The Bay

On this edition of The Bay's monthly news roundup, Ericka is joined by The Bay's senior editor Alan Montecillo and KQED associate arts and culture editor Nastia Voynovskaya. We talk about the Pickett Fire currently burning in Napa, scheduling and payment changes to public transit across the Bay, and why some local artists have decided to take their music off Spotify. Links: Pickett Fire Did ‘escaped control burn' cause Napa County's Pickett Fire? Dispatch records raise questions about blaze's origin Starting This Week, You Can Tap Onto BART With a Credit Card — Here's How SF Band Ditches Spotify Over CEO's $700M Military AI Investment Bay Area transit's latest Big Sync improves transfers, saving riders up to 20 minutes per trip Bay Area artists turn down S.F. Boiler Room show, throw their own party instead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artificial intelligence inside California schools feels a lot like building the plane as it's flying. Students who are familiar with tools like ChatGPT are using it faster than teachers and administrators can regulate it. Jesse Dukes, co-host of the Homework Machine podcast, talked with dozens of students and teachers across the country about their thoughts on AI in the classroom. Links: TeachLab Presents: The Homework Machine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Arms Down program at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, formerly San Quentin State Prison, “firearm addiction” is treated like an alcohol addiction. Its founders, all of whom are currently incarcerated men, say that talking about why perpetrators of gun violence carry guns in the first place is their contribution to gun violence prevention from behind bars.  Links: The revolutionary prison program where men help each other put down their guns: ‘Don't end up like me' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fremont is the fourth largest city in the Bay Area and it's also home to one of the largest populations of Afghans in the U.S. Today, we're running an episode from our friends at Bay Curious that traces the history of the Afghan community in Fremont over 40 years. We meet Afghan refugees and  learn what makes”Little Kabul” unique. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After pressure from President Donald Trump, Texas Republicans unveiled a new map redrawing the state's congressional districts 5 years early, in order to win more GOP seats in next year's midterm elections. We talk with KQED's Guy Marzorati about how California Democrats are clapping back with their own redrawn maps. If the state legislature approves this new map, voters will have the final say in a special election this November. Links: California Redistricting Plan May Swing on This Sonoma County Shakeup Find out if your vote could be affected by Newsom's redistricting plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the pandemic, casual carpool was a completely organic system of pickup spots and patient passengers looking for a quick, comfortable way to head into San Francisco.  Casual carpool collapsed when the pandemic hit. But now it's been relaunched. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Music festivals in the Bay Area are upon us. And it takes a lot to leave no trace after a 3-day festival like Outside Lands.  As Golden Gate Park prepares for another music event this weekend, SFGate's Melissa Cho takes us behind the scenes at Outside Lands, where the majority of waste is diverted from landfills. Links: This is Where Your Trash at Outside Lands Goes LaRussell and Good Compenny Present: A Bay Area Music Showcase Tickets! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want solar power in your home, you usually need to be a homeowner with a good roof and a decent amount of cash to pay up front. But some Bay Area residents are trying out plug-in solar, which can hang from an apartment balcony, out a window, or be tented in the backyard. Links: Forget Rooftops — Bay Area Residents Are Plugging Solar Into the Wall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Young people are increasingly turning to AI “companion” chatbots to help meet their emotional needs. But a new study shows that these chatbots, which are designed to mimic real social relationships, may come with serious risks. On this episode of Close All Tabs from KQED, host Morgan Sung and her sister put one chatbot's safety guardrails to the test — and get more than they bargained for. This episode mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can dial or text 988 and be connected to help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1960s, Alameda County and the city of Hayward forcibly displaced more than 1,000 mostly Black and Latino residents living in a 12-block unincorporated area called Russell City to make way for an industrial park. Now, the city and county have approved reparations for former residents whose homes were seized by the government. Links: Decades After 'Cultural Genocide,' Residents of a Bulldozed Community Get Apology from Hayward Alameda County Set to Approve Reparations Fund for Displaced Russell City Residents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the South Bay, calls to a community-led Rapid Response Network have increased as the network fights back against misinformation around Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. Meet the community members on the other end of the line. Links: How to Verify ICE Raid Rumors in California  As ICE Operations Expand, How Are Immigrant Allies Responding? 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

When we talk about homelessness, especially in San Francisco, many of us are usually talking about individuals living on the streets. But the number of families experiencing homelessness in San Francisco nearly doubled from 2022 to 2024, according to the city's Point In Time Count. And many of them move from shelter to shelter, in a system that's meant to be temporary but has few permanent housing options to offer. Links: SF Families Win Shelter Extension Rights, Still Face Long Waits for Housing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekend, San Francisco is hosting shows and celebrations honoring 60 years of the Grateful Dead's music. Dead & Company, which performs Grateful Dead covers and includes  former members of the original band, will be headlining three nights in Golden Gate Park. For some Deadheads, it's a chance to celebrate the Dead's music in the city where the band became famous. Others say that the anniversary shows, which cost $635 for a three-day pass, go against everything the Dead stood for. Links: ‘Jerry is rolling in his grave': The Deadheads boycotting SF's anniversary shows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As you may have heard, last week was a tough one for KQED, NPR, and public media across the country. Last Tuesday, KQED announced that it is cutting 15% of its staff in response to a budget shortfall and financial uncertainty. While our team was not laid off, we are losing many beloved colleagues. Then, just a few days later, Congress voted to take back $1.1 billion in funding for public media. These were funds that public media stations across the country had already been promised.  It's a huge setback for us. But we want to reassure you: We're still here. And we will keep fighting for the mission that public media represents, and reaffirm our commitment to serving you. So if you're reading this: Thank you for your support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year The Bay team takes some time off from making new episodes. This is time we spend planning and recharging. So there will be no new episodes in your feed in the month of July. In the meantime, we want to thank you for letting us be part of your daily routines. We will be back Friday, August 1 with a new episode. You can still reach us via e-mail at thebay@kqed.org. We always love hearing from you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this month's edition of The Bay's news roundup, we introduce you to the Bay Area's first women's sports bar, discuss Stanford's scaling back of gender-related surgical procedures for minors, and the secret sauce of the San Francisco malls defying the ‘doom loop' narrative. Links: The Bay Area's First Women's Sports Bar Is Open for Business Stanford Scales Back Trans Care for Minors Amid Federal Crackdown Asian Food Is Coming to Save a Mall Near You SF Chronicle: These S.F. malls are experiencing a ‘renaissance' that defies the doom loop. Here's their secret Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley has long been seen as a launchpad for actors and artists. In 2018 the theater commissioned and premiered the Tony-Award winning play “Eureka Day.” Now, the theater is suspending production, joining a growing list of Bay Area theaters on the brink of closure in what the San Francisco Chronicle theater critic Lily Janiak describes as the “industry's free fall.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wood Street encampment in West Oakland was at one point the largest homeless encampment Northern California. In 2023, the city of Oakland completed final evictions of Wood Street residents. Dozens of Wood Street residents ended up at a city-funded shelter site where part of the encampment used to be. It includes an RV park and a "community cabins" site. Now, this shelter site is scheduled to close on Monday. Today, Oakland journalist and filmmaker Caron Creighton tells us about the cabin sites, and introduces us to two unhoused people who have been living there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gwenn Craig moved to San Francisco in 1975, as a young woman eager to explore her lesbian identity. She got involved in politics and was a close collaborator of Harvey Milk. In this episode, she talks about her political organizing, what pride has meant to her over the years, and what she hopes for its future.  This episode first aired on June 28, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hip-hop is nearly 52 years old — and when it comes to talking about hip-hop history, it's no secret that the Bay Area gets overlooked. Today, we're revisiting an episode with KQED's Eric Arnold and Nastia Voynovskaya about exploring the history of hip-hop — and how our region has shaped it through the years. Links: That's My Word The Bay Area Was Hip-Hop Before There Was Hip-Hop That's My Word, Spotify Playlists celebrating 50 years of Bay Area Hip Hop  It's Time to Unpack Pimp Culture in Bay Area Hip-Hop This episode first aired Aug 11, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the city of Berkeley ordered the clearing of RV encampments on Second Street, the city began offering cash to people living in their RVs in addition to a room at a motel shelter. Most accepted the offer, and city leaders are hopeful that this approach can expand. Links: Berkeley's Strategy for RV Encampments Could Be a Model for California Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suisun City in Solano County will begin studying annexing land owned by California Forever, the billionaire-backed group that bought up thousands of acres of land with plans to build a brand new city from scratch in Solano County. KQED's Adhiti Bandlamudi joins us to discuss the implications of this decision and why it has divided the local community.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since Donald Trump's first term in office, a UC Berkeley student group called Central Americans for Empowerment (CAFE) has been pushing for a Central American Studies department. For them, it would help raise visibility of Central Americans whose specific stories often get lost in broader conversations about Latinos and immigration in the U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump Administration's immigration crackdown has left few safe spaces for immigrants. But in the East Bay, local soccer leagues have provided a rare sense of psychological safety for immigrant newcomers. Links: As Safe Spaces Shrink, Immigrant Youth Find Solace in 'The Beautiful Game' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fairfax is a small, predominantly white town of about 7,500 people, nestled up against the Mt. Tam watershed in Marin. Wellness and a distrust of authority have long been part of the town's culture. But since the pandemic, it also became a place where supporters of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine message grew louder and louder. Links: The Marin Town Where RFK Jr.'s Message Took Root Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode contains explicit language. Next week, San Jose City Council will vote on a controversial plan that would threaten unhoused people with arrest if they refuse multiple offers of shelter. Mayor Matt Mahan says this approach could help open paths to treatment and increase support for more shelter construction. But Santa Clara County officials are skeptical. Links: Mahan's Final San José Budget Focused on Controversial Homelessness and Pay Plans In San José, a Controversial Choice for Unhoused: Shelter or Arrest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An independent investigation into a massive fire at the Martinez PBF Energy refinery found that human error, worker inexperience and lack of supervision were at the heart of the February fire that prompted shelter in place orders. Today, we revisit an episode about this initial fire that alarmed local residents. Links: Massive Martinez Refinery Fire in February Caused by Human Error, Investigation Finds This episode first aired Feb. 7, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1900s, San Francisco eradicated native coyotes from the city. But around 20 years ago, they returned and are now a part of daily life. For some residents, they're a source of wonder, while others view them as a nuisance and a danger to pets and children.  Links: The Coyotes of San Francisco How We Photographed Coyotes in San Francisco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this month's edition of The Bay's news roundup, we talk about a proposed 10-year ban on state AI regulations that the House of Representatives passed as part of President Trump's budget bill. Plus, Oakland's MACRO program – a non-emergency alternative to police – releases new data, and the Bay Area's very own Ruby Ibarra wins NPR's Tiny Desk Contest. Links: Californians would lose AI protections under bill advancing in Congress Oakland's MACRO touts improvements despite criticism; needs $4M a year to survive Ruby Ibarra: NPR Tiny Desk Concert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than four years after the Taliban took control of Kabul, thousands of Afghan families are still waiting for the U.S. to fulfill promises it made to take them in for helping the American war effort. Now, the U.S. is moving to deport thousands of Afghans who have recently arrived here, after the Trump administration announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for people from Afghanistan. Links: Bay Area Afghans, Allies Decry Trump's End of TPS: ‘They're Terrified' Jewish Community and Family Services East Bay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2023, Rise East, a collective of East Oakland nonprofits, received a $50 million grant a from national philanthropic organization. But there was a catch: The money could only be unlocked if Rise East could raise more $50 million more from local donors. On Thursday, Rise East announced that they had done it. And East Oaklanders have already begun dreaming about what to do with this money to help reimagine their communities. This episode originally aired on Oct. 11, 2024. Links: Rise East Unlocks $100 Million to Reimagine East Oakland Live From East Oakland: Can $100 Million Revitalize Oakland's Black Community? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My Wildest Story is a national live storytelling and comedic trauma-bonding event series from the pop-up comedy collective Fools Circle. Earlier this month, some of the Bay Area's favorite comedians and storytellers gathered at KQED for this showcase of crazy and jaw-dropping personal experiences that could only happen here. This episode contains explicit language. Links: Watch the full event Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inspired by hunger strikes at California State University campuses, at least 20 students, staff and faculty at Stanford are on an indefinite hunger strike in solidarity with Gaza. They're demanding that Stanford disclose and divest from companies they say are profiting from Israel's siege. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has tapped some of the city's richest people to run a new nonprofit aimed at raising money to revitalize the city's downtown, and also recently announced a fund that will use private dollars to help address homelessness. But how much power should the city's ultrarich have over the city's comeback? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bay Area is home to the WNBA's newest team. Tonight, the Golden State Valkyries play their first-ever regular season game at Chase Center. For women's sports fans across the region, it's been a long time coming. The Chronicle's Marisa Ingemi joins us to preview the Valkyries' inaugural season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since 2019, a bike lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge added more options for cyclists. Now, the fate of the bike lane is a hot button issue as officials decide whether to limit access to weekends only, or keep the lane open seven days a week. Richmondside reporter Joel Umanzor joins us to talk about what's next for the bridge, and the strong opinions on both sides of the bike lane.  Links: Cyclists cheer as Richmond-San Rafael bridge bike lane vote is delayed again Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Press Democrat, the longtime local newspaper of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County, has been sold to MediaNews Group, a newspaper publisher owned by Alden Global Capital, an investment firm based in Manhattan. The sale has raised alarms among North Bay journalists and residents, who fear that the company will continue its pattern of buying newspapers and then slashing staff. KQED's Gabe Meline joins us to discuss the sale and its potential impact on the local media landscape in the North Bay.  Correction: The description of Alden Global Capital has been updated. Links:  Santa Rosa's Press Democrat Was Just Sold. Locals Are Concerned For the Paper's Future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, the National Endowment for the Arts has provided federal grant funding to local arts nonprofits around the country and the Bay Area. Now, several recipients have had their grants cancelled by the Trump Administration, leaving many uncertain about the future of arts and culture in the region.  Links: Trump Cancels NEA Grants for Many Bay Area Arts Nonprofits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a decadeslong fight, the majority of ranching along the Point Reyes National Seashore will end by next year, thanks to a legal settlement involving environmentalists, ranchers, and the National Park Service. Environmentalists say the deal will protect native animal and grass species. Meanwhile, ranchers and workers are now in a scramble to find housing in an area already squeezed for options. Links: Cattle Ranching Is at the Center of a Battle Brewing in Point Reyes Point Reyes Ranching Will All But End Under New Deal, Capping Decadeslong Conflict Point Reyes Cattle Ranchers Urge Republicans to Leave Environmental Deal Alone Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. San Francisco Northern California Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to private school enrollment, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Marin counties are all well above the state average. But why? In this episode from our friends at Bay Curious, we'll explore the many reasons San Francisco families choose to send their kids to private schools. It's a trend rooted in the history of desegregation that's been hard to reverse. Links: Why Is Private Schooling So Popular in the San Francisco Bay Area? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday marked 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. As a result of the north's victory, an estimated 120,000 Vietnamese refugees fled to communities all over the U.S. — including to San José. Today, it's hard to imagine San José without the Vietnamese American community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this edition of The Bay's monthly news roundup, we unpack the razor-thin election results in San José's District 3 and the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs in San Francisco's Chinatown. Plus, we learn more about how roughly 900 Berkeley homeowners will need to clear vegetation in order to protect their houses against wildfire damage. Links: After Recount, Tordillos Advances to Runoff Election for San José Council Seat San Francisco Chinatown Businesses Enter Survival Mode During Trade War Berkeley Moves to Require Vegetation Removal Near Homes in Fire Zones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices