Welcome to the SF Dispatch, a daily newsletter round-up to save you some time catching up on the latest headlines from billionaire funded to independent news.
đ Featured News
Tim Redmond
No surprise: Zohran Mamdani got elected mayor of New York talking about affordability. The politics of US cities is changing; the dynamic is moving from crime to rent. Something else is happening, too, in San Francisco. For decades, politics in this city have been defined by two basic camps: Corporate Democrats and Progressive Democrats. (Everyone in local politics is a Democrat). The Corporate Democrats are funded by, and generally support, the billionaires, big tech, finance and real estate. The Progressive Democrats are generally supported by grassroots organizing and labor.
Leanne Maxwell
Despite Lurie taking credit for the latest expansion, the Examiner reported in its November article that reserve funds already earmarked for the current expansion had been sitting in the bank since the measure passed in 2018, amounting to nearly $500 million after accrued interest. Per the Examiner, local and state officials had been urging the city throughout 2025 to release the funds and expedite the expansion.
Daisy Nguyen
Union representatives maintain that Kaiser can meet their demands given its profits and an estimated $66 billion in reserves.
đ° Local Headlines
City Hall
Gavin Newsom says S.F. is making âextraordinary progressâ under Mayor Daniel Lurie
via www.sfchronicle.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Mayor Lurie, S.F. officials press Blue Shield to cover firefightersâ cancer care
via missionlocal.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Most SF Families Qualify for the Cityâs Free Subsidized Child Care, But Few Know About It
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Politics
Tenantsâ Rights Bill Stalls In Sacramento
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Governorâs Race Takes Shape as Bonta Opts Out, Mahan Weighs Run
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
âLeave before the Bâ: The billionaire tax backlash is spreading far beyond billionaires
via sfstandard.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Criminal Justice
No charges to be filed against driver in Burlingame crash that killed 4-year-old
via www.cbsnews.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Former Oakland Cops Appeal 'Ghost Chase' Liability Case to Supreme Court
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Public Safety
Mission District Shooting Marks San Franciscoâs First Killing of 2026
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
One Person Fatally Shot In Potrero Hill In SF's First Homicide of 2026
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Person fatally shot in the Mission District on Thursday night
via missionlocal.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Immigration
Alameda County Will Consider Establishing âICE-Free Zones,â Potentially Banning ICE From County-Owned Property
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Why a Bay Area Attorney Says Immigrantsâ Rights Are Being Violated in Minneapolis
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Transgender Law Center Reports That ICE Has Killed 39 People Since 2025
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Statement by Widow Sheds Light on the Life and Legacy of RenĂ©e Nicole Good (1988â2026)
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Human Banner at Ocean Beach: âIT WAS MURDER â ICE OUT!â
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Oakland âIce Out for Goodâ Protest on January 11, 2026
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Labor
Stone Industry Proposes Self-Policing as California Weighs Artificial Stone Ban
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Union of 31,000 Kaiser Workers to Go On Indefinite Strike
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Business
West Portal's Squat & Gobble Announces Closure
via www.inglesidelight.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
SF developer bets on 101 California, sets post-pandemic price ceiling
via sfstandard.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
That Taco Bell Cantina at the Wharf Had a Grand Opening Party and It Was Lit
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
This Week In Food: New Pizza Lands In Hayes Valley
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
It Looks Like Elon Musk's Suit Against OpenAI Over Abandoned Nonprofit Mission Is Headed to Trial
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
The Old Hibernia Bank on Valencia Street Could Become a Restaurant, Bookstore, and Event Venue
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
PG&E Plans Power Outages for San Francisco Neighborhoods Hit by Major Blackout
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Culture
A very good egg
via sf.gazetteer.co | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Cartoonist Paul Kilduff Wins Award From SF Press Club
via richmondsunsetnews.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
How Daniel Meléndez found community among the shelves of a Mission bookstore
via missionlocal.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
A Digital Archival Collection Spotlight: Victoria Fernandez/Vicki Starr Papers
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
An SF chefâs water-to-table guide to throwing an epic Dungeness crab feast
via sfstandard.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Bob Weir, the shipwrecked sailor, and me
via sfstandard.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
âHeated Rivalryâ has San Francisco ravenous for tuna melt sandwiches
via sfstandard.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Housing
California awards $419M to combat homelessness in SF, LA and San Diego
via www.ktvu.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
SFOâs Class for Fearful Flyers; Meet the âBatman of San Joseâ
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Lurie, Newsom Tout Millions in Homelessness Funding for San Francisco Amid Budget Blows
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Day Around the Bay: Over 200 California State Parks Will Be Free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Health
City leaders join the fight for retired SF firefighter's cancer care coverage
via www.ktvu.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
San Francisco releases the latest data on overdose deaths
via www.ktvu.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Education
CCA president David Howse on the closure that shocked the art world
via sfstandard.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Opinion
Lurie discovers affordability
via 48hills.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Protecting Marriage Equality in the New Year
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Happy New Year? Hmm âŠ
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Ann Rostow: And So Begins Another Year at SCOTUS
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Arts and Events
Your guide to the best events of SF Art Week
via sfstandard.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Blue Angels make early Bay Area visit to prepare for 2026 Fleet Week show
via www.cbsnews.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Sunset Buzz: new street for Claude on Sunday, and potato puffs afterwards
via missionlocal.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
California State Parks Are Free This MLK Day
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link
A Dolly Parton 80th Birthday Bash Is Happening Sunday at the Make-Out Room, So Steel Your Magnolias
via sfist.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Super Bowl events: List of fan festivals, concerts, tailgates, watch parties
via www.nbcbayarea.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Welcoming 2026 â New Yearâs Eve Celebrations
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Giving Back to the Communities That Support Us
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Fighting Back, Pushing Forward: Horizons Hosts its Annual State of the Movement
via sfbaytimes.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Hard-partying Mission dive Beauty Bar reopens after a 2-year renovation
via sfstandard.com | Push to Kindle | Source Link
Miscellaneous
With Highway 1 Reopening, the Iconic Big Sur Spots You Can Visit From the Bay Area Again
via ww2.kqed.org | Push to Kindle | Source Link