Between 1991 and 2010, California's governors granted pardons to 20 convicted criminals. Last year, Gov. Jerry Brown pardoned 21. On Monday, Brown pardoned 79 felons. Brown's use of pardons represents the larger shift in the criminal justice mindset he has overseen in the state -- higher rates ... More >>
On June 6, 2007, Rodrigo Caballero, a 16-year-old member of the Vario Lancas gang in Los Angeles, jumped out of a green Toyota and opened fire on three Val Verde gang rivals walking down the street. He missed two of his targets, but the third caught a non-fatal gunshot wound near the shoulder blade. ... More >>
Don CasperDon Casper, a deeply involved San Franciscan who managed to save taxpayers billions of dollars by blowing up a cockamamie state scheme, was killed last night. He was struck by a pickup truck as he went on a jog Sunday evening in western Sonoma County. Casper was 63 years old. He had bee ... More >>
Ben NarasinWhen I make sorbet at home I add a single ounce of alcohol to brighten the flavor, a trick I learned years ago that works exceptionally well. If you'd rather have alcohol as the focus instead of the enhancer, you might be attracted to the St. George Spirits Single Malt Whiskey gel ... More >>
Keep shooting, kidsKids can continue to legally play ultraviolent videogames after the Supreme Court ruled this morning that California cannot restrict kids from buying or renting the shooting games. The court voted 7-2 that such a ban, which was spearheaded by Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Franci ... More >>
Like father, like son ... No longer do we have to guess about the details of how and why former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's mistress, Mildred Baena, came clean about the love child they had together. Baena decided to put an end to the rumors that have consumed media outlets since the affair was ... More >>
Da Mayor has competitionThe Deseret News has raised some eyebrows with its decision to make the sitting mayor of Utah's second-largest city a columnist. West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder is apparently excited about this new platform to share his great ideas, which include the recent establishmen ... More >>
Will Jerry Brown stop the fiscal insanity? A judge Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order halting Caltrans from signing a finance deal that would let a foreign consortium take over construction and maintenance of part of the Doyle Drive project in the Presidio.This marks the second time i ... More >>
Move Will Save State Not Quite Three-Thousandths Of One Percent Of Looming DeficitThe office of Gov.-elect Jerry Brown yesterday announced it would be curtailing the office of inspector general in January as a cost-cutting move. This, of course, prompts the question "what does the inspector gener ... More >>
Meet the new landlordThe California Public Utilities Commission's San Francisco headquarters is among 11 state buildings that will soon be owned by a consortium made up of investment groups hailing from Houston, Los Angeles and Mumbai, the state Department of General Services Reported today.The b ... More >>
The lady and the bear have been waiting a long time...Following an all-night session of wheeling and dealing -- and a record 100-day impasse -- the state senate moments ago approved a budget for California. Details on the budget -- and the most recent impasse -- are forthcoming; it closes a $19 b ... More >>
The governor gave the red light to a law that would have taken the sting out of our ubiquitous "California stops." AB 909 would have roughly halved the fine for turning right on a red light without stopping from the current $450 to an estimated $220. But, after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger skewered ... More >>
Well, he said he'd be back... Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, fresh from visiting the future Bay Bridge in China, will tour the disaster zone today in San Bruno. Alongside Sen. Leland Yee and Lieutenant Governor Abel Maldonado, the governor will "receive a briefing," walk through the devastation, and ... More >>
I repent!Willie Brown, who in 2001 deployed his friends, family, and hangers-on into what was commonly referred to as a "patronage army," is now helping the governor campaign against the classic patronage perk known as bloated pensions.At an event last week Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger billed as a ... More >>
When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cameras would not be permitted to film Perry v. Schwarzenegger, directors John Ireland and John Ainsworth, along with a band of volunteer actors, decided to reenact the entire Prop. 8 trial and post the results to Youtube. Until today, the actors relie ... More >>
The building is burning down -- but no one told ArthurIf the fire alarm goes off and nobody tells the deaf guy, he's just going to sit at his desk. It's a disturbing image, but according to a lawsuit filed today in San Francisco superior court, that's exactly what's happening in four state agenci ... More >>
Your government in action...Official fired for criticizing sale asked to air beefs in Sacramento next week; he says government is looking for "exit strategy." Top California Democratic Party players are piling on a movement to scuttle Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to sell 24 state buildings a ... More >>
But there are many bad ideas to go 'round...Investigation reveals plan to patch budget shortfall by selling California buildings includes hidden deal-sweeteners that gouge taxpayersIn March we reported that the state of California fired a San Francisco official who protested a plan to raise money ... More >>
The state's quick budget fix of selling off public buildings is a horrible idea.
City College budget cuts complicate Hollywood ending for student bioengineers.
Can you answer me our questions three? Okay, it's just one question. But it's hard! Much drama ensued last week, when Sen. Abel Maldonado didn't quite get enough votes to be confirmed for Lieutenant Governor -- leading Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to bluster he'd confirm Maldonado anyway and Democr ... More >>
You can't see her if you don't survive the trip -- it's an incentive!Over the past week it has evolved into something of a parlor game to come up with novel methods for making people drive at safe velocities on the Bay Bridge's precarious new S-Curve. We suggested stark signage noting that the pe ... More >>
What were the odds of this happening? In examining Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's letter to the California State Assembly in which the letters I F-U-C-K Y-O-U appear vertically down the left-hand side, it is hard to imagine that it could have happened randomly. The letter purportedl ... More >>
His ass is intact...When Rep. Joe Wilson bellowed "You lie" at President Barack Obama, most folks thought it was pretty uncouth. Still, the ones who were impressed were really impressed: The South Carolina Congressman quickly saw his fund-raising efforts skyrocket.So when Assemblyman Tom Ammiano ... More >>
Justin PageStay classy, San FranciscoWitness intimidation! Religious and sexual harassment! Bacteria-infested sandwiches! If that's the week it was, we're extra glad it's Friday. Also, time for a quiz: 1. Which of the following epithets did Assemblyman Tom Ammiano shout when Gov. Arnold Schwarzen ... More >>
Despite having been accused of deceptive business practices by the attorney general, former students, and ex-employees, Corinthian Colleges are getting millions in federal stimulus dollars.
But how bad will it be?With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expected to sign a somewhat modified state budget today, just how badly San Francisco will make out is still as clear as a pint of Guinness. But there'll be no good news delivered today and for the rest of this week -- only relatively good ne ... More >>
Be sure to wear a flower in your hairThis week has seen California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger scrounging for a few billion dollars beneath the sofa cushions after his stop-gap measures for narrowing the state's budget shortfall went down to defeat in Tuesday's special election. Among the consequence ... More >>
Let's put it this way: When the Howard Jarvis anti-tax zealots are crowing in victory and San Francisco voters roundly reject a series of ballot measures -- well, something was out of kilter in this election universe to begin with. The straightforward portrayal of this as an anti-tax voters' uprisi ... More >>
These guys could make San Francisco lots of moneyThe Vehicle License Fee proposed this week by Supervisor David Chiu could net the city as much as $70 million. And the lottery ticket you bought this week could net you $70 million, too. Okay, that's a bit of a stretch, and the VLF won't benefit local ... More >>
San Franciscans already know that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger isn't the only Sacramento politician with a background in film. That was Assemblyman Tom Ammiano playing himself in Milk -- and while it wasn't a stretch for Ammiano to play Ammiano, his next project may call for a bit more range. When ask ... More >>
We offer tips for returning lost whales to the ocean the next time they get lost in the delta
A labor boss in trouble with the feds joins a high-powered Democratic lobbyist to merge Konocti Resort with Indian gaming
Is the school board solving its budget crisis or proving it's math-challenged? Take quiz, find out.
This Tennessee Williams production packs a punch, but it's too loud
The Mexican Elvis Presley impersonator wants to be El Prez
In which we discover the dark side of Jell-O wrestling
After watching the mind games of Pumping Iron, mayoral candidate Matt Gonzalez talks of turning slick political marketing against itself
American movies once enthralled the world with their exuberance and clarity. What happened in the 1990s?
Find everything you're looking for in your city
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
