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.
Nationally acclaimed poet and author Mary Mackey lives in Berkeley. Her latest collection of poems takes on a challenging topic: what’s left, and where there’s hope, in the wake of climate change.
How three unhoused plaintiffs in Berkeley are using the Americans with Disabilities Act to fight against encampment sweeps. And, authors writing for the younger generation.
As encampment management policies become stricter all over the Bay Area, unhoused people are using the courts to fight back. Here, the story of one man's fight to stay in his RV shines a light on what's at stake for the future of lawsuits like his. Then, we hear from the reporter for a roundup of these lawsuits — and, to talk about why it might get harder for unhoused people to bring cases like these ones, even as local laws continue to change.
Today, readings from our series New Arrivals. It’s a pocket-sized book tour with Bay Area authors, and today we’re featuring three books for younger readers.
The Golden State Valkyries have taken the court! And we’re going to be right there with them for their first season with the WNBA. It's a new season of BOUNCE! And check out the whole season of "BOUNCE: The Valkyries First Season In The Bay" here!
Today, how both healthcare workers and patients navigate the unknown. Then, we hear from a local actor who was recently nominated for a Tony Award.
An excerpt from the first episode of the new season of “ The Nocturnists ” and meet Doctor Emily Silverman, the founder and host of the series.
Then, we hear from a local actor, Francis Jue, who was recently nominated for a Tony Award. You can hear more Sights + Sounds here !
Today, what recent cuts to federal lands means for visiting California’s National Parks this summer. Then, we ride along with local bike messengers for Bike To Work Day!
Summertime is the busiest season for visiting National Parks. We find out how visitors in the Bay Area and around California will be impacted by recent cuts to funding.
For "Bike To Work Day," we're bringing you one of our favorite stories, all about people who bike FOR work!
It’s a new episode of Uncuffed, and today is all about FOOD! First, we get a seat at the table when our host goes to their first thanksgiving dinner in over 3 decades. Then, the producers inside San Quentin get creative in their makeshift kitchens. And you can hear more from Uncuffed here !
Today we’re gonna talk about stories. First, young readers are taken to Kenya. Then, why it’s important to own our cultural stories. And, a new podcast of Sudanese folklore.
Ciiku N’Dungu Case is the founder of Cheza Nami, an East Bay based organization that spreads awareness of African cultures in schools through music and dance. Now she is out with a new children’s book called "Wanjiku, Child of Mine." It's about a little girl who grows up in Kenya…
Veteran Oakland storyteller Diane Ferlatte tell us why it’s important to own our cultural stories in an excerpt from " The Stoop " podcast. And, Hana heeds the call and launches her own folktale podcast, telling stories from Sudanese folklore in " Folktales from Sudan "
Today, how solutions for housing and climate action are inherently connected. Then, we explore a garbage dump transformed into a park… and a home.
East Bay State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks has been pushing the California legislature to take more decisive action on our housing shortage. She says any solution will need to take into consideration an array of interconnected issues. Ethan Elkind, co-host of KALW’s “State of The Bay,” recently spoke with Wicks. And today, we’re bringing you an excerpt of that conversation.
The Albany bulb is a beloved fixture of the East Bay shoreline. People visit for kite flying, dog walking and the culture of renegade art making. Today, we go out to the bulb with some former inhabitants to hear their story of a community that made the bulb a home.
Preserving the community and creative spirit of The Albany Bulb can be credited to one local group that stepped in when the future of the Bulb was uncertain.
San Francisco may need to brace for a surge in homelessness. Today, how national cuts affect Bay Area housing insecurity. Then, a local author explores the dark art of weaponized storytelling in a new episode of Book It.
Sylvie Sturm is a journalist with San Francisco Public Press covering housing policy. Here she explains how funding cuts will push more people onto the streets.
Words matter. And renowned Bay Area author and journalist Annalee Newitz knows that well. Their book “Stories Are Weapons” debuted last year. But it’s becoming more and more relevant every day.
Uncuffed is KALW’s podcast that empowers people in prison to tell their own stories. But today's episode is special because it’s the first EVER cohort of students from a women’s prison. And you can hear more episodes of Uncuffed here !
Today, local Chinese businesses are struggling to survive with Trump tariffs. Then, co-parenting can be surprising. And, we welcome the Valkyries with the return of BOUNCE!
There are roughly 1000 small businesses that call San Francisco’s Chinatown home. To help us understand how the tariffs are threatening the whole neighborhood, I spoke with the President of the city's Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Donald Luu .
Mother’s Day is coming up on Sunday. And there are many, sometimes unexpected ways, that people step into parenting. Next, we’re bringing you an excerpt from The Stoop Podcast- hosted by me and Leila Day. In it, we meet a family that shows us how co-parenting can evolve. You can listen to the full episode of The Stoop here!
Today, we hear about Barbara Lee’s plan for her first 100 days in office. Then, a photo exhibit by Paul McCartney. And, celebrated journalist Kevin Fagan talks about his new novel.
Former Congresswoman Barbara Lee is Oakland's new mayor-elect. Our friend’s KALW’s “State of The Bay” recently spoke with Bay Area News Group reporter Shomik Mukherjee about Lee’s plan for her first 100 days in office. Today, we’re bringing you an excerpt of that conversation. You can hear more from this conversation, and episodes of KALW's State of the Bay , here!
“ Eyes of the Storm ” features 250 behind-the-scenes photos along with other items from Paul McCartney’s personal archive. They were all collected from the Beatles’ tour in Europe and the U.S. from 1963-1964. And now, Bay Area fans can see some of those photos in an exhibit at the de Young museum in San Francisco. Check out more from Sights + Sounds here !
Kevin Fagan, is an award-winning journalist , with over 40 years covering homelessness and poverty. Kevin is recently retired from the San Francisco Chronicle, and has tapped into his reporting experience to write a novel called “The Lost and the Found.”
