>> tonight on kqed newsroom, governor newsom has a deal to reopen public schools across the state and makes a bold move to double the vaccine supply in some communities. and minakim joins us -- we enjoyed the antics of pups that play in this look at something beautiful. for malcolm welcome to kqed. coronavirus infections have dropped dramatically in the past month here in california. this week governor newsom said the current rate of positive test results is 2%. down from 6% 30 days ago. vaccinations are ramping up with nearly 10 million doses

delivered to californians so far. on thursday newsom announced 40% of the vaccine will now be set aside for communities that have had the highest rates of infection. joining me now by skype to discuss the new distribution clan is marie salonga's. and los angeles times columnist mark needs bareback. newly minted columnist. welcome to the show. >> either. marie so let's start with governor newsom signing the deal reopening the schools. what is in the agreement? >> this is $6 billion. 2 billion would go as an incentive for districts able to open their doors by the end of march to the youngest learners. the students who have the biggest challenges in the pandemic. high need students. the other 4 billion is really looking at trying to help schools appear for next school year and just get there

facilities in classrooms and everything ready. certainly the tube billion will not be available to school districtlike san francisco who are not sure if they can do this that quickly. but it is a lot of money. one question i might have as a parent, if this was just about resources, why couldn't we have done this sooner if it is not about the vaccine details and other health and safety concerns. which are largely being -- between district school boards and unions. and of course the community. >> mark, marissa's comment, does this feel like it is a political move? >> it's all political. she didn't bring up the recall. which is the backdrop to all of this. the governor would have you think that is the furthest thing from his mind. kind of like a duck. serene on the surface and paddling badly beneath it.

the governor has been present traveling around the state. being very visible. it's possible to be both. parents want to get their kids back in school and the economy going again. that said, both of those are really important if he is going to beat this recall. which it looks like he might qualify. >> tell us about the changes the governor is making to california's vaccine distribution. he is prioritizing certain zip codes. >> i think the marks point it being clinical and policy oriented, this is another area. we are in a situation where the vaccines are rolled out and everyone is getting a shot and schools are reopening. the politics looks different. >> this is an area of the governor is focused on. we have heara lot about uneven how covid-19 has been with low-income people and people of color harder. >> they are seeing 40% of the dose is getting sent out will go to 400 zip codes that have

the highest poverty rate in the highest pollution rates. the communities of need. those are still only be for people in the communities where to qualify. so over 65, in certain sectors, come march it will open up to people with more pre-existing conditions and other health problems. but i think this is a good thing on the surface. i do know there has been pushback from local health officials and others who feel this is a little confusing. what the truth is we don't even with the statmaking this effort over the past week to really target these community center in need, wealthier white people have figured out ways to gain the system. whether it was one medical giving people vaccines who should not getting them, but getting codes aimed at lower income folks. so i do think this is the state's attempt to even the playing field. and they say we are going to see a ramp-up of doses come in especially with this new vaccine approved this week.

hopefully in a few weeks this will not even be a topic of discussion because we will all be getting offered vaccines of the coming months. >> going back to the recall, what you think? will the governors move slow the recall effort? >> i think the horse left the barn while ago. when we look back at the history of this whether it is successful or not, i think the most significant thing happened some months back when the judge gave opponents extra four months to get signatures. and it seemed to be at its worst when the hospitals were overflowing in the state was in a crisis. it'll be interesting to see. we could have acclimate very different than the recall qualified. i'm not can make predictions. i'm smart enough to know i am not smart enough. most people will tell you it is likely to qualify. most people will tell you if it

qualifies it is likely to fail. >> marissa, anything you want to add to that? >> i agree. if vaccines are out and people feel wife is returning to normal and if no big surprise happens like an arnold schwarzenegger type, i think this will be an uphill battle. there are still questions and rumors we have heard that signature gathering did get more difficult in the final days. the signatures do need be verified by the secretary of state. i agree with mark. it will likely qualify but not until safe but yet. and it will be a long summer for all of us political reporters. >> that was the first thing i ever covered at the l.a. times was the recall of gray davis. and i'm having a little ptsd these days. >> mark, >> i was gonna say,i thought we all thought we were gonna cover a once-in-a-lifetime

story and then 18 years later here we are. >> mark let's turn to another xavier becerra was facing pretty tough decisions in dc. what is going on there? >> the good news for him as he passed out of the senate finance committee. it was a split vote. under the power-sharing arrangements that the democrats and republicans reach 50-50 split in the house that means it can go forward. democrats will tell you they're confident they have the votes. there is a possibility there could be a couple republicans to bring it along. so i think re we are bedding, or not bedding. i think the senses it may be close but he will be confirmed. in which case we have that as an attorney general and then gavin newsom who replaced, appointed the replacement for kamala harris when she became vice president. now we will have the

opportunity to appoint an attorney general. this is when things get interesting. i need to refer to some notes to make sure i don't forget anybody. there were a bunch of names and probably only 10 people in california who karen five will be watching the shows what i want to leave anybody out. jeff rosen z it -- diana becton, jill steinberg, -- of alameda. and also in the mix is adam schiff. what's interesting in my mind is the governor has signaltrongly he is considering several folks who are death penalty opponents. of course governor issued a moratorium and i am old enough in the gray here will indicate to remember a time when candidates would compete to out tough each other of the death penalty. dianne feinstein famously one the 1990 democratic editorial

primary by taking her support for the death penalty and using it to beat john van in camp then the attorney general over the head with it. you had liberals like barbara boxer who supported the death penalty. it is such a sea change in california politics. it is really hard to underestimate what a dramatic change it is. we can talk about some of the reasons why but it really truly is dramatic sea change in california. the people opposing adam schiff eddie is to support for the death penalty. >> it does seem he seems like he is not interested in the position. who knows if that is posturing but it doesn't seem like it will go that way intentionally. marie so let's turn to another politician who is making waves in the capital. eric swalwell. he is suing former president donald trump and some of his allies in civil court. tell us about this. >> this is the second lawsuit we have seen brought by democrats in connection with a

january 6th attack on the capital. this one also like the first one, which was brought by other house members and the naacp really relies on 19 50s and 20th century the 21st century around the -- and donald trump, donald trump jr., rudy giuliani others who spoke about rallying or responsible for damages. for inciting this. it is going to be interesting. swell will has been hit by the right around other stuff including a chinese spy that he had interactions with. she says unknowingly. so this is definitely i think beyond the legal questions going to be one of those cable news hits whether it is on the right or the left. where he and donald trump can go after each other. >> what is a possible outcome? >> possibly if they get held liable they could be paying damages to members of congress and the u.s. government.

i think that's a long way ahead and there are a lot of other legal cases that trump is facing including this investigation in manhattan over his taxes. including questions around the riot and other allegations. donald trump will be busy in court. at least his lawyers are. and i guess it's no more giuliani. >> he will be spending a lot time in the courtroom. and how much left is you have to play kingmaker. >> let's talk about another person who has the power to bring up politicians. nancy pelosi. she has been one of the longest- serving congress members representing san francisco for a long time now. she was first elected in 1987 and been reelected 17 times since then. complete powerhouse in california. what happens when she decides to step down which could happen in the next few years.

>> i mentioned having covered politics a long time and after wrapping up the harding and coolidge ministrations this is kind of the race do not begets name. nancy pelosi is a very very respected figure in thsame physical political circles. and no one wants to be seen as jumping the gun. this is san francisco. this hyper political metabolism. congressional seat that she is held since 1987. a long time since there's been an open seat race. so my sense the line for people who will run for that seat starsomewhere around the golden gate bridge and almost ascends to -- it's easier to say who is not gonna run. i don't live in the district i can't run. i don't know if you will run. aaron peskin will not run. but there are already a lot of people. scott weaver -- >> this line could go on.

christine pelosi is certainly there. thank you both for your time and your insight. what a great conversation. over the summer as racial justice protest swept across california and the nation, we decided to focus part of one of our most powerful shows on diversity and on lifting up underrepresented voices. we split the daily radio call- in show forum into two parts. the first hour 9 to 10 in the morning monday through friday continued to be hosted by michael crosby who recently retired. for the second hour from 10 to 11 a.m. mina kim serves california at large and ends on npr about the state. this shift of diversity represents a broader theme for california newsrooms. to improve equity and reporting on the essential stories of today. i am pleased to have mina kim

pleased to announce she will be diving into this. congratulations. you have been with us for 10 years now. working your way up and hosting an hour of our flagship radio show forum. kqed created this with you as the host. what is a bit like? >> it is been amazing and wonderful. also kind of unbelievable because i never thought i would be taking this position in the middle of a pandemic. but you know i was just thinking about this the other day. while the pandemic in many ways shrink my world. i am not driving in the same just go anymore. and i am not seeing colleagues anymore. i am not running into people. >> i know, you and i still have not met in person. >> even though yeah that hasn't happened. and i'm very much looking forward to that happening. the fact i was able to start talking with our listeners, talking with guests, talking with audience five days a week as opposed to one day a week actually expanded this whole other part of my world.

my radial world. so it has been kind of a gift in the middle of a pandemic to be able to have so much more time. because he feels my need to interact with people right now. >> other than the three could you have a home, who are coming into your room from time to time. i am sure while you're working, how has that been for you? >> yes. my kids of statements with all- time. although my husband and i both work full-time, we have been able to figure out a schedule where we can split the day so that the kids can be with us all day every y. and they are doing remote school as well. and my spouse likes to joke we are running a radio station a law firm and a childcare out of our house all at the same time. so it can get incredibly hectic. but i also have to say having this extra time with the kids has been such a gift. i'm sure you can probably relate to that too. >> i do.

it's the balance of it's really frustrating and hard but it's so precious and you are so thankful and other moments. let's turn to your show. becae you have taken on a different focus than what forum had for its general few hours. when kqed decided to spli it's a one hour will just focus on race and diversity and equality, what did that mean? it's a new opportunity for you. but what does that look like? >> the thing about focusing on issues of race and justice is it is not at all a narrowing parameter. it is so expensive. and it is not just what we focus on but is definitely the emphasis. south linden listeners tune in we talk about the vaccine line jumping and the equitable distribution that needs to take place in california. or they would've heard about

biden's attempts to overhaul how asylum-seekers are treated at the border and how they were treated at with the trump administration. and how the pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues among young people. and they would've heard from physicians. they would've heard from listeners. they would've heard from child advocates from the bay area and the central valley. and also outside of california as well. when i think about a show that is really focused on equity and race, i'm thinking about it from a quantum perspective and who we are talking to and who is represented. i want to have issues that are about race and ethnicity where you have to talk about it when it matters but you also, people are sharing their experiences when the topics and issues are not about race and ethnicity. >> absolutely. >> because that is california.

that is america. >> do you think this is a shift for kqed? i certainly see it as a shift more broadly in california newsrooms. that we are all struggling with this question of what is equity and equality mean? how do we make sure voices of all californians are being heard? >> i think there is a shift in understanding holding up this idea that the journalist always has to be this neutral observer. it's unrealistic. and in fact we are collection of experiences. we all have had experiences with the types of systems and issues we are dressing on our shows. the shift that i am seeing is this understanding that those experiences are valuable. and they are reflective of the community. they are something that when you bring those things to your

reporting a newsmaking experience, you are bringing something that is authentic, real, and honest to the viewer and the listener. i think the viewer and the listener are smart enough to see that. and appreciate that. you could put them in whatever categories they need to be put into to be able to understand the broader picture of an issue. or what is truly going on in a particular situation. >> i agree with that. i think there are ways in which our voices are being called to speak for a community in a way they had and perhaps in the past. so for me i feel my role as an indian woman, as a brown woman, matters in a different way than it did when i first got into journalism. or even 10 years ago when you got into journalism. we are called upon to share our worldview. in a new and frankly sort of unfamiliar way. so how has that been for you?

do you feel that transition? and are you comfortable with that role? >> that is such a great question. i do have to say when i first came on for forum, i did have the sense i was trying to create a seamless show. meaning it was forum with michael crosby and i need to make sure it continue to sound like that so i am most felt i was donning michael's suit every day so i could do it kind of like him. but it is a process. to learn to take the suit off and to learn who you are and what are the types of stories you tell what are the types of questions you would ask. and to trust those instincts are something other people are thinking. but other people are wondering. what other people will value hearing from. so that is something, that is a transition i've had to make. it is still the process. but i am really enjoying it so far the results.

>> for me and for our viewers out there who may not know you as well yet. who is mina kim? tell us about you. >> that is such a difficult question. i guess in some ways it's because i am truly changing and evolving all the time. but i can tell you little bit about my roots. i don't know if a lot of people know i was born in canada and i grew up in st. john's newfoundland. and that is a province i think became more and people's minds when the shipping news came out. before that i think it was often compared with greenland and other places. so i think that played a really big role in shaping my because i learned, was to be another. to not have somebody around me who look like me and sad like me. i had a dad who was so adventurous and so curious about the world.

which is partly why we were even in newfoundland. he had been in seoul as a kid and knew the world was a much bigger place i think. and there was a lot more that i could offer him. so he had his mind set on going to the u.s. and he became a mathematics and statistics professor and love the opportunity to be a visiting professor in all of these different u.s. states. i think that curiosity, that sense of adventure is something i inherited. and is why the job of being a journalist is so appealing to me. and became so appealing to me. and he loved engaging with different communities and different cultures. and luckily the university environment and st. john's allowed for a lot of that. my dad actually passed away when i was a little kid. so i often think about how the

experience i i have had is the daughter of immigrants, somebody who lusted at a young age, and so on are so reflected initial topics we do. when i hear listeners sharing their stories i felt so connected to the things they are saying. because in many ways i've been there. >> at some point you made your way from newfoundland to california. was that a direct route? >> after my dad passed away my mom really married to a man in this exotic place called california. so that's what brought us from st. john's california. talk about your world opening up in a big way. in newfoundland i knew every caribbean korean canadian. but one stop in koreatown it was a different reality. >> absolutely. so when you came to california, you lived in southern california for a while, is that right? >> yes. i have been working in the nonprofit sector doing a lot of

fundraising and i found myself really wondering what is it that makes the sectors i'm asking money tech? what are their bottom lines whiskey what are the motivations. and someone said to me there was a great program for that called the -- program of public affairs and the flagship program is in separate cisco. so if you're interested in those in answering the questions that might be a good way to do it. sure enough it was. it actually was the organization that did a media focus and also really sparked my interest in journalism and just on a personal note i also met my spouse. i gave in a lot of ways. >> in the last few moments that we have here, let's turn back to form. there is a huge legacy with the show as we have discussed. michael crosby was with the shows for many many years. he is now gone. kqed is seeking his replacement for a 9:00 hour. were you hoping to see in that host? >> first of all i think michael

just built for him into something so special. and its reputation is so strong because of him. i think the 9 a.m. host, the exciting opportunity there is to really focus on the bay area. forum for a long time has sort of focus broadly on national and international topics. and it could've been in either hour. i think by giving the parameter of focusing locally you can really delve into the stories that are so unique to the bay area. you can really give that some strong coverage and deep coverage and include a lot of people in that process. so i'm excited for them. >> am excited also. that should be great. mina kim. the host of kqed forum. thank you so much good luck. >> this is been so fun. thank you. >> coming up next week i will be speaking with another

journalist, the legendary broadcaster, dan rather. about his new graphic novel, what unites us. our discussion is in collaboration with the bay area book festival and there is a special discount for kqed members. you can find more information and register for the talk on kqed .org/events. is the weather grows warmer and the days go warmer dog parks are seeing more and more visitors. their joyful play is this week's look at something beauful.

>> i'm prima dimock clements. you can read me at prelim and take lemon. and you can find more news verage on kqed.org/newsroom. from all of us here at kqed newsroom, take you for joining us. good night.

>> defending congress and the right to vote. >> the army senior leaders did not think that it looked good. and it could insight the crowd. >> after stunning revelations about the pentagon's inaction during the storming of the capitol and new domestic terrorism threat -- >> we have enhanced our security posture -- >> shuts down congress. but not until house democrats pass voting rights legislation. >> it puts us as a competitive advantage relative to democrats. >> this country will have enough vaccine supply for every adult in america by the end of may. >> after announcing positive news of vaccines -- president biden ta