Behind the Headlines

The Palo Alto school district's decision to close schools for one month to slow the spread of coronavirus is the topic of this webcast discussion with school board President Todd Collins and Vice President Shounak Dharap. Read our story on the issue at https://bit.ly/2ILuxyq and stay up to date on the latest coronavirus news at https://bit.ly/32VmFUa

With the number of coronavirus cases rising tenfold in the past week in Santa Clara County, Palo Alto Weekly journalists talk about what public health departments and other organizations are doing to keep the virus from spreading. Stay up to date on the latest coronavirus news at https://bit.ly/32VmFUa

As the Palo Alto City Council prepares to outsource the city auditor position, which was created by voters in 1983, former City Auditor Sharon Erickson discusses the auditor's function and her belief that moving it out of City Hall would be a mistake. Read the story at https://bit.ly/2uIpag6

Palo Alto Art Center Director Karen Kienzle talks about "Rooted: Trees in Contemporary Art," an exhibit featuring the works of 20 different artists, from photography to sculpture to a multimedia installation. Kienzle also discusses the unique role and programs of the Art Center in fostering creativity in Palo Alto. Read our story on the topic here at https://bit.ly/2Vc6Wyo

Magical Bridge playground co-founders Olenka Steciw Villarreal and Jill Hoffspiegel Asher have created a universal playground for all ages and abilities. The Palo Alto residents discuss how their idea, poised to go global, redefines what it means to play and creates an inclusive community for all generations. Read our story on the topic at https://bit.ly/2OVT7Qw

Palo Alto High School seniors Alexa Alami and Katherine Buecheler talk about their new student-advocacy group and why more conversation and education on consent, healthy relationships and sexual violence are needed at their high school. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/31ClCI0

Dramatic proposals to redevelop a 60-acre site in the Ventura neighborhood are stirring hopes and anxieties in the community and beyond. Weekly journalists discuss the latest plans and their implications for Palo Alto's efforts to build more housing. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/2S7X2L2

Southgate resident Mike Price joins Weekly journalists for a discussion of his proposal to improve the Churchill Avenue rail crossing by building a road underpass -- an idea that received a boost from the City Council this week. Read our story about this issue at https://bit.ly/2GmJoOE

So far this winter, there have been two rounds of king tides at the Palo Alto Baylands and there's another expected on Feb. 9. City Naturalist Corinne DeBra speaks with Weekly staff about how these tides occur and how the local flora and fauna are impacted. Read more at https://bit.ly/2Rppbg8

Jody Miller, head of Esther B. Clark School at the Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, talks about why nonpublic schools exist and the unique ways in which they serve students with special needs. Read our story about the issue at https://bit.ly/2Ta3K58