THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2025
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Sanctuary, Fentanyl force a policy tightrope on the city
by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
January has seen a whirlwind of worry as Trump administration policies take shape and San Francisco City Hall starts to see the implications.
First, there was word that Washington would try to claw back aid to local governments, prompting Mayor Daniel Lurie and the Board of Supervisors to expedite acceptance of over $130 million in federal grant money But in their haste to yank back the funds, the Trump administration relied on an executive order, which ended up being blocked by a judge and then was forced by the resulting outrage to claw back their clawback order.
This week, Washington pivoted to immigration policy, commencing a series of mass deportations. City Hall immediately reacted with statements and legislation affirming San Francisco’s sanctuary city ordinance. But while the City Family put up a united front on the ordinance, questions linger over whether it would impede promised quick action on another scourge of the city – the fentanyl crisis. Click here for more.
This week, Susan Dyer Reynolds has another bombshell, with the possibility of fallout from the corruption trial of ousted Mayor Sheng Tao contaminating the fortunes of Attorney General Rob Bonta. The irony here is that AG Bonta will be Sacramento’s point man in any legal fights against the Trump administration, of which the font of the Oakland corruption case, recycling kingpin David Duong, appears to be quite the fan.
Meanwhile, Erica Sandberg reports on how community pushback helped save the Polk Street Walgreens, as well as the heartwarming story of CoCo Chanel, the rescue dog from the other side of the world. And look to Jerold Chinn to bring the inside scoop on transportation, including free fares for Chinese New Year, and more news on SFMTA’s struggle for solvency, now including summer service cuts for the Muni.
Check out links to our latest content below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
NEWS
City Hall closes ranks against Trump migrant policies
Virtually every prominent elected, appointed official joins labor-led united front on sanctuary policy.
by Mike Ege
San Francisco’s public officials stood united in opposition to President Donald Trump’s crackdown on irregular migration over the southern border, speaking forcefully against the policy at a press conference on the front steps of City Hall on Tuesday. Later in the afternoon, the city’s Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a statement reaffirming previous promises not to allow the use of municipal agencies and assets in the deportation of undocumented migrants.
REYNOLDS RAP
Breed’s extended security detail in Rome? Bonta ‘too compromised’ to prosecute Duong/Juarez cases
Plus, former SFPUC boss Harlan Kelly will serve only two years in prison while petitioning to reinstate pension.
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
TRANSPORTATION
Muni riders face summer service cuts as SFMTA grapples with budget crisis
Some Muni bus routes could be less frequent or suspended under different proposals.
by Jerold Chinn
Quote of the week
“ Walgreens would have remained in any of the locations if it made good business sense. It clearly did not, and there is little to no faith that it will in the near future. Lower Polk got their Hail Mary; other communities won’t be so lucky.”
—Erica Sandberg on how Walgreens’ taking their Polk Street store off the chopping block is likely the exception; in Polk Street Walgreens gets a Hail Mary
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
NEWS
Polk Street Walgreens gets a Hail Mary
Popular store slated for closure will remain open.
by Erica Sandberg
TRANSIT
San Francisco celebrates Lunar New Year with free parking and Muni fares
Portsmouth Square Garage and Muni will offer discounts.
by Jerold Chinn
CULTURE
Coco Chanel’s incredible rescue
Dog suffers abuse in Thailand but finds love in San Francisco
by Erica Sandberg
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EVENTS
Out and About Jan 30-Feb. 4
What to do this weekend
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Gung hay fat choy! It’s Lunar New Year, and there are several ways to celebrate the Year of the Snake this week, in addition to other events, like film screenings, dance, and more.
Thursday, Jan. 30
The San Francisco Ballet’s current production of Manon, set in 18th century Paris, tells the story of an impoverished young woman who struggles between love and the lure of luxury and power, while exploring themes of poverty, desire, and ambition. Through Saturday. Tickets from $29.
Friday, Jan. 31
Enjoy art, music theatre, dance, fashion, oddities, circus, and more, including a staging of Edward Gorey’s pop-up book, The Dwindling Party at the 24th Annual Edwardian Ball. Through Saturday. Tickets: $145.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Prior years have sold out, so get your tickets soon for the Fourth Annual Lunar New Year Block Party featuring live music at Lion’s Den and Red’s Place, Chinatown’s oldest bar. Tickets from $20.
Listen to our podcasts
- John Rothmann & Susan Dyer Reynolds in conversation
- The importance of preserving history
- The impact of being a Sanctuary City
- It is time to take a hard look at our City streets and what is best for our City
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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