The Podlight

Artificial intelligence and workplace surveillance are transforming jobs across Silicon Valley, raising new concerns about displacement and worker rights. Reporter Keith Menconi explores the new People’s Tech Coalition, the South Bay labor and community groups behind it and their push to give workers more say in how technology reshapes the workplace.

From a proposed ICE facility to a surge in data center development, two of Silicon Valley’s biggest debates took center stage at San José Spotlight’s PolitiBeat 2026. The Podlight revisits the conversations about immigration, energy, economic growth and what these major developments could mean for the region.

As the AI boom fuels a wave of data center development, San Jose is promising each project will face careful scrutiny. Reporter Keith Menconi explores how city leaders plan to balance economic growth with concerns over water, energy and neighborhood impacts.

California's primary election settled some races, set up new battles and offered clues about where local politics may be headed next. Reporter Keith Menconi breaks down the biggest results from across the South Bay, the surprises that emerged and what they mean for voters, candidates and the region's political future.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan launched an ambitious campaign for California governor backed by millions from Silicon Valley donors. But with weeks until the June primary, he has yet to break out of single-digit polling. Reporter Keith Menconi examines the state of the race, the challenges facing Mahan’s campaign and whether there’s still a path forward.

New allegations about Cesar Chavez are prompting difficult conversations in East San Jose, where he lived and began his organizing career. Reporter Keith Menconi explores how community leaders are grappling with the revelations, the tension between legacy and accountability, and what it means for a city he once called home.

From rising costs to slowing revenues, San Jose is facing a $56 million budget shortfall. Reporter Keith Menconi talks to city leaders about what’s driving the deficit, the difficult tradeoffs ahead and what potential cuts could mean for city services.

From the Super Bowl to future global sporting events, San Jose is positioning itself for an economic surge. Reporter Keith Menconi explores the strategy, the stakes and what success would really look like for the South Bay.

With federal SNAP benefits stalling, food insecurity is rising sharply across Silicon Valley. In this episode, we sit down with Leslie Bacho, CEO of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, to talk about the growing demand for food assistance, the human toll of federal funding cuts and what can be done to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.

As voters consider a measure to fund public health, host Nick Preciado sits down with Santa Clara County CEO James Williams to explain the proposal and why it matters.