Fifth & Mission

Judges in U.S. immigration court issue mass "in absentia" deportation orders for immigrants who don't show up to make their case. But many of these people don't even know to be in court because their current address isn't on file. As reporter Deepa Fernandes tells host Demian Bulwa, the Justice Department defends the practice, but advocates for immigrants call it a "deportation conveyor belt." | U...

The Board of Supervisors voted against a development project in SoMa that would've turned a parking lot into a high-rise market-rate residential complex. Some community members were concerned about gentrification, but S.F. politics were also a strong factor. Reporter J.K. Dineen joins host Cecilia Lei to explain. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Historic wildfires have ravaged communities throughout the Sierra fire zones. Now, their residents are facing difficult decisions, including whether and how to rebuild and how to stay safe. Reporter J.D. Morris joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about Paradise, Greenville and Quincy. One of them is rebuilding, one is in ruins, and one is under threat. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod...

One year after the Bay Area headed into a terrible holiday surge, we're in much better shape. But huge pandemic questions still loom, including: Should you get a booster shot? Can you do holiday gatherings with no restrictions? Are school mask rules soon to change? Meanwhile, children ages 5 to 11 could begin getting vaccinated next week, meaning many could be fully vaccinated by the end of the ye...

Public schools in the Bay Area, and across the country, are hiring marketing firms to boost their enrollment numbers, which have declined and resulted in lost revenue in recent years. Marketing strategies have included TikTok accounts, Pandora ads, and other creative strategies. Chronicle education reporter Jill Tucker joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss how the education system became a competitive...

Safe parking spots that offer overnight refuge for the unhoused population are gaining traction in the Bay Area, but political obstacles are obstructing community efforts. Chronicle reporter Lauren Hepler joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about the two-year battle the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto had to take on to offer four parking spaces in the city, where more than three-quarters of...

City Hall columnist and Total SF podcast host Heather Knight joins Demian Bulwa to talk about her interview with Brooke Jenkins, one of the 50-plus attorneys and other staff who have left the San Francisco district attorney's office since the beleaguered D.A. took over. Jenkins cites what she views as chaotic management, high turnover and ideologically driven decisions as her reasons for joining t...

The California congressman, lead House impeachment manager in the first Senate trial of Donald Trump, and now author of the bestseller "Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could," talks to Joe Garofoli about the Jan. 6 insurrection hearings, the Trump administration, and the ongoing crisis for democracy. A longer version of this interview appeared on the It's All Pol...

If you’ve heard the term conservatorship this year, it’s likely been about the legal fight around pop star Britney Spears. Taking away a person's decision-making power is meant to be an option of last resort, but in San Francisco, some say they're too hard to obtain, with sometimes deadly consequences. Reporter Mallory Moench joins host Demian Bulwa to talk about the controversy and the story of a...

The Bay Area has been begging for rain for months amid the worst drought in modern state history. Now that it's here, can we relax? Not so much. A potential atmospheric river in the forecast may cause mudslides. It also may not be enough to put an end to fire season or the growing need to conserve water. Chronicle reporters Jessica Flores and Tara Duggan join host Demian Bulwa to discuss what you...

When Walgreens said it would close five stores in the city, the reaction was a firestorm. Why? Because the company blamed shoplifting, reigniting a polarizing debate over whether San Francisco is tough enough on property crimes. Reporters Shwanika Narayan and Susie Neilson join host Demian Bulwa to discuss the Chronicle's findings: that statistics on reported shoplifting cases from the SFPD do not...

The state is entering the home stretch for drawing new maps for congressional and legislative seats based on 2020 Census data. The redistricting will shape partisan control as well as determine the power of minority voters, and the power lies in the hands of a 14-member nonpartisan commission. Washington correspondent Tal Kopan joins host Cecilia Lei to talk about the key dynamics at play as the d...

After years of funding discrepancies and generations of racial division, the Marin County district was ordered by the California attorney general to desegregate. This fall, the district combined the student populations of mostly Black Marin City with the wealthy, predominantly white population of Sausalito. Cecilia Lei visits the district to check in on how it's going at the new, unified, two-camp...

The state is going it alone on one of the most controversial subjects in the nation: Reparations for African Americans. A task force is meeting this week to document California's little-known and seldom-taught history of slavery and recommend to the Legislature what to do about it. But the details are complicated, including what reparations should look like and who should qualify. Tammerlin Drummo...

Santa Clara County is home to Silicon Valley giants — and enduring poverty and homelessness. Reporter Lauren Hepler talks to host Dominic Fracassa about how officials want to house more than a thousand homeless families, and how they’ve given themselves a year to do it. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Newsom wrapped up the legislative session by signing 770 new laws and vetoing 66. Chronicle reporter Dustin Gardiner joins host Cecilia Lei to chat about what the governor decided to sign, from banning new gas-powered leaf blowers and "stealthing" to requiring ethnic studies in high school and gender-neutral children's sections in large stores. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/po...

By causing some of California's most destructive blazes in recent years, the utility put its own survival at risk. Now, under a new CEO, PG&E is marching out plans designed to cut down on the ignitions. Chronicle reporter J.D. Morris tells host Demian Bulwa that PG&E's hope is to bury 10,000 miles of power lines underground. But what will this and other projects cost customers, and will it restore...

Baseball writer John Shea calls it the sport's greatest rivalry — with apologies to the Yankees and Red Sox. He and Giants beat writer Susan Slusser join Cecilia Lei to talk about why San Francisco had an incredible season, as well as what they think it will take for the Giants to win what could be a classic series, the first postseason meeting between the fierce enemies since 1889. | Unlimited Ch...

Public health officials are set to establish new rules for when, where and how we can begin to uncover our faces. Meanwhile, a rush of San Francisco workers have been getting vaccinated to meet a city deadline, proving that vax mandates work, whether you’re a building inspector, a cop or a Golden State Warrior. Health reporter Erin Allday joins host Demian Bulwa to discuss two emerging pandemic st...

After 18 months of upheaval and school board controversies, the latest blow to the San Francisco Unified School District is its massive $116 million shortfall. The financial situation is so dire that the state is stepping in to help the district figure out how to cut 13% of its annual budget, or else risk a total state takeover of the district. Chronicle reporter Jill Tucker joins host Cecilia Lei...

Golden State's starting small forward initially refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine, saying his back was "against the wall." He risked much of his multimillion-dollar salary because of San Francisco's indoor vaccination mandate but finally reversed his stance on Sunday. The drama around Wiggins, though, missed the real issue, says Chronicle columnist Justin Phillips: Lack of access to health care...

Last week, the University of California approved a $312 million plan to develop student housing at People's Park, which has been the site of activism since the 1960's, and a safe haven for unhoused residents to camp. Producer Caron Creighton reports from Berkeley to understand how the university's new housing plan may affect the legacy of the historic park and displace its community members. Learn...

Gov. Gavin Newsom announces a first-in-the-nation order — which will go into effect when vaccines get full authorization from the FDA. Reporter Alexei Koseff joins host Demian Bulwa to talk about the order and what it means. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With vaccinations rising and shots for young children coming soon, the Bay Area is a very different place than it was a year ago. But what does that mean as we enter the holiday season? Are we witnessing, at least locally, the last gasp of the pandemic? Chronicle health reporter Erin Allday gives host Demian Bulwa the big picture — the positive signs she is seeing for the months ahead as well as t...

Some of the city's most powerful politicians are on the move, with Mayor London Breed at the controls. Dennis Herrera is departing his role as city attorney to lead the Public Utilities Commission. David Chiu is leaving the state Assembly to replace him. Matt Haney and David Campos want Chiu's Assembly seat. And more dominoes still might fall. Chronicle City Hall reporters Trisha Thadani and Mallo...