Episodes

  • PG&E Bills Are Going Up. Here’s Why

    PG&E Bills Are Going Up. Here’s Why
    May 11 2026
    According to a KQED analysis, the average Pacific Gas & Electric utility bill went up nearly 70% between 2020 and March 2025. But understanding what you’re actually paying for can be confusing. In this episode, KQED’s climate reporter Laura Klivans helps Ericka decode her PG&E bill. This episode originally aired Dec 17, 2025 Links: The Average PG&E Utility Bill Has Gone Up Nearly 70% Since 2020 | KQED Bay Area Electricity Bills Are Some of the Highest. Where Does Your Money Go? | KQED PG&E Bills Keep Rising. What Can You Do to (Potentially) Lower Your Bills? | KQED Some members of the KQED podcast team are represented by The Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, San Francisco-Northern California Local. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    16 mins
  • Can the Valkyries Take It to the Next Level?

    Can the Valkyries Take It to the Next Level?
    May 8 2026
    The Golden State Valkyries’ first season was a huge success. The team sold out every home game and became the first WNBA team ever to make the playoffs in their expansion season. This year, expectations are high. Marisa Ingemi of Valkyries Beat joins us to preview the Valkyries’ second season season, and provide some helpful tips for new fans. Links: 2026 WNBA Season Preview from a Valkyries perspective (Valkyries Beat) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    17 mins
  • Inside Elon Musk and Sam Altman's Battle Over OpenAI

    Inside Elon Musk and Sam Altman's Battle Over OpenAI
    May 6 2026
    Jurors and journalists are getting a peek into the world of OpenAI and its founding as two of the richest, most powerful men in tech duke it out in an Oakland federal courthouse. Elon Musk claims that Sam Altman and other co-founders of OpenAI abandoned their founding promise to develop AI for the benefit of humanity. But does anyone here really have our best interests at heart? KQED’s Rachael Myrow takes us inside. Links: How to Unscramble an Omelet in Silicon Valley: The Musk v. Altman Trial That Will Try Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Raising Kids in the Bay? It Comes With Compromises

    Raising Kids in the Bay? It Comes With Compromises
    May 4 2026
    Raising kids is expensive, and doing so in the Bay comes with compromises. Whether it’s with space, commutes, or affordability, having a kid here means something’s gotta give. KQED reporter Adhiti Bandlamudi introduces us to three different families and tells us what they’re doing to get by. Links: How We Get By | KQED In the Bay Area, Raising Kids Comes With Compromise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 mins
  • The Civic Joy Fund Promises to Help ‘Revitalize’ SF. Some Artists Want No Part in It

    The Civic Joy Fund Promises to Help ‘Revitalize’ SF. Some Artists Want No Part in It
    May 1 2026
    Since 2023, a private initiative called the Civic Joy Fund has financially supported hundreds of arts and culture events in San Francisco. But a growing group of artists are calling for a boycott of events affiliated with the Civic Joy Fund, citing its connections to the Bay Area’s ultra-wealthy who already play an outsized role in local and state politics. Emma Silvers, journalist and co-owner of COYOTE Media Collective, explains why Bay Area artists are talking about the Civic Joy Fund right now. Links: Bay Area Artists Are Turning on the Civic Joy Fund (Coyote Media) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Oakland Makes It Easier to Sweep Encampments, California Billionaire Tax, and SF Library Weddings

    Oakland Makes It Easier to Sweep Encampments, California Billionaire Tax, and SF Library Weddings
    Apr 29 2026
    In this month’s edition of The Bay’s news roundup, Ericka, Alan, and KQED outdoors reporter Sarah Wright discuss Oakland’s new policy that will make it easier to sweep homeless encampments and RVs. Plus, a measure to tax the wealth of California’s billionaires seems headed for the November ballot, and a small group of lucky booklovers gets married at the San Francisco Public Library. Links: Oakland Passes Controversial Policy Easing Restrictions on Encampment Sweeps | KQED California Billionaire Tax Nears the November Ballot | KQED Bay Area Book Lovers: We Have Highly Literary Date (or Friend Hang) Ideas for Your Weekend | KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Inside California’s Last Nuclear Power Plant

    Inside California’s Last Nuclear Power Plant
    Apr 27 2026
    Nuclear power has always been hotly debated. 9% of California’s power comes from the last operating nuclear power plant, Diablo Canyon, in San Luis Obispo County. But after initial plans to close it by 2025, an about-face by Gov. Gavin Newsom led the state to extend its operations until 2030 — with lawmakers now debating whether to keep it open for even longer in order to bolster California's ability to provide power in the face of climate change. Links: The Debate for Keeping Diablo Canyon Open Past 2030 Is On. What Could It Mean for Your Bills? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Medi-Cal Cuts Are Coming. Contra Costa County Is Bracing for Impact

    Medi-Cal Cuts Are Coming. Contra Costa County Is Bracing for Impact
    Apr 24 2026
    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump last year, will cut an estimated $900 billion to $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade. Between funding cuts and big changes to enrollment and eligibility requirements, residents who rely on Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, are bracing for impact. Doctor and journalist Sejal Parekh explores how this is playing out in Contra Costa County. Links: Up to 93K Contra Costa County residents could lose health insurance under Trump cuts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 mins