North Bay 101

Sonoma County's recent legal settlement over drone usage for alleged code enforcement is sparking larger conversations about privacy, local government oversight and the rapidly evolving technology in use by public agencies. Sonoma County's recent legal settlement over drone usage for alleged code enforcement is sparking larger conversations about privacy, local government oversight and the rapidly evolving technology in use by public agencies. This week on North Bay 101, we follow the details of a lawsuit, filed in part by the ACLU of Northern California, and what the settlement could mean for the future of surveillance technology across California. We also dig into the larger question: as drones become more common and more powerful, where should the line be drawn between enforcement and privacy? Episode Guests:   Emma Murphy, Government and Politics Reporter, The Press Democrat   Noah Abrams, Reporter, Northern California Public Media    Khari Johnson, Tech Reporter, CalMatters Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

This week, we look at plug-in solar, portable hydrants for saving potable water for firefighting, and this year’s early harvest season On the latest episode of the North Bay 101, we look at plug-in solar, portable hydrants for saving potable water for firefighting, and this year’s early harvest season.  Episode Guests:Laura Klivans, climate reporter at KQEDElizabeth Larson, editor & publisher of Lake County NewsSarah Doyle, wine reporter at the Press Democrat North Bay 101 is a weekly analysis of the top stories from California's North Bay region. Local reporters and editors from 5 surrounding counties take an in-depth look at the headlines shaping their region. New episodes of North Bay 101 are released every Friday on YouTube, major podcast platforms, and on KRCB 104.9, Sonoma County’s NPR Station. Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

Every school district in California is now required to adopt a policy restricting or banning student cellphone use on campus. Back-to-school season looks a little different in California this year. Every school district is now required to adopt a policy restricting or banning student cellphone use on campus. While the rules vary across districts, they're part of a growing effort to address concerns about classroom distractions, social media and student wellbeing. This week on North Bay 101, we explore how schools are navigating the shift. And what may shift as students spend less time on their phones and more time interacting face-to-face. Episode Guests:   Carolyn Jones: K-12 Education Reporter, CalMatters   Delilah Brumer: Metro Reporting Intern, San Francisco Chronicle   Andrea Correia: Principal, Piner High School, Santa Rosa City Schools   Dr. Frank Worrell: Professor of Education, UC Berkeley Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

Major changes to Medi-Cal could see 2 million Californians lose healthcare in the coming months. Major changes to Medi-Cal could see 2 million Californians lose healthcare in the coming months. Cal Matters Health Reporter Kristen Hwang has been looking closely at what it could mean for patients and hospitals. Swimmer and ocean conservation advocate Catherine Breed is on a journey to swim the entire length of the California Coast. She stopped in Bodega Bay to talk about the swim and marine stewardship action she hopes to inspire. And a “super” El Niño is here, what could happen, and what might it mean for the North Bay Area heading into this year’s winter months? We talk to KRCB News Director Greta Mart to learn more. Episode Guests:   Kristen Hwang - Cal Matters Health Reporter   Catherine Breed - Swimmer/Ocean Conservation Advocate   Greta Mart - KRCB News Director References:https://calmatters.org/health/2026/08/the-cut-medi-cal-ripple-effects/https://www.swimcalifornia.com/ Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

We explore what makes a downtown work and what creates that effortless energy that draws people to the heart of a city. Santa Rosa is launching Ross Street Live, a new downtown experiment that will bring food trucks, live music, markets and family activities to Ross Street. The goal is to give people more reasons to come downtown and more reasons to stay. This week on North Bay 101, we discuss the initiative and then dive into the bigger question underneath it. For decades, Santa Rosa leaders, business owners and residents have been trying to create a downtown that feels vibrant, connected and full of life, but an enduring formula has remained elusive. . From pedestrian-friendly streets and community events to identity, perception and the challenge of getting people to stay awhile, we explore what makes a downtown work and what creates that effortless energy that draws people to the heart of a city. Episode Guests:   Natalie Hanson: Reporter, The Press Democrat   Marie McCusker: Executive Director, Petaluma Downtown Association   Pauline Block: Chair, Santa Rosa Downtown Action Organization Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

  An investigation by ChicoSol found that Chico Police had been sharing automated license plate reader data with federal agencies, including ICE and Border Patrol, despite California laws restricting that practice. This week on North Bay 101, we examine what the discovery reveals about police surveillance, data privacy, and the evolving debate over how law enforcement technologies are being used across California. Plus, after two years of complaints about aircraft noise in western Sonoma County, residents noticed a surprising change during Bohemian Grove: the planes largely disappeared. We explore how flight paths were temporarily altered, why residents say it proves change is possible, and what the controversy reveals about who gets a say in decisions affecting local communities. Episode Guests:     Elias Myers: Reporter, ChicoSol     Ryan Sabalow: Digital Democracy Reporter, CalMatters     Anna Armstrong: Community Reporter, The Press Democrat Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

  Technology is making its way into North Bay vineyards, from autonomous robots to AI-powered tools. This week on North Bay 101, we explore what’s driving the push toward automation and what it means for the future of wine country.   We’ll examine how growers are using technology, automation and AI to tackle challenges in the vineyard, and what this shift could mean for labor, sustainability, and the next generation of wine production. Episode Guests:   Tina Caputo: Wine, Food, Beer and Travel Writer   Beatrix Scolari: Sustainability Manager, Bonterra Organic Estates   Dr. Chris Chen: Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, serving Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

Required by both state government and possibly, insurance companies, these North Bay home owners will be compelled to take proactive steps. The state of California is getting serious about making homes more resistant to wildfires. That means for homes located in certain designated zones, new laws about landscaping will soon apply. These North Bay home owners will be compelled to take proactive steps, required by both state government and possibly, insurance companies, to ensure nothing flammable is within the “zone zero,” of the home.  North Bay 101 is a weekly analysis of the top stories from California's North Bay region. Local reporters and editors from 5 surrounding counties take an in-depth look at the headlines shaping their region. New episodes of North Bay 101 are released every Friday on YouTube, major podcast platforms, and on KRCB 104.9, Sonoma County’s NPR Station. Episode Guests:   Danielle Venton, science reporter, KQED Science   Mimi Enright, program manager, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County. Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

National headlines about Cyclospora have raised questions about food safety across the country - but what does the outbreak actually mean for the North Bay? National headlines about Cyclospora have raised questions about food safety across the country - but what does the outbreak actually mean for the North Bay? This week on North Bay 101, KQED senior editor Carly Severin explains how Cyclospora spreads, why California isn't seeing the same surge as other states, and what residents should know to protect themselves. Plus, we examine new federal farmworker visa rules and hear from a local immigration attorney about how changing federal policies are affecting families in Sonoma County. Episode Guests:     Carly Severin, KQED Senior Editor     Natalie Hanson, Press Democrat Business Reporter     Shandra Back, KRCB News Reporter Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.

Did your phone recently sound the alarm to duck, cover, and hold on? We talk to an expert about why a recent earthquake had cell phones all over the Bay Area blaring a warning. We also speak to a Mendocino-based scientist about the forces behind one of the biggest earthquakes to hit the North Bay in decades. Did your phone recently sound the alarm to duck, cover, and hold on? We talk to an expert about why a recent earthquake had cell phones all over the Bay Area blaring a warning. We also speak to a Mendocino-based scientist about the forces behind one of the biggest earthquakes to hit the North Bay in decades. North Bay 101 is a weekly analysis of the top stories from California's North Bay region. Local reporters and editors from 5 surrounding counties take an in-depth look at the headlines shaping their region. New episodes of North Bay 101 are released every Friday on YouTube, major podcast platforms, and on KRCB 104.9, Sonoma County’s NPR Station. Episode Guests:     Art Baderell, Warning Specialist, Retired, California Office of Emergency Services     Rowena Forest, Physical Geographer, Cal Geographic: Rowena Forest is a physical geographer and science writer at Cal Geographic. To follow her in-depth explorations and investigations of California’s living landscapes, and for upcoming field trips please visit CalGeographic.com and subscribe to the newsletter for updates. Looking for more North Bay News? Download the NorCal Public Media App to your device for access to the latest news, podcasts episodes, and our KRCB 104.9 FM livestream.