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"The Axios Show": Hasan Piker wants to campaign for AOC in 2028

Piker has been a high-profile campaign surrogate for a new generation of left-wing candidates.

Politics & Policy

Left-wing streamer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hasan Piker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/17/hasan-piker-axios-show-terrorism-america" data-vars-content-id="dad6169d-2794-47da-a40c-8c974b0568f9" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Axios Show&quot;: Hasan Piker wants to campaign for AOC in 2028" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/17/hasan-piker-axios-show-terrorism-america" target="_self">Hasan Piker</a> said he &quot;absolutely&quot; wants to campaign for New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez if she runs for president in 2028 and said he has talked with AOC and her team, he said in the new episode of &quot;The Axios Show.&quot;Why it matters: Piker, who has millions of followers online, has been a high-profile campaign surrogate this year for a new generation of left-wing candidates, and wants to do the same in 2028.

Oil's shrug emoji era

J.P. Morgan oil analysts offered a candid look into a conflict with no clear resolution.

Energy & Climate

And the award for honesty in oil market analysis goes to ... J.P. Morgan!<ul><li>&quot;For the first time since the start of the Iran conflict, we don&#x27;t have a baseline view. We simply don&#x27;t know how to model the endgame,&quot; bank researchers said in a note (emphasis added).</li></ul>Why it matters: While the phrasing is unusually blunt, the sentiment is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shared" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/vandanahari_sg/status/2100760908855398528?s=51" data-vars-content-id="d255161c-72bc-49e3-aae2-cd0d0e42d014" data-vars-headline="Oil&#x27;s shrug emoji era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/vandanahari_sg/status/2100760908855398528?s=51" target="_blank">shared</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="varying degrees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/oil-price-estimates-hsbc-goldman-bofa" data-vars-content-id="d255161c-72bc-49e3-aae2-cd0d0e42d014" data-vars-headline="Oil&#x27;s shrug emoji era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/09/oil-price-estimates-hsbc-goldman-bofa" target="_self">varying degrees</a>.

Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman

Buffett's son Howard will become chairman of the company.

Business

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Warren Buffett" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/10/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway" data-vars-content-id="09240131-53cd-4233-b2e5-5953dc6d7aaa" data-vars-headline="Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/10/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway" target="_self">Warren Buffett</a> will step down as chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, less than a year after handing over the CEO reins, the company <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said" data-vars-click-url="https://berkshirehathaway.com/news/sep1826.pdf" data-vars-content-id="09240131-53cd-4233-b2e5-5953dc6d7aaa" data-vars-headline="Warren Buffett steps down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://berkshirehathaway.com/news/sep1826.pdf" target="_blank">said</a> Friday.The big picture: The &quot;Oracle of Omaha&quot; is 96, and his insurance-to-railroads conglomerate is moving onto a new generation, with his son Howard as chairman.

Inside the scramble for trusted AI cops

Some third-party evaluators have been attacked for having close ties to the effective altruism movement.

A host of industry players, policy wonks and businesses are grappling with the question of how to regulate AI in a trustworthy manner.<ul><li>Inside the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="White House," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/trump-ai-safety-anthropic-dario-amodei" data-vars-content-id="8a0c1995-3b30-4862-88c1-c98ffc4b5aae" data-vars-headline="Inside the scramble for trusted AI cops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/trump-ai-safety-anthropic-dario-amodei" target="_self">White House,</a> it&#x27;s mostly business as usual.</li></ul>Why it matters: The industry&#x27;s mad dash is the product of an ad hoc regulatory apparatus and a general consensus that swift action from Washington is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unlikely in the near term" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/trump-ai-safety-regulations-congress" data-vars-content-id="8a0c1995-3b30-4862-88c1-c98ffc4b5aae" data-vars-headline="Inside the scramble for trusted AI cops" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/14/trump-ai-safety-regulations-congress" target="_self">unlikely in the near term</a>.

China's Treasury holdings fall to 2008 low

Other foreign governments are pulling back on buying Treasurys, and private investors are filling the void.

Economy

China&#x27;s holdings of U.S. Treasury securities reached an 18-year low in July, new Treasury Department data shows.Why it matters: It&#x27;s not just China. Foreign governments are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pulling back on buying Treasury securities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/20/bonds-treasury-foreign-hedge-fund" data-vars-content-id="91510b2d-459a-4b36-9edd-fd157db6e8b8" data-vars-headline="China&#x27;s Treasury holdings fall to 2008 low" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/20/bonds-treasury-foreign-hedge-fund" target="_self">pulling back on buying Treasury securities</a>, and hedge funds and other private investors are filling the void. <ul><li>That poses some risks to the ability of the U.S. to borrow money cheaply, as analysts say it could put upward pressure on borrowing costs.</li></ul>

SFMOMA extends exhibit on scandalous Matisse portrait

You can now see "Matisse's Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal" through the end of the month

Things to Do

You can now see &quot;Matisse&#x27;s Femme au chapeau: A Modern Scandal&quot; at SFMOMA through the end of the month.State of play: The museum extended the exhibition&#x27;s run due to popular demand. It centers on Henri Matisse&#x27;s 1905 portrait of his wife, Amélie. The painting&#x27;s unconventional colors and loose brushstrokes caused a stir when it debuted.

Where Flock watches us in San Francisco

Nearly 500 license plate readers blanket the city as concerns grow over who can access their data.

News

Hundreds of automated license plate readers are watching San Francisco streets, putting the city near the center of a growing national fight over police surveillance.Why it matters: Flock cameras can help police fight crime, but their ability to track vehicles has fueled a growing backlash and calls for tighter oversight or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="removal" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/47455933.135/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2RhbGxhcy8yMDI2LzA5LzAyL2RhbGxhcy1mbG9jay1jYW1lcmFzLWFiYm90dC1mdW5kaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/673d6f07cfc5ece025011323Be6221ee6" data-vars-content-id="7698c197-6286-4b05-93d8-ba499b2cf317" data-vars-headline="Where Flock watches us in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/47455933.135/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL2RhbGxhcy8yMDI2LzA5LzAyL2RhbGxhcy1mbG9jay1jYW1lcmFzLWFiYm90dC1mdW5kaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/673d6f07cfc5ece025011323Be6221ee6" target="_self">removal</a>.

San Francisco Opera faces its biggest labor dispute in decades

Opening weekend was canceled and the dispute over musicians' compensation remains unresolved.

The San Francisco Opera&#x27;s orchestra strike wiped out opening weekend and now the labor standoff threatens to stretch deeper into the company&#x27;s new season.Why it matters: The labor dispute is exposing a bigger fight over how one of San Francisco&#x27;s marquee cultural institutions can balance its financial pressures with the cost of paying musicians in one of the country&#x27;s most expensive cities.

Newsom's 2028 plans could hinge on Harris' decision

The California governor says he won't run for president if Harris launches another White House bid.

Politics

Gov. Gavin Newsom says there&#x27;s one person who could keep him out of the 2028 presidential race: Kamala Harris.Why it matters: Newsom&#x27;s announcement that he won&#x27;t run if Harris does puts the former VP in an unusual position: Her decision could help determine whether another of California&#x27;s most prominent Democrats enters what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary.

How local restaurant owners redirect surplus food across the Bay Area

San Francisco-area Chick-fil-A restaurants have helped turn surplus food into more than 407,000 meals.

Partners

<div data-sponsor-disclosure="&quot;{&quot;logoUrl&quot;:&quot;https://images.axios.com/9_1GTRt0n38rgpvEk_yPRMfFSU4=/2026/08/28/1787939548785.jpg&quot;,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;A message from: Chick-fil-A&quot;}&quot;"></div><div style="display:none"></div>In San Francisco, 1 in 4 residents is at risk of hunger due to low income.California&#x27;s food insecurity rate has also risen in recent years, increasing pressure on local organizations that help residents access meals.The story: Hunger is a year-round challenge that requires ongoing support — but local businesses can play a practical role in strengthening that network.

Cole Valley's pie contest is serious neighborhood business

From Swedish cheese to spiced apple, locals put their best pies forward at the night market.

Neighborhoods

I can now add &quot;pie judge&quot; to my résumé, though I&#x27;m not sure my first assignment prepared me for just how seriously one can debate a crust.State of play: I joined the judging table at the second annual pie-baking competition during the Cole Valley night market last week.

The home buying clout of San Francisco's AI workers

A new analysis estimates how much home buying power OpenAI and Anthropic employees could gain.

Money

OpenAI and Anthropic employees could theoretically buy nearly one-third of the San Francisco metro area&#x27;s homes if both companies go public at their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expected valuations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/28/anthropic-ai-fundraising-openai" data-vars-content-id="67a36173-cd65-4a07-b723-987852dfcde6" data-vars-headline="The home buying clout of San Francisco&#x27;s AI workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/28/anthropic-ai-fundraising-openai" target="_self">expected valuations</a>, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Redfin analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https*3A*2F*2Fwww.redfin.com*2Fnews*2Fopenai-anthropic-housing-wealth&amp;esheet=54568097&amp;newsitemid=20260709178090&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=report&amp;index=1&amp;md5=6b762b7d39150ff98d6dc61e3036d261__;JSUlJSU!!Al82Z4c!yTbnLAQU3E6G5zZTlo4ZcW9hR5Bw9QWasQWZmfME1zTZFSvOHWQdlOADFkpuLnw7U3ijbwcrkPk38xiJgoeqaUR3lWc$" data-vars-content-id="67a36173-cd65-4a07-b723-987852dfcde6" data-vars-headline="The home buying clout of San Francisco&#x27;s AI workers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=https*3A*2F*2Fwww.redfin.com*2Fnews*2Fopenai-anthropic-housing-wealth&amp;esheet=54568097&amp;newsitemid=20260709178090&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=report&amp;index=1&amp;md5=6b762b7d39150ff98d6dc61e3036d261__;JSUlJSU!!Al82Z4c!yTbnLAQU3E6G5zZTlo4ZcW9hR5Bw9QWasQWZmfME1zTZFSvOHWQdlOADFkpuLnw7U3ijbwcrkPk38xiJgoeqaUR3lWc$" target="_blank">Redfin analysis</a> shows.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a striking illustration of how much purchasing power could enter a housing market already defined by scarce inventory and fierce competition.

Bay Area has 37 cities with $1M starter homes

Homeownership remains out of reach in many Bay Area communities.

The San Francisco metro area has 37 cities where the typical starter home costs $1 million or more, the second most in the nation, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Zillow data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/research/million-dollar-starter-home-36452/" data-vars-content-id="8d4c311a-15b7-418b-847e-af1b728f0f9c" data-vars-headline="Bay Area has 37 cities with $1M starter homes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/research/million-dollar-starter-home-36452/" target="_blank">new Zillow data</a> shared with Axios.The big picture: The Bay Area is among the most expensive places in the U.S. to buy a home. Only the New York City metro area (63) has more cities where entry-level homeownership crosses the million-dollar threshold.

Valkyries' rise brings 2027 WNBA All-Star Game to San Francisco

The Valkyries' breakout success is bringing another major sporting event.

San Francisco will host the 2027 WNBA All-Star Game, adding to the city’s growing roster of major sporting events.State of play: Tuesday&#x27;s announcement comes a day after the Golden State Valkyries <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="secured their second" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49645344/valkyries-beat-wings-clinch-playoff-spot-second-straight-season" data-vars-content-id="63593e1e-20bf-40f5-a37b-9e67da7a0990" data-vars-headline="Valkyries&#x27; rise brings 2027 WNBA All-Star Game to San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49645344/valkyries-beat-wings-clinch-playoff-spot-second-straight-season" target="_blank">secured their second</a> straight playoff berth, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beating the Dallas Wings 78-70" data-vars-click-url="https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/gameday-recap-20260817" data-vars-content-id="63593e1e-20bf-40f5-a37b-9e67da7a0990" data-vars-headline="Valkyries&#x27; rise brings 2027 WNBA All-Star Game to San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/gameday-recap-20260817" target="_blank">beating the Dallas Wings 78-70</a>.

Cleveland

LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers

Golden State? Cleveland? The NBA's all-time leading scorer is taking his talents elsewhere.

Sports

LeBron James is moving on from the Los Angeles Lakers, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per ESPN&#x27;s Shams Charania" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2071988062259736871?s=20" data-vars-content-id="77a00bdd-e266-4a96-8d13-9ef9a3c5e598" data-vars-headline="LeBron James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2071988062259736871?s=20" target="_blank">per ESPN&#x27;s Shams Charania</a>, setting up a potential reunion with Cleveland or a chance to join former rival Steph Curry with the Golden State Warriors.Why it matters: The 41-year-old James is the NBA&#x27;s all-time leading scorer and one of the offseason&#x27;s most important dominoes.

How California is preparing for AI workforce disruption

The state is collecting workforce data and exploring safeguards as AI adoption grows.

Business Brief

Gov. Gavin Newsom&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="executive order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5.21.26-AI-Workforce-EO-FINAL-SIGNED.pdf" data-vars-content-id="fad04c17-4a33-4652-86aa-6154101d6e94" data-vars-headline="How California is preparing for AI workforce disruption" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/5.21.26-AI-Workforce-EO-FINAL-SIGNED.pdf" target="_blank">executive order</a> last month directing state agencies to study how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/07/ai-business-technology-stocks-broadcom" data-vars-content-id="fad04c17-4a33-4652-86aa-6154101d6e94" data-vars-headline="How California is preparing for AI workforce disruption" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/07/ai-business-technology-stocks-broadcom" target="_self">AI</a> is reshaping work reflects a growing challenge for policymakers: preparing workers for labor market changes as the technology accelerates and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="anxiety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/ai-regulation-china-us-pew-report" data-vars-content-id="fad04c17-4a33-4652-86aa-6154101d6e94" data-vars-headline="How California is preparing for AI workforce disruption" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/15/ai-regulation-china-us-pew-report" target="_self">anxiety</a> about job losses grow.Why it matters: California is home to many of the world&#x27;s leading AI companies, making it both a driver of rapid growth and a potential ground zero for any workforce disruption that follows.

AI becomes easy culprit for layoffs

The cuts spotlight growing questions about whether AI is driving layoffs or justifying them.

San Francisco-based Coinbase is one of the latest companies to pair <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="layoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/23/meta-layoffs-ai-efficiency-push" data-vars-content-id="aa67867a-0a65-47a6-8a87-16fe3b7eb366" data-vars-headline="AI becomes easy culprit for layoffs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/23/meta-layoffs-ai-efficiency-push" target="_self">layoffs</a> with announcements that AI is changing the way the company operates. Why it matters: Companies are increasingly blaming AI for job cuts, but a messier mix of automation, cost-cutting and market pressure are also factors.

San Francisco Oktoberfest brings beer and lederhosen downtown

Get ready for polka, yodeling, stein-holding contests and live music.

Culture

Oktoberfest takes over downtown today, bringing giant beers, lederhosen and a little Bavarian revelry to Front Street. State of play: The free block party has become a major draw for a part of the city that&#x27;s still working to bring more foot traffic back after office hours.

NYC, other cities fight Trump rule weighing immigrants' benefits

Cities argue the overhaul could increase homelessness, food insecurity and uncompensated medical care.

New York City and five other Democratic-led local governments sued the Department of Homeland Security to block a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="5144491a-6c82-4999-9756-b1262bb3d4c1" data-vars-headline="NYC, other cities fight Trump rule weighing immigrants&#x27; benefits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">Trump</a> administration rule they say will drive immigrants and mixed-status families away from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public benefits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/21/ai-snap-medicaid-unemployment-benefits" data-vars-content-id="5144491a-6c82-4999-9756-b1262bb3d4c1" data-vars-headline="NYC, other cities fight Trump rule weighing immigrants&#x27; benefits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/21/ai-snap-medicaid-unemployment-benefits" target="_self">public benefits</a> they can legally receive.Why it matters: The cities warn the rule could drive hundreds of thousands out of health, food and housing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="programs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/09/immigrants-taxes-benefits-cato-institute" data-vars-content-id="5144491a-6c82-4999-9756-b1262bb3d4c1" data-vars-headline="NYC, other cities fight Trump rule weighing immigrants&#x27; benefits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/09/immigrants-taxes-benefits-cato-institute" target="_self">programs</a>, worsening public <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/20/trump-public-charge-rule-health-impact" data-vars-content-id="5144491a-6c82-4999-9756-b1262bb3d4c1" data-vars-headline="NYC, other cities fight Trump rule weighing immigrants&#x27; benefits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/20/trump-public-charge-rule-health-impact" target="_self">health</a>, increasing homelessness and shifting millions of dollars in costs to local hospitals and governments.

Mayor Daniel Lurie declares rent emergency as prices soar

The measures target evictions and steep increases as one-bedroom rents climb above $4,300.

Mayor Daniel Lurie is declaring an emergency amid a sharp rise in rents across the city.Why it matters: San Francisco&#x27;s economic rebound — fueled in part by the AI boom — is colliding with a familiar problem: The city still doesn&#x27;t have enough housing to absorb a sudden surge in demand, the San Francisco Standard <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://sfstandard.com/2026/09/10/lurie-declares-san-francisco-rent-emergency/" data-vars-content-id="e17d4503-a315-4fc7-9c73-e2a693a6244d" data-vars-headline="Mayor Daniel Lurie declares rent emergency as prices soar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfstandard.com/2026/09/10/lurie-declares-san-francisco-rent-emergency/" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Apartment hunting with a pet could get easier in California

Landlords would have to share pet restrictions up front under a bill on Newsom's desk.

California renters could soon know whether their pet is welcome before spending money on a rental application.Why it matters: Apartment hunting with a pet can be filled with uncertainty since listings don&#x27;t always disclose pet policies, restrictions or fees up front.

Bay Area leaders roll out $85M a year for home electrification

Residents may be able to stack rebates as new water heater rules approach in the region.

San Franciscans are about to have more options for replacing their gas water heater as regional officials roll out about $85 million a year in rebates and incentives across the Bay Area, including $41 million for heat pumps.The big picture: Residents facing the eventual replacement of a gas water heater could have more financial help paying for an electric alternative as the Bay Area moves towards electrifying homes and buildings to reduce its carbon footprint.

How local researchers are turning fog into water

Coastal fog could provide a small but timely source of water during our dry season.

Climate

Fog is as definitively SF as cable cars, sourdough and steep hills. And local researchers have spent the last few years <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="capturing water from the region&#x27;s defining coastal mist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/fog-harvesting-california-water-19740430.php" data-vars-content-id="0f505a23-3482-48ec-bd31-3353c01d1a94" data-vars-headline="How local researchers are turning fog into water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/fog-harvesting-california-water-19740430.php" target="_blank">capturing water from the region&#x27;s defining coastal mist</a> to test whether it can become a useful local water source.Why it matters: As <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/us-climate-change-adaptation-extreme-weather" data-vars-content-id="0f505a23-3482-48ec-bd31-3353c01d1a94" data-vars-headline="How local researchers are turning fog into water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/03/us-climate-change-adaptation-extreme-weather" target="_self">climate change</a> puts more pressure on water supplies, Bay Area agencies are testing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly local ways to conserve water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsweek.com/california-fog-harvesting-water-shortage-2043949" data-vars-content-id="0f505a23-3482-48ec-bd31-3353c01d1a94" data-vars-headline="How local researchers are turning fog into water" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsweek.com/california-fog-harvesting-water-shortage-2043949" target="_blank">increasingly local ways to conserve water</a> — including pulling it straight from the fog.

 Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco

A national surveillance fight is spilling onto San Francisco streets as Flock's footprint expands.

Activists and citizens across the political spectrum are pushing back against license plate readers made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="58fea506-e5ca-407d-9248-f4b664c2d557" data-vars-headline=" Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock and similar companies</a>, fueled by privacy concerns and suspected police misuse.Why it matters: Flock cameras are suddenly emerging as the next big target of populist anti-tech, pro-privacy sentiment, alongside the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/data-center-growth-map-states" data-vars-content-id="58fea506-e5ca-407d-9248-f4b664c2d557" data-vars-headline=" Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/data-center-growth-map-states" target="_self">data centers</a> fueling the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/12/ai-boom-goldman-sachs" data-vars-content-id="58fea506-e5ca-407d-9248-f4b664c2d557" data-vars-headline=" Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/12/ai-boom-goldman-sachs" target="_self">AI boom</a>.

Media Trends Executive

Landmark local news bill heads to Gov. Newsom's desk

Local news advocates believe the measure would represent the country's largest single-state investment in community news ever.

A historic California bill that provides a refundable employment tax credit for qualifying <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/08/local-news-funding-public-media-global" data-vars-content-id="2ccb1428-8286-4819-983c-c401855ec810" data-vars-headline="Landmark local news bill heads to Gov. Newsom&#x27;s desk" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/08/local-news-funding-public-media-global" target="_self">local news</a> organizations could soon become law, pending Gov. Gavin Newsom&#x27;s signature. Why it matters: Local news advocates believe the first-of-its kind measure, if signed into law, would represent the country&#x27;s largest single-state investment in community news ever.

San Francisco unemployment rate dips to 4.1% in June

San Francisco added 14,500 jobs over the past year.

San Francisco&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unemployment rate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/jobless-claims-unemployment-ai" data-vars-content-id="32dfa025-22a8-4e71-b2c4-8c2bedf70cca" data-vars-headline="San Francisco unemployment rate dips to 4.1% in June" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/23/jobless-claims-unemployment-ai" target="_self">unemployment rate</a> fell to a seasonally adjusted 4.1% in June as the national rate ticked down, new federal data shows.Why it matters: San Francisco&#x27;s unemployment rate is 0.1 percentage points below the national rate, and a bit higher than half of the areas surveyed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="jobs report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm" data-vars-content-id="32dfa025-22a8-4e71-b2c4-8c2bedf70cca" data-vars-headline="San Francisco unemployment rate dips to 4.1% in June" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.nr0.htm" target="_blank">jobs report</a>.

How America is adapting to climate extremes

Communities are adopting new ways to prepare for floods, wildfires, heat and hurricanes.

Climate adaptation is increasingly moving from planning to real-world action as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate/extreme-weather" data-vars-content-id="9b09ec47-3ccd-4221-9ec6-feb810dba399" data-vars-headline="How America is adapting to climate extremes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate/extreme-weather" target="_self">heat</a> waves, droughts, wildfires, floods and hurricanes test communities across the U.S.Why it matters: Even if greenhouse gas emissions decline, many communities are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already facing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/01/rainstorms-intense-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="9b09ec47-3ccd-4221-9ec6-feb810dba399" data-vars-headline="How America is adapting to climate extremes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/01/rainstorms-intense-climate-change" target="_self">already facing</a> more frequent or intense <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate/climate-change" data-vars-content-id="9b09ec47-3ccd-4221-9ec6-feb810dba399" data-vars-headline="How America is adapting to climate extremes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate/climate-change" target="_self">climate</a> extremes, prompting officials to invest in infrastructure designed to reduce future damage.

The grid's climate stress test

Every heat wave is becoming a stress test for tomorrow's electric grid.

A series of dangerous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat waves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/wildfire-weather-firework-bans-july-4-weekend" data-vars-content-id="42106a81-a9b9-4e0f-aff2-f4d91cac0225" data-vars-headline="The grid&#x27;s climate stress test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/wildfire-weather-firework-bans-july-4-weekend" target="_self">heat waves</a> this summer — including one that has left 17 states under an emergency federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.energy.gov/documents/doe-order-no-202-26-37" data-vars-content-id="42106a81-a9b9-4e0f-aff2-f4d91cac0225" data-vars-headline="The grid&#x27;s climate stress test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.energy.gov/documents/doe-order-no-202-26-37" target="_blank">order</a> — are putting the electric grid under an intense real-world stress test.Why it matters: Successive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer heat waves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" data-vars-content-id="42106a81-a9b9-4e0f-aff2-f4d91cac0225" data-vars-headline="The grid&#x27;s climate stress test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/06/us-heat-wave-death-toll-july-2026" target="_self">summer heat waves</a> are forcing utilities to rethink how they prepare the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grid" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate" data-vars-content-id="42106a81-a9b9-4e0f-aff2-f4d91cac0225" data-vars-headline="The grid&#x27;s climate stress test" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/energy-climate" target="_self">grid</a> for longer and more frequent periods of extreme stress.

Local bookstores are betting community beats convenience

Once left for dead, SF booksellers are thriving again

San Francisco&#x27;s newest bookstores are betting community beats convenience.Why it matters: Once left for dead in the wake of Amazon&#x27;s rise, independent and chain booksellers have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pulled off a stunning turnaround" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/bookstores-barnes-noble-james-daunt" data-vars-content-id="a650767a-e75c-4429-8e45-a68afbd8e05f" data-vars-headline="Local bookstores are betting community beats convenience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/03/bookstores-barnes-noble-james-daunt" target="_self">pulled off a stunning turnaround</a>, opening new stores and reporting higher sales.

How to survive San Francisco's brutal rental market

Record rents and AI-driven demand are making apartment searches brutal.

Looking for a new apartment? Maybe reconsider.The big picture: San Francisco&#x27;s market is rough right now — so rough that some real estate professionals&#x27; top advice is to just stay put if you can.

Your last-minute Labor Day weekend guide

Fill your long weekend with free shows, art, festivals, comedy and more.

Still figuring out Labor Day plans? We&#x27;ve got you.The big picture: From free Shakespeare plays and museum admission to block parties and comedy, there&#x27;s plenty happening in San Francisco this long weekend.

It's Friday SF News Quiz time

Nice to see you again! Come test your street smarts

Week one of August is in the books, and you&#x27;re doing great.Now come test your smarts when it comes to this week&#x27;s news.

More summer concerts could be coming to Golden Gate Park

A new deal lets the Outside Lands promoter extend the summer festival season.

More big music festivals may be coming to Golden Gate Park each summer thanks to an agreement that would let the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Outside Lands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/05/13/outside-lands-food-2026-original-joes-balboa-cafe-perrys-san-francisco" data-vars-content-id="0fe6be36-a427-4659-be5d-1fc63ed9cb62" data-vars-headline="More summer concerts could be coming to Golden Gate Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/05/13/outside-lands-food-2026-original-joes-balboa-cafe-perrys-san-francisco" target="_self">Outside Lands</a> promoter host additional concerts through 2029.Why it matters: City leaders see the shows as a way of generating revenue for parks and local businesses while building on the success of Outside Lands. But for some westside residents, it could also mean more weeks of traffic, noise and road closures.

5 Marin hikes for San Franciscans obsessed with the outdoors

Redwoods, beaches, waterfalls and coastal bluffs await.

You don&#x27;t have to go far from the city to get out in nature. <ul><li>Within an hour of San Francisco, you can hike through redwood forests, along dramatic cliffs, around quiet lakes, and to waterfalls that empty onto the beach — all before making it home for dinner.</li></ul>

Adult summer camp craze takes off in California

These getaways promise unplugged weekends and the kind of friendships many people miss.

Summer camp isn&#x27;t just for kids anymore.The big picture: Adventure and connection seekers in California are increasingly signing up for grownup versions, complete with zip lines, campfires and speed-friending.

San Francisco overhauls how it contracts for homelessness services

The city plans to set stronger performance standards as it re-awards contracts through May 2029.

San Francisco is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="overhauling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sf.gov/hsh-procurement-overview" data-vars-content-id="12496ee0-0097-4e07-89c6-7ca15498b220" data-vars-headline="San Francisco overhauls how it contracts for homelessness services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sf.gov/hsh-procurement-overview" target="_blank">overhauling</a> every contract it uses to provide homelessness services, putting more focus on whether the city&#x27;s programs are effective in helping people move toward stable housing.Why it matters: The city spends <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lurie-prop-c-homeless-funding-22272859.php" data-vars-content-id="12496ee0-0097-4e07-89c6-7ca15498b220" data-vars-headline="San Francisco overhauls how it contracts for homelessness services" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/lurie-prop-c-homeless-funding-22272859.php" target="_blank">hundreds of millions</a> of dollars annually on homelessness, but officials and critics have long questioned whether that money is translating into better outcomes.

California vows to fight Trump's mail-in voting order

State officials are preparing for another legal fight before the midterms.

California&#x27;s vote-by-mail system faces new uncertainty less than three months before the midterms after the Supreme Court on Monday allowed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="executive order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" target="_self">executive order</a> restricting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in voting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" target="_self">mail-in voting</a> to move forward.Why it matters: The decision could upend the midterms, but the legal battle is far from over and the exact effect on California&#x27;s upcoming elections remains unclear.

Scott Wiener's AI chatbot controversy, explained

The campaign experiment became a warning about the political risks of generative AI.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State Sen. Scott Wiener&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" data-vars-content-id="7d625565-55c0-4aca-813b-445d017ce701" data-vars-headline="Scott Wiener&#x27;s AI chatbot controversy, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" target="_self">State Sen. Scott Wiener&#x27;s</a> AI chatbot targeting congressional rival <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Connie Chan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/11/20/connie-chan-pelosi-congress-race" data-vars-content-id="7d625565-55c0-4aca-813b-445d017ce701" data-vars-headline="Scott Wiener&#x27;s AI chatbot controversy, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/11/20/connie-chan-pelosi-congress-race" target="_self">Connie Chan</a> was meant to turn her record into an interactive campaign attack.<ul><li>Instead, it&#x27;s become a case study in what happens when campaigns hand a generative AI system an opponent&#x27;s identity and then promptly lose control over what it says.</li></ul>

Gavin Newsom affair returns to spotlight as Ruby Rippey speaks out

Rippey says she's reclaiming a story that has been told only through Newsom's lens.

The woman at the center of Gavin Newsom&#x27;s biggest political scandal is telling her story for the first time, reviving a chapter of San Francisco political history as the governor faces fresh national scrutiny ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid.Why it matters: For many longtime San Franciscans, the extramarital affair is old news — a scandal that rocked City Hall and almost ended Newsom&#x27;s career nearly 20 years ago.

Five new laws taking effect this month

Here's what changes for schools, restaurants, streaming services and more.

Numerous new laws come on the books in California on Wednesday.The big picture: State lawmakers introduced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 2,400 bills in 2025" data-vars-click-url="https://capitolweekly.net/bill-volume-of-california-legislative-committees-2025-session/" data-vars-content-id="e933cbf0-3cdb-4c9d-9a3f-31be0b138b52" data-vars-headline="Five new laws taking effect this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://capitolweekly.net/bill-volume-of-california-legislative-committees-2025-session/" target="_blank">nearly 2,400 bills in 2025</a>, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed about 800 of them into law.Here are five you should know about:

San Diego

Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor's race

Hilton had 25% of the vote and Becerra 27.9% with 91% of the vote counted this evening.

Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra are headed to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/06/03/san-francisco-california-self-funded-candidates-chakrabarti-steyer-election-results" data-vars-content-id="0b1a3228-7252-4c9d-83e1-2b0ed32c2e70" data-vars-headline="Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/06/03/san-francisco-california-self-funded-candidates-chakrabarti-steyer-election-results" target="_self">California governor&#x27;s race</a> in November, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Associated Press" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-primary-results-governor/" data-vars-content-id="0b1a3228-7252-4c9d-83e1-2b0ed32c2e70" data-vars-headline="Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-primary-results-governor/" target="_blank">Associated Press</a>.The big picture: With 91% of the vote counted as of Tuesday evening: <ul><li>Hilton has 25% of the vote and Becerra 27.9%.</li><li>The top two vote-getters, regardless of party, face off in November.</li></ul>

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