Bay Area World Cup Security Plans Intensify Bay Area World Cup security preparations are accelerating as officials warn that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could bring serious drone, cyberattack and crowd-safety risks to Santa Clara. Six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are scheduled in Santa Clara, drawing massive crowds, international visitors and high-profile guests. Officials said the scale of the event has pushed federal, state and local agencies into a faster,

Bay Area Gas Water Heater Ban Faces New South Bay Fight The Bay Area gas water heater ban is facing fresh South Bay resistance before a key BAAQMD vote that could decide how flexible the rule becomes for homeowners. Business leaders and local advocates rallied outside the Santa Clara County Building, urging regulators to pause or soften restrictions on new gas-powered water heaters and boilers. The rule, adopted by the Bay Area Air Quality Managem

California June 2026 Primary: What Voters Need to Know California voters will cast ballots in the June 2, 2026 primary, choosing candidates for governor and deciding local Bay Area races and ballot measures. The election includes a crowded race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, making early preparation essential. Key Voting Dates Counties must begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots by May 4, while ballot

Long-term infrastructure upgrades drive rising utility costs San Francisco officials have approved a series of water and sewer rate increases set to begin in the summer of 2026, with additional adjustments planned through 2036. The increases are tied to a long-term capital improvement strategy led by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and maintaining system reliability. City data shows that portions of the water

A 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Santa Cruz Mountains region at approximately 1:40 AM PT on Thursday, April 2, 2026, with its epicenter near Boulder Creek, California, prompting residents to report shaking and minor property damage across nearby communities. The tremor was felt strongly in surrounding areas, including Felton, located about five miles from the epicenter. Surveillance footage captured inside a residence in Felton shows the sudden jolt as objects shifted and fell du

A once-thriving retail hub in Santa Clara, California, is rapidly emptying as redevelopment plans move forward, prompting legal action from displaced business owners who allege unfair treatment by the property’s former landlord. Two tenants from the Homestead Shopping Center — Tous les Jours bakery and Fuheng Herbs — have filed separate lawsuits against former property owner David Bider and Cypress Investments, claiming they were misled and pressured into leaving prior to the si

San Francisco’s teachers union has overwhelmingly approved a new two-year labor agreement, marking the end of a recent strike and setting the stage for changes in pay, benefits, and school funding across the district. Members of the United Educators of San Francisco, which represents about 6,000 teachers, aides, counselors, social workers, and other school employees, voted by a large margin to ratify the contract valued at approximately $183 million. The agreement follows a four-day work stopp

The Sunset Night Market is set to return to San Francisco on Friday, marking its comeback after a year-long hiatus and bringing renewed energy to the Outer Sunset neighborhood. The highly anticipated event will once again transform Irving Street into a vibrant hub of activity, spanning multiple blocks from 20th Avenue to 25th Avenue. Organizers say this year’s reopening is especially significant as it coincides with Lunar New Year celebrations, adding a festive cultural dimension to the eve

Residents of the San Ramon Valley are set to hear from a seismologist about a recent surge in earthquake activity that has drawn attention across the region. A researcher from the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory will speak Friday at the San Ramon Community Center, addressing why nearly 100 earthquakes have been recorded in the valley over the past 30 days. The most significant event occurred on the morning of February 2, when a magnitude 4.2 tremor shook the area. The quake was wi

Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu received an enthusiastic welcome as she returned to the Bay Area this week, marking a celebratory homecoming for the Oakland native following her latest international triumph. The 20-year-old figure skating champion landed at San Francisco International Airport late Monday night after a lengthy trip from Italy, where she recently secured her gold medal performance. Fans gathered at the arrival gate to greet Liu with cheers and applause, underscoring t

A Bay Area radio station is preparing a special tribute to Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu by temporarily rebranding itself in her honor. Station officials announced that 96.5 KOIT will adopt the name “Alysa 96.5” for one day on Monday, celebrating the figure skating star’s historic achievement and her connection to the local community. The move follows Liu’s recent Olympic triumph, which marked a significant milestone for American figure skating. The 20-year-old athlete del

The rich, inviting aroma that greets customers at Dulcinea Panadería Oaxaqueña in downtown San Jose is often enough to draw them in before they even reach the display cases. Inside, visitors are met with an extensive selection of more than 100 varieties of cookies, pastries, breads, and cakes, most prepared fresh each day. The bustling bakery represents years of persistence and reinvention by owner Monse Barrita, whose journey into the food business has been anything but conventional.

The Bay Area is set to take center stage as Super Bowl LX arrives at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday, Feb. 8, bringing a weeklong lineup of sports, music and community events that stretch across San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and surrounding cities. Organizers say the region will host dozens of fan festivals, tailgates, concerts and interactive experiences designed to welcome visitors and provide entertainment for residents leading up to the championship game. A major hu

A unique Bay Area tradition marking the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. returns Monday morning with the departure of Caltrain’s annual MLK Celebration Train, offering residents a free and meaningful way to take part in the holiday’s events. The special service is scheduled to leave San Jose shortly after 9 a.m., carrying passengers north toward San Francisco in time to join the city’s Martin Lut

Sri Rajarajeshwari Peetham has announced the schedule and spiritual framework for its Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2026, while also outlining the broader scope of religious and ritual activities conducted by the organization across multiple countries. The yatra, scheduled from July 20 to August 4, 2026, is positioned as one of the organization’s major pilgrimages, distinct from its year-round spiritual programs carried out globally. The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra will take pilgrims th

Norovirus infections are increasing earlier than expected this season across the United States, with particularly elevated activity being detected in parts of the Bay Area, according to recent wastewater monitoring data. Public health experts say the early rise is being driven in part by a new variant of the virus, leaving many people without prior exposure or immunity. Data collected from wastewater surveillance systems show especially high levels of norovirus in the South Bay, Red

Bay Area cities moved quickly to strengthen security measures after reports of a deadly shooting during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, where two gunmen opened fire and killed 15 people. The incident sent shockwaves through Jewish communities worldwide and prompted heightened vigilance in cities across the United States as the Festival of Lights began. The tragedy weighed heavily on members of the Bay Area Jewish community as families and congregations gathered to mark

Coastal communities across the Bay Area are being urged to prepare for hazardous surf conditions through Friday as forecasters warn of powerful waves and persistent marine risks. According to the National Weather Service, breaking waves between 12 and 16 feet are expected along northwest- and west-facing beaches from Sonoma County down to Monterey Bay, creating an elevated threat for anyone entering or approaching the water. A Beach Hazards Statement remains active for the North Bay, San Francis

Bart experienced significant service disruptions on Monday morning after a power issue halted regular operations across several major lines, affecting thousands of commuters throughout the Bay Area. According to early information from the transit agency, a major delay was reported on the San Francisco line in all directions as crews responded to a power problem detected between the Powell Street and Embarcadero stations. The issue restricted train movement in one of the system’s busiest cor

Authorities have charged a 45-year-old man in connection with a fatal home invasion burglary in San Francisco, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn community concern. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced that Cassidy Wyatt Allen has been formally accused of breaking into a residence on the 200 block of Granada Avenue on Sunday afternoon, where he allegedly killed 38-year-old Jessica Alejandra Sanchez Landaverde. Officials said the incident occurred du