The Political Beat

The Political Beat is a new in-depth news and information service that will provide analysis and groundbreaking coverage of the State Capital, California politics and what it means to you. Join California Beat Political Director Steven Luo as he dissects the legislation and policy and interact with him about the budget, lawmaking, and public policy.

After years of delay, California High Speed Rail might actually come true

Published October 2, 2008

For almost five years now, the proposition that would have given the jump start towards constructing a high speed rail line connecting Northern and Southern California was treated like an ugly duckling at the State Capital. (more. . .)

• PALO ALTO: Peninsula city holds last minute protest against California high speed train system
• EDITORIAL: Palo Alto train NIMBYs blocking state from progress, economic recovery

Community discusses fate of Bay Area journalism at SPJ-hosted forum

The San Francisco Chronicle, currently the Bay Area’s oldest and largest newspaper, is facing a dire financial situation as it continues to lose about $1 million a week. Its owner, Hearst Corp., has said it will sell or close the paper soon if it can’t dramatically cut costs. So, where is the future of journalism headed? (more…)

San Francisco Rising: A special report examining the high-rising of San Francisco

The city is already known for its tall skyscrapers, but right now it is at the cusp of becoming a urban metropolis that will soon be dominated by tall buildings. In this three-part series, we talk about the change, the politics and the high-rising of the City by the Bay.

• Read Part One: City will look drastically different in just a few years
• Read Part Two: ‘The Grand Central Station of the West’ would have western America’s tallest building on top of it
• Read Part Three: The Politics of a Changing Skyline

The Raddest History Walk in the World: The Haight-Ashbury’s Sights to See

Published July 21, 2008

The architecture, the bright colors, and the non-conformist attitude still make the Haight-Ashbury a worthy place to visit whether you’re a tourist wanting to see the sights of San Francisco or just someone who wants to reconnect with a revolutionary time in United States History. This was the playground for Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. Roy Morlidge takes you to some of the spots that gave the jump-start to these musical legends. (more. . . )

No, it’s not Lombard Street, take a drive down America’s Real Crookedest Street

Published August 1, 2008

To taxi drivers and the locals, Vermont Street in San Francisco’s Potrero Hill neighborhood is where your knuckles really turn white from gripping the steering wheel. It is the city’s (and the country’s) crookedest street. But don’t be so eager to pull out the Kodaks just yet, it looks nothing like its famed sister, Lombard Street to the north. (more. . .)

Historic San Francisco: Take a step back to the past with these stories about the city’s past

• Roy’s Road Thoughts: Mark Leno resurrects battle for Harvey Milk Day
• Harvey Milk not forgotten; Milk receives two Oscars at Academy Awards
• Milk has chance for eight Academy Awards on Sunday night
• Roy’s Road Thoughts: In memory of Herbert Hamrol, 1906 Earthquake Survivor
• Roy’s Road Thoughts: Jonestown, SF City Hall Killings: 30 Years Later (11/17)
• The day that San Francisco changed forever (11/25)
• Editorial: Milk, the movie, gives historical insight about gay rights battle, man behind movement (12/20)

1906 EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS: A Walking Historic Tour of some of the oldest buildings in San Francisco in the Jackson Square District

Published July 9, 2008

After the devastating earthquake and fire, San Francisco folklore writer Charles Kellogg Field put A.P. Hotaling’s whiskey warehouse on the map when he asked, “If, as they say, God spanked the town for being over frisky, Why did he burn the churches down and save Hotaling’s whiskey?” (more. . .)

More stories from San Francisco & the Peninsula:

• HALF MOON BAY: Half Moon Bay is a Seaside Retreat of Old and New
• SAN FRANCISCO: Fisherman’s Wharf a big draw for international and local tourists
• COLMA: Colma, California: Dead People > Living People; but still a great place to live!
• SAN MATEO: Hike up San Mateo County’s Sweeney Ridge a scenic flashback in time
• SAN FRANCISCO: Police called in to quell Prop. 8 tempers, Religious group driven out of Castro District after confrontation
• SAN FRANCISCO: History on the rails: A timeless journey on San Francisco’s F-Market Streetcars

SPECIAL SECTION: The BART Police Shooting of Oscar Grant III

Our comprehensive coverage of the New Year’s Day BART Police killing of Oscar Grant can be found on our special section with dozens of stories, commentary, and the graphic videos that have stunned the world. Bookmark the page for the very latest news here.

Selected Reports:

• The BART Public Relations Disaster | How Oscar Grant’s killing leaves an agency struggling with its public image
• Roy’s Road Thoughts: Do we really need BART Police?
• EDITORIAL: Can the public trust the BART Police Department?
• “There will be hell on the streets” | Frustration builds as BART gets scolded again for Grant shooting
• RIOTING IN OAKLAND | Police anger pours onto city streets as outrage over BART shooting violently erupts
• “He never texted back” | Family prepares for police shooting victim’s funeral as outrage goes national

Tiny town outside of SF was “America’s ‘First’ Hollywood”

Published July 29, 2008

For one of the tiniest communities east of San Francisco in the suburban town of Fremont, Niles, California probably has more references to Charlie Chaplin than Hollywood itself. In fact, at one point, this town was considered “America’s ‘first’ Hollywood.” (more…)

More stories from Oakland & the East Bay:

• FREMONT: Fremont’s Mission San Jose stands as a Monument to East Bay’s Early Pioneers
• HAYWARD: Garin Regional Park is for both cows and humans

Robert Mondavi Winery: Leading the way in Napa Valley wines since 1966

Published February 5, 2009

But of all the wineries in the Napa Valley, one in particular bears the name of an honored name in the wine industry. The Robert Mondavi Winery stands as a landmark established by a man who has become a legend in California. (more…)

Like clockwork, Old Faithful Geyser gives an all-natural skyrocketing performance

Published January 22, 2009

Calistoga’s Old Faithful geyser has never let any one of its visitors down. That’s real good news, too, because ever since it was discovered by the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition in 1870, millions of people have come to watch the natural wonder huff-and-puff steam, and then spew a messy tower of warm water skyward every 10 to 30 minutes. (more…)

GEYSER COUPON: Click the story to save $1 off admission prices at Old Faithful!

More stories from Marin County & the North Bay:

• SONOMA: Mountain Cemetery: Final home of many Sonoma Valley Pioneers
• YOUNTVILLE: A dash of history with a pinch of fine dining | Yountville is emblematic of Napa Valley’s worldwide appeal
• SONOMA: At the end of the trail: Sonoma mission was the last of its kind

From Fishing Cannery to Marine Sanctuary, Monterey Bay Aquarium fascinates and educates visitors

Published September 9, 2008

How fitting is it that the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif. chose what was once the home of a fishing cannery as the ideal spot to build what has come to be known as a world famous travel destination and marine sanctuary. (more…)

Small-town charm in huge doses: Upscale Central Coast enclave a perfect getaway spot

Published October 1, 2008

Who can resist not coming to Carmel-by-the-Sea? Famed actor and director Clint Eastwood loved this place so much that he became mayor of it for a couple years from 1988 to 1990.
(more…)

More stories from Monterey Bay & the Central Coast:

• Mission Carmel: A final resting place for a California Pioneer
• Where the bread bowls are abundant, a trip through Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf
• Roy’s Road Thoughts: A Day in Monterey