Fifth & Mission

Driverless car companies have faced some bumps in the road as they roll out services in San Francisco. But in Phoenix, Arizona, Waymo has been operating robotaxis since 2020 with little pushback. Transportation reporter Ricardo Cano, fresh off a trip to Arizona to see them in action, takes Fifth & Mission producer Keith Menconi on an autonomous vehicle ride to see why the driverless future is looking so different between the two cities. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podGot a tip, comment, question? Email us: fifth@sfchronicle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the 2024 election a year away, we want to hear from you: Have you had difficult or contentious conversations with friends and family over divisive local issues? Are political frictions in the Bay Area weighing on you? We’d like to hear your story. Email us at fifth@sfchronicle.com or leave a message at 415-777-6156, and you might be part of a future episode. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podGot a tip, comment, question? Email us: fifth@sfchronicle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former poster child for accused men now on trial for murder. Explores Joseph Roberts' rise to media attention after being accused of sexual harassment and his connection to national media outlets. Explores the toxic relationship and rumored domestic violence between Roberts and murder victim, Rachel Buckner. Discusses unanswered questions, warning signs, and the upcoming trial.

Car thefts are on the rise in San Francisco, and when owners find their stolen vehicles, the windshields often have an unexpected addition: parking tickets. Why are parking control officers citing stolen vehicles instead of helping to recover them? Chronicle reporters St. John "Sinjin" Barned-Smith and Susie Neilson join host Cecilia Lei to explain what they found when they looked into the city's practice, and how Mayor London Breed responded to the Chronicle's report. Plus, a reader shares how the investigation helped him find a missing vehicle. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podGot a tip, comment, question? Email us: fifth@sfchronicle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water reservoirs across California have been overflowing thanks to last year’s record-breaking rainy season, but California state officials are still rolling out new usage restrictions. Chronicle reporter Kurtis Alexander joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the state’s new plan to make water conservation permanent and how the water cuts may affect Bay Area residents. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podGot a tip, comment, question? Email us: fifth@sfchronicle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wait is almost over: In 2025, a new WNBA expansion team will begin playing in the Bay Area. The long-anticipated squad will be part of the Golden State Warriors franchise, benefiting from the Golden State brand and owner Joe Lacob’s deep pockets. Will women’s sports fans in the Bay Area ensure it thrives? Sports columnist Ann Killion analyzes what the move means for basketball and the Bay Area with host Laura Wenus. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podGot a tip, comment, question? Email us: fifth@sfchronicle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wealthy tech investors plan to build a utopian city, drawing parallels with the successful town of Mountain House. Mountain House falls short with limited job opportunities and entertainment. Building a utopian community comes with challenges, like the impact of political debates, highlighted in a new podcast recommendation. Challenges faced in creating Mountain House include lack of development in the town center, impact of the 2008 recession and COVID-19 pandemic, and potential changes for the town.

Richard Oakes, Native activist who led the Alcatraz Occupation and was killed in his prime, is the guest in this podcast. The episode explores the occupation of Alcatraz Island and the subsequent murder of Oakes, revealing new information from unredacted FBI records. It discusses the events leading to his death, the trial, and reflects on his lasting impact and legacy.

The Senate minority leader freezing on camera; California’s senior senator dying in office at age 90: This year has served up a number of reminders that America’s elected leaders are now – on average – far older than the constituents they serve. It’s a trend that has led progressive advocate Amanda Litman to say the U.S. has become a gerontocracy. She joins It’s All Political on Fifth & Mission Host Joe Garofoli to discuss the graying of the country’s political class and why she’s working to get more young people into office. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podGot a tip, comment, question? Email us: fifth@sfchronicle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, Fifth & Mission gathered people on the front lines of the drug overdose crisis in the Bay Area to pose an urgent question: How do we end fatal overdoses? In front of a live audience at Manny’s, our panel of peer counselors, public health employees and medical practitioners joined host Cecilia Lei to discuss access to treatment, harm reduction strategies, the role of the police and the importance of housing — and hope. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/podGot a tip, comment, question? Email us: fifth@sfchronicle.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices