Best Mussel Podcasts (2025)

Opposition to CA’s Redistricting Special Election It’s official. On Nov. 4th, voters will decide whether to redraw California’s congressional maps, with the hopes of giving Democrats an edge in the 2026 midterms. Democrats at the state legislature approved the special election which, Gov. Gavin Newsom says, is retaliation against Texas lawmakers re…

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Mussel Beach (First 5 Minutes) 8:06

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12d ago8:06

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***This is the first 5 minutes of Mussel Beach, full episode available in link at the bottom of this description*** Eric Musselman, 60, is the head men's basketball coach at the University of Southern California. A native of Ashland, Ohio, and the son of longtime coach Bill Musselman, Eric arrived in Los Angeles after five successful seasons at Ark…

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Central Valley Coffee Shop Training The Next Baristas 10:36

2d ago10:36

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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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PFAS consumption advisory, Ironwood murals, reversing overdoses 6:52

7h ago6:52

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WXPR News for 9-5-25By John Burton

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Bill to Limit Child Sex Abuse Survivors Ability to Sue | Longtime Politician John Burton’s Legacy | UC Davis Professor’s Book ‘Food Fight’

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Bill to Limit Child Sex Abuse Survivors Ability to Sue In 2019, California lifted the statute of limitations to file child sex abuse lawsuits. Since then, thousands have poured in, with settlements that have strained local agencies. One of the most costly examples is Los Angeles County agreeing to a $4 billion settlement to resolve 6,800 sexual abu…

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

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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…

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Research funding at risk, Governor's back-to-school swing, Wausau Ethics Board 6:15

24h ago6:15

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WXPR News for 9-2-25By John Burton

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Glenn County Loses Lone ER Hospital | Sac State Hornet’s Editor-in-Chief | Inaugural ‘Sacramento Science on Tap’

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Glenn County Loses Lone ER Hospital Glenn County is losing its only emergency room. Located about 90 miles north of Sacramento, Glenn Medical Center has operated in Willows for 75 years. It announced that ER and hospital services will close on Oct. 21, after a federal agency removed its “critical access” designation, reducing the Medicare funding i…

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Sonoma Wineries Prepare For Possible Impacts from Immigration Enforcement 10:23

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The federal budget allocated a record-setting $170 billion for immigration enforcement. The money is set to go toward expanding detention facilities and hiring new agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. After pledging in June to protect the agriculture industry from crackdowns, President Trump reversed course a few days later. Now, as Cali…

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Coffee tariff local impacts, name released in crash, pine cone collection 5:56

2d ago5:56

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WXPR News for 9-3-25By John Burton

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Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen | Placer County’s Wine Scene | Sacramento Artist Designs World Cup Poster

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Modesto Mayor Sue Zwahlen The Stanislaus County sports scene is changing. This weekend, the Modesto Nuts played their final home games at John Thurman Field, bringing nearly 80 years of baseball in the city to a close. And last month, the city council approved a site for a potential new professional soccer stadium in downtown Modesto. Mayor Sue Zwa…

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Volunteers Help Monitor For ICE Activity Near Where Day Laborers Gather 10:31

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Hundreds of volunteers in California are getting up early in the morning to stand at corners where day laborers wait for jobs. The goal? To watch out for ICE. Reporter: Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a new taskforce to clear homeless encampments in California. Reporter: Marisa Kendall, CalMatters Learn more about yo…

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Rhinelander school construction, backpack troubles, wild rice outlook 6:11

3d ago6:11

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WXPR News for 9-2-25By John Burton

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Bucky Ball (First 10 Minutes) 10:52

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***This is the first 10 minutes of Bucky Ball, full episode available in link at the bottom of this description*** Bucky McMillan, 42, is the head men’s basketball coach at Texas A&M University. A Birmingham native and graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, McMillan arrived on the college scene in 2020 when Samford University hired him out of nea…

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Dolores Huerta On The State Of Worker's Rights In California 10:38

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On this Labor Day, we're taking a closer look at the labor force here in California. With increased immigration enforcement from the Trump administration, the state of the immigrant workforce has perhaps never been more in flux. Guest: Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder of United Farm Workers, President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation Learn more about you…

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Deadly motorcycle crash, help starting a business, new sketches to try to identify body 6:20

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WXPR News for 9-1-25By John Burton

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Modesto Loses Its Longtime Minor League Baseball Team 11:14

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Minor league baseball has a rich history in California, going back more than a century. But minor league baseball is changing. Like other professional sports, it has become a big-money game, attracting owners looking to cash in on rising team values. One Central Valley city is witnessing what that big-money game looks like firsthand, as its longtim…

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Price County crash, Habitat home completed, holiday weekend boating 6:49

7d ago6:49

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WXPR News for 8-29-25By John Burton

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Architect Behind CA’s Redistricting Maps | AI Issues in College Classrooms | Coco Lamarr Brings The Winehouse Revival to Life

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Architect Behind CA’s Redistricting Maps A gerrymandering fight has been dominating the political world. California is having a special election on Nov. 4 to decide whether to redraw congressional maps, in response to Texas Republicans trying to maintain a House majority in the upcoming 2026 midterm. We’ll sit down with the architect behind Califor…

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What Newsom's Approach To Battling Trump Might Mean For Political Aspirations 10:42

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California Governor Gavin Newsom is making national waves as he takes on President Donald Trump -- on social media and, soon, at the ballot box, with an initiative that would redraw congressional districts to give Democrats more seats in the House of Representatives. What does all this mean for the famously ambitious politician? Reporter: Marisa La…

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Keeping kids fed, ATV/UTV safety focus, supporting first responders 5:28

8d ago5:28

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WXPR News for 8-28-25By John Burton

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Apple Hill Opening Season | New Bill to Control CA’s Invasive Swans | ‘In a Nutshell’ Storytelling at The Sofia

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Apple Hill Opening Season Labor Day Weekend is the official start of the season for Apple Hill. The prime growing region located along Highway 50 in El Dorado County is known for more than just apples. Today on Insight, we’ll talk with three farmers involved with the Apple Hill Growers Association - Chris Delfino, Delfino Farms and Edio Vineyards; …

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North State Voters Brace For Changes With Possible Redistricting On The Horizon 10:40

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In rural Northern California, voters represented by Republican Congressman Doug LaMalfa are bracing for big changes. A proposed congressional map on the November ballot would shift them into a more Democratic-leaning territory. Reporter: Izzy Bloom, KQED Some foreign dissidents in California say they need law enforcement help when the governments t…

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The Playbook to Fight Wildfires' Unseen Threat to Tap Water 10:42

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The Tubbs Fire that struck the North Bay in 2017 shed light on an unseen threat that wildfires pose to clean water supplies; and a civil engineering professor out of Indiana has devised the playbook that utilities rely on to address the contamination. As the redistricting battle heats up between California and Texas, Republican legislators in the G…

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Support for CA Redistricting | ‘The School of Freedom’ Teaches Afghan Girls | Helping Children After Wildfires

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Support for CA Redistricting In 10 weeks, on Nov. 4, voters will make a decision to temporarily bypass California’s independent redistricting commission to redraw the state’s congressional maps as a counterbalance to Texas Republicans redrawing its maps to gain an advantage in the 2026 midterm. A move that has sparked heated debate. This is an ongo…

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Adolescent recovery center, homeowner saved from fire, missing man dead 6:33

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WXPR News for 8-26-25By John Burton

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California Heads Into Uncharted Territory With Redistrict Vote 10:42

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State Lawmakers have paved the way for Governor Newsom's redistricting plan to go before voters on a November ballot, but not all voters are sold on the idea of taking a partisan approach to draw up California's district map--even if Texas plans to do the same in an attempt to tip the mid-term elections in the GOP's favor. Some worry the move would…

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Promoting healthy eating, Oconto County measles, rural lawyer shortage 6:30

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WXPR News for 8-25-25By John Burton

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The Forbes List (First 10 Minutes) 20:12

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***This is the first 10 minutes of The Forbes List, full episode available in link at the bottom of this description*** Steve Forbes, 60, the head men’s basketball coach at Wake Forest University. A native of Lone Tree, Iowa, and a graduate of Southern Arkansas University, Forbes arrived in Winston‑Salem on April 30, 2020 during the throes of COVID…

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Hikers Can Walk Among Grazing Cattle At New Coastal National Monument 10:39

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A stunning national monument just opened to the public in Santa Cruz County. It’s called Cotoni-Coast Dairies. It's opening was delayed due to the pandemic, neighbors’ fears over traffic, and figuring out how to keep a herd of nearly 100 cows that graze there away from hikers and bikers. Reporter: Jerimiah Oetting California voters will decide this…

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Tribal Nations stay ready for emergencies, Wausau Fire drug thefts, food pantry needs 6:29

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WXPR News for 8-22-25By John Burton

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Two Recent In Custody Deaths Increase Scrutiny Over San Diego Jails 10:50

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San Diego County’s jail system is facing new scrutiny in a class action lawsuit that challenges nearly every aspect of daily operations. The case centers on years of reported neglect inside the jails, where at least 250 people have died since 2006. A hearing had been set for Thursday, on whether evidence from two recent jailhouse deaths can be used…

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ICE Raid Impacts on AAPI Community | ‘As You Like It’ | Amador County Arts Council

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ICE Raid Impacts on AAPI Community ICE raids and detentions have stricken fear into immigrants and refugees across the country. This enforcement has largely targeted Latinos, but Asian Americans have also been swept up in ongoing federal crackdowns. Local AAPI leaders have reported less visible, smaller raids impacting their community. This week, t…

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Child care funding, Antigo shooter training, wakesurfing impacts 6:32

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WXPR News for 8-21-25By John Burton

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Heat Wave Brings Dangerously Hot Conditions, Increased Fire Risk 10:33

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It's heating up here in California! From the deserts of Southern California to the foothills of the Sierra and parts of the Bay Area, we’re looking at triple-digit temperatures and dangerous fire weather through the weekend. Reporter: Billy Cruz, The California Report It's the first few weeks of school and for some families, the usual back-to-schoo…

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Big Basin Redwoods Recovery | Placerville Community Observatory | 'Eleanor Rigby' Comes to Life On Sac Stage

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Big Basin Redwoods Recovery Big Basin Redwoods is the oldest state park in California. It’s home to some of the oldest trees on the planet - ancient coastal redwoods - and it was nearly destroyed by the CZU Lightning Complex fire five years ago. California State Parks Director Armando Quintero joins us to talk about the park’s recovery process and …

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Back to school supplies, LDF road easement fee dispute, Oneida County child care survey 6:05

16d ago6:05

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WXPR News for 8-20-25By John Burton

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COVID and Valley Fever Updates | Sacramento Republic Stadium Breaks Ground | Jazz Guitarist Ross Hammond

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COVID and Valley Fever Updates If you’ve been feeling under the weather, you’re not alone. The latest variant of COVID-19 has been on the rise across the Southwest, with the CDC reporting the highest rates in the country. Dr. Dean Blumberg is the Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Health. With back-to-school in full swing, we’ll hon…

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Sonoma County Wineries Have Mixed Feelings On Wine Improvement District Plan 10:38

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In Sonoma County, leaders in the wine industry are floating the idea of a Wine Improvement District. Under the proposed plan, consumers would pay 1 to 2 percent more for tasting room visits, wine club memberships within California, and every bottle purchased at a local winery. Supporters say the plan would provide much-needed collective marketing d…

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Northwoods tourism, Rhinelander deer hunt, Line 5 pipeline 6:25

17d ago6:25

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WXPR News for 8-19-25By John Burton

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What to Know About CA Dems Redistricting Push | Councilmember Talamantes on Natomas Development | Author Shelley Blanton-Stroud’s New Novel

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What to Know About CA Dems Redistricting Push Last week, the fight over California’s redistricting plans entered a new stage after Governor Gavin Newsom released a new congressional map that could flip five Republican-held seats in next year’s midterm election. Democratic state lawmakers are looking to pass a measure this week to have the new map g…

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Imperial County Tries To Save Sugar Beet Industry 10:35

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The Imperial Valley has been growing sugar beets for more than a century. But this summer's harvest could be the region's last. The valley's only sugar beet factory is shutting down, threatening hundreds of jobs and one of its staple crops. Reporter: Kori Suzuki, KPBS San Diego Unified School District officials are condemning the recent arrest of a…

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Lincoln County invasive species, Woodruff stabbing suspect, ATV and UTV crash trends 6:08

18d ago6:08

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WXPR News for 8-18-25By John Burton

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Radio Stations Serving Indigenous Communities Face Challenges From Federal Cuts 10:28

24d ago10:28

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When Congress passed a budget bill that clawed back more than a billion dollars in federal funding for public media, radio stations across the country were put on notice. With the lack of funding, many have already laid off staff, and many smaller stations in rural areas are at risk of closing for good. That includes stations in the western United …

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Climate and insect diseases, work zone safety, wildfire smoke politics 6:26

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WXPR News for 8-15-25By John Burton

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Heat-Related Deaths For Farmworkers Persist And Employers Often Avoid Consequences 10:36

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This month marks 20 years since California implemented rules meant to protect workers from the heat amid a series of farm worker deaths. But two decades later, many employers still don't provide workers with the protections they're owed, enforcement is generally lax, climate change has brought more severe heat waves, and workers continue to die. Gu…

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New forensic lab, back to school safety, Social Security in Wisconsin 5:22

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WXPR News for 8-14-25By John Burton

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Inside the 2025 Responsible Seafood Summit in Cartagena, Colombia 25:29

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Responsible Seafood Summit - REGISTER NOW Responsible Seafood Summit - AGENDA Email the Summit team - [email protected] * Episode Clarification: Oceanariums are not always located directly in the ocean. While many oceanariums are situated near the coast and utilize natural seawater, some are located inland and rely on transported seawater or…

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CA’s Transportation Landscape | Rewilding Sacramento Updates | Urban Dreams Art Experience

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CA’s Transportation Landscape California is an undisputed leader in clean transportation, leading the nation in adopting innovations such as electric vehicles and protected bike lanes. Now, some of these green modes of transportation are getting a lot more popular, while others have become more controversial, such as the state’s embattled High Spee…