

The Bay
KQED
Bay Area-raised host Ericka Cruz Guevarra talks with local journalists about what’s happening in the greatest region in the country. It’s the context and analysis you need to make sense of the news, with help from the people who know it best. New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 15, 2024 • 27min
'I Am Still Haunted': Women Accuse Rising SF Political Star of Rape and Abuse
Jon Jacobo was a rising star in the progressive wing of San Francisco politics when a colleague publicly accused him of rape in 2021. At that time, he largely escaped scrutiny from members of his own party.But as Josh Koehn of the San Francisco Standard reported in mid-April, three more women have publicly accused Jacobo of sexual abuse and domestic violence. And they say that leaders treated their allegations with indifference.Links:
Episode Transcript
Women accused a rising SF political star of rape and abuse—and met a wall of silence
San Francisco created an agency to fight sexual crimes. It’s never met with police
San Francisco Democrats are having a #MeToo moment as women share stories of rape, abuse
This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca, Ellie Prickett-Morgan and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 13, 2024 • 18min
Naatak Theatre, A Staple of Indian American Life in the South Bay
This Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, we’re replaying this look back at a thriving Indian American theater company in the South Bay.This episode originally aired Sept. 9, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 2024 • 23min
Berkeley Schools Chief Testifies Before Congress on Antisemitism
On Wednesday, Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel testified before Congress on the district’s handling of antisemitism allegations in public schools. The hearing comes after a group of Jewish parents, along with the Brandeis Center and Anti-Defamation League, filed a federal complaint in February alleging “severe” antisemitism in the district. However, many pro-Palestinian parents, educators and students have pushed back, arguing that the complaint unfairly conflates critiques of Israel with antisemitism. Episode TranscriptThis episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 8, 2024 • 21min
Billionaire-Backed Bid for New Solano County City Inches Closer to the Ballot
California Forever, the billionaire-backed group behind an effort to build a city from scratch in Eastern Solano County, is plowing ahead in its campaign to convince voters. Last week, the company announced that it has gathered enough signatures to qualify its measure for the November ballot. KQED’s Adhiti Bandlamundi unpacks the last few months of campaigning and speaks to voters.This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Ellie-Prickett Morgan, edited by Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.Links:
Episode transcript
The Bay: California Forever Unveils Ballot Measure Plans for Its New City
The Bay: The Silicon Valley Giants Who Want to Build a New City in Solano County
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May 6, 2024 • 5min
How The Bay Gets Made
Making this podcast is a lot of work, but we do it because we care. Help us keep it going by becoming a KQED member. Today, we take you behind the scenes and show you how an episode gets made. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 3, 2024 • 30min
The Student Journalists Covering Pro-Palestine Encampments
Pro-Palestine protests have popped up on college campuses nationwide, with some becoming the epicenters of violent counter-protests and arrests by police. In the Bay Area, however, what have become known as ‘solidarity encampments’ have remained largely peaceful so far. Today, we hear from student journalists at San Francisco State, UC Berkeley, and Sonoma State about what’s been happening on their respective campuses.Episode TranscriptThis episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, Maria Esquinca and Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 1, 2024 • 25min
Nursing Home Staff Shortages Leave Patients Waiting in Hospitals
Some of the state’s sickest patients are stranded in hospitals for weeks, months, and even years as they wait to be moved into nursing homes and psychiatric facilities. This backup is caused in part by nursing home staffing shortages, coupled with a rapidly aging population. KQED’s Lesley McClurg tells us the story of one Berkeley resident’s struggle to find adequate care for his wife.Links:
Episode Transcript
Systemic Neglect: How Staffing Shortages In Nursing Homes Leave Patients Trapped in Hospitals
This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, Ellie Prickett-Morgan, and Maria Esquinca, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 29, 2024 • 17min
April News Roundup: Berkeley’s Newest Councilmember, Reviewing Death Row Sentences, and Pandas in S.F.
In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, Ericka, Maria and Alan talk about Berkeley’s newest (and youngest) District 7 city councilmember, allegations of prosecutorial misconduct in death row sentencing in Alameda County, and efforts to bring giant pandas to San Francisco. Episode TranscriptLinks:
Cecilia Lunaparra declares victory in District 7 race for Berkeley City Council
Allegations of Prosecutorial Bias Spark Review of Death Penalty Convictions in Alameda County
SF Mayor Breed Talks Crime, Tourism and Pandas Ahead of China Trip
A grizzly bear chase. A dead penguin. Behind the scenes, the S.F. Zoo is in turmoil over safety
This episode was produced by Maria Esquinca, Alan Montecillo and Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 26, 2024 • 24min
The Bay Area’s Stakes in SCOTUS Homelessness Case
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, in what’s been described as the most significant case on homelessness in decades. Many Californians are watching this case closely — from politicians, to advocates, to unhoused residents. KQED housing reporter Vanessa Rancaño breaks down the basics of this case, and why people in the Bay are closing following it.Episode TranscriptThis episode was produced by Maria Esquinca and Alan Montecillo, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 24, 2024 • 20min
Silicon Valley House Seat Race Gets a Recount
Ballots are being recounted in the race for California’s 16th Congressional house seat, which ended in a tie for second between Assemblymember Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian. One or both of them will move on to face former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo in November.KQED’s Guy Marzorati explains how the recount is working, and why it’s gotten a little ugly.Episode transcriptThis episode was produced by Alan Montecillo and Ellie Prickett-Morgan, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices