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Latest Episodes:

Political Analyst Tiffany Cross on the Role of Black Voters in ‘Saving Our Democracy’ Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

This election year, Black voters in key swing states hold significant power heading into November, as they were crucial for Democrats' "Blue Wave" in 2018. In her new book "Say It Louder! Black Voters, White Narratives, and Saving Our Democracy," political analyst Tiffany Cross looks at the significant role Black Americans have played in shaping U.S. democracy. Cross, who previously covered Capitol Hill for BET and CNN, also highlights the policies and efforts to subvert and suppress the Black vote throughout history -- efforts that continue today. We'll talk to Cross about the state of the electorate ahead of the 2020 election and the latest national politics news.

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Gov. Newsom Orders Most California Schools Online For Fall Jul 20, 2020

Show notes

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that all public and private schools in counties on the state's Covid-19 watchlist must operate remotely this fall. More than 30 counties are on the list, including most counties in the Bay Area. We'll discuss how districts are planning for remote instruction and what it will take for schools to resume in-person learning safely. And we want to hear from you: what questions or concerns do you have about remote instruction in your district? If your kids are learning from home, how have you adapted?

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As Coronavirus Cases Surge, California Tries to Get a Handle on Testing Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

As COVID-19 testing facilities across the state face ongoing backlogs, California public health officials adopted new guidance this week to help counties decide who should get test results fastest. Those hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms may see test results within a day, but other Californians -- especially those who aren't symptomatic or aren't essential workers -- may continue to experience wait times of a week or longer. We'll talk when and how you should get tested and about the public health impact of slow test turnaround times. And we want to hear from you: If you've been tested, what was the experience like?

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San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo Discusses His Police Reform Plan Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo recently released a nine-point proposal to revamp the city’s embattled police department. He says the plan will “reform, not defund the police” while “squarely addressing nationwide outrage over racial injustice and police brutality”. But critics of Liccardo’s plan are calling for more significant and swift changes to the department that was recently marred in a scandal involving racist behavior by officers. Liccardo joins us to talk about police reform and other issues facing the city, including shutdown orders that are dealing a financial blow to many households and businesses.

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Mayor Jesse Arreguín on Berkeley’s Sweeping Police Reform Jul 17, 2020

Show notes

The Berkeley City Council approved a motion this week on the issue of police reform, bringing some of the most radical changes to policing in the state. A proposal by Councilmember Rigel Robinson will create “BerkDot,” a new Department of Transportation with unarmed officials who will conduct parking and traffic enforcement. The motion also includes a pledge to cut the police budget by 50 percent and to develop a Specialized Care Unit - a “network of crisis responders” for calls concerning homelessness and mental health. In this segment, we’ll talk with Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín about the motion.

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Science Journalist Ed Yong on the Future of the Pandemic Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

As California and many other states struggle to contain a surge in COVID-19 cases, science journalist Ed Yong says we’re now more vulnerable to additional disasters, including a possible second pandemic. In his new article in The Atlantic, Yong says diminishing resources, strained international relations and demoralized experts have America on it’s heels. We’ll talk to Yong about what he’s learned during months of reporting on the pandemic and what he thinks the US should be doing now to control it.

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Rep. Ro Khanna on Supporting Remote K-12 Education Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

“Any forthcoming federal pandemic relief bill must include funds to support teachers, so that under-served children don't fall behind”, argues Silicon Valley congressman Ro Khanna in a recent opinion piece. We'll talk with Khanna about what strategies he thinks K-12 schools should take this fall. We'll also get his thoughts, as a former national co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaigns, on the direction the democratic party should take, as he heads up California's delegation at the Democratic National Convention next month.

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Open Phones: Life in Lockdown Jul 16, 2020

Show notes

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that California is officially backtracking into more restrictive shelter-in-place orders as coronavirus infections continue to rise across the state. Many people and businesses are confused about the shifting policies and what activities are permitted. We open the phone lines to hear from listeners about how they are coping.

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Soledad O’Brien on News Media’s Reckoning with Racism Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

As newsrooms across the country confront issues of race and diversity, award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien says it’s a welcome “MeToo” moment for journalists of color to speak out. O'Brien detailed her own experiences in a recent op-ed for the New York Times including being called the "affirmative-action hire" by colleagues at her first job. Today, after years working at major news outlets such as NBC and CNN, she's the chief executive of her own production company and regularly uses her Twitter feed to call out poor journalism in headlines and interviews. We’ll talk to O’Brien about how newsrooms should address racism in hiring and news coverage and get her take on the state of journalism in the Trump era.

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‘Demagogue’ Sheds Light on Senator Joseph McCarthy Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

A new biography about Senator Joseph McCarthy taps into recently-released transcripts of closed-door congressional hearings to shed light on the senator’s life and his 1950’s anti-communist crusade. Journalist and author Larry Tye joins us to talk about the book, “Demagogue: The Life and Long Shadow of Senator Joe McCarthy”, and to describe the parallels he sees between McCarthy and President Trump.

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