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

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

News

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.

 Behind the Flock backlash in San Francisco

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

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>

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>.

Broadway Tunnel construction to snarl traffic for 14 months

The construction begins as crews tackle a major seismic upgrade.

Another traffic headache is settling in for anyone trying to get between Russian Hill, North Beach and Chinatown anytime soon.State of play: The Broadway Tunnel this week entered a long stretch of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="construction" data-vars-click-url="https://sfpublicworks.org/pressreleases/chinatownimprovements-7-20-2026" data-vars-content-id="7db70370-552a-4cc3-a3bc-1becf300a886" data-vars-headline="Broadway Tunnel construction to snarl traffic for 14 months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sfpublicworks.org/pressreleases/chinatownimprovements-7-20-2026" target="_blank">construction</a> that&#x27;s expected to snarl traffic for the next 14 months.

Bay Bridge overnight lane closures begin this week

Crews will close eastbound lanes overnight Sunday through Thursday into October.

Transit

If you&#x27;re heading home late from a Giants game, concert or overnight shift, expect slower trips across the Bay Bridge for the next couple of months.State of play: Caltrans began on Monday closing four eastbound lanes overnight on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge so crews can paint the underside of the upper deck and make structural repairs.

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>.

Special BARTy car signals return of BART train wraps

The new pilot will explore the feasibility of wraps as an additional revenue source amid looming fiscal cliffs.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BART" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/09/11/newsom-support-public-transit-muni-bart-rescue-loan-california" data-vars-content-id="a887d6ed-8474-40d3-8d33-8f3cdd060f6f" data-vars-headline="Special BARTy car signals return of BART train wraps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/09/11/newsom-support-public-transit-muni-bart-rescue-loan-california" target="_self">BART</a> is exploring a return to colorfully wrapped train cars — starting with an adorable design spotlighting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="beloved mascot BARTy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/06/01/bart-anime-mascots-riders" data-vars-content-id="a887d6ed-8474-40d3-8d33-8f3cdd060f6f" data-vars-headline="Special BARTy car signals return of BART train wraps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/06/01/bart-anime-mascots-riders" target="_self">beloved mascot BARTy</a>.Why it matters: Ad placements were a common part of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BART&#x27;s legacy fleets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/04/17/bart-legacy-train-farewell-ride" data-vars-content-id="a887d6ed-8474-40d3-8d33-8f3cdd060f6f" data-vars-headline="Special BARTy car signals return of BART train wraps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/04/17/bart-legacy-train-farewell-ride" target="_self">BART&#x27;s legacy fleets</a> before the trains were retired in 2024. Now, it could serve as an additional revenue source <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="amid looming fiscal cliffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bart.gov/about/financials/crisis" data-vars-content-id="a887d6ed-8474-40d3-8d33-8f3cdd060f6f" data-vars-headline="Special BARTy car signals return of BART train wraps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bart.gov/about/financials/crisis" target="_blank">amid looming fiscal cliffs</a>.

What San Francisco readers really think about Waymo

Waymo hints at safer streets, but trust issues and strange behavior still shape rider opinion.

Self-driving cars have become as much a part of San Francisco&#x27;s streetscape as cable cars and fog, but the rise of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/28/waymo-san-francisco-driverless-car" data-vars-content-id="7fe71ae4-b189-48c0-a2bd-384a815cb060" data-vars-headline="What San Francisco readers really think about Waymo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2025/05/28/waymo-san-francisco-driverless-car" target="_self">Waymo</a> has brought a mix of optimism, skepticism and at times <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outright bewilderment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/09/waymo-outage-stalled-response-delay" data-vars-content-id="7fe71ae4-b189-48c0-a2bd-384a815cb060" data-vars-headline="What San Francisco readers really think about Waymo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/01/09/waymo-outage-stalled-response-delay" target="_self">outright bewilderment</a>.<ul><li>Robotaxi backers cite sharply lower pedestrian <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="injury rates," data-vars-click-url="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://waymo.com/safety/impact&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1777669668294700&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Mr4NLs4adoQ2W54wr77qz" data-vars-content-id="7fe71ae4-b189-48c0-a2bd-384a815cb060" data-vars-headline="What San Francisco readers really think about Waymo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://waymo.com/safety/impact&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1777669668294700&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Mr4NLs4adoQ2W54wr77qz" target="_blank">injury rates,</a> but concerns over driving performance, data privacy and jobs continue to drive resistance. </li></ul>We invited readers to weigh in with their Waymo stories — here&#x27;s what you shared.

Big drop in speeding fuels demand for more cameras

One year into their launch at 33 locations, the conversation is shifting toward rapid expansion.

San Francisco&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="33 speed cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/05/speeding-fines-now-enforced-by-sf-cameras" data-vars-content-id="c5759698-a133-48a1-b7d4-a288b5028158" data-vars-headline="Big drop in speeding fuels demand for more cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/08/05/speeding-fines-now-enforced-by-sf-cameras" target="_self">33 speed cameras</a> have led to a nearly 80% reduction in the share of drivers traveling at least 10 mph above the speed limit since launching in March of last year, per SFMTA data released Wednesday.Why it matters: Critics have long <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aclunorcal.org/news/california-s-surveillance-systems-have-once-again-become-major-liability/#:~:text=According%20to%20Politicians%20and%20business%20leaders%2C%20surveillance,scrutinize%2C%20understand%2C%20oversee%2C%20and%20dismantle%20surveillance%20systems." data-vars-content-id="c5759698-a133-48a1-b7d4-a288b5028158" data-vars-headline="Big drop in speeding fuels demand for more cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aclunorcal.org/news/california-s-surveillance-systems-have-once-again-become-major-liability/#:~:text=According%20to%20Politicians%20and%20business%20leaders%2C%20surveillance,scrutinize%2C%20understand%2C%20oversee%2C%20and%20dismantle%20surveillance%20systems." target="_blank">expressed concern</a> over privacy, surveillance and racial equity issues. But now that the numbers are in, some are shifting the debate from whether the cameras should exist to how fast they can scale.

San Francisco approves Muni budget — but bigger crisis looms

Deficits could still force major Muni cuts without new funding.

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.

What San Franciscans have to say about unsafe driving

Axios SF readers pointed to drivers blowing through red lights amid weak enforcement and a slow city response.

Last week&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="newsletter on street safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-san-francisco-77c65ecd-74cc-4569-906b-47173cb6e89b.html" data-vars-content-id="ac2db2e3-ad77-4381-ba67-d028ad4b19f6" data-vars-headline="What San Franciscans have to say about unsafe driving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-san-francisco-77c65ecd-74cc-4569-906b-47173cb6e89b.html" target="_self">newsletter on street safety</a> resonated with a lot of you, and you shared your thoughts.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="An Axios analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/30/sf-10-streets-pedestrian-crash-hotspots" data-vars-content-id="ac2db2e3-ad77-4381-ba67-d028ad4b19f6" data-vars-headline="What San Franciscans have to say about unsafe driving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/30/sf-10-streets-pedestrian-crash-hotspots" target="_self">An Axios analysis</a> found that 10 streets account for about a third of all vehicle-pedestrian <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="injury crashes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/26/sf-most-severe-crashes-map-high-injury-network" data-vars-content-id="ac2db2e3-ad77-4381-ba67-d028ad4b19f6" data-vars-headline="What San Franciscans have to say about unsafe driving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/26/sf-most-severe-crashes-map-high-injury-network" target="_self">injury crashes</a> in San Francisco — a pattern that hasn&#x27;t changed since before the pandemic.

We ranked BART station bathrooms so you know where to go

You're lying if you've never found yourself scrambling for a toilet at the most inopportune times.

Though I usually try to avoid public restrooms, I found myself bracing to use one at BART&#x27;s Daly City station before the Chinese <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Year Parade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/02/23/lunar-new-year-parades-chinatown-origin-story" data-vars-content-id="e50581d0-535d-4e56-8e54-82508e2e319b" data-vars-headline="We ranked BART station bathrooms so you know where to go" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/02/23/lunar-new-year-parades-chinatown-origin-story" target="_self">New Year Parade</a> in March.<ul><li>It was surprisingly clean — which got me wondering: Just how well-maintained are BART&#x27;s toilets?</li></ul>Why it matters: You&#x27;re lying if you&#x27;ve never found yourself scrambling for a toilet at the most inopportune times.

Behind the street safety fix SF advocates say could save lives

It'd involve inserting physical barriers in the road space next to curbs that are within 20 feet of a crosswalk.

&quot;Hardened daylighting&quot; might not be a term most people know. But in San Francisco, street safety advocates want it to be a priority as the city weighs competing projects to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="curb aggressive driving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/30/sf-10-streets-pedestrian-crash-hotspots" data-vars-content-id="b2210545-4fd7-4d09-9d56-0c8fc2f86858" data-vars-headline="Behind the street safety fix SF advocates say could save lives" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2026/03/30/sf-10-streets-pedestrian-crash-hotspots" target="_self">curb aggressive driving</a>.The big picture: Hardened daylighting involves inserting physical barriers including planters, bike or scooter racks in the road space next to daylighted curbs (within 20 feet of a crosswalk), to force drivers to round corners more carefully.

🚗 Driving gets pricey

San Francisco is No. 2 most expensive U.S. city for car commuters

A table that ranks the 10 most expensive U.S. cities for commuting by annual downtown parking and local gas costs. New York is highest at $9,590, followed by San Francisco at $5,520 and Boston at $4,800. Portland is lowest among the 10 at $3,570.

Transit 🚗

Broadway Tunnel construction to snarl traffic for 14 months

Bay Bridge overnight lane closures begin this week

San Francisco is No. 2 most expensive U.S. city for car commuters

PayByPhone no longer works for San Francisco parking meters

Muni rail ridership hits post-pandemic high