2024 National Elections

KALW's Ben Trefny sits down with San Francisco Public Press Executive Director Lila LaHood and San Francisco Standard political reporter Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez to talk about how voters have changed the city and the nation.

Much as we did four years ago, we’ve looked at elections viewing from perspecives ranging from allegations of interference from foreign nations or violations of campaign laws, to the effect divisions are having upon our democracy -- all important topics; but, those are discussions for another night.Also, as it was in 2020, all signs were showing that the election could eventually be decided in Pennsylvania. Then they called Pennsylvania, and with it the presidential election.And while all eyes are on who will become the 47th President of the United States. We have myriad federal, state and local races of interest, some clearly decided, others that may soon be determined, voting systems that might, and unnecessarily, delay the counting of the votes.All that may be so; but, there are bigger issues looming, such as: what do we do if a newly elected president trump suspends the constitution? How would we respond to mass deportations? What if there is a national abolition ban?And equally concerning under such a scenario is the absence of checks and balances; with the Republicans taking both houses of Congress, and a politically lopsided Supreme Court, it appears all checks and balances have been relegated to the annals of history. Tonight we make a status check. YLR Host, Jeff Hayden, and tonight's co-host Dean Johnson, are joined by civil rights activist Brent Turner and Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo who is currently the Senior Community Engagement Specialist/Impact Policy and Communication with the City and County of San Francisco's Office of Economic Workplace Development.Questions for Jeff, Dean and their guests? Please call us at (866) 798-8255.

An important panel discussion with community leaders, advocates and academics about the diverse Black electorate. Moderated by KALW’s Hana Baba, host of "Crosscurrents" and co-host of "The Stoop" podcast. Featuring panelists Pastor Michael McBride, Aimee Allison, and Professor James Lance Taylor.

If Donald Trump wins the election, JD Vance is one step away from the White House. He entered politics as the Senator of Ohio just two years ago.

Mike Madrid, a co-founder of the Lincoln Project and author of “The Latino Century,” recently took part in a live discussion at KALW on what Latino voters care most about today.

Sasha Abramsky writes about how polarization threatened to break apart two American communities and how one found a way back while the other splintered.

“Today, our nation and world are at an inflection point,” Mary Smith, President of the American Bar Association, said. “At home and around the globe, autocrats and dictators threaten the rule of law. Our democracy is under strain." At the start of her presidential term in August 2023, ABA President Smith created the Task Force for American Democracy. The deans from more than 100 of America’s top law schools wrote a letter in support, concerning the training necessary for the next generation of lawyers to sustain our constitutional democracy and the rule of law. “The nation's law schools play a critical role in training the next generation of lawyers and upholding the core values of our profession,” remarked Heather K. Gerken, Yale Law School dean and member of the task force. “Through our joint efforts as outlined in [the] letter, we hope to set an example for our students as we prepare them to carry our democracy forward.”What forces are at play that threaten democracy in America, and throughout the world? Are they taking hold? Here?Tonight, YLR Host, Jeff Hayden, is joined by Task Force member Maria Echaveste, a former U.S. presidential advisor to President Bill Clinton and White House Deputy Chief of Staff during the second Clinton Administration, and Brent Turner, a graduate of Lincoln Law School in San Francisco who was instrumental in the creation of the San Francisco County Voting Systems Task Force and who has been a Director of Communications for Open Voting Consortium.Questions for Jeff and his guests? Please call, toll free, at (866) 798-8255.

Donald Trump has repeatedly shared AI-generated content on social media in the latest example of how artificial intelligence is showing up in the 2024 election.

Some 67 percent of Republicans say the Bible should influence U.S. laws to some extent.

Places like China, Ukraine and Gaza will be at the forefront of the mind of whoever becomes the next president.