The dreaded cold-season coronavirus surge is upon us. And even as vaccine trials show promise, Gov. Gavin Newsom says many counties need to go to purple status, the most restrictive. Newsom also apologized for attending a crowded dinner at the French Laundry. Sacramento reporters Dustin Gardiner and Alexei Koseff are guests. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

New podcast! Chronicled: Who Is Kamala Harris? sfchronicle.com/chronicled

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San Francisco's DA discusses what could curb the city's rampant drug dealing, his idea for a new trafficking court and why voters are increasingly choosing progressives as their top prosecutors.  | Get full Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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The coronavirus has emptied much of downtown San Francisco. Some remote workers, freed from the office, are moving to faraway places like Tahoe. But with rents in the city taking a rare plunge, some others are finding it's high time to move back and snag a relatively affordable loft or apartment, J.K. Dineen reports. In this episode, Dineen also discusses San Francisco's controversial move to ban natural gas in new homes and businesses. | Get full Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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The election is over, but the political divisions in the country remain. If anything, they appear wider than four years ago. A week after Joe Biden's win, Republicans are backing Donald Trump’s attempts to stay in power. Reporter Rachel Swan and culture critic Peter Hartlaub join host Demian Bulwa to talk about the tension in the Bay Area, and how some are using the pandemic as an excuse to avoid another politically fraught Thanksgiving. | Get full Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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San Francisco will shut down indoor dining starting this Friday at midnight and is pausing plans to reopen high schools after reporting an alarming spike in coronavirus cases. Food writer Janelle Bitker talks about the effect on the already-decimated restaurant industry and health reporter Erin Allday asks whether the city’s cautious approach in tackling the pandemic is worth the collateral damage in economic and secondary health consequences. | Get full Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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Rare good news on the coronavirus front: Pfizer on Monday announced its vaccine is proving 90% effective in battling COVID-19. Will the vaccine get us closer to ending the global pandemic? Also, President-elect Joe Biden fleshed out his plan to tackle the pandemic for what will surely be a tough winter. Health reporter Erin Allday discusses the latest. | Get full Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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San Francisco has a new member of the Board of Supervisors: Myrna Melgar of District 7, the area west of Twin Peaks. She wants more apartments and in-law units in her district, a reopening of the public schools and more childcare for struggling families. She's the first Latina elected to the board without having been appointed by the mayor first. | Get full Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod

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In a combined episode of the Fifth & Mission and It’s All Political podcasts, Joe Garofoli, Tal Kopan and Demian Bulwa talk about the moment that put the Biden-Harris ticket over the top, the historic nature of their victory, and what to expect now from Donald Trump. | Latest news: sfchronicle.com/politics

Podcast: Chronicled: Who Is Kamala Harris? sfchronicle.com/chronicled

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With Joe Biden having moved into the lead overnight in ballots counted in Pennsylvania and Georgia, a Biden victory over President Trump looks likely. But it's not quite assured. Political reporter John Wildermuth on where we are as the counts continue in those two states as well as Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina and Alaska. | Latest election news: sfchronicle.com/politics

New podcast! Chronicled: Who Is Kamala Harris? sfchronicle.com/chronicled

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The police killing of George Floyd energized liberals seeking to root out systemic biases. But in California, the election was a disappointment for reformers. Affirmative action remains banned, an expansion of rent control failed, and Uber and Lyft don't have to make drivers full employees. Reporter Alexei Koseff and Otis Taylor Jr. size up the state of the state. | Latest election news: sfchronicle.com/politics

New podcast! Chronicled: Who Is Kamala Harris? sfchronicle.com/chronicled

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