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Inside San Quentin's effort to redefine prison life

A former symbol of mass incarceration now trains inmates in coding, journalism and filmmaking.

News

For decades, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Quentin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/04/02/san-quentin-state-prison-rehabilitation-project?utm_" data-vars-content-id="a4818f4a-c154-44c2-b995-6a40d40eba5a" data-vars-headline="Inside San Quentin&#x27;s effort to redefine prison life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/04/02/san-quentin-state-prison-rehabilitation-project?utm_" target="_self">San Quentin</a> stood as a symbol of America&#x27;s harshest era of incarceration, housing California&#x27;s death row and many of the state&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dangerous offenders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-inmates-at-san-quentin-state-prison/treadlightly" data-vars-content-id="a4818f4a-c154-44c2-b995-6a40d40eba5a" data-vars-headline="Inside San Quentin&#x27;s effort to redefine prison life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-inmates-at-san-quentin-state-prison/treadlightly" target="_blank">dangerous offenders</a>.The big picture: But now, in a transformation that would have sounded implausible even a decade ago, the state&#x27;s oldest prison is trying to reinvent itself as something closer to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scandinavian-style" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48885846" data-vars-content-id="a4818f4a-c154-44c2-b995-6a40d40eba5a" data-vars-headline="Inside San Quentin&#x27;s effort to redefine prison life" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48885846" target="_blank">Scandinavian-style</a> rehabilitation facility — one centered on education and second chances.

Nothing quizzical about the Friday SF News Quiz!

If there's a better way to start a long holiday weekend, we don't wanna know about it.

A long and overindulgent weekend awaits, but before that, we are back for another edition of your favorite thing on the internet.<ul><li>That&#x27;s right, it&#x27;s Friday SF News Quiz time! Time to test your smarts. </li></ul>

Nancy Pelosi backs Connie Chan in high-stakes congressional race

Pelosi's endorsement gives Connie Chan a late boost as voters cast ballots.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Supervisor <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="fea9a81e-3a9a-4852-b4d0-af7bc7bdf063" data-vars-headline="Nancy Pelosi backs Connie Chan in high-stakes congressional 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/2025/11/20/connie-chan-pelosi-congress-race" target="_self">Connie Chan</a> this week in the race to<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" succeed her in Congress" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/08/san-francisco-pelosi-successor-congress-race-2026-district-11" data-vars-content-id="fea9a81e-3a9a-4852-b4d0-af7bc7bdf063" data-vars-headline="Nancy Pelosi backs Connie Chan in high-stakes congressional 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/2026/01/08/san-francisco-pelosi-successor-congress-race-2026-district-11" target="_self"> succeed her in Congress</a>, delivering a major boost to a candidate who has struggled to keep pace with her better-funded rivals.Why it matters: Pelosi&#x27;s 11th-hour backing could prove decisive in the high-stakes primary, potentially helping consolidate traditional Democratic voters behind Chan while tying her candidacy to one of the most powerful political networks in the country.

The Bay Area's first World Cup match kicks off in a month

The region is bracing for crowds, transit rushes and fan events.

Sports

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/01/bay-area-2026-world-cup-plans" data-vars-content-id="4f3ebb93-af95-470c-954b-326efa9d937f" data-vars-headline="The Bay Area&#x27;s first World Cup match kicks off in a month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/01/bay-area-2026-world-cup-plans" target="_self">FIFA World Cup</a> kicks off June 11 across the U.S., Mexico and Canada.The big picture: The Bay Area&#x27;s first matchup begins in exactly one month, with Group B action between Qatar and Switzerland set for Saturday, June 13. The area&#x27;s final game will be played July 1.

Lessons we learned from our mothers

Nadia and Shawna share what their moms taught them.

Culture

Bust out the Kleenex. Ahead of this year&#x27;s Mother&#x27;s Day, we&#x27;re going to share &quot;1 big lesson&quot; from our moms that still guides us. <ul><li>Turns out, they were right.</li></ul>

Chonkers enters his merch era

The internet-famous sea lion's celebrity status just reached new heights.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chonkers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/04/28/giant-sea-lion-chonkers-pier-39" data-vars-content-id="ce220692-4ade-4bd2-b791-96b0fa487ce1" data-vars-headline="Chonkers enters his merch era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/04/28/giant-sea-lion-chonkers-pier-39" target="_self">Chonkers</a> is getting his own mini-me after soaring to new celebrity heights.State of play: Fans crowding the docks for a glimpse of the giant Steller sea lion can now buy their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="own Chonkers plushie" data-vars-click-url="https://shop.marinemammalcenter.org/products/chonkers-steller-sea-lion-plush" data-vars-content-id="ce220692-4ade-4bd2-b791-96b0fa487ce1" data-vars-headline="Chonkers enters his merch era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://shop.marinemammalcenter.org/products/chonkers-steller-sea-lion-plush" target="_blank">own Chonkers plushie</a> from the Marine Mammal Center for $24.95.

What San Francisco readers really think about Waymo

Waymo hints at safer streets, but trust issues and strange behavior still shape rider opinion.

Transit

Self-driving cars have become as much a part of San Francisco&#x27;s streetscape as cable cars and fog, but the rise of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/28/waymo-san-francisco-driverless-car" data-vars-content-id="7fe71ae4-b189-48c0-a2bd-384a815cb060" data-vars-headline="What San Francisco readers really think about Waymo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/28/waymo-san-francisco-driverless-car" target="_self">Waymo</a> has brought a mix of optimism, skepticism and at times <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outright bewilderment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/09/waymo-outage-stalled-response-delay" data-vars-content-id="7fe71ae4-b189-48c0-a2bd-384a815cb060" data-vars-headline="What San Francisco readers really think about Waymo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/09/waymo-outage-stalled-response-delay" target="_self">outright bewilderment</a>.<ul><li>Robotaxi backers cite sharply lower pedestrian <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="injury rates," data-vars-click-url="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://waymo.com/safety/impact&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1777669668294700&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Mr4NLs4adoQ2W54wr77qz" data-vars-content-id="7fe71ae4-b189-48c0-a2bd-384a815cb060" data-vars-headline="What San Francisco readers really think about Waymo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://waymo.com/safety/impact&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1777669668294700&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Mr4NLs4adoQ2W54wr77qz" target="_blank">injury rates,</a> but concerns over driving performance, data privacy and jobs continue to drive resistance. </li></ul>We invited readers to weigh in with their Waymo stories — here&#x27;s what you shared.

What time is it? Friday SF News Quiz time!

Test your knowledge of the city's news from the past week.

Another Friday is upon us and I can say with certainty that Axios SF is ready for some weekend sprawl.<ul><li>But before the lounging begins, there&#x27;s weekly news quiz business to attend to. It&#x27;s time to test your city smarts.</li></ul>

San Francisco style makes an appearance at SFMOMA's Art Bash

From handmade suits to vintage glam, partygoers showed how SF style has evolved.

San Francisco does not have a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reputation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/11/san-francisco-tech-fashion-culture-hoodies-patagonia-vests-average-boring" data-vars-content-id="f43a1e44-3d67-4cde-b2b8-103fd35135a3" data-vars-headline="San Francisco style makes an appearance at SFMOMA&#x27;s Art Bash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/11/san-francisco-tech-fashion-culture-hoodies-patagonia-vests-average-boring" target="_self">reputation</a> for dressing up. But on occasion, the city proves otherwise. The big picture: One of those rarefied occasions is during Art Bash, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most anticipated party" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/04/16/what-to-expect-at-sfmoma-s-art-bash" data-vars-content-id="f43a1e44-3d67-4cde-b2b8-103fd35135a3" data-vars-headline="San Francisco style makes an appearance at SFMOMA&#x27;s Art Bash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/04/16/what-to-expect-at-sfmoma-s-art-bash" target="_self">most anticipated party</a> of the year and its biggest annual fundraiser.

Chonkers the giant sea lion steals the show at Pier 39

The big guy was quickly dubbed "Chonkus Maximus," "Chungus Maximus" and even Mr. "Steal Your Girl" on Reddit.

San Francisco has a new &quot;sea-lebrity.&quot;State of play: Chonkers, a 2,000-pound Steller sea lion, has taken the internet by storm since he was first sighted lounging at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pier 39" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/06/11/pier-39-fishermans-wharf-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="88246811-8c3a-4655-9117-da5acb8afbfb" data-vars-headline="Chonkers the giant sea lion steals the show at Pier 39" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/06/11/pier-39-fishermans-wharf-redevelopment" target="_self">Pier 39</a> about three weeks ago.

Finding pieces of SF in Asia

From miniatures of iconic buildings to a spacious Tartine eatery, I saw plenty of references to our city on my most recent trip.

You can take the girl out of San Francisco, but you can&#x27;t take San Francisco out of the girl. That old adage was apparent to me during my recent trip to Taiwan and South Korea.State of play: I spotted several glimpses of our city in the unlikeliest of places, a comforting reminder that home has a way of following you, even halfway across the world.

San Francisco readers share mixed feelings on generative AI

Some readers embrace AI for efficiency, while others raise ethical and environmental concerns.

Business

Last week we asked you, our readers, for your thoughts — good, bad or otherwise — on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="generative AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/ai-elite-vs-ai-skeptic-doomer" data-vars-content-id="272c7019-8cb8-46d6-b0f3-11a02d3a51f6" data-vars-headline="San Francisco readers share mixed feelings on generative AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/ai-elite-vs-ai-skeptic-doomer" target="_self">generative AI</a>.Why it matters: As AI spreads across daily life, public opinion is fractured on how quickly and widely the technology should be adopted.

San Francisco drivers respond: To tow or not to tow?

Many locals say they tow immediately, while others wait before escalating.

Neighborhoods

Few parking missteps trigger backlash in San Francisco faster than a car blocking someone&#x27;s driveway.We asked readers to weigh in: When someone&#x27;s blocking your driveway, do you tow or give the driver a chance to move? And street parkers, what&#x27;s fair game?<ul><li>Here&#x27;s what you said.</li></ul>

Culture

1 blast from the past: San Francisco's 90s goth revival

The Bay Area's first World Cup match kicks off in a month

How to celebrate Mother's Day

Lessons we learned from our mothers

Chonkers enters his merch era