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 Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco

A national surveillance fight is spilling onto San Francisco streets as Flock's footprint expands.

News

Activists and citizens across the political spectrum are pushing back against license plate readers made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="58fea506-e5ca-407d-9248-f4b664c2d557" data-vars-headline=" Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock and similar companies</a>, fueled by privacy concerns and suspected police misuse.Why it matters: Flock cameras are suddenly emerging as the next big target of populist anti-tech, pro-privacy sentiment, alongside the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/data-center-growth-map-states" data-vars-content-id="58fea506-e5ca-407d-9248-f4b664c2d557" data-vars-headline=" Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/18/data-center-growth-map-states" target="_self">data centers</a> fueling the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/12/ai-boom-goldman-sachs" data-vars-content-id="58fea506-e5ca-407d-9248-f4b664c2d557" data-vars-headline=" Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/12/ai-boom-goldman-sachs" target="_self">AI boom</a>.

It's SF Friday News Quiz time

Flex those news chops and see if you can snag a perfect score. Glory awaits!

It&#x27;s Friday, friends!<ul><li>Time to flex those local news chops once again, click on in and get quizzed.</li></ul>

California vows to fight Trump's mail-in voting order

State officials are preparing for another legal fight before the midterms.

California&#x27;s vote-by-mail system faces new uncertainty less than three months before the midterms after the Supreme Court on Monday allowed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Trump&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/donald-trump" target="_self">President Trump&#x27;s</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="executive order" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/25/trump-mail-in-voting-order-blocked" target="_self">executive order</a> restricting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mail-in voting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" data-vars-content-id="8c7fd8f6-8d27-4eb1-9aca-2f3e7e35107b" data-vars-headline="California vows to fight Trump&#x27;s mail-in voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/23/mail-in-voting-trump-pew-poll" target="_self">mail-in voting</a> to move forward.Why it matters: The decision could upend the midterms, but the legal battle is far from over and the exact effect on California&#x27;s upcoming elections remains unclear.

Valkyries' rise brings 2027 WNBA All-Star Game to San Francisco

The Valkyries' breakout success is bringing another major sporting event.

San Francisco will host the 2027 WNBA All-Star Game, adding to the city’s growing roster of major sporting events.State of play: Tuesday&#x27;s announcement comes a day after the Golden State Valkyries <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="secured their second" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49645344/valkyries-beat-wings-clinch-playoff-spot-second-straight-season" data-vars-content-id="63593e1e-20bf-40f5-a37b-9e67da7a0990" data-vars-headline="Valkyries&#x27; rise brings 2027 WNBA All-Star Game to San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/49645344/valkyries-beat-wings-clinch-playoff-spot-second-straight-season" target="_blank">secured their second</a> straight playoff berth, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beating the Dallas Wings 78-70" data-vars-click-url="https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/gameday-recap-20260817" data-vars-content-id="63593e1e-20bf-40f5-a37b-9e67da7a0990" data-vars-headline="Valkyries&#x27; rise brings 2027 WNBA All-Star Game to San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/gameday-recap-20260817" target="_blank">beating the Dallas Wings 78-70</a>.

Scott Wiener's AI chatbot controversy, explained

The campaign experiment became a warning about the political risks of generative AI.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State Sen. Scott Wiener&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" data-vars-content-id="7d625565-55c0-4aca-813b-445d017ce701" data-vars-headline="Scott Wiener&#x27;s AI chatbot controversy, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" target="_self">State Sen. Scott Wiener&#x27;s</a> AI chatbot targeting congressional rival <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="7d625565-55c0-4aca-813b-445d017ce701" data-vars-headline="Scott Wiener&#x27;s AI chatbot controversy, explained" 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> was meant to turn her record into an interactive campaign attack.<ul><li>Instead, it&#x27;s become a case study in what happens when campaigns hand a generative AI system an opponent&#x27;s identity and then promptly lose control over what it says.</li></ul>

Gavin Newsom affair returns to spotlight as Ruby Rippey speaks out

Rippey says she's reclaiming a story that has been told only through Newsom's lens.

The woman at the center of Gavin Newsom&#x27;s biggest political scandal is telling her story for the first time, reviving a chapter of San Francisco political history as the governor faces fresh national scrutiny ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid.Why it matters: For many longtime San Franciscans, the extramarital affair is old news — a scandal that rocked City Hall and almost ended Newsom&#x27;s career nearly 20 years ago.

Five new laws taking effect this month

Here's what changes for schools, restaurants, streaming services and more.

Numerous new laws come on the books in California on Wednesday.The big picture: State lawmakers introduced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 2,400 bills in 2025" data-vars-click-url="https://capitolweekly.net/bill-volume-of-california-legislative-committees-2025-session/" data-vars-content-id="e933cbf0-3cdb-4c9d-9a3f-31be0b138b52" data-vars-headline="Five new laws taking effect this month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://capitolweekly.net/bill-volume-of-california-legislative-committees-2025-session/" target="_blank">nearly 2,400 bills in 2025</a>, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed about 800 of them into law.Here are five you should know about:

What millions couldn't buy in California's two biggest races

Candidates with deep pockets struggled to overcome established ties and trusted political brands.

Politics

Tuesday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary results" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20260602w/index.html" data-vars-content-id="cefe3f7d-424f-4b7b-9b0d-4c45edf11a6c" data-vars-headline="What millions couldn&#x27;t buy in California&#x27;s two biggest races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20260602w/index.html" target="_blank">primary results</a> complicated a narrative in California politics that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wealthy candidates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/01/tech-billionaires-california-elections" data-vars-content-id="cefe3f7d-424f-4b7b-9b0d-4c45edf11a6c" data-vars-headline="What millions couldn&#x27;t buy in California&#x27;s two biggest races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/01/tech-billionaires-california-elections" target="_blank">wealthy candidates</a> can spend their way to the top of the ballot.The big picture: The setback for two of the cycle&#x27;s biggest self-funders — billionaire <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tom Steyer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/tom-steyer-2026-race-california-governor" data-vars-content-id="cefe3f7d-424f-4b7b-9b0d-4c45edf11a6c" data-vars-headline="What millions couldn&#x27;t buy in California&#x27;s two biggest races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/tom-steyer-2026-race-california-governor" target="_self">Tom Steyer</a> and former congressional aide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saikat Chakrabarti" data-vars-click-url="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/06/02/san-francisco-democratic-primary-pelosi-succession-00946143" data-vars-content-id="cefe3f7d-424f-4b7b-9b0d-4c45edf11a6c" data-vars-headline="What millions couldn&#x27;t buy in California&#x27;s two biggest races" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/06/02/san-francisco-democratic-primary-pelosi-succession-00946143" target="_blank">Saikat Chakrabarti</a> — suggests political office can&#x27;t easily be bought, experts tell Axios.

Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi's seat

Pelosi's late endorsement appears to have helped lift Chan into November's matchup against Wiener.

State Sen. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scott Wiener" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" data-vars-content-id="c1e003db-82a8-498d-b7ed-1119e61a053e" data-vars-headline="Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi&#x27;s seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/22/scott-wiener-pelosi-congress-run" target="_self">Scott Wiener</a> and Supervisor Connie Chan advanced Tuesday to November&#x27;s election to succeed Rep. Nancy Pelosi in one of San Francisco&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most closely watched" 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="c1e003db-82a8-498d-b7ed-1119e61a053e" data-vars-headline="Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi&#x27;s seat" 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">most closely watched</a> Democratic contests.By the numbers: Wiener secured a runoff spot with about 41% of the vote, with Chan securing about 29%, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the AP" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-primary-results-us-house/#11" data-vars-content-id="c1e003db-82a8-498d-b7ed-1119e61a053e" data-vars-headline="Wiener, Chan advance in race for Pelosi&#x27;s seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/projects/elections-2026/california-primary-results-us-house/#11" target="_blank">per the AP</a>.

San Francisco voters give Lurie an election-night boost

Results are in for local supervisor races and ballot measures.

Voters delivered Mayor Daniel Lurie one of his biggest political victories since taking office Tuesday, backing supervisors and ballot measures aligned with his vision for City Hall.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="early results" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20260602w/index.html" data-vars-content-id="136c0bab-b064-4cfe-bb7c-ef386fc33de5" data-vars-headline="San Francisco voters give Lurie an election-night boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20260602w/index.html" target="_blank">early results</a> and races <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="called by the Chronicle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2026/california-primary-election-results/san-francisco/" data-vars-content-id="136c0bab-b064-4cfe-bb7c-ef386fc33de5" data-vars-headline="San Francisco voters give Lurie an election-night boost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2026/california-primary-election-results/san-francisco/" target="_blank">called by the Chronicle</a> suggest voters remain largely supportive of Lurie&#x27;s effort to reform city government and reshape it around public safety.

Lurie pushes a budget plan built for leaner years ahead

The mayor's proposal is fueling debate over San Francisco's spending priorities.

Mayor Daniel Lurie&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$16.9 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-presents-responsible-budget-strengthening-social-safety-net-in-response-to-significant-federal-cuts-advancing-san-franciscos-economic-recovery" data-vars-content-id="21e14e07-62df-4c5b-bbcf-64d16cf6712d" data-vars-headline="Lurie pushes a budget plan built for leaner years ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sf.gov/news-mayor-lurie-presents-responsible-budget-strengthening-social-safety-net-in-response-to-significant-federal-cuts-advancing-san-franciscos-economic-recovery" target="_blank">$16.9 billion</a> budget plan is built around a simple argument: San Francisco can no longer <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="afford to govern" 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="21e14e07-62df-4c5b-bbcf-64d16cf6712d" data-vars-headline="Lurie pushes a budget plan built for leaner years ahead" 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">afford to govern</a> the way it did before.State of play: Facing a projected<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" $643 million deficit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/04/23/san-francisco-budget-deficit-2026-lurie-cuts-public-health-housing-workforce" data-vars-content-id="21e14e07-62df-4c5b-bbcf-64d16cf6712d" data-vars-headline="Lurie pushes a budget plan built for leaner years ahead" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/04/23/san-francisco-budget-deficit-2026-lurie-cuts-public-health-housing-workforce" target="_self"> $643 million deficit</a> over the next two years, Lurie is proposing to eliminate 550 vacant city positions, cut millions in grants to nonprofit providers and consolidate city functions.

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.

What a weakened federal Voting Rights Act means for California

The federal decision could affect representation and political power in California over time.

California has long relied on strong voting protections to expand representation, but a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" data-vars-content-id="84d04e32-57a1-4a35-8f31-e825dbf6d7df" data-vars-headline="What a weakened federal Voting Rights Act means for California" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" target="_self">federal ruling</a> could chip away at that foundation.State of play: The Supreme Court&#x27;s narrowing of the Voting Rights Act last week weakens a federal backstop that helped challenge unfair electoral maps, threatens <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California&#x27;s Voting Rights Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/us/elections/voting-rights-act-supreme-court-california.html" data-vars-content-id="84d04e32-57a1-4a35-8f31-e825dbf6d7df" data-vars-headline="What a weakened federal Voting Rights Act means for California" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/us/elections/voting-rights-act-supreme-court-california.html" target="_blank">California&#x27;s Voting Rights Act</a> and potentially reverses gains in representation for voters of color, experts say.

Politics 🇺🇸

California vows to fight Trump's mail-in voting order

Scott Wiener's AI chatbot controversy, explained

Gavin Newsom affair returns to spotlight as Ruby Rippey speaks out

Five new laws taking effect this month

Becerra, Hilton advance in California governor's race