September 2008 - 'SoCal Connected' Premieres

In September 2008, "SoCal Connected," KCET's acclaimed news magazine program on the people, places, and events that make up Southern California, premiered.

Following the cancellation of "California Connected," there was still a need for the station to air a high-quality news show in the same vein, and with stories centered on a more geographically-focused viewership, weekly airings, and a more feasible production budget, "California Connected" executive producer Bret Marcus created "SoCal Connected," essentially a continuation and adaptation of the former show.

This time around, KCET veteran and former "Life & Times" anchor Val Zavala was chosen as the show's host, and continues to anchor the program six years later. Zavala also serves as KCET's Vice President of News and Public Affairs. During the 2012-2013 season of "SoCal Connected," she was joined by longtime National Public Radio and KPCC host Madeleine Brand as co-anchor.

In 2009, the investigative segment, "Up In Smoke," on the proliferation of California's medical marijuana dispensaries, won a Peabody Award. That report also joined segments "Protected or Neglected?" and "Hung Out To Dry" in winning the 2011 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton award for excellence in broadcast journalism. The program has also earned Radio & Television News Association of Southern California's Golden Mike awards every year from 2008 to 2013, as well as several local Emmys.

"SoCal Connected" currently airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m.