San Francisco

Tech professionals and financiers using AI-generated funds are purchasing private jets. San Francisco, home to AI companies OpenAI and Anthropic, experienced the fastest growth among major U.S. cities.

Florianópolis, Brazil, was named one of 20 inaugural 'Cities Towards Zero Waste' by UN-Habitat. The city composted 5,126 tonnes of food waste in 2024, up from 1,175 tonnes in 2020, but processed only 13% of its food waste in 2024.

Airbnb, based in San Francisco, has purchased its first New York City office building despite ongoing challenges with local politicians who have imposed restrictions on the home-sharing platform.

A former San Francisco church youth leader was convicted of sexually assaulting two unconscious teenagers in 2017. Marvin Sotorizo was found guilty of two counts of oral copulation of an unconscious person following a jury trial. Prosecutors stated he had groomed the victims while leading a Potrero Hill church youth group.

California faces debate over voter participation, with low turnout in recent elections sparking discussions about whether voting should be easier or harder. A ballot measure (Proposition 39) would require government-issued ID for in-person voting or mail-in ballots, while efforts to expand voting rights, such as allowing noncitizens to vote in school board elections, have seen mixed success.

Matt Wilsey developed a gene therapy to treat his daughter Grace's NGLY1 deficiency, an ultra-rare genetic disorder, but the treatment caused her to be hospitalized. Wilsey's efforts, which involved assembling scientists and advocates, aim to create a model for curing other rare diseases.

Cities and states are reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements to address housing shortages, with Columbus, Ohio, having enacted the first such rules in 1923. Since 2017, 116 cities, including Baltimore and San Francisco, have removed parking minimums citywide, while 14 states have passed 34 related laws. Experts argue these reforms aim to lower housing costs and increase affordability, though opponents raise concerns about congestion and accessibility.

Police in Northern California detained two 15-year-olds who were drinking and shooting Orbeez from a self-driving Waymo vehicle. Waymo remotely pulled the car into a parking lot after alerting law enforcement, and officers found the teens engaging in the prohibited activities. Public concern arose over surveillance and privacy, with some questioning Waymo's role in the incident.

Police in Northern California detained two 15-year-olds who were drinking and shooting water beads from a self-driving Waymo vehicle. Waymo remotely stopped the car after alerting law enforcement, and officers searched the vehicle, finding the teens engaged in the prohibited activities.

A tech startup launched an AI meeting app in San Francisco by hosting a pirate-themed party at a Painted Lady, offering the public a free look inside the historic home.

The median cost of a home in San Francisco has reached a record high of $1.7 million, driven by wealthy AI workers. This marks a significant increase in the city's housing market.

Zillow identified Providence, Rhode Island as the hottest rental market in the U.S. in 2026, surpassing major cities like New York and San Francisco. The ranking is based on rapid rent growth, low vacancies, and few rental concessions, driven by limited housing inventory and high demand.

Anthropic is leasing a new office building in New York City, with plans to move in this summer and expand space for 1,700 desks. The company aims to double its local workforce by the end of the year, as New York remains its second-largest office hub after San Francisco.

Cities and states are reducing or eliminating minimum parking requirements to address housing shortages and lower development costs. Since 2017, 116 cities, including Baltimore and San Francisco, have removed such mandates, while 14 states have enacted 34 related laws. Critics argue this may worsen congestion and harm accessibility for some groups, but proponents highlight affordability and project feasibility benefits.

San Francisco experienced a surge in electric scooter injuries during the July 4 weekend, with first responders reporting 15 victims in a 40-minute period. While illegal fireworks also caused serious injuries, scooter-related incidents saw the largest increase in calls for service.

San Francisco homes are selling for over $1 million above asking price due to an AI boom driving increased wealth and competitive bidding. A Compass analysis found 140 homes sold with this price gap in the first half of 2026, including 44 in June alone.

San Francisco's AI boom has led to homes selling for over $1 million above asking price, with 140 sales in the first half of 2026, including 44 in June alone, according to a Compass analysis.

San Francisco's AI boom has led to homes selling for over $1 million above asking prices, with 140 such sales in the first half of 2026. A Compass report highlights widespread overbidding in the city's scarce housing market.

Three people were arrested and a large amount of narcotics were seized in San Francisco when police responded to a possible vehicle burglary at Mason and Pine streets.

Bonita Taqueria y Rotisserie, a Marina District-founded taqueria, is opening its third San Francisco location in Noe Valley on July 8. The new address is 4063 24th St., joining existing locations on Polk Street and in the Marina.

The author quit their job to travel with their father, who was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died 10 days after their trip began. A year later, the author is returning to work after grieving and managing their father's estate.

Zoox, an Amazon-owned robotaxi service, increased its share of monthly active users to 25% in the first half of 2026, up from 15%, while Waymo's share dropped to 69% from 79%. Zoox expanded operations to Austin, Miami, and expanded areas in San Francisco and Las Vegas, doubling its user base during the period.

A San Francisco supervisor candidate is facing sexual assault allegations from a former political organizer. The accused, Manny Yekutiel, owner of Manny’s Café, denies the allegations, which occurred at a social gathering.

San Francisco city officials are addressing a public transit failure on July 4 that caused widespread delays, cancellations, and gridlock, stranding commuters and event attendees. Despite assurances of 'carefully made plans,' the transit issues led to a city-wide standstill.

A Waymo autonomous vehicle in San Francisco drove into lit fireworks during Independence Day celebrations, terrifying passengers who recorded the incident. No injuries were reported, and the company stated it is evaluating the event. Possession of fireworks, including 'Safe and Sane' types, is illegal in the city.

Waymo is investigating an incident where an autonomous vehicle drove over a lit firework on July 4, causing smoke but no injuries or damage. Another unoccupied Waymo vehicle caught fire after driving over a small firework in San Francisco, while several others were towed due to battery issues during traffic congestion caused by post-fireworks events.

Nanik Tagore, a recent graduate in San Francisco, works 10 hours weekly for an older couple through the platform JoeyCo, earning $30 per hour. This arrangement covers part of his $1,750 monthly rent, making housing more affordable. The couple, Robert and Paige Miller, benefit from his assistance, particularly with tasks like transportation and meal prep, while maintaining clear boundaries on his work hours.

San Francisco's office market is heating up again, with landlords who invested in building upgrades profiting while those who couldn't invest remain in limbo.

A new generation of entrepreneurs in San Francisco is leveraging pop-up spaces to introduce unique coffee offerings like Vietnamese phin and Iranian roasts, fostering dedicated customer followings. The trend reflects a shift in the local coffee scene toward temporary, innovative concepts.

Giuliana Milanese has been involved in numerous progressive causes in San Francisco over the last 50 years. The article references her family's political background, noting that all her aunts in Pavia were Communists.

Several Waymo vehicles were stranded on San Francisco streets due to Fourth of July traffic gridlock, leading to drained batteries and requiring towing. The incident occurred during a traffic standstill amid Fourth of July celebrations on Saturday.

San Francisco police used riot gear to disperse crowds and close streets after 10 p.m. on July 4 during illegal fireworks shows. Hundreds of people were affected by the crackdown.

Waymo's robotaxis stalled and caused traffic congestion following San Francisco's largest fireworks show in years. One robotaxi was observed driving through an exploding firework in the Mission district.

Some Waymo robotaxis in San Francisco stalled or ran out of power during July 4th gridlock and required towing. The company attributed the disruptions to extreme traffic congestion and unplanned road closures after Golden Gate Bridge fireworks, with its roadside assistance team handling the logistics.

Protests against California state senator Scott Wiener and New York congressman Dan Goldman over their positions on Israel’s war on Gaza have intensified, highlighting the Israel-Palestine conflict’s influence on US elections and sparking debate about protest tactics. A group confronted Wiener at a trans pride march in San Francisco, forcing him to leave the event.

The cost of ice cream in San Francisco is rising, though many still consider it a worthwhile summer treat. The article highlights the increasing price of a cone in the city.

Nancy Pelosi endorsed Connie Chan, a progressive Chinese-American supervisor, to succeed her in Congress, potentially influencing US-China relations. Analysts suggest this could create marginal opportunities in bilateral ties.

The Pelosi family is a modern American political force with San Francisco roots, vast wealth, and decades of institutional Democratic muscle.

Residents in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood report that a thief has been stealing sewer drain covers repeatedly at night. The incidents are causing concern among locals due to the potential hazards posed by missing infrastructure.

San Francisco homebuyers are using AI-related currency to outbid rivals, while the Silicon Valley AI boom has made Bay Area home-buying 'miserable'.