Researchers are hoping to learn whether and how the health of people who live and work near the old Hunters Point Shipyard, which was used as a toxic and radioactive waste dump, may have been affected by toxic materials. Journalist Chris Roberts reported for the Public Press that nearly all participants in a recent community health biomonitoring survey had elevated levels of toxic heavy metals that are “contaminants of concern” at the shipyard.
Category: News
Posted inNews
Sunshine Board May Return to Keeping an Eye on City Hall
One of the key panels maintaining local government accountability will soon get back to work after being sidelined for months if the head of the Board of Supervisors gets his way. The Sunshine Ordinance Task Force has not met since Mayor London Breed suspended most public meetings in mid-March, but board President Norman Yee aims to change that.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Elections, News
Youth Mobilize, Again, for S.F. Voting Rights
Youth aged 16 and 17 could gain the right to vote in municipal elections if existing voters approve a charter amendment in November. City supervisors have introduced that amendment, and if it continues to see widespread support from the board, the measure will go to the ballot.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, News
Media Focus on Trump Misinformation Distracts From Serious Pandemic Coverage — ‘News in Context’
As we seek out relevant and reliable information on COVID-19, we are also exposed to misinformation, opinion and mixed messages from our leaders. We rely on journalists to give us timely fact-based reporting about all aspects of this developing story — to help us navigate the onslaught and contextualize, not editorialize or spin.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, News
Reporting on Homelessness During Coronavirus Pandemic
How to best support the thousands of people who are homeless in San Francisco, and prevent the spread of the new coronavirus among them, during this pandemic has been a point of contention for months. San Francisco Public Press reporter Brian Howey has been covering everything from a scuttled initiative to test everyone in the shelter system to how the city would use RVs it had secured for people without housing to self-isolate.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, News
Sustaining Local Media During the Public Health Crisis
Even as more people than ever are turning to local media for reliable information during the COVID-19 crisis, many local outlets are actually laying off staff because of a collapse in the advertising market.
Posted inFrom the Newsroom, News
Neighborhood Meets Challenge: How S.F.’s Sunset Organized for Pandemic Aid
The Public Press hosted a conversation April 3 with Sunset Neighborhood Help Group founders Frank Plughoff, Bianca Nandzik and Stefan Nandzik about how they are coordinating a dynamic volunteer network to connect with elderly and at-risk neighbors who need help buying groceries and running errands during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meka Boyle, who first reported on […]
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, California, Elections, Environment, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Housing, News, San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide
Assembly Member Phil Ting Advocates for Electric Cars, Criminal Record Reform, Housing Investment
Assembly member Phil Ting represents District 19, having been elected to that seat in 2012.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, News, Transportation, Utilities
Experts Flag Transparency, Accountability Concerns With Commission’s Ride-Hailing Regulations
In January, the San Francisco Public Press published an investigation showing just how much we don’t know about the safety record of the ride-hailing industry. The Public Press recently hosted an event at which journalist Seth Rosenfeld offered the latest developments in the story
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Elections, Government & Politics, News, San Francisco March 2020 Nonpartisan Election Guide
Republican Business Tax Attorney Seeks State Assembly Seat
John McDonnell is a business and tax attorney born and raised in San Francisco. He’s running to challenge State Assemblyman Phil Ting for the seat for District 19, which covers western San Francisco.