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UpFront delivers a mix of local, state, and international coverage through challenging interviews, civil debates, breaking updates, and in-depth discussions with authors. UpFront PM is the afternoon edition of UpFront. Pitch us at upfront@kpfa.org.
Theme Music: Turn It Up by Digital Primitives, licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License.
On today’s show, we talk to two activists about the impact of Hurricane Harvey on undocumented immigrants. Pancho Arguelles is the Executive Director of Living Hope Wheelchair Association and a founder and board member of Fe y Justicia Worker Center. In the wake of the Houston Floods, he has been working with undocumented workers who are wheelchair … Continued
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Department of Defense 1033 program, which provides surplus military equipment to local law enforcement agencies, will be resumed by the Trump Administration. Crime reporter Simone Weichselbaum joins hosts Brian Edwards-Tiekert and Cat Brooks to discuss the policy reversal and how it will be implemented. But first, Susan Dancer … Continued
On today’s show, we continue our coverage of Hurricane Harvey flooding. First, we speak with Mark Bebawi, Host and Producer of The Monitor radio show at our sister station, KPFT, about the situation in Houston. Then, we discuss the pollutants released by the damage to Exxon refineries in Houston with Stephanie Thomas, a Houston-based organizer with Public Citizen. … Continued
Brian Edwards-Tiekert and Mitch Jeserich are joined by Houston-based Mark Bebawi to talk about the flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. They discuss which parts of the city were hit hardest by the disaster and why there was no evacuation order in place. Then, Brian Edwards-Tiekert and Mitch Jeserich talk about what did and didn’t … Continued
We begin today’s show with Mira Nabulsi’s coverage of the Berkeley press conference on the counter-demonstrations taking place this weekend. Then, we hear from two local activists who are involved in such protests here in Berkeley. We speak with Jason Wallach, a member of the Mobilization Committee and one of the original members of SURJ (Showing … Continued
On today’s show, we cover the preparation that’s taking place in anticipation of the so-called Freedom Rally, organized by the right-wing group Patriot Prayer. The rally (which has a National Parks Service permit), is scheduled to take place at Crissy Field in San Francisco this Saturday. We speak with the San Francisco Police Department about how … Continued
On today’s show, Philip Maldari moderates a debate on The California Values Act SB 54, a bill that would make California a sanctuary state. Arguing for the bill is immigration attorney Saira Hussain and arguing against it is California State Sheriffs’ Association representative Cory Salzillo. Then, Brian Edwards-Tiekert breaks down the controversy surrounding the pro-Trump … Continued
On today’s show, host Brian Edwards-Tiekert and sociologist Peter Simi talk about white extremist groups and their relationship to law enforcement. They discuss the history of white supremacists joining police and military organizations and explain the extent to which that trend persists today. Later, host Cat Brooks speaks with Claude Marks and Hank Jones, two former … Continued
On today’s show, civil rights attorney Dan Siegel joins Brian Edwards-Tiekert to discuss the difference between hate speech and free speech. They also explore how city governments can respond when alt-right demonstrators come to town. Then, Fred Glass speaks to Brian Edwards-Tiekert about the labor history of California. Together they examine the history of the Golden State from the … Continued
On today’s show, Salima Hamirani explores the solar eclipse passing over the continental US on Monday. We’ll hear from a composer turning it into live music, an eclipse chaser about why it’s so spectacular, and a scientist about what an eclipse even is and how to watch it safely. Before that, Salima talks to Rohini Ramkrishnan … Continued
