Usual Suspects – San Francisco's Political Homepage

Today’s Stories (Last updated January 31, 09:34 AM)

by Ross Guehring

City officials are on the hunt for the missing bond money from the South of Market Community Stabilization Fund. And according to the Chronicle, the police and City Attorney's office... more

City officials are on the hunt for the missing bond money from the South of Market Community Stabilization Fund. And according to the Chronicle, the police and City Attorney's office are telling one person - you're suspect! more

Case of missing S.F. bond money has a suspect

Chronicle (01/30/2015)

Official suspected of embezzling $1.3 million resigns from agency

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Opinion: SF appeal threatens protections for the disabled

Examiner (01/20/2015)

S.F city attorney presses for Academy of Art building code crackdown

San Francisco Business Times (01/02/2015)

Jan
30

Pay Up

by Ross Guehring

The San Francisco Democratic Party has joined the choir of folks asking Airbnb to pay its back taxes. A preview of an upcoming ballot measure, perhaps?? more

SF Democratic Party urges Airbnb to pay back taxes

Examiner (01/30/2015)

Judge tosses challenge to SF 'Airbnb law’ but future suits likely

Chronicle (01/29/2015)

City Insider: Airbnb under more pressure to pay S.F. back taxes

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

Supervisors reject appeal against e-cigarette business as part of packed agenda

Examiner (01/14/2015)

Jan
30

Bayview United

by Ross Guehring

Members of the Bayview community took to the streets on Thursday night to stand up against the recent rise in violence. Meanwhile, Supervisor Malia Cohen is advocating for more money... more

Members of the Bayview community took to the streets on Thursday night to stand up against the recent rise in violence. Meanwhile, Supervisor Malia Cohen is advocating for more money to fund anti-violence programs in the community. more

Community members share anger at recent violence in Bayview

Examiner (01/30/2015)

SF supervisors support establishing gun violence prevention task force

Examiner (01/28/2015)

Western Addition struggles to save young lives after 4 killings

Chronicle (01/27/2015)

SF supervisors ask police to explain connection between rising crime and staffing level

Examiner (01/25/2015)

Jan
30

CleanPowerSF

by Ross Guehring

Boom. CleanPowerSF is back and it's better than ever. At least that's what some people are saying now that Mayor Ed Lee has signed on. more

CleanPowerSF back on track with anticipated job creation, mayor support

Examiner (01/30/2015)

SF’s public-power program set for new customers

Examiner (11/26/2014)

The mayor who cried PG&E: Lee’s new bid

Examiner (11/25/2014)

S.F. clean energy program could generate 8,100 jobs, report says

Chronicle (11/17/2014)

Jan
30

Mission Fire

by Ross Guehring

The investigation over the Mission district fire rolls on, which includes a look to see if there were faulty alarms and blocked fire escapes. It's expected to take a few weeks before... more

The investigation over the Mission district fire rolls on, which includes a look to see if there were faulty alarms and blocked fire escapes. It's expected to take a few weeks before we all know what happened in this deadly blaze. more

Escapes blocked, alarms failed in fatal Mission fire, tenants say

Chronicle (01/30/2015)

Mission building landlord says fire alarm worked properly as of last inspection

Examiner (01/30/2015)

1 dead, 6 injured in Mission District inferno

Chronicle (01/29/2015)

One dead in four-alarm Mission fire

Examiner (01/29/2015)

Jan
30

Density Advocates

by Ross Guehring

The Business Times shines a light on a group of pro-development renters who are fighting and organizing on behalf of housing projects. more

Editorial: Renters finally organize to push for Bay Area housing

San Francisco Business Times (01/30/2015)

Suspects Twitter Feed*

*The Suspects Twitter Feed is a sampling of opinion from leading voices discussing (usually) SF politics, and not authored by us.

Today’s Suspects Updater

Did we find all the stories? Tell us what we missed!

Rosie Dilger

A former campaign operative with a history of championing women’s rights and those good old fashioned San Francisco Values, Rosie brings an insider perspective to city politics. When she’s not doing outreach in the community or assisting her clients, she enjoys riding her bike, practicing yoga, cooking and exploring the city and all it has to offer.

In the Past Week…

Jan
29

Tragedy in the Bayview

by Jesse Feldman

A mother was tragically, fatally struck by a stray bullet in the Bayview yesterday. more

Bayview mom killed by stray bullet in front of her 3 children

Chronicle (01/29/2015)

SF supervisors ask police to explain connection between rising crime and staffing level

Examiner (01/25/2015)

Matier and Ross: S.F. supe, London Breed, calls out black community on gun crime

Chronicle (01/21/2015)

Jury deliberations to begin for two officers accused of illegal searches

Examiner (01/21/2015)

Jan
29

C.W. Nevius

by Taylor Jordan

It's been quite the uphill climb for Polk Street, and we don't mean that one stretch leading into Cow Hollow. Nevius takes us through the current plans for the Polk Street Streetscap... more

It's been quite the uphill climb for Polk Street, and we don't mean that one stretch leading into Cow Hollow. Nevius takes us through the current plans for the Polk Street Streetscape Project, and what troubles lie ahead. more

C.W. Nevius: Driving a hard bargain over plans for Polk Street

Chronicle (01/29/2015)

C.W. Nevius: Countdown to crosswalk danger, not safety

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

C.W. Nevius: City comparisons prompt waves of snark

Chronicle (01/24/2015)

C.W. Nevius: S.F. activists shocked that shade killed condo project

Chronicle (01/22/2015)

Jan
29

Mission Fire

by Taylor Jordan

Sadly, last night's four alarm in the Mission claimed one life, but many more were saved thanks to the excellent work of the fire department. more

1 dead, 6 injured in Mission District inferno

Chronicle (01/29/2015)

One dead in four-alarm Mission fire

Examiner (01/29/2015)

Escapes blocked, alarms failed in fatal Mission fire, tenants say

Chronicle (01/30/2015)

Mission building landlord says fire alarm worked properly as of last inspection

Examiner (01/30/2015)

Jan
29

Ballot Measure Reform

by Taylor Jordan

Examiner guest columnist Supervisor Scott Wiener penned this piece on why San Francisco needs to reform its ballot measure system. more

Increasing transparency and public participation in our ballot measure process

Examiner (01/29/2015)

Senior 'Bill of Rights' unveiled

The Bay Area Reporter (01/29/2015)

Ad campaign signals SF soda battle far from over

Examiner (01/27/2015)

SF supervisors ask police to explain connection between rising crime and staffing level

Examiner (01/25/2015)

Jan
29

LGBT Senior Bill of Rights

by Taylor Jordan

The Bay Area Reporter states that a new measure to help protect LGBT seniors as they approach their golden years will be coming in front of the Board of Supervisors in March or Apri... more

The Bay Area Reporter states that a new measure to help protect LGBT seniors as they approach their golden years will be coming in front of the Board of Supervisors in March or April. more

Senior 'Bill of Rights' unveiled

The Bay Area Reporter (01/29/2015)

Increasing transparency and public participation in our ballot measure process

Examiner (01/29/2015)

Ad campaign signals SF soda battle far from over

Examiner (01/27/2015)

SF supervisors ask police to explain connection between rising crime and staffing level

Examiner (01/25/2015)

Jan
29

Airbnb suit tossed

by Taylor Jordan

San Francisco's new regulations for those that want to list their pad on Airbnb (or other similar sites) are about to go into effect. And just in time, a federal judge tossed a case ... more

San Francisco's new regulations for those that want to list their pad on Airbnb (or other similar sites) are about to go into effect. And just in time, a federal judge tossed a case challenging these tightened restrictions. But like any juicy issue, it will likely find its way back to the courts eventually. more

Judge tosses challenge to SF 'Airbnb law’ but future suits likely

Chronicle (01/29/2015)

SF Democratic Party urges Airbnb to pay back taxes

Examiner (01/30/2015)

City Insider: Airbnb under more pressure to pay S.F. back taxes

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

Editorial: Housing loses to sunshine in a S.F. gentrification battle

Chronicle (01/21/2015)

Jan
29

Political Notebook

by Taylor Jordan

The BAR's Political Notebook highlights that the City College Board has elected a new President, Mr. Rafael Mandelman, with Thea Selby the new Veep. more

Political Notebook: Gay men take over local Democratic Party posts

The Bay Area Reporter (01/29/2015)

Political Notebook: Out lawmakers take oaths of office

The Bay Area Reporter (12/04/2014)

Political Notebook: Milk, Moscone march set for Thanksgiving night

The Bay Area Reporter (11/20/2014)

Jan
29

UCSF Medical Center Opening

by Taylor Jordan

Finally, UCSF's new state-of-the-everything Mission Bay hospital is ready for its close up. The new facilities are so substantial they look to improve healthcare for the entire city! more

Grand UCSF hospital’s opening to change care in S.F.

Chronicle (01/29/2015)

SF’s first stand-alone children’s hospital set to open

Examiner (01/26/2015)

Giants plan pop-up beer garden, shops in section of parking lot

Chronicle (01/13/2015)

Ron Conway donates $40 million to new UCSF outpatient center

Chronicle (01/11/2015)

Jan
28

Come on, baby, light my street

by Jesse Feldman

The City is replacing over 18,000 street lights with new, brighter LEDs. Crack dealers beware, you may need to hunt for a new, shadier corner soon (meth dealers, the same likely appl... more

The City is replacing over 18,000 street lights with new, brighter LEDs. Crack dealers beware, you may need to hunt for a new, shadier corner soon (meth dealers, the same likely applies to you as well). more

S.F. replacing old streetlights with cheaper, better LED bulbs

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

Lee decides to back S.F. clean power program, but with conditions

Chronicle (01/27/2015)

Mayor, board president signal CleanPowerSF support

Examiner (01/27/2015)

Public input sought on new $1.2 billion wastewater plant in SF

Examiner (01/17/2015)

Jan
28

Matier & Ross

by Jesse Feldman

The Chron's political duo give us the scoop on Jesse Jackson's recent Bay Area visit, MTC travel policies, and the race to replace Boxer. more

Matier and Ross: Richmond police escort for Jesse Jackson cost $1,500

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

Matier and Ross: Star-studded radio spot to raise funds to host Super Bowl

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

City seeks home for St. Francis statue after Candlestick eviction

Chronicle (01/26/2015)

Matier & Ross: Newsom, Brown team up to take down UC policy on coaches’ pay

Chronicle (01/25/2015)

Jan
28

City Insider

by Jesse Feldman

The City Insider team covers Airbnb and sidewalk poop. more

City Insider: Airbnb under more pressure to pay S.F. back taxes

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

City Insider: Next stage coming up for S.F.’s Olympics bid

Chronicle (01/07/2015)

City Insider: Supervisor Breed proposes protections for live music clubs in SF

Chronicle (12/17/2014)

City Insider: Ties questioned for financial adviser and former S.F. first lady

Chronicle (12/16/2014)

Jan
28

A home to call your own

by Jesse Feldman

With rising rents it is hard for non-profits to find a home, especially ones that helps the homeless. more

Support group for homeless youth trying to find a home of its own

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

Obama’s right-hand man joins S.F. homeless count

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

S.F. library writes new chapter on solving homeless dilemma

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

S.F. takes new direction on homeless camps with 1-stop aid center

Chronicle (01/25/2015)

Jan
28

Speaking my language

by Jesse Feldman

The Examiner takes a look at the number of bilingual police officers across the city and asks whether or not we really have enough of them. more

Bilingual SF police officers cannot always be found when needed

Examiner (01/28/2015)

Top SF cop on pedestrian safety transfers to SFO

Examiner (01/28/2015)

City Insider: Airbnb under more pressure to pay S.F. back taxes

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

SF supervisors ask police to explain connection between rising crime and staffing level

Examiner (01/25/2015)

Jan
28

Insurance for UberX

by Jesse Feldman

Metromile aims to fill UberX’s insurance gap

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

SFMTA clashes with City Hall over Uber pilot program for wheelchair-accessible vehicles

Examiner (01/06/2015)

Deaf drivers flocking to Lyft

Chronicle (01/02/2015)

Uber drivers say rideshare surge pricing backfired on New Year’s Eve

Examiner (01/02/2015)

Jan
28

Tenderloin Pit Stop

by Jesse Feldman

The Board of Supervisors have voted to extend the trial run for the Tenderloin Pit Stop program. The program places a number of portable toilets on some of the Tenderloin's most popu... more

The Board of Supervisors have voted to extend the trial run for the Tenderloin Pit Stop program. The program places a number of portable toilets on some of the Tenderloin's most popular streets for defecation. more

Supervisors vote to extend Pit-Stop toilet program on Tenderloin streets

Examiner (01/28/2015)

SF supervisors support establishing gun violence prevention task force

Examiner (01/28/2015)

Breed announces new SF Board of Supervisors committees

Examiner (01/17/2015)

San Francisco Gets More Than $203,000 To Solve Longtime Problem Of Human Feces On Streets

KCBS (01/16/2015)

Jan
28

SFUSD: get vaccinated

by Jesse Feldman

Following the statewide measles outbreak, SFUSD is urging parents to get their children vaccinated. more

SFUSD urging students to get measles vaccinations amid statewide outbreak

Examiner (01/28/2015)

On Guard: Supervisor Breed fights for the Fillmore, one life at a time

Examiner (01/20/2015)

S.F. Mayor Ed Lee promises funds for preschool, Muni

Chronicle (01/14/2015)

SFUSD sees record requests for district space from charter schools

Examiner (01/11/2015)

Jan
28

Gun Violence Prevention

by Jesse Feldman

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to form a Gun Violence Prevention Task Force on Tuesday. more

SF supervisors support establishing gun violence prevention task force

Examiner (01/28/2015)

Community members share anger at recent violence in Bayview

Examiner (01/30/2015)

Supervisors vote to extend Pit-Stop toilet program on Tenderloin streets

Examiner (01/28/2015)

Western Addition struggles to save young lives after 4 killings

Chronicle (01/27/2015)

Jan
28

To SFO we go

by Jesse Feldman

San Francisco's top pedestrian safety cop has been transferred to SFO. more

Top SF cop on pedestrian safety transfers to SFO

Examiner (01/28/2015)

Bilingual SF police officers cannot always be found when needed

Examiner (01/28/2015)

SF supervisors ask police to explain connection between rising crime and staffing level

Examiner (01/25/2015)

Jury deliberations to begin for two officers accused of illegal searches

Examiner (01/21/2015)

Jan
27

Hayes Valley Mourning

by Jaime Rossi

The Chronicle has a follow up story today on the tragic murders in Hayes Valley and what the community is doing to move forward. more

Western Addition struggles to save young lives after 4 killings

Chronicle (01/27/2015)

Community members share anger at recent violence in Bayview

Examiner (01/30/2015)

SF supervisors support establishing gun violence prevention task force

Examiner (01/28/2015)

Lee decides to back S.F. clean power program, but with conditions

Chronicle (01/27/2015)

Jan
27

Where is the money?

by Jaime Rossi

The Chronicle reports that there is some controversy about how nearly $1 million from a public fund was allocated. more

Nearly $1 million in S.F. bond money vanishes

Chronicle (01/27/2015)

Electoral rivals already circling new S.F. supe Julie Christensen

Chronicle (01/13/2015)

City Insider: Next stage coming up for S.F.’s Olympics bid

Chronicle (01/07/2015)

Death of Ted Gullicksen and Bay Guardian blows to progressives

Chronicle (10/19/2014)

Jan
27

Clean Power SF

by Jaime Rossi

Mayor Lee is publicly throwing his support around a new clean power program to be initiated by the Public Utilities Commission. more

Lee decides to back S.F. clean power program, but with conditions

Chronicle (01/27/2015)

Mayor, board president signal CleanPowerSF support

Examiner (01/27/2015)

Obama’s right-hand man joins S.F. homeless count

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Matier and Ross: Star-studded radio spot to raise funds to host Super Bowl

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Jan
27

Housing the Homeless

by Jaime Rossi

Housing continues to be #1, #2, and #3 on our list of public concerns in San Francisco as more than 10,000 people signed up to be put on the waitlist for public housing in San Franci... more

Housing continues to be #1, #2, and #3 on our list of public concerns in San Francisco as more than 10,000 people signed up to be put on the waitlist for public housing in San Francisco. more

Poverty in perspective: 10,000 homeless households flood SF public-housing waitlist over six days

Examiner (01/27/2015)

Obama’s right-hand man joins S.F. homeless count

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Matier and Ross: Star-studded radio spot to raise funds to host Super Bowl

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Willie Brown: Let Koch brothers bring it on; they’re likely to lose big

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Jan
27

Whose job is that?

by Jaime Rossi

As the San Francisco economy continues to grow, the Examiner's Joe Fitzgerald asks questions about whom the new jobs are targeting. more

On Guard: The hunt for the truth behind SF’s rosy unemployment numbers

Examiner (01/27/2015)

Obama’s right-hand man joins S.F. homeless count

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Matier and Ross: Star-studded radio spot to raise funds to host Super Bowl

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Willie Brown: Let Koch brothers bring it on; they’re likely to lose big

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Jan
27

Soda Wars

by Jaime Rossi

A new ad campaign has folks pondering when the next big public battle over soda might occur. more

Ad campaign signals SF soda battle far from over

Examiner (01/27/2015)

Increasing transparency and public participation in our ballot measure process

Examiner (01/29/2015)

Senior 'Bill of Rights' unveiled

The Bay Area Reporter (01/29/2015)

SF supervisors ask police to explain connection between rising crime and staffing level

Examiner (01/25/2015)

Jan
26

That statue of St. Francis at Candlestick Park must be a pretty important statue.

by Alex Clemens

I mean, really. It's rare that an entire Matier and Ross column is on just one topic. And I think that this statue of St. Francis would look GREAT on the little triangle at the corne... more

I mean, really. It's rare that an entire Matier and Ross column is on just one topic. And I think that this statue of St. Francis would look GREAT on the little triangle at the corner of Market and Mason and Turk, right? more

City seeks home for St. Francis statue after Candlestick eviction

Chronicle (01/26/2015)

Matier and Ross: Star-studded radio spot to raise funds to host Super Bowl

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Matier and Ross: Richmond police escort for Jesse Jackson cost $1,500

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

Matier & Ross: Newsom, Brown team up to take down UC policy on coaches’ pay

Chronicle (01/25/2015)

Jan
26

Real Estate - everyone's favorite and/or least favorite hobby

by Alex Clemens

And what's in a name? Plenty, it seems. The New York Times has put together yet another amazing data-driven interactive feature. Plug in your street name, the name of the street on w... more

And what's in a name? Plenty, it seems. The New York Times has put together yet another amazing data-driven interactive feature. Plug in your street name, the name of the street on which you grew up, and so on - and learn whether that location screams "new money" or "old slum" to the world of real estate... (And the value of my childhood home on Railroad Gunfire Lane? Yeah, you guessed it...) more

Street Names and Home Values

New York Times (01/26/2015)

Controller report: SF job, real estate markets strong

Examiner (12/17/2014)

SF State, nonprofit team up to recruit students for booming commercial real estate industry

Examiner (11/24/2014)

Salesforce, flush with cash, to join exclusive real estate club with 50 Fremont purchase

SF Business Times (11/12/2014)

Jan
26

Broadside at the City and the MTA from the Examiner's Joe Eskinazi

by Alex Clemens

With many Large Words and Clever Turns of Phrase, the Ex/Weekly writer takes on the establishment. Golly! more

Muni’s latest giveaway is questionable policy, executed poorly

Examiner (01/26/2015)

C.W. Nevius: Countdown to crosswalk danger, not safety

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Obama’s right-hand man joins S.F. homeless count

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Matier and Ross: Star-studded radio spot to raise funds to host Super Bowl

Chronicle (01/31/2015)

Jan
26

MYOB

by Alex Clemens

Why are you sticking your stupid dumb nose into other people's business, Heather I Know Everything And You Don't Knight? If I want to be a self-indulgent clod, I should be able to be... more

Why are you sticking your stupid dumb nose into other people's business, Heather I Know Everything And You Don't Knight? If I want to be a self-indulgent clod, I should be able to be that way without your stupid dumb newspaper saying I'm being a self-absorbed jerk, because I'm not. And if you're going to write something mean, write it about the bicycling publicly-urinating yuppie blueblood entitled high-tech homeless pro-developer loud drunken lobbyist politicians who are REALLY ruining this city. Because SHUT UP. I can't even. Ehrmagherd. more

Psychology studies suggest rising wealth means more jerks in S.F.

Chronicle (01/26/2015)

City Insider: Airbnb under more pressure to pay S.F. back taxes

Chronicle (01/28/2015)

In San Francisco's close quarters, political giants are bred

Unknown (01/25/2015)

SFMTA unanimously approves free Muni for seniors and people with disabilities

Examiner (01/21/2015)

Jan
26

The Benioff Children's Hospital, ladies and gentlemen...

by Alex Clemens

Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank y... more

Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Thank you, Lynne and Marc Benioff. Really. Thank you. (And in case you were wondering, nope, neither Lynn nor Marc Benioff are now nor have ever been my client. I'm just really grateful to San Franciscans who build things that help people stay alive and healthy.) more

SF’s first stand-alone children’s hospital set to open

Examiner (01/26/2015)

Grand UCSF hospital’s opening to change care in S.F.

Chronicle (01/29/2015)

Giants plan pop-up beer garden, shops in section of parking lot

Chronicle (01/13/2015)

Ron Conway donates $40 million to new UCSF outpatient center

Chronicle (01/11/2015)