News Columnists

Psilocybin magic mushrooms (Shutterstock)

‘Magic mushrooms’ moving into the mainstream

Efforts to decriminalize psychedelics could follow several different paths

Those who stick around San Francisco on long holiday weekends can enjoy a slower pace, uncrowded streets and beloved institutions like cable cars. <ins>(Kevin Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

These empty San Francisco streets: A holiday dream

We’re here because we can be, and because we have nowhere else to be

It’s disheartening to see that Bill Graham Civic’s marquee isn’t announcing upcoming concerts. (Screenshot/Bill Graham Civic Twitter)

A cruise through The City with the ghosts of rides past

I take my time and don’t even mind the occasional traffic jams

Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite, which supplies water to San Francisco, is among the concerns of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which is undergoing a change of leadership. <ins>(Courtesy SFPUC)</ins>

Changes in leadership at SFPUC spark concern, hope for future water policy

Will agency’s new commissioner continue to support Big Ag?

Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite, which supplies water to San Francisco, is among the concerns of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which is undergoing a change of leadership. <ins>(Courtesy SFPUC)</ins>
Arturo Mendez, co-curator of the Mission Arts Performance Project, invites artists of all types to participate in the free-wheeling community program. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Mission Arts Performance Project could be poised for a comeback

Before the pandemic, the Mission Arts Performance Project, the roving multimedia art…

Arturo Mendez, co-curator of the Mission Arts Performance Project, invites artists of all types to participate in the free-wheeling community program. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
When it comes to giving gifts in 2020, it would do a world of good if people patronized independent artists and sellers rather than the behemoth that is Amazon. <ins>(Courtesy Pxfuel)</ins>

Do not shop on Amazon for the holidays this year

Do support crafters whose brilliant creations are made with love

When it comes to giving gifts in 2020, it would do a world of good if people patronized independent artists and sellers rather than the behemoth that is Amazon. <ins>(Courtesy Pxfuel)</ins>
With the loss of open houses due to the pandemic, home buyers are relying heavily on online real estate sources. <ins>(Screenshot)</ins>

Lack of open houses brings COVID casualties

Viewing hundreds of properties is out, hyper-targeted online searching is in

With the loss of open houses due to the pandemic, home buyers are relying heavily on online real estate sources. <ins>(Screenshot)</ins>
John Yang, president of Asian Americans Advancing Justice and a former undocumented immigrant, said the 2020 election outcome felt personally meaningful to him. (Screenshot)

There are very good reasons for liberal optimism

The 2020 election produced the most diverse, enthusiastic electorate in history

John Yang, president of Asian Americans Advancing Justice and a former undocumented immigrant, said the 2020 election outcome felt personally meaningful to him. (Screenshot)
Residents line up outside the Latino Task Force's Mission Resource Hub for COVID-19 testing. (Courtesy Mike Chen)

As COVID spikes, neighborhood testing sites near capacity

Temporary closure of city facility highlights lack of sufficient testing resources

Residents line up outside the Latino Task Force's Mission Resource Hub for COVID-19 testing. (Courtesy Mike Chen)
With voters supporting ride-hail drivers working for Uber and Lyft, the future of the cab industry is in serious doubt. (Shutterstock photo)

The SF taxi industry is doomed

Prop. 22 passing means no one will be taking cabs

With voters supporting ride-hail drivers working for Uber and Lyft, the future of the cab industry is in serious doubt. (Shutterstock photo)
Clockwise, from top left, Manny Yekutiel and candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock appeared in a virtual event dedicated to electing green Democrats to Georgia’s seats in the U.S. Senate. (Screenshot)

A green Georgia on our minds

San Franciscans can mobilize to help elect Democrats Warnock, Ossoff to Senate

Clockwise, from top left, Manny Yekutiel and candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock appeared in a virtual event dedicated to electing green Democrats to Georgia’s seats in the U.S. Senate. (Screenshot)
The Coca-Cola Company decided not to renew the lease on its iconic sign at Fifth and Bryant streets, pictured on Oct. 27, shortly before it was torn down. (Samantha Laurey/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Every good sign has its time

Some of us are sentimental about the Enjoy Coca Cola billboard

The Coca-Cola Company decided not to renew the lease on its iconic sign at Fifth and Bryant streets, pictured on Oct. 27, shortly before it was torn down. (Samantha Laurey/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Democratic stalwarts including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are failing our country by avoiding progressive policies and candidates. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Lesson for Dems: Don’t preach social justice without delivering economic justice

Trumpism won’t go away until Democratic Party changes course

Democratic stalwarts including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are failing our country by avoiding progressive policies and candidates. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Despite the lack of a decisive victory, there were some positive results in Tuesday’s election. <ins>(Peter Kane/Special to the S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Everything good that happened in America last night

Words of hope for the bleary-eyed and anxious

  • Nov 4, 2020
Despite the lack of a decisive victory, there were some positive results in Tuesday’s election. <ins>(Peter Kane/Special to the S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Pandemic-era measures to ease stresses in The City’s rental market may not be helpful to small landlords in the long run.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>

San Francisco supes save the day — with a catch

Rent relief funding has strings attached in form of Proposition I

Pandemic-era measures to ease stresses in The City’s rental market may not be helpful to small landlords in the long run.<ins> (Courtesy photo)</ins>
A study published in the December 2016 Scientific Reports journal reveals that brain activity increases when people’s political beliefs are challenged. <ins>(Screenshot Scientific Reports)</ins>

Now is the time to make friends with enemies

We can be civil to others who have different political beliefs

A study published in the December 2016 Scientific Reports journal reveals that brain activity increases when people’s political beliefs are challenged. <ins>(Screenshot Scientific Reports)</ins>
Toilet (Shutterstock)

Table salt and poop: Testing for COVID-19 in S.F. sewage

The City’s sewers could provide an early warning of fresh outbreaks

Toilet (Shutterstock)
Thankfully, playgrounds that were closed due to the pandemic during the summer have reopened.<ins> (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

The perils of parenting, COVID-style

At long last, it’s OK to take your little one out to play

Thankfully, playgrounds that were closed due to the pandemic during the summer have reopened.<ins> (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Tenderloin residents are finding benefits to having roads closed in the neighborhood. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Should there be fewer cars in the Tenderloin’s future?

The pandemic has opened San Franciscans’ eyes to new uses of urban streets

Tenderloin residents are finding benefits to having roads closed in the neighborhood. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
San Francisco DJ and producer Jah Yzer livestreams most mornings from his home. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Roots & Tings build community through music

Lateef the Truthspeaker, Jah Yzer and Winstrong call for voting as a form of healing

San Francisco DJ and producer Jah Yzer livestreams most mornings from his home. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)