Phil Matier
1,504 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 33 ratingsBreaking news and analysis from around the Bay Area, the state capitol and
beyond. Listen to KCBS Radio and Chronicle Insider Phil Matier’s reports
LIVE on KCBS All News 740 AM and 106.9 FM Mondays through Fridays at 7:50 AM
and 5:50 PM or listen to the podcasts ANYTIME posted here daily.
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Episodes
A bill aimed at helping fast food workers is on hold until the 2024 election
January 26, 2023 03:24 - 2 minutes - 2.7 MBA bill passed by the state lawmakers to protect fast-food workers will now go before voters. This after the fast-food industry collected enough signatures to place a measure on the ballot. This isn't the first time an industry has challenged laws passed by the legislature by asking voters to weigh in. For more on this, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
Amid Oak. Chief Armstrong being placed on leave, are there grounds for dismissal?
January 25, 2023 17:44 - 3 minutes - 3 MBA federal judge presiding over a hearing yesterday in the Oakland Police misconduct scandal said he was profoundly disappointed in the situation. It was the first hearing since the reports went public last week and Oakland Mayor placed police Chief LeRonne Armstrong on paid leave. For more KCBS Radio anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Oakland facing challenges with police chief turnover and deadly shooting
January 25, 2023 04:37 - 3 minutes - 2.87 MBLast night's shooting at an Oakland gas station that killed one person and injured several others appears to be gang-related, according to Darren Allison, Oakland's acting police chief. Allison took over the role after Chief LaRonne Armstrong was placed on paid leave following a report of misconduct involving one of the department's officers. KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier for more on Police Chief Allison and the Oakland shooting.
Oak. NAACP wants Chief Armstrong off leave, critics want accountability
January 24, 2023 17:00 - 2 minutes - 2.43 MBThe Oakland branch of the NAACP released a statement this morning in support of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong being taken off paid leave, they'll be holding another press conference today at noon. For more, KCBS Radio anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Armstrong claims its not the first time Oak chiefs have been 'turned out'
January 24, 2023 03:51 - 3 minutes - 3.22 MBOakland's police chief is speaking out for the first time since being put on paid leave. Chief LeRonne Armstrong says he did nothing wrong and deserves to be reinstated. For more, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
Oakland PD chief seeks return to duty as misconduct investigation continues
January 23, 2023 17:03 - 1 minute - 1.84 MBOakland Police chief LeRonne Armstrong will hold a press conference today requesting to be taken off administrative leave, despite Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao saying the city is still waiting for the results of the city's investigation. KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier for more.
Matier says short Oakland Police Chief terms appear to be a pattern
January 20, 2023 17:25 - 3 minutes - 2.98 MBAs we've been reporting, Oakland Police Chief Leronne Armstrong is on paid leave amid a department misconduct probe. For more, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Radio Insider Phil Matier and former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown.
OPD Chief put on paid leave following misconduct
January 20, 2023 02:19 - 3 minutes - 2.94 MBOakland's police chief has been place on paid leave following misconduct involving one of the department's officers. What does this mean for Oakland's current government?
CA high speed rail project cost rises, possible completion in 5-10 years
January 19, 2023 16:28 - 3 minutes - 2.94 MBThe high speed rail project San Francisco is pushing for is getting pricier and pricier... estimates for the project are now almost two billion dollars more than they were back in 2016. For more, KCBS Radio anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
The domino effect explains why SF is struggling to recover from the pandemic
January 19, 2023 02:22 - 3 minutes - 3.42 MBThe latest crystal ball looks a lot like a cell phone and it shows that San Francisco has been the slowest city in North America to recover from the pandemic. For more on this, KCBS Radio's Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Gas appliances moving into electric age, can our grids handle it?
January 18, 2023 16:24 - 3 minutes - 3.09 MBIt's not just cars that'll be using more electricity in the future, it could also be your household appliances and although that's better for our health, it could be an issue with outdated energy grids. For more , KCBS Radio anchor Margie Shafer is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier...
Can we really go all electric in 2035?
January 18, 2023 02:23 - 3 minutes - 3.13 MBWhile California has set a goal of having all cars sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles by 2035, some are questioning whether the state's power grid can handle the extra number of electric vehicles. How much of a stress could this put on the system?
GOP House Reps look into Cali EDD pandemic fraud scandal, worst in nation
January 17, 2023 16:38 - 2 minutes - 2.56 MBThe California Employment Development Department is facing questions from Congress about pandemic unemployment fraud that a House Committee calls the worst in the nation. For more, KCBS Radio anchor Margie Shafer is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier...
Water storage projects are still waiting to be built since 2014
January 17, 2023 02:18 - 3 minutes - 3.17 MBIn 2014, Californians approved Prop 1 which set aside more than $2.5 billion dollars for new water storage projects. But in light of the state's recent struggle with drought conditions, many are asking where did the money go? For more, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
Projected CA budget deficit worsens with likely overestimated state revenues
January 16, 2023 16:16 - 2 minutes - 2.46 MBNew analysis released on Friday shows that Governor Newsom's new spending plan probably overestimated state revenues, meaning the deficit will be higher than expected. For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Radio Insider Phil Matier.
The race for Feinstein's seat has just begun
January 13, 2023 19:20 - 3 minutes - 3.3 MBA lot of people are throwing their name in the running for Diane Feinstein's senate seat even though she hasn't said she'll be stepping down when her term ends.
Error in ballot counting has some in Alameda County asking for a recount
January 13, 2023 02:19 - 3 minutes - 2.97 MBSupervisors in Alameda County are calling for a recount for some of the races in last November's election. This after election officials discovered an error in the way some ballots were tabulated. But will a recount count? For more, KBCS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising, Phil...what are the issues?
Google data finds 40% less workplace employees in Bay Area
January 12, 2023 16:18 - 2 minutes - 2.27 MBGoogle tracking data shows that people in the Bay Area visited workplaces last year about 40 percent less than they did pre-COVID but still more than they did in the middle of 2020. For more, KCBS Radio anchor Margie Shafer is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier...
Barbara Lee announced she will run for the senate, who else we can expect
January 12, 2023 03:33 - 2 minutes - 2.59 MBCongresswoman Barbara Lee says she plans to run for the senate seat currently held by Dianne Feinstein. This comes a day after Congresswoman Katie Porter threw her hat in the ring. For more, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke to KCBS insider Phil Matier.
From surplus to deficit - the CA budget and how it changed so drastically
January 11, 2023 16:26 - 2 minutes - 2.33 MBFrom a $100 billion surplus to a $22 billion deficit, that's a big change and that's what California Governor Gavin Newsom says he predicts for the upcoming fiscal year. For more KCBS Radio news anchor Margie Shafer is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Katie Porter's timely announcement shakes up the Democratic Party
January 11, 2023 02:03 - 3 minutes - 3.17 MBCongresswoman Katie Porter has announced her plans to run for Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat next year. The move comes before the Senator has announced whether she will run for re-election. What do you make of the timing of Porter's announcement?
Flood water considered hazardous, Phil says to stay clear
January 10, 2023 19:55 - 2 minutes - 2.57 MBAs we've been reporting, with all the floods comes some sewage too which means it's not a good idea to get too close to all that water. The Chronicle did an in depth review of what that looks like specifically in San Francisco. For more , KCBS Radio anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Peskin becomes President for the Board of Supervisors after multiple votes
January 10, 2023 02:12 - 3 minutes - 2.93 MBThe San Francisco Board of Supervisors has a new President, but it took even more ballots than House Speaker Kevin McCarthy needed last week. The supes picked someone whose choice comes as a surprise to many following politics in the City. For more on this, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke to KCBS inside Phil Matier.
Lack of preventive flood action may preclude businesses from damage payouts
January 09, 2023 16:27 - 1 minute - 1.64 MBThe severe flooding in San Francisco in the last few weeks has caused lots of damage to businesses and residents, but the city doesn't want to give payouts for those damages. For more KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
How the House could 'figure out' a resolution for Speaker appointment stall
January 06, 2023 16:38 - 5 minutes - 5.21 MBHouse members are about to begin their fourth day of voting on the new speaker, and Kevin McCarthy is still trying to gather enough votes by making even more concessions to the lawmakers blocking him. For more, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with former SF Mayor Willie Brown and KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
SF was not prepared for the storm as SF Mayor 'downplays disputes'
January 06, 2023 02:02 - 3 minutes - 3.3 MBSan Francisco Mayor London Breed is downplaying a reported dispute with the National Weather Service over the agency's New Year's Eve forecast. Officials had predicted 2 to 3 inches of rain, but the City actually saw almost five and a half inches. The waters inundates some businesses South of Market. For more on this, KCBS Radio's Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
SF city officials blame NWS for unprepared weather conditions last weekend
January 05, 2023 16:43 - 3 minutes - 2.79 MBThe City of San Francisco tried to blame the National Weather Service for its poor response to last weekend's big floods but the National Weather Service says the city was actually included in a flood watch and the agency had forecasted things could get bad. For more KCBS Radio Anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
SF is running out of sand bags but officials are more worried for the wind
January 05, 2023 03:12 - 1 minute - 1.85 MBOfficials all across the Bay Area have been preparing for the storm which is now hitting the Bay Area. San Francisco is one of several agencies having trouble meeting the demand for sandbags. Some businesses in the City suffered pretty heavy damage over the last storm on New Year's Eve. So what can and can't the City do? For more, KCBS Radio's Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
SF's 600 million dollar plan to prevent flooding isn't helping, what gives?
January 04, 2023 16:27 - 2 minutes - 2.54 MBSan Francisco has an expensive 600 Million dollar plan to prevent flooding but so far, residents say it's not making much impact. For more, KCBS Radio anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Santa Clara County might make the move to ranked choice voting
January 04, 2023 01:59 - 2 minutes - 2.39 MBElection officials in Santa Clara County are considering adopting ranked choice voting starting in 2024. The move comes after some community leaders in Alameda County raised concerns over the system following the recent elections there. Those who support ranked choice voting say it eliminates the need for run off elections, saving a lot of money, while critics say it's confusing. What are officials in Santa Clara saying?
Can Alameda County's new DA keep up on her campaign promises?
January 03, 2023 16:32 - 2 minutes - 2.75 MBAlameda County's new DA Pamela Price is stepping up to the plate and seems ready to "disrupt the system". However, she could face an uphill battle in keeping her campaign promises. For more, KCBS Radio anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Twitter sued by landlord over thousands owed in back rent
January 03, 2023 02:10 - 3 minutes - 2.97 MBA San Francisco landlord has filed a lawsuit with Twitter saying the company skipped out on over $135,000 in back rent. KCBS Insider Phil Matier joins KCBS Radio news anchors Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart for more.
CA budgeting goes from surplus to possible $24B deficit
January 02, 2023 16:08 - 2 minutes - 2.28 MBIt may be a new year, but the same old issues are facing Governor Newsom and California lawmakers, from the ongoing drought to homelessness, all the way to not having the financial wherewithal to deal with these various crises. For more, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Radio Insider Phil Matier.
The case of George Santos - who is he really?
December 30, 2022 16:25 - 4 minutes - 4.06 MBNew York representative-elect George Santos is coming under fire for lying about key aspects of his life, from embellishing his professional background to identifying as Jewish, which is now being called a deception by the country's most prominent group of Jewish republican political donors. For more we're joined in studio by KCBS Insider Phil Matier and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. should we be surprised by what we're finding out about Santos?
SF federal building named after Nancy Pelosi despite its 'weird' looks
December 30, 2022 02:49 - 2 minutes - 2.21 MBLawmakers are honoring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by naming a building in San Francisco's South of Market after her. For more on this, KCBS Radio's Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke to KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
UC Berkeley's plans for People's Park face more delays
December 29, 2022 16:05 - 3 minutes - 3.39 MBAn unusual court ruling last week could mean more delays for UC Berkeley’s student housing plan at People’s Park. For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Eric Thomas is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Details of the pedestrian and bike trail that will Oakland and San Francisco
December 29, 2022 03:14 - 3 minutes - 3.04 MBA dedicated bike and pedestrian trail to connect Oakland and San Francisco has been in the works for more than a decade, but now there's an end date to look forward to. By 2030, officials expect the Bay Bridge bike path to be completed and before that happens there's a lot of steps to be completed first. For more, KCBS Radio's Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke with KCBS insider, Phil Matier
Vacancy rate in SF climbs, remote work among factors
December 28, 2022 16:48 - 3 minutes - 3.42 MBDowntown San Francisco has become some-what of a ghost town in recent years seeing vacancy rates soar since the beginning of the pandemic. New numbers are showing it's a bit worse than expected. For more, KCBS Radio Anchor Eric Thomas is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Court rules CA State Capitol Building does not meet environmental rules
December 28, 2022 02:08 - 3 minutes - 3 MBAn appellate court ruled this month against California legislators and the Newsom administration, saying they didn't meet environmental requirements in their multi-billion dollar plan to expand the State Capitol Building. KCBS Radio's Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier for more information.
Funding dissipates as homeless crisis grows in SF
December 27, 2022 16:50 - 2 minutes - 2.62 MBSan Francisco had budgeted more than 650 million dollars toward homeless services and 75 million dollars toward drug treatment programs in 2022. But as the city's homeless crisis seemingly continues to grow, many residents are asking where the money went. For more KCBS Radio Anchor Eric Thomas is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Does a decline in the polls have an impact on Newsom's future?
December 27, 2022 01:59 - 2 minutes - 2.33 MBDespite a pretty hefty lead over his opponent in his last gubernatorial race, data is showing popularity for Gavin Newsom has been on a bit of a downturn. Several inland counties in Northern and Central California saw a drop in votes for Newsom by about 7% and while some counties that went for him back in 2018 flipped in 2022 altogether. Almost every California county lost at least small percentage of Newsom votes in that time frame.
City of Oakland battles housing crisis, to build 36k new homes
December 26, 2022 16:55 - 2 minutes - 2.61 MBOakland has laid out plans to build as many as 36,000 new homes over the next decade in a effort to ease it's growing housing crisis. For more, KCBS Radio Anchor Eric Thomas is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Congress requests Trump's tax returns
December 23, 2022 16:10 - 2 minutes - 2.46 MBTrump's tax returns could be in the public view soon, with Congress forcing his hand after years of him refusing to release them on his own. For more, we're joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.
Gas prices continue to drop: What this means for oil companies
December 23, 2022 05:06 - 2 minutes - 2.54 MBGas prices have dropped more than two-dollars since the middle of June, with some experts saying they could go under 4 dollars a gallon by the end of the month. For more on this, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Pat Thurston spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier
Real estate in S.F selling low, city hoping to meet CA mandates on housing
December 22, 2022 16:40 - 3 minutes - 3.51 MBPlots of land in San Francisco are selling for rock-bottom prices these days, and the city is hoping that'll help with meeting state-imposed housing goals. For more , KCBS Radio Anchors Eric Thomas & Eric Thomas are joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
What the rocky transition of a new DA in Alameda will mean moving forward
December 22, 2022 02:37 - 3 minutes - 3.23 MBAlameda County's recently elected District Attorney is asking the current DA to withdraw a request that would end up costing the department one-fifth of its current budget. For more, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
California homelessness issue increasing, no decline in sight
December 21, 2022 16:35 - 2 minutes - 2.35 MBA new report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development shows that California accounts for 30% of the country's homeless population in 2022. For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Newsom takes a risk with gun laws to prove a point with Texas abortion laws
December 21, 2022 02:12 - 3 minutes - 2.94 MBGovernor Gavin Newsom is celebrating after a federal judge struck down a law which he backed. For More, KCBS Radio's Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart sppke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
PG&E to upcharge based on recent natural catastrophes
December 20, 2022 16:17 - 3 minutes - 3.32 MBAs we've been reporting the power is out for over 70-thousand people in and around Humboldt County this morning due to a 6.4 earthquake and that's bringing to the forefront the need for a safe and secure power grid. PG&E is saying that it'll have to charge customers more to help make that happen. For more, KCBS Radio Anchor Margie Shafer is joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier...
More smash and grabs, and no changes. What is being done?
December 20, 2022 02:06 - 3 minutes - 3.09 MBWe've been telling you about the warning for those soaking up the sights of the city from Twin Peaks. Officers are expecting a spike in car break-ins. Our Matt Bigler spent some time there today and found the evidence in the form of broken glass. State lawmakers are set to consider legislation to close a loophole that's been giving some car burglars a get out of jail free card. This idea has been proposed twice before and failed. What will it do?