Can SF’s Empty Offices Be Housing?

Big back to back storms are set to hit the Bay Area this weekend. In other words, the ‘Super El Niño’ we’ve been hearing about is here. To understand what’s behind the weather phenomenon and how Bay Area residents can be better prepared, we revisit our episode with KQED Climate Reporter Ezra David Romero.  This episode was first published on Sept. 2, 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might not know it, but there’s a grand mansion hiding under the Bay Bridge, and it has deep ties to Yerba Buena’s naval history. For Veteran’s Day, we are bringing back a story reported by our producer Gabriela Glueck for the Bay Curious podcast. We’ll learn more about the house’s namesake, meet a retired Navy officer who used to live there, and understand how the Bay Bridge fits into the picture. This episode was first published Dec. 4, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most adults, the election buzz is long over. But for teenagers in a few East Bay cities, the life-long thrill of voting has just begun. In Albany, 16 and 17 year olds voted in public elections for the first time, following a growing movement to expand youth’s right to vote in local elections. Today, The Bay follows a group of trailblazing teenagers who rallied to get out the vote among their peers, and are now reflecting on their new role in democracy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, thousands of Golden State Valkyries fans came together along San Francisco’s waterfront to celebrate the team’s championship victory. The win comes just two seasons into the franchise’s existence but the Valks fanbase is already something of a phenomenon. Today, we take you to the parade and hear from fans.  Links: Valkyries Parade Draws Thousands to San Francisco’s Embarcadero for WNBA Championship Celebration ‘The Bay Area Is Magical Right Now’: Valkyries Fans Rejoice After Championship Victory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This year’s midterm elections are consequential for Bay Area residents. From the governor’s race to statewide propositions and local measures, we give you a snapshot of election night from inside the KQED newsroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has been ramping up efforts to find voter fraud in California. Claims of voter fraud can have real-world consequences for communities. Today, Stanford Political Science Professor Justin Grimmer tells us about a group of traveling election skeptics who target mostly rural, conservative communities to spread their claims of fraud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this edition of The Bay’s monthly news roundup, we discuss Marin County’s Measure P, a parcel tax to increase access to childcare, and why school board races might actually be more important than you think. We also discuss the fate of the iconic Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estate just south of Oakland. Some say the once grand mansion has taken a turn for the worse. Links: As Costs Crush Families, This Bay Area County Could Be Latest to Subsidize Childcare (KQED) Don’t Skip the School Board Races on Your Ballot. Here’s Why They Could Be Pivotal (KQED) Dunsmuir: The Oakland Mansion That Inspired Hollywood Nightmares (KQED) Why should you care about old houses? (East Bay Yesterday) Dunsmuir House: Past, Present, & Future (Oakland Public Library) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, Nancy Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress. Now she’s retiring, making way for a truly competitive race for California’s 11th Congressional District. Today, we talk about the candidates — San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan and state Sen. Scott Wiener — and discuss how they differ on the big issues.  Links: KQED’s Voter Guide Prop Fest: A collaboration between The Bay and Bay Curious Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After hollowing out during the pandemic, San Francisco’s office vacancy rate is hovering at around 30%. Pair that volume of empty space with an escalating housing crisis, and it’s enough to make you wonder: Could you turn those empty offices into apartments? Today, we talk with two developers about what it actually takes to make these conversion projects a reality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the Golden State Valkyries prepare for Game 4 of the WNBA finals Saturday, KALW’s BOUNCE introduces us to the team’s star player, Gabby Williams. From her roots in Oakland to her leadership as an out, queer player, host Erin Lim tells us more about the forces that have shaped her into the player and person she is today. Links: BOUNCE: The Rise of Women’s Professional Sports Valkyries Fans Take Dream Loss in Stride, Prepare to Rally for Game 4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices