A conversation with the chairwoman of the California Republican Party ahead of the Midterm. UC Davis successfully conducts the world’s first stem cell treatment for Spina Bifida on a fetus before birth. Former SacBee reporter discusses his new book, “The Abolitionist’s Journal.” 

California Republican Party's midterm strategy

California is well known for its deep-blue political tilt, but this November the Golden State is providing opportunities for Republicans to potentially win their first statewide race in more than a decade and possibly determine the balance of power in Congress. The party is hoping to tap into Californian’s concerns over soaring inflation, crime, and homelessness — and to turn that discontent into votes. But Democrats have utilized the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion to energize their base in the hopes of flipping a handful of congressional seats they lost in 2018. Jessica Millan Patterson, Chairwoman of the California Republican Party, joined us on Insight to provide her party’s strategy and priorities less than a month before Election Day. 

World's first Spina Bifida fetal surgery

Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it also can bring understandable stress. There are big unknowns and discoveries along the way that are out of our control. A variety of testing and screenings are available to give soon-to-be parents a clearer picture of the baby’s overall health and development. One screening is for Spina Bifida which is an abnormal development of the spine that can carry lifelong disabilities including, at its most extreme, paralysis. Up until now, parents have had the option of treatment after birth to reduce Spina Bifida’s defects, but it is far from a perfect solution. But UC Davis Health has discovered a completely novel approach that is a “first in the world.” A surgery using stem cell treatment that takes place while the fetus is still in the womb. The trial began last year, and this month achieved a historic milestone. UC Davis announced three babies have been born after undergoing this groundbreaking treatment. Dr. Diana Farmer, chair of the Department of Surgery at UC Davis Health and leading the trial, joined Insight to discuss this groundbreaking surgery. 

"An Abolitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family"

Regardless of how well we know our family history, the generations before us help shape who we are today, whether we know it or not. For those interested in learning about their ancestors, it is a great deal of work with a lot of curves, dead ends, and unexpected roads. James Richardson was more than up for the task. The former senior writer with the Sacramento Bee and retired Episcopal priest spent more than 20 years retracing the life of his great-great-grandfather George Richardson. Without giving too much away what he found was powerful, but nearly at risk of becoming forgotten. This journey culminated in Jim’s new book, “The Abolitionist's Journal: Memories of an American Antislavery Family.”