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Crosscurrents

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.

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Episodes

Undocumented Women Hardest Hit By Job Losses / The Essentials / Uncuffed

A report from UC Merced shows pandemic-related job losses have hit non-citizens hardest, and in particular undocumented women. Then, we hear how the pandemic has changed the daily routine of a laundromat owner in Richmond. And, from the producers of Uncuffed, what it’s like to be coping with depression in prison. Plus, a mini-reading from a new book by a Bay Area author. Today's featured local music is from Madeline Kenney's new album Sucker's Lunch.

Jul 14, 202021 min

Dear Cohen: One Family's Journey From Paradise After The Camp Fire

In November of 2018, Chico resident and expecting mother-to-be Kaylan Sigel began writing letters in a journal to her unborn son. Four days after penning the first entry, Kaylan’s life was turned upside down when the Camp Fire of Butte County burned down her home.

Jul 09, 202028 min

Renaming Geographic Landmarks / Hamilton For Students / Golden Gate Park / New Arrivals

Alpine county has been working for three years to change the name of a mountain peak named after a Confederate president. Why does it take so long? Then, the musical Hamilton is giving high school students a new way to see and hear history. And, we’re headed to the west side of Golden Gate Park, where marksmen and women take aim. Plus, a new reading from our "New Arrivals" series.

Jul 09, 202024 min

COVID Is Ravaging California Prisons. For Many, It's Personal

As COVID continues to spread throughout California prisons, and cases in San Quentin surpass 1,400, people share letters they wrote to their incarcerated loved ones. And, we hear from one of the men who, until last week, was behind bars at San Quentin. It's a special episode from the Uncuffed team.

Jul 07, 202024 min

COVID Cases At San Quentin / Golden Gate Parkcast / New Arrivals

COVID-19 cases at San Quentin State prison have surpassed one thousand. We hear from a law professor who has been following the outbreak. Then, we return to San Francisco’s backyard, for the next installment of the Golden Gate Parkcast, where we meet the park’s hairiest denizens. And, a reading from a local children’s author whose new book is about surfing... and emotions.

Jul 02, 202024 min

Day By Day: Week 14

It's been 100 days since shelter-in-place began and people across the Bay Area are taking stock of how their lives have been transformed. Locals are trying to keep the spotlight on historical injustices, while dealing with our strange new corona-reality. It’s Day By Day: KALW's Quarantine Diaries.

Jun 26, 202022 min

Unhoused And Sheltering In Place / SoMa's LGBTQ+ History / New Arrivals

Constance Johnson chronicles her experience sheltering in place with her two kids on a converted school bus in Richmond. Then, an artist tells the stories of LGBTQ+ history in San Francisco through acting. And, we hear a reading from a San Francisco poet whose debut poetry collection has just been published.

Jun 23, 202025 min

Day By Day: Week 13

This week the Bay Area entered its fourth month of shelter in place. It's a confusing time: infection rates are climbing in some counties, just as some are welcoming back diners.

Jun 19, 202023 min

Black Students And Dyslexia / New Arrivals

California public schools are moving slowly to address the most common reading disability. In the second part of a two-part series, we hear about who is getting left behind. And, in the latest from our New Arrivals series, we hear a reading from a local author.

Jun 18, 202023 min

An Essential Butcher / The Black Panthers / Uncuffed Prison Riot

From our series on essential workers, we bring you an episode on a butcher who's doing things a little differently. Then, we’ll take a look at the legacy the Black Panthers left in East Oakland. And, from Uncuffed, the story of a man who survived a prison riot… by using moves he learned in ballet class.

Jun 16, 202024 min

Day By Day: Week 12

Nearly 3 months into shelter-in-place, society is beginning to reopen. People are heading outside. For some it’s to restaurants or back to work. Many are joining the anti-racism protests that began over two weeks ago. And change is happening - in communities, and in government. At the same time, experts warn that COVID-19 cases are on the rise again. This week we check in with a group of people as they decide how to move forward in the midst two unfolding crises. It’s Day By Day: KALW's Quaranti...

Jun 11, 202022 min

Camping During COVID / Black Folks In Nature / New Arrivals

School’s out, flights are canceled, and many of us are thinking about getting outside … if we can. We find out how to camp safely and responsibly in the summer of COVID. Then, we're rexamining stereotypes about who is and who is not ‘outdoorsy.’ And, we’ll hear a reading from a local author who writes about a painful family history.

Jun 11, 202024 min

California Farmers Adjust During Shelter-In-Place / Bay Area Beats / New Arrivals

How is the agriculture industry faring in the new normal? We look at how family farms are adjusting during shelter-in-place. Then, East Bay musicians share what it’s like to be LGBTQ in the pop-punk scene. And, we'll continue our "New Arrivals" series featuring local authors. Plus, we're remembering Oakland's Bonnie Pointer.

Jun 10, 202027 min

Are We Reopening Too Soon? / Grieving From A Distance / Uncuffed

A clinic in East Oakland is on the frontlines of fighting the spread of the coronavirus. We'll hear one doctor's thoughts on whether restrictions are being relaxed too soon. Then, a funeral director says the pandemic is making it easier for some loved ones to say goodbye. And, we head to San Quentin state prison, and hear from two unlikely cellmates.

Jun 09, 202025 min

Day By Day: Week 11

Since the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order took effect over 11 weeks ago, we’ve been hearing the voices and opinions of a mix of people to find out how they are dealing with these extraordinary times. In these past months, we’ve learned a lot about the virus. It has affected our work, our lives, and revealed longstanding racial disparities. In some states, black Americans are more than three to seven times more likely to die from COVID-19 than whites. So, when the video of the police killing of...

Jun 05, 202025 min

Protesting During COVID-19 / Alameda County Public Defender

Thousands of Bay Area residents feel compelled to protest, but many struggle to balance that against the threat of COVID-19. We’ll hear what protesters can do to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. Then, we talk to Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods about the protests. And, we continue our new arrivals series featuring local bay area authors.

Jun 04, 202022 min

Kaepernick: Race, Protest, And Respect

Today, we're considering the relationship between police and people of color. Before the current wave of protests, one Bay Area athlete sacrificed his career by demanding change.

Jun 02, 202025 min

Oakland Police Using 'Muscle Memory' / Remembering The Stud

The Bay Area erupted in protest over the weekend. We hear from a Oakland journalist Darwin BondGraham about OPD's response. And, we celebrate San Francisco's oldest gay bar as it closes its doors amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jun 02, 202021 min

Quarantine Diaries: Week 10

Since the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order took effect over 10 weeks ago, we’ve been checking in with a mix of people to find out how they are dealing with these extraordinary times. It’s Day By Day: KALW's Quarantine Diaries.

May 29, 202022 min

Quarantine Diaries: Week 9

Time in the pandemic seems to be moving faster now, with all Bay Area counties loosening shelter-in-place restrictions. For the past nine weeks, we’ve been checking in daily with folks from around the Bay to hear how they are dealing with life during COVID-19. Today, we’ll hear about a senior who sings, a teacher on his last day of class, and a bookseller happy to see regulars again... It's the Quarantine Diaries.

May 22, 202020 min

Undocumented Worker Aid / Black Artists And The Census / Golden Gate Parkcast

California is distributing millions of dollars to undocumented residents to help them through the pandemic, but it still might not be enough. Then, a group of Black women artists gather to address critical issues. And, we continue our audio tour of Golden Gate Park during its 150th anniversary year.

May 21, 202024 min

Oakland Faith Leaders Push To Reopen Churches / Animal Care / Uncuffed

Faith leaders in Oakland are pushing for Governor Newsom to open churches throughout the state. We hear why this rally struck a chord with Oakland residents. Then, we meet a biologist who feeds San Francisco's only albino alligator. And, the story of how one man in prison turned his life around by pulling strings. Literally.

May 19, 202023 min

Quarantine Diaries: Week 8

Since the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order took effect over eight weeks ago, we’ve been checking in with a mix of people to find out how they are dealing with these extraordinary times. Today, we’ll hear from an 88-year-old poet, an unemployed potter, and a frustrated restaurant owner. It’s Day By Day: Quarantine Diaries.

May 14, 202021 min

Homelessness In San Francisco's Tenderloin / Golden Gate Parkcast

Tents in the Tenderloin have tripled since the beginning of the coronavirus. We'll hear from people on the ground and learn about the city’s new plan. Then, we go to one of the best-smelling spots in San Francisco in today's episode of the Golden Gate Parkcast. And, we continue our Bay Area author reading series, "New Arrivals."

May 14, 202020 min

COVID-19 In Oakland / Hospital Chaplain Soothes Patients / Uncuffed

The City of Oakland braces itself for the financial impact of the coronavirus. Then, a hospital chaplain taps into COVID patients’ faith to help ease the pain. And, from the producers of Uncuffed, the story of the night one musician’s life changed forever.

May 12, 202024 min

Quarantine Diaries: Week 7

While local and state leaders are preparing for the next phase, we’re all still grappling with the way the pandemic has changed our day-to-day lives. For the past seven weeks, we’ve been checking in daily with folks from around the Bay to hear how they are dealing with these extraordinary times. Today, we’ll hear about new loves, dashed dreams, and the competitive spirit of an 8-year-old Uno champ. It's the Quarantine Diaries.

May 08, 202022 min
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