The Bay

The new mayor of the Bay Area’s biggest city started his new job this week, and he has to work fast. Matt Mahan’s first job is to address a winter storm hitting San Jose, which could bring floods and heavy rains. What can we expect from Mahan in his first year in office? And what roadblocks could he face in accomplishing the goals he ran on? Guest: Guy Marzorati, Producer and Reporter for KQED’s Politics and Government Desk This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Adhiti Bandlamudi. Ericka Cruz Guevarra is the host. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s our last episode of the year! Today, host Ericka Cruz Guevarra, producer Maria Esquinca, and senior editor Alan Montecillo unpack 2022 and share their favorite episodes. We’ll have new episodes for you starting Jan. 4, 2023! Links: The Bay Survey (it takes just 8 minutes!) Alan’s favorite: ‘It’s an Unimaginable Amount of Fish,’ Sep. 2, 2022. Ericka’s favorite: An Audio Love Letter to Traxamillion, an Architect of the Hyphy Movement, Jan. 10, 2022. Maria’s Favorite: He Designed a Garden at UC Santa Cruz From Death Row. Now Students Want Him Free, Jun. 17, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a bad few months for people in Vallejo who are fighting for police accountability. The police chief who promised reforms abruptly stepped down. A police union president who allegedly threatened a journalist has been reinstated. And the city recently revealed that it “inadvertently” destroyed records of 5 police shootings. Now the city is trying to move forward with a model for police oversight, which many have wanted for a long time. But members of the public are pushing back, arguing that the proposed commission has no real power and that the process is being rushed before the holiday season and newly-elected city councilors begin their terms in the new year. Guest: John Glidden, Vallejo Sun reporter Links: 'Vallejo City Council to vote on police oversight after tweaks,' by John Glidden, Dec. 13, 2022. Survey: Help Make The Bay Even Better! This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Teenagers like Elise Muchowski aspired to the “Clean Girl Aesthetic,” a trend that blew up on TikTok and that prioritizes looking clean and effortless, with videos of skincare, makeup routines, and a minimalist wardrobe. Today, we're sharing an episode of the tbh podcast from KALW. In it, teenagers unpack what's behind the clean girl aesthetic, why it's harmful, and what role social media plays in their lives right now. Links: tbh: The Dirty Truth About the Clean Girl Aesthetic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood has a reputation for drug addiction, poverty, and homelessness — all big problems that have not been solved by city and state leaders. But the neighborhood’s image is also shaped by disturbing pictures and videos of people taking drugs outside that go viral on social media. These images, which circulate around the world, can evoke anger, fear, and frustration. They also shape opinion about what should be done and galvanize support for harsher, tougher crackdowns on drug dealing and drug use. Some believe that sharing these photos on social media is necessary to document this ongoing problem. Others say they only show one side of drug addiction, and leave those photographed without agency in how their stories are used. Guest: Holly J. McDede, KQED reporter/producer This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Read the transcript Links: Advocacy or Exploitation? The Ethical Concerns Around Posting Images of Poverty and Addiction in the Tenderloin Survey: Help Make The Bay Even Better! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the pandemic, there were a few ways to endure the traffic into downtown San Francisco. One very Bay Area method was the casual carpool, a completely organic system of riding with strangers to get across the bridge faster and for cheap. But after March 2020, those long lines at casual carpool stops vanished — and they haven’t come back. Guest: Nico Savidge, senior City Hall reporter for Berkeleyside This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Read the transcript Links: 'Casual Carpool was a Bay Area tradition before COVID. Can it make a comeback?' by Nico Savidge, Nov. 20, 2022. Survey: Help Make The Bay Even Better! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Silicon Valley companies rely on thousands of H-1B visa holders who have come to the Bay Area from all over the world. H-1B visas grant temporary status to work and live in the U.S. But in the wake of mass layoffs in the tech industry, visa holders have 60 days to find a new job or face the threat of deportation. Guest: Rachael Myrow, KQED Silicon Valley senior editor Read the transcript Links: Mass Bay Area Tech Layoffs Thrust Thousands of H-1B Visa Holders Into Frantic Job Hunt Survey: Help Make The Bay Even Better! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even in the Bay Area, it’s a big risk for Chinese residents to protest against the Chinese Communist Party. Many fear retaliation against themselves and their loved ones in China. But over the past week, hundreds of people have attended candlelight vigils in multiple cities, including San Jose and San Francisco. These protests have been held to support people in China and to remember the 10 people who died in an apartment fire in China’s Xinjiang province. The public outrage from these deaths — which many believe were caused by China’s strict COVID lockdowns — sparked protests across the nation. Today, we hear from a Chinese university student in the Bay Area who attended a vigil in San Jose. This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Read the transcript Links: Xinjiang Victims Database Survey: Help Make The Bay Even Better! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leaders from nearly 200 countries recently met during COP27, the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. While some gains were made, like the creation of a “loss and damage” fund to help vulnerable countries, negotiations were stalled by oil-producing nations. The overwhelming scope of Climate Change and the inevitable losses on the planet can lead to feelings of paralysis, discouragement, sadness and stress. In this episode from November of last year, KQED climate reporter Laura Kilvans, urges listeners to sit with their feelings, and offers the possibility of turning to a place of hope. Guest: Laura Klivans, KQED climate reporter Episode Transcript This episode originally aired on Nov. 17, 2021. More Resources: ‘Climate Change is Here. It’s Bad. Here’s What You Can Do’ Submit a Bay Area climate change question for KQED reporters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland is on the verge of returning 5 acres of Joaquin Miller Park to the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust and the Confederated Villages of Lisjan. This would be the first time a California city has returned land to Native American tribes. Despite no significant opposition to this plan, this process has taken more than 5 years. So what does it actually take to return land back to tribes? Guest: Annelise Finney, KQED reporter Episode Transcript Apply to be an intern with The Bay! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Ericka Cruz Guevarra, with support from Maria Esquinca. Ericka Cruz Guevarra is the host. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Universities across the country rely on students and academic workers to grade papers, run classes, conduct research, and provide student support. It’s demanding work, often for little pay. But now, the unions representing 48,000 University of California students and academic workers say they’ve had enough, and on Monday thousands of people across the system's 10 campuses went on strike. Guest: Bria Suggs, journalist and graduate student at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism Links: 'Thousands of UC Academic Workers Continue Massive Statewide Strike in Demand for Living Wage,' by Matthew Green, Nov. 16, 2022. We're hiring an intern! Please submit your resume by Monday, Nov. 28. Episode Transcript This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter has led to complete chaos: layoffs, advertiser panic, and concerns all around the world about what this means for speech on the internet. But here in the Bay, what happens at Twitter has ripple effects too. Not only has the company laid off thousands of employees and contractors, but the company’s donations and charitable programs are in disarray, leaving dozens of Bay Area nonprofits stunned, confused and angry. Guest: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED politics reporter Read the transcript Links: 'Thousands of Dollars in Donations to Veterans, Unhoused People May Be the Latest Victims of Elon Musk's Twitter Takeover,' by Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, Nov. 12, 2022. We're hiring an intern! This position pays $16.99 an hour and is 16 hours a week, lasting from Jan. 9, 2023 to Jul. 1, 2023. Please submit a resume and cover letter by Monday, Nov. 28. This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Ericka Cruz Guevarra, edited by Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The city of Vallejo is notorious for being forced to pay out millions in legal settlements to victims of police violence. In the latest example, The Vallejo Sun reports that the city reached a $2.8 million dollar settlement with the family of Angel Ramos, the 21-year-old shot and killed by Vallejo Police during a family gathering in January 2017. It’s the latest update in the long, grueling process for families left with the aftermath of a police killing. Today, we’re re-running an episode from our series on Vallejo Police, which first published in August of 2019, detailing how Ramos’ family challenged the police’s narrative of what happened the night Angel was killed. Links: Our series on Vallejo Police The original article: In Vallejo, a Sister Challenges the Police Narrative of Her Brother's Shooting Vallejo reaches $2.8M settlement for police killing of Angel Ramos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Votes are still being counted, but the races for all 7 statewide propositions have been called. Californians approved Prop. 1 (abortion rights), Prop. 28 (arts education funding), and Prop. 31 (ban flavored tobacco), and shot down Props. 26 and 27 (sports betting), Prop. 29 (dialysis regulations), and Prop. 30 (green infrastructure). Today, we’ll break down these results. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED politics and government reporter/producer Links: KQED Election Results page This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last day to vote in the 2022 election has come and gone. Californians overwhelmingly approved an amendment to enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution, and both Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sen. Alex Padilla have been reelected. But it’ll be a minute before we know the full results. Today, we hear from voters, and then take you inside the KQED newsroom on Tuesday night. Read the transcript Links: KQED Election Results page Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the past few years, a handful of California cities have explored allowing noncitizens to vote in various local elections. The most famous example has been San Francisco, which passed a measure allowing noncitizen parents of public school students to vote for school board. This momentum to expand the vote has stalled as of late, thanks to lawsuits brought forward by a conservative group based in Southern California. Nevertheless, Oakland voters are about to weigh in on Measure S, which would amend the city charter to let the city council legalize noncitizen voting in school board elections. Guest: Annelise Finney, KQED reporter/producer Links: Playlist: The Bay x Bay Curious’ Prop Fest KQED’s Voter Guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland voters will decide on a new mayor this month. It’s a packed race; 10 candidates are vying for the seat, including 4 current and former members of Oakland City Council. The issue taking center stage in this election? Public safety. Guest: Maria Fernanda Bernal, KQED reporter Links: Playlist: The Bay x Bay Curious’ Prop Fest KQED’s Voter Guide Correction: the original version of this episode stated that it is too late to register to vote. Voters can still register in person at a voting center or at their polling place. This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Tuesday, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced charges against David DePape, the 42-year-old man accused of breaking into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s home in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood before attacking her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. Speaker Pelosi was in Washington D.C. at the time. Rep. Jackie Speier, a survivor of violence herself, says preventing something like this from happening again will require a “wholesale change” in how business is done in American politics. Rep. Speier, who survived gunfire during the 1978 Jonestown Massacre, said vitriol and lies spread on social media is fueling domestic terrorism, and that leaders — especially Republicans — need to call it out. Read the transcript Links: 'Officials: Suspect in Pelosi Attack Was on a 'Suicide Mission' and Had More Targets,' by Olga R. Rodriguez and Stefanie Dazio, Nov. 1, 2022. LISTEN: 'The California Republicans Who Helped Enable Wednesday's Attack on the Capitol,' Jan. 8, 2021. LISTEN: 'An Extremist Plot to Blow Up the Democratic Party HQ,' May 18, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The roots of Día de los Muertos celebrations in San Francisco can be traced back to 1972, when a collective of Chicano artists formed the first day of the dead show not only in California but the entire West Coast. The collective opened up their own gallery; Galeria La Raza. Inspired by a film that showcased the massive day of the dead altars in Oaxaca, Mexico, Rene Yañez and Ralph Maradiaga set up their own altar outside Galeria la Raza, laying down the foundation for a much larger celebration that would include altars, exhibits, films. In 1981 Rene Yañez organized the first Day of the Dead procession. Rio Yañez, the son of Rene Yañez, joins Rightnowish in conversation with Marisol Medina-Cadena. They talk about family legacy, tradition, and commemorating our loved ones. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Bay’s most populous county, Laurie Smith has served as sheriff since 1998. But in this election, amid a wave of scandals and an ongoing corruption trial, she will not be on the ballot. Now, two men are running to take over the office. Kevin Jansen, a retired sheriff’s captain, says he knows the department well enough to make changes that will restore public trust. Bob Jonsen, the former Palo Alto police chief, says his perspective from outside the department will lead to real reforms. Whoever wins will inherit an office plagued with allegations of corruption and mismanagement of the county jails. Guests: Guy Marzorati, KQED politics and government reporter/producer, and Adhiti Bandlamudi, KQED reporter This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Alan Montecillo and hosted by Alan Montecillo, who also edited. Links: KQED Voter Guide LISTEN: Prop Fest Spotify Playlist LISTEN: 'Santa Clara's County Sheriff is Being Investigated,' Jan. 24, 2022. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 states have attempted to limit, ban, or criminalize access to medical care for transgender and nonbinary youth. California is going in the opposite direction. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that ensures transgender kids from out-of-state can safely access hormones or puberty blocker. The law also shields families from child abuse investigations or from being prosecuted for seeking gender affirming care. It’s the first law of its kind in the nation. Guest: Lesley McClurg, KQED health correspondent Links: 'California Becomes First Sanctuary State for Transgender Youth Seeking Medical Care,' by Lesley McClurg, Oct. 18, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Sunday afternoon, incumbent Governor Gavin Newsom debated his Republican challenger, State Senator Brian Dahle. This was their first and only debate, which was held at KQED's headquarters in San Francisco. The conversation was moderated by KQED's Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer. Links: 'Newsom, Dahle Spar Over Abortion, Gas Tax and Crime in California Governor Debate,' by Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, Oct. 23, 2022. KQED Voter Guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in June, San Francisco voters recalled Chesa Boudin from the office of District Attorney. In his place, Mayor London Breed appointed Brooke Jenkins, who once worked in Boudin’s office and became a paid spokesperson in the recall effort. Now, as many San Francisco residents worry about public safety, voters will weigh in about the city’s chief prosecutor once again in the November election. And the results could tell us what kind of law enforcement approach people want. Guest: Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez, KQED politics reporter Correction: The original version of this episode stated that Reserve Police Officers served in a "civilian" position. The episode has been updated with a more accurate description. Links: KQED Voter Guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benicia is home to an oil refinery operated by Valero, which employs hundreds of people and contributes tax revenue totaling an estimated 20% of the city’s general budget. The company has also played a very active role in local elections. Valero’s political action committee spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in 2018 and 2020. Now, with this year's city council race underway — and residents frustrated over recent controversies at the refinery — Valero’s role in Benicia looms large once again. Guest: Scott Morris, reporter for the Vallejo Sun Links: ‘Valero looms over Benicia City Council candidates forum,’ by Scott Morris, Oct. 13, 2022. ‘'First I Had Heard of It': Valero's Benicia Refinery Secretly Released Toxic Chemicals for Years,’ by Ted Goldberg, Feb. 24, 2022. LISTEN: For 15 Years, Valero’s Benicia Refinery Released Toxic Chemicals — And No One Knew, Mar. 1, 2022. WATCH: Benicia City Council Candidate Forum on Oct. 12, 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This November, San Jose residents will make a big decision about the future of the nation’s 10th largest city. The San Jose’s mayor’s race is between two candidates: Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez and San Jose City Councilmember Matt Mahan. Whoever becomes mayor will be responsible for big issues like homelessness, affordable housing, policing, and the future of the city’s downtown. Today, we’re sharing a mayoral forum hosted by KQED in partnership with Univision, where Chavez and Mahan discuss their visions for the city. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless you work on cars for a living, you probably weren’t very familiar with catalytic converters until the last few years, when reported thefts of this particular car part started to skyrocket. It’s part of the exhaust system and contains valuable metals. These thefts have set car owners back thousands of dollars, and some people lose access to their car for months while it’s getting fixed. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two laws last month in an attempt to address the problem, but whether or not it’ll actually help is up in the air. Guest: Jose Fermoso, The Oaklandside senior systems reporter Links: ‘Oakland residents cheer new catalytic converter law, but some worry it won’t end thefts,’ by Jose Fermoso Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After protests erupted in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old Kurdish Iranian woman who died in police custody after being arrested for not wearing a proper hijab, the Iranian government responded with police crackdowns and internet blockages. California is home to one of the largest populations of Iranians outside of Iran. And for many, including here in the Bay Area, protesting and sharing on social media is a critical tool for keeping momentum of this moment alive. Guest: Ida Mojadad, education reporter for the San Francisco Standard Links: Four Ways to Take Action in Solidarity With the People of Iran ‘We Can’t Let This Die’: Why San Franciscans Keep Protesting for Iranian Freedom Episode Transcript This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Several Bay Area cities, including Oakland, are dealing with increased levels of gun violence. In Oakland, the city has hit triple-digit homicides for the third straight year. This has reversed years of positive progress, which was happening in part because of violence intervention work in communities — work that was disrupted during the pandemic. Communities are trying to do what they can to stop violence before it happens. One important piece of the puzzle? Investing in culture, and in events that provide resources and positive social outlets. Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya, associate editor at KQED arts & culture Links: Want to Reduce Gun Violence in Oakland? Invest in Culture, Experts Say Prop Fest Spotify Playlist! This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2020, California lawmakers passed SB 793, which banned the retail sale of flavored tobacco products that can be smoked, vaped, or eaten statewide. But shortly after that, tobacco companies worked to put Prop. 31 on the ballot, taking the issue directly to the voters. It asks California voters whether to uphold that 2020 ban, or do away with it. Guest: Lesley McClurg, KQED health correspondent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We need to spend a lot of money on green infrastructure if we want to lower emissions and adapt to the climate crisis. Supporters of Proposition 30 say this measure would help the state do just that — by raising the state income tax by 1.75% on Californians who make more than $2 million a year. That money would be guaranteed for 3 things: electric car debates, electric car charging, and wildfire suppression. The political coalitions on this one are super confusing: The ‘Yes” side includes environmental justice groups, prominent Democrats, and the ride-hailing app Lyft. The “No” side includes groups that oppose tax increases like the California Republican Party, the Chamber of Commerce, and — perhaps surprisingly — Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Teachers’ Association. Guest: Kevin Stark, KQED science senior editor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Launched for a third time by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, Prop. 29 would add new rules on dialysis clinics. If approved, dialysis clinics would be required to have a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant on site during all treatment hours, among other requirements. Opponents say Prop. 29 imposes unnecessary requirements and would cause clinics to shut down. Guest: Kevin Stark, KQED science senior editor Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Studies show that arts and music education benefit students, reducing things like depression and truancy. However, when budgets are slashed, they’re the first programs to go. The problem is exacerbated in low-income schools, which already face under-staffed and low budgeted music and arts programs, argues former Los Angeles Unified School School District Superintendent, Austin Beutner, who launched Prop. 28. Prop. 28 would increase the amount of funding allocated for music and arts education in public schools. Currently, 40 percent of the state’s general fund goes to public schools. If approved, Prop. 28 would require at least one percent of that go towards music and arts education, an estimated $1 billion annually. Guest: Julia McEvoy, KQED senior editor Episode Transcript Links: The Sacramento Bee editorial board's interview with former L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a pair of dueling ballot measures in California that would affect whether we have legalized sports betting in the state, and what form it should take. It’s a super expensive campaign. Prop 27 is already the most expensive ballot measure in state history. And that’s because big money is on the line. On this episode of Prop Fest, Bay Curious host Olivia Allen-Price talks to KQED’s Guy Marzorati about Propositions 26 and 27. Episode Transcript Voting season is coming up. Check out KQED’s Voter Guide to help make your decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the next 2 weeks, we’re teaming up with our friends at Bay Curious to bring you Prop Fest, where we’ll break down the 7 statewide ballot propositions in the November election. First up: Proposition 1. It was added to the ballot by the state legislature after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Prop 1 would amend the state constitution to include reproductive freedom, which includes the right to an abortion and to accept or refuse contraception, as a fundamental right. Guest: April Dembosky, KQED health correspondent Episode Transcript Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Not One More Girl campaign launched in 2020 after a survey of Bay Area youth found that women and girls feared for their safety when using public transportation. Spearheaded by youth, the campaign outlined ways to make BART safer. More than a year since we first aired this episode, the BART board amended its code of conduct to explicitly prohibit sexual harassment. Guests: Haleema Bharoocha, senior advocacy manager at Alliance for Girls and Santana Tapia, with the #NotOneMoreGirl campaign and co-founder of Fluid Coffee and Event This episode first aired on Aug. 6, 2021. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At its peak, an estimated 500 people lived in tents, vehicles, and camper vans at an encampment near San Jose’s airport. The city has tried to clear it for years, under pressure from the Federal Aviation Administration. Now, it's almost done. San Jose also promised to find housing and fix the vehicles of the people who were moved out of the encampment. But just a fraction have been moved into housing, and only 14 vehicles have been fixed. In the meantime, most people have had to salvage what belongings they could, and find a safe place somewhere else. Guest: Jana Kadah, reporter covering city hall for the San Jose Spotlight Read the transcript This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Communities of color in California are the most affected by violent crime. But historically, they haven't had a seat at the table when it comes to defining what survivors of violent crime want and need. Now that's starting to change. Advocacy groups, led by Black women, say that the state needs to reform and rethink the way victim support in California works. Guest: Marisa Lagos, politics and government correspondent for KQED and co-host of the Political Breakdown Podcast Read the transcript This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maria Esquinca is the newest producer for The Bay, taking over after Ericka Cruz Guevarra left the position to become the host of the show. In this episode we get to know Maria a little bit more. We talk about her hometown of El Paso, Texas (a border town nestled next to Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico) burritos, poetry, and finding home in the Bay Area. KQED reporter Carlos Cabrera-Lomeli also takes us on a brief tour of the Mission, a neighborhood in the Bay Area that reminds Maria of home. Guests: Maria Esquinca, producer of The Bay, and Carlos Cabrera-Lomeli, community engagement reporter for KQED Read the transcript Links: Pocha Poem The Hispanic Invasion of Texas The US Mexico Border Replaces Itself Other poems by Maria This episode was produced by Ericka Cruz Guevarra, Maria Esquinca and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bay Area experienced record-setting heat last week, with temperatures reaching up to 115 degrees in some parts, threatening to overload the state’s power grid. It won’t be the last. Climate change makes it even more likely that these heat waves will be more frequent and severe. So today, we talk about takeaways from the historic heat wave, and how we just barely avoided rolling blackouts this time around. Guest: Dan Brekke, KQED editor and reporter Read the transcript Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In California, less than 1% of farmland is Black-owned, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. One such farm is in Sebastopol in Sonoma County. EARTHseed farm is Sonoma County’s first Afro-Indigenous permaculture farm. It’s a place for Black and brown people to reconnect with indigenous land stewardship and to build community, at a time when the effects of climate change are challenging us to change our relationship to the earth. Guest: Ariana Proehl, KQED culture reporter Links: An Example of 'Land Back' in Northern California 'Welcome Black to the Land': Inside Sonoma County's First Afro-Indigenous Permaculture Farm This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Read the transcript Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Naatak is one of the largest Indian American theater companies in the country. Started in 1995 out of a dorm room at UC Berkeley, Naatak is staging its 100th production this month. In that time, an estimated 1,000 people have participated in Naatak’s productions — all volunteers, many of whom have day jobs in the tech industry. It’s become an important part of the Indian American community in Silicon Valley, by and for people who do this in their free time. Guest: Rachael Myrow, KQED Silicon Valley senior editor Read the Transcript Links: Naatak performs Ramayan at Cubberley Theatre in Palo Alto from September 4-25, 2022. South Bay's Naatak Debuts Its 100th Theater Production: The Epic 'Ramayan,' by Rachael Myrow Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonoma County is trying to set a trend for other cities in banning the construction of new gas stations. In 2021, Petaluma became the first city in the whole country to do so. Now nearly half of the county has followed suit, including Santa Rosa. For the residents who’ve pushed this forward, these bans are a small but important step to fighting climate change, in a county that has experienced some of the worst wildfires in the state. Guest: Paulina Pineda, Santa Rosa Press Democrat city hall reporter Read the Transcript This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra, who also produced. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve probably seen pictures or even smelled them by now. This past week, thousands upon thousands of dead fish have washed up on shorelines all over the Bay Area. And there are way more beneath the surface. So, what's behind this? And is this a one-off, or a sign that we need to do something to prevent it from happening again? Guest: Jon Rosenfield, senior scientist with SF Baykeeper This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and hosted by Alan Montecillo. Links: Dead Fish Are Piling Up Across Shores of San Francisco Bay, Lake Merritt, As Algal Bloom Grows, Aug. 28, 2022. How you can help https://lakemerrittinstitute.org/how-you-can-help/ https://www.inaturalist.org/ Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed a trial run of safe injection sites in San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles. These sites, where people can use illicit drugs under supervision, would have been the first legal ones in the state. But the idea isn’t new. Safe injection sites have been used as a harm reduction tool for decades in Canada, Australia, and in parts of Europe. They exist in other parts of the United States — two have opened in New York City, and Rhode Island has approved them statewide. So, why don’t we have them in California yet? Guest: Lesley McClurg, KQED health correspondent This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and hosted by Alan Montecillo, who also produced and edited. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than 2 years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, most emergency housing protections have expired. This means millions of renters are facing eviction. Today, in an episode of The California Report Magazine, journalist Kori Suzuki tells the story of a group of tenants in Walnut Creek who tried to fight their evictions in court. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s official: by 2035, California will end the sale of new gas-powered vehicles. State air regulators approved the plan yesterday, but it started back in 2020 when Gov. Gavin Newsom first presented the idea through an executive order. So how big of a dent could this make in addressing the climate crisis? Guest: Kevin Stark, KQED climate editor Read the transcript This episode first aired on Sept. 25, 2020. Links: Electric day in California: State phases out sales of gas cars California Moves to Phase Out Sale of New Gas-Powered Cars and Light Trucks by 2035 Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the weekend, protesters tore down a fence that had been put up around the 24th Street Mission BART plaza at the request of San Francisco Supervisor Hilary Ronen. Proponents of the fence said it was necessary to curb the sale of stolen goods and improve safety. Opponents said it further marginalized people who were already struggling and who relied on the public space to make a living. The fence was supposed to be a temporary measure before the city finishes setting up a new street vending permitting system. But the fence — and whether or not it should have ever been there — has sparked a heated debate about what this public space should be. Guest: Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, KQED reporter and editor This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra, who also produced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Noncitizen voting isn’t a brand new idea. White, landowning, noncitizen men were once allowed to vote in 40 states. Today, a handful of cities have granted noncitizen residents the right to vote in various local elections. Until recently, San Francisco was one of them: in 2016, voters approved Proposition N, which granted the vote to noncitizen parents of SF Unified students in school board races. But late last month, a state Superior Court judge struck down San Francisco's law in a suit brought forward by conservative groups. The city has appealed the decision, and what happens next will have ripple effects across the Bay Area and the rest of the state. Guest: Annelise Finney, KQED reporter Correction: this episode states that noncitizens were once allowed to vote in 22 states. Research shows that the correct figure is 40 states. Our episode description has been updated accordingly. Read the transcript Links: San José Considers Expanding the Vote to Noncitizens, Jan 14, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A heat wave that swept through the Bay Area this week made way for fires again. That, plus a slew of other fires burning across California sent smoke hovering over areas of the state. So we thought it’d be a good time to re-evaluate how we talk about fires in the first place, so that we can better understand how to address them. Guest: Danielle Venton, Climate Reporter for KQED Read the transcript This episode first aired Aug. 20, 2021. It was hosted by Devin Katayama and produced by Alan Montecillo and Christopher Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been one year since the Taliban took control of Kabul. Millions of Afghans have fled the country, in many cases becoming separated from their families in the process. Thousands of refugees have since come to northern California, thanks to the help of resettlement agencies and Afghan community organizations. But many are still in limbo, as they try to secure permanent legal status while also juggling daily life in the Bay Area and staying connected with people back with Afghanistan. Guest: Tyche Hendricks, KQED senior immigration editor Read the transcript Links: 'We Are All Very Devastated': Bay Area Afghans Scramble to Contact Family After Earthquake This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices