All politics is local. East Bay Insiders reporter Steve Tavares, co-host Trishala Vinnakota, and a rotating cast of Alameda County insiders break down the latest in local, state, and national politics—with plenty of scoops and a few hijinks along the way.
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What does democratic socialism look like when you're the one responsible for balancing the budget? Hayward Councilmember George Syrop, one of two elected members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in the East Bay, joins Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota for a wide-ranging conversation on governing, progressive politics, and the growing influence of billionaires in American democracy.…
Politics, pressure campaigns, and federal bombshells. Steve Tavares, Trishala Vinnakota, and special co-host Justin Berton break down explosive new court filings in the federal corruption case against former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and the Duong family. Prosecutors allege Thao threatened to abandon a lucrative modular housing deal if East Bay Insiders published a story about former San Leandro…
Is Oakland finally turning the page on one of the longest-running stadium sagas in American sports? Could this finally be the deal that rewrites Oakland's future—or just another chapter in a very long story? This week, Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota is joined by Dave Peters, West Oakland activist and historian, and for an in-depth conversation on the city's latest Coliseum redevelopment deal…
Former Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison joins me for a special episode remembering the life and legacy of former Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, who died on July 5, 2026, at age 68. For 24 years, Haggerty represented the East County and Fremont on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, leaving an outsized mark on the region through his advocacy for transportation, economic development and…
For the first time, East Bay Insiders founder Steve Tavares tells the behind-the-scenes story of how he was unexpectedly pulled into what would become the East Bay's sprawling public corruption scandal. Steve reveals the alleged efforts to influence his reporting surrounding an infamous 2023 Vietnam trip, including escalating offers of money that he later believes were intended to discourage…
Few politicians have left a bigger mark on the East Bay than Don Perata. In a candid and often hilarious conversation, the former State Senate President Pro Tem, assemblymember, Alameda County supervisor, and almost-Oakland mayor reflects on a career that helped shape California politics for more than four decades. Perata discusses how Sacramento has changed—and why he believes the Legislature is…
The votes are in, and the June Primary election results are already reshaping East Bay politics. This week, Steve Tavares, Trishala Vinnakota, and Justin Berton break down the surprising defeat of Oakland's Measure E parcel tax, the outcomes of revenue measures in Hayward and Castro Valley, and what the results could mean for future tax and bond proposals across Alameda County. In congressional…
The June primary is finally here, and we're breaking down every major race shaping the East Bay and California politics. Steve Tavares is joined by special guests Rocky Fernandez, California Democratic Party Region 5 director, and former San Leandro Councilmember Lee Thomas for a wide-ranging preview of Election Day. The panel analyzes the wide-open race for governor, the battle to replace Eric…
Steve Tavares and Trishala Vinnakota welcome back Justin Berton to break down the week in East Bay politics and why our mothers are so great. Happy Mother's Day! We recap the first-ever East Bay Insiders SD10 debate, including standout performances from Anne Kepner and David Cohen, sharp insights on housing and AI, and why Scott Sakakihara largely escaped scrutiny over his Palantir ties. Why is…
On this week's East Bay Insiders , we're giving listeners a preview of After Hours —our subscriber-only deep dive where the conversation gets a little looser and a lot more insidey. Steve Tavares and Jason Teramoto chop it up on Castro Valley's recurring push for incorporation, what it was like growing up there in the '80s and '90s, and—yes—the possible existence of Stranger Things -style…
