Bay Curious

In 1865, the U.S. ratified the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude — except as punishment for convicted crimes. That exception has allowed dozens of states, including California, to force incarcerated people to work in prisons, whether they want to or not. Proposition 6 would add an amendment to the California Constitution that would ban forced labor in prisons. KQED's arts and culture columnist Pendarvis Harshaw joins us to break it all down.Prop Fest is a collaboration from Bay Curious and The Bay podcasts, where we break down each of the 10 statewide propositions that will be on your November 2024 ballot.This episode has been updated to clarify the status of California's volunteer firefighter program.Additional Reading: Read a transcript of this episode Check out the KQED Voter Guide Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Pendarvis Harshaw. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. The Bay is made by Alan Montecillo, Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonds are a way for state and local governments raise money for projects—things like schools, infrastructure, or transportation. In part 4 of our Prop Fest series, a collaboration between Bay Curious and The Bay, we talk about Proposition 5. Prop 5 would lower the voting threshold to pass local bonds from two-thirds (66.67%) down to 55%—but only for bonds related to affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. It sounds pretty straightforward, but as we find out from reporter Adhiti Bandlamudi, it could have wider implications for taxpayers.Editor's Note: This episode has been updated from a previous version to clarify ramifications of Proposition 13.Additional Reading: Read a transcript of this episode Check out the KQED Voter Guide Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Adhiti Bandlamudi. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. The Bay is made by Alan Montecillo, Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Prop Fest continues we tackle Proposition 4, which asks voters to approve $10 billion in bonds to fund conservation and climate change related programs, including water, fire prevention and the protection of communities and lands. The Bay's Ericka Cruz Guevarra talks with KQED climate reporter Ezra David Romero about what this prop means for you, the voter.Additional Reading: Read a transcript of this episode Check out KQED's Voter Guide Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Ezra David Romero. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. The Bay is made by Alan Montecillo, Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second installment of our Prop Fest series we'll dig into Prop 3, which would enshrine the right to marriage for all couples into California's constitution. While same-sex marriage has been legal in the state since 2013, there is a so-called 'zombie law' on the books limiting the definition of marriage to only being between a man and a woman. Scott Shafer, co-host of KQED's Political Breakdown podcast, joins us to explain Prop 3 and the long back-and-forth history of marriage rights in California.Additional Reading: Read a transcript of this episode Check out the KQED Voter Guide Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Scott Shafer. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. The Bay is made by Alan Montecillo, Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the first episode of our Prop Fest series, a collaboration from Bay Curious and The Bay podcasts, where we break down each of the 10 statewide propositions that will be on your November ballot.California's Proposition 2 asks voters to authorize $10 billion in general obligation bonds for repair, upgrade, and construction of facilities at K–12 public and charter schools, community colleges, and career technical education programs, including for improvement of health and safety conditions and classroom upgrades. Additional Reading: Read a transcript of this episode Check out KQED's Voter Guide Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Daisy Nguyen. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. The Bay is made by Alan Montecillo, Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It looks sort of like a gigantic table...or a huge metal space dog...or maybe even an Imperial Walker from Star Wars. Whatever you imagine the Hunters Point Gantry Crane looks like, it certainly stands out—this massive structure on the edge of the bay on San Francisco's south side can be seen from three counties. But what is it doing there? This week, reporter Ezra David Romero investigates its origins and how it relates to actions by the U.S. Navy decades ago still haunt San Franciscans today.Additional Reading: The Hunters Point Crane’s Legacy Is Both Majestic and Troubling  Read a transcript of this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcastsThis story was reported by Ezra David Romero. Bay Curious is made by Olivia Allen-Price, Katrina Schwartz, Amanda Font, Christopher Beale, and Ana De Almeida Amaral. Additional support from Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Holly Kernan, and the whole KQED family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join reporter Asal Ehsanipour as she dives into the debate surrounding Mount Diablo's claim to the world's second-best view. She explores the majestic vistas from the peak and unravels the legendary status tied to this beloved landmark. Discover the origins of this myth, dating back to 19th-century surveys, and how it flourished through clever marketing. Asal also examines the surprising reality of the mountain's viewshed, reminding us that beauty often transcends mere numbers and calculations.

Join reporter Katherine Monahan, who dives into the quirky charm and rich history of Port Costa. Discover if the legendary Burlington Hotel really was a brothel and explore eerie ghost stories that surround it. Katherine uncovers Port Costa’s transformation from a booming port town in the 1800s to a funky community with a captivating vibe. Hear enchanting tales passed down through generations and experience the town’s unique ambiance, where nostalgia merges with local legend.

Sebastian Miño-Bucheli, a reporter delving into lowrider culture, takes listeners on a colorful journey through its history. He reveals the roots of lowriding, linking it to the 1940s pachucos and the Mexican-American experience. The discussion highlights the cultural significance of lowriders in Chicano communities and the defiant spirit expressed through fashion and vehicle modifications. Additionally, Miño-Bucheli shares stories from recent community celebrations, showcasing the joy and pride that this vibrant culture continues to inspire.

In this insightful discussion, producer Pauline Bartolone uncovers the dual nature of the ice plant, a vibrant but invasive species threatening California's coastal ecosystems. She highlights community efforts at Point Reyes to combat its spread and protect local flora and fauna. Pauline also sheds light on the ecological consequences it has on endangered species, such as butterflies and nesting birds. Finally, she emphasizes the importance of community involvement in raising awareness and managing invasive plants, featuring hands-on training initiatives at Redwood forests.