KQED's Forum

Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondent for The Independent, reports on the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps, sheds light on the challenges of delivering much-needed aid such as clean water and food. Youmna ElSayed, a Palestinian journalist, shares firsthand experiences of desperation from Gaza's residents. The discussion delves into the emotional toll on aid workers, the inadequacies of current aid systems, and the urgent calls for international intervention to alleviate suffering.

California has long gone head-to-head with big oil, leading many of the efforts to curb climate damage caused at the hands of the fossil fuel industry – including spearheading lawsuits against oil companies and pushing fracking bans.  But faced with the closure of two state refineries, and rising gas prices, Governor Gavin Newsom has made some major concessions on oil to not only keep the refineries open, but to draft a bill for more drilling in Kern county. We’ll talk about California’s changing relationship with the oil industry, the state’s efforts to phase out fossil fuels, and what’s going to happen to gas prices in the meantime. Guests: Severin Borenstein, professor at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business; faculty director of The Energy Institute at Haas; member, Board of Governors of the California Independent System Operator Lori Wilson, California State Assemblywoman, District 11 Alex Nieves, California transportation reporter, POLITICO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is legacy media self-censoring under the Trump Administration? The canceling of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and the multi-million dollar payouts from the parent companies of CBS and ABC to settle defamation lawsuits are all causes for concern, according to media analyst and Guardian US columnist Margaret Sullivan, who worries hard news reporting could become a thing of the past. We talk with Sullivan about how major media outlets are responding to Trump’s intensifying attacks and how it could hasten a march to autocracy. Guests: Margaret Sullivan, columnist writing about media, politics and culture, Guardian US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Yorker staff writer Burkhard Bilger doesn’t have great teeth. According to Bilger, his “gaptoothed grin” makes him look like he came from a bar fight or a remake of “Deliverance.” Given his lousy dental insurance, a friend recommended that Bilger head to Mexico’s “Molar City,” Los Algodones, a place that has the highest per capita concentration of dentists in the world, to get his teeth fixed. Medical tourism is nothing new, but few think of going abroad for their teeth. Yet most Americans have inadequate dental insurance and the system is geared to abandon you just when you need it the most. We talk to Bilger and dental professionals about why dental care does not get the respect, or coverage, that it deserves. Guests: Burkhard Bilger, journalist and staff writer, New Yorker Magazine; Bilger is the author of "Fatherland" and "Noodling Flatheads" - his most recent piece for the New Yorker was titled "Word of Mouth: A Pilgrimage to Mexico's Molar City" Dr. Lisa Simon, physician, dentist and health researcher; Dr. Simon is also an assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Democrats have long criticized gerrymandering, the practice of drawing district maps to influence election outcomes. But as Texas Republicans have unveiled district maps intended to favor conservatives in the 2026 midterms, California lawmakers are sketching new plans of their own. Governor Gavin Newsom has announced plans to seek a special election in November, asking California voters to approve new districts that might lend Democrats an edge in the national election – temporarily sidelining California’s independent districting commission. We’ll talk with political reporters about what’s at stake in this redistricting fight. Guests: Laurel Rosenhall, California Politics Editor, LA Times Alexei Koseff, Capitol reporter, CalMatters Erin Covey, U.S. House of Representatives editor, The Cook Political Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2008, the Obama administration compiled a massive report with the goal of answering one big question: Is climate change a danger to human health in America? Comprised of some of the most comprehensive scientific findings of all time, the Endangerment Finding concluded that it was, which allowed the  government to regulate climate change—including putting restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions. Now, the Trump administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have ruled to rescind the Endangerment Finding, in turn stripping climate regulations. It’s just the latest in Trump’s attack on climate science and regulations including the firing of hundreds of scientists, and the erasure of critical climate reports and data. We talk with climate reporters and scientists about what’s at stake. And what’s coming next.  Guests: Molly Taft, journalist and climate reporter, WIRED Kristen Sissner, executive director, Berkeley Earth Shaye Wolf, climate science director at the Center for Biological Diversity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Yale professor Daniel Martinez HoSang, an expert on voters of color, discusses how discontent has shifted the political landscape for Democrats, particularly among Latino and Black voters. Republican strategist Mike Madrid, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, highlights the misalignment between the party’s policies and the concerns of younger voters. They explore the implications of changing loyalties, economic challenges, and the need for meaningful engagement to regain lost support ahead of the crucial 2026 midterms.

Dr. Elias Zerhouni, former NIH director and a professor at Johns Hopkins, shares his inspiring journey from war-torn Algeria to the heights of American medical research. He discusses the vital role of immigrants in innovation and the need to protect science from political influence. Zerhouni tackles the politicization of public health, especially during the pandemic, and calls for strategic reforms to safeguard health organizations like the NIH. His memoir highlights the ongoing challenges of funding and the importance of unbiased scientific advancement.

Jahari Stampley, an award-winning jazz pianist known for his genre-blending talents, shares the stage with his family trio, including his mother and fellow musicians. They discuss the creative journey behind his forthcoming album, 'What A Time,' highlighting the interplay of late-night reflections and spontaneous jams. Listeners get a glimpse into their deep familial bond through music and anecdotes of transformative experiences. Their live performance bursts with improvisation and emotional resonance, showcasing the significance of community and family in shaping their artistry.

David Gans, a musician and author known for his deep connection to the Grateful Dead, joins Hollie Rose, who lived on the Dead Tour in the late '80s and now shares her experiences as an author. Together, they delve into the band's rich history and improvisational style, exploring how their music fosters an enduring community. With stories spanning decades, they celebrate personal journeys and the profound impact of Grateful Dead concerts, highlighting iconic performances and the unique bond formed among fans.