The Oakland school board’s student directors are making their voices heard…but what about their votes? Then, a new story from Uncuffed about breaking the prison pipeline. 

In California, students can sit on school boards — but how much power do they actually have? KALW’s education reporter Julia Haney talked to one of the young leaders on Oakland’s school board about the impact he hopes to make. 

Uncuffed producer Derrell "Sadiq" Davis shares the story about an incarcerated father who worries his newborn son will follow in his family’s footsteps. Can he break the cycle?

Comedian Luenell has been keeping audiences laughing for decades. She’s originally from Oakland but now lives in Las Vegas, where she has a residency at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club on the strip. You can see Luenell on screen with Tracy Morgan in the Paramount+ sitcom “Crutch.”  Host of KALW’s Sights and Sounds, Jenee Darden caught up with Luenell to talk about her latest projects. Here’s a part of that conversation

Today, we're distilling whiskey on Vallejo’s Mare Island. Then, a West Oakland artist recalls using her music and spirituality to heal from a severe car accident.

Californians have made whiskey since the Gold Rush when they served miners and then loggers. Craft bourbon has been taking off in the last couple decades -- with as many as 150 distilleries in the state.  For her series California Foodways, KALW’s Lisa Morehouse visited a distillery’s new home in the North Bay that’s producing whiskey at a location where people used to make something really different: massive objects that changed the course of world events. 

West Oakland artist Nia Cephas came up with a word that encompasses her cultures, spirituality, and connection with people: Cosmicpolitan. That’s also the name of her debut album.  Nia’s music reflects both her African American and Afro-Brazilian roots. Her songs range from being a testament of survival to an invitation to just feel free.  KALW’s Sights and Sounds Show host, Jenee Darden, spoke with Nia about the life experiences that inspired “Cosmicpolitan.” Here’s an excerpt of that interview.

Today, a new story from Uncuffed about finding out your dad isn't who he says he is. Then, an Oakland cello player challenges us to break away from negative ideas about darkness. And, a musician encourages us ALL to keep on singing.

What happens when you find out your dad isn't who he says he is? A new story about family from Uncuffed and San Quentin producer Jorge Lopez.

When you hear the words “dark” and “darkness” what comes to mind?  Many of us may associate the words with mostly negative connotations. In the Black Diaspora, and among other communities of color, there’s an ongoing conversation about why that is… and how to change it.  Mia Pixley is a Black cellist, singer, and psychologist based in Oakland. Her new album, “Love. Dark. Bloom”  is a blend of classical, jazz, folk and the blues. Jenee Darden, the host of KALW’s The Sights and Sounds Show, spoke with Mia about how her album explores the beauty of darkness. Hear the full interview here.

Recently, Oakland-raised musician, composer, and bandleader, Kev Choice, performied live at KALW's Studio Events space in downtown San Francisco. It was part of a preview for the upcoming show "In the Name of Love: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." from Living Jazz.  Living Jazz is an educational organization that provides musical retreats in nature and workshops in elementary schools. KALW is a media sponsor.  Kev Choice is Music Director for the King Tribute. He and singer/songwriter B. Deveaux joined KALW's Executive Producer, Ben Trefny, to talk about the upcoming event, which is happening at Oakland's Paramount Theater in Oakland on Saturday, January 17th.  Here's an excerpt from their conversation.

Today we’re bringing you an episode of Uncuffed from 2024 that really resonated with our Newsroom staff. It’s about a lesser known, but important aspect of life in prison: grieving.

When most Bay Area residents go to San Francisco International Airport, it’s so they can leave. But some unhoused locals are heading to SFO to stay. Reporter Erin Bump brings us the story of folks seeking shelter at the airport, and the people there who are trying to help.

Today: The story of unhoused people who live at the airport and the people who help them.

Today, we introduce you to the most recent Uncuffed class at Solano State Prison and get to know them through the songs they love. But first, we meet a boxer and the people who tried to help her redirect her emotions.

A story from the Uncuffed producers at the California Institution for Women about the people who helped a woman redirect her emotions.

Uncuffed's 2025 class at Solano State Prison just finished their training with the program. Get to know them through special songs that have shaped their lives.

Today, as an iconic San Francisco gay nightclub prepares to close... we hear from the owner of OASIS, some of the club’s biggest fans, and San Francisco’s Grandmother of Drag.

OASIS is an iconic San Francisco nightclub. The Drag show and cabaret venue opened on New Years Day, 2015. In a bittersweet bookend, they’ll host their grand finale party on New Years Eve, later this month.  The host of KALW’s Sights and Sounds show, Jenee Darden, recently went down to the club in San Francisco’s SOMA District to meet with OASIS owner, D'Arcy Drollinger. Here’s an excerpt from their conversation.

When San Francisco’s OASIS drag club on 11th and Folsom announced it was closing its doors forever this January 1st, the news was met with a chorus of broken hearts and a lot of tears.  OASIS has a LOT of fans. People that have found a little piece of sanctuary within the loudness of their parties and performances. Here, members of the OASIS community share their favorite memories, what the space means to them, and what they think about the future without this home away from home.