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Nisei soldiers' WWII story comes to life in new traveling exhibit

The exhibit, now open in San Francisco, traces their service even as their families were incarcerated.

News

A powerful new exhibit that opens Monday in San Francisco tells the story of a generation of Japanese Americans, known as Nisei, who fought wars both <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/19/japanese-american-incarceration-amache" data-vars-content-id="f5165db7-464b-49ff-9668-fe9733f33ea8" data-vars-headline="Nisei soldiers&#x27; WWII story comes to life in new traveling exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/19/japanese-american-incarceration-amache" target="_self">at home</a> and overseas during World War II.Why it matters: As America approaches its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th anniversary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="f5165db7-464b-49ff-9668-fe9733f33ea8" data-vars-headline="Nisei soldiers&#x27; WWII story comes to life in new traveling exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250th anniversary</a>, the soldiers&#x27; family members are intent on making sure their history <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is honored" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/10/05/book-of-names-japanese-internment" data-vars-content-id="f5165db7-464b-49ff-9668-fe9733f33ea8" data-vars-headline="Nisei soldiers&#x27; WWII story comes to life in new traveling exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2022/10/05/book-of-names-japanese-internment" target="_self">is honored</a>.

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>.

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.

​​<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.

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.

How much Californian families spend on health care

Premiums and deductibles now take a significant share of median family income.

Health insurance costs ate up 11% of median family income in California in 2024, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2026/is-employer-coverage-affordable-how-states-stack-up" data-vars-content-id="428c78af-8894-4176-9ca9-bba4c3d7548b" data-vars-headline="How much Californian families spend on health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2026/is-employer-coverage-affordable-how-states-stack-up" target="_blank">analysis</a>. Why it matters: The findings show how tough it can be to afford health care, even with insurance, for many of the estimated 167 million Americans who get coverage through an employer.

California joins states suing Trump over planned HIV funding cuts

State leaders say the proposed cuts threaten clinical services and prevention efforts for people at risk of HIV.

California is joining three other states in suing the Trump administration over potentially $600 million in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cuts to HIV prevention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/26/gop-medicaid-cuts-hiv-aids-impact" data-vars-content-id="7bbe65b4-3997-4abc-a0ce-42a65139c7ae" data-vars-headline="California joins states suing Trump over planned HIV funding cuts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/06/26/gop-medicaid-cuts-hiv-aids-impact" target="_self">cuts to HIV prevention</a> and other public health programs.Why it matters: Illinois, Minnesota, Colorado and California say the administration&#x27;s retaliatory funding cuts are politically motivated and risk millions in funding for programs that study and treat HIV, including interventions for high-risk populations.

Where America's oldest residents live

Our elders are hanging around longer than they used to.

Our elders are hanging around longer than they used to.The big picture: The number of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="centenarians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/26/america-older-younger-population" data-vars-content-id="afd90b6a-da1f-4033-a7a9-465473bd4d5e" data-vars-headline="Where America&#x27;s oldest residents live" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/26/america-older-younger-population" target="_self">centenarians</a> — people aged 100 or older — in the U.S. grew by 50% from the 2010 Census to the 2020 count, per a new Census Bureau analysis.

California pushes back on federal COVID vaccine policy

"The CDC has become a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science," Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

California is joining Oregon and Washington in developing its own vaccine guidelines in response to what Gov. Gavin Newsom called the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="politicization" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/rfk-covid-vaccine-plans-cdc-fda-september" data-vars-content-id="04863983-8ea4-48d5-bbd4-f7ae3ba0d0ed" data-vars-headline="California pushes back on federal COVID vaccine policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/02/rfk-covid-vaccine-plans-cdc-fda-september" target="_self">politicization</a> of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Why it matters: The newly formed West Coast Health Alliance is the first blue state public health partnership to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/rfk-jr-resign-hhs-employees-letter-trump-cdc" data-vars-content-id="04863983-8ea4-48d5-bbd4-f7ae3ba0d0ed" data-vars-headline="California pushes back on federal COVID vaccine policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/rfk-jr-resign-hhs-employees-letter-trump-cdc" target="_self">push back</a> against the Trump administration&#x27;s policies.

At-home cervical cancer test rolls out in California

The Teal Wand aims to make the testing experience feel less invasive than a Pap smear.

The first FDA-approved at-home cervical cancer screening device launched this week in California.Why it matters: Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet 1 in 4 U.S. women aren&#x27;t up to date on screenings for the disease, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the CDC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/23_0071.htm#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20approximately%201%20in,were%20modestly%20higher%20in%202021." data-vars-content-id="85cba153-9f76-4537-b1aa-e5d456a6efbf" data-vars-headline="At-home cervical cancer test rolls out in California" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/23_0071.htm#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20approximately%201%20in,were%20modestly%20higher%20in%202021." target="_blank">per the CDC</a>. Teal Health&#x27;s goal is to make the testing experience feel less invasive than a Pap smear, which can often cause pain.

How SNAP cuts will hit the Bay Area

In California, 13.9% of the population receives food stamps.

With <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/by-the-numbers-senate-republican-leaderships-reconciliation-bill-takes" data-vars-content-id="4a61e0e3-daf1-44fa-ad65-0a95232aa00a" data-vars-headline="How SNAP cuts will hit the Bay Area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/by-the-numbers-senate-republican-leaderships-reconciliation-bill-takes" target="_blank">millions</a> of food-insecure people expected to lose benefits, food banks and pantries in the Bay Area are bracing for the worst and rallying community support to continue serving those in need.Why it matters: Roughly 175,000 residents in Bay Area congressional districts are at risk of losing benefits from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — the nation&#x27;s largest food aid program — including children and seniors, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California Budget &amp; Policy Center" data-vars-click-url="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/aUykB/2/" data-vars-content-id="4a61e0e3-daf1-44fa-ad65-0a95232aa00a" data-vars-headline="How SNAP cuts will hit the Bay Area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/aUykB/2/" target="_blank">California Budget &amp; Policy Center</a>.

Kaiser Permanente halts gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19

The hospital system was one of the first mainstream providers to establish a transgender health clinic in the U.S.

Kaiser Permanente is pausing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gender-affirming surgical care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/03/gender-affirming-care-trans-youth-us" data-vars-content-id="97b6058d-500e-450b-ba94-e23094f04ee2" data-vars-headline="Kaiser Permanente halts gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/03/gender-affirming-care-trans-youth-us" target="_self">gender-affirming surgical care</a> for patients under 19 amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="escalating attacks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/02/21/trump-transgender-rights-lawsuit-executive-orders" data-vars-content-id="97b6058d-500e-450b-ba94-e23094f04ee2" data-vars-headline="Kaiser Permanente halts gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/02/21/trump-transgender-rights-lawsuit-executive-orders" target="_self">escalating attacks</a> from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump administration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/09/trump-transgender-youth-gender-affirming-care-cutback" data-vars-content-id="97b6058d-500e-450b-ba94-e23094f04ee2" data-vars-headline="Kaiser Permanente halts gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/09/trump-transgender-youth-gender-affirming-care-cutback" target="_self">Trump administration</a> nationwide.Why it matters: Headquartered in Oakland, Kaiser is one of California&#x27;s leading health care providers and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="was among the first" data-vars-click-url="https://permanente.org/coordinated-transgender-person-care-pathway/" data-vars-content-id="97b6058d-500e-450b-ba94-e23094f04ee2" data-vars-headline="Kaiser Permanente halts gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://permanente.org/coordinated-transgender-person-care-pathway/" target="_blank">was among the first</a> to establish a transgender health clinic with comprehensive services in the U.S.

How to cook your way through a California summer

Baba ganoush, salmon bowls, fruit salad and more from Axios' California reporters.

California&#x27;s summer boasts some of the best produce with fresh seasonal varieties that make it easy to cook dishes that are local and packed with flavor.

Tick season is here — and it's worse than last year

Ticks transmit Lyme disease, which can be fatal if untreated.

Summer is here, and that means <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tick frenzy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2019/07/18/the-spread-of-disease-carrying-ticks-is-leading-to-calls-for-new-prevention-tools" data-vars-content-id="bd51988c-400c-444c-9228-dacf51ef01f5" data-vars-headline="Tick season is here — and it&#x27;s worse than last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2019/07/18/the-spread-of-disease-carrying-ticks-is-leading-to-calls-for-new-prevention-tools" target="_self">tick frenzy</a> is, too.Why it matters: Ticks, which are most active in warmer seasons, transmit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lyme disease" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/15/lyme-disease-vaccine-cdc-fda-ticks" data-vars-content-id="bd51988c-400c-444c-9228-dacf51ef01f5" data-vars-headline="Tick season is here — and it&#x27;s worse than last year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/06/15/lyme-disease-vaccine-cdc-fda-ticks" target="_self">Lyme disease</a> through bacteria in their bite. The disease causes rash, flu-like symptoms and joint pain — and can be fatal if untreated.

SF's foggy summer days still bring UV risks

80% of solar UV radiation can penetrate light cloud cover, according to the EPA.

Health

In San Francisco, it&#x27;s easy to forget you can sunburn when it&#x27;s cloudy — and that you don&#x27;t need to feel the sun&#x27;s hot rays to get a sunburn.Reality check: 80% of solar UV radiation can penetrate light cloud cover — and infrared heat is different from UV radiation (which you can&#x27;t feel), <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to the EPA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/uviguide.pdf" data-vars-content-id="95a3e5b2-1b15-42b0-a6f2-53139f586226" data-vars-headline="SF&#x27;s foggy summer days still bring UV risks" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/uviguide.pdf" target="_blank">according to the EPA</a>.

Health 🩺

How much Californian families spend on health care

California joins states suing Trump over planned HIV funding cuts

The Bay Area is experiencing a "super flu" season

Where America's oldest residents live

California pushes back on federal COVID vaccine policy