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The Podlight features a weekly look at the top headlines and in-depth conversations with San José Spotlight reporters about South Bay policy, politics and government, delving into critical issues such as housing, technology, business, homelessness, land use and development.
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Sajid Khan sets himself apart in DA race
Bloom Energy sues Santa Clara, the South Bay’s skyrocketing rents
VTA light rail’s return and illegal fireworks
San Jose mayor’s advocacy group, gun control measures
Contentious vote on San Jose Flea Market delayed
Google, Laura’s Law win approvals in Silicon Valley
San Jose reeling from VTA mass shooting
San Jose casinos get stiffed, homeless encampments rejected
Berryessa Flea Market plan moves forward
The Podlight: San Jose school closures, airport struggles and Thomas Fallon statue
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.
The Podlight: San Jose’s Google campus clears major milestone
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.
The Podlight: How Derrick Seaver will rebuild embattled business group
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.
The Podlight: How Carl Guardino helped Bloom Energy skirt a natural gas ban
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.
The Podlight: Urban Catalyst’s Erik Hayden talks Opportunity Zones
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.
The Podlight: Top stories of 2019
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.
The Podlight: An exclusive sitdown with Scott Wiener
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.
The Podlight: Google’s big plans for San Jose
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.
The Podlight: The legendary Chuck Davidson
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 Podlight: Digging into anti-displacement policies
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 Podlight: The three Ps of housing policy
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 Podlight: A look at San Jose’s new Section 8 discrimination policy
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.
Introducing The Podlight: Who are the players in downtown San Jose?
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.