The Bay

An independent investigation into a massive fire at the Martinez PBF Energy refinery found that human error, worker inexperience and lack of supervision were at the heart of the February fire that prompted shelter in place orders. Today, we revisit an episode about this initial fire that alarmed local residents. Links: Massive Martinez Refinery Fire in February Caused by Human Error, Investigation Finds This episode first aired Feb. 7, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1900s, San Francisco eradicated native coyotes from the city. But around 20 years ago, they returned and are now a part of daily life. For some residents, they’re a source of wonder, while others view them as a nuisance and a danger to pets and children.  Links: The Coyotes of San Francisco How We Photographed Coyotes in San Francisco Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this month’s edition of The Bay’s news roundup, we talk about a proposed 10-year ban on state AI regulations that the House of Representatives passed as part of President Trump’s budget bill. Plus, Oakland’s MACRO program – a non-emergency alternative to police – releases new data, and the Bay Area’s very own Ruby Ibarra wins NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. Links: Californians would lose AI protections under bill advancing in Congress Oakland's MACRO touts improvements despite criticism; needs $4M a year to survive Ruby Ibarra: NPR Tiny Desk Concert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More than four years after the Taliban took control of Kabul, thousands of Afghan families are still waiting for the U.S. to fulfill promises it made to take them in for helping the American war effort. Now, the U.S. is moving to deport thousands of Afghans who have recently arrived here, after the Trump administration announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status for people from Afghanistan. Links: Bay Area Afghans, Allies Decry Trump’s End of TPS: ‘They’re Terrified’ Jewish Community and Family Services East Bay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2023, Rise East, a collective of East Oakland nonprofits, received a $50 million grant a from national philanthropic organization. But there was a catch: The money could only be unlocked if Rise East could raise more $50 million more from local donors. On Thursday, Rise East announced that they had done it. And East Oaklanders have already begun dreaming about what to do with this money to help reimagine their communities. This episode originally aired on Oct. 11, 2024. Links: Rise East Unlocks $100 Million to Reimagine East Oakland Live From East Oakland: Can $100 Million Revitalize Oakland’s Black Community? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My Wildest Story is a national live storytelling and comedic trauma-bonding event series from the pop-up comedy collective Fools Circle. Earlier this month, some of the Bay Area’s favorite comedians and storytellers gathered at KQED for this showcase of crazy and jaw-dropping personal experiences that could only happen here. This episode contains explicit language. Links: Watch the full event Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie DiBenedetti, a reporter for KQED, discusses the ongoing hunger strike at Stanford University, where students, staff, and faculty are advocating for Gaza. They call for the university to divest from companies profiting from the conflict. DiBenedetti highlights the striking contrast between the urgency of the hunger strike and the celebratory atmosphere of graduation. She also delves into the emotional and physical toll on the activists, who feel frustrated by the university's lack of response, yet remain steadfast in their demands for justice.

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has tapped some of the city’s richest people to run a new nonprofit aimed at raising money to revitalize the city’s downtown, and also recently announced a fund that will use private dollars to help address homelessness. But how much power should the city’s ultrarich have over the city’s comeback? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bay Area is home to the WNBA’s newest team. Tonight, the Golden State Valkyries play their first-ever regular season game at Chase Center. For women’s sports fans across the region, it’s been a long time coming. The Chronicle's Marisa Ingemi joins us to preview the Valkyries' inaugural season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since 2019, a bike lane on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge added more options for cyclists. Now, the fate of the bike lane is a hot button issue as officials decide whether to limit access to weekends only, or keep the lane open seven days a week. Richmondside reporter Joel Umanzor joins us to talk about what’s next for the bridge, and the strong opinions on both sides of the bike lane.  Links: Cyclists cheer as Richmond-San Rafael bridge bike lane vote is delayed again Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices