The Podlight

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.

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.