On Monday, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians started returning to northern Gaza after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement. 

The ceasefire is currently in its first stage; 33 hostages will be returned to Israel and 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released. Despite initial celebrations, many are nervous about whether this ceasefire will hold, and what Gaza’s future will look like. 

Today, we hear reactions to the ceasefire from three Palestinians in northern California who have family in Gaza.

This episode was produced by Jessica Kariisa, Ericka Cruz Guevarra, and Mel Velasquez. It was edited by Alan Montecillo and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.

Links:

• Tentative Relief and Fear: 4 Bay Area Palestinian Americans React to the Gaza Ceasefire

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Vallejo to Richmond, Concord to Alameda, military bases were once huge parts of life in the Bay Area. These days, it can be hard to believe whole cities were built around them. So why are there so many abandoned military bases today? KQED's Pauline Bartolone looked into it for Bay Curious.

Links:

• Part II: Surprising Ways Former Bay Area Military Bases Are Transforming (and Why It Takes So Long)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re working on an episode about dating in the Bay Area — the good, the bad, and everything in between — and we’d love to hear from you. What’s your experience been like? What’s dating like in your city?

Leave us a voicemail at 415-710-9223, or send a voice memo to [email protected]. Let us know your name, your city, and your story. Also, if you’re open to being interviewed for the podcast, tell us and we may follow up with you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who was recalled from office in the November election, has been charged with eight counts of conspiracy and bribery. Last week, federal officials unsealed an indictment which includes Thao, her longtime romantic partner, and two prominent businessmen affiliated with the city’s recycling contractor. KQED's Alex Hall breaks down this news.

This episode was produced by Alan Montecillo, Jessica Kariisa, and Mel Velasquez, and hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the biggest names in tech — Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and Sundar Pichai — got priority seating at President Donald Trump’s inauguration this week. But what will Silicon Valley’s turn towards Trump mean for the rest of us?

This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and produced by Alan Montecillo and Jessica Kariisa

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Donald Trump is sworn in as president for the second time, we hear from Bay Area residents and officials about their hopes and fears for the next 4 years.

Special thanks to Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, Juan Carlos Lara, Alastair Boone, Tessa Paoli, and KQED's Forum team.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wildfires in Los Angeles County have placed renewed attention on the dangerous, low-wage work of California’s inmate firefighters. In 2021, a new law aimed to help formerly incarcerated people get firefighting jobs after release. But many still face significant barriers. 

Links:

• Join us on Wed, Jan. 22 for our Fixit Clinic event at KQED HQ

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting in March, San Francisco will have speed cameras at 33 different locations throughout the city. Many advocates and city officials hope these cameras will help improve road safety in San Francisco, which saw its highest traffic death toll in nearly two decades last year.

Links:

• Join us on Wed, Jan. 22 for our Fixit Clinic live event!

This episode was hosted by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and produced by Jessica Kariisa and Alan Montecillo

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wildfires in Los Angeles have brought fire department budgets under scrutiny. In Oakland, the recent closures of two fire stations in the city’s hills have left firefighters warning of a tragedy waiting to happen. 

Links:

• 2 Oakland Fire Stations Close Amid Budget Crisis, and More Could Soon Follow
• How to Help People Affected by the L.A. Fires 
• Got Loved Ones Affected by LA Fires? These Wildfire Resources May Help 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting this month, Medi-Cal has expanded coverage to include traditional healing practices like music therapy, rituals and ceremonial dances to support those suffering from addiction. For years, Native people have argued that this more holistic, culturally-specific approach can help fill an important gap in the state’s approach to drug and alcohol treatment. 

Links:

• How to Help People Affected by the L.A. Fires 
• Got Loved Ones Affected by LA Fires? These Wildfire Resources May Help 

This episode was hosted by Cecilia Lei and produced by Ericka Cruz Guevarra and Jessica Kariisa

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Bay Area is home to thousands of people with Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. Immigrants with TPS are provided a temporary shield from deportation and a work permit as a result of upheaval in their home countries. But as Donald Trump prepares to enter his second term, many fear deportation.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices