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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.

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.

Sportsball Monday: Giants still uneven, 49ers add WRs, Valkyries prep

We bring you up to speed on your favorite local teams.

Welcome to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sportsball Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/09/sportsball-monday-warriors-giants-49ers" data-vars-content-id="a52c16ef-1e94-430a-b7c1-de2feddaf7c5" data-vars-headline="Sportsball Monday: Giants still uneven, 49ers add WRs, Valkyries prep" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/09/sportsball-monday-warriors-giants-49ers" target="_self">Sportsball Monday</a>, where we bring you up to speed on your favorite local teams once a month.The big picture: The Giants remain on shaky ground; the 49ers expand their wide receiver room; and the Valkyries gear up for their second year.

Sportsball Monday: Playoff push, bullpen woes, trade buzz

Steph Curry's injury, bullpen setbacks and trade rumors lead today's sports news.

Welcome to Sportsball Monday, where we bring you up to speed on your favorite local teams once a month.The big picture: The Warriors fight to hold their play-in position as Stephen Curry&#x27;s knee injury lingers, the Giants juggle bullpen uncertainty ahead of Opening Day and the 49ers weigh trade moves.

Giants fans flock to Phoenix for spring training

Nearly 60% of Cactus League fans come from out of state for sun and baseball.

San Francisco Giants fans are soaking up some desert sun as spring training kicks off throughout the Phoenix area under new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="manager Tony Vitello" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/31/giants-larry-baer-sf-downtown-recovery" data-vars-content-id="3129782a-1528-4de9-b6cb-1b48ac8a1a9a" data-vars-headline="Giants fans flock to Phoenix for spring training" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/10/31/giants-larry-baer-sf-downtown-recovery" target="_self">manager Tony Vitello</a>.The big picture: This is the 79th year of the Cactus League, which now boasts 15 teams at 10 stadiums, just miles apart.

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.

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.

The walking grass stole Bad Bunny's Super Bowl show

Hundreds of performers in grass suits transformed the Super Bowl field into a living Puerto Rican village.

While Bad Bunny was the center of attention for millions of people tuning into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl halftime show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6FuWd4wNd8" data-vars-content-id="60bf0a4d-728f-489b-8581-8a5d111c58ba" data-vars-headline="The walking grass stole Bad Bunny&#x27;s Super Bowl show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6FuWd4wNd8" target="_blank">Super Bowl halftime show</a> on Sunday, the walking bunches of grass arguably stole the show. Why it matters: Hundreds of humans in grass suits brought Benito&#x27;s set to life in a matter of minutes, uniting with the music icon to create a Puerto Rican village complete with sugarcane fields, farmers, food carts and a buzzing casita (featuring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pedro Pascal and other stars dancing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/celeb-cameos-bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-performance-2026-1236500052/" data-vars-content-id="60bf0a4d-728f-489b-8581-8a5d111c58ba" data-vars-headline="The walking grass stole Bad Bunny&#x27;s Super Bowl show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/music/music-news/celeb-cameos-bad-bunny-super-bowl-halftime-performance-2026-1236500052/" target="_blank">Pedro Pascal and other stars dancing</a>).

Our top Super Bowl week takeaways

From celebrity sightings to transit woes — Axios SF was your eyes and ears on the ground.

The Bay Area was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="elevated to the national stage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/super-bowl" data-vars-content-id="3860f578-d591-4861-a62d-309120ed5539" data-vars-headline="Our top Super Bowl week takeaways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/super-bowl" target="_self">elevated to the national stage</a> this past week as festivities for America&#x27;s biggest sporting event overtook our streets.The big picture: As your eyes and ears <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on the ground" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/05/super-bowl-lx-levis-stadium-menu-bay-area-food-sf" data-vars-content-id="3860f578-d591-4861-a62d-309120ed5539" data-vars-headline="Our top Super Bowl week takeaways" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/02/05/super-bowl-lx-levis-stadium-menu-bay-area-food-sf" target="_self">on the ground</a>, here are some of our top non-football takeaways from Super Bowl LX.

How the NFL will watch for Super Bowl concussions

Axios got an inside look at the protocols for responding to injuries at the Super Bowl.

When the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Super Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/22/levis-stadium-super-bowl-field-behind-scenes" data-vars-content-id="f7231760-35c9-443b-a914-096851ccbe99" data-vars-headline="How the NFL will watch for Super Bowl concussions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/22/levis-stadium-super-bowl-field-behind-scenes" target="_self">Super Bowl</a> kicks off Sunday, a constant scanning for injury will unfold off the field.Why it matters: Amidst the NFL&#x27;s ongoing reckoning with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="head injuries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/16/nfl-more-steps-reduce-head-injuries" data-vars-content-id="f7231760-35c9-443b-a914-096851ccbe99" data-vars-headline="How the NFL will watch for Super Bowl concussions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/16/nfl-more-steps-reduce-head-injuries" target="_self">head injuries</a> and continued scrutiny of the long-term <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consequences of concussions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/28/cte-head-trauma-sports-new-study" data-vars-content-id="f7231760-35c9-443b-a914-096851ccbe99" data-vars-headline="How the NFL will watch for Super Bowl concussions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/28/cte-head-trauma-sports-new-study" target="_self">consequences of concussions</a>, watching out for player wellbeing has become a complex and multifaceted operation on game days.

The Super Bowl's most outrageous eats

From crab "potachos" to a $180 burger, Levi's Stadium's Super Bowl menu goes big and local.

Food and Drink

Levi&#x27;s Stadium in Santa Clara will be serving up a menu that reads like a love letter to the Bay Area <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for those lucky enough" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/03/super-bowl-lx-ticket-price-trends-tick-pick" data-vars-content-id="b4dc9ab0-9780-483e-8e7b-3112941470cc" data-vars-headline="The Super Bowl&#x27;s most outrageous eats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/03/super-bowl-lx-ticket-price-trends-tick-pick" target="_self">for those lucky enough</a> to attend the Super Bowl this Sunday.The big picture: Fans can expect classic concession fare with regional influences celebrating seafood and fresh ingredients, and dishes that nod to our diverse food scene.

Super Bowl security won't include ICE operations, feds say

City, federal and NFL officials stress plans mirror past years and focus only on public safety.

There are no planned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" data-vars-content-id="e10026d4-f12a-4d02-826a-6e0afce56655" data-vars-headline="Super Bowl security won&#x27;t include ICE operations, feds say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration" target="_self">ICE</a> operations tied to the Super Bowl, local and federal officials said Tuesday during a press conference in San Francisco. Why it matters: Amid a nationwide <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigration crackdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/28/homan-meets-walz-frey-immigration" data-vars-content-id="e10026d4-f12a-4d02-826a-6e0afce56655" data-vars-headline="Super Bowl security won&#x27;t include ICE operations, feds say" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2026/01/28/homan-meets-walz-frey-immigration" target="_self">immigration crackdown</a> under President Trump, officials are working to reassure the public that Super Bowl security is solely focused on safety and will operate as it has in previous years.

Sports 🏅

The Bay Area's first World Cup match kicks off in a month

Sportsball Monday: Giants still uneven, 49ers add WRs, Valkyries prep

Sportsball Monday: Playoff push, bullpen woes, trade buzz

Giants fans flock to Phoenix for spring training

Alysa Liu's journey from Oakland ice to Olympic gold