to speak at the California Democratic Party convention.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Jones, who challenged Thompson in the North Bay, agreed on this point.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The Democratic Party is a party built to protect incumbency,” Jones said. “You see that the way the party chooses to endorse, where the California Democratic Party has never once in its history endorsed against a congressional incumbent. And I think that is the biggest uphill battle.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It is rare for the state party to back a challenger, but not unprecedented. In 2018, the party endorsed former state Sen. Kevin de León for U.S. Senate over then-Sen. Dianne Feinstein.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With California’s count still ongoing, Jones’ campaign manager Brian Parvizshahi said he remains confident Jones will advance to the general election, where he expects to make up ground.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>“When you expand the electorate [from the primary to the general election] … they typically become much more young and much more working class and more people of color. And that’s who makes up Eric Jones’ base,” Parvizshahi said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Parvizshahi previously ran Rep. Ro Khanna’s 2014 and 2016 campaigns against Rep. Mike Honda. In 2014, Khanna gained 17 points between the primary and general election. He lost, but returned to defeat Honda in 2016.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Parvizshahi believes Jones could follow a similar trajectory, arguing that the longer runway to November offers time to build name recognition and that a younger, more diverse general election electorate could help him close the current 16-point gap.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s never good for an incumbent to be under 50%,” Parvizshahi said. Thompson is currently sitting at 38% of the vote. “That’s pretty damning. That’s 62% of the electorate saying, ‘I do not want you as my congressman.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Democratic strategist Orrin Evans said if Jones does squeak through to the general election, it would indicate voters have an appetite for the generational change message.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“If two out of five made it through, I would say that’s a pretty good night for the kids,” Evans said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Money proved to be the biggest hurdle for Sacramento City Councilmember Vang. She raised roughly $800,000, significantly less than Matsui’s $1.5 million. Matsui also loaned her campaign an additional $1.4 million.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We always knew we were going to be outspent,” Vang said. “The only way to beat money is to have organized people. And that’s what we did. We knocked on thousands of doors and spoke to thousands of voters. We did it because this region is ready for change.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12086029\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12086029\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/060226CHAKRABARTI_GH_009-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/060226CHAKRABARTI_GH_009-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/060226CHAKRABARTI_GH_009-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/060226CHAKRABARTI_GH_009-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Congressional candidate Saikat Chakrabarti converses with his supporters during an election night event at The Chapel on June 3, 2026, in San Francisco. \u003ccite>(Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Money didn’t guarantee challengers would sail through to the general election. Compared to Thompson’s $3.4 million, Jones raised $3 million and poured in an additional $5.2 million of his own money and still found himself fighting for second place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In San Francisco, Saikat Chakrabarti announced his intent to run for Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s seat before the 86-year-old said she would not run for reelection. Chakrabarti’s incredible $8.8 million in loans to his campaign also did not get him into the runoff, which has been called for state Sen. Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite the many hurdles these young challengers face, Grose said this cycle gave them their best shot at a congressional seat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They would do really bad in a crowded field of 40-somethings in an open seat,” he said. “Trying to run against an old person who’s an incumbent is the better strategy for them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>California still has lots of ballots left to count, more than one week after the primary. Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have seized on the slow count to spread conspiracy theories of election fraud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what’s actually behind the holdup? KQED’s Marisa Lagos explains why California counts ballots so slowly, and what could help speed up the count.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC3430716356&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Links:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086054/ballots-are-all-in-but-california-election-results-could-take-weeks-to-settle-why\">Ballots Are All In, but California Election Results Could Take Weeks to Settle. Why?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch3>Episode transcript\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:00:00] I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra and welcome to The Bay, local news to keep you rooted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:00:08] So it’s been more than a week since election day. And while many primary races have already been called, California’s still counting votes, and will be for a while. California is notoriously slow at counting ballots, making us an easy target for Republicans spreading conspiracies of election fraud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:00:33] This tremendous evidence is nothing but evidence. The election was rigged. It was a dirty election. And it’s happening again right now in California. It’s happening right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:00:48] But there’s actually a pretty clear explanation for the wait, including the fact that California has one of the most accessible election systems in the country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:01:00] We have a number of policies that have been enacted that are really aimed at giving everybody every opportunity to vote that we can.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:01:11] Today, what’s behind California’s slow vote count and what it would take to speed it up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:01:25] Well, Marisa, am I trippin’ or are ballots taking a long time to count?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:01:30] You’re not trippin’, but they always kinda take a long time to count in California these days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:01:37] Marisa Lagos is a politics and government correspondent for KQED. She’s also co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:01:46] We are sitting here on Tuesday, a week out. So 7.7 million ballots have been processed so far, and there’s 1.7 billion left. So it’s not an insignificant number, but it’s the bulk of the ballots. And it’s, I think, out of line with what we’ve seen maybe in previous elections. What feels more urgent this year is we did have this messy governor’s race. And so there’s a lot of attention on it. And we were one of the only primaries last week. So I think there’s been a sort of outsized amount of attention and frustration at the slow count.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:25] And I guess, like, what effects are you seeing so far of this long count? I mean, like it’s this affecting confidence, for example, in our election process here in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:02:37] I’d say the long count does affect folks’ opinions of the election and their beliefs in the integrity of it, but I think the bigger factor is the president and other Republicans using it as a way to undercut confidence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:02:53] Four days, and they aren’t even close to coming up with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kristen Welker \u003c/strong>[00:02:56] That’s how they count the votes in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:02:57] You know why they’re doing that? Because they’re cheating on the election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kristen Welker \u003c/strong>[00:02:59] Do you have evidence to support that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:03:01] All I have to do is look.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:03:03] President Trump has been attacking California’s election almost since the polls closed last Tuesday. He also had a pretty explosive interview with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press this weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:03:14] Do you think it’s appropriate that they have an election and five days later, they’re nowhere close to picking a winner?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kristen Welker \u003c/strong>[00:03:20] State and local officials acknowledge they are slow. They’re urging —\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:03:23] No, they are crooked. They’re crooked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kristen Welker \u003c/strong>[00:03:25] — urging the votes to be counted quickly. That’s how they vote in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:03:27] They are crooked, just like you’re crooked, your press is crooked, and meet the press is crooked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:03:32] I think if you didn’t have these attacks from folks up to and including President Trump, there probably wouldn’t be quite so much kind of consternation and concern.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:03:41] That’s one of the reasons why I think we wanted to talk to you about this, because I do think it is maybe worth just sort of unpacking for people, like how this count even happens. So why does California take so long to count its votes?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:03:57] I think there’s almost like three buckets of things here when we talk about delays. One is the policies that exist in California that send every voter a mail-in ballot that allow ballots to arrive within a week after election day, as long as they’re postmarked by then. And then there’s the resources, right? Just like, do county registrars have the money, the staff, the actual physical space? To do this counting quickly. And then there’s voter behavior. And I think that this election year, we’ve really seen that that has a big effect. What we did see this year based on tracking data analysis by some very smart people, smarter than me, is that Democrats were holding onto their ballots. It did seem like just the upheaval in the governor’s race, the sort of crowded nature of it, the exit of Eric Swalwell in April, the sudden rise of Xavier Becerra, all of that kind of contributed to this phenomenon of Democrats, progressives, I think in particular, waiting until the last minute. And so in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one, that’s going to really slow down the process. And it’s also going to create what’s called a red mirage, where you had the sort of initial results look stronger for Republicans and conservative candidates than what the ultimate vote count is going to look like. And I think that combination of the large number of ballots coming in late, and so that kind of slowing down the count, plus that red mirages has given an opening to folks like President Trump to kind of call things into question.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:05:41] You mentioned a bunch of these policies that we have in California that are really about expanding voter access. So what exactly is the process of counting ballots in California given these policies?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:05:56] We, during the pandemic especially, really expanded mail-in voting. So essentially every voter gets a mail- in ballot now. In recent elections, we’ve seen up to 80% of people vote by mail, so that in itself can cause delays because when ballots are being processed, essentially, if you go in and vote in person, all the checks of security to make sure you’re the person you’re saying you are and your signature matches and your address is correct happens before they hand you the ballot. When you mail in the ballot, that happens on the back end. And so what you have is election officials with stacks and stacks and boxes and boxes where they have to go through one by one and essentially verify that each individual ballot is valid, then they have run it through the system. And in some cases, you also have situations where say a signature doesn’t match. And so in some counties, they might reach out to you and say, Hey, did you file this ballot? The fact that you the ballots can arrive to a week after election day, obviously. Do even more, you know, to extend that. Provisional ballots, people can go in and say, oh, you know, I missed the registration deadline or I missed my address changed, and they’re allowed to cast a ballot in person. But that ballot then on the back end also has to be verified. So, I mean, the irony of a lot of the attacks on our slow process is that it exists to ensure integrity. It exists to insure that people are who they say they are, that they’re voting only once, that they are voting properly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Shirley Weber \u003c/strong>[00:07:37] It’s unfortunate that people don’t believe we count fast. We do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:07:38] You know, one of the biggest defenders of our election system has been the Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, who oversees this entire system. And she’s pretty bullish that what’s happening is working and it’s slow because election officials are being careful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Shirley Weber \u003c/strong>[00:07:53] You want to be fast or you want to be accurate? I prefer, I choose accurate. We’ll be accurate and fast at the same time, but, and we’re always looking at new ways that we can improve our system, but I’m not going to toss out accurate in order to be fast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:13] We’ll have more with KQED’s Marisa Lagos right after this break. By the way, if you like the deep dives into local news that we bring you here on the Bay, consider becoming a KQED member. We can’t do this work without you. Just go to donate.kqed.org/podcasts. We’ll be right back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:45] It sounds like we should all feel pretty confident then that we are getting the most accurate count possible, even though it’s slow. But I know your colleague, Guy Marzorati, talked with an election official in Yolo County about what it might take to speed up this process. What does he say about that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:09:06] Jesse Salinas is the registrar of voters in Yolo County. He’s also head of the state association representing county election officials around the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Salinas \u003c/strong>[00:09:15] There’s multiple layers of review to make sure that anybody whose vote is being counted has been vetted properly and verified.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:09:25] And Yolo County is obviously not the biggest county around, but Jesse Salinas says that essentially resources would really help.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Salinas \u003c/strong>[00:09:33] If I had more space, if I have more staff, and I had more equipment to scan, I could pick up some of the speed. So yes, that would happen, right? So there’s a capacity issue and a resource issue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:09:51] If the state or federal governments were willing to put more money into these county election offices, they could hire more staff. Maybe they could count ballots around the clock in the days after the election, not take a break, right? Because you can’t have people working like 24 hours a day. So, Jesse Salinas really feels like a lot of the pressure being put on county officials is not fair because we’ve essentially done everything we can to assure that more people can vote. But we haven’t actually given the government officials responsible for counting those votes enough resources to do so in a timely manner.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Salinas \u003c/strong>[00:10:26] People don’t understand why is it taking so long? Well, there’s a reason why. We’re not twiddling our thumbs. We are working hard every day for months and going into the election and, of course, on election night and then afterwards.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:45] On the one hand, Marisa, I feel like an, I mean, obviously I think everyone agrees that an accurate count and also increased voter access is a good thing. But on the other hand, this feels maybe not so good for voter confidence in our elections, especially at a time when the legitimacy of our elections are being questioned by Republicans. So how do I sort of make sense of that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:11:11] I mean, I think what’s wild about all of this is that prior to 2020, when President Trump started promoting these baseless election conspiracies, the people most likely to vote by mail were Republicans. California historically saw rural counties, places where people had to drive a long way to get to a voting center. They saw elderly or older, especially white voters. Be the most likely to vote absentee. And so, to me, I think that speaks to the sort of ridiculous nature of this. I also just, on a personal level, wanna underscore the counterfactuals here. I mean, going back to 2020, how is it that the president believes that there was a vast Democratic conspiracy to throw the election to Joe Biden, but to give Congress to Republicans, right? Click. I mean, I can go on, but we’ve seen this over and over where it’s very much cherry-picking not just individual elections, but individual races.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:12:15] And I guess looking ahead to November, if I may, I know the House majority is on the line. These are races that could control Congress. And I have to imagine we’re probably going to hear more of the same, if not more, of these sort of baseless claims of voter fraud over our count.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:12:33] I am incredibly concerned for what the president could try to do. You know, you see in Los Angeles, the U.S. Acting attorney there, Bill Essayli, a former Republican member of the state assembly saying that they’re, you know, investigating voting in L.A. And getting into a fight over what information the county will provide. We’ve seen the Department of Justice under President Trump go to blue states and try to demand voter rolls and other information. We all still remember the president’s threats that he could deploy National Guard troops or ICE agents. You know, look, there’s not the resources for them to have ICE agents at every polling place. But I think even the sort of whisper of those types of threats could deter people from participating, and that’s a threat. Every time this type of rhetoric is out there, it does undermine people’s beliefs and it sort of stratifies us further. So we can both reject these baseless theories and stand by our very hardworking election officials who are, by the way, from both parties. And we also can demand more from our largely Democratic leaders in this state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, San Francisco-Northern California Local.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>California still has lots of ballots left to count, more than one week after the primary. Republicans, including President Donald Trump, have seized on the slow count to spread conspiracy theories of election fraud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But what’s actually behind the holdup? KQED’s Marisa Lagos explains why California counts ballots so slowly, and what could help speed up the count.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"200\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=KQINC3430716356&light=true\" width=\"100%\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Links:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086054/ballots-are-all-in-but-california-election-results-could-take-weeks-to-settle-why\">Ballots Are All In, but California Election Results Could Take Weeks to Settle. Why?\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch3>Episode transcript\u003c/h3>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This is a computer-generated transcript. While our team has reviewed it, there may be errors.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:00:00] I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra and welcome to The Bay, local news to keep you rooted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:00:08] So it’s been more than a week since election day. And while many primary races have already been called, California’s still counting votes, and will be for a while. California is notoriously slow at counting ballots, making us an easy target for Republicans spreading conspiracies of election fraud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:00:33] This tremendous evidence is nothing but evidence. The election was rigged. It was a dirty election. And it’s happening again right now in California. It’s happening right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:00:48] But there’s actually a pretty clear explanation for the wait, including the fact that California has one of the most accessible election systems in the country.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:01:00] We have a number of policies that have been enacted that are really aimed at giving everybody every opportunity to vote that we can.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:01:11] Today, what’s behind California’s slow vote count and what it would take to speed it up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:01:25] Well, Marisa, am I trippin’ or are ballots taking a long time to count?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:01:30] You’re not trippin’, but they always kinda take a long time to count in California these days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:01:37] Marisa Lagos is a politics and government correspondent for KQED. She’s also co-host of the Political Breakdown podcast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:01:46] We are sitting here on Tuesday, a week out. So 7.7 million ballots have been processed so far, and there’s 1.7 billion left. So it’s not an insignificant number, but it’s the bulk of the ballots. And it’s, I think, out of line with what we’ve seen maybe in previous elections. What feels more urgent this year is we did have this messy governor’s race. And so there’s a lot of attention on it. And we were one of the only primaries last week. So I think there’s been a sort of outsized amount of attention and frustration at the slow count.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:02:25] And I guess, like, what effects are you seeing so far of this long count? I mean, like it’s this affecting confidence, for example, in our election process here in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:02:37] I’d say the long count does affect folks’ opinions of the election and their beliefs in the integrity of it, but I think the bigger factor is the president and other Republicans using it as a way to undercut confidence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:02:53] Four days, and they aren’t even close to coming up with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kristen Welker \u003c/strong>[00:02:56] That’s how they count the votes in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:02:57] You know why they’re doing that? Because they’re cheating on the election.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kristen Welker \u003c/strong>[00:02:59] Do you have evidence to support that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:03:01] All I have to do is look.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:03:03] President Trump has been attacking California’s election almost since the polls closed last Tuesday. He also had a pretty explosive interview with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press this weekend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:03:14] Do you think it’s appropriate that they have an election and five days later, they’re nowhere close to picking a winner?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kristen Welker \u003c/strong>[00:03:20] State and local officials acknowledge they are slow. They’re urging —\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:03:23] No, they are crooked. They’re crooked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Kristen Welker \u003c/strong>[00:03:25] — urging the votes to be counted quickly. That’s how they vote in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Donald Trump \u003c/strong>[00:03:27] They are crooked, just like you’re crooked, your press is crooked, and meet the press is crooked.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:03:32] I think if you didn’t have these attacks from folks up to and including President Trump, there probably wouldn’t be quite so much kind of consternation and concern.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:03:41] That’s one of the reasons why I think we wanted to talk to you about this, because I do think it is maybe worth just sort of unpacking for people, like how this count even happens. So why does California take so long to count its votes?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:03:57] I think there’s almost like three buckets of things here when we talk about delays. One is the policies that exist in California that send every voter a mail-in ballot that allow ballots to arrive within a week after election day, as long as they’re postmarked by then. And then there’s the resources, right? Just like, do county registrars have the money, the staff, the actual physical space? To do this counting quickly. And then there’s voter behavior. And I think that this election year, we’ve really seen that that has a big effect. What we did see this year based on tracking data analysis by some very smart people, smarter than me, is that Democrats were holding onto their ballots. It did seem like just the upheaval in the governor’s race, the sort of crowded nature of it, the exit of Eric Swalwell in April, the sudden rise of Xavier Becerra, all of that kind of contributed to this phenomenon of Democrats, progressives, I think in particular, waiting until the last minute. And so in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans two to one, that’s going to really slow down the process. And it’s also going to create what’s called a red mirage, where you had the sort of initial results look stronger for Republicans and conservative candidates than what the ultimate vote count is going to look like. And I think that combination of the large number of ballots coming in late, and so that kind of slowing down the count, plus that red mirages has given an opening to folks like President Trump to kind of call things into question.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:05:41] You mentioned a bunch of these policies that we have in California that are really about expanding voter access. So what exactly is the process of counting ballots in California given these policies?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:05:56] We, during the pandemic especially, really expanded mail-in voting. So essentially every voter gets a mail- in ballot now. In recent elections, we’ve seen up to 80% of people vote by mail, so that in itself can cause delays because when ballots are being processed, essentially, if you go in and vote in person, all the checks of security to make sure you’re the person you’re saying you are and your signature matches and your address is correct happens before they hand you the ballot. When you mail in the ballot, that happens on the back end. And so what you have is election officials with stacks and stacks and boxes and boxes where they have to go through one by one and essentially verify that each individual ballot is valid, then they have run it through the system. And in some cases, you also have situations where say a signature doesn’t match. And so in some counties, they might reach out to you and say, Hey, did you file this ballot? The fact that you the ballots can arrive to a week after election day, obviously. Do even more, you know, to extend that. Provisional ballots, people can go in and say, oh, you know, I missed the registration deadline or I missed my address changed, and they’re allowed to cast a ballot in person. But that ballot then on the back end also has to be verified. So, I mean, the irony of a lot of the attacks on our slow process is that it exists to ensure integrity. It exists to insure that people are who they say they are, that they’re voting only once, that they are voting properly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Shirley Weber \u003c/strong>[00:07:37] It’s unfortunate that people don’t believe we count fast. We do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:07:38] You know, one of the biggest defenders of our election system has been the Secretary of State, Shirley Weber, who oversees this entire system. And she’s pretty bullish that what’s happening is working and it’s slow because election officials are being careful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Shirley Weber \u003c/strong>[00:07:53] You want to be fast or you want to be accurate? I prefer, I choose accurate. We’ll be accurate and fast at the same time, but, and we’re always looking at new ways that we can improve our system, but I’m not going to toss out accurate in order to be fast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:13] We’ll have more with KQED’s Marisa Lagos right after this break. By the way, if you like the deep dives into local news that we bring you here on the Bay, consider becoming a KQED member. We can’t do this work without you. Just go to donate.kqed.org/podcasts. We’ll be right back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:08:45] It sounds like we should all feel pretty confident then that we are getting the most accurate count possible, even though it’s slow. But I know your colleague, Guy Marzorati, talked with an election official in Yolo County about what it might take to speed up this process. What does he say about that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:09:06] Jesse Salinas is the registrar of voters in Yolo County. He’s also head of the state association representing county election officials around the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Salinas \u003c/strong>[00:09:15] There’s multiple layers of review to make sure that anybody whose vote is being counted has been vetted properly and verified.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:09:25] And Yolo County is obviously not the biggest county around, but Jesse Salinas says that essentially resources would really help.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Salinas \u003c/strong>[00:09:33] If I had more space, if I have more staff, and I had more equipment to scan, I could pick up some of the speed. So yes, that would happen, right? So there’s a capacity issue and a resource issue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:09:51] If the state or federal governments were willing to put more money into these county election offices, they could hire more staff. Maybe they could count ballots around the clock in the days after the election, not take a break, right? Because you can’t have people working like 24 hours a day. So, Jesse Salinas really feels like a lot of the pressure being put on county officials is not fair because we’ve essentially done everything we can to assure that more people can vote. But we haven’t actually given the government officials responsible for counting those votes enough resources to do so in a timely manner.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jesse Salinas \u003c/strong>[00:10:26] People don’t understand why is it taking so long? Well, there’s a reason why. We’re not twiddling our thumbs. We are working hard every day for months and going into the election and, of course, on election night and then afterwards.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:10:45] On the one hand, Marisa, I feel like an, I mean, obviously I think everyone agrees that an accurate count and also increased voter access is a good thing. But on the other hand, this feels maybe not so good for voter confidence in our elections, especially at a time when the legitimacy of our elections are being questioned by Republicans. So how do I sort of make sense of that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:11:11] I mean, I think what’s wild about all of this is that prior to 2020, when President Trump started promoting these baseless election conspiracies, the people most likely to vote by mail were Republicans. California historically saw rural counties, places where people had to drive a long way to get to a voting center. They saw elderly or older, especially white voters. Be the most likely to vote absentee. And so, to me, I think that speaks to the sort of ridiculous nature of this. I also just, on a personal level, wanna underscore the counterfactuals here. I mean, going back to 2020, how is it that the president believes that there was a vast Democratic conspiracy to throw the election to Joe Biden, but to give Congress to Republicans, right? Click. I mean, I can go on, but we’ve seen this over and over where it’s very much cherry-picking not just individual elections, but individual races.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ericka Cruz Guevarra \u003c/strong>[00:12:15] And I guess looking ahead to November, if I may, I know the House majority is on the line. These are races that could control Congress. And I have to imagine we’re probably going to hear more of the same, if not more, of these sort of baseless claims of voter fraud over our count.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Marisa Lagos \u003c/strong>[00:12:33] I am incredibly concerned for what the president could try to do. You know, you see in Los Angeles, the U.S. Acting attorney there, Bill Essayli, a former Republican member of the state assembly saying that they’re, you know, investigating voting in L.A. And getting into a fight over what information the county will provide. We’ve seen the Department of Justice under President Trump go to blue states and try to demand voter rolls and other information. We all still remember the president’s threats that he could deploy National Guard troops or ICE agents. You know, look, there’s not the resources for them to have ICE agents at every polling place. But I think even the sort of whisper of those types of threats could deter people from participating, and that’s a threat. Every time this type of rhetoric is out there, it does undermine people’s beliefs and it sort of stratifies us further. So we can both reject these baseless theories and stand by our very hardworking election officials who are, by the way, from both parties. And we also can demand more from our largely Democratic leaders in this state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
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"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
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"order": 8
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},
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"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
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"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
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"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
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"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
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"order": 9
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"hidden-brain": {
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"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
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"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
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"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
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"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
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"order": 18
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"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
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},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
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},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
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"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
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"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
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},
"masters-of-scale": {
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"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
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"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
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"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
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