KALW NewsRoom

In Search of the American Dream: California History

(2007-04-25) To launch our documentary series, we consider how California has changed since World War II. Government programs and an emboldened workforce led to an emerging middle class in the years following the war. California met the challenge of educating its growing population and bolstering a supportive infrastructure. But over the last several decades, that development has decayed, and the wealth gap is widening again. We explore this progression through interviews, historic audio and music.

In Search of the American Dream: Primary Education

(2007-05-02) In part two of our documentary series, we consider the idealistic vision once held for public education in California... and we examine the realities of the system today.

In Search of the American Dream: Immigration

(2007-05-08) Our series exploring the different forces shaping life in the United States continues with an exploration of immigration. Specifically, we consider public education opportunities for immigrant families. Many Bay Area educators and non-profits try to facilitate schooling for English language learners... but is it enough? Also, we trace the possibility of inequities in opportunities for many immigrants in America.

In Search of the American Dream: Organized Labor

(2007-06-13) In the 1950s, more than one in three American workers belonged to a union. Unions worked to ensure good wages, healthcare, and a pension. But today, fewer than one in eleven workers is part of an organization looking out for their workplace well-being. And many argue that is making it difficult for millions of working Americans to join the middle class. KALW's Rose Aguilar looks at how the American Dream has been affected by the changing labor movement.

In Search of the American Dream: Stephanie Coontz

(2007-06-07) An in-depth conversation with families scholar Stephanie Coontz, research director of the Council on Contemporary Families, as part of our continuing series, "In Search of the American Dream."

In Search of the American Dream: Families

(2007-05-30) Families encapsulate the many different aspects of life that have changed over the years as Americans pursue their goals. In this documentary feature, part of our continuing series, we go in-depth with three generations of one San Francisco family to see how life has changed from then to now.

In Search of the American Dream: Higher Education

(2007-05-24) Our series exploring the changes in American society and institutions continues with the California community college system. Opportunities abound in certain high-tech tracks, but the vast majority of programs face challenges in funding and incoming student preparation. Also, we talk with former California Board of Education President Michael Kirst about the challenges of transitioning from high school to college.

In Search of the American Dream: Small Business

(2007-05-16) We continue our series considering how Americans reach their goals by opening the doors to small businesses. What do McDonalds, Yahoo! and Farmer Joe's Market have in common? They all started out as inklings in the minds of entrepreneurs. We explore the opportunities available today for ambitious businesspeople. And we discuss the large role immigrants play in the modern American marketplace.

In Search of the American Dream: Robert Reich

(2007-04-22) As a prologue to our documentary series "In Search of the American Dream," we speak with former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich. Now a professor with the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, Reich discusses the vastness of the wealth gap and what can be done to reverse the trends splitting the United States. (Note: Audio to be posted Monday, April 23.)

Auditing Bureaucracy: Section 8

(2006-02-19) In this series KALW News is scrutinizing the institutions we have created to make this country a better place. Bureaucracy is supposed to make life better, not worse. In this edition a woman goes through the process of trying to get back her Section 8 housing assistance after losing it because of a slight error. Also, a couple faces the prospect of being forced out of their home. Also, we host a discussion with innovators who have ideas to allow Section 8 to function better.