Phil Matier
1,922 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 38 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 tough needle to thread': Bay Area cities walk the line in Israel-Hamas resolutions
November 24, 2023 17:58 - 3 minutes - 3.6 MBWith 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 MBAhead 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 MBResidents 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 MBA'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 MBSan 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 MBThe 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 MBAs 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 MBThe 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 MBInflation 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 MBAs 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 MBCity 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 MBPresident 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 MBSan 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 MBCruise 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 MBGovernor 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 MBAfter 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.
Bay Area voters undecided on candidates to replace Dianne Feinstein
November 06, 2023 18:58 - 3 minutes - 2.92 MBNew polling data shows thirty percent of likely voters in the Bay Area aren't sure who they want to see fill Dianne Feinstein's seat in the Senate. For more, KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Here's why Pelosi's home was vulnerable the night her husband was attacked
November 03, 2023 17:22 - 4 minutes - 3.85 MBAs we've been reporting, it turns out there weren't any patrol officers outside U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's home the night her husband was attacked. Capitol Police say it was supposed to be SFPD, while SFPD says that's not the case - so who is to blame here? For more on this, KCBS Radio news anchor Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
A closer look into PG&E's major rate hikes
November 02, 2023 15:25 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBYour power bill is likely to go up pretty soon in a BIG way. For a closer look, KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
The Great Hot Dog Debate: San Francisco's street vendor conundrum
November 02, 2023 04:47 - 3 minutes - 3.44 MBYou may have had one, or at least smelled one: Bacon-wrapped hot dogs prepared by vendors that line San Francisco's streets after events and as the bars close down. But now, city officials say they plan to crack down on unlicensed food vendors. For more on San Francisco's great hot dog debate, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Matt Bigler spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
SF signs off on $20 million in business tax refunds, pressuring city budget
November 02, 2023 03:48 - 3 minutes - 3.41 MBOfficials in San Francisco have signed off on $20 million dollars in tax refunds to a handful of businesses, and that's making it even harder for the city to balance its budget. KCBS Radio news anchor Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier about what's behind these refunds and how the city is paying for it.
San Francisco is fast-tracking arrests and deportations in connection with the drug crisis
November 01, 2023 01:42 - 3 minutes - 2.89 MBThe recent crackdown on San Francisco drug markets is putting a dent in the drug crisis in parts of San Francisco. But, it comes at a cost. While the number of arrests have skyrocketed, so have deportations even though San Francisco is a Sanctuary City. So how is the city able to get away with skirting some of its own rules or is this a sign of desperation because of the seriousness of the drug crisis? To answer that question, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart an Patti Reising spoke with KCBS ...
Breed's reelection strategy takes aim at 'doom loop' rather than opponents
October 31, 2023 16:04 - 3 minutes - 3.21 MBSo far, San Francisco Mayor London Breed's campaign hasn't been taking aim at her other opponents, but rather the "doom loop" narrative circling around the city. For more on Mayor Breed's strategy, KCBS Radio news anchor Matt Bigler spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
Drivers and bikers battle it out over lanes on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
October 30, 2023 20:09 - 2 minutes - 2.65 MBThe four-year test of a bike path on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is coming to an end, meaning the battle over what comes next is ramping up. For more, KCBS Radio's Matt Bigler and Nikki Medoro spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Why is a Republican senator from Iowa talking about a federal building in SF?
October 26, 2023 05:04 - 3 minutes - 2.85 MBA Republican Senator from Iowa says the Nancy Pelosi Federal Building in San Francisco is like a haunted house overwhelmed with zombie-like bodies and should be shut down. This all comes just as officials have launched a new ad campaign to boost the city's image. KCBS Radio news anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier on why is a senator from Iowa even commenting on a federal building in San Francisco?
Here's why the California DMV pulled driverless vehicle co. Cruise's license
October 25, 2023 04:06 - 3 minutes - 3.21 MBThe DMV has pulled the permit allowing Cruise to run driverless taxis in San Francisco. KCBS Radio news anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier about what led to the DMV taking action, and why just Cruise's license has been suspended, and not Waymo as well.
Ad campaign wants to brighten SF's reputation: Who's the target audience
October 24, 2023 15:38 - 3 minutes - 3.24 MBA new ad touting the prides of San Francisco is airing as part of a multi-million dollar push to highlight the city's comeback.. For more, KBCS Radio's Eric Thomas and Nikki Medoro spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
PG&E's proposed rate change would charge higher-income earners more for energy
October 23, 2023 16:56 - 3 minutes - 3.38 MBUtility bills across California are increasing for many customers, so why haven't you heard about it? PG&E and Southern California Edison have been quietly working on new electricity rates based on income, rather than the amount of energy you use. KCBS Radio news anchor Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier for more.
Matier on Laphonza Butler's decision not to run for full Senate term in 2024
October 20, 2023 16:41 - 3 minutes - 3.49 MBAs we've been reporting, California Senator Laphonza Butler, appointed to fill Dianne Feinstein's seat, will not be running for a full term when hers comes to an end. For more on this development, KCBS Radio news anchors Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Radio insider Phil Matier.
Assessment of San Francisco's post-pandemic recovery is better than expected
October 19, 2023 20:31 - 3 minutes - 3.29 MBSan Francisco is apparently doing a lot better than we previously thought since the pandemic, that according to a revised analysis of US cities. For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke to KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Mayor Sheng Thao addresses Oakland about the city's crime problem
October 18, 2023 19:39 - 3 minutes - 3.12 MBOakland Mayor Sheng Thao gave her first state of the city address, focusing on the issue on most residents minds these days: Crime. For more KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Matier on Mayor Breed's proposed measure that would give police more power
October 18, 2023 01:18 - 3 minutes - 3.13 MBSan Francisco Mayor London Breed wants to put a measure before the voters that would give police officers in the city more power to enforce the law. KCBS Radio news anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke to KCBS insider Phil Matier about the changes she wants to make and why she wants to put this measure before voters.
"Sell the Team" an empty hope, no future home for A's outside of Vegas
October 17, 2023 15:52 - 3 minutes - 3.69 MBOne former Oakland Athletic had some choice words for the team's management saying "sell it, man" about owner John Fisher. For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Three Bay Area cities may soon use cameras to start ticketing drivers
October 17, 2023 00:56 - 3 minutes - 3.18 MBThis comes after Governor Gavin Newsom signed off on a new law approving a five-year pilot program.
Effort to recall Alameda DA Pamela Price gaining steam
October 16, 2023 15:57 - 3 minutes - 3.49 MBEfforts to oust Alameda County DA Pamala Price are in full swing, with signature gatherers descending upon the region to get enough support to bring the issue to voters. For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.. Does this recall effort have enough support/resources to get this done?
Mayor London Breed wants to put more police officers on the streets
October 13, 2023 00:55 - 3 minutes - 3.03 MBSan Francisco Mayor London Breed wants to put more police officers on the streets to help fight crime in the City. She is pushing a plan to add officers to the City's Reserve Police Officer Program. The move comes hours after the Police Commission approved new ruled on how officers on foot should pursue suspects.
London Breed called for mid-year budget cuts, how dire is it?
October 12, 2023 18:49 - 3 minutes - 3.52 MBFacing a bleak outlook for San Francisco's budget, Mayor London Breed is proposing mid-year cuts of at least 3-percent from the city's general fund. For more, Eric Thomas and Nikki Medorro spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
SF parking officers ordered to stop ticketing stolen cars - here's why that's easier said than done
October 12, 2023 04:46 - 3 minutes - 3.64 MBSan Francisco Mayor London Breed is ordering parking control officers to stop ticketing illegally parked cars that had been stolen and then abandoned on city streets. This comes after a story was published in the San Francisco Chronicle this morning that showed that the city was issuing the citations and not even notifying people that their vehicles had been located. For more, KCBS Radio news anchors Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
More details on the former MLB player, Steve Garvey running for senate
October 11, 2023 19:53 - 4 minutes - 3.72 MBFormer MLB player Steve Garvey is running for Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat. For a closer look, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
More details on Steve Garvey, the former MLB player running for Senate
October 11, 2023 19:53 - 4 minutes - 3.72 MBFormer MLB player Steve Garvey is running for Dianne Feinstein's Senate seat. For a closer look, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
Matier explains why SF's commission on drug abuse and mental health is dormant
October 11, 2023 01:31 - 2 minutes - 2.5 MBA San Francisco city commission in charge of overseeing the response to the drug and mental health crisis hasn't held a single meeting since February. The Behavioral Health Commission is part of the city's Department of Public Health and has an annual budget of almost $600 million. KCBS Radio's Patti Reising and Bret Burkhart spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier on why with all that's going on in the city, how a commission like this can be so inactive.
Matier on Oakland police chief search: 'It just gets nuttier'
October 10, 2023 18:47 - 3 minutes - 3.64 MBAs we've been reporting, fired Oakland police chief LaRonne Armstrong is on the short list for his old job. This comes after an independent arbitrator cleared him of claims he mishandled misconduct cases against two officers. For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier.
What did Governor Newsom veto this year and why?
October 10, 2023 01:00 - 3 minutes - 2.85 MBIt was a busy weekend for Governor Gavin Newsom who signed or vetoed hundreds of bills. For more, Brett Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
California cracks down on guns, but violence continues to rise
October 09, 2023 15:46 - 3 minutes - 3.15 MBCalifornia is finding itself amid a troubling trend, gun violence is going up, even as the restrictions on them gets tighter. For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Reactions on Feinstein's memorial service and the future of her Senate seat
October 06, 2023 17:19 - 5 minutes - 4.72 MBSenator Dianne Feinstein was remembered at a City Hall memorial service yesterday. She leaves a legacy of courage and integrity that spanned a long career of public service. For more, KCBS Radio news anchor Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS insider Phil Matier and former San Francisco Mayer Willie Brown.
Influential politicians arrive at San Francisco for Feinstein's memorial
October 05, 2023 20:56 - 3 minutes - 3.5 MBAs we've been reporting all morning, the memorial to honor the life and legacy of the late Senator Dianne Feinstein is happening today in San Francisco. For more, KCBS Radio's Eric Thomas and Margie Shafer spoke with KCB Insider Phil Matier.
A look at Senator Feinstein's political family as she lies in state
October 05, 2023 00:59 - 3 minutes - 3.3 MBA steady stream of people showed up at San Francisco's City Hall to pay their last respects to Senator Dianne Feinstein who is lies in state. The Senator got her start in politics at City Hall, first as a Supervisor, then mayor. She also built up many connections with other political leaders and families in the Bay Area. For more, KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Kevin McCarthy loses speakership: How this will affect california
October 04, 2023 01:33 - 3 minutes - 3.34 MBHouse Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been voted out as Speaker of the House, marking the first time in U.S. history a Speaker has been removed this way. For more on how this may affect California, KCBs Radio's Bret Burkhart and Patti Reising spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Laphonza Butler has little time to make an impression with California voters
October 03, 2023 15:14 - 2 minutes - 2.54 MBLaphonza Butler, Governor Newsom's pick for the Senate seat left by Dianne Feinstein, is being sworn in today at noon local time. For more, KCBS Radio's Margie Shafer and Eric Thomas spoke with KCBS Insider Phil Matier.
Newsom just appointed Laphonza Butler - does this mean she'll run?
October 03, 2023 00:59 - 3 minutes - 2.95 MBGovernor Gavin Newsom is throwing his support behind Laphonza Butler, whom he's chosen to fill the late US Senator Dianne Feinstein's seat. The governor had vowed to appoint someone on an interim basis, something he called a "place-holder" while appearing on the Sunday Morning talk shows. But, now that he's tapped Butler, he's leaving it up to Butler to decide if she would want to run for a full term after she fills out Feinstein's term.