News Columnists

Shyamala Gopalan Harris, left, pictured with her daughter in 2007 in Kamala Harris’ memoir, set an example and paved the way for her child’s future in public service and as a proud woman of color. (Courtesy Kamala Harris)

In Brown Type: Kamala Harris’ mother was also a trailblazer

Shyamala Gopalan Harris came from India at 19 to chart an impressive career in the U.S.

Shyamala Gopalan Harris, left, pictured with her daughter in 2007 in Kamala Harris’ memoir, set an example and paved the way for her child’s future in public service and as a proud woman of color. (Courtesy Kamala Harris)
There’s a bustling scene on Lombard Street during a heat wave in The City. (Courtesy photo)

I Drive SF: Fear and loathing on Lombard Street

With heat, traffic and lightning, the Bay Area can still sometimes surprise

There’s a bustling scene on Lombard Street during a heat wave in The City. (Courtesy photo)
San Francisco could be taking steps to encourage people to drink good tap water from hydration stations safely during the pandemic. (Kevin S. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Green Space: The many benefits of free, tasty tap water

SF should fund safe use of hydration stations

San Francisco could be taking steps to encourage people to drink good tap water from hydration stations safely during the pandemic. (Kevin S. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Filmmaker Anne Flatte poses with the poster for “River City Drumbeat,” her new documentary screening in the Roxie’s virtual cinema. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Documentarian Anne Flatté introduces inspirational musicians in ‘River City Drumbeat’

San Francisco filmmaker Anne Flatté remembers when physical location was everything to…

Filmmaker Anne Flatte poses with the poster for “River City Drumbeat,” her new documentary screening in the Roxie’s virtual cinema. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Donald Trump’s policies have increased scrutiny of people applying for the H1-B visa, the most common visa for skilled workers. (Courtesy photo)

In Brown Type: President’s immigration proclamations will have long-lasting negative effects on the economy

Administration is reducing foreign talent entering the U.S.

Donald Trump’s policies have increased scrutiny of people applying for the H1-B visa, the most common visa for skilled workers. (Courtesy photo)
Things people read online can be as dangerous as the coronavirus. (Courtesy Annie Spratt)

The conspiracy theories that are killing Americans

Take a moment to see the source of your information

Things people read online can be as dangerous as the coronavirus. (Courtesy Annie Spratt)
During the pandemic, people buying houses in The City are seeking open space rather than proximity to bars and restaurants. (Courtesy photo)

Market Musings: An unprecedented familiarity

Home buyers interestingly seeking suburban qualities in S.F.

During the pandemic, people buying houses in The City are seeking open space rather than proximity to bars and restaurants. (Courtesy photo)
Ralph’s grocery stores in Southern California are doing good business during the pandemic. (Courtesy photo)

I Drive SF: Home is where the weather suits your clothes

Good to be back after sweltering SoCal stay

Ralph’s grocery stores in Southern California are doing good business during the pandemic. (Courtesy photo)
Andy Goldsworthy’s sculpture “Spire” in the Presidio is among the treasures in San Francisco parks, which benefit from private funding in addition to tax dollars. (Courtesy photo)

Green Space: Pitch in to protect a city park

Enjoy – and support — S.F.’s open spaces

Andy Goldsworthy’s sculpture “Spire” in the Presidio is among the treasures in San Francisco parks, which benefit from private funding in addition to tax dollars. (Courtesy photo)
This screenshot from the U.S. Census 2020 website shows the response rate to the census across San Francisco as of July 28, 2020. (Courtesy https://2020census.gov/)

In Brown Type: 2020 census count must include undocumented immigrants

Reliable reporting from nonpartisan source is essential to democracy

This screenshot from the U.S. Census 2020 website shows the response rate to the census across San Francisco as of July 28, 2020. (Courtesy https://2020census.gov/)
Witnessing the five-alarm blaze South of Market on July 28 prompts the realization once again that renters insurance is a good investment. (Chris Victorio/Special to S.F. Examiner)

A fiery reminder: Get renters insurance

Inexpensive policies cover major losses from a big blaze

Witnessing the five-alarm blaze South of Market on July 28 prompts the realization once again that renters insurance is a good investment. (Chris Victorio/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Millions of homeowners stand to benefit from refinancing as 2020 has seen very low interest rates and extraordinary effects of COVID-19. (Courtesy photo)

Market Musings: Pandemic brings new surge of refi madness

Mortgage business booms with appealing rates, uncertain market

Millions of homeowners stand to benefit from refinancing as 2020 has seen very low interest rates and extraordinary effects of COVID-19. (Courtesy photo)
On a recent visit, the Apple store in San Luis Obispo didn’t have a shortage of customers. (Courtesy San Luis Obispo Collection)

I Drive SF: San Francisco dreaming on such a gloomy LA day

When you go from the Bay Area to Southern California, you feel the differences in your skin

On a recent visit, the Apple store in San Luis Obispo didn’t have a shortage of customers. (Courtesy San Luis Obispo Collection)
The evidence is clear: wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Courtesy photo)

Not wearing a mask makes you selfish, not an independent-thinker

I’ve never been so bummed out about being right in my life.

The evidence is clear: wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Courtesy photo)
To understand what is happening in The City’s real estate market during the coronavirus crisis, read beyond the headlines. (Courtesy photo)

Market Musings: Unraveling the pandemic exodus from San Francisco

A funny thing happened on the way to the apocalypse — everyone decided to leave San Francisco. Or did they?

To understand what is happening in The City’s real estate market during the coronavirus crisis, read beyond the headlines. (Courtesy photo)
As the taxi industry tries to adapt, it’s apparent that that impersonal technology in the form of apps has become indispensable in the COVID-19 era. (Courtesy photo)

I Drive SF: Until the robots take over

Pandemic leads to more automation, loss of human interaction

As the taxi industry tries to adapt, it’s apparent that that impersonal technology in the form of apps has become indispensable in the COVID-19 era. (Courtesy photo)
Successfully restored, San Francisco’s Crissy Field today is a wildlife habitat and natural spot that visitors and residents enjoy. (Courtesy photo)

Green Space: AB 3030 a good step toward improving natural resources

Law has support among scientists and environmentists, but some industries fear burdensome restrictions

Successfully restored, San Francisco’s Crissy Field today is a wildlife habitat and natural spot that visitors and residents enjoy. (Courtesy photo)
Police in London, a city with about the same level of crime as San Francisco, don’t carry firearms. (Courtesy photo)

In Brown Type: Do San Francisco cops need guns for everyday policing?

SFPD motto seems to be ‘iron in peace, iron in war’

Police in London, a city with about the same level of crime as San Francisco, don’t carry firearms. (Courtesy photo)
Demonstrators protest police brutality and support Black Lives Matter in San Francisco on June 11, 2020. (Kevin Hume/S.F Examiner)

Activism is not a contest

Stand up, show up, listen and learn

Demonstrators protest police brutality and support Black Lives Matter in San Francisco on June 11, 2020. (Kevin Hume/S.F Examiner)
While a significant number of people ages 18 to 25 have moved home to live with families since the pandemic hit, it doesn’t necessarily mean disaster for rentals. (Courtesy photo)

Market Musings: Panic button abuse

Gen Z kids living with parents won’t devastate rental market

While a significant number of people ages 18 to 25 have moved home to live with families since the pandemic hit, it doesn’t necessarily mean disaster for rentals. (Courtesy photo)