The Bay

In the Arms Down program at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, formerly San Quentin State Prison, “firearm addiction” is treated like an alcohol addiction. Its founders, all of whom are currently incarcerated men, say that talking about why perpetrators of gun violence carry guns in the first place is their contribution to gun violence prevention from behind bars.  Links: The revolutionary prison program where men help each other put down their guns: ‘Don’t end up like me’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fremont is the fourth largest city in the Bay Area and it’s also home to one of the largest populations of Afghans in the U.S. Today, we’re running an episode from our friends at Bay Curious that traces the history of the Afghan community in Fremont over 40 years. We meet Afghan refugees and  learn what makes”Little Kabul” unique. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After pressure from President Donald Trump, Texas Republicans unveiled a new map redrawing the state’s congressional districts 5 years early, in order to win more GOP seats in next year’s midterm elections. We talk with KQED's Guy Marzorati about how California Democrats are clapping back with their own redrawn maps. If the state legislature approves this new map, voters will have the final say in a special election this November. Links: California Redistricting Plan May Swing on This Sonoma County Shakeup Find out if your vote could be affected by Newsom’s redistricting plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the pandemic, casual carpool was a completely organic system of pickup spots and patient passengers looking for a quick, comfortable way to head into San Francisco.  Casual carpool collapsed when the pandemic hit. But now it’s been relaunched. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Music festivals in the Bay Area are upon us. And it takes a lot to leave no trace after a 3-day festival like Outside Lands.  As Golden Gate Park prepares for another music event this weekend, SFGate’s Melissa Cho takes us behind the scenes at Outside Lands, where the majority of waste is diverted from landfills. Links: This is Where Your Trash at Outside Lands Goes LaRussell and Good Compenny Present: A Bay Area Music Showcase Tickets! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want solar power in your home, you usually need to be a homeowner with a good roof and a decent amount of cash to pay up front. But some Bay Area residents are trying out plug-in solar, which can hang from an apartment balcony, out a window, or be tented in the backyard. Links: Forget Rooftops — Bay Area Residents Are Plugging Solar Into the Wall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Young people are increasingly turning to AI “companion” chatbots to help meet their emotional needs. But a new study shows that these chatbots, which are designed to mimic real social relationships, may come with serious risks. On this episode of Close All Tabs from KQED, host Morgan Sung and her sister put one chatbot's safety guardrails to the test — and get more than they bargained for. This episode mentions suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can dial or text 988 and be connected to help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1960s, Alameda County and the city of Hayward forcibly displaced more than 1,000 mostly Black and Latino residents living in a 12-block unincorporated area called Russell City to make way for an industrial park. Now, the city and county have approved reparations for former residents whose homes were seized by the government. Links: Decades After 'Cultural Genocide,' Residents of a Bulldozed Community Get Apology from Hayward Alameda County Set to Approve Reparations Fund for Displaced Russell City Residents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the South Bay, calls to a community-led Rapid Response Network have increased as the network fights back against misinformation around Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. Meet the community members on the other end of the line. Links: How to Verify ICE Raid Rumors in California  As ICE Operations Expand, How Are Immigrant Allies Responding? A Day in the Life of San José’s Rapid Response Network, Built to Resist ICE Fear This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and produced by Jessica Kariisa and Alan Montecillo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we talk about homelessness, especially in San Francisco, many of us are usually talking about individuals living on the streets. But the number of families experiencing homelessness in San Francisco nearly doubled from 2022 to 2024, according to the city’s Point In Time Count. And many of them move from shelter to shelter, in a system that’s meant to be temporary but has few permanent housing options to offer. Links: SF Families Win Shelter Extension Rights, Still Face Long Waits for Housing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices