Sign up to save your podcastsEmail addressPasswordRegisterOrContinue with GoogleAlready have an account? Log in here.
The Podlight is produced by San José Spotlight, the city's award-winning nonprofit news organization dedicated to independent political and business reporting. Hosted by editor Nick Preciado and senio... more
FAQs about The Podlight:How many episodes does The Podlight have?The podcast currently has 114 episodes available.
June 08, 2026Breaking down the primary electionCalifornia'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....more26minPlay
May 17, 2026Matt Mahan’s longshot governor bidSan 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....more20minPlay
April 03, 2026East San Jose reckons with Cesar Chavez’s legacyNew 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....more11minPlay
March 25, 2026Inside San Jose's budget shortfallFrom 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....more22minPlay
February 14, 2026How San Jose is betting on big gamesFrom 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....more15minPlay
November 07, 2025The cost of cutting SNAP: Families on the brink in Silicon ValleyWith 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....more11minPlay
September 30, 2025County top boss on Measure A and the future of public healthAs 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....more27minPlay
September 10, 2025New downtown San Jose councilman hits the ground runningJust weeks after taking office, San Jose Councilmember Anthony Tordillos sits down with editor Nick Preciado to discuss his historic election, policy ideas and priorities for the downtown district....more20minPlay
June 16, 2025Inside VTA's historic strike and lessons learnedVTA Board Chair and Campbell Mayor Sergio Lopez joins host Nick Preciado for a candid conversation about the historic VTA strike, his perspective on the labor negotiations and lessons learned by leadership....more25minPlay
May 15, 2025Who will be San Jose's next downtown councilmember?A dramatic special election to elect San Jose's next downtown councilmember was decided by a handful of votes, sending two contenders to a June runoff. Who is poised to win the San Jose City Council seat, and how will voter turnout impact the outcome? Host Nick Preciado sits down with political expert Garrick Percival to take a closer look....more19minPlay
FAQs about The Podlight:How many episodes does The Podlight have?The podcast currently has 114 episodes available.