Crosscurrents

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Laughing through the fear: Comedians find power in humor Aug 11, 2026

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Humor can be a source of laughter and - a form of political resistance. It’s a scary time for many immigrants in this country right now and it may feel weird to be turning to humor, but for some comedians, it’s actually the perfect time to do just that.

Immigration reporter Wendy Reyes brings us this story from 2025, about using comedy to empower and unite people in this moment.

SHOW: Freedom Needs a Soundtrack Ep.4 — The First Concert Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Today, we’re gonna go back 30 years to a moment when major artists came together for nonviolence, freedom, and Tibet: The Tibetan Freedom Concerts.

In the Summer of 1996, the very first show happened right here in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.

Now, KALW is partnering with Rangzen and Adonde Media to bring you a six-part audio documentary about what it took to put together one of the largest concert series of the 90’s.

The series is called ‘Freedom needs a soundtrack’ and today we’re bringing you a taste here on the show. Their host Erin Potts was an activist teenager back in the '80s. And when she dreamed, she dreamed BIG. She became the driving force and co-founder of the concerts and now she tells us the story.

BOUNCE: A New Generation of Opportunity in Girls Flag Football Aug 06, 2026

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Girls flag football is growing, and opening doors for players that didn’t exist just a few years ago. Today, we explore why coaches, athletes, and major brands believe girls flag football is just getting started.

SHOW: Uncuffed's 'More Than A Game' Aug 05, 2026

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Today, a new episode of Uncuffed that’s all sports, play, and the pleasure of competition. We’ve got stories from the track and the chess board. Plus, life lessons from a boxing ring.

Fixing What’s Broken to Give it New Life Aug 04, 2026

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Today, we meet the people who fix broken but beloved belongings. And, we get an update on the federal corruption trial of recalled former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. Plus, we hear why talking about organ donation in Black communities is complicated.

Sex, bribes, and phone tape: An update on Oakland's corruption scandal Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

This October, the trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, her boyfriend, Andre Jones, and prominent local businessmen David and Andy Duong is set to begin.

Last week, the federal prosecutors filed a trove of documents alleging Thao and others made bribes for political gain. And the FBI announced that they have identified a key informant- Fruitvale entrepreneur Mario Juarez, who has already given a guilty plea to one count of bribery.

Natalie Orenstein is a reporter for the Oaklandside, who has been covering recent events in the Thao case. She spoke with KALW's news editor Sunni Khalid.

The Stoop: Bury Me Whole Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

August is National Minority Donor Awareness month. It's a month for raising awareness of organ donation and transplantation in communities of color.
Studies show there aren’t enough Black donors to fill the need for Black folks who need transplants. Why? We explore this question through the story of Arlinda Timmons-Love, a Richmond woman who lost her son Maurice in 1983 to gun violence, when he was 15 years old.

Hana Baba talked to her for an episode of The Stoop podcast, hosted by her and Leila Day.

Fixit Clinics turn consumers into fixers Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Here’s a question for you- if you have something around your house that needs fixing- an appliance, a device… What do you do? Fix it or ditch it? If you do want to get something fixed, but you're not a do-it-yourselfer or you're just too intimidated to try fixing things yourself – then what?

Well, reporter Mary Catherine O'Connor looked for answers - at a Fixit Clinic at a library in San Mateo.

And if you have a much loved item that’s in need of some TLC, you’re in luck! KALW is hosting a fix it clinic tonight! It’s happening at our live event space at 220 Montgomery in San Francisco.

New Arrivals: Mike Huguenor chronicles iconic indy label Asian Man Records Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

New Arrivals is KALW's pocket sized book tour of Bay Area Authors. Mike Huguenor lives in San Jose. His book, "Elvis is Dead, I’m Still Alive: The Story of Asian Man Records," came out on May 19th, 2026. It’s about the first 30 years of one of the most important record labels to come out of the south Bay.

SHOW: The Lasting Fallout from Local Immigration Court Closures Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

The closure of San Francisco’s immigration courts has had big ramifications. Today, we get an update on how immigrants are navigating an increasingly difficult system. Then, we roll out the royal carpet for the first king of BART prom. The prom held under the Rockridge tracks.

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