Crosscurrents is KALW Public Radio's award-winning news magazine, broadcasting in the Bay Area Mondays through Thursdays on 91.7 FM. We make joyful, informative stories that engage people across the economic, social, and cultural divides in our community.
Over one million Bay Area residents are estimated to struggle with food insecurity. Today, we talk to author and homeless advocate LaRayia Gaston about her efforts to divert healthy food away from the trash. Then, award-winning poet Safia Elhillo, who is a child of immigrants, writes about longing for a place she will never see.Today's show is all about books.
This year marks the first time that a U.S. president has ever acknowledged the Armenian genocide. Today, we’ll hear from one Armenian American about what it was like to grow up with that legacy. And, we take a deeper look at the death of Mario Gonzalez, who was killed by police officers in Alameda.
California reports more cases of human tracking than any state. In Oakland, most sex trafficking victims are Black girls under the age 18. Regina Evans is an activist and artist using her creative gifts to call attention to this crisis and rescue girls.
With students back in school, an East Bay high school radio station is returning to the airwaves. Today, we catch up with some of their on-air personalities. Then, San Francisco Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin talks about becoming a publisher. And, Valerie Miner’s short stories take us across oceans.
Today, we're looking back at a powerful act of civil disobedience that changed the makeup of the San Francisco Police Department. Then, after Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted for the murder of George Floyd, many felt relief, but there’s also ongoing grief. How can you start healing when you're living in a continuous cycle of trauma?
We hear from Mills College President Elizabeth Hillman about the recently announced plans to close the historic institution. Then, from our team at Uncuffed - we listen to some powerful and inspirational songs that incarcerated producers have turned to during a year of lockdown. And, an Oakland author reads from his new book in the latest from New Arrivals.
The San Francisco Film Festival is streaming online this year, showing films from around the globe. We talk to the Suzannah Mirghani, the director of a short film about child marriage. Then, Tongan-American singer Aisea Taimani talks about how spirituality and culture co-exist in his music. And, San Francisco author Roberto Lovato reads from his new memoir.
What happens when the thing that helps us cope in dangerous times becomes dangerous itself? Today, we're bringing you a story about the downside of chemically-enhanced productivity. And, it's the one year anniversary of our podcast New Arrivals! Listen to three mini-readings from Bay Area authors.
Some Bay Area counties have already opened up appointments for residents over 16 to get a COVID-19 vaccine. By Thursday, everyone over 16 in the state will be eligible. But finding an appointment is another thing. Today, we hear tips on how to get started and what to expect when you get there. Then, a reading from San Francisco author Kathy Seligman. Plus, for today's local music, a new song from San Francisco band The Reds, Pinks & Purples.
Unemployment during the pandemic led some people to turn to home cooking for income. Today, we’re taking a tour of Richmond’s underground dining scene. Then, we’ll hear music that helped incarcerated producers through a year of lockdown. And, author Danielle Fuentes Morgan reads a passage from her new book. Plus, today's local music features a new song from Ryan Von Gonten.
San Francisco public school students begin returning to campuses next week, against a backdrop of a contentious conversation about equity. Today, we’re taking a look at two SFUSD board meetings to understand recent decisions about reopening. Then, blues guitarist Chris Cain talks about his latest album and early lessons he learned about music. Plus, we hear a song from San Francisco artist 24kGoldn.
Many Bay Area counties have at least partially vaccinated more than half of eligible residents, but there are still barriers to reaching the most vulnerable. Today, we’ll hear an update on the vaccine rollout. Then, a community leader responds to anti-Asian-American violence by facilitating trust and communication. And, professional wrestler Bambina talks about queer representation inside the ring.
Millions of us are video conferencing more than we ever have before. What does that mean for our psychological health? Today, we explore "Zoom fatigue." Then, a high-tech exhibit gives Van Gogh fans a different experience. And, we talk to a choreographer who brings her sacred connections to the stage.
Oakland resident Jil Vest was walking past the protest murals downtown when she got an idea. Today, we’re looking at a mural that honors the women of the Black Panther Party. Then, we’ll go back in time to hear how the Black Panthers organized to keep their communities safe. And, we’ll fill our plate at the People’s Kitchen Collective.
The number of people held at Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County has been rising since last May. Today, we're looking into why. Then, we meet a playwright who was just honored for the impact her work has had in her community. And, we hear a reading from a new young adult novel set in Hawaii.
Today, we meet the beloved duck couple at Lake Merritt that gave some Oaklanders hope and community during the pandemic. Then, we hear about the history of the lake as the nation’s first wildlife refuge. And, we get to know the people behind the lake's weekend drum circle. We’re spending the day at Oakland’s crown jewel. Plus, today's local music features Oakland band Fake Fruit.
Today, we’ll hear what it’s like to find permanent supportive housing, after a decade of experiencing homelessness, in another excerpt from the 99% Invisible project According to Need.
In California, there are thousands of people living in roadside tent encampments. Today, we meet a woman in Alameda County who gets a chance at permanent housing in another story from the 99% Invisible project According to Need. Then, author Jerry Thompson reads from "Berkeley Noir," a collection of stories he co-edited with crime novelist Owen Hill. And, today's local music featurs Oakland-based band Slow Machine. Their new EP Black Tide came out in February.
A year ago our lives were turned upside down when the pandemic and lockdown hit the Bay Area. Today, it's a new episode of Day By Day. We reflect on the past and look ahead to what's next.
The Bay Area’s shelter-in-place order was first announced one year ago today. We’re looking back at the first 100 days into the pandemic in snapshots from the KALW original series, Day By Day.
It's been almost a year since Bay Area officials first announced the shelter-at-home order. Today, we’re looking back at audio diaries from those first few weeks of the pandemic. It’s a special presentation of Day By Day: KALW's Quarantine Diaries.
In Alameda County, when people are seeking permanent shelter, they have to apply to get into a Coordinated Entry System — it's basically a waitlist. Today, looking at how people who are eligible actually get placed into housing. It’s an excerpt from Chapter 4 the 99% Invisible project According to Need. Plus, a new episode from our podcast New Arrivals.
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As Oakland’s City Council explores putting the fire department in charge of mental health calls, one group has established their own mental health response service. Then, young voters came out in large numbers for the 2020 elections, but will that engagement last? And, San Francisco author Andrew Faulk reads from his new novel about living with — and treating —HIV/AIDS.Tune into KALW 91.7 FM Monday-Thursday at 5 p.m or subsribe to the podcast to listen on-demand.
The battle for People’s Park in Berkeley has been going on for more than 50 years. Today, we’ll hear about how it all started. Then, poet Arisa White writes about her struggles growing up without her father in her newest book Who’s Your Daddy." And, we hear a reading from El Cerrito poet Maw Shein Win. Plus, today's local music features a new album from Oakland-based artist Javier Santiago.
It wasn’t that long ago that people who didn't have housing and were seen as unable to take care of themselves were held against their will. But, back in the mid 90s, that approach started to change. In this excerpt from the 99% Invisible project According To Need, we hear how we got where we are today.
When you ask its residents how they define the boundaries of East Oakland, the answer vary —and they’re about more than just geography. Today, we’re exploring what East Oakland is all about and looking at the legacy the Black Panthers left there.
San Francisco’s school board has a plan to reopen, nearly one year after schools first shut down. Today, we’ll hear what it’s like for teachers who had to go from the classroom to Zoom. Then, we meet a dancer who doesn’t hear the music he dances to, he feels it.
Today we’re going behind the scenes with the operators who pick up the phone when people call seeking housing or shelter in Alameda County in another story from the 99% Invisible project "According To Need." Then, theater director Michael French talks about what drew his heart to the stage.
California has ramped up its vaccinations and is averaging about a million doses a week, but community advocates worry speed could bypass equity. And, we hear from the hosts of NPR's Throughline about making a show that explores the backstory behind today’s news headlines.
