

Fifth & Mission
San Francisco Chronicle
The flagship news podcast of the San Francisco Chronicle. Producer/host Cecilia Lei and co-host Laura Wenus discuss the biggest stories of the day with Chronicle journalists and newsmakers from around the Bay Area. | Get full digital access to the Chronicle: sfchronicle.com/pod
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 5, 2021 • 21min
Why the Warriors' Andrew Wiggins Controversy Was a Distraction
Golden State's starting small forward initially refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine, saying his back was "against the wall." He risked much of his multimillion-dollar salary because of San Francisco's indoor vaccination mandate but finally reversed his stance on Sunday. The drama around Wiggins, though, missed the real issue, says Chronicle columnist Justin Phillips: Lack of access to health care and information in the Black community. He joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about it. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podSee also: Oakland's Vaccine Ambassadors: pod.fo/e/df916 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 4, 2021 • 15min
Is the Counterculture Legacy of Berkeley's People's Park Over?
Last week, the University of California approved a $312 million plan to develop student housing at People's Park, which has been the site of activism since the 1960's, and a safe haven for unhoused residents to camp. Producer Caron Creighton reports from Berkeley to understand how the university's new housing plan may affect the legacy of the historic park and displace its community members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 1, 2021 • 11min
Breaking: COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for California Schools
Gov. Gavin Newsom announces a first-in-the-nation order — which will go into effect when vaccines get full authorization from the FDA. Reporter Alexei Koseff joins host Demian Bulwa to talk about the order and what it means. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 1, 2021 • 17min
Last Pandemic Gasp in the Bay Area?
With vaccinations rising and shots for young children coming soon, the Bay Area is a very different place than it was a year ago. But what does that mean as we enter the holiday season? Are we witnessing, at least locally, the last gasp of the pandemic? Chronicle health reporter Erin Allday gives host Demian Bulwa the big picture — the positive signs she is seeing for the months ahead as well as the nagging factors that still worry her. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 30, 2021 • 14min
San Francisco's Big Power Shift
Some of the city's most powerful politicians are on the move, with Mayor London Breed at the controls. Dennis Herrera is departing his role as city attorney to lead the Public Utilities Commission. David Chiu is leaving the state Assembly to replace him. Matt Haney and David Campos want Chiu's Assembly seat. And more dominoes still might fall. Chronicle City Hall reporters Trisha Thadani and Mallory Moench join host Demian Bulwa to discuss what it all means amid multiple corruption scandals. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 29, 2021 • 17min
The El Farolito Saga: Why a Beloved Taqueria Can't Open in North Beach
San Franciscans rejoiced when El Farolito announced its new North Beach location but the beloved Mission taqueria's plans were halted because of the city's "formula retail" laws, which consider El Farolito to be a chain. Business reporter Shwanika Narayan joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the city's ban on chains and whether the laws are actually hurting, rather than helping, local and fast-growing small businesses. Total SF podcast hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight also weigh in on the debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 28, 2021 • 18min
‘Pandemic Within a Pandemic’: San Francisco Battles Fentanyl
The deadly opioid has overtaken the city's drug supply and is responsible for soaring overdose deaths, which have worsened during the coronavirus pandemic. City Hall reporter Trisha Thadani joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the city's newly launched Street Overdose Response Team. Later, S.F. resident Joshua Weens talks about what it's like to step in after witnessing an overdose death. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 27, 2021 • 20min
Green Card Backlog Leaves Silicon Valley Workers in Limbo
The U.S. is allowing more than 80,000 visas to vanish at the end of September, despite having a backlog of more than a million skilled immigrants who have been waiting — sometimes as long as decades — for their green cards. Most of them are tech workers from India, including in Silicon Valley. Chronicle reporter Deepa Fernandes joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about their desperation, and the impact it's having on their families. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 24, 2021 • 20min
How Texas Women are Coping After the Abortion Ban
It's been three weeks since Texas passed the most restrictive abortion law in the country. Since then, women have been fleeing to other states to obtain the procedure, including in one Oklahoma clinic that Chronicle photographer Gabrielle Lurie has been shadowing. She chats with host Cecilia Lei about the Texas women she met with, and how they've navigated the abortion ban since it went into effect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 23, 2021 • 15min
San Francisco's Answer to Retail Theft
In July, Mayor London Breed and Police Chief Bill Scott rebutted the narrative that the city is overwhelmed by rampant lawlessness. But as retail thefts have persisted, the leaders unveiled a multi-pronged approach to combat robberies. Chronicle reporter Megan Cassidy joins host Cecilia Lei to explain the city's new strategy. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


