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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.

It's Friday SF quiz time!

Hot dog, it&#x27;s once again time to test your knowledge of San Francisco things!<ul><li>Click the link below to take our weekly news quiz.</li></ul>

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.

San Francisco bars rally against proposed outdoor smoking crackdown

Bar owners say the ban would push smokers onto sidewalks and strain struggling businesses.

More than a dozen San Francisco bars and restaurants are against a proposed city ordinance that would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ban smoking" data-vars-click-url="https://media.api.sf.gov/documents/Binder2.pdf" data-vars-content-id="27c94244-4759-4911-bdc1-12ba1a429f77" data-vars-headline="San Francisco bars rally against proposed outdoor smoking crackdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://media.api.sf.gov/documents/Binder2.pdf" target="_blank">ban smoking</a> in outdoor patios and parklets.Why it matters: The fight pits growing public health concerns over secondhand smoke against the city&#x27;s nightlife culture, where many bar patios have long doubled as smoking sections.

Raise your glass to SF's Friday news quiz

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

It&#x27;s Friday. You know what that means — it&#x27;s time to test your knowledge.<ul><li>The share of perfect scores rose to 33% last week. Keep them coming!</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.

Muni rail ridership hits post-pandemic high

Passenger trips on Muni's rail line have trailed behind buses in the last five years.

More San Franciscans are riding Muni rail after years of stalled ridership, new data suggests.Why it matters: Officials are cautiously optimistic that ridership increases represent a sustained comeback. But SF&#x27;s transit authority is still on the edge of a fiscal cliff and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potential service cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/04/21/san-francisco-muni-budget" data-vars-content-id="ab4ab8d0-f01a-48a5-8b97-fd67389d7538" data-vars-headline="Muni rail ridership hits post-pandemic high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/04/21/san-francisco-muni-budget" target="_self">potential service cuts</a>.

Your California voter guide for the June 2 primary

Here's what to know about the major races shaping statewide elections.

The June 2 primary is coming up and California voters have a lot to decide.Why it matters: More than a dozen statewide elections will alter the political landscape in the Golden State, from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crowded governor&#x27;s race" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/13/eric-swalwell-drops-out-california-governor-race-scandal-democrats-open-field" data-vars-content-id="92c98540-7b58-4ce8-a931-b82c93aa2356" data-vars-headline="Your California voter guide for the June 2 primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/13/eric-swalwell-drops-out-california-governor-race-scandal-democrats-open-field" target="_self">crowded governor&#x27;s race</a> to the consequential campaign for insurance commissioner.

News 🗞

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

Inside San Quentin's effort to redefine prison life

Nothing quizzical about the Friday SF News Quiz!

1 photo to go: Panhandle pit stop

Nancy Pelosi backs Connie Chan in high-stakes congressional race