KQED's Forum

Oakland’s Brontez Purnell is so many things. As he writes in “Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt,” his new memoir in verse, “I am a troubled Negro youth in his 40s neglecting self care.” He’s also the frontman for the punk band the Younger Lovers, a dancer, a performance artist, a queer zine-maker, the author of the critically acclaimed “100 Boyfriends,” as well as a raconteur and truth seeker. He joins us to talk about his life and his art.Guests:Brontez Purnell, author, "Ten Bridges I've Burnt: A Memoir in Verse" and "100 Boyfriends"; musician Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether Colorado can keep former President Trump off of the state primary ballot for his actions on January 6. Meanwhile, Trump faces 91 felony counts across multiple jurisdictions in cases involving election subversion, hush money payments and the illegal handling of classified documents. We’ll talk about the legal and political implications of it all for Trump, who by a wide margin remains the GOP primary frontrunner.Guests:Shanlon Wu, criminal defense attorney; legal analyst, CNN; former federal prosecutor who also served as counsel to Attorney General Janet RenoDavid Graham, staff writer, The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonoma County’s airport, jail, and social services office, among other county services, are suffering from severe understaffing. According to a six-month investigative report by Sonoma’s Press-Democrat, vacancy rates for key county positions range from 25% to 41%. Burnout, turnover and early retirements are contributing to the crisis. Meanwhile, frustrated county residents seeking assistance face long lines, interminable hold times, and busy phone signals. We’ll talk about how Sonoma is trying to address these problems, which are common to many Bay Area counties.Guests:Emma Murphy, Sonoma County government and politics reporter, Santa Rosa Press-Democrat - Murphy co-authored the newspaper's investigative series on understaffing across Sonoma County departmentsMartin Espinoza, senior reporter of investigations team, Press Democrat - Espinoza co-authored the paper's investigation of understaffing across Sonoma County departmentsJanell Crane, director of human resources, Sonoma CountyTravis Balzarini, president, SEIU Local 1021 Sonoma County Chapter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year, more than 20 states considered or approved legislation to limit or ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs in higher education. These efforts, supported by a network of activists, political groups and Republican operatives, are centered at the Claremont Institute, a conservative California-based think tank with ties to the Trump movement. New York Times investigative reporter Nicholas Confessore gained access to thousands of documents and emails shedding light on the national anti-D.E.I. campaign orchestrated by the Claremont Institute’s leaders. We’ll hear what he learned…Guests:Nicholas Confessore, political and investigative reporter, New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 49ers faithful are gearing up for another Super Bowl appearance facing the Kansas City Chiefs – a rematch from 2019 when the Chiefs won. The stakes are high for San Francisco which hasn’t claimed a Super Bowl win in 29 years. Meanwhile, Kansas City wants to clinch dynasty status with a third victory in five years. And, somehow amid all the usual talk of strategy and quarterbacks, pop princess Taylor Swift has become a central player in this game off the field. We’ll talk about what this game means for the Bay and how the faithful plan to show up for their team. And, we want to hear from Niner fans: what does this Super Bowl mean to you?Guests:Ann Killion, sports columnist, San Francisco ChronicleJoel Anderson, staff writer, Slate - where he also hosts the Slow Burn and Hang Up and Listen podcasts. Former reporter on sports, culture, and politics for ESPN and BuzzFeed News.Paul Nyakatura, announcer, KCUR - lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fanNisa Khan, Audience Engagement Reporter, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s only one proposition on California’s March 2024 ballot, but it deals with some of the state’s biggest challenges: homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health. Proposition 1, backed by Governor Gavin Newsom, is a two-part measure: It asks voters to approve nearly $6.4 billion to increase mental health and substance abuse services and build supportive housing. It also makes big changes to how existing funds are spent under the 2004 Mental Health Services Act, which imposed a 1% tax on personal incomes above $1 million. But critics say Prop. 1 would actually hurt the mentally ill by forcing people into treatment and diverting funding for local services. We’ll break down the measure, and take your questions.Guests:Guy Marzorati, reporter and producer, KQED's California Politics and Government DeskKristen Hwang, health reporter, CalMattersClare Cortright, policy director, CalVoicesDarrell Steinberg, mayor, city of Sacramento Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The human longing for connection – to be heard and understood – is what Rabbi Sharon Brous calls the “amen effect.” It’s the idea that we can awaken our shared humanity when we learn to talk across differences with curiosity and empathy. Rabbi Brous has for decades been ministering to members of IKAR, shepherding the Los Angeles Jewish community she co-founded as they navigate celebration and sorrow, both personal and collective. We talk to Rabbi Brous about spirituality, community and how she is grappling with the war between Israel and Hamas. Her new book is “The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In many Asian families, the highest compliment you can offer a dessert is, “it’s not too sweet!” Bringing in flavor profiles from Asian cultures like pandan leaves, black sesame, and ube, bakers around the Bay are reimagining Asian- American dessert offerings. There’s choux pastry covered in almond crunch and filled with durian cream or a thumbprint cookie with an umeboshi plum center. On the next edition of All You Can Eat with KQED food editor Luke Tsai, we’ll talk to bakers and cookbook authors about Asian-American desserts and the role they play in Lunar New Year celebrations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States is in the middle of a massive modernization effort of its nuclear weapons, as tensions rise globally, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to expanding arsenals in China and North Korea. Journalist Sarah Scoles set out to understand the U.S.’s biggest reinvestment in its atomic infrastructure in decades by talking with the people who work on them daily, scientists at nuclear labs. In the process, as she documents in her new book “Countdown,” she interrogates our need for these weapons and their impact on war — and peace. She joins us to share more about the science, technology and philosophy of nuclear weaponry.Guests:Sarah Scoles, journalist; author, "Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons" and "Making Contact: Jill Tarter and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price was elected into office in 2022 on a reform platform to root out racial and socioeconomic disparities in the county justice system and end mass incarceration. But as Oakland contends with a surge in crime and as brazen robberies and assaults shake residents, Price has become the target of a well-funded recall campaign from those who say criminals are emboldened by a lack of consequences. We talk with Price about her vision for the office and the recall campaign against her.Guests:Pamela Price, district attorney, Alameda County, California; civil rights attorney. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices