The Bay

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 reporterThis 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 correspondentLinks:'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 reporterCorrection: 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 SunLinks: ‘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 reporterLinks:‘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 StandardLinks: 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 TranscriptThis 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 & cultureLinks: 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