The Bay

San Francisco’s sanctuary policies have been contested repeatedly since they were first enacted in the 1980s following an immigration raid at a Mission District dance club that left dozens of people detained for hours — some U.S. citizens. So what can the history of challenges against the city’s sanctuary policies tell us about President Donald Trump’s threats to it today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Affected faculty and students at Sonoma State University were caught off guard over plans to slash entire academic departments and NCAA sports programs last month. Could these cuts at SSU signal what’s to come for more campuses in the California State University system? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cities across California are cracking down on homeless encampments following a Supreme Court ruling last year giving local governments the O.K. to do so. Fremont recently took a bigger step than most, by also prohibiting anyone from “aiding and abetting” camping on public property and private land. This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and produced by Mel Velasquez, Jessica Kariisa and Alexander Gonzales Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some Black churches in the Bay Area are retrofitting themselves to become “resilience hubs” in the event of a major storm or climate-related event. It’s part of a national movement called Green The Church, an organization merging the Black faith community and environmental justice. This episode first ran on Oct. 28, 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we asked listeners to share their stories about dating in the Bay Area. Today, we meet some daters from all around the region and hear how they're navigating the highs and lows of the Bay Area dating scene. This episode was hosted by Jessica Kariisa. Mel Velasquez and Dana Cronin produced this episode, with additional support from Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soaring demand for AI has accelerated the building of massive data centers to support the technology, including in the Bay Area. As more centers are built, local residents and environmentalists are concerned about how they disrupt local communities and pose significant health and environmental risks. Links As California AI Data Centers Grow, So Does Dirty Energy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On February 5, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, fulfilling a promise he made on the campaign trail. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into San Jose State University for allowing a transgender athlete to play on the volleyball team. Today, we’re revisiting an episode from December 2024 about how San Jose State’s volleyball team got caught up in the fight over women’s sports. This episode first ran on Dec. 4, 2024. Links: NCAA Bars Trans Athletes as Federal Officials Launch Investigation of San José State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On February 1, 2025 a massive fire broke out at the Martinez Refinery Company’s petroleum refinery leading to unsafe air conditions and a shelter in place order. It’s the third major incident at the refinery in the past five years. KQED’s Julie Small explains what led to the fire and how residents are responding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ursula Jones Dickson, a superior court judge, has been chosen as Alameda County’s new District Attorney, 3 months after voters recalled Pamela Price from office. KQED’s Samantha Lim explains why Jones Dickson was picked, and how she promises to be different from her predecessor. This episode was produced by Mel Velasquez and Jessica Kariisa, and guest hosted by Alan Montecillo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump has vowed to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as part of his plans for mass deportations. During World War II, this law was one of several legal tools the government used to imprison nearly 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. Now, Japanese Americans in the Bay Area are drawing on their stories of trauma and survival to resist the Trump administration's immigration plans. Links: Bay Area Japanese Americans Draw on WWII Trauma to Resist Deportation Threats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, we hear how President Trump’s immigration rhetoric is impacting farmworker communities in Half Moon Bay. Later, we discuss why so many Walgreens are closing San Francisco and how a major budget shortfall is impacting academic and athletic departments at Sonoma State. Links: ‘Trump's Coming’: California Farmworker Groups Rattled by Threatening Postcards Walgreens closures leave entire SF neighborhoods without a pharmacy Sonoma State Is Reeling After Huge Cuts. Where Does the School Go From Here? ‘They’re Scared to See Our Faces’: Angry Sonoma State Community Protests Wide Cuts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians started returning to northern Gaza after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire is currently in its first stage; 33 hostages will be returned to Israel and 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released. Despite initial celebrations, many are nervous about whether this ceasefire will hold, and what Gaza’s future will look like. Today, we hear reactions to the ceasefire from three Palestinians in northern California who have family in Gaza. This episode was produced by Jessica Kariisa, Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and Mel Velasquez. It was edited by Alan Montecillo and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Links: Tentative Relief and Fear: 4 Bay Area Palestinian Americans React to the Gaza Ceasefire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Vallejo to Richmond, Concord to Alameda, military bases were once huge parts of life in the Bay Area. These days, it can be hard to believe whole cities were built around them. So why are there so many abandoned military bases today? KQED's Pauline Bartolone looked into it for Bay Curious. Links: Part II: Surprising Ways Former Bay Area Military Bases Are Transforming (and Why It Takes So Long) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re working on an episode about dating in the Bay Area — the good, the bad, and everything in between — and we’d love to hear from you. What’s your experience been like? What’s dating like in your city? Leave us a voicemail at 415-710-9223, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. Let us know your name, your city, and your story. Also, if you’re open to being interviewed for the podcast, tell us and we may follow up with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled from office in the November election, has been charged with eight counts of conspiracy and bribery. Last week, federal officials unsealed an indictment which includes Thao, her longtime romantic partner, and two prominent businessmen affiliated with the city’s recycling contractor. KQED's Alex Hall breaks down this news. This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, Jessica Kariisa, and Mel Velasquez, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the biggest names in tech — Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai — got priority seating at President Donald Trump’s inauguration this week. But what will Silicon Valley’s turn towards Trump mean for the rest of us? This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and produced by Alan Montecillo and Jessica Kariisa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Donald Trump is sworn in as president for the second time, we hear from Bay Area residents and officials about their hopes and fears for the next 4 years. Special thanks to Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, Juan Carlos Lara, Alastair Boone, Tessa Paoli, and KQED's Forum team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wildfires in Los Angeles County have placed renewed attention on the dangerous, low-wage work of California’s inmate firefighters. In 2021, a new law aimed to help formerly incarcerated people get firefighting jobs after release. But many still face significant barriers. Links: Join us on Wed, Jan. 22 for our Fixit Clinic event at KQED HQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting in March, San Francisco will have speed cameras at 33 different locations throughout the city. Many advocates and city officials hope these cameras will help improve road safety in San Francisco, which saw its highest traffic death toll in nearly two decades last year. Links: Join us on Wed, Jan. 22 for our Fixit Clinic live event! This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and produced by Jessica Kariisa and Alan Montecillo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wildfires in Los Angeles have brought fire department budgets under scrutiny. In Oakland, the recent closures of two fire stations in the city’s hills have left firefighters warning of a tragedy waiting to happen. Links: 2 Oakland Fire Stations Close Amid Budget Crisis, and More Could Soon Follow How to Help People Affected by the L.A. Fires Got Loved Ones Affected by LA Fires? These Wildfire Resources May Help Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting this month, Medi-Cal has expanded coverage to include traditional healing practices like music therapy, rituals and ceremonial dances to support those suffering from addiction. For years, Native people have argued that this more holistic, culturally-specific approach can help fill an important gap in the state’s approach to drug and alcohol treatment. Links: How to Help People Affected by the L.A. Fires Got Loved Ones Affected by LA Fires? These Wildfire Resources May Help This episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei and produced by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bay Area is home to thousands of people with Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. Immigrants with TPS are provided a temporary shield from deportation and a work permit as a result of upheaval in their home countries. But as Donald Trump prepares to enter his second term, many fear deportation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Tuesday, Vallejo will swear in its new mayor. Andrea Sorce, chair of the city’s Surveillance Advisory Board and co-founder of the ACLU’s Solano County chapter, won by running as a political outsider promising change. Today, Ericka sits down with the mayor-elect in Vallejo to discuss what barriers she sees to fulfilling Vallejo’s “potential,” the Vallejo Police Department, housing and homelessness and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next week, San Francisco mayor London Breed will pass the baton off to mayor-elect Daniel Lurie. Breed led the city through most of the first Donald Trump presidency, the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. In this exit interview with the Political Breakdown podcast, Breed reflects on her six years as mayor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sept. 26 marked the A’s last game in Oakland. Next season they’ll play in Sacramento ahead of a planned move to Las Vegas, after more than 50 years representing The Town. Today, we share the sights and sounds of that day with help from KQED’s Joseph Geha. This episode first aired on Sept. 27, 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This holiday season, we’re sharing our favorite episodes of 2024. Producer Jessica Kariisa’s pick is our episode featuring San Jose’s Story Road Night Market in the Little Saigon neighborhood. This episode first ran on Oct. 18, 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This holiday season, The Bay team is sharing their favorite episodes of 2024. Ericka’s pick highlights the work of student journalists covering pro-Palestine protests on college campuses across the Bay earlier this Spring. This episode first published on May 3, 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we wrap up 2024, we hear from members of KQED’s arts and culture desk about the ‘One Beautiful Thing’ each of them experienced over the past year. Links: Read all of KQED arts and culture’s 2024 ‘One Beautiful Thing’ essays Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Santa Rosa is home to an ice skating rink unlike any other. In 1969, Snoopy’s Home Ice was built by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz and his first wife Joyce. Since then, generations of Santa Rosa residents have visited and skated there — and it's extra special during the holiday season. Today, KQED’s Gabe Meline takes us inside Snoopy’s Home Ice, where he goes to skate with his family every Christmas Eve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we’re sharing this episode from the podcast Sea Change, a show by WWNO in New Orleans and WRKF in Baton Rouge. In it you’ll hear about how three different cities – including San Francisco — are addressing unique challenges around sea level rise. Links: Sea Change Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump has doubled down on his campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented people living in the United States. In turn, California officials have promised to protect the state’s undocumented population. KQED’s Political Breakdown podcast sat down with immigration senior editor Tyche Hendricks to talk about how far Trump’s deportation plans can go in California, and how immigrant communities and legal advocacy groups are preparing to fight back. Links: California Is a Sanctuary State. How Much Will That Protect Immigrants From Trump's Deportation Plans? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since Sept. 22, thousands of hotel workers at some of San Francisco’s largest hotels have been in a stalemate with employers, demanding wage increases and affordable health care. KQED’s Farida Jhabvala Romero explains why this dispute has dragged on, and why everyone has a stake in what happens to the city’s hotel industry. This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Jessica Kariisa, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Links: Episode transcript Slow San Francisco Tourism Complicates Hotel Strike Resolution Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Great Highway is the last road in San Francisco before you hit Ocean Beach. And in this past election, voters passed Prop. K, which permanently closes a portion of it. Supporters hope the highway will become a beachfront park, open to the entire city. But a majority of people living near the Great Highway voted against Prop. K — particularly those in the city's Sunset neighborhood. Now, a group of residents have filed papers to recall District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio, who led the effort to close the road. This episode was produced by Jessica Kariisa and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Episode transcript Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People across the Bay Area were rattled by a tsunami warning alert on Thursday morning, after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the coast of Humboldt County. The warning triggered evacuation orders before it was eventually canceled at approximately 12:00 pm. But it begs the question: What would really happen if a tsunami hit the Bay Area? Back in 2017, our friends at Bay Curious set out to answer this question. This episode first aired on June 15, 2017. Links: How to Prepare for the Big One What Would Really Happen if a Tsunami Hit the Bay Area? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The push to ban transgender athletes from competitive sports reached San Jose State University this year. In September, the co-captain of the women's volleyball team joined a lawsuit targeting trans women in college sports — including one of her own teammates. Episode Transcript This episode was produced by Jessica Kariisa and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Links: Anti-Trans Suit Seeking to Ban San José State Volleyball Player Is Denied on Appeal Inside San Jose State's polarizing volleyball season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

83% of Oakland’s rental housing may contain lead. Despite winning millions of dollars in settlement money from paint companies to help address the problem, the funds have remained unused as residents face potential exposure. This episode was updated for clarity. It was produced by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. It was edited by Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Links: Toxic Inaction: Oakland’s lead funding languishes as residents live with serious health risks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nestled in the Berkeley Hills, Indian and Mortar rocks are popular hangout spots known in part for epic views of the Bay. For climbers like Berkeleyside reporter Ally Markovich, they’re known for their outsized role in the development of bouldering. But for the native Ohlone, the boulders are a symbol of a destroyed cultural landscape, and an urgent call to protect native history. This episode first ran on Dec. 23, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2010, Sandy Stier and Kris Perry were part of a landmark case challenging California’s Prop. 8, which eliminated the right to marry for gay and lesbian couples after being approved by voters two years earlier. Their trial eventually resulted in Prop. 8 being struck down. More than a decade later, Stier and Perry joined KQED to watch the unsealed tapes of their younger selves taking the stand, and reflected on what it meant to be part of that fight. This episode originally aired on Dec. 22, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many Bay Area families swear by local Dungeness crab at the holiday dinner table. But for the last 6 years, commercial crabbing season has been delayed to mid-December. So if you want that fresh crab for Thanksgiving, you'll need to either pay for a chartered boat or go catch one yourself. This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Jessica Kariisa, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Links: California’s Dungeness Crab Season Delayed Again, But Could Open in Time for Holidays Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been more than 2 weeks since Election Day, but all 10 of California’s statewide ballot measures have been called. Olivia Allen-Price, host of Bay Curious, and Alan Montecillo, senior editor of The Bay, join Ericka to break down the results and what they mean for you. This episode was produced by Jessica Kariisa and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco residents could face a future with fewer bus and train lines — and even the suspension of the city’s iconic cable cars — if SFMTA, the agency that runs Muni, can’t get the funds to close a nearly $300 million budget deficit. Links: SF Muni Is in Dire Need of Funding. Without It, Cuts Could Be ‘Devastating’ This episode was hosted by Jessica Kariisa, and produced by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Alan Montecillo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In early October, residents in San José’s District 3 learned that their city councilmember, Omar Torres, was being investigated for child sexual misconduct. After weeks of public pressure — and new sexual assault allegations stemming from when he was a young man — Torres resigned. He has since been arrested and charged with three felonies. KQED’s Joseph Geha explains what happened, and how all of this has affected local residents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland has voted overwhelmingly to recall Mayor Sheng Thao, now the first sitting mayor to be recalled in city history. The Oaklandside’s Eli Wolfe explains how the recall campaign won, and the uncertain future ahead. Links: Who is running for Oakland mayor after Sheng Thao's recall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California leaders are gearing up for another 4 years of fighting back against President Donald Trump’s administration. Attorney General Rob Bonta sits down with KQED’s Political Breakdown podcast to talk about how his office is preparing — and what might be different this time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Lurie, the nonprofit founder and Levi Strauss heir who ran one of the most expensive races for mayor in modern city history, will succeed London Breed as the next mayor of San Francisco. Lurie ran as the only major candidate without experience in city hall — and that outsider message resonated with voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris, most Bay Area voters have reacted with a mix of shock, sadness, and disappointment. Meanwhile, California's leaders have vowed to fight back during Trump’s second term. Today, we hear from voters, community advocates, and elected officials. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last day to vote in the 2024 election has come and gone. We know some California results, like Adam Schiff winning the race for U.S. Senate and Proposition 36 passing. But many votes still need to be counted. Today, we hear from voters, and then take you inside the KQED newsroom on Tuesday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of people locked up in California jails are eligible to vote, but by Tuesday, most won’t. CalMatters politics reporter Sameea Kamal explains why it's hard to vote from the inside of county jails. Links: KQED voter guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Santa Clara County is about to elect its first ever Vietnamese American to the Board of Supervisors. In District 2, which includes downtown San Jose and the east side, Madison Nguyen and Betty Duong are vying for a seat that is open for the first time in over a decade. Whoever wins will play a major role in overseeing how the county spends money on issues like health care, housing, and human services. Links: Prop Fest KQED’s Voter Guide Apply to be our intern Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, we check in on how we're feeling before the election and get a status update on the San Francisco mayoral race. Then, we dive into the ongoing hotel worker strike in San Francisco and discuss why the oil industry is getting involved in a local election in a city with no refineries. Links: KQED Voter Guide Prop Fest 2024 Oil Industry Spends Thousands on Local Bay Area Election in City With No Refineries New Polls in San Francisco Mayor’s Race Show Peskin and Lurie Surging SF Hotel Worker Strike Enters 6th Week, No Deal in Sight Apply to be our intern Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices