From the editor
A notebook for the Bay
May reminded us that the Bay Area's strength lies in its contradictions: a place where a poet co-owns a bookstore and a tech giant writes 60% of its code by AI.
The stories that surfaced in May 2026 are not discrete events but threads in a larger tapestry. A federal appeals court blocked the mailing of mifepristone, while San Francisco expanded subsidized childcare—two moves that speak to the ongoing struggle over bodily autonomy and family support. Meanwhile, the trial of seven Golden Gate Bridge protesters underscored the tension between civil disobedience and public order.
On the economic front, Coinbase laid off 14% of its workforce, and Intuit cut 3,000 jobs globally, including 384 in Mountain View. These reductions come as companies like Airbnb report that AI now generates 60% of new code, raising urgent questions about the future of work. Yet in the Sunset District, Chinese grocers keep 'grand opening' signs up for years—a small but stubborn assertion of tradition in a rapidly digitizing world.
Politically, the governor's race is heating up. Tom Steyer's bid could bring his brother's tech-regulation advocacy to the fore, while Democrats debate risky voting strategies to avoid a GOP sweep. And in San Francisco, Proposition B drew comparisons to authoritarian power grabs from none other than Jerry Brown. The month closed with a sense that the region is at a crossroads, not just electorally but existentially.
Thank you for reading—and for sharing what we should be paying attention to next.
The month in review
Bay Area notebook
Our beats dig into the policy, work, education, and climate stories that defined May 2026. Each section is grounded in a single story from our daily brief, but the echoes reach far beyond.
May 2026 was a month of reckoning. From the trial of Golden Gate Bridge protesters to the quiet resilience of a Mission District recovery group, the Bay Area's civic fabric was tested and reaffirmed. The stories that follow are not exhaustive but essential—snapshots of a region navigating disruption with characteristic grit.
The policy beat in May was dominated by the governor's race, homelessness, and the machinery of democracy itself.
Policy & civic rhythm
California's next governor will inherit a homelessness crisis that is disproportionately severe: the state houses 11% of the U.S. population but nearly a quarter of its homeless residents. As CalMatters reported, voter frustration is high as encampments persist, and many homeless individuals lack access to mental health and addiction treatment. While Governor Newsom reports a 9% drop in unsheltered homelessness last year, funding cuts threaten his initiatives, leaving the state at a crossroads ahead of the primary election.
Meanwhile, the CalMatters investigation into Newsom's $3.8 billion Homekey program raised hard questions about the program's fast-track approach. Through over 100 public records requests, the probe looked at whether converting hotels into housing during the pandemic led to successes like the Hollywood Orchid Suites or costly failures like a Gardena Travelodge. The findings will likely shape the next administration's housing strategy.
On the electoral front, California Democrats are urging a last-minute voting strategy to avoid a GOP sweep in the open primary. As CalMatters detailed, some party activists are pushing a risky tactic: waiting until Election Day to vote to consolidate support behind the strongest Democratic candidate. This strategy could further slow the state's already lengthy ballot-counting process, raising concerns about voter confidence.
The world of work in May was defined by AI disruption, labor struggles, and the quiet persistence of small businesses.
Work & main streets
Airbnb's announcement that AI now generates 60% of its new code and handles 40% of customer support issues sent ripples through the tech industry. As TechCrunch reported, the company's shift toward automation in both engineering and service operations signals a broader trend that could reshape employment in the Bay Area. For workers in the gig economy and beyond, the question is no longer if AI will displace jobs, but how quickly.
Yet even as tech giants automate, San Francisco's Sunset District offers a counterpoint. Mission Local reported that Chinese grocery stores on Irving Street maintain 'grand opening' signs for years as a deliberate strategy to attract customers and signal freshness. This enduring tradition speaks to the resilience of immigrant entrepreneurship and the value of human connection in commerce.
The labor movement also saw a setback: California's first-in-the-nation fast food council has not met in over a year and lacks a chairperson. As CalMatters detailed, workers and union representatives are urging Governor Newsom to appoint a leader so the council can resume its legally required work. One worker, Luna Mondragon of Milpitas, described retaliation and health concerns, emphasizing the urgent need for the council to function.
Education in May touched on the return of Native remains, the promise of apprenticeships, and the global health emergency of Ebola.
Education & youth
California State University campuses hold the remains of over 2,000 Native Americans and more than 1.57 million artifacts, yet returns to tribes have been slow and inconsistent. As CalMatters reported, while schools like Cal Poly Humboldt and San Francisco State have made progress, others such as Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Bakersfield have seen little to no returns. Campus officials cite the arduous process, especially for non-federally recognized tribes, as a key challenge.
The chancellor of California Community Colleges argued in The Hechinger Report that the nation must broaden its definition of learning beyond the classroom. Apprenticeships, which combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, offer a solution that benefits students, employers, and communities alike by providing practical, affordable pathways to opportunity. This vision could reshape how the state prepares its workforce for an AI-driven economy.
On the global stage, the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo an international public health emergency. As STAT reported, the declaration came unusually fast—just one day after the outbreak was confirmed—and without the standard expert panel consultation. The rapid spread, including travel-related cases in Uganda's capital, underscores the interconnectedness of public health and the need for swift action.
Climate policy in May was marked by legal battles over plastic recycling, falling cap-and-trade revenues, and the economic toll of war.
Climate & infrastructure
California finalized sweeping plastic recycling regulations requiring all packaging to be recyclable or compostable by 2032, the most ambitious deadline in the nation. But as CalMatters reported, environmental groups are suing, arguing the rules allow toxic recycling methods and exempt some plastics, while producers claim the mandates are too costly and will raise prices for consumers. The lawsuits from both sides highlight the difficulty of forging consensus on environmental policy.
Meanwhile, California's cap-and-trade program has generated $35 billion since 2012, but auction revenues have declined from a peak of $8.1 billion in 2023-24. As CalMatters detailed, roughly half of the funds have gone to utilities to offset consumer costs. The program, favored by corporate interests over direct facility limits, faces uncertain revenue as emission caps continue to decrease, raising questions about long-term funding for climate initiatives.
Rising gas prices, exacerbated by the U.S. and Israel's war in Iran, are forcing California agencies like the CHP, Caltrans, and school districts to tighten spending. Governor Newsom linked the higher energy costs to Trump administration policies, while the state's Finance Department warns of broader inflation and reduced purchasing power. The economic strain is a reminder that climate policy cannot be separated from geopolitics.
Business of the month
Showcase
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Our showcase this month highlights a story of transformation and community resilience.
Featured · June 2026
From Addiction to Recovery: 16th and Mission
Ariel, once homeless and using drugs daily near the 16th and Mission BART plaza, now finds support in an AA group located at the same corner. His story, reported by Mission Local, is a testament to the power of place and persistence.
I used to come here to get high. Now I come here to stay sober.
The corner of 16th and Mission is often associated with struggle—open-air drug use, homelessness, and the daily grind of survival. But for Ariel, it has become a site of redemption. After years of addiction, he found an AA group that meets in the same plaza where he once bought drugs. The group, he says, offers not just sobriety but community.
Ariel's journey is not unique, but it is instructive. The Mission District has long been a crossroads of cultures and crises, and the presence of recovery groups in the same spaces where addiction thrives speaks to the complexity of urban life. As Mission Local reported, Ariel now volunteers with the group, helping others who are where he once was.
The story is a reminder that transformation is possible, even in the most unlikely places. It also underscores the need for sustained investment in mental health and addiction services—resources that are often the first to be cut in budget cycles. As the city debates its priorities, Ariel's story offers a human-scale counterpoint to the policy debates.
Wind down
Ten futures—lightly told
May 2026 was a month of contradictions—AI writing code while grocers kept signs up, a governor's race that could reshape tech regulation, and a city where recovery is possible on the same corner where addiction thrives. As we turn the page to June, these stories linger.
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Great Highway
The Great Highway debate took a back seat in District 4—literally, because the candidates were too busy arguing about who was more against it.
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Grand Opening
Sunset grocers keep 'grand opening' signs up for years. At this point, the signs are older than some of the produce.
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AI DJ
Spotify's AI DJ now speaks four languages. Still can't explain why it played 'Despacito' three times in a row.
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Prop B
Jerry Brown compared SF's Prop B to Putin. Finally, a comparison that makes Putin look like the reasonable one.
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Kesha
Kesha says she's moving to San Francisco. The fog is thrilled to have a new best friend.
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Overpaid CEO Tax
SF's Overpaid CEO Tax might hurt the economy. But think of the savings on CEO-themed Halloween costumes.
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Voter ID
California GOP pushes voter ID as 'common sense.' Also common sense: not holding press conferences about fraud you can't prove.
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Fast Food Council
California's fast food council hasn't met in a year. At this rate, the burgers will unionize before the council does.
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Ebola Emergency
WHO declared an Ebola emergency in record time. Finally, a global health response faster than my Wi-Fi.
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Volvo
Aged Volvo spotted at Mission and Francis. It's not a classic car; it's a time traveler from 1992.
Mind Floss
Three quick games. Play, check, move on.
Word search, anagrams, and quick logic games.
Word search — May 2026
Find all words from the word bank (forward or downward).
Word bank
Anagrams
Unscramble each word. Item 2 is the freebie.
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SHOLEMES
Answer
HOMELESS
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PEPITRANCE
Answer
APPRENTICE
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CRYCLINGE
Answer
RECYCLING
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STREPOTER
Answer
PROTESTER
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CARCHILDE
Answer
CHILDCARE
Quick pick
Tap the stronger future signal.
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The Golden State Valkyries signed Gabby Williams, who started at Mission Rec.
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Spotify's AI DJ now supports French, German, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese.
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The Ephesian Church in Berkeley celebrated 100 years of Black history and music.
Dots and crosses
Play against KFN. You are X — you move, then KFN moves.
Your turn (X)
Winner: -
Connect four
Tap a column (▼ above or any hole in that column) — KFN drops next.
Your turn
Rock, paper, scissors
Best of three vs KFN. You pick — then KFN picks.
Round 1 · Pick one
You 0 · KFN 0
Mini Sudoku (4x4)
Fill each row, column, and 2x2 box with 1-4.
Answers
Word search: HOMELESS, APPRENTICE, RECYCLING, PROTESTER, CHILDCARE, GOVERNOR, SUNSET, MISSION.
Anagrams: HOMELESS, APPRENTICE, RECYCLING, PROTESTER, CHILDCARE.
Quick pick: 1 Signal, 2 Noise, 3 Signal.
Mini Sudoku: 1 2 3 4 / 3 4 1 2 / 2 1 4 3 / 4 3 2 1.