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Where Flock watches us in San Francisco

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

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>.

News

The San Francisco Opera's orchestra strike wiped out opening weekend and now the labor standoff threatens to stretch deeper into the company's new season.

Why it matters: The labor dispute is exposing a bigger fight over how one of San Francisco's marquee cultural institutions can balance its financial pressures with the cost of paying musicians in one of the country's most expensive cities.

Driving the news: Orchestra musicians went on strike Saturday, forcing the Opera to cancel the opening-night performance of Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra." Sunday's free Opera in the Park concert was also canceled.

Thursday's performance of "Simon Boccanegra" could be next if the two sides don't reach a deal, the San Francisco Standard reports.

State of play: The musicians' contract expired July 31. The fight centers on compensation and the amount of work they're being guaranteed.

Musicians say management initially proposed a 26% pay cut and later offered a five-year wage freeze that they argue would amount to roughly a 20% inflation-adjusted cut, per the Standard.

Opera leadership says its latest proposal would keep musicians' annual compensation level while restructuring guaranteed hours that it says no longer reflect the company's current performance schedule.

The big picture: The strike is the Opera's most significant labor disruption in decades. The last time a labor dispute forced the cancellation of opening weekend was in 1990, per the Standard.

Follow the money: The Opera says it faces a roughly $15 million annual structural deficit and is drawing heavily from its endowment to cover the gap, per the New York Times.

Musicians counter that ticket sales, donations and other indicators have been improving, while pointing to rising executive compensation as evidence that they shouldn't bear the brunt of cuts, per the Standard.

The intrigue: Music director Eun Sun Kim told musicians she would resign in solidarity if they went on strike, two orchestra members told the Chronicle.

The Opera confirmed Kim expressed solidarity but hasn't announced a change in her status.

What's next: Both sides say they're willing to keep negotiating. For now, Thursday's curtain remains the next deadline.

San Francisco Opera faces its biggest labor dispute in decades

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

Signage for the War Memorial Opera House, San Francisco, California, January 22, 2026. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)



Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images

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.

Culture

Music

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

State of play: The museum extended the exhibition's run due to popular demand. It centers on Henri Matisse's 1905 portrait of his wife, Amélie. The painting's unconventional colors and loose brushstrokes caused a stir when it debuted.

The show traces the painting's controversial reception and its influence on generations of artists.

Between the lines: SFMOMA is also hosting three Matisse-inspired art-making events this month — including opportunities to paint, play with color and, naturally, make your own chapeau.

🎨 Sunday, Sept. 13: Paint landscapes using vivid colors from 10am–1pm. Free and family friendly. Museum admission isn't required.

🖌️ Thursday, Sept. 17: Make hats, paint boldly colored portraits or draw something that breaks the rules. 6–8pm.

🖼️ Sunday, Sept. 20: Artist Marco Flavio leads a close-looking exercise followed by a watercolor and color study at 2pm. Recommended for ages 14 and up.

If you go: Running through Sept. 27 at 151 3rd St. 

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

A vivid interior: a woman in a pink satin dress sits on the floor beside a green satin bed, with a round table of wine and snacks, a small dog underneath, and bold paintings on a pink wall behind.

Photo: Courtesy of Hilary Harkness, Answered Prayers, 2024; collection of KAWS; © Hilary Harkness; courtesy Hilary Harkness and P·P·O·W, New York.
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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.

Things to Do

Gov. Gavin Newsom says there's one person who could keep him out of the 2028 presidential race: Kamala Harris.

Why it matters: Newsom's announcement that he won't run if Harris does puts the former VP in an unusual position: Her decision could help determine whether another of California's most prominent Democrats enters what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary.

It also allows Newsom to publicly show deference to Harris — his longtime political contemporary dating back to their days in San Francisco — without closing the door on his own ambitions if she sits the race out.

Driving the news: Newsom told CNN's Jake Tapper this week that he would not run for president if the former vice president launches another White House bid.

"I wouldn't run if she ran," Newsom said, arguing that their overlapping networks of supporters, friends and donors could make a head-to-head contest damaging to both.

Between the lines: Newsom has done little to quiet speculation about his national ambitions.

He's made two trips this year to South Carolina, the first state on the Democratic presidential nominating calendar, while expanding his national profile through campaigning, media appearances and his podcast, the New York Times reports.

Some Democratic strategists view his deference to Harris as politically advantageous whether or not she ultimately runs, per the SF Chronicle.

The move could be politically useful for Newsom as it allows him to signal respect for a longtime ally and her supporters.

By the numbers: Newsom is ending his term-limited time as governor with relatively strong approval ratings: 51% of Californians approve of his job performance, including 76% of Democrats, per a new PPIC statewide survey. 

PPIC's historical polling shows his overall approval at this point in his tenure is higher than that of previous incumbent governors at the same stage of their terms.

Harris hasn't made up her mind and said recently that she's focused on helping Democrats in the midterms, according to the LA Times.

Going forward, Newsom has made his position clear. Now the question is what Harris does with it.

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.

Photo: Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images

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.

Politics

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's still working to bring more foot traffic back after office hours.

🥨 The vibe: Expect polka, yodeling, stein-holding and plenty of beer, plus live music, food specials, costume contests and themed games.

Ladyhosen, a Bavarian-style polka and yodeling band, and the cover band Pop Rocks will perform. Participants are encouraged to break out their lederhosen and dirndls.

Food and drinks will be available from Schroeder's, Harrington's Bar & Grill and Royal Exchange.

By the numbers: More than 6,000 people attended last year's Oktoberfest on Front, per organizers.

The broader Front Street Entertainment Zone has drawn more than 70,000 visitors across 17 events since launching in September 2024.

🍺 Catch up quick: Oktoberfest began in 1810 in Munich, Germany, as a celebration of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese.   Eventually, it evolved into an annual festival known for beer, Bavarian food, traditional dress, music and dancing.

The tradition was later brought stateside by German immigrants, who helped inspire celebrations across the U.S.

Flashback: The city's celebration grew out of a longstanding Oktoberfest tradition at Schroeder's, the city's oldest Bavarian beer hall.

If you go: The party runs 2–10pm today in downtown. Admission is free. 

San Francisco Oktoberfest brings beer and lederhosen downtown

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

Triptych of a city street festival with revelers in lederhosen and dirndls. Left shows orange inflatable pretzels; center friends smile with beer; right crowd toasts mugs in brown Oktoberfest hats.

Makes me want a pretzel real bad. Photos: Courtesy of The Downtown SF Partnership

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.

Nadia Lopez

Featured stories

San Francisco Oktoberfest brings beer and lederhosen downtown

Newsom's 2028 plans could hinge on Harris' decision

San Francisco Opera faces its biggest labor dispute in decades

Where Flock watches us in San Francisco

SFMOMA extends exhibit on scandalous Matisse portrait