Crosscurrents

Today, an annual check up on San Francisco’s RV ban. Then, we meet some of the talent behind San Francisco’s iconic club, Oasis. Plus, a poem in memory of a beloved San Francisco drummer.

Last year, San Francisco established new parking restrictions. They were aimed at curbing the city's growing number of people living out of their vehicles, mostly RVs. The stated goal was to take RVs off city streets, and get those who lived in the vehicles into more permanent housing.  But while city efforts to reduce the number of RVs appears to be succeeding, the crackdown has left hundreds of...

The day after Christmas, some stage performers, cabaretists, and dancers got some really good news. The beloved San Francisco nightclub Oasis was slated to close on January 1, 2026 . But it was rescued by a major donation from a Bay Area philanthropic group. This was welcome news to everyone in the Oasis family, but especially Tito Soto, the club’s event producer and a headline performer.  KALW’s...

Today, we’ll hear a poem that honors the way we feel when we lose a friend, a space, a community. Here’s Alexiz Angel Romero reading her poem ‘ode to the beating heart, dedicated to Larry “Bucket Man” Hunt.

Cybersecurity isn’t just a concern for the largest corporations, it has local impacts too. Today, what adding AI does to changing cybersecurity risks. Then, in his new memoir, Adam Nimoy explores his relationship with his dad, iconic Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy. And, the many anthems that represent America.

We share our personal information all the time: at the pharmacy, at school, at the insurance agency. Many of us assume someone there knows how to keep our data safe. But, rapidly evolving AI systems are raising new cybersecurity questions. KALW’s tech reporter, NeEddra James has been reporting on how local governments are responding to AI.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of “Star Trek.” Filmmaker and actor Adam Nimoy not only watched the show, but he went on set when he was a kid. That’s because his father, Leonard Nimoy, played Spock. The half-human, half-alien science officer came from a culture that put logic above emotion.  Leonard Nimoy once said he was so immersed in the character that sometimes he couldn’t turn it off at...

We’re approaching the Fourth of July weekend. A time when people are reflecting on what it means to be American. And  with that reflection comes a complicated mix of emotions. Some celebrate the 4th of July, some protest it, other people are just indifferent. Whatever your feelings are, one thing is for sure: we’ll be hearing a LOT of the national anthem in the coming days. Especially as the count...

There’s a new cohort of journalists learning how to make radio in California prisons. Today, we introduce you to this year’s Uncuffed class at the California Institution for Women - through their favorite songs.

Queer spaces are always evolving, but some things stay constant. Today, a conversation on the challenges and possibilities of creating community spaces. Then, if you could re-imagine the American anthem, what would it sound like?

It's the last day of June, so today we are going to send off this year's Pride Month by imagining what the future of Queer spaces could be. In this segment we hear from two of KALW's recent Audio Academy graduates: Jordan Karnes and Anna Casalme.  They recently hosted a night of clips and conversations at our live event space in Downtown San Francisco. It was called 'Creating Queer Third Spaces: E...

We are approaching the July 4th weekend, and now more than ever people are reflecting on what it means to be American with a complicated mix of emotions. Some celebrate the 4th of July, some protest it, other people are just indifferent.  Whatever your feelings are, one thing is for sure: we’ll be hearing A LOT of the national anthem, especially as the country marks 250 years since the signing of...

A long time Bay Area sci-fi convention is adding AfroFuturism to its programming. Then, we hear how the way schools embrace the LGBTQ+ community impacts how kids shape their attitudes and actions. It’s an episode of TBH, our series made by, about, and for teenagers. Plus, KALW's Notes from the Edge listens to artists about how they would reimagine our National Anthem. 

The 4th of July holiday is this weekend. For some Bay Area nerds, their weekend will include not only fireworks and hot dogs… but space ships, and magic too! The sci-fi/fantasy convention BayCon is returning to the South Bay for its 42nd year this holiday weekend. And this year will feature a new AfroFuturism Lounge. The lounge includes screenings, interactive sessions, and panel discussions about...

Today, the KALW high school summer podcasting institute is kicking off! Each cohort of students produces a show called tbh, short for to be honest. In honor of the program launch, and the wrapping up of Pride month, we’re bringing you one of our favorite tbh episodes from a previous cohort.  This one is about the role schools play in supporting students, and shaping attitudes around the LGBTQ PLUS...

Making your voice heard, and creating change, are fundamental to our democracy. But sometimes, when we see that democracy being threatened, it can make us ponder how we feel about this country as a whole. Saturday is the 4th of July. And every time it comes around, folks consider their relationship with the day. Some celebrate it, some protest it, other people are just indifferent… Whatever your f...

San Francisco’s Mayor Daniel Lurie has made changes to the city’s harm reduction policy. And not everyone supports them. Today, how the new policy is impacting the people who receive these services. Then, a Black culture space in the city is closing its doors for a few years.

For more than 25 years , the City of San Francisco has used an approach called “harm reduction” to help people struggling with substance abuse. It’s common in California . The key tenet of harm reduction is: meet people where they’re at, so that they can manage their substance use and stay alive. That can involve giving people clean supplies to consume drugs. But the harm reduction approach is at...

A treasured Black arts and culture space, in the Fillmore-Western Addition neighborhood, is closing for a few years. The African American Art & Culture Complex has served the community for 37 years. They’re closing so the city can do seismic renovation on the building.  But what happens when an important community space has to shut down, even temporarily Ashley Smiley, who goes by her last nam...

Now for some poetry that celebrates queer brown love. Here is San Francisco poet Flavia Elisa Mora reading her piece “Xochipilli.” 

The Public Media Journalists Association, or PMJA, just announced their 2026 winners and KALW is proud to have taken three awards, so today we bring the second place winner for Enterprise Journalism, our story about how unhoused community members find shelter and support at SFO.

Today, a tenant who is about to be evicted commemorates their apartment that hosted 35 years of performance. Then, a classic Dracula story gets revamped. Plus, a poem about another monster that refuses to die.

It’s been nearly 130 years since Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula” was published . Over time, artists have reimagined the blood-thirsty monster in many ways. Now, San Francisco Playhouse is taking a stab at the classic story, with a feminist twist.

A dancer is evicted from a San Francisco home with deep roots in their experimental dance community.

Revisiting The Gay Life is a new 12-episode series from KALW’s Queer Power Hour . It explores a pivotal moment in SF’s LGBTQ history — from the rise of Harvey Milk to the early days of what would later be called AIDS.