The Bay

Unless you work on cars for a living, you probably weren’t very familiar with catalytic converters until the last few years, when reported thefts of this particular car part started to skyrocket. It’s part of the exhaust system and contains valuable metals.

These thefts have set car owners back thousands of dollars, and some people lose access to their car for months while it’s getting fixed. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two laws last month in an attempt to address the problem, but whether or not it’ll actually help is up in the air.

Guest: Jose Fermoso, The Oaklandside senior systems reporter

Links:

• ‘Oakland residents cheer new catalytic converter law, but some worry it won’t end thefts,’ by Jose Fermoso

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After protests erupted in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22 year old Kurdish Iranian woman who died in police custody after being arrested for not wearing a proper hijab, the Iranian government responded with police crackdowns and internet blockages. 

California is home to one of the largest populations of Iranians outside of Iran. And for many, including here in the Bay Area, protesting and sharing on social media is a critical tool for keeping momentum of this moment alive.

Guest: Ida Mojadad, education reporter for the San Francisco Standard

Links:

Episode Transcript

This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts.

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Several Bay Area cities, including Oakland, are dealing with increased levels of gun violence. In Oakland, the city has hit triple-digit homicides for the third straight year.

This has reversed years of positive progress, which was happening in part because of violence intervention work in communities — work that was disrupted during the pandemic.

Communities are trying to do what they can to stop violence before it happens. One important piece of the puzzle? Investing in culture, and in events that provide resources and positive social outlets.

Guest: Nastia Voynovskaya, associate editor at KQED arts & culture

Links:

This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.

Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2020, California lawmakers passed SB 793, which banned the retail sale of flavored tobacco products that can be smoked, vaped, or eaten statewide.

But shortly after that, tobacco companies worked to put Prop. 31 on the ballot, taking the issue directly to the voters. It asks California voters whether to uphold that 2020 ban, or do away with it.

Guest: Lesley McClurg, KQED health correspondent

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We need to spend a lot of money on green infrastructure if we want to lower emissions and adapt to the climate crisis. Supporters of Proposition 30 say this measure would help the state do just that — by raising the state income tax by 1.75% on Californians who make more than $2 million a year. That money would be guaranteed for 3 things: electric car debates, electric car charging, and wildfire suppression.

The political coalitions on this one are super confusing: The ‘Yes” side includes environmental justice groups, prominent Democrats, and the ride-hailing app Lyft. The “No” side includes groups that oppose tax increases like the California Republican Party, the Chamber of Commerce, and — perhaps surprisingly — Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Teachers’ Association.

Guest: Kevin Stark, KQED science senior editor

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Launched for a third time by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, Prop. 29 would add new rules on dialysis clinics. If approved, dialysis clinics would be required to have a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant on site during all treatment hours, among other requirements. Opponents say Prop. 29 imposes unnecessary requirements and would cause clinics to shut down. 

Guest:  Kevin Stark, KQED science senior editor

Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts.

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Studies show that arts and music education benefit students, reducing things like depression and truancy. However, when budgets are slashed, they’re the first programs to go. The problem is exacerbated in low-income schools, which already face under-staffed and low budgeted music and arts programs, argues former Los Angeles Unified School School District Superintendent, Austin Beutner, who launched Prop. 28.  

Prop. 28 would increase the amount of funding allocated for music and arts education in public schools. Currently, 40 percent of the state’s general fund goes to public schools. If approved, Prop. 28 would require at least one percent of that go towards music and arts education, an estimated $1 billion annually. 

Guest: Julia McEvoy, KQED senior editor

Episode Transcript

Links:

• The Sacramento Bee editorial board's interview with former L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner

This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.

Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a pair of dueling ballot measures in California that would affect whether we have legalized sports betting in the state, and what form it should take. 

It’s a super expensive campaign. Prop 27 is already the most expensive ballot measure in state history. And that’s because big money is on the line.

On this episode of Prop Fest, Bay Curious host Olivia Allen-Price talks to KQED’s Guy Marzorati about Propositions 26 and 27.

Episode Transcript

Voting season is coming up. Check out KQED’s Voter Guide to help make your decision.

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For the next 2 weeks, we’re teaming up with our friends at Bay Curious to bring you Prop Fest, where we’ll break down the 7 statewide ballot propositions in the November election.

First up: Proposition 1. It was added to the ballot by the state legislature after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Prop 1 would amend the state constitution to include reproductive freedom, which includes the right to an abortion and to accept or refuse contraception, as a fundamental right.

Guest: April Dembosky, KQED health correspondent

Episode Transcript

Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts.

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The Not One More Girl campaign launched in 2020 after a survey of Bay Area youth found that women and girls feared for their safety when using public transportation. Spearheaded by youth, the campaign outlined ways to make BART safer. More than a year since we first aired this episode, the BART board amended its code of conduct to explicitly prohibit sexual harassment. 

Guests: Haleema Bharoocha, senior advocacy manager at Alliance for Girls and Santana Tapia, with the #NotOneMoreGirl campaign and co-founder of Fluid Coffee and Event

This episode first aired on Aug. 6, 2021.

Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts.

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