Home insurance crisis the main focus of insurance commissioner forum
The state insurance commissioner’s office is not generally a hot topic, nor is it something most people realize exists until they see it on their election ballot. But in the wake of multibillion-dollar losses in the state from near-yearly wildfire disasters, the commissioner’s job has become much more important. Candidates seeking to be the…
Southland stories run the gamut
While Las Vegas, Nev., and Branson, Mo., have each co-opted the title in recent years, Los Angeles was touted as the Entertainment Capital of the World for decades. L.A.’s reputation…
San Francisco teachers strike ends but real challenges for school district remain
Despite relief expressed by a tired but smiling San Francisco School Superintendent Maria Su, elected officials and parents across the city, the financial future of the school district remains uncertain…
The ghost in the room: A journey from the streets to sobriety
In San Francisco, we are told that “Housing First” is the ultimate cure. But for years, I lived on the dark side of that promise. I was awarded a Section 8 voucher — the “golden ticket” — but without accountability, it became a license to disappear into my addiction. When…
Anthony Tartaglio withdraws candidacy to unseat Judge Michelle Tong after Judge Gerardo Sandoval’s retirement decision
Twenty San Francisco Superior Court judges face reelection in June 2026, yet only one seat is expected to appear on the June ballot. Challenges to incumbents remain exceedingly rare, as unseating a sitting judge is notoriously difficult, while the position’s demands of long hours, diminished privacy, campaign rigors, and a…
A father’s international hunt for his abducted son and a judge’s fateful ruling
Gauillame Garreau has spent countless hours and over $150,000 to find his son, Maxmilien, who was abducted to Kazakhstan in March 2024. Judge Michelle Tong permitted the child to be taken on a two-week trip to Kazakhstan in 2024 by his mother, Sana Onayeva-Garreau, who had a prior restraining order…
Out and about Feb. 12–18, 2026
The weather may make for a wet out and about in the coming days, but that’s what umbrellas and hoodies are for. There are concerts,…
The antidote to disrespect is self-respect
It was almost too dark to see this morning near Lowell when a group of teachers were setting up a canopy to protect against the rain that had just started falling. I overheard a dispute…
Memo leak, budget threats fail to derail sobering center vote
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the underlying service contract for a sobering center project aimed at curbing open-air drug use Tuesday, but not without debate based in part on an illegally leaked memo…
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“Presidents’ Day,” By Nomi Kane | @Nomikane
Hey SFUSD: Can’t manage your budget? The state wants to step in to help
A little-noticed provision of the proposed California state budget requires greater accountability in the San Francisco Unified School District and county budgets. Unlike most other school districts, there is no independent oversight of the school district’s budget. Most school districts must have their budgets reviewed and approved by an independent…
Diversion graduates gone wrong: Five cases
San Francisco had five attempted murders last July; four of them are in mental health diversion
California Department of Education strikes back against antisemitic discrimination in K-12 schools; part 3 of a three-part series
Every competent Jewish adult in America put down their space laser and started rubbing their temples as soon as they read that, while being interviewed as a potential vice president running mate for Kamala Harris, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was asked if he had ever been a double agent for…
Going nowhere on housing
Recently, I moderated a Commonwealth Club World Affairs panel, and when I asked several journalists if they thought the city would meet the state mandate of adding about 82,000 units by the deadline, the reaction was, essentially, that no sane person believes it will, and that the mandate is that…
Number of the week: Teacher strike votes are rising statewide
This story was originally published by EdSource. Sign up for their daily newsletter. Teachers’ unions throughout California are in contract negotiations with school districts. Pay raises and…
Welcome the Year of the Horse with the Chinese Culture Center
The Chinese Culture Center will transform the 600 block of Grant Avenue into an “Art Zone” to usher in the Lunar New Year and the…
S.F. teachers’ strike is a question of ‘What schools need’ vs. ‘What schools can afford’
San Francisco’s first teacher strike in 47 years moved from the bargaining table to the streets Monday morning as members of the United Educators of…
Starting to strike
I was sure the hardest day before the strike would be Friday, but I was wrong. Friday was one class after another of sleepy, worried…
Best burritos and tacos in San Francisco
“First stop in San Fran. A mission burrito at La Taqueria,” John Zannis, president of CLNS Media Boston Sports Network, posted on the social media…
Art Week S.F.: The glitz, the glitches, and the tax deductions
Art Week in San Francisco was a 10-day onslaught of fairs, galleries, and museums kneeling at the altar of what makes us most human: tax…
A magnificent multitude of mostly British movies
Proudly flying the Union Jack again, the Mostly British Film Festival (MBFF) returns to San Francisco’s Vogue Theater (3290 Sacramento Street) from Feb. 5 through…
My top five picks for San Francisco Super Bowl LX activities
Super Bowl events and activities will soon be popping up all over San Francisco, and you don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy…
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