Fifth & Mission

California was one of the last states to abandon remote learning, and many parents argued that such pandemic policies were detrimental to the education and mental health of students. Did the state take the right or wrong strategy? New state and national standardized test scores released on Monday may help shed light. Chronicle reporter Jill Tucker joins host Cecilia Lei to explain the data and what it means for local districts as they try to recover. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Under California law, all cities must show how they plan to build their share of needed housing in the years to come. But as Chronicle senior political writer and It's All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli tells Demian Bulwa, some of these plans, known as housing elements, include homes on seemingly improbable sites — like over a creek or on a lot occupied by a supermarket. Will the state finally crack down on cities' fake blueprints for housing? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An August piece in the Times said the Bay Area scene is "struggling," and that artists were "fleeing" to Los Angeles. Chronicle arts and culture writer Tony Bravo joins host Cecilia Lei to offer a rebuttal. Plus: Alison Gass, the founding director of the new Institute of Contemporary Arts San Francisco shares why she believes the local art scene is booming. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Right-leaning groups have spent millions of dollars on conservative candidates in local school board elections across the country to push back on what they believe is a liberal tide in classrooms. Has the national movement hit the Bay Area? Chronicle reporters Sophia Bollag and Joshua Sharpe join host Cecilia Lei to discuss what's been going on in Contra Costa County. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a city known for the high price of everything from pastries to parking, the estimated cost of a new public bathroom in Noe Valley is still a shocker: $1.7 million. Chronicle City Hall columnist and Total SF co-host Heather Knight joins host Demian Bulwa to talk about how a 150-square-foot room with a single toilet could cost so much — and why taxpayers should take notice. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the November election, San Francisco voters will decide whether some of Mayor London Breed's recent appointees will stay in office, including Matt Dorsey, the incumbent District Six supervisor. Dorsey's competitor is Honey Mahogany, who would be the city's first transgender supervisor. Chronicle reporter J.D. Morris joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss where they stand on critical issues, and why this race matters for all city residents. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When health officials and community members partnered to open a COVID-19 clinic in San Francisco's Mission District, the initial goal was to help Latinos who were hard-hit by the disease. But the clinic became much more, not only giving over 90,000 tests and more than 60,000 vaccines, but contributing to vital research and even growing to provide other services. Reporter Erin Allday joins host Demian Bulwa to discuss the past — and uncertain future — of this "living laboratory." | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lead poisoning causes many health risks, including organ damage and lowered IQ. Toxic lead inside California's gun ranges has endangered workers, customers and their surrounding environments. So why hasn't the state implemented standards and regulations? Reporter Joe Rubin joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss his investigation. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The French Laundry is a food mecca in Napa Valley. Chronicle food critic Soleil Ho tells host Cecilia Lei and a Twitter Spaces audience all the inside information about the legendary restaurant: How it became such a revered spot, tips on getting a reservation and, most importantly, is it worth the splurge? | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and political commentator Steve Phillips says the American Civil War — an existential battle between white supremacy and a multiracial democracy — is still going. The host of the Democracy in Color podcast joins It's All Political on Fifth & Mission host Joe Garofoli to talk about the ideas in his new book, "How We Win the Civil War." He also talks about the racial controversy embroiling the Los Angeles City Council, which he says represents “the next level of fight.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid political jousting over housing prices, the city faces a state mandate: It must build — or at least plan to build — 82,000 units by 2031. And more than half need to be considered affordable. Chronicle reporter J.K. Dineen walks host Demian Bulwa through the city's plan to focus on westside neighborhoods like the Sunset and Richmond. But as Dineen explains, the high cost of building remains a huge obstacle. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last year's string of student suicides, including star athlete Katie Meyer, has prompted students to question the university's mental health services. With a new academic year underway, Stanford's promises to increase mental health staffing remain unfulfilled. Melissa Newcomb reports what Stanford students say is lacking on campus, and how the university is defending its approach. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod If you need help, the phone number for the national suicide and crisis hotline is 988. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The San Francisco police commission has proposed a policy that would stop officers from pulling over motorists for minor infractions like littering or driving without registration tags. It's an effort to reduce racial profiling, but some critics say it would make the city less safe. Chronicle reporters Megan Cassidy and Susie Neilson join host Cecilia Lei to discuss the debate, and why others think the proposal doesn't go far enough. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State Capitol reporters Dustin Gardiner and Sophia Bollag join Joe Garofoli to break down November ballot initiatives about abortion, flavored tobacco, kidney dialysis and a tax initiative that has Gov. Newsom siding with Republicans. And gambling industry analyst and investor Chris Grove joins Joe to talk about Props. 26 and 27, which have broken records for campaign spending. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

True crime has been a popular entertainment genre but the latest news is hitting close to home. A possible serial killer in Stockton has been linked to an Oakland murder, and communities are on edge. Chronicle reporter Kevin Fagan joins host Cecilia Lei to discuss the case and the enduring fascination with true crime. | Unlimited Chronicle access: sfchronicle.com/pod  Related: The Doodler — sfchronicle.com/doodler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices