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San Francisco

All articles tagged with #san francisco

technology2 days ago•8 min saved

Robotaxis Block SF Emergencies, Triggering Scrutiny

Since April 2025, San Francisco firefighters have filed at least 31 internal reports accusing Waymo and other robotaxi operators of obstructing emergency operations, causing delays and forcing responders to move stalled vehicles—including several incidents during life-threatening calls and the 2025 PG&E blackout when dozens of AVs were stranded. Regulators are examining the issue: California has laws requiring AVs to answer emergency calls quickly and to allow blocking certain areas, and SF Supervisor Connie Chan plans legislation to cite companies for obstructions. Waymo says it trains for first responders, maintains a 24/7 emergency line, and uses incident reports to improve, while noting these reports reflect the agencies’ perspective and that most AV interactions with emergency vehicles are safe; critics urge standardized reporting and faster fixes.

via The San Francisco Standard|

#autonomous-vehicles #emergency-services #regulation

business3 days ago•3 min saved

SFO eyes private luxury terminal to VIP-travel by 2028

San Francisco International Airport plans a 75,000-square-foot private luxury terminal for commercial flights, featuring dedicated TSA/CBP lines, private security, and valet service, with access sold via membership or per-use and a hoped-for opening in late 2028 after a bidding process.

via The Guardian|

#airports #business #luxury-travel

politics3 days ago•4 min saved

San Francisco edges toward Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes

San Francisco's Board of Supervisors advanced plans to permit Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes, allowing lounges to sell cannabis-infused food and nonalcoholic drinks with live entertainment, aligning with AB 1775; supporters say it could boost business and tourism, while critics raise concerns about indoor air quality and public health, with a final vote expected next Tuesday.

via New York Post|

#ab1775 #cannabis #cannabis-cafes

local4 days ago•4 min saved

San Francisco Seeks Answers After July 4 Transit Fiasco

San Francisco apologized for a July 4 transit meltdown that left Muni and other services overwhelmed by a crowd estimated around 100,000, with buses stuck in traffic and some riders stranded. The SFMTA said their system could not handle the influx and announced an internal review with results public in a month. City supervisors are pushing for a formal hearing to assess coordination with private partners and other departments to prevent a repeat, highlighting issues from overcrowded shuttle buses and long porta-potty lines to disruptions linked to self-driving Waymo vehicles. Mayor Lurie emphasized safety and pledged to work with partners to improve future events.

via SFist|

#hearing #july-4 #local

local4 days ago•5 min saved

San Francisco to Probe Waymo's Role in Fourth of July Traffic Chaos

San Francisco Supervisor Bilal Mahmood plans a two-week inquiry asking city agencies how autonomous vehicles, including Waymo, affected transit service, emergency response, and egress during the Fourth of July fireworks turnout that exceeded expectations. Residents reported a robotaxi gridlock and long delays; Waymo said some vehicles were stalled or towed, while Muni officials apologized and noted the event’s northwestern location constrained transit. The inquiry targets Emergency Management, Fire, and MTA to determine what could be done better for future large events.

via KQED|

#autonomous-vehicles #fourth-of-july #gridlock

business4 days ago•2 min saved

AI Wealth Triggers Historic Overbids in San Francisco Homes

San Francisco's AI-driven wealth surge is fueling a dramatic spike in home prices, with Compass data showing more than 140 homes selling for at least $1 million above asking in the first half of 2026 (44 in June), up sharply from prior years. The rush is linked to wealth from OpenAI/Anthropic-related activity and tightening inventory, pushing the median single-family price to about $2.2M and placing SF's market among the fastest, most expensive in the country as demand remains concentrated near AI employment centers.

via The Guardian|

#ai-boom #business #housing-market

real-estate4 days ago•4 min saved

San Francisco Real Estate Goes All-In on IPO Season

San Francisco’s housing market is in a hyper-bidding phase, with 144 homes selling for at least $1 million over asking in the first half of 2026 and May averages about 25% over asking, as buyers rush to secure properties ahead of AI/tech IPOs and lockups. Limited inventory, rising rents, and strong demand in luxury and downtown condos show the market heat shifting from Silicon Valley to San Francisco.

via The San Francisco Standard|

#bidding-wars #hyper-bidding #ipos

local5 days ago•5 min saved

SF Muni Struggles to Move Crowds at Major Events

A SFist opinion piece argues that the SFMTA over-promised on handling large crowds for high-demand events—like fireworks on the Bay and Outside Lands—yet failed to deliver, leading to long delays, jammed buses and trains, insufficient signage, and riders stranded for hours. The piece notes rideshares and other traffic complicating the situation, and calls for the city to acknowledge transit capacity limits and improve planning, signage, and execution to avoid future chaos.

via SFist|

#crowd-control #local #muni

technology6 days ago•3 min saved

Waymo’s driverless fleet stranded in SF as July Fourth gridlock drains batteries

Waymo’s driverless cars in San Francisco were left stranded and several had to be towed after batteries drained in heavy Fourth of July traffic and fireworks-related congestion; one vehicle even caught fire after driving over fireworks, though no injuries were reported. The company said roadside assistance cleared the vehicles and that it’s evaluating ways to strengthen resilience in major disruptions.

via NBC News|

#autonomous-vehicles #fourth-of-july #san-francisco

technology6 days ago•7 min saved

Waymo Robotaxis Grounded by Fourth of July Gridlock in San Francisco

During San Francisco’s Fourth of July celebrations, some Waymo robotaxis stalled, ran out of charge while idling, or were towed amid severe gridlock, prompting the company’s roadside assistance to respond; Waymo said the disruptions were due to traffic and coordination with authorities, with no injuries reported. The company operates about 2,500 robotaxis across several US cities and relies on a multisensor system (29 cameras, five lidars, six radars) to drive autonomously.

via Business Insider|

#autonomous-vehicles #gridlock #robotaxi

local6 days ago•2 min saved

Fog Keeps SF's Golden Gate Bridge Fireworks in the Shadows

Fireworks for America’s 250th birthday fired from the Golden Gate Bridge were largely obscured by a marine layer, with visibility depending on vantage point. West-side viewers around the Presidio and other western spots saw the bridge vanish into fog, while eastern viewpoints caught a few color bursts. The 15-minute show drew crowds, snarled traffic, and local renegade displays continued elsewhere in the city.

via The San Francisco Standard|

#fireworks #fog #fourth-of-july

business7 days ago•3 min saved

AI Stocks as Bids: San Francisco Homes Enter a Futuristic Currency Era

AI wealth from Silicon Valley is fueling a Bay Area real estate craze, with reports of bids paid in equity from AI firms like OpenAI and even listings accepting AI stock as payment. While some offers have exceeded asking prices, the authenticity of the specific exchange is unclear, and such deals carry stock-value risks and require precise purchase agreements. The story underscores how the AI boom is reshaping who can buy homes in San Francisco, though it’s not yet clear how widespread or enforceable these arrangements will be.

via New York Post|

#artificial-intelligence #business #openai

travel7 days ago•27 min saved

Norovirus nightmare at sea: passenger recalls chaotic Ruby Princess Alaska cruise

A Ruby Princess 20-day Alaska cruise experienced a norovirus outbreak that sickened more than 100 passengers and about 20 crew. Passengers were urged to report symptoms as the ship underwent deep cleaning and non-self-serve meals, with quarantines for those affected. The CDC reported 3.4% of the 3,032 passengers and 2% of the 1,144 crew fell ill, and the vessel returned to San Francisco for comprehensive disinfection, after which illnesses declined. The passenger, Peter Korer, who didn’t fall ill, described the ship as a “floating Petri dish” and noted precautions and sanitization in place, while later boarding another cruise; Princess Cruises said illness was limited and highlighted ongoing sanitation protocols, with previous outbreaks on other Princess ships this year.

via New York Post|

#alaska #cruise #norovirus

economy8 days ago•9 min saved

Bay Area Leads as Cities Require Six-Figure Incomes to Live Comfortably

A Voronoi/Visual Capitalist visualization ranks 56 U.S. cities by the annual income a family of four must earn to live comfortably under a 50/30/20 budget (MIT Living Wage Calculator, Feb 2026). San Francisco (~$408k) and San Jose (~$403k) top the list, with six California cities in the top 10 and a wide gap driven mainly by housing costs; even the least expensive metros require about $193k (San Antonio), illustrating how living costs vary across the country.

via Visual Capitalist|

#bay-area #cost-of-living #economy

business8 days ago•24 min saved

Anchor Brewing Returns to Its Classic Labels After Failed Rebrand

San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing has won federal approval to revive its iconic label designs for Anchor Steam Beer and Old Foghorn Ale, restoring the original Jim Stitt artwork after backlash against the 2021 rebrand. Since Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya bought the brewery in 2024, the revival aims to restore branding and revive the Potrero Hill campus, with speculation about reopening the taproom after years of financial strain and a 2023 shutdown.

via New York Post|

#anchor-brewing #anchor-steam-beer #business