The Bay

KQED

4.7 (430)
DAILY NEWS
UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Bay Area-raised host Ericka Cruz Guevarra talks with local journalists about what’s happening in the greatest region in the country. It’s the context and analysis you need to make sense of the news, with help from the people who know it best. New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

1H AGO

When the Military Tested a Biological Weapon in S.F.

Today, we bring you an episode from our friends at Bay Curious about a secret biological weapons test — in San Francisco. 75 years ago, the U.S. military sprayed bacteria over the city. The test team thought it was harmless, but several people got sick and one person died. KQED’s Katherine Monahan reports on the history and impacts of this operation on one man's family. Links: The True Story of the Military's Secret 1950 San Francisco Biological Weapons Test | KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 min
2D AGO

Can the Esmeralda Land Company Win Over Cloverdale?

On Wednesday, executives from a group called the Esmeralda Land Company will present their plans to officials in Cloverdale, a small city of roughly 9,000 residents in northern Sonoma County. The project, titled Esmeralda, is led by Devon Zuegel, a tech worker who hopes to build a hotel, new housing, and a park on a 266-acre piece of land in the southern end of the city. She describes the planned development as a “mini college campus,” reminiscent of the small resort town of Chautauqua, NY. Some residents, including local officials, are excited about the project and impressed with Esmeralda’s outreach to the community. Others worry that the development will prioritize wealthy Silicon Valley tech-types over Cloverdale residents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27 min
5D AGO

Election Recap: Prop. 50, Santa Clara County's Measure A, and Nancy Pelosi's Retirement

California voters overwhelmingly approved Prop. 50, which will redraw our Congressional maps in an effort to push back against President Donald Trump. In Santa Clara County, voters also passed a sales tax measure to partially make up for federal funding cuts. Today, we break down how Prop. 50 will change U.S. House districts in the Bay, Santa Clara County’s Measure A, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s retirement announcement after nearly 40 years representing San Francisco. Links: How Proposition 50’s Win Reshapes California’s 2026 Elections | KQED Nancy Pelosi Retiring After 38 Years Representing San Francisco in Congress | KQED Santa Clara County Sales Tax Measure Appears Poised to Pass Amid Federal Cuts | KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 min
NOV 5

‘Everybody Needs Food’: How a Solano County Food Pantry Is Dealing with SNAP Delays

The ongoing federal government shutdown has reduced and delayed SNAP benefits this month. As a result, food banks in the Bay Area are bracing for an even greater surge in demand. We join Heather Pierini, the executive director of ⁠Food Is Free Bay Area⁠, on a donation day at the Solano County Fairgrounds. Links: The Bay Area restaurants offering free meals to families using CalFresh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 min
NOV 3

Why San Mateo County Removed Its Sheriff

On Oct. 14, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors removed first-term Sheriff Christina Corpus. For more than a year, her office was mired in allegations of retaliation, misconduct, and abuse of power, largely stemming from an alleged relationship with her former chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. KQED reporter Brian Krans joins us to break down this long and bitter chapter in San Mateo county politics. Links: San Mateo County Sheriff Is Ousted in Historic Final Vote by Supervisors | KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29 min
OCT 31

SNAP Benefits, Uber Enters the Robotaxi Race, and the Condor Comeback

In this October edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, we discuss the impact of the federal government shutdown on hunger in the Bay Area, and how local governments are responding. We also discuss Uber’s plans to enter the driverless vehicle market, and how the California condor is making a comeback after near-extinction. Plus, we pay tribute to KQED transportation editor Dan Brekke, who is retiring after nearly 50 years in Bay Area journalism. Links: Contra Costa County plans to give CalFresh recipients food money if SNAP is paused San Francisco Will Cover SNAP Benefits for November Amid Federal Shutdown With SNAP Benefits Delayed, Restaurants Step Up to Feed Bay Area Families Uber will challenge Waymo’s robotaxi dominance in San Francisco For a century, they were gone. But California condors are making a comeback in these parts of the Bay Area Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23 min
OCT 29

Visiting Yosemite During the Government Shutdown

There have been mixed reports of the situation at Yosemite National Park since the federal government shutdown began on Oct. 1. Some say the park is rife with unruly visitors, trash, and illegal behavior, while others say it’s perfectly normal. So KQED reporter Sarah Wright went to go see for herself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19 min
OCT 27

Gov. Newsom on Prop. 50, the Democratic Party, and DOJ Election Monitors

Gov. Gavin Newsom is accusing the Trump Administration of “rigging” California’s special election after the Department of Justice announced its plans to send election monitors to California polling places this November. Gov. Newsom sits down with KQED’s Political Breakdown podcast in this wide-ranging interview at our studios in San Francisco. Links: Watch this interview on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 min

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Ericka Cruz Guevarra

Host

4.7

out of 5

430 Ratings

The perfect morning podcast!

11/15/2023

DeedeeB.

This podcast is a great way to start the day, and I appreciate the deep local news coverage. Thank you, KQED!
No different from Fox News

06/14/2024

5Jesse

If you’re going to look at Fox News and write it off because ‘it’s so blatantly partisan’ or ‘it’s nothing but a propaganda channel’, can you really come back and listen to this? This is identity politics for the left - it’s not a news source. If you have a differing opinion, you’re not welcome. I personally despise Fox News, and this has similar vibes that there’s one opinion, and that is the only opinion.
Conscientious Jouranlism

09/20/2023

PaulSpitz

“All the news, to keep you rooted.” Erica Cruz Guevara and company offer great local, Bay Area journalism. From the North Bay to the South, from the Town to the City, I hear stories that are trending like Oakland’s homeless or the recent South Bay ballot measure for a no-caste vote. But more often I hear journalism from the fringe, like environmental impacts at Richmond’s refinery, or LGBTQ+ issues. The journalism is imbued with local analysis from both sides of the fence, and eye toward equity and injustice(s). If you like NYTimes’ The Daily, you’ll enjoy The Bay; a deep, humane dive into leading issues around The Bay. Thanks!
Go to for local news

04/01/2023

Suzannekmoses

I feel much more connected to the Bay Area since I added this to my mandatory listening!

Bay Area-raised host Ericka Cruz Guevarra talks with local journalists about what’s happening in the greatest region in the country. It’s the context and analysis you need to make sense of the news, with help from the people who know it best. New episodes drop Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.