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Phil Matier

1,906 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 21 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 38 ratings

Breaking 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

In-N-Out closure a drop in the bucket for Oakland crime issues

January 22, 2024 20:59 - 3 minutes - 2.88 MB

Oakland's In N Out is shuttering for good, citing unrelenting crime in the parking lot. For more, Eric Thomas and Nikki Medoro spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.

Senate hopefuls are strategically courting Bay Area women - here's how

January 18, 2024 04:09 - 4 minutes - 3.74 MB

Representatives Adam Schiff and Katie Porter have launched their first ads in the race for the late Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat, and both campaigns seem to be focusing on voters here in the Bay Area. KCBS Radio news anchors Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier for his thoughts.

California's budget deficit projections vary wildly - so who has it right?

January 16, 2024 18:10 - 3 minutes - 2.97 MB

A key budget analyst says that the projections for California's budget deficit could actually be much bigger than we thought, clocking it in at $58 billion dollars. This is about $20 billion more than Governor Gavin Newsom estimated. KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke to KCBS insider Phil Matier for his thoughts on the numbers.

Phil Matier and Willie Brown react to JP Morgan CEO's criticism of San Francisco

January 12, 2024 18:49 - 4 minutes - 4.03 MB

JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon isn't letting the fact that his company just hosted a massive health care conference in San Francisco keep him from publicly lamenting the city's woes. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Nikki Medoro were joined in the studio by KCBS insider Phil Matier and former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown.

Governor Newsom is fighting off calls to alter Prop 47

January 11, 2024 21:09 - 2 minutes - 2.6 MB

Governor Gavin Newsom is fighting off calls to bring back Prop 47, a divisive 2014 ballot measure that reduced sentences for drug and property crime. Calls for this revival resurfaced due to Newsom's efforts to crack down on rampant property theft in California. For more on this KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer were joined by KCBS Insider Phil Matier.  

Can Newsom crack down on crime without running afoul of Prop 47?

January 11, 2024 04:04 - 3 minutes - 3.44 MB

Governor Gavin Newsom is asking lawmakers to draft legislation to crack down on crimes like retail thefts and auto burglaries, which have been in the news a lot lately. What he's not asking for are any changes to Prop 47, a voter-passed proposition that eased penalties on people convicted of those types of crimes. Prop 47 reclassified certain nonviolent offenses as misdemeanors instead of felonies, and was passed to prevent prison overcrowding in 2014. KCBS Radio news anchors Bret Burkhart ...

SF public records show cyclists aren't using a contentious bike lane

January 10, 2024 05:11 - 3 minutes - 3.32 MB

It appears that cyclists in San Francisco don't like a controversial bike lane that was installed down the middle of Valencia Street. A new report shows the number of cyclists on that street has dropped 53 percent since that lane was put in. Vehicle traffic has also dropped by more than 40 percent and businesses in the area are saying all of this is hurting their bottom line. We should note that transit officials in San Francisco didn't release these numbers, they were obtained through a p...

The next big conference is coming to SF: How it will affect downtown

January 09, 2024 23:56 - 3 minutes - 3.33 MB

Another major conference has come to San Francisco with JP Morgan's annual health care conference expected to inject upwards of $80 million dollars in economic activity this week. For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.   

Could merging all 27 transit agencies cure Bay Area transportation woes?

January 05, 2024 18:49 - 3 minutes - 3.44 MB

As we've been reporting, a Bay Area leader is proposing combining all 27 public transit agencies. KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier and former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown for their thoughts on the proposal.

How will the killing of Officer Tuan Le affect Oakland's search for a police chief?

January 04, 2024 04:13 - 3 minutes - 3.36 MB

Oakland police are providing an update later this evening about last week's fatal shooting of an officer who was responding to a burglary in progress. KCBS Radio reporter Megan Goldsby will be there. In the meantime, as the department continues to mourn the loss, the search continues for a new chief to head the department. Mayor Sheng Thao and the police commission don't appear to be on the same page when it comes to just who that should be. The commission sent the mayor a list of three ca...

Higher penalties coming for large-scale fentanyl dealers, but will they help?

January 02, 2024 16:42 - 3 minutes - 2.98 MB

Changes are coming in the new year for how California authorities penalize those selling fentanyl. For more on these changes, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

CA lawmaker moves to take Trump off ballot: is it just political theater?

December 22, 2023 19:29 - 4 minutes - 4.47 MB

Taking inspiration from the Colorado Supreme Court's recent decision on eligibility for presidential candidates, a California lawmaker plans to introduce a bill that will remove candidates like Donald Trump from California ballots. For more Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown.

Matier on the drug dealer plea deal debacle that deports rather than prosecutes

December 22, 2023 05:54 - 3 minutes - 3.23 MB

A judge in San Francisco is criticizing federal prosecutors for cutting a plea deal with two suspected drug dealers, saying deporting them without having them spend time behind bars would serve as a great recruiting tool for the cartels. These plea deals were part of a fast-track approach federal prosecutors have been using for cases involving drug dealers in the Tenderloin. KCBS Radio news anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier for more.

Waymo reports driverless cars crash 90% less than human drivers

December 21, 2023 16:46 - 3 minutes - 3.58 MB

New research from robotaxi company Waymo, says the driverless taxi's have a much lower crash rate in the city than cars with human drivers. For more KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.

Bay Area cities are seeing a rise in population despite CA exodus

December 20, 2023 18:26 - 3 minutes - 3.37 MB

New data shows San Francisco's population is actually growing, bucking the pandemic-era exodus we've been seeing the past few years. For more KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier. 

More on the new rule upsetting Chinese-American candidates running for office

December 19, 2023 17:48 - 3 minutes - 2.9 MB

Some Chinese-American candidates in San Francisco are not happy with a new rule restricting them from using Chinese names on ballots. For more on this rule and its effects, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

San Francisco voters in favor of drug-testing welfare measure

December 18, 2023 21:41 - 3 minutes - 3.17 MB

As it turns out, a majority of San Francisco voters are on board with a ballot measure requiring those getting welfare benefits to be screened for drugs. For more, KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.

Did San Francisco's issues deter Shohei Ohtani from signing with the Giants?

December 15, 2023 19:49 - 5 minutes - 4.86 MB

With the news that baseball megastar Shohei Ohtani had signed with the LA Dodgers this week, San Francisco Giants fans were already in low spirits, and comments from former Giants catcher Buster Posey didn't help. In an interview, Posey suggested the state of the city affected Ohtani's decision to turn down a deal with the Giants. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier and former mayor Willie Brown.

APEC bills pile up: a breakdown of how much the public is paying

December 14, 2023 16:10 - 3 minutes - 2.78 MB

We're starting to get a better look at all the costs of APEC, and a big one was overtime for all those police officers you saw out and about during the conference. For more KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier

Here's what the 49ers' huge property tax cut means for Santa Clara taxpayers

December 14, 2023 02:30 - 2 minutes - 2.74 MB

The San Francisco 49ers are getting a big break on their taxes after a judge approved a property tax cut of $180 million for its Levi's Stadium lease over the next 30 years. KCBS Radio news anchor Megan Goldsby spoke to KCBS insider Phil Matier on why the amount the team owes was reduced, and what this means for Santa Clara.

San Francisco's homeless population before, during, and after APEC

December 13, 2023 03:26 - 3 minutes - 2.86 MB

City officials in San Francisco are releasing more information about the number of homeless encampments that were cleared just before APEC last month. Officials say a count done by the Department of Emergency Management showed a decrease just over 100 tents, and 365 fewer people living in vehicles. For more on this, KCBS Radio's Patti Reising spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier. 

Phil Matier on why raising fares won't fix BART's lingering issues

December 12, 2023 17:35 - 3 minutes - 3.44 MB

Attention all BART riders: that fare is about to get a little higher. For more on the coming price hikes, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

Bay Area voters resist approving expenses for transit agencies

December 11, 2023 19:59 - 3 minutes - 3.65 MB

A new poll shows that Bay Area residents do not want to foot the bill for the region's transit agencies including BART. For more, KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.

Phil Matier and Willie Brown on California's massive $68 billion budget deficit

December 08, 2023 18:55 - 4 minutes - 4.42 MB

California is facing a massive budget deficit of $68 billion dollars, a huge financial challenge for Democrats heading into an election year. The delayed tax deadline, inflation, and unemployment have all contributed to building this problem, but now the state's leaders have to find a way to mitigate it. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchor Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier and former mayor of San Francisco Willie Brown.

SF merchants ask city to make up for APEC business loss

December 07, 2023 16:25 - 3 minutes - 3.31 MB

Merchants in San Francisco are asking the city to pay up for all that lost business during APEC. For more, KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.  

What's behind the trend of California politicians resigning from office?

December 07, 2023 04:43 - 3 minutes - 3.14 MB

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from Bakersfield says he is resigning his seat at the end of the year, becoming the latest in a line of California politicians on both sides of the aisle to walk away from their positions. KCBS Radio news anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke to KCBS insider Phil Matier about what's going on.

More on the multiple billion dollar rail projects in California

December 06, 2023 02:08 - 3 minutes - 2.8 MB

Federal officials are awarding more than $6 billion dollars in funding for high speed rail projects in the state. $3.1 billion will go to the state's California High-Speed Rail Project. While the goal is to have a bullet train running between San Francisco and LA. Officials are now focusing on service that will connect Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield. Another $3 billion will to to a private company called Brightline which is working on a high-speed rail line between Los Angeles and Las Vega...

Why are so many Bay Area cities passing resolutions on the Israel-Hamas war?

December 05, 2023 16:44 - 4 minutes - 3.78 MB

As we've been reporting today and for the past few weeks, several cities around the Bay Area and the country have been passing resolutions to weigh in on the conflict between Israel and Hamas. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

CA Supreme Court to hear arguments on removing ballot measure in 2024

December 04, 2023 19:04 - 4 minutes - 4.52 MB

In a rare move, California's supreme court is granting a hearing over a request by Governor Newsom and democratic legislators to remove an initiative from the 2024 ballot that would require voters to approve any increase in state or local taxes or fees. For more, KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.

Matier analyzes the 'popcorn event' of the Newsom vs. DeSantis Fox debate

December 01, 2023 17:11 - 3 minutes - 3.54 MB

Governor Ron DeSantis thinks San Francisco stinks - literally. At last night's debate with Governor Gavin Newsom, the 2024 presidential hopeful held up a map of human poop on the streets of SF, drawing attention to the problems facing the famously liberal city. For more on the debate, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

What is attributed to the decline of retail theft in San Francisco?

November 30, 2023 20:18 - 3 minutes - 3.07 MB

San Francisco police have been making a determined effort to address the retail crime that's plagued the city. The most recent data on arrests from the Thanksgiving week suggest that their efforts might be paying off, with larceny cases down about 75% from last year. For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier. 

New proposal could expand SF program's ability to help homeless travel home

November 29, 2023 18:07 - 2 minutes - 2.68 MB

San Francisco's Homeward Bound program has been helping people get off the city streets since 2005 by connecting them with family and friends and providing a bus ticket to get home. While the program's use declined during the pandemic, a new proposal could expand Homeward Bound's reach. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

What's the story behind the Oakland B's, the city's new baseball team?

November 28, 2023 17:36 - 2 minutes - 2.39 MB

The Oakland A's may be skipping out and headed to Vegas, but Laney College is welcoming a minor league team, the Oakland Ballers, to town.  This move adds a tinge of irony to the ongoing saga, as the A's previously chose Laney College as their first pick for a ballpark. For more on the new team, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

Vendors in San Francisco's Mission District fight against 90-day selling ban

November 27, 2023 17:42 - 3 minutes - 3.12 MB

Mission vendors are taking direct action in protest of a 90-day ban on selling kicking off today. For more KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.  

'A tough needle to thread': Bay Area cities walk the line in Israel-Hamas resolutions

November 24, 2023 17:58 - 3 minutes - 3.6 MB

With more calls for a complete cease-fire in Gaza, local city governments are beginning to speak out on the war and Oakland could soon be adding its voice the mix. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchor Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

San Francisco cleaned up the streets for APEC, but how long will that last?

November 23, 2023 19:48 - 3 minutes - 3.4 MB

Ahead of the APEC conference, the city of San Francisco cleared the homeless encampments in the downtown area. Some were moved just a couple blocks, others into shelters, and for now, many of those prominent encampments have yet to return. But how long will that last? For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchor Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

Frustrated SF neighbors fed up with sidewalk tents erect code-violating planters

November 22, 2023 19:10 - 3 minutes - 3.09 MB

Residents of one San Francisco street pooled their money to have large steel planter boxes installed on the sidewalk. But new public records show that the planters violate city code. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

Matier on why Jon Fisher refuses to sell the Oakland A's

November 21, 2023 18:21 - 3 minutes - 3.54 MB

A's owner John Fisher says whether its in Oakland or in Vegas, he has no intentions of selling the team. For more on why, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

San Francisco looks to collect on unpaid parking tickets

November 20, 2023 20:22 - 3 minutes - 3.2 MB

San Francisco is looking to collect over $200 million in unpaid parking tickets.  For more, KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.

California's freeway underpass lease program draws scrutiny after I-10 fire

November 17, 2023 17:20 - 3 minutes - 3.27 MB

The investigation into the cause of the major fire that damaged a crucial stretch of the I-10 freeway in Los Angeles has shed light on a little-known state program that leases the land underneath freeways. For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

MLB unanimously votes to relocate the A's: What lead to this decision

November 16, 2023 22:21 - 3 minutes - 3.24 MB

As we've been reporting, MLB owners voted 30 to nil in favor of moving the A's to Vegas. For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.   

10 years ago today, 5-year-old Batkid saved San Francisco: Where is he now?

November 16, 2023 05:43 - 3 minutes - 3.19 MB

The APEC summit has transformed the city of San Francisco, which is currently bustling with political and business leaders as well as protestors descending on downtown. But ten years ago today, the city came to a standstill for a different reason. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, with the help of city officials, remade San Francisco into Gotham City for a day, all to help a five-year-old boy who was battling cancer. KCBS Radio news anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke to KCBS insider Ph...

The Bay Area has been stuck in a cycle of increasing inflation

November 15, 2023 17:25 - 3 minutes - 3.29 MB

Inflation cooled in October.. but the effects aren't being felt everywhere..  For more, KCBS's Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.  

SF pulling out all the stops to shine up the city and welcome APEC visitors

November 14, 2023 17:54 - 3 minutes - 3.29 MB

As we've been reporting, San Francisco is putting on quite the show to welcome the massive APEC summit, with highlights including a laser light display, a Gwen Stefani concert, and unusually clean streets. For more on the city's efforts to welcome visitors to San Francisco, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

Lavish APEC spending prompts question: Where is the money for local issues?

November 13, 2023 19:06 - 3 minutes - 3.61 MB

City Hall hosted a lavish party to kick-off APEC, rolling out the red carpet for over 100 guests and switch the global narrative about San Francisco. For more KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.  

Here's how SFPD plans to cope with a surge of 30,000 APEC guests in the city

November 10, 2023 17:17 - 3 minutes - 3.28 MB

President Biden, other world leaders and an estimated 30,000 people will arrive for APEC in San Francisco this week. It's been estimated the city would need between 2,000 and 5,000 officers to meet staffing requirements. Nine Bay Area law enforcement agencies and the California Highway Patrol are sending officers to help. For more, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

San Francisco street vendors face daily threats of violence

November 09, 2023 22:15 - 2 minutes - 2.64 MB

San Francisco workers who enforce the city's street vendor laws say their job is often a "living nightmare" describing daily threats of violence and assaults. For more, KCBS's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.  

Matier on the SF incident that may have caused Cruise's nationwide vehicle recall

November 09, 2023 05:45 - 3 minutes - 3.55 MB

Cruise is recalling all its self-driving vehicles nationwide following an accident in San Francisco last month. It started when a hit-and-run driver struck a woman who was walking south of Market St., throwing her into the path of the Cruise vehicle. Instead of coming to a stop, the vehicle did as programmed and pulled over, dragging the woman with it. KCBS Radio news anchor Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier for more.

Governor Newsom and President Biden plan fundraisers during APEC conference

November 08, 2023 17:32 - 2 minutes - 2.21 MB

Governor Gavin Newsom is set to meet at a so-called "super event" alongside next week's APEC conference in San Francisco, bringing him together with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. For more KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.

The factors behind Dreamforce's confirmed return to San Francisco

November 07, 2023 18:27 - 3 minutes - 3.24 MB

After some uncertainty as to whether or not the annual Dreamforce tech conference would be returning to San Francisco, Mayor London Breed this morning has announced it will. For more on this announcement, KCBS Radio news anchors Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.

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@mattpitman 2 Episodes