Best Local Bar Media Podcasts (2025)

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Masking Law Just Part Of Bigger Fight Over Immigration Enforcement 10:32

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5m ago10:32

10:32

California made national headlines last month when Governor Newsom signed a bill barring law enforcement officers from wearing masks -- a law aimed at immigration agents. Federal officials say they won’t comply. But the skirmish is about more than just masks. Reporter: Marisa Lagos, KQED New data suggests Fresno is a more prosperous city than it wa…

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Investigation Sheds New Light On What May Have Sparked Eaton Fire 10:27

21h ago10:27

10:27

By KQED

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Following Medicaid Cuts, Californians With Intellectual, Developmental Disabilities Face Uncertain Future 10:39

2d ago10:39

10:39

When President Donald Trump signed his sweeping policy bill this summer, it included $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, known here as Medi-Cal. The program is recognized for helping low-income people access health care, but it also funds services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Now, many Californians with disabilities fac…

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S34 EP5: Jesse James | Dirtbag Climber 40:35

2d ago40:35

40:35

By the summer of 2025, police have no new leads in the mystery of Jesse James’ murder. Our own investigation leads us to unanswered questions about buried gold and spiralling rumours of a lost crypto fortune. But who killed Jesse James? We'd love to hear from you! Complete our short listener survey here.…

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BETOOTA TALKS: Christian Welch 47:25

3d ago47:25

47:25

Former Melbourne Storm Captain and QLD origin winner Christian Welch joins Clancy and Wendell for a wide ranging chat delving into the highs and the lows of an NRL career. From premiership wins and losses, to opposing his own coach as the head of the players union, Welch's career is more interesting than your average prop forward, and he's here to …

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Is empathy toxic? 30:16

3d ago30:16

30:16

Society teaches us empathy is a good thing. But some are now saying the opposite, and science is complicating our assumptions too. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Olga Pankova/Getty Images. If you have a questi…

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New Movie Tells The Story Of Bus Driver Who Helped Students, Teachers Escape Camp Fire 10:28

5d ago10:28

10:28

The 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise remains California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire in history. The Northern California fire claimed the lives of 85 people. Now, a new movie depicts the real-life heroic escape of one local bus driver. Reporter: Claudia Brancart, North State Public Radio Yosemite National Park remains open during the governm…

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WEEKLY BULLETIN: Our Keith & Nicole, Sims Sold To Saudis, Q4 Begins & AFL Bans Meat Pies 13:46

5d ago13:46

13:46

Clancy Overell, Errol Parker and Unnamed Intern wrap up all the biggest stories from the week - live from the Desert Rock FM studio in downtown Betoota. Subscribe to the Betoota Newsletter HERE Betoota on Instagram Betoota on TikTok See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By The Betoota Advocate

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Joshua Tree National Park Nonprofit Concerned About Latest Government Shutdown 10:40

6d ago10:40

10:40

During the last federal government shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019, national parks here in California were greatly impacted. Some shut down completely, meaning a significant loss in potential revenue. Others remained open, but were not fully staffed. That includes Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. Vehicles drove off-road, causi…

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Dust Storms An Increasing Problem Around The Salton Sea 10:35

7d ago10:35

10:35

Around the Salton Sea, dust storms have become an increasing problem, sparking dozens of public health studies. But many Imperial Valley residents have grown weary of repeated studies that all basically say the same thing: that the air quality is bad and getting worse. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS National Parks are once again caught up in the middl…

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State Looks To Hire Thousands Of Year-Round Firefighters 10:39

8d ago10:39

10:39

What once was a fire season in California is now a fire year. As a result, the state is looking to combat increasing wildfires with funding for more year-round firefighters. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR California voters approved a $10 billion climate bond measure, last November. We're now getting a sense of where the first round of Prop 4 money …

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San Rafael RV Park Residents Fight To Keep Rent Affordable 10:30

9d ago10:30

10:30

In Marin County, rents are among the highest in the nation. There, a group of mobile home park residents are in a years-long fight to keep hold of one of the county’s few affordable options. They’re residents of the RV Park of San Rafael, where a property management company has been raising the rent, setting new rules and threatening residents with…

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S34 EP4: Spam King | Dirtbag Climber 41:50

9d ago41:50

41:50

With his dark political dreams in shambles, Davis Wolfgang Hawke capitalizes on his internet marketing skills and uses them to create a shady and lucrative spamming ring. But while spam is making him very wealthy, it’s also making him some powerful enemies. Can't wait for more? Binge all episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel at youtu…

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How To Talk About The NRL Grand Final When You Know Nothing About Sport 39:48

9d ago39:48

39:48

The NRL Grand Final is upon us once again, and it's the pride of Queensland, the Brisbane Broncos taking on a team that has had Queenslanders at its foundation from the very beginning, the Melbourne Storm. This podcast is a guide for anyone who wants to sound like a seasoned veteran of the game whilst watching the showdown on Sunday. See omnystudio…

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Who is the modern American dad? 29:27

10d ago29:27

29:27

Young men are more interested in becoming parents than young women are, and there's a growing number of single dads by choice. A look at modern fatherhood. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Thanks to Jonquilyn Hill for shari…

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NASA Mission, With Help From UC Berkeley, To Explore Earth's Exosphere 10:40

12d ago10:40

10:40

This week a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket launched from Florida – the mission? To study the outermost parts of the earth’s atmosphere. The mission is being steered by remote control from UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory. Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED A report out this week details major failures in LA County’s response to the January firestorms. R…

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WEEKLY BULLETIN: Tylenol, Bucks Party Contracts Autism, Big Hose Sculpture Cut & Snoop In Melbourne 11:19

12d ago11:19

11:19

Clancy Overell, Errol Parker and Unnamed Intern wrap up all the biggest stories from the week - live from the Desert Rock FM studio in downtown Betoota. Subscribe to the Betoota Newsletter HERE Betoota on Instagram Betoota on TikTok See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By The Betoota Advocate

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Healthcare Workers Look For Better Guidelines On How To Handle Immigration Encounters 10:49

13d ago10:49

10:49

Healthcare workers across Southern California are struggling to provide medical care to undocumented patients, without clear guidance on how to handle encounters with immigration agents. Medical workers want hospitals to improve guidelines and provide better training so they can protect patients and themselves.Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR A fed…

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Experts Concerned About Imagery, Language In ICE Recruitment Materials 10:45

14d ago10:45

10:45

As concerns continue to grow over ICE detention and enforcement in California, the agency is also ramping up its hiring efforts, as it aims to bring on 10,000 new agents by the end of the year. But some experts say the agency’s recruitment strategy is filled with white nationalist messages and imagery.Reporter: Gustavo Solis, KPBS After months of d…

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Car Owners Have Additional Tool To Find Out If They Can Recoup Money From Auctioned Vehicle 10:36

15d ago10:36

10:36

Did you know, if your car gets towed in California and sold because you didn’t claim it, you’re entitled to the profit? And if you don’t claim your money, the DMV gets to keep it. Reporter: Byrhonda Lyons, CalMatters A federal judge in San Francisco has ordered the Trump administration to restore 500 National Institutes of Health grants that it sus…

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Newsom Signs Bill Decreasing Cannabis Tax, Which Could Boost Struggling Industry 10:36

16d ago10:36

10:36

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law lowering state cannabis taxes from 19% to 15%. Pot companies say it will bring much needed relief to an overtaxed, overregulated industry. But youth groups who are funded by this tax say kids are being betrayed. Reporter: April Dembosky, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom signed a series of bills into law on Satur…

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S34 EP3: The Disappearing Nazi | Dirtbag Climber 33:41

16d ago33:41

33:41

Young Andrew Britt Greenbaum takes on a new identity and his white supremacist views bring him national attention. But the truth about his roots causes scandal and complicates his plans for a major event. Can't wait for more? Binge all episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CBCTrueCrime. For early and ad-free listening…

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BETOOTA TALKS: Tim Elliott tells the story of Darko ‘Dougie’ Desic 34:15

17d ago34:15

34:15

This week Betoota Talks is joined by award-winning journalist and author Tim Elliott to chat about a 30 year mystery. Elliot's new podcast series Jailbreak details the extraordinary story of Darko 'Dougie' Desic who evaded police for three decades despite living right under their nose. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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A nation of jerks 29:45

17d ago29:45

29:45

Americans seem to be getting ruder. Are our attempts at making ourselves better actually making us worse? This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch and Isabelle Lichtenstein, engineered by Matthew Billy and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image: Francesco Carta Fotografo/Getty Images. If you hav…

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Lawsuit Could Shake Up Tequila Industry 10:30

19d ago10:30

10:30

Tequila is produced exclusively in Mexico and has become a star in California's cocktail culture. More than 50 million cases of tequila were sold in the U.S. in 2023, with most of that consumed in the Golden State. And demand for tequila is growing faster than vodka, whiskey, and all other spirits combined. But this summer, several legal battles ha…

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WEEKLY BULLETIN: Party Abandons Only Popular Policy, Melbourne All Protests & Vapes, Riverboys Turn Up in TSITP + Beer Hacks 14:12

19d ago14:12

14:12

Clancy Overell, Errol Parker and Unnamed Intern wrap up all the biggest stories from the week - live from the Desert Rock FM studio in downtown Betoota. Subscribe to the Betoota Newsletter HERE Betoota on Instagram Betoota on TikTok See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By The Betoota Advocate

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Santa Cruz Couple Are Considered Celebrities At Local Karaoke Bar 10:36

20d ago10:36

10:36

Almost every night for nearly three decades in Santa Cruz, Bob and Patti Vasconcellos have gotten a little gussied up. They throw their walkers in the trunk and head to their local karaoke bar. Their performances have made them local celebrities. Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU California’s oil industry regulator is expecting gasoline prices to r…

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Valley Fever Cases Skyrocket in Salinas Valley 10:47

21d ago10:47

10:47

Santa Barbara Senator Monique Limón is set to become the leader of the California Senate this November, and a recent housing bill she authored is raising some eyebrows because it would keep CEQA requirements in place on one tiny plot of land in her district. Reporter: Ben Christopher, CalMatters As California experiences a record number of cases of…

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Santa Ana Police Called Out For Tactics Used During Protests 10:43

22d ago10:43

10:43

In the wake of George Floyd’s death and the protests that followed, California passed a law limiting the use of force against people exercising their First Amendment rights. An LAist investigation found that even when police departments appear to be breaking that law, the state doesn’t have a mechanism to actually enforce it. Reporter: Yusra Farzan…

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Central Valley Publisher Preserves Music Of Latin Jazz Artists 10:16

23d ago10:16

10:16

The world lost an icon when Latin jazz pioneer Eddie Palmieri died last month. His music lives on through recordings, but also through sheet music, thanks in part to a publisher in rural California. This pioneer has helped make the work of Palmieri and other Latin jazz artists available to the world, from his home office in Madera.Reporter: Kerry K…

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S34 E2: Highlander | Dirtbag Climber 32:50

23d ago32:50

32:50

Three years after his body is discovered, police finally learn the true identity of the murdered climber known as Jesse James. Their findings lead them to a childhood in Massachusetts and a youth marked by disturbing social and political beliefs. Can't wait for more? Binge all episodes early on the CBC True Crime YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CBC…

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BETOOTA TALKS: Sandra Sully 53:09

24d ago53:09

53:09

An icon of Australian tv news and one of Queensland’s greatest exports, Sandra Sully joins Betoota Talks this week to discuss her eventful career from Expo 88 to the Thredbo Disaster to 9/11. But did you know that she lives a double life as the Peter V’Landys of Australian field hockey? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Why horror kills at the box office 30:01

24d ago30:01

30:01

Hollywood has always made money from vampires and brain-eating zombies. But this year's a record-breaker thanks to sequels, hilariously unlikely creators, and pure thrills. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill…

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Carwash Workers Are Organizing Patrols To Watch for Immigration Sweeps 10:23

26d ago10:23

10:23

Shasta County's voter-approved plan to become a charter county has been delayed by over a year because local officials failed to file necessary paperwork with the state. Local officials say the paperwork was finally filed last month. Justin Higginbottom, Jefferson Public Radio A push to build an immigration detention facility at Travis Air Force Ba…

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WEEKLY BULLETIN: ATO Comes For G-Wagon Owners, Boyfriend's Wikipedia, Oscar Piastri & Fathers Day 13:31

26d ago13:31

13:31

Clancy Overell, Errol Parker and Unnamed Intern wrap up all the biggest stories from the week - live from the Desert Rock FM studio in downtown Betoota. Subscribe to the Betoota Newsletter HERE Betoota on Instagram Betoota on TikTok See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By The Betoota Advocate

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Latino Communities Contend with the Mental Health Toll of Increased Immigration Enforcement 10:47

27d ago10:47

10:47

Across Latino communities, the fear of arrest has become a part of daily life under stepped up immigration enforcement. Advocates say that constant stress is wearing on people's mental health.. And many are carrying the burden quietly. Reporter: Anthony Victoria, KVCR Gov. Gavin Newsom’s attempt to fast-track his administration’s proposal for a 45-…

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Trump Administration's Shift On Homelessness Leaves California In Limbo 10:43

28d ago10:43

10:43

For two decades, the nation’s solution to homelessness has been pretty straightforward: get people into housing. This approach is known as Housing First, and in California it’s even written into state law. But this summer, President Trump signed an executive order reversing this policy, turning a California mandate into a liability. Reporter: Vanes…

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Immigrant Advocates Vow To Continue Fight Despite Supreme Court Ruling 10:24

29d ago10:24

10:24

Immigrant communities across Southern California are once again on edge after the US Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s roving immigration sweeps can continue. There could be broad implications from Monday's ruling. Reporter: Wendy Fry, CalMatters Business owners in the Bay Area, and across the state, have been following the dramat…

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California's Aging Farm Labor Work Force Leaves Questions About The Future Of Agriculture 10:10

1M ago10:10

10:10

California’s farm labor force is aging and younger generations aren’t stepping in to fill those jobs. At the same time, agriculture itself is changing with new technology and immigration enforcement, leaving big questions about the future of the industry. Reporter: Madi Bolanos, The California Report John Burton, a towering figure in California pol…

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S34 EP1: Welcome to Squamish | Dirtbag Climber 34:32

1M ago34:32

34:32

June 2017, police arrive at the scene of a burned out vehicle on a quiet road in Squamish, BC. Their investigation turns grisly when they find the remains of a local rock climber inside the truck. But that’s only the beginning of a story filled with dozens of false identities and a sordid, complicated secret past. Can't wait for more? Binge all epi…

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BETOOTA TALKS: Danny Weidler Part 2 42:10

1M ago42:10

42:10

In the second part of our chat with veteran Rugby League journo Danny Weidler, we talk through the world of scandals from both players and journalists plus much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By The Betoota Advocate

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The United States is Southern now 30:10

1M ago30:10

30:10

From #rushtok to country music, American culture is getting more and more southern. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy and Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo of a Beyonce fan waiting to see her perform in LA by Rashida Zagon/For The Washin…

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Central Valley Coffee Shop Training The Next Baristas 10:36

1M ago10:36

10:36

Climate change and tariffs may be shaking up the coffee industry. But young people are still abuzz these days about specialty drinks like lattes and macchiatos. And a Merced coffee shop is even giving this industry a boost, by training more people to serve up the delicious drinks. Reporter: Rachel Livinal, KVPR Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles ha…

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WEEKLY BULLETIN: Reece Walsh Plumbing, Violent Protests, Vic Premier Calls on CFMEU & 3rd Gen Italian Pronounciations 12:47

1M ago12:47

12:47

Clancy Overell, Wendell Hussey and Errol Parker wrap up all the biggest stories from the week - live from the Desert Rock FM studio in downtown Betoota. Subscribe to the Betoota Newsletter HERE Betoota on Instagram Betoota on TikTok See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By The Betoota Advocate

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Debate Over Key Climate Change Program Continues In Sacramento 10:47

1M ago10:47

10:47

At the state capitol, negotiations are heating up over California's signature program to fight climate change. It's called cap and trade, and the state uses it to cap greenhouse gas emissions. But the program expires in 2030, and lawmakers are debating how to extend the program amid rising energy costs and concerns about the closure of oil refineri…