Jessica Kariisa

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Articles

Suisun City Could Grow by 9 Times Its Current Size

1 week ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Adhiti Bandlamudi |Mel Velasquez |Jessica Kariisa

Ericka Cruz GuevarraAdhiti BandlamudiMel VelasquezJessica KariisaJun 16Failed to save articlePlease try againA sign says, 'Welcome to Suisun City' on Highway 12 in Suisun City on May 13, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)Suisun City in Solano County will begin studying annexing land owned by California Forever, the billionaire-backed group that bought up thousands of acres of land with plans to build a brand new city from scratch in Solano County.
The UC Berkeley Students Who Want a Central American Studies Department

2 weeks ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Mel Velasquez |Jessica Kariisa |Alan Montecillo

Ericka Cruz GuevarraMel VelasquezJessica KariisaAlan MontecilloJun 13Failed to save articlePlease try againUC Berkeley students from the organization, Central Americans for Empowerment (CAFE), pose in front of Morrison Library. (Courtesy of Lesly Reyes Reyes)Since Donald Trump’s first term in office, a UC Berkeley student group called Central Americans for Empowerment (CAFE) has been pushing for a Central American Studies department.
For Immigrant Youth, Local Soccer Leagues Are a Rare Safe Space

2 weeks ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Jessica Kariisa |Alan Montecillo |Mel Velasquez

Ericka Cruz GuevarraJessica KariisaAlan MontecilloMel VelasquezJun 11Failed to save articlePlease try againA Soccer Without Borders Bay Area team gathered at a high school in the East Bay to practice for a weekend game against a familiar rival on Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Alejandro Durán for El Tímpano/CatchLight Local/ Report for America corps member)The Trump Administration’s immigration crackdown has left few safe spaces for immigrants.
Soon, Refusing Shelter in San José Could Get You Arrested

3 weeks ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Guy Marzorati |Jessica Kariisa |Alan Montecillo

Ericka Cruz GuevarraGuy MarzoratiJessica KariisaAlan MontecilloJun 6Failed to save articlePlease try againButch Larson repairs a bicycle near the place he lives along the Guadalupe River in San José on May 29, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)This episode contains explicit language. Next week, San Jose City Council will vote on a controversial plan that would threaten unhoused people with arrest if they refuse multiple offers of shelter.
Investigation Finds Human Error, Lack of Supervision Caused Huge February Fire at Martinez Refinery

3 weeks ago | kqed.org | Cecilia Lei |Julie Small |Jessica Kariisa |Ericka Cruz Guevarra

Cecilia LeiJulie SmallJessica KariisaEricka Cruz GuevarraJun 4Failed to save articlePlease try againContra Costa County Fire Department firefighters outside the Martinez Refining Company as smoke billows from the refinery on Saturday in Martinez.
Learning to Live With San Francisco’s Coyotes

3 weeks ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Jessica Kariisa |Alan Montecillo

Ericka Cruz GuevarraJessica KariisaAlan MontecilloJun 2Failed to save articlePlease try againIn San Francisco, coyotes have claimed urban parks as their territories. (Courtesy of Janet Kessler)In the 1900s, San Francisco eradicated native coyotes from the city. But around 20 years ago, they returned and are now a part of daily life. For some residents, they’re a source of wonder, while others view them as a nuisance and a danger to pets and children.
Learning to Live With San Francisco’s Coyotes

3 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Jessica Kariisa |Alan Montecillo

NowWhen a landmark state environmental law threatened to halt enrollment at UC Berkeley, legislators stepped in and wrote an exemption. When the Sacramento Kings were about to leave town, lawmakers brushed the environmental rules aside for the team’s new arena. When the law stymied the renovation of …
Are California’s AI Rules in Jeopardy? Plus, New Data on Oakland’s Non-Police Response, and the Bay Area’s Ruby Ibarra Wins NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest

4 weeks ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Jessica Kariisa |Alan Montecillo

The U.S. Capitol, including the House of Representatives, left, are seen on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
'A Death Sentence': Bay Area Afghans and Allies React to Trump Administration Ending TPS

1 month ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Rachael Myrow |Alan Montecillo |Jessica Kariisa

Ericka Cruz GuevarraRachael MyrowAlan MontecilloJessica KariisaMay 28Failed to save articlePlease try againHarris Mojadedi, Assistant Dean of Strategic Initiatives, poses for a portrait at UC Berkeley on May 14, 2025. More than four years after the Taliban took control of Kabul, thousands of Afghan families are still waiting for the U.S. to fulfill promises it made to take them in for helping the American war effort.
What Could Deep East Oakland Do With $100 Million?

1 month ago | kqed.org | Ericka Cruz Guevarra |Alan Montecillo |Jessica Kariisa

Ericka Cruz GuevarraAlan MontecilloJessica KariisaMay 26Failed to save articlePlease try againAttendees of a fundraising walking tour for the Rise East collective wait to cross International Boulevard in Oakland on Oct. 10, 2024. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)In 2023, Rise East, a collective of East Oakland nonprofits, received a $50 million grant a from national philanthropic organization.