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Fifth & Mission

San Francisco Chroniclecms.megaphone.fm
The flagship news podcast of the San Francisco Chronicle. Producer/host Cecilia Lei and co-host Laura Wenus discuss the biggest stories of the day with Chronicle journalists and newsmakers from around the Bay Area. | Get full digital access to the Chronicle: sfchronicle.com/pod
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Episodes

Cultural District Gives S.F. Pacific Islanders Overdue Visibility

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors is expected to adopt legislation Tuesday that will establish a Pacific Islander Cultural District. Reporter Elissa Miolene joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the unique challenges facing the population, and activist Gaynorann Siataga talks about the decades of work that have made the cultural district a reality. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 15, 202224 min

How Elon Musk is "Destroying" Twitter's Value

Since buying Twitter, the billionaire's leadership has resulted in massive layoffs, executive resignations and other questionable business decisions. Casey Newton, editor of the Platformer newsletter and co-host of the Hard Fork podcast, joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the internal chaos at Twitter, and the tech industry's future as a possible recession nears. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 14, 202217 min

Lifting Veterans From San Francisco's Streets

At a supportive housing complex near Oracle Park, 62 military veterans who were once on the streets have started new lives. There are counseling offices, a computer lab and a garden. The Edwin M. Lee Apartments are a model for how to attack homelessness, Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan tells host Demian Bulwa. Fagan discusses why the national homeless count among veterans dropped dramatically from 2010 to 2016 — and why that trend stalled under the Trump administration. | Unlimited Chronicle acce...

Nov 11, 202217 min

Willie Mays: "He Changed Lives, He Changed Minds"

The San Francisco Giants icon is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. A new HBO documentary, "Say Hey, Willie Mays!" tells his story, from growing up in the Jim Crow South to capturing the imaginations of fans across the country. Chronicle national baseball writer and Mays biographer John Shea, who is featured in the film, joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the racism Mays faced when the Giants moved from New York to San Francisco after the 1957 season, his quiet civil rights activis...

Nov 10, 202221 min

Election Night: What Happened and What's Next

Gavin Newsom was re-elected, San Francisco D.A. Brooke Jenkins was heading toward victory and California voters were defeating efforts to legalize sports betting. Nationally, the Republicans' "red wave" didn't materialize as abortion rights and the specter of Donald Trump and election denial loomed large. Joe Garofoli, Mallory Moench and Demian Bulwa break down the results from Tuesday's pivotal election. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m...

Nov 09, 202218 min

Embattled Election Officials Face the Midterms

A new survey found that one in five elections officials say they are likely to leave their jobs before the 2024 election. Escalating hostility and conspiracy theories, including 2020's "Big Lie," are to blame. Chronicle reporter Shwanika Narayan joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about how election workers are faring during the midterms, and Contra Costa County's deputy chief clerk recorder, Tommy Gong, shares what's needed to keep election workers safe. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com...

Nov 08, 202220 min

Your Catalytic Converter Got Stolen. Where Did It Go?

Brazen thefts of catalytic converters are exploding around the Bay Area, costing people thousands of dollars and in some cases leading to violence. So what's going on and why can't we stop it? Chronicle reporter Nora Mishanec tells host Demian Bulwa the answers lie in a shocking case in which the converters were sawed off cars, trafficked through a Northern California family and shipped across the country. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...

Nov 07, 202215 min

What Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover Means for You

The richest person on earth and self-proclaimed "free speech absolutist" has taken over the bird app. What does that mean for the platform's content moderation and users? Emily Dreyfuss, the co-author of “Meme Wars: The Untold Story of the Online Battles Upending Democracy in America,” joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about how Musk may fundamentally change Twitter — and the entire social media landscape. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...

Nov 04, 202225 min

Can’t Afford to Live in the Bay Area? Your New Region Might Be Hotter

In response to high living costs, many California residents have moved to more affordable areas of the state that will also face the highest temperature increases by the end of the century. Chronicle reporter Yoohyun Jung joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss her latest data analysis — and how non-white communities will face key challenges to adapt to climate change. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 03, 202215 min

Will Alliances Sway the Race For Oakland Mayor?

In the final week before Election Day, the Oakland mayoral race is still a toss up with plenty of homestretch drama. Two front runners have emerged from a field of 10, and some candidates are forming alliances to try to influence the ranked choice vote. Bay Area Democratic consultant Jim Ross tells It’s All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli why that may not be the best idea, then Chronicle East Bay reporter Sarah Ravani explains an ongoing ethical investigation into one of the l...

Nov 02, 202221 min

Paul Pelosi Attack: How To Address Political Violence

With midterm elections just one week away, the assault on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is illuminating the country's increasing surge of political violence. Dr. Garen Wintemute of UC Davis says the problem goes beyond politics. He joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss findings from a nationwide study he led that shows how Americans are resorting to violence to achieve political objectives, and he shares possible solutions. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod ...

Nov 01, 202221 min

Are the 49ers Trying to Sway Santa Clara's Elections?

The San Francisco 49ers have long had a contentious relationship with the city they moved to in 2014. Team owner Jed York has spent millions of dollars for 49ers-friendly candidates since 2020, including a new high of $3.8 million this year. Chronicle reporter Dustin Gardiner joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss why this year's mayoral race is so heated, and the debate it's prompted over corporate influence on local democracy. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ...

Oct 31, 202217 min

Opaque Oil Refineries, Record-High Gas Prices

California residents have had to contend with the highest gas prices in the country, and oil refinery shutdowns have been named as the primary cause. Why do outages at refineries take place without a lot of public transparency, and what else might be contributing to high costs at the gas pump? Chronicle reporter Claire Hao joins host Cecilia Lei to explain why state lawmakers and energy experts are scrutinizing oil refineries closely. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more ...

Oct 28, 202213 min

S.F. Housing Props D & E Got You Confused? Here's Help

Both propositions aim to speed up housing construction in San Francisco by streamlining the approval process. But why are there two? And will either one work? Reporter Noah Arroyo joins host Cecilia Lei to explain the competing measures and talk about a bigger question: Is putting complex, competing propositions before voters any way to run a city? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod San Francisco Chronicle Voter Guide: sfchronicle.com/voterguide Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Oct 27, 202222 min

Beyond Policing: How to Keep S.F. Asian Americans Safe

In response to increased violence and crimes against San Francisco's Asian American population, many in the community have prescribed more policing and prosecutions as the solution. In an SFNext Solutions Conference panel discussion with host Cecilia Lei, Sarah Wan, director of the Community Youth Center, and Eddy Zheng, president of the New Breath Foundation, offer another take: San Francisco should invest in racial solidarity and long-term solutions to achieve public safety. | Unlimited Chroni...

Oct 26, 202228 min

Test Scores Show COVID's Toll on Students

California was one of the last states to abandon remote learning, and many parents argued that such pandemic policies were detrimental to the education and mental health of students. Did the state take the right or wrong strategy? New state and national standardized test scores released on Monday may help shed light. Chronicle reporter Jill Tucker joins host Cecilia Lei to explain the data and what it means for local districts as they try to recover. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com...

Oct 25, 202215 min

NIMBY Cities Push Bogus Housing Plans

Under California law, all cities must show how they plan to build their share of needed housing in the years to come. But as Chronicle senior political writer and It's All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli tells Demian Bulwa, some of these plans, known as housing elements, include homes on seemingly improbable sites — like over a creek or on a lot occupied by a supermarket. Will the state finally crack down on cities' fake blueprints for housing? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sf...

Oct 24, 202215 min

Ignore the N.Y. Times: San Francisco's Art Scene Is Thriving

An August piece in the Times said the Bay Area scene is "struggling," and that artists were "fleeing" to Los Angeles. Chronicle arts and culture writer Tony Bravo joins host Cecilia Lei to offer a rebuttal. Plus: Alison Gass, the founding director of the new Institute of Contemporary Arts San Francisco shares why she believes the local art scene is booming. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 21, 202222 min

Are Bay Area School Districts Facing a Conservative Takeover?

Right-leaning groups have spent millions of dollars on conservative candidates in local school board elections across the country to push back on what they believe is a liberal tide in classrooms. Has the national movement hit the Bay Area? Chronicle reporters Sophia Bollag and Joshua Sharpe join host Cecilia Lei to discuss what's been going on in Contra Costa County. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 20, 202216 min

The $1.7 Million Bathroom: A San Francisco Story

In a city known for the high price of everything from pastries to parking, the estimated cost of a new public bathroom in Noe Valley is still a shocker: $1.7 million. Chronicle City Hall columnist and Total SF co-host Heather Knight joins host Demian Bulwa to talk about how a 150-square-foot room with a single toilet could cost so much — and why taxpayers should take notice. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 19, 202217 min

Dorsey vs. Mahogany: The District Six Showdown

In the November election, San Francisco voters will decide whether some of Mayor London Breed's recent appointees will stay in office, including Matt Dorsey, the incumbent District Six supervisor. Dorsey's competitor is Honey Mahogany, who would be the city's first transgender supervisor. Chronicle reporter J.D. Morris joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss where they stand on critical issues, and why this race matters for all city residents. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn mo...

Oct 18, 202217 min

A Mission District COVID Clinic’s Outsized Impact

When health officials and community members partnered to open a COVID-19 clinic in San Francisco's Mission District, the initial goal was to help Latinos who were hard-hit by the disease. But the clinic became much more, not only giving over 90,000 tests and more than 60,000 vaccines, but contributing to vital research and even growing to provide other services. Reporter Erin Allday joins host Demian Bulwa to discuss the past — and uncertain future — of this "living laboratory." | Unlimited Chro...

Oct 17, 202218 min

How California Fails to Regulate Toxic Gun Ranges

Lead poisoning causes many health risks, including organ damage and lowered IQ. Toxic lead inside California's gun ranges has endangered workers, customers and their surrounding environments. So why hasn't the state implemented standards and regulations? Reporter Joe Rubin joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss his investigation. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 14, 202218 min

Soleil Ho Finally Reviews the French Laundry

The French Laundry is a food mecca in Napa Valley. Chronicle food critic Soleil Ho tells host Cecilia Lei and a Twitter Spaces audience all the inside information about the legendary restaurant: How it became such a revered spot, tips on getting a reservation and, most importantly, is it worth the splurge? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 13, 202226 min

How to Win a Civil War That Never Ended

Author and political commentator Steve Phillips says the American Civil War — an existential battle between white supremacy and a multiracial democracy — is still going. The host of the Democracy in Color podcast joins It's All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli to talk about the ideas in his new book, "How We Win the Civil War." He also talks about the racial controversy embroiling the Los Angeles City Council, which he says represents “the next level of fight.” Learn more about...

Oct 12, 202223 min

Can San Francisco Build 82,000 New Homes?

Amid political jousting over housing prices, the city faces a state mandate: It must build — or at least plan to build — 82,000 units by 2031. And more than half need to be considered affordable. Chronicle reporter J.K. Dineen walks host Demian Bulwa through the city's plan to focus on westside neighborhoods like the Sunset and Richmond. But as Dineen explains, the high cost of building remains a huge obstacle. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Oct 11, 202220 min

Students Say Stanford Falling Short on Mental Health

Last year's string of student suicides, including star athlete Katie Meyer, has prompted students to question the university's mental health services. With a new academic year underway, Stanford's promises to increase mental health staffing remain unfulfilled. Melissa Newcomb reports what Stanford students say is lacking on campus, and how the university is defending its approach. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod If you need help, the phone number for the national suicide and cr...

Oct 10, 202223 min

Racial Profiling or Public Safety? S.F. Debates Pretextual Stops

The San Francisco police commission has proposed a policy that would stop officers from pulling over motorists for minor infractions like littering or driving without registration tags. It's an effort to reduce racial profiling, but some critics say it would make the city less safe. Chronicle reporters Megan Cassidy and Susie Neilson join host Cecilia Lei to discuss the debate, and why others think the proposal doesn't go far enough. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more a...

Oct 07, 202216 min

California Ballot: What Are All These Propositions About?

State Capitol reporters Dustin Gardiner and Sophia Bollag join Joe Garofoli to break down November ballot initiatives about abortion, flavored tobacco, kidney dialysis and a tax initiative that has Gov. Newsom siding with Republicans. And gambling industry analyst and investor Chris Grove joins Joe to talk about Props. 26 and 27, which have broken records for campaign spending. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 06, 202225 min

A New Bay Area Serial Killer?

True crime has been a popular entertainment genre but the latest news is hitting close to home. A possible serial killer in Stockton has been linked to an Oakland murder, and communities are on edge. Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the case and the enduring fascination with true crime. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Related: The Doodler — sfchronicle.com/doodler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 05, 202216 min
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