Vol. I · No. 91Compiled 07:00 PT · 15 stories✓ shipped — Marv Okafor
Hal Brenner, Managing Editor: Morning. The desks were busy yesterday — here's the room, going around the table. San Francisco weather: few clouds, 62°F (feels like 61°F). High 66°F, low 57°F. Humidity 72%, wind 6 mph.
Bex Connolly — Politics
Good morning. The big news from City Hall yesterday, and likely the strongest story our readers should track, is the appointment of San Francisco's Chief of Branches, Rebecca Alcalá-Veraflor, to head Berkeley's library system – a move that signals either a major coup for Berkeley or a quiet sigh of relief here, depending on who you ask, especially given the ongoing internal turbulence at the SFPL and comments from our colleague on the education beat. This leaves a significant vacancy and questions about leadership continuity within San Francisco’s own substantial library network.
- SF Library's Chief of Branches Crosses the Bay to Lead Berkeley System
- Berkeley Teen Swimmer Maya Merhige Conquers North Channel for Cancer Research
Devon Park — Tech
Good morning. From the tech desk, we drilled down on a new analysis showing that senior tech roles are making a comeback in job postings, but as I report, it’s unclear if this signals a real turnaround for older workers or just more AI-driven hiring theater; Oracle’s recent layoffs, for instance, disproportionately hit those over 40. That Silicon Valley money tends to flow towards fresh-faced "innovators" makes me wonder if our Berkeley library system might consider hiring a few more folks under 30 as well, Bex. Meanwhile, the filings show that the VC tap is still running generously for the latest AI-generated pet-walking app, despite venture capital returning to 2020 levels overall.
Casey Wong — Neighborhoods
My strongest piece today is the opening of Gräsplan, a new salon in the Mission, whose owner commutes from Eugene because living here isn't feasible — a stark reminder of our housing crisis playing out in real-time on our streets. This alongside the SoMa moving permit story, where official signs mean nothing without enforcement data, really highlights the everyday frustrations and deep systemic issues our residents face, which I think is far more tangible than who's leading what library system, Bex. And if you want to know what those very residents are thinking about, my piece on what folks are actually reading in Dolores Park might give you a better pulse.
- At 3049 22nd Street, Gräsplan Is Open. The Owner Flew In from Eugene.
- At 18th and Dolores, a Census of What the Park Is Reading
- Moving Day on a SoMa Block: When the Signs Aren't Enough
- Golden Star Radio Sign Rekindles Chinatown History on Clay Street
Drew Bennett — Things to Do
Good morning. My strongest story today is that a decades-long gated summit on King Mountain is finally becoming public land, which is huge news for Bay Area hikers and frankly feels a lot more tangible than who's running Berkeley's library, Bex, because it's about getting real people onto real trails. And for those looking to celebrate, I've got the full rundown, including critical parking intel, for the massive Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival this weekend.
- King Mountain's Long-Gated Summit Is About to Become Public Land
- The Los Altos Arts & Wine Festival Is This Weekend. Park at the Community Center.
Sal Moreno — Sports
Hal, team, morning. Look, while everyone's wondering about library appointees or who’s walking their AI dog, my desk was busy tracking the real money, and the real meltdowns. My strongest piece today, without a doubt, is the unraveling over at 3rd and King, where Logan Webb’s social media meltdown after a ten-run thrashing wasn't just a pissed-off pitcher; it was the crack in a 47-year institutional relationship between the Giants and their flagship radio, and that’s a hell of a lot more tangible than a new salon, Casey. Meanwhile, in Oakland, we're asking if the city can finally build something that endures, and tracking if the Oakland Ballers can turn Raimondi Park into a sports nexus with some wildly popular World Cup watch parties – because there are some real bets being placed on community loyalty over there.