The Bay

Azul Dostrom-Eckman, KQED transit reporter who covered the Clipper 2.0 rollout, breaks down the troubled launch. She outlines promised features like instant top-ups and tap-to-pay. She describes system crashes, account lockouts, vending machines eating money, equity problems for cash riders, and pressure from big events and agency funding concerns.

Arati Bandamudi, a KQED housing reporter who covers development and local housing issues, unpacks the California Forever saga. She breaks down the Suisun City vs Rio Vista clash and why small cities eye big annexation deals. Also covers local protests, recalls, and the uncertain future of the project.

Roselyn Romero, a public-safety reporter for The Oaklandside who covers crime, policing, and violence-prevention, breaks down why violent crime and homicides fell in Oakland. She discusses data-driven trends, policy and policing tools being used, tensions between perception and reality of safety, and community responses and prevention efforts.

Daniel Lurie, San Francisco mayor and longtime nonprofit leader, reflects on his first year balancing rising approval with persistent challenges. He talks about falling crime and overdose trends, navigating city bureaucracy, lessons from a controversial appointment, local outreach efforts, and strategies for behavioral health and public safety.

April Damboski, a healthcare correspondent for KQED, explores the shifting landscape of AI in mental health care. She discusses the implementation of AI note-takers in clinics, freeing up time for clinicians. Concerns arise as Kaiser mental health clinicians negotiate to keep AI from replacing their roles. Damboski highlights the need for privacy and job security while contrasting chatbots with traditional therapies. The conversation emphasizes that AI should support, not overshadow, the essential human empathy in therapy.

Sarah Hotchkiss, KQED Senior Arts Editor and a proud alum of California College of the Arts, shares her insights on the impending closure of this local landmark. She highlights the significant impact on the Bay Area arts community, detailing CCA's rich 119-year legacy and the notable artists it nurtured. Sarah discusses the financial challenges leading to this decision, as well as the emotional responses from students and faculty. She calls attention to the critical need for art schools in fostering creativity, urging greater support for displaced students.

Morgan Sung, a tech journalist and host of the Close All Tabs podcast, engages with criminal justice reporter C.J. Ciaramella on the controversial topic of recording ICE activities. They discuss the tragic shooting of Renee Good and the subsequent public outcry. C.J. sheds light on the legalities surrounding the right to record law enforcement, exploring circuit court precedents and the challenges posed by federal obstruction laws. They also delve into the risks involved for observers and provide practical advice on knowing your rights in these situations.

Bay Area police departments say automated license plate readers contracted by an Atlanta-based company called Flock Safety have been a powerful tool for solving crime. But Bay Area residents and privacy advocates are increasingly concerned about the impacts on our privacy, as the Trump administration continues its federal immigration crackdown. In Santa Cruz, the city council voted 6-1 to end its contract with Flock, citing reports that the city’s data was accessed by out-of-state agencies.  Links: Santa Cruz the First in California to Terminate Its Contract With Flock Safety San Jose latest city to face questions whether federal authorities are accessing police license plate camera data Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Jiha, the South Bay editor for KQED, provides a gripping insight into the trial of five Stanford students accused of occupying the university president’s office. He discusses the dramatic protest on June 5, detailing the barricades and symbolic actions taken to push for divestment from companies linked to Israel's military actions. Jiha explores the motivations behind the protests, the felony charges, and the broader implications for free speech, as defendants argue their actions were driven by humanitarian concerns. Expect a packed courtroom atmosphere as the trial unfolds.

Laura Clivens, a climate reporter at KQED, dives deep into the recent power outages that rattled San Francisco during the holidays. She highlights the devastating impacts on businesses and vulnerable residents. Clivens discusses the mounting public outrage and the growing calls for the city to seize control of PG&E. She explores the complexities of eminent domain and shares insights from Sacramento's public power struggles. Ultimately, the conversation raises critical questions about accountability and the future of energy in the Bay Area.