The Bay

Latest Episodes:

Fear and Anger in Martinez After Another Refinery Incident Feb 07, 2025

Show notes

On February 1, 2025 a massive fire broke out at the Martinez Refinery Company’s petroleum refinery leading to unsafe air conditions and a shelter in place order. It’s the third major incident at the refinery in the past five years. KQED’s Julie Small explains what led to the fire and how residents are responding.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alameda County's New District Attorney Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Ursula Jones Dickson, a superior court judge, has been chosen as Alameda County’s new District Attorney, 3 months after voters recalled Pamela Price from office. KQED’s Samantha Lim explains why Jones Dickson was picked, and how she promises to be different from her predecessor.

This episode was produced by Mel Velasquez and Jessica Kariisa, and guest hosted by Alan Montecillo.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Japanese Americans Draw on WWII Trauma to Resist Trump Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

President Donald Trump has vowed to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as part of his plans for mass deportations. During World War II, this law was one of several legal tools the government used to imprison nearly 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. Now, Japanese Americans in the Bay Area are drawing on their stories of trauma and survival to resist the Trump administration's immigration plans.

Links:

Bay Area Japanese Americans Draw on WWII Trauma to Resist Deportation Threats

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Threats Against Immigrants, More Walgreens Closures, and Budget Cuts at Sonoma State Jan 31, 2025

Show notes

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, we hear how President Trump’s immigration rhetoric is impacting farmworker communities in Half Moon Bay. Later, we discuss why so many Walgreens are closing San Francisco and how a major budget shortfall is impacting academic and athletic departments at Sonoma State.

Links:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

‘It’s a Mixed Feeling’: Palestinian Americans React to the Gaza Ceasefire Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians started returning to northern Gaza after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement.

The ceasefire is currently in its first stage; 33 hostages will be returned to Israel and 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released. Despite initial celebrations, many are nervous about whether this ceasefire will hold, and what Gaza’s future will look like.

Today, we hear reactions to the ceasefire from three Palestinians in northern California who have family in Gaza.

This episode was produced by Jessica Kariisa, Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and Mel Velasquez. It was edited by Alan Montecillo and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.

Links:

Tentative Relief and Fear: 4 Bay Area Palestinian Americans React to the Gaza Ceasefire

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s the Deal With All Those Old Military Bases? Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

From Vallejo to Richmond, Concord to Alameda, military bases were once huge parts of life in the Bay Area. These days, it can be hard to believe whole cities were built around them. So why are there so many abandoned military bases today? KQED's Pauline Bartolone looked into it for Bay Curious.

Links:

Part II: Surprising Ways Former Bay Area Military Bases Are Transforming (and Why It Takes So Long)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s Dating in the Bay Area Like? Call Us. Jan 25, 2025

Show notes

We’re working on an episode about dating in the Bay Area — the good, the bad, and everything in between — and we’d love to hear from you. What’s your experience been like? What’s dating like in your city?

Leave us a voicemail at 415-710-9223, or send a voice memo to thebay@kqed.org. Let us know your name, your city, and your story. Also, if you’re open to being interviewed for the podcast, tell us and we may follow up with you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Indictment of Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled from office in the November election, has been charged with eight counts of conspiracy and bribery. Last week, federal officials unsealed an indictment which includes Thao, her longtime romantic partner, and two prominent businessmen affiliated with the city’s recycling contractor. KQED's Alex Hall breaks down this news.

This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, Jessica Kariisa, and Mel Velasquez, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Big Tech Sees in Donald Trump Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Some of the biggest names in tech — Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai — got priority seating at President Donald Trump’s inauguration this week. But what will Silicon Valley’s turn towards Trump mean for the rest of us?

This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and produced by Alan Montecillo and Jessica Kariisa

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump Takes Office Again Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

As Donald Trump is sworn in as president for the second time, we hear from Bay Area residents and officials about their hopes and fears for the next 4 years.

Special thanks to Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, Juan Carlos Lara, Alastair Boone, Tessa Paoli, and KQED's Forum team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices