

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

Aug 1, 2025 • 22min
‘Deadhead Disneyland’: SF Celebrates 60 Years of The Grateful Dead’s Music
This weekend, San Francisco is hosting shows and celebrations honoring 60 years of the Grateful Dead’s music. Dead & Company, which performs Grateful Dead covers and includes former members of the original band, will be headlining three nights in Golden Gate Park.
For some Deadheads, it’s a chance to celebrate the Dead’s music in the city where the band became famous. Others say that the anniversary shows, which cost $635 for a three-day pass, go against everything the Dead stood for.
Links:
‘Jerry is rolling in his grave’: The Deadheads boycotting SF’s anniversary shows
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Jul 22, 2025 • 2min
We're Still Here
As you may have heard, last week was a tough one for KQED, NPR, and public media across the country.
Last Tuesday, KQED announced that it is cutting 15% of its staff in response to a budget shortfall and financial uncertainty. While our team was not laid off, we are losing many beloved colleagues.
Then, just a few days later, Congress voted to take back $1.1 billion in funding for public media. These were funds that public media stations across the country had already been promised.
It’s a huge setback for us. But we want to reassure you: We’re still here. And we will keep fighting for the mission that public media represents, and reaffirm our commitment to serving you. So if you’re reading this: Thank you for your support. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 1min
The Bay Is Taking a Break in July
Every year The Bay team takes some time off from making new episodes. This is time we spend planning and recharging. So there will be no new episodes in your feed in the month of July.
In the meantime, we want to thank you for letting us be part of your daily routines. We will be back Friday, August 1 with a new episode. You can still reach us via e-mail at thebay@kqed.org. We always love hearing from you.
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Jun 30, 2025 • 23min
A New Home For Women’s Sports, Stanford Scales Back Trans Care for Minors, and Why Some SF Malls Are Thriving
On this month’s edition of The Bay’s news roundup, we introduce you to the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar, discuss Stanford’s scaling back of gender-related surgical procedures for minors, and the secret sauce of the San Francisco malls defying the ‘doom loop’ narrative.
Links:
The Bay Area’s First Women’s Sports Bar Is Open for Business
Stanford Scales Back Trans Care for Minors Amid Federal Crackdown
Asian Food Is Coming to Save a Mall Near You
SF Chronicle: These S.F. malls are experiencing a ‘renaissance’ that defies the doom loop. Here’s their secret
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Jun 27, 2025 • 21min
Why Local Theater Is in 'Free Fall'
Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley has long been seen as a launchpad for actors and artists. In 2018 the theater commissioned and premiered the Tony-Award winning play “Eureka Day.”
Now, the theater is suspending production, joining a growing list of Bay Area theaters on the brink of closure in what the San Francisco Chronicle theater critic Lily Janiak describes as the “industry’s free fall.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 25, 2025 • 21min
Oakland’s Wood Street Shelters to Close on June 30
The Wood Street encampment in West Oakland was at one point the largest homeless encampment Northern California. In 2023, the city of Oakland completed final evictions of Wood Street residents.
Dozens of Wood Street residents ended up at a city-funded shelter site where part of the encampment used to be. It includes an RV park and a "community cabins" site. Now, this shelter site is scheduled to close on Monday.
Today, Oakland journalist and filmmaker Caron Creighton tells us about the cabin sites, and introduces us to two unhoused people who have been living there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 23, 2025 • 19min
A Queer Elder Reflects on SF Pride
Gwenn Craig moved to San Francisco in 1975, as a young woman eager to explore her lesbian identity. She got involved in politics and was a close collaborator of Harvey Milk. In this episode, she talks about her political organizing, what pride has meant to her over the years, and what she hopes for its future.
This episode first aired on June 28, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 20, 2025 • 27min
How the Bay Area Shaped Hip-Hop
Hip-hop is nearly 52 years old — and when it comes to talking about hip-hop history, it’s no secret that the Bay Area gets overlooked.
Today, we're revisiting an episode with KQED's Eric Arnold and Nastia Voynovskaya about exploring the history of hip-hop — and how our region has shaped it through the years.
Links:
That’s My Word
The Bay Area Was Hip-Hop Before There Was Hip-Hop
That’s My Word, Spotify Playlists celebrating 50 years of Bay Area Hip Hop
It’s Time to Unpack Pimp Culture in Bay Area Hip-Hop
This episode first aired Aug 11, 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 18, 2025 • 23min
Berkeley Offered Cash to People Living in RVs. Did It Work?
After the city of Berkeley ordered the clearing of RV encampments on Second Street, the city began offering cash to people living in their RVs in addition to a room at a motel shelter. Most accepted the offer, and city leaders are hopeful that this approach can expand.
Links:
Berkeley’s Strategy for RV Encampments Could Be a Model for California
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Jun 16, 2025 • 24min
Suisun City Could Grow by 9 Times Its Current Size
Suisun City in Solano County will begin studying annexing land owned by California Forever, the billionaire-backed group that bought up thousands of acres of land with plans to build a brand new city from scratch in Solano County. KQED’s Adhiti Bandlamudi joins us to discuss the implications of this decision and why it has divided the local community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


