6+ mon, 1+ week ago (379+ words) By now you've heard about the threats from the federal government to "defund" America's public broadcasting stations. From this month's executive order to block funding for NPR and PBS, to a ... KVPR and federal funding cuts It's time to stand up for public radio. Here's what you can do. By now you've heard about the threats from the federal government to "defund" America's public broadcasting stations. From this month's executive order to block funding for NPR and PBS, to a threatened "claw back" of already approved funding for local stations like KVPR, there are threats on multiple fronts. It's truly a challenging moment for local public radio stations like KVPR. Uncertainty is in the air, and we're doing all we can to be ready for any scenario. KVPR's General Manager Joe Moore was recently in Washington meeting with elected leaders…...

5+ mon, 5+ day ago (156+ words) Reducing government spending has been a hallmark of President Trump's second term in office. On today's episode, KVPR President and General Manager Joe Moore discusses what the station stands to lose if funding cuts are approved against the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Plus, the latest news headlines: A state bill seeks to protect doctors who prescribe abortion medication; and Fresno County goes after illegal dog and cat breeders. June 25: Public Media Funding Is At Risk Of Major Cuts. What That Means For KVPR Reducing government spending has been a hallmark of President Trump's second term in office. On today's episode, KVPR President and General Manager Joe Moore discusses what the station stands to lose if funding cuts are approved against the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Plus, the latest news headlines: A state bill seeks to protect doctors who prescribe abortion…...

4+ mon, 1+ week ago (367+ words) KVPR's President and General Manager Joe Moore issued the following statement following the rescission vote: "Last night's action in Congress only strengthens the resolve of KVPR 89.3 and 89.1 to ... KVPR responds to the elimination of federal funding for public broadcasting The U.S. House of Representatives has approved President Trump's rescission package that eliminates $1.1 billion in federal funding over two years for America's public radio and television stations. For KVPR, the loss of funding amounts to around $175,000 for the fiscal year that begins October 1, 2025, or around 7 percent of the station's overall revenue. While KVPR is working to raise private financial support to offset the loss in funding, rescission could result in cuts to KVPR's programming, local coverage and operations. KVPR's President and General Manager Joe Moore issued the following statement following the rescission vote: "Last night's action in Congress only strengthens the resolve…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago (247+ words) The Trump administration is moving forward with its plan to defund public broadcasting. Here's what you can do. Public broadcasting is at risk. What it means for KVPR. The following is a letter to listeners from KVPR President and General Manager Joe Moore: After a raucous House DOGE subcommittee hearing where chair Marjorie Taylor Greene called NPR and PBS stations "Anti-American" and "Communist," the White House is reportedly moving forward with President Trump's pledge to defund America's public radio and television stations. Beginning on April 14, multiple media reports have indicated that the Trump administration is preparing to use a procedure known as "rescission" to request Congress repeal existing funding for The Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This proposed new action represents a real threat to KVPR and all public broadcasting outlets. Once the memo is formally introduced to Congress, a vote…...

5+ mon, 3+ week ago (236+ words) While last month's Executive Order targeted NPR and the editorial independence of stations, this week's action is a direct threat to the funding of local stations. And while the legality of the executive order is in doubt, rescission is a much more serious action. We expect that the vote in both the House and Senate will be especially close. Given these margins, our local representatives could play a critical role in determining the fate of public broadcasting funding. We encourage listeners to call their local representatives offices and tell them your thoughts on public media funding. U.S. House of Representatives:CA-5: Tom McClintock - (202) 225-2511CA-13: Adam Gray - (202) 225-1947CA-20: Vince Fong - (202) 225-2915CA-21: Jim Costa - (202) 225-3341CA-22: David Valadao - (202) 225-4695 U.S. Senators:Senator Alex Padilla - (202) 224-3553Senator Adam Schiff - (202) 224-3841 Second, you can support the work of KVPR with your donation. We had already planned this week's fund drive months ago, but the need…...

3+ mon, 4+ day ago (368+ words) Three San Joaquin Valley hospitals " one in Fresno, one in Modesto and one in Bakersfield " received the lowest scores among 20 hospitals in the region in annual ratings issued this month by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Downtown Fresno's 685-bed Community Regional Medical Center, the 394-bed Doctors Medical Center in Modesto and Bakersfield's 253-bed Adventist Health Bakersfield each got one-star ratings for overall hospital quality from the federal agency also known as CMS. They were among 31 hospitals across California and 229 nationwide named in the lowest tier of CMS' five-star rating system for overall hospital quality. No Valley hospitals received the top-level five-star rating. But five medical centers earned four stars, the second-highest tier: Three-star hospitals in the CMS ratings are: The star ratings are based on an analysis of 45 hospital quality measures in five broad categories including mortality, safety…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (459+ words) FRESNO, Calif. " New data suggest Fresno is a more prosperous city than it was 12 years ago. The analysis, released this week by the non-profit Central Valley Community Foundation, shows Fresno has made measurable economic progress since 2013 " particularly when it comes to economic inclusion and racial inclusion, which measure how low-income people and people of color benefit from economic growth. The data show that, among the largest U.S. cities, Fresno climbed 33 places in a ranking of economic inclusion, and 62 places in a ranking of racial inclusion. The data also show an increase in employment rates and a significant drop in concentrated poverty " in a city that's long reported lower incomes and higher unemployment than the state average. "It's the first time in my career I can ever remember that we're seeing such positive momentum," said foundation President & CEO Ashley Swearengin, who is…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago (1202+ words) The war in Ukraine is now largely being fought with drones. Ukraine made 2 million last year. Drone makers churn them out in factories and mom-and-pop operations like one in a Kyiv basement apartment. KYIV, Ukraine " In the courtyard of a group of ordinary-looking Kyiv apartment blocks, a stairway leads down to a small basement apartment. Three big dogs run out into the hallway when newcomers arrive. Inside a main room, three people sit hunched over desks. Around them, tables are laden with parts and small hand tools like pliers and tweezers. Boxes of tiny plastic propellers sit on the floor and wall shelves are stacked with carbon-fiber frames. " This is the workshop for a secret drone-making operation. It turns out about 100 attack drones for Ukraine's military every month. Andrii Yukhno, who supervises this operation, reaches up to close one of…...

11+ mon, 6+ day ago (960+ words) NEAR POKROVSK, Ukraine " In a small town outside Pokrovsk, a city in eastern Ukraine under siege by Russia, a soldier guides an armored vehicle down a muddy, snow-swept lane. In the early winter darkness, lights flash on the horizon as the two armies trade artillery fire. In the driveway of a rundown house, two soldiers work quickly under the glow of headlamps, loading weapons from a shed into the back of a battered truck. "They're going to take one of our drones into the field," says a 35-year-old military technician named Yurii. The strategic coal-mining city and transportation hub is partially encircled by a much larger force of Russian infantry and artillery. Fighting here began last spring and it's been bitter and costly to both sides. But so far Ukrainian defenders have been able to hold out, in part because…...

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (667+ words) U.S. Attorneys allege Community Health System and a technology company paid "extravagant" benefits, including bonuses, meals and technology discounts, to doctors who referred patients to their facilities. FRESNO, Calif. " A Fresno-based healthcare organization will pay $32 million dollars to the federal government over allegations it committed fraud with its physicians. Community Health System settled the case along with its affiliated medical group, Physician Network Advantage Inc., on Wednesday. The hospital operator owns four hospital facilities in Fresno County, including Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno and Clovis Community Medical Center. Physician Network Advantage is a healthcare technology company funded by Community Health System that provides the electronic medical records system used by its hospitals. U.S. Attorneys allege the hospital system and technology company paid "extravagant" benefits, including bonuses, meals and technology discounts, to doctors who referred patients to their facilities. For example,…...