The San Francisco Chronicle arts writer joins Audrey Cooper in a chat about his new column exploring the Bay Area’s vibrant scene, what he learned from drag shows and how to be a supporter of the arts.

Northern California residents marking the 30th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake were shaken anew this week by a couple of big jolts. Reporter Peter Fimrite joins Demian Bulwa to talk quake science, why we can't predict the Big One, and ShakeAlert, the new earthquake early-warning system.

Connor Letourneau joins Audrey Cooper to talk about what it’s like to cover the Golden State Warriors. They discuss what Steph Curry’s really like, how things will be different for the team at the Chase Center, and the “Connor Letourneau Curse.”

The power is out in huge parts of Northern California as Pacific Gas & Electric Co. makes good on its threats to turn off electricity lines to an estimated 2.3 million people. Across the region, officials and residents have scrambled to respond, with mixed results. As the utility struggles to get out accurate information to those affected, residents prepare for a days-long outage. But questions remain: Why did the Bay Area seem so ill prepared to deal with what could become the new normal?

Hundreds of thousands of people — not just those in wooded areas — could be affected as PG&E prepares to shut off power in an attempt to prevent wildfires in this week's dry and windy weather. Reporter J.D. Morris on how we got here and what you need to know.

In a rare good-news crime story, reporters Jill Tucker, Evan Sernoffsky and Joaquin Palomino have been tracking historic drops in crime among teens. They talk about that and their investigation into the surge of kids tried in adult courts in the past two decades — under policies now seen as too severe.

Culture Desk Reporter Ryan Kost spent four days wandering the Bay Area to explore future flood zones, areas that scientists expect to be swallowed up by rising sea levels. He tells Audrey Cooper about what he learned there.

The Bay Area is a quirky place. And The Chronicle is launching an effort to explore all of those quirks that make us hella Bay. Sarah Feldberg joins Audrey Cooper to debut the Culture Desk, a new coverage focus that will explore everything from wealth to sex to health and parenting.

Heather Knight and Kevin Fagan join Demian Bulwa to talk about the infamous boulders on Clinton Park alley, which have become a symbol for San Francisco's inability to provide basic services for its homeless population or to enforce laws when street behavior turns dark and violent.

Transportation reporter Rachel Swan talks about BART's plan for fare gates that scofflaws might find harder to hurdle or squeeze through, and the agency's frustration over trying to prevent suicides.

The San Francisco Chronicle's restaurant critic talks with Audrey Cooper about how she wants to challenge readers to think about where they dine and how that intersects with politics and influences local culture.

Political reporter Joe Garofoli and editorial page editor John Diaz join Demian Bulwa to talk about Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement that the House of Representatives will open an impeachment inquiry into President Trump. Will her strategy of waiting pay off?

Reporter Trisha Thadani talks about The Chronicle series "Broken Care," which explores breakdowns in the way San Francisco aids its most vulnerable residents — those who are homeless, addicted and mentally ill.

When a photo of a desperate, homeless heroin addict ran in The Chronicle, the man's brother — with help from reporter Kevin Fagan — launched an effort to find and help him. Incredibly, he succeeded, but the story ended in tragedy.

Much of the Bay Area's new housing is in distant San Joaquin County. Reporter J.K. Dineen talks about the environmental impact of that. Plus: Rachel Swan on California falling short of its emissions goals.

Urban design critic John King on why we need to start planning now to prepare the Bay Area for the impacts of sea level rise — and why the development of vulnerable spots like Treasure Island is still taking place.

Washington correspondent Tal Kopan on the growing divide between President Trump's denial of climate change and California's effort to do something about it. Part of the cooperative Climate Week media project. See sfchronicle.com/climatechallenge for more.

As the San Francisco Symphony opens its final season under Michael Tilson Thomas, classical music critic Joshua Kosman talks about the longtime conductor's legacy, and advises first-time symphony-goers to relax. Come as you are.

The Cal Fire bulldozer operator reported to the Ferguson Fire last summer to protect his community. It was his last call. Lizzie Johnson on the remarkable recovery operation that ensued as his friends and family grappled with their loss.

San Mateo has a plan to house police officers who've become super-commuters because they can't afford the sky-high prices in that city. Reporter J.K. Dineen explains.

Reporter Megan Cassidy on the scene in the Alameda County courthouse as Max Harris is acquitted on 36 charges of involuntary manslaughter stemming from the 2016 warehouse fire. The jury hung on charges for master tenant Derick Almena.

A wealthy couple buys a big new mansion in Hillsborough. Is it their dream home? Nope. It’s a teardown. Reporter Matthias Gafni on the latest stunner in Bay Area housing.

Educators who want ethnic studies taught statewide in California schools are getting pushback from critics who say they support the idea in principle, but that the proposed teaching guidelines push racially divisive themes.

In this episode first published July 29, photographers Gabrielle Lurie and Jessica Christian discuss photographing homelessness during the Chronicle's 24-hour project. They talk about the challenges of photographing for 24 hours straight, keeping safe on the streets and making moving imagery under tough circumstances. We also learn about Jessica’s subject “Shorty,” and how he lives as a disabled homeless man on the streets of San Francisco.

In a region that has nearly every type of cuisine, good barbecue restaurants have been hard to find. That seems to be changing with an explosion of pop-ups and even some brick-and-mortars springing up in unexpected places. Can they thrive in the Bay?