The Bay

Aron Cantu, an investigative reporter at Capital and Main, dives into the environmental repercussions of the Bay Area's booming AI industry. He discusses the soaring energy consumption of AI, revealing how data centers, built to support this demand, heavily rely on fossil fuels, threatening California's climate goals. Local residents voice their frustrations about disrupted communities and air quality issues. Cantu emphasizes the regulatory loopholes that allow these centers to sidestep necessary oversight, advocating for transparency and better engagement with affected communities.

On February 5, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, fulfilling a promise he made on the campaign trail. Subsequently, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into San Jose State University for allowing a transgender athlete to play on the volleyball team. Today, we’re revisiting an episode from December 2024 about how San Jose State’s volleyball team got caught up in the fight over women’s sports. This episode first ran on Dec. 4, 2024.Links:NCAA Bars Trans Athletes as Federal Officials Launch Investigation of San José State Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On February 1, 2025 a massive fire broke out at the Martinez Refinery Company’s petroleum refinery leading to unsafe air conditions and a shelter in place order. It’s the third major incident at the refinery in the past five years. KQED’s Julie Small explains what led to the fire and how residents are responding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ursula Jones Dickson, a superior court judge, has been chosen as Alameda County’s new District Attorney, 3 months after voters recalled Pamela Price from office. KQED’s Samantha Lim explains why Jones Dickson was picked, and how she promises to be different from her predecessor.This episode was produced by Mel Velasquez and Jessica Kariisa, and guest hosted by Alan Montecillo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump has vowed to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as part of his plans for mass deportations. During World War II, this law was one of several legal tools the government used to imprison nearly 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. Now, Japanese Americans in the Bay Area are drawing on their stories of trauma and survival to resist the Trump administration's immigration plans.Links:Bay Area Japanese Americans Draw on WWII Trauma to Resist Deportation Threats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, we hear how President Trump’s immigration rhetoric is impacting farmworker communities in Half Moon Bay. Later, we discuss why so many Walgreens are closing San Francisco and how a major budget shortfall is impacting academic and athletic departments at Sonoma State. Links: ‘Trump's Coming’: California Farmworker Groups Rattled by Threatening Postcards Walgreens closures leave entire SF neighborhoods without a pharmacy Sonoma State Is Reeling After Huge Cuts. Where Does the School Go From Here? ‘They’re Scared to See Our Faces’: Angry Sonoma State Community Protests Wide Cuts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians started returning to northern Gaza after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire is currently in its first stage; 33 hostages will be returned to Israel and 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released. Despite initial celebrations, many are nervous about whether this ceasefire will hold, and what Gaza’s future will look like. Today, we hear reactions to the ceasefire from three Palestinians in northern California who have family in Gaza.This episode was produced by Jessica Kariisa, Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and Mel Velasquez. It was edited by Alan Montecillo and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.Links:Tentative Relief and Fear: 4 Bay Area Palestinian Americans React to the Gaza Ceasefire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Vallejo to Richmond, Concord to Alameda, military bases were once huge parts of life in the Bay Area. These days, it can be hard to believe whole cities were built around them. So why are there so many abandoned military bases today? KQED's Pauline Bartolone looked into it for Bay Curious.Links:Part II: Surprising Ways Former Bay Area Military Bases Are Transforming (and Why It Takes So Long) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re working on an episode about dating in the Bay Area — the good, the bad, and everything in between — and we’d love to hear from you. What’s your experience been like? What’s dating like in your city?Leave us a voicemail at 415-710-9223, or send a voice memo to thebay@kqed.org. Let us know your name, your city, and your story. Also, if you’re open to being interviewed for the podcast, tell us and we may follow up with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Hall, a KQED reporter, dives into the recent indictment of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who faces serious charges of conspiracy and bribery. Hall sheds light on the scandal's intricate ties to local politics, including the involvement of prominent businessmen and a controversial campaign. The conversation explores public sentiment regarding trust in government as the city grapples with the fallout. As Oakland approaches special elections, the implications of Thao’s legal troubles loom large, raising questions about the future of the city's leadership.