A Look at Prop. 50; Meet the Duduk Whisperer; Altadena Homeowners Resettling Lots in RVs | KQED

"Election Day is almost here, and in most of California, there's just one measure on the ballot: Proposition 50. Backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Prop. 50 aims to create more Democratic-leaning districts. It's a move to counter Texas's redistricting plans favoring Republicans. And some heavy hitters are lining up on both sides, including former President Barack Obama, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger."

"Vocalist and musician Khatchadour Khatchadourian plays an ancient double reed woodwind carved from apricot wood called the that has cultural ties to Armenia. Khatchadourian is one of the few in the Bay Area who plays the instrument, and his followers call him "the Duduk Whisperer." Our producer Elize Manoukian brings us this profile of Khatchadourian, who uses the duduk to push the boundaries of traditional Armenian music, and along the way, is helping to preserve cultural identity through sound."

"The first handful of new homes are under construction in parts of fire ravaged Altadena. Most people won't be moving back in for several months. But some neighborhoods that were completely wiped out in the Eaton Fire are already being resettled by property owners living in trailers and RV's. As reporter Steven Cuevas discovered, these residents could be key to restoring the spirit and resilience that's defined Altadena for decades."

Proposition 50 proposes redrawing California districts to create more Democratic-leaning seats and to counter redistricting efforts in Texas that favor Republicans. The measure has attracted prominent endorsements and opposition, including national and state figures. Khatchadour Khatchadourian performs on the duduk, an ancient apricot-wood double-reed instrument tied to Armenian culture, and uses the instrument to innovate within tradition while helping preserve cultural identity. In Altadena, initial new homes are under construction after the Eaton Fire, though most residents will not return for months; some former neighborhoods are being resettled by owners in trailers and RVs, aiding community recovery and resilience.

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