Katherine Monahan
KQED reporter who produced the episode's feature story on Operation Sea Spray; presents the researched narrative and interviews featured in the show.
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Nov 12, 2025 • 19min
When the Military Tested a Biological Weapon in S.F.
Katherine Monahan, a KQED reporter, dives into the chilling history of the 1950 biological weapons test conducted by the U.S. military in San Francisco. She reveals how bacteria meant for harmless testing resulted in illness and one death. Katherine discusses Cold War fears, the selection of Bacillus globigii, and how monitoring showed the bacterial spray reached across the Bay. The podcast also explores the legal battle faced by Edward Nevin III, who sought accountability for his grandfather’s untimely death linked to this experiment.
Nov 6, 2025 • 19min
When Biological Weapons Were Secretly Tested in San Francisco
Katherine Monahan, a reporter at KQED, dives into the shocking historical account of Operation Sea Spray, a covert U.S. military biological weapons test in San Francisco in 1950. She reveals how harmless bacteria were sprayed over the city, leading to illnesses and even one death. Monahan discusses the military's motivations, the public outcry that followed, and the ethical implications of such tests. She also shares the poignant story of the Nevin family, who uncovered their grandfather's link to the operation, culminating in a significant lawsuit against the government.
