Filmed in the heart of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, the new three-part series Nature – Katavi: Africa’s Fallen Paradise is an inside look at how climate change is impacting the mightiest of wildlife. Katavi, a little-known national park spanning more than 3,000 square miles of western Tanzania, is home to lions, hippos and crocodiles who live more or less in harmony. Facing an unprecedented shift in their environment, the animals exhibit new survival strategies with their desperation pushing them to the edge of their endurance. Each episode of the series will premiere over three consecutive Wednesdays on April 2, 9 and 16 at 8pm on KQED 9. Or stream it on-demand with thePBS App or KQED Passport.
Independent Lens: Free for All — The Public Library
Independent Lens: Free for All — The Public Library is an inspiring story about the revolutionary women who created the U.S. public library system. The documentary examines how today’s dedicated librarians remain dutifully protective of the beloved free institution, which continues to be a sanctuary for all, despite threats to eliminate federal funding, closures and book bans. Featuring local footage, this illuminating film premieres on Tuesday, April 29, at 10pm on KQED 9. Stream it on-demand with the PBS App or KQED Passport.
With beautiful cinematography of rolling fields and rugged mountain ranges, Mountain Detective makes you feel like you’re in Tolkien’s Middle-earth instead of the French Alps. Regardless, the show follows retired policeman Alex Hugo as he uncovers violence and crime in rural France. Filled with lovable small-town characters paired with plenty of mystery and action to keep things exciting, Season 3 of Mountain Detective comes exclusively to KQED Passport members on April 25. In French, with English subtitles.
What Is KQED Passport? KQED Passport is an on-demand library of more than 2,000 exclusive KQED and PBS shows accessible only to Passport members. With a monthly gift of $5 or one-time donation of $60 or more, you’ll receive access to this special member benefit. Donate today to access Passport.Donate Today
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Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST)
Wildflower Walks in the Bay Area Spring is blooming, and it’s a great time to try out new trails! Use this guide from POST to find some of the best wildflower displays on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. It offers a variety of experiences for all ability levels. Time to stop and smell the flowers!
What's Happening at KQED
Devour 20 Years of Check, Please! Bay Area
Season 20 of Check Please! Bay Area starts out at Ethel’s Fancy in Palo Alto, where guests enjoy modern twists on Japanese American dishes such as charcoal-grilled prawns and richly flavored Brandt Farms beef striploin. Then, at Cato’s Ale House in Oakland, the Retroburger truly satisfies. And at Berkeley’s Kiku Sushi, buttery sake toro nigiri delights diners.
None of this would be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors! Thank you to OAK Airport, IRG, Graham’s Port, Sutter Health, Crab House at Pier 39, and SF Fire Credit Union for their support of Check, Please! Bay Area.
Join Us for Night of Ideas
Night of Ideas, a celebration of creativity and critical thought, returns this year with nocturnal arts and culture marathons in cities across the U.S . The theme of Night of Ideas 2025, “(Un)Common Ground,” invites us to consider the values and resources that bind us together. The San Francisco event features an inspiring marathon of talks, live performances, workshops, food, art, family-friendly activities and collective imagination!
Get ready for KQED’s 8th Annual Youth Takeover Week, where young voices across the Bay Area literally take over KQED’s airwaves and digital platforms. Between April 21 to April 25, teenagers will share their stories and tackle the issues that matter to them most: education, climate change, identity, mental health and the future of technology. Check out our youth-driven articles on kqed.org, catch their clips on KQED 9 or tune in to KQED 88.5 FM. Join us in championing the power of youth storytelling — because they aren’t just the voices of the future, they’re the changemakers of the present.
Spring is in full swing, and you know what that means: Spring cleaning! Why not start by donating your vehicle to KQED? Your donation doesn't just clear up space in your garage or driveway – it also supports local, independent public media. Donating is easy and tax-deductible. Just give us a call at 866-573-3123 or visit kqed.org/cars to get started.
There are so many shows to discover in the April issue of On KQED — a magazine that includes information about KQED’s monthly TV programming and live local events. It’s distributed to KQED’s sustaining members and donors at the $60/year level who opt in to receive it. If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Member Services at 415.553.2150 or at kqed.org/memberhelp. Jam out to your favorite tunes with Austin City Limits Celebrates 50 Years on KQED 9. Get a dose of poetry in Poetry in America on KQED Passport.
Providing this paperless version of the magazine allows us to put more of your dollars into the high-quality programs and services you expect from KQED.
What We're Listening To
Why Is the Water at Golden Gate Park’s Rainbow Falls Bright Green? Golden Gate Park is one of those magical places where it’s possible to stumble upon something new, even after visiting hundreds of times. That’s the case for a waterfall along John F. Kennedy Promenade, just east of Crossover Drive. Bay Curious listener Persie Nakonechny has definitely noticed this waterfall, but mostly because there’s something not quite right about it. What’s going on with the almost fluorescent green hue the water takes on?
Trump Calls For Judge’s Impeachment as Courtroom Battles Over Deportations Escalate President Donald Trump has called for the impeachment of the federal judge who ordered a halt on the administration’s deportation of hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members under a rarely used 18th-century wartime law. The administration went ahead with the deportations despite the judge’s order. Forum dives into the latest on Trump’s recent immigration actions and the legal battles surrounding them.
Waymo Problems Self-driving Waymo robotaxis have become a familiar sight in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, but not everyone is happy about that. These “ghost-like” autonomous vehicles have made a lot of people uneasy, some even going as far as to vandalize the cars. But what’s behind this hostility? Close All Tabs explore the rise of Waymo vandalism and its roots in our collective anxiety over artificial intelligence.
