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F1 cars to roar down Marina Boulevard this Saturday

The demonstration will feature Oracle Red Bull Racing reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda.

News

Don&#x27;t be surprised if you see — or hear — some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula 1 cars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/axios-house-davos-2026-racing-regulation-formulaone-redbull-carlyle" data-vars-content-id="f4e26a41-14d1-48cf-b7cb-9eef17a28dcc" data-vars-headline="F1 cars to roar down Marina Boulevard this Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/axios-house-davos-2026-racing-regulation-formulaone-redbull-carlyle" target="_self">Formula 1 cars</a> racing across Marina Boulevard this weekend.Driving the news: Red Bull, the energy drink company known for its extreme sports series, is hosting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Formula 1 demonstration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/red-bull-showrun-san-fran" data-vars-content-id="f4e26a41-14d1-48cf-b7cb-9eef17a28dcc" data-vars-headline="F1 cars to roar down Marina Boulevard this Saturday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/red-bull-showrun-san-fran" target="_blank">Formula 1 demonstration</a> on Saturday that guarantees you&#x27;ll feel the adrenaline up close.

SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch

The nearly 100-year-old zoo intends to boost animal care, conservation and public trust.

The San Francisco Zoo named Cassandra Costello as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a six-month interim period following the retirement of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="embattled longtime director" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-ceo-tanya-peterson-20406340.php" data-vars-content-id="29f10f61-769c-4688-bf82-4b5af6376d69" data-vars-headline="SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-ceo-tanya-peterson-20406340.php" target="_blank">embattled longtime director</a>.Why it matters: Costello inherits an institution still working to repair its reputation and operations. The zoo has faced years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public scrutiny and turmoil" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-city-criticism-20354057.php" data-vars-content-id="29f10f61-769c-4688-bf82-4b5af6376d69" data-vars-headline="SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/zoo-city-criticism-20354057.php" target="_blank">public scrutiny and turmoil</a> over its management, making her appointment a pivotal moment for the nearly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="100-year-old institution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfzoo.org/the-history-of-the-san-francisco-zoo/" data-vars-content-id="29f10f61-769c-4688-bf82-4b5af6376d69" data-vars-headline="SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfzoo.org/the-history-of-the-san-francisco-zoo/" target="_blank">100-year-old institution</a>.

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.

Alysa Liu's journey from Oakland ice to Olympic gold

Fans are calling for the Bay Area to host a parade for the 20-year-old skater after her gold medal win in Milan.

Sports

The Bay Area erupted in raucous cheers this week after hometown hero Alysa Liu ended a 24-year U.S. drought in women&#x27;s figure skating at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milan Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/olympic-village-2026-milan-cortina" data-vars-content-id="9538a457-a674-4ff7-b1fd-8882e4b52fde" data-vars-headline="Alysa Liu&#x27;s journey from Oakland ice to Olympic gold" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/04/olympic-village-2026-milan-cortina" target="_self">Milan Olympics</a>.Why it matters: Liu, a Richmond native who grew up skating in Oakland and San Francisco, is bringing home gold as the first American Olympic champion since Sarah Hughes in 2002.

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.

Inside the Internet Archive's race to save federal webpages

The SF-based nonprofit gained newfound fame when the Trump administration began purging federal websites en masse.

In an era when government information can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disappear with a click" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/31/health-cdc-websites-data-removed-trump" data-vars-content-id="02759c7a-3603-49d5-a11d-479f1e612b73" data-vars-headline="Inside the Internet Archive&#x27;s race to save federal webpages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/31/health-cdc-websites-data-removed-trump" target="_self">disappear with a click</a>, the Internet Archive is racing to preserve a digital paper trail.Why it matters: The San Francisco-based Internet Archive is celebrating its 30th birthday as a digital library that gained newfound prominence last year when the Trump administration began <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taking down and changing federal websites" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/31/health-cdc-websites-data-removed-trump" data-vars-content-id="02759c7a-3603-49d5-a11d-479f1e612b73" data-vars-headline="Inside the Internet Archive&#x27;s race to save federal webpages" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/31/health-cdc-websites-data-removed-trump" target="_self">taking down and changing federal websites</a> en masse.

A look back at Rev. Jesse Jackson in San Francisco

The civil rights leader organized, rallied and campaigned in San Francisco over the decades.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rev. Jesse Jackson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" data-vars-content-id="0bf71335-dff7-4b77-9e7a-091395f80b31" data-vars-headline="A look back at Rev. Jesse Jackson in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" target="_self">Rev. Jesse Jackson</a>, a civil rights icon who spent his career fighting racial inequality and mounted two historic presidential bids, died Tuesday at 84.The big picture: Jackson leaves behind an expansive legacy — from marching alongside Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to founding the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rainbow PUSH Coalition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rainbowpush.org/pr_21726?splash=1" data-vars-content-id="0bf71335-dff7-4b77-9e7a-091395f80b31" data-vars-headline="A look back at Rev. Jesse Jackson in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rainbowpush.org/pr_21726?splash=1" target="_blank">Rainbow PUSH Coalition</a>.

Where California leaders stand on "abolish ICE"

From ending funding to disbanding the agency, officials differ on ICE.

Politics

Amid President Trump&#x27;s widespread immigration crackdown, lawmakers in California and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/02/illinois-officials-vary-abolish-ice-definitions" data-vars-content-id="6c6a189e-74de-45e7-a1d1-93e544da424c" data-vars-headline="Where California leaders stand on &quot;abolish ICE&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/02/illinois-officials-vary-abolish-ice-definitions" target="_self">nationwide</a> have been issuing clarion calls to &quot;Abolish ICE&quot; or &quot;Abolish Trump&#x27;s ICE.&quot;Why it matters: The rallying cries have grown louder in the wake of the fatal shootings of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Alex Pretti " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/25/minnesota-rare-legal-steps-investigation-alex-pretti-shooting" data-vars-content-id="6c6a189e-74de-45e7-a1d1-93e544da424c" data-vars-headline="Where California leaders stand on &quot;abolish ICE&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/25/minnesota-rare-legal-steps-investigation-alex-pretti-shooting" target="_self">Alex Pretti </a>and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Renee Good " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" data-vars-content-id="6c6a189e-74de-45e7-a1d1-93e544da424c" data-vars-headline="Where California leaders stand on &quot;abolish ICE&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/07/ice-shooting-victim-identified-renee-nicole-good-minneapolis" target="_self">Renee Good </a>by immigration agents last month, but few agree on what the phrase means.

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.

California allocates $419M to major cities to fight homelessness

The three largest cities are getting new state funds to boost shelters and housing programs.

California is allocating $419 million to boost shelter and housing programs in the state&#x27;s largest cities — San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego — where homelessness has remained <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="persistently high" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ppic.org/blog/homelessness-hits-record-high-in-california-jumps-dramatically-in-rest-of-us/" data-vars-content-id="e9e8bb9a-cfec-40c9-9b7f-cae217de86f2" data-vars-headline="California allocates $419M to major cities to fight homelessness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ppic.org/blog/homelessness-hits-record-high-in-california-jumps-dramatically-in-rest-of-us/" target="_blank">persistently high</a>.Driving the news: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the new money Friday alongside San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie as part of the state&#x27;s latest funding rollout of its flagship <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homelessness program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/funding/hhap" data-vars-content-id="e9e8bb9a-cfec-40c9-9b7f-cae217de86f2" data-vars-headline="California allocates $419M to major cities to fight homelessness" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hcd.ca.gov/funding/hhap" target="_blank">homelessness program</a>.

Lurie says San Francisco's future hinges on long-term affordability

After making public safety and economic gains, affordability is Lurie's new top priority in SF.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mayor Daniel Lurie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/11/08/mayor-daniel-lurie-administration-goals" data-vars-content-id="ede41c56-350b-4f93-8ea3-bf490df171c9" data-vars-headline="Lurie says San Francisco&#x27;s future hinges on long-term affordability" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/11/08/mayor-daniel-lurie-administration-goals" target="_self">Mayor Daniel Lurie</a> delivered an optimistic outlook on San Francisco&#x27;s recovery Thursday in his first State of the City address since taking office, while positioning affordability as his defining priority ahead.State of play: Lurie framed his first year as mayor as a reset after a period of stalled progress on entrenched city challenges, casting progress on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/07/24/mayor-lurie-san-francisco-budget-police-funding" data-vars-content-id="ede41c56-350b-4f93-8ea3-bf490df171c9" data-vars-headline="Lurie says San Francisco&#x27;s future hinges on long-term affordability" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/07/24/mayor-lurie-san-francisco-budget-police-funding" target="_self">public safety</a> and street conditions as the foundation of recovery. <ul><li>He touted affordability as the next, harder chapter that will determine whether families and businesses can remain in the city long term.</li></ul>

San Francisco approves removal of Vaillancourt Fountain

The Embarcadero landmark will be dismantled in coming weeks as part of a major plaza redesign.

San Francisco supervisors Tuesday cleared the way for the city to begin dismantling the long-embattled <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vaillancourt Fountain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/11/11/sf-embarcadero-plaza-vaillancourt-fountain-removal-redevelopment" data-vars-content-id="83202501-31b1-4e7f-b24a-e9dd5df70f9e" data-vars-headline="San Francisco approves removal of Vaillancourt Fountain" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/11/11/sf-embarcadero-plaza-vaillancourt-fountain-removal-redevelopment" target="_self">Vaillancourt Fountain</a>, ending a long-running fight over its future.Why it matters: The controversial 710-ton sculpture, designed by Québécois artist Armand Vaillancourt in 1971, has defined the waterfront plaza for more than five decades.

The stories shaping San Francisco in 2026

From elections to public space fights, 2026 will be a packed year for SF.

2026 has barely started and the news cycle is already in full swing, setting the stage for key storylines that will leave an imprint on San Francisco at the local, state and federal levels.Why it matters: Some could shape policy, set precedents or have outsized impacts on the city. Here&#x27;s what we&#x27;re watching.

Politics 🇺🇸

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

Inside the Internet Archive's race to save federal webpages

SF Zoo names Cassandra Costello CEO after turbulent stretch

A look back at Rev. Jesse Jackson in San Francisco

Where California leaders stand on "abolish ICE"