From the Newsroom

Condemning Hate in Online Spaces

06.05.2020
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Dear Public Press community,

I need to tell you about an upsetting, hateful incident that occurred during a Public Press Live event we held as a Zoom webinar on Thursday, May 28. The Public Press takes this matter seriously, especially in light of the pain and grief expressed nationwide this week about the chronic mistreatment, disrespect and disregard for black lives. A few minutes into our discussion with students about their experience with and perspectives on distance learning during the pandemic, one or more people flooded the text chat with horrific racist epithets directed at La’Jaya Smith, a recent graduate from San Francisco’s Life Learning Academy. The Public Press condemns this kind of behavior and prohibits it on all platforms and venues under our control. As soon as we saw the disturbing comments, another staff member and I responded quickly to eject the attackers and suspended commenting for all participants.

Education
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Students Critique, Suggest Improvements for Distance Learning in S.F.

05.28.2020
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The San Francisco Unified School District has announced that fall classes will begin on Aug. 17, and administrators are in the process of planning how campuses will function as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. They are challenged with figuring out how to keep students safe and make classes engaging whether they are held remotely or in modified classroom settings. We heard directly from students about what life has been like for them under the shelter-in-place order. 

Coronavirus
emergency room

We Need Your Help to Cover the Pandemic

03.30.2020
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Since March 11, the San Francisco Public Press and “Civic” have accelerated to a pace we did not think possible for our small nonprofit newsroom. In two and a half weeks, we published 34 stories that brought as many visitors to our website as we saw in the last three months of 2019. I can tell you definitively: We did not plan for this. Instinct kicked in for those of us with daily newspaper, broadcast and wire service experience. The need is urgent.

“Civic” Podcast
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No Ads? Newsprint? A Discussion of What Shaped the Public Press

10.17.2019
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San Francisco Public Press Publisher Lila LaHood talks with board chair David Cohn about the ideas — like going ad free and printing a physical newspaper — that would shape how the Public Press operates. “People who know the Public Press trust it in a very deep way, which, you know, you have to earn that trust.” — David Cohn, Public Press board chair

“Civic” Podcast

Looking Back on First 10 Years of the San Francisco Public Press

10.17.2019
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San Francisco Public Press Executive Director Michael Stoll and Publisher Lila LaHood look back on a decade of working in a nonprofit news operation they founded — including the hurdles they had to overcome to establish nonprofit status for the Public Press — and look to the future. “We are hewing much closer to the ideal of public media, which is to be a public trust, first and foremost, and not try to commoditize the news. You can do different kinds of journalism … if you start out from a place of public service.” —  Michael Stoll, San Francisco Public Press executive director

From the Newsroom

The Team That Created KSFP Radio and ‘Civic’

09.16.2019
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The San Francisco Public Press received support and assistance from many people who helped us secure our low-power FM construction permit from the FCC, raise funds for the project, develop the “Civic” show concept and launch the KSFP broadcast on 102.5 FM in San Francisco. More than 60 audiophiles attended our first radio-brainstorming meeting in September 2016. Over time, a small group coalesced into a steering committee withsupporting volunteers. We appreciate everyone who joined us and shared their inspiring ideas. From left: George Koster, Linda Jue, Megan Maurer, John Dillon
In particular, we thank Josh Wilson for encouraging us to apply for the construction permit: We wouldn’t be on air today without his enthusiastic nudging and guidance.

From the Newsroom

“Civic” Launch Party Recap

08.22.2019
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Nearly 100 people joined us Monday, Aug. 19, at the Impact Hub San Francisco to celebrate and learn about “Civic,” our marquee daily show and podcast focusing on local news and public affairs — now broadcasting Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on KSFP 102.5 FM in San Francisco. KSFP – new San Francisco FM radio station launch event
Posted by San Francisco Public Press on Monday, August 19, 2019

 
The evening included a preview of the show and podcast, and introductions to our audio team, including host and reporter Laura Wenus, producer Mel Baker and many of the people who helped us get on the air. Laura interviewed special guests Eugenia Chien, co-founder of Muni Diaries, and Peter Clarke, podcast producer for the transit story sharing community. The conversation was recorded and will be featured in a future episode of “Civic.”
 
Laura Wenus (left) talked with Eugenia Chien and Peter Clarke about the broad assortment of stories they’ve shared via Muni Diaries.