Behind the Headlines

The Palo Alto school district's decision to close schools for one month to slow the spread of coronavirus is the topic of this webcast discussion with school board President Todd Collins and Vice President Shounak Dharap. Read our story on the issue at https://bit.ly/2ILuxyq and stay up to date on the latest coronavirus news at https://bit.ly/32VmFUa

With the number of coronavirus cases rising tenfold in the past week in Santa Clara County, Palo Alto Weekly journalists talk about what public health departments and other organizations are doing to keep the virus from spreading. Stay up to date on the latest coronavirus news at https://bit.ly/32VmFUa

As the Palo Alto City Council prepares to outsource the city auditor position, which was created by voters in 1983, former City Auditor Sharon Erickson discusses the auditor's function and her belief that moving it out of City Hall would be a mistake. Read the story at https://bit.ly/2uIpag6

Palo Alto Art Center Director Karen Kienzle talks about "Rooted: Trees in Contemporary Art," an exhibit featuring the works of 20 different artists, from photography to sculpture to a multimedia installation. Kienzle also discusses the unique role and programs of the Art Center in fostering creativity in Palo Alto. Read our story on the topic here at https://bit.ly/2Vc6Wyo

Magical Bridge playground co-founders Olenka Steciw Villarreal and Jill Hoffspiegel Asher have created a universal playground for all ages and abilities. The Palo Alto residents discuss how their idea, poised to go global, redefines what it means to play and creates an inclusive community for all generations. Read our story on the topic at https://bit.ly/2OVT7Qw

Palo Alto High School seniors Alexa Alami and Katherine Buecheler talk about their new student-advocacy group and why more conversation and education on consent, healthy relationships and sexual violence are needed at their high school. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/31ClCI0

Dramatic proposals to redevelop a 60-acre site in the Ventura neighborhood are stirring hopes and anxieties in the community and beyond. Weekly journalists discuss the latest plans and their implications for Palo Alto's efforts to build more housing. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/2S7X2L2

Southgate resident Mike Price joins Weekly journalists for a discussion of his proposal to improve the Churchill Avenue rail crossing by building a road underpass -- an idea that received a boost from the City Council this week. Read our story about this issue at https://bit.ly/2GmJoOE

So far this winter, there have been two rounds of king tides at the Palo Alto Baylands and there's another expected on Feb. 9. City Naturalist Corinne DeBra speaks with Weekly staff about how these tides occur and how the local flora and fauna are impacted. Read more at https://bit.ly/2Rppbg8

Jody Miller, head of Esther B. Clark School at the Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, talks about why nonpublic schools exist and the unique ways in which they serve students with special needs. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/2Ta3K58

Palo Alto Weekly film critic Peter Canavese and Tim Sika, host/producer of the radio show Celluloid Dreams, share their lists of 2019's best films, their takes on the year's big blockbusters and the movies they say is worth seeing in theaters with Weekly Associate Editor Linda Taaffe. Canavese authors the film website GrouchoReviews.com and Sika's reviews can be found at CelluloidDreams.net and also on KGOradio.com. Read our story about this year's picks at https://bit.ly/36iWpnE

Weekly journalists wrap up 2019 by recapping the biggest news and the most surprising trends of the year -- and the decade. Read our story about this topic at https://bit.ly/2F0DuBW

Weekly journalists discuss Palo Alto's effort to reform its commission system and a proposal to dramatically shift how math is taught in Palo Alto middle schools. Read our stories on the commission system at https://bit.ly/2LS1g7a and on middle school math at https://bit.ly/38CYpc7

Fire agencies warn that the Santa Cruz Mountains could produce a large-scale blaze, similar to recent wildfires in the north bay, under the right conditions. Weekly journalists discuss local agencies' preparations for a big blaze in open space areas, the area's vulnerability and how the community can prepare. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/34Y0uwX

Weekly associate editor Linda Taaffe chats with music writer Yoshi Kato and arts and entertainment editor Karla Kane about a few of the many upcoming holiday-themed performances and events on the Midpeninsula this season. Read about the holiday highlights here: https://bit.ly/2pYgpw3

Weekly staff discuss the question that has been pitting Palo Alto neighborhoods against each other: Should the city close Churchill Avenue to cars near the railroad tracks as part of a broader plan to redesign the rail corridor? Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/2XEZPgV

Ryan McCauley, a member of Palo Alto's Parks and Recreation Commission, talks with Weekly staff about the commission's new proposal to open up the city's pristine and exclusive Foothills Park to non-residents. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/2qhsCvU

With Stanford University deciding to withdraw its ambitious plan for campus expansion, Weekly staff recap the contentious review process and consider the university's options for future development. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/2NRVtig

Philip Kamhi, Palo Alto's newly hired chief transportation official, talks to the Weekly about the city's plans to revamp its parking policies, launch a scooter-share program and improve community outreach for bike boulevards and other transportation projects. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/2pP3sUW

Palo Alto resident Rowena Chiu, who says movie mogul Harvey Weinstein attempted to rape her when she was his assistant in 1998, speaks about her decision to come forward, the cultural stigmas she faced and the impact of the #MeToo movement. Read our story about Chiu at https://bit.ly/2MWD4Aj

As the Palo Alto Weekly celebrates its 40th anniversary, Editor Jocelyn Dong gives an overview of the newspaper's beginnings and highlights work by the editorial staff to commemorate the milestone, including a project that asked city residents to complete this thought: "When I think of Palo Alto, I think of ..." View articles, photos, interactive timelines and more at https://bit.ly/2oBEurD

Kyle Greenman, clinical associate at Adolescent Counseling Services' Adolescent Substance Abuse Program, discusses the growing prevalence of vaping among local teens and what parents, school administrators and public officials should know about the phenomenon. Read our latest story on the topic at https://bit.ly/2mcQzmc

Adam Gelb, assistant principal at San Mateo High School, talks with reporter Elena Kadvany about the school's decision to prohibit cellphones during school hours. Read our story on the topic at https://bit.ly/2lMOBIU

Dr. George Tingwald, medical planning director for Stanford Health Care, gives an overview of what's inside the new Stanford Hospital and provides insight into the planning involved to help the institution deliver top-notch medical care. Palo Alto Weekly journalists Jocelyn Dong and Sue Dremann join him for the conversation. Read our story on the topic at https://bit.ly/2lSFEgY

Robin Wedell, director of HeartFit for Life, joins Weekly staff to give an overview of the program's cardiac therapy services and their long-term impact on the nonprofit's members as the organization prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Read our story on the topic at https://bit.ly/2m4xtOA

Gail Price, a member of the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan Working Group, joins Weekly staff for a discussion about the goals, challenges and latest complications in Palo Alto's effort to craft a vision for the Ventura neighborhood. Read our story on the topic at https://bit.ly/34hvok7

Palo Alto Weekly journalists discuss tensions between Ravenswood City School District board members and the implications for a district in transition. Read our story on the issue at https://bit.ly/2MyslhB

Palo Alto Unified Superintendent Don Austin joins Weekly journalists to discuss his vision for the district and upcoming issues for the new school year. Read our story on the topic at https://bit.ly/2HbR72Z

Palo Alto Weekly journalists discuss the potential closure of Glory Mobile Home and RV Park in East Palo Alto, which would eliminate a precious resource of low-income housing in the city. They explore what the loss might mean for renters who have lived there for decades. Read our story on the issue at https://bit.ly/2MPvPLX

Monica Williams, president of the Palo Alto Pickleball Club, joins Weekly staff for a discussion about the city's fastest growing sport, pickleball, and ongoing efforts to build more courts and attract more players. Read our story on the topic at https://bit.ly/2T2XmKR

Palo Alto psychiatrist Rameen Ghorieshi joins Weekly journalists to discuss the potential of ketamine to treat severely depressed patients, who have seen remarkable results. Read our story on the issue at https://bit.ly/2Y7rzOH

On this episode, meet the Peninsula Foodist, also known as Palo Alto Weekly education reporter Elena Kadvany, who this week debuted a new e-newsletter covering the Peninsula dining scene, from parking lot food stands to hole-in-the-wall noodle shops to Michelin-starred restaurants. Read our story on the launch of the Peninsula Foodist e-newsletter at https://bit.ly/2JC1XR9

Palo Alto Weekly journalists discuss the diverse community of people living in recreational vehicles along El Camino Real and the various circumstances that brought them there. Read our story on the issue at https://bit.ly/2JuVK9C

Palo Alto Weekly journalists break down the Santa Clara County Planning Commission’s supporting vote for Stanford University’s proposed expansion with requirements for building housing, mitigating the impacts of traffic and protecting the foothills. Read our story on the issue at https://bit.ly/2LqemJx

Palo Alto Weekly journalists discuss the cases against John Arthur Getreu, 74, a convicted killer and rapist who is charged with two murders of young women on Stanford University land in the 1970s. They also highlight DNA advances that allowed detectives to solve the cold-case crimes and reactions to his arrest from the brother of one of his victims and a survivor of one of his crimes. Read our story about Getreu at https://bit.ly/2WYaf9q

Weekly journalists break down Palo Alto's newly adopted ban on plastic straws and produce bags, which begins at the 0:43 timestamp, and recap this week's sentencing of Ross Colby, which begins at the 13:00 timestamp. In 2015, Colby hacked into and temporarily took down Palo Alto Online and four other Embarcadero Media websites.

Palo Alto Weekly staff delve into a divisive proposal to build housing at Cubberley Community Center as part of a redevelopment project at the aged campus.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian joins Weekly staff to highlight the key areas of contention around Stanford University's ambitious expansion plan, which is facing increasing scrutiny from local officials and Stanford students.

High school students Claire Cheng, Caroline Furrier, Ben Gordon and Arjun Prabhaker discuss issues impacting students in Palo Alto with education reporter Elena Kadvany.

Alicia Garcia, associate director of Project WeHope, discusses a new partnership between the nonprofit and city of East Palo Alto to help people living in their recreational vehicles through the new RV Safe Parking program, which provides services and resources with a goal of eventually moving them into permanent housing. Palo Alto Weekly journalists Jocelyn Dong, Sue Dremann and Cierra Bailey join her for the conversation.

Palo Alto Weekly journalists explain recent and controversial developments in Stanford University's application process under the county of Santa Clara. The county's halted negotiations over a proposed development agreement and the university's sharply worded request to delay public hearings are among the latest actions that have occurred.

Palo Alto resident Tom Rindfleisch discusses long-awaited recommendations on how to keep the San Francisquito Creek from overflowing its banks and flooding streets and homes. Palo Alto Weekly journalists Jocelyn Dong and Gennady Sheyner join him for the conversation.

Former Palo Alto Mayor Pat Burt discusses efforts to help south bay cities, including Palo Alto, put business tax measures business tax measures on their ballots to pay for critical municipal services, such as transportation programs and affordable housing. Palo Alto Weekly journalists Jocelyn Dong and Gennady Sheyner join Burt for the conversation.

Phil Bobel, Palo Alto's assistant director of Public Works, talks about the uncertainty facing the city's recycling operation since China has become unwilling to buy recycled items that are considered "contaminated." Palo Alto Weekly Editor Jocelyn Dong and Associate Linda Taaffe explore the impacts of the change and ways that cities are responding.

Three California bills aimed at creating housing opportunities -- AB 302, SB 4 and SB 50 -- are discussed by Palo Alto Weekly journalists. AB 302, the "Safe Lot" bill, would guarantee that homeless community-college students can sleep overnight in their cars on campus. The discussion on that bill begins at the 0:50 timestamp. SB 4 and SB 50 are bills would allow for greater density of housing along transit corridors. The discussion on those bills begin at the 10:50 timestamp.

Palo Alto Vice Mayor Adrian Fine and Greer Stone, vice chair of the Santa Clara County Human Rights Commission, join Weekly journalists for a discussion of state Senate Bill 50, a contentious legislative proposal that seeks to increase housing construction in transit-friendly and jobs-rich areas.

Weekly journalists discuss what the rapid rise of charter schools means for traditional school districts, including the K-8 Ravenswood City School District in East Palo Alto.

Palo Alto college adviser John Raftrey discusses with Weekly journalists the implications of a multimillion-dollar nationwide admissions bribery scandal.

Palo Alto Mayor Eric Filseth discusses with the Weekly his concerns with Senate Bill 50, which aims to boost California's housing stock, and his own ideas for addressing the state's housing shortage.

Weekly journalists discuss the leadership battle at Ravenswood City School District, where the schools superintendent was just placed on leave beginning at the 0:20 timestamp, and explain why Palo Alto is so frustrated with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's latest bus plan at the 10:59 timestamp.

San Jose author Jan Batiste Adkins talks about the struggles and successes of Santa Clara County's early African-Americans featured in her new book African Americans of San Jose and Santa Clara County." Adkins joins Palo Alto Weekly associate editor Linda Taaffe and reporter Sue Dremann.