Crosscurrents

Today, we hear how wildfire smoke makes COVID-19 cases worse and how it affects some families more than others. Then, we get an update on the state’s wildfire prevention efforts. And, we go back more than a century to understand how California decided who has a right to our water. Plus, we speak with Oakland poet Paul Corman Roberts as he reflects on his poetry.

Today, we hear from UCSF’s Bob Wachter on how the best practices for Covid-19 keep changing as we learn more about the pandemic. We listen to the latest information on the delta variant, vaccines and booster shots. Then, we meet a forensic diver. He tells us how he came to the work, and why it’s important to him. And then, we hear a reading from a new children’s book.

When the pandemic increased unemployment in the Bay Area, some Oaklanders turned to street vending at Lake Merritt to make ends meet. Today, we hear how they’re fighting to keep their place at the lake. Then, we meet KALW’s new Monday night music curator DJ Umami. And, from New Arrivals, we listen to a reading from a children’s noir novel from author Lou Cook, set on the San Francisco waterfront.

Today, we head to Fremont’s “Little Kabul” to hear how Afghan Americans are responding to America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Then, in San Rafael, a non profit is working to evacuate its staffers from Afghanistan. And, quilter Amy Ahlstrom talks about her show on mental health and how quilting has evolved.

COVID-19 prison lockdowns prevented family and friends from visiting the nation's nearly two million prisoners, and they shut down education programs. At a maximum security prison near Chicago, one seminary professor managed to keep reaching inside.

San Francisco's most celebrated poets come together to honor San Francisco Poet Laureate and social justice activist Janice Mirikitani. Then, we take a walking tour of a new art exhibit in San Jose’s Japantown that uncovers and connects the neighborhood’s “Hidden Histories” to the present. And finally, we hear a reading from a new young adult book author.

Oakland’s Chinatown is grappling with a sharp increase in violent crime. Today, we'll hear what the community is doing to address it. Then, we are going back to school to learn about the policies Bay Area districts are following when it comes to COVID-19. Plus, the musical Hamilton gives students another way to study history.

A South Bay airport may be shut down after a study found it’s causing high levels of lead in the children who live nearby. We examine the debate over San Jose’s Reid- Hillview airport. Then, bust out your leg warmers, spandex, and fluorescent headbands. Because we are taking you to a dance class where daydreams come true. And lastly we meet one of our newest additions to the KALW music family, DJ...

Mehool Sanghrajka isn't your typical tech CEO. To start with, his worldview is grounded in ancient Indian philosophy — one which inspires him to serve not just his close-knit religious community, but extends to people he's never met.

Today, we hear from a nun who reflects on her lifelong spiritual quest for social justice, and what it means to live a complex and meaningful life in modern America. Then, we will revisit a story from our Hey Area series, delving into why the width of BART's train tracks matters to riders. And, East Bay novelist Allison Larkin reads from her new book. Plus, today's local music features Santa Rosa...

Get your headphones ready, today’s show is all about sound. We’ll visit a laboratory where the sounds of indoor spaces are designed. Then, we keep our ears open as we head outside. For today’s throwback we have two stories from our Audiophiles series. We profiled Bay Area residents who are deeply involved in the world of sound. The series was the brainchild of Martina Castro, whose voice you’ll be...

COVID-19 stopped people around the world from gathering for over a year. There’s a lot of talk about the toll this has taken on our collective mental health. Especially for people who are grieving and can’t access comforting rituals. Years ago in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 38-year old Noe Kasali helped survivors of the Ebola epidemic grieve their losses. When they weren’t allowed to att...

Today on Crosscurrents, we will hear about a musical dedicated to the work of Nobel Prize winning biochemist Jennifer Doudna. Then up next we'll break down the science of her work with author Walter Isaacson. And, then we'll hear from author Stefan Salinas as he explores grief through cartoons.

The San Francisco Unified School District board had planned to cover up a controversial mural at George Washington High after heated debates in 2019, but a California Superior Court ruled that they have to leave it as is until they submit a plan for an environmental impact review. In this story, we hear from parents and students about SFUSD's decision and we dig into the history of the work.

Today for Throwback Thursday, we’ll meet a cellist who multiplies her sound to create a one person orchestra. Then, we’ll meet KALW’s new Friday night music DJ, J Boogie. And, author Lyndsey Ellis talks about grief and healing in her novel "Bone Broth."

California’s utility giant PGE has committed to burying ten thousand miles of power lines in rural areas. We’ll hear from Paradise Mayor Steve Crowder about how he thinks that could help protect towns like his. Then, we’ll meet KALW’s new late night Wednesday DJ LadyRyan. And, when someone is sent to prison, how do they figure out all the little do’s and don'ts?

The California Gold Rush petered out in the mid 1800s, but it never quite ended... In the latest from our @Work series, we meet modern-day gold miners. Then, we hear about the history of an unusual Gold Rush era meal and, in a story from California Foodways, we hunt for a place where you can order it today.

It’s been 31 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed. Today, we’ll hear how Berkeley protesters helped bring about the ADA. Then, San Francisco author activist Alice Wong brings readers personal stories from people with disabilities.

For today's throwback, we’re digging into our Audiophiles, and getting our hands dirty and going deep into a world of surprising sounds at the Exploratorium. Then, get to know Aaron Byrd, the mind behind KALW’s new weeknight music programming.

The legislature is considering a bill that would keep California state prisons from handing people who get parole and are undocumented over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We’ll find out why that’s important, how it’s controversial, and whose lives would be changed as a result. And, we'll hear firsthand from a man at Solano prison who worried about what would happen to his family before he...

A Bay Area florist shares how she stayed connected to her community. It’s the latest installment of our @Work series. Then, we’ll hear from one of KALW’s newest DJs: Patrick King Most. And, Petaluma author Joy Lanzendorfer reads from her novel set in 1930s Hollywood.

This week KALW is bringing new voices to our airwaves. We’ll hear from the station’s general manager Tina Pamintuan about what to expect. And then, we'll meet DJ Wonway Posibul. And, we’ll celebrate the legacy of longtime Philosophy Talk host Ken Taylor.

Today, we visit an island in the San Francisco Bay where the walls can talk… and they tell a tragic story. It's secret that unlocked a new life for the historic immigration station at Angel Island. Then, Anna Sale joins us to talk about how we can have those conversations that we typically avoid. And, we hear a reading from Oakland author Elizabeth Gonzalez James's new novel.

Auburn, California is a town of 14,000 people nestled in the Sierra foothills. Many Bay Area residents pass through it on summer getaways into the mountains, heading northeast to places like Tahoe. But the small town has stories of its own, including the blood-soaked tale of one man. His name? Rattlesnake Dick.

Today, in the next episode of What Works, health workers in East Palo Alto go door-to-door to get information out about the COVID-19 vaccine and rent relief. Then, we’ll hear how some seniors have been coping with isolation in these times. And, Berkeley author Andreas Karelas reads from his new book, "Climate Courage."