The wildfires in Los Angeles County have placed renewed attention on the dangerous, low-wage work of California’s inmate firefighters. In 2021, a new law aimed to help formerly incarcerated people get firefighting jobs after release. But many still face significant barriers. 

Links:

• Join us on Wed, Jan. 22 for our Fixit Clinic event at KQED HQ

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Starting in March, San Francisco will have speed cameras at 33 different locations throughout the city. Many advocates and city officials hope these cameras will help improve road safety in San Francisco, which saw its highest traffic death toll in nearly two decades last year.

Links:

• Join us on Wed, Jan. 22 for our Fixit Clinic live event!

This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and produced by Jessica Kariisa and Alan Montecillo

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Wildfires in Los Angeles have brought fire department budgets under scrutiny. In Oakland, the recent closures of two fire stations in the city’s hills have left firefighters warning of a tragedy waiting to happen. 

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Starting this month, Medi-Cal has expanded coverage to include traditional healing practices like music therapy, rituals and ceremonial dances to support those suffering from addiction. For years, Native people have argued that this more holistic, culturally-specific approach can help fill an important gap in the state’s approach to drug and alcohol treatment. 

Links:

This episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei and produced by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa

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The Bay Area is home to thousands of people with Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. Immigrants with TPS are provided a temporary shield from deportation and a work permit as a result of upheaval in their home countries. But as Donald Trump prepares to enter his second term, many fear deportation.

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On Tuesday, Vallejo will swear in its new mayor. Andrea Sorce, chair of the city’s Surveillance Advisory Board and co-founder of the ACLU’s Solano County chapter,  won by running as a political outsider promising change. Today, Ericka sits down with the mayor-elect in Vallejo to discuss what barriers she sees to fulfilling Vallejo’s “potential,” the Vallejo Police Department, housing and homelessness and more. 

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Next week, San Francisco mayor London Breed will pass the baton off to mayor-elect Daniel Lurie.  Breed led the city through most of the first Donald Trump presidency, the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. In this exit interview with the Political Breakdown podcast, Breed reflects on her six years as mayor.

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Sept. 26 marked the A’s last game in Oakland. Next season they’ll play in Sacramento ahead of a planned move to Las Vegas, after more than 50 years representing The Town. Today, we share the sights and sounds of that day with help from KQED’s Joseph Geha.

This episode first aired on Sept. 27, 2024.

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This holiday season, we’re sharing our favorite episodes of 2024. Producer Jessica Kariisa’s pick is our episode featuring San Jose’s Story Road Night Market in the Little Saigon neighborhood.

This episode first ran on Oct. 18, 2024.

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This holiday season, The Bay team is sharing their favorite episodes of 2024. Ericka’s pick highlights the work of student journalists covering pro-Palestine protests on college campuses across the Bay earlier this Spring. 

This episode first published on May 3, 2024.

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