Civic
News & Politics
About
Civic is the flagship audio program from the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit news institution, covering important local issues and the unique experiences of living and working in San Francisco. The radio program airs Tuesdays and Thursdays on KSFP -LP 102.5 FM in San Francisco.
Episodes
- Inside San Francisco’s Women’s Jail
This episode of Civic investigates conditions inside San Francisco's women's jail, including allegations of mass strip searches, prolonged lockdowns, overcrowding, and untreated trauma. The documentary uses public hearings, legal records,…
- Civic Presents - Rival San Francisco Chinatown Clubs Hold Congressional Candidate Forum
Two rival San Francisco Chinatown organizations hosted a congressional candidate forum. The event was covered by The San Francisco Public Press.
- Civic Special - Crossing State Lines for Abortion Access
Diana Greene Foster, a demographer from UCSF and author of "The Turnaway Study," and Mariana Horne, Outreach and Education Coordinator at ACCESS Reproductive Justice, discuss crossing state lines for abortion access. Foster
- Who Decides? Trans Youth, Federal Power and the Battle Over Care
This episode of Civic investigates how federal policy actions, like executive orders and funding threats, are affecting transgender youth's access to gender-affirming care. Reporter Sylvie Sturm follows the story of 15-year-old Eric and in…
- Civic Special - Local experts illuminate candidate races and expected measures on city ballots in June and November
A panel of local experts discussed key San Francisco ballot measures for June and November elections, including the Overpaid CEO Act, charter reform, and a family zoning plan. They also addressed the race for Nancy Pelosi's vacated Congres…
- Civic Special - Formerly Incarcerated Performers Headline Berkeley Rep’s Mainstage
The podcast Civic covers formerly incarcerated performers headlining at Berkeley Repertory Theatre's mainstage.
- A Return to Harm? LGBTQ Youth Conversion Therapy Supreme Court Considers Upending Protections
The episode explores the history of LGBTQ youth conversion therapy, the legal battles surrounding it, and a current Supreme Court case that could impact existing protections. It includes perspectives from survivors, scientists, and advocat…
- Civic Special - San Francisco “Family Zoning” Housing Plan
San Francisco is considering a "Family Zoning Plan" to increase building height limits along transit corridors and meet housing mandates. Introduced by Mayor Daniel Lurie, the plan includes amendments to be voted on December 2nd, 2025. A t…
- Broke-Ass Stuart, Pioneer Offline-Online Influencer, Looks Back at 20 Years of Love, Death and Dive Bars.
Stuart Schuffman, or Broke-Ass Stuart, details his 20-year career, which began with a zine and evolved into influencing. His experiences span travel hosting, publishing, and even a mayoral candidacy.
- Why Are So Many Older Adults Unhoused, and What Can You Do About It?
This episode discusses the growing problem of homelessness among older adults, referencing the work 'No Place to Grow Old' from the San Francisco Public Press. It explores the causes and potential actions that can be taken.
- How Federal Cuts Threaten Research and Lives
Federal budget cuts are hindering critical research in areas like Alzheimer's and cancer, impacting student opportunities and veteran care. The episode discusses the political battle over these cuts and the efforts to safeguard the future…
- What Medicaid Cuts Mean for San Francisco
This Civic episode discusses the potential local impact of federal Medicaid budget cuts on San Francisco's healthcare safety net, including effects on patients and care workers.
- Social Security Under Strain
This episode discusses problems with Social Security services such as missed checks and delayed responses. Resources are provided for listeners experiencing these issues to file complaints with the California Department of Justice.
- The Silent Killer — Chronic Hepatitis B Threatens the Health of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
This episode of Civic discusses chronic hepatitis B, a 'silent killer' disproportionately affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in California. It examines disparities in diagnosis, vaccination, and treatment, noting tha…
- Sidelined After Service: What Federal Cuts Mean for Veterans
This episode discusses the potential negative effects of federal job cuts and privatization at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on veteran services. It also features Vets in Tech, a program assisting veterans in finding careers in S…
- How Do We Respond to Attacks on Public Media, DEI and Democracy?
This Civic podcast episode features a discussion with PBS public editor Ricardo Sandoval-Palos and SF Public Press executive director Lila LaHood on challenges facing public media, DEI, and democracy. They also addressed potential impacts…
- Progress or Political Theater? Factions Disagree on How to Clean Up San Francisco Street Conditions
The Civic podcast episode 'Progress or Political Theater?' examines the differing views on San Francisco's approach to street conditions, homelessness, and substance use, noting the conflict between city actions and resource availability.
- Journalists Are Fighting Back Against Investors Dismantling Newspapers Around the Country
The San Francisco Public Press is hosting a screening of the film 'Stripped for Parts,' which examines the impact of investors on American newspapers. The event will take place on Thursday, March 13th, with details and tickets available on…
- Thousands Across Bay Area Are Mobilizing Against Mass Deportation
The Civic episode covers the mobilization of immigrant communities in the Bay Area against Trump administration's mass deportation threats. It features voices of affected individuals, experts, and organizers involved in legal aid, rapid re…
- RE-RELEASE: Ukrainians in SF Are Anxious and Angry
This episode revisits conversations from April 2022, shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. San Francisco residents with ties to Ukraine discuss their fears for loved ones and efforts to provide aid, like sending supplies and welcomin…
- A New Aggressive Anti-Abortion Group Was Founded in San Francisco
This episode examines San Francisco's long history of supporting abortion access, detailing recent aggressive anti-abortion tactics like clinic invasions and armed protests, and highlighting legislative efforts to protect reproductive righ…
- Thank you for listening 2024
The podcast Civic thanks its listeners for their support throughout 2024 and provides a donation link for continued work.
- LGBTQ Latin Americans Offer Safety From Hostile Substance Use Recovery Groups
A San Francisco couple founded an inclusive support group for LGBTQ Latin Americans after they faced hostility in existing substance use recovery programs. Their group, Recuperacion Diversa, now serves as a welcoming healing space for tran…
- Why the Navy Conducted Radiation Experiments on Humans - Exposed episode 2
The second episode of Exposed details how the Navy used hundreds of servicemen and shipyard workers at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard as unwitting participants in radiation experiments for Cold War biology and safety research.
- A Community of Color Contends With the Navy’s Toxic Legacy - Exposed episode 1
Residents in Bayview-Hunters Point are demanding accountability for the toxic legacy of a Cold War radiation research lab at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, which was closed by the Navy decades ago.
- Special Civic episodes coming Monday
Civic will release a special investigative two-episode podcast on Monday, November 25th.
- Latinx in SF Use Tech for Post-COVID Trauma Recovery
A UCSF-backed initiative is using a therapy app and community coaches to help San Francisco’s Latinx residents recover from the trauma and mental health challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project has earned recognition fr…
- Should SF’s Great Highway Be a Park or a Roadway?
This Civic podcast episode discusses San Francisco's Proposition K, which proposes closing a segment of the Great Highway to car traffic to create a park. Residents share their views on the potential impacts for community use and traffic.
- Proposition G: Making Housing Truly Affordable for Seniors in San Francisco
Proposition G in San Francisco seeks to create a fund for 550-600 affordable housing units for extremely low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and families. The episode discusses the high cost of housing and the potential effects o…
- Bonus: San Francisco Propositions November 2024
The November 2024 San Francisco election includes 15 local ballot propositions. These cover significant issues such as overhauling the city’s commission system, funding through bond measures, altering business taxes, and incentivizing emer…
- Commission Impossible: San Francisco Governance on the Ballot
The Civic podcast discusses San Francisco's November 2024 ballot propositions D and E concerning commission reform. These propositions could alter the city and county's governance structure, which has relied on commissions since 1898. The…
- Overdose Prevention Centers Save Lives, But Is SF Listening?
The rate of overdose deaths in San Francisco may be slowing, but city officials have gone silent on supporting overdose prevention centers. This episode revisits New York City’s OnPoint center, highlighting its success in saving lives and…
- Fighting Secrecy in Local Government
In this episode of Civic, Executive Director of San Francisco Public Press Lila LaHood interviews journalist Miranda Spivack about government secrecy and accountability. Spivack discusses how to keep governments honest and mentions the Cal…
- Is San Francisco a Sanctuary When You Don’t Have Housing?
The episode discusses the impact of increased migrant arrivals on San Francisco's shelter system, focusing on the need for housing and support. It includes perspectives from migrant parents, a housing provider, and an immigration attorney.
- Unheard: The Plight of Maya Struggling with Addiction in SF
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the overdose crisis among Indigenous Maya in the Bay Area. Advocates and health officials are concerned that vital information and culturally-sensitive treatments are not reaching the Maya-speaking com…
- Forgetting the Lessons and Losses of Covid
This episode examines the early successes and failures of the COVID-19 pandemic. It features an epidemiologist on public trust and deaths, AIDS activists on trauma, and a woman seeking a memorial for COVID victims.
- Group Helps Asian American Communities Feel Safe
This Civic episode follows the Coalition for Community Safety and Justice in San Francisco as they work to improve public safety in Asian American communities. Outreach workers engage with residents and business owners during community vis…
- Civic Roundtable: Three San Francisco Reporters Talk About Covering Drug Use and Overdoses
Three San Francisco reporters from the San Francisco Chronicle, KQED, and San Francisco Public Press discuss their reporting on drug use, overdoses, and related policies in San Francisco. The conversation covers harm reduction, overdose pr…
- What You Might Find on Your San Francisco Ballot: Party County Central Committees
This Civic episode discusses the March 5th San Francisco ballot, focusing on party county central committees for the Democratic, Republican, Green, and Peace & Freedom parties. A political strategist and party representatives explain their…
- Proposition F: Tying Cash Welfare to Drug Screening
The March 2024 election includes Proposition F, a measure proposed by Mayor London Breed. This ballot measure requires welfare recipients to undergo drug addiction screening and treatment to receive cash benefits, sparking significant deba…
- Making Sense of Voting on Judges in San Francisco
This episode discusses the process of voting for San Francisco County Superior Court Judges in the March 2024 election. It features insights from University of San Francisco professor Keally McBride on the candidates and how voters can mak…
- FIXED: The Grassroots Effort to Save Lives: San Francisco and the Overdose Crisis Part 6
San Francisco high school students and residents are participating in training sessions to learn how to recognize drug abuse and reverse overdoses, a response to the tripling of fentanyl-related deaths among teens from 2019-2021.
- The Grassroots Effort to Save Lives: San Francisco and the Overdose Crisis Part 6
San Francisco high school students and residents are participating in training sessions to recognize drug abuse and reverse overdoses, inspired by a national increase in teen fentanyl deaths. The DOPE Project offers Narcan distribution and…
- The Fight for Safe Consumption Sites: San Francisco and the Overdose Crisis Part 5
Part 5 of the series examines the urgent demand for supervised consumption sites in San Francisco as daily overdose fatalities rise, while city leaders grow hesitant and health officials remain silent. The episode contrasts this with a suc…
- The War on Drugs Revisited: San Francisco and the Overdose Crisis Part 4
Part 4 of "The War on Drugs Revisited" series examines San Francisco's overdose crisis. It discusses proposed jail and murder charges for drug users and sellers, drawing parallels to the failed 50-year war on drugs and exploring historical…
- Criminalizing Drug Use: San Francisco and the Overdose Crisis Part 3
This episode examines San Francisco's strategy of arresting unhoused individuals for drug use, aiming to compel treatment. Critics argue that jails are inappropriate for rehabilitation and that forced treatment is ineffective, citing high…
- How Drug Addiction and Homelessness Connect: San Francisco and the Overdose Crisis Part 2
This episode of Civic explores the connection between drug addiction and homelessness in San Francisco, focusing on the city's overdose crisis. It delves into the historical factors contributing to homelessness and how this exacerbates add…
- The Origins of Rampant Opioid Addiction: San Francisco and the Overdose Crisis Part 1
This episode of Civic examines the historical roots of opioid addiction and the detrimental effects of stigma in San Francisco, a city currently facing an unprecedented overdose crisis.
- Update: Maya and Sebastian
Seven months after their removal from their grandmother's home for reunification therapy, Maya and Sebastian have escaped and announced it on social media. The episode provides an update on reform efforts and includes contact information f…
- Why Black San Franciscans Are Fighting for Reparations
San Francisco is considering reparations for Black residents, with advocates highlighting the history of redlining and urban renewal. A committee has developed recommendations addressing disparities in mass incarceration, health, education…