PODCAST · news
Fifth & Mission
by San Francisco Chronicle
The flagship news podcast of the San Francisco Chronicle. Producer/host Cecilia Lei and co-host Laura Wenus discuss the biggest stories of the day with Chronicle journalists and newsmakers from around the Bay Area. | Get full digital access to the Chronicle: sfchronicle.com/pod
Episodes
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"From Victim to Actor": What Ballroom Dance Means for Asian Seniors
The Fifth and Mission podcast has ended its run. Here is one last favorite episode from the archives that exemplifies what we've loved about making this show. Today's pick is from host and executive producer, Cecilia Lei. After tragedy struck an Asian ballroom dance studio in Monterey Park, host...
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Thank You For Listening
In a final farewell, Fifth and Mission host and executive producer Cecilia Lei explains why the show is ending and what making the show has meant to the team. To share any thoughts or messages with the production crew before they leave, visit sfchronicle.com/fifthandmissiongoodbye or leave a...
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San Francisco Drug Arrests Are Surging. Here’s What That Means.
The Fifth & Mission team is not producing any new episodes this week. Instead, we are sharing some of our favorite past episodes that exemplify what we've loved about making this show. Today's pick is from Co-Host Laura Wenus. Drug users and dealers are being arrested in unusually high numbers in...
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Political activist, TV host and author Van Jones
The Fifth and Mission team is not producing any new episodes this week. Instead, we are sharing some of our favorite past episodes that exemplify what we've loved about making this show. Today's pick is from 2017, chosen by It's All Political on Fifth and Mission host, Joe Garofoli. In episode 9…
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A Celebrated Food Hall Closes in the Tenderloin
The Fifth & Mission team is not producing any new episodes this week. Instead, we are sharing some of our favorite past episodes that exemplify what we've loved about making this show. Today's pick is from audio engineer Gary Baca. La Cocina Municipal Marketplace was heralded as a springboard for...
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The Price of Fighting California’s Wildfires
The Fifth and Mission team is not producing any new episodes this week. Instead, we are sharing some of our favorite past episodes that exemplify what we've loved about making this show. Today's pick is from producer Keith Menconi. Wildland firefighting has long been recognized as dangerous…
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The Controversial Plan to Save California's Giant Sequoias
Best of 5M: Wildfires have devastated giant sequoias, the world’s largest trees. Now national park officials want to restore the iconic California species by replanting them, but the plan is facing pushback. Reporter Kurtis Alexander joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss scientists' concerns and why...
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"What Help?" Lessons From California's Largest Homeless Study in Decades
Best of 5M: “This is a story of deep poverty in a state with incredibly high housing costs.” That’s how Dr. Margot Kushel, director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, describes the takeaway from California’s largest study of homeless adults in three decades. As Kushel, the...
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A Cautionary Tale on American Fascism from Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow’s new book, “Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism,” tells the largely overlooked story of America’s own Nazi movement during World War II — and the people who battled it at great personal risk. Ahead of a live appearance in San Francisco, she joins It’s All Political on Fifth…
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Food Banks Helped the Bay Area Get Through the Pandemic. Now They're Struggling
As demand for food support skyrocketed during the early days of the pandemic, Bay Area food banks redoubled their efforts, boosting food distribution and adding services. Years later, the need remains high, even as pandemic-era funding sources run dry. Reporter Carolyn Said tells host Laura Wenus...
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In Phoenix, Robotaxis Roam Free From Protest
Driverless car companies have faced some bumps in the road as they roll out services in San Francisco. But in Phoenix, Arizona, Waymo has been operating robotaxis since 2020 with little pushback. Transportation reporter Ricardo Cano, fresh off a trip to Arizona to see them in action, takes Fifth…
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Tell Us How Local Politics Is Affecting Your Personal Life
With the 2024 election a year away, we want to hear from you: Have you had difficult or contentious conversations with friends and family over divisive local issues? Are political frictions in the Bay Area weighing on you? We’d like to hear your story. Email us at [email protected] or leave a...
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Former Poster Child for Accused Men Now on Trial for Murder
After Navy veteran Joseph Carl Roberts was expelled from Savannah State University amid accusations of sexual harassment, he became a poster child for men claiming they were falsely accused and successfully lobbied for rollbacks to Obama-era Title IX reforms. That activism earned him national…
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S.F. Parking Officers Have Been Ticketing Stolen Cars Instead of Recovering Them
Car thefts are on the rise in San Francisco, and when owners find their stolen vehicles, the windshields often have an unexpected addition: parking tickets. Why are parking control officers citing stolen vehicles instead of helping to recover them? Chronicle reporters St. John "Sinjin"…
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After a ‘Miracle’ Water Year, New Usage Limits for Californians
Water reservoirs across California have been overflowing thanks to last year’s record-breaking rainy season, but California state officials are still rolling out new usage restrictions. Chronicle reporter Kurtis Alexander joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the state’s new plan to make water...
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Soon-to-be Champions? Expectations are High for New Golden State WNBA Team
The wait is almost over: In 2025, a new WNBA expansion team will begin playing in the Bay Area. The long-anticipated squad will be part of the Golden State Warriors franchise, benefiting from the Golden State brand and owner Joe Lacob’s deep pockets. Will women’s sports fans in the Bay Area…
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Lessons for ‘California Forever’ from the Town Built from Scratch
Wealthy tech investors recently unveiled their plans to build a utopian city in southeast Solano County, calling it California Forever. They’re promising idyllic streets and “good paying local jobs,” many of the same things touted for the development of Mountain House, a city built from scratch…
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Richard Oakes Led the Alcatraz Occupation — And Was Killed in His Prime
In 1969, Native activist Richard Oakes led a group representing several tribes to occupy Alcatraz Island, claiming it as the site of a new Native nation. Three years later, the charismatic face of the Red Power movement was dead, shot by a white neighbor in rural Sonoma. What happened? And how…
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The Country’s Leaders are Getting Older. Some Say That’s a Problem
The Senate minority leader freezing on camera; California’s senior senator dying in office at age 90: This year has served up a number of reminders that America’s elected leaders are now – on average – far older than the constituents they serve. It’s a trend that has led progressive advocate…
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Fifth & Mission LIVE: How Frontline Workers Would Solve the Overdose Epidemic
Last month, Fifth & Mission gathered people on the front lines of the drug overdose crisis in the Bay Area to pose an urgent question: How do we end fatal overdoses? In front of a live audience at Manny’s, our panel of peer counselors, public health employees and medical practitioners joined host...
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What a San Francisco Psychiatrist Learned Talking with Mentally Ill People on the Street
Years ago, Dr. Robert Okin took to San Francisco’s streets with a camera and a request: to take portraits and speak with mentally ill homeless people. The former head of psychiatry at San Francisco General Hospital published their stories and photos in a book, “Silent Voices,” whose second…
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Introducing Laphonza Butler, California's New Senator
California’s newest senator is Laphonza Butler, who was picked by Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill the late Dianne Feinstein’s seat. Who is Butler? And will the former labor leader who has never held elected office run for the full six-year term? Reporters Shira Stein and Sophia Bollag join It’s All...
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In Oakland, Calls for Law and Order are Coming from the NAACP
As concern over public safety mounts in Oakland, the local chapter of the NAACP has railed against progressive city leaders and called for more law and order. It’s an unusual position for a group whose national organization is known for its support of increased police accountability. Columnist...
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'It's what I'm meant to do': How tragedy shaped Dianne Feinstein
Trailblazing San Francisco mayor and California Senator Dianne Feinstein died late Thursday at age 90. In this 2018 interview, Feinstein offered a rare look at how tragedy, death and illness shaped her life and career. The longtime senator spoke with It's All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe...
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New Civil Court Program Promises Care for Mentally Ill — Can it Deliver?
On Monday, a new civil court program is launching in San Francisco to serve the seriously mentally ill. It’s called CARE court, and it’s intended to push more people into treatment for certain mental illnesses. While its scope is limited, some critics worry the program will infringe on civil...
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Will Diners Bite on Lab-Grown Meat?
At an upscale San Francisco restaurant, diners recently got a taste of chicken that was never part of a bird. The companies developing lab-grown meat say cultivating flesh instead of raising livestock could reduce animal cruelty and the environmental impacts of our food. But how far away are…
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The Millionaire Philanthropist Seeking to Unseat S.F.’s Mayor
A new contender to challenge Mayor London Breed's re-election bid announced his campaign on Tuesday. Wealthy philanthropist Daniel Lurie says it’s time for a "new era of leadership." Senior political writer Joe Garofoli joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss Lurie’s vision for San Francisco and why he...
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SF Program Offers Help for Priced-Out Renters: Roommates
Sharing a home with roommates has always been a strategy for lower-income tenants to rent in expensive cities, but now a nonprofit is matching up strangers on the verge of displacement to help them stay in San Francisco. Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan talked with two people who moved in together...
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San Francisco Has a Reparations Proposal. Now What?
Last week, San Francisco's African American Reparations Advisory Committee went before the Board of Supervisors to present its recommendations for repairing the harm done to the Black community. Will their report lead to action? Reparations committee chair Eric McDonnell reflects on the...
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‘There's Shootings Every Night’: Oaklanders Want Answers on Public Safety
As Oakland’s crime continues to rise, the city’s leaders are facing growing criticism and demands for more aggressive action. Mayor Sheng Thao has resisted calls to declare a state of emergency, arguing that such a move would amount to “political theater.” Reporter Sarah Ravani joins host Cecilia...
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California Lawmakers Passed 900 Bills. Which Will Newsom Sign?
Higher wages for fast food workers? Driverless big rigs? Legal psychedelic mushrooms? California lawmakers just wrapped the legislative session and sent 900 bills to Governor Gavin Newsom. Reporter Sophia Bollag joins It’s All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli to talk about what the...
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The Building Drama at 33 Tehama
A water main burst last June at 33 Tehama, a luxury apartment tower in San Francisco, forcing residents to evacuate. More than a year later, they haven’t been able to return, and it’s unclear when repairs will be complete. Tenants have been left in limbo, with residents of below-market-rate units...
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An Existential Threat for California Fishers
The California fishing fleet is struggling through "unprecedented" times, with drought, wildfires, algal blooms, ocean warming and subsequent restrictions all jeopardizing their work. Climate and environment reporter Tara Duggan tells host Laura Wenus how this is making it harder to find coveted...
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What a Violent Tenant-Landlord Confrontation Says About Bay Area Housing
When landlords in Berkeley celebrated the end of an eviction moratorium recently, the backlash was swift: Tenant advocates protested, and a physical fight broke out. Tensions between renters and property owners have been escalating, but for the most part they don’t boil over — they show up in...
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What You Need to Know About the New COVID Vaccine
Amid rising local and national COVID-19 cases, public health officials are hoping updated COVID vaccines will help prevent yet another winter surge of infections. Chronicle reporter Aidin Vaziri joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the sub-variants that are causing the latest swell of cases, as well...
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Dreamforce is Packing Downtown S.F. Could it Be the Last Time?
Dreamforce is in full swing in downtown San Francisco this week, bringing in tens of thousands of people and millions of dollars to the city. But Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has warned that the event may leave San Francisco next year if the city’s drug and homelessness problems don’t improve....
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San Francisco Drug Arrests Are Surging. Here’s What That Means.
Drug users and dealers are being arrested in unusually high numbers in San Francisco’s troubled Tenderloin neighborhood amid a spike in overdose deaths and complaints about street conditions. It’s just the latest in a series of enforcement pushes, and this time, state agencies are involved. But...
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A Sexual Abuse Reckoning for Bay Area Schools
A new state law that took effect in 2020 has expanded the window for former Bay Area students who allege sexual abuse by educators to file claims against schools they say didn’t protect them. Chronicle reporter Sophia Bollag joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss her months-long investigation and the...
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The Stud Returns: How an LGBTQ Icon Made Its S.F. Comeback
San Francisco’s gay bars and nightclubs have been struggling for years, but now a rare bright spot: After closing in March 2020, the owners of the Stud bar have found a new location and plan to reopen early next year. Arts and culture writer Tony Bravo joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss this...
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Inside San Francisco's Staffing Crisis
About 4,000 city jobs are vacant in San Francisco. That means the city is short police officers, street cleaners, accountants, nurses and technicians. Why? A Civil Grand Jury report from June pinpoints roadblocks to hiring. Foreperson Karen Kennard gives highlights of the jury’s findings and...
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Unpacking Albany High's Racist Instagram Scandal
When a teen at a Bay Area high school started posting overtly racist images on Instagram, the fallout fractured a community and surfaced deep divides. Journalist Dashka Slater spent years reporting on the aftermath and how it affected a generation of students at Albany High — which happens to be...
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Can San Francisco Come Back from This? Pittsburgh Did.
As San Francisco struggles against the rip tide of urban decline, reporter Chase DiFeliciantonio found a model for its future in Pittsburgh. The East Coast city stagnated after the collapse of its steel industry in the 1970s, but it has recently reinvented itself as a center for tech innovation…
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Car Break-Ins: A San Francisco Criminal Tradition?
Car break-ins have risen dramatically in San Francisco and Oakland since 2010. At their peak, San Francisco saw more than 80 incidents a day. And this isn’t the first time a spree of automobile thefts has bedeviled the city: S.F. faced a similar situation a century ago. Data reporter Susie…
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A Real Estate Mystery Begins to Unravel
Note: In observance of Labor Day, our next episode will be posted on Tuesday, September 5. Five years ago, an unknown entity began offering exorbitant sums of money to buy up vast tracts of land in rural Solano County. No one knew who was behind the purchases until their plans came to light in...
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Is This AI Boom the Win San Francisco Needs?
Artificial intelligence companies are flocking to San Francisco to take advantage of local talent and capital. In response, city leaders have wasted no time branding the city as the “AI capital of the world,” but it remains to be seen whether the success of this multi-billion dollar industry will...
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A Celebrated Food Hall Closes in the Tenderloin
La Cocina Municipal Marketplace was heralded as a springboard for immigrant- and women-owned food businesses when it opened in 2021. Now, its food kiosks are closing down. Opinion columnist Soleil Ho and food reporter Mario Cortez join host Cecilia Lei to discuss whether the closure is a symptom…
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The Price of Fighting California’s Wildfires
Wildland firefighting has long been recognized as dangerous, dirty work. Now, there is growing evidence that it can also cause serious long-term health problems. Chronicle reporter Julie Johnson spent six months investigating the impacts of wildfire smoke on firefighters, and spoke to a dozen men...
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Why San Francisco's Streets are Even Harsher for Homeless Women
Unsheltered women face violence and harassment both on the streets and inside temporary housing in San Francisco. Reporter Mallory Moench spent months speaking to several women about the challenges they face, from navigating pregnancy to protecting themselves from sexual assault — and how the…
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Battle Over Encampment Sweeps Draws Courthouse Protest
Since last December, San Francisco has been fighting a court injunction that blocks it from sweeping homeless encampments. That legal battle erupted this week as supporters and opponents of encampment sweeps squared off outside the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Reporter Aldo Toledo joins host...
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California Schools Grapple With Anti-LGBTQ Hostility
Students are returning to classes amid a national wave of anti-LGBTQ hostility, and California school districts are not immune. Recently, some schools have restricted LGBTQ themes and icons from classes. But in San Francisco, educators are being trained to be as supportive and inclusive as...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The flagship news podcast of the San Francisco Chronicle. Producer/host Cecilia Lei and co-host Laura Wenus discuss the biggest stories of the day with Chronicle journalists and newsmakers from around the Bay Area. | Get full digital access to the Chronicle: sfchronicle.com/pod
HOSTED BY
San Francisco Chronicle
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Fifth & Mission have?
Fifth & Mission currently has 1000 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Fifth & Mission about?
The flagship news podcast of the San Francisco Chronicle. Producer/host Cecilia Lei and co-host Laura Wenus discuss the biggest stories of the day with Chronicle journalists and newsmakers from around the Bay Area. | Get full digital access to the Chronicle: sfchronicle.com/pod
How often does Fifth & Mission release new episodes?
Fifth & Mission releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 1000 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Fifth & Mission?
You can listen to Fifth & Mission on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Fifth & Mission?
Fifth & Mission is created and hosted by San Francisco Chronicle.
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