Crosscurrents

The Bay Area’s shelter-in-place order was first announced one year ago today. We’re looking back at the first 100 days into the pandemic in snapshots from the KALW original series, Day By Day.

It's been almost a year since Bay Area officials first announced the shelter-at-home order. Today, we’re looking back at audio diaries from those first few weeks of the pandemic. It’s a special presentation of Day By Day: KALW's Quarantine Diaries.

In Alameda County, when people are seeking permanent shelter, they have to apply to get into a Coordinated Entry System — it's basically a waitlist. Today, looking at how people who are eligible actually get placed into housing. It’s an excerpt from Chapter 4 the 99% Invisible project According to Need. Plus, a new episode from our podcast New Arrivals.

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As Oakland’s City Council explores putting the fire department in charge of mental health calls, one group has established their own mental health response service. Then, young voters came out in large numbers for the 2020 elections, but will that engagement last? And, San Francisco author Andrew Faulk reads from his new novel about living with — and treating —HIV/AIDS.Tune into KALW 91.7 FM Monda...

The battle for People’s Park in Berkeley has been going on for more than 50 years. Today, we’ll hear about how it all started. Then, poet Arisa White writes about her struggles growing up without her father in her newest book Who’s Your Daddy." And, we hear a reading from El Cerrito poet Maw Shein Win. Plus, today's local music features a new album from Oakland-based artist Javier Santiago.

It wasn’t that long ago that people who didn't have housing and were seen as unable to take care of themselves were held against their will. But, back in the mid 90s, that approach started to change. In this excerpt from the 99% Invisible project According To Need, we hear how we got where we are today.

When you ask its residents how they define the boundaries of East Oakland, the answer vary —and they’re about more than just geography. Today, we’re exploring what East Oakland is all about and looking at the legacy the Black Panthers left there.

San Francisco’s school board has a plan to reopen, nearly one year after schools first shut down. Today, we’ll hear what it’s like for teachers who had to go from the classroom to Zoom. Then, we meet a dancer who doesn’t hear the music he dances to, he feels it.

Today we’re going behind the scenes with the operators who pick up the phone when people call seeking housing or shelter in Alameda County in another story from the 99% Invisible project "According To Need." Then, theater director Michael French talks about what drew his heart to the stage.

California has ramped up its vaccinations and is averaging about a million doses a week, but community advocates worry speed could bypass equity. And, we hear from the hosts of NPR's Throughline about making a show that explores the backstory behind today’s news headlines.

San Francisco's police union fires back after District Attorney Chesa Boudin charges several police officers. And one family impacted by police violence continues to wait for another chance at justice. Today, we bring you the latest in the series, The Progressive Prosecutor. Then, Oakland artist Jason McDonald talks about the lack of diversity in glassblowing.

In Oakland, when someone has nowhere to turn for shelter, they can call 211. But for many, that means being added to a list ... and waiting. Today, it’s a special episode from the 99% Invisible project “According To Need.”

An African American woman from Oakland fights for educational justice for her grandkids. Today, an award-winning documentary, on why students are falling behind in school. Then, a new poetry collection is a love letter to San Francisco’s queer community.

Chesa Boudin’s first year as San Francisco’s District Attorney ended in controversy. Today, in the latest installment of The Progressive Prosecutor, we hear about growing efforts to remove Boudin from office. Then, we look at life on the other side of the carceral system in a story from the Uncuffed team at San Quentin.

Food banks have had to get creative to reach a growing number of people in need during the pandemic. Today we meet a woman who helps run outdoor pop-up pantries. Then, we go behind-the-scenes of the San Francisco/Marin Food Bank distribution center. And, we talk to the new executive director of the food bank about how they’re meeting the rising demand for help.

Today, we hear from a Bay Area nurse who’s working on a local COVID-19 vaccine trial. Then, Bay Area pastors are helping with vaccine outreach. And, we go to an art studio for people with disabilities to find out how they've adapted during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak in prisons across California is still taking an incredible toll. We hear from people writing letters to reach their incarcerated loved ones who they haven't been able to see since the beginning of the pandemic. And, we hear what it was like for one man to leave prison knowing that he left his best friend behind. Today, we're bringing you a special episode from Uncuffed.

The pandemic plus advocates, organizers, and a determined district attorney all made it possible to shut down an unsafe San Francisco jail. But it also created new problems. Today, we look at the meaning of safety in the next installment of "The Progressive Prosecutor." Then, San Francisco drag artist Bebe Sweetbriar talks about the power of drag.

When live music venues closed for safety reasons, touring musicians lost their social and professional networks. Today, we meet Zach Moses Ostroff who is keeping his artistic spirit going. Then, local skating legend Tommy Guerrero finds rhythm on the skateboard and on the bass. And, some local singles have been missing sex and intimacy during the pandemic.

When city services shut their doors last March, many employees were assigned new jobs to help fight the pandemic. Today, we meet a San Francisco librarian turned contact tracer. Then, Oakland writer Aiden Thomas makes history with his groundbreaking paranormal novel "Cemetery Boys." And, we hear a reading from a children’s book about surviving hard times. Plus, today's local music features El Tee,...

In the first half of his term as California’s governor, Gavin Newsom has faced historic challenges. Today, it's a special presentation from CapRadio News looking at his successes and shortcomings. Plus, two Bay Area authors are finalists for National Book Critics Circle awards. We hear readings from authors Alia Voltz and C Pam Zhang.

Today, we look at the history of the San Francisco District Attorney's office. It's the next story in our series The Progressive Prosecutor. Then, we ask musician Tom Heyman to spill the dirt on the wild stories from his bluesy songs.

California has moved on to a new vaccination phase: Now, people 65 and older have priority. But, there’s very limited supply. Today, we hear about the challenges health departments are facing. Then, we meet a chiropractor in a story from our @WORK series. And, we go behind the scenes with Meredith Winner, looking at how the mural paintings in downtown Oakland were organized. Plus, today's local mu...

A Bay Area non-profit is bringing laughter to hospitals and assisted living centers. Today, we hear why clowning is essential. Then, 99% Invisible host Roman Mars talks about how he got his start in radio — and, we look at some of the hidden designs found right here in Oakland. Plus, today's local music features Bay Area-based band Flamango Bay. They're performing a livestream set with the Art Hou...