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Fri, May 17, 2013
Anna Deavere Smith Pitches Empathy
It's not a word often heard in politics and on the news, but "empathy" is something that today's leaders might want to cultivate -- at least, so says performer and playwright Anna Deavere Smith. In an upcoming workshop in San Francisco, Smith aims to teach the art of empathy, and it's not just for actors. "Who is that boss that you're gonna go in and talk to if you would like a raise?" said Smith. "Who is that person you're about to fire?" Scott Shafer talks with Smith about how empathy can be a useful tool in many of life's arenas.
Fri, May 17, 2013
News Panel: Gov. Brown's May Revise Budget, New Inquiries into Bay Bridge Bolts, and Veteran Benefits Untapped
Gov. Jerry Brown's revised budget is $1.3 billion leaner than his original budget released in January. With a surge in state tax revenue and no deficit for the first time in years, Republicans cheered the governor's caution against spending. Democrats were less enthused. Schools appear to be the big winner with $2.9 billion in additional funding, but there are no increases for severely cut social safety net programs or for prison population reduction. Gov. Brown cited federal sequestration cuts, falling wages and higher Social Security payroll taxes as obstacles to the state's economic recovery, warning "It's a call for prudence, not exuberance."
A state Senate committee grilled Caltrans officials Tuesday over the 2,300 galvanized steel rods on the new $6.4 billion eastern span of the Bay Bridge, whose installation and safety is now questionable. The hearing came a day after the Federal Highway Administration agreed to investigate Caltrans' decision making process and the $10 million fix for the 32 rods that have already failed.
Veterans returning from war find there are yet other battles to wage at home: from weathering the long-term effects of trauma to finding stable jobs and housing. In California, a state program to help veterans buy homes remains largely unspent: last year, only 83 loans totaling $10.5 million were originated, despite over $1 billion in available funds. Democratic Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez has taken aim at the program, adding to the clamor of voices demanding that veterans get more help, and in a more timely fashion.
Fri, May 10, 2013
News Panel: OPD Chief Resigns, Prison Realignment, and PG&E Penalty
The sudden announcement by Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan that he would step down immediately for medical reasons took everyone by surprise. A veteran of the OPD, Jordan has led the force for a turbulent 19 months, taking the reins after Chief Anthony Batts resigned. This latest shake-up leaves city leaders, the police force, and the community all battling the city's rising crime rate, in a state of shock. Assistant Chief Anthony Toribio has been appointed interim chief while a national search begins for Jordan's replacement.
Former Lt. Governor and 2014 GOP gubernatorial candidate Abel Maldonado hopes to get a measure on the November, 2014 ballot to end prison realignment. The program took effect in 2012, and shifts low level offenders to city and county supervision to save the state money. Gov. Brown is in the hot seat as a court order mandates a reduction of the prison population by more than 100,000 inmates by the end of this year. Critics say realignment and the early release of prisoners will create a public safety issue.
PG&E faces a potential $2.25 billion fine against PG&E September 9, 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno that left 8 people dead and an entire neighborhood destroyed. That's the recommendation of the Safety and Enforcement Division of the California Public Utilities Commission. If approved, the fine would be the largest ever by a state regulator. Jack Hagan, head of the Safety and Enforcement Division, has urged that "every penny of it to go toward making PG&E's system safer." PG&E Chairman and CEO Tony Earley calls the proposed fine "excessive" and insists that it would make improving the gas system much more difficult financially.
Fri, May 10, 2013
W. Kamau Bell Expresses Anger with a Smile
Former Bay Area stand-up comic W. Kamau Bell has made the big time. After being discovered by comedian Chris Rock, Bell is now host of his own show, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. It returned this week on the FX Channel for 7 episodes, before going to a daily schedule in the fall. His long running one-man show The Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour was a local hit. Bell visited San Francisco recently and talked to KQED's Joshua Johnson about how the Bay Area shaped his comedy style and how he manages to bring humor to the subject of race. "As a black person in America, you have to find humor in race. Otherwise you go crazy."
Fri, May 03, 2013
Genetically Engineered Foods
What's really in your food? Last November's Proposition 37 would have required all genetically engineered foods in California to be labeled, but the initiative lost at the ballot box. Now California Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer is taking up the issue with a bill to require similar labeling by the FDA. In this report from KQED Science, producer Gabriela Quiros looks at the technology behind genetically engineered crops and what the pros and cons might be. A full half-hour documentary on the topic, Next Meal: Engineering Food, airs at 7:30 pm, Wednesday May 8 on KQED 9.
Fri, May 03, 2013
First Openly Gay Man in Pro Sports Played for Oakland A's
When NBA player Jason Collins publicly came out as gay this week, many hailed him as the first active player in one of the four major U.S. professional sports leagues to do so. However, that distinction should go to the Bay Area's Glenn Burke, a former Oakland A's baseball player who was open about his sexuality in the 1970s. While Collins' announcement has been met with more support than condemnation, Burke faced a different social and professional landscape. "Glenn was comfortable with who he was," said a childhood friend. "Baseball was not comfortable with who he was." Ted Griggs, President of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, a co-producer of the documentary Out. The Glenn Burke Story, sits down with Scott Shafer to talk about Glenn Burke, Jason Collins and the You Can Play Project.
Fri, May 03, 2013
News Panel: Spring Wildfires / Fusion Troubles
Early spring wildfires are burning, threatening homes and scorching hundreds of acres throughout the state. As snowpack data comes in, California faces one of the driest years on record. With forests and grasslands already tinder dry, firefighters are gearing up for what could be a nasty fire season.
Using the world's largest laser, scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Lab have been trying to ignite a nuclear fusion reaction in a laboratory essentially mimicking a tiny sun. Called the National Ignition Facility (NIF), the $5 billion project hopes to revolutionize energy by laying the groundwork for a potentially endless supply of clean energy. But after missing several deadlines and a management shake-up, the facility is now adjusting expectations.
Fri, April 26, 2013
News Panel: West Coast Oil Pipeline, Surveillance Cameras, and Education Funding
Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal to dramatically revamp how public school funding is distributed is encountering resistance. The governor's formula would funnel more resources to school districts with higher numbers of English-learners and students from low-income households. Calling it a "civil rights cause for the children of California," Mr. Brown has promised his opponents "the battle of their lives. But Senate Democrats have a competing plan to peg funding individually to disadvantaged students and schools.
As controversy over the Keystone XL pipeline to the Gulf Coast continues, a similar project is receiving little attention, but could hit closer to home for California residents. The Trans Mountain pipeline carrying oil from Canada's tar sands to the West Coast is looking to nearly triple its capacity, making it potentially bigger than Keystone. Canadian authorities have the final say over Trans Mountain's plans, but environmentalists say it bears watching.
San Francisco's Chinese New Year parade, its Bay-to-Breakers race and the Gay Pride parade all travel along Market Street. Now, Police Chief Greg Suhr wants to install surveillance monitors along the thoroughfare. The proposal comes in light of the role that security cameras played in the rapid arrest of a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing. Will the move increase safety or infringe upon civil liberties?
Fri, April 26, 2013
SF City Attorney Herrera on Lobbyists and Patient Dumping
A proposal to bring more sunshine into San Francisco's city hall is in the works in the form of an ethics ordinance introduced by City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Board of Supervisors President David Chiu this week. The legislation broadens the definition of who qualifies as a lobbyist and aims to increase transparency surrounding development and construction projects. Scott Shafer talks with City Attorney Herrera about the proposed law as well as recent inquiries into alleged "patient dumping" by a Nevada hospital.
Fri, April 19, 2013
Gov. Brown, Climate Change and China
Gov. Jerry Brown is calling his trade mission to China a success, after a whirlwind eight-day visit to six cities. But it was more than just business deals that Brown was after. The Governor worked to enlist China as a partner in California's fight against climate change. "No one group can solve the problem," Brown said. "Not the United States. Not California. Not Japan. Not China. We all have to do it." KXTV political editor John Myers looks at why the governor is bullish on the country's efforts, in this special report for KQED.
Fri, April 19, 2013
News Panel: Immigration Reform, California Environmental Quality Act, and more
As immigration reform legislation works its way through the U.S. Senate, there's much at stake for two of California's leading industries -- agriculture and technology. The bill, presented by a bipartisan group of lawmakers known as the "Gang of Eight," contains several controversial elements including a pathway to citizenship, new visa programs for low and high-skilled workers, changes to family-based visas and a greater emphasis on employment and education skills.
California's Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, may be in for an overhaul. The 43-year-old landmark law requires state and local agencies to identify and try to mitigate the environmental impacts of development and construction projects. Critics say the act has been abused by special interest groups, while supporters say environmental protections should not be watered down. Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is leading the reform effort, while Gov. Brown continues to weigh the likelihood of changing CEQA this year.
Chevron is under fire from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) for last summer's explosion at its Richmond refinery that left 15,000 residents and employees in need of medical care. The oil giant has been accused of negligence in its long-term plant maintenance, a problem seen at other refineries elsewhere. The results of the regulatory board's report will be presented at a public hearing in Richmond on April 19.
Fri, April 12, 2013
News Panel: Gun Legislation, the Sacramento Kings, and more
Federal gun control legislation cleared the first procedural hurdle in the U.S. Senate and now will be debated and likely voted upon. The bill includes federal background checks and stricter laws on illicit gun trafficking. President Obama and Democrats are pushing for stronger gun curbs in the wake of last year's shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT. Legislation is also underway here in California, which already has some of the toughest gun control laws in the country, to ban semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines and to mandate background checks for ammunition purchases.
The potential move of the Sacramento Kings to Seattle has fans and public figures fighting to keep the beloved team in California's capital. Mayor Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All Star, has developed a plan to move the Kings into an updated arena and revitalize the city's downtown area in an attempt to match Seattle's $341 million offer. The NBA's board of governors has the ultimate say in whether the move will take place and is expected to make a decision at its next meeting on April 18th and 19th. Meanwhile, the Maloof family, which owns the Kings, has given Sacramento until 5pm Friday to prove their deal can match Seattle's offer.
Fri, April 12, 2013
Exploratorium Opens New Home
For over 43 years, San Francisco's Exploratorium has tested the theory that hands-on learning is the best way to teach science. And by all accounts, its model is successful. The museum-slash-playground has a new $300 million solar-powered building with gorgeous views of the bay and displays that range from bay life forms to a giant "tinkering" clock. The Exploratorium's model of interactive science learning has inspired centers all over the world, including the Mission Science Workshop in San Francisco. Dan Sudran runs this small, community-based program on a shoestring budget, using mostly materials he gathered himself. He wants to reach poor and underserved kids -- like those who live in the Mission District -- who might never find their way to a big science center like the Exploratorium. At both Sudran's down-and-dirty workshop and its upscale cousin across town, the key question remains: what kind of science education do kids need and what really works?
Reported by PBS NewsHour correspondent Spencer Michels and produced by Monica Lam
Fri, April 12, 2013
Governor Brown in China
Gov. Brown, along with nearly 100 business people from California, is on an historic trade mission in China this week. While there, he announced a deal with Chinese investors for a $1.5 billion waterfront development in Oakland, urged Chinese officials to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and touted the virtues of high speed rail while riding a bullet train from Beijing to Shanghai. News10's John Myers is traveling with the governor and reports from Shanghai in the first of a two-part series.
Fri, April 05, 2013
Danny Glover, Executive Producer of The House I Live In
Actor and San Francisco native Danny Glover talks about "The House I Live In," a new documentary he championed as executive producer airing on KQED next week. The film takes a critical look at the so-called war on drugs and won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance this year. "It's really not a war on drugs, it's a war on people," Glover explains to KQED's Joshua Johnson.
Fri, April 05, 2013
News Panel: Obama in Bay Area, Bay Bridge Tanker Crash Report, and more
President Obama visited the Bay Area for the first time since his re-election to raise money for Democratic Party candidates and to gain support for returning Rep. Nancy Pelosi to the position of House Speaker. In San Francisco, the president was met by environmental activists protesting the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Meanwhile in Silicon Valley, newcomer and fellow democrat Ro Khanna says he will challenge six-term Congressman Mike Honda, going against the wishes of the president. The race is expected to be one of the most heated in the 2014 election.
The California Board of Pilot Commissioners has suspended the license of pilot Guy Kleess, who was found responsible for crashing an oil tanker into a western-span tower of the Bay Bridge this past January. Also, following the discovery of faulty steel rods on the Bay Bridge, Caltrans investigators are still assessing what caused them to break and whether other parts produced by the same manufacturer may be at risk of malfunctioning.
Palo Alto-based electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors has unveiled its first financing plan to make their nearly $70,000 Model S more accessible to consumers. With financing from Wells Fargo or US Bank, drivers would only need a 10% down payment. The ten-year old company also announced it is turning a profit for the first time. The news initially sent stock prices soaring, but Wall Street seems unconvinced that the new loan program will lead to a significant increase in consumer demand.
Fri, March 29, 2013
News Panel: Broken Bolts on Bay Bridge, Stockton Bankruptcy, and more
The new eastern span of the Bay Bridge will undergo repairs for more than thirty broken bolts. Caltrans says the span is still safe and the setback won't stall the scheduled Labor Day weekend opening. Also, the Golden Gate Bridge makes national news this week as the first bridge in California and the third in the country to have all electronic tolling.
Wall Street creditors seeking to block the City of Stockton's filing for Chapter 9 protection took the city to court. At the center of the debate is whether Stockton's obligation to the California Public Employees' Retirement System should be protected. The judge is expected to rule on Monday.
The Drakes Bay Oyster Company is fighting to stay open in Point Reyes National Seashore despite an order by the U.S. Interior Department to close up shop. The family-owned, Marin County company?s cause has generated controversy, while attracting support from Louisiana to Washington, D.C.
Fri, March 29, 2013
Is Your Couch Toxic? Interview with Arlene Blum
They're in just about all our homes -- couches and chairs containing polyurethane foam -- which contain large quantities of chemical flame retardants, mandated by California law. But flame retardants have been linked to numerous health problems, including cancer, learning problems and infertility, and state lawmakers are now considering whether to overhaul the law. The debate was started by Berkeley scientist Arlene Blum, who pioneered research showing the dangers of Chlorinated Tris in children's pajamas. She succeeded in getting it removed from clothing, in 1977. Now, decades later, she's back on the front lines battling flame retardants, this time, in our furniture.
Fri, March 22, 2013
Newsmaker Interview: Gavin Newsom
Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom recalls his controversial decision as mayor of San Francisco to grant marriage licenses to gay couples in 2004. His actions helped to energize supporters of traditional marriage.
Fri, March 22, 2013
Web Extra: Gavin Newsom
Newsom discusses Americans' changing attitudes on same-sex marriage, including those of his father and grandfather.
Fri, March 22, 2013
Proposition 8 Path to U.S. Supreme Court
More than four years after California voters approved Proposition 8, the state's ban on same sex marriage gets a full hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, March 26th. The high court will also hear oral arguments for and against the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA. This comes as recent polls show a significant jump in support for same-sex marriage. The political climate has also shifted. President Obama and some prominent Republicans have recently voiced support for gay marriage. We look back at the series of events leading to this historical moment.
Fri, March 22, 2013
Newsmaker Interview: Andrew Pugno
Attorney Andrew Pugno, General Counsel for Protect Marriage.com -- sponsors of Proposition 8 -- talks about the legal defense he is helping to present to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Fri, March 22, 2013
Legal Analysis
Legal experts explain what issues are before the high court, and how the possible outcomes could have an impact in California and beyond.
Fri, March 15, 2013
News Panel: SF Symphony on Strike, City College, and more
Will City College of San Francisco make the grade and keep its accreditation? The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges has recommended fourteen controversial changes which include layoffs, financial reform, and campus closures. Friday is the deadline for the embattled college to turn in its report showing how the suggested reforms have been and will be implemented.
San Francisco Symphony musicians went on strike this week, putting an upcoming high profile tour to the East Coast in jeopardy. Without a contract since February, the union representing the performers says management's new proposals are not on par with comparable orchestras, like those in Los Angeles and Chicago.
California's top judge, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, made the case before state lawmakers this week to restore funding to the courts. More than $1 billion in cuts over the past five years has resulted in court closures, reduced hours and layoffs. Gov. Brown's budget this year would reduce court construction funds by $200 million.
Fri, March 15, 2013
Iraq War in Pictures
On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the American-led invasion of Iraq, an exhibit of photographs at the De Young Museum in San Francisco takes an intimate look at the impact of war on Iraqi citizens. From young boys rehearsing a play about martyrdom to men playing dominoes at dusk, the images in "Eye Level in Iraq" offer a glimpse into everyday life as captured by photojournalists Kael Alford and Thorne Anderson. The museum's chief curator Julian Cox talks about the role of art and journalism and what he hopes viewers will take away from the exhibition.
Fri, March 08, 2013
News Panel: Dow Jones High, Devil's Slide, and more
From across California, thousands mourned the murders of two Santa Cruz police officers killed during a routine investigation. The long and troubled criminal history of the killer raises questions about the criminal justice system.
The Dow Jones hit a twelve-year record high this week. Is it a temporary uptick or does it suggest a broader economic recovery? With new data out on job growth, how are Bay Area companies doing?
Commuters driving the coastal route between Santa Cruz and San Francisco can expect a different view next month. A dangerous stretch of Highway 1, known as Devil's Slide, will soon be re-routed away from the steep cliffs to new state-of-the-art mile-long tunnels.
Fri, March 08, 2013
Urban Planning: Stuart Cohen
As we look to the future, Bay Area urban planners are scrambling for ideas on how to handle the projected increase in population. Over the last 40 years, California's sprawling growth and dependence on cars has taken its toll. According to a recent Census Bureau report, the region is home to the most "mega-commuters" in the country. These are people who spend at least 90 minutes and drive over 50 miles to get to work. Families, particularly those who can least afford it, are spending more and more of their time and income just getting where they need to go. Stuart Cohen, recipient of a 2013 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award, believes that smarter regional planning can reverse these trends. As a founder and executive director of the nonprofit TransForm, he is leading an effort to revitalize local communities into diverse, vibrant places where more people walk, bike and take world-class public transit.
Fri, March 01, 2013
Aileen Hernandez: A Pioneer for Women and Civil Rights
Born in Brooklyn, New York to Jamaican parents, Aileen Clarke Hernandez experienced the insults and injuries of racism and sexism early in life -- and dedicated herself to combatting those forces. Graduate school and an internship with the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union drew her to California. An early and passionate advocate for women's rights, Hernandez was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson as the only woman to serve on the newly established U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She went on to found and eventually become president of the National Organization for Women. Now in her 80s, she chairs the California Women's Agenda, a state alliance of over 600 organizations, and is the founder and coordinator of the San Francisco Bay Area-based Black Women Stirring the Waters discussion group.
Hernandez was recently featured in MAKERS, a sweeping PBS documentary that showcases the stories of some of America's most influential women.
Fri, March 01, 2013
News Panel: Budget Sequestration, Prop. 8 and DOMA, and more
With budget talks on Capitol Hill at an impasse, the nation braces itself for automatic federal spending cuts, also known as "the sequester," that will affect major programs from education to the military. How hard and where will California be hit?
Bay Area real estate prices are on the rise. In almost every corner of the region, home-price appreciation is outpacing projected national growth. Whether low-end, high-end or somewhere in the middle, some analysts say there are too few houses for sale to meet buyer appetite.
The Obama administration urged the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage. Silicon Valley companies, prominent Republicans and several state attorneys general have filed similar briefs in the past weeks as the high court prepares to consider the constitutionality of Prop. 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act later this month.
Fri, February 22, 2013
Bay Area Gun Violence
An epidemic of mass shootings, including the brutal killings of 20 children and six adults from Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, has shaken the nation. But some urban communities live with the relentless reality of gun violence every day. Here in Northern California, in places like Oakland, San Jose, Richmond, Vallejo and Fresno, a recent violent crime surge has made residents anxious. We devote our full program this week to the topic of gun violence in our communities.
Fri, February 22, 2013
Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere
In the past five years, there were more than 550 homicides in Oakland, most in shootings. According to data compiled by the Urban Strategies Council, 143 Oakland residents age 17 and under were shot in 2011 -- six of them fatally. A group of committed demonstrators are pleading to be heard by the police, policymakers, and their own community. The group calls itself SAVE, an acronym for Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere.
Fri, February 22, 2013
Newsmaker interview: William Bratton
An interview with Oakland's controversial new police consultant Bill Bratton, as he prepares to tackle the violence on the streets of one of the country's hardest hit communities.
Fri, February 15, 2013
A Church Divided
Is homosexuality compatible with Christianity? This question is debated fiercely in A Church Divided, a television documentary narrated by Peter Coyote and hosted by Scott Shafer. It takes viewers behind the scenes of the United Methodist Church's global convention in Tampa, Florida. At stake is the church's official policy on gays and lesbians. Progressive Methodists want to amend church doctrine declaring homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching, but conservative Methodists want to retain the church's stance calling homosexuality a sin. As the U.S. Supreme Court stands poised to decide the future of same-sex marriage, A Church Divided is a timely examination of a complex and divisive issue.
Fri, February 08, 2013
News Panel: Medical Marijuana, Silicon Valley Boom, and more
Medical marijuana advocates argued this week before the California Supreme Court that cities do not have the power to ban pot dispensaries, saying that it undermines the 1996 voter-approved state law allowing cannabis for medical use. Opponents say the law's language is vague. The case has sweeping ramifications for local governments across the state and in the Bay Area, where dozens of cities have enacted dispensary bans.
Community members, elected officials, executives and civic leaders convene in San Jose for this year's State of The Valley Conference, Silicon Valley's annual "town meeting," to assess the outlook for the region. Meanwhile, the annual Silicon Valley Index shows jobs, income and IPOs are all on the rise, yet the gap between rich and poor is widening, particularly among some minority groups.
California is closer to becoming the first state in the nation to declare great white sharks an endangered species. The Fish and Game Commission voted Wednesday to designate the predator as a candidate for the list, with the final decision pending a year-long review.
Fri, February 08, 2013
Pedal Power: The Future of Cycling in the City
Over the past six years, the number of San Franciscans using bikes for everyday trips has increased 71 percent. San Francisco Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Leah Shahum talks about the future of cycling following the recent release of SFMTA's Bicycle Strategy, and San Francisco's potential as a world class city for bicycling.
Fri, February 01, 2013
Laura's Law
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee announces plans to implement a version of "Laura's Law," a California measure which allows for court-ordered treatment of potentially dangerous mentally ill patients. The law is named for Laura Wilcox, a Nevada County woman who was murdered by a schizophrenic man with a history of violence. Lawmakers around the country are calling for such measures in the wake of recent mass shootings. But as Spencer Michels of PBS NewsHour reports, implementation of Laura's Law remains a challenge.
Fri, February 01, 2013
Super Bowl
Mark Purdy, sports columnist for the San Jose Mercury News, reports from New Orleans, where the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens are warming up for the Super Bowl. It's the sixth time the 49ers are playing in the NFL championship, but the first time that both they and the opposing team will be coached by brothers -- Jim and John Harbaugh. With construction on a new stadium underway, steadily rising ticket prices, and a potential sixth trophy in the winning, it's an exciting time for the Bay Area team.
Fri, February 01, 2013
Immigration Reform Roundtable
Comprehensive immigration reform is on the table in Washington, with proposals from President Obama and a bipartisan group of eight senators. What is the potential impact on California, home to about 2.5 million undocumented immigrants, from farmworkers in the Central Valley to high-tech engineers in Silicon Valley?
Fri, January 25, 2013
SFJAZZ Center Opening
The new SFJAZZ Center opened this week to rave reviews with all-star performances and celebrity appearances, including Bill Cosby. Hailed as the first stand-alone hall in the west exclusively for jazz performance and education, the venue features a 700-seat auditorium with a state of the art sound system. The center, located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood in the heart of the city's arts corridor, will draw big name acts as well as support local musicians and school groups.
Fri, January 25, 2013
News Panel: State of the State, Controversy in Oakland, and more
Gov. Jerry Brown delivered more good news in an upbeat State of the State address, thanking lawmakers, voters and others for making tough decisions to balance the budget. The governor described his long term vision for revamping education funding and revising the state's environmental law. He also promoted the construction of high-speed rail and a controversial plan to build tunnels to transport water from north to south.
The Oakland City Council approved the hiring of police consultant William Bratton after a heated meeting that drew hundreds from the community and lasted more than nine hours. Previously chief of the LAPD and NYPD, Bratton is known for aggressive tactics, including the highly controversial "stop and frisk" policy which has raised concerns over civil rights and racial profiling. Oakland is the most violent city in the state, with a 23 percent increase in serious crime in 2012.
Apple Inc. reported a $13 billion profit in the fourth quarter of 2012, bringing last year's total profit to over $40 billion. But the maker of the highly popular iPads and iPhones found investors still hedging their bets, with a marked drop in the price of the company's stock.
Fri, January 18, 2013
Conversation with Gov. Jerry Brown
In an exclusive interview, Gov. Jerry Brown talks about his plans for shaping California's future. With a balanced budget in hand and the bold declaration that the state's prisons are no longer in a state of emergency, Gov. Brown talks with PBS NewsHour correspondent Spencer Michels about what's next: better funding for schools, improving gun control, and pushing through high speed rail and water projects. The governor also deflects the notion that he's thinking about his legacy.
Fri, January 18, 2013
News Panel: Gun Control, Immigration Reform, and more
With preparations underway in Washington, D.C. for Monday's historic Presidential Inauguration taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Obama administration took a shot at federal gun control policy. Comprehensive immigration reform is also being tackled, with the Republican Party looking to expand its reach to the increasingly diverse electorate. KQED's Scott Shafer reports from Washington on how California lawmakers are hoping to guide legislation.
Fri, January 11, 2013
News Panel: California Budget, State Prisons, Oil Tanker Accident, and more
Gov. Jerry Brown's new state spending plan eliminates the deficit in the coming fiscal year, projects future surpluses and increases public education funding.
Declaring an end to the prison overcrowding crisis, Gov. Brown called for federal authorities to return oversight to the state. Meanwhile, a 2011 court-ordered population cap of about 110,000 prisoners has not yet been met.
The pilot of an oil tanker that sideswiped a Bay Bridge tower Monday had a record of other accidents. While no oil appears to have been spilled, the collision was a stark reminder of the disastrous 2007 Cosco Busan accident, and raised concerns over the environmental impact of massive tankers on the San Francisco Bay.
Fri, January 11, 2013
Conversation with Assemblymember Nancy Skinner
A new bill to regulate and track ammunition in California is one of several legislative proposals being pushed in the wake of the mass shooting in Newton, CT. On Monday, Assembly member Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) unveiled a so-called "bullet bill" that would require the licensing of ammunition sellers and the creation of a state justice department registry to track sales.
Fri, December 28, 2012
2012 Year in Review
This Week in Northern California takes a look at some of the highs and lows of the past year in California and beyond. Guest host Scott Shafer and panelists review some of the memorable stories of 2012 in politics and the election, the economy, the environment, local culture, and make a few predictions for next year.
This Week in Northern California returns with a new show on Friday, January 11, 2013
Tune in next week for Critical Condition, a half-hour special examining the crisis facing California hospitals.
Fri, December 14, 2012
News Panel: Air Travel, King Tides, and more
As Congress and the White House prepare to tackle comprehensive immigration reform next year, there is much at stake for California, the state with the largest population of undocumented immigrants.
After decades of minimal oversight, the controversial hydraulic fracturing industry will finally be regulated in California. "Fracking," the high-pressure injection of chemicals and water to split rocks and extract natural gas and oil, is in use by companies at more than 600 wells throughout the state.
The skies are less friendly than they used to be. Air travel has become increasingly frustrating with penalties and fees going up for everything from checking baggage to preferred seat selection. The struggling airline industry expects to pocket $36 billion in revenue from fees alone this year.
As the sun and moon align this week, their combined gravitational pull on the ocean is producing the highest tides of 2012. Though "king tides" aren't caused by climate change, organizers of the King Tides Initiative say the phenomenon is a vivid demonstration of the future impact of rising sea levels on the Bay Area landscape.
Fri, December 07, 2012
Conversation with Sal Khan
Over six million students around the world are familiar with his voice and his online videos, featuring colorful chalkboard-style drawings. But many may not know his face: Sal Khan is the founder of Khan Academy and a pioneer in the online education movement. His videos are short and simple and available to anyone around the world, for free. In an interview at his Silicon Valley offices, Khan talks with guest-host Thuy Vu about the importance of self-paced learning and what his approach can offer the California education system.
Fri, December 07, 2012
News Panel: Oakland Police Avoid Federal Takeover, the Effects of Prop 39, and more
The City of Oakland struck a deal with civil rights attorneys who sought an unprecedented federal takeover of the police department. At issue was a case involving the so-called Riders, four police officers who were accused in 2000 of imposing vigilante justice in West Oakland. The deal, which hands tremendous power from OPD to a court-appointed director, still needs to be approved by a federal judge.
New funding made available by the recent passage of Proposition 39 may go toward making as many as half of the state's schools more energy efficient. The measure, put on the November ballot by billionaire investor Tom Steyer, closes a tax loophole on out-of-state corporations that will generate $1.1 billion a year. Half of that money will fund projects to install new windows, better insulation, modern lighting and more efficient heating and air conditioning at thousands of public schools.
By kindergarten, one in four African American boys believe they will fail in school. That's one of several disturbing findings in a report commissioned by a state Assembly committee. Education, health and employment were identified as the most significant areas of concern for boys of color.
Fri, November 30, 2012
Conversation with U.S. Congressman-elect Eric Swalwell
One of the youngest new members to join the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep.-elect Eric Swalwell (D-CA) leaves his post as a Dublin city council member. He successfully unseated incumbent Pete Stark, the outspoken 20-term congressman, also a Democrat. In an interview from Capitol Hill, where he's attending new member orientation, Swalwell talks with Scott Shafer.
Fri, November 30, 2012
News Panel: Supreme Court on Prop 8, Third Strike Releases, and Drakes Bay Oyster Co.
The U.S. Supreme Court considers whether to review California's Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage. Meanwhile, officials in San Francisco anticipate a rush of gay and lesbian weddings if the case is denied by the high court and the lower courts' rulings stand, making the ban unconstitutional.
Some prisoners sentenced to life for nonviolent, non-serious offenses are being re-sentenced and released following voter approval of Proposition 36. The measure reforms California's tough "three strikes" sentencing law and limits when prosecutors can seek a life sentence.
The Drakes Bay Oyster Co. has lost its lease after decades in Point Reyes National Seashore. After a long environmental battle, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar decided to shut down the historic oyster farm and restore Drakes Estero to wilderness.
Fri, November 16, 2012
News Panel: State Fiscal Outlook, Nudity Ban Controversy, and more
A new report by the Legislative Analyst's Office forecasts a boost for California's economy. The passage of Gov. Brown's Proposition 30, an upgraded credit rating for the state and predictions of a growing economy are expected to help shrink the state budget deficit.
California launched the country's first large-scale carbon market with the auction of pollution credits. Companies emitting over 25,000 tons in greenhouse gases must have one allowance, or credit, for each metric ton. Many see the system as a win for the environment, while critics say it?s a tax on business.
What do campaigns know about you? Thanks to the trail of digital data generated by increasingly on-line, networked lifestyles, political campaigns have been working to target specific voters and to develop ways to predict how they will vote.
In San Francisco, the Board of Supervisors is considering a ban on nudity on the city's streets. Protestors say that freedom of expression is at stake, but supporters say it will help curb a public nuisance. If passed, the law would levy fines that start at $100.
Fri, November 09, 2012
News Panel: Election Results and Analysis
Belva Davis will retire after this November 9 broadcast. Say farewell, share well wishes, and relive moments from her storied career.
What does President Obama's win say about the changing electorate, with an estimated 70 percent of the Latino vote helping to deliver key swing states? Does this election signal a tipping point in the influence of voters of color?
It was a win-win for California Democrats this week, securing a supermajority in both houses of the legislature. Voters approved Proposition 30, Gov. Brown's tax measure, which promises to bring in billions in funding for schools.
The effort to curb the use of paycheck deductions for political organizing failed as Proposition 32 was voted down. Proposition 34, a voter's initiative to abolish the death penalty, also failed. The regulation of food remains status quo, as both a statewide measure to require labeling of genetically modified foods and a soda tax in the city of Richmond were rejected by voters.
Fri, November 09, 2012
Tribute to Maya Angelou
In Belva Davis' final broadcast as host of This Week in Northern California, she looks at the importance of friendship in a special segment honoring author and performer Maya Angelou. Davis spoke with Angelou at her home in North Carolina about creativity and the importance of giving back.
Tue, November 06, 2012
Election Night Special
President Barack Obama was elected to a second term. As we await speeches from the president and Gov. Romney, Belva Davis and her guests report and analyze election results in California.
Tue, November 06, 2012
Election Special Part II
As election returns continue to come in, some trends are emerging with California's statewide ballot measures.
Proposition 30, Gov. Brown's tax initiative, which promises to bring in billions in funding for schools, seems headed for victory. Other likely winners are Proposition 36 which would revise California's three strikes law by reducing sentences for second and third strike offenders and Proposition 35 which would increase penalties for human trafficking.
Likely headed for defeat are: Proposition 38, an alternative tax measure, funded by Molly Munger, which would increase funding to preschool and K-12 education; Proposition 32, which would prohibit unions and some corporations from contributing directly to candidates or political campaigns; Proposition 37, which would require labeling of genetically modified foods.
It's too soon to call several closely watched congressional and legislative races, but after 40 years in Congress, Rep. Pete Stark seems headed for defeat by a fellow Democrat, 31-year-old prosecutor Eric Swalwell. Recent redistricting and the state's new "top two" primary system have played major roles in this election.
Fri, November 02, 2012
Election Preview
Early voting in California is well underway and election results in the state could be delayed due to the high volume of mail-in ballots. In addition to the close presidential race between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, voters have eleven state propositions to tackle that have generated more than $350 million in campaign spending.
There are also many hotly contested local, legislative and congressional races throughout the state that are putting newly drawn districts and the top-two primary system into effect for the first time.
This week a preview of next Tuesday's election with some of the latest polls, a look at the role of the women's vote and ethnic voters, and the latest on the presidential race and the impact of Superstorm Sandy.
Fri, October 26, 2012
News Panel: California Schools in the Crosshairs
We devote the full program to looking at how public education is financed in California, and hear from educators, students, policy experts and politicians about how we got here, and what solutions might provide a way out.
Guest Host: Al Letson
Fri, October 26, 2012
This Week in Northern California Special Edition: California Schools in the Crosshairs
There's a lot riding on the November 6 election for California's once prized public education system. With $6 billion in trigger cuts looming due to the state budget deficit, two competing tax measures on the ballot propose to temporarily help fill the gap. Gov. Jerry Brown's Proposition 30 would raise the state sales tax a quarter cent and income tax on those earning more than $250,000 annually. Competing Proposition 38, sponsored by millionaire attorney Molly Munger, would increase income tax on a sliding scale for those earning at least $7,316 a year.
Fri, October 19, 2012
The Photography of Doug Rickard
Local photographer Doug Rickard brings a keen eye to Google street view. He's creating images that reference documentary photography of the past, but push the medium forward in controversial and compelling ways.
Fri, October 19, 2012
News Panel: Campaign Finance, Politics of Education Tax Propositions, Genetically Modified Food, and more
The influx of money from outside California on local races and statewide campaigns could greatly influence government and policy. Contributions from an Arizona non-profit, called Americans for Responsible Leadership, which is funding ads in support of Prop. 32 and opposed to Prop. 30, raise questions about the role of third party financing and loopholes in California's campaign finance laws.
Gov. Brown's Proposition 30, which would raise taxes to provide funding for public education, is being attacked from the political left and right by a pair of wealthy siblings, Molly and Charles Munger, who have spent tens of millions of dollars opposing Proposition 30. Molly Munger, a civil rights attorney from Pasadena who is offering an alternative public education tax measure, Proposition 38, recently pulled a controversial attack ad. Conservative Stanford physicist Chuck Munger opposes any new taxes.
If approved by voters, Proposition 37 would make California the first state to require labeling on all genetically modified foods and would prevent those foods from being called "natural." Opponents of the measure include farmers, concerned over a potential spike in food costs -- and large corporations like Nestle and Coca-Cola, which have been fighting both state and federal legislation since GMOs were introduced 18 years ago. Some supporters are nutrition activists, who feel that all genetically modified products should be identified for consumers.
Fri, October 12, 2012
Award-winning husband and wife journalists Lynn Povich and Stephen Shepard
Lynn Povich and forty-five of her female colleagues made history in 1970 when they filed the first-ever sex discrimination lawsuit against their bosses at Newsweek magazine. Povich's new memoir "The Good Girls Revolt" details the inspirational story behind this milestone in the women's movement. Former Businessweek editor-in-chief Stephen Shepard's book "Deadlines and Disruptions" chronicles his nearly fifty years in journalism and the industry's turbulent transition to the digital age.
Fri, October 12, 2012
News Panel: Campaign Update, Propositions 34 and 36, and Mirkarimi
Thursday night's debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan takes on new significance with the race remaining a tight one following last week's debate between President Obama and Gov. Romney. Meanwhile former President Clinton was in California to stump for Democratic congressional candidates and President Obama made a fundraising stop in San Francisco.
For the first time in more than thirty years, Californians will decide whether to abolish the death penalty, replacing it with life imprisonment without parole. Proposition 34 advocates say repealing the penalty will save the state $100 million annually in the first few years. Proposition 36 would revise the state's harsh three strikes law to impose a life sentence only when a new felony conviction is serious or violent.
San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi returned to work on Wednesday after a nearly nine-hour hearing Tuesday and a vote by four members of the Board of Supervisors to reinstate him. Mirkarimi was suspended without pay by Mayor Ed Lee for official misconduct after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of false imprisonment stemming from an altercation with his wife, Eliana Lopez. District Attorney George Gascon has called for the sheriff to forfeit oversight of issues related to domestic abuse in the department and efforts to recall him are already underway.
Fri, October 05, 2012
Esta Soler, Mother of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month, Belva Davis interviews Esta Soler, founder of San Francisco-based Futures without Violence. Soler has been a leader in the international movement to prevent violence against women and children, and was recently honored by the San Francisco Domestic Violence Consortium for her work.
Fri, October 05, 2012
News Panel: Presidential Debate, Proposition 33, and more
The presidential candidates hit the campaign trail with Gov. Romney picking up momentum after his strong debate performance Wednesday night. President Obama returns to the Golden State this weekend with a fundraising stop in the Bay Area on October 8.
While California is not expected to be in play for the presidential election, there are several close congressional races here that could tip the scales for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gov. Brown signed a flurry of bills over the weekend -- ranging from immigration to corporate taxation -- and wielded his veto pen to make a case for Proposition 30, a measure that would raise additional taxes to prevent further cuts in public education.
Proposition 33, also on the November ballot, would allow insurance companies to set prices based on a driver's history of insurance coverage.
Fri, September 28, 2012
Heat and Harvest
Like what you see in the supermarket produce section? Enjoy, because things may be changing there -- the prices, even the mix of available fruits, nuts and veggies. Long acknowledged as "the nation's salad bowl," California's farm belt is facing some thorny challenges from our changing climate: rising temperatures, an uncertain water supply and more abundant pests that threaten multi-billion-dollar crops. The half-hour documentary Heat and Harvest, a co-production of KQED and the Center for Investigative Reporting, examines these threats and some potential solutions.
Fri, September 21, 2012
News Panel: Prop. 32/San Jose Crime/Public Power For San Francisco/Hetch Hetchy
Proposition 32 on the November ballot would prohibit employee paycheck deductions from being used for political purposes. Opponents of the ban, including the California Teachers Union, say it is an unfair attempt to restrict their influence, while not placing limitations on spending by wealthy business interests or individuals.
San Jose, long one of the safest large cities in California, has recently experienced a spike in crime. This week, Police Chief Chris Moore announced his unexpected resignation in January, after two years on the job.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has given approval to pave the way for clean public power in San Francisco. Residents would be automatically enrolled in the plan and charged a higher rate than for PG&E, unless they opt out. A similar system is currently in place in Marin County.
If approved by San Francisco voters, Measure F would begin a planning phase for draining and restoring the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to park land. It is supported by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups. Opponents, including San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and Senators Boxer and Feinstein, say it is a necessary water source and that the region cannot afford the costs.
Fri, September 14, 2012
Afghan Culture in Little Kabul
In the three decades since the 1979 Soviet invasion, several waves of refugees from war-torn Afghanistan have sought a new life in the United States. Northern California is home to the largest population of Afghans in the country, thousands of whom have settled in the Bay Area. As Scott Shafer discovers, the area of Fremont known as "Little Kabul" has become a cultural haven for a growing number of Afghan artists and musicians.
Fri, September 14, 2012
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee joins Belva Davis to discuss his first year in office along with November ballot measures and his role in President Obama's re-election campaign.
Fri, September 14, 2012
News Panel: Pension Reform, "Amazon Tax," and more
As the legislative session winds down, Gov. Jerry Brown has been sent hundreds of bills, approving an overhaul of the state's underfunded pension system by changing retirement benefits for new employees. Gov. Brown is also making his case to voters for approval of his tax measure on the November ballot. On September 15, the so-called Amazon tax kicks in, requiring hundreds of online retailers to charge sales tax to California consumers. It is estimated to boost tax revenue in the state by as much as $300 million annually, and may set the stage for federal legislation.
Fri, September 07, 2012
The Democratic National Convention
In our continuing special coverage, Belva Davis reports from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina where Californians had a prominent presence. With Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa as convention chairman, others, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Assembly Speaker John Perez held center stage, helping to make the case for the party platform and for four more years of President Obama.
Fri, September 07, 2012
In Conversation with Kamala Harris
Californian Attorney General Kamala Harris joins Belva for a one-on-one interview. Harris' prime time speech was highly anticipated.
Tune in next week for Belva Davis' one-on-one interview with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.
Fri, September 07, 2012
News Panel: Democratic Convention
News panel guest reporters Joe Garofoli from the San Francisco Chronicle, Kitty Felde, Washington Correspondent for KPCC, Southern California Public Radio and Debra Saunders, columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, share their thoughts on some of the week's highlights.
Fri, August 31, 2012
The Republican National Convention
In a special edition of "This Week in Northern California," Belva Davis reports from the Republican National Convention in Tampa, where despite a tropical storm, the California delegation was in full force to rally support for the Party.
Fri, August 31, 2012
In Conversation with Condoleezza Rice
Californian and Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joins Belva for a one-on-one interview where she shares her philosophy on foreign and domestic policy.
Fri, August 31, 2012
News Panel: Republican Convention
News panel guest reporters Carla Marinucci from the San Francisco Chronicle, Doug Sovern from KCBS Radio San Francisco and John Baird with KNX Los Angeles analyze highlights of the week.
Fri, August 24, 2012
Prison Break: California Rethinks Criminal Justice
A co-production of KQED and the Center for Investigative Reporting
In October 2011, California began an unprecedented overhaul of its criminal justice system. Under federal court order to reduce prison overcrowding and improve inmate health care in the midst of the state's budget crisis, Gov. Jerry Brown's Public Safely Realignment Act shifts supervision for thousands of low level offenders to local and county jails and probation departments.
The Center for Investigative Reporting's Michael Montgomery goes behind the scenes to find out how it's working for corrections officials and offenders in San Francisco and Fresno counties.
Host Scott Shafer hears from Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley and San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon about their perspectives on how realignment impacts public safety and the system.
Fri, August 17, 2012
News Panel: Deferred Deportation, Ross Mirkarimi, and more
On Wednesday, the federal government launched a controversial program which would allow more than one million undocumented immigrants to live and work in the U.S. legally, for two years. The program is open to people between the ages of 15 and 31 and who meet certain requirements, including continuous residency in the U.S. for the past five years. An Ethics Commission met one last time at San Francisco City Hall to hear closing arguments in the case against Ross Mirkarimi who has been suspended since March from his job as sheriff after he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence-related charge against his wife. This is the first time that the five-member commission has been convened to determine if an elected official can be removed from office.
Fri, August 17, 2012
Newsmaker Interview
Former California Governor Pete Wilson and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa talk with Belva Davis and San Francisco Chronicle political writer Carla Marinucci. Wilson is heading up the state's Republican delegation to the GOP convention in Tampa and Villaraigosa is chairman of the Democratic national convention in Charlotte. We'll get their thoughts on the presidential race and on issues of important to California voters.
Fri, August 17, 2012
Undocumented Life
Karen, a young, undocumented woman who lives in San Francisco, shares her story.
Fri, August 10, 2012
News Panel: Chevron Refinery Fire, Assault Weapon Legislation, and more
As the investigation into the cause of Monday's fire at Chevron's Richmond refinery continues, the community, environmentalists and elected officials are outraged over the warning system and possible health risks. Gas prices are already rising as a result and could go up to $4.00 per gallon within a week. In the wake of this week's shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, Senator Leland Yee renews attention to his bill that aims to close the loophole in California's assault weapons ban. Meanwhile, the Bay Area Sikh community speaks out against ongoing discrimination. Tech giants Apple and Samsung continue to battle in a San Jose courtroom over patent rights for the design of their smart phones and tablets. The outcome of the trial could influence the types of mobile devices available to consumers.
Fri, August 10, 2012
America's Cup World Series Race
In advance of the America's Cup World Series races set for August 21 - 26, Yul Kwon heads to Pier 80 in San Francisco for a close up look at Oracle Team USA's sleek AC 45 catamaran...and a preview of what's in store for spectators from Oracle Team Tactician John Kostecki.
Fri, August 03, 2012
News Panel: Drought Driving Up Food Prices, Mars Rover Landing, and more
Plans to build a new hospital in San Francisco at Cathedral Hill, currently home to several churches, and to rebuild St. Luke's in the Mission District, are on hold until November. The Board of Supervisors put the decision on the backburner while questions about an escape clause that would allow the hospital to be closed based on weak financial performance by the company raises a red flag. The drought gripping more than half the country is driving up food prices -- including milk, beef, chicken and pork -- due to the scorching heat and minimal rainfall. Drought is affecting over 80 percent of the county's corn crops. Consumers can expect to pay 3 to 4 percent more for groceries next year. Excitement is more than sky high over a large rover NASA is gearing up to land on Mars Sunday night. The 1-ton Curiosity will feed vivid images of the Red Planet back to Earth and work to find evidence of microbial life.
Fri, August 03, 2012
Louise Rafkin and Kowana Banks
On the fifth year anniversary of the killing of Oakland journalist Chauncey Bailey by members of Your Black Muslim Bakery, the woman who exposed bakery owner Yusuf Bey Sr. for acts of sexual abuse, welfare fraud and violence has come forward. Previously identified as Jane Doe #1, Kowana Banks tells her personal story of abuse to Center for Investigative Reporting journalist Louise Rafkin. The story was reported in collaboration with the Chauncey Bailey Project. Belva Davis interviews Rafkin and Banks.
Fri, July 27, 2012
News Panel: Delta Plan Makes Waves, the State Parks Department Funds Scandal, and more
California's ongoing war over water continues with heavy opposition by some environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers to Gov. Brown's massive plan to build a $14 billion pair of tunnels to transport water from the North to the South, and restore Delta wetlands. Will Brown's push for spending on major infrastructure projects jeopardize passage of his November tax initiative? The recent discovery of more than $53 million of hidden funds within the Parks Department, which could have prevented the threat of closing 70 of California's state parks, has led to questions of accountability and oversight of other state agencies. The scandal is now under investigation by the attorney general and state finance officials. The 2012 Kids Count Report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation finds that California, the state with the highest number of children, ranks only 41 out of 50 states in overall well?being of children. The state did fare better on healthcare, scoring 23rd, in large part due to good prenatal care and increasing numbers of children with health insurance.
Fri, July 27, 2012
Soda Tax Controversy in Richmond
Should sugary beverages be taxed like cigarettes? As a trend to limit or ban soft drinks consumption moves across the country, PBS NewsHour correspondent Spencer Michels reports on efforts by the city of Richmond to tax soda. While health experts say it will help stem high obesity rates, others say it will unfairly target those who are least able to afford the penny-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks.
Fri, July 20, 2012
Carolyn House Stewart, International President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Attorney Carolyn House Stewart is the leader of the world's oldest and largest sorority for college educated African American women. The group holds their conference in San Francisco next week for the first time sine the 1950s.
Fri, July 20, 2012
News Panel: Truvada HIV Drug, Challenges For Mayor Ed Lee, and more
Just a week before the International AIDS Conference takes place in Washington, DC -- the first time in 22 years that it will be held in the U.S. -- the drug Truvada has been approved for HIV prevention by the Food and Drug Administration. The news brings hope to those in high risk categories, but there are also concerns that it could lead to a return of risky behaviors. Can Yahoo's new CEO Marissa Mayer balance running the high-profile tech company with being a new mother? Mayer has proven to be innovative as a former lead engineer and vice president at Google, but there's speculation over whether the 37-year-old Silicon Valley star can save the faltering Internet giant. As embattled San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi's misconduct trial continues this week with testimony from his wife, Eliana Lopez, Mayor Ed Lee himself is the subject of an investigation for possible perjury by the Ethics Commission. This comes as a vote on Lee's major development deal with the California Pacific Medical Center is put on hold for two weeks and he encounters a backlash by the Board of Supervisors and the public to his push for a stop-and-frisk policy.
Fri, July 13, 2012
News Panel: SF City College Troubles, High Speed Rail Developments, and more
Will City College of San Francisco, the largest community college in California, be shut down? Interim Chancellor Pamila Fisher has tried to calm fears after the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges granted CCSF eight months to make tough financial and leadership decisions or lose its accreditation, and subsequently its public funding. Now that the first phase of funding for California's High-Speed Rail plan has been approved by the state Legislature, what lies ahead for this ambitious and controversial project? Construction of a 130-mile stretch between Madera and Bakersfield in the Central Valley is scheduled to begin early next year, but the high speed rail authority must first fend off five law suits. An East Bay doctor is the subject of a federal investigation for prescribing high doses of opiate pain pills, such as OxyContin, to his patients. The practice is drawing widespread attention throughout the state and the country as more patients die from overdoses of these highly addictive medications.
Fri, July 13, 2012
"Occupy Art"
Since its inception in September 2011, the Occupy movement has resonated with artists worldwide, resulting in a distinct visual aesthetic of imagery designed to inspire and mobilize support. "Occupy Bay Area" at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts is a new exhibition showcasing the work of Bay Area artists who've played a significant role in giving voice to the 99%.
Fri, June 29, 2012
News Panel: California Budget Passed, State Parks Saved, and more
Governor Brown signed California's new $142.6 billion budget into law just hours before Wednesday's midnight deadline. Some of the most significant changes include the elimination of the Healthy Families program for poor children, a reduction in state welfare benefits and a 5 percent pay cut for state workers. Education funding for K-12 will remain intact unless the November tax initiative fails to pass, triggering automatic cuts of up to $5.6 billion. With the July 1 closure deadline looming, California parks officials saved 65 of the 70 parks slated for closure, at least through the next fiscal year. In recent weeks officials scrambled to prevent the state parks from closing for the first time in their 110 year history, by forging partnerships with both public and private donors. Governor Brown partially vetoed a state parks bill on Thursday, reducing the amount approved by lawmakers from $41 million to $10 million.
Fri, June 29, 2012
Impact of U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Affordable Care Act on California
On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, upheld the constitutionality of the core of the Affordable Care Act. The historic ruling enables California to continue its expansion of the state's Medi-Cal program and create a health insurance exchange. An estimated 7 million uninsured residents will need to find insurance when the individual mandate is enacted.
Fri, June 22, 2012
News Panel: Affordable Care Act Ruling, Immigration Reform, Oakland Army Base, and more
Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to make its highly anticipated decision on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A reversal of all or part of President Obama's health care law could affect billions of dollars in federal subsidies for California's Medi-Cal expansion and the 2014 planned roll-out of the state's health insurance exchange. The Obama administration's new immigration policy would halt deportation of thousands of undocumented immigrants who arrived in the country as children, including an estimated 350,000 in California. Supporters say the President's action was long-overdue and could boost his election-year chances in some swing states, but Republican leaders questioned the policy of granting work visas to illegal immigrants while young Americans face record unemployment. On Tuesday, Oakland's City Council approved the first phase of a billion dollar transformation of a former army base into a state-of-the-art cargo distribution center. It's been heralded as one of the largest development projects in Oakland's history and is expected to create thousands of jobs, half of which must be set aside for local residents.
Fri, June 22, 2012
"California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown"
Sascha Rice and Hilary Armstrong, granddaughters of former Gov. Pat Brown, share the story of their grandfather's legacy and the history of California in the intimate documentary "California State of Mind: The Legacy of Pat Brown," which airs on KQED 9 on June 25, 2012 at 9pm.
Fri, June 15, 2012
News Panel: Budget Update, Bay Area Transit, Fire Season, and more
As home care workers and their clients protested at the state Capitol, legislative Democrats sent their second budget plan to Gov. Brown earlier this week. Though it does not include hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts to welfare and other social programs that the governor demanded, Democratic lawmakers say that both houses plan to vote before the midnight deadline on June 15 to avoid losing their salaries. Republicans boycotted the budget hearing Thursday saying the process lacks transparency. It's been a big week for transportation in the Bay Area. A West Oakland fire shut down BART service on Thursday, creating havoc for East Bay commuters. CalTrans struck back at the Sacramento Bee's allegations of improper inspections on the Bay Bridge's new eastern span structure. Meanwhile, excavation began this week on San Francisco's Central Subway tunnel, despite the fact that federal funding for the majority of the $1.6 billion project is still pending approval. California fire season is off to an early and active start, due to a record dry winter, rising temperatures and gusty winds. Firefighters have already responded to twice as many wildfires as they had by this time last year. According a new UC Berkeley study, the West will be increasingly prone to wildfires over the next three decades, due to the effects of climate change.
Fri, June 15, 2012
Climate Watch Conversation: Physicist Richard Muller
Richard Muller is not a climatologist, yet he is one of the most controversial figures in climate science. Until recently, the UC Berkeley physicist was a sturdy skeptic of the science behind global warming. But last fall, after he conducted a comprehensive analysis of more than two hundred years of global temperature data, he emerged an apparent convert. Now Muller's set to publish a new book that could thrust him in the spotlight again; "Energy for Future Presidents" casts a critical eye on many current "green energy" solutions while championing more controversial methods like nuclear power and natural gas fracturing or "fracking."
Fri, June 08, 2012
News Panel: Election Results, Pension Reform, and Stockton Update
Voter turnout was low but Tuesday's primary, which put California's newly drawn districts and the top two primary system to the test for the first time, produced some surprising results in candidate races throughout the state. Voters also overwhelmingly approved new term limits for state lawmakers while Proposition 29, a cigarette tax, appears to be headed for defeat. There are already legal challenges to the pension reform measures that passed by wide margins in San Jose and San Diego, sending a signal to Gov. Brown and the Legislature to take similar action for the state and other struggling local governments. In Stockton, financially strapped from having the second-highest foreclosure rate in the country, the City Council has authorized the city manager to seek Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection if an agreement can't be reached with its creditors through mediation by June 25.
Fri, June 08, 2012
Rep. Nancy Pelosi
The Democratic Leader recently sat down with Belva Davis for an intimate conversation, reflecting on her 25 years in Congress and what challenges lie ahead for her and the Democratic Party in this election year.
Fri, June 01, 2012
News Panel: California Primary
The California primary could be one of the most dramatic in recent years thanks to two landmark voter approved measures now in play. How will a new top-two primary system and newly drawn political district lines affect legislative and congressional races -- and what impact could that have on the national political landscape? Voters will also decide whether to modify term limits for state lawmakers, raise taxes on cigarettes and enact pension reform.
Fri, June 01, 2012
Asian American Political Power on the Rise
According to the 2010 census, Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the United States. While California has the largest population, the ranks of Asian American and Pacific Islanders have also swelled in key battleground states, a factor which could play a role in the upcoming election. We'll hear from DNC vice-chair Congressman Mike Honda about his efforts to engage Asian Americans in the political process and and we'll profile Republican "Young Gun" Ricky Gill, one of a record number of Asian American candidates running for Congress this year.
Fri, May 18, 2012
International Orange Exhibition
On Memorial Day weekend an unprecedented art exhibition honoring the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge will open at Fort Point. Scott Shafer gets a sneak preview with a visit to the studio of artist Anandamayi Arnold, who is making a vibrant series of dresses made almost entirely from crepe paper. The colorful creations pay homage to the Spanish-style dresses worn by the "Fiesta Queens" who helped kick off the Golden Gate Bridge's opening ceremonies in 1937.
Fri, May 18, 2012
News Panel: Proposition 28, California's Delta, and more
With the state's deficit now soaring beyond projections to $16 billion, Gov. Brown's May budget revision calls for deeper cuts to health and welfare programs and a 5 percent reduction in pay for state workers, with the threat of more cuts to come if voters do not approve his tax measure in November. Proposition 28 on the June ballot would loosen California's strict term limits, enacted in 1990, by reducing time in the state Legislature from 14 years to 12, but allowing the entire time to be served in one house rather than divided between the Assembly and Senate. California's Delta provides drinking water for more than 25 million people and irrigates millions of acres of farmland. But our reliance on the Delta has caused its ecosystem to collapse, harming the fishing industry and putting water supplies at risk. What solutions are being proposed to save it?
