Kqeds Forum

In his new book, “White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity,” author Robert P. Jones examines how Christian religious organizations have promoted and enabled racism in America. While Christians proclaim a message of love and salvation, Jones argues that Christian denominations have historically rationalized anti-black policies and beliefs such as slavery and Jim Crow laws. The book also looks at how President Donald Trump garnered support from White evangelicals by using “law and order” rhetoric and exploiting racist tropes. Jones serves as CEO and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute, a non-profit research organization. We’ll talk with Jones about how his new book relates to the current reckoning on institutional racism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Russian group that interfered in the 2016 election is again targeting Americans with misinformation online. That's according to Facebook and Twitter, who say the FBI warned both companies that the Kremlin-backed Internet Research Agency set up fake user accounts and a website made to look like a left-wing news site. The disinformation campaign, which Facebook and Twitter have taken down, was aimed at pushing voters away from Democratic candidate Joe Biden in support of President Trump. We'll check in on efforts to prevent misinformation on social media and foreign interference in the 2020 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the EPA finalized its plan to ease federal rules governing the disposal of contaminated waste from coal-fired power plants. The rollback is the latest in a long series of Trump administration actions that have weakened or nullified major Obama-era environmental initiatives that tightened vehicle emissions standards, protected federal lands from fossil fuel drilling and set ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. We’ll talk about Trump’s environmental record and its impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Monday, indoor shopping malls, hair salons and barber shops opened with reduced capacity in many areas of California under a new four-tiered framework released by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The majority of the state’s counties are currently in “Tier 1” with the most restrictions for reopening. Reaction to the new plan has been mixed, with some thinking it moves too slowly and others fearing it moves too quickly. The plan is also facing criticism by some local officials and business owners who cite inconsistencies in the way the rules are applied. We'll talk about the state’s new tiered, color-coded system for reopening businesses and schools and hear how California's second largest county, San Diego, is handling its “Tier 2” reopening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

K-12 education has gone online, prompting no shortage of complaints from parents and kids alike. But as teachers get better at engaging students with  screens, some educators and technologists see an opportunity to customize instruction and  let  kids work at their own pace. We'll hear from one of online learning’s early innovators: Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy. The non-profit site became a key resource for teachers during the pandemic shutdown. What advice does he have for distance learning, part two? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Lysley Tenorio’s new novel, “The Son of Good Fortune,” depicts the coming-of-age story of Excel, a young undocumented person living in the United States who was born during a flight between the Philippines and San Francisco. The novel explores Excel’s life “in hiding” and his struggle to avoid calling attention to himself even as he forms relationships, leaves home for the first time and attempts to survive on his own.  The book is a follow up to Tenorio’s 2012 story collection, “Monstress.” Tenorio, who lives in San Francisco, was born in the Philippines and teaches at Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga. Tenorio joins us to discuss his writing and latest book.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an address Monday, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said President Trump is "stoking violence in our cities," a charge echoed by state and local officials who say the White House is encouraging armed, right-wing militia groups to show up at demonstrations and threaten protesters. The accusations follow the killing of two Black Lives Matter protesters by 17-year old right-wing vigilante Kyle Rittenhouse, whom Wisconsin prosecutors charged with murder Thursday. We'll talk about the rise of violent militias at protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most of 2020, the coronavirus pandemic laid siege to California with the state now counting more than 700,000 confirmed cases. But  statistics, while staggering, sometimes overshadow the real people dealing with physical and mental consequences from the virus. Some have had mild or no symptoms, but nonetheless dealt with anxiety, stress and fear from the infection. Others have faced  recurring issues long after the virus is inactive in their bodies. In this hour, we’ll hear the stories of coronavirus survivors.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug. 29 marks 50 years since the National Chicano Moratorium Against the Vietnam War took place in the streets of East Los Angeles. Targeting the war's disproportionate Chicano mortality rate, the protest was the largest gathering of Mexican American demonstrators up to that point, with more than 20,000 people taking part. But conflict between sheriff's deputies and protesters turned the day violent, culminating in hundreds of arrests and three deaths, including that of pioneer Latino journalist Ruben Salazar. We’ll talk about a new project from the Los Angeles Times exploring the Moratorium's legacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a tentative eviction moratorium deal between lawmakers and advocacy groups for landlords and tenants. The deal comes as the state legislature prepares to wrap up its session on Monday. Landlords are praising the agreement as a sensible approach that isn’t  a giveaway to renters. But tenant groups have criticized the bill, saying it leaves too many Californians vulnerable to eviction. We'll get the details on Assembly Bill 3088. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ll get an update on the northern California wildfires and Bay Area air quality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2020 has been a tough year so far and we’re all figuring out how to feel all the different feelings that come up in these unprecedented times. One way people cope with stress and uncertainty is with music. So Forum is launching a special series that will feature a different song every Friday that's "getting you through" feelings of anxiety or grief, or a track that's helping you escape and keep your spirits up. To kick things off, we'll hear some of the songs KQED staff are turning to and we want to hear from you: what’s the music or song that’s getting you through these days? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New CDC guidelines for asymptomatic coronavirus testing caused an uproar this week. The advice was that people who’ve been exposed to the coronavirus but don’t have symptoms shouldn’t get tested. But then, in an unusual clarification, the CDC walked that back. Meanwhile, the FDA gave “emergency use authorization” to a rapid antigen test that costs only $5. Also this week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a deal with a diagnostics lab to more than double test processing capacity in California. We’ll explain what these developments mean and which could help open schools and bring our economy back to life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ll recap the week in politics, including President Trump’s acceptance speech last night at the Republican National Convention, and the continuing racial justice protests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the 2020 election just over two months away, it’s time to start thinking about the logistics of voting. To make voting easier and safer during the pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill back in May to mail every active registered voter a ballot. But many voters have concerns, such as questions about signature requirements and how to cast a ballot if you’re experiencing homelessness or displacement and don’t have a mailing address. These issues are compounded by the pressure put on the already-struggling U.S. Postal Service to handle an expected record number of mail-in ballots. We’ll answer your questions on how to vote this November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Wednesday, players for the Milwaukee Bucks declined to take the court for game 5 of their playoff series with the Orlando Magic, to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin. The Bucks' action started a ripple effect, where all of Wednesday's games were canceled and more of the league's players, like LeBron James and others, spoke out against police brutality. Wednesday also marked four years since former NFL player Colin Kaepernick first took a knee in protest against racial inequality and police brutality. We'll discuss the latest news and what impact the NBA player strike could have on the greater movement to end racism in the U.S. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As protests over the police shooting of Jacob Blake continue in Wisconsin, the state's Democratic governor Tony Evers, called up an additional 500 National Guard troops Wednesday. Earlier that day, officials arrested a 17-year-old gunman accused of killing two people and injuring another during Tuesday nights protests. Meanwhile the NBA postponed three playoff games after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to take the floor in solidarity with the protests. We'll get an update on the protests and the investigation into Blake shooting, which left him partially paralyzed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ll get an update on the Bay Area wildfires. Then--everything you want to know about wildfire, but are afraid to ask. What does "containment" mean? How big is an acre? What kinds of vegetation are likely to burn? Which is worse - when flames "back down" or "lay down"? We'll talk to firefighters and others who can translate these terms for the rest of us.  We’ll also hear what it’s like getting up close to the fires and how best to protect your home from wildfire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump advisor Kimberly Guilfoyle threw blows at her home state during the Republican National Convention on Monday, saying Democrats turned California into “a land of discarded heroin needles in parks, riots in streets and blackouts in homes.” KQED politics reporter Guy Marzorati will recap what has happened and preview what’s to come during the remainder of the convention. Later in the hour, we’ll talk with award-winning investigative journalist Jean Guerrero about her new book, “Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump and the White Nationalist Agenda.” Guerrero details how Stephen Miller rose to the rank of speechwriter and senior adviser to President Trump by pushing divisive policies like the Muslim ban and family separation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday marks the start of classes at the University of California, Berkeley. Like other colleges and universities across the country, the school is trying  to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic while also facing a $340 million budget deficit. At the same, the nation is grappling with demands for social justice and racial equity -- struggles Berkeley has long wrestled with. “I don’t know of any time more difficult in my lived life as this one,” said UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ earlier this month during an address to the campus community. In this hour, we talk with Christ about how the university is responding to the pandemic, student needs, and financial challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices