Fifth & Mission

With midterm elections just one week away, the assault on Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is illuminating the country's increasing surge of political violence. Dr. Garen Wintemute of UC Davis says the problem goes beyond politics. He joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss findings from a nationwide study he led that shows how Americans are resorting to violence to achieve politi...

The San Francisco 49ers have long had a contentious relationship with the city they moved to in 2014. Team owner Jed York has spent millions of dollars for 49ers-friendly candidates since 2020, including a new high of $3.8 million this year. Chronicle reporter Dustin Gardiner joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss why this year's mayoral race is so heated, and the debate it's prompted over corporate in...

California residents have had to contend with the highest gas prices in the country, and oil refinery shutdowns have been named as the primary cause. Why do outages at refineries take place without a lot of public transparency, and what else might be contributing to high costs at the gas pump? Chronicle reporter Claire Hao joins host Cecilia Lei to explain why state lawmakers and energy experts ar...

Both propositions aim to speed up housing construction in San Francisco by streamlining the approval process. But why are there two? And will either one work? Reporter Noah Arroyo joins host Cecilia Lei to explain the competing measures and talk about a bigger question: Is putting complex, competing propositions before voters any way to run a city? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod...

In response to increased violence and crimes against San Francisco's Asian American population, many in the community have prescribed more policing and prosecutions as the solution. In an SFNext Solutions Conference panel discussion with host Cecilia Lei, Sarah Wan, director of the Community Youth Center, and Eddy Zheng, president of the New Breath Foundation, offer another take: San Francisco sho...

California was one of the last states to abandon remote learning, and many parents argued that such pandemic policies were detrimental to the education and mental health of students. Did the state take the right or wrong strategy? New state and national standardized test scores released on Monday may help shed light. Chronicle reporter Jill Tucker joins host Cecilia Lei to explain the data and wha...

Under California law, all cities must show how they plan to build their share of needed housing in the years to come. But as Chronicle senior political writer and It's All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli tells Demian Bulwa, some of these plans, known as housing elements, include homes on seemingly improbable sites — like over a creek or on a lot occupied by a supermarket. Will the s...

An August piece in the Times said the Bay Area scene is "struggling," and that artists were "fleeing" to Los Angeles. Chronicle arts and culture writer Tony Bravo joins host Cecilia Lei to offer a rebuttal. Plus: Alison Gass, the founding director of the new Institute of Contemporary Arts San Francisco shares why she believes the local art scene is booming. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicl...

Right-leaning groups have spent millions of dollars on conservative candidates in local school board elections across the country to push back on what they believe is a liberal tide in classrooms. Has the national movement hit the Bay Area? Chronicle reporters Sophia Bollag and Joshua Sharpe join host Cecilia Lei to discuss what's been going on in Contra Costa County. | Unlimited Chronicle access:...

In a city known for the high price of everything from pastries to parking, the estimated cost of a new public bathroom in Noe Valley is still a shocker: $1.7 million. Chronicle City Hall columnist and Total SF co-host Heather Knight joins host Demian Bulwa to talk about how a 150-square-foot room with a single toilet could cost so much — and why taxpayers should take notice. | Unlimited Chronicle...

In the November election, San Francisco voters will decide whether some of Mayor London Breed's recent appointees will stay in office, including Matt Dorsey, the incumbent District Six supervisor. Dorsey's competitor is Honey Mahogany, who would be the city's first transgender supervisor. Chronicle reporter J.D. Morris joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss where they stand on critical issues, and why...

When health officials and community members partnered to open a COVID-19 clinic in San Francisco's Mission District, the initial goal was to help Latinos who were hard-hit by the disease. But the clinic became much more, not only giving over 90,000 tests and more than 60,000 vaccines, but contributing to vital research and even growing to provide other services. Reporter Erin Allday joins host Dem...

Lead poisoning causes many health risks, including organ damage and lowered IQ. Toxic lead inside California's gun ranges has endangered workers, customers and their surrounding environments. So why hasn't the state implemented standards and regulations? Reporter Joe Rubin joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss his investigation. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your a...

The French Laundry is a food mecca in Napa Valley. Chronicle food critic Soleil Ho tells host Cecilia Lei and a Twitter Spaces audience all the inside information about the legendary restaurant: How it became such a revered spot, tips on getting a reservation and, most importantly, is it worth the splurge? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

Author and political commentator Steve Phillips says the American Civil War — an existential battle between white supremacy and a multiracial democracy — is still going. The host of the Democracy in Color podcast joins It's All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli to talk about the ideas in his new book, "How We Win the Civil War." He also talks about the racial controversy embroiling th...

Amid political jousting over housing prices, the city faces a state mandate: It must build — or at least plan to build — 82,000 units by 2031. And more than half need to be considered affordable. Chronicle reporter J.K. Dineen walks host Demian Bulwa through the city's plan to focus on westside neighborhoods like the Sunset and Richmond. But as Dineen explains, the high cost of building remains a...

Last year's string of student suicides, including star athlete Katie Meyer, has prompted students to question the university's mental health services. With a new academic year underway, Stanford's promises to increase mental health staffing remain unfulfilled. Melissa Newcomb reports what Stanford students say is lacking on campus, and how the university is defending its approach. | Unlimited Chro...

The San Francisco police commission has proposed a policy that would stop officers from pulling over motorists for minor infractions like littering or driving without registration tags. It's an effort to reduce racial profiling, but some critics say it would make the city less safe. Chronicle reporters Megan Cassidy and Susie Neilson join host Cecilia Lei to discuss the debate, and why others thin...

State Capitol reporters Dustin Gardiner and Sophia Bollag join Joe Garofoli to break down November ballot initiatives about abortion, flavored tobacco, kidney dialysis and a tax initiative that has Gov. Newsom siding with Republicans. And gambling industry analyst and investor Chris Grove joins Joe to talk about Props. 26 and 27, which have broken records for campaign spending. | Unlimited Chronic...

True crime has been a popular entertainment genre but the latest news is hitting close to home. A possible serial killer in Stockton has been linked to an Oakland murder, and communities are on edge. Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the case and the enduring fascination with true crime. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod  Related: The Doodler — sfchro...

Mayor London Breed's brother, Napoleon Brown, has served more than two decades in prison. While his case has mostly been a footnote in the mayor's story, public scrutiny was raised once Breed appointed new D.A. Brooke Jenkins. Chronicle reporter Megan Cassidy joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the new state laws that could reduce Brown's prison term — and how S.F. politics is impacting his case. |...

The Canal neighborhood is over 90 percent Latino and is the most segregated neighborhood in the Bay Area. When body-camera footage revealed the police beating of a day laborer, Latino residents decried what they say is the longstanding mistreatment by the city's police. Chronicle reporters Joshua Sharpe and Joel Umanzor join host Cecilia Lei to discuss the incident and the limits of local police r...

Around the Bay Area, a new movement has emerged from the ruin of the pandemic. Cities like Concord, Richmond and Petaluma are moving to enact protections for renters, much to the frustration of property owners. The latest salvo came in Antioch, where leaders this week approved capping many landlords at 3% annual price increases. Chronicle housing reporter Lauren Hepler joins host Demian Bulwa to d...

Though her name doesn't appear on the ballot, the upcoming November election may be consequential for Mayor London Breed's political future. Voters will weigh in on local measures and the fate of five Breed appointees, including District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. Chronicle reporter Mallory Moench joins host Cecilia Lei to breakdown the ballot and how it matters for the mayor. Learn more about your...

In 2021, a San Francisco Superior Court judge dismissed a case against Bill Gene Hobbs, a man with a long record who had allegedly harassed a teenage girl. Since then, women have turned to social media to allege they've also been stalked and harassed by Hobbs. Chronicle columnist Heather Knight joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss why the saga highlights the shortcomings of the city's criminal justic...