English Language Arts

Listening, reading, and writing in real time: the media of storytelling

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July 23, 2012 | 1:00 PM | By

The Deal with the Delta (California’s big watering hole)

Includes: map and video


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About two-thirds of Californians drink, bathe, brush their teeth, and flush their toilets with water that comes from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. That’s roughly 25 million people who get at least some portion of their hydration from one big triangular watering hole.

But ask most folks what the Delta is, and you’re guaranteed to get a lot of blank stares. One recent poll found that about 4 out 5 people in California had pretty much no idea about it.

 

It’s pretty easy to take for granted that water magically pours out of the tap when you turn your faucet on. But chances are, that H20 has gone through a pretty serious journey to reach you – and it’s probably worth knowing where it comes from, and how safe the supply is. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: American History, English Language Arts, Government, Green Space, Law & Power, Maps, Video, levees, map, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, video, water
June 22, 2012 | 1:55 PM | By

Obama’s New Immigration Rule: What’s it Do and Who’s it For?

Includes: Q&A; NPR clip; Colbert Report clip

John Moore/Getty Images

The message was short but – for a lot of young people – pretty sweet:

“Effective immediately, up to 800,000 young people living in the U.S. illegally will no longer be subject to automatic deportation.”

And with that executive order, announced June 15, President Obama shook up in America’s immigration policy.

At least a little bit. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Audio, English Language Arts, Government, Law & Power, Video, Citizenship, Illegal, Undocumented Immigrants, video
June 15, 2012 | 3:04 PM | By

Interactive: Counting the Undocumented in California (and the rest of the country)

Includes: interactive maps

(Click on each state for population estimates of the undocumented immigrant community; source: Pew Hispanic Center)

Although the vast majority of immigrants in California came here legally, the state still has by far the largest undocumented immigrant population in the country, many of whom are young. In fact, it’s estimated that as many as 350,000 young undocumented immigrants living in California are eligible for deferred deportation and work authorization, as a result of the Obama administration’s recent policy shift, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Charts and Infographics, English Language Arts, Government, Law & Power, Maps, california, charts, Illegal immigration, maps, Undocumented
May 10, 2012 | 7:17 PM | By

Tying The Knot With Same-Sex Marriage: Obama’s Slow Evolution

Includes: interactive timeline (with videos)

The year was 1996, and a political novice named Barack Obama was running for Illinois State Senate – his first bid for public office. Responding to a questionnaire from Outlines, a gay newspaper in Chicago, Obama wrote: “I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.”

It took him till now to return to that position.

Just two years later, Obama was deeply steeped in the world of politics. In his re-election bid for state senate, the same newspaper asked the same question. Obama’s position had already shifted, though. In response, he said he was now “undecided.”

Since then, Obama has held fast in his support for civil unions and equal rights for gays and lesbians, but until this week, he never firmly tied the knot in support of same-sex marriage. Scroll through the timeline, and view the clips, to see Obama long “evolving” feelings on this issue.

FILED UNDER: American History, Charts and Infographics, Data Visualization, English Language Arts, Government, Law & Power, charts, data visualization, Obama, same-sex marriage, timeline
May 1, 2012 | 5:00 AM | By

The History of May Day Explained

Includes: Article, archival photos

The Haymarket affair, as depicted in a a Harper’s Magazine engraving (Wikimedia Commons)

For some, May Day means prancing awkwardly around a feather-wreathed pole.

But that ancient Druid rite of Spring is likely not what today’s protestors have in mind.

In about 80 countries throughout the world, May Day is actually an official labor holiday, often commemorated with large strikes, rallies, and demonstrations in support of workers rights. And its roots date back to a heated struggle for something that most of us now take for granted: the eight-hour work day. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: American History, Charts and Infographics, English Language Arts, Government, Law & Power, charts, Haymarket, labor, May Day, Occupy, organizing
March 22, 2012 | 4:07 PM | By

What’s A Park Worth?

INCLUDES: ARTICLE; KQED AUDIO CLIPS

Natural-Bridges State Beach, near Santa Cruz (credit: Ca. Dept. of Parks and Recreation)

“These state parks are our cathedrals. This is what defines us as Californians to the rest of the world.  But they are not cheap to run. And so I think Californians need to decide whether it’s worth it to them to save these parks … I think it begs a much deeper question of what we value as Californians.”
- Ruth Coleman, California state parks director

Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: American History, Audio, English Language Arts, Government, Green Space, Public Services, audio, california, nature, parks, podcast, redwoods, state, sustainability
March 19, 2012 | 5:45 PM | By

A (mini) Guide to California’s Parks

INCLUDES: INTERACTIVE MAPS AND KQED MULTIMEDIA LINKS

Click on the photo to explore KQED's radio and interactive series on California's parks.

California has a lot of state parks. 278 to be exact – more than any other state in the U.S. Some are tiny specks on the map – mini historic sites that you may have driven by without even noticing. Others are vast swaths of land – thousands of preserved acres of old growth forest, sweeping vistas, pristine beaches. Size and stature aside, each has it’s own significance, and the majority were spearheaded as a result of citizen-led campaigns to make the land public and accessible to anyone who wanted to visit. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: American History, English Language Arts, Government, Green Space, Maps, Public Services, Video, maps, state parks, sustainability, video
March 12, 2012 | 5:33 PM | By

The Evolution of California’s State Parks

INCLUDES: INTERACTIVE TIMELINE

Credit: E. Howe/Flickr

In 2010, California voters rejected Proposition 21, which would have added an $18 annual surcharge to vehicle license fees and raised about $500 million annually to fund state park and wildlife conservation programs. Now, without the funding, nearly a quarter of the entire system’s sites – almost 70 parks – are in danger of being closed down. During difficult economic times, it’s no surprise that public resources like state parks are given low priority, especially compared to more urgent services like public safety. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: American History, Charts and Infographics, English Language Arts, Government, Green Space, california, state parks, timeline
March 6, 2012 | 5:47 PM | By

Why Facebook Is Going Public (and how it made one graffiti artist rich)

INCLUDES: ARTICLE; KQED AUDIO; PBS NEWSHOUR VIDEO

Facebook CEO announces his company's plan to go public (credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

When Facebook filed for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in February, Mark Zuckerberg wrote a public letter outlining Facebook’s mission: to bring the world closer together. With the additional investment money that an IPO would bring, he explained, Facebook would have the resources to better reach that goal.
Or, to put it another way, when Facebook goes public, it stands to make a whole lot of money. IPO’s can be a good way for companies
to have access to a lot of funding fast, Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Audio, Charts and Infographics, Economics, English Language Arts, Government, Money, Video, audio, Billionaires, Facebook, graffiti, IPO, podcast, video