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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.

What a weakened federal Voting Rights Act means for California

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

Politics

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.

San Francisco approves Muni budget — but bigger crisis looms

Deficits could still force major Muni cuts without new funding.

Transit

Facing a massive deficit, San Francisco transportation leaders on Tuesday unanimously approved a two-year operating budget, but whether it holds depends on voters this November.The big picture: The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency&#x27;s budget for the next two fiscal years staves off immediate service cuts and bridges a major deficit, but long-term financial stability hinges on whether <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two" data-vars-click-url="https://connectbayarea.com/" data-vars-content-id="8368bf75-816e-4f4e-9e0d-6bf9c47c839e" data-vars-headline="San Francisco approves Muni budget — but bigger crisis looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://connectbayarea.com/" target="_blank">two</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" crucial funding proposals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/03/sf-ballot-measure-muni-parcel-tax-renters-homeowners-bart-public-transit-november" data-vars-content-id="8368bf75-816e-4f4e-9e0d-6bf9c47c839e" data-vars-headline="San Francisco approves Muni budget — but bigger crisis looms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/03/sf-ballot-measure-muni-parcel-tax-renters-homeowners-bart-public-transit-november" target="_self"> crucial funding proposals</a> pass in the fall.

Sam Altman home attacks spark concern over AI-motivated violence

Recent incidents highlight fears that AI tensions could escalate into more violence.

Recent attacks on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman&#x27;s Russian Hill home signal a potential turning point in the backlash against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/ai-elite-vs-ai-skeptic-doomer" data-vars-content-id="134455cd-3b0a-4cc3-9e14-17ca9c307726" data-vars-headline="Sam Altman home attacks spark concern over AI-motivated violence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/ai-elite-vs-ai-skeptic-doomer" target="_self">AI</a>, as a debate long shaped by fear, policy arguments and online rhetoric begins to spill into the real world.Why it matters: There&#x27;s no clear trend of AI-related violence to date, but the acts aimed at Altman and OpenAI in the past week raise new questions about how dissent around AI is evolving.

How Supervisor Jackie Fielder's leave could affect City Hall

By staying in office, she avoids a political shakeup.

District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder&#x27;s decision to take a medical leave of absence — without giving up her seat — avoids a major political shakeup, though her leave isn&#x27;t expected to significantly shift the balance of power on the Board of Supervisors, analysts say.Why it matters: Staying in her role avoids triggering a mayoral appointment and a broader political ripple effect, though her time away could still limit the district&#x27;s sway on some votes.

SFO detention of mother and child raises alarms over TSA assisting ICE

A viral arrest is fueling concerns that ICE is using passenger information to target travelers.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="detention" data-vars-click-url="https://sfstandard.com/2026/03/23/ice-at-sfo-detain-woman-video/" data-vars-content-id="dc568556-ec58-4477-91cf-655712031c63" data-vars-headline="SFO detention of mother and child raises alarms over TSA assisting ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfstandard.com/2026/03/23/ice-at-sfo-detain-woman-video/" target="_blank">detention</a> of a mother and her daughter Sunday at San Francisco International Airport that went viral occurred after TSA shared their travel information with federal immigration authorities, the New York Times <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/tsa-data-ice-deportation-san-francisco-airport.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share" data-vars-content-id="dc568556-ec58-4477-91cf-655712031c63" data-vars-headline="SFO detention of mother and child raises alarms over TSA assisting ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/tsa-data-ice-deportation-san-francisco-airport.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share" target="_blank">reported</a> this week.Why it matters: The incident has intensified fears that the Trump administration is turning airports into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration enforcement hubs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/us/politics/trump-ice-airports.html" data-vars-content-id="dc568556-ec58-4477-91cf-655712031c63" data-vars-headline="SFO detention of mother and child raises alarms over TSA assisting ICE" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/us/politics/trump-ice-airports.html" target="_blank">immigration enforcement hubs</a>.

Why San Francisco gas prices could soar as high as $10 a gallon

Limited refinery capacity and global disruptions could push Bay Area gas prices higher.

If filling up your tank lately feels like a gut punch, you&#x27;re not alone. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gas prices" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/gas-prices-iran-war-4-dollars-gallon" data-vars-content-id="330d789d-e34a-4967-8848-982940365d4b" data-vars-headline="Why San Francisco gas prices could soar as high as $10 a gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/gas-prices-iran-war-4-dollars-gallon" target="_self">Gas prices</a> in San Francisco are soaring — fueled by a collision of global oil disruptions and local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="supply constraints" data-vars-click-url="https://calmatters.org/environment/2026/03/california-iran-oil-profit-spike/" data-vars-content-id="330d789d-e34a-4967-8848-982940365d4b" data-vars-headline="Why San Francisco gas prices could soar as high as $10 a gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://calmatters.org/environment/2026/03/california-iran-oil-profit-spike/" target="_blank">supply constraints</a> that analysts warn could get worse.The big picture: Drivers across California are watching the cost of gas climb fast and at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="some stations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gasbuddy.com/gaspricemap?fuel=1&amp;z=13&amp;lat=37.7717185&amp;lng=-122.4438929&amp;utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="330d789d-e34a-4967-8848-982940365d4b" data-vars-headline="Why San Francisco gas prices could soar as high as $10 a gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gasbuddy.com/gaspricemap?fuel=1&amp;z=13&amp;lat=37.7717185&amp;lng=-122.4438929&amp;utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">some stations</a> in San Francisco, they&#x27;re already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearing $7 a gallon" data-vars-click-url="https://sfstandard.com/2026/03/12/san-francisco-gas-prices-cheapest-station/" data-vars-content-id="330d789d-e34a-4967-8848-982940365d4b" data-vars-headline="Why San Francisco gas prices could soar as high as $10 a gallon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfstandard.com/2026/03/12/san-francisco-gas-prices-cheapest-station/" target="_blank">nearing $7 a gallon</a>.

Uber-backed ballot measure sparks car crash payout debate

The initiative could reshape how much money victims recover.

A proposed ballot initiative backed by Uber could reshape how much money victims recover in California car crash cases.The big picture: Uber says the measure ensures injured Californians — not lawyers — &quot;receive the majority of any auto accident recovery,&quot; but critics argue it could limit liability as the company advances <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its self-driving ambitions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/uber-rivian-robotaxi" data-vars-content-id="f6f60e1e-21dd-4e0b-8007-10896dd8ce7f" data-vars-headline="Uber-backed ballot measure sparks car crash payout debate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/uber-rivian-robotaxi" target="_self">its self-driving ambitions</a>.

César Chávez allegations spark reckoning over legacy in San Francisco

City leaders are reconsidering Chávez tributes as new allegations reshape his legacy.

Explosive new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sexual abuse allegations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-dolores-huerta" data-vars-content-id="71618b77-b83d-4ebc-a74e-327676cf212b" data-vars-headline="César Chávez allegations spark reckoning over legacy in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-dolores-huerta" target="_self">sexual abuse allegations</a> are prompting San Francisco to reconsider its ties to César Chávez, raising questions about whether to continue honoring the late labor leader as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="calls grow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/sanfrancisco/comments/1rx92ot/petition_to_rerename_cesar_chavez_st_back_to_army/" data-vars-content-id="71618b77-b83d-4ebc-a74e-327676cf212b" data-vars-headline="César Chávez allegations spark reckoning over legacy in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/sanfrancisco/comments/1rx92ot/petition_to_rerename_cesar_chavez_st_back_to_army/" target="_blank">calls grow</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rename" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-events-arizona-renamed-allegations" data-vars-content-id="71618b77-b83d-4ebc-a74e-327676cf212b" data-vars-headline="César Chávez allegations spark reckoning over legacy 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/phoenix/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-events-arizona-renamed-allegations" target="_self">rename</a> the events and public spaces bearing his name.Why it matters: Chávez, one of the most celebrated Latino union activists in U.S. history, was a central figure in the fight for farmworker rights — a legacy that&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="now in question" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations" data-vars-content-id="71618b77-b83d-4ebc-a74e-327676cf212b" data-vars-headline="César Chávez allegations spark reckoning over legacy 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/san-antonio/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations" target="_self">now in question</a> following accusations from several minors and women, including civil rights icon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dolores Huerta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/25/kamala-harris-dolores-huerta-latino-voters" data-vars-content-id="71618b77-b83d-4ebc-a74e-327676cf212b" data-vars-headline="César Chávez allegations spark reckoning over legacy in San Francisco" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/25/kamala-harris-dolores-huerta-latino-voters" target="_self">Dolores Huerta</a>.

Bay Area Iranian Americans weigh hope and fear as war continues

"The people in Iran, they gave their lives. What we can do here is just be their voice."

For some Iranian Americans in the Bay Area, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Iran war" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" data-vars-content-id="7d28c738-fa65-40da-9b7c-16b2ff7369d5" data-vars-headline="Bay Area Iranian Americans weigh hope and fear as war continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_self">the Iran war</a> now entering its third week has brought a mix of cautious optimism and anxiety for what could come next back home.The big picture: Opinions will inevitably vary within any diaspora, but local community members who spoke with Axios said they&#x27;re hopeful the U.S. intervention will be an opportunity to usher in a new age of democracy for their homeland, even as others worry the U.S. military&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="history of regime change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/16/iraq-politics-20-years-invasion" data-vars-content-id="7d28c738-fa65-40da-9b7c-16b2ff7369d5" data-vars-headline="Bay Area Iranian Americans weigh hope and fear as war continues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/03/16/iraq-politics-20-years-invasion" target="_self">history of regime change</a> in the region could undermine meaningful reform.

Politics 🇺🇸

Nancy Pelosi backs Connie Chan in high-stakes congressional race

How governor candidates would handle taxes and greenhouse gas

How California's gubernatorial candidates would tackle homelessness

How California governor hopefuls would lower gas and energy bills

What a weakened federal Voting Rights Act means for California