Capitol Chat In this week’s Capitol Chat, Capital Public Radio’s State Government Reporter Katie Orr joins us to explain what California’s budget trailer bill and plans to alter the Open Records Act.  We'll also look at A federal three-judge panel's order for California to reduce prison populations quicker.

 

Blind Science Hoby Wedler is an organic chemistry graduate student at UC Davis, a chemistry camp teacher and a wine aficionado--and he's also blind. On June 6, the 26-year-old received the HSC Foundation Advocates in Disability Award for his work founding and organizing a chemistry camp for blind high school students. This year held in Napa, the camp teaches its participants that, despite the seemingly visual nature of STEM subjects, eyesight is not necessary to succeed in the field. Wedler joins us to talk about his award, his advocacy and his "Tasting in the Dark" wine event in Geyersville, CA.

 

"High Country Women" Author Chris Enss has released a new book about female pioneers in Yosemite National Park. "High Country Women: Pioneers of Yosemite National Park" tells the stories of 10 women who helped shape the history of the scenic travel spot that is Yosemite.  She will speak at Gold Rush Days in Grass Valley on Saturday, June 22, but first, she'll return to the Insight studio to talk about her latest work.

 

Genre Peak An international recording project led by Sacramentan Martin Birke has a new album and a special live performance tonight at Luna's Cafe. Genre Peak can be hard to describe, but Birke and his fellow collaborators bring an eclectic sound to dark electronic, trance and rock compositions. We'll talk with Birke - who has had a diverse career as an electronic percussionist and also spent time composing for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre - about the band's work and their new release "9 Microspheres."