The Oakland Unified School District has a new superintendent. Tony Smith, who formerly led the Emeryville district and served in a senior post in San Francisco took the reins in Oakland today. He faces daunting budget problems and intense pressure to raise academic achievement, but he says he's eager for a challenge that involves nothing less than the future of our democracy.
Host: Cy Musiker
Guests:
• Tony Smith, superintendent of Oakland schools

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California marks the official end of its rain year today with water users of every type fretting about drought. We talk with a San Francisco meteorologist about how California fared this past year. We also talk to a senior researcher with Oakland's Pacific Institute about the impact of drought and reductions in water shipments to farmers in the San Joaquin Valley.
Host: Cy Musiker
Guests:
• Heather Cooley, senior researcher with Oakland's Pacific Institute
• Jan Null, San Francisco meteorologist and an authority on the state's precipitation patterns

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The recession, the housing meltdown and the state budget crisis are roughing up budgets for local government. That means tough labor negotiations for cities like Oakland, and transit districts like BART. How do unions and management reach common ground in a recession?
Host: Cy Musiker
Guests:
• Harley Shaiken, professor of labor studies at UC Berkeley

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