Ben Trefny
Executive ProducerMy current job title is Executive Producer of KALW. That means lots of things.
I've worked here since 2004. As Executive News Editor and then News Director, I helped our news department win numerous regional and national awards for long- and short-form journalism. I've also helped create numerous training programs — for teenagers, incarcerated people, and early-career journalists — and have taught hundreds of audio producers. I served as interim Executive Director for nearly two years.
My work is currently focused on creating original live events, programming, and building partnerships with like-minded organizations. I oversee KALW's community space at 220 Montgomery Street in downtown San Francisco where I organize town hall conversations, film screenings, literature readings, concerts, and fundraisers. I also curate the 111 Minna Street stage for Downtown First Thursdays and partner with organizations including the Cal Academy of Sciences, Live Free USA, Manny's, and others in developing programming.
I currently serve on the Journalism and Media Ethics Council at Santa Clara University's Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. I'm a board member with the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and served that organization as president for four years. And I'm a Maynard 200 Fellow.
I live with my wife near San Francisco's Ocean Beach and spend as much time as I can outside.
You can reach me at ben.trefny@kalw.org.
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School officials in California are preparing for an influx of refugee students from Afghanistan. -
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is seeking resident input in plans to return to full transit service levels. -
Monday evening, the Albany City Council discussed and voted on a Rematriation Resolution. Rematriation is an Indigenous concept that refers to the reclaiming of ancestral remains, land, and spirituality. -
Santa Clara County will conduct mosquito control treatment in parts of Palo Alto and Mountain View Friday after detecting the West Nile virus in mosquitos in those areas. -
Novato City Councilmember Amy Peele announced her resignation at the council's Tuesday meeting. She cited the mental health toll of serving as a local elected official during the pandemic. -
California Governor Gavin Newsom survived the recall effort. -
San Francisco's fourth Poet Laureate, Jack Hirschman, passed away Saturday at the age of 87. -
San Francisco city employees are now required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. And according to the city's Department of Human Resources, the vast majority are. -
The San Jose Police Department is not retaining officers or drawing as many applicants as it wants. It’s a reflection of a national trend. -
Low-income residents in the Bay Area are eligible to receive free air filtration systems.
