The Podlight features a bi-monthly look at the top headlines and in-depth conversations with South Bay leaders, lawmakers and influencers about policy, politics and government, delving into critical issues such as housing, technology, business, homelessness, education and development.
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A fight over San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s plan to divert funding from affordable housing to create more shelters and short-term solutions is heating up. Co-host Nick Preciado speaks with two housing leaders, Sandy Perry and Delma Hernandez, to understand the plan’s implications.
South Bay authorities closed 10 major highway ramps over Cinco de Mayo weekend, a year after San Jose leaders reversed a ban on lowriding. Some lawmakers called the move “racist” and demanded an investigation. Co-host Nick Preciado chats with Angela Carrillo of the women-led Dueñas Car Club about what happened.
On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with three members of San Jose’s Charter Review Commission about a series of recommendations that could change city policies — including a plan to switch to ranked choice voting and expand council districts.
This week, host Nick Preciado welcomes two guests to dive into San Jose’s new gun policies, which include requiring firearm owners to buy liability insurance and pay an annual fee to help reduce gun harm. San Jose Vice Mayor Chappie Jones explains how the policy might save lives, while activist Kirk Vartan says it’s a half-baked plan with no teeth.
Then, reporter Tran Nguyen hops on to discuss the $1.6 million sale of the historic Burbank Theater.
Then, reporters Lloyd Alaban and Lorraine Gabbert discuss San José Spotlight’s new documentary series highlighting the plight of essential workers during the pandemic, Backbone of Silicon Valley.
On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler recaps the week’s top headlines with San José Spotlight editor Nick Preciado. Learn more about an East San Jose school district’s plan to close two middle schools, the downtown airport’s decline in passengers and an important vote to remove the controversial Thomas Fallon statue from downtown San Jose.
In this episode of The Podlight, San José Spotlight editor Nick Preciado sits down with reporter Sonya Herrera to delve into Google’s massive 80-acre campus proposed for downtown San Jose. The project, more than three years in the making, cleared a major hurdle this week.
In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler sits down with Derrick Seaver, the new CEO of the Silicon Valley Organization, to dig into how he will rebuild the business group after a racist campaign ad last fall led to widespread fallout and distrust in the community. Seaver outlines plans to rebrand the organization, focus on equity, better support small and medium-sized businesses and revamp campaign strategy.
In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler delves into an exclusive San José Spotlight investigative report about how a San Jose energy company skirted a natural gas ban after Mayor Sam Liccardo’s close friend, Carl Guardino, led a robust lobbying campaign. Staedler also discusses water rake hikes coming this summer.
In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler sits down with Urban Catalyst founder Erik Hayden to learn more about Silicon Valley’s landmark Opportunity Zone Fund which has garnered national attention for driving urban development by transforming and revitalizing downtown San Jose with six major redevelopment projects.
On the 8th and final episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters and San Jose City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to recap some of the top stories of 2019.
On the 7th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters recap highlights from an exclusive fireside chat with state Sen. Scott Wiener hosted in November by this news organization. During the event, the San Francisco legislator discussed his most controversial bills, including SB 50 and SB 35, the fight for local control versus state control, fees on developers and how big tech is getting involved with tackling the housing crisis.
On the 5th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler welcomes San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters to delve Google’s big plans for downtown San Jose and how the tech giant’s expansion into the city could impact the neighboring community.
On the 6th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters share insights from Bitters’ rare and revealing interview with Chuck Davidson, a legendary San Jose entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist. Davidson, who helped shape the city charter, shared stories from his remarkable life and career.
The 4th episode of The Podlight features the final of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley’s crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez dig into preservation and anti-displacement measures, especially as Google looks to build a massive campus in downtown San Jose.
The 3rd episode of The Podlight features the second of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley’s crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler continues the conversation with San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to explore the three Ps of housing policy — production, preservation and protection.
The 2nd episode of The Podlight kicks off the first of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley’s crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to delve into a new city policy that aims to prohibit discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders.
On the 1st episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters to look at the major players transforming downtown San Jose. It’s a primer for the who’s who of downtown, how we got here and who’s doing what.
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