Talk of the Bay from KSQD

KSQD.org
  • 5.0 (4)
  • News
  • Daily

News and views from the Central Coast of California.

  1. 7h ago

    2026 California Ballot & Local Election Special 2

    This special election episode of Talk of the Bay, hosted by Chris Krohn, serves as a call-in forum and community roundtable on the eve of the midterm election. The program mixes local commentary, live music, and guest interviews to capture the civic anxiety and political engagement across Santa Cruz County and the broader Monterey Bay area. Krohn sets an interactive tone by inviting listeners to share their perspectives on both national stakes, such as democratic power dynamics and local issues. The show focuses heavily on Santa Cruz urban development, housing affordability, and local election mechanics. Accompanied by a live song performance from a guest musician, the host and callers critique high-rise developments, developer transparency, and the balance between tourist-driven hotel taxes and affordable housing for essential workers. The segment highlights the Santa Cruz mayoral contest between candidates Amy Chen Mills and Ryan Coonerty, particularly their shared opposition to the controversial Seabright project. Guest Bruce Van Allen, a former mayor and school board member, provides an analytical breakdown of early voter turnout patterns across local jurisdictions, while urging voters to deliver their mail-in ballots directly to drop boxes rather than risk post office processing delays. Part 2 of the show features an interview with Santa Cruz County Clerk Tricia Weber outlines key voting logistics, detailing security protocols against double-voting, explaining the canvas and ballot tabulation timeline, and advising voters on local drop box and vote center locations. Later, caller and former city council candidate Hector Marin discusses progressive statewide measures, including Proposition 40 (the proposed billionaire’s tax), and shares his endorsements for candidates such as Xavier Becerra for Governor and Jane Kim for Insurance Commissioner. The episode concludes with practical voting reminders and a strong emphasis on grassroots civic participation.

  2. 3d ago

    Reconciliation Project of Santa Cruz County

    When someone commits a crime, typically, if convicted, they pay a fine or do jail time. The recidivism rate nationwide and locally is extremely high, reaching 80% in some communities. The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates in the democratic world. The Reconciliation Project of the Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County aims to find other ways to resolve the harm to both the victim and perpetrator. Executive Director Julia Feldman, a former probation officer, holds trainings monthly for people wanting to take the step of reconciliation. In this podcast, we hear about a successful process that took place here in Santa Cruz when a Black Lives Matters mural was defaced, and Julia’s hopes for future uses of this tool of healing.

  3. 3d ago

    Conscientious Objector Trainings

    Back in the Viet Nam era, Conscientious Objectors were filing for exemptions to the draft based on their moral beliefs that killing of any kind is wrong. Today, groups of faith leaders are organizing again to spread the word that this is something young men can prepare for, even though there is no draft currently. The Quakers and Unitarian Universalists are planning two events near Veterans Day, Nov. 11.  They want to frame Veterans Day as a time for peace action, and specifically to honor vets by supporting conscientious objectors and opposing endless wars.  Two events, one on November 7th and other on the 15th,  center on the new selective service law, which, starting in December, automatically registers all young men for a potential draft. Participants will learn the most basic steps to document, or help someone else document, a claim to conscientious objection. The Quakers’ Nov 7 panel dialogue features vets, conscientious objectors & war resisters; our Nov 15 workshop will prepare elders to engage young men in dialogue about war and military service, while providing the young men a safe space to share their thoughts about the same topic.  Details in the flier:

  4. 6d ago

    2026 California Ballot & Local Election Special

    In this election special of Talk of the Bay, host Chris Krohn is joined by a panel of local political activists and community leaders: Dave Tannaci, Jeffrey Smedberg, Nora Hochman, and Candace Brown review key contests and propositions on the California ballot. The panel breaks down statewide measures including Proposition 40 (a one-time tax on California billionaires), Proposition 3, Proposition 4 (public campaign financing), and controversial proposals like Proposition 45 (modifications to the California Environmental Quality Act) and Proposition 39 (voter ID requirements). They also discuss key statewide races, including the race for Insurance Commissioner featuring Jane Kim. In addition to statewide propositions, the episode focuses on local Santa Cruz and regional political contests. The guests examine the Santa Cruz Mayoral race between candidates Ryan Coonerty and Amy Chen Mills, analyzing campaign finance, leadership styles, and community engagement. The discussion also highlights county-wide issues such as Measure E (the local sales tax measure) and critical local school board races, including the Pajaro Valley Unified School District elections and the challenges facing healthcare access at Watsonville Hospital. The episode concludes with a review of remaining statewide candidates and a call to action for voters to engage with their communities. The panel emphasizes the importance of making informed decisions on mail-in ballots and participating in the democratic process before the November 3rd voting deadline. Where to vote in Santa Cruz County: https://votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov/Home/Elections/November3,2026CaliforniaGeneralElection/VoteCenterDropBoxLocations.aspx

  5. Oct 27

    Gil Durán Author of The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy

    In this episode of Talk of the Bay, host George Cadman is joined by author and journalist Gil Durán to discuss his book, The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy. Durán investigates a growing authoritarian movement within the technology industry, connecting figures such as Peter Thiel, Curtis Yarvin, and Vice President J.D. Vance and tracing how fringe political ideas have gained access to the highest levels of government. The conversation explores the motivations and anti-democratic ambitions of these tech billionaires, as well as their alliances with right-wing political elements and the influence of historical fascist philosophy. Additionally, listeners are invited to a special live event featuring Duran in conversation with Amy Chen Mills at the London Nelson Community Center on Tuesday, October 27th at 6:30 p.m., with books available for purchase through Two Birds Books. Live Stream of the event:

  6. Oct 26

    Jim Baker and Justin Flores of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project uncover the impact of private equity on people and our planet

    Jim Baker is the founder and executive director of the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a nonprofit watchdog group that uncovers the impact of private equity on people and our planet. Prior to founding PESP in 2017, Jim researched the impact of PE and other financial firms at labor unions UNITE HERE and SEIU. Justin Flores is the director of the workers and jobs team at the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, where he analyzes the effects of private equity ownership on employees, and advocates for the fair treatment of workers at portfolio companies.

  7. Oct 26

    Sylvain Poirier dives into the history of pop music north of the border, and shares songs

    Sylvain Poirier is a seasoned guitarist and vocalist with a rich, deep voice. He lives in Montreal, Canada, and has been performing across Quebec since 1984, and beyond, including a stint as a musician with Cirque de Soleil. When not sharing the stage with other artists and musicians, he travels solo with his guitars, drawing on an impressive bilingual repertoire that takes him from intimate music venues to festivals and events all over the province. In October of 2026, he appeared at the Stanton Center in Monterey, sharing songs and stories. Through his album “Sep7”, he shares some of his own compositions alongside his unique takes on other songs, offering a glimpse into a journey that has turned inward — reflecting the perspective of a mature man looking back on his life’s quest and path. More at https://septprojets.com

  8. Oct 25

    Nurses Unite to Save Watsonville Community Hospital’s Maternity and Neonatal Care

    On this episode of Talk of the Bay, host George Cadman speaks with longtime Watsonville Community Hospital nurses Roseanne Ferris and Tontz Pitchforth about the hospital’s financial crisis and the potential loss of essential healthcare services. Facing the prospect of closure within six to twelve months, the community-owned hospital is confronting difficult choices amid state and federal funding reductions, including possible cuts to its obstetrics, neonatal intensive care, and other critical services. The nurses explain why losing Watsonville Community Hospital would have consequences far beyond South County. The elimination of maternity and neonatal services could put patients at risk, increase ambulance transportation demands, and place additional strain on Dominican Hospital and Natividad Medical Center. Beyond patient care, the hospital is a major local employer and an essential resource for medically underserved residents. Ferris and Pitchforth emphasize that the community successfully rallied to save the hospital from bankruptcy in 2022—and that collective action is needed again. The conversation explores practical ways residents can help protect local healthcare, including using Watsonville Community Hospital’s services, contacting elected officials, supporting efforts to secure funding, and considering Measure E, the proposed countywide half-cent sales tax discussed in the interview. Their message is clear: protecting Watsonville Community Hospital means safeguarding access to essential care for the entire region.

See All (199)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

News and views from the Central Coast of California.

Information

You Might Also Like