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Violent crime drops in SF as major U.S. cities see broad declines

The stats counter the crime-related reasons Trump cited for wanting to send federal troops to Democratic-run cities.

News

​​<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Violent crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/04/cities-homicide-rates-fall-2025" data-vars-content-id="039fed98-9fc4-468e-b624-4533b49b73b2" data-vars-headline="Violent crime drops in SF as major U.S. cities see broad declines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/04/cities-homicide-rates-fall-2025" target="_self">Violent crime</a> dropped sharply across America&#x27;s biggest cities — including San Francisco — in 2025, according to data reviewed by Axios.Why it matters: The stats point toward a sustained San Francisco recovery, away from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doom-loop narrative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-takeaways" data-vars-content-id="039fed98-9fc4-468e-b624-4533b49b73b2" data-vars-headline="Violent crime drops in SF as major U.S. cities see broad declines" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/09/super-bowl-lx-takeaways" target="_self">doom-loop narrative</a> that has dogged the city since the pandemic.

SF moves to ban ICE activity on city property

State and local governments are increasingly working to put guardrails on federal immigration enforcement.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved legislation Tuesday that would ban <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/29/super-bowl-security-immigrants-fear" data-vars-content-id="2e19a8b5-7ae8-458e-9d5f-a352e35933a2" data-vars-headline="SF moves to ban ICE activity on city property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/29/super-bowl-security-immigrants-fear" target="_self">federal immigration enforcement</a> activities on San Francisco city property in a push to create &quot;ICE-free zones.&quot;Why it matters: San Francisco is the latest Bay Area city to pass this kind of measure as elected officials across the country test the extent to which they can counter President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration blitz" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/27/bay-area-sf-federal-immigration-crackdown-fears-immigrant-anxiety" data-vars-content-id="2e19a8b5-7ae8-458e-9d5f-a352e35933a2" data-vars-headline="SF moves to ban ICE activity on city property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/27/bay-area-sf-federal-immigration-crackdown-fears-immigrant-anxiety" target="_self">immigration blitz</a>.

A.C.T. makes "Paranormal Activity" feel real

Live stage horror from a Harry Potter veteran make this ACT show gasp-worthy.

Culture

It&#x27;s been a while since I&#x27;ve screamed in the theater, but a theatrical adaption of &quot;Paranormal Activity&quot; isn&#x27;t standard fare for San Francisco — especially with live poltergeists in the mix.Catch up quick: The play, which premiered on the West End in December 2025, is loosely based on the &quot;Paranormal Activity&quot; film franchise, which reimagines the haunted house genre through security cameras and found footage.

What ChatGPT thinks about San Francisco

The AI model often elevates the city in innovation, culture and quality of life.

Large language models (LLMs) such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" data-vars-content-id="46f691a9-9350-48a8-a293-1c57a3470771" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT thinks about San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" target="_self">ChatGPT</a> often boost San Francisco in city comparison rankings, underscoring how deeply the AI&#x27;s training data is steeped in the internet&#x27;s Silicon Valley narratives, a new study finds. Why it matters: As AI tools increasingly shape how people judge cities, their built-in geographic biases risk reinforcing the same tech-centric SF hierarchies that already dominate the online realm.

SF teachers strike ends after reaching tentative deal

The tentative agreement includes pay raises and fully funded family health care coverage.

San Francisco public <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school teachers&#x27; historic strike" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/10/san-francisco-teachers-strike-schools-closed-contract-talks-health-care-pay" data-vars-content-id="eaf9564a-b829-4f38-80ae-10c384d7e425" data-vars-headline="SF teachers strike ends after reaching tentative deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/10/san-francisco-teachers-strike-schools-closed-contract-talks-health-care-pay" target="_self">school teachers&#x27; historic strike</a> ended Friday morning after the union and district officials reached a tentative agreement that increases salaries and provides fully funded family health care.The big picture: The United Educators of San Francisco&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first strike since 1979" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/02/san-francisco-teachers-strike-uesf-vote-sfusd-contract-talks" data-vars-content-id="eaf9564a-b829-4f38-80ae-10c384d7e425" data-vars-headline="SF teachers strike ends after reaching tentative deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/02/san-francisco-teachers-strike-uesf-vote-sfusd-contract-talks" target="_self">first strike since 1979</a> shut down schools citywide starting Monday, affecting roughly 50,000 students.

Historic teacher strike shuts down San Francisco schools

Contract talks stalled over pay and health care as schools close across SF for a second day.

Hundreds of educators, students and parents rallied outside City Hall Monday as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Francisco public school teachers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/02/san-francisco-teachers-strike-uesf-vote-sfusd-contract-talks" data-vars-content-id="bb46e473-6006-487e-85bf-ea80ecf77c6c" data-vars-headline="Historic teacher strike shuts down San Francisco schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/02/san-francisco-teachers-strike-uesf-vote-sfusd-contract-talks" target="_self">San Francisco public school teachers</a> went on strike, closing schools amid ongoing contract talks with the district.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strike," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/02/san-francisco-teachers-strike-uesf-vote-sfusd-contract-talks" data-vars-content-id="bb46e473-6006-487e-85bf-ea80ecf77c6c" data-vars-headline="Historic teacher strike shuts down San Francisco schools" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/02/san-francisco-teachers-strike-uesf-vote-sfusd-contract-talks" target="_self">strike,</a> called by United Educators of San Francisco after months of stalled negotiations over raises and health care benefits, shut down schools citywide this week, affecting roughly 50,000 students.

SF public schools brace for historic teacher strike

The strike could start as soon as Feb. 4.

San Francisco public school teachers have overwhelmingly authorized a strike that could begin as soon as Wednesday — the first teachers strike since 1979.Why it matters: A strike could shut down classrooms and disrupt families citywide.

A new Vanderbilt University campus is coming to SF

The deal means California College of the Arts, SF's oldest art school, will close  to make way for the expansion.

Vanderbilt University will establish a new campus in San Francisco at the site currently housing the California College of the Arts (CCA) after it winds down operations in 2027, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced Tuesday.Why it matters: Vanderbilt&#x27;s acquisition marks the potential for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/25/sf-office-rebound-ai-leases-foot-traffic" data-vars-content-id="b7692664-b5c5-4774-84e8-f19f8452d0ad" data-vars-headline="A new Vanderbilt University campus is coming to SF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/25/sf-office-rebound-ai-leases-foot-traffic" target="_self">new growth</a>, which Lurie lauded in remarks to the press, but deals a huge blow to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an arts community" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfexaminer.com/culture/visual-arts/save-sf-art/article_11136292-d01e-4d35-9fff-1d8464d8ada6.html" data-vars-content-id="b7692664-b5c5-4774-84e8-f19f8452d0ad" data-vars-headline="A new Vanderbilt University campus is coming to SF" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/culture/visual-arts/save-sf-art/article_11136292-d01e-4d35-9fff-1d8464d8ada6.html" target="_blank">an arts community</a> that continues to face funding cuts and displacement due to the AI boom.

Exclusive: AI tutors coming to California Community Colleges

Nectir's platform offers customizable 24/7 chatbots tailored to specific course materials.

California Community Colleges (CCC) is partnering with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI company Nectir" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nectir.io/" data-vars-content-id="45631562-f73c-4519-9a40-d017e9e28248" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: AI tutors coming to California Community Colleges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nectir.io/" target="_blank">AI company Nectir</a> to launch an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI learning assistant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/19/workers-ai-skills-microsoft-copilot-udemy" data-vars-content-id="45631562-f73c-4519-9a40-d017e9e28248" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: AI tutors coming to California Community Colleges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/19/workers-ai-skills-microsoft-copilot-udemy" target="_self">AI learning assistant</a> for its 2.1 million students, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Despite concerns around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI-driven learning loss" data-vars-click-url="https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/without-guardrails-generative-ai-can-harm-education/" data-vars-content-id="45631562-f73c-4519-9a40-d017e9e28248" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: AI tutors coming to California Community Colleges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/without-guardrails-generative-ai-can-harm-education/" target="_blank">AI-driven learning loss</a>, the technology is here to stay, and education experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI literacy" data-vars-click-url="https://openpraxis.org/articles/10.55982/openpraxis.16.3.739" data-vars-content-id="45631562-f73c-4519-9a40-d017e9e28248" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: AI tutors coming to California Community Colleges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://openpraxis.org/articles/10.55982/openpraxis.16.3.739" target="_blank">AI literacy</a> will be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly crucial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-04583-8#Sec18" data-vars-content-id="45631562-f73c-4519-9a40-d017e9e28248" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: AI tutors coming to California Community Colleges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-04583-8#Sec18" target="_blank">increasingly crucial</a> for future generations.

How Bay Area universities compare in 2026 U.S. News rankings

Scores are largely based on student outcomes like graduation rates, debt and earnings.

The San Francisco Bay Area&#x27;s universities remain among the top public universities in the U.S., according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. News &amp; World Report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="7fd6d054-a650-4425-8396-c5de4b884943" data-vars-headline="How Bay Area universities compare in 2026 U.S. News rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">U.S. News &amp; World Report</a>.Why it matters: Many prospective students, parents and school counselors use the annual rankings as a guide when choosing colleges and universities.<ul><li>The majority of a school&#x27;s overall score is based on student outcomes like graduation rates, student debt and earnings.</li></ul>

SF schools to replace ethnic studies curriculum amid backlash

SFUSD's curriculum has evolved to include lessons that don't reflect its "true tenets," superintendent Maria Su says.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Francisco Unified School District" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/education" data-vars-content-id="441a70d9-452c-4056-898c-e4ee606b9a83" data-vars-headline="SF schools to replace ethnic studies curriculum amid backlash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/education" target="_self">San Francisco Unified School District</a> (SFUSD) is overhauling its ethnic studies curriculum to add what superintendent Maria Su called &quot;guardrails&quot; in a Monday interview.Why it matters: San Francisco high schools&#x27; ethnic studies classes, which started as an elective in 2010, became the target of controversy in recent months as some parents accused the district of peddling division and promoting antisemitism, among other concerns.

UC Berkeley, Stanford face risk as Trump administration targets international students

The Trump administration's crackdown on student visas is already affecting universities like UC Berkeley.

California has more international students than any other state, per data from NAFSA, an international education nonprofit.Why it matters: The Trump administration is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="halting student visa interviews" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/27/student-visas-trump-social-media" data-vars-content-id="77fb887a-d881-4a8e-8b18-c534085b9b4e" data-vars-headline="UC Berkeley, Stanford face risk as Trump administration targets international students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/27/student-visas-trump-social-media" target="_self">halting student visa interviews</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revoking visas for Chinese students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/student-visas-china-us-rubio" data-vars-content-id="77fb887a-d881-4a8e-8b18-c534085b9b4e" data-vars-headline="UC Berkeley, Stanford face risk as Trump administration targets international students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/student-visas-china-us-rubio" target="_self">revoking visas for Chinese students</a> amid a political pressure campaign against colleges and universities and a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broader immigration crackdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/immigration-ice-deportations-stephen-miller" data-vars-content-id="77fb887a-d881-4a8e-8b18-c534085b9b4e" data-vars-headline="UC Berkeley, Stanford face risk as Trump administration targets international students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/28/immigration-ice-deportations-stephen-miller" target="_self">broader immigration crackdown</a>.

University of California drops diversity statement mandate for faculty hiring

The move comes as the Council of UC Faculty Associations voices concern about UC caving to pressure from Trump.

The University of California will no longer require diversity statements in faculty hiring, provost Katherine Newman said Wednesday.Why it matters: The UC system&#x27;s move comes as the Trump administration cracks down on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="diversity, equity and inclusion efforts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/17/trump-federal-funding-race-diversity-schools-education" data-vars-content-id="99634dc6-7802-4053-8ab4-24d633002372" data-vars-headline="University of California drops diversity statement mandate for faculty hiring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/17/trump-federal-funding-race-diversity-schools-education" target="_self">diversity, equity and inclusion efforts</a> across the nation and threatens to withdraw federal funding from academic institutions with policies related to race or diversity.

California to consider guaranteed income pilot for homeless youth

Roughly 17,000 12th graders in California experienced homelessness during the 2023-24 academic year.

A bill that would establish a guaranteed income pilot for homeless 12th-grade students in California will hit the state Senate Education Committee floor Wednesday.Why it matters: Youth homelessness has been on the rise <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/01/08/california-homeless-population-growth-pace" data-vars-content-id="dafc7c7c-3442-46b0-8e5f-dd0194d5aa12" data-vars-headline="California to consider guaranteed income pilot for homeless youth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/01/08/california-homeless-population-growth-pace" target="_self">across the state</a>, with many <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at higher risk" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nn4youth.org/wp-content/uploads/Issue-Brief_Consequences-of-Youth-Homelessness.pdf" data-vars-content-id="dafc7c7c-3442-46b0-8e5f-dd0194d5aa12" data-vars-headline="California to consider guaranteed income pilot for homeless youth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nn4youth.org/wp-content/uploads/Issue-Brief_Consequences-of-Youth-Homelessness.pdf" target="_blank">at higher risk</a> of dropping out of school, turning to substance use and struggling with mental health challenges and chronic illnesses.

Education 📚

SF teachers strike ends after reaching tentative deal

Historic teacher strike shuts down San Francisco schools

SF public schools brace for historic teacher strike

A new Vanderbilt University campus is coming to SF

Exclusive: AI tutors coming to California Community Colleges