Wren Farrell
Newscasts EditorWren Farrell (he/him) is a writer, producer and journalist living in San Francisco. Originally from San Diego, he moved to the Bay Area in 2018, where he got his start in radio at KPFA. He graduated from KALW’s Audio Academy in 2021 and then went on to work for a number of podcasts as an associate producer. In 2023 he joined the inaugural class of UC Berkeley’s California Local News Fellowship, which brought him back to KALW as a full-time emergency and disaster preparedness reporter. In his free time he likes biking, cooking and hanging out.
All Stories
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The Concord City Council is considering a rent stabilization and just-cause eviction protection ordinance that would drastically change conditions for landlords and tenants in the city. -
Homeowners in 815 ZIP codes can now apply for a statewide financial assistance program, to improve the stability of their houses in an earthquake. -
According to the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, more than a thousand volunteers hit the streets of Alameda County on Thursday morning, collecting data for the 2024 Point-in-time count. -
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to reverse Safeway’s plan to close its location in the Western Addition. KALW’s Wren Farrell has more. -
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced that a hotel in downtown San Jose will be transformed into a mixed-income housing complex. -
Last year, UCSF released California’s largest study on homelessness in 30 years. And its data is being used by policy experts across the state to address some of the key issues driving homelessness. -
Last week, the California Department of Public Health issued new, more relaxed COVID guidelines. They say that broad immunity and widespread access to vaccines is reducing the impact of the disease. -
The Color of Change PAC has come out in support of Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, claiming that the recall movement against her is the result of “far-right, extremist” interests. -
On Tuesday the San Francisco Board of Supervisors became the largest U.S. city to pass a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. -
Last week, Richmond began looking for a program manager for the city’s new community crisis response program.
News Updates
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Tomorrow, caregivers at more than 30 dialysis clinics in California will picket to draw attention to worsening workplace conditions. -
California congressman Kevin Mullin wants the federal government to do more to address the threat of rising groundwater levels. -
Mayor Daniel Lurie signed legislation Tuesday morning, establishing 24/7 two-hour parking restrictions for large vehicles. -
The CEO of the agency that operates the Golden Gate Bridge wants to end several DEI initiatives to protect federal funding. -
The Oakland City Council heard a report Monday on its non-police response program, MACRO. -
Hundreds of city employees gathered at City Hall today to voice their opposition to Mayor Lurie’s proposed budget. -
According to a report submitted to the Oakland City Council, the city needs almost 200 more police officers to meet its long term safety goals. -
The San Francisco Environment Department is asking people to give feedback on its 2025 Climate Action Plan. -
San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder wants the city to adopt a new strategy to deal with its drug overdose crisis. -
A press conference held in San Francisco’s Chinatown Tuesday called attention to the devastating economic impact President Trump's tariffs will have on the local economy.
Crosscurrents
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CrosscurrentsIt’s been 34 years since the Loma Prieta earthquake changed the San Francisco Bay Area forever. The Neighborhood Emergency Response Team is part of its legacy. -
CrosscurrentsCommunity Responders: Oakland’s Alternative to the Police, is a series that focuses on one non-police crisis response program. What else is out there? -
CrosscurrentsMACRO was created to address some of the toughest problems facing Oakland, from addiction and mental health issues to homelessness. But, building trust takes time. -
CrosscurrentsMACRO was formed in 2022 as an alternative to cops for non-emergency, non-violent 911 calls. But deciding when they should be deployed hasnt been consistent.
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CrosscurrentsMACRO is Oakland’s non-police response team. They’ve been running since mid-2022, but how do they differ from police, firefighters, and paramedics?
