A human rights professor discusses Palestinians and the Israel-Hamas War. What is causing an ongoing veterinarian shortage across California animal shelters. Free state park passes at public libraries.

Palestinians and the Israel-Hamas War

Just over a month ago, on Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched attacks on Israel, killing civilians and taking hundreds of hostages. In retaliation, Israel has conducted extensive bombing campaigns and launched a ground invasion of the isolated Gaza Strip. Health officials in Gaza report that over 11,000 people have been killed so far, while Israeli authorities count over 1,200 dead. As the fighting continues, increasingly forceful attention has been called to the human rights challenges of the current conflict, from allegations of war crimes and ethnic cleansing, to concerns over antisemitism and Islamophobia here at home.  Keith David Watenpaugh, professor and director of Human Rights Studies at UC Davis, joins Insight for a deeper look at the human rights challenges of the current war.

Veterinarian Shortages at Animal Shelters

There are more than 200 animal shelters across California and many are facing a growing dilemma– caring for more animals with less staff. Money doesn’t seem to be the main driver, but an ongoing veterinarian shortage that escalated during the pandemic. A study this year from the San Francisco SPCA and UC Davis shows that of the shelters that have budgeted positions for veterinarians and vet nurses, more than half of those positions remain vacant. Which means hundreds of thousands of shelter animals across the state do not have access to reliable veterinary care– with consequences that include overcrowding, higher instances of illness and euthanasia. Front Street Animal Shelter in the city of Sacramento is among the sites impacted. Dr. Victoria Smalley is Front Street’s only full-time veterinarian and joins us with a closer look at the challenges. And Dr. Kate Hurley is the director of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, which partnered for the study, and joins us with a closer look at a veterinary shortage across the state, and how the community can help.

State Park Passes at Public Libraries

Visiting a state park may not be in the cards for many lower income Californians. Entry fees coupled with the cost to get there, like gas, can add up quickly. CapRadio Politics Reporter Nicole Nixon joins us about a state park entry program that is free and only requires a library card to access. We’ll also learn about how Californians can get free access to gear that makes exploring the outdoors even more enjoyable.