Fifth & Mission

The omicron variant is breaking daily COVID-19 case records in the Bay Area — and prompting us to reevaluate how we live with the virus. Reporter Catherine Ho joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss why new antiviral pills could be a game changer for the pandemic. Plus: Reporter Erin Allday discusses Sonoma County's new shelter-in-place recommendation and why it isn't a return to the early days of the pandemic. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California's governor unveils his budget proposal, kicking off a months-long process of deciding how the state will spend its money — including a $46 billion surplus. Chronicle reporter Dustin Gardiner and senior political writer Joe Garofoli join host Cecilia Lei to chat about what Newsom's priorities are, and what they say about his leadership as he wraps up his first term this year. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UCSF's Dr. Bob Wachter joins host Cecilia Lei and Chronicle health reporter Erin Allday to offer clarity during this record-breaking omicron surge, including isolation guidelines, advice for parents of kids under 5 and when the pandemic might become endemic. This conversation was recorded live on Twitter Spaces on Jan. 7. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pandemic tension is exploding again in schools — including in San Francisco, where public campuses were down nearly 900 teachers and aides on Thursday. As Chronicle reporter Jill Tucker tells host Demian Bulwa, some of the teachers were sick with COVID-19 while others were agitating for tests, masks and other protections against the surge. Similar fights are being waged in Chicago and other cities, frustrating parents who are worried both about the virus and the growing cost of children missing school. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One year after the Capitol was invaded by angry Trump supporters, America is still assessing the damage. Chronicle reporters Tal Kopan, Joe Garofoli and Matthias Gafni join host Cecilia Lei to discuss how prosecutions are going, what Bay Area lawmakers and California Republicans are feeling, and the growing threat to American democracy. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new law requires the state to dramatically expand its composting abilities and shrink the amount of waste sent to landfills by 2025. Chronicle reporter Chase DiFeliciantonio joins host Cecilia Lei to explain why this is a climate change fight. Plus: Reporter Dustin Gardiner discusses major infrastructure problems in the state’s recycling program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The highly infectious variant is already surpassing the case numbers of last winter. Chronicle health reporter Erin Allday joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about how widespread COVID-19 infections are in the Bay Area, and why there may be a silver lining. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rain and snow storms helped usher in a new year in California, but are they drought busters? Chronicle reporter Kurtis Alexander joins host Cecilia Lei to give updates on the Sierra snowpack, water reservoir levels and what water restrictions may look like in the months ahead. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our last episode of 2021, hosts Cecilia Lei and Demian Bulwa ask Chronicle journalists and other notable Bay Area figures to answer the question: "What issue or story are you most curious about or interested in following in 2022?" Listen to answers from KQED's Alexis Madrigal, activist Cat Brooks, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff and others.Ending soon! Unlimited Chronicle access for 26 weeks for 99 cents: sfchronicle.com/podFifth & Mission will return with new daily episodes on Jan. 3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland has seen a bigger jump in its unhoused population than any other Bay Area city. In a Chronicle Live virtual event in November, reporter Kevin Fagan speaks with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and housing advocates Tomiquia Moss and Chelsea Andrews about what can be done to address the city's crisis. The episode is followed by an aftershow about housing presented by Fifth & Mission sponsor the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Get unlimited Chronicle access for 26 weeks for 99 cents: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices