The Podlight

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with San José Spotlight reporter Lloyd Alaban about why the City Council delayed a controversial vote to redevelop the historic San Jose Flea Market. Later, he's joined by reporter Tran Nguyen to break down a new report that reveals racial discrimination and income inequality in Silicon Valley.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler and editor Nick Preciado dig into two major approvals that happened in San Jose this month -- the city's approval of a massive Google development and the county's decision to opt into Laura's Law.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler talks to reporter Vicente Vera about a May 26 mass shooting at VTA's rail yard in downtown San Jose that left ten people dead, including the shooter. Vera was on the ground in the aftermath of the deadly rampage as city leaders, VTA employees and heartbroken families struggled to cope, find answers and honor the victims.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler and editor Nick Preciado explain why San Jose casinos are paying higher taxes under a new voter-approved measure -- but can't increase the number of table games, as the measure promised. Plus: A look at why the San Jose City Council rejected a plan for homeless encampments and how city-owned golf courses thrived during the pandemic.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler and editor Nick Preciado dive into a decision this week by San Jose planning commissioners to greenlight a plan to develop the beloved Berryessa Flea Market -- and how vendors fear it will leave them behind. Plus: A look at Valley Water's rate hikes and a backlog in San Jose's code enforcement division.

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler recaps the week's top headlines with San José Spotlight editor Nick Preciado. Learn more about an East San Jose school district's plan to close two middle schools, the downtown airport's decline in passengers and an important vote to remove the controversial Thomas Fallon statue from downtown San Jose.

On this episode of The Podlight, San José Spotlight editor Nick Preciado sits down with reporter Sonya Herrera to delve into Google's massive 80-acre campus proposed for downtown San Jose. The project, more than three years in the making, cleared a major hurdle this week.

In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler sits down with Derrick Seaver, the new CEO of the Silicon Valley Organization, to dig into how he will rebuild the business group after a racist campaign ad last fall led to widespread fallout and distrust in the community. Seaver outlines plans to rebrand the organization, focus on equity, better support small and medium-sized businesses and reva...

In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler delves into an exclusive San José Spotlight investigative report about how a San Jose energy company skirted a natural gas ban after Mayor Sam Liccardo's close friend, Carl Guardino, led a robust lobbying campaign. Staedler also discusses water rake hikes coming this summer.

In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler sits down with Urban Catalyst founder Erik Hayden to learn more about Silicon Valley's landmark Opportunity Zone Fund which has garnered national attention for driving urban development by transforming and revitalizing downtown San Jose with six major redevelopment projects.

On the 8th and final episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters and San Jose City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to recap some of the top stories of 2019.

On the 7th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters recap highlights from an exclusive fireside chat with state Sen. Scott Wiener hosted in November by this news organization. During the event, the San Francisco legislator discussed his most controversial bills, including SB 50 and SB 35, the fight for local control versus state control, fees on d...

On the 5th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler welcomes San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters to delve Google's big plans for downtown San Jose and how the tech giant's expansion into the city could impact the neighboring community.

On the 6th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters share insights from Bitters' rare and revealing interview with Chuck Davidson, a legendary San Jose entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist. Davidson, who helped shape the city charter, shared stories from his remarkable life and career.

The 4th episode of The Podlight features the final of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley's crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez dig into preservation and anti-displacement measures, especially as Google looks to build a massive campus in downtown San Jose.

The 3rd episode of The Podlight features the second of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley's crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler continues the conversation with San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to explore the three Ps of housing policy -- production, preservation and protection.

The 2nd episode of The Podlight kicks off the first of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley's crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to delve into a new city policy that aims to prohibit discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders.

On the 1st episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters to look at the major players transforming downtown San Jose. It's a primer for the who’s who of downtown, how we got here and who’s doing what.