window.__IS_SSR__=true
window.__INITIAL_STATE__={
"attachmentsReducer": {
"audio_0": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_0",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background0.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_1": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_1",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background1.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_2": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_2",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background2.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_3": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_3",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background3.jpg"
}
}
},
"audio_4": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "audio_4",
"imgSizes": {
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/themes/KQED-unified/img/audio_bgs/background4.jpg"
}
}
},
"placeholder": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "placeholder",
"imgSizes": {
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"medium_large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-768x512.jpg",
"width": 768,
"height": 512,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-lrg": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-med": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"fd-sm": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xxsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xsmall": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"small": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"xlarge": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-32": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 32,
"height": 32,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-50": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 50,
"height": 50,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-64": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 64,
"height": 64,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-96": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 96,
"height": 96,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"guest-author-128": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 128,
"height": 128,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"detail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-1333x1333-1-160x160.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 160,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/KQED-Default-Image-816638274-2000x1333-1.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
}
},
"news_12022788": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022788",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022788",
"found": true
},
"title": "20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005",
"publishDate": 1737144340,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12071314,
"modified": 1769722862,
"caption": "Sheng Thao, center, stands next to her attorney, Jeff Tsai, left, as he makes a statement outside of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland, on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.",
"credit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 534,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005-1536x1025.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1025,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005-1920x1281.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1281,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00005.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1334
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12021323": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12021323",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12021323",
"found": true
},
"title": "240109-CAWindStorm-056",
"publishDate": 1736467983,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737076475,
"caption": "The remains of a house in Altadena, California, after the Eaton Fire swept through the area northeast of Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.",
"credit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-056-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-056-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-056-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-056-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-056-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-056-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-056-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-056.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_11900906": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_11900906",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "11900906",
"found": true
},
"title": "San Francisco Mayor London Breed And Essential Workers Mark One-Year Since Covid Lockdowns In Bay Area",
"publishDate": 1641424316,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 11900729,
"modified": 1641429538,
"caption": "San Francisco Mayor London Breed (right) looks on as Dr. Grant Colfax, director of health for San Francisco, speaks during a news conference outside Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital with essential workers to mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdown, on March 17, 2021, in San Francisco.",
"credit": "Justin Sullivan/Getty Images",
"altTag": "A man and woman stand next to each other. The man is wearing a business suit and light blue mask in front of a microphone and the woman is wearing a navy blue jacket with a red beaded necklace and multicolored mask.",
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"2048x2048": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-2048x1365.jpg",
"width": 2048,
"height": 1365,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/01/GettyImages-1307622423-scaled-e1737076380340.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1334
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12022599": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022599",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022599",
"found": true
},
"title": "20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed",
"publishDate": 1737056486,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737057882,
"caption": "Sarah Leonard, intake coordinator at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco, plays with Lois on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. Lois is one of two pit bulls to arrive from Los Angeles following the fires who will now stay at Muttville.",
"credit": "Gina Castro/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed-800x554.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 554,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed-1020x706.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 706,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed-160x111.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 111,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed-1536x1064.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1064,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed-1920x1330.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1330,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-27_qed.jpg",
"width": 1925,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12022629": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022629",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022629",
"found": true
},
"title": "241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed",
"publishDate": 1737063906,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737063924,
"caption": "Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao speaks during a rally against her recall at Pacific Renaissance Plaza in Oakland on Oct. 15, 2024.",
"credit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/241015-OaklandChinatownThaoRecall-20-BL_qed.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12022616": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022616",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022616",
"found": true
},
"title": "011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01 copy",
"publishDate": 1737058938,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12022615,
"modified": 1752102006,
"caption": "The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2025. CalFire is using a chatbot to give Californians better access to real-time emergency information. But CalMatters found it isn't always accurate or reliable. \n",
"credit": "Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01-copy-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 534,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01-copy-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01-copy-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01-copy-1536x1025.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1025,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01-copy-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01-copy-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01-copy-1920x1281.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1281,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011525-California-Wildfires-MT-AP-CM-01-copy.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1334
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12022604": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022604",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022604",
"found": true
},
"title": "US-HONG KONG-POLITICS-PELOSI",
"publishDate": 1737056917,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12022591,
"modified": 1737057085,
"caption": "Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 19, 2024. ",
"credit": "Bastien Inzaurralde/AFP via Getty Images",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/NancyPelosiGetty-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 534,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/NancyPelosiGetty-1020x681.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 681,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/NancyPelosiGetty-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/NancyPelosiGetty-1536x1025.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1025,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/NancyPelosiGetty-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/NancyPelosiGetty-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/NancyPelosiGetty-1920x1282.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1282,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/NancyPelosiGetty.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1335
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12022480": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022480",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022480",
"found": true
},
"title": "010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18 copy",
"publishDate": 1736987186,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12022475,
"modified": 1736987212,
"caption": "Smoke from the Eaton Fire fills the sky in La Cañada Flintridge on Jan. 8, 2025. Hills and canyons are critically dry. \n",
"credit": "Jules Hotz for CalMatters",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12021500": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12021500",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12021500",
"found": true
},
"title": "240110-CAWindStorm-004",
"publishDate": 1736540122,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1736817814,
"caption": "Foreman Mihlhauser (left) works with Acton Conservation Camp Crew 11-1, an incarcerated fire team, to fell burned trees in Altadena, California, on Jan. 10, 2025, after the Eaton Fire destroyed much of the area. The Los Angeles County Fire Department and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operate the camp to train incarcerated hand crews to fight fires around Los Angeles and California.",
"credit": "Beth LaBerge/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-004-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-004-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-004-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-004-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-004-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-004-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-004.jpg",
"width": 1734,
"height": 1156
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12022441": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022441",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022441",
"found": true
},
"title": "011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14 copy",
"publishDate": 1736981756,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12022439,
"modified": 1736981781,
"caption": "The western hills of Mandeville Canyon burning as the Palisades Fire continues to spread in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2025.",
"credit": "Jules Hotz for CalMatters",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14-copy-800x533.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 533,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14-copy-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14-copy-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14-copy-1536x1024.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1024,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14-copy-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14-copy-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14-copy-1920x1280.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1280,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011025_LA-Wildfires_JH_CM_14-copy.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1333
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12022416": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022416",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022416",
"found": true
},
"title": "gofundme-apply-fema",
"publishDate": 1736979659,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12022404,
"modified": 1736982323,
"caption": "Erika McMahon and her daughter Shauna McMahon look through their remembrances of burned Altadena home in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2025. ",
"credit": "Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2193282330-800x534.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 534,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2193282330-1020x680.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 680,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2193282330-160x107.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 107,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2193282330-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2193282330-1024x576.jpg",
"width": 1024,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2193282330.jpg",
"width": 1024,
"height": 683
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
},
"news_12022379": {
"type": "attachments",
"id": "news_12022379",
"meta": {
"index": "attachments_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022379",
"found": true
},
"title": "PacificPalisadesRebuild2",
"publishDate": 1736975553,
"status": "inherit",
"parent": 12022375,
"modified": 1736975824,
"caption": "Katharine Steffes consoles Emma Deiter on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, as she gazes at the ruins of her home at 910 Hartzell St., destroyed by the Palisades fire. Deiter had hoped to recover her late dog's ashes and her prom dress, but both were lost in the devastation.",
"credit": "Rachael Myrow/KQED",
"altTag": null,
"description": null,
"imgSizes": {
"medium": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-800x649.jpg",
"width": 800,
"height": 649,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"large": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-1020x827.jpg",
"width": 1020,
"height": 827,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-160x130.jpg",
"width": 160,
"height": 130,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"1536x1536": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-1536x1246.jpg",
"width": 1536,
"height": 1246,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"post-thumbnail": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-672x372.jpg",
"width": 672,
"height": 372,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"twentyfourteen-full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-1038x576.jpg",
"width": 1038,
"height": 576,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"full-width": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-1920x1557.jpg",
"width": 1920,
"height": 1557,
"mimeType": "image/jpeg"
},
"kqedFullSize": {
"file": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2.jpg",
"width": 2000,
"height": 1622
}
},
"isLoading": false,
"fetchFailed": false
}
},
"audioPlayerReducer": {
"postId": "stream_live",
"isPaused": true,
"isPlaying": false,
"pfsActive": false,
"pledgeModalIsOpen": true,
"playerDrawerIsOpen": false,
"liveAudioPlayStartedAt": 0,
"liveAudioPlayContext": ""
},
"authorsReducer": {
"byline_news_12022615": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_12022615",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_12022615",
"name": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/ben-christopher/\">Ben Christopher\u003c/a>, CalMatters",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_news_12022475": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_12022475",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_12022475",
"name": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/alastair-bland/\">Alastair Bland\u003c/a>, CalMatters",
"isLoading": false
},
"byline_news_12022439": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "byline_news_12022439",
"meta": {
"override": true
},
"slug": "byline_news_12022439",
"name": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/marisa-kendall/\">Marisa Kendall\u003c/a>, CalMatters",
"isLoading": false
},
"rachael-myrow": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "251",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "251",
"found": true
},
"name": "Rachael Myrow",
"firstName": "Rachael",
"lastName": "Myrow",
"slug": "rachael-myrow",
"email": "rmyrow@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Senior Editor of KQED's Silicon Valley News Desk",
"bio": "• I write and edit stories about how Silicon Valley power and policies shape everyday life in California. I’m also passionate about making Bay Area history and culture more accessible to a broad public. • I’ve been a journalist for most of my life, starting in high school with The Franklin Press in Los Angeles, where I grew up. While earning my first degree in English at UC Berkeley, I got my start in public radio at KALX-FM. After completing a second degree in journalism at Cal, I landed my first professional job at Marketplace, then moved on to KPCC (now LAist), and then KQED, where I hosted The California Report for more than seven years. • My reporting has appeared on NPR, The World, WBUR’s \u003ci>Here & Now\u003c/i>, and the BBC. I also guest host for KQED’s \u003ci>Forum\u003c/i>, as well as the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. • I speak periodically on media, democracy and technology issues, and do voiceover work for documentaries and educational video projects. • Outside of the studio, you'll find me hiking Bay Area trails and whipping up Insta-ready meals in my kitchen. • I do not accept gifts, money, or favors from anyone connected to my reporting, I don't pay people for information, and I do not support or donate to political causes. • I strive to treat the people I report on with fairness, honesty, and respect. I also recognize there are often multiple sides to a story and work to verify information through multiple sources and documentation. If I get something wrong, I correct it.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3ed8a3c5f26025e4a805ba634cda8cd764906b97438a6d9ce216b044e340da4e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "rachaelmyrow",
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": "https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelmyrow/",
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"edit_others_posts",
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "futureofyou",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "food",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"author"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Rachael Myrow | KQED",
"description": "Senior Editor of KQED's Silicon Valley News Desk",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3ed8a3c5f26025e4a805ba634cda8cd764906b97438a6d9ce216b044e340da4e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3ed8a3c5f26025e4a805ba634cda8cd764906b97438a6d9ce216b044e340da4e?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/rachael-myrow"
},
"carlysevern": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "3243",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "3243",
"found": true
},
"name": "Carly Severn",
"firstName": "Carly",
"lastName": "Severn",
"slug": "carlysevern",
"email": "csevern@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Senior Editor, Audience News ",
"bio": "Carly is KQED's Senior Editor of Audience News on the Digital News team, and has reported for the California Report Magazine, Bay Curious and KQED Arts. She's formerly the host of \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/pop/category/the-cooler/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Cooler\u003c/a> podcast.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2d8d6765f186e64c798cf7f0c8088a41?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "teacupinthebay",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "pop",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "futureofyou",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "about",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "mindshift",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "bayareabites",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "stateofhealth",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "food",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "perspectives",
"roles": [
"administrator"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Carly Severn | KQED",
"description": "Senior Editor, Audience News ",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2d8d6765f186e64c798cf7f0c8088a41?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2d8d6765f186e64c798cf7f0c8088a41?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/carlysevern"
},
"sjohnson": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11840",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11840",
"found": true
},
"name": "Sydney Johnson",
"firstName": "Sydney",
"lastName": "Johnson",
"slug": "sjohnson",
"email": "sjohnson@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "KQED Reporter",
"bio": "Sydney Johnson is a general assignment reporter at KQED. She previously reported on public health and city government at the San Francisco Examiner, and before that, she covered statewide education policy for EdSource. Her reporting has won multiple local, state and national awards. Sydney is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and lives in San Francisco.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/97855f2719b72ad6190b7c535fe642c8?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "sydneyfjohnson",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Sydney Johnson | KQED",
"description": "KQED Reporter",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/97855f2719b72ad6190b7c535fe642c8?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/97855f2719b72ad6190b7c535fe642c8?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/sjohnson"
},
"kmonahan": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11842",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11842",
"found": true
},
"name": "Katherine Monahan",
"firstName": "Katherine",
"lastName": "Monahan",
"slug": "kmonahan",
"email": "kmonahan@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "Reporter / Sound Engineer",
"bio": "I cover state and local news. I’m also a sound engineer at the station, mixing stories and running live broadcasts. I link to source materials so that readers can draw their own conclusions, and seek comment from a range of perspectives, including from people directly affected by events. Awards received include from the Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California chapter and the Alaska Press Club. I speak multiple languages and have reported and engineered in the Bay Area, Alaska, West Africa and Latin America.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ff257b3a5da88893781a3d3266904b2d2f91c7f0e1bbf728f61f5fb81b74a669?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Katherine Monahan | KQED",
"description": "Reporter / Sound Engineer",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ff257b3a5da88893781a3d3266904b2d2f91c7f0e1bbf728f61f5fb81b74a669?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ff257b3a5da88893781a3d3266904b2d2f91c7f0e1bbf728f61f5fb81b74a669?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/kmonahan"
},
"nkhan": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11867",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11867",
"found": true
},
"name": "Nisa Khan",
"firstName": "Nisa",
"lastName": "Khan",
"slug": "nkhan",
"email": "nkhan@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Nisa Khan is a reporter for KQED's Audience News Desk. She was formerly a data reporter at Michigan Radio. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Information from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Communication from Stanford University.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8720459eef081ff64582b3506b124d58523e80e120704a0cbd9892533c914991?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": "mnisakhan",
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor",
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "forum",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"contributor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Nisa Khan | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8720459eef081ff64582b3506b124d58523e80e120704a0cbd9892533c914991?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/8720459eef081ff64582b3506b124d58523e80e120704a0cbd9892533c914991?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/nkhan"
},
"jservantez": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11909",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11909",
"found": true
},
"name": "Jared Servantez",
"firstName": "Jared",
"lastName": "Servantez",
"slug": "jservantez",
"email": "jservantez@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": true,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Jared Servantez is the editor of KQED's Express Desk, leading the newsroom's online breaking news operation. He most recently worked for the Los Angeles Times, where he served as a breaking news editor, the Metro Desk's night editor, and a copy editor. Jared is a graduate of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/46e9029cd4e3bc3391184e65511d73e6?s=600&d=mm&r=g",
"twitter": "jservantez",
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor",
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Jared Servantez | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/46e9029cd4e3bc3391184e65511d73e6?s=600&d=mm&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/46e9029cd4e3bc3391184e65511d73e6?s=600&d=mm&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/jservantez"
},
"kdebenedetti": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11913",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11913",
"found": true
},
"name": "Katie DeBenedetti",
"firstName": "Katie",
"lastName": "DeBenedetti",
"slug": "kdebenedetti",
"email": "kdebenedetti@kqed.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news",
"science"
],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": "Katie DeBenedetti is a digital reporter covering daily news for the Express Desk. Prior to joining KQED as a culture reporting intern in January 2024, she covered education and city government for the Napa Valley Register.",
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e31073cb8f7e4214ab03f42771d0f45?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"author"
]
},
{
"site": "liveblog",
"roles": [
"author"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Katie DeBenedetti | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e31073cb8f7e4214ab03f42771d0f45?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6e31073cb8f7e4214ab03f42771d0f45?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/kdebenedetti"
},
"slim": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11920",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11920",
"found": true
},
"name": "Samantha Lim",
"firstName": "Samantha",
"lastName": "Lim",
"slug": "slim",
"email": "slim@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [],
"title": "KQED Contributor",
"bio": null,
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82e592e6c15fe1a04d385e8ad0fb0b4e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "news",
"roles": []
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Samantha Lim | KQED",
"description": "KQED Contributor",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82e592e6c15fe1a04d385e8ad0fb0b4e?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/82e592e6c15fe1a04d385e8ad0fb0b4e?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/slim"
},
"emanoukian": {
"type": "authors",
"id": "11925",
"meta": {
"index": "authors_1716337520",
"id": "11925",
"found": true
},
"name": "Elize Manoukian",
"firstName": "Elize",
"lastName": "Manoukian",
"slug": "emanoukian",
"email": "emanoukian@KQED.org",
"display_author_email": false,
"staff_mastheads": [
"news"
],
"title": "Digital Producer",
"bio": null,
"avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4525f1a8e46ccb30933b32653d9772064cfefe3fa655eb45b3b3a80341f6bdad?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twitter": null,
"bluesky": null,
"facebook": null,
"instagram": null,
"linkedin": null,
"sites": [
{
"site": "arts",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "news",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
},
{
"site": "science",
"roles": [
"editor"
]
}
],
"headData": {
"title": "Elize Manoukian | KQED",
"description": "Digital Producer",
"ogImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4525f1a8e46ccb30933b32653d9772064cfefe3fa655eb45b3b3a80341f6bdad?s=600&d=blank&r=g",
"twImgSrc": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4525f1a8e46ccb30933b32653d9772064cfefe3fa655eb45b3b3a80341f6bdad?s=600&d=blank&r=g"
},
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/author/emanoukian"
}
},
"pagesReducer": {
"news_category_california": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_31795",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "31795",
"score": 10.847641
},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31812,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"title": "California",
"pageMeta": {
"site": "news",
"WpPageTemplate": "page-topic-editorial",
"currentPage": 150
},
"blocks": [
{
"blockName": "kqed/post-list",
"attrs": {
"layout": "cardArticle2",
"query": "posts/news?category=california",
"seeMore": false,
"paginated": true,
"page": 150
}
},
{
"blockName": "kqed/ad"
}
]
}
},
"pfsSessionReducer": {},
"postsReducer": {
"stream_live": {
"type": "live",
"id": "stream_live",
"audioUrl": "https://streams.kqed.org/kqedradio",
"title": "Live Stream",
"excerpt": "Live Stream information currently unavailable.",
"link": "/radio",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "KQED Live",
"link": "/"
}
},
"stream_kqedNewscast": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "stream_kqedNewscast",
"audioUrl": "https://www.kqed.org/.stream/anon/radio/RDnews/newscast.mp3?_=1",
"title": "KQED Newscast",
"featImg": "",
"label": {
"name": "88.5 FM",
"link": "/"
}
},
"news_12022612": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022612",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022612",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1737137887000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "ex-oakland-mayor-sheng-thao-3-others-charged-with-bribery-sprawling-corruption-probe",
"title": "Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, 3 Others Charged With Bribery in Sprawling Corruption Probe",
"publishDate": 1737137887,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, 3 Others Charged With Bribery in Sprawling Corruption Probe | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 3:01 p.m. Friday \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Former Oakland Mayor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/sheng-thao\">Sheng Thao\u003c/a> and three others were charged with eight counts of conspiracy and bribery in a federal courthouse in Oakland on Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The arraignment followed the release of a bombshell federal indictment alleging a “pay-to-play” corruption scheme involving Thao, longtime romantic partner Andre Jones and two prominent businessmen affiliated with the city’s recycling contractor, Oakland-based company California Waste Solutions: David and his son Andy Duong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The indictment returned by the grand jury describes a corrupt scheme in which the defendants used bribes, mail fraud, wire fraud and other illegal practices to manipulate and corruptly influence the levers of local government,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins said at a Friday morning press conference, where officials provided more details about their probe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All four defendants pleaded not guilty and were released on bond.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fielding questions from the press and some jeering from Thao’s critics on the courthouse steps, Thao’s attorney criticized the role of an unnamed conspirator in the case, who he said provided the evidence central to the FBI’s case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The mayor looks forward to defending herself against these charges, showing that there is, in fact, no evidence to support these charges,” said Jeff Tsai, Thao’s counsel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022841\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022841\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Andre Jones, longtime partner of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, leaves the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/indictment-PDF.pdf\">indictment (PDF)\u003c/a> alleges that Thao promised to take official actions as mayor to benefit the Duong family in exchange for benefits for her and Jones. This included a promise of a commitment by the city of Oakland to purchase housing units from the Duong family’s housing company, Evolutionary Homes, to extend contracts with the Duong family’s recycling company, and to appoint senior city officials selected by the Duongs and the unnamed co-conspirator, identified as “a local businessman.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In exchange, the Duongs promised to pay $75,000 to fund negative mailers targeting Thao’s opponents in the mayoral election and to make $300,000 in direct payments for no-show jobs to Jones, according to the indictment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It became clear that the FBI was investigating this network of relationships since the\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11991242/fbi-agents-raid-home-of-oakland-mayor-sheng-thao\"> FBI raid of Thao’s home\u003c/a> in June, along with properties owned by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11991426/oakland-fbi-raids-also-targeted-this-powerful-family-heres-what-we-know\">Duong family\u003c/a>. The Duongs have been the focus of a separate investigation by the Oakland Public Ethics Commission and California Fair Political Practices Commission into an alleged straw donor scheme.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Financial records indicate that after Jones began receiving payments from the one unnamed conspirator, he began contributing to his and Thao’s monthly rent payments. Previously, Thao had paid these bills, the indictment said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11991432\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11991432 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">U.S. postal inspectors check documents at a home tied to David Duong, one of the multiple properties searched by law enforcement that included residences to members of a politically connected family who run the city-contracted recycling company, California Waste Solutions, in Oakland on June 20, 2024. \u003ccite>(Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Attorneys for both David and Andy Duong said the father and son were innocent of all charges. Andy Duong’s attorney called the allegations “baseless” and stitched together by “gossip and supposition.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Disappointingly, Andy instead is today the most recent in a long line of Asian Americans who unfairly are singled out and forced to pay a price for daring to be active in the political sphere,” Winston Chan, Andy Duong’s counsel, told KQED in an email.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao and Jones will make their next appearance in U.S. District Court on Feb. 6. Jones will return on Jan. 22 to resolve the question of whether he qualifies for appointed counsel after stating that he cannot afford a private attorney.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao, Jones and the Duongs face six counts, each carrying a maximum sentence of five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Andy Duong also faces an additional charge of making a false statement to a government agency, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022786\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022786\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1335\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-1920x1282.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sheng Thao stands outside of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Thao has repeatedly asserted her innocence and said that federal officials had told her attorney she was not \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11991658/oakland-mayor-sheng-thao-to-make-first-public-comments-since-fbi-raids\">the focus of their investigation\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao’s short tenure as Oakland mayor ended with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12012357/sheng-thao-accepts-defeat-in-contentious-oakland-mayoral-recall\">a recall in November\u003c/a>, decided by 65.3% of Oakland voters. Recall organizers blamed the city’s challenges — including crime, shuttering businesses and a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12009486/oaklands-finances-significant-risk-report-warns-coliseum-sale-raises-questions\">multimillion-dollar budget deficit\u003c/a> — on what they described as Thao’s incompetence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In August 2023, Thao led a 50-person delegation of Port of Oakland officials and East Bay political players, including the Duongs and San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo, to Vietnam. The trip was co-sponsored by the Vietnamese American Business Association, an organization founded by David Duong and headquartered in Oakland. The FBI raided Azevedo’s home on Wednesday, but he was not named as a defendant in the indictment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao said their goal was to invest in the city’s trade relationship with Vietnam and reported meeting with the mayors of major port cities, Ho Chi Minh and Haiphong, along with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. In a press conference shortly after the trip, she reported that the port had signed a new memorandum of understanding with the Long An International Port.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_11991412 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/OaklandMayorRaid01-1020x765.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I advocated for Oakland, for the benefits of partnering with our port and for the opportunities at our airport,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, the trip was also met with scrutiny after reporting revealed it had \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11991426/oakland-fbi-raids-also-targeted-this-powerful-family-heres-what-we-know\">cost about $12,000 per attendee\u003c/a> — including business class flights, five-star hotel stays and meals and transportation. The Duongs’ financial involvement is also questionable, considering their lucrative city contracts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As far back as 2014, the Duongs have been accused of using political power to leverage business deals with the city.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Texas-based Waste Management sued the city of Oakland, alleging that the Duongs’ “long-term personal and political connections” with the City Council swayed its decision to award Cal Waste a $1 billion contract against city staff’s recommendations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The council ultimately opted to give Waste Management the compost and trash contracts, while Cal Waste got the recycling deal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The interim mayor’s office declined to provide a statement about the indictments.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A special election to replace Thao will be held in Oakland in April. Leading candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, responded to the indictment on social media platform \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/BarbaraLee_CA/status/1880317722627830198\">X\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The allegations contained in the criminal indictment are devastating,” Lee wrote. “There should be no tolerance whatsoever for secret pay-to-play schemes that erode the public trust.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022810\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022810\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Loren Taylor, former District 6 Councilmember, makes remarks to the media outside of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Loren Taylor, who announced his candidacy in November and lost to Thao by a narrow margin in 2022, said it was unfortunate that the city of Oakland was back in the news because of a corruption scandal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to make sure that our elected officials are focused on the things that matter most to everyday Oaklanders’ lives,” Taylor said, “and are not distracted by things like political scandals or returning favors for others who have supported them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Renia Webb, Thao’s former chief of staff and another candidate in the special election, told KQED on Thursday when news of the indictment broke: “Today, I feel like Oakland is going to be able to move forward. We’re walking into a brighter future, and I feel that way, like we’re taking a turn.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The winner of the special election will complete Thao’s unfinished term in 2027.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ahall\">\u003cem>Alex Hall\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Federal authorities on Friday charged Thao; her boyfriend, Andre Jones; and local business owners David and Andy Duong with conspiracy and bribery.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737165823,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 35,
"wordCount": 1400
},
"headData": {
"title": "Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, 3 Others Charged With Bribery in Sprawling Corruption Probe | KQED",
"description": "Federal authorities on Friday charged Thao; her boyfriend, Andre Jones; and local business owners David and Andy Duong with conspiracy and bribery.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, 3 Others Charged With Bribery in Sprawling Corruption Probe",
"datePublished": "2025-01-17T10:18:07-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-17T18:03:43-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022612",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022612/ex-oakland-mayor-sheng-thao-3-others-charged-with-bribery-sprawling-corruption-probe",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 3:01 p.m. Friday \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Former Oakland Mayor \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/sheng-thao\">Sheng Thao\u003c/a> and three others were charged with eight counts of conspiracy and bribery in a federal courthouse in Oakland on Friday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The arraignment followed the release of a bombshell federal indictment alleging a “pay-to-play” corruption scheme involving Thao, longtime romantic partner Andre Jones and two prominent businessmen affiliated with the city’s recycling contractor, Oakland-based company California Waste Solutions: David and his son Andy Duong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The indictment returned by the grand jury describes a corrupt scheme in which the defendants used bribes, mail fraud, wire fraud and other illegal practices to manipulate and corruptly influence the levers of local government,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick D. Robbins said at a Friday morning press conference, where officials provided more details about their probe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All four defendants pleaded not guilty and were released on bond.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fielding questions from the press and some jeering from Thao’s critics on the courthouse steps, Thao’s attorney criticized the role of an unnamed conspirator in the case, who he said provided the evidence central to the FBI’s case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The mayor looks forward to defending herself against these charges, showing that there is, in fact, no evidence to support these charges,” said Jeff Tsai, Thao’s counsel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022841\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022841\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00010-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Andre Jones, longtime partner of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, leaves the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/indictment-PDF.pdf\">indictment (PDF)\u003c/a> alleges that Thao promised to take official actions as mayor to benefit the Duong family in exchange for benefits for her and Jones. This included a promise of a commitment by the city of Oakland to purchase housing units from the Duong family’s housing company, Evolutionary Homes, to extend contracts with the Duong family’s recycling company, and to appoint senior city officials selected by the Duongs and the unnamed co-conspirator, identified as “a local businessman.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In exchange, the Duongs promised to pay $75,000 to fund negative mailers targeting Thao’s opponents in the mayoral election and to make $300,000 in direct payments for no-show jobs to Jones, according to the indictment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It became clear that the FBI was investigating this network of relationships since the\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11991242/fbi-agents-raid-home-of-oakland-mayor-sheng-thao\"> FBI raid of Thao’s home\u003c/a> in June, along with properties owned by the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11991426/oakland-fbi-raids-also-targeted-this-powerful-family-heres-what-we-know\">Duong family\u003c/a>. The Duongs have been the focus of a separate investigation by the Oakland Public Ethics Commission and California Fair Political Practices Commission into an alleged straw donor scheme.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Financial records indicate that after Jones began receiving payments from the one unnamed conspirator, he began contributing to his and Thao’s monthly rent payments. Previously, Thao had paid these bills, the indictment said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11991432\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11991432 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">U.S. postal inspectors check documents at a home tied to David Duong, one of the multiple properties searched by law enforcement that included residences to members of a politically connected family who run the city-contracted recycling company, California Waste Solutions, in Oakland on June 20, 2024. \u003ccite>(Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Attorneys for both David and Andy Duong said the father and son were innocent of all charges. Andy Duong’s attorney called the allegations “baseless” and stitched together by “gossip and supposition.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Disappointingly, Andy instead is today the most recent in a long line of Asian Americans who unfairly are singled out and forced to pay a price for daring to be active in the political sphere,” Winston Chan, Andy Duong’s counsel, told KQED in an email.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao and Jones will make their next appearance in U.S. District Court on Feb. 6. Jones will return on Jan. 22 to resolve the question of whether he qualifies for appointed counsel after stating that he cannot afford a private attorney.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao, Jones and the Duongs face six counts, each carrying a maximum sentence of five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Andy Duong also faces an additional charge of making a false statement to a government agency, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022786\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022786\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1335\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-1020x681.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00001-1920x1282.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sheng Thao stands outside of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Thao has repeatedly asserted her innocence and said that federal officials had told her attorney she was not \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11991658/oakland-mayor-sheng-thao-to-make-first-public-comments-since-fbi-raids\">the focus of their investigation\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao’s short tenure as Oakland mayor ended with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12012357/sheng-thao-accepts-defeat-in-contentious-oakland-mayoral-recall\">a recall in November\u003c/a>, decided by 65.3% of Oakland voters. Recall organizers blamed the city’s challenges — including crime, shuttering businesses and a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12009486/oaklands-finances-significant-risk-report-warns-coliseum-sale-raises-questions\">multimillion-dollar budget deficit\u003c/a> — on what they described as Thao’s incompetence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In August 2023, Thao led a 50-person delegation of Port of Oakland officials and East Bay political players, including the Duongs and San Leandro Councilmember Bryan Azevedo, to Vietnam. The trip was co-sponsored by the Vietnamese American Business Association, an organization founded by David Duong and headquartered in Oakland. The FBI raided Azevedo’s home on Wednesday, but he was not named as a defendant in the indictment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao said their goal was to invest in the city’s trade relationship with Vietnam and reported meeting with the mayors of major port cities, Ho Chi Minh and Haiphong, along with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. In a press conference shortly after the trip, she reported that the port had signed a new memorandum of understanding with the Long An International Port.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11991412",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/OaklandMayorRaid01-1020x765.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I advocated for Oakland, for the benefits of partnering with our port and for the opportunities at our airport,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, the trip was also met with scrutiny after reporting revealed it had \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11991426/oakland-fbi-raids-also-targeted-this-powerful-family-heres-what-we-know\">cost about $12,000 per attendee\u003c/a> — including business class flights, five-star hotel stays and meals and transportation. The Duongs’ financial involvement is also questionable, considering their lucrative city contracts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As far back as 2014, the Duongs have been accused of using political power to leverage business deals with the city.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Texas-based Waste Management sued the city of Oakland, alleging that the Duongs’ “long-term personal and political connections” with the City Council swayed its decision to award Cal Waste a $1 billion contract against city staff’s recommendations.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The council ultimately opted to give Waste Management the compost and trash contracts, while Cal Waste got the recycling deal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The interim mayor’s office declined to provide a statement about the indictments.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A special election to replace Thao will be held in Oakland in April. Leading candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, responded to the indictment on social media platform \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/BarbaraLee_CA/status/1880317722627830198\">X\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The allegations contained in the criminal indictment are devastating,” Lee wrote. “There should be no tolerance whatsoever for secret pay-to-play schemes that erode the public trust.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022810\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022810\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250117_Thao-Recall_BL_00008-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Loren Taylor, former District 6 Councilmember, makes remarks to the media outside of the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Loren Taylor, who announced his candidacy in November and lost to Thao by a narrow margin in 2022, said it was unfortunate that the city of Oakland was back in the news because of a corruption scandal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have to make sure that our elected officials are focused on the things that matter most to everyday Oaklanders’ lives,” Taylor said, “and are not distracted by things like political scandals or returning favors for others who have supported them.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Renia Webb, Thao’s former chief of staff and another candidate in the special election, told KQED on Thursday when news of the indictment broke: “Today, I feel like Oakland is going to be able to move forward. We’re walking into a brighter future, and I feel that way, like we’re taking a turn.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The winner of the special election will complete Thao’s unfinished term in 2027.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ahall\">\u003cem>Alex Hall\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022612/ex-oakland-mayor-sheng-thao-3-others-charged-with-bribery-sprawling-corruption-probe",
"authors": [
"11925",
"11913"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34167",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_18538",
"news_3014",
"news_425",
"news_27626",
"news_25464",
"news_34054",
"news_34661",
"news_31962"
],
"featImg": "news_12022788",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12022146": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022146",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022146",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1737127859000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "california-fast-tracks-wildfire-recovery-eases-key-building-regulations-temporarily",
"title": "California Fast-Tracks Wildfire Recovery, Eases Key Building Regulations Temporarily",
"publishDate": 1737127859,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "California Fast-Tracks Wildfire Recovery, Eases Key Building Regulations Temporarily | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/gavin-newsom\">Gov. Gavin Newsom\u003c/a> signed an executive order suspending environmental review processes for victims looking to rebuild after the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/wildfire\">Los Angeles wildfires\u003c/a> destroyed over 40,000 acres of land and more than 12,000 structures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The decision, which effectively waives the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act, comes as a surprise in a state that boasts some of the strictest building regulations and environmental review processes. California has received criticism for the difficulty of getting building projects approved, a process that is also notoriously expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Under the order Newsom signed Sunday, state and local agencies are directed to help the residents of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties by expediting processes that would hinder reconstruction. They have also been tasked with identifying additional building codes that can be safely suspended.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks,” Newsom said in a Sunday \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/12/governor-newsom-signs-executive-order-to-help-los-angeles-rebuild-faster-and-stronger/\">press release\u003c/a>. “The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The environmental safety restrictions that govern construction projects are an obstacle for anyone looking to build in the state. Legislators have also expanded regulations aimed at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021125/la-fires-renew-debate-over-prescribed-burns-and-fire-preparedness-in-california\">improving fire and earthquake resilience\u003c/a> in fire-prone neighborhoods. These requirements, like installing sprinkler systems and external water tanks, can be cost-prohibitive for homeowners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021322\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021322\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The remains of a house in Altadena, California, after the Eaton Fire swept through the area northeast of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Some state residents have also questioned why the process for rebuilding was not streamlined after other wildfires. Republican Assemblymember David Tangipa, who represents the Central Valley, said that wildfire victims are still recovering from the Creek Fire in 2020 in a \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/DavidTangipa/status/1878470719161700812\">social media post\u003c/a> and called on the state government to address the disparity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Matt Sedlar, a climate analyst at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said the issue is more complex than simply rebuilding. He said he’s worried that Newsom’s order may come with unintended consequences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“CEQA review is something that’s been a thorn in the side of many housing advocates because a lot of localities use that to hold up development,” Sedlar said. “My concern is that there’s a bullet point that directs state agencies to identify additional permanent requirements, including provisions of the building code, that can safely be suspended to accelerate rebuilding.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sedlar noted that in areas like Los Angeles County, a high risk of wildfires necessitates resiliency measures when it comes to rebuilding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021263\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021263\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Buildings are destroyed along Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena, California, after the Eaton Fire swept through the area northeast of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense to rebuild as things were before because that’s the opposite of adaptive resilience,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The focus instead should be on mitigating the costs associated with making these neighborhoods safer, whether that’s through state or federal assistance, according to Sedlar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the United States, experts and state officials are working together to find solutions that account for rising building costs, environmental safety and the need for hardened homes. In 2006, Florida legislators introduced \u003ca href=\"https://mysafeflhome.com/\">My Safe Florida Home\u003c/a>, a program that distributes funds to applicants looking to improve the resiliency of their homes against natural disasters like hurricanes. The program is wildly popular.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12022375 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-1020x827.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis allocated $200 million to the program in July, funding ran out in less than 10 days, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.fox13news.com/news/part-my-safe-florida-home-program-runs-out-funding-2-weeks-after-applications-open\">news reports\u003c/a>. Because applications were divided into five groups based on need, only lower-income applicants aged 60 were eligible for consideration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Given California’s large population size, Sedlar said, the state would face similar difficulties in creating a grant program that covers all interested homeowners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s a huge risk of wildfire throughout the state,” Sedlar said. “How do you allocate enough money to cover everyone? Obviously, there are areas that are less susceptible to fires — urban fires, wildfires — than others, but it’s still going to be extremely competitive.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since the wildfires broke, several conservative politicians, pundits and donors have spread misinformation and criticized state leaders, alleging that inept policymaking led to disaster. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments have caused some state officials to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021435/trumps-misinformation-la-fires-fuels-concerns-over-future-disaster-aid-california\">worry over how a Trump administration may affect future federal aid\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Republican Congressional leaders have touted the idea of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12022111/republican-leaders-push-conditions-disaster-relief-california-wildfire-victims\">placing conditions\u003c/a> on federal assistance for California wildfire victims. At a Monday press conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed, without evidence, that state and local officials were complicit in the scope of the fires.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021951\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021951\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1328\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-800x531.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-1020x677.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-1920x1275.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A firefighter studies the charred remains of St. Mark’s School, a preschool and K-6 grade school on Altadena Drive, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Altadena, California. \u003ccite>(Chris Pizzello/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Johnson and other conservatives have also suggested that federal assistance be made contingent upon California Democrats agreeing to raise the national debt ceiling, an issue that Trump has been vocal about in the past.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What do we need to do to reduce the risk and make the Pacific Palisades buildable again?” said Bill Jackson, who leads the San Francisco Republican Party. “Our national governments are not piggy banks for communities that do not have a realistic approach toward sustaining themselves and defending themselves in the event of a natural disaster.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California leaders have introduced several proposals to address fire mitigation. On Monday, Newsom \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021941/newsom-expands-special-session-speed-up-los-angeles-wildfire-relief-funds\">expanded the special session\u003c/a> that began in December to include $1.5 billion for fire preparedness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Department of Insurance also introduced plans for a statewide home-hardening grant program that would fund projects such as installing fire-resistant roofs and defensible spaces.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Making homes and communities safer from wildfires needs to be a top priority for our state,” Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said during a press conference last week. “Looking forward, I will also work with the state Legislature and the Governor’s Administration to support my proposal to provide consumers with home hardening grants.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "After L.A. wildfires scorched 40,000 acres and 12,000 structures, Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended environmental reviews to speed up rebuilding and reduce costly delays.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737076938,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 25,
"wordCount": 1076
},
"headData": {
"title": "California Fast-Tracks Wildfire Recovery, Eases Key Building Regulations Temporarily | KQED",
"description": "After L.A. wildfires scorched 40,000 acres and 12,000 structures, Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended environmental reviews to speed up rebuilding and reduce costly delays.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "California Fast-Tracks Wildfire Recovery, Eases Key Building Regulations Temporarily",
"datePublished": "2025-01-17T07:30:59-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-16T17:22:18-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022146/california-fast-tracks-wildfire-recovery-eases-key-building-regulations-temporarily",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/gavin-newsom\">Gov. Gavin Newsom\u003c/a> signed an executive order suspending environmental review processes for victims looking to rebuild after the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/wildfire\">Los Angeles wildfires\u003c/a> destroyed over 40,000 acres of land and more than 12,000 structures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The decision, which effectively waives the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act, comes as a surprise in a state that boasts some of the strictest building regulations and environmental review processes. California has received criticism for the difficulty of getting building projects approved, a process that is also notoriously expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Under the order Newsom signed Sunday, state and local agencies are directed to help the residents of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties by expediting processes that would hinder reconstruction. They have also been tasked with identifying additional building codes that can be safely suspended.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks,” Newsom said in a Sunday \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/12/governor-newsom-signs-executive-order-to-help-los-angeles-rebuild-faster-and-stronger/\">press release\u003c/a>. “The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The environmental safety restrictions that govern construction projects are an obstacle for anyone looking to build in the state. Legislators have also expanded regulations aimed at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021125/la-fires-renew-debate-over-prescribed-burns-and-fire-preparedness-in-california\">improving fire and earthquake resilience\u003c/a> in fire-prone neighborhoods. These requirements, like installing sprinkler systems and external water tanks, can be cost-prohibitive for homeowners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021322\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021322\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-055-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The remains of a house in Altadena, California, after the Eaton Fire swept through the area northeast of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Some state residents have also questioned why the process for rebuilding was not streamlined after other wildfires. Republican Assemblymember David Tangipa, who represents the Central Valley, said that wildfire victims are still recovering from the Creek Fire in 2020 in a \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/DavidTangipa/status/1878470719161700812\">social media post\u003c/a> and called on the state government to address the disparity.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Matt Sedlar, a climate analyst at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, said the issue is more complex than simply rebuilding. He said he’s worried that Newsom’s order may come with unintended consequences.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“CEQA review is something that’s been a thorn in the side of many housing advocates because a lot of localities use that to hold up development,” Sedlar said. “My concern is that there’s a bullet point that directs state agencies to identify additional permanent requirements, including provisions of the building code, that can safely be suspended to accelerate rebuilding.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sedlar noted that in areas like Los Angeles County, a high risk of wildfires necessitates resiliency measures when it comes to rebuilding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021263\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021263\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240109-CAWindStorm-043-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Buildings are destroyed along Fair Oaks Avenue in Altadena, California, after the Eaton Fire swept through the area northeast of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense to rebuild as things were before because that’s the opposite of adaptive resilience,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The focus instead should be on mitigating the costs associated with making these neighborhoods safer, whether that’s through state or federal assistance, according to Sedlar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the United States, experts and state officials are working together to find solutions that account for rising building costs, environmental safety and the need for hardened homes. In 2006, Florida legislators introduced \u003ca href=\"https://mysafeflhome.com/\">My Safe Florida Home\u003c/a>, a program that distributes funds to applicants looking to improve the resiliency of their homes against natural disasters like hurricanes. The program is wildly popular.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12022375",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild2-1020x827.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis allocated $200 million to the program in July, funding ran out in less than 10 days, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.fox13news.com/news/part-my-safe-florida-home-program-runs-out-funding-2-weeks-after-applications-open\">news reports\u003c/a>. Because applications were divided into five groups based on need, only lower-income applicants aged 60 were eligible for consideration.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Given California’s large population size, Sedlar said, the state would face similar difficulties in creating a grant program that covers all interested homeowners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s a huge risk of wildfire throughout the state,” Sedlar said. “How do you allocate enough money to cover everyone? Obviously, there are areas that are less susceptible to fires — urban fires, wildfires — than others, but it’s still going to be extremely competitive.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since the wildfires broke, several conservative politicians, pundits and donors have spread misinformation and criticized state leaders, alleging that inept policymaking led to disaster. President-elect Donald Trump’s comments have caused some state officials to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021435/trumps-misinformation-la-fires-fuels-concerns-over-future-disaster-aid-california\">worry over how a Trump administration may affect future federal aid\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Republican Congressional leaders have touted the idea of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12022111/republican-leaders-push-conditions-disaster-relief-california-wildfire-victims\">placing conditions\u003c/a> on federal assistance for California wildfire victims. At a Monday press conference, House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed, without evidence, that state and local officials were complicit in the scope of the fires.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021951\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021951\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1328\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-800x531.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-1020x677.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/CAWildfireSchoolAP-1920x1275.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A firefighter studies the charred remains of St. Mark’s School, a preschool and K-6 grade school on Altadena Drive, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Altadena, California. \u003ccite>(Chris Pizzello/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Johnson and other conservatives have also suggested that federal assistance be made contingent upon California Democrats agreeing to raise the national debt ceiling, an issue that Trump has been vocal about in the past.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What do we need to do to reduce the risk and make the Pacific Palisades buildable again?” said Bill Jackson, who leads the San Francisco Republican Party. “Our national governments are not piggy banks for communities that do not have a realistic approach toward sustaining themselves and defending themselves in the event of a natural disaster.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>California leaders have introduced several proposals to address fire mitigation. On Monday, Newsom \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021941/newsom-expands-special-session-speed-up-los-angeles-wildfire-relief-funds\">expanded the special session\u003c/a> that began in December to include $1.5 billion for fire preparedness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The California Department of Insurance also introduced plans for a statewide home-hardening grant program that would fund projects such as installing fire-resistant roofs and defensible spaces.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Making homes and communities safer from wildfires needs to be a top priority for our state,” Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said during a press conference last week. “Looking forward, I will also work with the state Legislature and the Governor’s Administration to support my proposal to provide consumers with home hardening grants.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022146/california-fast-tracks-wildfire-recovery-eases-key-building-regulations-temporarily",
"authors": [
"11920"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_6266",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_3921",
"news_18538",
"news_19204",
"news_255",
"news_1323",
"news_20023",
"news_16",
"news_34178",
"news_1775",
"news_4",
"news_21238",
"news_33426",
"news_881",
"news_4463"
],
"featImg": "news_12021323",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12022674": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022674",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022674",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1737076546000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "san-francisco-director-of-public-health-dr-grant-colfax-resigns",
"title": "San Francisco Director of Public Health Dr. Grant Colfax Resigns",
"publishDate": 1737076546,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "San Francisco Director of Public Health Dr. Grant Colfax Resigns | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco’s Director of Public Health, is resigning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Colfax led the department for six years under former \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/london-breed\">Mayor London Breed\u003c/a>. During his tenure, the city faced multiple colliding health crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, a near-shuttered public hospital and an unprecedented overdose crisis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Throughout my tenure, we produced results, increased accountability and improved health equity while driving change,” Colfax said in a statement. “From Covid-19 to Mpox, the fentanyl crisis, to hiring a record number of nurses and passing two infrastructure bonds, we have built a stronger department.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>His departure marks the second major department head to leave since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/daniel-lurie\">Mayor Daniel Lurie\u003c/a> was elected. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12018056/san-francisco-public-transit-boss-jeffrey-tumlin-to-resign\">Jeffrey Tumlin\u003c/a>, who previously led San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency, announced he would not renew his contract after it expired in December.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Deputy Director Dr. Naveena Bobba will serve as acting director. Colfax’s last day is Feb. 7.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lurie has not announced who will replace Bobba or Tumlin’s interim replacement, Julie Kirschbaum, the agency’s director of transit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021881\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021881\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Lurie addresses a crowd of hundreds for the first time as city mayor on Inauguration Day at Civic Center in San Francisco on Jan. 8, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“As Director of Health, Dr. Colfax contributed to saving the lives of San Franciscans during one of our city’s most challenging times. His dedication and work to the health and wellbeing of our city’s communities is remarkable,” Lurie said in a statement. “His leadership has enabled our recovery, and I thank him for his service to our city.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Colfax, who started his medical career at San Francisco General Hospital, conducted HIV research for SFDPH earlier in his career and later served as an HIV/AIDS advisor for President Barack Obama.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Francisco saw overdose rates soar in 2020 before peaking in 2023, as the city struggled to get housing and treatment for people struggling with substance use disorder. Since then, the city has expanded opioid disorder treatment options like buprenorphine, a medication that curbs opioid cravings and withdrawal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12021879 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/250105-LurieInaugurationCleanup-51-1020x1275.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the last year, admissions to substance use residential treatment admissions have increased 35%, and both methadone starts and buprenorphine prescriptions are up 39% and 52%, respectively, in 2024 compared with 2023, according to the Department of Public Health.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>More issues arose when San Francisco had to nearly close its largest public hospital, Laguna Honda, after on-site overdoses triggered inspections that the facility failed to pass. City leaders, including those in Washington, D.C., like Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, rallied alongside Colfax to get the hospital, which has since been recertified, back on track.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Dr. Colfax is an extraordinary public health leader,” Pelosi said in a statement. “From our city’s COVID response, to saving Laguna Honda hospital, to expanding primary care and treatment for substance use disorders, Dr. Colfax has led with a data driven, community-centered focus that benefits all San Franciscans.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite those efforts, San Franciscans continued to see tragedy in their streets stemming from the overdose epidemic, though there were roughly \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12018663/san-francisco-overdose-deaths-up-in-november-but-still-below-peak-last-year\">20% fewer overdose deaths last year than in 2023\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In November, voters elected Lurie after he campaigned on a message to bring change and accountability to City Hall. Now in office, Lurie has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12020848/now-sf-mayor-lurie-unveils-emergency-plans-drug-homelessness-crises\">started releasing plans\u003c/a> for how the city can more quickly set up emergency shelters and behavioral health beds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So far, that’s involved asking the Board of Supervisors to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021879/sf-mayor-lurie-launches-1st-legislative-push-fentanyl-emergency-response\">remove certain bureaucratic requirements\u003c/a> to speed up city contracts and permitting, and to waive rules around accepting private donations for services directly responding to overdoses, drug dealing and homelessness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have accomplished much in the past six years, and there is no doubt that the dedicated, hard-working and compassionate staff at DPH will continue to deliver for San Francisco,” Colfax said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Dr. Grant Colfax is the second major department head to leave since Mayor Daniel Lurie was elected. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737079055,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 19,
"wordCount": 677
},
"headData": {
"title": "San Francisco Director of Public Health Dr. Grant Colfax Resigns | KQED",
"description": "Dr. Grant Colfax is the second major department head to leave since Mayor Daniel Lurie was elected. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "San Francisco Director of Public Health Dr. Grant Colfax Resigns",
"datePublished": "2025-01-16T17:15:46-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-16T17:57:35-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022674",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022674/san-francisco-director-of-public-health-dr-grant-colfax-resigns",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco’s Director of Public Health, is resigning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Colfax led the department for six years under former \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/london-breed\">Mayor London Breed\u003c/a>. During his tenure, the city faced multiple colliding health crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, a near-shuttered public hospital and an unprecedented overdose crisis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Throughout my tenure, we produced results, increased accountability and improved health equity while driving change,” Colfax said in a statement. “From Covid-19 to Mpox, the fentanyl crisis, to hiring a record number of nurses and passing two infrastructure bonds, we have built a stronger department.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>His departure marks the second major department head to leave since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/daniel-lurie\">Mayor Daniel Lurie\u003c/a> was elected. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12018056/san-francisco-public-transit-boss-jeffrey-tumlin-to-resign\">Jeffrey Tumlin\u003c/a>, who previously led San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency, announced he would not renew his contract after it expired in December.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Deputy Director Dr. Naveena Bobba will serve as acting director. Colfax’s last day is Feb. 7.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Lurie has not announced who will replace Bobba or Tumlin’s interim replacement, Julie Kirschbaum, the agency’s director of transit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021881\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021881\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240108-LurieInaugurationDay-34_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Daniel Lurie addresses a crowd of hundreds for the first time as city mayor on Inauguration Day at Civic Center in San Francisco on Jan. 8, 2025. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“As Director of Health, Dr. Colfax contributed to saving the lives of San Franciscans during one of our city’s most challenging times. His dedication and work to the health and wellbeing of our city’s communities is remarkable,” Lurie said in a statement. “His leadership has enabled our recovery, and I thank him for his service to our city.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Colfax, who started his medical career at San Francisco General Hospital, conducted HIV research for SFDPH earlier in his career and later served as an HIV/AIDS advisor for President Barack Obama.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Francisco saw overdose rates soar in 2020 before peaking in 2023, as the city struggled to get housing and treatment for people struggling with substance use disorder. Since then, the city has expanded opioid disorder treatment options like buprenorphine, a medication that curbs opioid cravings and withdrawal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12021879",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/250105-LurieInaugurationCleanup-51-1020x1275.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the last year, admissions to substance use residential treatment admissions have increased 35%, and both methadone starts and buprenorphine prescriptions are up 39% and 52%, respectively, in 2024 compared with 2023, according to the Department of Public Health.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>More issues arose when San Francisco had to nearly close its largest public hospital, Laguna Honda, after on-site overdoses triggered inspections that the facility failed to pass. City leaders, including those in Washington, D.C., like Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, rallied alongside Colfax to get the hospital, which has since been recertified, back on track.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Dr. Colfax is an extraordinary public health leader,” Pelosi said in a statement. “From our city’s COVID response, to saving Laguna Honda hospital, to expanding primary care and treatment for substance use disorders, Dr. Colfax has led with a data driven, community-centered focus that benefits all San Franciscans.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite those efforts, San Franciscans continued to see tragedy in their streets stemming from the overdose epidemic, though there were roughly \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12018663/san-francisco-overdose-deaths-up-in-november-but-still-below-peak-last-year\">20% fewer overdose deaths last year than in 2023\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In November, voters elected Lurie after he campaigned on a message to bring change and accountability to City Hall. Now in office, Lurie has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12020848/now-sf-mayor-lurie-unveils-emergency-plans-drug-homelessness-crises\">started releasing plans\u003c/a> for how the city can more quickly set up emergency shelters and behavioral health beds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So far, that’s involved asking the Board of Supervisors to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021879/sf-mayor-lurie-launches-1st-legislative-push-fentanyl-emergency-response\">remove certain bureaucratic requirements\u003c/a> to speed up city contracts and permitting, and to waive rules around accepting private donations for services directly responding to overdoses, drug dealing and homelessness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We have accomplished much in the past six years, and there is no doubt that the dedicated, hard-working and compassionate staff at DPH will continue to deliver for San Francisco,” Colfax said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022674/san-francisco-director-of-public-health-dr-grant-colfax-resigns",
"authors": [
"11840"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_8",
"news_13"
],
"tags": [
"news_34055",
"news_34377",
"news_18543",
"news_17968",
"news_19960",
"news_38",
"news_26203"
],
"featImg": "news_11900906",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12022406": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022406",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022406",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1737070104000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "bay-area-animal-shelters-band-together-relieve-overcrowding-la-after-fires",
"title": "Bay Area Animal Shelters Band Together to Relieve Overcrowding in LA After Fires",
"publishDate": 1737070104,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Bay Area Animal Shelters Band Together to Relieve Overcrowding in LA After Fires | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco on Thursday morning welcomed its two newest “fire girls,” as founder Sherri Franklin has dubbed the shelter’s latest additions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now wagging their tails in the main playroom, the six senior dogs Muttville has taken in from the Los Angeles area so far have been in rescue centers since before the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12022540/windy-flame-fanning-weather-eases-up-as-progress-made-on-la-area-fires\">Eaton and Palisades fires\u003c/a> broke out. Franklin said Bay Area organizations are bringing the animals north to make room in overwhelmed Southern California shelters.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Senior pit bulls Lola and Cherry wagged their tails as they walked through the gates to the “Home of New Beginnings,” Muttville’s intake center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Welcome to Lombark Street, curviest dog path in the world,” volunteer Craig Hermes said as he guided a timid and slow-moving Cherry up the winding path.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cherry and Lola — now bounding ahead — had just made the 400-mile trip up Interstate 5 on Wednesday afternoon from Downey Animal Care Center in Los Angeles to San Francisco’s Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022597\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022597\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cherry, a pit bull, arrives at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, after being brought from a shelter in Los Angeles. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Muttville volunteers plan to drive down to Ventura for four more senior dogs next week, hoping to relieve pressure on L.A.-area shelters for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12020808/as-la-fires-rage-harrowing-evacuations-play-out-on-traffic-choked-roads\">evacuated owners\u003c/a> looking to reunite in the coming days with pets they were separated from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The East Bay SPCA has also taken in 10 dogs, and San Francisco’s branch brought 20 dogs and 10 cats to the city on Wednesday, including Lola and Cherry. They have been working with three shelters in the L.A. area since the fires began.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Muttville’s in-house veterinary staff could also head down to L.A. in the coming days to help shelters treating \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021824/how-pasadena-humane-mobilized-take-in-pets-wildlife-escaping-eaton-fire\">burned and injured animals\u003c/a> there, and all of the locations are busy making room for more incoming pups since the fires’ impact will likely last weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022595\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022595\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sierra, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu Maltese mix, arrived at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco on Monday from Los Angeles. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s not all at the front,” Franklin told KQED. “Some of this will be a few months out, which will be very sad because some of the people will realize they can’t keep these animals.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shelters generally work hard to post potentially displaced animals on social media to help them find their families, and Los Angeles is in the process of setting up a website to reunite microchipped pets with their owners, according to Franklin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12021824 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-046-1020x680.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As weeks go by, though, there will likely be some who can’t be reconnected. Even before the blazes, many of the shelters in Southern California were already overflowing, according to Anne Moellering, the San Francisco SPCA’s chief of rescue and welfare. She said the best way people here can help is by taking in a rescue pet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re filling our shelter with the animals that are coming up here, as are some of the partner shelters that we’re working with to take more of the animals, so adoption is the number one [way people] can pull animals out of a shelter,” she told KQED. “Another great way to go is foster. That’s just a short-term hold of the animal, and that helps us to have more capacity for bringing in animals.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both the East Bay and San Francisco SPCAs are participating in free adoption events for puppies through Sunday to help clear their shelters. Both centers have adoption hours Wednesday through Sunday, and San Francisco’s is also open Tuesday afternoons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Come on down and talk to us and meet the animals,” Moellering said. “There’s no pressure, but we have an amazing team of adoption counselors here that can help you find exactly the right animal for you.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "By plane and by car, Bay Area animal rescues have taken in dozens of pets to make room in overwhelmed Southern California shelters. Now, they need people to adopt or foster.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737071769,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 17,
"wordCount": 705
},
"headData": {
"title": "Bay Area Animal Shelters Band Together to Relieve Overcrowding in LA After Fires | KQED",
"description": "By plane and by car, Bay Area animal rescues have taken in dozens of pets to make room in overwhelmed Southern California shelters. Now, they need people to adopt or foster.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Bay Area Animal Shelters Band Together to Relieve Overcrowding in LA After Fires",
"datePublished": "2025-01-16T15:28:24-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-16T15:56:09-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022406",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022406/bay-area-animal-shelters-band-together-relieve-overcrowding-la-after-fires",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco on Thursday morning welcomed its two newest “fire girls,” as founder Sherri Franklin has dubbed the shelter’s latest additions.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Now wagging their tails in the main playroom, the six senior dogs Muttville has taken in from the Los Angeles area so far have been in rescue centers since before the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12022540/windy-flame-fanning-weather-eases-up-as-progress-made-on-la-area-fires\">Eaton and Palisades fires\u003c/a> broke out. Franklin said Bay Area organizations are bringing the animals north to make room in overwhelmed Southern California shelters.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Senior pit bulls Lola and Cherry wagged their tails as they walked through the gates to the “Home of New Beginnings,” Muttville’s intake center.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Welcome to Lombark Street, curviest dog path in the world,” volunteer Craig Hermes said as he guided a timid and slow-moving Cherry up the winding path.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cherry and Lola — now bounding ahead — had just made the 400-mile trip up Interstate 5 on Wednesday afternoon from Downey Animal Care Center in Los Angeles to San Francisco’s Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022597\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022597\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-13_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cherry, a pit bull, arrives at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, after being brought from a shelter in Los Angeles. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Muttville volunteers plan to drive down to Ventura for four more senior dogs next week, hoping to relieve pressure on L.A.-area shelters for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12020808/as-la-fires-rage-harrowing-evacuations-play-out-on-traffic-choked-roads\">evacuated owners\u003c/a> looking to reunite in the coming days with pets they were separated from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The East Bay SPCA has also taken in 10 dogs, and San Francisco’s branch brought 20 dogs and 10 cats to the city on Wednesday, including Lola and Cherry. They have been working with three shelters in the L.A. area since the fires began.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Muttville’s in-house veterinary staff could also head down to L.A. in the coming days to help shelters treating \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021824/how-pasadena-humane-mobilized-take-in-pets-wildlife-escaping-eaton-fire\">burned and injured animals\u003c/a> there, and all of the locations are busy making room for more incoming pups since the fires’ impact will likely last weeks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022595\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022595\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250116_FireAnimalShelter-1_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sierra, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu Maltese mix, arrived at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue in San Francisco on Monday from Los Angeles. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s not all at the front,” Franklin told KQED. “Some of this will be a few months out, which will be very sad because some of the people will realize they can’t keep these animals.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Shelters generally work hard to post potentially displaced animals on social media to help them find their families, and Los Angeles is in the process of setting up a website to reunite microchipped pets with their owners, according to Franklin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12021824",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-046-1020x680.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As weeks go by, though, there will likely be some who can’t be reconnected. Even before the blazes, many of the shelters in Southern California were already overflowing, according to Anne Moellering, the San Francisco SPCA’s chief of rescue and welfare. She said the best way people here can help is by taking in a rescue pet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re filling our shelter with the animals that are coming up here, as are some of the partner shelters that we’re working with to take more of the animals, so adoption is the number one [way people] can pull animals out of a shelter,” she told KQED. “Another great way to go is foster. That’s just a short-term hold of the animal, and that helps us to have more capacity for bringing in animals.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both the East Bay and San Francisco SPCAs are participating in free adoption events for puppies through Sunday to help clear their shelters. Both centers have adoption hours Wednesday through Sunday, and San Francisco’s is also open Tuesday afternoons.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Come on down and talk to us and meet the animals,” Moellering said. “There’s no pressure, but we have an amazing team of adoption counselors here that can help you find exactly the right animal for you.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022406/bay-area-animal-shelters-band-together-relieve-overcrowding-la-after-fires",
"authors": [
"11913"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34165",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_34576",
"news_18132",
"news_1386",
"news_18538",
"news_19204",
"news_255",
"news_19201",
"news_4",
"news_21238",
"news_881",
"news_38",
"news_4463"
],
"featImg": "news_12022599",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12022517": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022517",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022517",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1737065111000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "fbi-raids-home-san-leandro-council-member-joined-vietnam-trip-sheng-thao",
"title": "Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Is Reportedly Indicted by Federal Grand Jury",
"publishDate": 1737065111,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Is Reportedly Indicted by Federal Grand Jury | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 3:43 p.m. Thursday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A former staffer of recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said Thursday that she testified before a federal grand jury about her ex-boss, who has reportedly been indicted following \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12018120/family-center-oakland-fbi-raid-backed-thao-secure-lucrative-contracts-da-says\">an FBI investigation\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>, citing an unnamed source familiar with the investigation, reported Thursday afternoon that Thao had been \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/oakland-sheng-thao-indicted-20038739.php\">indicted by the grand jury\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Renia Webb, who was Thao’s chief of staff when she was a member of the City Council and aided in her transition to the mayor’s office, told KQED she believed charges were forthcoming after she was subpoenaed to testify last month but added that she hadn’t been notified by the U.S. attorney’s office about what they might be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Today, I feel like Oakland is going to be able to move forward,” said Webb, who is running in this year’s special election to replace Thao. “We’re walking into a brighter future and I feel that way, like we’re taking a turn.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I knew it was coming, but it’s just — yeah, a blessing. A blessing for Oakland,” she continued.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11991627\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11991627\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">FBI agents raid the Maiden Lane home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on June 20, 2024. \u003ccite>(Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of California declined to comment on the report of an indictment, but it had announced earlier that it would reveal an unspecified “significant law enforcement action” on Friday morning in a press conference with representatives from the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation’s Oakland field office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao has been one of the central figures in an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12018120/family-center-oakland-fbi-raid-backed-thao-secure-lucrative-contracts-da-says\">ongoing federal corruption investigation\u003c/a> in Oakland, which has also ensnared the politically connected Duong family, who own the city’s curbside recycling contractor, California Waste Solutions. A spokesperson for Cal Waste said the company had not heard from the federal government about possible indictments.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The former mayor has said repeatedly that she is not the target of the investigation, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12009615/oakland-mayor-sheng-thao-makes-her-case-against-a-recall\">telling KQED’s Political Breakdown\u003c/a> in October, “I am innocent, I have done nothing wrong.” She did not reply to a request for comment by the time of publication Thursday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_11991242 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/OaklandMayorRaid01-1020x765.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Former Councilmember Loren Taylor, who is also running in this year’s special election and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11931400/sheng-thao-oaklands-next-mayor\">finished second to Thao\u003c/a> in 2022, called it “unfortunate that Oakland is in the news, the national news, again for political corruption, for things that are negative.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We also have to make sure that our elected officials are focused on the things that matter most to everyday Oaklanders’ lives and not distracted by things like political scandals or doing returning favors for others who have supported them,” Taylor told KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Businesses owned by the Duong family and a trip they sponsored for East Bay politicians to Vietnam in 2023 are believed to be connected to the probe, but the FBI and U.S. attorney’s office have so far offered no insight into possible charges.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The report of Thao’s indictment comes a day after the FBI raided the home of Bryan Azevedo, a San Leandro City Council member who traveled to Vietnam with the Duongs and Thao. Three locations associated with David Duong and his son Andy, including Cal Waste’s headquarters, were \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11993390/oaklands-federal-subpoena-deadline-is-here-whats-next-in-the-investigation\">raided by federal agents\u003c/a> in June, along with Thao’s home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Days after the June raids, a federal grand jury subpoenaed city records referencing Cal Waste, the 2022 mayoral election that Thao won, her long-term partner Andre Jones, and a few other people and businesses. In July, it issued a second subpoena asking for much of the same information, as well as some Oakland police records, including reports made against the Duongs since April 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to the federal investigation, the Duong family and Cal Waste have been the subject of a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11992073/oakland-fbi-raids-and-straw-donor-probe-spur-allegations-of-corruption\">straw donation probe\u003c/a> by the Oakland Public Ethics Commission and the California Fair Political Practices Commission since at least 2019.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state political watchdog agency has said there is probable cause to believe Andy Duong and Cal Waste used other peoples’ names to illegally donate to local campaigns between 2016 and 2018. A probable cause report from the FPPC and Oakland PEC filed in 2021 cites at least 93 donations, totaling over $76,000, to Thao, Oakland City Council members and other local politicians.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11991432\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11991432\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">U.S. postal inspectors check documents at a home tied to David Duong, one of the multiple properties searched by law enforcement that included residences to members of a politically connected family who run the city-contracted recycling company, California Waste Solutions, in Oakland on June 20, 2024. \u003ccite>(Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Andy Duong made at least one donation to Azevedo’s political campaign in his 2022 bid for San Leandro mayor, which he said in a letter to the \u003cem>San Leandro Times\u003c/em> in June was properly reported.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Days after the June raids, Azevedo distanced himself from the Oakland figures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There have been a lot of rumors recently tying me to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s alleged corruption scandal and I want to set the record straight,” he wrote in the weekly paper’s June 27 edition. “I don’t know anything about this alleged corruption nor do I believe that we should assume that corruption has happened until the facts come out.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Leandro spokesperson Paul Saftner told KQED that the city was not involved in Azevedo’s attendance on the Vietnam trip, which was co-sponsored by the Vietnamese American Business Association, led by David Duong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is the city’s understanding that it did not pay for Councilmember Bryan Azevedo’s travel expenses to attend the 2023 Vietnam trip,” Saftner said in an email. “The only expense incurred by the City was for City-branded giveaway merchandise, which cost approximately $350, which Council Member Azevedo could gift to whoever he wished during the trip.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Leandro Mayor Juan Gonzalez told KQED on Thursday that he did not know whether the FBI was investigating Azevedo specifically and did not believe it had requested any documents from the city at this time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We will be obviously interested in information that they reveal so that, based on what we hear, if there’s a need for us to take action, certainly we will take action,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At this time, there’s just a fair amount of uncertainty … we’re not prepared to speculate,” he continued.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Azevedo did not respond to KQED’s request for comment on Wednesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ahall\">\u003cem>Alex Hall\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> and \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/shossaini\">\u003cem>Sara Hossaini\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Thao, who was recalled in November, has been indicted after an FBI investigation. A former staffer said she testified in front of the grand jury. ",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737071166,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 29,
"wordCount": 1184
},
"headData": {
"title": "Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Is Reportedly Indicted by Federal Grand Jury | KQED",
"description": "The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Thao, who was recalled in November, has been indicted after an FBI investigation. A former staffer said she testified in front of the grand jury. ",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Ex-Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Is Reportedly Indicted by Federal Grand Jury",
"datePublished": "2025-01-16T14:05:11-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-16T15:46:06-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022517",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022517/fbi-raids-home-san-leandro-council-member-joined-vietnam-trip-sheng-thao",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Updated 3:43 p.m. Thursday\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A former staffer of recalled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said Thursday that she testified before a federal grand jury about her ex-boss, who has reportedly been indicted following \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12018120/family-center-oakland-fbi-raid-backed-thao-secure-lucrative-contracts-da-says\">an FBI investigation\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003cem>San Francisco Chronicle\u003c/em>, citing an unnamed source familiar with the investigation, reported Thursday afternoon that Thao had been \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/oakland-sheng-thao-indicted-20038739.php\">indicted by the grand jury\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Renia Webb, who was Thao’s chief of staff when she was a member of the City Council and aided in her transition to the mayor’s office, told KQED she believed charges were forthcoming after she was subpoenaed to testify last month but added that she hadn’t been notified by the U.S. attorney’s office about what they might be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Today, I feel like Oakland is going to be able to move forward,” said Webb, who is running in this year’s special election to replace Thao. “We’re walking into a brighter future and I feel that way, like we’re taking a turn.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I knew it was coming, but it’s just — yeah, a blessing. A blessing for Oakland,” she continued.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11991627\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11991627\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GettyImages-2157862759-KQED-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">FBI agents raid the Maiden Lane home of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on June 20, 2024. \u003ccite>(Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of California declined to comment on the report of an indictment, but it had announced earlier that it would reveal an unspecified “significant law enforcement action” on Friday morning in a press conference with representatives from the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and IRS Criminal Investigation’s Oakland field office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Thao has been one of the central figures in an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12018120/family-center-oakland-fbi-raid-backed-thao-secure-lucrative-contracts-da-says\">ongoing federal corruption investigation\u003c/a> in Oakland, which has also ensnared the politically connected Duong family, who own the city’s curbside recycling contractor, California Waste Solutions. A spokesperson for Cal Waste said the company had not heard from the federal government about possible indictments.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The former mayor has said repeatedly that she is not the target of the investigation, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12009615/oakland-mayor-sheng-thao-makes-her-case-against-a-recall\">telling KQED’s Political Breakdown\u003c/a> in October, “I am innocent, I have done nothing wrong.” She did not reply to a request for comment by the time of publication Thursday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_11991242",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/OaklandMayorRaid01-1020x765.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Former Councilmember Loren Taylor, who is also running in this year’s special election and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11931400/sheng-thao-oaklands-next-mayor\">finished second to Thao\u003c/a> in 2022, called it “unfortunate that Oakland is in the news, the national news, again for political corruption, for things that are negative.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We also have to make sure that our elected officials are focused on the things that matter most to everyday Oaklanders’ lives and not distracted by things like political scandals or doing returning favors for others who have supported them,” Taylor told KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Businesses owned by the Duong family and a trip they sponsored for East Bay politicians to Vietnam in 2023 are believed to be connected to the probe, but the FBI and U.S. attorney’s office have so far offered no insight into possible charges.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The report of Thao’s indictment comes a day after the FBI raided the home of Bryan Azevedo, a San Leandro City Council member who traveled to Vietnam with the Duongs and Thao. Three locations associated with David Duong and his son Andy, including Cal Waste’s headquarters, were \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11993390/oaklands-federal-subpoena-deadline-is-here-whats-next-in-the-investigation\">raided by federal agents\u003c/a> in June, along with Thao’s home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Days after the June raids, a federal grand jury subpoenaed city records referencing Cal Waste, the 2022 mayoral election that Thao won, her long-term partner Andre Jones, and a few other people and businesses. In July, it issued a second subpoena asking for much of the same information, as well as some Oakland police records, including reports made against the Duongs since April 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to the federal investigation, the Duong family and Cal Waste have been the subject of a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11992073/oakland-fbi-raids-and-straw-donor-probe-spur-allegations-of-corruption\">straw donation probe\u003c/a> by the Oakland Public Ethics Commission and the California Fair Political Practices Commission since at least 2019.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The state political watchdog agency has said there is probable cause to believe Andy Duong and Cal Waste used other peoples’ names to illegally donate to local campaigns between 2016 and 2018. A probable cause report from the FPPC and Oakland PEC filed in 2021 cites at least 93 donations, totaling over $76,000, to Thao, Oakland City Council members and other local politicians.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11991432\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11991432\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/GETTYIMAGES-2158502017-KQED-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">U.S. postal inspectors check documents at a home tied to David Duong, one of the multiple properties searched by law enforcement that included residences to members of a politically connected family who run the city-contracted recycling company, California Waste Solutions, in Oakland on June 20, 2024. \u003ccite>(Ray Chavez/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Andy Duong made at least one donation to Azevedo’s political campaign in his 2022 bid for San Leandro mayor, which he said in a letter to the \u003cem>San Leandro Times\u003c/em> in June was properly reported.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Days after the June raids, Azevedo distanced himself from the Oakland figures.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There have been a lot of rumors recently tying me to Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s alleged corruption scandal and I want to set the record straight,” he wrote in the weekly paper’s June 27 edition. “I don’t know anything about this alleged corruption nor do I believe that we should assume that corruption has happened until the facts come out.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Leandro spokesperson Paul Saftner told KQED that the city was not involved in Azevedo’s attendance on the Vietnam trip, which was co-sponsored by the Vietnamese American Business Association, led by David Duong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It is the city’s understanding that it did not pay for Councilmember Bryan Azevedo’s travel expenses to attend the 2023 Vietnam trip,” Saftner said in an email. “The only expense incurred by the City was for City-branded giveaway merchandise, which cost approximately $350, which Council Member Azevedo could gift to whoever he wished during the trip.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>San Leandro Mayor Juan Gonzalez told KQED on Thursday that he did not know whether the FBI was investigating Azevedo specifically and did not believe it had requested any documents from the city at this time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We will be obviously interested in information that they reveal so that, based on what we hear, if there’s a need for us to take action, certainly we will take action,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At this time, there’s just a fair amount of uncertainty … we’re not prepared to speculate,” he continued.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Azevedo did not respond to KQED’s request for comment on Wednesday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ahall\">\u003cem>Alex Hall\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> and \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/shossaini\">\u003cem>Sara Hossaini\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022517/fbi-raids-home-san-leandro-council-member-joined-vietnam-trip-sheng-thao",
"authors": [
"11913"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_8",
"news_13"
],
"tags": [
"news_1386",
"news_18538",
"news_19522",
"news_17626",
"news_18352",
"news_425",
"news_27626",
"news_34377",
"news_19903",
"news_34054",
"news_5690",
"news_17968",
"news_23276",
"news_31962"
],
"featImg": "news_12022629",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12022615": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022615",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022615",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1737064858000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "why-does-california-keep-putting-homes-where-fires-burn",
"title": "Why Does California Keep Putting Homes Where Fires Burn?",
"publishDate": 1737064858,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Why Does California Keep Putting Homes Where Fires Burn? | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"term": 18481,
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>In 1955, the Ventu Park wildfire tore through the canyons above Malibu, burning nearly 14,000 acres and eight homes. The same area saw two large fires burn hillsides and homes over the next three years. There were two in the 1970s, one in the ’80s and three in the ’90s. This century, those hills saw the Woolsey fire, one of the most destructive burns in California history. The Franklin fire, which scorched the hills just last month, has now been overshadowed by the firestorm that followed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With the Palisades Fire still ripping through that same fire corridor last weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to rebuild — and quickly. He signed an \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EO-N-4-25-Rebuilding-Final-signed.pdf\">executive order (PDF)\u003c/a> suspending environmental laws that might delay reconstruction and ordered the state’s housing agency to identify building codes that could stand in the way of recovery. His administration, he told NBC News, was in the midst of \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/gov-newsom-says-he-s-organizing-a-marshall-plan-to-reimagine-l-a-2-0-after-wildfires-229081157656\">putting together a “Marshall Plan”\u003c/a> for post-fire reconstruction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The impulse to restore all that the fires have stripped away may be a basic human one, and it’s certainly good politics for Newsom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But to many ecologists, economists and other experts on California wildfire risk, the vow to rebuild is part of a familiar California cycle as predictable as the Santa Anas: We keep putting homes in the path of the flames.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The biggest thing to note about these fires in LA is that none of this is surprising,” said Erica Fischer, an Oregon State University professor who studies wildfire impacts on buildings and public infrastructure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Between 1990 and 2020, \u003ca href=\"https://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/data/wui-change/\">nearly 45% of the homes built in California\u003c/a> has broken ground in what researchers and firefighters call the \u003ca href=\"https://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/maps-data/wildland-urban-interface/\">wildland-urban interface\u003c/a>: the hillsides, ravines and canyons where the furthest frontier of residential development meets and merges with the state’s forests, scrublands and grasses. That’s despite the fact that this area makes up less than 7% of all the land in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a particularly risky place to reside. Of all the structures destroyed by wildfire between 1985 and 2013, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/jrnl/2019/nrs_2019_kramer_001.pdf\">more than 80% (PDF)\u003c/a> were in that fire-prone zone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>No matter the other precautions a homeowner or local government might take, “you’re still taking a gamble when you place a new development out in an extraordinarily fire-prone environment,” said Alexandra Syphard, an ecologist at the Conservation Biology Institute who studies how land-use decisions affect wildfire risk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Simply by the law of numbers, the more people you have in an area like that, the higher your likelihood that one of those people will start a fire and the higher the likelihood that that fire is going to reach a house,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022617\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022617\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A fireplace remains standing from a home that was burned down by the Eaton Fire in the Altadena and Pasadena area on Jan. 8, 2025. \u003ccite>(Jules Hotz for CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Once the smoke clears, rebuilding in the same place, often in the same way, is the historic norm. A \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/jrnl/2021/nrs_2021_kramer_001.pdf\">study of 28 catastrophic blazes\u003c/a> across California between 1970 and 2009 found that nearly 60% of all the destroyed buildings were replaced within six years. The study also found “no consistent trend,” suggesting that the homes or communities were rebuilt in a way more likely to resist future fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some argue that California doesn’t have the luxury not to build (and rebuild) in fire country. Though the state has a chronic and worsening wildfire crisis, something that rears into public consciousness a few weeks out of every year, it also has a chronic housing crisis caused by a severe shortage of homes. For many Californians and lawmakers, that’s a 365-day concern.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You really hate to take areas off the table for building homes,” said Judson Boomhower, a UC San Diego environmental economist. “We know that we don’t build enough homes. At the same time, you want to make sure that you’re building those homes in a way that’s responsible and safe.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the urban fringes, the trade-off between housing and fire risk can be a profoundly difficult one to navigate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Miriam Greenberg, an urban sociologist at UC Santa Cruz who studies housing and population growth in California’s wildland-urban interface, said she’s watched the \u003ca href=\"https://santacruzlocal.org/2024/12/05/graham-hill-housing-proposal-challenges/\">debate play out in her own backyard\u003c/a>. “You see at the city council meetings, young people going to these meetings and saying, ‘you know what, I would rather that it weren’t so dangerous. But housing is housing.’ And we need housing,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Greenberg has argued that academics and policymakers need to see residential expansion into the state’s most fire-prone areas as yet another reflection of California’s affordability crisis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“People are looking to the (wildland-urban interface) as one of the only places that has capacity for housing,” she said. Though the wildland-urban interface includes toney enclaves of wealth like Pacific Palisades, it also features some of the more affordable real estate left in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the last few years a handful of state lawmakers have proposed sharp limits on whether and how homes can be built in high risk areas. None have become law.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Fire-hardened homes\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2020, then-state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB182\">introduced a bill\u003c/a> that would have required local governments to impose building code, brush management and road design standards on new homes and subdivisions built in areas deemed by \u003ca href=\"https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazard-severity-zones/fire-hazard-severity-zones-maps-2022\">CalFire to be at high risk\u003c/a>. The bill passed both the Assembly and Senate only to be vetoed by Newsom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Wildfire resilience must become a more consistent part of land use and development decisions,” the governor wrote at the time. “However, it must be done while meeting our housing needs.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Two years later, Sen. Henry Stern, a Democrat from Calabasas whose district includes Malibu, authored a bill that would have \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB55\">imposed severe restrictions\u003c/a> on construction in fire country in exchange for allowing higher, denser development in low-risk areas. Assemblymember Chris Ward, a San Diego Democrat, introduced a \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202320240ab68\">bill in 2023\u003c/a> with a similar trade-off: Fewer restrictions on dense urban development coupled with fresh limits on growth in the wildland-urban interface.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both bills died without a vote. Both faced stiff opposition from the state building industry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dan Dunmoyer, president of the California Building Industry Association, a trade group representing the state’s home builders, said blocking development in these areas is not only counterproductive from an affordability perspective, it’s unnecessary.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>New homes built to current California code “are completely different from the homes in Altadena that were built in the ‘20s and ‘30s,” he said. “We know that we can build master planned communities with hardened homes and hardened neighborhoods that don’t burn.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Buildings can in fact be fire-hardened, if not entirely fire-proofed. That’s often the reason that every California inferno has its share of \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/ChasenGreg/status/1877478755091767732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1877478755091767732%7Ctwgr%5Eb3bcffafc969834d3532b4f8c38c66cb5579b7ad%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fmjs538%2Fpalisades-house-survives-fire\">miracle houses\u003c/a>: the rare single structure seemingly untouched by flame and surrounded by the ashes and smoldering foundations of neighboring homes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since 2008, any new homes built in a high-risk zone are saddled with a wide array of state-set construction requirements that specify the shape and composition of a building’s roof to the siding material that can be used to the vent covers needed to keep wind-surfing embers from wafting into a house.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“No other state has as many wildfire requirements in place or direction on what communities have to include in their general plans,” said Molly Mowery, executive director of the Community Wildfire Planning Center, a nonprofit that works with jurisdiction across the West to plan for fires.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022618\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022618\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Smoke from the Eaton Fire fills the sky in La Cañada Flintridge on Jan. 8, 2025. Hills and canyons are critically dry. \u003ccite>(Jules Hotz for CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County is considering a new Community Wildfire Protection ordinance that would codify and enhance some of these same statewide requirements. It would apply in many of the areas that are currently burning or under evacuation order. But the rules would only apply to future development, not the homes already there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That underscores a statewide problem: “We have all these homes that were built in places with pretty high fire risk during a period in which we weren’t thinking as much about the risk and during which the risk may actually have been less than it is now because we know scientifically that the climate is making this worse,” said Boomhower from UC San Diego.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fire-hardening entire communities at once is prohibitively expensive for most localities, even if it’s the only way to effectively protect a neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The mitigation for wildfires is very similar to how we think about mitigation for infectious disease,” said Fischer from Oregon State University. “If one person gets vaccinated out of the whole town, it’s not really going to make much of a difference.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Lawsuits and insurance\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While lawmakers have been loath to out-and-out limit development in the most flammable corners of the state, the courts have occasionally stepped in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Environmental preservationists, anti-development activists and even the state’s attorney general have turned to the California Environmental Quality Act to block construction projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The act requires governments to study and publicly report the environmental consequences of a development before approving it. In October, a \u003ca href=\"https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2024/a165677.html\">California appellate court\u003c/a> held that wildfire risk is one of those consequences that may deserve special consideration.[aside label=\"Related Stories\" postID=\"news_12021019,news_12017886,news_12022439\"]Phillip Babich, a real estate attorney, said he expects to see community groups opposed to nature-adjacent developments demanding “more disclosure, more effort in dealing with wildfire risks” as a result of the ruling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom’s executive order has foreclosed that option in Los Angeles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That leaves a final check on whether homes are constructed in fire-prone areas: Insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For years, private insurers have been in a \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/housing/2023/05/state-farm-california-insurance/\">slow-motion withdrawal\u003c/a> from California, citing, in part, the state’s increasingly severe wildfire threat and state regulations that prevent them from charging premiums high enough to profitably cover it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A recent \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/01/la-fires-california-insurance/\">raft of state regulatory changes\u003c/a> is aimed at enticing insurers back. That may mean that homeowners who have been shuttered from the market will now have the \u003cem>option\u003c/em> to buy insurance — but at a price they can’t afford.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That, ultimately, is how insurance markets are supposed to work, said Victoria Xie, a Santa Clara University economist. When insurance companies refuse to cover an area or will only do so at sky-high rates, that’s a strobing, red light that the risk of residing in such a location is very real and very high.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Maybe households need financial incentives or some sort of help that allows them to make that move,” she said. Because the best long-term outcome is “obviously for us all to instead of frequently fighting these fires and having unaffordable rates to just stay out of these areas.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That would be a painful transition. But it isn’t likely to happen just yet: Last week, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/california-insurance-commissioner-moratorium-southern-california-homeowners/\">banned insurance companies\u003c/a> from canceling policies or dropping customers in any of the zip codes that have been burned by the Los Angeles fire for the next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Levi Sumagaysay contributed to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "The L.A. fires expose California’s difficult road to navigate between disaster risk and solving the state’s housing crisis.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737066309,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 43,
"wordCount": 1991
},
"headData": {
"title": "Why Does California Keep Putting Homes Where Fires Burn? | KQED",
"description": "The L.A. fires expose California’s difficult road to navigate between disaster risk and solving the state’s housing crisis.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Why Does California Keep Putting Homes Where Fires Burn?",
"datePublished": "2025-01-16T14:00:58-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-16T14:25:09-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/ben-christopher/\">Ben Christopher\u003c/a>, CalMatters",
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022615",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022615/why-does-california-keep-putting-homes-where-fires-burn",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>In 1955, the Ventu Park wildfire tore through the canyons above Malibu, burning nearly 14,000 acres and eight homes. The same area saw two large fires burn hillsides and homes over the next three years. There were two in the 1970s, one in the ’80s and three in the ’90s. This century, those hills saw the Woolsey fire, one of the most destructive burns in California history. The Franklin fire, which scorched the hills just last month, has now been overshadowed by the firestorm that followed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With the Palisades Fire still ripping through that same fire corridor last weekend, Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to rebuild — and quickly. He signed an \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/EO-N-4-25-Rebuilding-Final-signed.pdf\">executive order (PDF)\u003c/a> suspending environmental laws that might delay reconstruction and ordered the state’s housing agency to identify building codes that could stand in the way of recovery. His administration, he told NBC News, was in the midst of \u003ca href=\"https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/gov-newsom-says-he-s-organizing-a-marshall-plan-to-reimagine-l-a-2-0-after-wildfires-229081157656\">putting together a “Marshall Plan”\u003c/a> for post-fire reconstruction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The impulse to restore all that the fires have stripped away may be a basic human one, and it’s certainly good politics for Newsom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But to many ecologists, economists and other experts on California wildfire risk, the vow to rebuild is part of a familiar California cycle as predictable as the Santa Anas: We keep putting homes in the path of the flames.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The biggest thing to note about these fires in LA is that none of this is surprising,” said Erica Fischer, an Oregon State University professor who studies wildfire impacts on buildings and public infrastructure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Between 1990 and 2020, \u003ca href=\"https://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/data/wui-change/\">nearly 45% of the homes built in California\u003c/a> has broken ground in what researchers and firefighters call the \u003ca href=\"https://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/maps-data/wildland-urban-interface/\">wildland-urban interface\u003c/a>: the hillsides, ravines and canyons where the furthest frontier of residential development meets and merges with the state’s forests, scrublands and grasses. That’s despite the fact that this area makes up less than 7% of all the land in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a particularly risky place to reside. Of all the structures destroyed by wildfire between 1985 and 2013, \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/jrnl/2019/nrs_2019_kramer_001.pdf\">more than 80% (PDF)\u003c/a> were in that fire-prone zone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>No matter the other precautions a homeowner or local government might take, “you’re still taking a gamble when you place a new development out in an extraordinarily fire-prone environment,” said Alexandra Syphard, an ecologist at the Conservation Biology Institute who studies how land-use decisions affect wildfire risk.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Simply by the law of numbers, the more people you have in an area like that, the higher your likelihood that one of those people will start a fire and the higher the likelihood that that fire is going to reach a house,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022617\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022617\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_28-copy-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A fireplace remains standing from a home that was burned down by the Eaton Fire in the Altadena and Pasadena area on Jan. 8, 2025. \u003ccite>(Jules Hotz for CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Once the smoke clears, rebuilding in the same place, often in the same way, is the historic norm. A \u003ca href=\"https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/jrnl/2021/nrs_2021_kramer_001.pdf\">study of 28 catastrophic blazes\u003c/a> across California between 1970 and 2009 found that nearly 60% of all the destroyed buildings were replaced within six years. The study also found “no consistent trend,” suggesting that the homes or communities were rebuilt in a way more likely to resist future fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some argue that California doesn’t have the luxury not to build (and rebuild) in fire country. Though the state has a chronic and worsening wildfire crisis, something that rears into public consciousness a few weeks out of every year, it also has a chronic housing crisis caused by a severe shortage of homes. For many Californians and lawmakers, that’s a 365-day concern.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“You really hate to take areas off the table for building homes,” said Judson Boomhower, a UC San Diego environmental economist. “We know that we don’t build enough homes. At the same time, you want to make sure that you’re building those homes in a way that’s responsible and safe.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>At the urban fringes, the trade-off between housing and fire risk can be a profoundly difficult one to navigate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Miriam Greenberg, an urban sociologist at UC Santa Cruz who studies housing and population growth in California’s wildland-urban interface, said she’s watched the \u003ca href=\"https://santacruzlocal.org/2024/12/05/graham-hill-housing-proposal-challenges/\">debate play out in her own backyard\u003c/a>. “You see at the city council meetings, young people going to these meetings and saying, ‘you know what, I would rather that it weren’t so dangerous. But housing is housing.’ And we need housing,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Greenberg has argued that academics and policymakers need to see residential expansion into the state’s most fire-prone areas as yet another reflection of California’s affordability crisis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“People are looking to the (wildland-urban interface) as one of the only places that has capacity for housing,” she said. Though the wildland-urban interface includes toney enclaves of wealth like Pacific Palisades, it also features some of the more affordable real estate left in the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Over the last few years a handful of state lawmakers have proposed sharp limits on whether and how homes can be built in high risk areas. None have become law.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Fire-hardened homes\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2020, then-state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB182\">introduced a bill\u003c/a> that would have required local governments to impose building code, brush management and road design standards on new homes and subdivisions built in areas deemed by \u003ca href=\"https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazard-severity-zones/fire-hazard-severity-zones-maps-2022\">CalFire to be at high risk\u003c/a>. The bill passed both the Assembly and Senate only to be vetoed by Newsom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Wildfire resilience must become a more consistent part of land use and development decisions,” the governor wrote at the time. “However, it must be done while meeting our housing needs.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Two years later, Sen. Henry Stern, a Democrat from Calabasas whose district includes Malibu, authored a bill that would have \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB55\">imposed severe restrictions\u003c/a> on construction in fire country in exchange for allowing higher, denser development in low-risk areas. Assemblymember Chris Ward, a San Diego Democrat, introduced a \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202320240ab68\">bill in 2023\u003c/a> with a similar trade-off: Fewer restrictions on dense urban development coupled with fresh limits on growth in the wildland-urban interface.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Both bills died without a vote. Both faced stiff opposition from the state building industry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dan Dunmoyer, president of the California Building Industry Association, a trade group representing the state’s home builders, said blocking development in these areas is not only counterproductive from an affordability perspective, it’s unnecessary.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>New homes built to current California code “are completely different from the homes in Altadena that were built in the ‘20s and ‘30s,” he said. “We know that we can build master planned communities with hardened homes and hardened neighborhoods that don’t burn.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Buildings can in fact be fire-hardened, if not entirely fire-proofed. That’s often the reason that every California inferno has its share of \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/ChasenGreg/status/1877478755091767732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1877478755091767732%7Ctwgr%5Eb3bcffafc969834d3532b4f8c38c66cb5579b7ad%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Fmjs538%2Fpalisades-house-survives-fire\">miracle houses\u003c/a>: the rare single structure seemingly untouched by flame and surrounded by the ashes and smoldering foundations of neighboring homes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Since 2008, any new homes built in a high-risk zone are saddled with a wide array of state-set construction requirements that specify the shape and composition of a building’s roof to the siding material that can be used to the vent covers needed to keep wind-surfing embers from wafting into a house.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“No other state has as many wildfire requirements in place or direction on what communities have to include in their general plans,” said Molly Mowery, executive director of the Community Wildfire Planning Center, a nonprofit that works with jurisdiction across the West to plan for fires.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022618\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022618\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/010824_Eaton-Fire_JH_CM_18-copy-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Smoke from the Eaton Fire fills the sky in La Cañada Flintridge on Jan. 8, 2025. Hills and canyons are critically dry. \u003ccite>(Jules Hotz for CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The Board of Supervisors of Los Angeles County is considering a new Community Wildfire Protection ordinance that would codify and enhance some of these same statewide requirements. It would apply in many of the areas that are currently burning or under evacuation order. But the rules would only apply to future development, not the homes already there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That underscores a statewide problem: “We have all these homes that were built in places with pretty high fire risk during a period in which we weren’t thinking as much about the risk and during which the risk may actually have been less than it is now because we know scientifically that the climate is making this worse,” said Boomhower from UC San Diego.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fire-hardening entire communities at once is prohibitively expensive for most localities, even if it’s the only way to effectively protect a neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The mitigation for wildfires is very similar to how we think about mitigation for infectious disease,” said Fischer from Oregon State University. “If one person gets vaccinated out of the whole town, it’s not really going to make much of a difference.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Lawsuits and insurance\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While lawmakers have been loath to out-and-out limit development in the most flammable corners of the state, the courts have occasionally stepped in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Environmental preservationists, anti-development activists and even the state’s attorney general have turned to the California Environmental Quality Act to block construction projects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The act requires governments to study and publicly report the environmental consequences of a development before approving it. In October, a \u003ca href=\"https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2024/a165677.html\">California appellate court\u003c/a> held that wildfire risk is one of those consequences that may deserve special consideration.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "Related Stories ",
"postid": "news_12021019,news_12017886,news_12022439"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Phillip Babich, a real estate attorney, said he expects to see community groups opposed to nature-adjacent developments demanding “more disclosure, more effort in dealing with wildfire risks” as a result of the ruling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Newsom’s executive order has foreclosed that option in Los Angeles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That leaves a final check on whether homes are constructed in fire-prone areas: Insurance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For years, private insurers have been in a \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/housing/2023/05/state-farm-california-insurance/\">slow-motion withdrawal\u003c/a> from California, citing, in part, the state’s increasingly severe wildfire threat and state regulations that prevent them from charging premiums high enough to profitably cover it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A recent \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/01/la-fires-california-insurance/\">raft of state regulatory changes\u003c/a> is aimed at enticing insurers back. That may mean that homeowners who have been shuttered from the market will now have the \u003cem>option\u003c/em> to buy insurance — but at a price they can’t afford.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That, ultimately, is how insurance markets are supposed to work, said Victoria Xie, a Santa Clara University economist. When insurance companies refuse to cover an area or will only do so at sky-high rates, that’s a strobing, red light that the risk of residing in such a location is very real and very high.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Maybe households need financial incentives or some sort of help that allows them to make that move,” she said. Because the best long-term outcome is “obviously for us all to instead of frequently fighting these fires and having unaffordable rates to just stay out of these areas.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That would be a painful transition. But it isn’t likely to happen just yet: Last week, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/california-insurance-commissioner-moratorium-southern-california-homeowners/\">banned insurance companies\u003c/a> from canceling policies or dropping customers in any of the zip codes that have been burned by the Los Angeles fire for the next year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Levi Sumagaysay contributed to this story.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022615/why-does-california-keep-putting-homes-where-fires-burn",
"authors": [
"byline_news_12022615"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34165",
"news_19906",
"news_6266",
"news_8",
"news_13",
"news_356"
],
"tags": [
"news_25135",
"news_20472",
"news_34868",
"news_4463"
],
"affiliates": [
"news_18481"
],
"featImg": "news_12022616",
"label": "news_18481"
},
"news_12022591": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022591",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022591",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1737057628000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "nancy-pelosi-will-skip-trumps-inauguration-reversal-from-2017",
"title": "Nancy Pelosi Will Skip Trump’s Inauguration in a Reversal From 2017",
"publishDate": 1737057628,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Nancy Pelosi Will Skip Trump’s Inauguration in a Reversal From 2017 | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Former House Speaker \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/nancy-pelosi\">Nancy Pelosi\u003c/a> will not attend President-elect \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/donald-trump\">Donald Trump\u003c/a>’s inauguration in Washington on Monday, according to her office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It marks a reversal from 2017, when Pelosi (D–San Francisco) attended Trump’s first inauguration while dozens of fellow House Democrats sat out in protest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ian Krager, a spokesperson for Pelosi, confirmed to KQED on Thursday that she would not attend but did not give a reason why.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Pelosi, who became House speaker for the second time in 2019, clashed with Trump often during his first administration, overseeing two impeachment proceedings and labeling him a threat to democracy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The acrimony was dialed up after an attacker who was targeting Pelosi over her treatment of Trump \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12011527/pelosi-attacker-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-spouts-conspiracy-theories-in-court\">bludgeoned her husband\u003c/a>, Paul Pelosi, at their San Francisco home in 2022.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12022187 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2192553401-1020x680.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ll stand up to crazy Nancy Pelosi, who ruined San Francisco — how’s her husband doing, anybody know?” Trump said, mocking the attack in \u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/29/trump-mocks-pelosi-family-as-he-rallies-conservative-support-in-california-00119243\">a speech at the California Republican Party Convention\u003c/a> in 2023. “And she’s against building a wall at our border, even though she has a wall around her house — which obviously didn’t do a very good job.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Pelosi was infuriated by the reaction, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-pelosi-on-political-violence-advice-for-kamala-harris-running-against-trump/\">telling CBS News\u003c/a> last year that Trump “was an instigator of violence and then made light of it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the campaign trail last year, Trump ramped up his attacks against the former House speaker, calling her “an enemy from within.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "The San Francisco Democrat attended Trump’s first inauguration but clashed with him often in the years since, overseeing two impeachment proceedings and labeling him a threat to democracy.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1737062977,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 11,
"wordCount": 277
},
"headData": {
"title": "Nancy Pelosi Will Skip Trump’s Inauguration in a Reversal From 2017 | KQED",
"description": "The San Francisco Democrat attended Trump’s first inauguration but clashed with him often in the years since, overseeing two impeachment proceedings and labeling him a threat to democracy.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Nancy Pelosi Will Skip Trump’s Inauguration in a Reversal From 2017",
"datePublished": "2025-01-16T12:00:28-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-16T13:29:37-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022591",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022591/nancy-pelosi-will-skip-trumps-inauguration-reversal-from-2017",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Former House Speaker \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/nancy-pelosi\">Nancy Pelosi\u003c/a> will not attend President-elect \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/donald-trump\">Donald Trump\u003c/a>’s inauguration in Washington on Monday, according to her office.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It marks a reversal from 2017, when Pelosi (D–San Francisco) attended Trump’s first inauguration while dozens of fellow House Democrats sat out in protest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ian Krager, a spokesperson for Pelosi, confirmed to KQED on Thursday that she would not attend but did not give a reason why.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Pelosi, who became House speaker for the second time in 2019, clashed with Trump often during his first administration, overseeing two impeachment proceedings and labeling him a threat to democracy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The acrimony was dialed up after an attacker who was targeting Pelosi over her treatment of Trump \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12011527/pelosi-attacker-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-spouts-conspiracy-theories-in-court\">bludgeoned her husband\u003c/a>, Paul Pelosi, at their San Francisco home in 2022.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12022187",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2192553401-1020x680.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ll stand up to crazy Nancy Pelosi, who ruined San Francisco — how’s her husband doing, anybody know?” Trump said, mocking the attack in \u003ca href=\"https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/29/trump-mocks-pelosi-family-as-he-rallies-conservative-support-in-california-00119243\">a speech at the California Republican Party Convention\u003c/a> in 2023. “And she’s against building a wall at our border, even though she has a wall around her house — which obviously didn’t do a very good job.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Pelosi was infuriated by the reaction, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nancy-pelosi-on-political-violence-advice-for-kamala-harris-running-against-trump/\">telling CBS News\u003c/a> last year that Trump “was an instigator of violence and then made light of it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>On the campaign trail last year, Trump ramped up his attacks against the former House speaker, calling her “an enemy from within.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022591/nancy-pelosi-will-skip-trumps-inauguration-reversal-from-2017",
"authors": [
"11909"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_8",
"news_13"
],
"tags": [
"news_1323",
"news_32839",
"news_27626",
"news_34377",
"news_20222",
"news_177",
"news_17968",
"news_29111"
],
"featImg": "news_12022604",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12022475": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022475",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022475",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1737028838000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "literally-off-the-charts-las-critically-dry-conditions-stun-scientists-as-fires-rage",
"title": "‘Literally Off the Charts’: LA's Critically Dry Conditions Stun Scientists as Fires Rage",
"publishDate": 1737028838,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "‘Literally Off the Charts’: LA’s Critically Dry Conditions Stun Scientists as Fires Rage | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"term": 18481,
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>As much of Los Angeles smolders, wind warnings return and fire crews stand guard, scientists say almost unprecedented climatic conditions throughout Southern California led up to the disaster.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last summer was one of the hottest on record, and the extreme swings between wet and dry conditions over the past two years have been unusually severe. Two rainy winters — which promoted heavy growth of brush — have been followed by \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/water/2025/01/california-rain-drought-north-south/\">near-zero rainfall\u003c/a> for the past eight months and counting.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This pattern of weather whiplash, likely exacerbated by climate change, hasn’t been seen in Southern California since 1992–1993, and before that, 1907–1908. “We find only three instances where an anomalously dry start to the wet season follows back-to-back wet water years,” a team of UCLA researchers wrote in a \u003ca href=\"https://sustainablela.ucla.edu/2025lawildfires\">report\u003c/a>\u003cem> \u003c/em>released on Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Soil moisture levels across much of the region from Santa Barbara to San Diego hover between just 2% and 5% of average — leaving dust where there should be mud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, an important measure called “vapor pressure deficit” has exceeded norms. Calculated from a combination of temperature and relative humidity, it reflects the ability of air to draw moisture from the landscape.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The way to think about vapor pressure deficit is that it is the drying power of the air,” said John Battles, a UC Berkeley forest ecology professor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Readings from Jan. 8 show an extreme deficit across much of inland Southern California. Such conditions can draw much of the moisture from living plants, so fires become almost unstoppable once they start.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When it’s that dry, wind has ultimate power,” said UC Merced climatology professor John Abatzoglou.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Malibu Canyon, local gauges recorded 53 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of 36% on Jan. 4. Three days later, on the day that the Palisades and Eaton fires began, the air temperature was 64 degrees while the relative humidity had dropped to 13%, more than doubling the vapor pressure deficit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These levels are “literally off the charts,” Battles said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This combination of conditions crossed a dangerous threshold, priming the landscape throughout much of Southern California for high risk of wind-whipped fires. Across seven counties, drought has sapped the air, soil and vegetation of moisture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12022489\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40%E2%80%AFPM-scaled-e1736988241249.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1425\" height=\"1412\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40 PM-scaled-e1736988241249.jpg 1425w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40 PM-scaled-e1736988241249-800x793.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40 PM-scaled-e1736988241249-1020x1011.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40 PM-scaled-e1736988241249-160x159.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1425px) 100vw, 1425px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service issued a \u003ca href=\"https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy2.html\">warning\u003c/a> Tuesday of critical fire weather or red flag warnings from the Mexican border to San Luis Obispo County. The alert predicted gusts up to 50 mph, humidity of a lip-splitting 10%, and virtually no chance that rain would relieve the conditions anytime soon. This comes on the heels of the \u003ca href=\"https://sustainablela.ucla.edu/2025lawildfires#:~:text=In%20Figure%203%20(bottom%20panel)%2C%20we%20show%20that%20the%20summer%2Dfall%20(June%2DDecember)%20of%202024%2C%20with%20a%20mean%20temperature%20of%2067.1%C2%B0F%2C%20ranks%20as%20the%20third%20hottest%20since%20at%20least%201895%20in%20coastal%20Southern%20California.\">third hottest summer\u003c/a> in coastal Southern California since at least 1895.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The threat goes far beyond Los Angeles, affecting much of Southern California. Across Orange County “current live and dead fuel moistures remain at or below established critically low thresholds,” said Sean Doran, a public information officer with the Orange County Fire Authority. He called Tuesday’s fire danger level in Orange County “extreme.” The county has dried-out canyons, near residential areas, full of ultra-flammable chaparral and sage scrub.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022482\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1422px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022482\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1422\" height=\"987\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913.jpg 1422w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913-800x555.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913-1020x708.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913-160x111.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1422px) 100vw, 1422px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chaparral and sage scrub in Orange County’s Upper Newport Bay is bone-dry after months with no rain. Jan. 11, 2025. Fire officials called the danger ‘extreme’ in the county. \u003ccite>(Marla Cone/CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Officials and researchers routinely weigh samples of vegetation, dehydrate them and weigh them again. This allows them to calculate the “live fuel moisture” percentage, which tells them how flammable the landscape is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These measurements and related data are critical to firefighters, who monitor them regularly so they can gauge the risk of a fire erupting and determine which tools, vehicles and equipment are needed to fight the blazes, explained Scott McLean, a Cal Fire public information officer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last May, the \u003ca href=\"https://fire.lacounty.gov/fire-weather-danger/\">live fuel moisture\u003c/a> content of Santa Monica Mountains chamise — a prominent chaparral plant — was a wet and heavy 143%. That means that the weight of the water in the plants was almost 1.5 times the weight of its woody material. (A reading of 100% means equal parts water and plant mass.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>By November, live fuel moisture in the same region had dipped to just over 60%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even more recently, on Jan. 7, measurements from Santa Barbara vegetation showed levels of 61% — substantially below the 77% average for this time of year. That means their water weight was less than two-thirds of their plant material.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Once the live fuel moisture hits around 60%, that is the critical danger zone,” said UC Merced’s Abatzoglou, explaining that below this level, vegetation loses much of its resistance to fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To put it another way, he said, at and below about 60%, “the live fuels behave and burn more like dead fuels.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Abatzoglou cited \u003ca href=\"https://sbfiresafecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/dennison_moritz_ijwf_2009-1.pdf\">research\u003c/a> from 2009 suggesting that a critical threshold between vegetation that can and cannot support a large fire lies around 79% — which would put current conditions much deeper into the danger zone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dead vegetation, baked by the sun for months or years, is also perilously dry. “By January 7th of 2025, dead-fuel moisture was 6th lowest on record for that date,” the UCLA team wrote in Monday’s report.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 id=\"h-brush-clearing-wouldn-t-help-much-experts-say\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brush clearing wouldn’t help much, experts say\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While President-elect Donald Trump has claimed on social media that incompetent state leadership led to the wildfires and hindered efforts to tame the flames, experts say there is little that could have prevented the disaster.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The extremely dry conditions have been aggravated by winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour — what UCLA climate researcher Daniel Swain recently likened to using an atmospheric blow dryer on bone-dry terrain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alexandra Syphard, a senior research ecologist at the Conservation Biology Institute and an adjunct professor at San Diego State University, said the extreme conditions have rendered humans powerless, at least in the nearterm, to subdue wildfire threats.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I do not believe there is anything that wildland management could have done to qualitatively or substantially alter the outcome of these fires,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While thinning trees or conducting controlled burns can reduce fire dangers in some forests, the same approach does not work in the areas of Southern California dominated by chaparral, Syphard said. These areas are too vast to clear brush, encompassing thousands of square miles.[aside label=\"Related Stories\" postID=\"science_1994311,news_12020988,news_12021029,news_12021702\"]She said such clearing tends to increase fire danger in chaparral landscapes by killing off both mature plants and the natural seed bank in the soil, triggering a long-lasting conversion to grasslands, which she says create an “explosively flammable” duff layer each summer and fall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The best preventative strategies for reducing fire danger in a chaparral landscape, Syphard said, are to “create very strategically placed fuel breaks that enable safe firefighter access” as well as to “rethink where homes are constructed and how to make houses more resilient.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, though it’s not likely to provide any immediate relief of the dangers facing millions of Californians living in or near flammable landscapes, is another difficult but necessary solution, experts say. Global warming is conditioning the already arid Southwest to burn.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As much as 88% of the increasing average vapor pressure deficit in the western United States is linked to human-caused warming, according to a 2021 UCLA \u003ca href=\"https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2111875118\">paper\u003c/a>. Compared to the 1980s and 1990s, the number of days with an extreme vapor pressure deficit nearly doubled in the first two decades of this century, the researchers found.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And with rates of global emissions increasing in spite of international pledges to reduce them, this increasing aridity is only going to get worse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This change in risk requires urgent and effective societal adaptation and mitigation responses,” the UCLA scientists wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new UCLA report noted that linking weather anomalies to climate change “requires deep analysis.” But the authors were confident about one potential connection: “The clearest way in which climate change may have intensified the January 2025 wildfires is the anomalously warm summer and fall of 2024,” they wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With or without a climate change link, the extremes seen in Southern California over the past two years have been exceptional, including a hurricane-driven cloudburst in August 2023, an extraordinarily wet February last year that delivered an average of almost half an inch of rain daily, and a dry streak that is quickly catching up with 1962–1963 as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.laalmanac.com/weather/we08aa.php\">longest\u003c/a> in the region’s history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Battles, at UC Berkeley, said the likely role of climate change in the weather extremes that are clobbering California makes direct human intervention almost negligible, and better planning key to safety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“These are global conditions playing out … There’s very little California can do to reshape these weather patterns,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With the climate making things drier, we need to think about how we transition into a new state, and how we deal with wildfire and development and public safety. These are not hard science questions, but they’re super hard policy questions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "A mixture of low moisture averages and extreme swings from wet to dry is creating a combination of climatic conditions that has crossed into a danger zone, priming much of Southern California for wind-whipped fires.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1736993150,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 40,
"wordCount": 1571
},
"headData": {
"title": "‘Literally Off the Charts’: LA's Critically Dry Conditions Stun Scientists as Fires Rage | KQED",
"description": "A mixture of low moisture averages and extreme swings from wet to dry is creating a combination of climatic conditions that has crossed into a danger zone, priming much of Southern California for wind-whipped fires.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "‘Literally Off the Charts’: LA's Critically Dry Conditions Stun Scientists as Fires Rage",
"datePublished": "2025-01-16T04:00:38-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-15T18:05:50-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/alastair-bland/\">Alastair Bland\u003c/a>, CalMatters",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022475/literally-off-the-charts-las-critically-dry-conditions-stun-scientists-as-fires-rage",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>As much of Los Angeles smolders, wind warnings return and fire crews stand guard, scientists say almost unprecedented climatic conditions throughout Southern California led up to the disaster.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last summer was one of the hottest on record, and the extreme swings between wet and dry conditions over the past two years have been unusually severe. Two rainy winters — which promoted heavy growth of brush — have been followed by \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/water/2025/01/california-rain-drought-north-south/\">near-zero rainfall\u003c/a> for the past eight months and counting.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This pattern of weather whiplash, likely exacerbated by climate change, hasn’t been seen in Southern California since 1992–1993, and before that, 1907–1908. “We find only three instances where an anomalously dry start to the wet season follows back-to-back wet water years,” a team of UCLA researchers wrote in a \u003ca href=\"https://sustainablela.ucla.edu/2025lawildfires\">report\u003c/a>\u003cem> \u003c/em>released on Monday.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Soil moisture levels across much of the region from Santa Barbara to San Diego hover between just 2% and 5% of average — leaving dust where there should be mud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, an important measure called “vapor pressure deficit” has exceeded norms. Calculated from a combination of temperature and relative humidity, it reflects the ability of air to draw moisture from the landscape.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The way to think about vapor pressure deficit is that it is the drying power of the air,” said John Battles, a UC Berkeley forest ecology professor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Readings from Jan. 8 show an extreme deficit across much of inland Southern California. Such conditions can draw much of the moisture from living plants, so fires become almost unstoppable once they start.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“When it’s that dry, wind has ultimate power,” said UC Merced climatology professor John Abatzoglou.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In Malibu Canyon, local gauges recorded 53 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of 36% on Jan. 4. Three days later, on the day that the Palisades and Eaton fires began, the air temperature was 64 degrees while the relative humidity had dropped to 13%, more than doubling the vapor pressure deficit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These levels are “literally off the charts,” Battles said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This combination of conditions crossed a dangerous threshold, priming the landscape throughout much of Southern California for high risk of wind-whipped fires. Across seven counties, drought has sapped the air, soil and vegetation of moisture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-12022489\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40%E2%80%AFPM-scaled-e1736988241249.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1425\" height=\"1412\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40 PM-scaled-e1736988241249.jpg 1425w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40 PM-scaled-e1736988241249-800x793.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40 PM-scaled-e1736988241249-1020x1011.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/Image-1-15-25-at-4.40 PM-scaled-e1736988241249-160x159.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1425px) 100vw, 1425px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The National Weather Service issued a \u003ca href=\"https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/fwdy2.html\">warning\u003c/a> Tuesday of critical fire weather or red flag warnings from the Mexican border to San Luis Obispo County. The alert predicted gusts up to 50 mph, humidity of a lip-splitting 10%, and virtually no chance that rain would relieve the conditions anytime soon. This comes on the heels of the \u003ca href=\"https://sustainablela.ucla.edu/2025lawildfires#:~:text=In%20Figure%203%20(bottom%20panel)%2C%20we%20show%20that%20the%20summer%2Dfall%20(June%2DDecember)%20of%202024%2C%20with%20a%20mean%20temperature%20of%2067.1%C2%B0F%2C%20ranks%20as%20the%20third%20hottest%20since%20at%20least%201895%20in%20coastal%20Southern%20California.\">third hottest summer\u003c/a> in coastal Southern California since at least 1895.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The threat goes far beyond Los Angeles, affecting much of Southern California. Across Orange County “current live and dead fuel moistures remain at or below established critically low thresholds,” said Sean Doran, a public information officer with the Orange County Fire Authority. He called Tuesday’s fire danger level in Orange County “extreme.” The county has dried-out canyons, near residential areas, full of ultra-flammable chaparral and sage scrub.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022482\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1422px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022482\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1422\" height=\"987\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913.jpg 1422w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913-800x555.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913-1020x708.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011125-OC-Chaparral-MC-CM-01-copy-e1736987479913-160x111.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1422px) 100vw, 1422px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Chaparral and sage scrub in Orange County’s Upper Newport Bay is bone-dry after months with no rain. Jan. 11, 2025. Fire officials called the danger ‘extreme’ in the county. \u003ccite>(Marla Cone/CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Officials and researchers routinely weigh samples of vegetation, dehydrate them and weigh them again. This allows them to calculate the “live fuel moisture” percentage, which tells them how flammable the landscape is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These measurements and related data are critical to firefighters, who monitor them regularly so they can gauge the risk of a fire erupting and determine which tools, vehicles and equipment are needed to fight the blazes, explained Scott McLean, a Cal Fire public information officer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last May, the \u003ca href=\"https://fire.lacounty.gov/fire-weather-danger/\">live fuel moisture\u003c/a> content of Santa Monica Mountains chamise — a prominent chaparral plant — was a wet and heavy 143%. That means that the weight of the water in the plants was almost 1.5 times the weight of its woody material. (A reading of 100% means equal parts water and plant mass.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>By November, live fuel moisture in the same region had dipped to just over 60%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even more recently, on Jan. 7, measurements from Santa Barbara vegetation showed levels of 61% — substantially below the 77% average for this time of year. That means their water weight was less than two-thirds of their plant material.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Once the live fuel moisture hits around 60%, that is the critical danger zone,” said UC Merced’s Abatzoglou, explaining that below this level, vegetation loses much of its resistance to fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>To put it another way, he said, at and below about 60%, “the live fuels behave and burn more like dead fuels.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Abatzoglou cited \u003ca href=\"https://sbfiresafecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/dennison_moritz_ijwf_2009-1.pdf\">research\u003c/a> from 2009 suggesting that a critical threshold between vegetation that can and cannot support a large fire lies around 79% — which would put current conditions much deeper into the danger zone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dead vegetation, baked by the sun for months or years, is also perilously dry. “By January 7th of 2025, dead-fuel moisture was 6th lowest on record for that date,” the UCLA team wrote in Monday’s report.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2 id=\"h-brush-clearing-wouldn-t-help-much-experts-say\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brush clearing wouldn’t help much, experts say\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While President-elect Donald Trump has claimed on social media that incompetent state leadership led to the wildfires and hindered efforts to tame the flames, experts say there is little that could have prevented the disaster.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The extremely dry conditions have been aggravated by winds gusting up to 100 miles per hour — what UCLA climate researcher Daniel Swain recently likened to using an atmospheric blow dryer on bone-dry terrain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Alexandra Syphard, a senior research ecologist at the Conservation Biology Institute and an adjunct professor at San Diego State University, said the extreme conditions have rendered humans powerless, at least in the nearterm, to subdue wildfire threats.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I do not believe there is anything that wildland management could have done to qualitatively or substantially alter the outcome of these fires,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While thinning trees or conducting controlled burns can reduce fire dangers in some forests, the same approach does not work in the areas of Southern California dominated by chaparral, Syphard said. These areas are too vast to clear brush, encompassing thousands of square miles.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "Related Stories ",
"postid": "science_1994311,news_12020988,news_12021029,news_12021702"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>She said such clearing tends to increase fire danger in chaparral landscapes by killing off both mature plants and the natural seed bank in the soil, triggering a long-lasting conversion to grasslands, which she says create an “explosively flammable” duff layer each summer and fall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The best preventative strategies for reducing fire danger in a chaparral landscape, Syphard said, are to “create very strategically placed fuel breaks that enable safe firefighter access” as well as to “rethink where homes are constructed and how to make houses more resilient.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, though it’s not likely to provide any immediate relief of the dangers facing millions of Californians living in or near flammable landscapes, is another difficult but necessary solution, experts say. Global warming is conditioning the already arid Southwest to burn.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As much as 88% of the increasing average vapor pressure deficit in the western United States is linked to human-caused warming, according to a 2021 UCLA \u003ca href=\"https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2111875118\">paper\u003c/a>. Compared to the 1980s and 1990s, the number of days with an extreme vapor pressure deficit nearly doubled in the first two decades of this century, the researchers found.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And with rates of global emissions increasing in spite of international pledges to reduce them, this increasing aridity is only going to get worse.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This change in risk requires urgent and effective societal adaptation and mitigation responses,” the UCLA scientists wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The new UCLA report noted that linking weather anomalies to climate change “requires deep analysis.” But the authors were confident about one potential connection: “The clearest way in which climate change may have intensified the January 2025 wildfires is the anomalously warm summer and fall of 2024,” they wrote.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With or without a climate change link, the extremes seen in Southern California over the past two years have been exceptional, including a hurricane-driven cloudburst in August 2023, an extraordinarily wet February last year that delivered an average of almost half an inch of rain daily, and a dry streak that is quickly catching up with 1962–1963 as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.laalmanac.com/weather/we08aa.php\">longest\u003c/a> in the region’s history.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Battles, at UC Berkeley, said the likely role of climate change in the weather extremes that are clobbering California makes direct human intervention almost negligible, and better planning key to safety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“These are global conditions playing out … There’s very little California can do to reshape these weather patterns,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With the climate making things drier, we need to think about how we transition into a new state, and how we deal with wildfire and development and public safety. These are not hard science questions, but they’re super hard policy questions.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022475/literally-off-the-charts-las-critically-dry-conditions-stun-scientists-as-fires-rage",
"authors": [
"byline_news_12022475"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34165",
"news_19906",
"news_8",
"news_356"
],
"tags": [
"news_25135",
"news_19204",
"news_20023",
"news_27626",
"news_4463"
],
"affiliates": [
"news_18481"
],
"featImg": "news_12022480",
"label": "news_18481"
},
"news_12022402": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022402",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022402",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1736985332000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "incarcerated-crews-fight-fires-for-dollars-a-day-once-free-jobs-hard-to-get",
"title": "Incarcerated Crews Fight Fires for Dollars a Day. Once Free, Jobs Are Hard to Get",
"publishDate": 1736985332,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Incarcerated Crews Fight Fires for Dollars a Day. Once Free, Jobs Are Hard to Get | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Among the army of firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/los-angeles\">Los Angeles\u003c/a> area are over 1,000 incarcerated individuals hacking out fire lines with hand tools in rugged terrain for just dollars a day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite the experience they gain, those who want to be hired as firefighters after their release will face an uphill battle. Now, lawmakers are considering legislation to make it easier for them to have their records cleared, smoothing their path to firefighting work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Eddie Herrera Jr. served 18 years in state and county correctional facilities. After demonstrating good behavior, he was allowed to work as a firefighter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One day, he was called to the burning home of a correctional officer from the prison where he was housed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We saved it,” Herrera said. “And I just remember them coming and shaking our hands afterwards. And I was like, ‘Whoa, this is surreal.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021502\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1648px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021502\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1648\" height=\"1098\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016.jpg 1648w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1648px) 100vw, 1648px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A member of Acton Conservation Camp Crew 11-1, an incarcerated fire team, works to fell burned trees in Altadena, California, on Jan. 10, 2025, after the Eaton Fire destroyed much of the area. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Herrera, who worked on a county crew, said his top pay was $56 a month. Wildland firefighters make between \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/facility-locator/conservation-camps/faq-conservation-fire-camp-program/#:~:text=Are%20camp%20participants%20paid%20for,FIRE%2C%20regardless%20of%20skill%20level.\">$5.80 and $10.24 per day\u003c/a> from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, plus $1 an hour from Cal Fire while working active emergencies like the current Los Angeles fires.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of them say the experience alone is worth it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I didn’t even do it for the money,” said Herrera. “Because at the end of the day, giving back to the community, knowing you’re providing a service … you can’t put a price on that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, those who wish to continue the work after their release often find that their criminal record poses a major obstacle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Royal Ramey, who co-founded the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program to help people through the process, said it’s especially difficult to get municipal firefighting jobs like the one Herrera trained in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those jobs require EMT certification. That’s a particular hurdle because \u003ca href=\"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/22-CCR-100214.3\">California law\u003c/a> prohibits people with felony convictions from getting certified, effectively blocking many formerly incarcerated firefighters from jobs at county or city fire stations — jobs that tend to provide good benefits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021503\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021503\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Members of Acton Conservation Camp Crew 11-1, an incarcerated fire team, work to fell burned trees in Altadena, California, on Jan. 10, 2025, after the Eaton Fire destroyed much of the area. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>To try to ease some of those barriers, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/09/11/governor-newsom-signs-bill-eliminating-barriers-that-block-former-inmate-fire-crews-from-becoming-career-firefighters-after-serving-their-sentences/\">AB 2147\u003c/a> in 2020. It allows nonviolent offenders who fought fires with prison crews to petition to get their records expunged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it’s not a sure thing, said Ramey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They are eligible for expungement, but it’s up to the judge’s discretion. So it all depends on the situation, the crime, how long they’ve been out, have they been rehabilitated, what have they been doing since they’ve been home.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Esteban Núñez, a member of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, has been communicating with state Sen. Eloise Reyes (D–San Bernardino) and Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office about follow-up legislation to AB 2147 to simplify and expedite the record-clearing process.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The idea is to have CDCR automatically provide the attorney general’s office with a record showing that a person has completed the fire camp program and then notify the person of their eligibility for having their record expunged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It would make it so that the responsibility doesn’t solely fall on the individual to have to file and either seek out a public defender or an attorney to help them file,” Núñez said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12021720 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2192478140-1020x680.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A judge would still have the final say in whether to grant the expungement petition.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Núñez expects the new bill to be introduced within the next month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Helping more formerly incarcerated firefighters enter the workforce could be a boon for California, whose need for firefighters is only expected to grow as wildfires become bigger and more common with the effects of human-caused climate change. The Nature Conservancy estimates that the state will face a \u003ca href=\"https://www.scienceforconservation.org/assets/downloads/Building_CAs_Forest_Resilience_Workforce.pdf\">labor shortage\u003c/a> of close to 10,000 forestry workers by 2028.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom granted \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/2020/07/10/cdcr-announces-additional-actions-to-reduce-population-and-maximize-space-systemwide-to-address-covid-19/\">early release\u003c/a> to some incarcerated firefighters, and he has \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-inmate-fire-crew-civilian-recruitment-20160914-snap-story.html\">scaled back\u003c/a> the CDCR fire crew program while building up the civilian California Conservation Corps for young adults.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scott McLean, a spokesperson for Cal Fire, said he’s noticed the reduction in the state’s use of incarcerated fire crews.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are fewer crews,” he said. “But we fill that void with our seasonal firefighter hand crews as well as [having] the CCC on board.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For those who are released, the new legislation being considered by state officials would make it easier for them to help fill that shortage — and continue their rehabilitation in the process, Núñez said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s no better way to demonstrate restorative justice,” he said, “than to have folks who have previously harmed their communities really go out to preserve and protect other communities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "California lawmakers are considering legislation to make it easier for nonviolent offenders to have their records expunged after working with prison fire crews.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1736987218,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 28,
"wordCount": 920
},
"headData": {
"title": "Incarcerated Crews Fight Fires for Dollars a Day. Once Free, Jobs Are Hard to Get | KQED",
"description": "California lawmakers are considering legislation to make it easier for nonviolent offenders to have their records expunged after working with prison fire crews.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Incarcerated Crews Fight Fires for Dollars a Day. Once Free, Jobs Are Hard to Get",
"datePublished": "2025-01-15T15:55:32-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-15T16:26:58-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"audioUrl": "https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/0af137ef-751e-4b19-a055-aaef00d2d578/ffca7e9f-6831-41c5-bcaf-aaef00f5a073/583b5a5a-8a3c-4909-a0c2-b26601113d90/audio.mp3",
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022402",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022402/incarcerated-crews-fight-fires-for-dollars-a-day-once-free-jobs-hard-to-get",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Among the army of firefighters trying to contain the blazes in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/los-angeles\">Los Angeles\u003c/a> area are over 1,000 incarcerated individuals hacking out fire lines with hand tools in rugged terrain for just dollars a day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Despite the experience they gain, those who want to be hired as firefighters after their release will face an uphill battle. Now, lawmakers are considering legislation to make it easier for them to have their records cleared, smoothing their path to firefighting work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Eddie Herrera Jr. served 18 years in state and county correctional facilities. After demonstrating good behavior, he was allowed to work as a firefighter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One day, he was called to the burning home of a correctional officer from the prison where he was housed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We saved it,” Herrera said. “And I just remember them coming and shaking our hands afterwards. And I was like, ‘Whoa, this is surreal.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021502\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1648px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021502\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1648\" height=\"1098\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016.jpg 1648w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-016-1536x1023.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1648px) 100vw, 1648px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A member of Acton Conservation Camp Crew 11-1, an incarcerated fire team, works to fell burned trees in Altadena, California, on Jan. 10, 2025, after the Eaton Fire destroyed much of the area. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Herrera, who worked on a county crew, said his top pay was $56 a month. Wildland firefighters make between \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/facility-locator/conservation-camps/faq-conservation-fire-camp-program/#:~:text=Are%20camp%20participants%20paid%20for,FIRE%2C%20regardless%20of%20skill%20level.\">$5.80 and $10.24 per day\u003c/a> from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, plus $1 an hour from Cal Fire while working active emergencies like the current Los Angeles fires.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many of them say the experience alone is worth it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I didn’t even do it for the money,” said Herrera. “Because at the end of the day, giving back to the community, knowing you’re providing a service … you can’t put a price on that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, those who wish to continue the work after their release often find that their criminal record poses a major obstacle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Royal Ramey, who co-founded the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program to help people through the process, said it’s especially difficult to get municipal firefighting jobs like the one Herrera trained in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Those jobs require EMT certification. That’s a particular hurdle because \u003ca href=\"https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/22-CCR-100214.3\">California law\u003c/a> prohibits people with felony convictions from getting certified, effectively blocking many formerly incarcerated firefighters from jobs at county or city fire stations — jobs that tend to provide good benefits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12021503\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12021503\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/240110-CAWindStorm-020-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Members of Acton Conservation Camp Crew 11-1, an incarcerated fire team, work to fell burned trees in Altadena, California, on Jan. 10, 2025, after the Eaton Fire destroyed much of the area. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>To try to ease some of those barriers, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/09/11/governor-newsom-signs-bill-eliminating-barriers-that-block-former-inmate-fire-crews-from-becoming-career-firefighters-after-serving-their-sentences/\">AB 2147\u003c/a> in 2020. It allows nonviolent offenders who fought fires with prison crews to petition to get their records expunged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it’s not a sure thing, said Ramey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“They are eligible for expungement, but it’s up to the judge’s discretion. So it all depends on the situation, the crime, how long they’ve been out, have they been rehabilitated, what have they been doing since they’ve been home.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Esteban Núñez, a member of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, has been communicating with state Sen. Eloise Reyes (D–San Bernardino) and Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office about follow-up legislation to AB 2147 to simplify and expedite the record-clearing process.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The idea is to have CDCR automatically provide the attorney general’s office with a record showing that a person has completed the fire camp program and then notify the person of their eligibility for having their record expunged.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It would make it so that the responsibility doesn’t solely fall on the individual to have to file and either seek out a public defender or an attorney to help them file,” Núñez said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12021720",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/GettyImages-2192478140-1020x680.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A judge would still have the final say in whether to grant the expungement petition.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Núñez expects the new bill to be introduced within the next month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Helping more formerly incarcerated firefighters enter the workforce could be a boon for California, whose need for firefighters is only expected to grow as wildfires become bigger and more common with the effects of human-caused climate change. The Nature Conservancy estimates that the state will face a \u003ca href=\"https://www.scienceforconservation.org/assets/downloads/Building_CAs_Forest_Resilience_Workforce.pdf\">labor shortage\u003c/a> of close to 10,000 forestry workers by 2028.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom granted \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/news/2020/07/10/cdcr-announces-additional-actions-to-reduce-population-and-maximize-space-systemwide-to-address-covid-19/\">early release\u003c/a> to some incarcerated firefighters, and he has \u003ca href=\"https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-inmate-fire-crew-civilian-recruitment-20160914-snap-story.html\">scaled back\u003c/a> the CDCR fire crew program while building up the civilian California Conservation Corps for young adults.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Scott McLean, a spokesperson for Cal Fire, said he’s noticed the reduction in the state’s use of incarcerated fire crews.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There are fewer crews,” he said. “But we fill that void with our seasonal firefighter hand crews as well as [having] the CCC on board.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For those who are released, the new legislation being considered by state officials would make it easier for them to help fill that shortage — and continue their rehabilitation in the process, Núñez said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“There’s no better way to demonstrate restorative justice,” he said, “than to have folks who have previously harmed their communities really go out to preserve and protect other communities.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022402/incarcerated-crews-fight-fires-for-dollars-a-day-once-free-jobs-hard-to-get",
"authors": [
"11842"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34551",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_18538",
"news_19204",
"news_255",
"news_27626",
"news_28199",
"news_34300",
"news_21241",
"news_19904",
"news_4",
"news_21238",
"news_881",
"news_4463"
],
"featImg": "news_12021500",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12022439": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022439",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022439",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1736983400000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "the-crisis-is-here-la-fires-could-exacerbate-californias-homelessness-problem",
"title": "'The Crisis Is Here': LA Fires Could Exacerbate California's Homelessness Problem",
"publishDate": 1736983400,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "‘The Crisis Is Here’: LA Fires Could Exacerbate California’s Homelessness Problem | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"term": 18481,
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>Jennielynn Holmes stood in the middle of a makeshift evacuation center when the scope of the crisis hit her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Surrounded by thousands of people who had just fled the Tubbs Fire, which burned through Santa Rosa in 2017, Holmes realized many of these people would soon be added to the area’s already extensive caseload of unhoused clients.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is the group of people (that) is one crisis away from entering homelessness,” thought Holmes, who helps lead the area’s homelessness response as CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. “And the crisis is here.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/01/la-fires-size-mapped/\">multiple wildfires\u003c/a> continue to incinerate homes and displace tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County, experts worry about the long-term effects the fires will have on the state’s already dire homelessness crisis. In other parts of California burned by past wildfires, communities are still dealing with the fallout years later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>People who had too little or no insurance on their homes, or who rented, sometimes end up on the street when their home burns and they can’t find another place to live.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it’s not just people whose homes burn down that feel the pain. Renters in undamaged buildings get evicted because their landlord raises rents to take advantage of refugees’ desperation — or because the landlord lost another home in the fire and needs to move into their rental unit.[aside label=\"Related Stories\" postID=\"news_12021019,news_12022375,news_12022057\"]And when a community loses thousands of homes at once when they already have a housing shortage, prices go up across the board, displacing even more people. To make the situation worse, each fire threatens to raise already sky-high home \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/01/la-fires-california-insurance/\">insurance rates\u003c/a>, making rebuilding or buying a new home even more prohibitively expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As climate change leads to hotter and drier seasons in California, these \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-wildfire-season-worsening-explained/\">wildfires\u003c/a> have become more unpredictable and extreme. Each new, devastating fire sets the state back in its fight against homelessness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s really putting a strain on all of California at this point,” said Matt Plotkin, who helped lead recovery efforts for the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County as head of what is now the Camp Fire Collaborative, before landing in his current role as director of equity and advocacy for United Way of Northern California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The fires in Los Angeles County have burned more than 40,000 acres, killed at least 24 people and damaged or destroyed an estimated 12,000 homes and other structures — a loss sure to further exacerbate the housing shortage in a county that already has more than \u003ca href=\"https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=8170-los-angeles-county-hc2024-data-summary\">75,000 homeless residents\u003c/a>. While much of the attention around the current fires has been on destruction in the wealthy enclave of \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/us/palisades-wildfires.html\">Pacific Palisades\u003c/a>, experts say the rich won’t be the only ones affected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An analysis of three past California wildfires sheds some light on what might happen once the smoke clears in Los Angeles County.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Camp Fire\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After the 2018 \u003ca href=\"https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2018/11/8/camp-fire/\">Camp Fire\u003c/a> destroyed much of the rural town of Paradise in Butte County, thousands of evacuees poured into Chico, about 15 miles away. Now, more than six years later, the Sacramento Valley city still feels the effects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are still dealing with people being now, unfortunately, chronically houseless due to the Camp Fire,” Plotkin said. “The impact, I would not use the word ‘impacted’ because that is past tense. I would say it is still current, present. So I still say ‘impact.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Paradise lost about 15,000 homes in the fire. So far, only about 2,900 single-family homes and 550 multi-family units have been rebuilt, according to Mayor Steve Crowder. The loss had a large ripple effect. After the fire, vacancy rates in Butte County dropped to 1% or less, according to the county’s 2023 homeless point-in-time count \u003ca href=\"https://www.buttehomelesscoc.com/uploads/1/1/7/5/117500423/2023_pit_executive_summary.pdf\">report (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022442\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022442\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A worker walks among the debris at Evergreen Mobile Home Park in Paradise on Oct. 1, 2019. Nearly eleven months after the Camp Fire, California Recycle and other agencies are still working to remove wildfire debris from the area. \u003ccite>(Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The fire also made life more difficult for people who were already homeless in Paradise. Before the fire, the town had a few homeless shelters operated by local churches. Those are all gone now, Crowder said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Immediately after the fire, Paradise passed an ordinance allowing survivors to live in trailers or RVs on their burned-out properties while they rebuild. It was supposed to be a temporary measure, but, in many cases, rebuilding took years as people waited for slow-moving insurance, federal funds and money from a settlement with PG&E to reach them. About 100 trailers remain — and some have no sewage hookup, creating unsanitary conditions, Crowder said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The town soon will have to figure out how to remove those trailers and try to find permanent housing for their occupants, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>CZU Lightning Complex\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex, made up of multiple fires sparked by lightning strikes, destroyed nearly 700 homes in Santa Cruz County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Four years later, only about a third of those residences were being rebuilt, according to a 2024 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury \u003ca href=\"https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2024_final/2024-6_CZU_Report.pdf\">report (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For several years, people displaced either directly or indirectly by the fires showed up at homeless service provider Housing Matters asking for help, said the nonprofit’s Chief Initiatives Officer Tom Stagg. While no one collected comprehensive data on how many people became homeless specifically because of the fire, the anecdotal evidence was everywhere, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I remember definitely seeing an increase in RVs that people were staying in in town for up to two years after the fire,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CZU fires tore through rural communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains, including the San Lorenzo Valley, which used to be an affordable refuge for people priced out of other areas, Stagg said. Losing homes there has made the region’s affordable housing crisis even worse, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022443\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022443\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Burned cars in the rubble of a home during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, near Boulder Creek, on Aug. 23, 2020. \u003ccite>(Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In addition, people burned out of the Santa Cruz Mountains — or trying to escape the threat of fire there — moved into the city of Santa Cruz, stressing the city’s housing market and bringing down the vacancy rate, said Robert Ratner, director of Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s common for people to migrate after a fire, traveling to places where they have friends and family or where they believe they can find affordable housing. That fact makes every California wildfire a regional — even statewide — event. Even before the CZU fires, Stagg’s team saw people end up homeless in Santa Cruz after being displaced from Paradise by the Camp Fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s difficult to track exactly how many people are made homeless by a fire, but as fires increasingly ravage California, some communities are interested in trying.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Cruz County did not conduct a homeless census in the year after the CZU fires. Later counts asked participants about the primary reason they became homeless, listing natural disaster as an option. Few people ever chose that answer, but Ratner thinks that may be because there are so many combined factors that lead to homelessness. For example, someone might be displaced by a fire, but it’s ultimately their economic insecurity that prevents them from finding a new place to live.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wording the question differently might produce better data, Ratner said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It feels like something we need to start asking about so we can get better information,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some rural counties in the far north of the state, where wildfires are frequent, already ask. In 2023, nearly a quarter of Siskiyou County’s 507 homeless residents said they were homeless as a result of fire, according to the county’s most recent \u003ca href=\"https://files.cityofredding.gov/Document%20Center/Departments/Housing/NorCal%20COC/PIT/Reports/2023%20NorCal%20CoC%20PIT%20Report.pdf\">point-in-time count (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Tubbs Fire\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After the 2017 \u003ca href=\"https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2017/10/8/tubbs-fire-central-lnu-complex/\">Tubbs Fire\u003c/a> burned through Napa and Sonoma counties in the Bay Area’s wine country, local service providers saw a spike in homelessness about a year and a half later, Holmes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Immediately after the fire, money and other aid from FEMA, the local and state government, and philanthropic organizations poured in. Many people were able to live doubled or tripled-up with friends or family for a period of time. But when the money ran out, and those cramped living situations became unsustainable, people found themselves out on the street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a situation that could repeat in Los Angeles County, Holmes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s incredibly challenging because you’re dealing with a huge new homeless population,” she said. “People who lost their homes are now technically homeless. So with already a crazy amount of people experiencing homelessness, particularly in Southern California, and now you add on potentially tens of thousands more.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022444\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022444\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1046\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">In this Oct. 13, 2017, file photo, a row of chimneys stand in a neighborhood devastated by the Tubbs Fire near Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. In an order dated July 12, 2021, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mary Strobel ruled that California Insurance Commissioner Richard Lara has the power to order the state’s ‘Insurer of last resort’ to offer more options for homeowners who can’t buy traditional coverage because they live in areas threatened by wildfires. \u003ccite>(Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>After the Tubbs Fires, the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (the organization Holmes runs) created a disaster case management team with up to 20 case managers and wrote a disaster case management playbook. The organization thought it would be a temporary program. But the fires continued, and it’s now become a permanent fixture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For several years following the fire, Sonoma County included fire-related questions in its annual \u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Microsites/Permit%20Sonoma/Documents/Archive/Misc/2018_HomelessCensusReport.pdf\">homeless point-in-time count (PDF)\u003c/a>. The year after the disaster, more than a third of homeless survey respondents said their previous housing or sleeping location had been affected by the fire in some way — including 12% who said it had been burned or otherwise destroyed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The county also surveyed people who were housed to determine how many people might be at risk of becoming homeless. The survey found about 7% of Sonoma County households had someone living with them temporarily in the year after the fire. Using that data, the researchers estimated that 21,482 people were living temporarily doubled-up. Of those, nearly 40% said they were living that way because they lost their housing as a direct result of the fire. An additional 11% said they lost their housing because their landlord moved in or the rent increased because of the fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city of Santa Rosa has \u003ca href=\"https://santarosa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/07e39ea4077c42a883430a9f60103bc2\">permitted\u003c/a> 3,220 new residential units since the 2017 fire, according to city data. That includes more than 370 affordable units, said Megan Basinger, the city’s director of housing and community services.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve seen more restricted units come online since the fire than I think we’ve ever seen,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As Los Angeles County starts to think about rebuilding, no one is watching with more empathy than those who have been through it before, Holmes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We just feel so much for what’s going on down there because we know what it feels like,” she said, “to watch a community you love just be taken away so quickly.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "As wildfires continue to incinerate homes and displace tens of thousands of people in L.A. County, experts worry about the long-term effects the fires will have on the state’s already dire homelessness crisis.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1736985328,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 41,
"wordCount": 1996
},
"headData": {
"title": "'The Crisis Is Here': LA Fires Could Exacerbate California's Homelessness Problem | KQED",
"description": "As wildfires continue to incinerate homes and displace tens of thousands of people in L.A. County, experts worry about the long-term effects the fires will have on the state’s already dire homelessness crisis.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "'The Crisis Is Here': LA Fires Could Exacerbate California's Homelessness Problem",
"datePublished": "2025-01-15T15:23:20-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-15T15:55:28-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprByline": "\u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/author/marisa-kendall/\">Marisa Kendall\u003c/a>, CalMatters",
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022439",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"showOnAuthorArchivePages": "No",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022439/the-crisis-is-here-la-fires-could-exacerbate-californias-homelessness-problem",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Jennielynn Holmes stood in the middle of a makeshift evacuation center when the scope of the crisis hit her.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Surrounded by thousands of people who had just fled the Tubbs Fire, which burned through Santa Rosa in 2017, Holmes realized many of these people would soon be added to the area’s already extensive caseload of unhoused clients.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is the group of people (that) is one crisis away from entering homelessness,” thought Holmes, who helps lead the area’s homelessness response as CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. “And the crisis is here.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/01/la-fires-size-mapped/\">multiple wildfires\u003c/a> continue to incinerate homes and displace tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County, experts worry about the long-term effects the fires will have on the state’s already dire homelessness crisis. In other parts of California burned by past wildfires, communities are still dealing with the fallout years later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>People who had too little or no insurance on their homes, or who rented, sometimes end up on the street when their home burns and they can’t find another place to live.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it’s not just people whose homes burn down that feel the pain. Renters in undamaged buildings get evicted because their landlord raises rents to take advantage of refugees’ desperation — or because the landlord lost another home in the fire and needs to move into their rental unit.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "Related Stories ",
"postid": "news_12021019,news_12022375,news_12022057"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>And when a community loses thousands of homes at once when they already have a housing shortage, prices go up across the board, displacing even more people. To make the situation worse, each fire threatens to raise already sky-high home \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/01/la-fires-california-insurance/\">insurance rates\u003c/a>, making rebuilding or buying a new home even more prohibitively expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As climate change leads to hotter and drier seasons in California, these \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-wildfire-season-worsening-explained/\">wildfires\u003c/a> have become more unpredictable and extreme. Each new, devastating fire sets the state back in its fight against homelessness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s really putting a strain on all of California at this point,” said Matt Plotkin, who helped lead recovery efforts for the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County as head of what is now the Camp Fire Collaborative, before landing in his current role as director of equity and advocacy for United Way of Northern California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The fires in Los Angeles County have burned more than 40,000 acres, killed at least 24 people and damaged or destroyed an estimated 12,000 homes and other structures — a loss sure to further exacerbate the housing shortage in a county that already has more than \u003ca href=\"https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=8170-los-angeles-county-hc2024-data-summary\">75,000 homeless residents\u003c/a>. While much of the attention around the current fires has been on destruction in the wealthy enclave of \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/us/palisades-wildfires.html\">Pacific Palisades\u003c/a>, experts say the rich won’t be the only ones affected.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>An analysis of three past California wildfires sheds some light on what might happen once the smoke clears in Los Angeles County.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Camp Fire\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After the 2018 \u003ca href=\"https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2018/11/8/camp-fire/\">Camp Fire\u003c/a> destroyed much of the rural town of Paradise in Butte County, thousands of evacuees poured into Chico, about 15 miles away. Now, more than six years later, the Sacramento Valley city still feels the effects.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We are still dealing with people being now, unfortunately, chronically houseless due to the Camp Fire,” Plotkin said. “The impact, I would not use the word ‘impacted’ because that is past tense. I would say it is still current, present. So I still say ‘impact.’”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Paradise lost about 15,000 homes in the fire. So far, only about 2,900 single-family homes and 550 multi-family units have been rebuilt, according to Mayor Steve Crowder. The loss had a large ripple effect. After the fire, vacancy rates in Butte County dropped to 1% or less, according to the county’s 2023 homeless point-in-time count \u003ca href=\"https://www.buttehomelesscoc.com/uploads/1/1/7/5/117500423/2023_pit_executive_summary.pdf\">report (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022442\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022442\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/100119_Paradise_AW_CM_019-copy-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A worker walks among the debris at Evergreen Mobile Home Park in Paradise on Oct. 1, 2019. Nearly eleven months after the Camp Fire, California Recycle and other agencies are still working to remove wildfire debris from the area. \u003ccite>(Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>The fire also made life more difficult for people who were already homeless in Paradise. Before the fire, the town had a few homeless shelters operated by local churches. Those are all gone now, Crowder said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Immediately after the fire, Paradise passed an ordinance allowing survivors to live in trailers or RVs on their burned-out properties while they rebuild. It was supposed to be a temporary measure, but, in many cases, rebuilding took years as people waited for slow-moving insurance, federal funds and money from a settlement with PG&E to reach them. About 100 trailers remain — and some have no sewage hookup, creating unsanitary conditions, Crowder said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The town soon will have to figure out how to remove those trailers and try to find permanent housing for their occupants, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>CZU Lightning Complex\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The 2020 CZU Lightning Complex, made up of multiple fires sparked by lightning strikes, destroyed nearly 700 homes in Santa Cruz County.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Four years later, only about a third of those residences were being rebuilt, according to a 2024 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury \u003ca href=\"https://www.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/0/County/GrandJury/GJ2024_final/2024-6_CZU_Report.pdf\">report (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For several years, people displaced either directly or indirectly by the fires showed up at homeless service provider Housing Matters asking for help, said the nonprofit’s Chief Initiatives Officer Tom Stagg. While no one collected comprehensive data on how many people became homeless specifically because of the fire, the anecdotal evidence was everywhere, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I remember definitely seeing an increase in RVs that people were staying in in town for up to two years after the fire,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The CZU fires tore through rural communities in the Santa Cruz Mountains, including the San Lorenzo Valley, which used to be an affordable refuge for people priced out of other areas, Stagg said. Losing homes there has made the region’s affordable housing crisis even worse, he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022443\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022443\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1045\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/SJM_BoulderCreekCZU_082320_01-copy-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Burned cars in the rubble of a home during the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, near Boulder Creek, on Aug. 23, 2020. \u003ccite>(Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In addition, people burned out of the Santa Cruz Mountains — or trying to escape the threat of fire there — moved into the city of Santa Cruz, stressing the city’s housing market and bringing down the vacancy rate, said Robert Ratner, director of Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s common for people to migrate after a fire, traveling to places where they have friends and family or where they believe they can find affordable housing. That fact makes every California wildfire a regional — even statewide — event. Even before the CZU fires, Stagg’s team saw people end up homeless in Santa Cruz after being displaced from Paradise by the Camp Fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s difficult to track exactly how many people are made homeless by a fire, but as fires increasingly ravage California, some communities are interested in trying.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa Cruz County did not conduct a homeless census in the year after the CZU fires. Later counts asked participants about the primary reason they became homeless, listing natural disaster as an option. Few people ever chose that answer, but Ratner thinks that may be because there are so many combined factors that lead to homelessness. For example, someone might be displaced by a fire, but it’s ultimately their economic insecurity that prevents them from finding a new place to live.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Wording the question differently might produce better data, Ratner said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It feels like something we need to start asking about so we can get better information,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some rural counties in the far north of the state, where wildfires are frequent, already ask. In 2023, nearly a quarter of Siskiyou County’s 507 homeless residents said they were homeless as a result of fire, according to the county’s most recent \u003ca href=\"https://files.cityofredding.gov/Document%20Center/Departments/Housing/NorCal%20COC/PIT/Reports/2023%20NorCal%20CoC%20PIT%20Report.pdf\">point-in-time count (PDF)\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Tubbs Fire\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>After the 2017 \u003ca href=\"https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2017/10/8/tubbs-fire-central-lnu-complex/\">Tubbs Fire\u003c/a> burned through Napa and Sonoma counties in the Bay Area’s wine country, local service providers saw a spike in homelessness about a year and a half later, Holmes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Immediately after the fire, money and other aid from FEMA, the local and state government, and philanthropic organizations poured in. Many people were able to live doubled or tripled-up with friends or family for a period of time. But when the money ran out, and those cramped living situations became unsustainable, people found themselves out on the street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a situation that could repeat in Los Angeles County, Holmes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s incredibly challenging because you’re dealing with a huge new homeless population,” she said. “People who lost their homes are now technically homeless. So with already a crazy amount of people experiencing homelessness, particularly in Southern California, and now you add on potentially tens of thousands more.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022444\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1568px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022444\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1568\" height=\"1046\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy.jpg 1568w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/011425-Tubbs-Fire-JH-AP-01-copy-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1568px) 100vw, 1568px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">In this Oct. 13, 2017, file photo, a row of chimneys stand in a neighborhood devastated by the Tubbs Fire near Santa Rosa, Sonoma County. In an order dated July 12, 2021, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mary Strobel ruled that California Insurance Commissioner Richard Lara has the power to order the state’s ‘Insurer of last resort’ to offer more options for homeowners who can’t buy traditional coverage because they live in areas threatened by wildfires. \u003ccite>(Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>After the Tubbs Fires, the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa (the organization Holmes runs) created a disaster case management team with up to 20 case managers and wrote a disaster case management playbook. The organization thought it would be a temporary program. But the fires continued, and it’s now become a permanent fixture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For several years following the fire, Sonoma County included fire-related questions in its annual \u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Microsites/Permit%20Sonoma/Documents/Archive/Misc/2018_HomelessCensusReport.pdf\">homeless point-in-time count (PDF)\u003c/a>. The year after the disaster, more than a third of homeless survey respondents said their previous housing or sleeping location had been affected by the fire in some way — including 12% who said it had been burned or otherwise destroyed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The county also surveyed people who were housed to determine how many people might be at risk of becoming homeless. The survey found about 7% of Sonoma County households had someone living with them temporarily in the year after the fire. Using that data, the researchers estimated that 21,482 people were living temporarily doubled-up. Of those, nearly 40% said they were living that way because they lost their housing as a direct result of the fire. An additional 11% said they lost their housing because their landlord moved in or the rent increased because of the fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The city of Santa Rosa has \u003ca href=\"https://santarosa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/07e39ea4077c42a883430a9f60103bc2\">permitted\u003c/a> 3,220 new residential units since the 2017 fire, according to city data. That includes more than 370 affordable units, said Megan Basinger, the city’s director of housing and community services.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’ve seen more restricted units come online since the fire than I think we’ve ever seen,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As Los Angeles County starts to think about rebuilding, no one is watching with more empathy than those who have been through it before, Holmes said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We just feel so much for what’s going on down there because we know what it feels like,” she said, “to watch a community you love just be taken away so quickly.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022439/the-crisis-is-here-la-fires-could-exacerbate-californias-homelessness-problem",
"authors": [
"byline_news_12022439"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34165",
"news_6266",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_4020",
"news_1775",
"news_4",
"news_21238",
"news_4463"
],
"affiliates": [
"news_18481"
],
"featImg": "news_12022441",
"label": "news_18481"
},
"news_12022404": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022404",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022404",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1736981111000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "gofundme-apply-fema-disaster-aid-los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-fire",
"title": "GoFundMe or FEMA? How LA Fire Survivors Can Plan Their Benefits Carefully",
"publishDate": 1736981111,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "GoFundMe or FEMA? How LA Fire Survivors Can Plan Their Benefits Carefully | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12022028/about-as-bad-as-it-gets-fire-danger-heightens-as-strong-winds-bear-down-on-la\">A week into the devastating wildfires i\u003c/a>n and around Los Angeles County that have \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jan/14/la-california-fires-los-angeles-live-wildfire-map-warning-evacuation-latest-news\">claimed at least 25 lives\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fire.ca.gov/\">destroyed over 12,300 homes, buildings and landmarks\u003c/a>, thousands of residents are still displaced by mandatory evacuation orders — and many have lost their homes and businesses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Amid the destruction and upheaval caused by the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires, as well as other blazes, huge numbers of people have begun to fundraise for themselves or for others, using online crowdfunding platforms. These include GoFundMe, which has \u003ca href=\"https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/wildfire-relief/california\">a list of verified fundraisers\u003c/a> using its site for those impacted by the fires. (If you’re looking for other ways to help people affected by the L.A. fires, take a look at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021150/where-to-donate-help-los-angeles-wildfire-eaton-fire-palisades-pasadena\">our ongoing list of organizations and groups asking for support\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there’s one thing that anyone thinking of online fundraising in this way should know before they start: \u003cstrong>If someone intends to \u003cem>also \u003c/em>seek\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250109/fema-assistance-available-individuals-affected-wildfires-california\"> financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)\u003c/a>, the agency says it \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/node/if-i-receive-donations-gofundme-page-or-something-similar-fema-will-not-help-me\">“cannot duplicate benefits you receive from another source”\u003c/a> — including platforms like GoFundMe.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about applying for FEMA aid if you’re fundraising online through a platform like GoFundMe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#gofundme-fema-wording\">The GoFundMe language to watch for when it comes to FEMA aid\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#apply-for-fema-aid\">Why having a GoFundMe doesn’t mean you should hold off applying to FEMA\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>What does FEMA say about platforms like GoFundMe?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>FEMA assistance — which is\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/myths-vs-facts\"> not dependent on household income\u003c/a> — can help disaster survivors with a wide range of needs,\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/housing\"> from rental assistance to childcare to accessibility requirements\u003c/a>. Read our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11835318/fema-disaster-assistance-in-california-how-fire-survivors-can-apply\">2020 guide on how fire survivors can apply for FEMA aid\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/node/if-i-receive-donations-gofundme-page-or-something-similar-fema-will-not-help-me\">FEMA’s rules\u003c/a>, if a person’s GoFundMe details that they’ll be using any money raised for “a specific disaster-related expense” — which the agency defines as including home repairs, funeral expenses or other emergency needs — they cannot receive funds from FEMA for the same \u003cem>specific \u003c/em>purpose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How does this practically work? In \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/FEMARegion9/status/1879285609149370567\">a video posted to social media platform X\u003c/a> on Tuesday, FEMA public affairs officer Brandi Richard Thompson says that aid from the agency “may be able to help you replace a vehicle that was damaged during the disaster” — but “if your GoFundMe page clearly states that the funds you’re raising will be used to replace your car, FEMA won’t be able to provide assistance for that specific need.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://twitter.com/FEMARegion9/status/1879285609149370567\u003c/p>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is because the government regulations prevent FEMA from providing financial assistance to replace items that have already been paid for by another source,” Thompson says — such as insurance payouts, platforms like GoFundMe and “money received from nonprofit organizations.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/spend-your-fema-funds-wisely#:~:text=Do%20not%20use%20your%20assistance,your%20disaster%20funds%20were%20used.\">FEMA also suggests people keep their FEMA-related receipts\u003c/a> for at least three years to show how they spent their aid.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"gofundme-fema-wording\">\u003c/a>So, how should I word my GoFundMe or other fundraiser?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/FEMARegion9/status/1879285609149370567\">As FEMA has made clear\u003c/a>, the agency can’t provide you aid for an expense that you’ve already \u003cem>specifically \u003c/em>fundraised for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We know this can be frustrating,” Thompson says. “That’s why we encourage you to carefully consider how you describe your needs when creating a GoFundMe page.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the context of these FEMA rules, some organizers assisting families affected by the Los Angeles wildfires suggest that people \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1km3lEvdVY70P3875guzujp5xtoIFMr6jVZVxfpN3MeA/htmlview\">“avoid specifying funds for expenses like home repairs, medical bills, or cleanup\u003c/a>, if you intend to apply for FEMA assistance for those specific purposes.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, they recommend that people should keep the descriptions of their GoFundMe pages\u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1km3lEvdVY70P3875guzujp5xtoIFMr6jVZVxfpN3MeA/htmlview\"> “broader to reflect your general recovery and supplemental needs.”\u003c/a> However, these groups emphasize that they are not legal experts. Residents can reach out to \u003ca href=\"https://nlsla.org/services/disaster-assistance/#:~:text=We%20provide%20free%2C%20legal%20help,or%20click%20here%20for%20help.\">legal groups in the L.A. region\u003c/a> that specialize in working with people in the aftermath of a natural disaster.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"apply-for-fema-aid\">\u003c/a>I already have a GoFundMe. Should I hold off on applying for FEMA assistance?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. Thompson told LAist that\u003ca href=\"https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/los-angeles-eaton-palisades-wildfire-aid-fema-gofundme\"> the funds you’ve received via a GoFundMe or similar can be used to offset whatever funds you could get from FEMA\u003c/a> — i.e., fundraising does not make you immediately ineligible for FEMA aid.[aside label=\"Related Stories\" postID=\"news_12021150,news_12021308,news_12021574\"]FEMA says \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/node/if-i-receive-donations-gofundme-page-or-something-similar-fema-will-not-help-me\">survivors of a disaster should still apply for FEMA assistance regardless\u003c/a> of other fundraising you’ve been doing or benefitting from, so it can review people’s specific cases. The agency emphasizes that there are\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/housing\"> “many different types of assistance”\u003c/a> available and that it will review each application “to ensure you receive the aid for which you are eligible.” In other words, don’t try to work it out yourself and count yourself out prematurely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can apply for FEMA assistance online at \u003ca href=\"http://disasterassistance.gov\">disasterassistance.gov.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Folks can visit one of FEMA’s two \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856#block-views-block-disaster-recovery-centers-block-3\">Disaster Recovery Centers\u003c/a>, the UCLA Research Park or Pasadena City College Community Education Center, in person. There, FEMA representatives can answer questions about applying for aid and help them navigate the process.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>I’m concerned that vague language in a GoFundMe might seem ‘scammy’ to people\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>This is admittedly a snag that fire survivors attempting to fundraise for their needs might run into when trying to abide by FEMA’s rules: \u003ca href=\"https://www.gofundme.com/c/fundraising-tips\">GoFundMe’s own best practices\u003c/a> for drafting a fundraiser recommend that people should be: “as detailed as possible in your fundraiser story,” “be specific about what you are fundraising for whenever possible,” and “break down the costs that make up your fundraising goal.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What’s more, \u003ca href=\"https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015913668-Determining-if-a-fundraiser-is-trustworthy\">GoFundMe’s tips for spotting a fundraising scam \u003c/a>also warn potential donors to be wary of fundraisers that \u003cem>don’t\u003c/em> specify “how will the funds be used.” (\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021150#fundraising-scams-la-fires\">Read more about advice on spotting fundraising scams.\u003c/a>)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In this context, \u003ca href=\"https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405037683227-Writing-your-story-Sharing-your-need\">GoFundMe’s “Writing Your Story” guide\u003c/a> to structuring and drafting a fundraiser may offer fire survivors some tips on how to emphasize their personal experience to share their story without necessarily falling foul of FEMA’s rules. You can also speak to FEMA representatives in person about this issue at one of \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856#block-views-block-disaster-recovery-centers-block-3\">FEMA’s two Disaster Recovery Centers\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "FEMA has warned that L.A. fire survivors fundraising for specific expenses through platforms like GoFundMe might hit snags. Here’s what to know.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1736983871,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 22,
"wordCount": 1077
},
"headData": {
"title": "GoFundMe or FEMA? How LA Fire Survivors Can Plan Their Benefits Carefully | KQED",
"description": "FEMA has warned that L.A. fire survivors fundraising for specific expenses through platforms like GoFundMe might hit snags. Here’s what to know.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "GoFundMe or FEMA? How LA Fire Survivors Can Plan Their Benefits Carefully",
"datePublished": "2025-01-15T14:45:11-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-15T15:31:11-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022404",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022404/gofundme-apply-fema-disaster-aid-los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-fire",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12022028/about-as-bad-as-it-gets-fire-danger-heightens-as-strong-winds-bear-down-on-la\">A week into the devastating wildfires i\u003c/a>n and around Los Angeles County that have \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jan/14/la-california-fires-los-angeles-live-wildfire-map-warning-evacuation-latest-news\">claimed at least 25 lives\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fire.ca.gov/\">destroyed over 12,300 homes, buildings and landmarks\u003c/a>, thousands of residents are still displaced by mandatory evacuation orders — and many have lost their homes and businesses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Amid the destruction and upheaval caused by the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires, as well as other blazes, huge numbers of people have begun to fundraise for themselves or for others, using online crowdfunding platforms. These include GoFundMe, which has \u003ca href=\"https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/wildfire-relief/california\">a list of verified fundraisers\u003c/a> using its site for those impacted by the fires. (If you’re looking for other ways to help people affected by the L.A. fires, take a look at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021150/where-to-donate-help-los-angeles-wildfire-eaton-fire-palisades-pasadena\">our ongoing list of organizations and groups asking for support\u003c/a>.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But there’s one thing that anyone thinking of online fundraising in this way should know before they start: \u003cstrong>If someone intends to \u003cem>also \u003c/em>seek\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20250109/fema-assistance-available-individuals-affected-wildfires-california\"> financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)\u003c/a>, the agency says it \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/node/if-i-receive-donations-gofundme-page-or-something-similar-fema-will-not-help-me\">“cannot duplicate benefits you receive from another source”\u003c/a> — including platforms like GoFundMe.\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what you need to know about applying for FEMA aid if you’re fundraising online through a platform like GoFundMe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#gofundme-fema-wording\">The GoFundMe language to watch for when it comes to FEMA aid\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#apply-for-fema-aid\">Why having a GoFundMe doesn’t mean you should hold off applying to FEMA\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>What does FEMA say about platforms like GoFundMe?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>FEMA assistance — which is\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/myths-vs-facts\"> not dependent on household income\u003c/a> — can help disaster survivors with a wide range of needs,\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/housing\"> from rental assistance to childcare to accessibility requirements\u003c/a>. Read our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11835318/fema-disaster-assistance-in-california-how-fire-survivors-can-apply\">2020 guide on how fire survivors can apply for FEMA aid\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/node/if-i-receive-donations-gofundme-page-or-something-similar-fema-will-not-help-me\">FEMA’s rules\u003c/a>, if a person’s GoFundMe details that they’ll be using any money raised for “a specific disaster-related expense” — which the agency defines as including home repairs, funeral expenses or other emergency needs — they cannot receive funds from FEMA for the same \u003cem>specific \u003c/em>purpose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>How does this practically work? In \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/FEMARegion9/status/1879285609149370567\">a video posted to social media platform X\u003c/a> on Tuesday, FEMA public affairs officer Brandi Richard Thompson says that aid from the agency “may be able to help you replace a vehicle that was damaged during the disaster” — but “if your GoFundMe page clearly states that the funds you’re raising will be used to replace your car, FEMA won’t be able to provide assistance for that specific need.”\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "singleTwitterStatus",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"id": "1879285609149370567"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“This is because the government regulations prevent FEMA from providing financial assistance to replace items that have already been paid for by another source,” Thompson says — such as insurance payouts, platforms like GoFundMe and “money received from nonprofit organizations.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/spend-your-fema-funds-wisely#:~:text=Do%20not%20use%20your%20assistance,your%20disaster%20funds%20were%20used.\">FEMA also suggests people keep their FEMA-related receipts\u003c/a> for at least three years to show how they spent their aid.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"gofundme-fema-wording\">\u003c/a>So, how should I word my GoFundMe or other fundraiser?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/FEMARegion9/status/1879285609149370567\">As FEMA has made clear\u003c/a>, the agency can’t provide you aid for an expense that you’ve already \u003cem>specifically \u003c/em>fundraised for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We know this can be frustrating,” Thompson says. “That’s why we encourage you to carefully consider how you describe your needs when creating a GoFundMe page.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In the context of these FEMA rules, some organizers assisting families affected by the Los Angeles wildfires suggest that people \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1km3lEvdVY70P3875guzujp5xtoIFMr6jVZVxfpN3MeA/htmlview\">“avoid specifying funds for expenses like home repairs, medical bills, or cleanup\u003c/a>, if you intend to apply for FEMA assistance for those specific purposes.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead, they recommend that people should keep the descriptions of their GoFundMe pages\u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1km3lEvdVY70P3875guzujp5xtoIFMr6jVZVxfpN3MeA/htmlview\"> “broader to reflect your general recovery and supplemental needs.”\u003c/a> However, these groups emphasize that they are not legal experts. Residents can reach out to \u003ca href=\"https://nlsla.org/services/disaster-assistance/#:~:text=We%20provide%20free%2C%20legal%20help,or%20click%20here%20for%20help.\">legal groups in the L.A. region\u003c/a> that specialize in working with people in the aftermath of a natural disaster.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>\u003ca id=\"apply-for-fema-aid\">\u003c/a>I already have a GoFundMe. Should I hold off on applying for FEMA assistance?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>No. Thompson told LAist that\u003ca href=\"https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/los-angeles-eaton-palisades-wildfire-aid-fema-gofundme\"> the funds you’ve received via a GoFundMe or similar can be used to offset whatever funds you could get from FEMA\u003c/a> — i.e., fundraising does not make you immediately ineligible for FEMA aid.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "Related Stories ",
"postid": "news_12021150,news_12021308,news_12021574"
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>FEMA says \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/node/if-i-receive-donations-gofundme-page-or-something-similar-fema-will-not-help-me\">survivors of a disaster should still apply for FEMA assistance regardless\u003c/a> of other fundraising you’ve been doing or benefitting from, so it can review people’s specific cases. The agency emphasizes that there are\u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/housing\"> “many different types of assistance”\u003c/a> available and that it will review each application “to ensure you receive the aid for which you are eligible.” In other words, don’t try to work it out yourself and count yourself out prematurely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can apply for FEMA assistance online at \u003ca href=\"http://disasterassistance.gov\">disasterassistance.gov.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Folks can visit one of FEMA’s two \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856#block-views-block-disaster-recovery-centers-block-3\">Disaster Recovery Centers\u003c/a>, the UCLA Research Park or Pasadena City College Community Education Center, in person. There, FEMA representatives can answer questions about applying for aid and help them navigate the process.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003cstrong>I’m concerned that vague language in a GoFundMe might seem ‘scammy’ to people\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>This is admittedly a snag that fire survivors attempting to fundraise for their needs might run into when trying to abide by FEMA’s rules: \u003ca href=\"https://www.gofundme.com/c/fundraising-tips\">GoFundMe’s own best practices\u003c/a> for drafting a fundraiser recommend that people should be: “as detailed as possible in your fundraiser story,” “be specific about what you are fundraising for whenever possible,” and “break down the costs that make up your fundraising goal.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>What’s more, \u003ca href=\"https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/115015913668-Determining-if-a-fundraiser-is-trustworthy\">GoFundMe’s tips for spotting a fundraising scam \u003c/a>also warn potential donors to be wary of fundraisers that \u003cem>don’t\u003c/em> specify “how will the funds be used.” (\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12021150#fundraising-scams-la-fires\">Read more about advice on spotting fundraising scams.\u003c/a>)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In this context, \u003ca href=\"https://support.gofundme.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405037683227-Writing-your-story-Sharing-your-need\">GoFundMe’s “Writing Your Story” guide\u003c/a> to structuring and drafting a fundraiser may offer fire survivors some tips on how to emphasize their personal experience to share their story without necessarily falling foul of FEMA’s rules. You can also speak to FEMA representatives in person about this issue at one of \u003ca href=\"https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4856#block-views-block-disaster-recovery-centers-block-3\">FEMA’s two Disaster Recovery Centers\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022404/gofundme-apply-fema-disaster-aid-los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-fire",
"authors": [
"11867",
"3243"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_34165",
"news_34168",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_32707",
"news_21917",
"news_22697",
"news_3396"
],
"featImg": "news_12022416",
"label": "news"
},
"news_12022375": {
"type": "posts",
"id": "news_12022375",
"meta": {
"index": "posts_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "12022375",
"score": null,
"sort": [
1736980880000
]
},
"guestAuthors": [],
"slug": "many-in-pacific-palisades-were-not-wealthy-after-fire-can-they-rebuild",
"title": "Many in Pacific Palisades Were Not Wealthy. After Fire, Can They Rebuild?",
"publishDate": 1736980880,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "Many in Pacific Palisades Were Not Wealthy. After Fire, Can They Rebuild? | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"site": "news"
},
"content": "\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Los Angeles — \u003c/strong>Many Pacific Palisades locals, current and former, have been following the \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/kent.steffes.5\">Facebook feed of 56-year-old Kent Steffes\u003c/a>. He lives in nearby Brentwood now and hasn’t lost his home, but perhaps that’s given him the emotional bandwidth to share more effectively with others what’s happened to their old neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overlooking the Pacific Ocean like its neighbors Malibu and Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades is an affluent neighborhood by any measure. It’s home to celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reese Witherspoon and Tom Hanks. Median home values often exceed $3 million. Luxury homes sell for tens of millions. But many of the families who’ve lost their homes are not fabulously wealthy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What most people don’t know is that a lot of the homes are owned by people who can’t afford to live here anymore. They won’t be able to rebuild,” Steffes said. That’s because many family members can’t afford to buy the homes they own at the current market rate. “They couldn’t afford to get a mortgage on it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Along with his 20-year-old daughter, Katharine Steffes, who also attended Palisades High (partially burned), we toured the neighborhood as it lay smoking. “All my friends live here,” the sophomore at the University of Notre Dame said. “I don’t know if this place will ever be the same.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kent Steffes’ family moved to the Pacific Palisades highlands in 1973 when he was 5. His dad, an engineer at Hughes Aircraft Co., bought a home for $75,000, which would be around $533,000 in today’s dollars. The house had five bedrooms, although many homes built in “Pali” in the 1960s and ’70s featured two or three bedrooms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022381\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022381\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1-1020x765.jpeg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1-160x120.jpeg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">“What most people don’t know is that a lot of the homes are owned by people who can’t afford to live here anymore. They won’t be able to rebuild,” said Kent Steffes, 56, who grew up in Pacific Palisades. \u003ccite>(Rachael Myrow/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“You were always outside biking or riding skateboards around town,” said Steffes, who grew up to win the inaugural beach volleyball gold medal at the \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Summer_Olympics\">1996 Summer Olympics\u003c/a> in \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta\">Atlanta\u003c/a>. He works in finance now. “There was always someplace to explore and have fun and plenty of friends to do it with. We ran out of the house in the morning and didn’t come home until the street lights came on.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as the decades passed, the neighborhood grew wealthier. By the time Steffes was in his 30s, many modest three- to four-bedroom homes were giving way to “McMansions,” double the size, on the same small lots. Big or small, the original owners aged and died and passed on their homes to their children, as Kent Steffes’ parents did. “We just sold that home last year for $2.5 million.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11711689/40-years-on-how-does-proposition-13-impact-the-california-dream\">Proposition 13\u003c/a>, passed in 1978, family members who inherited properties were essentially given the original property tax rate. Steffes’ parents paid about $4,000 in property taxes. Steffes said the people who bought the house last year pay about $37,500.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to the much higher tax rate, a lot of insurance plans cover only the value of the house as it is, not the cost to rebuild according to modern building codes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So they’ll say, ‘Hey, your house is worth $300,000,’” Steffes said hypothetically. “But it’ll cost you $1 million to rebuild that same thing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nancy Wallace, a real estate professor at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, \u003ca href=\"https://newsroom.haas.berkeley.edu/research/the-situation-is-dire-why-prof-nancy-wallace-researches-wildfire-risk/\">lost her own home\u003c/a> to the Oakland Hills fire of 1991. She’s now considered an expert in price modeling and wildfire “mispricing,” as she puts it, in the insurance market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022382\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1216px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022382\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1216\" height=\"912\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3.jpg 1216w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1216px) 100vw, 1216px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marquez Charter Elementary School was destroyed in the Palisades fire, erasing cherished childhood memories for countless individuals. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Kent Steffes )\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Insurance adjusters are not your friends,” she said. “They’re not there to sympathize. They’re there to minimize the payout of their company. It might be dressed up with nice words, but that is the challenge that you’re facing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Due in large part to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12020835/southern-california-fires-could-be-most-expensive-us-history\">climate-change-driven wildfires\u003c/a>, hundreds of thousands of Californians have lost their insurance policies altogether in 2024. This has forced many homeowners to turn to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1992401/homeowners-insurance-market-stretched-even-thinner-as-2-more-companies-leave-california\">California FAIR Plan\u003c/a>, a state-mandated insurance market of last resort, which often provides more expensive and limited coverage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State Farm, the largest insurer group in California,\u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfire-insurance-e31bef0ed7eeddcde096a5b8f2c1768f\"> announced a halt\u003c/a> to new homeowner insurance policies in the state in 2023 and began canceling or non-renewing policies for tens of thousands of properties in 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12021911 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250113_Oakland-Fires_DMB_01810_qed-1020x680.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, a spokesman told KQED State Farm still insures 250,000 homes and “As of Tuesday, Jan. 14, we’ve begun to process over 6,700 home and auto claims, already putting tens of millions of dollars back into customers’ hands. We are prepared to address the growing number of claims expected as residents return and assess damage.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allstate paused the sale of homeowners insurance policies for new customers in 2022. “We continue to offer coverage to most existing homeowners insurance customers,” an Allstate spokesperson wrote KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Based on Wallace’s analysis, about 1 million California homes are in high- or very high-risk areas, with 2 million to 4.5 million more in vulnerable wildland-urban interface zones. The time it takes to rebuild a home after a wildfire varies significantly depending on the severity of the damage, availability of contractors, and compliance with updated building codes, but Wallace estimates it could take up to four years to rebuild a home destroyed by a wildfire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Four years is a lifetime for many people,” she said but noted the incentives in the current system are to rebuild, and for those with the money to rebuild, build back bigger and more expensively. That’s if they have insurance policies that will meet the demand now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Given \u003ca href=\"https://abcnews.go.com/Business/los-angeles-fire-losses-reach-30-billion-insurers/story?id=117653563\">how expensive\u003c/a> the Palisades Fire is expected to be, Wallace warned the California insurance market could fail because many insurance policies are too generous given the actual risks, and the state insurance commissioner’s office has only recently begun to allow the industry to adjust for the changing reality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All these factors exacerbate the trend toward gentrification in Pacific Palisades and neighborhoods like it, meaning home ownership in those places is becoming infeasible for any but the most wealthy Californians.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ultimately, Wallace said, many homeowners in Pacific Palisades will choose to do what she did after the Oakland Hills fire took her home: move out of the neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
"blocks": [],
"excerpt": "Although the Palisades Fire affected a largely affluent area, many families who lost their homes were longtime residents who would not be able to afford to recreate what they had before.",
"status": "publish",
"parent": 0,
"modified": 1736984570,
"stats": {
"hasAudio": false,
"hasVideo": false,
"hasChartOrMap": false,
"iframeSrcs": [],
"hasGoogleForm": false,
"hasGallery": false,
"hasHearkenModule": false,
"hasPolis": false,
"paragraphCount": 24,
"wordCount": 1189
},
"headData": {
"title": "Many in Pacific Palisades Were Not Wealthy. After Fire, Can They Rebuild? | KQED",
"description": "Although the Palisades Fire affected a largely affluent area, many families who lost their homes were longtime residents who would not be able to afford to recreate what they had before.",
"ogTitle": "",
"ogDescription": "",
"ogImgId": "",
"twTitle": "",
"twDescription": "",
"twImgId": "",
"schema": {
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NewsArticle",
"headline": "Many in Pacific Palisades Were Not Wealthy. After Fire, Can They Rebuild?",
"datePublished": "2025-01-15T14:41:20-08:00",
"dateModified": "2025-01-15T15:42:50-08:00",
"image": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"isAccessibleForFree": "True",
"publisher": {
"@type": "NewsMediaOrganization",
"@id": "https://www.kqed.org/#organization",
"name": "KQED",
"logo": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"url": "https://www.kqed.org",
"sameAs": [
"https://www.facebook.com/KQED",
"https://twitter.com/KQED",
"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/",
"https://www.tiktok.com/@kqedofficial",
"https://www.linkedin.com/company/kqed",
"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeC0IOo7i1P_61zVUWbJ4nw"
]
}
}
},
"sticky": false,
"nprStoryId": "kqed-12022375",
"excludeFromSiteSearch": "Include",
"articleAge": "0",
"path": "/news/12022375/many-in-pacific-palisades-were-not-wealthy-after-fire-can-they-rebuild",
"audioTrackLength": null,
"parsedContent": [
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Los Angeles — \u003c/strong>Many Pacific Palisades locals, current and former, have been following the \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/kent.steffes.5\">Facebook feed of 56-year-old Kent Steffes\u003c/a>. He lives in nearby Brentwood now and hasn’t lost his home, but perhaps that’s given him the emotional bandwidth to share more effectively with others what’s happened to their old neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Overlooking the Pacific Ocean like its neighbors Malibu and Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades is an affluent neighborhood by any measure. It’s home to celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reese Witherspoon and Tom Hanks. Median home values often exceed $3 million. Luxury homes sell for tens of millions. But many of the families who’ve lost their homes are not fabulously wealthy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“What most people don’t know is that a lot of the homes are owned by people who can’t afford to live here anymore. They won’t be able to rebuild,” Steffes said. That’s because many family members can’t afford to buy the homes they own at the current market rate. “They couldn’t afford to get a mortgage on it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "fullwidth"
},
"numeric": [
"fullwidth"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Along with his 20-year-old daughter, Katharine Steffes, who also attended Palisades High (partially burned), we toured the neighborhood as it lay smoking. “All my friends live here,” the sophomore at the University of Notre Dame said. “I don’t know if this place will ever be the same.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Kent Steffes’ family moved to the Pacific Palisades highlands in 1973 when he was 5. His dad, an engineer at Hughes Aircraft Co., bought a home for $75,000, which would be around $533,000 in today’s dollars. The house had five bedrooms, although many homes built in “Pali” in the 1960s and ’70s featured two or three bedrooms.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022381\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1024px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022381\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1.jpeg 1024w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1-800x600.jpeg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1-1020x765.jpeg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild1-160x120.jpeg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">“What most people don’t know is that a lot of the homes are owned by people who can’t afford to live here anymore. They won’t be able to rebuild,” said Kent Steffes, 56, who grew up in Pacific Palisades. \u003ccite>(Rachael Myrow/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“You were always outside biking or riding skateboards around town,” said Steffes, who grew up to win the inaugural beach volleyball gold medal at the \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_Summer_Olympics\">1996 Summer Olympics\u003c/a> in \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta\">Atlanta\u003c/a>. He works in finance now. “There was always someplace to explore and have fun and plenty of friends to do it with. We ran out of the house in the morning and didn’t come home until the street lights came on.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But as the decades passed, the neighborhood grew wealthier. By the time Steffes was in his 30s, many modest three- to four-bedroom homes were giving way to “McMansions,” double the size, on the same small lots. Big or small, the original owners aged and died and passed on their homes to their children, as Kent Steffes’ parents did. “We just sold that home last year for $2.5 million.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Because of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11711689/40-years-on-how-does-proposition-13-impact-the-california-dream\">Proposition 13\u003c/a>, passed in 1978, family members who inherited properties were essentially given the original property tax rate. Steffes’ parents paid about $4,000 in property taxes. Steffes said the people who bought the house last year pay about $37,500.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In addition to the much higher tax rate, a lot of insurance plans cover only the value of the house as it is, not the cost to rebuild according to modern building codes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“So they’ll say, ‘Hey, your house is worth $300,000,’” Steffes said hypothetically. “But it’ll cost you $1 million to rebuild that same thing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Nancy Wallace, a real estate professor at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, \u003ca href=\"https://newsroom.haas.berkeley.edu/research/the-situation-is-dire-why-prof-nancy-wallace-researches-wildfire-risk/\">lost her own home\u003c/a> to the Oakland Hills fire of 1991. She’s now considered an expert in price modeling and wildfire “mispricing,” as she puts it, in the insurance market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12022382\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1216px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12022382\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1216\" height=\"912\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3.jpg 1216w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/PacificPalisadesRebuild3-160x120.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1216px) 100vw, 1216px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Marquez Charter Elementary School was destroyed in the Palisades fire, erasing cherished childhood memories for countless individuals. \u003ccite>(Courtesy Kent Steffes )\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“Insurance adjusters are not your friends,” she said. “They’re not there to sympathize. They’re there to minimize the payout of their company. It might be dressed up with nice words, but that is the challenge that you’re facing.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Due in large part to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12020835/southern-california-fires-could-be-most-expensive-us-history\">climate-change-driven wildfires\u003c/a>, hundreds of thousands of Californians have lost their insurance policies altogether in 2024. This has forced many homeowners to turn to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1992401/homeowners-insurance-market-stretched-even-thinner-as-2-more-companies-leave-california\">California FAIR Plan\u003c/a>, a state-mandated insurance market of last resort, which often provides more expensive and limited coverage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>State Farm, the largest insurer group in California,\u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/california-wildfire-insurance-e31bef0ed7eeddcde096a5b8f2c1768f\"> announced a halt\u003c/a> to new homeowner insurance policies in the state in 2023 and began canceling or non-renewing policies for tens of thousands of properties in 2024.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "aside",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"postid": "news_12021911",
"hero": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/01/20250113_Oakland-Fires_DMB_01810_qed-1020x680.jpg",
"label": ""
},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>However, a spokesman told KQED State Farm still insures 250,000 homes and “As of Tuesday, Jan. 14, we’ve begun to process over 6,700 home and auto claims, already putting tens of millions of dollars back into customers’ hands. We are prepared to address the growing number of claims expected as residents return and assess damage.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Allstate paused the sale of homeowners insurance policies for new customers in 2022. “We continue to offer coverage to most existing homeowners insurance customers,” an Allstate spokesperson wrote KQED.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Based on Wallace’s analysis, about 1 million California homes are in high- or very high-risk areas, with 2 million to 4.5 million more in vulnerable wildland-urban interface zones. The time it takes to rebuild a home after a wildfire varies significantly depending on the severity of the damage, availability of contractors, and compliance with updated building codes, but Wallace estimates it could take up to four years to rebuild a home destroyed by a wildfire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Four years is a lifetime for many people,” she said but noted the incentives in the current system are to rebuild, and for those with the money to rebuild, build back bigger and more expensively. That’s if they have insurance policies that will meet the demand now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Given \u003ca href=\"https://abcnews.go.com/Business/los-angeles-fire-losses-reach-30-billion-insurers/story?id=117653563\">how expensive\u003c/a> the Palisades Fire is expected to be, Wallace warned the California insurance market could fail because many insurance policies are too generous given the actual risks, and the state insurance commissioner’s office has only recently begun to allow the industry to adjust for the changing reality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All these factors exacerbate the trend toward gentrification in Pacific Palisades and neighborhoods like it, meaning home ownership in those places is becoming infeasible for any but the most wealthy Californians.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Ultimately, Wallace said, many homeowners in Pacific Palisades will choose to do what she did after the Oakland Hills fire took her home: move out of the neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
},
{
"type": "component",
"content": "",
"name": "ad",
"attributes": {
"named": {
"label": "floatright"
},
"numeric": [
"floatright"
]
}
},
{
"type": "contentString",
"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
"attributes": {
"named": {},
"numeric": []
}
}
],
"link": "/news/12022375/many-in-pacific-palisades-were-not-wealthy-after-fire-can-they-rebuild",
"authors": [
"251"
],
"categories": [
"news_31795",
"news_6266",
"news_8"
],
"tags": [
"news_3921",
"news_18538",
"news_19204",
"news_255",
"news_20023",
"news_27626",
"news_34178",
"news_4020",
"news_1775",
"news_881",
"news_4463"
],
"featImg": "news_12022379",
"label": "news"
}
},
"podcastsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"podcasts": {}
},
"radioProgramsReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"radioPrograms": {}
},
"radioSearchSegmentsReducer": {},
"programsReducer": {
"all-things-considered": {
"id": "all-things-considered",
"title": "All Things Considered",
"info": "Every weekday, \u003cem>All Things Considered\u003c/em> hosts Robert Siegel, Audie Cornish, Ari Shapiro, and Kelly McEvers present the program's trademark mix of news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and offbeat features. Michel Martin hosts on the weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 1pm-2pm, 4:30pm-6:30pm\u003cbr />SAT-SUN 5pm-6pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/All-Things-Considered-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/all-things-considered/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/all-things-considered"
},
"american-suburb-podcast": {
"id": "american-suburb-podcast",
"title": "American Suburb: The Podcast",
"tagline": "The flip side of gentrification, told through one town",
"info": "Gentrification is changing cities across America, forcing people from neighborhoods they have long called home. Call them the displaced. Now those priced out of the Bay Area are looking for a better life in an unlikely place. American Suburb follows this migration to one California town along the Delta, 45 miles from San Francisco. But is this once sleepy suburb ready for them?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/American-Suburb-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 19
},
"link": "/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/RBrW",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=1287748328",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/American-Suburb-p1086805/",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/american-suburb-podcast/feed/podcast",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMzMDExODgxNjA5"
}
},
"baycurious": {
"id": "baycurious",
"title": "Bay Curious",
"tagline": "Exploring the Bay Area, one question at a time",
"info": "KQED’s new podcast, Bay Curious, gets to the bottom of the mysteries — both profound and peculiar — that give the Bay Area its unique identity. And we’ll do it with your help! You ask the questions. You decide what Bay Curious investigates. And you join us on the journey to find the answers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Bay-Curious-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Bay Curious",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/news/series/baycurious",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 3
},
"link": "/podcasts/baycurious",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bay-curious/id1172473406",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/500557090/bay-curious",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/category/bay-curious-podcast/feed/podcast",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9a90d476-aa04-455d-9a4c-0871ed6216d4/bay-curious",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/bay-curious",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6O76IdmhixfijmhTZLIJ8k"
}
},
"bbc-world-service": {
"id": "bbc-world-service",
"title": "BBC World Service",
"info": "The day's top stories from BBC News compiled twice daily in the week, once at weekends.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9pm-10pm, TUE-FRI 1am-2am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/BBC-World-Service-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_world_service",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "BBC World Service"
},
"link": "/radio/program/bbc-world-service",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/global-news-podcast/id135067274?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/BBC-World-Service-p455581/",
"rss": "https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/p02nq0gn.rss"
}
},
"californiareport": {
"id": "californiareport",
"title": "The California Report",
"tagline": "California, day by day",
"info": "KQED’s statewide radio news program providing daily coverage of issues, trends and public policy decisions.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareport",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 8
},
"link": "/californiareport",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-the-california-report/id79681292",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/26099305-72af-4542-9dde-ac1807fe36d5/kqed-s-the-california-report",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432285393/the-california-report",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-the-california-report-podcast-8838",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcram/feed/podcast"
}
},
"californiareportmagazine": {
"id": "californiareportmagazine",
"title": "The California Report Magazine",
"tagline": "Your state, your stories",
"info": "Every week, The California Report Magazine takes you on a road trip for the ears: to visit the places and meet the people who make California unique. The in-depth storytelling podcast from the California Report.",
"airtime": "FRI 4:30pm-5pm, 6:30pm-7pm, 11pm-11:30pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-California-Report-Magazine-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The California Report Magazine",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/californiareportmagazine",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 10
},
"link": "/californiareportmagazine",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-california-report-magazine/id1314750545",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM3NjkwNjk1OTAz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/564733126/the-california-report-magazine",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-california-report-magazine",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/tcrmag/feed/podcast"
}
},
"city-arts": {
"id": "city-arts",
"title": "City Arts & Lectures",
"info": "A one-hour radio program to hear celebrated writers, artists and thinkers address contemporary ideas and values, often discussing the creative process. Please note: tapes or transcripts are not available",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/cityartsandlecture-300x300.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.cityarts.net/",
"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
"subscribe": {
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/City-Arts-and-Lectures-p692/",
"rss": "https://www.cityarts.net/feed/"
}
},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
"title": "Close All Tabs",
"tagline": "Your irreverent guide to the trends redefining our world",
"info": "Close All Tabs breaks down how digital culture shapes our world through thoughtful insights and irreverent humor.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CAT_2_Tile-scaled.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Close All Tabs",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 1
},
"link": "/podcasts/closealltabs",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/close-all-tabs/id214663465",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC6993880386",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/92d9d4ac-67a3-4eed-b10a-fb45d45b1ef2/close-all-tabs",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/6LAJFHnGK1pYXYzv6SIol6?si=deb0cae19813417c"
}
},
"code-switch-life-kit": {
"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
"airtime": "SUN 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Code-Switch-Life-Kit-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/code-switch-life-kit",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/1112190608?mt=2&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9yc3MvcG9kY2FzdC5waHA_aWQ9NTEwMzEy",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3bExJ9JQpkwNhoHvaIIuyV",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510312/podcast.xml"
}
},
"commonwealth-club": {
"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.commonwealthclub.org/podcasts",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/commonwealth-club-of-california-podcast/id976334034?mt=2",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Commonwealth-Club-of-California-p1060/"
}
},
"forum": {
"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/forum",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
"link": "/forum",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kqeds-forum/id73329719",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432307980/forum",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqedfm-kqeds-forum-podcast",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9557381633"
}
},
"freakonomics-radio": {
"id": "freakonomics-radio",
"title": "Freakonomics Radio",
"info": "Freakonomics Radio is a one-hour award-winning podcast and public-radio project hosted by Stephen Dubner, with co-author Steve Levitt as a regular guest. It is produced in partnership with WNYC.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/freakonomicsRadio.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/freakonomicsradio"
}
},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
"title": "Fresh Air",
"info": "Hosted by Terry Gross, \u003cem>Fresh Air from WHYY\u003c/em> is the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues. One of public radio's most popular programs, Fresh Air features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Fresh-Air-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/4s8b",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Fresh-Air-p17/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/381444908/podcast.xml"
}
},
"here-and-now": {
"id": "here-and-now",
"title": "Here & Now",
"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
"airtime": "MON-THU 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Here-And-Now-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/here-and-now",
"subsdcribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?mt=2&id=426698661",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Here--Now-p211/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
"title": "Hidden Brain",
"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/05/hiddenbrain.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/423302056/hidden-brain",
"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Science-Podcasts/Hidden-Brain-p787503/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510308/podcast.xml"
}
},
"how-i-built-this": {
"id": "how-i-built-this",
"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/How-I-Built-This-p910896/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510313/podcast.xml"
}
},
"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
"imageAlt": "KQED Hyphenación",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 15
},
"link": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hyphenaci%C3%B3n/id1191591838",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/2p3Fifq96nw9BPcmFdIq0o?si=39209f7b25774f38",
"youtube": "https://www.youtube.com/c/kqedarts",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6c3dd23c-93fb-4aab-97ba-1725fa6315f1/hyphenaci%C3%B3n",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC2275451163"
}
},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/790253322/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1492194549",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/series/jerrybrown/feed/podcast/",
"tuneIn": "http://tun.in/pjGcK",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/54C1dmuyFyKMFttY6X2j6r?si=K8SgRCoISNK6ZbjpXrX5-w",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/44420f75-3b0e-4301-ab3b-16da6b09e543/the-political-mind-of-jerry-brown"
}
},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/xtTd",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Latino-USA-p621/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201853034&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/APM-Marketplace-p88/",
"rss": "https://feeds.publicradio.org/public_feeds/marketplace-pm/rss/rss"
}
},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindshift-podcast/id1078765985",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/464615685/mind-shift-podcast",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/stories-teachers-share",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0MxSpNYZKNprFLCl7eEtyx"
}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/onourwatch",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/0OLWoyizopu6tY1XiuX70x",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-Our-Watch-p1436229/",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id73801135",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
}
},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
"title": "Political Breakdown",
"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Political-Breakdown-2024-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Political Breakdown",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 5
},
"link": "/podcasts/politicalbreakdown",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/political-breakdown/id1327641087",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0c2d153-ad36-4c8d-901d-f1da6a724824/political-breakdown",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/572155894/political-breakdown",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/political-breakdown",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/07RVyIjIdk2WDuVehvBMoN",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/tag/political-breakdown/feed/podcast"
}
},
"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Possible-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.possible.fm/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "Possible"
},
"link": "/radio/program/possible",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/possible/id1677184070",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/730YpdUSNlMyPQwNnyjp4k"
}
},
"pri-the-world": {
"id": "pri-the-world",
"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pri.org/programs/the-world",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "PRI"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pri-the-world",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pris-the-world-latest-edition/id278196007?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/PRIs-The-World-p24/",
"rss": "http://feeds.feedburner.com/pri/theworld"
}
},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
"airtime": "SUN 12am-1am, SAT 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/radiolab1400.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/radiolab/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/radiolab",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/RadioLab-p68032/",
"rss": "https://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab"
}
},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/reveal300px.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/reveal",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reveal/id886009669",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Reveal-p679597/",
"rss": "http://feeds.revealradio.org/revealpodcast"
}
},
"rightnowish": {
"id": "rightnowish",
"title": "Rightnowish",
"tagline": "Art is where you find it",
"info": "Rightnowish digs into life in the Bay Area right now… ish. Journalist Pendarvis Harshaw takes us to galleries painted on the sides of liquor stores in West Oakland. We'll dance in warehouses in the Bayview, make smoothies with kids in South Berkeley, and listen to classical music in a 1984 Cutlass Supreme in Richmond. Every week, Pen talks to movers and shakers about how the Bay Area shapes what they create, and how they shape the place we call home.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rightnowish-Podcast-Tile-500x500-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Rightnowish with Pendarvis Harshaw",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 16
},
"link": "/podcasts/rightnowish",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/721590300/rightnowish",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/arts/programs/rightnowish/feed/podcast",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rightnowish/id1482187648",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/rightnowish",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkMxMjU5MTY3NDc4",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/7kEJuafTzTVan7B78ttz1I"
}
},
"science-friday": {
"id": "science-friday",
"title": "Science Friday",
"info": "Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and tries to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join host Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.",
"airtime": "FRI 11am-1pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Science-Friday-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/science-friday",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/science-friday",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=73329284&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Science-Friday-p394/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/science-friday"
}
},
"snap-judgment": {
"id": "snap-judgment",
"title": "Snap Judgment",
"tagline": "Real stories with killer beats",
"info": "The Snap Judgment radio show and podcast mixes real stories with killer beats to produce cinematic, dramatic radio. Snap's musical brand of storytelling dares listeners to see the world through the eyes of another. This is storytelling... with a BEAT!! Snap first aired on public radio stations nationwide in July 2010. Today, Snap Judgment airs on over 450 public radio stations and is brought to the airwaves by KQED & PRX.",
"airtime": "SAT 1pm-2pm, 9pm-10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Snap-Judgment-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Snap Judgment",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 4
},
"link": "https://snapjudgment.org",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/snap-judgment/id283657561",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/449018144/snap-judgment",
"stitcher": "https://www.pandora.com/podcast/snap-judgment/PC:241?source=stitcher-sunset",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3Cct7ZWmxHNAtLgBTqjC5v",
"rss": "https://snap.feed.snapjudgment.org/"
}
},
"soldout": {
"id": "soldout",
"title": "SOLD OUT: Rethinking Housing in America",
"tagline": "A new future for housing",
"info": "Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sold-Out-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Sold Out: Rethinking Housing in America",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/soldout",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 13
},
"link": "/podcasts/soldout",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/911586047/s-o-l-d-o-u-t-a-new-future-for-housing",
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america/id1531354937",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/soldout",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/38dTBSk2ISFoPiyYNoKn1X",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/sold-out-rethinking-housing-in-america",
"tunein": "https://tunein.com/radio/SOLD-OUT-Rethinking-Housing-in-America-p1365871/"
}
},
"spooked": {
"id": "spooked",
"title": "Spooked",
"tagline": "True-life supernatural stories",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Spooked-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Spooked",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 7
},
"link": "https://spookedpodcast.org/",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spooked/id1279361017",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/549547848/snap-judgment-presents-spooked",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/76571Rfl3m7PLJQZKQIGCT",
"rss": "https://feeds.simplecast.com/TBotaapn"
}
},
"tech-nation": {
"id": "tech-nation",
"title": "Tech Nation Radio Podcast",
"info": "Tech Nation is a weekly public radio program, hosted by Dr. Moira Gunn. Founded in 1993, it has grown from a simple interview show to a multi-faceted production, featuring conversations with noted technology and science leaders, and a weekly science and technology-related commentary.",
"airtime": "FRI 10pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech-Nation-Radio-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://technation.podomatic.com/",
"meta": {
"site": "science",
"source": "Tech Nation Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tech-nation",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://technation.podomatic.com/rss2.xml"
}
},
"ted-radio-hour": {
"id": "ted-radio-hour",
"title": "TED Radio Hour",
"info": "The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, and new ways to think and create.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm, SAT 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/tedRadioHour.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/ted-radio-hour/?showDate=2018-06-22",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/ted-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/8vsS",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=523121474&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/TED-Radio-Hour-p418021/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510298/podcast.xml"
}
},
"thebay": {
"id": "thebay",
"title": "The Bay",
"tagline": "Local news to keep you rooted",
"info": "Host Devin Katayama walks you through the biggest story of the day with reporters and newsmakers.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Bay-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Bay",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/thebay",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 2
},
"link": "/podcasts/thebay",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bay/id1350043452",
"amazon": "https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d800ea4c-7a2c-42f2-b861-edaf78a5db0b/the-bay",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/586725995/the-bay",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-bay",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/4BIKBKIujizLHlIlBNaAqQ",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC8259786327"
}
},
"thelatest": {
"id": "thelatest",
"title": "The Latest",
"tagline": "Trusted local news in real time",
"info": "",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Latest-2025-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Latest",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/thelatest",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 6
},
"link": "/thelatest",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latest-from-kqed/id1197721799",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/1257949365/the-latest-from-k-q-e-d",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/5KIIXMgM9GTi5AepwOYvIZ?si=bd3053fec7244dba",
"rss": "https://feeds.megaphone.fm/KQINC9137121918"
}
},
"theleap": {
"id": "theleap",
"title": "The Leap",
"tagline": "What if you closed your eyes, and jumped?",
"info": "Stories about people making dramatic, risky changes, told by award-winning public radio reporter Judy Campbell.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Leap-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED The Leap",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/theleap",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 17
},
"link": "/podcasts/theleap",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leap/id1046668171",
"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/447248267/the-leap",
"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/kqed/the-leap",
"spotify": "https://open.spotify.com/show/3sSlVHHzU0ytLwuGs1SD1U",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/programs/the-leap/feed/podcast"
}
},
"the-moth-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-moth-radio-hour",
"title": "The Moth Radio Hour",
"info": "Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.",
"airtime": "SAT 8pm-9pm and SUN 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/theMoth.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://themoth.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "prx"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-moth-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moth-podcast/id275699983?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/The-Moth-p273888/",
"rss": "http://feeds.themoth.org/themothpodcast"
}
},
"the-new-yorker-radio-hour": {
"id": "the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"title": "The New Yorker Radio Hour",
"info": "The New Yorker Radio Hour is a weekly program presented by the magazine's editor, David Remnick, and produced by WNYC Studios and The New Yorker. Each episode features a diverse mix of interviews, profiles, storytelling, and an occasional burst of humor inspired by the magazine, and shaped by its writers, artists, and editors. This isn't a radio version of a magazine, but something all its own, reflecting the rich possibilities of audio storytelling and conversation. Theme music for the show was composed and performed by Merrill Garbus of tUnE-YArDs.",
"airtime": "SAT 10am-11am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-New-Yorker-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/tnyradiohour",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-new-yorker-radio-hour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id1050430296",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/New-Yorker-Radio-Hour-p803804/",
"rss": "https://feeds.feedburner.com/newyorkerradiohour"
}
},
"the-sam-sanders-show": {
"id": "the-sam-sanders-show",
"title": "The Sam Sanders Show",
"info": "One of public radio's most dynamic voices, Sam Sanders helped launch The NPR Politics Podcast and hosted NPR's hit show It's Been A Minute. Now, the award-winning host returns with something brand new, The Sam Sanders Show. Every week, Sam Sanders and friends dig into the culture that shapes our lives: what's driving the biggest trends, how artists really think, and even the memes you can't stop scrolling past. Sam is beloved for his way of unpacking the world and bringing you up close to fresh currents and engaging conversations. The Sam Sanders Show is smart, funny and always a good time.",
"airtime": "FRI 12-1pm AND SAT 11am-12pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/The-Sam-Sanders-Show-Podcast-Tile-400x400-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"meta": {
"site": "arts",
"source": "KCRW"
},
"link": "https://www.kcrw.com/shows/the-sam-sanders-show/latest",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feed.cdnstream1.com/zjb/feed/download/ac/28/59/ac28594c-e1d0-4231-8728-61865cdc80e8.xml"
}
},
"the-splendid-table": {
"id": "the-splendid-table",
"title": "The Splendid Table",
"info": "\u003cem>The Splendid Table\u003c/em> hosts our nation's conversations about cooking, sustainability and food culture.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Splendid-Table-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.splendidtable.org/",
"airtime": "SUN 10-11 pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/the-splendid-table"
},
"this-american-life": {
"id": "this-american-life",
"title": "This American Life",
"info": "This American Life is a weekly public radio show, heard by 2.2 million people on more than 500 stations. Another 2.5 million people download the weekly podcast. It is hosted by Ira Glass, produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media, delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange, and has won all of the major broadcasting awards.",
"airtime": "SAT 12pm-1pm, 7pm-8pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/thisAmericanLife.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "wbez"
},
"link": "/radio/program/this-american-life",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=201671138&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"rss": "https://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/rss.xml"
}
},
"tinydeskradio": {
"id": "tinydeskradio",
"title": "Tiny Desk Radio",
"info": "We're bringing the best of Tiny Desk to the airwaves, only on public radio.",
"airtime": "SUN 8pm and SAT 9pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/300x300-For-Member-Station-Logo-Tiny-Desk-Radio-@2x.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-52030/tiny-desk-radio",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/tinydeskradio",
"subscribe": {
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/g-s1-52030/rss.xml"
}
},
"wait-wait-dont-tell-me": {
"id": "wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"title": "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!",
"info": "Peter Sagal and Bill Kurtis host the weekly NPR News quiz show alongside some of the best and brightest news and entertainment personalities.",
"airtime": "SUN 10am-11am, SAT 11am-12pm, SAT 6pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Wait-Wait-Podcast-Tile-300x300-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/wait-wait-dont-tell-me",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/Xogv",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=121493804&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/Wait-Wait-Dont-Tell-Me-p46/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/344098539/podcast.xml"
}
},
"weekend-edition-saturday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-saturday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Saturday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Saturday wraps up the week's news and offers a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories. The two-hour program is hosted by NPR's Peabody Award-winning Scott Simon.",
"airtime": "SAT 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-saturday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-saturday"
},
"weekend-edition-sunday": {
"id": "weekend-edition-sunday",
"title": "Weekend Edition Sunday",
"info": "Weekend Edition Sunday features interviews with newsmakers, artists, scientists, politicians, musicians, writers, theologians and historians. The program has covered news events from Nelson Mandela's 1990 release from a South African prison to the capture of Saddam Hussein.",
"airtime": "SUN 5am-10am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Weekend-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/weekend-edition-sunday/",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/weekend-edition-sunday"
}
},
"racesReducer": {},
"racesGenElectionReducer": {},
"racesGenElection2026Reducer": {},
"radioSchedulesReducer": {},
"listsReducer": {
"posts/news?category=california": {
"isFetching": false,
"latestQuery": {
"from": 1788,
"size": 12
},
"vitalsOnly": false,
"totalRequested": 12,
"isLoading": false,
"isLoadingMore": true,
"total": {
"value": 2587,
"relation": "eq"
},
"items": [
"news_12022612",
"news_12022146",
"news_12022674",
"news_12022406",
"news_12022517",
"news_12022615",
"news_12022591",
"news_12022475",
"news_12022402",
"news_12022439",
"news_12022404",
"news_12022375"
],
"complete": true
}
},
"recallGuideReducer": {
"intros": {},
"policy": {},
"candidates": {}
},
"savedArticleReducer": {
"articles": [],
"status": {}
},
"newslettersReducer": {
"isFetching": false,
"fetchFailed": false,
"hasFetched": false,
"newsletters": {},
"isSubscribing": false,
"isUnsubscribing": false,
"subscribedNewsletters": {}
},
"termsReducer": {
"about": {
"name": "About",
"type": "terms",
"id": "about",
"slug": "about",
"link": "/about",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"arts": {
"name": "Arts & Culture",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"description": "KQED Arts provides daily in-depth coverage of the Bay Area's music, art, film, performing arts, literature and arts news, as well as cultural commentary and criticism.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "arts",
"slug": "arts",
"link": "/arts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"artschool": {
"name": "Art School",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "artschool",
"slug": "artschool",
"link": "/artschool",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareabites": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareabites",
"slug": "bayareabites",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"bayareahiphop": {
"name": "Bay Area Hiphop",
"type": "terms",
"id": "bayareahiphop",
"slug": "bayareahiphop",
"link": "/bayareahiphop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"campaign21": {
"name": "Campaign 21",
"type": "terms",
"id": "campaign21",
"slug": "campaign21",
"link": "/campaign21",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"careers": {
"name": "Careers",
"type": "terms",
"id": "careers",
"slug": "careers",
"link": "/careers",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"checkplease": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "checkplease",
"slug": "checkplease",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"education": {
"name": "Education",
"grouping": [
"education"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "education",
"slug": "education",
"link": "/education",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"elections": {
"name": "Elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "elections",
"slug": "elections",
"link": "/elections",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"events": {
"name": "Events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "events",
"slug": "events",
"link": "/events",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"event": {
"name": "Event",
"alias": "events",
"type": "terms",
"id": "event",
"slug": "event",
"link": "/event",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"filmschoolshorts": {
"name": "Film School Shorts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "filmschoolshorts",
"slug": "filmschoolshorts",
"link": "/filmschoolshorts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"food": {
"name": "KQED food",
"grouping": [
"food",
"bayareabites",
"checkplease"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "food",
"slug": "food",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"forum": {
"name": "Forum",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/forum?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "forum",
"slug": "forum",
"link": "/forum",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"futureofyou": {
"name": "Future of You",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "futureofyou",
"slug": "futureofyou",
"link": "/futureofyou",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"jpepinheart": {
"name": "KQED food",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/food,bayareabites,checkplease",
"parent": "food",
"type": "terms",
"id": "jpepinheart",
"slug": "jpepinheart",
"link": "/food",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"liveblog": {
"name": "Live Blog",
"type": "terms",
"id": "liveblog",
"slug": "liveblog",
"link": "/liveblog",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"livetv": {
"name": "Live TV",
"parent": "tv",
"type": "terms",
"id": "livetv",
"slug": "livetv",
"link": "/livetv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"lowdown": {
"name": "The Lowdown",
"relatedContentQuery": "posts/lowdown?",
"parent": "news",
"type": "terms",
"id": "lowdown",
"slug": "lowdown",
"link": "/lowdown",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"mindshift": {
"name": "Mindshift",
"parent": "news",
"description": "MindShift explores the future of education by highlighting the innovative – and sometimes counterintuitive – ways educators and parents are helping all children succeed.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "mindshift",
"slug": "mindshift",
"link": "/mindshift",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news": {
"name": "News",
"grouping": [
"news",
"forum"
],
"type": "terms",
"id": "news",
"slug": "news",
"link": "/news",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"newsletters": {
"name": "newsletters",
"type": "terms",
"id": "newsletters",
"slug": "newsletters",
"link": "/newsletters",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"perspectives": {
"name": "Perspectives",
"parent": "radio",
"type": "terms",
"id": "perspectives",
"slug": "perspectives",
"link": "/perspectives",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"podcasts": {
"name": "Podcasts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "podcasts",
"slug": "podcasts",
"link": "/podcasts",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pop": {
"name": "Pop",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pop",
"slug": "pop",
"link": "/pop",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"pressroom": {
"name": "Pressroom",
"type": "terms",
"id": "pressroom",
"slug": "pressroom",
"link": "/pressroom",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"quest": {
"name": "Quest",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "quest",
"slug": "quest",
"link": "/quest",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"radio": {
"name": "Radio",
"grouping": [
"forum",
"perspectives"
],
"description": "Listen to KQED Public Radio – home of Forum and The California Report – on 88.5 FM in San Francisco, 89.3 FM in Sacramento, 88.3 FM in Santa Rosa and 88.1 FM in Martinez.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "radio",
"slug": "radio",
"link": "/radio",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"root": {
"name": "KQED",
"image": "https://ww2.kqed.org/app/uploads/2020/02/KQED-OG-Image@1x.png",
"imageWidth": 1200,
"imageHeight": 630,
"headData": {
"title": "KQED | News, Radio, Podcasts, TV | Public Media for Northern California",
"description": "KQED provides public radio, television, and independent reporting on issues that matter to the Bay Area. We’re the NPR and PBS member station for Northern California."
},
"type": "terms",
"id": "root",
"slug": "root",
"link": "/root",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"science": {
"name": "Science",
"grouping": [
"science",
"futureofyou"
],
"description": "KQED Science brings you award-winning science and environment coverage from the Bay Area and beyond.",
"type": "terms",
"id": "science",
"slug": "science",
"link": "/science",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"stateofhealth": {
"name": "State of Health",
"parent": "science",
"type": "terms",
"id": "stateofhealth",
"slug": "stateofhealth",
"link": "/stateofhealth",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"support": {
"name": "Support",
"type": "terms",
"id": "support",
"slug": "support",
"link": "/support",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"thedolist": {
"name": "The Do List",
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "thedolist",
"slug": "thedolist",
"link": "/thedolist",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"trulyca": {
"name": "Truly CA",
"grouping": [
"arts",
"pop",
"trulyca"
],
"parent": "arts",
"type": "terms",
"id": "trulyca",
"slug": "trulyca",
"link": "/trulyca",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"tv": {
"name": "TV",
"type": "terms",
"id": "tv",
"slug": "tv",
"link": "/tv",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"voterguide": {
"name": "Voter Guide",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "voterguide",
"slug": "voterguide",
"link": "/voterguide",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"guiaelectoral": {
"name": "Guia Electoral",
"parent": "elections",
"alias": "elections",
"type": "terms",
"id": "guiaelectoral",
"slug": "guiaelectoral",
"link": "/guiaelectoral",
"taxonomy": "site"
},
"news_category_california": {
"isLoading": true
},
"news_31795": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_31795",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "31795",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31812,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/california"
},
"news_34167": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34167",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34167",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Criminal Justice",
"slug": "criminal-justice",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Criminal Justice Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34184,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/criminal-justice"
},
"news_8": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_8",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "8",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 8,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/news"
},
"news_18538": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18538",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18538",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 31,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california"
},
"news_3014": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_3014",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "3014",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California Department of Justice",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Department of Justice Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3032,
"slug": "california-department-of-justice",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-department-of-justice"
},
"news_425": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_425",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "425",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "FBI",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "FBI Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 434,
"slug": "fbi",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/fbi"
},
"news_27626": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_27626",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "27626",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 27643,
"slug": "featured-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-news"
},
"news_25464": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_25464",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "25464",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "IRS",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "IRS Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 25481,
"slug": "irs",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/irs"
},
"news_34054": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34054",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34054",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "oakland",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "oakland Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 34071,
"slug": "oakland",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/oakland"
},
"news_34661": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34661",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34661",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Oakland Mayor",
"slug": "oakland-mayor",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Oakland Mayor | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34678,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/oakland-mayor"
},
"news_31962": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_31962",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "31962",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Sheng Thao",
"slug": "sheng-thao",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Sheng Thao Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 31979,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/sheng-thao"
},
"news_33745": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33745",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33745",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Criminal Justice",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Criminal Justice Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33762,
"slug": "criminal-justice",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/criminal-justice"
},
"news_33733": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33733",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33733",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "News",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "News Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33750,
"slug": "news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/news"
},
"news_33730": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33730",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33730",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Oakland",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Oakland Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33747,
"slug": "oakland",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/oakland"
},
"news_6266": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_6266",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "6266",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Housing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Housing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 6290,
"slug": "housing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/housing"
},
"news_3921": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_3921",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "3921",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "affordable housing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "affordable housing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3940,
"slug": "affordable-housing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/affordable-housing"
},
"news_19204": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19204",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19204",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "climate",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "climate Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19221,
"slug": "climate",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/climate"
},
"news_255": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_255",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "255",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "climate change",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "climate change Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 263,
"slug": "climate-change",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/climate-change"
},
"news_1323": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1323",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1323",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Donald Trump",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Donald Trump Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1335,
"slug": "donald-trump",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/donald-trump"
},
"news_20023": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20023",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20023",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "environment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "environment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20040,
"slug": "environment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/environment"
},
"news_16": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_16",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "16",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Gavin Newsom",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Gavin Newsom Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 16,
"slug": "gavin-newsom",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/gavin-newsom"
},
"news_34178": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34178",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34178",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "home insurance",
"slug": "home-insurance",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "home insurance Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34195,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/home-insurance"
},
"news_1775": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1775",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1775",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "housing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "housing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1790,
"slug": "housing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/housing"
},
"news_4": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "los angeles",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "los angeles Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4,
"slug": "los-angeles",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/los-angeles"
},
"news_21238": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21238",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21238",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Los Angeles County",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Los Angeles County Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21255,
"slug": "los-angeles-county",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/los-angeles-county"
},
"news_33426": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33426",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33426",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Mike Johnson",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Mike Johnson Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33443,
"slug": "mike-johnson",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/mike-johnson"
},
"news_881": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_881",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "881",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Natural Disasters",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Natural Disasters Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 891,
"slug": "natural-disasters",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/natural-disasters"
},
"news_4463": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4463",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4463",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "wildfires",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "wildfires Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 4482,
"slug": "wildfires",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/wildfires"
},
"news_33738": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33738",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33738",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33755,
"slug": "california",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/california"
},
"news_33739": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33739",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33739",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Housing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Housing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33756,
"slug": "housing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/housing"
},
"news_13": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_13",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "13",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Politics",
"slug": "politics",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Politics | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 13,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/politics"
},
"news_34055": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34055",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34055",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Daniel Lurie",
"slug": "daniel-lurie",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Daniel Lurie | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34072,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/daniel-lurie"
},
"news_34377": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34377",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34377",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "featured-politics",
"slug": "featured-politics",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "featured-politics Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34394,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-politics"
},
"news_18543": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18543",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18543",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Health Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 466,
"slug": "health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/health"
},
"news_17968": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17968",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17968",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Politics",
"slug": "politics",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Politics | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 18002,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/politics"
},
"news_19960": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19960",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19960",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "public health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "public health Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19977,
"slug": "public-health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/public-health"
},
"news_38": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_38",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "38",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 58,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco"
},
"news_26203": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_26203",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "26203",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco Department of Public Health",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Department of Public Health Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 26220,
"slug": "san-francisco-department-of-public-health",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-francisco-department-of-public-health"
},
"news_33734": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33734",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33734",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Local Politics",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Local Politics Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33751,
"slug": "local-politics",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/local-politics"
},
"news_33729": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33729",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33729",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Francisco",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Francisco Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33746,
"slug": "san-francisco",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/san-francisco"
},
"news_34165": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34165",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34165",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Climate",
"slug": "climate",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Climate Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34182,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/climate"
},
"news_34576": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34576",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34576",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "animal welfare",
"slug": "animal-welfare",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "animal welfare | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34593,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/animal-welfare"
},
"news_18132": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18132",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18132",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "animals",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "animals Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18166,
"slug": "animals",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/animals"
},
"news_1386": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_1386",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "1386",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Bay Area",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Bay Area Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 1398,
"slug": "bay-area",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/bay-area"
},
"news_19201": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19201",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19201",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Dogs",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Dogs Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19218,
"slug": "dogs",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/dogs"
},
"news_33750": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33750",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33750",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Climate",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Climate Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33767,
"slug": "climate",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/climate"
},
"news_19522": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19522",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19522",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "corruption",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "corruption Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19539,
"slug": "corruption",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/corruption"
},
"news_17626": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_17626",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "17626",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "crime",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "crime Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 17660,
"slug": "crime",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/crime"
},
"news_18352": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18352",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18352",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "East Bay",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "East Bay Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18386,
"slug": "east-bay",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/east-bay"
},
"news_19903": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19903",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19903",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "law enforcement",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "law enforcement Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19920,
"slug": "law-enforcement",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/law-enforcement"
},
"news_5690": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_5690",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "5690",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "political corruption",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "political corruption Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 5714,
"slug": "political-corruption",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/political-corruption"
},
"news_23276": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_23276",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "23276",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "San Leandro",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "San Leandro Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 23293,
"slug": "san-leandro",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/san-leandro"
},
"news_19906": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19906",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19906",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Environment",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Environment Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 19923,
"slug": "environment",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/environment"
},
"news_356": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_356",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "356",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Science",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "category",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Science Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 364,
"slug": "science",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/science"
},
"news_25135": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_25135",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "25135",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "California fires",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "California fires Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 25152,
"slug": "california-fires",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-fires"
},
"news_20472": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20472",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20472",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "california housing",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "california housing Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20489,
"slug": "california-housing",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/california-housing"
},
"news_34868": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34868",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34868",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "los angeles fires",
"slug": "los-angeles-fires",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "los angeles fires | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34885,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/los-angeles-fires"
},
"news_18481": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_18481",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "18481",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "CALmatters",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "affiliate",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "CALmatters Archives | KQED Arts",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 18515,
"slug": "calmatters",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/affiliate/calmatters"
},
"news_33737": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_33737",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "33737",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Science",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "interest",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Science Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 33754,
"slug": "science",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/interest/science"
},
"news_32839": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32839",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32839",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Election 2024",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Election 2024 Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32856,
"slug": "election-2024",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/election-2024"
},
"news_20222": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_20222",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "20222",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "inauguration",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "inauguration Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 20239,
"slug": "inauguration",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/inauguration"
},
"news_177": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_177",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "177",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Nancy Pelosi",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Nancy Pelosi Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 184,
"slug": "nancy-pelosi",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/nancy-pelosi"
},
"news_29111": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_29111",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "29111",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Presidential Election",
"slug": "presidential-election",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Presidential Election Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 29128,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/presidential-election"
},
"news_34551": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34551",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34551",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Labor",
"slug": "labor",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": "We examine worker safety, workplace regulation, employment trends and union organizing.",
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Labor | KQED News",
"description": "We examine worker safety, workplace regulation, employment trends and union organizing.",
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34568,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/labor"
},
"news_28199": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_28199",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "28199",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "featured-science",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "featured-science Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 28216,
"slug": "featured-science",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/featured-science"
},
"news_34300": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34300",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34300",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "forced labor",
"slug": "forced-labor",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "forced labor Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34317,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/forced-labor"
},
"news_21241": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21241",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21241",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "Inmate firefighters",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "Inmate firefighters Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21258,
"slug": "inmate-firefighters",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/inmate-firefighters"
},
"news_19904": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_19904",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "19904",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Labor",
"slug": "labor",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Labor | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 19921,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/labor"
},
"news_4020": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_4020",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "4020",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Homelessness",
"slug": "homelessness",
"taxonomy": "tag",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Homelessness | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null,
"metaRobotsNoIndex": "index"
},
"ttid": 4039,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/homelessness"
},
"news_34168": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_34168",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "34168",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"name": "Guides and Explainers",
"slug": "guides-and-explainers",
"taxonomy": "category",
"description": null,
"featImg": null,
"headData": {
"title": "Guides and Explainers Archives | KQED News",
"description": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogDescription": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"twDescription": null,
"twImgId": null
},
"ttid": 34185,
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/category/guides-and-explainers"
},
"news_32707": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_32707",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "32707",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "audience-news",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "audience-news Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 32724,
"slug": "audience-news",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/audience-news"
},
"news_21917": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_21917",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "21917",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "FEMA",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "FEMA Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 21934,
"slug": "fema",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/fema"
},
"news_22697": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_22697",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "22697",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "financial aid",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "financial aid Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 22714,
"slug": "financial-aid",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/financial-aid"
},
"news_3396": {
"type": "terms",
"id": "news_3396",
"meta": {
"index": "terms_1716263798",
"site": "news",
"id": "3396",
"found": true
},
"relationships": {},
"featImg": null,
"name": "natural disaster",
"description": null,
"taxonomy": "tag",
"headData": {
"twImgId": null,
"twTitle": null,
"ogTitle": null,
"ogImgId": null,
"twDescription": null,
"description": null,
"title": "natural disaster Archives | KQED News",
"ogDescription": null
},
"ttid": 3414,
"slug": "natural-disaster",
"isLoading": false,
"link": "/news/tag/natural-disaster"
}
},
"userPermissionsReducer": {
"wpLoggedIn": false
},
"eventsReducer": {},
"fssReducer": {},
"tvDailyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvWeeklyScheduleReducer": {},
"tvPrimetimeScheduleReducer": {},
"tvMonthlyScheduleReducer": {},
"userAccountReducer": {
"user": {
"email": null,
"emailStatus": "EMAIL_UNVALIDATED",
"loggedStatus": "LOGGED_OUT",
"loggingChecked": false,
"articles": [],
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"phoneNumber": null,
"fetchingMembership": false,
"membershipError": false,
"memberships": [
{
"id": null,
"startDate": null,
"firstName": null,
"lastName": null,
"familyNumber": null,
"memberNumber": null,
"memberSince": null,
"expirationDate": null,
"pfsEligible": false,
"isSustaining": false,
"membershipLevel": "Prospect",
"membershipStatus": "Non Member",
"lastGiftDate": null,
"renewalDate": null,
"lastDonationAmount": null
}
]
},
"authModal": {
"isOpen": false,
"view": "LANDING_VIEW"
},
"error": null
},
"youthMediaReducer": {},
"checkPleaseReducer": {
"filterData": {
"region": {
"key": "Restaurant Region",
"filters": [
"Any Region"
]
},
"cuisine": {
"key": "Restaurant Cuisine",
"filters": [
"Any Cuisine"
]
}
},
"restaurantDataById": {},
"restaurantIdsSorted": [],
"error": null
},
"userAgentReducer": {
"userAgent": "Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)",
"isBot": true
}
}
