Fifth & Mission

An ex-girlfriend says she was sexually assaulted by the Windsor mayor. Meanwhile, some residents of the town are launching a recall bid. Foppoli released a statement denying the allegations and attacking lawmakers who have called for his resignation. One of those now calling for him to step down? His older brother. Reporters Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes have the latest on the story they broke last week. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podListener alert: This episode contains details of alleged sexual assault that may be upsetting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hours after The Chronicle published an investigation into Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office opened a criminal probe. It was a response to the accounts of four women who said Foppoli sexually assaulted them in incidents from 2003 to 2019. Foppoli, through his attorney, denied the allegations. The Chronicle's story also prompted more than a dozen local elected leaders to call for Foppoli to resign. The reporters who broke the story, Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes, discuss the latest. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four women have told The Chronicle that winery owner and Windsor Mayor Dominic Foppoli isolated and assaulted them after nights of drinking. The incidents span from 2003 to 2019. Foppoli denies the allegations. Reporters Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes discuss their findings and how they reported the story. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podListener alert: This episode contains details of alleged sexual assault that may be upsetting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With vaccinations growing, Gov. Newsom delivered staggering news on Tuesday: California plans to lift most pandemic restrictions and fully reopen on June 15. Unless something changes, that means the end of the color-coded tier system for counties. Reporters Erin Allday and Aidin Vaziri discuss what this means for schools, for events like concerts and for mask-wearing — and whether there's still a chance of a backslide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If beloved Blowfish Sushi closed in December, how can people still order sushi from a restaurant of the same name in the same space? Not to mention from a Japan-based restaurant famous for its $180 sandwiches. Reporter Janelle Bitker has been following this fishy story. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cardinal's NCAA title adds to the remarkable legacy of coach Tara VanDerveer. Her team is the most consistently successful in Bay Area sports, but this was their first title in 29 years. Sports columnists Ann Killion and Scott Ostler talk about Stanford's decades of success and frustration. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are few more obvious tokens of the pandemic than the masks covering everyone’s faces. But despite the rising number of vaccination rates, Californians shouldn’t expect to tear them off any time soon. Health writer Erin Allday joins to explain why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have we entered a new era for LGBTQ politicians? Reporter and columnist Tony Bravo talks about the groundbreaking rise of gay and transgender leaders, the response to progress by forces on the right, and how veteran politicians are reflecting on what has changed — and what has not. Plus: Rachel Swan breaks down the tension over responding to anti-Asian crimes. Is a focus on punishment for hate crimes the right approach? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podRelated: Tom Ammiano: Kiss My Gay Ass | Total SF podcast pod.fo/e/c244f Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

But there aren’t enough shots. Reporters Catherine Ho and Nanette Asimov discuss what the Bay Area can expect as eligibility opens for those 50 and over. Plus: Alexei Koseff talks about the nearly $8 million Bay Area lawmakers squeezed out of the Newsom administration to help the region’s poorest residents get vaccinated. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new poll shows opponents of California Gov Gavin Newsom have a lot of work to do. A strong 56% of likely voters oppose the recall, compared to 40% backing it. Meanwhile, Newsom’s job approval rating among likely voters is 53%, virtually unchanged from the before the pandemic that ignited anger against him. The Chronicle's Joe Garofoli explains the numbers, how the pandemic is at the center of recall momentum, and how leading Democrats aren't likely to run to replace Newsom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices