You’ve probably seen and heard the stories about downtown San Francisco. Fears about crime and safety, as well as low foot traffic because of the move to remote work, have left many buildings and businesses hollowed out. Downtown is in trouble, and the stakes (and dollar figures) are high. So what’s being done to save it from this so-called urban ‘doom loop’? 
Episode transcript
Guest: Kevin Truong, business and economics reporter for The SF Standard
This episode was produced by Jehlen Herdman and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.
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Saving Downtown San Francisco

Bay Area-raised host Ericka Cruz Guevarra talks with local journalists about what’s happening in the greatest region in the country. It’s the context and analysis you need to make sense of the headlines, with help from the people who know it best. New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

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In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, Ericka, Alan, and intern Ellie talk about a possible tax on oil refining in Richmond, the debate over farmworker housing in Half Moon Bay, and Berkeley’s baby falcons. Plus, an interview with Tamuna Chkareuli, a visiting journalist from the Republic of Georgia who has been working at KQED for the past few weeks.
Links:

After 'Foreign Agent' Law Defeat, Georgian Protesters Set Sights on Elections

Richmond Oil Refining Tax on Chevron, a Major Polluter, Moves Closer to Ballot

Half Moon Bay Farmworker Housing Gains Approval After Push by Newsom

Meet the falcons: Aurora, Eclipse, Nox and Sol


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A Chevron Tax(?), More Farmworker Housing, and Berkeley’s Baby Falcons. Plus, a Visiting Journalist From the Republic of Georgia

If you ride BART, you may have seen uniformed employees with the words ‘Crisis Intervention Specialist” on their backs. About 20 of these ‘CIS-es’ — who are not police officers — can be seen walking through trains, seeking out and offering help to the many people in the sprawling transit system struggling with lack of shelter, mental health problems or addiction. 
KQED’s Matthew Green joins us to talk about what he learned about this program, and what a morning on the job was like.
Links:
'We Approach in Peace': Are BART's Efforts to Help People in Crisis Working?

This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, Ellie-Prickett Morgan, Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and Tamuna Chkareuli, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.
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A Morning with BART’s Crisis Intervention Specialists

During his 12 years with The Golden State Warriors, DJ D Sharp has seen it all — from the team’s lowest point to the championship rings. Raised in East Oakland, D Sharp talks Rightnowish host Pendarvis Harshaw about his journey, inspiration and a go-to Warriors song.
﻿This episode originally aired May 2, 2024
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D Sharp: The DJ Behind the Warriors Games

In 2020, California voters passed Proposition 22, which allowed app-based companies to classify their drivers as independent contractors and not employees with full benefits. It was a big win for companies like Uber and Lyft, who spent unprecedented amounts of money to get the measure passed.
Now, the issue is back — this time before the California Supreme Court, which heard a case on Prop. 22 this Tuesday. KQED’s Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos explain in an episode of the Political Breakdown podcast.
Links:
Nov, 13, 2020: With Prop. 22 Approved, Regulating Gig Companies Just Got a Lot Harder
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Fate of Uber, Lyft Workers’ Benefits Now Up to the State Supreme Court

Less than half of all San Francisco pharmacies carry buprenorphine, one of the most powerful medications used to treat opioid addiction, according to San Francisco’s Department of Public Health. The city hopes to change that.
This episode was produced by Ellie Prickett-Morgan and Maria Esquinca, edited by Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.
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Saving Downtown San Francisco

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