Usual Suspects – San Francisco's Political Homepage

Soda Fight

In is-this-news?-news, soda companies are likely to spend a lot of money fighting San Francisco's proposed soda tax, which is now on the November ballot. Word on the street is that the cute, cuddly Coca Cola polar bears are going to be doing outreach in San Francisco soon, potentially mauling people who are in support of the tax. (Editor's note: this is not true. It is too warm here for that to be plausible.)
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- SF supervisors place sugary drink tax on November ballot (Examiner) 07/23/2014
- Big Soda's big money (SF Bay Guardian) 07/23/2014
- S.F. soda tax would drop consumption 31 percent, report says (Chronicle) 07/22/2014
- SF poised to place soda tax on November ballot (Examiner) 07/17/2014
- Berkeley considers putting tax on sugary drinks on ballot (Chronicle) 07/01/2014
- Health Experts: Soda Tax Would Compel Behavior Changes In Low–Income Neighborhoods (KCBS) 05/24/2014
- SF begins debate over proposed soda tax ballot measure (Examiner) 04/17/2014
- Town hall meeting discusses proposed soda-tax (KTVU) 03/25/2014
- Opinion: Soda tax is social justice issue (SF Bay Guardian) 03/12/2014
- Soda makers' mailer comes 8 months before S.F. election (Chronicle) 03/05/2014
- Soda tax, warning labels backed by voters, poll finds (Chronicle) 02/20/2014
- Richmond’s sugary beverage tax lost big, how's SF different? (SF Bay Guardian) 02/05/2014
- Opponents and supporters dig in for SF showdown over sugary-beverage tax (Examiner) 02/03/2014
- SF soda tax debate with Supervisor Scott Wiener (Examiner) 02/02/2014
- S.F. soda tax plan raises city's high cost, opponents say (Chronicle) 02/02/2014
- Opinion: Soda-tax wars are ground zero of obesity fight (Chronicle) 12/03/2013
- Supervisors unite behind proposed soda-tax measure (Examiner) 11/19/2013
- City Insider: S.F. supervisors double down on soda tax (Chronicle) 11/19/2013
- San Francisco supervisors plan to combine soda tax measures (Examiner) 10/31/2013
- Second San Francisco pol takes aim at sugary beverages with tax proposal (Examiner) 10/30/2013
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Transbay Transit Center

John King looks at another very tall building slated to go next to the Transbay Transit Center and how it fits in with the San Francisco skyline. King calls the plans "gasp-inducing," which means we can only assume that San Franciscans will feel roughly 3,000 different ways about it.
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- A gasp-inducing plan for S.F. skyline, from the ground up (Chronicle) 07/23/2014
- City Insider: Hope for Transbay park after all; Schlage Lock project moves forward (Chronicle) 07/01/2014
- Transbay Transit Center will open without signature park (Chronicle) 06/26/2014
- Matier and Ross: Transbay Transit Center's construction costs keep soaring (Chronicle) 05/18/2014
- The visionary driving SF's transit future (Examiner) 03/30/2014
- Transbay site work reaches milestone (Examiner) 12/12/2013
- City Insider: Nancy Pelosi ensures transit center on solid ground (Chronicle) 09/06/2013
- Transbay Transit Center construction hits milestone with foundation work (Examiner) 09/06/2013
- Transbay project in $300 million hole (Chronicle) 07/25/2013
- The Man Behind the New Transbay Tower (NBC Bay Area) 03/28/2013
- Transbay Tower project breaks ground in SF (Examiner) 03/28/2013
- Transbay developer delivers money to SF (Chronicle) 03/27/2013
- Transbay Transit Center design changes needed for cost, safety (Examiner) 03/25/2013
- Transbay center design change proposed (Chronicle) 03/15/2013
- Transbay Transit Center work progressing (Chronicle) 01/01/2013
- Largest skyscraper on West Coast approved for San Francisco Transbay Transit Center (Examiner) 10/19/2012
- S.F. Transbay Tower plans get final OKs (Chronicle) 10/19/2012
- Transbay Transit Center to present unique opportunities for open spaces (Examiner) 10/02/2012
- San Francisco seeks developers for Transbay housing (SF Business Times) 09/14/2012
- Mammoth tooth found at Transbay dig (Chronicle) 09/13/2012
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Sundays Funday

Sunday Streets brings Sunday Funday to different parts of the city throughout the summer. No, not the bottomless mimosa kind of Sunday Funday (my personal favorite), but the kind that brings the neighborhood, folks of all races, creeds, genders, sexuality, and ages together (although, to be fair, mimosas do this too) in the name of building community. The Bay Guardian thanks Susan King for her efforts to make this event great, as the next Sunday Streets will be her last as Executive Director. Susan, I give you the Bob Ross Stamp of Approval.
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- King of the commons (SF Bay Guardian) 07/23/2014
- Tenderloin opens hearts for Sunday Streets (Chronicle) 08/19/2013
- Sunday Streets welcomes its source of inspiration (Chronicle) 06/04/2012
- Sunday Streets comes to Western Addition (Chronicle) 09/20/2010
- Rain may soak street-closure event Sunday (Examiner) 04/10/2010
- City Insider: Muni cuts appealed to board (Chronicle) 04/10/2010
- 1st closure of 2010 brings out walkers, wheels (Chronicle) 03/15/2010
- Sunday Streets returns to SF (Examiner) 03/12/2010
- City Insider: Newsom's happy hula holidays (Chronicle) 12/22/2009
- Newsom Says Sunday Streets Is Here to Stay (NBC) 12/22/2009
- Sunday Streets brings party to the Mission (Chronicle) 06/08/2009
- Sunday Streets making its Mission district debut (Examiner) 06/07/2009
- Sunday Streets and yacht parade draw crowds (Chronicle) 04/27/2009
- Street closure a boost for San Francisco (Examiner) 04/27/2009
- Sunday Streets Program Returns (KCBS) 04/20/2009
- Wide array of events set for Sunday Streets (Examiner) 04/17/2009
- Sunday Streets to close more blocks, add events (Chronicle) 04/17/2009
- Editorial: Sunday Streets spread makes surprising converts (Examiner) 03/08/2009
- City Insider: Rebel Alliance gets supes' endorsement (Chronicle) 03/08/2009
- Sunday Streets garners support from neighborhoods (Examiner) 03/05/2009
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Uber and Lyft and Sidecar and taxis and sharing rides and cars and so on...
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- Death of the taxi medallion: SF cab company ponders major change (Examiner) 07/23/2014
- Flywheel app launches advance taxi booking to airport (Examiner) 07/23/2014
- Opinion: Why I drive a taxi (SF Bay Guardian) 07/16/2014
- Attorney for Sofia Liu family attacks new rules for app-based ride services (Examiner) 07/10/2014
- SFO and city drive around in circles on ridesharing issue (SF Business Times) 05/30/2014
- Uber facing probe in San Francisco over drivers shunning guide dogs (Reuters) 05/20/2014
- SF taxi driver supply continues to decline as Muni plans another ad campaign (Examiner) 05/06/2014
- State may require rideshare companies to own fleet of wheelchair accessible cars (SF Bay Guardian) 03/11/2014
- SF exploring ways to regulate ride services like Uber, Lyft (Examiner) 03/07/2014
- S.F. considers regulating private ride services (Chronicle) 03/07/2014
- City looks to set caps on ride-service companies (KTVU) 03/04/2014
- Concerns of disabled grow along with ride services (Chronicle) 02/17/2014
- Editorial: Fatal accident in SF raises question: Who shares the blame in the ‘sharing economy’? (Examiner) 01/05/2014
- Uber Alles: Rideshares Are Convenient, Until They Aren't -- Then You're on Your Own (SF Weekly) 12/11/2013
- Taxi association threatens suit over app-based ride services (Examiner) 10/03/2013
- CPUC sets regulations and rules for ride services (Examiner) 09/20/2013
- Editorial: Ride-sharing industry set to roll forward (Chronicle) 09/19/2013
- CPUC delaying vote on rideshare regulations (Examiner) 09/06/2013
- City Insider: Bicyclists push S.F. for more safety (Chronicle) 08/22/2013
- Interest in carshare apps surges after BART strike (Examiner) 07/04/2013
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Ryan Chamberlain

New details emerge in the Ryan Chamberlain case, although he still remains in jail for further psychological evaluation. Although, I have seen Orange Is The New Black and I am not sure how helpful they will be, but -- on the bright side -- that show has taught me that there will definitely be some good looking women in there.
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- Alleged SF bomb maker Ryan Chamberlain to stay in jail; new details in case emerge (Examiner) 07/23/2014
- The Enforcer: Accused Bombmaker Ryan Chamberlain Helped Blow Up San Francisco Politics. And, in the Process, Himself. (SF Weekly ) 07/09/2014
- Ryan Chamberlain, SF man accused in FBI bomb case, pleads not guilty as new details emerge (Examiner) 06/17/2014
- Silk Road like website part of investigation into man arrested by FBI for having alleged bomb making materials (Examiner) 06/11/2014
- FBI: San Francisco bomb suspect sought toxins (Chronicle) 06/07/2014
- Bomb suspect Chamberlain was detained by FBI before bomb-making materials discovered (Examiner) 06/05/2014
- Ryan Chamberlain, SF suspect in FBI bomb case, appears in court (Examiner) 06/04/2014
- Political insider targeted for possessing explosives (SF Bay Guardian) 06/04/2014
- Matier and Ross: Will Jerry Brown fly solo or lift Democrats up? (Chronicle) 06/04/2014
- Ryan Chamberlain, focus of FBI manhunt, arrested in S.F. (Chronicle) 06/03/2014
- Ryan Chamberlain, arrested after FBI manhunt, known as savvy political consultant (Examiner) 06/03/2014
- California man wanted by FBI admitted "morbid fantasies" (CBS News) 06/03/2014
- SF suspect in FBI manhunt arrested near Crissy Field (Examiner) 06/03/2014
- San Francisco man sought by FBI active in political circles (KTVU) 06/02/2014
- S.F. man wanted by FBI known in public relations circles (Chronicle) 06/02/2014
- FBI seeks SF man after raid reveals explosives (Examiner) 06/02/2014
- Chamberlain Letter (N/A) 06/02/2014
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Waterfront Fights and Heights

The Bay Guardian credits City Attorney Dennis Herrera for his efforts to defend Prop B from those who are challenging it. In their eyes, one could almost call him Dennis Hero-ra. (Thanks, I am here all week. No, seriously, I am updating this website all week. I apologize in advance. I also apologize for past updates. I am just generally apologetic.)
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- Editorial: Appealing to San Francisco values (SF Bay Guardian) 07/23/2014
- Lawsuit challenging Prop. B leaves Pier 70 development initiative uncertain (Examiner) 07/18/2014
- Lawsuit challenging Prop. B leaves Pier 70 development initiative uncertain (Chronicle) 07/18/2014
- State Lands Commission files suit to overturn S.F.'s Prop. B (Chronicle) 07/16/2014
- SF defiant over State Lands Commission lawsuit against Prop. B (Examiner) 07/16/2014
- Here’s an intriguing idea for Piers 30-32 (SF Bay Guardian) 06/24/2014
- Report: SF waterfront changes driven by politics not public (Examiner) 06/20/2014
- SF voters in all neighborhoods roundly supported Prop. B waterfront measure (Examiner) 06/09/2014
- S.F. waterfront development must prepare for rising seas (Chronicle ) 06/08/2014
- Critics say Prop. B passage means less affordable housing (San Francisco Business Times ) 06/05/2014
- No Wall on the Waterfront wins big, Chiu prevails in Assembly race by slim margin (SF Bay Guardian) 06/05/2014
- S.F. voters OK Prop. B on waterfront development (Chronicle) 06/04/2014
- Matier and Ross: Will Jerry Brown fly solo or lift Democrats up? (Chronicle) 06/04/2014
- Prop. B height-limits battle an echo of past S.F. fights (Chronicle) 05/30/2014
- Prop. B won’t help S.F. housing mess (SF Biz Times) 05/30/2014
- Editorial: Mayor Ed Lee - Here's your chance to block Prop. B (Chronicle) 05/29/2014
- Prop. B’s early ‘victories’ come at a high cost (SF Business Times) 05/09/2014
- The political forces simmering under Prop. B (Examiner) 05/08/2014
- Opinion: Pass Prop. B to give voters a voice in the future of our waterfront (Examiner) 05/08/2014
- Prop. B consequences for S.F. development outlined (Chronicle) 05/07/2014
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I lift my lamp beside the golden gate

The Bay Guardian takes a look at the current refugee crisis and how it is taking shape in San Francisco. This is a sad story. So, to make things better, here is a picture of my dog.
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- Refugee crisis hits home (SF Bay Guardian) 07/23/2014
- S.F. offers welcome to immigrant children (Chronicle) 07/20/2014
- Sherriff Mirkarimi ends policy of holding inmates for federal immigration agency (Examiner) 05/30/2014
- S.F. supervisors reach deal on crime, deportation (Chronicle) 09/25/2013
- Compromise legislation on San Francisco immigrant holds passes (Examiner) 09/25/2013
- Immigration detainer limits watered down (SF Bay Guardian) 09/25/2013
- S.F., state near protections for some immigrants (Chronicle) 09/21/2013
- San Francisco immigration hold legislation tweaked after support wanes (Examiner) 09/18/2013
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Super Powers: SFPUC and PG&E

Supervisors Scott Wiener and London Breed write a letter to the Bay Guardian, expressing the plan to give PUC more energy power. While only tangentially related, I loved the Don Cheadle Captain Planet so much that I am bringing it back for this post. Don't like it? Oh well. Deal with it or I'll turn you into a tree.
- Opinion: Clean energy and better infrastructure: a great combination (SF Bay Guardian) 07/23/2014
- SF's new energy plan could reap millions at PG&E's expense (Chronicle) 06/17/2014
BART

Need to use the restroom while in a BART station? Sorry. Although, on the bright side, you can still get harassed by Scientologists.
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- Station Sanitation: The Commodes Stay Closed at BART, Whether You Like It or Not (SF Weekly) 07/23/2014
- BART starts enforcing ban on stretching out at Powell Street (Chronicle) 07/22/2014
- Huge rope sculpture to be removed from Embarcadero BART (Chronicle) 06/10/2014
- BART fined for workers deaths (SF Bay Guardian) 04/23/2014
- Editorial: Hold BART accountable for deaths (SF Bay Guardian) 04/23/2014
- BART derailment near Concord Station disrupts service (Chronicle) 02/22/2014
- BART considers charging peak-hour premiums (Chronicle) 12/06/2013
- BART routes fare increases to capital use (Chronicle) 03/29/2013
- BART routes fare increases to capital use (Chronicle) 03/29/2013
- BART delays data reveals many causes (Chronicle) 03/11/2013
- BART riders to face higher fare, parking costs (Examiner) 03/01/2013
- Fare increases, parking hikes up for discussion at BART board meeting today (Examiner) 02/14/2013
- Parking at BART stations could rise with high demand (Examiner) 12/06/2012
- Wheel, rail or sail, transit prices are going up (Examiner) 06/26/2012
- MTC may penalize transit agencies that don't cut 5% (SF Business Times) 04/27/2012
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U haz reads?

The Bay Guardian looks at what is happening to Bay Area book stores and why they are not popping up all over the place (hint: Amazon, other businesses, book stores don't make people rich like selling Oxyclean does).
- Last chapters? (SF Bay Guardian) 07/23/2014
Suspects: a Young John Stamos says womp womp

Folks: you've probably noticed that Suspects is suffering from some technical difficulties these days. However, we have hired wonderful gremlins to build a new website for us, rather than to (once again) add band-aids to a site that is nineteen years old. (Which, in Internet years, means that it's dead.) Good news: the new site is underway, and will be up and running soon. Bad news: you may notice some technical glitches between now and when we're done. Best news: you don't have to type in "http://29748.10826.compuserve.com" like you had to back in '95 to get to Suspects. (Those of you under the age of 30, ask an old person about How The Internet Used To Be, and prepare to listen to some associated jokes about eight-track tapes.) Thanks for bearing with us. Womp womp.

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