The Podlight

This week, host Nick Preciado dives into new corruption accusations against Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith from the Civil Grand Jury with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe. Then, reporter Tran Nguyen hops on to discuss the $1.6 million sale of the historic Burbank Theater.

This week host Nick Preciado speaks with reporter Tran Nguyen about her new data reporting revealing how many homeless encampments San Jose has cleared since January. Then, reporters Lloyd Alaban and Lorraine Gabbert discuss San José Spotlight's new documentary series highlighting the plight of essential workers during the pandemic, Backbone of Silicon Valley.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado talks to reporter Tran Nguyen about her exclusive reporting on San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo's new PAC and its $400,000 fundraising haul. Later, Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe breaks down a controversial San Jose proposal to use license plate readers to deter crime.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado speaks to environmentalists pushing to preserve Coyote Valley and those who say private landowners have a right to develop it. The discussion, which features Green Foothills Executive Director Megan Fluke and attorney and ex-San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, follows a historic City Council decision this week to preserve the open space.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado talks to freelance reporter Lorraine Gabbert about a unanimous decision to remove a controversial Thomas Fallon statue from downtown San Jose. Reporter Eli Wolfe discusses a fight to save sacred land in South County.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado and Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe dig into the county's redistricting process which is sparking heated debate. Then, reporter Tran Nguyen details a fight to reopen The Dragon Mountain, a treasured park that's been shuttered for two years.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado dives into a report by reporter Tran Nguyen about a San Jose employee's claims that lucrative contracts were given to a company because of its ties to Mayor Sam Liccardo. Then, freelance reporter Lorraine Gabbert explains how South Bay students are struggling with homelessness.

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado talks to reporter Lloyd Alaban about San Jose's redistricting process and why some new maps are angering residents and businesses. Then, Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe digs into bullying and harassment faced by the Los Gatos mayor.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about the city's push to save a beloved mural near downtown San Jose. Later, reporter Tran Nguyen details the latest developments in San José Spotlight's fight for emails related to Mayor Sam Liccardo's lobbying group.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado digs into the abrupt resignation of San Jose State University president Mary Papazian amid a sex abuse scandal. Later, reporter Tran Nguyen examines how renters are coping with the threat of eviction after a ban on COVID-related evictions expired.

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado exclusively speaks with Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith about alleged mismanagement of county jails, warehousing mentally ill people behind bars, severe understaffing issues, looming investigations into her leadership and calls for her to resign.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado and Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe dig into two state bills that abolish single-family zoning in California -- and explain what that means for local San Jose policies, such as Opportunity Housing.

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado chats with reporter Tran Nguyen about why San Jose's police and fire unions are opposing a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Later, reporter Lloyd Alaban digs into a fight between city administrators and a committee working on police reform.

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado chats with reporters Tran Nguyen and Eli Wolfe about a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate at San Jose City Hall and efforts to diversify a business group marred by racist political ads.

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado chats with reporter Tran Nguyen about the number of COVID-19 infections at San Jose's three largest school districts. Later, senior reporter Eli Wolfe dives into a vote of 'no confidence' in county Sheriff Laurie Smith.

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado and reporter Lloyd Alaban break down San Jose's newly-approved COVID-19 vaccination mandate for events with 50 or more people at city-owned facilities.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado talks to reporter Lloyd Alaban about a historic decision to begin closing the Reid-Hillview Airport and eliminating leaded fuel. Later, reporter Sonya Herrera hops on to recap Newsom's visit to San Jose amid his recall election.

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado and Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe dig into a petition by VTA workers to investigate a hostile work environment and mistreatment by management. The calls come just months after a disgruntled VTA worker gunned down nine of his colleagues before taking his own life.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado digs into the county's decision to require masks indoors with reporter Lloyd Alaban. Later, reporter Tran Nguyen explains how a San Francisco law firm and a free speech advocacy group are responding to Mayor Sam Liccardo's attempt to skirt public records law.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about the VTA facing workers' comp claims -- and possible lawsuits -- from families of the mass shooting victims. Later, reporter Tran Nguyen hops on to explain why plans to build a Viet Heritage Garden have stalled.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado is joined by reporter Lloyd Alaban to discuss a growing homeless encampment in San Jose -- and federal demands to clear it. Later, he's joined by reporter Vicente Vera who explains how special interests are already lining up to support candidates in the 2022 elections.

In an exclusive interview with The Podlight, Public Defender Sajid Khan, who is challenging District Attorney Jeff Rosen in 2022, tells host Nick Preciado how he will overhaul criminal justice in Silicon Valley and why the area is ready for change.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado digs into a new lawsuit filed by San Jose-based Bloom Energy against a neighboring city with reporter Sonya Herrera then breaks down a new report on housing affordability with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with reporter Tran Nguyen about when commuters can expect VTA to resume light rail service after a mass shooting in May shuttered operations. Plus, reporter Eli Wolfe explains how the South Bay cracked down on illegal fireworks -- and whether it worked.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado digs into Solutions San Jose, Mayor Sam Liccardo's secretive advocacy group, with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe who broke a story about its connection to a consulting group linked to a racist ad. Later, reporter Lloyd Alaban hops on to recap Liccardo's new gun control measures -- which are already being challenged.