Fifth & Mission

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Related: Fixing Our City podcast: sfchronicle.com/fixing SFNext project: sfchronicle.com/sfnext Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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 more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 crisis hotline is 988. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

Mayor London Breed's brother, Napoleon Brown, has served more than two decades in prison. While his case has mostly been a footnote in the mayor's story, public scrutiny was raised once Breed appointed new D.A. Brooke Jenkins. Chronicle reporter Megan Cassidy joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the new state laws that could reduce Brown's prison term — and how S.F. politics is impacting his case. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Canal neighborhood is over 90 percent Latino and is the most segregated neighborhood in the Bay Area. When body-camera footage revealed the police beating of a day laborer, Latino residents decried what they say is the longstanding mistreatment by the city's police. Chronicle reporters Joshua Sharpe and Joel Umanzor join host Cecilia Lei to discuss the incident and the limits of local police reforms. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Around the Bay Area, a new movement has emerged from the ruin of the pandemic. Cities like Concord, Richmond and Petaluma are moving to enact protections for renters, much to the frustration of property owners. The latest salvo came in Antioch, where leaders this week approved capping many landlords at 3% annual price increases. Chronicle housing reporter Lauren Hepler joins host Demian Bulwa to discuss the debate and why it has spread beyond tenant advocacy hot spots like San Francisco. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Though her name doesn't appear on the ballot, the upcoming November election may be consequential for Mayor London Breed's political future. Voters will weigh in on local measures and the fate of five Breed appointees, including District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. Chronicle reporter Mallory Moench joins host Cecilia Lei to breakdown the ballot and how it matters for the mayor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2021, a San Francisco Superior Court judge dismissed a case against Bill Gene Hobbs, a man with a long record who had allegedly harassed a teenage girl. Since then, women have turned to social media to allege they've also been stalked and harassed by Hobbs. Chronicle columnist Heather Knight joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss why the saga highlights the shortcomings of the city's criminal justice system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the pandemic closed offices and quieted cities, hundreds of office workers ditched the Bay Area for greener pastures: Hawaii. In exchange for free airplane tickets, remote nomads signed up to boost the local economy during a tourism downturn. Chronicle reporter Chase DiFeliciantonio joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about how remote workers impacted the state, and why some people in Hawaii are still urging them to stay, even as companies are urging a return to the office. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chronic absenteeism — missing at least 10% of school days — has reached devastating levels in San Francisco. Last year, almost a third of public school students were chronically absent, and those missed days can add up to serious repercussions for kids’ learning and progress. Education reporter Jill Tucker joins host Demian Bulwa to discuss how the pandemic contributed to an absenteeism crisis, which students are most affected and what schools are doing to get kids back in class. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Poor financial health can keep people from accessing city services like affordable housing. Even if they otherwise qualify. So San Francisco has developed a program that provides anyone who lives in, works in or gets services from the city with a financial coach free of charge. On this episode of The Chronicle's Fixing Our City podcast, producer Cintia Lopez test-drives the program by talking to a Smart Money Coach about her own finances. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Fixing Our City is part of the San Francisco Chronicle’s SFNext Project Got a tip, question, comment? Email us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Oakland mayor’s race is heating up. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and San Francisco Mayor London Breed have both thrown their support behind Council Member Loren Taylor. But those endorsements could be a double-edged sword. Chronicle East Bay Reporter Sarah Ravani and Senior Political Writer Joe Garofoli join host Cecilia Lei to discuss the outlook for the race, the controversy it has created and who is Taylor’s greatest challenger. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On "60 Minutes" Sunday, the president declared the end of the pandemic. Many public health experts disagreed with Biden's comment while others aligned with the sentiment. Chronicle health reporter Erin Allday joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss how the Bay Area is doing with COVID-19 and the implications of Biden's statement. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Property ownership and management in the Bay Area have become more corporatized, making it difficult for some tenants to figure out who exactly is their landlord. In one of its biggest data projects to-date, The Chronicle created a centralized database to help residents figure that out. Editor Dan Kopf and reporter Susie Neilson join host Cecilia Lei to discuss why it matters. Plus: Reporter Lauren Hepler shares her reporting on Veritas, a company that operates thousands of rental units in San Francisco. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lawsuit on behalf of a pair of former San Francisco students is raising questions about the public district's response to sexual abuse claims. Both women say they were sexually abused by the same athletic director when they were students at George Washington High. After an internal investigation, The Chronicle found, the district moved to fire the man — but then allowed him to quietly resign in a settlement. Investigative reporter Cynthia Dizikes joins host Demian Bulwa to discuss the case and concerns over whether such settlements allow educators to move from district to district. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The COVID pandemic caused a roller skating boom. Now, skaters in West Oakland are fighting for a rink of their own. Producer Caron Creighton reports on the efforts of the skating group Panther Skate, the history of Black roller skating and why the sport is deeply personal for the community. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A quartet of sports superstars, three of whom became leaders away from the field, roamed the West Oakland campus at the same time in the '50s. Reporter Ron Kroichick joins Demian Bulwa to talk about how the school and the community nurtured future icons Bill Russell, Frank Robinson and Curt Flood. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By 2035, all new cars sold in California will be zero-emission. Sonoma County environmentalists have proposed one of the most aggressive policy ideas yet to help the state's transition to electric cars: Ban construction of new gas stations. Activist Woody Hastings joins host Cecilia Lei to explain the local effort that is quickly spreading across the state and beyond. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Local and state governments have been trying to figure out how to undo historical harms for some communities of color. Oakland has handed land back to Indigenous control and Hayward is exploring reparations for Russell City, a city that was erased nearly 60 years ago. Chronicle reporter Sarah Ravani and columnist Justin Phillips join host Cecilia Lei to discuss the latest local efforts and the challenges ahead. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The latest round of shots is a milestone in how quickly science is able to respond to ever-evolving COVID-19. But with pandemic and vaccination fatigue setting in, does such a breakthrough even matter? Chronicle health reporter Catherine Ho joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about how to think about boosters, and if and when you should get them. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bay Area Rapid Transit began service 50 years ago, on Sept. 11, 1972. Chronicle urban design critic John King and Total SF co-host Peter Hartlaub join host Cecilia Lei to discuss how far the system's come from its original vision, what's still missing, and some of BART's stranger moments. Plus: Newsroom developer Emma Stiefel talks about a game that lets YOU design the future of BART. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As mayor of San Francisco, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that "shelters don't solve homelessness." But the state has continued to rely on shelters as stopgap solutions, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chronicle housing reporter Lauren Hepler joins host Cecilia Lei to explain how shelters are making a policy comeback — and creating new debates over the merits of "right to shelter" proposals. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bay Area and Northern California have been punished by record-breaking temperatures for almost a week. In some cities, the mercury has climbed past 110 degrees. Chronicle meteorologist Gerry Diaz joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about what's causing it, the future of heat waves — and how you can beat the heat. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Chronicle heat live blog: sfchronicle.com/heatwave Chronicle wildfire tracker: sfchronicle.com/firemap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Labor Day, five Chronicle photojournalists embedded with working moms for 24 hours. Photographers Brontë Wittpenn, Gabrielle Lurie and Lea Suzuki join Lily Janiak to talk about what they documented and what it meant to them as the women spent sometimes hectic days working their jobs — including the ones at home that don't come with a paycheck. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's Legislature passed groundbreaking bills on homelessness and climate change before adjourning for the year. Now, that legislation is in the hands of Gov. Gavin Newsom. Capitol reporters Sophia Bollag and Dustin Gardiner, fresh off a late night reporting on the final session, talk to It's All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli about how Newsom drove those policies and how they'll affect his national profile. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scientists are using underwater audio technology to listen in as the behemoths talk to each other about things like ocean conditions and where to find the best krill to feed on. Reporters Tara Duggan and Yoohyun Jung tell host Dominic Fracassa that what researchers are hearing suggests that whales are more complex, and more adaptable to the changing climate, than previously believed. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California officials are poised to move roughly 200 unhoused people from the sprawling homeless encampment in West Oakland. The action follows a series of fires and a court battle over whether the government can and will provide sufficient shelter. It also represents larger tensions over the homelessness crisis that have played out in cities like Berkeley, San Francisco and Santa Rosa. Chronicle East Bay reporter Sarah Ravani and Fifth & Mission Producer Caron Creighton join host Demian Bulwa to talk about the legal fight, the feelings of Wood Street residents, and what comes next. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fish are going belly up around San Francisco Bay, including in Lake Merritt in Oakland. The water is turning an alarming brown. And people are being warned to limit their exposure to the bay as well. It's all due to a vast algae bloom first spotted last month near Alameda and spreading fast. What's behind the bloom? Is it related to climate change or the drought? When will it go away? Host Demian Bulwa is joined by Dave Senn of the San Francisco Estuary Institute and Keith Bouma-Gregson of the U.S. Geological Survey. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An estimated 16 million adults in the United States suffer from long COVID symptoms, with no cure or treatment in sight. Chronicle reporter Nanette Asimov joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the alternative treatments that some sufferers are turning to. Plus: Chronicle reporter Yoohyun Jung shares her debilitating long COVID experience. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Franciscans are increasingly using tracking devices like Apple AirTag to locate their stolen bikes, computers and cars. But what happens when police can't assist? Chronicle reporter Megan Cassidy joins host Demian Bulwa to discuss how this technology — which Cassidy used herself when her car was stolen recently — often clashes with the realities of big-city policing, and how some victims are confronting thieves at their own risk. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In their follow up investigation to San Francisco's permanent supportive housing program, Chronicle reporters Joaquin Palomino and Trisha Thadani examine how tenants in single room occupancy units, or SROs, are often evicted for the same reasons that qualified them for their rooms. They join host Cecilia Lei to discuss how San Francisco's central solution to homelessness lacks a critical safety net. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Critics say Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national political ambitions moved him to veto legislation that would have allowed San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles to open supervised injection sites as a way to curb California’s overdose crisis. But as City Hall reporter Mallory Moench and host Joe Garofoli discuss, the politics are more complicated than that. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suburban and rural school boards are among the few places Republicans can win elections and change policies in this deep-blue state. Reporter Ryan Kost talks to host Demian Bulwa about their efforts to push issues that energize conservative voters, such as loosening COVID rules, banning discussion of systemic racism and questioning LGBTQ rights on California campuses. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices