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The Bay

Bay Area-raised host Ericka Cruz Guevarra talks with local journalists about what’s happening in the greatest region in the country. It’s the context and analysis you need to make sense of the news, with help from the people who know it best. New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.
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Episodes

Why Millbrae Voters Recalled 2 City Councilmembers

In late July, voters in the city of Millbrae, in northern San Mateo County, overwhelmingly recalled 2 of their 5 city councilmembers. It’s a fight that started nearly a year ago, when former Councilmembers Angelina Cahalan and Maurice Goodman declined to publicly oppose a permanent supportive housing project. KQED’s Adhiti Bandlamudi tells us how that dispute snowballed into yet another recall election in the Bay Area. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to...

Aug 02, 202427 min

Bay Area Reactions to Biden Dropping Out

We’re still technically on our July break, but...breaking news is breaking. Today, we bring you reactions to Sunday’s news that President Joe Biden will not be running for re-election. Links: How San Francisco Shaped VP Nominee Kamala Harris Biden Drops Out, Endorses Kamala Harris. Now What? This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and produced by Alan Montecillo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 22, 202413 min

It's Time For Our July Break

We work really hard to bring you 3 episodes a week. But we’ll admit: sometimes it's good to take a break from the news. We won't be making new episodes during the month of July. We’re using this time to reset, rest, do some team bonding, and brainstorm what we want to make for you in the coming year. We will resume our regular schedule starting on Friday, August 2. You can still reach us on Twitter at @thebaykqed or via e-mail thebay@kqed.org. We always love hearing from you. Learn more about yo...

Jul 01, 20241 min

FBI Raids Home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, a State Budget Deal, and Wildfire Season

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, we discuss last week’s FBI raid on the home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, what lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom cut in order to close California’s budget deficit, and what climate experts are expecting this fire season. Plus, we. say goodbye to our intern, Ellie Prickett-Morgan. In this episode we state that the FBI raided three homes belonging to the Duong family. The FBI raided two homes belonging to the Duong family, along with the corporate he...

Jun 28, 202423 min

A Bay Farewell to the Rightnowish Podcast

For the past 5 years, KQED’s Rightnowish podcast spotlighted artists and culture keepers from all over the Bay Area. In doing so, Host Pendarvis Harshaw and producer Marisol Medina-Cadena showed a love for the culture that is unmatched. On July 18, Rightnowish will air its last episode. Today, we sit down with Pen and Marisol to reflect on the rich archive of culture they’ve built. Episode Transcript This episode was produced by Ellie Prickett-Morgan and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cru...

Jun 26, 202425 min

‘This is Where My People Are’: A Queer Person’s Journey to the Bay

For many queer people, the Bay Area is seen as a place of safety and community. This Pride month, we hear the story of one queer person’s journey to the Bay, in their own words. This episode was produced by Ellie Prickett-Morgan, Adhiti Bandlamudi, Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and Alan Montecillo. Episode transcript Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 24, 202420 min

A Tribute to Willie Mays, the ‘Say Hey Kid’

Willie Mays, the San Francisco Giants’ baseball legend, died Tuesday at age 93. Mays played 21 seasons with the Giants and is considered by many to be the greatest all-around baseball player ever. Today, KQED Morning Edition host Brian Watt brings us a tribute to the ‘Say Hey Kid’. Episode transcript Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 21, 202414 min

In Sunol, A School Board Recall Divides the Town

An election to recall 2 school board members is underway in the 900-person town of Sunol in Alameda County. The recall targets 2 of the town's 3 school board members, who voted in September to ban all flags other than the state and federal flags, which recall supporters saw as an attempt to prevent a LGBTQ Pride flag from being flown at the district's only school. Links: California Recall Elections Test Strength of Conservative School Board Movement Episode Transcript This episode was produced b...

Jun 19, 202422 min

San Francisco’s First Mayoral Debate

San Francisco’s mayor’s race kicked into high gear after 5 candidates took to the stage for their first debate last Wednesday evening. Today, in Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez’s last act as a KQED journalist, he opens up his reporter’s notebook to break down his key takeaways from the debate, and what it told us about the upcoming race ahead. Links: Watch the first debate here S.F.'s second mayoral debate: Mon, June 17 at 7:30 pm Become a KQED member Episode transcript Learn more about your ad choices...

Jun 17, 202431 min

A Conversation With Banko Brown’s Chosen Family

On April 27, 2023, an armed security guard shot and killed a Black trans man named Banko Brown outside of a San Francisco Walgreens. Brown’s killing sparked outrage. But San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins decided not to charge the security guard who shot him, saying that he acted in self-defense. And just last Friday, Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office announced that it supported that decision. This announcement has crushed Banko Brown’s loved ones, including those who say that his ...

Jun 14, 202424 min

For High Schoolers in the South Bay, Silicon Valley Looms

At elite high schools in Silicon Valley, the pressure to succeed is intense. And according to Sophia Shao, a former student at Los Altos High School, her proximity to California’s tech capital is a big reason why. In this special collaboration with KQED’s Youth Takeover, a yearlong project to highlight compelling stories written and produced by local teens, Shao talks with us about going to school in a place where everyone is expected to excel. This episode first ran on Aug. 15, 2022 Learn more ...

Jun 12, 202419 min

Inside Sutro Baths In Its Prime

The ruins of Sutro Baths, at the far western edge of San Francisco, are mysterious. Clearly something big used to stand here. Today, the folks from the Bay Curious podcast take you back in time to what visiting this grand swimming facility would have been like. Episode Transcript Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 10, 202422 min

What Should We Do About AI?

California is in the middle of figuring out exactly how it wants to regulate artificial intelligence. CalMatters’ Khari Johnson joins us to explain how these efforts are going — and how AI could affect all of our lives soon. Links: Episode Transcript How California and the EU work together to regulate artificial intelligence Apply to be The Bay’s Producer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 07, 202419 min

Applying For Student Aid Was Supposed to Be Easier This Year. It Wasn’t

Applying for student aid this year was supposed to be easier for incoming college students, with a more simplified application process for FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. But technical problems and missed deadlines for the new form’s rollout has led to disastrous results for students, especially those who are undocumented or come from mixed status families. These issues are likely a big reason why California saw a major drop in FAFSA applications for the Class of 2024. This e...

Jun 05, 202420 min

Advocates Protest Planned Closure of East San Jose Trauma Center

The company that owns the Regional Medical Center of San Jose says it plans to close the hospital’s trauma center on August 12. The trauma center is the only one of its kind on Santa Clara County’s east side. Now, local leaders, patient advocates, and even some doctors from the hospital want the state to intervene, warning that this closure will have devastating ripple effects on the entire region. Links: Episode Transcript Advocates Urge State to Intervene in Closure of San Jose Trauma Center L...

Jun 03, 202419 min

A Chevron Tax(?), More Farmworker Housing, and Berkeley’s Baby Falcons. Plus, a Visiting Journalist From the Republic of Georgia

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, Ericka, Alan, and intern Ellie talk about a possible tax on oil refining in Richmond, the debate over farmworker housing in Half Moon Bay, and Berkeley’s baby falcons. Plus, an interview with Tamuna Chkareuli, a visiting journalist from the Republic of Georgia who has been working at KQED for the past few weeks. Links: After 'Foreign Agent' Law Defeat, Georgian Protesters Set Sights on Elections Richmond Oil Refining Tax on Chevron, a Major Poll...

May 31, 202426 min

A Morning with BART’s Crisis Intervention Specialists

If you ride BART, you may have seen uniformed employees with the words ‘Crisis Intervention Specialist” on their backs. About 20 of these ‘CIS-es’ — who are not police officers — can be seen walking through trains, seeking out and offering help to the many people in the sprawling transit system struggling with lack of shelter, mental health problems or addiction. KQED’s Matthew Green joins us to talk about what he learned about this program, and what a morning on the job was like. Links: 'We App...

May 29, 202424 min

D Sharp: The DJ Behind the Warriors Games

During his 12 years with The Golden State Warriors, DJ D Sharp has seen it all — from the team’s lowest point to the championship rings. Raised in East Oakland, D Sharp talks Rightnowish host Pendarvis Harshaw about his journey, inspiration and a go-to Warriors song. This episode originally aired May 2, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 27, 202419 min

Fate of Uber, Lyft Workers’ Benefits Now Up to the State Supreme Court

In 2020, California voters passed Proposition 22, which allowed app-based companies to classify their drivers as independent contractors and not employees with full benefits. It was a big win for companies like Uber and Lyft, who spent unprecedented amounts of money to get the measure passed. Now, the issue is back — this time before the California Supreme Court, which heard a case on Prop. 22 this Tuesday. KQED’s Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos explain in an episode of the Political Breakdown pod...

May 24, 202428 min

How SF Hopes to Make This Critical Opioid Addiction Treatment More Available

Less than half of all San Francisco pharmacies carry buprenorphine, one of the most powerful medications used to treat opioid addiction, according to San Francisco’s Department of Public Health. The city hopes to change that. This episode was produced by Ellie Prickett-Morgan and Maria Esquinca, edited by Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 22, 202418 min

Silicon Valley’s Deep Ties With Israel

Last week, protesters blocked the entrance of Google’s largest development conference in Mountain View to protest the tech giant’s ties with the Israeli government. At issue is Project Nimbus, Google and Amazon’s $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli government, including the Israeli Defense Ministry. But as KQED’s Rachael Myrow explains, Silicon Valley’s ties to Israel run much deeper — which makes divesting a tall order. Episode Transcript This episode was produced by Ericka C...

May 20, 202421 min

Displacing People for “Progress": The Origins of BART

Back in the 60s, BART was just a plan in the making. And located through its path were communities of mostly low income people of color. But thanks to a legal tool known as eminent domain, many in that community were forced to sell their homes or face eviction. This is an episode of Bay Curious that originally aired on May 16, 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 17, 202420 min

'I Am Still Haunted': Women Accuse Rising SF Political Star of Rape and Abuse

Jon Jacobo was a rising star in the progressive wing of San Francisco politics when a colleague publicly accused him of rape in 2021. At that time, he largely escaped scrutiny from members of his own party. But as Josh Koehn of the San Francisco Standard reported in mid-April, three more women have publicly accused Jacobo of sexual abuse and domestic violence. And they say that leaders treated their allegations with indifference. Links: Episode Transcript Women accused a rising SF political star...

May 15, 202427 min

Naatak Theatre, A Staple of Indian American Life in the South Bay

This Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, we’re replaying this look back at a thriving Indian American theater company in the South Bay. This episode originally aired Sept. 9, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 13, 202418 min

Berkeley Schools Chief Testifies Before Congress on Antisemitism

On Wednesday, Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel testified before Congress on the district’s handling of antisemitism allegations in public schools. The hearing comes after a group of Jewish parents, along with the Brandeis Center and Anti-Defamation League, filed a federal complaint in February alleging “severe” antisemitism in the district. However, many pro-Palestinian parents, educators and students have pushed back, arguing that the complaint unfairly confla...

May 10, 202423 min

Billionaire-Backed Bid for New Solano County City Inches Closer to the Ballot

California Forever, the billionaire-backed group behind an effort to build a city from scratch in Eastern Solano County, is plowing ahead in its campaign to convince voters. Last week, the company announced that it has gathered enough signatures to qualify its measure for the November ballot. KQED’s Adhiti Bandlamundi unpacks the last few months of campaigning and speaks to voters. This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Ellie-Prickett Morgan, edited by Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Eri...

May 08, 202421 min

How The Bay Gets Made

Making this podcast is a lot of work, but we do it because we care. Help us keep it going by becoming a KQED member. Today, we take you behind the scenes and show you how an episode gets made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 06, 20245 min

The Student Journalists Covering Pro-Palestine Encampments

Pro-Palestine protests have popped up on college campuses nationwide, with some becoming the epicenters of violent counter-protests and arrests by police. In the Bay Area, however, what have become known as ‘solidarity encampments’ have remained largely peaceful so far. Today, we hear from student journalists at San Francisco State, UC Berkeley, and Sonoma State about what’s been happening on their respective campuses. Episode Transcript This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, Maria Esquin...

May 03, 202430 min

Nursing Home Staff Shortages Leave Patients Waiting in Hospitals

Some of the state’s sickest patients are stranded in hospitals for weeks, months, and even years as they wait to be moved into nursing homes and psychiatric facilities. This backup is caused in part by nursing home staffing shortages, coupled with a rapidly aging population. KQED’s Lesley McClurg tells us the story of one Berkeley resident’s struggle to find adequate care for his wife. Links: Episode Transcript Systemic Neglect: How Staffing Shortages In Nursing Homes Leave Patients Trapped in H...

May 01, 202425 min

April News Roundup: Berkeley’s Newest Councilmember, Reviewing Death Row Sentences, and Pandas in S.F.

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, Ericka, Maria and Alan talk about Berkeley’s newest (and youngest) District 7 city councilmember, allegations of prosecutorial misconduct in death row sentencing in Alameda County, and efforts to bring giant pandas to San Francisco. Episode Transcript Links: Cecilia Lunaparra declares victory in District 7 race for Berkeley City Council Allegations of Prosecutorial Bias Spark Review of Death Penalty Convictions in Alameda County SF Mayor Breed T...

Apr 29, 202417 min
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