The 2020 Independence Day holiday weekend looks a lot different from previous years in the Bay Area. , and face-mask wearing and social distancing while outside is still mandatory across the state.The region's state parks and beaches, which normally see one of their busiest weekends of year, have instituted varying restrictions on visitors to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus over the holiday.The California Department of Parks and Recreation states that "it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate...…The 2020 Independence Day holiday weekend looks a lot different from previous years in the Bay Area. , and face-mask wearing and social distancing while outside is still mandatory across the state.The region's state parks and beaches, which normally see one of their busiest weekends of year, have instituted varying restrictions on visitors to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus over the holiday.The California Department of Parks and Recreation states that "it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate...WW…

A friend recently had an epiphany: "This is the SUMMER OF CALIFORNIA!"He went on to explain that while every previous summer has seen our state's glorious tourist destinations - Yosemite, Big Sur, Tahoe - overrun by international visitors and long lines, this season will be different, and he resolved to drive to as many of them as possible before tourists return. But with the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus, an unsure state reopening schedule and lingering fears of leaving the house, is his plan a reality?He's not the only one making plans to traverse California as a tourist in his...…A friend recently had an epiphany: "This is the SUMMER OF CALIFORNIA!"He went on to explain that while every previous summer has seen our state's glorious tourist destinations - Yosemite, Big Sur, Tahoe - overrun by international visitors and long lines, this season will be different, and he resolved to drive to as many of them as possible before tourists return. But with the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus, an unsure state reopening schedule and lingering fears of leaving the house, is his plan a reality?He's not the only one making plans to traverse California as a tourist in his...WW…

Amid the depths of a global pandemic and financial downturn, the demand for real estate is unexpectedly rocketing in wealthy regions outside San Francisco, reports. Agents say that demand is soaring in affluent areas around the Bay Area such as Napa, Marin and further afield in Carmel, as people who have the means look to get away from the city. Meanwhile, the market in San Francisco and Alameda County is still well below where it was last year.Elsewhere, The prospect of living out of the city on an alpine lake while maintaining a career is appealing for a new generation of young buyers, as...…Amid the depths of a global pandemic and financial downturn, the demand for real estate is unexpectedly rocketing in wealthy regions outside San Francisco, reports. Agents say that demand is soaring in affluent areas around the Bay Area such as Napa, Marin and further afield in Carmel, as people who have the means look to get away from the city. Meanwhile, the market in San Francisco and Alameda County is still well below where it was last year.Elsewhere, The prospect of living out of the city on an alpine lake while maintaining a career is appealing for a new generation of young buyers, as...WW…

More San Francisco tenants are choosing not to renew their leases and get out of town.The vacancy rate in the city jumped to 6.2% in May, up from 3.9% only three months ago,After years of a booming real estate and a landlord's market, carried by the thriving tech industry, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent financial crisis are taking their toll and causing a reversal. It's creating something the city hasn't seen for a long time — a renter's market.For many, the increase in empty apartments and drop in rental rates — the median rent in May for a one-bedroom apartment...…More San Francisco tenants are choosing not to renew their leases and get out of town.The vacancy rate in the city jumped to 6.2% in May, up from 3.9% only three months ago,After years of a booming real estate and a landlord's market, carried by the thriving tech industry, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent financial crisis are taking their toll and causing a reversal. It's creating something the city hasn't seen for a long time — a renter's market.For many, the increase in empty apartments and drop in rental rates — the median rent in May for a one-bedroom apartment...WW…

A new report has revealed the depth of the widespread lack of scrutiny and reporting surrounding cases of missing and murdered indigenous women in Northern California.The study, carried out by the , a nonprofit, indigenous-led research organization based in Humboldt County, details the alarming lack of data surrounding the cases of 105 women and girls from the Bay Area to the Oregon border using police reports and community-based information.In all, the report documented a total of 2,306 missing Native American women and girls in the U.S., 1,800 of whom were killed or disappeared in the...…A new report has revealed the depth of the widespread lack of scrutiny and reporting surrounding cases of missing and murdered indigenous women in Northern California.The study, carried out by the , a nonprofit, indigenous-led research organization based in Humboldt County, details the alarming lack of data surrounding the cases of 105 women and girls from the Bay Area to the Oregon border using police reports and community-based information.In all, the report documented a total of 2,306 missing Native American women and girls in the U.S., 1,800 of whom were killed or disappeared in the...WW…

Man's cruelty towards one of the most magnificent beasts that walked the American continent can be summed up in the fate of Monarch, the California grizzly bear who started his life running free, snacking on salmon around the rugged Southern Californian coast, and ended it in a dismal cage in San Francisco.The state's last captive grizzly was captured in 1889 in a publicity stunt ginned up by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, and imprisoned for 22 years in a cage. Monarch would spend his final years in Golden Gate Park, where his stuffed likeness still remains and is memorialized...…Man's cruelty towards one of the most magnificent beasts that walked the American continent can be summed up in the fate of Monarch, the California grizzly bear who started his life running free, snacking on salmon around the rugged Southern Californian coast, and ended it in a dismal cage in San Francisco.The state's last captive grizzly was captured in 1889 in a publicity stunt ginned up by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, and imprisoned for 22 years in a cage. Monarch would spend his final years in Golden Gate Park, where his stuffed likeness still remains and is memorialized...WW…

Airbnb's latest attempt to appease hosts and customers amid a tumultuous year was met with a searing backlash on social media.The online vacation rental marketplace, headquartered in San Francisco, initiated a feature this week offering customers the chance to donate money and "kindness cards" to hosts."Today we're introducing a new way to connect with your favorite hosts. Now you can create personalized kindness cards that make it easy to send a message of appreciation or encouragement, with the option to add a contribution. We hope these cards will make hosts smile, and bring a little joy...…Airbnb's latest attempt to appease hosts and customers amid a tumultuous year was met with a searing backlash on social media.The online vacation rental marketplace, headquartered in San Francisco, initiated a feature this week offering customers the chance to donate money and "kindness cards" to hosts."Today we're introducing a new way to connect with your favorite hosts. Now you can create personalized kindness cards that make it easy to send a message of appreciation or encouragement, with the option to add a contribution. We hope these cards will make hosts smile, and bring a little joy...WW…

The California Department of Transportation has agreed to pay $2 million for destroying belongings during sweeps of homeless encampments from 2014 to 2019., filed in 2016 on behalf of unhoused Californians, claims that belongings, including, food, clothing, and medical supplies, were destroyed during the sweeps enacted by Caltrans.The Alameda County Superior Court approved the settlement last week. Under the ruling, Caltrans is required to set up a $1.3 million fund to compensate people for their loss of property and give $700,000 to the nonprofit organization to provide housing and...…The California Department of Transportation has agreed to pay $2 million for destroying belongings during sweeps of homeless encampments from 2014 to 2019., filed in 2016 on behalf of unhoused Californians, claims that belongings, including, food, clothing, and medical supplies, were destroyed during the sweeps enacted by Caltrans.The Alameda County Superior Court approved the settlement last week. Under the ruling, Caltrans is required to set up a $1.3 million fund to compensate people for their loss of property and give $700,000 to the nonprofit organization to provide housing and...WW…

ByAs remote work becomes an option, and city bars, shops and restaurants shutter their doors through the pandemic, some tech workers say they have no reason to stay in San Francisco.As remote work becomes an option, and city bars, shops and...For more coverage, visit our complete .Life and work in the Bay Area may be changed forever.An anonymous survey of 4,400 tech workers, conducted by found that two thirds of employees would consider leaving the Bay Area if they had the option to work remotely, as reported byThat option seems more and more likely as tech giants announce plans to let...…ByAs remote work becomes an option, and city bars, shops and restaurants shutter their doors through the pandemic, some tech workers say they have no reason to stay in San Francisco.As remote work becomes an option, and city bars, shops and...For more coverage, visit our complete .Life and work in the Bay Area may be changed forever.An anonymous survey of 4,400 tech workers, conducted by found that two thirds of employees would consider leaving the Bay Area if they had the option to work remotely, as reported byThat option seems more and more likely as tech giants announce plans to let...WW…

When will my kids be back in class? It's the question on many Bay Area parents' lips right now.After a tough slog through months of home learning, virtual tutoring and Zoom play dates, kids are really missing their friends, and parents are missing their time alone.School districts have been doing what they can to keep students educated and healthy through the crisis that shuttered schools in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Free meals programs have fed students, technology such as Chromebooks have been handed out to kids without the means to learn virtually, and teachers have come...…When will my kids be back in class? It's the question on many Bay Area parents' lips right now.After a tough slog through months of home learning, virtual tutoring and Zoom play dates, kids are really missing their friends, and parents are missing their time alone.School districts have been doing what they can to keep students educated and healthy through the crisis that shuttered schools in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Free meals programs have fed students, technology such as Chromebooks have been handed out to kids without the means to learn virtually, and teachers have come...WW…