Rephonic
Artwork for Ray Appleton
California
Gavin Newsom
Donald Trump
Fresno
Iran
Proposition 50
Democratic Party
Steve Hilton
Katie Porter
Homelessness
Jeffrey Epstein
Republican Party
California Gubernatorial Race
Jasmine Crockett
Fresno County
California Politics
Barack Obama
Kamala Harris
Eric Swalwell
Voter ID

Ray Appleton began his radio career in Fresno in 1969. That career has taken him from Fresno to London and back. He has been a part of the KMJ team since 1987 and continues to share his thoughts and viewpoints with his very large and loyal audience weekdays from 11am-2pm on Central California's News Talk 580 and 105.9 KMJ!

PublishesDailyEpisodes265Founded10 years ago
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GovernmentNews CommentaryNews

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Artwork for Ray Appleton

Latest Episodes

California homeowners are bracing for a massive FAIR Plan rate hike, with some premiums soaring up to 200% while others drop dramatically.

Insurance Commissioner candidate Stacy Korsgaden joins the show to break down who gets hit hardest and what i... more

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer breaks his silence on education, blasting low test scores and throwing his full support behind superintendent candidate Dr. Eimear O’Brien. Now the pressure’s on—can Fresno Unified turn things around?

May 20th 2026

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Congressman Tom McClintock joins the show to break down Trump’s approval rating and the high-stakes California governor race.

May 20th 2026

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Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Ray Appleton Show' on all platforms:

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'The Ray A... more

A bitter GOP showdown explodes as Sheriff Chad Bianco torches rival Steve Hilton, demanding he drop out and calling his campaign a “full-blown lie.”

May 20th 2026

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Please Like, Comment and Follow 'The Ray Appleton Show' on all platforms: ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Steve Hilton
Guest commentator, political commentator
Unknown/Guest on Kmj
Episode: Newsom's $20M Diaper Plan: Beneficial or Wasteful Spending?
Spencer Pratt
Reality TV personality discussed in coverage of LA mayoral race
The Hills / entertainment
Episode: $10M Homeless Disaster: Pratt Unloads On Bass & Raman
Stacy Korsgaden
Insurance industry veteran running for Insurance Commissioner
Candidate for California Insurance Commissioner
Episode: Hilton & Korsgaden Expose California’s Exploding Insurance Crisis
Tony Strickland
Senator, California
California Senate
Episode: $231 Billion Later: How Can High-Speed Rail Be Derailed?
Rocky Pipkin
Detective Extraordinaire, private investigator specializing in repossessions
Rocky Pipkin Detective Agency
Episode: High Speed, High Stakes: Rocky Pipkin On The Hunt
Don Wagner
Candidate for California Secretary of State
Wagner for California
Episode: Don Wagner Lays Out His Vision
Tom Lang
Associated with Aquarius Aquarium and building the public aquarium
Aquarius Aquarium
Episode: A Deep Dive Into The Fresno Aquarium
Bill Thornberry
Musician and charter member; wrote the theme song Inland Sea
Self/Charter Members of Fresno Aquarium
Episode: A Deep Dive Into The Fresno Aquarium
Javier Becerra
Politician featured via clips discussing national politics and policy
Former California Attorney General, public official
Episode: California's Candidates Clash On Stage

Host

Ray Appleton
Host of The Ray Appleton Podcast; longtime KMJ radio host in Central California; known for policy critique and political commentary.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 34 ratings
  • Thanks For Monologues!!

    I personally appreciate the segmented approach to these Pod casts. I appreciate having the ability to keep track it what’s going on locally. I appreciate Ray’s insights. I really don’t want to hear all the callers. Thanks!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doug-O
    United States2 years ago
  • Segments

    Stop breaking up show by segment. Hourly was perfect

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Izreyiz
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Praise for policy-focused discussions and practical listener tips on managing costs and coverage.
Some listeners dislike frequent caller interruptions and prefer a stricter segment flow.
Listener feedback highlights a segmented format that helps track local developments and Ray's insights.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gas Tax Showdown: Trump Challenges Newsom
Q: So Gavin Newsom is against doing this. Why is he against it Ray? Can I ask you that question?
The host and guest discuss Newsom's stance as part of a broader disagreement over policy direction, arguing that Democratic leadership resists cuts to gasoline taxes while Republicans push for affordability measures, with emphasis on how such policy choices affect voters and the economy.
Court Chaos: Murdaugh Verdict Overturned
Q: Could he be released on bail while awaiting retrial?
No in this case, because he is already serving 40 years for other crimes related to theft from clients, and bail in murder cases varies by state; generally, if the case is overturned and sent back for retrial, bail could be possible in some jurisdictions, but not guaranteed.
Court Chaos: Murdaugh Verdict Overturned
Q: What are the two grounds the appeals court used to overturn the conviction?
The appeals court found two main problems: first, the trial judge admitted evidence about the defendant stealing from clients, which was deemed irrelevant as character evidence; second, a court clerk made improper comments to jurors that could unduly bias them against the defendant, affecting the fairness of the trial.
Hilton & Korsgaden Expose California’s Exploding Insurance Crisis
Q: Does the governor have any juice over insurance, and what role should the state play in regulating the industry?
The panelists argue that the Department of Insurance is a regulator, but they critique the current elected-insurance-commissioner model and push for either appointment by the governor or major reforms to empower quicker, clearer actions to protect consumers.
Debate Night Chaos: California Governor Race Heats Up
Q: What makes Hilton's approach effective in a California race with strong Democratic incumbents?
Hilton is framed as articulating the right questions about affordability, education, and out-migration, suggesting a path to attract independents and some disaffected Democrats through pragmatic governance.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ray Appleton

What is Ray Appleton about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A current-events oriented talk show focusing on California policy, politics, and local governance, with frequent guests including policymakers and industry experts. Episodes routinely cover state and local issues such as insurance and healthcare costs, homelessness policy, energy and infrastructure, voter ID, transportation funding, and high‑level national politics, often framed around regulatory environments, budgets, and upcoming elections. The host leans into policy critique, practical listener advice, and real‑time audience interaction, creating a conversation that blends critiquing incumbents with calls for reforms and accountability. Noteworthy aspects include recurring deep dives from longtime local commentators and sitting lawmakers... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ray Appleton?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ray Appleton:

1. Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
2. Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words
3. John Solomon Reports
4. The Dan Bongino Show
5. Philip Teresi

How many episodes of Ray Appleton are there?

Ray Appleton launched 10 years ago and published 265 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ray Appleton?

Recent guests on Ray Appleton include:

1. Steve Hilton
2. Spencer Pratt
3. Stacy Korsgaden
4. Tony Strickland
5. Rocky Pipkin
6. Don Wagner
7. Tom Lang
8. Bill Thornberry

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