Comprehensive coverage of the day’s news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Trump announces extension of Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, as he issues “shoot to kill” order for Iranian mine-laying ships; AG Bonta touts state success reducing gun violence, but warns progress depends on uncertain funding; Six candidates face off for … Continued


Today on Flashpoints: We feature PinkNotes with our good friends at CodePink. Medea Benjamin will be joining us live. Then we pay tribute to slain Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil, a brilliant and courageous correspondent for the Al-Akhbar newspaper who was killed in an Israeli airstrike yesterday in the town of Al-Tayri. After surviving an initial … Continued


On Hard Knock Radio, host Davey D sat down with Derwin Brown, artist, archivist, sound system builder, and founder of Black American Sound System, for a wide-ranging conversation about history, technology, Black cultural memory, and the Bay Area’s deep relationship to sound. Brown, a former San Francisco State student with a background in music and political science/law, explained … Continued


Background Briefing

Background Briefing – April 23, 2026

While Trump Thrashes About, Iran’s Leaders Can Afford to be Patient We begin with a shaky ceasefire containing an explosive hair trigger situation in the Persian Gulf as Iran’s blockade and the US blockade bump up against each other with diplomacy on hold and uncertainty over who actually speaks for Iran if and when negotiations … Continued


The Visionary Activist Show

Replay: Cultivate our Craft for Complex Storytelling

replay of our 3.26.26 show ~ “No to monarchy, no to having a supreme leader, Yes to Democracy-Equality!” Chant from students/citizens in Iran… Caroline plays a short clip of Maryam Ishani, And long proffering from Omid Safi’s recent teaching: “What we all need to know about Iran” We be Global Coalition: Re-imagining the world beyond … Continued


When the world feels like it’s breaking apart in a million places and even more pieces, I find myself wanting to learn from folks who are leaning into curiosity about the other, people who believe we can promote peace through what Sister Cities founder Dwight D. Eisenhower called “people-to-people diplomacy.” Fred Blanton is one of those people. Fred serves as … Continued