News

Lake Tahoe is shrouded by smoke near Tahoe City, as fires this summer continue to plague the Tahoe Basin, at times creating the worst air quality in the nation. (Max Whittaker/New York Times)

Devastating fires could damage Lake Tahoe’s iconic blue waters

By Rachel Becker CalMatters Smoke and ash from wildfires near Lake Tahoe…

  • Aug 31, 2021
Lake Tahoe is shrouded by smoke near Tahoe City, as fires this summer continue to plague the Tahoe Basin, at times creating the worst air quality in the nation. (Max Whittaker/New York Times)
Health experts say there’s “a lot of virus being thrown out into the air” at places like Outside Lands (pictured in 2019), where there are large crowds, singing, talking and yelling. (Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file )

Are outdoor events still safe? Experts warn of COVID spread at large gatherings

‘People should be very concerned’

  • Aug 31, 2021
Health experts say there’s “a lot of virus being thrown out into the air” at places like Outside Lands (pictured in 2019), where there are large crowds, singing, talking and yelling. (Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file )
San Francisco economists are uncertain about whether conventioneers will return to Moscone Center as uncertainties around COVID remain. Kevin N. Hume/ Examiner file

Report suggests bad news for San Francisco’s economic recovery

San Francisco’s celebrated June 15 reopening date was supposed to mark the…

San Francisco economists are uncertain about whether conventioneers will return to Moscone Center as uncertainties around COVID remain. Kevin N. Hume/ Examiner file
From left: Miranda Martin, interim executive director of Parents for Public Schools San Francisco, and Kate Moore, assistant director of operations, at the PPS-SF offices in the Mission District on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

Why a SF parent group decided to stop live-tweeting school board meetings

‘The goal of our organization is to have people feel good about public education in The City’

From left: Miranda Martin, interim executive director of Parents for Public Schools San Francisco, and Kate Moore, assistant director of operations, at the PPS-SF offices in the Mission District on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)
Mayor London Breed, pictured in May, encouraged more San Franciscans to get their shots following an announcement on social media that 80 percent of residents age 12 and older have been fully vaccinated. (Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file)

Mayor announces 80 percent of SF residents fully vaccinated

86 percent have received one dose

Mayor London Breed, pictured in May, encouraged more San Franciscans to get their shots following an announcement on social media that 80 percent of residents age 12 and older have been fully vaccinated. (Kevin N. Hume/Examiner file)
Some GOP recall candidates say they would use emergency power to pass their agenda, and try to persuade the Democratic legislature. <ins>(iStock)</ins> (iStock)

If Newsom is recalled, how would a Republican governor get anything done?

Leader must work with Legislature to pass new laws, approve budget, make appointments

  • Aug 30, 2021
Some GOP recall candidates say they would use emergency power to pass their agenda, and try to persuade the Democratic legislature. <ins>(iStock)</ins> (iStock)
The recall election for Gov. Gavin Newsom is Sept. 14, but Californians are encouraged to vote early. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)

Aug. 30 is last day to register to vote in recall election

Aug. 30 is the last day to register to vote for the…

The recall election for Gov. Gavin Newsom is Sept. 14, but Californians are encouraged to vote early. (Ray Saint Germain/Bay City News)
A new guaranteed income pilot program is designed to curb violent crime by providing resources to people in gangs or groups that have been identified as the source of most of the shootings in The City. (Ekevara Kitpowsong/Special to The Examiner)

A local solution for gun violence? Pay people $300 a month

‘We are trying to address the root causes of what’s happened’

A new guaranteed income pilot program is designed to curb violent crime by providing resources to people in gangs or groups that have been identified as the source of most of the shootings in The City. (Ekevara Kitpowsong/Special to The Examiner)
Artie Gilbert, an Urban Alchemy worker who helps people on the street, says, “To feel accepted and supported and not judged is huge.” <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>

Urban Alchemy says its street services work and the ‘special sauce is relationships’

But critics wonder: Is that enough?

Artie Gilbert, an Urban Alchemy worker who helps people on the street, says, “To feel accepted and supported and not judged is huge.” <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)</ins>
California, which isn’t as liberal a state as you may imagine but is nonetheless considerably more liberal than the nation as a whole, may be about to absent-mindedly acquire a Trumpist governor who could never win a normal election. (Philip Cheung/The New York Times)

The gentrification of blue America

‘The failure to add housing, no matter how high the demand, has collided with the tech boom’

  • Aug 30, 2021
California, which isn’t as liberal a state as you may imagine but is nonetheless considerably more liberal than the nation as a whole, may be about to absent-mindedly acquire a Trumpist governor who could never win a normal election. (Philip Cheung/The New York Times)
The 49ers looked solid in their last preseason game against the Raiders, prior to the start of the 2021 season. Just the same, the team faces a number of issues going forward. (Al Saracevic/SF Examiner)

49ers: Five things to watch going into the season

Team looks good, but can they stay healthy?

The 49ers looked solid in their last preseason game against the Raiders, prior to the start of the 2021 season. Just the same, the team faces a number of issues going forward. (Al Saracevic/SF Examiner)
California cuisine pioneer Alice Waters celebrated Chez Panisse’s 50th birthday on Aug. 28, 2021. (Leslie Katz/The Examiner)

Alice Waters on Chez Panisse: ‘50 years is proof this works’

Farm-to-table chef reflects on restaurant that’s ‘meant to feel like a home’

California cuisine pioneer Alice Waters celebrated Chez Panisse’s 50th birthday on Aug. 28, 2021. (Leslie Katz/The Examiner)
A bill authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener to decriminalize possession and use of psychedelic substances is slated to be reconsidered next year. (Kevin Hume/The Examiner)

Wiener’s bill to decriminalize psychedelics delayed until 2022

Legislature to pursue further ‘education and member engagement’

  • Aug 27, 2021
A bill authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener to decriminalize possession and use of psychedelic substances is slated to be reconsidered next year. (Kevin Hume/The Examiner)
San Francisco has allocated funding for the LGBTQ community as well as designating August Transgender History Month. (Mira Laing/Special to The Examiner)

SF’s historic Transgender History Month marks a new chapter

It will be recognized in August of every year

San Francisco has allocated funding for the LGBTQ community as well as designating August Transgender History Month. (Mira Laing/Special to The Examiner)
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District will be providing portable air filters to emergency and cooling centers as wildfire smoke continues to cause hazardous health conditions. (Shutterstock)

Air district expands filtration program to all Bay Area counties

Increasing pollution threatening the health of many residents

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District will be providing portable air filters to emergency and cooling centers as wildfire smoke continues to cause hazardous health conditions. (Shutterstock)
Recycle For Veterans, which did a cleanup in Los Angeles on Earth Day, will be in the Bay Area. (Courtesy Tyler Robison and Kevin Savage)

Marine veterans combat SF’s pandemic pollution with brand-new cleanup effort

‘I wanted to build a community that allowed people to have a purpose again’

  • Aug 27, 2021
Recycle For Veterans, which did a cleanup in Los Angeles on Earth Day, will be in the Bay Area. (Courtesy Tyler Robison and Kevin Savage)
Money to keep BART and other transit systems running is coming from the American Rescue Plan. (Shutterstock)

BART to receive $331 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding

By Eli Walsh Bay City News The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal…

Money to keep BART and other transit systems running is coming from the American Rescue Plan. (Shutterstock)
People against COVID-19 vaccine mandates rallying at Civic Center Plaza on Friday cite health, religion and distrust of the goverment as reasons for rejecting inoculations. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

As vaccine mandates roll out across SF, skeptics voice opposition

‘In addition to this being a form of insensitive, bully-leadership, it is egregious and irresponsible’

  • Aug 27, 2021
People against COVID-19 vaccine mandates rallying at Civic Center Plaza on Friday cite health, religion and distrust of the goverment as reasons for rejecting inoculations. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)
Giants newcomers can turn to veterans like Buster Posey, pictured here in 2019 with manager Bruce Bochy, for advice on how to handle pennant race pressure. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)

Giants legends offer advice to newbies on handling September pressure

‘Listen to Buster. And Crawford. And Belt. And watch how they go about their business’

  • Aug 27, 2021
Giants newcomers can turn to veterans like Buster Posey, pictured here in 2019 with manager Bruce Bochy, for advice on how to handle pennant race pressure. (Chris Victorio | Special to S.F. Examiner)
New York Giants fans still remember the days of Willie Mays, pictured here during a dust-up with the Pirates in 1955. Many remain fans of the San Francisco Giants because of the team’s New York roots. (Ernie Sisto/New York Times)

Giants bring winning ways, warm memories to New York City

For many, love of Willie Mays has become a family tradition

  • Aug 27, 2021
New York Giants fans still remember the days of Willie Mays, pictured here during a dust-up with the Pirates in 1955. Many remain fans of the San Francisco Giants because of the team’s New York roots. (Ernie Sisto/New York Times)