After second random elder attack while out on mental health diversion, defense wants more diversion for Zavein Blue Wright
On July 22, 2026, after randomly attacking and nearly killing a senior man and a senior woman three years apart, repeat violent predator Zavein Blue Wright was found mentally fit to stand trial in San Francisco Superior Court. On Aug. 10, the Public Defender’s office filed a motion on Wright’s behalf to refer him…
‘Superficial Matters: Artists from the Svane Gift and Beyond at the de Young
The de Young presents the third iteration in their series of exhibitions drawn from a major acquisition of 42 artworks by 30 emerging and midcareer Bay Area artists. Supported by…
Out and about Aug. 13–19, 2026
Fogust aside, there are some outdoor events across the city as well as some indoor events. Read on and enjoy. Thursday, Aug. 13 Don’t miss Aura, an immersive light-and-sound show…
Learning to cooperate with reality
Picture a 10th grader sitting in her math class. Her phone is “hidden” in her hoodie pouch, but she surreptitiously checks notifications every few minutes, knowing that I have too many students and too much teaching to do to pester her. She was late three out of four classes this…
Almost nowhere in California is building enough. Here’s why
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Every eight years, state housing regulators give cities and counties across California an especially dreaded homework assignment: Make a plan for a bunch of new homes. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration assigns localities goals to hit at four different affordability levels. Collectively,…
Significant questions surround S.F. school district’s $1.5 billion bond program
Last week, San Francisco public school officials cut the ribbon for Mission Bay Elementary School, fulfilling what they described as “a vision over two decades in the making.” Mission Bay Elementary is the only school to be built as a result of either the $744 million bond measure San Francisco…
Transit agencies’ Hail Mary faces skeptics and tax-weary voters
This November, San Francisco and four other counties are set to vote on new taxes that promise to solve looming structural operating deficits that plague…
Chinatown and city leaders celebrate transit improvements and more parking spaces
San Francisco Chinatown merchants and city leaders are sending a message to the public that Chinatown is open for business and more street parking spaces are available for visitors. Small business leaders, joined by the…
The state of wartime politics
The rest of the country is finally noticing what we local political observers have long known: Nancy Pelosi isn’t a fan of Scott Wiener, who is currently ahead in the race to succeed her in…
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by Nomi Kane | @Nomikane
The university’s pants are splitting faster than they can patch them back together
Every teacher knows the feeling, when you’ve lost the middle of the room — that sinking sensation when half your students are raring to go and the other half are hopelessly lost, and nothing you do is going to reach both halves at once. It’s like bending over and hearing…
Before San Francisco taxes itself for Muni, it should fix Muni
San Francisco is asking voters to pay more for Muni. The question is whether the agency has earned another bailout. Weeks after Measure A approval, a $535 million Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response Bond that includes $200 million to replace the seismically unsafe Potrero Bus Yard, the city is lining…
The Cow Palace isn’t a good fit for a server farm
For 85 years, the Cow Palace has played an important role in Bay Area history. Unfortunately, a new proposal to locate data centers there for the next 100 years just does not add up. Prince, the Grateful Dead, and the Golden State Warriors all played at the event center. John…
‘The Future of Us’ was a visionary civic experiment
A multiday, citywide festival recently took place across San Francisco, ringing in the country’s 250th birthday with a forward-thinking, imaginative approach to the future. San Francisco-based civic arts and sciences nonprofit The Plenary Co. was at the helm of the project, alongside the Svane Family Foundation, a major supporter of…
Learning life lessons on the periphery of fame
Success is not always a component of fame, nor is fame a requisite of success, and neither one is easy to achieve. While the late…
More frequent Muni service coming to the N-Judah, 1-California
San Francisco’s transit system is making service changes at the end of this month to address overcrowding and to improve reliability on some of Muni’s…
Flow, Works by Tyler Zheng at MAG Galleries: A creative journey into the unknown
MAG Galleries is pleased to announce Flow, works by Tyler Zheng, running from Aug. 7 through Aug. 30th. The artist’s wood-fired ceramics are completed with…
S.F. police boost hiring from other agencies
San Francisco Police Chief Derrick Lew swore in 12 new police officers on Monday. Still, they aren’t rookies — they’re what is known as “lateral…
A hella stage musical gets a big-screen release
One of the best known tragedies of Greek mythology tells of the doomed romance between the preternaturally gifted musician Orpheus and the beautiful wood nymph…
‘Treasures of the Pharaohs’ brings ancient Egypt to the de Young
The majesty of ancient Egypt returns to San Francisco with Treasures of the Pharaohs. The exhibition includes an extensive array of over 130 important artifacts, some…
A curmudgeon’s lampoon of U.S. history
In his capacity as a comedic performer, writer, and public figure, Larry David has made a considerable living by being cantankerous, contrary, and dissatisfied, perpetually…
SFMOMA presents ‘Graciela Iturbide: Between Two Worlds’
“The camera is an excuse to share the life of the people, the rhythm and sympathy of festivals, to discover my country.” — Graciela Iturbide…
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