The Bay

When it comes to private school enrollment, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Marin counties are all well above the state average. But why? In this episode from our friends at Bay Curious, we'll explore the many reasons San Francisco families choose to send their kids to private schools. It's a trend rooted in the history of desegregation that's been hard to reverse. Links: Why Is Private Schooling So Popular in the San Francisco Bay Area? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joseph Jiha, a South Bay reporter for KQED, dives into the rich history of the Vietnamese American community in San José, marking 50 years since the Vietnam War's end. He shares personal narratives of refugee journeys that reveal harrowing escapes and the cultural adaptation faced by families. The discussion also touches on systemic challenges within the community, including a tragic police shooting that ignited activism. Ultimately, Joseph explores the resilience and hopes of second-generation Vietnamese Americans as they navigate their identities.

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, we unpack the razor-thin election results in San José’s District 3 and the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Plus, we learn more about how roughly 900 Berkeley homeowners will need to clear vegetation in order to protect their houses against wildfire damage. Links: After Recount, Tordillos Advances to Runoff Election for San José Council Seat San Francisco Chinatown Businesses Enter Survival Mode During Trade War Berkeley Moves to Require Vegetation Removal Near Homes in Fire Zones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head Start was founded 60 years ago to help America’s poorest families break the cycle of poverty. Now, it’s one of many federal programs that the Trump administration wants to reduce or cut altogether.  KQED’s Daisy Nguyen tells the story of one federal employee in the Bay Area who was laid off from Head Start — and how the program changed her life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As part of Youth Takeover Week at KQED, The Bay and Bay Curious have teamed up to collaborate with four high school students who live in San Pablo, Fremont, Walnut Creek and San Jose. For several months, these teenagers — two juniors and two seniors — have shared what’s going on in their lives, what’s got them worried, what’s making them excited and what they're passionate about.This episode was produced by Jessica Kariisa, Alan Montecillo, Katrina Schwartz, Olivia Allen-Price, and Christopher Beale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join host Xorje Andrés Olivares and guests to explore what it means to live within a hyphenation. Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to have easy conversations about hard things: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. Hyphenación—where conversation and cultura meet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After running on a promise to unite Oakland, former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has defeated former city councilmember Loren Taylor in a tight race for mayor. Lee will complete the term of former Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled in November.Today, The Oaklandside’s Eli Wolfe joins us to discuss what to expect from Mayor-Elect Barbara Lee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, the oil giant Valero announced that it will “idle, restructure, or cease operations” at its Benicia refinery that employs more than 400 workers by April 2026. KQED’s Julie Small tells us how officials are reacting, and why many view this decision as a response to state and local regulations.Links: Oil Giant Valero Looks to Shutter Troubled Bay Area Refinery. It’s ‘a Big Surprise’ Bay Area Air District Hits Valero's Benicia Refinery With 'Historic' $82 Million Fine Benicia Moves Toward Tougher Oversight of Valero Refinery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Picture an all-electric home with smart appliances that talk to each other via WiFi to figure out when to pull power from the grid. That’s the idea behind something called ‘virtual power plant’ technology. While it’s not new, the technology’s advocates hope it will power many more homes in the coming years. KQED’s Laura Klivans takes us inside one such home in north Richmond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Saturday, San Francisco officially opened Sunset Dunes Park on the city’s west side. It replaces a 2-mile section of the Great Highway, 5 months after voters approved a citywide measure to permanently close it to motor vehicles. But many residents, still furious about the decision to close the road, haven’t given up. Some are even campaigning to recall their local supervisor. Links: Sunset Dunes: San Francisco's Controversial New Park Officially Opens SF Supervisor Faces a Recall Campaign Over Great Highway Closure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices