San Francisco’s mental health board, drug policy under scrutiny this week; Pyramid to get landmark status
This week, the highlights at City Hall include the likely reorganization of a commission overseeing mental health policy, support for drug-free supportive housing, and the possible landmarking of the city’s most visually distinctive building after over 50 years on the skyline. On Monday, the Rules Committee will have a full docket ranging from an…
Lurie calls entrepreneurs to Union Square with $25 million fund
On April 16, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a new $25 million Downtown Business Fund (DBF) aimed at reviving the city’s historic yet struggling Union Square area. He called on entrepreneurs…
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s wife, Mia, is pushing a journalism chill bill to stop corruption reports like the one I wrote about them
California Assembly Bill 2624, authored by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, cleared initial committee and is set for review by the Assembly’s Judiciary Committee. Building on California’s Safe At Home Program, Bonta…
Out and about April 16–22, 2026
Enjoy art fairs, the Cherry Blossom Festival, lectures, and more this week. Here are my picks for the weekend and into next week. Thursday, April 16 “Making History Fun Again Speaker Series” at the legendary Redwood Room will present John Martini, a historian, author, and National Park Service ranger, who…
Phoebe Maffei races to court
Phoebe Maffei, an assistant district attorney, is running for San Francisco Superior Court judge against Alexandra Pray of the public defender’s office. They are the only two candidates in the June election, setting up a classic matchup between a prosecutor — typically viewed as favoring law and order — and…
The shot that gave me seven days
There is a clinic in San Francisco called the Maria X. Martinez Health Resource Center. You might walk past it and not think much of it. But for me, it was the first place I had ever walked into where nobody looked at me like I was a problem to…
The fight for a safer San Francisco: Hurabiell vs. Wiener vs. Chan
The race for California’s 11th Congressional District in 2026 is rapidly intensifying as the long-held seat of House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi prepares to open.…
San Francisco schools unable to meet educational goals for students
Reality was in attendance at Tuesday night’s San Francisco school board meeting. Following a presentation during which school district officials lauded the highest-ever rates of “student belonging,” Superintendent Maria Su acknowledged that the district cannot…
California Democrats are clamoring to tax the rich. Why their proposals could backfire
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Progressive California Democrats, who have long fought and failed to raise taxes on the rich, are renewing their push this year in light…
Double your impact and support quality journalism
Help us keep The Voice of San Francisco free. Every dollar you donate will be matched—doubling your impact. Support our growth and contribute to quality journalism. Donate now! Your donation is tax-deductible.
“We’ll be back,” by Nomi Kane | @Nomikane
Why justice keeps failing Asian hate victims
History repeats itself. As Garry Tan concluded in his most recent op-ed about why Asian hate so often goes unpunished, it is a cumulative effect of the loudest voices that influence a courtroom, from policy briefs and op-eds to grant-funded studies and legacy media. That voice has been dominated by…
What it means to have a dog when you’re homeless, and what San Francisco’s potential new law gets right (and wrong)
This Thursday, April 9, the public safety committee (made up of supervisors Matt Dorsey, Alan Wong, and Bilal Mahmood) will hear a proposed ordinance amending the Health Code to require that every dog in San Francisco, with certain exceptions, be sterilized (along with licensed, vaccinated, microchipped, and leashed in public areas).…
What we miss when the Board of Education skips its progress monitoring report discussions
Introduction At the last Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 24, Board President Phil Kim proposed — and received permission — to merge the eighth-grade algebra discussion and vote with the Progress Monitoring Report for Goal 2 (math). Predictably, the eighth-grade algebra discussion swallowed up the entire allotted time,…
I had clean needles. I still almost died twice.
I was standing on a street corner in San Francisco, unable to carry a large bottle of laundry detergent. My boyfriend was screaming at me to run, and I couldn’t move. I was swaying. I didn’t know it yet, but I had an infection eating my heart valve alive. I…
Legacies, scams, and pitfalls
An ailing artist tries to thwart the plans of his assistant in ‘The Christophers’; a clan and empire are torn apart by murder and betrayal…
Budget, planning, law enforcement headaches drive this week at City Hall
San Francisco leaders devote much of their energy to navigating the city’s budget problems as Mayor Daniel Lurie addresses the Board of Supervisors this week.…
Swalwell suspends campaign as S.F. Democratic Party chair, police chiefs latest to urge withdrawal
San Francisco Democratic Party Chair Nancy Tung released a statement on Sunday urging support for victims of sexual assault and harassment, and calling for Representative…
‘Our democracy’s too important’: An interview with Dr. Larry Gerston, Part 2
In Part I, Dr. Larry Gerston discussed the rise of Trumpism and its threat to democracy. Here, he talks tech, political balance, and what’s next.…
SFMOMA to unveil complete transformation of the Doris and Donald Fisher Collection
The Fisher Collection galleries feature nearly 250 works by 35 artists, and beginning later this month, SFMOMA is unveiling its first updated presentation since the…
The art and architecture of San Francisco Maritime Museum
A Balcony on the World, a KQED documentary, uncovers the long-overlooked story of the Aquatic Park Bathhouse building. Now home to the San Francisco Maritime…
Not a ham fan? Roast a fresh pork shoulder instead
I hate ham. You know the one — studded with cloves and topped with pineapple rings from a can, served at the table in many…
Tech gone wild
Artificial intelligence is becoming all-pervasive in our lives, and The AI Docexamines whether it’s a triumph of convenience or a potential trap.
Listen to the Voice
The Voice of San Francisco produces podcasts covering the people and issues of interest to San Francisco. Monday through Friday, John F. Rothmann hosts his Voice podcast featuring his take on the hot issues in the City by the Bay.
Subscribe to these podcasts wherever you get your favorite podcasts, or listen to them on our podcast player below.