KVMR News

Al Stahler Explores: Nisenan Heritage Day

This upcoming Saturday is Nisenan Heritage Day. It celebrates the Nisenan people who have resided in the Sierra foothills for thousands of years. KVMR’s Al Stahler speaks with Nisenan spokesperson, Shelly Covert, about what the day represents, and Nisenan culture and history in its whole.

Evening News - Tue October 31st, 2023

Downtown Nevada City was bustling this evening due to the annual Nevada City Halloween Spooktacular Event, which took place from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. The event provided families with a fun, safe trick or treating experience while helping to support local businesses. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça took to the streets to bring the trick or treaters to us in the form of a sound collage. In California, an increasing number of college students are choosing to commute to Tijuana to obta...

Evening News - Mon October 30th, 2023

The countdown to Halloween is on and we have intel from Nevada County’s Public Information Officer on what trick-or-treaters should be sure not to miss. The KVMR News Desk has some big changes on the horizon.  Stick around to hear from News Director Cláudio Mendonça on the future of your local news room.  Tonight’s California Report looks at responses to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza through the perspective of Californians.  And National Native News follows a viral sensation in a tin...

Evening News - Fri October 27th, 2023

KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça speaks to Nevada County’s Office of Emergency Services Program Manager about how residents should prepare for this weekend’s Red Flag Warning. Then the KVMR News team asks just what “prescribed fire season” entails. Listen in for details on preparedness and prevention efforts from the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team. And in a kick-off to the Halloween weekend, The California Report brings us along on a spooky stroll down Horror Row.

Evening News - Thu October 26th, 2023

Since 2008, NEO has provided young people, aged 11-18, with a fun and safe place to spend their time after school. Now, its parent organization, Bright Futures For Youth, is celebrating the grand opening of its brand new Neo Youth Center. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça visits the site and speaks with  executive director Jennifer Singer to learn more. A rural town in Riverside County is facing an unusual new challenge: packs of aggressive stray dogs that are killing dozens of l...

New NEO Youth Center Is Bigger And Better

Since 2008, NEO has provided young people, aged 11-18, with a fun and safe place to spend their time after school. Now its parent organization, Bright Futures For Youth, is celebrating the grand opening of its brand new Neo Youth Center. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça visits the site and speaks with  executive director Jennifer Singer to learn more.

Molly Fisk - Witnessing

Molly Fisk writes, coaches, and teaches writing in California's Sierra Nevada foothills.

Evening News - Wed October 25th, 2023

Each year, United Way of Nevada County holds their Project Warmth program, distributing new or gently used winter clothing items like coats, hats, gloves, and scarves throughout the community for Nevada County residents in need. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça speaks with Louise Reed, United Way of Nevada County’s executive director, to learn more. Teachers from the Fresno Unified School District, which happens to be California's third largest public school system, have voted t...

United Way Of Nevada County's Project Warmth Returns For Another Year's Winter

Each year, United Way of Nevada County holds their Project Warmth program, distributing new or gently used winter clothing items like coats, hats, gloves, and scarves throughout the community for Nevada County residents in need.  KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça spoke with Louise Reed, United Way of Nevada County’s executive director, to learn more.

Al Stahler Explores: Fuel Reduction

The presence of fire in the forest isn’t new.  Before the 1800s, millions of acres burned in California every year. That was before European settlers chose to outlaw fires set by Native Americans. Unfortunately, this lack of fire has created new problems, one of which being an excess of fuels and debris in our forests. KVMR’s Al Stahler speaks with Rita Clipperton, a prescribed fire and fuel specialist with the Tahoe National Forest service, about a number of fuel reduction tactics...

Evening News - Tue October 24th, 2023

After local news and weather, Gary Zimmerman joins KVMR News Director, Cláudio Mendonça, to talk about what we might expect from the soon-to-be-released Third Quarter Gross Domestic Product data in another installment of The Economic Report. Mountain lions are one of the state’s largest native predators – but have you ever wondered just how many of them live here? The California Report brings us the news of a recently discovered estimate, as well as potential causes and solutions f...

Evening News - Mon October 23rd, 2023

A chunk of Nevada County residents have yet to weigh in on the area’s future. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça tells us who, and how this group can ensure their opinions are incorporated during county planning.  Farming towns in the Central Valley always have water front of mind. But supply, access, and management are in constant question. The California Report looks at innovative strategies to tackle these shaky variables. National Native News tags along with US Secretary of th...

Evening News - Wed October 18th, 2023

KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça talks with youth advocate, DJ, and KVMRx program director, Jai Hanes, about a new local initiative of his called P.E.A.C.E. Class.  The Environmental Protection Agency ​​has forgiven pollution events in over a dozen California counties, and some local regulators are using this forgiveness to reach air quality goals. The California Report has the details. That’s all before Al Stahler brings us another installment of Al Stahler Explores; this time,...

P.E.A.C.E. Class

KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça talks with youth advocate, DJ, and KVMRx program director, Jai Hanes, about a new local initiative of his called P.E.A.C.E. Class. 

Al Stahler Explores: Antimatter

About a century ago, it was discovered that mirror images could be made of matter – almost exactly like ordinary matter, but mirrored and, therefore, slightly different. Today, we have a name for it: it’s called antimatter. KVMR’s Al Stahler covers the concept of antimatter in its whole in this installment of Al Stahler Explores.

Evening News - Tue October 17th, 2023

The Grass Valley City Council has been taking active steps in their efforts to build wildfire preparedness in Nevada County. KVMR News Director, Cláudio Mendonça, brings us the details from YubaNet.  State education officials say that, next year, they plan to introduce legislation to fund educator development that may help improve student performance. The California Report has the story. Then, after a look at local news and weather, the California News Service brings us the latest...

Evening News - Mon October 16th, 2023

On tonight's newscast KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça stops by to give us an overview of the potential fire resiliency and vegetation management sales tax that the Grass Valley City Council is holding a special meeting on tonight. The council will review and possibly approve a draft expenditure plan at this evening’s meeting. National Native News reports on a court case many speculate will make its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The California Report covers phase one of Governor...

Evening News - Fri October 13th, 2023

Kelley Rees speaks to Crystal Blu Jennings from the Nevada County Bear River Library in a special Friday the 13th edition of "Whatcha Reading?" The two discuss the library's Horror and Speculative Fiction Book Club, what Nevada County readers are clamoring to get their hands on this fall, and upcoming library events perfect for the Halloween season. Crystal, whose favorite genre is horror, gives us her top picks for spooky reads this October. The California Report shares two storie...

Whatcha Reading? - Crystal Blu Jennings, Supervisor for the Bear River and Grass Valley branches of the Nevada County Library

Kelley Rees speaks to Crystal Blu Jennings from the Nevada County Bear River Library in a special Friday the 13th edition of Whatcha Reading? They discuss the library's Horror and Speculative Fiction Book Club, what Nevada County readers are clamoring to get their hands on this fall, and upcoming library events perfect for the Halloween season.  Crystal, whose favorite genre is horror - gives us her top picks for spooky reads this October.

Morning Update - A 3/8 Percent Tax Increase May Be On The November 2024 Ballot For Grass Valley Voters

Evening News - Thu October 12th, 2023

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th – after a look at local news and weather, KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça takes to the streets of Nevada County to learn about how superstitious our community really is.  Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that extends a state law making it easier to build affordable housing in California cities that have failed to meet state housing goals. The California Report has the details. We close with an essay by Molly Fisk.

Molly Fisk - Here We Are

Molly Fisk writes, coaches, and teaches writing in California's Sierra Nevada foothills.

Morning Update - Survey Says?

Evening News - Wed October 11th, 2023

This month, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors is asking residents to complete an online survey. It asks for input on Nevada County, spanning a wide range of topics, from things like economic opportunity to cannabis to wildfire prevention. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça speaks with Lisa Renner, the county’s Interim Public Information Officer, to learn about how it works. Pacific Gas and Electric has pledged to bury 10,000 miles of power lines in California in order to redu...

Al Stahler Explores: Launch Into The Asteroid Belt

Tomorrow morning, if all goes well, a rocket will launch a spacecraft to the asteroid belt. KVMR’s Al Stahler spoke with one of the scientists involved in that mission.

The Window Is Open For The 2023 Nevada County Community Survey

This month, the Nevada County Board of Supervisors is asking residents to complete an online survey. It asks for input on Nevada County, spanning a wide range of topics, from things like economic opportunity to cannabis to wildfire prevention. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça spoke with Lisa Renner, the county’s Interim Public Information Officer, to learn more about how it works.

Morning Update - Ed's New Crossing

Evening News - Tue October 10th, 2023

Last week, September labor market data revealed that payroll job numbers rose by 336,000 jobs – an increase that’s about double what most analysts were expecting to see. After regional headlines, KVMR’s Paul Emery and Gary Zimmerman, a retired Fed economist, discuss what exactly that means for us. There’s bad news brewing in Tulare Lake, and that bad news is avian botulism – it’s deadly to birds, and rescuers and environmentalists alike are working tirelessly to prevent a massive d...

Morning Update - Join Us For The Roast And Toast

Evening News - Fri October 6th, 2023

KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça brings you a special interview with our very own Steve Baker.  Steve’s retiring after 25 and a half years on the KVMR staff.  He started as a volunteer before becoming the station’s Program Director and then a News Producer.  You’ve heard his voice hosting the Morning Update and Monday Morning Show, conducting interviews, helping with membership drives, narrating theatrical promos. On his last official staff day, Steve sits down with Cláudio and r...

Thanks For Your Service: Steve Baker Is Retiring After More than 25 Years On The KVMR Staff.

You’ve heard his voice hosting the Morning Update and the Monday Morning Show, conducting interviews, helping with membership drives, and narrating theatrical promos. Now, after 25 and a half years on the KVMR staff, Steve Baker is retiring. On his last official staff day, Steve sits down with KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça and reflects on what over two decades in community radio looks like. 

Evening News - Thu October 5th, 2023

Currently, in the event of an emergency situation, Nevada County’s emergency vehicles are unable to cross Edward’s Crossing. Recently, the county has begun considering different ways to address the issue, and the public has been welcomed to provide input. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça talks with Patrick Perkins, civil engineer for Nevada County, to learn more. When you’re told to imagine Southern California beaches, you likely picture their signature flat, sandy shores – but ...

Edwards Crossing May Get A New Bridge

Currently, in the event of an emergency situation, Nevada County’s emergency vehicles are unable to cross Edward’s Crossing. Recently, the county has begun considering different ways to address the issue, and the public has been welcomed to provide input. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça talks with Patrick Perkins, civil engineer for Nevada County, to learn more.

Molly Fisk - Stubbornest

Molly Fisk writes, coaches, and teaches writing in California's Sierra Nevada foothills.

Morning Update - Grass Valley Hosts Town Hall Meeting To Discuss Proposed Tax Increase

Evening News - Tue October 3rd, 2023

Laws and regulations play an imperative role in the accessibility and functions of water throughout California, as well as in the whole of the United States. KVMR’s Paul Emery speaks with hydrogeologist Steve Baker about the several contributions that Dianne Feinstein made to the water world during her time as United States senator.  The California Hydrogen Coalition is saying that if California wants to achieve its goal of having all new cars sold in the state being zero emission ...

Morning Update - Feinstein Cares About SF Places

Evening News - Mon October 2nd, 2023

On tonight’s newscast we cover the first reported human case of West Nile Virus in Nevada County. Syd Brown from the Sierra Gold Parks Foundation joins us for “A Walk in the Park”.  She brings us news on western Nevada County’s three state parks including the first-ever Bridgeport Covered Bridge Harvest Dinner. National Native News looks at the response from Indigenous groups to the recent New Mexico protest shooting. And The California Report focuses on Laphonza Butler, California’...

A Walk In The Park – 10/2/23

Syd Brown sits on the board of the Sierra Gold Parks Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports park-related educational activities and helps to preserve the natural and cultural resources of western Nevada County’s State Parks. You can find out more at SierraGoldParksFoundation.org.

Evening News - Fri September 29th, 2023

On today’s newscast we’ve got your weekend weather forecast which includes the potential for some precipitation.  Then KVMR’s Steve Baker sits down for an in-depth Celtic Festival interview with hometown favorite, Scottish fiddler, Alasdair Fraser. Although he hails from the central lowlands of Scotland, Alasdair has made his home in the Sierra Foothills.  He plays alongside cellist Natalie Haas at this weekend’s KVMR Celtic Festival.  Listen in to hear the man dubbed the “Michael J...

Evening News - Thu September 28th, 2023

After a look at local news and weather, KVMR News Director, Cláudio Mendonça speaks with Pamela Meek, former board member of the Miners Foundry as well as the the creator of the Foundry sings. For years, millions of gallons of water from the San Bernardino National Forest have been pumped out to produce bottled Arrowhead Mountain Spring water. The California Report covers how the Water Resources Control Board is working to stop that. We end with an essay by Molly Fisk.

The Foundry Sings!

On October 4th, “The Foundry Sings!” will return to the Miners Foundry. It’s a community sing-along event, and during this iteration, attendees will learn and perform “Listen To The Music” by the Doobie Brothers. KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça speaks with Pamela Meek, the event’s creator, to learn more about the event and what inspired it.

Evening News - Tue September 26th, 2023

After a look at local news and weather, KVMR’s Paul Emery talks with retired Fed economist, Gary Zimmerman, for another edition of his Economic Report. The two discus the Federal Reserve’s recent decision not to raise interest rates. The California Report brings us to Del Paso Heights in Sacramento County where fentanyl-related deaths have risen sharply, and explores the potential reasons for the spike. We close with a commentary by Paul Elias.

Evening News - Mon September 25th, 2023

In tonight’s newscast we cover an announcement from Rise Gold Corporation, the company behind the attempt to reopen the former Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine in Grass Valley.  KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça finds out more about new amendments that would make it easier for property owners to build ADU’s in Nevada County.  The California Report has big news from the Hollywood writer’s strike.  And in the aftermath of the fires that ravaged Maui, the struggle to protect Native Hawaiians...

Supervisors Approve 2023 Housing Ordinance Amendments

Cláudio Mendonça finds out more about new amendments that would make it easier for property owners to build ADU’s in Nevada County. 

The Onyx Hosts 100 Year Old Vampire and Raunch-Com At The Nevada Theatre

Cláudio Mendonça gets the details on what to expect from both Onyx Theater Assistant Manager Spencer Keller and Citizens for Choice Director and Board Member Samantha Shady. 

Evening News - Fri September 22nd, 2023

On today’s newscast, Nevada City-based movie theater The Onyx hosts two upcoming features at The Nevada Theatre starting this Sunday.  KVMR News Director Cláudio Mendonça gets the details on what to expect from both Onyx Theater Assistant Manager Spencer Keller and Citizens for Choice Director and Board Member Samantha Shady. The California Report brings us a lesson in linguistics that’s distinctly Californian.  And the California News Service investigates a handful of bills focused...

Evening News - Thu September 21st, 2023

On September 12th, Governor Gavin Newsom formally appointed Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. As a Commissioner, Sheriff Moon will have a direct hand in setting law enforcement policy and determining how every prospective officer in California is selected. Sheriff Moon attended her first meeting today in Los Angeles. Cláudio Mendonça spoke with her recently to learn more. A new investigation found that thousands of people ...

Sheriff Moon Appointed To The Commission On Peace Officer Standards And Training

On September 12th, Governor Gavin Newsom formally appointed Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. As a Commissioner, Sheriff Moon will have a direct hand in setting law enforcement policy and determining how every prospective officer in California is selected. Sheriff Moon attended her first meeting today in Los Angeles. Cláudio Mendonça spoke with her recently to learn more.

Evening News - Wed September 20th, 2023

Last May, the Nevada County Planning Commission voted a recommendation that the Board of Supervisors NOT certify the final Environmental Impact Report and deny the use permit for the reopening of the Idaho Maryland Mine. Recently, Rise Grass Valley filed a petition for recognition of vested rights to conduct mining operations at the Idaho Maryland Mine. Al Stahler speaks with with Ralph Silberstine of the Mine Watch Campaign.  The state of California is suing five major oil and gas...