Fifth & Mission

In the year since George Floyd’s death, local city leaders have launched a variety of police reform initiatives, from cutting budgets to reallocating funds to the community. But do they go far enough? Reporters Sarah Ravani and Megan Cassidy give Cecilia Lei an update on how major Bay Area cities responded to last summer's protests, and whether progress has been made. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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John Jones III is an Oakland activist and member of the city’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force, formed after calls were made to cut the Oakland police budget. He tells new host and producer Cecilia Lei that it’s always good when people demand justice, but there’s a difference between a moment and a movement, and racial justice must focus on more than protests and police reform. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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The conservative celebrity's effort to unseat Gov. Gavin Newsom is historic, but advocates for transgender rights see her as a problematic and detached figurehead at a critical time. Reporter Dustin Gardiner breaks down Jenner's place in the nation's culture wars. And columnist Ann Killion weighs in on Jenner's statements that trans girls should be barred from girls sports in schools. Plus: Announcing a new Fifth & Mission co-host. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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Soleil Ho, co-host of the Extra Spicy podcast, covers the food industry — but hadn't eaten indoors at a restaurant in 15 months. That changed recently after she got fully vaccinated and knew hospitality workers had too. So what was it like to slide into a booth inside a pho restaurant for the first time? Soleil dishes all about it. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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For months, Chronicle columnist Ann Killion has been raising questions about Stanford's decision to cut 11 varsity sports programs early in the pandemic. This week, the school reversed course under pressure, reinstating every one. Killion tells Demian Bulwa about how deep-pocketed Stanford had angered athletes and alumni, triggered lawsuits and exacerbated gender inequities. And what happened to the athletes whose futures were thrust into chaos? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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Reporter Trisha Thadani talks about the city's new Street Crisis Response Team — mental health professionals, not cops — which responds to the city's most vulnerable people, including those who are mentally ill, addicted to drugs and unhoused. The team is part of a the nationwide movement to get police out of situations where they might not be needed. But big challenges remain, including providing enough shelter and care and making sure people don't simply cycle back to the streets. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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The CDC says it’s OK to stop wearing them if you’re vaccinated, but host Demian Bulwa isn’t so sure he’s ready — or that he trusts others that they’ve really gotten the jab. Reporter Erin Allday says that makes sense. We’ve all been through trauma and we’re nervous and scared. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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The CDC urged city officials to avoid clearing homeless encampments during the COVID-19 pandemic. But now that the virus is subsiding and cities want to reclaim public space, some unhoused people face eviction and uncertain futures. Reporter Lauren Hepler discusses those tensions and how Gov. Gavin Newsom is responding. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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Two San Francisco supervisors advanced their plan for three free months of Muni rides on Wednesday, but Muni officials don't like the idea. The Chronicle's transportation reporter Ricardo Cano explains why. Plus: The upcoming return of the city's historic streetcars, current ridership trends and the ongoing battle over car-free JFK Drive. 

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Despite the pandemic, state officials are projecting a $38 billion surplus in the upcoming fiscal year. The question: How to spend it? It's a good problem to have for Gov. Gavin Newsom, who's facing a recall election and is pushing ideas including more stimulus payments and expanding an intriguing program for unhoused people. Joining the podcast is Chronicle Sacramento reporter Alexei Koseff, who discusses the big windfall and the political considerations in a state grappling with immense poverty and inequality along with drought and fire crises. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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