Behind the Headlines

Palo Alto Weekly journalists explain recent and controversial developments in Stanford University's application process under the county of Santa Clara. The county's halted negotiations over a proposed development agreement and the university's sharply worded request to delay public hearings are among the latest actions that have occurred.

Palo Alto resident Tom Rindfleisch discusses long-awaited recommendations on how to keep the San Francisquito Creek from overflowing its banks and flooding streets and homes. Palo Alto Weekly journalists Jocelyn Dong and Gennady Sheyner join him for the conversation.

Former Palo Alto Mayor Pat Burt discusses efforts to help south bay cities, including Palo Alto, put business tax measures business tax measures on their ballots to pay for critical municipal services, such as transportation programs and affordable housing. Palo Alto Weekly journalists Jocelyn Dong and Gennady Sheyner join Burt for the conversation.

Phil Bobel, Palo Alto's assistant director of Public Works, talks about the uncertainty facing the city's recycling operation since China has become unwilling to buy recycled items that are considered "contaminated." Palo Alto Weekly Editor Jocelyn Dong and Associate Linda Taaffe explore the impacts of the change and ways that cities are responding.

Three California bills aimed at creating housing opportunities -- AB 302, SB 4 and SB 50 -- are discussed by Palo Alto Weekly journalists. AB 302, the "Safe Lot" bill, would guarantee that homeless community-college students can sleep overnight in their cars on campus. The discussion on that bill begins at the 0:50 timestamp. SB 4 and SB 50 are bills would allow for greater density of housing along transit corridors. The discussion on those bills begin at the 10:50 timestamp.

Palo Alto Vice Mayor Adrian Fine and Greer Stone, vice chair of the Santa Clara County Human Rights Commission, join Weekly journalists for a discussion of state Senate Bill 50, a contentious legislative proposal that seeks to increase housing construction in transit-friendly and jobs-rich areas.

Weekly journalists discuss what the rapid rise of charter schools means for traditional school districts, including the K-8 Ravenswood City School District in East Palo Alto.

Palo Alto college adviser John Raftrey discusses with Weekly journalists the implications of a multimillion-dollar nationwide admissions bribery scandal.

Palo Alto Mayor Eric Filseth discusses with the Weekly his concerns with Senate Bill 50, which aims to boost California's housing stock, and his own ideas for addressing the state's housing shortage.

Weekly journalists discuss the leadership battle at Ravenswood City School District, where the schools superintendent was just placed on leave beginning at the 0:20 timestamp, and explain why Palo Alto is so frustrated with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's latest bus plan at the 10:59 timestamp.