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"slug": "phone-text-scams-california-irs-bank-cdph-emergency-call-how-to-spot-fake-job-offer",
"title": "Have You Been Hit With One of These Bay Area Phone Scams? How to Spot the Red Flags",
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"headTitle": "Have You Been Hit With One of These Bay Area Phone Scams? How to Spot the Red Flags | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>If you’ve had the nagging feeling that scam calls and messages have gotten worse over the last few years, you’re actually correct.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Americans reported losing a total of $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">June data\u003c/a> announced by the Federal Trade Commission this summer — nearly three times the amount reported in 2020. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Imposter scams and other types of fraud through social media, email and other platforms have become a ubiquitous issue impacting people across the country. According to \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/poll-scams-law-enforcement-social-media-389f8d824b89fa434c297729f2aaf56d\">a poll and investigation\u003c/a> by the \u003cem>Associated Press\u003c/em> and the University of Chicago, almost every American has been \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/scams-online-scams-ai-internet-safety-phishing-fraud-34517de3546d604e20c9d78d3dc5af4f\">“targeted by scammers in some way.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It can happen to anyone,” said Alma Galvan, the San Francisco Bay Area communications director for the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit that supports consumers and businesses. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t matter your education level,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what you look like. Scammers will target anyone.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098963\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Phone and text scams are getting more sophisticated. Americans reported losing a total of $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to June data announced by the Federal Trade Commission this summer. (Matthias Balk/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And while scams take all forms — \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/sf-better-business-bureau-warns-customers-of-cat-22413539.php\">pretending to be local San Francisco businesses\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/34935-bbb-scam-alert-dont-be-fooled-by-free-gas-and-grocery-card-postcards\">fake gas gift cards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095536/after-the-18000-scam-how-can-bay-area-renters-protect-themselves\">rent schemes\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams\">catfishing\u003c/a> and even impersonating \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">KQED \u003cem>Forum \u003c/em>host Mina Kim\u003c/a> — the ones that fall directly into your lap are usually through phone calls and text messages. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This is compounded by the fact that your phone’s caller ID capabilities may not always flag a spam call — and scammers can find a way to make it appear as if they are calling from \u003ca href=\"https://www.calwater.com/help/protecting-yourself-against-utility-scams/\">a verified organization or agency\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In fact, the problem has become \u003cem>so\u003c/em> widespread that California now has its own \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12069507/sick-of-scam-calls-and-texts-you-can-now-request-to-remove-your-details-from-data-brokers\">“Delete Request and Opt-out Platform” (DROP) form\u003c/a>, which allows residents to scrub their info from data brokers — a major way scammers obtain your contact information — in order to lessen the amount of scam calls and texts.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While a scam may feel obvious in hindsight, it can be hard to think calmly in the heat of the moment, especially since scammers often fake emergencies or apply pressure to spur people to act in panic. And the ability of scammers to persuade and convince their targets has only gotten worse with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">the rise of generative AI.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One silver lining: Scams often follow the same kinds of patterns and playbooks — and knowing about them could help you and your family learn to detect a scam even faster.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Read on to learn about common forms of phone- and text-based scams in the Bay Area and California, as well as the red flags to look out for if you do receive a potentially enticing message. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Task scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The most common scams in the Bay Area have been “task scams,” Galvan said: when someone receives an offer — often through text — to do seemingly simple, repetitive actions online, such as \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/jobscams/employment-scams-2026-update\">liking YouTube videos\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There are so many different versions of this scam, and it doesn’t target one individual,” she said, explaining that the age range of people impacted by the scam varies from early 20s to late 60s. “It attracts consumers that are looking for a job.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The kind of job being offered promises “flexible hours, the ability to work from home, super high earnings — and you only have to work an hour and a half a day, and you make $500, with the option of making extra money if you decide to work over the weekend,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Sometimes these scammers will even provide some initial payment to build some trust. But these so-called opportunities can lead to major consequences. One person reported to the BBB lost $17,000 after buying equipment to work from home, she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The scammers “instructed him to purchase gift cards to pay for the equipment,” saying it was for “security measures and protocol that the company had,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A major red flag, Galvan said, is recognizing when the salary may be too high for the task. People should also never pay to apply for a job. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Don’t let anyone deposit money into your personal bank account if you haven’t had a job interview or received an offer letter, she said. You should also never make any suggested purchases with gift cards or cryptocurrency, especially since the latter is “not regulated by the government,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: A job offer with aspects — high salary, flexibility, simplicity — that seem too good to be true, a demand to purchase equipment or pay to apply\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Employment scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In another employment-based scam, targets will receive a fake job offer — purporting to be from a legitimate business in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A person may get a text message, a DM through social media or a platform like WhatsApp and Telegram offering a position related to their field, “but then the salary is just above average for the job itself,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She said that people should go to the company’s website and verify if the position is indeed real — and even try calling the company to also verify the job listing and the identity of the person conducting the interview.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/Dc9KDXSDP26/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==\n\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep in mind: Anyone can create a website, but a way to look into who is \u003cem>running \u003c/em>a website is by visiting \u003ca href=\"https://www.whois.com/\">Whois.com\u003c/a>. If the website is public, you’ll be able to see who created it, when it was created and when the domain expired. For example, if the website was created just a few days ago and is offering several jobs, it may not be a legitimate business, Galvan said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While you should insist on a formal interview by phone or video, generative AI has unfortunately been a major tool in these scams, allowing fraudsters to produce voices and videos to mimic recruiters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It might feel incredibly discouraging to make sure everyone you are talking to is real — something KQED’s internet \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/reel/Dc9KDXSDP26/\">podcast Close All Tabs\u003c/a> even touches on in an episode about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086839/how-to-prove-youre-not-ai\">how difficult it is to prove \u003cem>you \u003c/em>are not AI\u003c/a>. But that’s why doing the research beforehand is vital, Galvan said, “to make sure that you’re actually talking to a real person.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: High salaries, well-known companies, a job website that was only recently created, a suspicious video interview\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bank scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">the FTC\u003c/a>, the most costly type of impersonation scams come from a fake security alert, often from someone purporting to represent your real bank.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People are convinced to move money to “protect” it, with their losses often limited only by their available funds,” per \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">the FTC\u003c/a>. Callers may also ask for a person’s card number, a PIN or the last four digits of their Social Security number.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1187\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM.jpg\" alt=\"A woman walks past a Wells Fargo ATM in Pasadena on September 28, 2016. California Treasurer John Chiang said the state will suspend several banking relationships with Wells Fargo to sanction the firm following allegations of 'fleecing its customers.'\" class=\"wp-image-11108212\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-400x247.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-800x495.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-1180x730.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-960x594.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman walks past a Wells Fargo ATM in Pasadena. (Frederic J Brown/AFP-Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Galvan said here it’s good to have a connection with your local bank and make sure you know if you’ve even opted in to receive text messages from them — because otherwise, getting out-of-the-blue texts from your bank should raise your suspicions. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After hanging up, she said people should be sure to call the number on the back of your bank card, as opposed to the first result on a Google search, since a scammer could potentially buy an ad and place a fraudulent phone number. Don’t call any numbers you’re given in a message purporting to be from your bank either, as these may be scam numbers too. Only through this official phone number to your bank can you confirm if the message you got was valid.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s up to us to do that little extra step,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: Unexpected texts from your bank, requests for personal information, including your PIN\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IRS scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What is more stressful than a call from the bank? A call from the Internal Revenue Service, which handles taxes in the United States. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The IRS has a page dedicated to \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/recognize-tax-scams-and-fraud\">the common reasons\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2026-irs-reminds-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threats\">impersonators use\u003c/a> when contacting unsuspecting targets, including W-2 form fraud and unclaimed tax refunds. Some people have also received fake calls about apparent back taxes owed, with the scammer claiming to be from the IRS or \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/tax-season-phone-scams-and-taxpayer-id-theft\">“Tax Resolution Oversight Department.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12035739\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington, D.C. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But you should know: The IRS primarily contacts people through letters the first time — which \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-irs-notice-or-letter\">you can verify online or by calling the IRS’s hotline at 800-829-1040\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep in mind — like your bank, the IRS only \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs\">texts\u003c/a> you when you opt in to receive those texts. According to the agency, there \u003cem>are \u003c/em>some cases where they use automated phone messages, but these calls will “direct you to IRS.gov to securely manage your account, make payments or resolve an issue,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs\">the IRS website read\u003c/a>. “The messages don’t share specific details.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/tax-season-phone-scams-and-taxpayer-id-theft\">the FCC\u003c/a>, people should never give personal details over the phone like PINs, passwords and credit card information. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS, ask for a reference number. Then the person should hang up and call the IRS again, but only using one of \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you\">the official IRS phone numbers\u003c/a> listed on its government website, to see if the call was real. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: Unexpected texts from the IRS, attempts to panic you with talk of “back taxes” owed or similar, a live caller wanting financial information including your PIN\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emergency call scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This particularly alarming type of scam has continued to \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/grandparent/\">grab headlines\u003c/a> for the past few years: Someone impersonating a loved one in text messages or even a phone call, desperately asking a parent or a grandparent to wire them money due to some emergency.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A common example is the young person — usually college-aged — saying they’re traveling for vacation (for example, for spring break) and getting arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border, Galvan said. And \u003ca href=\"https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/artificial-intelligence-scam-tips.page\">AI has only made it easier\u003c/a> for scammers to impersonate someone’s voice.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It sounds like the person,” she said. “It sounds legitimate.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098969\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">“It doesn’t matter your education level. It doesn’t matter what you look like. Scammers will target anyone,” said Alma Galvan, the San Francisco Bay Area communications director for the Better Business Bureau. (Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Galvan suggested families have a code word that the scammer wouldn’t be able to guess. If the person over the phone is able to provide the code word, then the person knows it’s potentially real.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A key part of this scam’s playbook: creating a sense of emergency with the need to send money immediately. The Federal Communications Commission \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/grandparent-scams-get-more-sophisticated\">recommended that the person\u003c/a> receiving the call should, after hanging up, try calling the intended person using the number saved in their contacts to see if they truly were the one on the call.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: A dramatic, panic-inducing story of some emergency, an urgent request for money (for example, to post bail), the person using an unrecognized number \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mail delivery scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A common way this plays out: You receive a text alert from an unknown number prompting you to click a link — because “your” package from a company like USPS, Amazon or FedEx has been misplaced or needs a pick-up. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’ve all transitioned into buying things online,” Galvan said. Because of this, she said it’s key to remember “what you’re ordering, where it’s coming from and who’s going to deliver it for you.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When receiving these texts, she said to be wary of \u003ca href=\"https://www.du.edu/it/services/security/5-url-warning-signs\">suspicious links in the text\u003c/a> — for example, links that were generated by URL-shortening websites like \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly\">bit.ly\u003c/a>, which can be used to mask the true online destination. These links may be seeking personal information input from you — or even be malicious software.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098971\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery van is parked on a street in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Keep in mind that if you don’t have \u003ca href=\"https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/recognizing-and-avoiding-spyware\">spyware\u003c/a> [protection], it just takes one click for you to get a virus on your computer. Same thing with your phone,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Phones tend to have protection come with them, she said, but it’s important to make sure that your software — like an iPhone’s iOS — is up-to-date. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12070405/how-to-protect-your-information-online-in-2026\">a thorough guide on digital hygiene and security\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Admittedly, when it comes to packages and deliveries, it can be hard to know what is a scam text and what is a simple text alert that you signed up for. But California has \u003ca href=\"https://www.business.com/articles/text-message-laws/\">laws\u003c/a> that require people to opt in to receive various forms of text messages. So if you don’t remember signing up for text alerts, that could be a potential red flag. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: “Delivery updates” you weren’t expecting, being urged to click a link\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other common phone and text scams in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, these scams are just the tip of the iceberg of the type of texts and calls a person can receive. Luckily, there are major tools online to help you look up past scams and see if they match a call, text or business you’re suspicious about. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The BBB has a thorough \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/lookupscam\">Scam Tracker\u003c/a> database with a list of scams reported by consumers, complete with descriptions of who they were reached by, who they thought they were talking to and even how much they lost. The American Association of Retired Persons also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map/\">a scam map.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other scams may involve people impersonating:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The California Department of Public Health\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The state’s health agency warns that scammers are calling to ask for financial and sensitive information, pretending to represent CDPH. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/contact_us.aspx\">According to the agency\u003c/a>, legitimate calls focus on public health matters like disease contact tracing. They “will never involve requests for sensitive financial or non-health-related information, such as someone’s Social Security number or credit card details,” CDPH said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1438\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/02/ap_19032839240667-c3ea9c8607ab8c46c7dcbc486a7c0f917e3d5a08-e1549984154270.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11725572\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A man walks past a PG&E sign. (Jeff Chiu/AP)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Utility agencies\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>West Sacramento sent out a warning early this year about \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestSacramento/posts/a-postcard-claiming-to-be-a-public-utility-notice-from-a-private-entity-called-c/1326817099482868/\">a postcard falsely requiring residents to enroll in a “program\u003c/a>” that would allow them to receive funds for utility upgrades. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other utility scams may call to ask people to pay their bills by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.santaclaraca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/45479/\">a prepaid credit card, gift card, or third-party payment app\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re unsure about your utility account, be sure to call your county’s services division or PG&E directly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A radio or TV opportunity\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Creatives are being increasingly targeted by scammers posing as the hosts of radio or TV shows, offering them the chance to talk about their work on-air — as soon as they make some kind of donation or payment. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Authors have even received messages pretending to be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">KQED Forum host Mina Kim\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>, \u003c/strong>inviting them on our call-in show to talk about their book (for $200). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED will never charge people to be on \u003cem>Forum,\u003c/em> and producers are the ones who directly connect with authors and publishers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So you got scammed. Now what?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Report it ASAP\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You may feel overwhelmed or even embarrassed after realizing that you fell into a scam, Galvan said — and that’s natural. However, she said that \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/reportscam\">reporting it to places like the BBB\u003c/a> offers the chance to help people around you avoid the same scam by making the information public.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We want to make it as universal as possible and as easy-to-use tool for the public, so that we can alert the consumers about what’s happening in our area and then hopefully get them to be looked into by law enforcement or by government,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12069528\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many agencies also provide the next steps to take after facing a scam, whether it includes personal identity theft, a loss of funds or compromised accounts. (Rain Star/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, the BBB is a nonprofit, and they don’t have the “power to shut down anyone,” Galvan said. Nonetheless, the group works closely with local government agencies, which \u003cem>can \u003c/em>then investigate the company and the scam.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12052217/immigration-lawyers-bay-area-common-scams-notario-fraud\">immigration-based scams\u003c/a> have also become common, she said that the BBB is not a government agency and does not verify the residency status of anyone reporting this kind of scam. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>People can also report potential scams to other sites and organizations including:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115002234203-Unwanted-Calls-Texts-Phone\">The FCC: Unwanted Calls/Texts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Local authorities like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090715/outside-lands-ticket-pass-friday-saturday-sunday-lineup-resale-scams-2026\">the police\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company\">California Attorney General’s office\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>The organization that is being impersonated (for example, the IRS has \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud/report-fake-irs-treasury-or-tax-related-emails-and-messages\">a guide on how to contact the agency\u003c/a> if you run into an IRS-based scam — national agencies can be \u003ca href=\"https://www.usa.gov/agency-index\">found on the federal government’s website\u003c/a>, or find a state-based agency on \u003ca href=\"https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/fraud/subprograms-and-info\">the California Department of Social Services website\u003c/a>)\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en/account/customer-service/scams.html\">PG&E Scams\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/\">FTC’s Report Fraud website\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ic3.gov/\">Internet Crime Complaint Center\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seek support\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many agencies also provide the next steps to take after facing a scam, whether it includes personal identity theft, a loss of funds or compromised accounts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some resources include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/if-you-were-scammed\">IRS: If You Were Scammed\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/consumers\">California Attorney General’s page on consumer protection\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/idtheft/facts/how-to-registry\">California Identity Theft Registry\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed\">FTC Consumer Advice\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://scamsurvivaltoolkit.bbbmarketplacetrust.org/\">BBB Scam Survival Toolkit\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/all/scam-prevention\">BBB Scam Prevention Guide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’ve had the nagging feeling that scam calls and messages have gotten worse over the last few years, you’re actually correct.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’ve had the nagging feeling that scam calls and messages have gotten worse over the last few years, you’re actually correct.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Americans reported losing a total of $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">June data\u003c/a> announced by the Federal Trade Commission this summer — nearly three times the amount reported in 2020. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Americans reported losing a total of $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">June data\u003c/a> announced by the Federal Trade Commission this summer — nearly three times the amount reported in 2020. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Imposter scams and other types of fraud through social media, email and other platforms have become a ubiquitous issue impacting people across the country. According to \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/poll-scams-law-enforcement-social-media-389f8d824b89fa434c297729f2aaf56d\">a poll and investigation\u003c/a> by the \u003cem>Associated Press\u003c/em> and the University of Chicago, almost every American has been \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/scams-online-scams-ai-internet-safety-phishing-fraud-34517de3546d604e20c9d78d3dc5af4f\">“targeted by scammers in some way.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Imposter scams and other types of fraud through social media, email and other platforms have become a ubiquitous issue impacting people across the country. According to \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/poll-scams-law-enforcement-social-media-389f8d824b89fa434c297729f2aaf56d\">a poll and investigation\u003c/a> by the \u003cem>Associated Press\u003c/em> and the University of Chicago, almost every American has been \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/scams-online-scams-ai-internet-safety-phishing-fraud-34517de3546d604e20c9d78d3dc5af4f\">“targeted by scammers in some way.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It can happen to anyone,” said Alma Galvan, the San Francisco Bay Area communications director for the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit that supports consumers and businesses. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It can happen to anyone,” said Alma Galvan, the San Francisco Bay Area communications director for the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit that supports consumers and businesses. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t matter your education level,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what you look like. Scammers will target anyone.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t matter your education level,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what you look like. Scammers will target anyone.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098963\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Phone and text scams are getting more sophisticated. Americans reported losing a total of $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to June data announced by the Federal Trade Commission this summer.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Matthias Balk/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098963\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Phone and text scams are getting more sophisticated. Americans reported losing a total of $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to June data announced by the Federal Trade Commission this summer.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Matthias Balk/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And while scams take all forms — \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/sf-better-business-bureau-warns-customers-of-cat-22413539.php\">pretending to be local San Francisco businesses\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/34935-bbb-scam-alert-dont-be-fooled-by-free-gas-and-grocery-card-postcards\">fake gas gift cards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095536/after-the-18000-scam-how-can-bay-area-renters-protect-themselves\">rent schemes\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams\">catfishing\u003c/a> and even impersonating \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">KQED \u003cem>Forum \u003c/em>host Mina Kim\u003c/a> — the ones that fall directly into your lap are usually through phone calls and text messages. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And while scams take all forms — \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/sf-better-business-bureau-warns-customers-of-cat-22413539.php\">pretending to be local San Francisco businesses\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/34935-bbb-scam-alert-dont-be-fooled-by-free-gas-and-grocery-card-postcards\">fake gas gift cards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095536/after-the-18000-scam-how-can-bay-area-renters-protect-themselves\">rent schemes\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams\">catfishing\u003c/a> and even impersonating \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">KQED \u003cem>Forum \u003c/em>host Mina Kim\u003c/a> — the ones that fall directly into your lap are usually through phone calls and text messages. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This is compounded by the fact that your phone’s caller ID capabilities may not always flag a spam call — and scammers can find a way to make it appear as if they are calling from \u003ca href=\"https://www.calwater.com/help/protecting-yourself-against-utility-scams/\">a verified organization or agency\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This is compounded by the fact that your phone’s caller ID capabilities may not always flag a spam call — and scammers can find a way to make it appear as if they are calling from \u003ca href=\"https://www.calwater.com/help/protecting-yourself-against-utility-scams/\">a verified organization or agency\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In fact, the problem has become \u003cem>so\u003c/em> widespread that California now has its own \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12069507/sick-of-scam-calls-and-texts-you-can-now-request-to-remove-your-details-from-data-brokers\">“Delete Request and Opt-out Platform” (DROP) form\u003c/a>, which allows residents to scrub their info from data brokers — a major way scammers obtain your contact information — in order to lessen the amount of scam calls and texts.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In fact, the problem has become \u003cem>so\u003c/em> widespread that California now has its own \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12069507/sick-of-scam-calls-and-texts-you-can-now-request-to-remove-your-details-from-data-brokers\">“Delete Request and Opt-out Platform” (DROP) form\u003c/a>, which allows residents to scrub their info from data brokers — a major way scammers obtain your contact information — in order to lessen the amount of scam calls and texts.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While a scam may feel obvious in hindsight, it can be hard to think calmly in the heat of the moment, especially since scammers often fake emergencies or apply pressure to spur people to act in panic. And the ability of scammers to persuade and convince their targets has only gotten worse with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">the rise of generative AI.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While a scam may feel obvious in hindsight, it can be hard to think calmly in the heat of the moment, especially since scammers often fake emergencies or apply pressure to spur people to act in panic. And the ability of scammers to persuade and convince their targets has only gotten worse with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">the rise of generative AI.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One silver lining: Scams often follow the same kinds of patterns and playbooks — and knowing about them could help you and your family learn to detect a scam even faster.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>One silver lining: Scams often follow the same kinds of patterns and playbooks — and knowing about them could help you and your family learn to detect a scam even faster.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Read on to learn about common forms of phone- and text-based scams in the Bay Area and California, as well as the red flags to look out for if you do receive a potentially enticing message. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Read on to learn about common forms of phone- and text-based scams in the Bay Area and California, as well as the red flags to look out for if you do receive a potentially enticing message. \u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "Task scams",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Task scams\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Task scams\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The most common scams in the Bay Area have been “task scams,” Galvan said: when someone receives an offer — often through text — to do seemingly simple, repetitive actions online, such as \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/jobscams/employment-scams-2026-update\">liking YouTube videos\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The most common scams in the Bay Area have been “task scams,” Galvan said: when someone receives an offer — often through text — to do seemingly simple, repetitive actions online, such as \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/jobscams/employment-scams-2026-update\">liking YouTube videos\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There are so many different versions of this scam, and it doesn’t target one individual,” she said, explaining that the age range of people impacted by the scam varies from early 20s to late 60s. “It attracts consumers that are looking for a job.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“There are so many different versions of this scam, and it doesn’t target one individual,” she said, explaining that the age range of people impacted by the scam varies from early 20s to late 60s. “It attracts consumers that are looking for a job.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The kind of job being offered promises “flexible hours, the ability to work from home, super high earnings — and you only have to work an hour and a half a day, and you make $500, with the option of making extra money if you decide to work over the weekend,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The kind of job being offered promises “flexible hours, the ability to work from home, super high earnings — and you only have to work an hour and a half a day, and you make $500, with the option of making extra money if you decide to work over the weekend,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Sometimes these scammers will even provide some initial payment to build some trust. But these so-called opportunities can lead to major consequences. One person reported to the BBB lost $17,000 after buying equipment to work from home, she said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Sometimes these scammers will even provide some initial payment to build some trust. But these so-called opportunities can lead to major consequences. One person reported to the BBB lost $17,000 after buying equipment to work from home, she said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The scammers “instructed him to purchase gift cards to pay for the equipment,” saying it was for “security measures and protocol that the company had,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A major red flag, Galvan said, is recognizing when the salary may be too high for the task. People should also never pay to apply for a job. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>A major red flag, Galvan said, is recognizing when the salary may be too high for the task. People should also never pay to apply for a job. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Don’t let anyone deposit money into your personal bank account if you haven’t had a job interview or received an offer letter, she said. You should also never make any suggested purchases with gift cards or cryptocurrency, especially since the latter is “not regulated by the government,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Don’t let anyone deposit money into your personal bank account if you haven’t had a job interview or received an offer letter, she said. You should also never make any suggested purchases with gift cards or cryptocurrency, especially since the latter is “not regulated by the government,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "The red flags: A job offer with aspects — high salary, flexibility, simplicity — that seem too good to be true, a demand to purchase equipment or pay to apply"
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: A job offer with aspects — high salary, flexibility, simplicity — that seem too good to be true, a demand to purchase equipment or pay to apply\u003c/h3>\n"
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"text": "Employment scams",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In another employment-based scam, targets will receive a fake job offer — purporting to be from a legitimate business in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A person may get a text message, a DM through social media or a platform like WhatsApp and Telegram offering a position related to their field, “but then the salary is just above average for the job itself,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>A person may get a text message, a DM through social media or a platform like WhatsApp and Telegram offering a position related to their field, “but then the salary is just above average for the job itself,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>She said that people should go to the company’s website and verify if the position is indeed real — and even try calling the company to also verify the job listing and the identity of the person conducting the interview.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>She said that people should go to the company’s website and verify if the position is indeed real — and even try calling the company to also verify the job listing and the identity of the person conducting the interview.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Keep in mind: Anyone can create a website, but a way to look into who is \u003cem>running \u003c/em>a website is by visiting \u003ca href=\"https://www.whois.com/\">Whois.com\u003c/a>. If the website is public, you’ll be able to see who created it, when it was created and when the domain expired. For example, if the website was created just a few days ago and is offering several jobs, it may not be a legitimate business, Galvan said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While you should insist on a formal interview by phone or video, generative AI has unfortunately been a major tool in these scams, allowing fraudsters to produce voices and videos to mimic recruiters. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It might feel incredibly discouraging to make sure everyone you are talking to is real — something KQED’s internet \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/reel/Dc9KDXSDP26/\">podcast Close All Tabs\u003c/a> even touches on in an episode about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086839/how-to-prove-youre-not-ai\">how difficult it is to prove \u003cem>you \u003c/em>are not AI\u003c/a>. But that’s why doing the research beforehand is vital, Galvan said, “to make sure that you’re actually talking to a real person.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>It might feel incredibly discouraging to make sure everyone you are talking to is real — something KQED’s internet \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/reel/Dc9KDXSDP26/\">podcast Close All Tabs\u003c/a> even touches on in an episode about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086839/how-to-prove-youre-not-ai\">how difficult it is to prove \u003cem>you \u003c/em>are not AI\u003c/a>. But that’s why doing the research beforehand is vital, Galvan said, “to make sure that you’re actually talking to a real person.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "The red flags: High salaries, well-known companies, a job website that was only recently created, a suspicious video interview"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: High salaries, well-known companies, a job website that was only recently created, a suspicious video interview\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">the FTC\u003c/a>, the most costly type of impersonation scams come from a fake security alert, often from someone purporting to represent your real bank.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“People are convinced to move money to “protect” it, with their losses often limited only by their available funds,” per \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">the FTC\u003c/a>. Callers may also ask for a person’s card number, a PIN or the last four digits of their Social Security number.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“People are convinced to move money to “protect” it, with their losses often limited only by their available funds,” per \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">the FTC\u003c/a>. Callers may also ask for a person’s card number, a PIN or the last four digits of their Social Security number.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM.jpg\" alt=\"A woman walks past a Wells Fargo ATM in Pasadena on September 28, 2016. California Treasurer John Chiang said the state will suspend several banking relationships with Wells Fargo to sanction the firm following allegations of 'fleecing its customers.'\" class=\"wp-image-11108212\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-400x247.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-800x495.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-1180x730.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-960x594.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman walks past a Wells Fargo ATM in Pasadena.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Frederic J Brown/AFP-Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM.jpg\" alt=\"A woman walks past a Wells Fargo ATM in Pasadena on September 28, 2016. California Treasurer John Chiang said the state will suspend several banking relationships with Wells Fargo to sanction the firm following allegations of 'fleecing its customers.'\" class=\"wp-image-11108212\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman walks past a Wells Fargo ATM in Pasadena.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Frederic J Brown/AFP-Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Galvan said here it’s good to have a connection with your local bank and make sure you know if you’ve even opted in to receive text messages from them — because otherwise, getting out-of-the-blue texts from your bank should raise your suspicions. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Galvan said here it’s good to have a connection with your local bank and make sure you know if you’ve even opted in to receive text messages from them — because otherwise, getting out-of-the-blue texts from your bank should raise your suspicions. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>After hanging up, she said people should be sure to call the number on the back of your bank card, as opposed to the first result on a Google search, since a scammer could potentially buy an ad and place a fraudulent phone number. Don’t call any numbers you’re given in a message purporting to be from your bank either, as these may be scam numbers too. Only through this official phone number to your bank can you confirm if the message you got was valid.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>After hanging up, she said people should be sure to call the number on the back of your bank card, as opposed to the first result on a Google search, since a scammer could potentially buy an ad and place a fraudulent phone number. Don’t call any numbers you’re given in a message purporting to be from your bank either, as these may be scam numbers too. Only through this official phone number to your bank can you confirm if the message you got was valid.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s up to us to do that little extra step,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s up to us to do that little extra step,” she said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "The red flags: Unexpected texts from your bank, requests for personal information, including your PIN"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: Unexpected texts from your bank, requests for personal information, including your PIN\u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: Unexpected texts from your bank, requests for personal information, including your PIN\u003c/h3>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "IRS scams",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IRS scams\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IRS scams\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>What is more stressful than a call from the bank? A call from the Internal Revenue Service, which handles taxes in the United States. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>What is more stressful than a call from the bank? A call from the Internal Revenue Service, which handles taxes in the United States. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The IRS has a page dedicated to \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/recognize-tax-scams-and-fraud\">the common reasons\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2026-irs-reminds-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threats\">impersonators use\u003c/a> when contacting unsuspecting targets, including W-2 form fraud and unclaimed tax refunds. Some people have also received fake calls about apparent back taxes owed, with the scammer claiming to be from the IRS or \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/tax-season-phone-scams-and-taxpayer-id-theft\">“Tax Resolution Oversight Department.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The IRS has a page dedicated to \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/recognize-tax-scams-and-fraud\">the common reasons\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2026-irs-reminds-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threats\">impersonators use\u003c/a> when contacting unsuspecting targets, including W-2 form fraud and unclaimed tax refunds. Some people have also received fake calls about apparent back taxes owed, with the scammer claiming to be from the IRS or \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/tax-season-phone-scams-and-taxpayer-id-theft\">“Tax Resolution Oversight Department.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12035739\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington, D.C. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12035739\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington, D.C. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But you should know: The IRS primarily contacts people through letters the first time — which \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-irs-notice-or-letter\">you can verify online or by calling the IRS’s hotline at 800-829-1040\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But you should know: The IRS primarily contacts people through letters the first time — which \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-irs-notice-or-letter\">you can verify online or by calling the IRS’s hotline at 800-829-1040\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Keep in mind — like your bank, the IRS only \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs\">texts\u003c/a> you when you opt in to receive those texts. According to the agency, there \u003cem>are \u003c/em>some cases where they use automated phone messages, but these calls will “direct you to IRS.gov to securely manage your account, make payments or resolve an issue,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs\">the IRS website read\u003c/a>. “The messages don’t share specific details.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Keep in mind — like your bank, the IRS only \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs\">texts\u003c/a> you when you opt in to receive those texts. According to the agency, there \u003cem>are \u003c/em>some cases where they use automated phone messages, but these calls will “direct you to IRS.gov to securely manage your account, make payments or resolve an issue,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs\">the IRS website read\u003c/a>. “The messages don’t share specific details.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/tax-season-phone-scams-and-taxpayer-id-theft\">the FCC\u003c/a>, people should never give personal details over the phone like PINs, passwords and credit card information. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/tax-season-phone-scams-and-taxpayer-id-theft\">the FCC\u003c/a>, people should never give personal details over the phone like PINs, passwords and credit card information. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS, ask for a reference number. Then the person should hang up and call the IRS again, but only using one of \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you\">the official IRS phone numbers\u003c/a> listed on its government website, to see if the call was real. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS, ask for a reference number. Then the person should hang up and call the IRS again, but only using one of \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you\">the official IRS phone numbers\u003c/a> listed on its government website, to see if the call was real. \u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
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"text": "The red flags: Unexpected texts from the IRS, attempts to panic you with talk of “back taxes” owed or similar, a live caller wanting financial information including your PIN"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: Unexpected texts from the IRS, attempts to panic you with talk of “back taxes” owed or similar, a live caller wanting financial information including your PIN\u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: Unexpected texts from the IRS, attempts to panic you with talk of “back taxes” owed or similar, a live caller wanting financial information including your PIN\u003c/h3>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Emergency call scams",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emergency call scams\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emergency call scams\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This particularly alarming type of scam has continued to \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/grandparent/\">grab headlines\u003c/a> for the past few years: Someone impersonating a loved one in text messages or even a phone call, desperately asking a parent or a grandparent to wire them money due to some emergency.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>This particularly alarming type of scam has continued to \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/grandparent/\">grab headlines\u003c/a> for the past few years: Someone impersonating a loved one in text messages or even a phone call, desperately asking a parent or a grandparent to wire them money due to some emergency.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A common example is the young person — usually college-aged — saying they’re traveling for vacation (for example, for spring break) and getting arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border, Galvan said. And \u003ca href=\"https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/artificial-intelligence-scam-tips.page\">AI has only made it easier\u003c/a> for scammers to impersonate someone’s voice.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>A common example is the young person — usually college-aged — saying they’re traveling for vacation (for example, for spring break) and getting arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border, Galvan said. And \u003ca href=\"https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/artificial-intelligence-scam-tips.page\">AI has only made it easier\u003c/a> for scammers to impersonate someone’s voice.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It sounds like the person,” she said. “It sounds legitimate.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It sounds like the person,” she said. “It sounds legitimate.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098969\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">“It doesn’t matter your education level. It doesn’t matter what you look like. Scammers will target anyone,” said Alma Galvan, the San Francisco Bay Area communications director for the Better Business Bureau.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098969\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">“It doesn’t matter your education level. It doesn’t matter what you look like. Scammers will target anyone,” said Alma Galvan, the San Francisco Bay Area communications director for the Better Business Bureau.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Galvan suggested families have a code word that the scammer wouldn’t be able to guess. If the person over the phone is able to provide the code word, then the person knows it’s potentially real.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Galvan suggested families have a code word that the scammer wouldn’t be able to guess. If the person over the phone is able to provide the code word, then the person knows it’s potentially real.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A key part of this scam’s playbook: creating a sense of emergency with the need to send money immediately. The Federal Communications Commission \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/grandparent-scams-get-more-sophisticated\">recommended that the person\u003c/a> receiving the call should, after hanging up, try calling the intended person using the number saved in their contacts to see if they truly were the one on the call.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>A key part of this scam’s playbook: creating a sense of emergency with the need to send money immediately. The Federal Communications Commission \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/grandparent-scams-get-more-sophisticated\">recommended that the person\u003c/a> receiving the call should, after hanging up, try calling the intended person using the number saved in their contacts to see if they truly were the one on the call.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "The red flags: A dramatic, panic-inducing story of some emergency, an urgent request for money (for example, to post bail), the person using an unrecognized number "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: A dramatic, panic-inducing story of some emergency, an urgent request for money (for example, to post bail), the person using an unrecognized number \u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: A dramatic, panic-inducing story of some emergency, an urgent request for money (for example, to post bail), the person using an unrecognized number \u003c/h3>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Mail delivery scams",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mail delivery scams\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mail delivery scams\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A common way this plays out: You receive a text alert from an unknown number prompting you to click a link — because “your” package from a company like USPS, Amazon or FedEx has been misplaced or needs a pick-up. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>A common way this plays out: You receive a text alert from an unknown number prompting you to click a link — because “your” package from a company like USPS, Amazon or FedEx has been misplaced or needs a pick-up. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’ve all transitioned into buying things online,” Galvan said. Because of this, she said it’s key to remember “what you’re ordering, where it’s coming from and who’s going to deliver it for you.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We’ve all transitioned into buying things online,” Galvan said. Because of this, she said it’s key to remember “what you’re ordering, where it’s coming from and who’s going to deliver it for you.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When receiving these texts, she said to be wary of \u003ca href=\"https://www.du.edu/it/services/security/5-url-warning-signs\">suspicious links in the text\u003c/a> — for example, links that were generated by URL-shortening websites like \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly\">bit.ly\u003c/a>, which can be used to mask the true online destination. These links may be seeking personal information input from you — or even be malicious software.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>When receiving these texts, she said to be wary of \u003ca href=\"https://www.du.edu/it/services/security/5-url-warning-signs\">suspicious links in the text\u003c/a> — for example, links that were generated by URL-shortening websites like \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly\">bit.ly\u003c/a>, which can be used to mask the true online destination. These links may be seeking personal information input from you — or even be malicious software.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098971\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery van is parked on a street in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug. 21, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098971\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery van is parked on a street in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug. 21, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Keep in mind that if you don’t have \u003ca href=\"https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/recognizing-and-avoiding-spyware\">spyware\u003c/a> [protection], it just takes one click for you to get a virus on your computer. Same thing with your phone,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Keep in mind that if you don’t have \u003ca href=\"https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/recognizing-and-avoiding-spyware\">spyware\u003c/a> [protection], it just takes one click for you to get a virus on your computer. Same thing with your phone,” she said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Phones tend to have protection come with them, she said, but it’s important to make sure that your software — like an iPhone’s iOS — is up-to-date. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12070405/how-to-protect-your-information-online-in-2026\">a thorough guide on digital hygiene and security\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Phones tend to have protection come with them, she said, but it’s important to make sure that your software — like an iPhone’s iOS — is up-to-date. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12070405/how-to-protect-your-information-online-in-2026\">a thorough guide on digital hygiene and security\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Admittedly, when it comes to packages and deliveries, it can be hard to know what is a scam text and what is a simple text alert that you signed up for. But California has \u003ca href=\"https://www.business.com/articles/text-message-laws/\">laws\u003c/a> that require people to opt in to receive various forms of text messages. So if you don’t remember signing up for text alerts, that could be a potential red flag. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Admittedly, when it comes to packages and deliveries, it can be hard to know what is a scam text and what is a simple text alert that you signed up for. But California has \u003ca href=\"https://www.business.com/articles/text-message-laws/\">laws\u003c/a> that require people to opt in to receive various forms of text messages. So if you don’t remember signing up for text alerts, that could be a potential red flag. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerBlocks": []
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "The red flags: “Delivery updates” you weren’t expecting, being urged to click a link"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: “Delivery updates” you weren’t expecting, being urged to click a link\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: “Delivery updates” you weren’t expecting, being urged to click a link\u003c/h3>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Other common phone and text scams in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other common phone and text scams in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other common phone and text scams in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, these scams are just the tip of the iceberg of the type of texts and calls a person can receive. Luckily, there are major tools online to help you look up past scams and see if they match a call, text or business you’re suspicious about. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, these scams are just the tip of the iceberg of the type of texts and calls a person can receive. Luckily, there are major tools online to help you look up past scams and see if they match a call, text or business you’re suspicious about. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The BBB has a thorough \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/lookupscam\">Scam Tracker\u003c/a> database with a list of scams reported by consumers, complete with descriptions of who they were reached by, who they thought they were talking to and even how much they lost. The American Association of Retired Persons also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map/\">a scam map.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The BBB has a thorough \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/lookupscam\">Scam Tracker\u003c/a> database with a list of scams reported by consumers, complete with descriptions of who they were reached by, who they thought they were talking to and even how much they lost. The American Association of Retired Persons also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map/\">a scam map.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Other scams may involve people impersonating:\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Other scams may involve people impersonating:\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "The California Department of Public Health"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The California Department of Public Health\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The California Department of Public Health\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The state’s health agency warns that scammers are calling to ask for financial and sensitive information, pretending to represent CDPH. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The state’s health agency warns that scammers are calling to ask for financial and sensitive information, pretending to represent CDPH. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/contact_us.aspx\">According to the agency\u003c/a>, legitimate calls focus on public health matters like disease contact tracing. They “will never involve requests for sensitive financial or non-health-related information, such as someone’s Social Security number or credit card details,” CDPH said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/contact_us.aspx\">According to the agency\u003c/a>, legitimate calls focus on public health matters like disease contact tracing. They “will never involve requests for sensitive financial or non-health-related information, such as someone’s Social Security number or credit card details,” CDPH said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/02/ap_19032839240667-c3ea9c8607ab8c46c7dcbc486a7c0f917e3d5a08-e1549984154270.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11725572\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A man walks past a PG&E sign.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jeff Chiu/AP)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/02/ap_19032839240667-c3ea9c8607ab8c46c7dcbc486a7c0f917e3d5a08-e1549984154270.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11725572\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A man walks past a PG&E sign.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jeff Chiu/AP)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Utility agencies "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Utility agencies\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Utility agencies\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>West Sacramento sent out a warning early this year about \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestSacramento/posts/a-postcard-claiming-to-be-a-public-utility-notice-from-a-private-entity-called-c/1326817099482868/\">a postcard falsely requiring residents to enroll in a “program\u003c/a>” that would allow them to receive funds for utility upgrades. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>West Sacramento sent out a warning early this year about \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestSacramento/posts/a-postcard-claiming-to-be-a-public-utility-notice-from-a-private-entity-called-c/1326817099482868/\">a postcard falsely requiring residents to enroll in a “program\u003c/a>” that would allow them to receive funds for utility upgrades. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Other utility scams may call to ask people to pay their bills by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.santaclaraca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/45479/\">a prepaid credit card, gift card, or third-party payment app\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Other utility scams may call to ask people to pay their bills by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.santaclaraca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/45479/\">a prepaid credit card, gift card, or third-party payment app\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re unsure about your utility account, be sure to call your county’s services division or PG&E directly. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you’re unsure about your utility account, be sure to call your county’s services division or PG&E directly. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "A radio or TV opportunity "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A radio or TV opportunity\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A radio or TV opportunity\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Creatives are being increasingly targeted by scammers posing as the hosts of radio or TV shows, offering them the chance to talk about their work on-air — as soon as they make some kind of donation or payment. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Creatives are being increasingly targeted by scammers posing as the hosts of radio or TV shows, offering them the chance to talk about their work on-air — as soon as they make some kind of donation or payment. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Authors have even received messages pretending to be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">KQED Forum host Mina Kim\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>, \u003c/strong>inviting them on our call-in show to talk about their book (for $200). \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Authors have even received messages pretending to be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">KQED Forum host Mina Kim\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>, \u003c/strong>inviting them on our call-in show to talk about their book (for $200). \u003c/p>\n"
],
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>KQED will never charge people to be on \u003cem>Forum,\u003c/em> and producers are the ones who directly connect with authors and publishers. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>KQED will never charge people to be on \u003cem>Forum,\u003c/em> and producers are the ones who directly connect with authors and publishers. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "So you got scammed. Now what?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So you got scammed. Now what?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So you got scammed. Now what?\u003c/h2>\n"
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},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Report it ASAP"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Report it ASAP\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Report it ASAP\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You may feel overwhelmed or even embarrassed after realizing that you fell into a scam, Galvan said — and that’s natural. However, she said that \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/reportscam\">reporting it to places like the BBB\u003c/a> offers the chance to help people around you avoid the same scam by making the information public.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>You may feel overwhelmed or even embarrassed after realizing that you fell into a scam, Galvan said — and that’s natural. However, she said that \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/reportscam\">reporting it to places like the BBB\u003c/a> offers the chance to help people around you avoid the same scam by making the information public.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We want to make it as universal as possible and as easy-to-use tool for the public, so that we can alert the consumers about what’s happening in our area and then hopefully get them to be looked into by law enforcement or by government,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We want to make it as universal as possible and as easy-to-use tool for the public, so that we can alert the consumers about what’s happening in our area and then hopefully get them to be looked into by law enforcement or by government,” she said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12069528\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many agencies also provide the next steps to take after facing a scam, whether it includes personal identity theft, a loss of funds or compromised accounts. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Rain Star/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12069528\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many agencies also provide the next steps to take after facing a scam, whether it includes personal identity theft, a loss of funds or compromised accounts. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Rain Star/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>However, the BBB is a nonprofit, and they don’t have the “power to shut down anyone,” Galvan said. Nonetheless, the group works closely with local government agencies, which \u003cem>can \u003c/em>then investigate the company and the scam.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>However, the BBB is a nonprofit, and they don’t have the “power to shut down anyone,” Galvan said. Nonetheless, the group works closely with local government agencies, which \u003cem>can \u003c/em>then investigate the company and the scam.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12052217/immigration-lawyers-bay-area-common-scams-notario-fraud\">immigration-based scams\u003c/a> have also become common, she said that the BBB is not a government agency and does not verify the residency status of anyone reporting this kind of scam. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12052217/immigration-lawyers-bay-area-common-scams-notario-fraud\">immigration-based scams\u003c/a> have also become common, she said that the BBB is not a government agency and does not verify the residency status of anyone reporting this kind of scam. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>People can also report potential scams to other sites and organizations including:\u003c/p>\n",
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"The FTC’s Report Fraud website",
"Internet Crime Complaint Center"
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null,
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null,
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null,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115002234203-Unwanted-Calls-Texts-Phone\">The FCC: Unwanted Calls/Texts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115002234203-Unwanted-Calls-Texts-Phone\">The FCC: Unwanted Calls/Texts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Local authorities like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090715/outside-lands-ticket-pass-friday-saturday-sunday-lineup-resale-scams-2026\">the police\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Local authorities like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090715/outside-lands-ticket-pass-friday-saturday-sunday-lineup-resale-scams-2026\">the police\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company\">California Attorney General’s office\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company\">California Attorney General’s office\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>The organization that is being impersonated (for example, the IRS has \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud/report-fake-irs-treasury-or-tax-related-emails-and-messages\">a guide on how to contact the agency\u003c/a> if you run into an IRS-based scam — national agencies can be \u003ca href=\"https://www.usa.gov/agency-index\">found on the federal government’s website\u003c/a>, or find a state-based agency on \u003ca href=\"https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/fraud/subprograms-and-info\">the California Department of Social Services website\u003c/a>)\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>The organization that is being impersonated (for example, the IRS has \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud/report-fake-irs-treasury-or-tax-related-emails-and-messages\">a guide on how to contact the agency\u003c/a> if you run into an IRS-based scam — national agencies can be \u003ca href=\"https://www.usa.gov/agency-index\">found on the federal government’s website\u003c/a>, or find a state-based agency on \u003ca href=\"https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/fraud/subprograms-and-info\">the California Department of Social Services website\u003c/a>)\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en/account/customer-service/scams.html\">PG&E Scams\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en/account/customer-service/scams.html\">PG&E Scams\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/\">FTC’s Report Fraud website\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/\">FTC’s Report Fraud website\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ic3.gov/\">Internet Crime Complaint Center\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ic3.gov/\">Internet Crime Complaint Center\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
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"text": "Seek support"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seek support\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Many agencies also provide the next steps to take after facing a scam, whether it includes personal identity theft, a loss of funds or compromised accounts. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Many agencies also provide the next steps to take after facing a scam, whether it includes personal identity theft, a loss of funds or compromised accounts. \u003c/p>\n"
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"BBB Scam Survival Toolkit and the BBB Scam Prevention Guide"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/if-you-were-scammed\">IRS: If You Were Scammed\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/if-you-were-scammed\">IRS: If You Were Scammed\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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},
{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/consumers\">California Attorney General’s page on consumer protection\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/consumers\">California Attorney General’s page on consumer protection\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/idtheft/facts/how-to-registry\">California Identity Theft Registry\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/idtheft/facts/how-to-registry\">California Identity Theft Registry\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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{
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"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed\">FTC Consumer Advice\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed\">FTC Consumer Advice\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://scamsurvivaltoolkit.bbbmarketplacetrust.org/\">BBB Scam Survival Toolkit\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/all/scam-prevention\">BBB Scam Prevention Guide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://scamsurvivaltoolkit.bbbmarketplacetrust.org/\">BBB Scam Survival Toolkit\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/all/scam-prevention\">BBB Scam Prevention Guide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"excerpt": "Phone and text scams are getting more sophisticated. Here are some common ones in the Bay and the country, along with tips on how to keep a lookout for them. ",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>If you’ve had the nagging feeling that scam calls and messages have gotten worse over the last few years, you’re actually correct.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Americans reported losing a total of $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">June data\u003c/a> announced by the Federal Trade Commission this summer — nearly three times the amount reported in 2020. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Imposter scams and other types of fraud through social media, email and other platforms have become a ubiquitous issue impacting people across the country. According to \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/poll-scams-law-enforcement-social-media-389f8d824b89fa434c297729f2aaf56d\">a poll and investigation\u003c/a> by the \u003cem>Associated Press\u003c/em> and the University of Chicago, almost every American has been \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/scams-online-scams-ai-internet-safety-phishing-fraud-34517de3546d604e20c9d78d3dc5af4f\">“targeted by scammers in some way.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It can happen to anyone,” said Alma Galvan, the San Francisco Bay Area communications director for the Better Business Bureau, a nonprofit that supports consumers and businesses. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t matter your education level,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what you look like. Scammers will target anyone.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098963\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Phone and text scams are getting more sophisticated. Americans reported losing a total of $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to June data announced by the Federal Trade Commission this summer. (Matthias Balk/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And while scams take all forms — \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/sf-better-business-bureau-warns-customers-of-cat-22413539.php\">pretending to be local San Francisco businesses\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/34935-bbb-scam-alert-dont-be-fooled-by-free-gas-and-grocery-card-postcards\">fake gas gift cards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095536/after-the-18000-scam-how-can-bay-area-renters-protect-themselves\">rent schemes\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scams\">catfishing\u003c/a> and even impersonating \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">KQED \u003cem>Forum \u003c/em>host Mina Kim\u003c/a> — the ones that fall directly into your lap are usually through phone calls and text messages. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This is compounded by the fact that your phone’s caller ID capabilities may not always flag a spam call — and scammers can find a way to make it appear as if they are calling from \u003ca href=\"https://www.calwater.com/help/protecting-yourself-against-utility-scams/\">a verified organization or agency\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In fact, the problem has become \u003cem>so\u003c/em> widespread that California now has its own \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12069507/sick-of-scam-calls-and-texts-you-can-now-request-to-remove-your-details-from-data-brokers\">“Delete Request and Opt-out Platform” (DROP) form\u003c/a>, which allows residents to scrub their info from data brokers — a major way scammers obtain your contact information — in order to lessen the amount of scam calls and texts.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While a scam may feel obvious in hindsight, it can be hard to think calmly in the heat of the moment, especially since scammers often fake emergencies or apply pressure to spur people to act in panic. And the ability of scammers to persuade and convince their targets has only gotten worse with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">the rise of generative AI.\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One silver lining: Scams often follow the same kinds of patterns and playbooks — and knowing about them could help you and your family learn to detect a scam even faster.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Read on to learn about common forms of phone- and text-based scams in the Bay Area and California, as well as the red flags to look out for if you do receive a potentially enticing message. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Task scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The most common scams in the Bay Area have been “task scams,” Galvan said: when someone receives an offer — often through text — to do seemingly simple, repetitive actions online, such as \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/all/scamstudies/jobscams/employment-scams-2026-update\">liking YouTube videos\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There are so many different versions of this scam, and it doesn’t target one individual,” she said, explaining that the age range of people impacted by the scam varies from early 20s to late 60s. “It attracts consumers that are looking for a job.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The kind of job being offered promises “flexible hours, the ability to work from home, super high earnings — and you only have to work an hour and a half a day, and you make $500, with the option of making extra money if you decide to work over the weekend,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Sometimes these scammers will even provide some initial payment to build some trust. But these so-called opportunities can lead to major consequences. One person reported to the BBB lost $17,000 after buying equipment to work from home, she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The scammers “instructed him to purchase gift cards to pay for the equipment,” saying it was for “security measures and protocol that the company had,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A major red flag, Galvan said, is recognizing when the salary may be too high for the task. People should also never pay to apply for a job. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Don’t let anyone deposit money into your personal bank account if you haven’t had a job interview or received an offer letter, she said. You should also never make any suggested purchases with gift cards or cryptocurrency, especially since the latter is “not regulated by the government,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: A job offer with aspects — high salary, flexibility, simplicity — that seem too good to be true, a demand to purchase equipment or pay to apply\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Employment scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In another employment-based scam, targets will receive a fake job offer — purporting to be from a legitimate business in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A person may get a text message, a DM through social media or a platform like WhatsApp and Telegram offering a position related to their field, “but then the salary is just above average for the job itself,” Galvan said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She said that people should go to the company’s website and verify if the position is indeed real — and even try calling the company to also verify the job listing and the identity of the person conducting the interview.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\">\u003cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/div>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep in mind: Anyone can create a website, but a way to look into who is \u003cem>running \u003c/em>a website is by visiting \u003ca href=\"https://www.whois.com/\">Whois.com\u003c/a>. If the website is public, you’ll be able to see who created it, when it was created and when the domain expired. For example, if the website was created just a few days ago and is offering several jobs, it may not be a legitimate business, Galvan said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While you should insist on a formal interview by phone or video, generative AI has unfortunately been a major tool in these scams, allowing fraudsters to produce voices and videos to mimic recruiters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It might feel incredibly discouraging to make sure everyone you are talking to is real — something KQED’s internet \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/kqed/reel/Dc9KDXSDP26/\">podcast Close All Tabs\u003c/a> even touches on in an episode about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086839/how-to-prove-youre-not-ai\">how difficult it is to prove \u003cem>you \u003c/em>are not AI\u003c/a>. But that’s why doing the research beforehand is vital, Galvan said, “to make sure that you’re actually talking to a real person.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: High salaries, well-known companies, a job website that was only recently created, a suspicious video interview\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bank scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">the FTC\u003c/a>, the most costly type of impersonation scams come from a fake security alert, often from someone purporting to represent your real bank.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People are convinced to move money to “protect” it, with their losses often limited only by their available funds,” per \u003ca href=\"https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/06/ftc-data-show-people-reported-losing-3-point-5-billion-imposter-scams-2025\">the FTC\u003c/a>. Callers may also ask for a person’s card number, a PIN or the last four digits of their Social Security number.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1187\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM.jpg\" alt=\"A woman walks past a Wells Fargo ATM in Pasadena on September 28, 2016. California Treasurer John Chiang said the state will suspend several banking relationships with Wells Fargo to sanction the firm following allegations of 'fleecing its customers.'\" class=\"wp-image-11108212\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-400x247.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-800x495.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-1180x730.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/09/WellsFargoATM-960x594.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman walks past a Wells Fargo ATM in Pasadena. (Frederic J Brown/AFP-Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Galvan said here it’s good to have a connection with your local bank and make sure you know if you’ve even opted in to receive text messages from them — because otherwise, getting out-of-the-blue texts from your bank should raise your suspicions. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After hanging up, she said people should be sure to call the number on the back of your bank card, as opposed to the first result on a Google search, since a scammer could potentially buy an ad and place a fraudulent phone number. Don’t call any numbers you’re given in a message purporting to be from your bank either, as these may be scam numbers too. Only through this official phone number to your bank can you confirm if the message you got was valid.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s up to us to do that little extra step,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: Unexpected texts from your bank, requests for personal information, including your PIN\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IRS scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What is more stressful than a call from the bank? A call from the Internal Revenue Service, which handles taxes in the United States. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The IRS has a page dedicated to \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/recognize-tax-scams-and-fraud\">the common reasons\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2026-irs-reminds-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threats\">impersonators use\u003c/a> when contacting unsuspecting targets, including W-2 form fraud and unclaimed tax refunds. Some people have also received fake calls about apparent back taxes owed, with the scammer claiming to be from the IRS or \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/tax-season-phone-scams-and-taxpayer-id-theft\">“Tax Resolution Oversight Department.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12035739\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/internal-revenue-service_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) building in Washington, D.C. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But you should know: The IRS primarily contacts people through letters the first time — which \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-irs-notice-or-letter\">you can verify online or by calling the IRS’s hotline at 800-829-1040\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep in mind — like your bank, the IRS only \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs\">texts\u003c/a> you when you opt in to receive those texts. According to the agency, there \u003cem>are \u003c/em>some cases where they use automated phone messages, but these calls will “direct you to IRS.gov to securely manage your account, make payments or resolve an issue,” \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/how-to-know-its-the-irs\">the IRS website read\u003c/a>. “The messages don’t share specific details.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/tax-season-phone-scams-and-taxpayer-id-theft\">the FCC\u003c/a>, people should never give personal details over the phone like PINs, passwords and credit card information. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you receive a call from someone claiming to be with the IRS, ask for a reference number. Then the person should hang up and call the IRS again, but only using one of \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/let-us-help-you\">the official IRS phone numbers\u003c/a> listed on its government website, to see if the call was real. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: Unexpected texts from the IRS, attempts to panic you with talk of “back taxes” owed or similar, a live caller wanting financial information including your PIN\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Emergency call scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This particularly alarming type of scam has continued to \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/grandparent/\">grab headlines\u003c/a> for the past few years: Someone impersonating a loved one in text messages or even a phone call, desperately asking a parent or a grandparent to wire them money due to some emergency.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A common example is the young person — usually college-aged — saying they’re traveling for vacation (for example, for spring break) and getting arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border, Galvan said. And \u003ca href=\"https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/artificial-intelligence-scam-tips.page\">AI has only made it easier\u003c/a> for scammers to impersonate someone’s voice.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It sounds like the person,” she said. “It sounds legitimate.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098969\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/PhoneGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">“It doesn’t matter your education level. It doesn’t matter what you look like. Scammers will target anyone,” said Alma Galvan, the San Francisco Bay Area communications director for the Better Business Bureau. (Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Galvan suggested families have a code word that the scammer wouldn’t be able to guess. If the person over the phone is able to provide the code word, then the person knows it’s potentially real.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A key part of this scam’s playbook: creating a sense of emergency with the need to send money immediately. The Federal Communications Commission \u003ca href=\"https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/scam-alert/grandparent-scams-get-more-sophisticated\">recommended that the person\u003c/a> receiving the call should, after hanging up, try calling the intended person using the number saved in their contacts to see if they truly were the one on the call.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: A dramatic, panic-inducing story of some emergency, an urgent request for money (for example, to post bail), the person using an unrecognized number \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mail delivery scams\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A common way this plays out: You receive a text alert from an unknown number prompting you to click a link — because “your” package from a company like USPS, Amazon or FedEx has been misplaced or needs a pick-up. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’ve all transitioned into buying things online,” Galvan said. Because of this, she said it’s key to remember “what you’re ordering, where it’s coming from and who’s going to deliver it for you.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When receiving these texts, she said to be wary of \u003ca href=\"https://www.du.edu/it/services/security/5-url-warning-signs\">suspicious links in the text\u003c/a> — for example, links that were generated by URL-shortening websites like \u003ca href=\"http://bit.ly\">bit.ly\u003c/a>, which can be used to mask the true online destination. These links may be seeking personal information input from you — or even be malicious software.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098971\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/MailTruckGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery van is parked on a street in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Keep in mind that if you don’t have \u003ca href=\"https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/recognizing-and-avoiding-spyware\">spyware\u003c/a> [protection], it just takes one click for you to get a virus on your computer. Same thing with your phone,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Phones tend to have protection come with them, she said, but it’s important to make sure that your software — like an iPhone’s iOS — is up-to-date. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12070405/how-to-protect-your-information-online-in-2026\">a thorough guide on digital hygiene and security\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Admittedly, when it comes to packages and deliveries, it can be hard to know what is a scam text and what is a simple text alert that you signed up for. But California has \u003ca href=\"https://www.business.com/articles/text-message-laws/\">laws\u003c/a> that require people to opt in to receive various forms of text messages. So if you don’t remember signing up for text alerts, that could be a potential red flag. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The red flags: “Delivery updates” you weren’t expecting, being urged to click a link\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other common phone and text scams in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, these scams are just the tip of the iceberg of the type of texts and calls a person can receive. Luckily, there are major tools online to help you look up past scams and see if they match a call, text or business you’re suspicious about. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The BBB has a thorough \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/lookupscam\">Scam Tracker\u003c/a> database with a list of scams reported by consumers, complete with descriptions of who they were reached by, who they thought they were talking to and even how much they lost. The American Association of Retired Persons also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/tracking-map/\">a scam map.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other scams may involve people impersonating:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The California Department of Public Health\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The state’s health agency warns that scammers are calling to ask for financial and sensitive information, pretending to represent CDPH. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/contact_us.aspx\">According to the agency\u003c/a>, legitimate calls focus on public health matters like disease contact tracing. They “will never involve requests for sensitive financial or non-health-related information, such as someone’s Social Security number or credit card details,” CDPH said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1438\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/02/ap_19032839240667-c3ea9c8607ab8c46c7dcbc486a7c0f917e3d5a08-e1549984154270.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11725572\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A man walks past a PG&E sign. (Jeff Chiu/AP)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Utility agencies\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>West Sacramento sent out a warning early this year about \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestSacramento/posts/a-postcard-claiming-to-be-a-public-utility-notice-from-a-private-entity-called-c/1326817099482868/\">a postcard falsely requiring residents to enroll in a “program\u003c/a>” that would allow them to receive funds for utility upgrades. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other utility scams may call to ask people to pay their bills by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.santaclaraca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/45479/\">a prepaid credit card, gift card, or third-party payment app\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re unsure about your utility account, be sure to call your county’s services division or PG&E directly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A radio or TV opportunity\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Creatives are being increasingly targeted by scammers posing as the hosts of radio or TV shows, offering them the chance to talk about their work on-air — as soon as they make some kind of donation or payment. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Authors have even received messages pretending to be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913708/scammers-pretended-to-be-forums-mina-kim-heres-why\">KQED Forum host Mina Kim\u003c/a>\u003cstrong>, \u003c/strong>inviting them on our call-in show to talk about their book (for $200). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED will never charge people to be on \u003cem>Forum,\u003c/em> and producers are the ones who directly connect with authors and publishers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So you got scammed. Now what?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Report it ASAP\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You may feel overwhelmed or even embarrassed after realizing that you fell into a scam, Galvan said — and that’s natural. However, she said that \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/reportscam\">reporting it to places like the BBB\u003c/a> offers the chance to help people around you avoid the same scam by making the information public.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We want to make it as universal as possible and as easy-to-use tool for the public, so that we can alert the consumers about what’s happening in our area and then hopefully get them to be looked into by law enforcement or by government,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12069528\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/DataPrivacyGetty2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Many agencies also provide the next steps to take after facing a scam, whether it includes personal identity theft, a loss of funds or compromised accounts. (Rain Star/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, the BBB is a nonprofit, and they don’t have the “power to shut down anyone,” Galvan said. Nonetheless, the group works closely with local government agencies, which \u003cem>can \u003c/em>then investigate the company and the scam.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And since \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12052217/immigration-lawyers-bay-area-common-scams-notario-fraud\">immigration-based scams\u003c/a> have also become common, she said that the BBB is not a government agency and does not verify the residency status of anyone reporting this kind of scam. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>People can also report potential scams to other sites and organizations including:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/115002234203-Unwanted-Calls-Texts-Phone\">The FCC: Unwanted Calls/Texts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Local authorities like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090715/outside-lands-ticket-pass-friday-saturday-sunday-lineup-resale-scams-2026\">the police\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company\">California Attorney General’s office\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>The organization that is being impersonated (for example, the IRS has \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud/report-fake-irs-treasury-or-tax-related-emails-and-messages\">a guide on how to contact the agency\u003c/a> if you run into an IRS-based scam — national agencies can be \u003ca href=\"https://www.usa.gov/agency-index\">found on the federal government’s website\u003c/a>, or find a state-based agency on \u003ca href=\"https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/fraud/subprograms-and-info\">the California Department of Social Services website\u003c/a>)\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.pge.com/en/account/customer-service/scams.html\">PG&E Scams\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>The \u003ca href=\"https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/\">FTC’s Report Fraud website\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ic3.gov/\">Internet Crime Complaint Center\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seek support\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many agencies also provide the next steps to take after facing a scam, whether it includes personal identity theft, a loss of funds or compromised accounts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some resources include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/if-you-were-scammed\">IRS: If You Were Scammed\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/consumers\">California Attorney General’s page on consumer protection\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/idtheft/facts/how-to-registry\">California Identity Theft Registry\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed\">FTC Consumer Advice\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://scamsurvivaltoolkit.bbbmarketplacetrust.org/\">BBB Scam Survival Toolkit\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/all/scam-prevention\">BBB Scam Prevention Guide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "where-can-i-find-new-updated-2026-27-covid-vaccine-near-me-moderna-pfizer-cvs-walgreens-safeway-vaccinations-health-insurance-cost",
"title": "A New COVID Vaccine Is Here (Without Much Fanfare). When Should You Get It?",
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"headTitle": "A New COVID Vaccine Is Here (Without Much Fanfare). When Should You Get It? | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>The new 2026-27 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/covid-19\">COVID-19\u003c/a> vaccine is here — although unlike in previous years, there’s a chance you might not even have heard about it yet.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the updated shots last week. But this year, there’s been \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/09/02/nx-s1-5947884/covid-flu-rsv-vaccine-recommendations\">no formal guidance\u003c/a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about who should actually get it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the absence of any federal guidelines, the California Department of Public Health issued \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/IMM-1481.pdf#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=42181725-f337-476b-805b-39989c120200\">its own recommendations \u003c/a>on Friday about who should absolutely seek out the new COVID-19 shot. State health officials’ strongest recommendations are for everyone age 65 and older, those with risk factors that increase their chances of getting severe COVID-19, pregnant people, children age 6 to 23 months and healthcare workers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12053910\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A new COVID-19 vaccine is now available. (Luis Alvarez/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the state also said that basically everyone else — or in their words, “all who choose to reduce risk of severe illness” — can get the 2026-27 COVID-19 shot, too, and that it’ll be covered by health insurance.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Six years out from the onset of the pandemic, the language around COVID-19 vaccine recommendations has definitely changed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep reading for how to understand the latest guidelines, why you’re not hearing anything from the CDC this year and when you should consider getting your own vaccine to lower your chances of getting a nasty bout of COVID-19 this fall and winter.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First off, are appointments for the new 2026-27 COVID vaccines already available?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yes: The new shots have already rolled out at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens around the state. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Pharmacies are the first place that COVID vaccine supplies become available each fall right after the FDA and CDC sign off, because they take their orders from the federal government rather than the state. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the coming weeks, the updated 2026-27 COVID vaccine will soon become available at doctors’ offices, clinics and health systems like Kaiser Permanente.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re a parent wanting to vaccinate your kid sooner rather than later, however, remember: The state says that pharmacies \u003cem>aren’t\u003c/em> authorized to vaccinate children age two and under. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This means that unless your child is age three or older, you won’t be able to get their COVID shot at a pharmacy, and you should talk to your child’s pediatrician about how best to get their shot. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The exception to this is CVS’s MinuteClinics, which are staffed by providers who are permitted to administer a COVID vaccine to kids age 18 months and older.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will my fall COVID shot still be covered by health insurance?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yes: “All vaccines recommended by the California Department of Public Health continue to be covered by health insurance regulated in California,” CDPH said in its Friday statement announcing its recommendations around the 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One wrinkle to remember if you get your healthcare through a system like Kaiser Permanente: If you’re considering getting your COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy for convenience, rather than from your own provider, you usually \u003cem>can’t\u003c/em> get vaccines fully covered by your insurance. But, according to Kaiser, “you may be able to get up to \u003ca href=\"https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/northern-california/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/vaccine-appointments\">half of the cost \u003c/a>reimbursed.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re going the reimbursement route, bear in mind that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine\">the out-of-pocket cost of getting your COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> at CVS this year is now $278.99 — up 40% from $198.99 last year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>When \u003c/em>should I get my 2026-27 COVID shot?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Higher-risk groups\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine is available to patients age 6 months and older, but California health officials are strongly recommending the updated vaccine for the following higher-risk groups:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Children:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>All children age 6-23 months\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>All children age 2-18 years with \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/populations-at-risk-covid.pdf\">risk factors\u003c/a> or who’ve never been vaccinated against COVID-19\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>All children who are in close contact with others with risk factors\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Adults:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>All age 65 years and older\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Anyone who’s pregnant, planning to become pregnant or is postpartum\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Anyone age 9-64 years with \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/populations-at-risk-covid.pdf\">risk factors\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>All who are in close contact with others with risk factors\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>All healthcare workers\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033385\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A syringe is filled with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside Reuther Hall at Forty Acres on March 13, 2021, in Delano, California. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re in one of the above groups — meaning you’re either at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 yourself or at higher risk of spreading COVID-19 to others — it’s a good idea to seek out your updated vaccine soon, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There are some populations who I just don’t want there to be any doubt about, because they’re very important,” Chin-Hong said. “I’m on the highest alert around them, because those are the people who are still coming into the hospital [with COVID-19], either inpatient or going to the emergency room.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a nutshell: If you’re one of the people in the list above, or your kid is, seek out your new COVID-19 shot as soon as you can.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>See the full list of CDPH’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/publichealth4all/vaccines.aspx#table\">recommendations for respiratory vaccines\u003c/a> this year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">People who aren’t at higher risk\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you or your child isn’t listed in those higher-risk groups above, you fall into CDPH’s recommendation that “all who choose to reduce risk of severe illness” can still get the updated 2026-27 COVID-19 shot.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But what does that mean practically? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One thing to know: The Bay Area is still in a summer COVID wave, as shown by \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CoYBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaBk4gR2VuZXifAYoBBmQyY2RlNrgBiwg%3D&selectedChartId=d2cde6\">levels of coronavirus in the region’s wastewater\u003c/a> (aka human sewage). And “based on current patterns, we still have plenty of the current wave ahead of us,” said Dr. Matt Willis, the state’s correspondent for \u003ca href=\"https://yourlocalepidemiologistca.substack.com/\">Your Local Epidemiologist California, who was formerly Marin County’s public health officer at the height of the pandemic. “\u003c/a>It still hasn’t peaked, and then there’s a few weeks on the downslope to expect.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With that in mind, Willis told KQED by email that “if you want to be protected even if you’re not high risk, I would still go ahead and get the vaccine now.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In California, he said, “We haven’t really seen COVID-19 activity in the winter, at least judging from the past two years. So the likelihood of being infected with COVID-19 is likely higher for the next couple months than it may be for the rest of the year, until next summer.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Of course, there are people — like Kaiser patients, or people who prefer to get their COVID vaccine at their own doctor’s office — who’ll be waiting to get their shot until supplies of the new vaccine become available beyond pharmacies. And Chin-Hong said there are other reasons some people might consider waiting a little, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a physician, “I put an exclamation point next to the people who I \u003cem>really \u003c/em>want to get it,” Chin-Hong said. But “for everyone else, it could be used strategically,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Getting the new vaccine will give you “a buffer for infection for about three months or so,” Chin-Hong said — and it’ll take around two weeks after getting your shot for your body to develop the fullest immunity. So you might consider strategically timing your updated COVID-19 shot to coincide with any travel you have coming up this fall, he said — or to have good protection for around the holidays.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A boy with a tuxedo T-shirt and a face mask holds his mother's hand as he receives a shot in the arm by a nurse.\" class=\"wp-image-11961112\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A child receives a COVID-19 vaccine on Sept. 12, 2023. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If just getting out to \u003cem>get \u003c/em>your vaccines is difficult, you could also opt to conveniently get your COVID shot and your flu shot during the same appointment in October, said Chin-Hong. As for that specific timing, it’s best to get your flu shot sometime before Halloween, he said, and you don’t want to get it \u003cem>too \u003c/em>early ahead of flu season, which might arrive a little later this year if Australia’s flu season — \u003ca href=\"https://www.today.com/health/cold-flu/flu-guide-2026-season-severity-symptoms-treatment-mrna-vaccine-rcna595714\">traditionally used as a barometer of what the U.S. can expect\u003c/a> — is any indicator.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, if you’re the kind of person whose calendar and obligations get packed in the fall and you’re concerned you’ll forget to get your shots altogether, release yourself from the burden of overstrategizing and just go get your vaccine when you can.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And remember: If you were one of the many folks in the Bay Area who got taken down by COVID-19 during \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091325/summer-covid-test-2026-wastewater-variants-isolation-contagious-xfg-san-francisco-bay-area-california\">this summer’s ongoing wave\u003c/a>, your infection has given you around three months’ natural immunity — so you should wait until that “expires” before seeking out your latest COVID-19 vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will the new 2026-27 COVID shot protect me from the latest strains out there right now?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yes, Chin-Hong said — each year the COVID-19 vaccine is updated for maximum efficacy, to target the variants that are most likely to try to take you down this year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 2026-27 shot actually only targets one strain, XFG, “which is the number one strain right now circulating,” Chin-Hong said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>People infected with XFG have often reported a scratchy, hoarse throat that’s easily mistaken for allergies, along with the kind of primarily respiratory symptoms we’ve come to expect from COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I find the new COVID vaccine — other than a pharmacy?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through your healthcare provider, when available\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, check with your healthcare provider to see whether they can offer you an updated COVID-19 vaccine, and when.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you don’t have health insurance but get medical care through a city- or county-run provider, you should check with that location to see whether they can offer you the new COVID-19 vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1405\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12028314\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-800x562.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1020x717.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-160x112.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1536x1079.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1920x1349.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A CVS in Huntington Park on Aug. 28, 2024. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to talking with your healthcare provider directly, check the website of your provider to see whether it offers the ability to make appointments and sign up for their vaccine notifications if that’s an option.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through My Turn, when available\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Throughout the pandemic, \u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/\">My Turn has been the state’s site\u003c/a> for Californians to schedule vaccination appointments or find walk-in locations, regardless of health insurance status.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through your county, when available\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Check your county’s public health website to see if the updated COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available to residents, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I heard the FDA and CDC tried to restrict eligibility for COVID vaccines last year. Can I still get my shot?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yes — because California’s own recommendations overrule the federal government when it comes to you accessing this vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To understand the backstory: In August 2025, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053906/covid-vaccines-booster-2025-fda-cdc-who-can-get-updated-vaccine-novavax-pfizer-moderna-where-find\">the FDA under President Donald Trump’s second administration announced\u003c/a> that the agency would be limiting eligibility for the updated shots for the first time — and that the 2025-26 vaccines would be available only to people age 65 and over and to anyone with a health condition that puts them at higher risk from COVID-19. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At first, the shots rolled out across California pharmacies only for these groups. But shortly after, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would join Oregon and Washington in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054491/in-rebuke-of-rfk-jr-the-west-coast-unites-on-vaccine-policy\">launching a new “West Coast Health Alliance,”\u003c/a> a coalition that now issues its own state-specific vaccine recommendations — effectively overriding the FDA and CDC’s attempts to limit eligibility for your COVID-19 vaccine in California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1337\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty-1536x1027.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks as his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom (left), looks on during an election night gathering at California Democratic headquarters in Sacramento, California, on Nov. 4, 2025. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a joint statement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054491/in-rebuke-of-rfk-jr-the-west-coast-unites-on-vaccine-policy\">the governors said the CDC had “become a political tool\u003c/a> that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences,” adding that “California, Oregon and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12056289/california-law-sets-states-own-vaccine-schedules-deepening-rift-with-cdc\">Newsom has also signed a law\u003c/a> which now allows the state to act independently from the CDC when it comes to vaccine recommendations, “empowering California to chart its own path and reject corrupted federal guidelines,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. As for how California is able to expand beyond the FDA’s eligibility restrictions, that FDA decision affects what’s called the vaccine’s “label” — and California is now making the shot available to people outside of the FDA’s limitations “off-label.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And what about the CDC, which has issued annual recommendations for who should get these vaccines since they were first released in 2021? In summer 2025, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dissolved the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices panel and \u003ca href=\"https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-health-chief-kennedy-names-new-members-vaccine-advisory-committee-2025-06-11/\">replaced its members with a number of doctors and researchers\u003c/a> who have repeatedly questioned the safety of commonly used vaccines and ingredients.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But after a lawsuit earlier this year that blocked \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/03/16/nx-s1-5749530/judge-blocks-rfk-jr-vaccine-changes\">the Trump administration’s efforts \u003c/a>to reduce routine vaccines for children, the CDC’s process for issuing annual vaccine guidelines — including COVID-19 — remains in limbo, and for the first time since 2021, the agency has released no formal guidelines for the COVID-19 shot. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The CDC’s recommendations used to be what insurance companies based their coverage on when it comes to vaccines. But the state has confirmed that all vaccines recommended by CDPH — which includes COVID-19 vaccines for anyone who wants them — “continue to be covered by health insurance regulated in California.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The new 2026-27 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/covid-19\">COVID-19\u003c/a> vaccine is here — although unlike in previous years, there’s a chance you might not even have heard about it yet.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The new 2026-27 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/covid-19\">COVID-19\u003c/a> vaccine is here — although unlike in previous years, there’s a chance you might not even have heard about it yet.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the updated shots last week. But this year, there’s been \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/09/02/nx-s1-5947884/covid-flu-rsv-vaccine-recommendations\">no formal guidance\u003c/a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about who should actually get it.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the updated shots last week. But this year, there’s been \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/09/02/nx-s1-5947884/covid-flu-rsv-vaccine-recommendations\">no formal guidance\u003c/a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about who should actually get it.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the absence of any federal guidelines, the California Department of Public Health issued \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/IMM-1481.pdf#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=42181725-f337-476b-805b-39989c120200\">its own recommendations \u003c/a>on Friday about who should absolutely seek out the new COVID-19 shot. State health officials’ strongest recommendations are for everyone age 65 and older, those with risk factors that increase their chances of getting severe COVID-19, pregnant people, children age 6 to 23 months and healthcare workers. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In the absence of any federal guidelines, the California Department of Public Health issued \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/IMM-1481.pdf#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=42181725-f337-476b-805b-39989c120200\">its own recommendations \u003c/a>on Friday about who should absolutely seek out the new COVID-19 shot. State health officials’ strongest recommendations are for everyone age 65 and older, those with risk factors that increase their chances of getting severe COVID-19, pregnant people, children age 6 to 23 months and healthcare workers. \u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12053910\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A new COVID-19 vaccine is now available.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Luis Alvarez/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12053910\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A new COVID-19 vaccine is now available.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Luis Alvarez/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But the state also said that basically everyone else — or in their words, “all who choose to reduce risk of severe illness” — can get the 2026-27 COVID-19 shot, too, and that it’ll be covered by health insurance.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But the state also said that basically everyone else — or in their words, “all who choose to reduce risk of severe illness” — can get the 2026-27 COVID-19 shot, too, and that it’ll be covered by health insurance.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Six years out from the onset of the pandemic, the language around COVID-19 vaccine recommendations has definitely changed. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Six years out from the onset of the pandemic, the language around COVID-19 vaccine recommendations has definitely changed. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Keep reading for how to understand the latest guidelines, why you’re not hearing anything from the CDC this year and when you should consider getting your own vaccine to lower your chances of getting a nasty bout of COVID-19 this fall and winter.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Keep reading for how to understand the latest guidelines, why you’re not hearing anything from the CDC this year and when you should consider getting your own vaccine to lower your chances of getting a nasty bout of COVID-19 this fall and winter.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "First off, are appointments for the new 2026-27 COVID vaccines already available?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First off, are appointments for the new 2026-27 COVID vaccines already available?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Yes: The new shots have already rolled out at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens around the state. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Yes: The new shots have already rolled out at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens around the state. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Pharmacies are the first place that COVID vaccine supplies become available each fall right after the FDA and CDC sign off, because they take their orders from the federal government rather than the state. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Pharmacies are the first place that COVID vaccine supplies become available each fall right after the FDA and CDC sign off, because they take their orders from the federal government rather than the state. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the coming weeks, the updated 2026-27 COVID vaccine will soon become available at doctors’ offices, clinics and health systems like Kaiser Permanente.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In the coming weeks, the updated 2026-27 COVID vaccine will soon become available at doctors’ offices, clinics and health systems like Kaiser Permanente.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re a parent wanting to vaccinate your kid sooner rather than later, however, remember: The state says that pharmacies \u003cem>aren’t\u003c/em> authorized to vaccinate children age two and under. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you’re a parent wanting to vaccinate your kid sooner rather than later, however, remember: The state says that pharmacies \u003cem>aren’t\u003c/em> authorized to vaccinate children age two and under. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This means that unless your child is age three or older, you won’t be able to get their COVID shot at a pharmacy, and you should talk to your child’s pediatrician about how best to get their shot. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This means that unless your child is age three or older, you won’t be able to get their COVID shot at a pharmacy, and you should talk to your child’s pediatrician about how best to get their shot. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The exception to this is CVS’s MinuteClinics, which are staffed by providers who are permitted to administer a COVID vaccine to kids age 18 months and older.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The exception to this is CVS’s MinuteClinics, which are staffed by providers who are permitted to administer a COVID vaccine to kids age 18 months and older.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Will my fall COVID shot still be covered by health insurance?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will my fall COVID shot still be covered by health insurance?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will my fall COVID shot still be covered by health insurance?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Yes: “All vaccines recommended by the California Department of Public Health continue to be covered by health insurance regulated in California,” CDPH said in its Friday statement announcing its recommendations around the 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Yes: “All vaccines recommended by the California Department of Public Health continue to be covered by health insurance regulated in California,” CDPH said in its Friday statement announcing its recommendations around the 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One wrinkle to remember if you get your healthcare through a system like Kaiser Permanente: If you’re considering getting your COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy for convenience, rather than from your own provider, you usually \u003cem>can’t\u003c/em> get vaccines fully covered by your insurance. But, according to Kaiser, “you may be able to get up to \u003ca href=\"https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/northern-california/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/vaccine-appointments\">half of the cost \u003c/a>reimbursed.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>One wrinkle to remember if you get your healthcare through a system like Kaiser Permanente: If you’re considering getting your COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy for convenience, rather than from your own provider, you usually \u003cem>can’t\u003c/em> get vaccines fully covered by your insurance. But, according to Kaiser, “you may be able to get up to \u003ca href=\"https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/northern-california/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/vaccine-appointments\">half of the cost \u003c/a>reimbursed.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re going the reimbursement route, bear in mind that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine\">the out-of-pocket cost of getting your COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> at CVS this year is now $278.99 — up 40% from $198.99 last year.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you’re going the reimbursement route, bear in mind that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine\">the out-of-pocket cost of getting your COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> at CVS this year is now $278.99 — up 40% from $198.99 last year.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "When should I get my 2026-27 COVID shot?",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>When \u003c/em>should I get my 2026-27 COVID shot?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Higher-risk groups"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Higher-risk groups\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Higher-risk groups\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine is available to patients age 6 months and older, but California health officials are strongly recommending the updated vaccine for the following higher-risk groups:\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine is available to patients age 6 months and older, but California health officials are strongly recommending the updated vaccine for the following higher-risk groups:\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Children:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Children:\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>All children age 6-23 months\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>All children age 2-18 years with \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/populations-at-risk-covid.pdf\">risk factors\u003c/a> or who’ve never been vaccinated against COVID-19\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>All children age 2-18 years with \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/populations-at-risk-covid.pdf\">risk factors\u003c/a> or who’ve never been vaccinated against COVID-19\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Anyone who’s pregnant, planning to become pregnant or is postpartum\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Anyone age 9-64 years with \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/populations-at-risk-covid.pdf\">risk factors\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Anyone age 9-64 years with \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/populations-at-risk-covid.pdf\">risk factors\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033385\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A syringe is filled with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside Reuther Hall at Forty Acres on March 13, 2021, in Delano, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033385\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A syringe is filled with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside Reuther Hall at Forty Acres on March 13, 2021, in Delano, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re in one of the above groups — meaning you’re either at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 yourself or at higher risk of spreading COVID-19 to others — it’s a good idea to seek out your updated vaccine soon, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’re in one of the above groups — meaning you’re either at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 yourself or at higher risk of spreading COVID-19 to others — it’s a good idea to seek out your updated vaccine soon, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There are some populations who I just don’t want there to be any doubt about, because they’re very important,” Chin-Hong said. “I’m on the highest alert around them, because those are the people who are still coming into the hospital [with COVID-19], either inpatient or going to the emergency room.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“There are some populations who I just don’t want there to be any doubt about, because they’re very important,” Chin-Hong said. “I’m on the highest alert around them, because those are the people who are still coming into the hospital [with COVID-19], either inpatient or going to the emergency room.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In a nutshell: If you’re one of the people in the list above, or your kid is, seek out your new COVID-19 shot as soon as you can.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In a nutshell: If you’re one of the people in the list above, or your kid is, seek out your new COVID-19 shot as soon as you can.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>See the full list of CDPH’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/publichealth4all/vaccines.aspx#table\">recommendations for respiratory vaccines\u003c/a> this year.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>See the full list of CDPH’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/publichealth4all/vaccines.aspx#table\">recommendations for respiratory vaccines\u003c/a> this year.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you or your child isn’t listed in those higher-risk groups above, you fall into CDPH’s recommendation that “all who choose to reduce risk of severe illness” can still get the updated 2026-27 COVID-19 shot.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you or your child isn’t listed in those higher-risk groups above, you fall into CDPH’s recommendation that “all who choose to reduce risk of severe illness” can still get the updated 2026-27 COVID-19 shot.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But what does that mean practically? \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But what does that mean practically? \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One thing to know: The Bay Area is still in a summer COVID wave, as shown by \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CoYBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaBk4gR2VuZXifAYoBBmQyY2RlNrgBiwg%3D&selectedChartId=d2cde6\">levels of coronavirus in the region’s wastewater\u003c/a> (aka human sewage). And “based on current patterns, we still have plenty of the current wave ahead of us,” said Dr. Matt Willis, the state’s correspondent for \u003ca href=\"https://yourlocalepidemiologistca.substack.com/\">Your Local Epidemiologist California, who was formerly Marin County’s public health officer at the height of the pandemic. “\u003c/a>It still hasn’t peaked, and then there’s a few weeks on the downslope to expect.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>One thing to know: The Bay Area is still in a summer COVID wave, as shown by \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CoYBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaBk4gR2VuZXifAYoBBmQyY2RlNrgBiwg%3D&selectedChartId=d2cde6\">levels of coronavirus in the region’s wastewater\u003c/a> (aka human sewage). And “based on current patterns, we still have plenty of the current wave ahead of us,” said Dr. Matt Willis, the state’s correspondent for \u003ca href=\"https://yourlocalepidemiologistca.substack.com/\">Your Local Epidemiologist California, who was formerly Marin County’s public health officer at the height of the pandemic. “\u003c/a>It still hasn’t peaked, and then there’s a few weeks on the downslope to expect.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>With that in mind, Willis told KQED by email that “if you want to be protected even if you’re not high risk, I would still go ahead and get the vaccine now.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>With that in mind, Willis told KQED by email that “if you want to be protected even if you’re not high risk, I would still go ahead and get the vaccine now.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In California, he said, “We haven’t really seen COVID-19 activity in the winter, at least judging from the past two years. So the likelihood of being infected with COVID-19 is likely higher for the next couple months than it may be for the rest of the year, until next summer.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In California, he said, “We haven’t really seen COVID-19 activity in the winter, at least judging from the past two years. So the likelihood of being infected with COVID-19 is likely higher for the next couple months than it may be for the rest of the year, until next summer.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Of course, there are people — like Kaiser patients, or people who prefer to get their COVID vaccine at their own doctor’s office — who’ll be waiting to get their shot until supplies of the new vaccine become available beyond pharmacies. And Chin-Hong said there are other reasons some people might consider waiting a little, too.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Of course, there are people — like Kaiser patients, or people who prefer to get their COVID vaccine at their own doctor’s office — who’ll be waiting to get their shot until supplies of the new vaccine become available beyond pharmacies. And Chin-Hong said there are other reasons some people might consider waiting a little, too.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As a physician, “I put an exclamation point next to the people who I \u003cem>really \u003c/em>want to get it,” Chin-Hong said. But “for everyone else, it could be used strategically,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As a physician, “I put an exclamation point next to the people who I \u003cem>really \u003c/em>want to get it,” Chin-Hong said. But “for everyone else, it could be used strategically,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Getting the new vaccine will give you “a buffer for infection for about three months or so,” Chin-Hong said — and it’ll take around two weeks after getting your shot for your body to develop the fullest immunity. So you might consider strategically timing your updated COVID-19 shot to coincide with any travel you have coming up this fall, he said — or to have good protection for around the holidays.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Getting the new vaccine will give you “a buffer for infection for about three months or so,” Chin-Hong said — and it’ll take around two weeks after getting your shot for your body to develop the fullest immunity. So you might consider strategically timing your updated COVID-19 shot to coincide with any travel you have coming up this fall, he said — or to have good protection for around the holidays.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A boy with a tuxedo T-shirt and a face mask holds his mother's hand as he receives a shot in the arm by a nurse.\" class=\"wp-image-11961112\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A child receives a COVID-19 vaccine on Sept. 12, 2023. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A boy with a tuxedo T-shirt and a face mask holds his mother's hand as he receives a shot in the arm by a nurse.\" class=\"wp-image-11961112\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A child receives a COVID-19 vaccine on Sept. 12, 2023. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If just getting out to \u003cem>get \u003c/em>your vaccines is difficult, you could also opt to conveniently get your COVID shot and your flu shot during the same appointment in October, said Chin-Hong. As for that specific timing, it’s best to get your flu shot sometime before Halloween, he said, and you don’t want to get it \u003cem>too \u003c/em>early ahead of flu season, which might arrive a little later this year if Australia’s flu season — \u003ca href=\"https://www.today.com/health/cold-flu/flu-guide-2026-season-severity-symptoms-treatment-mrna-vaccine-rcna595714\">traditionally used as a barometer of what the U.S. can expect\u003c/a> — is any indicator.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If just getting out to \u003cem>get \u003c/em>your vaccines is difficult, you could also opt to conveniently get your COVID shot and your flu shot during the same appointment in October, said Chin-Hong. As for that specific timing, it’s best to get your flu shot sometime before Halloween, he said, and you don’t want to get it \u003cem>too \u003c/em>early ahead of flu season, which might arrive a little later this year if Australia’s flu season — \u003ca href=\"https://www.today.com/health/cold-flu/flu-guide-2026-season-severity-symptoms-treatment-mrna-vaccine-rcna595714\">traditionally used as a barometer of what the U.S. can expect\u003c/a> — is any indicator.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>However, if you’re the kind of person whose calendar and obligations get packed in the fall and you’re concerned you’ll forget to get your shots altogether, release yourself from the burden of overstrategizing and just go get your vaccine when you can.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>However, if you’re the kind of person whose calendar and obligations get packed in the fall and you’re concerned you’ll forget to get your shots altogether, release yourself from the burden of overstrategizing and just go get your vaccine when you can.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And remember: If you were one of the many folks in the Bay Area who got taken down by COVID-19 during \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091325/summer-covid-test-2026-wastewater-variants-isolation-contagious-xfg-san-francisco-bay-area-california\">this summer’s ongoing wave\u003c/a>, your infection has given you around three months’ natural immunity — so you should wait until that “expires” before seeking out your latest COVID-19 vaccine.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And remember: If you were one of the many folks in the Bay Area who got taken down by COVID-19 during \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091325/summer-covid-test-2026-wastewater-variants-isolation-contagious-xfg-san-francisco-bay-area-california\">this summer’s ongoing wave\u003c/a>, your infection has given you around three months’ natural immunity — so you should wait until that “expires” before seeking out your latest COVID-19 vaccine.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Will the new 2026-27 COVID shot protect me from the latest strains out there right now?",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will the new 2026-27 COVID shot protect me from the latest strains out there right now?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will the new 2026-27 COVID shot protect me from the latest strains out there right now?\u003c/h2>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Yes, Chin-Hong said — each year the COVID-19 vaccine is updated for maximum efficacy, to target the variants that are most likely to try to take you down this year.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Yes, Chin-Hong said — each year the COVID-19 vaccine is updated for maximum efficacy, to target the variants that are most likely to try to take you down this year.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The 2026-27 shot actually only targets one strain, XFG, “which is the number one strain right now circulating,” Chin-Hong said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The 2026-27 shot actually only targets one strain, XFG, “which is the number one strain right now circulating,” Chin-Hong said. \u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>People infected with XFG have often reported a scratchy, hoarse throat that’s easily mistaken for allergies, along with the kind of primarily respiratory symptoms we’ve come to expect from COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>People infected with XFG have often reported a scratchy, hoarse throat that’s easily mistaken for allergies, along with the kind of primarily respiratory symptoms we’ve come to expect from COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Where can I find the new COVID vaccine — other than a pharmacy?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I find the new COVID vaccine — other than a pharmacy?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I find the new COVID vaccine — other than a pharmacy?\u003c/h2>\n"
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},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Through your healthcare provider, when available"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through your healthcare provider, when available\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through your healthcare provider, when available\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, check with your healthcare provider to see whether they can offer you an updated COVID-19 vaccine, and when.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, check with your healthcare provider to see whether they can offer you an updated COVID-19 vaccine, and when.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you don’t have health insurance but get medical care through a city- or county-run provider, you should check with that location to see whether they can offer you the new COVID-19 vaccine.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you don’t have health insurance but get medical care through a city- or county-run provider, you should check with that location to see whether they can offer you the new COVID-19 vaccine.\u003c/p>\n"
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"id": 12028314,
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-800x562.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1020x717.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-160x112.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1536x1079.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1920x1349.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12028314\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-800x562.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1020x717.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-160x112.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1536x1079.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1920x1349.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A CVS in Huntington Park on Aug. 28, 2024. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12028314\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A CVS in Huntington Park on Aug. 28, 2024. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition to talking with your healthcare provider directly, check the website of your provider to see whether it offers the ability to make appointments and sign up for their vaccine notifications if that’s an option.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In addition to talking with your healthcare provider directly, check the website of your provider to see whether it offers the ability to make appointments and sign up for their vaccine notifications if that’s an option.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Through My Turn, when available"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through My Turn, when available\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through My Turn, when available\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Throughout the pandemic, \u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/\">My Turn has been the state’s site\u003c/a> for Californians to schedule vaccination appointments or find walk-in locations, regardless of health insurance status.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Throughout the pandemic, \u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/\">My Turn has been the state’s site\u003c/a> for Californians to schedule vaccination appointments or find walk-in locations, regardless of health insurance status.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Through your county, when available"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through your county, when available\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through your county, when available\u003c/h3>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
"dropCap": false
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Check your county’s public health website to see if the updated COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available to residents, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Check your county’s public health website to see if the updated COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available to residents, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "I heard the FDA and CDC tried to restrict eligibility for COVID vaccines last year. Can I still get my shot?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I heard the FDA and CDC tried to restrict eligibility for COVID vaccines last year. Can I still get my shot?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I heard the FDA and CDC tried to restrict eligibility for COVID vaccines last year. Can I still get my shot?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Yes — because California’s own recommendations overrule the federal government when it comes to you accessing this vaccine.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Yes — because California’s own recommendations overrule the federal government when it comes to you accessing this vaccine.\u003c/p>\n"
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},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To understand the backstory: In August 2025, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053906/covid-vaccines-booster-2025-fda-cdc-who-can-get-updated-vaccine-novavax-pfizer-moderna-where-find\">the FDA under President Donald Trump’s second administration announced\u003c/a> that the agency would be limiting eligibility for the updated shots for the first time — and that the 2025-26 vaccines would be available only to people age 65 and over and to anyone with a health condition that puts them at higher risk from COVID-19. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>To understand the backstory: In August 2025, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053906/covid-vaccines-booster-2025-fda-cdc-who-can-get-updated-vaccine-novavax-pfizer-moderna-where-find\">the FDA under President Donald Trump’s second administration announced\u003c/a> that the agency would be limiting eligibility for the updated shots for the first time — and that the 2025-26 vaccines would be available only to people age 65 and over and to anyone with a health condition that puts them at higher risk from COVID-19. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>At first, the shots rolled out across California pharmacies only for these groups. But shortly after, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would join Oregon and Washington in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054491/in-rebuke-of-rfk-jr-the-west-coast-unites-on-vaccine-policy\">launching a new “West Coast Health Alliance,”\u003c/a> a coalition that now issues its own state-specific vaccine recommendations — effectively overriding the FDA and CDC’s attempts to limit eligibility for your COVID-19 vaccine in California.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>At first, the shots rolled out across California pharmacies only for these groups. But shortly after, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would join Oregon and Washington in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054491/in-rebuke-of-rfk-jr-the-west-coast-unites-on-vaccine-policy\">launching a new “West Coast Health Alliance,”\u003c/a> a coalition that now issues its own state-specific vaccine recommendations — effectively overriding the FDA and CDC’s attempts to limit eligibility for your COVID-19 vaccine in California.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty-1536x1027.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks as his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom (left), looks on during an election night gathering at California Democratic headquarters in Sacramento, California, on Nov. 4, 2025.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087658\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks as his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom (left), looks on during an election night gathering at California Democratic headquarters in Sacramento, California, on Nov. 4, 2025.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In a joint statement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054491/in-rebuke-of-rfk-jr-the-west-coast-unites-on-vaccine-policy\">the governors said the CDC had “become a political tool\u003c/a> that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences,” adding that “California, Oregon and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In a joint statement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054491/in-rebuke-of-rfk-jr-the-west-coast-unites-on-vaccine-policy\">the governors said the CDC had “become a political tool\u003c/a> that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences,” adding that “California, Oregon and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12056289/california-law-sets-states-own-vaccine-schedules-deepening-rift-with-cdc\">Newsom has also signed a law\u003c/a> which now allows the state to act independently from the CDC when it comes to vaccine recommendations, “empowering California to chart its own path and reject corrupted federal guidelines,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. As for how California is able to expand beyond the FDA’s eligibility restrictions, that FDA decision affects what’s called the vaccine’s “label” — and California is now making the shot available to people outside of the FDA’s limitations “off-label.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12056289/california-law-sets-states-own-vaccine-schedules-deepening-rift-with-cdc\">Newsom has also signed a law\u003c/a> which now allows the state to act independently from the CDC when it comes to vaccine recommendations, “empowering California to chart its own path and reject corrupted federal guidelines,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. As for how California is able to expand beyond the FDA’s eligibility restrictions, that FDA decision affects what’s called the vaccine’s “label” — and California is now making the shot available to people outside of the FDA’s limitations “off-label.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And what about the CDC, which has issued annual recommendations for who should get these vaccines since they were first released in 2021? In summer 2025, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dissolved the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices panel and \u003ca href=\"https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-health-chief-kennedy-names-new-members-vaccine-advisory-committee-2025-06-11/\">replaced its members with a number of doctors and researchers\u003c/a> who have repeatedly questioned the safety of commonly used vaccines and ingredients.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And what about the CDC, which has issued annual recommendations for who should get these vaccines since they were first released in 2021? In summer 2025, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dissolved the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices panel and \u003ca href=\"https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-health-chief-kennedy-names-new-members-vaccine-advisory-committee-2025-06-11/\">replaced its members with a number of doctors and researchers\u003c/a> who have repeatedly questioned the safety of commonly used vaccines and ingredients.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But after a lawsuit earlier this year that blocked \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/03/16/nx-s1-5749530/judge-blocks-rfk-jr-vaccine-changes\">the Trump administration’s efforts \u003c/a>to reduce routine vaccines for children, the CDC’s process for issuing annual vaccine guidelines — including COVID-19 — remains in limbo, and for the first time since 2021, the agency has released no formal guidelines for the COVID-19 shot. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But after a lawsuit earlier this year that blocked \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/03/16/nx-s1-5749530/judge-blocks-rfk-jr-vaccine-changes\">the Trump administration’s efforts \u003c/a>to reduce routine vaccines for children, the CDC’s process for issuing annual vaccine guidelines — including COVID-19 — remains in limbo, and for the first time since 2021, the agency has released no formal guidelines for the COVID-19 shot. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The CDC’s recommendations used to be what insurance companies based their coverage on when it comes to vaccines. But the state has confirmed that all vaccines recommended by CDPH — which includes COVID-19 vaccines for anyone who wants them — “continue to be covered by health insurance regulated in California.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The CDC’s recommendations used to be what insurance companies based their coverage on when it comes to vaccines. But the state has confirmed that all vaccines recommended by CDPH — which includes COVID-19 vaccines for anyone who wants them — “continue to be covered by health insurance regulated in California.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"excerpt": "The updated 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine is now rolling out across California. What to know about where to get yours — and what’s covered by insurance.",
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"title": "A New COVID Vaccine Is Here (Without Much Fanfare). When Should You Get It? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>The new 2026-27 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/covid-19\">COVID-19\u003c/a> vaccine is here — although unlike in previous years, there’s a chance you might not even have heard about it yet.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the updated shots last week. But this year, there’s been \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/09/02/nx-s1-5947884/covid-flu-rsv-vaccine-recommendations\">no formal guidance\u003c/a> from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about who should actually get it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the absence of any federal guidelines, the California Department of Public Health issued \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/IMM-1481.pdf#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=42181725-f337-476b-805b-39989c120200\">its own recommendations \u003c/a>on Friday about who should absolutely seek out the new COVID-19 shot. State health officials’ strongest recommendations are for everyone age 65 and older, those with risk factors that increase their chances of getting severe COVID-19, pregnant people, children age 6 to 23 months and healthcare workers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12053910\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/COVIDGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A new COVID-19 vaccine is now available. (Luis Alvarez/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the state also said that basically everyone else — or in their words, “all who choose to reduce risk of severe illness” — can get the 2026-27 COVID-19 shot, too, and that it’ll be covered by health insurance.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Six years out from the onset of the pandemic, the language around COVID-19 vaccine recommendations has definitely changed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep reading for how to understand the latest guidelines, why you’re not hearing anything from the CDC this year and when you should consider getting your own vaccine to lower your chances of getting a nasty bout of COVID-19 this fall and winter.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First off, are appointments for the new 2026-27 COVID vaccines already available?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yes: The new shots have already rolled out at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens around the state. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Pharmacies are the first place that COVID vaccine supplies become available each fall right after the FDA and CDC sign off, because they take their orders from the federal government rather than the state. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the coming weeks, the updated 2026-27 COVID vaccine will soon become available at doctors’ offices, clinics and health systems like Kaiser Permanente.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re a parent wanting to vaccinate your kid sooner rather than later, however, remember: The state says that pharmacies \u003cem>aren’t\u003c/em> authorized to vaccinate children age two and under. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This means that unless your child is age three or older, you won’t be able to get their COVID shot at a pharmacy, and you should talk to your child’s pediatrician about how best to get their shot. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The exception to this is CVS’s MinuteClinics, which are staffed by providers who are permitted to administer a COVID vaccine to kids age 18 months and older.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will my fall COVID shot still be covered by health insurance?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yes: “All vaccines recommended by the California Department of Public Health continue to be covered by health insurance regulated in California,” CDPH said in its Friday statement announcing its recommendations around the 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccines.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One wrinkle to remember if you get your healthcare through a system like Kaiser Permanente: If you’re considering getting your COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy for convenience, rather than from your own provider, you usually \u003cem>can’t\u003c/em> get vaccines fully covered by your insurance. But, according to Kaiser, “you may be able to get up to \u003ca href=\"https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/northern-california/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/vaccine-appointments\">half of the cost \u003c/a>reimbursed.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re going the reimbursement route, bear in mind that \u003ca href=\"https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine\">the out-of-pocket cost of getting your COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> at CVS this year is now $278.99 — up 40% from $198.99 last year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>When \u003c/em>should I get my 2026-27 COVID shot?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Higher-risk groups\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 2026-27 COVID-19 vaccine is available to patients age 6 months and older, but California health officials are strongly recommending the updated vaccine for the following higher-risk groups:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Children:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>All children age 6-23 months\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>All children age 2-18 years with \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/populations-at-risk-covid.pdf\">risk factors\u003c/a> or who’ve never been vaccinated against COVID-19\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>All children who are in close contact with others with risk factors\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Adults:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>All age 65 years and older\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Anyone who’s pregnant, planning to become pregnant or is postpartum\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Anyone age 9-64 years with \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/Immunization/populations-at-risk-covid.pdf\">risk factors\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>All who are in close contact with others with risk factors\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>All healthcare workers\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033385\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A syringe is filled with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside Reuther Hall at Forty Acres on March 13, 2021, in Delano, California. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re in one of the above groups — meaning you’re either at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 yourself or at higher risk of spreading COVID-19 to others — it’s a good idea to seek out your updated vaccine soon, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There are some populations who I just don’t want there to be any doubt about, because they’re very important,” Chin-Hong said. “I’m on the highest alert around them, because those are the people who are still coming into the hospital [with COVID-19], either inpatient or going to the emergency room.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a nutshell: If you’re one of the people in the list above, or your kid is, seek out your new COVID-19 shot as soon as you can.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>See the full list of CDPH’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/publichealth4all/vaccines.aspx#table\">recommendations for respiratory vaccines\u003c/a> this year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">People who aren’t at higher risk\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you or your child isn’t listed in those higher-risk groups above, you fall into CDPH’s recommendation that “all who choose to reduce risk of severe illness” can still get the updated 2026-27 COVID-19 shot.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But what does that mean practically? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One thing to know: The Bay Area is still in a summer COVID wave, as shown by \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CoYBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaBk4gR2VuZXifAYoBBmQyY2RlNrgBiwg%3D&selectedChartId=d2cde6\">levels of coronavirus in the region’s wastewater\u003c/a> (aka human sewage). And “based on current patterns, we still have plenty of the current wave ahead of us,” said Dr. Matt Willis, the state’s correspondent for \u003ca href=\"https://yourlocalepidemiologistca.substack.com/\">Your Local Epidemiologist California, who was formerly Marin County’s public health officer at the height of the pandemic. “\u003c/a>It still hasn’t peaked, and then there’s a few weeks on the downslope to expect.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>With that in mind, Willis told KQED by email that “if you want to be protected even if you’re not high risk, I would still go ahead and get the vaccine now.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In California, he said, “We haven’t really seen COVID-19 activity in the winter, at least judging from the past two years. So the likelihood of being infected with COVID-19 is likely higher for the next couple months than it may be for the rest of the year, until next summer.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Of course, there are people — like Kaiser patients, or people who prefer to get their COVID vaccine at their own doctor’s office — who’ll be waiting to get their shot until supplies of the new vaccine become available beyond pharmacies. And Chin-Hong said there are other reasons some people might consider waiting a little, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a physician, “I put an exclamation point next to the people who I \u003cem>really \u003c/em>want to get it,” Chin-Hong said. But “for everyone else, it could be used strategically,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Getting the new vaccine will give you “a buffer for infection for about three months or so,” Chin-Hong said — and it’ll take around two weeks after getting your shot for your body to develop the fullest immunity. So you might consider strategically timing your updated COVID-19 shot to coincide with any travel you have coming up this fall, he said — or to have good protection for around the holidays.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A boy with a tuxedo T-shirt and a face mask holds his mother's hand as he receives a shot in the arm by a nurse.\" class=\"wp-image-11961112\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/005_SanFrancisco_UnitedinHealthKidsCOVIDVaccination_11092021-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A child receives a COVID-19 vaccine on Sept. 12, 2023. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If just getting out to \u003cem>get \u003c/em>your vaccines is difficult, you could also opt to conveniently get your COVID shot and your flu shot during the same appointment in October, said Chin-Hong. As for that specific timing, it’s best to get your flu shot sometime before Halloween, he said, and you don’t want to get it \u003cem>too \u003c/em>early ahead of flu season, which might arrive a little later this year if Australia’s flu season — \u003ca href=\"https://www.today.com/health/cold-flu/flu-guide-2026-season-severity-symptoms-treatment-mrna-vaccine-rcna595714\">traditionally used as a barometer of what the U.S. can expect\u003c/a> — is any indicator.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, if you’re the kind of person whose calendar and obligations get packed in the fall and you’re concerned you’ll forget to get your shots altogether, release yourself from the burden of overstrategizing and just go get your vaccine when you can.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And remember: If you were one of the many folks in the Bay Area who got taken down by COVID-19 during \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091325/summer-covid-test-2026-wastewater-variants-isolation-contagious-xfg-san-francisco-bay-area-california\">this summer’s ongoing wave\u003c/a>, your infection has given you around three months’ natural immunity — so you should wait until that “expires” before seeking out your latest COVID-19 vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Will the new 2026-27 COVID shot protect me from the latest strains out there right now?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yes, Chin-Hong said — each year the COVID-19 vaccine is updated for maximum efficacy, to target the variants that are most likely to try to take you down this year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 2026-27 shot actually only targets one strain, XFG, “which is the number one strain right now circulating,” Chin-Hong said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>People infected with XFG have often reported a scratchy, hoarse throat that’s easily mistaken for allergies, along with the kind of primarily respiratory symptoms we’ve come to expect from COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I find the new COVID vaccine — other than a pharmacy?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through your healthcare provider, when available\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, check with your healthcare provider to see whether they can offer you an updated COVID-19 vaccine, and when.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you don’t have health insurance but get medical care through a city- or county-run provider, you should check with that location to see whether they can offer you the new COVID-19 vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1405\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12028314\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-800x562.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1020x717.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-160x112.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1536x1079.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/FluGetty-1920x1349.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A CVS in Huntington Park on Aug. 28, 2024. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to talking with your healthcare provider directly, check the website of your provider to see whether it offers the ability to make appointments and sign up for their vaccine notifications if that’s an option.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through My Turn, when available\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Throughout the pandemic, \u003ca href=\"https://myturn.ca.gov/\">My Turn has been the state’s site\u003c/a> for Californians to schedule vaccination appointments or find walk-in locations, regardless of health insurance status.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Through your county, when available\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Check your county’s public health website to see if the updated COVID-19 vaccine will soon be available to residents, especially those who are uninsured or underinsured.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I heard the FDA and CDC tried to restrict eligibility for COVID vaccines last year. Can I still get my shot?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yes — because California’s own recommendations overrule the federal government when it comes to you accessing this vaccine.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To understand the backstory: In August 2025, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053906/covid-vaccines-booster-2025-fda-cdc-who-can-get-updated-vaccine-novavax-pfizer-moderna-where-find\">the FDA under President Donald Trump’s second administration announced\u003c/a> that the agency would be limiting eligibility for the updated shots for the first time — and that the 2025-26 vaccines would be available only to people age 65 and over and to anyone with a health condition that puts them at higher risk from COVID-19. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At first, the shots rolled out across California pharmacies only for these groups. But shortly after, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would join Oregon and Washington in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054491/in-rebuke-of-rfk-jr-the-west-coast-unites-on-vaccine-policy\">launching a new “West Coast Health Alliance,”\u003c/a> a coalition that now issues its own state-specific vaccine recommendations — effectively overriding the FDA and CDC’s attempts to limit eligibility for your COVID-19 vaccine in California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1337\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GavinJenniferNewsomGetty-1536x1027.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks as his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom (left), looks on during an election night gathering at California Democratic headquarters in Sacramento, California, on Nov. 4, 2025. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a joint statement, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054491/in-rebuke-of-rfk-jr-the-west-coast-unites-on-vaccine-policy\">the governors said the CDC had “become a political tool\u003c/a> that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science, ideology that will lead to severe health consequences,” adding that “California, Oregon and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12056289/california-law-sets-states-own-vaccine-schedules-deepening-rift-with-cdc\">Newsom has also signed a law\u003c/a> which now allows the state to act independently from the CDC when it comes to vaccine recommendations, “empowering California to chart its own path and reject corrupted federal guidelines,” according to a statement from the governor’s office. As for how California is able to expand beyond the FDA’s eligibility restrictions, that FDA decision affects what’s called the vaccine’s “label” — and California is now making the shot available to people outside of the FDA’s limitations “off-label.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And what about the CDC, which has issued annual recommendations for who should get these vaccines since they were first released in 2021? In summer 2025, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dissolved the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices panel and \u003ca href=\"https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-health-chief-kennedy-names-new-members-vaccine-advisory-committee-2025-06-11/\">replaced its members with a number of doctors and researchers\u003c/a> who have repeatedly questioned the safety of commonly used vaccines and ingredients.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But after a lawsuit earlier this year that blocked \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/03/16/nx-s1-5749530/judge-blocks-rfk-jr-vaccine-changes\">the Trump administration’s efforts \u003c/a>to reduce routine vaccines for children, the CDC’s process for issuing annual vaccine guidelines — including COVID-19 — remains in limbo, and for the first time since 2021, the agency has released no formal guidelines for the COVID-19 shot. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The CDC’s recommendations used to be what insurance companies based their coverage on when it comes to vaccines. But the state has confirmed that all vaccines recommended by CDPH — which includes COVID-19 vaccines for anyone who wants them — “continue to be covered by health insurance regulated in California.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "going-to-portola-music-festival-2026-what-to-know-from-bag-policy-to-parking",
"title": "Going to Portola Music Festival 2026? What to Know: From Bag Policy to Parking",
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"headTitle": "Going to Portola Music Festival 2026? What to Know: From Bag Policy to Parking | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival is \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990263/portola-festival-lineup-2026-robyn-zara-larsson-four-tet\">coming back to San Francisco\u003c/a> on Sept. 26 and 27, with a lineup that includes Zara Larsson, Robyn, Kelela, Fatboy Slim and Swedish House Mafia.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the festival itself is a relatively new addition to San Francisco’s musical calendar, it attracts \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/portola-music-festival-september-28-29-2024\">crowds of around 45,000 people\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Our guide \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054345/portola-music-festival-2025-sf-lineup-bag-policy-pier-80-parking\">last year\u003c/a> highlighted KQED’s own media and marketing campaigns manager, Emma Yee, who has attended the Portola Music Festival every year since it launched in 2022. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097016\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Warren Manio, 36, sits on top of his friend’s shoulders as Natasha Bedingfield performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 28, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yee said that for her, what sets this event apart from the more well-known festivals like Outside Lands and Stern Grove is its industrial-feeling Pier 80 warehouse location near the Dogpatch District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s in between a big naval ship and a big crane,” she said, and for her this “bare-bones” aesthetic makes Portola’s lineup — which includes EDM, alternative and pop acts — all the more enjoyable. “It has a very specific curated taste that’s kind of hard to encapsulate, but it all kind of somehow works together.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’ve already got tickets to the Portola Music Festival — or are contemplating buying them — keep reading for our guide to everything you need to know about attending, with insider tips on what to bring, advice for first-timers, road closures, public transportation options and more. Keep in mind, some details — like food and transit details — have not yet been released for this year’s festival and are likely to be published closer to the date. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When and where is the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival spans a whole weekend: Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Doors open at 1 p.m. each day, and music ends around 11 p.m. The entrance to the event is at \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">900 Marin St. in San Francisco\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can view the entire festival lineup — and the set times — on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/set-times/\">Portola Music Festival’s website\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED Arts also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990263/portola-festival-lineup-2026-robyn-zara-larsson-four-tet\">highlighted key performers\u003c/a> who are set to appear at the festival.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Along with the weekend festival, there is also \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/portola-week/\">Portola Week,\u003c/a> which hosts a wide range of acts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many of the lineup performers will \u003cem>also\u003c/em> be playing during Portola Week — so if there is a conflict and you can’t make it to a performance during a festival — or couldn’t get tickets at all — you \u003cem>may \u003c/em>be able to catch them at another venue if you move fast.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Check out the schedule and secure tickets for \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/portola-week/\">Portola Week on the festival’s website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I still get tickets to the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As of publication, \u003ca href=\"https://www.axs.com/festivals/1455602?mkt_campaign=&queueittoken=e_4810573852172~q_883a51b7-df79-45ca-a85b-f8598a924e9f~ts_1788454070~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_44961655dfd2af3f1c796de9dcc2614e2d36506c01c01cd8cadd7635c082197b\">passes to the Portola Music Festival — including VIP packages — were still available on AXS\u003c/a>. Remember, the event is for ages 21+ only.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/passes/\">festival’s website\u003c/a> warns people \u003cem>not\u003c/em> to buy passes from a third party, and that organizers “won’t service, authenticate or support passes” purchased from a third party or scalper. If you decide to forge ahead with buying a third-party ticket, Portola organizers also note that receipts and order confirmations can be faked or forged, so “don’t be fooled.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the Portola Music Festival’s Pier 80 venue?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plan for poor phone service\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A pro tip from Yee: She advised you to make sure that your tickets are already loaded on the \u003ca href=\"https://support.axs.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002034107-What-is-AXS-Mobile-ID\">AXS Mobile app\u003c/a> you used to purchase them, or are waiting in your phone’s wallet app — because the cell signal at Pier 80 is not super strong, and you might not be able to do this in line. Consider also bringing a portable charger, she said, which is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#what-can-i-bring\">allowed at this festival\u003c/a> (some venues prohibit them).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you are going with a group of people and you decide to split up, establish a meeting spot where you can get together again — in case your messages are slow to send.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098827\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christina Aguilera performs on the Pier Stage at Portola Festival in San Francisco, on Sept. 20, 2025. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don’t rely on cash\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/#general-info\">a cashless event\u003c/a>, but any cash you do bring can be converted to a prepaid Visa Card at a Guest Service booth.\u003cem> \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prepare to move around …\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the Pier 80 venue is on “the smaller side” as festivals go, noted Yee, it also has a lot of “open space” that makes it relatively easy to jump from stage to stage. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That said, usual festival rules apply: If you want to get a good spot for a set, be sure to get to that stage early to avoid a mass of people. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But also be aware of your own health and bodily needs — KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12093415/the-no-judgement-guide-to-not-passing-out-at-a-concert-and-other-concert-health-tips\">a thorough guide on concert health\u003c/a> that tackles fainting, dehydration, standing in the heat and the all-encompassing festival-goer’s mission of avoiding the dreaded port-a-potties.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also, be prepared to move around a stage a little, advised Yee, as the volume of Portola sets can range widely from extremely loud (earplugs are recommended) to “on the quiet side” — especially the stages near the water.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098828\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A festival attendee wears light-up fur leg warmers at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">… and dress for comfort (and variable temperatures)\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over the years, Portola organizers have added blue astroturf and floor mats to make standing on Pier 80’s concrete easier on your knees and feet — but you should still plan on wearing very comfortable shoes. You’ll also find some seating and water stations around the venue.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Be sure to check \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7335&lon=-122.392\">the National Weather Service\u003c/a> ahead of the festival to know what to wear. Yee advised that while the warehouse stage in particular gets very warm, the temperature can drop significantly at night. Pier 80’s waterfront location can also make for a lot of wind around the open-air stages. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The event will happen \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/#general-info\">rain or shine\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://portolamusicfestival.com/faq/\">indoor and outdoor sets\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12054356\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Andie Romero, 30, uses a parasol decorated with colorful charms to protect herself from the sun at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 28, 2024. Romero, a festival enthusiast, has taken the parasol with her to countless festivals, considers it a staple, and has repaired it each time a charm falls off. “It’s been through a lot,” she said. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>Don’t \u003c/em>plan on in-and-out privileges\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Once you enter the venue, you cannot reenter on the same day — so don’t park somewhere you’ll need to feed a meter.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Know what you’ll do in a crowd situation\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Portola is a 21+ festival, which you may find makes this crowd feel a little less rowdy than other concerts and festivals, Yee said. If you’re among the people who’ve expressed \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/04/bad-behaviour-at-concerts-normalised-experts-say\">concern\u003c/a> about \u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/2023-concert-etiquette-guide-1234740935/\">concert etiquette\u003c/a> devolving since the pandemic — a phenomenon which even has its \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_abuse_in_the_2020s\">own Wikipedia page\u003c/a> — this might be music to your ears.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It will be crowded, though, with an expected attendance of 45,000 people. If you are the type of person to get overwhelmed in a busy place, take a look at NPR’s full guide on what to do if you find yourself caught in \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053828800/south-korea-seoul-halloween-crowd-safety-tips\">a crowd crush\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to Mehdi Moussaïd, a research scientist in Berlin who studies crowd behavior, rely on your instincts and senses if you feel like the crowd is getting too dense. If you get stuck in a crush, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053828800/south-korea-seoul-halloween-crowd-safety-tips\">move with the crowd and put your arms out\u003c/a> in front of your chest and hold them there, he told NPR in 2022.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What’s the bag policy at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival has an \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#what-can-i-bring\">extensive list\u003c/a> of what you can and cannot bring to Pier 80. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Be sure to read closely, because some classic rave attire, like toys or LED gloves, may not be allowed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098832\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Justice performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Just a few of the items prohibited under the Portola Music Festival policy include: \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Non-clear bags larger than 4.5’’ x 6.5’’ x 1.5’’ \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Masks (although medical face coverings to protect against COVID, like N95 masks, are allowed)\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Aerosol products, including sunscreen\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Outside food or drinks\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Flags and flyers\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Flashlights and glow sticks\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Chain wallets and chains\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Airhorns \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Audio recording devices, drones, laptops, tablets, selfie sticks and professional cameras\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Chairs, coolers, hammocks, tents and wagons/wheeled carts\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Drugs\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Pets (although service animals are allowed)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12054358\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thousands of people dance as Disclosure performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival’s website also said that there can be no “VHS copies of \u003cem>Mrs. Doubtfire\u003c/em> (1993) starring Robin Williams and Sally Field with a supporting performance by Pierce Brosnan who really did nothing wrong despite being the film’s primary antagonist.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This reporter cannot verify what will happen if you do bring a copy of the San Francisco classic.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can see the full list of allowed items \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/\">on the Portola website\u003c/a>, including empty water bottles 64 ounces or less, phones and chargers (although charging lockers are also \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/lockandrock/events/portola-music-festival-2026-charging-locker-rentals-192214\">available\u003c/a>) and breast pumps and stored breast milk or formula. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there food at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Food, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are available at the festival, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#food-drink\">a list of vendors found on the website\u003c/a> including:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Señor Sisig\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Saigon Sandwich\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Noodle Boys\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bodega SF\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Humphry Slocombe\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Love Burn Hot Chicken\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Sunrise Deli\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There will be vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are also free water refill stations at the site.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there parking at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Festival officials highly recommend that you \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">\u003cem>not\u003c/em> drive\u003c/a> to the event, since there is no designated parking available at Pier 80. There is also no designated ADA parking.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do end up driving, you may be able to find parking in the Dogpatch near Pier 80 by using \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/\">third-party apps like SpotHero\u003c/a>. Be careful not to block driveways and sidewalks, unless you’d like to return to find your car towed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098842\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gesaffelstein performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some Caltrain stations — although \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/station/22ndstreet\">not the ones closest to Pier 80\u003c/a> — have \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/rider-information/parking\">parking for around $5.50\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Remember, break-ins are common in the Bay, so leave nothing visible in your vehicle. Never leave any electronics, like laptops, in your vehicle, even if you think they’re hidden. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Read KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11959799/how-to-avoid-a-car-break-in-bay-area\">full guide\u003c/a> to reducing your chances of suffering a car break-in in San Francisco (and if you’re unlucky enough to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11959477/car-break-ins-bay-area-glass-repair-what-to-do\">your car broken into\u003c/a>, our guide to how to claim the costs of window repair and stolen items from your insurance).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the closest public transit options to the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Here are the available public transit options. To avoid getting stranded, be sure to check when your last train or bus leaves. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BART and shuttles\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you take BART to the 24th Street station in San Francisco’s Mission District, you can walk to the intersection of Valencia Street and 24th Street to take Portola’s free shuttle to Pier 80. You can plan your journey by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/planner\">BART’s Trip Planner\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Free Shuttles \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">will consistently run\u003c/a> between Pier 80 and 24th Street from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. People will be picked up at the corner of 24th Street and Valencia Street.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Email \u003ca href=\"mailto:ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\">ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\u003c/a> ahead of time to secure a spot on the festival’s accessible shuttles.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A BART train arrives as riders wait on the platform at the 24th Street Mission Station in San Francisco on Feb. 26, 2026. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SF Muni\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Figure out your route by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/trip-planner\">SFMTA’s Trip Planner\u003c/a>.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">the music festival’s website\u003c/a>, your options for getting to the events are:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>T Third Train: From the Powell Street BART Station, walk to the Union Square/Market Street Station and board Muni’s T Third line toward Sunnydale. Get off at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, just a block from Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 48 Quintara: Exit at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 19 Polk: Exit at the intersection of Connecticut Street and Cesar Chavez Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express: Exit at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, two blocks from Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When leaving the event, the options are:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>T Third Train at the Third Street & 23rd Street Station or Third Street & Evans Avenue Station.\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Keep in mind that the platform at Third Street and Marin Street will be temporarily unavailable from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., according to the website. \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>The trains will stop at the Union Square-Market Street Station, where you can walk to the Powell Street BART Station, Market Street bus routes or AC Transit Transbay Bus Service. The Union Square-Market Street Station, Chinatown Station and Yerba Buena/Moscone stations will stay open late until 1 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 48 Quintara runs 24/7 and connects to the 24th Street BART Station. Board at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street. Buses run every 20 minutes before 11:30 p.m. and every 30 minutes after 11:30 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 91 OWL is an overnight route connecting Pier 80 to Ocean Avenue, West Portal, and 19th Street.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12081645\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trains are stationed at the Caltrain station on King Street and Fourth Street in San Francisco on April 27, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Caltrain\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The closest Caltrain station is the 22nd Street Station, which is about a mile walk from Pier 80. Keep in mind, this stop does not have elevator service.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can plan your trip on \u003ca href=\"http://www.caltrain.com/\">Caltrain’s website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Biking\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">no valet service\u003c/a> this year. There are several nearby bike racks that you can find on SFMTA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/maps/san-francisco-bike-network-map\">Bike Network Map\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can also check out \u003ca href=\"https://bikesharemap.com/sanfrancisco/\">Bay Wheels stations\u003c/a> around Pier 80. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can use the promo code PORTOLA26 to get $5 off a ride when using a Lyft Bike.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I get picked up and dropped off by rideshare services?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">pick-up and drop-off location\u003c/a> for rideshare services like Lyft and Uber is located at \u003ca href=\"https://pier70sf.com/\">Pier 70\u003c/a>. Expect traffic delays and accompanying surge prices on apps like Uber and Lyft.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do I need to know about accessibility at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">no pre-registration for accessibility\u003c/a>. Instead, you’ll have to register onsite at the event itself, at the two Accessibility Services Hubs near the Box Office at the entrance and inside the venue. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At the hub, you can get help registering your service animal, getting an Assisted Listening Device System and getting an accessibility wristband. Do not take off the wristband during the festival weekend. A companion can also get a wristband.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098847\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Arias, 36, wears a Victorian-style wig at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the festival’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">website\u003c/a>, “The venue is navigable for people with mobility disabilities. The event is held on primarily cement terrain.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The festival will not be able to provide transportation between stages, but can provide some guidance on navigating routes at the hubs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival website has \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">a page on its accessibility policies\u003c/a>, as well as a contact if you have more questions: \u003ca href=\"mailto:ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\">ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival is \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990263/portola-festival-lineup-2026-robyn-zara-larsson-four-tet\">coming back to San Francisco\u003c/a> on Sept. 26 and 27, with a lineup that includes Zara Larsson, Robyn, Kelela, Fatboy Slim and Swedish House Mafia.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While the festival itself is a relatively new addition to San Francisco’s musical calendar, it attracts \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/portola-music-festival-september-28-29-2024\">crowds of around 45,000 people\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While the festival itself is a relatively new addition to San Francisco’s musical calendar, it attracts \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/portola-music-festival-september-28-29-2024\">crowds of around 45,000 people\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Our guide \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054345/portola-music-festival-2025-sf-lineup-bag-policy-pier-80-parking\">last year\u003c/a> highlighted KQED’s own media and marketing campaigns manager, Emma Yee, who has attended the Portola Music Festival every year since it launched in 2022. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Our guide \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054345/portola-music-festival-2025-sf-lineup-bag-policy-pier-80-parking\">last year\u003c/a> highlighted KQED’s own media and marketing campaigns manager, Emma Yee, who has attended the Portola Music Festival every year since it launched in 2022. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097016\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Warren Manio, 36, sits on top of his friend’s shoulders as Natasha Bedingfield performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 28, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097016\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Warren Manio, 36, sits on top of his friend’s shoulders as Natasha Bedingfield performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 28, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Yee said that for her, what sets this event apart from the more well-known festivals like Outside Lands and Stern Grove is its industrial-feeling Pier 80 warehouse location near the Dogpatch District.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Yee said that for her, what sets this event apart from the more well-known festivals like Outside Lands and Stern Grove is its industrial-feeling Pier 80 warehouse location near the Dogpatch District.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s in between a big naval ship and a big crane,” she said, and for her this “bare-bones” aesthetic makes Portola’s lineup — which includes EDM, alternative and pop acts — all the more enjoyable. “It has a very specific curated taste that’s kind of hard to encapsulate, but it all kind of somehow works together.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s in between a big naval ship and a big crane,” she said, and for her this “bare-bones” aesthetic makes Portola’s lineup — which includes EDM, alternative and pop acts — all the more enjoyable. “It has a very specific curated taste that’s kind of hard to encapsulate, but it all kind of somehow works together.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’ve already got tickets to the Portola Music Festival — or are contemplating buying them — keep reading for our guide to everything you need to know about attending, with insider tips on what to bring, advice for first-timers, road closures, public transportation options and more. Keep in mind, some details — like food and transit details — have not yet been released for this year’s festival and are likely to be published closer to the date. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’ve already got tickets to the Portola Music Festival — or are contemplating buying them — keep reading for our guide to everything you need to know about attending, with insider tips on what to bring, advice for first-timers, road closures, public transportation options and more. Keep in mind, some details — like food and transit details — have not yet been released for this year’s festival and are likely to be published closer to the date. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When and where is the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival spans a whole weekend: Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Doors open at 1 p.m. each day, and music ends around 11 p.m. The entrance to the event is at \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">900 Marin St. in San Francisco\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Doors open at 1 p.m. each day, and music ends around 11 p.m. The entrance to the event is at \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">900 Marin St. in San Francisco\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You can view the entire festival lineup — and the set times — on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/set-times/\">Portola Music Festival’s website\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>You can view the entire festival lineup — and the set times — on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/set-times/\">Portola Music Festival’s website\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>KQED Arts also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990263/portola-festival-lineup-2026-robyn-zara-larsson-four-tet\">highlighted key performers\u003c/a> who are set to appear at the festival.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>KQED Arts also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990263/portola-festival-lineup-2026-robyn-zara-larsson-four-tet\">highlighted key performers\u003c/a> who are set to appear at the festival.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Along with the weekend festival, there is also \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/portola-week/\">Portola Week,\u003c/a> which hosts a wide range of acts. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Along with the weekend festival, there is also \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/portola-week/\">Portola Week,\u003c/a> which hosts a wide range of acts. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Many of the lineup performers will \u003cem>also\u003c/em> be playing during Portola Week — so if there is a conflict and you can’t make it to a performance during a festival — or couldn’t get tickets at all — you \u003cem>may \u003c/em>be able to catch them at another venue if you move fast.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Many of the lineup performers will \u003cem>also\u003c/em> be playing during Portola Week — so if there is a conflict and you can’t make it to a performance during a festival — or couldn’t get tickets at all — you \u003cem>may \u003c/em>be able to catch them at another venue if you move fast.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Check out the schedule and secure tickets for \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/portola-week/\">Portola Week on the festival’s website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Check out the schedule and secure tickets for \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/portola-week/\">Portola Week on the festival’s website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Can I still get tickets to the Portola Music Festival?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As of publication, \u003ca href=\"https://www.axs.com/festivals/1455602?mkt_campaign=&queueittoken=e_4810573852172~q_883a51b7-df79-45ca-a85b-f8598a924e9f~ts_1788454070~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_44961655dfd2af3f1c796de9dcc2614e2d36506c01c01cd8cadd7635c082197b\">passes to the Portola Music Festival — including VIP packages — were still available on AXS\u003c/a>. Remember, the event is for ages 21+ only.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As of publication, \u003ca href=\"https://www.axs.com/festivals/1455602?mkt_campaign=&queueittoken=e_4810573852172~q_883a51b7-df79-45ca-a85b-f8598a924e9f~ts_1788454070~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_44961655dfd2af3f1c796de9dcc2614e2d36506c01c01cd8cadd7635c082197b\">passes to the Portola Music Festival — including VIP packages — were still available on AXS\u003c/a>. Remember, the event is for ages 21+ only.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/passes/\">festival’s website\u003c/a> warns people \u003cem>not\u003c/em> to buy passes from a third party, and that organizers “won’t service, authenticate or support passes” purchased from a third party or scalper. If you decide to forge ahead with buying a third-party ticket, Portola organizers also note that receipts and order confirmations can be faked or forged, so “don’t be fooled.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/passes/\">festival’s website\u003c/a> warns people \u003cem>not\u003c/em> to buy passes from a third party, and that organizers “won’t service, authenticate or support passes” purchased from a third party or scalper. If you decide to forge ahead with buying a third-party ticket, Portola organizers also note that receipts and order confirmations can be faked or forged, so “don’t be fooled.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "What should I know about the Portola Music Festival’s Pier 80 venue?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the Portola Music Festival’s Pier 80 venue?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"text": "Plan for poor phone service"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plan for poor phone service\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A pro tip from Yee: She advised you to make sure that your tickets are already loaded on the \u003ca href=\"https://support.axs.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002034107-What-is-AXS-Mobile-ID\">AXS Mobile app\u003c/a> you used to purchase them, or are waiting in your phone’s wallet app — because the cell signal at Pier 80 is not super strong, and you might not be able to do this in line. Consider also bringing a portable charger, she said, which is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#what-can-i-bring\">allowed at this festival\u003c/a> (some venues prohibit them).\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>A pro tip from Yee: She advised you to make sure that your tickets are already loaded on the \u003ca href=\"https://support.axs.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002034107-What-is-AXS-Mobile-ID\">AXS Mobile app\u003c/a> you used to purchase them, or are waiting in your phone’s wallet app — because the cell signal at Pier 80 is not super strong, and you might not be able to do this in line. Consider also bringing a portable charger, she said, which is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#what-can-i-bring\">allowed at this festival\u003c/a> (some venues prohibit them).\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you are going with a group of people and you decide to split up, establish a meeting spot where you can get together again — in case your messages are slow to send.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you are going with a group of people and you decide to split up, establish a meeting spot where you can get together again — in case your messages are slow to send.\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098827\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christina Aguilera performs on the Pier Stage at Portola Festival in San Francisco, on Sept. 20, 2025.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098827\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christina Aguilera performs on the Pier Stage at Portola Festival in San Francisco, on Sept. 20, 2025.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don’t rely on cash\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/#general-info\">a cashless event\u003c/a>, but any cash you do bring can be converted to a prepaid Visa Card at a Guest Service booth.\u003cem> \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/#general-info\">a cashless event\u003c/a>, but any cash you do bring can be converted to a prepaid Visa Card at a Guest Service booth.\u003cem> \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While the Pier 80 venue is on “the smaller side” as festivals go, noted Yee, it also has a lot of “open space” that makes it relatively easy to jump from stage to stage. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>While the Pier 80 venue is on “the smaller side” as festivals go, noted Yee, it also has a lot of “open space” that makes it relatively easy to jump from stage to stage. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That said, usual festival rules apply: If you want to get a good spot for a set, be sure to get to that stage early to avoid a mass of people. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That said, usual festival rules apply: If you want to get a good spot for a set, be sure to get to that stage early to avoid a mass of people. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But also be aware of your own health and bodily needs — KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12093415/the-no-judgement-guide-to-not-passing-out-at-a-concert-and-other-concert-health-tips\">a thorough guide on concert health\u003c/a> that tackles fainting, dehydration, standing in the heat and the all-encompassing festival-goer’s mission of avoiding the dreaded port-a-potties.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But also be aware of your own health and bodily needs — KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12093415/the-no-judgement-guide-to-not-passing-out-at-a-concert-and-other-concert-health-tips\">a thorough guide on concert health\u003c/a> that tackles fainting, dehydration, standing in the heat and the all-encompassing festival-goer’s mission of avoiding the dreaded port-a-potties.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Also, be prepared to move around a stage a little, advised Yee, as the volume of Portola sets can range widely from extremely loud (earplugs are recommended) to “on the quiet side” — especially the stages near the water.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Also, be prepared to move around a stage a little, advised Yee, as the volume of Portola sets can range widely from extremely loud (earplugs are recommended) to “on the quiet side” — especially the stages near the water.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098828\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A festival attendee wears light-up fur leg warmers at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098828\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A festival attendee wears light-up fur leg warmers at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"text": "… and dress for comfort (and variable temperatures)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">… and dress for comfort (and variable temperatures)\u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">… and dress for comfort (and variable temperatures)\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Over the years, Portola organizers have added blue astroturf and floor mats to make standing on Pier 80’s concrete easier on your knees and feet — but you should still plan on wearing very comfortable shoes. You’ll also find some seating and water stations around the venue.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Over the years, Portola organizers have added blue astroturf and floor mats to make standing on Pier 80’s concrete easier on your knees and feet — but you should still plan on wearing very comfortable shoes. You’ll also find some seating and water stations around the venue.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Be sure to check \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7335&lon=-122.392\">the National Weather Service\u003c/a> ahead of the festival to know what to wear. Yee advised that while the warehouse stage in particular gets very warm, the temperature can drop significantly at night. Pier 80’s waterfront location can also make for a lot of wind around the open-air stages. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Be sure to check \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7335&lon=-122.392\">the National Weather Service\u003c/a> ahead of the festival to know what to wear. Yee advised that while the warehouse stage in particular gets very warm, the temperature can drop significantly at night. Pier 80’s waterfront location can also make for a lot of wind around the open-air stages. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The event will happen \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/#general-info\">rain or shine\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://portolamusicfestival.com/faq/\">indoor and outdoor sets\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The event will happen \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/#general-info\">rain or shine\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://portolamusicfestival.com/faq/\">indoor and outdoor sets\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12054356\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Andie Romero, 30, uses a parasol decorated with colorful charms to protect herself from the sun at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 28, 2024. Romero, a festival enthusiast, has taken the parasol with her to countless festivals, considers it a staple, and has repaired it each time a charm falls off. “It’s been through a lot,” she said.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12054356\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Andie Romero, 30, uses a parasol decorated with colorful charms to protect herself from the sun at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 28, 2024. Romero, a festival enthusiast, has taken the parasol with her to countless festivals, considers it a staple, and has repaired it each time a charm falls off. “It’s been through a lot,” she said.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Don’t plan on in-and-out privileges"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>Don’t \u003c/em>plan on in-and-out privileges\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>Don’t \u003c/em>plan on in-and-out privileges\u003c/h3>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Once you enter the venue, you cannot reenter on the same day — so don’t park somewhere you’ll need to feed a meter.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Once you enter the venue, you cannot reenter on the same day — so don’t park somewhere you’ll need to feed a meter.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Know what you’ll do in a crowd situation "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Know what you’ll do in a crowd situation\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Know what you’ll do in a crowd situation\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Portola is a 21+ festival, which you may find makes this crowd feel a little less rowdy than other concerts and festivals, Yee said. If you’re among the people who’ve expressed \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/04/bad-behaviour-at-concerts-normalised-experts-say\">concern\u003c/a> about \u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/2023-concert-etiquette-guide-1234740935/\">concert etiquette\u003c/a> devolving since the pandemic — a phenomenon which even has its \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_abuse_in_the_2020s\">own Wikipedia page\u003c/a> — this might be music to your ears.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Portola is a 21+ festival, which you may find makes this crowd feel a little less rowdy than other concerts and festivals, Yee said. If you’re among the people who’ve expressed \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/04/bad-behaviour-at-concerts-normalised-experts-say\">concern\u003c/a> about \u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/2023-concert-etiquette-guide-1234740935/\">concert etiquette\u003c/a> devolving since the pandemic — a phenomenon which even has its \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_abuse_in_the_2020s\">own Wikipedia page\u003c/a> — this might be music to your ears.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It will be crowded, though, with an expected attendance of 45,000 people. If you are the type of person to get overwhelmed in a busy place, take a look at NPR’s full guide on what to do if you find yourself caught in \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053828800/south-korea-seoul-halloween-crowd-safety-tips\">a crowd crush\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>It will be crowded, though, with an expected attendance of 45,000 people. If you are the type of person to get overwhelmed in a busy place, take a look at NPR’s full guide on what to do if you find yourself caught in \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053828800/south-korea-seoul-halloween-crowd-safety-tips\">a crowd crush\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to Mehdi Moussaïd, a research scientist in Berlin who studies crowd behavior, rely on your instincts and senses if you feel like the crowd is getting too dense. If you get stuck in a crush, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053828800/south-korea-seoul-halloween-crowd-safety-tips\">move with the crowd and put your arms out\u003c/a> in front of your chest and hold them there, he told NPR in 2022.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to Mehdi Moussaïd, a research scientist in Berlin who studies crowd behavior, rely on your instincts and senses if you feel like the crowd is getting too dense. If you get stuck in a crush, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053828800/south-korea-seoul-halloween-crowd-safety-tips\">move with the crowd and put your arms out\u003c/a> in front of your chest and hold them there, he told NPR in 2022.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What’s the bag policy at the Portola Music Festival?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What’s the bag policy at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What’s the bag policy at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival has an \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#what-can-i-bring\">extensive list\u003c/a> of what you can and cannot bring to Pier 80. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival has an \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#what-can-i-bring\">extensive list\u003c/a> of what you can and cannot bring to Pier 80. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Be sure to read closely, because some classic rave attire, like toys or LED gloves, may not be allowed. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Be sure to read closely, because some classic rave attire, like toys or LED gloves, may not be allowed. \u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098832\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Justice performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098832\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Justice performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Just a few of the items prohibited under the Portola Music Festival policy include: \u003c/p>\n",
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"Non-clear bags larger than 4.5’’ x 6.5’’ x 1.5’’ ",
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"Aerosol products, including sunscreen",
"Outside food or drinks",
"Flags and flyers",
"Flashlights and glow sticks",
"Chain wallets and chains",
"Airhorns ",
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"Drugs",
"Pets (although service animals are allowed)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Non-clear bags larger than 4.5’’ x 6.5’’ x 1.5’’ \u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Masks (although medical face coverings to protect against COVID, like N95 masks, are allowed)\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Aerosol products, including sunscreen\u003c/li>\n",
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]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Outside food or drinks\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Outside food or drinks\u003c/li>\n"
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},
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Flags and flyers\u003c/li>\n",
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},
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Flashlights and glow sticks\u003c/li>\n",
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},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Chain wallets and chains\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Chain wallets and chains\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Airhorns \u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Airhorns \u003c/li>\n"
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},
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"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Audio recording devices, drones, laptops, tablets, selfie sticks and professional cameras\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Audio recording devices, drones, laptops, tablets, selfie sticks and professional cameras\u003c/li>\n"
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},
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Chairs, coolers, hammocks, tents and wagons/wheeled carts\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Chairs, coolers, hammocks, tents and wagons/wheeled carts\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Drugs\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Drugs\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Pets (although service animals are allowed)\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Pets (although service animals are allowed)\u003c/li>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12054358\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thousands of people dance as Disclosure performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12054358\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thousands of people dance as Disclosure performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival’s website also said that there can be no “VHS copies of \u003cem>Mrs. Doubtfire\u003c/em> (1993) starring Robin Williams and Sally Field with a supporting performance by Pierce Brosnan who really did nothing wrong despite being the film’s primary antagonist.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival’s website also said that there can be no “VHS copies of \u003cem>Mrs. Doubtfire\u003c/em> (1993) starring Robin Williams and Sally Field with a supporting performance by Pierce Brosnan who really did nothing wrong despite being the film’s primary antagonist.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This reporter cannot verify what will happen if you do bring a copy of the San Francisco classic.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>This reporter cannot verify what will happen if you do bring a copy of the San Francisco classic.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You can see the full list of allowed items \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/\">on the Portola website\u003c/a>, including empty water bottles 64 ounces or less, phones and chargers (although charging lockers are also \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/lockandrock/events/portola-music-festival-2026-charging-locker-rentals-192214\">available\u003c/a>) and breast pumps and stored breast milk or formula. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>You can see the full list of allowed items \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/\">on the Portola website\u003c/a>, including empty water bottles 64 ounces or less, phones and chargers (although charging lockers are also \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/lockandrock/events/portola-music-festival-2026-charging-locker-rentals-192214\">available\u003c/a>) and breast pumps and stored breast milk or formula. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerBlocks": []
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Is there food at the Portola Music Festival?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there food at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Food, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are available at the festival, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#food-drink\">a list of vendors found on the website\u003c/a> including:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Food, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are available at the festival, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#food-drink\">a list of vendors found on the website\u003c/a> including:\u003c/p>\n"
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"Saigon Sandwich",
"Noodle Boys",
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"Humphry Slocombe",
"Love Burn Hot Chicken",
"Sunrise Deli"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Señor Sisig\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Saigon Sandwich\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Noodle Boys\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Noodle Boys\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Bodega SF\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Bodega SF\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Humphry Slocombe\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Humphry Slocombe\u003c/li>\n"
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},
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Love Burn Hot Chicken\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Love Burn Hot Chicken\u003c/li>\n"
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},
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"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Sunrise Deli\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Sunrise Deli\u003c/li>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There will be vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There will be vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There are also free water refill stations at the site.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There are also free water refill stations at the site.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Is there parking at the Portola Music Festival?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there parking at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there parking at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Festival officials highly recommend that you \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">\u003cem>not\u003c/em> drive\u003c/a> to the event, since there is no designated parking available at Pier 80. There is also no designated ADA parking.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Festival officials highly recommend that you \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">\u003cem>not\u003c/em> drive\u003c/a> to the event, since there is no designated parking available at Pier 80. There is also no designated ADA parking.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you do end up driving, you may be able to find parking in the Dogpatch near Pier 80 by using \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/\">third-party apps like SpotHero\u003c/a>. Be careful not to block driveways and sidewalks, unless you’d like to return to find your car towed.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you do end up driving, you may be able to find parking in the Dogpatch near Pier 80 by using \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/\">third-party apps like SpotHero\u003c/a>. Be careful not to block driveways and sidewalks, unless you’d like to return to find your car towed.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098842\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gesaffelstein performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098842\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gesaffelstein performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Some Caltrain stations — although \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/station/22ndstreet\">not the ones closest to Pier 80\u003c/a> — have \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/rider-information/parking\">parking for around $5.50\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Some Caltrain stations — although \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/station/22ndstreet\">not the ones closest to Pier 80\u003c/a> — have \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/rider-information/parking\">parking for around $5.50\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Remember, break-ins are common in the Bay, so leave nothing visible in your vehicle. Never leave any electronics, like laptops, in your vehicle, even if you think they’re hidden. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Remember, break-ins are common in the Bay, so leave nothing visible in your vehicle. Never leave any electronics, like laptops, in your vehicle, even if you think they’re hidden. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Read KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11959799/how-to-avoid-a-car-break-in-bay-area\">full guide\u003c/a> to reducing your chances of suffering a car break-in in San Francisco (and if you’re unlucky enough to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11959477/car-break-ins-bay-area-glass-repair-what-to-do\">your car broken into\u003c/a>, our guide to how to claim the costs of window repair and stolen items from your insurance).\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Read KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11959799/how-to-avoid-a-car-break-in-bay-area\">full guide\u003c/a> to reducing your chances of suffering a car break-in in San Francisco (and if you’re unlucky enough to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11959477/car-break-ins-bay-area-glass-repair-what-to-do\">your car broken into\u003c/a>, our guide to how to claim the costs of window repair and stolen items from your insurance).\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What are the closest public transit options to the Portola Music Festival?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the closest public transit options to the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the closest public transit options to the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Here are the available public transit options. To avoid getting stranded, be sure to check when your last train or bus leaves. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Here are the available public transit options. To avoid getting stranded, be sure to check when your last train or bus leaves. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
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"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "BART and shuttles"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BART and shuttles\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BART and shuttles\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you take BART to the 24th Street station in San Francisco’s Mission District, you can walk to the intersection of Valencia Street and 24th Street to take Portola’s free shuttle to Pier 80. You can plan your journey by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/planner\">BART’s Trip Planner\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you take BART to the 24th Street station in San Francisco’s Mission District, you can walk to the intersection of Valencia Street and 24th Street to take Portola’s free shuttle to Pier 80. You can plan your journey by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/planner\">BART’s Trip Planner\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Free Shuttles \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">will consistently run\u003c/a> between Pier 80 and 24th Street from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. People will be picked up at the corner of 24th Street and Valencia Street.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Free Shuttles \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">will consistently run\u003c/a> between Pier 80 and 24th Street from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. People will be picked up at the corner of 24th Street and Valencia Street.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Email \u003ca href=\"mailto:ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\">ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\u003c/a> ahead of time to secure a spot on the festival’s accessible shuttles.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Email \u003ca href=\"mailto:ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\">ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\u003c/a> ahead of time to secure a spot on the festival’s accessible shuttles.\u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A BART train arrives as riders wait on the platform at the 24th Street Mission Station in San Francisco on Feb. 26, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097280\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A BART train arrives as riders wait on the platform at the 24th Street Mission Station in San Francisco on Feb. 26, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"text": "SF Muni"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SF Muni\u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Figure out your route by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/trip-planner\">SFMTA’s Trip Planner\u003c/a>.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Figure out your route by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/trip-planner\">SFMTA’s Trip Planner\u003c/a>.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">the music festival’s website\u003c/a>, your options for getting to the events are:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">the music festival’s website\u003c/a>, your options for getting to the events are:\u003c/p>\n"
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"T Third Train: From the Powell Street BART Station, walk to the Union Square/Market Street Station and board Muni’s T Third line toward Sunnydale. Get off at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, just a block from Pier 80.",
"Route 48 Quintara: Exit at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.",
"Route 19 Polk: Exit at the intersection of Connecticut Street and Cesar Chavez Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.",
"Route 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express: Exit at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, two blocks from Pier 80."
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>T Third Train: From the Powell Street BART Station, walk to the Union Square/Market Street Station and board Muni’s T Third line toward Sunnydale. Get off at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, just a block from Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>T Third Train: From the Powell Street BART Station, walk to the Union Square/Market Street Station and board Muni’s T Third line toward Sunnydale. Get off at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, just a block from Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Route 48 Quintara: Exit at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Route 48 Quintara: Exit at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Route 19 Polk: Exit at the intersection of Connecticut Street and Cesar Chavez Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Route 19 Polk: Exit at the intersection of Connecticut Street and Cesar Chavez Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Route 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express: Exit at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, two blocks from Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Route 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express: Exit at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, two blocks from Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When leaving the event, the options are:\u003c/p>\n",
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"T Third Train at the Third Street & 23rd Street Station or Third Street & Evans Avenue Station.",
"Route 48 Quintara runs 24/7 and connects to the 24th Street BART Station. Board at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street. Buses run every 20 minutes before 11:30 p.m. and every 30 minutes after 11:30 p.m.",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Keep in mind that the platform at Third Street and Marin Street will be temporarily unavailable from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., according to the website. \u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Keep in mind that the platform at Third Street and Marin Street will be temporarily unavailable from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., according to the website. \u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>The trains will stop at the Union Square-Market Street Station, where you can walk to the Powell Street BART Station, Market Street bus routes or AC Transit Transbay Bus Service. The Union Square-Market Street Station, Chinatown Station and Yerba Buena/Moscone stations will stay open late until 1 a.m.\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>The trains will stop at the Union Square-Market Street Station, where you can walk to the Powell Street BART Station, Market Street bus routes or AC Transit Transbay Bus Service. The Union Square-Market Street Station, Chinatown Station and Yerba Buena/Moscone stations will stay open late until 1 a.m.\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>T Third Train at the Third Street & 23rd Street Station or Third Street & Evans Avenue Station.\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Route 48 Quintara runs 24/7 and connects to the 24th Street BART Station. Board at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street. Buses run every 20 minutes before 11:30 p.m. and every 30 minutes after 11:30 p.m.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Route 48 Quintara runs 24/7 and connects to the 24th Street BART Station. Board at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street. Buses run every 20 minutes before 11:30 p.m. and every 30 minutes after 11:30 p.m.\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Route 91 OWL is an overnight route connecting Pier 80 to Ocean Avenue, West Portal, and 19th Street.\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Route 91 OWL is an overnight route connecting Pier 80 to Ocean Avenue, West Portal, and 19th Street.\u003c/li>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12081645\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trains are stationed at the Caltrain station on King Street and Fourth Street in San Francisco on April 27, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12081645\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trains are stationed at the Caltrain station on King Street and Fourth Street in San Francisco on April 27, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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{
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"text": "Caltrain"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Caltrain\u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Caltrain\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The closest Caltrain station is the 22nd Street Station, which is about a mile walk from Pier 80. Keep in mind, this stop does not have elevator service.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The closest Caltrain station is the 22nd Street Station, which is about a mile walk from Pier 80. Keep in mind, this stop does not have elevator service.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You can plan your trip on \u003ca href=\"http://www.caltrain.com/\">Caltrain’s website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>You can plan your trip on \u003ca href=\"http://www.caltrain.com/\">Caltrain’s website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
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"text": "Biking"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Biking\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Biking\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">no valet service\u003c/a> this year. There are several nearby bike racks that you can find on SFMTA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/maps/san-francisco-bike-network-map\">Bike Network Map\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">no valet service\u003c/a> this year. There are several nearby bike racks that you can find on SFMTA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/maps/san-francisco-bike-network-map\">Bike Network Map\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You can also check out \u003ca href=\"https://bikesharemap.com/sanfrancisco/\">Bay Wheels stations\u003c/a> around Pier 80. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>You can also check out \u003ca href=\"https://bikesharemap.com/sanfrancisco/\">Bay Wheels stations\u003c/a> around Pier 80. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You can use the promo code PORTOLA26 to get $5 off a ride when using a Lyft Bike.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>You can use the promo code PORTOLA26 to get $5 off a ride when using a Lyft Bike.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Where can I get picked up and dropped off by rideshare services?",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I get picked up and dropped off by rideshare services?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I get picked up and dropped off by rideshare services?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">pick-up and drop-off location\u003c/a> for rideshare services like Lyft and Uber is located at \u003ca href=\"https://pier70sf.com/\">Pier 70\u003c/a>. Expect traffic delays and accompanying surge prices on apps like Uber and Lyft.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">pick-up and drop-off location\u003c/a> for rideshare services like Lyft and Uber is located at \u003ca href=\"https://pier70sf.com/\">Pier 70\u003c/a>. Expect traffic delays and accompanying surge prices on apps like Uber and Lyft.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What do I need to know about accessibility at the Portola Music Festival?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do I need to know about accessibility at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do I need to know about accessibility at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">no pre-registration for accessibility\u003c/a>. Instead, you’ll have to register onsite at the event itself, at the two Accessibility Services Hubs near the Box Office at the entrance and inside the venue. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">no pre-registration for accessibility\u003c/a>. Instead, you’ll have to register onsite at the event itself, at the two Accessibility Services Hubs near the Box Office at the entrance and inside the venue. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>At the hub, you can get help registering your service animal, getting an Assisted Listening Device System and getting an accessibility wristband. Do not take off the wristband during the festival weekend. A companion can also get a wristband.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>At the hub, you can get help registering your service animal, getting an Assisted Listening Device System and getting an accessibility wristband. Do not take off the wristband during the festival weekend. A companion can also get a wristband.\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098847\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Arias, 36, wears a Victorian-style wig at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098847\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Arias, 36, wears a Victorian-style wig at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to the festival’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">website\u003c/a>, “The venue is navigable for people with mobility disabilities. The event is held on primarily cement terrain.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to the festival’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">website\u003c/a>, “The venue is navigable for people with mobility disabilities. The event is held on primarily cement terrain.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The festival will not be able to provide transportation between stages, but can provide some guidance on navigating routes at the hubs. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The festival will not be able to provide transportation between stages, but can provide some guidance on navigating routes at the hubs. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival website has \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">a page on its accessibility policies\u003c/a>, as well as a contact if you have more questions: \u003ca href=\"mailto:ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\">ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival website has \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">a page on its accessibility policies\u003c/a>, as well as a contact if you have more questions: \u003ca href=\"mailto:ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\">ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"excerpt": "The Portola Music Festival is coming back to San Francisco, and KQED has the ultimate guide on how to prepare for the weekend.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival is \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990263/portola-festival-lineup-2026-robyn-zara-larsson-four-tet\">coming back to San Francisco\u003c/a> on Sept. 26 and 27, with a lineup that includes Zara Larsson, Robyn, Kelela, Fatboy Slim and Swedish House Mafia.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the festival itself is a relatively new addition to San Francisco’s musical calendar, it attracts \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/portola-music-festival-september-28-29-2024\">crowds of around 45,000 people\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Our guide \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12054345/portola-music-festival-2025-sf-lineup-bag-policy-pier-80-parking\">last year\u003c/a> highlighted KQED’s own media and marketing campaigns manager, Emma Yee, who has attended the Portola Music Festival every year since it launched in 2022. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097016\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/240928_Portola_EG_34_qed-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Warren Manio, 36, sits on top of his friend’s shoulders as Natasha Bedingfield performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 28, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Yee said that for her, what sets this event apart from the more well-known festivals like Outside Lands and Stern Grove is its industrial-feeling Pier 80 warehouse location near the Dogpatch District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s in between a big naval ship and a big crane,” she said, and for her this “bare-bones” aesthetic makes Portola’s lineup — which includes EDM, alternative and pop acts — all the more enjoyable. “It has a very specific curated taste that’s kind of hard to encapsulate, but it all kind of somehow works together.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’ve already got tickets to the Portola Music Festival — or are contemplating buying them — keep reading for our guide to everything you need to know about attending, with insider tips on what to bring, advice for first-timers, road closures, public transportation options and more. Keep in mind, some details — like food and transit details — have not yet been released for this year’s festival and are likely to be published closer to the date. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When and where is the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival spans a whole weekend: Saturday, Sept. 26, and Sunday, Sept. 27. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Doors open at 1 p.m. each day, and music ends around 11 p.m. The entrance to the event is at \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">900 Marin St. in San Francisco\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can view the entire festival lineup — and the set times — on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/set-times/\">Portola Music Festival’s website\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED Arts also \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13990263/portola-festival-lineup-2026-robyn-zara-larsson-four-tet\">highlighted key performers\u003c/a> who are set to appear at the festival.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Along with the weekend festival, there is also \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/portola-week/\">Portola Week,\u003c/a> which hosts a wide range of acts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many of the lineup performers will \u003cem>also\u003c/em> be playing during Portola Week — so if there is a conflict and you can’t make it to a performance during a festival — or couldn’t get tickets at all — you \u003cem>may \u003c/em>be able to catch them at another venue if you move fast.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Check out the schedule and secure tickets for \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/portola-week/\">Portola Week on the festival’s website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I still get tickets to the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As of publication, \u003ca href=\"https://www.axs.com/festivals/1455602?mkt_campaign=&queueittoken=e_4810573852172~q_883a51b7-df79-45ca-a85b-f8598a924e9f~ts_1788454070~ce_true~rt_safetynet~h_44961655dfd2af3f1c796de9dcc2614e2d36506c01c01cd8cadd7635c082197b\">passes to the Portola Music Festival — including VIP packages — were still available on AXS\u003c/a>. Remember, the event is for ages 21+ only.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/passes/\">festival’s website\u003c/a> warns people \u003cem>not\u003c/em> to buy passes from a third party, and that organizers “won’t service, authenticate or support passes” purchased from a third party or scalper. If you decide to forge ahead with buying a third-party ticket, Portola organizers also note that receipts and order confirmations can be faked or forged, so “don’t be fooled.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the Portola Music Festival’s Pier 80 venue?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Plan for poor phone service\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A pro tip from Yee: She advised you to make sure that your tickets are already loaded on the \u003ca href=\"https://support.axs.com/hc/en-us/articles/115002034107-What-is-AXS-Mobile-ID\">AXS Mobile app\u003c/a> you used to purchase them, or are waiting in your phone’s wallet app — because the cell signal at Pier 80 is not super strong, and you might not be able to do this in line. Consider also bringing a portable charger, she said, which is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#what-can-i-bring\">allowed at this festival\u003c/a> (some venues prohibit them).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you are going with a group of people and you decide to split up, establish a meeting spot where you can get together again — in case your messages are slow to send.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098827\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/250920_Portola_day1_GH-32_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Christina Aguilera performs on the Pier Stage at Portola Festival in San Francisco, on Sept. 20, 2025. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don’t rely on cash\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/#general-info\">a cashless event\u003c/a>, but any cash you do bring can be converted to a prepaid Visa Card at a Guest Service booth.\u003cem> \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prepare to move around …\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the Pier 80 venue is on “the smaller side” as festivals go, noted Yee, it also has a lot of “open space” that makes it relatively easy to jump from stage to stage. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That said, usual festival rules apply: If you want to get a good spot for a set, be sure to get to that stage early to avoid a mass of people. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But also be aware of your own health and bodily needs — KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12093415/the-no-judgement-guide-to-not-passing-out-at-a-concert-and-other-concert-health-tips\">a thorough guide on concert health\u003c/a> that tackles fainting, dehydration, standing in the heat and the all-encompassing festival-goer’s mission of avoiding the dreaded port-a-potties.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also, be prepared to move around a stage a little, advised Yee, as the volume of Portola sets can range widely from extremely loud (earplugs are recommended) to “on the quiet side” — especially the stages near the water.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098828\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_77_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A festival attendee wears light-up fur leg warmers at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">… and dress for comfort (and variable temperatures)\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over the years, Portola organizers have added blue astroturf and floor mats to make standing on Pier 80’s concrete easier on your knees and feet — but you should still plan on wearing very comfortable shoes. You’ll also find some seating and water stations around the venue.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Be sure to check \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7335&lon=-122.392\">the National Weather Service\u003c/a> ahead of the festival to know what to wear. Yee advised that while the warehouse stage in particular gets very warm, the temperature can drop significantly at night. Pier 80’s waterfront location can also make for a lot of wind around the open-air stages. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The event will happen \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/#general-info\">rain or shine\u003c/a> and has \u003ca href=\"https://portolamusicfestival.com/faq/\">indoor and outdoor sets\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12054356\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_04_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Andie Romero, 30, uses a parasol decorated with colorful charms to protect herself from the sun at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 28, 2024. Romero, a festival enthusiast, has taken the parasol with her to countless festivals, considers it a staple, and has repaired it each time a charm falls off. “It’s been through a lot,” she said. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cem>Don’t \u003c/em>plan on in-and-out privileges\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Once you enter the venue, you cannot reenter on the same day — so don’t park somewhere you’ll need to feed a meter.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Know what you’ll do in a crowd situation\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Portola is a 21+ festival, which you may find makes this crowd feel a little less rowdy than other concerts and festivals, Yee said. If you’re among the people who’ve expressed \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/aug/04/bad-behaviour-at-concerts-normalised-experts-say\">concern\u003c/a> about \u003ca href=\"https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/2023-concert-etiquette-guide-1234740935/\">concert etiquette\u003c/a> devolving since the pandemic — a phenomenon which even has its \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_abuse_in_the_2020s\">own Wikipedia page\u003c/a> — this might be music to your ears.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It will be crowded, though, with an expected attendance of 45,000 people. If you are the type of person to get overwhelmed in a busy place, take a look at NPR’s full guide on what to do if you find yourself caught in \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053828800/south-korea-seoul-halloween-crowd-safety-tips\">a crowd crush\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to Mehdi Moussaïd, a research scientist in Berlin who studies crowd behavior, rely on your instincts and senses if you feel like the crowd is getting too dense. If you get stuck in a crush, \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2021/11/09/1053828800/south-korea-seoul-halloween-crowd-safety-tips\">move with the crowd and put your arms out\u003c/a> in front of your chest and hold them there, he told NPR in 2022.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What’s the bag policy at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival has an \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#what-can-i-bring\">extensive list\u003c/a> of what you can and cannot bring to Pier 80. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Be sure to read closely, because some classic rave attire, like toys or LED gloves, may not be allowed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098832\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_74_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Justice performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Just a few of the items prohibited under the Portola Music Festival policy include: \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Non-clear bags larger than 4.5’’ x 6.5’’ x 1.5’’ \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Masks (although medical face coverings to protect against COVID, like N95 masks, are allowed)\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Aerosol products, including sunscreen\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Outside food or drinks\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Flags and flyers\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Flashlights and glow sticks\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Chain wallets and chains\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Airhorns \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Audio recording devices, drones, laptops, tablets, selfie sticks and professional cameras\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Chairs, coolers, hammocks, tents and wagons/wheeled carts\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Drugs\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Pets (although service animals are allowed)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12054358\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/09/240928_Portola_EG_59_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thousands of people dance as Disclosure performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Sept. 29, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival’s website also said that there can be no “VHS copies of \u003cem>Mrs. Doubtfire\u003c/em> (1993) starring Robin Williams and Sally Field with a supporting performance by Pierce Brosnan who really did nothing wrong despite being the film’s primary antagonist.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This reporter cannot verify what will happen if you do bring a copy of the San Francisco classic.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can see the full list of allowed items \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/general-info/\">on the Portola website\u003c/a>, including empty water bottles 64 ounces or less, phones and chargers (although charging lockers are also \u003ca href=\"https://www.tixr.com/groups/lockandrock/events/portola-music-festival-2026-charging-locker-rentals-192214\">available\u003c/a>) and breast pumps and stored breast milk or formula. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there food at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Food, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks are available at the festival, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#food-drink\">a list of vendors found on the website\u003c/a> including:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Señor Sisig\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Saigon Sandwich\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Noodle Boys\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bodega SF\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Humphry Slocombe\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Love Burn Hot Chicken\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Sunrise Deli\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There will be vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are also free water refill stations at the site.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there parking at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Festival officials highly recommend that you \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">\u003cem>not\u003c/em> drive\u003c/a> to the event, since there is no designated parking available at Pier 80. There is also no designated ADA parking.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do end up driving, you may be able to find parking in the Dogpatch near Pier 80 by using \u003ca href=\"https://spothero.com/\">third-party apps like SpotHero\u003c/a>. Be careful not to block driveways and sidewalks, unless you’d like to return to find your car towed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098842\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_40_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gesaffelstein performs at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some Caltrain stations — although \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/station/22ndstreet\">not the ones closest to Pier 80\u003c/a> — have \u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/rider-information/parking\">parking for around $5.50\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Remember, break-ins are common in the Bay, so leave nothing visible in your vehicle. Never leave any electronics, like laptops, in your vehicle, even if you think they’re hidden. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Read KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11959799/how-to-avoid-a-car-break-in-bay-area\">full guide\u003c/a> to reducing your chances of suffering a car break-in in San Francisco (and if you’re unlucky enough to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11959477/car-break-ins-bay-area-glass-repair-what-to-do\">your car broken into\u003c/a>, our guide to how to claim the costs of window repair and stolen items from your insurance).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the closest public transit options to the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Here are the available public transit options. To avoid getting stranded, be sure to check when your last train or bus leaves. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BART and shuttles\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you take BART to the 24th Street station in San Francisco’s Mission District, you can walk to the intersection of Valencia Street and 24th Street to take Portola’s free shuttle to Pier 80. You can plan your journey by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/planner\">BART’s Trip Planner\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Free Shuttles \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">will consistently run\u003c/a> between Pier 80 and 24th Street from 12:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. People will be picked up at the corner of 24th Street and Valencia Street.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Email \u003ca href=\"mailto:ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\">ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\u003c/a> ahead of time to secure a spot on the festival’s accessible shuttles.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/022626_BARTFile_GH_003_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A BART train arrives as riders wait on the platform at the 24th Street Mission Station in San Francisco on Feb. 26, 2026. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SF Muni\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Figure out your route by using \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/trip-planner\">SFMTA’s Trip Planner\u003c/a>.\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">the music festival’s website\u003c/a>, your options for getting to the events are:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>T Third Train: From the Powell Street BART Station, walk to the Union Square/Market Street Station and board Muni’s T Third line toward Sunnydale. Get off at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, just a block from Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 48 Quintara: Exit at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 19 Polk: Exit at the intersection of Connecticut Street and Cesar Chavez Street and walk 10 minutes to Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express: Exit at the intersection of Third Street and Marin Street, two blocks from Pier 80.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When leaving the event, the options are:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>T Third Train at the Third Street & 23rd Street Station or Third Street & Evans Avenue Station.\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Keep in mind that the platform at Third Street and Marin Street will be temporarily unavailable from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., according to the website. \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>The trains will stop at the Union Square-Market Street Station, where you can walk to the Powell Street BART Station, Market Street bus routes or AC Transit Transbay Bus Service. The Union Square-Market Street Station, Chinatown Station and Yerba Buena/Moscone stations will stay open late until 1 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 48 Quintara runs 24/7 and connects to the 24th Street BART Station. Board at the intersection of 23rd Street and Third Street. Buses run every 20 minutes before 11:30 p.m. and every 30 minutes after 11:30 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Route 91 OWL is an overnight route connecting Pier 80 to Ocean Avenue, West Portal, and 19th Street.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12081645\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Trains are stationed at the Caltrain station on King Street and Fourth Street in San Francisco on April 27, 2026. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Caltrain\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The closest Caltrain station is the 22nd Street Station, which is about a mile walk from Pier 80. Keep in mind, this stop does not have elevator service.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can plan your trip on \u003ca href=\"http://www.caltrain.com/\">Caltrain’s website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Biking\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">no valet service\u003c/a> this year. There are several nearby bike racks that you can find on SFMTA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/maps/san-francisco-bike-network-map\">Bike Network Map\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can also check out \u003ca href=\"https://bikesharemap.com/sanfrancisco/\">Bay Wheels stations\u003c/a> around Pier 80. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can use the promo code PORTOLA26 to get $5 off a ride when using a Lyft Bike.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I get picked up and dropped off by rideshare services?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/plan/#get-in-get-out\">pick-up and drop-off location\u003c/a> for rideshare services like Lyft and Uber is located at \u003ca href=\"https://pier70sf.com/\">Pier 70\u003c/a>. Expect traffic delays and accompanying surge prices on apps like Uber and Lyft.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do I need to know about accessibility at the Portola Music Festival?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">no pre-registration for accessibility\u003c/a>. Instead, you’ll have to register onsite at the event itself, at the two Accessibility Services Hubs near the Box Office at the entrance and inside the venue. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At the hub, you can get help registering your service animal, getting an Assisted Listening Device System and getting an accessibility wristband. Do not take off the wristband during the festival weekend. A companion can also get a wristband.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098847\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/240928_Portola_EG_10_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Emilio Arias, 36, wears a Victorian-style wig at Portola Music Festival in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the festival’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">website\u003c/a>, “The venue is navigable for people with mobility disabilities. The event is held on primarily cement terrain.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The festival will not be able to provide transportation between stages, but can provide some guidance on navigating routes at the hubs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Portola Music Festival website has \u003ca href=\"https://www.portolamusicfestival.com/ada/\">a page on its accessibility policies\u003c/a>, as well as a contact if you have more questions: \u003ca href=\"mailto:ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\">ada.portola@goldenvoice.com\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "last-minute-california-camping-labor-day-holiday-weekend-cancellation-policy-no-show",
"title": "California Has New Camping Cancellation Rules. Are They Working?",
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"headTitle": "California Has New Camping Cancellation Rules. Are They Working? | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>After two months, it looks like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california-state-parks\">California State Parks\u003c/a>’ new campsite reservation policies — with greater penalties for last-minute cancellations and no-shows — have already begun to affect campers’ behavior.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mike Lee, the creator of last-minute campsite booking app Campsite Tonight, said he’s already seeing glimpses — however small initially — of the effect of the state’s policy change.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It just says: People have seen the news,” he said. “They do know that if they cancel too late, they don’t get any money back.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Under the \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31977\">new rules\u003c/a> introduced in July, which apply to all California State Parks, any reservation canceled seven or more days in advance will be refunded, minus an $8.25 processing fee. Between six and two days before your arrival, you will also lose the first night’s fee. Within two days, there will be no refund at all. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12079261\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Josh Dillen and reporter Sarah Wright begin setting up a tent at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you no-show three times within a calendar year, State Parks says it will ban your account from placing new reservations for one year. This is a change from prior policy, which was much more lenient and would refund no-shows their entire reservation cost minus the first night.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lee said he’s encouraged by the results he’s seeing from Campsite Tonight’s data. He found that more people — around 76% — are canceling more than a week out from their reservation under the new policy. Before the introduction of the policy, he said, that number was closer to just 70%. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cancellations within six days of one’s reservation have also decreased by around 5%, Lee said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#cancellation\">How you can score California camping cancellations\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s nice that you can see a little bit of a trend shifting towards canceling earlier and getting more of your money back,” he said — although he concedes the impact so far is “a little shift, but it’s not, like, humongous.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The new policy, which was passed in the \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB618\">state Legislature\u003c/a>, is \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31977\">intended to encourage\u003c/a> early cancellations so that sites can be rebooked rather than sit empty.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>California State Parks says it is still in the process of gathering and verifying its own data, but that the transition to a new policy has been “successful,” spokesperson Adeline Yee said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We are seeing that customers will cancel their reservation, even if they are no longer eligible for a refund,” said Yee.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cancellation\">Timely cancellations create camping opportunities for others\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This week, ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, Lee said his data showed that nearly 300 two- or three-night reservations at popular state and federal sites in California were canceled ahead of the three-day weekend — making them available to prospective last-minute campers across popular parks in the state. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That’s not even including the one-night trips that were canceled, which Lee said make up a majority of reservations and cancellations for California campsites. His analysis also excludes all the last-minute cancellations due to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097092/timber-fire-big-sur-highway-1-closed-again-wildfire-map-evacuation-august-2026\">fires around Big Sur\u003c/a> that are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096539/going-camping-during-fire-season-heres-what-to-know\">forcing people to abandon their camping plans\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12052998\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman takes in the view of Half Dome at sunrise while camping in the mountains on Jan. 6, 2015. (Jordan Siemens/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There \u003cem>are \u003c/em>opportunities to go last-minute,” Lee said. “You just have to be open to it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Compared to federal campgrounds, California State Parks saw a lower percentage of last-minute campsite cancellations, according to the Campsite Tonight data — which Lee said indicates to him that campers are getting the message from the state.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, it will probably take more time to see a more full picture, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It really depends on how the enforcement of the three no-shows [rule] takes place,” Lee noted, adding that “people who like to skirt the rules are pretty easy at finding the loophole.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>State Parks’ Yee said when no-shows happen, park staff are marking them in their system, and anyone whose account is at risk of being restricted will be notified. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Prior to the policy change, Lee said, the relative cost of a State Parks campsite — around $30 per night — was likely low enough that people were just no-showing and eating that money without formally canceling.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People like to have the optionality,” he said. “There’s very little penalty.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The way to California campsite cancellation\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The big thing to know: When someone cancels their reservation at a California state park, it doesn’t become available right away on reservecalifornia.com. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Instead, the campsite goes into a queue to be released the following day at 8 a.m. PT.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So if you’re interested in a particular campground or campsite, your best bet is to check each morning at 8 a.m. for any new availability. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Or, if you’re not attached to where you’re going, you can use a website like \u003ca href=\"https://campsitetonight.app/california-releasing-sites\">Lee’s\u003c/a>, which lists upcoming available sites for your browsing pleasure.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Under the \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31977\">new rules\u003c/a> introduced in July, which apply to all California State Parks, any reservation canceled seven or more days in advance will be refunded, minus an $8.25 processing fee. Between six and two days before your arrival, you will also lose the first night’s fee. Within two days, there will be no refund at all. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12079261\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Josh Dillen and reporter Sarah Wright begin setting up a tent at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And if you no-show three times within a calendar year, State Parks says it will ban your account from placing new reservations for one year. This is a change from prior policy, which was much more lenient and would refund no-shows their entire reservation cost minus the first night.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And if you no-show three times within a calendar year, State Parks says it will ban your account from placing new reservations for one year. This is a change from prior policy, which was much more lenient and would refund no-shows their entire reservation cost minus the first night.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Lee said he’s encouraged by the results he’s seeing from Campsite Tonight’s data. He found that more people — around 76% — are canceling more than a week out from their reservation under the new policy. Before the introduction of the policy, he said, that number was closer to just 70%. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Lee said he’s encouraged by the results he’s seeing from Campsite Tonight’s data. He found that more people — around 76% — are canceling more than a week out from their reservation under the new policy. Before the introduction of the policy, he said, that number was closer to just 70%. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Cancellations within six days of one’s reservation have also decreased by around 5%, Lee said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#cancellation\">How you can score California camping cancellations\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#cancellation\">How you can score California camping cancellations\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s nice that you can see a little bit of a trend shifting towards canceling earlier and getting more of your money back,” he said — although he concedes the impact so far is “a little shift, but it’s not, like, humongous.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s nice that you can see a little bit of a trend shifting towards canceling earlier and getting more of your money back,” he said — although he concedes the impact so far is “a little shift, but it’s not, like, humongous.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The new policy, which was passed in the \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB618\">state Legislature\u003c/a>, is \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31977\">intended to encourage\u003c/a> early cancellations so that sites can be rebooked rather than sit empty.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The new policy, which was passed in the \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB618\">state Legislature\u003c/a>, is \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31977\">intended to encourage\u003c/a> early cancellations so that sites can be rebooked rather than sit empty.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>California State Parks says it is still in the process of gathering and verifying its own data, but that the transition to a new policy has been “successful,” spokesperson Adeline Yee said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We are seeing that customers will cancel their reservation, even if they are no longer eligible for a refund,” said Yee.\u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "Timely cancellations create camping opportunities for others",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This week, ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, Lee said his data showed that nearly 300 two- or three-night reservations at popular state and federal sites in California were canceled ahead of the three-day weekend — making them available to prospective last-minute campers across popular parks in the state. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>This week, ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, Lee said his data showed that nearly 300 two- or three-night reservations at popular state and federal sites in California were canceled ahead of the three-day weekend — making them available to prospective last-minute campers across popular parks in the state. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That’s not even including the one-night trips that were canceled, which Lee said make up a majority of reservations and cancellations for California campsites. His analysis also excludes all the last-minute cancellations due to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097092/timber-fire-big-sur-highway-1-closed-again-wildfire-map-evacuation-august-2026\">fires around Big Sur\u003c/a> that are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096539/going-camping-during-fire-season-heres-what-to-know\">forcing people to abandon their camping plans\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That’s not even including the one-night trips that were canceled, which Lee said make up a majority of reservations and cancellations for California campsites. His analysis also excludes all the last-minute cancellations due to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097092/timber-fire-big-sur-highway-1-closed-again-wildfire-map-evacuation-august-2026\">fires around Big Sur\u003c/a> that are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096539/going-camping-during-fire-season-heres-what-to-know\">forcing people to abandon their camping plans\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12052998\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman takes in the view of Half Dome at sunrise while camping in the mountains on Jan. 6, 2015.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jordan Siemens/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12052998\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman takes in the view of Half Dome at sunrise while camping in the mountains on Jan. 6, 2015.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jordan Siemens/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There \u003cem>are \u003c/em>opportunities to go last-minute,” Lee said. “You just have to be open to it.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“There \u003cem>are \u003c/em>opportunities to go last-minute,” Lee said. “You just have to be open to it.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Compared to federal campgrounds, California State Parks saw a lower percentage of last-minute campsite cancellations, according to the Campsite Tonight data — which Lee said indicates to him that campers are getting the message from the state.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Compared to federal campgrounds, California State Parks saw a lower percentage of last-minute campsite cancellations, according to the Campsite Tonight data — which Lee said indicates to him that campers are getting the message from the state.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Still, it will probably take more time to see a more full picture, he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It really depends on how the enforcement of the three no-shows [rule] takes place,” Lee noted, adding that “people who like to skirt the rules are pretty easy at finding the loophole.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It really depends on how the enforcement of the three no-shows [rule] takes place,” Lee noted, adding that “people who like to skirt the rules are pretty easy at finding the loophole.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>State Parks’ Yee said when no-shows happen, park staff are marking them in their system, and anyone whose account is at risk of being restricted will be notified. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>State Parks’ Yee said when no-shows happen, park staff are marking them in their system, and anyone whose account is at risk of being restricted will be notified. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Prior to the policy change, Lee said, the relative cost of a State Parks campsite — around $30 per night — was likely low enough that people were just no-showing and eating that money without formally canceling.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Prior to the policy change, Lee said, the relative cost of a State Parks campsite — around $30 per night — was likely low enough that people were just no-showing and eating that money without formally canceling.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“People like to have the optionality,” he said. “There’s very little penalty.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The big thing to know: When someone cancels their reservation at a California state park, it doesn’t become available right away on reservecalifornia.com. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Instead, the campsite goes into a queue to be released the following day at 8 a.m. PT.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So if you’re interested in a particular campground or campsite, your best bet is to check each morning at 8 a.m. for any new availability. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>So if you’re interested in a particular campground or campsite, your best bet is to check each morning at 8 a.m. for any new availability. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Or, if you’re not attached to where you’re going, you can use a website like \u003ca href=\"https://campsitetonight.app/california-releasing-sites\">Lee’s\u003c/a>, which lists upcoming available sites for your browsing pleasure.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Or, if you’re not attached to where you’re going, you can use a website like \u003ca href=\"https://campsitetonight.app/california-releasing-sites\">Lee’s\u003c/a>, which lists upcoming available sites for your browsing pleasure.\u003c/p>\n"
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"excerpt": "Early signs show campers are canceling sooner, freeing up last-minute bookings for others.\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>After two months, it looks like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california-state-parks\">California State Parks\u003c/a>’ new campsite reservation policies — with greater penalties for last-minute cancellations and no-shows — have already begun to affect campers’ behavior.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mike Lee, the creator of last-minute campsite booking app Campsite Tonight, said he’s already seeing glimpses — however small initially — of the effect of the state’s policy change.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It just says: People have seen the news,” he said. “They do know that if they cancel too late, they don’t get any money back.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Under the \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31977\">new rules\u003c/a> introduced in July, which apply to all California State Parks, any reservation canceled seven or more days in advance will be refunded, minus an $8.25 processing fee. Between six and two days before your arrival, you will also lose the first night’s fee. Within two days, there will be no refund at all. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12079261\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Josh Dillen and reporter Sarah Wright begin setting up a tent at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you no-show three times within a calendar year, State Parks says it will ban your account from placing new reservations for one year. This is a change from prior policy, which was much more lenient and would refund no-shows their entire reservation cost minus the first night.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Lee said he’s encouraged by the results he’s seeing from Campsite Tonight’s data. He found that more people — around 76% — are canceling more than a week out from their reservation under the new policy. Before the introduction of the policy, he said, that number was closer to just 70%. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cancellations within six days of one’s reservation have also decreased by around 5%, Lee said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump to: \u003ca href=\"#cancellation\">How you can score California camping cancellations\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s nice that you can see a little bit of a trend shifting towards canceling earlier and getting more of your money back,” he said — although he concedes the impact so far is “a little shift, but it’s not, like, humongous.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The new policy, which was passed in the \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB618\">state Legislature\u003c/a>, is \u003ca href=\"https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31977\">intended to encourage\u003c/a> early cancellations so that sites can be rebooked rather than sit empty.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>California State Parks says it is still in the process of gathering and verifying its own data, but that the transition to a new policy has been “successful,” spokesperson Adeline Yee said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We are seeing that customers will cancel their reservation, even if they are no longer eligible for a refund,” said Yee.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cancellation\">Timely cancellations create camping opportunities for others\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This week, ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend, Lee said his data showed that nearly 300 two- or three-night reservations at popular state and federal sites in California were canceled ahead of the three-day weekend — making them available to prospective last-minute campers across popular parks in the state. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That’s not even including the one-night trips that were canceled, which Lee said make up a majority of reservations and cancellations for California campsites. His analysis also excludes all the last-minute cancellations due to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097092/timber-fire-big-sur-highway-1-closed-again-wildfire-map-evacuation-august-2026\">fires around Big Sur\u003c/a> that are \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096539/going-camping-during-fire-season-heres-what-to-know\">forcing people to abandon their camping plans\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12052998\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/CampingGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A woman takes in the view of Half Dome at sunrise while camping in the mountains on Jan. 6, 2015. (Jordan Siemens/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There \u003cem>are \u003c/em>opportunities to go last-minute,” Lee said. “You just have to be open to it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Compared to federal campgrounds, California State Parks saw a lower percentage of last-minute campsite cancellations, according to the Campsite Tonight data — which Lee said indicates to him that campers are getting the message from the state.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, it will probably take more time to see a more full picture, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It really depends on how the enforcement of the three no-shows [rule] takes place,” Lee noted, adding that “people who like to skirt the rules are pretty easy at finding the loophole.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>State Parks’ Yee said when no-shows happen, park staff are marking them in their system, and anyone whose account is at risk of being restricted will be notified. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Prior to the policy change, Lee said, the relative cost of a State Parks campsite — around $30 per night — was likely low enough that people were just no-showing and eating that money without formally canceling.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People like to have the optionality,” he said. “There’s very little penalty.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The way to California campsite cancellation\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The big thing to know: When someone cancels their reservation at a California state park, it doesn’t become available right away on reservecalifornia.com. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Instead, the campsite goes into a queue to be released the following day at 8 a.m. PT.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So if you’re interested in a particular campground or campsite, your best bet is to check each morning at 8 a.m. for any new availability. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Or, if you’re not attached to where you’re going, you can use a website like \u003ca href=\"https://campsitetonight.app/california-releasing-sites\">Lee’s\u003c/a>, which lists upcoming available sites for your browsing pleasure.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams",
"title": "Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area",
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"headTitle": "Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She started with roller blades, recalling how her dad would “throw me around on the pavement until I eventually just stood up.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I eventually got to play in a roller hockey league when I was like 11, 12, 13 — but I was the only woman in the entire league,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the ice hockey hopes were dashed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#hockey\">Women’s hockey\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#soccer\">Women’s soccer\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rugby\">Women’s rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium. (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLqkC7VnfzbORQbjHMdYDiLGWgX_hxB9\">The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
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"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"text": "Where does the community hang out? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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"attrs": {
"items": [
"The Gist",
"Snatch Magazine",
"365 Hockey Girl",
"Sports Girls Club",
"Too Many Men",
"Jocks in Jills",
"PWHL to San José",
"Women of Hockey San José"
],
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"values": ""
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
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"\n\n",
null,
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null,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
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{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?"
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n"
],
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},
{
"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"SF Nighthawks",
"Monterey Bay Sirens FC",
"California Storm",
"The Town FC",
"San Ramon FC"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
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"innerBlocks": [
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"blockName": "core/list-item",
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"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Where does the community hang out? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n"
],
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},
{
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"attrs": {
"items": [
"SF Spikes",
"Flinta",
"Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League",
"OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues ",
"Volo’s rec leagues",
"Dyke Soccer East Bay"
],
"ordered": false,
"values": ""
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"\n\n",
null,
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null,
"\n\n",
null,
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null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
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{
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
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{
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"items": [
"Full Time",
"Diaspora United",
"The Women’s Game",
"Attacking Third",
"The Re-Cap Show, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath."
],
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"values": ""
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n"
]
}
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "What should I know about the professional sports team? "
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n"
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},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n"
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},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": {
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>Growing up in New Jersey, Christina Ellerby was fixated on watching ice \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/hockey\">hockey\u003c/a> from a young age. Naturally, she wanted to start playing herself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She started with roller blades, recalling how her dad would “throw me around on the pavement until I eventually just stood up.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I eventually got to play in a roller hockey league when I was like 11, 12, 13 — but I was the only woman in the entire league,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But the ice hockey hopes were dashed. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“My mom was basically like, ‘You aren’t playing ice hockey. You’re going to get hurt,’” Ellerby said, explaining that the games in the league would include \u003ca href=\"https://www.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1048048\">competitive contact\u003c/a>, like bodychecking, with boys. “She refused to sign the waiver.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But years later, the chance to get on the ice came back. When Ellerby moved to San Francisco, someone posted a flyer for \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-day/\">“Give Hockey a Try Day,”\u003c/a> a biannual event hosted by the Northern California Women’s Hockey League that allows anyone — including first-time skaters — to play low-key, controlled plays on the rink.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I had not skated in 15 years, and I was like, ‘I’m still going to do this,’” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The NCWHL notes that many players go on to become league regulars after starting with the “Give Hockey a Try Day,” a distinction that now belongs to Ellerby, who has returned for three seasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Around the same time Ellerby joined the NCWHL, the Professional Women’s Hockey League officially launched in 2023.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to where in the Bay Area to support:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#hockey\">Women’s hockey\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#soccer\">Women’s soccer\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#rugby\">Women’s rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ellerby was enthralled. “I had pretty much just incessantly started watching it,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And this season, the pro league will be heading to the Bay Area, with a new team establishing itself at San José’s SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The PWHL expansion is coming at a time when the Bay Area is \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">getting national recognition\u003c/a> for being a hot spot for women’s sports teams. Along with ice hockey, the Bay Area this year also became home to a professional baseball and volleyball team. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098190\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Young ice hockey fans display a sign that says, “Bring PWHL to the West,” as the Canadian national anthem is sung before the Toronto Sceptres face Ottawa in the PWHL Takeover Tour at Rogers Place Arena in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, on Feb. 16, 2025. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>. “It’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a companion to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096884/in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area\">our previous guide to supporting women’s basketball and baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>, we’ve now got a rundown of the region’s noncollege women’s teams in hockey, soccer and rugby — and how you can get involved with their enthusiastic fandoms locally, by supporting the teams \u003cem>and \u003c/em>even trying the sports yourself. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hockey\">Supporting women’s hockey in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Professional Women’s Hockey League has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced that it will be expanding\u003c/a> to San José in May — and the team’s name has not been revealed yet. (The jury’s out whether it’ll be an equivalent of the San José Sharks, the men’s ice hockey team.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But excitement has been mounting for the roster, which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/teams/san-jose/news/2026/june/17/pwhl-san-jose-selects-laila-edwards-in-the-first-round-of-the-2026-pwhl-draft\">Olympians like Laila Edwards\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://medium.com/@talkinwithtrudeau/interviewing-uconn-huksies-team-china-netminder-tia-chan-8f9102850937\">Tia Chan\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympics-roryguilday\">Rory Guilday\u003c/a>. The new San José team will debut in late November during the \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/stats/schedule/all-teams/8/all-months\">2026 PWHL season\u003c/a>, playing at SAP Center.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>All PWHL games have historically also been streamed on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@thepwhlofficial\">league’s YouTube channel\u003c/a>. The PWHL has \u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/where-to-watch\">a guide on its website\u003c/a> on how to catch games for specific teams.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tip for newcomers attending any games: Bring a jacket, because ice skating rinks are genuinely cold.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098173\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dominique Petrie of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is on the ice for the ceremonial first puck before a NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the San José Sharks on Oct. 28, 2025, at SAP Center in San José, California. (Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The place for hockey fans to really meet: rec leagues. The \u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/\">Northern California Women’s Hockey League\u003c/a> has four divisions for different skill levels. The league also holds a “\u003ca href=\"https://ncwhl.com/give-hockey-a-try-feb-7-2026/\">Give Hockey a Try\u003c/a>” day twice a year, which Ellerby says is an affordable and accessible entry point for newbies. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The day costs $25, includes rented gear and requires no previous experience. Plus, if you decide to stick with it, used gear is then offered by the NCWHL at a deep discount.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There is also a beginner’s course for adults on ice hockey at \u003ca href=\"https://www.trivalleyminorhockey.com/lady\">a rink in Walnut Creek\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12098200\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/HockeyGetty4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans of the Professional Women’s Hockey League sing along during the third period of the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on March 16, 2024. (Dave Reginek/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There is a very supportive community,” Ellerby said. “It’s very much a community that realizes that the opportunities might not have been there for everybody. There’s people who start the season who can’t skate, and they do everything to train you so that you can.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>(One more incentive to get in with the NCWHL: Sometimes the PWHL will reach out to host events where you can skate with key players.) \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Sharks franchise manages the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sharksiceatsanjose.com/adult-hockey/siahl-womens-league\">San José Adult Women’s League\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://sfquakes.org/\">San Francisco Earthquakes\u003c/a>, an LGBTQ ice hockey team founded in 1998 that plays at Yerba Buena Ice in San Francisco. For those who prefer asphalt to ice, there’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.bayareastreethockey.com/about\">Bay Area Street Hockey\u003c/a>, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s hockey?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thegistsports.com/\">The Gist\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/365_hockeygirl?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">365 Hockey Girl\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://toomanymenpod.com/\">Too Many Men\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast\">Jocks in Jills\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/pwhltosanjose?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">PWHL to San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/womenofhockeysj/\">Women of Hockey San José\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"soccer\">Supporting women’s soccer in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area’s professional women’s soccer team is Bay FC, playing at PayPal Park in San José. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay FC’s \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">regular season\u003c/a> runs until Nov. 1. The team’s official website lists the ways you can stream \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/schedule/\">each game\u003c/a>, which include platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/\">CBS Sports Network\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/\">ESPN 2\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also good to keep in mind: Next year will bring the Women’s FIFA World Cup, hosted by Brazil. The U.S. team includes Claire Hutton, a player from Bay FC.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12032644\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, on March 22, 2025. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium. (David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12076503/mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium\">a guide to soccer teams in the Bay Area\u003c/a> — women’s, men’s and co-ed — which includes \u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandsoulsc.com/\">Oakland Soul\u003c/a>, the preprofessional team (aka the future of soccer). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay Area Futbol News also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DbD57e0yxyq/\">an incredibly handy, pretty extensive chart\u003c/a> on the tiers of soccer teams in the region, which includes many other women’s teams such as:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mbfcsirens.com/\">Monterey Bay Sirens FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.calstormsoccer.com/\">California Storm\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wpslsoccer.com/teams/the-town-fc\">The Town FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sanramonfc.com/wpsl\">San Ramon FC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are several official Bay FC fan clubs, such as the \u003ca href=\"https://bfcs.club/\">Bridge Brigade\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/press-releases/bay-fc-announces-two-new-official-supporter-groups-01212026/\">The Big Poppies, Bay Imperio and Pier 75\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rec leagues are also a major way for soccer fans to connect (which, fun fact, is how \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">the founders of Rikki’s — the Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar — met each other\u003c/a>). Some of those leagues include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfspikes.com/\">SF Spikes\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/flintasoccer/\">Flinta\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ggwsl/?hl=en\">Golden Gate Women’s Soccer League\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://outloudsports.com/sanfrancisco\">OutLoud Sports rec soccer leagues\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.volosports.com/san-francisco\">Volo’s rec leagues\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/dykesoccereastbay/\">Dyke Soccer East Bay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12092224\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260718-MaledaYouthSoccer-JY-13-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Solomon Wolday, the head coach for Maleda youth soccer, checks in with his players after practice at Del Monte Park in San José, California, on July 18, 2026. (Juliana Yamada/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s soccer?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fulltimepod.com/\">Full Time\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.diasporaunitedpod.com/\">Diaspora United\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@WomensGameMiB\">The Women’s Game\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/attacking-third-a-cbs-sports-womens-soccer-podcast/id1573642138\">Attacking Third\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://re-website.com/pages/recapshow?srsltid=AfmBOop6BuvZugOGcnwnESX2lCB0J7OEvS5fQC11oeYkTGa18sCKKybL\">The Re-Cap Show\u003c/a>, hosted by former U.S. Women’s National Team stars (and married couple!) Christen Press and Tobin Heath.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"rugby\">Supporting women’s rugby in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Founded last year, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.baybreakers.us/\">Bay Breakers\u003c/a> are the local semi-professional women’s rugby team, though the team plays in Lodi, about two hours from the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They compete in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/\">Women’s Elite Rugby League\u003c/a> and made it to the 2026 Legacy Cup final on Aug. 8 — but lost 24-17 to the Denver Onyx.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When games pick up again next year, you can stream the games through the \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenseliterugby.us/how-to-watch\">Women’s Sports Network\u003c/a> on platforms like Roku, Tubi and Fubo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hosts many women’s and inclusive LGBTQ rugby clubs. The best-known is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.allbluesrugby.com/\">Berkeley All Blues\u003c/a>, which has fostered several Olympians and more than 50 national team players, according to its website.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Others include \u003ca href=\"https://www.siliconvalleyrugby.org/\">Silicon Valley Women’s Rugby Club\u003c/a>, the \u003ca href=\"https://www.sanjoserugby.com/\">San José Seahawks\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/\">SF Fog Rugby FC\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the community hang out?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many of rugby’s nonprofessional clubs in the Bay Area are open to beginners. For example, the All Blues field four teams that cater to all levels of experience, including one for high school students. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Also an LGBTQ club, The Fog’s highest-skill team plays with the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncrfu.org/\">Northern California Rugby Union\u003c/a>, a men’s league. Women are welcome to play, however, on nonleague teams that arrange games independently with other local teams. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Fog runs \u003ca href=\"https://www.fogrugby.com/p2r\">a free Pathway to Rugby program\u003c/a> designed for beginners to learn fundamental skills: a multiweek crash course consisting of guided practices twice a week. The next program begins Oct. 5, 2026.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s rugby? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.women.rugby/en\">Women’s Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@LoveOfRugby/videos\">For The Love Of Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqdf25RCMlf-cHf5iloggfg#\">Women’s Rugby Pod\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtLqkC7VnfzbORQbjHMdYDiLGWgX_hxB9\">The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "yosemite-is-not-for-sale-california-officials-oppose-land-swap-deal",
"title": "‘Yosemite Is Not for Sale’: California Officials Oppose Land-Swap Deal",
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"headTitle": "‘Yosemite Is Not for Sale’: California Officials Oppose Land-Swap Deal | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>A group of California lawmakers called on federal officials to halt and reject \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097316/trump-administration-reportedly-considers-development-of-private-road-in-yosemite\">a proposed land exchange\u003c/a> in Yosemite National Park that would allow a private developer to take control of a strip of land in the park for an access road to the park’s main attractions.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L2Dvbwl_sEEu_lf3TiVOTtok7kmVOm2U/view\">letter\u003c/a> to Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Wednesday was signed by a bipartisan group of 61 state legislators led by Assemblymember Greg Wallis, a Republican who represents Riverside and San Bernardino counties.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Republicans and Democrats from both houses of the Legislature are standing together because some things are bigger than politics,” Wallis said in a statement. “Yosemite is not a subdivision. It is not a bargaining chip. And it is not for sale. Secretary Burgum and the administration should put an end to this proposal.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12048542\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Interior Secretary Doug Burgum (center) visited the Tunnel Tops in San Francisco in 2025 after he and then-Attorney General Pam Bondi toured Alcatraz ahead of their announcement to reopen the former federal prison. (Katie DeBenedetti/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The group argued that the proposed land exchange is counter to the mission of the National Park Service and the founding of Yosemite in 1864, which set aside the start of the park for public use and protection for the first time in the history of the federal government.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“What is being proposed now runs directly against that founding principle, more than a century and a half later,” the letter states. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It continues later: “Our national parks belong equally to every American. They are not the Department’s to trade away, and they are not for sale.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The proposal was \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">first reported\u003c/a> by news outlet NOTUS, which published a story last week alleging that members of the Trump administration were meeting with representatives of Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a private equity group that owns an 83-acre parcel next to the park. In an email to KQED, Kingsbarn’s lawyer Lanny J. Davis confirmed the group is pursuing the land exchange to build a new access road from its property to the park.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Previous owners have pushed for the same deal since the early 2000s and \u003ca href=\"https://earthjustice.org/press/2012/new-roads-into-yosemite-valley-rejected-by-federal-court\">failed\u003c/a> in court.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>State Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), who signed on to the letter, called the proposal “indefensible,” and said he’s looking at state laws to ensure a similar proposal could never slip through.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If the Trump administration can’t defend this publicly in broad daylight, then they shouldn’t be doing it,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Marin) told \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101915115/trump-administration-allow-private-development-in-yosemite\">KQED’s Forum on Wednesday\u003c/a> that he’s worried there isn’t enough opposition among his Republican colleagues in Congress to stop the Trump administration’s efforts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I have not seen a single Republican colleague willing to stand up to Donald Trump when he decides that he’s just going to do something,” Huffman said. “So that is my concern, that he just plows ahead with this — even if it has dubious legal authority, or even if it’s an open violation of the law. He’s doing stuff like that anyway. And in this Congress, there’s no one here to stop him.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a statement to KQED, state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson), whose district includes parts of Yosemite, said she will “keep pressing the Department [of the Interior] for a clear answer that this exchange will not proceed.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Since the news of the deal broke late last week, it has sparked condemnation from a number of Democratic state leaders, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/alexpadilla4ca/posts/yosemite-is-not-for-sale-smidurl-share/1614990713322959/\">Sens. Alex Padilla\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/SenAdamSchiff/status/2093448467758690464\">Adam Schiff\u003c/a>, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/AGRobBonta/status/2093447502632796326\">Attorney General Rob Bonta\u003c/a> and Bonta’s predecessor, \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/becerraforgovernor/posts/yosemite-is-not-for-saleit-is-unacceptable-that-the-trump-administration-is-repo/1625938552231560/\">Xavier Becerra\u003c/a>, who \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095034/becerra-easily-leading-california-governors-race-defined-by-partisan-split-poll-shows\">leads the race\u003c/a> for California governor.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1335\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12060933\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People demonstrate during a protest against federal employee layoffs at Yosemite National Park, California, on March 1, 2025. (Laure Andrillon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The secretive backroom land-exchange scheme has gotten everyone’s attention,” said Neal Desai, senior Pacific regional director of the National Parks Conservation Association. “I can’t recall another issue — and I’ve been working in the conservation space for over a couple of decades — where the response has been this sharp and so one-sided that this is a terrible idea that should not happen.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The backlash comes at a turbulent time for National Park Service employees, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060911/new-trump-layoffs-could-put-hundreds-more-national-park-service-employees-on-the-chopping-block\">faced layoffs,\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066741/a-morale-bomb-national-park-workers-face-wage-cuts-and-dubiously-legal-review-system\">staffing cuts\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055659/national-park-service-california-yosemite-muir-woods-trump-executive-order\">fear of retaliation\u003c/a> for speaking up against Trump administration policies since the start of the second Trump administration.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some former employees have also raised concerns about a potential reorganization of the National Park Service, according to a separate \u003ca href=\"https://protectnps.org/2026/09/02/former-national-park-superintendents-warn-interior-secretary-national-parks-are-in-crisis/\">letter\u003c/a> sent to Burgum’s office Wednesday. According to an email seen by KQED, park superintendents have been asked to attend in-person regional meetings in September — with no clear agenda beyond discussing “agency priorities, our FY 2026 outlook, and other matters important to the work ahead.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The letter to Burgam, signed by 20 retired parks superintendents warns: “An ill-advised and hastily planned reorganization could dismantle that structure, putting our parks — and those who visit them — at great risk.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12062223\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tour guide William Fontana points visitors to climbers on El Capitan during a tour of the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, which organized the letter, said the email about regional meetings “raises some alarm bells.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The Park Service is already operating from a difficult place, from a place of crisis,” she said. “And any additional cuts, any movements or actions that would further jeopardize the capacity of the folks that are left, that’s concerning. It’s worrying, and it’ll have a devastating impact on the Park Service.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Among the letter’s signatories is Don Neubacher, retired Yosemite superintendent, who has been a vocal advocate for parks amid the Trump administration’s changes.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Thompson said she’s worried parks leaders will be stretched even further than they already are, and local decision-making over parks could be in jeopardy.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Morale is low,” Thompson said. “It’s a hard time to be a federal employee. Anything that … contributes to this culture of fear, it’s just not acceptable.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Republicans and Democrats from both houses of the Legislature are standing together because some things are bigger than politics,” Wallis said in a statement. “Yosemite is not a subdivision. It is not a bargaining chip. And it is not for sale. Secretary Burgum and the administration should put an end to this proposal.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12048542\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Interior Secretary Doug Burgum (center) visited the Tunnel Tops in San Francisco in 2025 after he and then-Attorney General Pam Bondi toured Alcatraz ahead of their announcement to reopen the former federal prison.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Katie DeBenedetti/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The group argued that the proposed land exchange is counter to the mission of the National Park Service and the founding of Yosemite in 1864, which set aside the start of the park for public use and protection for the first time in the history of the federal government.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The group argued that the proposed land exchange is counter to the mission of the National Park Service and the founding of Yosemite in 1864, which set aside the start of the park for public use and protection for the first time in the history of the federal government.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“What is being proposed now runs directly against that founding principle, more than a century and a half later,” the letter states. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It continues later: “Our national parks belong equally to every American. They are not the Department’s to trade away, and they are not for sale.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>It continues later: “Our national parks belong equally to every American. They are not the Department’s to trade away, and they are not for sale.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The proposal was \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">first reported\u003c/a> by news outlet NOTUS, which published a story last week alleging that members of the Trump administration were meeting with representatives of Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a private equity group that owns an 83-acre parcel next to the park. In an email to KQED, Kingsbarn’s lawyer Lanny J. Davis confirmed the group is pursuing the land exchange to build a new access road from its property to the park.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The proposal was \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">first reported\u003c/a> by news outlet NOTUS, which published a story last week alleging that members of the Trump administration were meeting with representatives of Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a private equity group that owns an 83-acre parcel next to the park. In an email to KQED, Kingsbarn’s lawyer Lanny J. Davis confirmed the group is pursuing the land exchange to build a new access road from its property to the park.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Previous owners have pushed for the same deal since the early 2000s and \u003ca href=\"https://earthjustice.org/press/2012/new-roads-into-yosemite-valley-rejected-by-federal-court\">failed\u003c/a> in court.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>State Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), who signed on to the letter, called the proposal “indefensible,” and said he’s looking at state laws to ensure a similar proposal could never slip through.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If the Trump administration can’t defend this publicly in broad daylight, then they shouldn’t be doing it,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Marin) told \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101915115/trump-administration-allow-private-development-in-yosemite\">KQED’s Forum on Wednesday\u003c/a> that he’s worried there isn’t enough opposition among his Republican colleagues in Congress to stop the Trump administration’s efforts. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Marin) told \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101915115/trump-administration-allow-private-development-in-yosemite\">KQED’s Forum on Wednesday\u003c/a> that he’s worried there isn’t enough opposition among his Republican colleagues in Congress to stop the Trump administration’s efforts. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I have not seen a single Republican colleague willing to stand up to Donald Trump when he decides that he’s just going to do something,” Huffman said. “So that is my concern, that he just plows ahead with this — even if it has dubious legal authority, or even if it’s an open violation of the law. He’s doing stuff like that anyway. And in this Congress, there’s no one here to stop him.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In a statement to KQED, state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson), whose district includes parts of Yosemite, said she will “keep pressing the Department [of the Interior] for a clear answer that this exchange will not proceed.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Since the news of the deal broke late last week, it has sparked condemnation from a number of Democratic state leaders, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/alexpadilla4ca/posts/yosemite-is-not-for-sale-smidurl-share/1614990713322959/\">Sens. Alex Padilla\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/SenAdamSchiff/status/2093448467758690464\">Adam Schiff\u003c/a>, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/AGRobBonta/status/2093447502632796326\">Attorney General Rob Bonta\u003c/a> and Bonta’s predecessor, \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/becerraforgovernor/posts/yosemite-is-not-for-saleit-is-unacceptable-that-the-trump-administration-is-repo/1625938552231560/\">Xavier Becerra\u003c/a>, who \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095034/becerra-easily-leading-california-governors-race-defined-by-partisan-split-poll-shows\">leads the race\u003c/a> for California governor.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12060933\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People demonstrate during a protest against federal employee layoffs at Yosemite National Park, California, on March 1, 2025.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Laure Andrillon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The secretive backroom land-exchange scheme has gotten everyone’s attention,” said Neal Desai, senior Pacific regional director of the National Parks Conservation Association. “I can’t recall another issue — and I’ve been working in the conservation space for over a couple of decades — where the response has been this sharp and so one-sided that this is a terrible idea that should not happen.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The backlash comes at a turbulent time for National Park Service employees, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060911/new-trump-layoffs-could-put-hundreds-more-national-park-service-employees-on-the-chopping-block\">faced layoffs,\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066741/a-morale-bomb-national-park-workers-face-wage-cuts-and-dubiously-legal-review-system\">staffing cuts\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055659/national-park-service-california-yosemite-muir-woods-trump-executive-order\">fear of retaliation\u003c/a> for speaking up against Trump administration policies since the start of the second Trump administration.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The backlash comes at a turbulent time for National Park Service employees, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060911/new-trump-layoffs-could-put-hundreds-more-national-park-service-employees-on-the-chopping-block\">faced layoffs,\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066741/a-morale-bomb-national-park-workers-face-wage-cuts-and-dubiously-legal-review-system\">staffing cuts\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055659/national-park-service-california-yosemite-muir-woods-trump-executive-order\">fear of retaliation\u003c/a> for speaking up against Trump administration policies since the start of the second Trump administration.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Some former employees have also raised concerns about a potential reorganization of the National Park Service, according to a separate \u003ca href=\"https://protectnps.org/2026/09/02/former-national-park-superintendents-warn-interior-secretary-national-parks-are-in-crisis/\">letter\u003c/a> sent to Burgum’s office Wednesday. According to an email seen by KQED, park superintendents have been asked to attend in-person regional meetings in September — with no clear agenda beyond discussing “agency priorities, our FY 2026 outlook, and other matters important to the work ahead.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Some former employees have also raised concerns about a potential reorganization of the National Park Service, according to a separate \u003ca href=\"https://protectnps.org/2026/09/02/former-national-park-superintendents-warn-interior-secretary-national-parks-are-in-crisis/\">letter\u003c/a> sent to Burgum’s office Wednesday. According to an email seen by KQED, park superintendents have been asked to attend in-person regional meetings in September — with no clear agenda beyond discussing “agency priorities, our FY 2026 outlook, and other matters important to the work ahead.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The letter to Burgam, signed by 20 retired parks superintendents warns: “An ill-advised and hastily planned reorganization could dismantle that structure, putting our parks — and those who visit them — at great risk.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The letter to Burgam, signed by 20 retired parks superintendents warns: “An ill-advised and hastily planned reorganization could dismantle that structure, putting our parks — and those who visit them — at great risk.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12062223\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tour guide William Fontana points visitors to climbers on El Capitan during a tour of the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, which organized the letter, said the email about regional meetings “raises some alarm bells.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The Park Service is already operating from a difficult place, from a place of crisis,” she said. “And any additional cuts, any movements or actions that would further jeopardize the capacity of the folks that are left, that’s concerning. It’s worrying, and it’ll have a devastating impact on the Park Service.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“The Park Service is already operating from a difficult place, from a place of crisis,” she said. “And any additional cuts, any movements or actions that would further jeopardize the capacity of the folks that are left, that’s concerning. It’s worrying, and it’ll have a devastating impact on the Park Service.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Among the letter’s signatories is Don Neubacher, retired Yosemite superintendent, who has been a vocal advocate for parks amid the Trump administration’s changes.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Thompson said she’s worried parks leaders will be stretched even further than they already are, and local decision-making over parks could be in jeopardy.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Morale is low,” Thompson said. “It’s a hard time to be a federal employee. Anything that … contributes to this culture of fear, it’s just not acceptable.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"title": "‘Yosemite Is Not for Sale’: California Officials Oppose Land-Swap Deal | KQED",
"description": "Backlash against a proposed deal to develop a private road into Yosemite has intensified as National Park Service employees grapple with an uncertain future.",
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"headline": "‘Yosemite Is Not for Sale’: California Officials Oppose Land-Swap Deal",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>A group of California lawmakers called on federal officials to halt and reject \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12097316/trump-administration-reportedly-considers-development-of-private-road-in-yosemite\">a proposed land exchange\u003c/a> in Yosemite National Park that would allow a private developer to take control of a strip of land in the park for an access road to the park’s main attractions.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L2Dvbwl_sEEu_lf3TiVOTtok7kmVOm2U/view\">letter\u003c/a> to Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Wednesday was signed by a bipartisan group of 61 state legislators led by Assemblymember Greg Wallis, a Republican who represents Riverside and San Bernardino counties.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Republicans and Democrats from both houses of the Legislature are standing together because some things are bigger than politics,” Wallis said in a statement. “Yosemite is not a subdivision. It is not a bargaining chip. And it is not for sale. Secretary Burgum and the administration should put an end to this proposal.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12048542\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/BurgumSFVisit1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Interior Secretary Doug Burgum (center) visited the Tunnel Tops in San Francisco in 2025 after he and then-Attorney General Pam Bondi toured Alcatraz ahead of their announcement to reopen the former federal prison. (Katie DeBenedetti/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The group argued that the proposed land exchange is counter to the mission of the National Park Service and the founding of Yosemite in 1864, which set aside the start of the park for public use and protection for the first time in the history of the federal government.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“What is being proposed now runs directly against that founding principle, more than a century and a half later,” the letter states. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It continues later: “Our national parks belong equally to every American. They are not the Department’s to trade away, and they are not for sale.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The proposal was \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">first reported\u003c/a> by news outlet NOTUS, which published a story last week alleging that members of the Trump administration were meeting with representatives of Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a private equity group that owns an 83-acre parcel next to the park. In an email to KQED, Kingsbarn’s lawyer Lanny J. Davis confirmed the group is pursuing the land exchange to build a new access road from its property to the park.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Previous owners have pushed for the same deal since the early 2000s and \u003ca href=\"https://earthjustice.org/press/2012/new-roads-into-yosemite-valley-rejected-by-federal-court\">failed\u003c/a> in court.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>State Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), who signed on to the letter, called the proposal “indefensible,” and said he’s looking at state laws to ensure a similar proposal could never slip through.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If the Trump administration can’t defend this publicly in broad daylight, then they shouldn’t be doing it,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Marin) told \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101915115/trump-administration-allow-private-development-in-yosemite\">KQED’s Forum on Wednesday\u003c/a> that he’s worried there isn’t enough opposition among his Republican colleagues in Congress to stop the Trump administration’s efforts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I have not seen a single Republican colleague willing to stand up to Donald Trump when he decides that he’s just going to do something,” Huffman said. “So that is my concern, that he just plows ahead with this — even if it has dubious legal authority, or even if it’s an open violation of the law. He’s doing stuff like that anyway. And in this Congress, there’s no one here to stop him.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a statement to KQED, state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson), whose district includes parts of Yosemite, said she will “keep pressing the Department [of the Interior] for a clear answer that this exchange will not proceed.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Since the news of the deal broke late last week, it has sparked condemnation from a number of Democratic state leaders, including \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/alexpadilla4ca/posts/yosemite-is-not-for-sale-smidurl-share/1614990713322959/\">Sens. Alex Padilla\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/SenAdamSchiff/status/2093448467758690464\">Adam Schiff\u003c/a>, as well as \u003ca href=\"https://x.com/AGRobBonta/status/2093447502632796326\">Attorney General Rob Bonta\u003c/a> and Bonta’s predecessor, \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/becerraforgovernor/posts/yosemite-is-not-for-saleit-is-unacceptable-that-the-trump-administration-is-repo/1625938552231560/\">Xavier Becerra\u003c/a>, who \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095034/becerra-easily-leading-california-governors-race-defined-by-partisan-split-poll-shows\">leads the race\u003c/a> for California governor.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1335\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12060933\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/NationalParkServiceGetty-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People demonstrate during a protest against federal employee layoffs at Yosemite National Park, California, on March 1, 2025. (Laure Andrillon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The secretive backroom land-exchange scheme has gotten everyone’s attention,” said Neal Desai, senior Pacific regional director of the National Parks Conservation Association. “I can’t recall another issue — and I’ve been working in the conservation space for over a couple of decades — where the response has been this sharp and so one-sided that this is a terrible idea that should not happen.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The backlash comes at a turbulent time for National Park Service employees, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12060911/new-trump-layoffs-could-put-hundreds-more-national-park-service-employees-on-the-chopping-block\">faced layoffs,\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12066741/a-morale-bomb-national-park-workers-face-wage-cuts-and-dubiously-legal-review-system\">staffing cuts\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055659/national-park-service-california-yosemite-muir-woods-trump-executive-order\">fear of retaliation\u003c/a> for speaking up against Trump administration policies since the start of the second Trump administration.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some former employees have also raised concerns about a potential reorganization of the National Park Service, according to a separate \u003ca href=\"https://protectnps.org/2026/09/02/former-national-park-superintendents-warn-interior-secretary-national-parks-are-in-crisis/\">letter\u003c/a> sent to Burgum’s office Wednesday. According to an email seen by KQED, park superintendents have been asked to attend in-person regional meetings in September — with no clear agenda beyond discussing “agency priorities, our FY 2026 outlook, and other matters important to the work ahead.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The letter to Burgam, signed by 20 retired parks superintendents warns: “An ill-advised and hastily planned reorganization could dismantle that structure, putting our parks — and those who visit them — at great risk.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12062223\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/251028-YOSEMITESHUTDOWN-93-BL_QED-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tour guide William Fontana points visitors to climbers on El Capitan during a tour of the Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Oct. 28, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, which organized the letter, said the email about regional meetings “raises some alarm bells.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The Park Service is already operating from a difficult place, from a place of crisis,” she said. “And any additional cuts, any movements or actions that would further jeopardize the capacity of the folks that are left, that’s concerning. It’s worrying, and it’ll have a devastating impact on the Park Service.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Among the letter’s signatories is Don Neubacher, retired Yosemite superintendent, who has been a vocal advocate for parks amid the Trump administration’s changes.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Thompson said she’s worried parks leaders will be stretched even further than they already are, and local decision-making over parks could be in jeopardy.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Morale is low,” Thompson said. “It’s a hard time to be a federal employee. Anything that … contributes to this culture of fear, it’s just not acceptable.”\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "after-2-canoeists-found-dead-in-tomales-bay-local-guides-advise-caution",
"title": "Pacifica Planning Commissioner Among 2 Canoeing Victims in Tomales Bay",
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"headTitle": "Pacifica Planning Commissioner Among 2 Canoeing Victims in Tomales Bay | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>Authorities have identified 36-year-old Casey Flynn Melia of San Francisco, and 37-year-old Alexander Ferguson of Pacifica as the pair of people who died while canoeing in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/tomales-bay\">Tomales Bay\u003c/a> over the weekend. Ferguson was a member of the Pacifica Planning Commission, serving since October 2020.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Marin County Fire Department said Melia and Ferguson launched canoes from their campsite at White Gulch Beach just before midnight to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983841/where-to-see-bioluminescence-bay-area-kayak-tours\">bioluminescence\u003c/a>, a blue glow emitted by plankton that draws visitors to the bay at night.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When they didn’t return by the next morning, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said, their camping party alerted emergency services.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First responders located the two canoeists in the water. According to the county fire department, both people were pronounced dead before their bodies were recovered. Melia was found near Hog Island, the sheriff’s office said. It did not specify where Ferguson’s body was located.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Both of them were wearing life jackets, authorities said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Pacifica City Manager Sean Charpentier called Ferguson “active, compassionate and thoughtful.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Alex played a leadership role in the City’s planning policies that will have a lasting positive impact on Pacifica for many years to come,” he wrote in an email to KQED. “His passing is a great loss to the Pacifica community.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bay deaths ‘traumatic’ for guiding community\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>John Granatir and Pamalah MacNeily, co-owners of guiding company Blue Waters Kayak Adventures, said a group of their guides, alongside other guiding companies, was at Miller Boat Launch on Sunday morning when they encountered the camping party returning from their trip. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The campers, the couple said, asked the group of guides if they had seen their missing friends, but they had not. That’s when a guide from Point Reyes Adventure Co., Dallas Smith, urged the campers to alert authorities that they were missing, Granatir and MacNeily recounted. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It just breaks our hearts when this stuff happens in our bay,” MacNeily said. “It makes us sad for them, their families and the boating community. It’s traumatic for us.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guides say bay is ‘dynamic,’ and not canoe-friendly\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to Granatir and MacNeily, Tomales Bay is not a particularly canoe-friendly body of water, so guiding companies like theirs don’t bring them out there. According to Granatir, the past four fatalities on Tomales Bay were all people in canoes. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We do not like canoes on Tomales Bay,” MacNeily said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In general, the pair said, due to its strong winds, currents and waves, paddling on Tomales Bay requires a sturdy boat — and typical recreational kayaks or inflatable kayaks just won’t cut it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12086604\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kayakers at an event as part of California State Parks Week in 2024. (Courtesy of California State Parks Week)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For their tours, Granatir said, their company uses a closed-deck kayak because they are the most stable and has a low client-to-guide ratio, to make sure they can get people out of the water quickly if they do flip over.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Galen Licht, CEO of SeaTrek, which also runs guided trips on the bay, said people often assume incorrectly that Tomales Bay is more protected than other waters in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Tomales Bay is a very dynamic environment,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His group, too, is extremely cautious when guiding trips on the bay, and said they prioritize redundancy in their systems — like extra paddles, lights, communications systems and navigation — to keep their guides and clients safe. And they will simply cancel trips in unsafe weather, especially due to high winds, he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Any time there’s a forecast over 20 knots, without a doubt, we will just cancel the trip,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Granatir said the bay’s waves, which can get very high, aren’t usually visible from shore.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It takes a skilled person to recover a canoe midwater in Tomales Bay,” Granatir said. “You have to be trained for that, and people usually aren’t aware of that fact.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Plus, the water is paralyzingly cold: “You have about five minutes to effect a meaningful recovery action before your limbs start losing the ability to save yourself,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And at night, all of these factors are exacerbated, Licht said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The conditions out there on the bay can change fast and at times, the visibility can go down to just a few feet when the fog comes in — and then the only way to navigate is by compass,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, Granatir and MacNeily said they were surprised to hear of the incident, given that there wasn’t much wind late in the night. The moon was nearly full and out all night — a bright moon, they said, makes seeing bioluminescence more difficult. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Saturday, their company had insisted that any renters get off the water by 1 p.m., but data from \u003ca href=\"https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/us/ca/marshall/KDVO/date/2026-8-30\">Weather Underground\u003c/a> shows the wind had died down by the evening and around midnight was almost nonexistent.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There wasn’t much wind that night,” MacNeily said. “That’s the thing that’s really curious.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to know and bring if you’re going out on Tomales Bay at night\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The area of Tomales Bay is one of the most dangerous waterways imaginable on the coastlines,” Licht said. “If you’re coming out, you need to do your homework.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>MacNeily said that in the past few years, the bay has become “a circus” of visitors heading out in unsafe boats, drinking, and with very little water safety experience and equipment. She said she often gets calls from people asking about water conditions who don’t have the proper equipment, and “I will advise against it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s far too many people who are just thinking that this is a Disneyland ride,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in a red long sleeved shirt and blue life vest sits in the fron tof a kayak paddling towards a cliff in the distance.\" class=\"wp-image-11903623\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big.jpg 1800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Olivia Allen-Price kayaking in Tomales Bay. (Sam Price/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The guides’ main pieces of advice are:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Know your own abilities (and your limits)\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Know the technical limits of your watercraft\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Monitor the weather\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Always wear a life jacket\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Never go alone or on just one boat\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Wear a wetsuit in case you fall in the water\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bring lots of lights for nighttime navigation\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bring a backup communications device, like a radio \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bring backup navigation, especially a compass\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Be aware that a full moon, while providing light, can sometimes be so bright on water that it becomes difficult to see and navigate\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Be ready for thick fog\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’d rather play it safe, you can take a boating course from companies like \u003ca href=\"https://www.seatrek.com/classes/\">SeaTrek\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://bluewaterskayaking.com/classes/\">Blue Waters Kayaking\u003c/a>. Or, join their regular guided trips on the bay for peace of mind.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Granatir, who was a commercial boat captain and has around 50 years of experience running boats, said that moving in a group can save your life.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Kayaking, it’s generally viewed as a sort of an individual sport, which it is,” he said. “But safety in the water is largely a function of other people out there who can help you if things go wrong.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the guide who urged the campers to call 9\u003c/em>11.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Authorities have identified 36-year-old Casey Flynn Melia of San Francisco, and 37-year-old Alexander Ferguson of Pacifica as the pair of people who died while canoeing in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/tomales-bay\">Tomales Bay\u003c/a> over the weekend. Ferguson was a member of the Pacifica Planning Commission, serving since October 2020.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Authorities have identified 36-year-old Casey Flynn Melia of San Francisco, and 37-year-old Alexander Ferguson of Pacifica as the pair of people who died while canoeing in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/tomales-bay\">Tomales Bay\u003c/a> over the weekend. Ferguson was a member of the Pacifica Planning Commission, serving since October 2020.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Marin County Fire Department said Melia and Ferguson launched canoes from their campsite at White Gulch Beach just before midnight to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983841/where-to-see-bioluminescence-bay-area-kayak-tours\">bioluminescence\u003c/a>, a blue glow emitted by plankton that draws visitors to the bay at night.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Marin County Fire Department said Melia and Ferguson launched canoes from their campsite at White Gulch Beach just before midnight to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983841/where-to-see-bioluminescence-bay-area-kayak-tours\">bioluminescence\u003c/a>, a blue glow emitted by plankton that draws visitors to the bay at night.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When they didn’t return by the next morning, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said, their camping party alerted emergency services.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First responders located the two canoeists in the water. According to the county fire department, both people were pronounced dead before their bodies were recovered. Melia was found near Hog Island, the sheriff’s office said. It did not specify where Ferguson’s body was located.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>First responders located the two canoeists in the water. According to the county fire department, both people were pronounced dead before their bodies were recovered. Melia was found near Hog Island, the sheriff’s office said. It did not specify where Ferguson’s body was located.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Both of them were wearing life jackets, authorities said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Pacifica City Manager Sean Charpentier called Ferguson “active, compassionate and thoughtful.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Alex played a leadership role in the City’s planning policies that will have a lasting positive impact on Pacifica for many years to come,” he wrote in an email to KQED. “His passing is a great loss to the Pacifica community.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Alex played a leadership role in the City’s planning policies that will have a lasting positive impact on Pacifica for many years to come,” he wrote in an email to KQED. “His passing is a great loss to the Pacifica community.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Bay deaths ‘traumatic’ for guiding community",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>John Granatir and Pamalah MacNeily, co-owners of guiding company Blue Waters Kayak Adventures, said a group of their guides, alongside other guiding companies, was at Miller Boat Launch on Sunday morning when they encountered the camping party returning from their trip. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>John Granatir and Pamalah MacNeily, co-owners of guiding company Blue Waters Kayak Adventures, said a group of their guides, alongside other guiding companies, was at Miller Boat Launch on Sunday morning when they encountered the camping party returning from their trip. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The campers, the couple said, asked the group of guides if they had seen their missing friends, but they had not. That’s when a guide from Point Reyes Adventure Co., Dallas Smith, urged the campers to alert authorities that they were missing, Granatir and MacNeily recounted. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The campers, the couple said, asked the group of guides if they had seen their missing friends, but they had not. That’s when a guide from Point Reyes Adventure Co., Dallas Smith, urged the campers to alert authorities that they were missing, Granatir and MacNeily recounted. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It just breaks our hearts when this stuff happens in our bay,” MacNeily said. “It makes us sad for them, their families and the boating community. It’s traumatic for us.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It just breaks our hearts when this stuff happens in our bay,” MacNeily said. “It makes us sad for them, their families and the boating community. It’s traumatic for us.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Guides say bay is ‘dynamic,’ and not canoe-friendly",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to Granatir and MacNeily, Tomales Bay is not a particularly canoe-friendly body of water, so guiding companies like theirs don’t bring them out there. According to Granatir, the past four fatalities on Tomales Bay were all people in canoes. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to Granatir and MacNeily, Tomales Bay is not a particularly canoe-friendly body of water, so guiding companies like theirs don’t bring them out there. According to Granatir, the past four fatalities on Tomales Bay were all people in canoes. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We do not like canoes on Tomales Bay,” MacNeily said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In general, the pair said, due to its strong winds, currents and waves, paddling on Tomales Bay requires a sturdy boat — and typical recreational kayaks or inflatable kayaks just won’t cut it.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In general, the pair said, due to its strong winds, currents and waves, paddling on Tomales Bay requires a sturdy boat — and typical recreational kayaks or inflatable kayaks just won’t cut it.\u003c/p>\n"
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12086604\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kayakers at an event as part of California State Parks Week in 2024.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Courtesy of California State Parks Week)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For their tours, Granatir said, their company uses a closed-deck kayak because they are the most stable and has a low client-to-guide ratio, to make sure they can get people out of the water quickly if they do flip over.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>For their tours, Granatir said, their company uses a closed-deck kayak because they are the most stable and has a low client-to-guide ratio, to make sure they can get people out of the water quickly if they do flip over.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Galen Licht, CEO of SeaTrek, which also runs guided trips on the bay, said people often assume incorrectly that Tomales Bay is more protected than other waters in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Galen Licht, CEO of SeaTrek, which also runs guided trips on the bay, said people often assume incorrectly that Tomales Bay is more protected than other waters in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Tomales Bay is a very dynamic environment,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>His group, too, is extremely cautious when guiding trips on the bay, and said they prioritize redundancy in their systems — like extra paddles, lights, communications systems and navigation — to keep their guides and clients safe. And they will simply cancel trips in unsafe weather, especially due to high winds, he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>His group, too, is extremely cautious when guiding trips on the bay, and said they prioritize redundancy in their systems — like extra paddles, lights, communications systems and navigation — to keep their guides and clients safe. And they will simply cancel trips in unsafe weather, especially due to high winds, he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Any time there’s a forecast over 20 knots, without a doubt, we will just cancel the trip,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Any time there’s a forecast over 20 knots, without a doubt, we will just cancel the trip,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Granatir said the bay’s waves, which can get very high, aren’t usually visible from shore.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Granatir said the bay’s waves, which can get very high, aren’t usually visible from shore.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It takes a skilled person to recover a canoe midwater in Tomales Bay,” Granatir said. “You have to be trained for that, and people usually aren’t aware of that fact.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It takes a skilled person to recover a canoe midwater in Tomales Bay,” Granatir said. “You have to be trained for that, and people usually aren’t aware of that fact.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Plus, the water is paralyzingly cold: “You have about five minutes to effect a meaningful recovery action before your limbs start losing the ability to save yourself,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Plus, the water is paralyzingly cold: “You have about five minutes to effect a meaningful recovery action before your limbs start losing the ability to save yourself,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And at night, all of these factors are exacerbated, Licht said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And at night, all of these factors are exacerbated, Licht said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The conditions out there on the bay can change fast and at times, the visibility can go down to just a few feet when the fog comes in — and then the only way to navigate is by compass,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“The conditions out there on the bay can change fast and at times, the visibility can go down to just a few feet when the fog comes in — and then the only way to navigate is by compass,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Still, Granatir and MacNeily said they were surprised to hear of the incident, given that there wasn’t much wind late in the night. The moon was nearly full and out all night — a bright moon, they said, makes seeing bioluminescence more difficult. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Still, Granatir and MacNeily said they were surprised to hear of the incident, given that there wasn’t much wind late in the night. The moon was nearly full and out all night — a bright moon, they said, makes seeing bioluminescence more difficult. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>On Saturday, their company had insisted that any renters get off the water by 1 p.m., but data from \u003ca href=\"https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/us/ca/marshall/KDVO/date/2026-8-30\">Weather Underground\u003c/a> shows the wind had died down by the evening and around midnight was almost nonexistent.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>On Saturday, their company had insisted that any renters get off the water by 1 p.m., but data from \u003ca href=\"https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/us/ca/marshall/KDVO/date/2026-8-30\">Weather Underground\u003c/a> shows the wind had died down by the evening and around midnight was almost nonexistent.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There wasn’t much wind that night,” MacNeily said. “That’s the thing that’s really curious.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“There wasn’t much wind that night,” MacNeily said. “That’s the thing that’s really curious.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What to know and bring if you’re going out on Tomales Bay at night",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to know and bring if you’re going out on Tomales Bay at night\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The area of Tomales Bay is one of the most dangerous waterways imaginable on the coastlines,” Licht said. “If you’re coming out, you need to do your homework.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“The area of Tomales Bay is one of the most dangerous waterways imaginable on the coastlines,” Licht said. “If you’re coming out, you need to do your homework.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>MacNeily said that in the past few years, the bay has become “a circus” of visitors heading out in unsafe boats, drinking, and with very little water safety experience and equipment. She said she often gets calls from people asking about water conditions who don’t have the proper equipment, and “I will advise against it.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>MacNeily said that in the past few years, the bay has become “a circus” of visitors heading out in unsafe boats, drinking, and with very little water safety experience and equipment. She said she often gets calls from people asking about water conditions who don’t have the proper equipment, and “I will advise against it.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s far too many people who are just thinking that this is a Disneyland ride,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s far too many people who are just thinking that this is a Disneyland ride,” she said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"Never go alone or on just one boat",
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"Bring lots of lights for nighttime navigation",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Bring a backup communications device, like a radio \u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Be aware that a full moon, while providing light, can sometimes be so bright on water that it becomes difficult to see and navigate\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’d rather play it safe, you can take a boating course from companies like \u003ca href=\"https://www.seatrek.com/classes/\">SeaTrek\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://bluewaterskayaking.com/classes/\">Blue Waters Kayaking\u003c/a>. Or, join their regular guided trips on the bay for peace of mind.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’d rather play it safe, you can take a boating course from companies like \u003ca href=\"https://www.seatrek.com/classes/\">SeaTrek\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://bluewaterskayaking.com/classes/\">Blue Waters Kayaking\u003c/a>. Or, join their regular guided trips on the bay for peace of mind.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Granatir, who was a commercial boat captain and has around 50 years of experience running boats, said that moving in a group can save your life.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Kayaking, it’s generally viewed as a sort of an individual sport, which it is,” he said. “But safety in the water is largely a function of other people out there who can help you if things go wrong.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the guide who urged the campers to call 9\u003c/em>11.\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Local tour businesses advise caution when paddling at night on the bay.",
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"title": "Pacifica Planning Commissioner Among 2 Canoeing Victims in Tomales Bay | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>Authorities have identified 36-year-old Casey Flynn Melia of San Francisco, and 37-year-old Alexander Ferguson of Pacifica as the pair of people who died while canoeing in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/tomales-bay\">Tomales Bay\u003c/a> over the weekend. Ferguson was a member of the Pacifica Planning Commission, serving since October 2020.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Marin County Fire Department said Melia and Ferguson launched canoes from their campsite at White Gulch Beach just before midnight to see \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1983841/where-to-see-bioluminescence-bay-area-kayak-tours\">bioluminescence\u003c/a>, a blue glow emitted by plankton that draws visitors to the bay at night.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When they didn’t return by the next morning, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said, their camping party alerted emergency services.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First responders located the two canoeists in the water. According to the county fire department, both people were pronounced dead before their bodies were recovered. Melia was found near Hog Island, the sheriff’s office said. It did not specify where Ferguson’s body was located.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Both of them were wearing life jackets, authorities said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Pacifica City Manager Sean Charpentier called Ferguson “active, compassionate and thoughtful.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Alex played a leadership role in the City’s planning policies that will have a lasting positive impact on Pacifica for many years to come,” he wrote in an email to KQED. “His passing is a great loss to the Pacifica community.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bay deaths ‘traumatic’ for guiding community\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>John Granatir and Pamalah MacNeily, co-owners of guiding company Blue Waters Kayak Adventures, said a group of their guides, alongside other guiding companies, was at Miller Boat Launch on Sunday morning when they encountered the camping party returning from their trip. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The campers, the couple said, asked the group of guides if they had seen their missing friends, but they had not. That’s when a guide from Point Reyes Adventure Co., Dallas Smith, urged the campers to alert authorities that they were missing, Granatir and MacNeily recounted. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It just breaks our hearts when this stuff happens in our bay,” MacNeily said. “It makes us sad for them, their families and the boating community. It’s traumatic for us.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guides say bay is ‘dynamic,’ and not canoe-friendly\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to Granatir and MacNeily, Tomales Bay is not a particularly canoe-friendly body of water, so guiding companies like theirs don’t bring them out there. According to Granatir, the past four fatalities on Tomales Bay were all people in canoes. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We do not like canoes on Tomales Bay,” MacNeily said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In general, the pair said, due to its strong winds, currents and waves, paddling on Tomales Bay requires a sturdy boat — and typical recreational kayaks or inflatable kayaks just won’t cut it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12086604\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/Kayak-photo-for-body-of-lede-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kayakers at an event as part of California State Parks Week in 2024. (Courtesy of California State Parks Week)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For their tours, Granatir said, their company uses a closed-deck kayak because they are the most stable and has a low client-to-guide ratio, to make sure they can get people out of the water quickly if they do flip over.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Galen Licht, CEO of SeaTrek, which also runs guided trips on the bay, said people often assume incorrectly that Tomales Bay is more protected than other waters in the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Tomales Bay is a very dynamic environment,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His group, too, is extremely cautious when guiding trips on the bay, and said they prioritize redundancy in their systems — like extra paddles, lights, communications systems and navigation — to keep their guides and clients safe. And they will simply cancel trips in unsafe weather, especially due to high winds, he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Any time there’s a forecast over 20 knots, without a doubt, we will just cancel the trip,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Granatir said the bay’s waves, which can get very high, aren’t usually visible from shore.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It takes a skilled person to recover a canoe midwater in Tomales Bay,” Granatir said. “You have to be trained for that, and people usually aren’t aware of that fact.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Plus, the water is paralyzingly cold: “You have about five minutes to effect a meaningful recovery action before your limbs start losing the ability to save yourself,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And at night, all of these factors are exacerbated, Licht said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The conditions out there on the bay can change fast and at times, the visibility can go down to just a few feet when the fog comes in — and then the only way to navigate is by compass,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, Granatir and MacNeily said they were surprised to hear of the incident, given that there wasn’t much wind late in the night. The moon was nearly full and out all night — a bright moon, they said, makes seeing bioluminescence more difficult. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Saturday, their company had insisted that any renters get off the water by 1 p.m., but data from \u003ca href=\"https://www.wunderground.com/history/daily/us/ca/marshall/KDVO/date/2026-8-30\">Weather Underground\u003c/a> shows the wind had died down by the evening and around midnight was almost nonexistent.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There wasn’t much wind that night,” MacNeily said. “That’s the thing that’s really curious.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to know and bring if you’re going out on Tomales Bay at night\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The area of Tomales Bay is one of the most dangerous waterways imaginable on the coastlines,” Licht said. “If you’re coming out, you need to do your homework.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>MacNeily said that in the past few years, the bay has become “a circus” of visitors heading out in unsafe boats, drinking, and with very little water safety experience and equipment. She said she often gets calls from people asking about water conditions who don’t have the proper equipment, and “I will advise against it.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s far too many people who are just thinking that this is a Disneyland ride,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big.jpg\" alt=\"A woman in a red long sleeved shirt and blue life vest sits in the fron tof a kayak paddling towards a cliff in the distance.\" class=\"wp-image-11903623\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big.jpg 1800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/02/tomales_big-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Olivia Allen-Price kayaking in Tomales Bay. (Sam Price/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The guides’ main pieces of advice are:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Know your own abilities (and your limits)\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Know the technical limits of your watercraft\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Monitor the weather\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Always wear a life jacket\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Never go alone or on just one boat\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Wear a wetsuit in case you fall in the water\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bring lots of lights for nighttime navigation\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bring a backup communications device, like a radio \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bring backup navigation, especially a compass\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Be aware that a full moon, while providing light, can sometimes be so bright on water that it becomes difficult to see and navigate\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Be ready for thick fog\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’d rather play it safe, you can take a boating course from companies like \u003ca href=\"https://www.seatrek.com/classes/\">SeaTrek\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://bluewaterskayaking.com/classes/\">Blue Waters Kayaking\u003c/a>. Or, join their regular guided trips on the bay for peace of mind.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Granatir, who was a commercial boat captain and has around 50 years of experience running boats, said that moving in a group can save your life.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Kayaking, it’s generally viewed as a sort of an individual sport, which it is,” he said. “But safety in the water is largely a function of other people out there who can help you if things go wrong.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect the guide who urged the campers to call 9\u003c/em>11.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "el-nino-snow-weather-forecast-sierra-nevada-tahoe-california-ski-pass-winter-2026-2027",
"title": "El Niño Forecast Is ‘Off the Charts.’ What Could This Mean for Ski Season?",
"publishDate": 1788357600,
"format": "standard",
"headTitle": "El Niño Forecast Is ‘Off the Charts.’ What Could This Mean for Ski Season? | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>With ski season right around the corner, all eyes are on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2001688/strong-el-nino-may-bring-record-sea-level-and-coastal-flooding-to-bay-area\">this year’s “super” El Niño\u003c/a> forecast. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And meteorologist Alan Smith, who makes North America predictions for the ski-oriented weather service OpenSnow, has \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/news/post/2026-2027-winter-forecast-preview\">called\u003c/a> the readings he’s seeing “off the charts.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After last year’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12077367/tahoe-ski-resorts-closing-dates-2026-heavenly-palisades-homewood-closed-weather-snow-forecast-storms\">dismal ski season\u003c/a>, hope is building among skiers and snowboarders that the weather patterns typically associated with El Niño – like increased snowfall – could bless the Sierra Nevada with an abundance of storms and snow this year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To find out what the forecast could actually spell for winter in California, Smith agreed to answer a few of our most pressing questions. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1275\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074166\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654-160x103.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654-1536x989.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Dolan skis down a backcounty slope near Mammoth Rock in Mammoth Lakes, California, while exploring the growing trend of backcountry skiing on Feb. 12, 2025. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Read on to find out:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#snow-forecast\">How should I understand this current winter forecast?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#winter-snow\">How does El Niño affect snow in the mountains?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#ski-plans\">Should I already be making my ski plans based on this?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a ‘super El Niño’?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/dyk/el-nino\">El Niño\u003c/a> is a climate pattern that brings unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says fishermen off the coast of South America were the first to recognize it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Historical data from El Niño seasons show that, as a result of these higher sea surface temperatures, storm systems can bring above-average precipitation to parts of the United States. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This year, Smith said, his predictions for ocean temperatures are “in record territory,” which could result in a wet winter for the West Coast – hence the “super” characterization. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1224\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino.jpg\" alt=\"A downed tree in Oakland after last weekend's El Niño-fueled storms.\" class=\"wp-image-10898113\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-400x255.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-800x510.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-1180x752.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-960x612.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A downed tree in Oakland, California, after El Niño-fueled storms. (Andrea Kissack/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To be clear: Meteorologists can’t predict exactly when or how much it might snow in the Sierra — or anywhere else, for that matter. And OpenSnow’s Sierra Nevada forecaster Bryan Allegretto said it’s too soon for him to be predicting what weather might shake out in the region.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What Smith and others \u003cem>can \u003c/em>predict are sea surface temperatures, which can heavily influence the amount and timing of precipitation across the globe. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Smith said he will typically make multiple updates to the forecast throughout the end of summer and into autumn. But this year, he said, the signals are so strong that “I’m not sure that we’re going to change much.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re so confident that this is going to be a very strong and potentially record-setting El Niño,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"snow-forecast\">What does this mean for the Sierra snow forecast?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“With a stronger El Niño, it tends to tip the odds in favor of above-average snowfall in the Sierra,” Smith said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He did offer caution, however.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2253947921-scaled-e1769466571155.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12071091\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Professional skier Molly Armanino lands Dan’s Cliff at Kirkwood Ski Resort in Kirkwood, California, on Jan. 3, 2026. (Brontë Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be, like, a massive 2023-style winter,” Smith said, referring to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11984385/californias-2023-snow-deluge-was-a-freak-event-study-says\">2023-24 ski season that dumped heavy snowfall\u003c/a> on the region, erasing a two-decades-long megadrought.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“But it just tips the odds more toward it being above, at least, the average levels, more so than it does a below-average season,” he explained.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is this El Niño forecast calculated?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Smith explained that his forecasts are made based on measurements from past seasons with “similar attributes to this one.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So he looks at factors like sea surface temperature to understand what might be coming. In this case, the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/mhx/ensowhat\">ENSO\u003c/a>” – the El Niño-Southern Oscillation – is a particularly powerful climate phenomena in which sea surface temperatures can directly affect precipitation. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12037679\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-800x530.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1020x676.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1920x1272.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An automated National Weather Service weather station collects data on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Montara, California, on April 5, 2016. (Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This year’s El Niño is concentrated in the eastern area of the Pacific Ocean, Smith said, and it’s expected to peak early in the winter. “Which is, kind of, a classic strong-to-super El Niño timing,” he noted.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Smith said he also analyzes winds in the tropics, and he’s seeing conditions that could favor low-pressure patterns along the West Coast.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Historical records, he said, are making the case for a strong El Niño, but “even the seasonal models are pretty wet in their projections for California in the Sierra this year, so that gave us a little extra confidence.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"winter-snow\">Will this winter’s snow be good to ski on?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s not all good news for winter-sports enthusiasts. Smith said that stronger El Niño winters like this one “tend to run a little warmer overall in terms of temperature.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t mean it’s going to be as warm as what we saw last winter, which was abnormally warm for pretty much the entire West,” he said. “But it does mean that, when we look at the winter as a whole, we tend to see a little bit of an above-average trend.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That means the winter could bring some particularly heavy, wet snow, like the famed “\u003ca href=\"https://asomammoth.com/what-is-sierra-cement/\">Sierra Cement\u003c/a>” that isn’t everyone’s favorite to ski on because of its heavy nature.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Likewise there could be storms where only higher elevations get snow, while lower-elevation mountains are pummeled by rain. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So it’s not necessarily a great signal for lots of cold, powdery storms,” he said. “I certainly think we will see a mix this winter.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As for when to expect a dumping, Smith said his readings for the Sierra Nevada range are currently showing the “strongest signal from January to March.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ski-plans\">Should I be making my ski plans now?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re wondering whether to buy a ski pass this year, the super El Niño forecast \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/dyk/el-nino\">is undoubtedly already bringing a lot of hype\u003c/a> to ski resort marketing this season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, Smith cautioned: “Don’t get too emotionally attached to these outlooks.” \u003cbr>\u003cbr>His reasoning? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1284\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074160\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259-1536x996.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Veteran guide Howie Schwartz, left, leads Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Dolan, right, into the popular backcountry near the Mill City site to explore the growing trend of backcountry skiing on Feb. 12, 2025, in Mammoth Lakes, California. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s always some uncertainty in forecasting, and there’s bound to be some ebb and flow when it comes to the actual weather, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Plus, it’s way too soon to be targeting particular dates on when the actual rain or snow will fall, he added.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It can fluctuate a lot within the season,” Smith said. “We can look at the season as a whole and make a prediction if it’s going to be above or below average, but it’s not going to tell you a whole lot if you’re trying to narrow down a specific week or day.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you have a ski trip planned in January, it doesn’t mean it’s, like, a slam dunk,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>With ski season right around the corner, all eyes are on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2001688/strong-el-nino-may-bring-record-sea-level-and-coastal-flooding-to-bay-area\">this year’s “super” El Niño\u003c/a> forecast. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>With ski season right around the corner, all eyes are on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2001688/strong-el-nino-may-bring-record-sea-level-and-coastal-flooding-to-bay-area\">this year’s “super” El Niño\u003c/a> forecast. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And meteorologist Alan Smith, who makes North America predictions for the ski-oriented weather service OpenSnow, has \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/news/post/2026-2027-winter-forecast-preview\">called\u003c/a> the readings he’s seeing “off the charts.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And meteorologist Alan Smith, who makes North America predictions for the ski-oriented weather service OpenSnow, has \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/news/post/2026-2027-winter-forecast-preview\">called\u003c/a> the readings he’s seeing “off the charts.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>After last year’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12077367/tahoe-ski-resorts-closing-dates-2026-heavenly-palisades-homewood-closed-weather-snow-forecast-storms\">dismal ski season\u003c/a>, hope is building among skiers and snowboarders that the weather patterns typically associated with El Niño – like increased snowfall – could bless the Sierra Nevada with an abundance of storms and snow this year.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>After last year’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12077367/tahoe-ski-resorts-closing-dates-2026-heavenly-palisades-homewood-closed-weather-snow-forecast-storms\">dismal ski season\u003c/a>, hope is building among skiers and snowboarders that the weather patterns typically associated with El Niño – like increased snowfall – could bless the Sierra Nevada with an abundance of storms and snow this year.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To find out what the forecast could actually spell for winter in California, Smith agreed to answer a few of our most pressing questions. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>To find out what the forecast could actually spell for winter in California, Smith agreed to answer a few of our most pressing questions. \u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074166\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654-160x103.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654-1536x989.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Dolan skis down a backcounty slope near Mammoth Rock in Mammoth Lakes, California, while exploring the growing trend of backcountry skiing on Feb. 12, 2025.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074166\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Dolan skis down a backcounty slope near Mammoth Rock in Mammoth Lakes, California, while exploring the growing trend of backcountry skiing on Feb. 12, 2025.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Read on to find out:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Read on to find out:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"How does El Niño affect snow in the mountains?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#snow-forecast\">How should I understand this current winter forecast?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#snow-forecast\">How should I understand this current winter forecast?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#winter-snow\">How does El Niño affect snow in the mountains?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#winter-snow\">How does El Niño affect snow in the mountains?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#ski-plans\">Should I already be making my ski plans based on this?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#ski-plans\">Should I already be making my ski plans based on this?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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"text": "What is a ‘super El Niño’?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a ‘super El Niño’?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a ‘super El Niño’?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/dyk/el-nino\">El Niño\u003c/a> is a climate pattern that brings unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says fishermen off the coast of South America were the first to recognize it.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/dyk/el-nino\">El Niño\u003c/a> is a climate pattern that brings unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says fishermen off the coast of South America were the first to recognize it.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Historical data from El Niño seasons show that, as a result of these higher sea surface temperatures, storm systems can bring above-average precipitation to parts of the United States. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Historical data from El Niño seasons show that, as a result of these higher sea surface temperatures, storm systems can bring above-average precipitation to parts of the United States. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This year, Smith said, his predictions for ocean temperatures are “in record territory,” which could result in a wet winter for the West Coast – hence the “super” characterization. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This year, Smith said, his predictions for ocean temperatures are “in record territory,” which could result in a wet winter for the West Coast – hence the “super” characterization. \u003c/p>\n"
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"alt": "A downed tree in Oakland after last weekend's El Niño-fueled storms.",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-400x255.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-800x510.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-1180x752.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-960x612.jpg 960w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino.jpg\" alt=\"A downed tree in Oakland after last weekend's El Niño-fueled storms.\" class=\"wp-image-10898113\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-400x255.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-800x510.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-1180x752.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-960x612.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A downed tree in Oakland, California, after El Niño-fueled storms.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Andrea Kissack/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino.jpg\" alt=\"A downed tree in Oakland after last weekend's El Niño-fueled storms.\" class=\"wp-image-10898113\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A downed tree in Oakland, California, after El Niño-fueled storms.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Andrea Kissack/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To be clear: Meteorologists can’t predict exactly when or how much it might snow in the Sierra — or anywhere else, for that matter. And OpenSnow’s Sierra Nevada forecaster Bryan Allegretto said it’s too soon for him to be predicting what weather might shake out in the region.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>To be clear: Meteorologists can’t predict exactly when or how much it might snow in the Sierra — or anywhere else, for that matter. And OpenSnow’s Sierra Nevada forecaster Bryan Allegretto said it’s too soon for him to be predicting what weather might shake out in the region.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>What Smith and others \u003cem>can \u003c/em>predict are sea surface temperatures, which can heavily influence the amount and timing of precipitation across the globe. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Smith said he will typically make multiple updates to the forecast throughout the end of summer and into autumn. But this year, he said, the signals are so strong that “I’m not sure that we’re going to change much.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Smith said he will typically make multiple updates to the forecast throughout the end of summer and into autumn. But this year, he said, the signals are so strong that “I’m not sure that we’re going to change much.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re so confident that this is going to be a very strong and potentially record-setting El Niño,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "What does this mean for the Sierra snow forecast?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"snow-forecast\">What does this mean for the Sierra snow forecast?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“With a stronger El Niño, it tends to tip the odds in favor of above-average snowfall in the Sierra,” Smith said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He did offer caution, however.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2253947921-scaled-e1769466571155.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12071091\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Professional skier Molly Armanino lands Dan’s Cliff at Kirkwood Ski Resort in Kirkwood, California, on Jan. 3, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Brontë Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be, like, a massive 2023-style winter,” Smith said, referring to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11984385/californias-2023-snow-deluge-was-a-freak-event-study-says\">2023-24 ski season that dumped heavy snowfall\u003c/a> on the region, erasing a two-decades-long megadrought.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be, like, a massive 2023-style winter,” Smith said, referring to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11984385/californias-2023-snow-deluge-was-a-freak-event-study-says\">2023-24 ski season that dumped heavy snowfall\u003c/a> on the region, erasing a two-decades-long megadrought.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“But it just tips the odds more toward it being above, at least, the average levels, more so than it does a below-average season,” he explained.\u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "How is this El Niño forecast calculated?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is this El Niño forecast calculated?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Smith explained that his forecasts are made based on measurements from past seasons with “similar attributes to this one.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So he looks at factors like sea surface temperature to understand what might be coming. In this case, the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/mhx/ensowhat\">ENSO\u003c/a>” – the El Niño-Southern Oscillation – is a particularly powerful climate phenomena in which sea surface temperatures can directly affect precipitation. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>So he looks at factors like sea surface temperature to understand what might be coming. In this case, the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/mhx/ensowhat\">ENSO\u003c/a>” – the El Niño-Southern Oscillation – is a particularly powerful climate phenomena in which sea surface temperatures can directly affect precipitation. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12037679\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-800x530.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1020x676.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1920x1272.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An automated National Weather Service weather station collects data on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Montara, California, on April 5, 2016. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12037679\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An automated National Weather Service weather station collects data on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Montara, California, on April 5, 2016. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This year’s El Niño is concentrated in the eastern area of the Pacific Ocean, Smith said, and it’s expected to peak early in the winter. “Which is, kind of, a classic strong-to-super El Niño timing,” he noted.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>This year’s El Niño is concentrated in the eastern area of the Pacific Ocean, Smith said, and it’s expected to peak early in the winter. “Which is, kind of, a classic strong-to-super El Niño timing,” he noted.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Smith said he also analyzes winds in the tropics, and he’s seeing conditions that could favor low-pressure patterns along the West Coast.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Smith said he also analyzes winds in the tropics, and he’s seeing conditions that could favor low-pressure patterns along the West Coast.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Historical records, he said, are making the case for a strong El Niño, but “even the seasonal models are pretty wet in their projections for California in the Sierra this year, so that gave us a little extra confidence.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Historical records, he said, are making the case for a strong El Niño, but “even the seasonal models are pretty wet in their projections for California in the Sierra this year, so that gave us a little extra confidence.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Will this winter’s snow be good to ski on?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It’s not all good news for winter-sports enthusiasts. Smith said that stronger El Niño winters like this one “tend to run a little warmer overall in terms of temperature.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>It’s not all good news for winter-sports enthusiasts. Smith said that stronger El Niño winters like this one “tend to run a little warmer overall in terms of temperature.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t mean it’s going to be as warm as what we saw last winter, which was abnormally warm for pretty much the entire West,” he said. “But it does mean that, when we look at the winter as a whole, we tend to see a little bit of an above-average trend.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t mean it’s going to be as warm as what we saw last winter, which was abnormally warm for pretty much the entire West,” he said. “But it does mean that, when we look at the winter as a whole, we tend to see a little bit of an above-average trend.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That means the winter could bring some particularly heavy, wet snow, like the famed “\u003ca href=\"https://asomammoth.com/what-is-sierra-cement/\">Sierra Cement\u003c/a>” that isn’t everyone’s favorite to ski on because of its heavy nature.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That means the winter could bring some particularly heavy, wet snow, like the famed “\u003ca href=\"https://asomammoth.com/what-is-sierra-cement/\">Sierra Cement\u003c/a>” that isn’t everyone’s favorite to ski on because of its heavy nature.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Likewise there could be storms where only higher elevations get snow, while lower-elevation mountains are pummeled by rain. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Likewise there could be storms where only higher elevations get snow, while lower-elevation mountains are pummeled by rain. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“So it’s not necessarily a great signal for lots of cold, powdery storms,” he said. “I certainly think we will see a mix this winter.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“So it’s not necessarily a great signal for lots of cold, powdery storms,” he said. “I certainly think we will see a mix this winter.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As for when to expect a dumping, Smith said his readings for the Sierra Nevada range are currently showing the “strongest signal from January to March.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>As for when to expect a dumping, Smith said his readings for the Sierra Nevada range are currently showing the “strongest signal from January to March.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Should I be making my ski plans now?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ski-plans\">Should I be making my ski plans now?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re wondering whether to buy a ski pass this year, the super El Niño forecast \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/dyk/el-nino\">is undoubtedly already bringing a lot of hype\u003c/a> to ski resort marketing this season.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’re wondering whether to buy a ski pass this year, the super El Niño forecast \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/dyk/el-nino\">is undoubtedly already bringing a lot of hype\u003c/a> to ski resort marketing this season.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Still, Smith cautioned: “Don’t get too emotionally attached to these outlooks.” \u003cbr>\u003cbr>His reasoning? \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Still, Smith cautioned: “Don’t get too emotionally attached to these outlooks.” \u003cbr>\u003cbr>His reasoning? \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074160\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259-1536x996.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Veteran guide Howie Schwartz, left, leads Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Dolan, right, into the popular backcountry near the Mill City site to explore the growing trend of backcountry skiing on Feb. 12, 2025, in Mammoth Lakes, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There’s always some uncertainty in forecasting, and there’s bound to be some ebb and flow when it comes to the actual weather, he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Plus, it’s way too soon to be targeting particular dates on when the actual rain or snow will fall, he added.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It can fluctuate a lot within the season,” Smith said. “We can look at the season as a whole and make a prediction if it’s going to be above or below average, but it’s not going to tell you a whole lot if you’re trying to narrow down a specific week or day.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It can fluctuate a lot within the season,” Smith said. “We can look at the season as a whole and make a prediction if it’s going to be above or below average, but it’s not going to tell you a whole lot if you’re trying to narrow down a specific week or day.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you have a ski trip planned in January, it doesn’t mean it’s, like, a slam dunk,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>With ski season right around the corner, all eyes are on \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2001688/strong-el-nino-may-bring-record-sea-level-and-coastal-flooding-to-bay-area\">this year’s “super” El Niño\u003c/a> forecast. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And meteorologist Alan Smith, who makes North America predictions for the ski-oriented weather service OpenSnow, has \u003ca href=\"https://opensnow.com/news/post/2026-2027-winter-forecast-preview\">called\u003c/a> the readings he’s seeing “off the charts.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>After last year’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12077367/tahoe-ski-resorts-closing-dates-2026-heavenly-palisades-homewood-closed-weather-snow-forecast-storms\">dismal ski season\u003c/a>, hope is building among skiers and snowboarders that the weather patterns typically associated with El Niño – like increased snowfall – could bless the Sierra Nevada with an abundance of storms and snow this year.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To find out what the forecast could actually spell for winter in California, Smith agreed to answer a few of our most pressing questions. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1275\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074166\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654-160x103.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235654-1536x989.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Dolan skis down a backcounty slope near Mammoth Rock in Mammoth Lakes, California, while exploring the growing trend of backcountry skiing on Feb. 12, 2025. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Read on to find out:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#snow-forecast\">How should I understand this current winter forecast?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#winter-snow\">How does El Niño affect snow in the mountains?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#ski-plans\">Should I already be making my ski plans based on this?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a ‘super El Niño’?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/dyk/el-nino\">El Niño\u003c/a> is a climate pattern that brings unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean near the equator. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says fishermen off the coast of South America were the first to recognize it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Historical data from El Niño seasons show that, as a result of these higher sea surface temperatures, storm systems can bring above-average precipitation to parts of the United States. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This year, Smith said, his predictions for ocean temperatures are “in record territory,” which could result in a wet winter for the West Coast – hence the “super” characterization. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1224\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino.jpg\" alt=\"A downed tree in Oakland after last weekend's El Niño-fueled storms.\" class=\"wp-image-10898113\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-400x255.jpg 400w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-800x510.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-1180x752.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/03/ElNino-960x612.jpg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A downed tree in Oakland, California, after El Niño-fueled storms. (Andrea Kissack/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To be clear: Meteorologists can’t predict exactly when or how much it might snow in the Sierra — or anywhere else, for that matter. And OpenSnow’s Sierra Nevada forecaster Bryan Allegretto said it’s too soon for him to be predicting what weather might shake out in the region.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What Smith and others \u003cem>can \u003c/em>predict are sea surface temperatures, which can heavily influence the amount and timing of precipitation across the globe. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Smith said he will typically make multiple updates to the forecast throughout the end of summer and into autumn. But this year, he said, the signals are so strong that “I’m not sure that we’re going to change much.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re so confident that this is going to be a very strong and potentially record-setting El Niño,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"snow-forecast\">What does this mean for the Sierra snow forecast?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“With a stronger El Niño, it tends to tip the odds in favor of above-average snowfall in the Sierra,” Smith said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He did offer caution, however.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/GettyImages-2253947921-scaled-e1769466571155.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12071091\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Professional skier Molly Armanino lands Dan’s Cliff at Kirkwood Ski Resort in Kirkwood, California, on Jan. 3, 2026. (Brontë Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be, like, a massive 2023-style winter,” Smith said, referring to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11984385/californias-2023-snow-deluge-was-a-freak-event-study-says\">2023-24 ski season that dumped heavy snowfall\u003c/a> on the region, erasing a two-decades-long megadrought.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“But it just tips the odds more toward it being above, at least, the average levels, more so than it does a below-average season,” he explained.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is this El Niño forecast calculated?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Smith explained that his forecasts are made based on measurements from past seasons with “similar attributes to this one.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So he looks at factors like sea surface temperature to understand what might be coming. In this case, the “\u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/mhx/ensowhat\">ENSO\u003c/a>” – the El Niño-Southern Oscillation – is a particularly powerful climate phenomena in which sea surface temperatures can directly affect precipitation. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1325\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12037679\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-800x530.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1020x676.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1536x1018.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/04/NationalWeatherServiceGetty-1920x1272.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An automated National Weather Service weather station collects data on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Montara, California, on April 5, 2016. (Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This year’s El Niño is concentrated in the eastern area of the Pacific Ocean, Smith said, and it’s expected to peak early in the winter. “Which is, kind of, a classic strong-to-super El Niño timing,” he noted.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Smith said he also analyzes winds in the tropics, and he’s seeing conditions that could favor low-pressure patterns along the West Coast.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Historical records, he said, are making the case for a strong El Niño, but “even the seasonal models are pretty wet in their projections for California in the Sierra this year, so that gave us a little extra confidence.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"winter-snow\">Will this winter’s snow be good to ski on?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s not all good news for winter-sports enthusiasts. Smith said that stronger El Niño winters like this one “tend to run a little warmer overall in terms of temperature.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It doesn’t mean it’s going to be as warm as what we saw last winter, which was abnormally warm for pretty much the entire West,” he said. “But it does mean that, when we look at the winter as a whole, we tend to see a little bit of an above-average trend.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That means the winter could bring some particularly heavy, wet snow, like the famed “\u003ca href=\"https://asomammoth.com/what-is-sierra-cement/\">Sierra Cement\u003c/a>” that isn’t everyone’s favorite to ski on because of its heavy nature.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Likewise there could be storms where only higher elevations get snow, while lower-elevation mountains are pummeled by rain. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So it’s not necessarily a great signal for lots of cold, powdery storms,” he said. “I certainly think we will see a mix this winter.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As for when to expect a dumping, Smith said his readings for the Sierra Nevada range are currently showing the “strongest signal from January to March.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ski-plans\">Should I be making my ski plans now?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re wondering whether to buy a ski pass this year, the super El Niño forecast \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/dyk/el-nino\">is undoubtedly already bringing a lot of hype\u003c/a> to ski resort marketing this season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, Smith cautioned: “Don’t get too emotionally attached to these outlooks.” \u003cbr>\u003cbr>His reasoning? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1284\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074160\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/GettyImages-2206235259-1536x996.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Veteran guide Howie Schwartz, left, leads Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Dolan, right, into the popular backcountry near the Mill City site to explore the growing trend of backcountry skiing on Feb. 12, 2025, in Mammoth Lakes, California. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s always some uncertainty in forecasting, and there’s bound to be some ebb and flow when it comes to the actual weather, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Plus, it’s way too soon to be targeting particular dates on when the actual rain or snow will fall, he added.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It can fluctuate a lot within the season,” Smith said. “We can look at the season as a whole and make a prediction if it’s going to be above or below average, but it’s not going to tell you a whole lot if you’re trying to narrow down a specific week or day.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you have a ski trip planned in January, it doesn’t mean it’s, like, a slam dunk,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "in-the-midst-of-basketball-and-baseball-season-how-to-join-womens-sports-fandom-in-the-bay-area",
"title": "In the Midst of Basketball and Baseball Season, How to Join Women’s Sports Fandom in the Bay Area",
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"headTitle": "In the Midst of Basketball and Baseball Season, How to Join Women’s Sports Fandom in the Bay Area | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to what to know about:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#baseball\">Getting into women’s baseball in the region\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘That passion for community’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding connection — and a voice\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr />\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re not gatekeeping who can be the best baseball fan.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rikki’s Bar is also airing the WPBL games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thisiswomensbaseball.com/\">This Is Women’s Baseball\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/the-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-offers-hope-and-frustrations\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area ",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n"
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{
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"attrs": {
"items": [
"San Francisco Riptide",
"Oakland Swish",
"Hayward Reign",
"Bay City Blaze",
"Berkeley Royals",
"Bay Area Phoenix",
"Alameda Wolves",
"Tech City Titans"
],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"level": 3,
"text": "Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? "
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n",
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"headline": "In the Midst of Basketball and Baseball Season, How to Join Women’s Sports Fandom in the Bay Area",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>When she moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, Rindala Alajaji swiftly became a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/giants\">San Francisco Giants\u003c/a> fan. She loved going to Oracle Park to see the team — and was especially appreciative of how inclusive and queer-friendly the games felt to her. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But that changed for Alajaji this year when, at \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089008/as-sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-continues-fans-recall-historic-1994-aids-benefit\">a June Pride Night celebration\u003c/a>, three Giants players protested the theme by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">decorating their hats with Bible verses\u003c/a> often cited by anti-gay conservative Christians. One player refused to wear the rainbow-branded hat altogether. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I didn’t really think it would impact me as much as it did because it was kind of silly,” she said. “I’ve lived in Florida, where there’s a lot of bigots and homophobes that like to throw Bible verses at you, but I think, it being in San Francisco … It just felt like a slap in the face.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jump straight to what to know about:\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#baseball\">Getting into women’s baseball in the region\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Alajaji added that she also felt let down by \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914206/sf-giants-pride-night-fallout-amplifies\">the lukewarm reaction\u003c/a> to the controversy from the team’s management. She hadn’t watched a baseball game since. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Then came \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/30/womens-pro-baseball-league-announces-star-studded-team-manager-lineup-for-historic-inaugural-season-set-to-start-august-1st/\">the Aug. 1 debut\u003c/a> of the Women’s Pro Baseball League — \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">the first such league in 70 years\u003c/a> — with the San Francisco Firebells as one of their founding teams. And then Alajaji fell in love with baseball again. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The captain is a queer woman, and there’s a lot of queer players and fans. And it’s a beautiful contrast,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For people like Alajaji, it’s a great time to be a women’s sports fan in the Bay Area. Women’s professional teams have been dominating the local scene in the past few years — the Bay Area was even \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6815888/2025/11/19/top-womens-sports-cities-list-bay-area/\">deemed\u003c/a> the “No. 1 women’s sports city in the U.S.” by \u003cem>The New York Times —\u003c/em> and even more leagues are \u003ca href=\"https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/05/20/bay-areas-womens-sports-boom-continues-with-pwhl-expansion/\">establishing franchises\u003c/a> in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re witnessing the crazy history right now,” said San Francisco’s Ozzy Palacio, sports reporter and managing editor of the San Francisco State University student paper \u003ca href=\"https://goldengatexpress.org/\">\u003cem>Golden Gate Xpress\u003c/em>\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as a longtime women’s soccer fan, “it’s super awesome to be at the epicenter of it here in the Bay Area,” Palacio said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘That passion for community’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In addition to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wpbl_firebells/\">Firebells\u003c/a>, the Professional Women’s Hockey League \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DYhe29mjpUj/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">announced\u003c/a> in May that it will be expanding to San José’s SAP Center. In July, a new pro volleyball team \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/DaibHt7nHiG/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D\">unveiled\u003c/a> its name — the San Francisco Signal — and logo.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And for many people in the Bay Area, the Golden State \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13984639/valkyries-wnba-2025-in-review\">Valkyries’ inaugural season\u003c/a> last year has been their gateway to sports in general. The Valkyries boasted consistent sold-out home games with an electric crowd, fan favorites and \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/nakase-named-2025-coach-of-the-year-20250917\">a Coach of the Year win for Natalie Nakase\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s drawing this interest from thousands and thousands — dare I say, hundreds of thousands of people — that never felt like they were able to be interested or involved in the sports world before,” said Palacio. “And that’s because they never had a way to see themselves through it.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097805\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 and Joely Leguizamon #13 of the San Francisco Firebells celebrate during the third inning against the Boston Hunters at Robin Roberts Stadium on Aug. 2, 2026, in Springfield, Illinois. (Zoe Davis/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Like, the Valkyries games are queer as fuck,” Palacio continued. “It’s awesome.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And it’s not just basketball. Soccer secured new fans thanks to the hype from local games of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/fifa\">the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup\u003c/a> this summer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“People are, like, ‘Guys, can we keep hanging out on weekdays once the World Cup is over?’” recalled Palacio, who is primarily an \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfnighthawks.com/\">SF Nighthawks supporter\u003c/a>. “There’s that passion for community through sports.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding connection — and a voice\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Local businesses are also betting big on the women’s sports community. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13977457/rikkis-first-womens-sports-bar-bay-area-open-castro-sf-valkyries\">The Bay Area’s first women’s sports bar\u003c/a>, Rikki’s, opened in the Castro District last year and already has a reputation for being a major place for fans to gather. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two other women’s sports bars are also slated to open in the future — \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thetwelfthmarin/\">one in Marin\u003c/a> later this year and \u003ca href=\"https://www.hysteriasportsbar.com/\">another in Oakland\u003c/a> in 2027.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The fact that several of these women’s teams \u003cem>are \u003c/em>in their exciting early stages also gives them more of a voice, Palacio argued. They said that many major women’s sports teams are run by people who ultimately “want to make money off of you.” But because these newer teams are so “fresh,” they continued, “they still need to listen to their fans.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047881\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250712-valkyries101_00420_TV_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fans cheer for the Valkyries at a watch party at White Horse Bar in Oakland, California, on July 12, 2025. The fan group ValQueeries hosted the watch party. (Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I don’t think a lot of people coming to sports through these major women’s sports teams are realizing that they have a lot of agency and a lot of choice in what the team does,” as opposed to men’s sports teams, Palacio said. “Their input is still very important at this stage.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That kind of voice has been apparent among Valkyries fans, who have \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/valkyries-lynx-showdown-wnba-s-real-story-22395694.php\">rallied\u003c/a> at a basketball game to show appreciation for coach Nakase and player Gabby Williams’ \u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bay-area-news/2026-08-13/every-kind-of-person-is-here-fans-celebrate-the-valkyries-stance-on-inclusion\">expression\u003c/a> of support for transgender women in the Women’s National Basketball Association, as the league has become a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12096193/the-wnba-has-a-politics-problem\">target\u003c/a> of conservatives. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the world and sports right now, there is just too much hate, too much hate speech. I would highly suggest that people continue to lead with love,” Nakase said, as \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebar.com/story/169495\">quoted\u003c/a> by \u003cem>The Bay Area Reporter\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Want to get involved in basketball and baseball fandom in the Bay Area?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In the spirit of \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13992300/finding-your-people-meetups-hobbies-making-friends-bay-area\">finding community\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914897/where-do-you-go-to-find-your-people\">connection in real life\u003c/a>, keep reading for a primer on how to support women’s basketball and baseball teams in the Bay Area — and where you can gather with other fans locally. Or you can also view our other\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12098165/the-quick-guide-to-the-bay-areas-professional-womens-sports-teams\"> guide to women’s hockey, soccer and rugby team fandoms \u003c/a>in the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Can’t find a space for your favorite team? Palacio recommended you \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12074872/tips-for-hosting-parties-san-francisco-bay-area-making-friends-party-food-decorations-music\">organize one\u003c/a> yourself — and try to connect even beyond the season.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12097787\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/09/WomensSportsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kelsie Whitmore #3 of the San Francisco Firebells, Ashton Lansdell #1 of the Los Angeles Queens, Alli Schroder #16 of the Boston Hunters, and Denae Benites #2 of the New York Heights pose for a photo before the Women’s Pro Baseball League Opening Day game between New York Heights and the Los Angeles Queens at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois, on Aug. 1, 2026. (Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you asked \u003ca href=\"https://www.elriosf.com/\">El Rio\u003c/a>, ‘Hey, can we do a fucking women’s basketball comedy night?’ I’m sure they would say yes,” they said, referring to the legendary venue in the Mission District.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Remember: In addition to the booming professional sports scene, the Bay Area is home to several top-notch college sports programs. Those games are an excellent place to show ride-or-die support of women’s sports and watch young players as they become future stars.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"basketball\">Supporting women’s basketball in the Bay Area\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Golden State Valkyries are a WNBA team that debuted just last year. They usually play at Chase Center — aka Ballhalla — in San Francisco. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do buy tickets to a game, be sure to get there a bit early to secure any freebies the venue hands out. For more tips, KQED has \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12080384/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-2026-ballhalla-chase-center-san-francisco-tickets-parking-bag-policy-merch\">a thorough guide on navigating the Chase Center\u003c/a> during basketball games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Valkyries’ schedule lists different ways to \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/schedule?season=2026&month=all&location=all&opponent=all\">stream each game\u003c/a>, but you can usually watch live on KPIX 5 or on platforms like \u003ca href=\"https://www.peacocktv.com/sports/wnba\">Peacock\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.primevideo.com/tournament/amzn1.dv.icid.9128d05b-2c57-491d-89da-c49d779c5db4\">Amazon Prime Video\u003c/a> or \u003ca href=\"https://www.wnba.com/leaguepass?plan=annual\">WNBA League Pass\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12083065\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260510-VALKYRIESHOMEOPENER-29-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ashley Richardson cheers during the Golden State Valkyries’ home opener against the Phoenix Mercury at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 10, 2026. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA regular season runs from the end of April to the end of September. The Valkyries \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/golden-state-valkyries-beat-dallas-clinch-wnba-22392328.php\">recently secured a spot\u003c/a> in the playoffs that follow. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you need yet another reason to get into the league? September will bring the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, with \u003ca href=\"https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/natalie-nakase-fiba-womens-world-cup-assistant-coach-20260806\">Nakase serving\u003c/a> as the U.S. team’s assistant coach. And next summer, San Francisco will \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12095766/san-francisco-to-host-2027-wnba-all-star-game-at-chase-center\">host the WNBA All-Star Game\u003c/a> at Chase Center, featuring top players in the game.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Other major highlights: Violet, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13980000/violet-valkyries-wnba-cute-mascot-purple-raven-glasses-reaction\">the Valkyries’ mascot\u003c/a> with adorable glasses and an amazingly snatched waist. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What other Bay Area women’s basketball teams can I support?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Women’s Premier Basketball Association has a host of \u003ca href=\"https://www.womenspba.com/stats#/2693/teams?division_id=49639\">Bay Area-based teams\u003c/a> so localized that you have a good chance of finding a team from your actual place of residence. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The teams include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/San-Francisco-Riptide/61932?Women=1\">San Francisco Riptide\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Oakland-Swish/61934/Roster/2025?Women=1\">Oakland Swish\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Hayward-Reign/61931?Women=1\">Hayward Reign\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-City-Blaze/62028?Women=1\">Bay City Blaze\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Berkeley-Royals/61933?Women=1\">Berkeley Royals\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Bay-Area-Phoenix/68881?Women=1\">Bay Area Phoenix\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Alameda-Wolves/61930?Women=1\">Alameda Wolves\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://basketball.usbasket.com/team/Tech-City-Titans/68882?Women=1\">Tech City Titans\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s basketball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The WNBA already has a pretty passionate base, and it’s only gotten bigger since the Valkyries’ inaugural year. KQED has published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12047885/golden-state-valkyries-wnba-schedule-fandom-chase-center-san-francisco-ballhalla\">a comprehensive guide on navigating WNBA fandom\u003c/a> for super-new basketball fans.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And more good news: The fandom is pretty easy to participate in IRL. Sports journalist Maya Goldberg-Safir, who writes about \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/\">the WNBA in Rough Notes\u003c/a>, published a very thorough map of \u003ca href=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ll=38.06201922218028%2C-121.05610149375002&z=8\">Valkyries fandom spots\u003c/a> throughout the Bay Area, including reliable bars that air women’s sports, parties, women’s/queer pickup basketball, and local groups like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/valqueeries/\">ValQueeries\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleswatchparty/\">People’s Watch Party\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr />\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1yIDpg_Y8ULIO2-IdC2H3wmR9nZeXbl4&ehbc=2E312F\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\" frameborder=\"0\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s basketball?\u003cstrong> \u003c/strong>\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kalw.org/bounce-the-valkyries-first-season-in-the-bay\">Bounce from KALW\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.flagrantmag.com/\">Flagrant Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/stud.budz\">StudBudz\u003c/a>, which features two Minnesota Lynx players\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/287-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/\">No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnba_gay\">WNBA Gay\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/wnbadata\">WNBA Data\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SueBird\">Bird’s Eye View\u003c/a>, hosted by WNBA legend Sue Bird\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/category/sports/womens-basketball/wnba\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>If you really want to get into WNBA fandom: \u003ca href=\"https://wnbaroughnotes.substack.com/p/rough-notes-lesbians-volume-3-overdue\">the Lesbians Google Doc\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"baseball\">Supporting women’s baseball in the Bay Area\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should I know about the professional sports team? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First off, it’s a great time to get into women’s baseball: The first women’s professional baseball league in 70 years \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/08/08/nx-s1-5923371/womens-professional-baseball-league-debut\">debuted\u003c/a> in August.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The San Francisco Firebells are one of the first four teams making up the Women’s Pro Baseball League, along with Los Angeles, Boston and New York. The team is named after Lillie “Firebelle Lil” Hitchcock Coit, who, according to the team’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/2026/07/08/introducing-the-first-four-inspired-by-legends/\">self-description\u003c/a>, “famously leapt into action to help San Francisco volunteer firefighters battle a blaze on Telegraph Hill.” (And yes, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12092325/time-travel-to-san-franciscos-past-at-these-local-haunts\">Coit Tower\u003c/a> was \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/facilities/facility/details/Coit-Tower-290\">named\u003c/a> after her.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It has been so, so cool to be able to watch women play a sport that I love so much,” said Firebells fan Gil Lait of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The six-week season will \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/schedule/\">run until early September\u003c/a>. But here’s the major catch for WPBL fans: All of the teams will be playing their games in Springfield, Illinois. You can watch these games live on ESPN or streamed on \u003ca href=\"https://www.espn.com/watch/catalog/ea16443a-7b7e-3dad-8485-0cce2974e8ec/women-s-pro-baseball-league\">ESPN+\u003c/a>, but there are plans to \u003ca href=\"https://www.marketplace.org/story/2026/08/07/the-economics-of-relaunching-womens-pro-baseball\">play in home cities\u003c/a> next year, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It feels like a small group, but it’s definitely a mighty group,” Lait said of the crowd watching WPBL games at Rikki’s and at \u003ca href=\"https://www.mothersf.com/\">Mother,\u003c/a> a Mission District lesbian bar. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That’s what I love so much about the baseball community and women’s sports, in general,” they said. “There is really a space for people to learn. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’re not gatekeeping who can be the best baseball fan.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Are there other Bay Area women’s baseball teams I can support?\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re looking to support the future of baseball, there’s the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/baysoxgirlsbaseball/\">SF Bay Sox Girls Baseball\u003c/a> for players ages 6 to 18. The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department \u003ca href=\"https://sfrecpark.org/1715/San-Francisco-Bay-Sox\">calls it\u003c/a> “the largest girls baseball program currently operating in the U.S.” One of the program’s alumni, Sebastopol’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.womensprobaseballleague.com/players/kaija-bazzano/\">Kaija Bazzano\u003c/a>, made it onto the \u003ca href=\"https://thefrisc.com/more-sf-girls-than-ever-are-playing-boys-high-school-baseball/\">roster\u003c/a> for the Firebells. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where does the women’s baseball community hang out? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There aren’t any dedicated women’s baseball rec leagues, but the \u003ca href=\"https://sfgsl.leagueapps.com/\">San Francisco Gay Softball League\u003c/a> has multiple divisions, both co-ed and women/nonbinary. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For beginners, Lait recommends \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfll.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2185154\">Fall Ball\u003c/a>, where teams are mixed-gender and have a more social feel. Those seeking a more competitive environment may want to play during the spring.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rikki’s Bar is also airing the WPBL games.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are some publications or podcasts I can follow to learn more about women’s baseball? \u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/sportsgirlsclub\">Sports Girls Club\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://snatchmagazine.com/\">Snatch Magazine\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thisiswomensbaseball.com/\">This Is Women’s Baseball\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://defector.com/the-new-womens-pro-baseball-league-offers-hope-and-frustrations\">Defector\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "el-nino-could-bring-a-wet-wild-winter-how-can-you-and-your-home-be-ready",
"title": "El Niño Could Bring a Wet, Wild Winter. How Can You — and Your Home — Be Ready?",
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"headTitle": "El Niño Could Bring a Wet, Wild Winter. How Can You — and Your Home — Be Ready? | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2001688/strong-el-nino-may-bring-record-sea-level-and-coastal-flooding-to-bay-area\">Higher seas\u003c/a>. Back-to-back storms. Mudslides. Flooded homes and highways. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The mere mention of El Niño — and the headlines you’re seeing — can be anxiety-provoking. But how real should your worry be? And what can you do to protect your home, business, or property in advance?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First, the outlook: Federal forecasters report there’s a \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html\">90% chance of a “very strong” El Niño\u003c/a> this fall and winter, and a nearly 70% chance that the strength of El Niño could exceed the strength of any similar event seen since 1950.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay Area cities and counties prone to flooding from the sky and the bay, like San Francisco and Marin, are already taking the El Niño threat seriously and preparing for the worst: deluges that could combine with high tides and temporarily elevated sea levels to potentially swamp whole neighborhoods and roadways, including Highway 101.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’ve had situations in the past where we’ve had to evacuate blocks,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management. “We’re having much more severe weather situations, and we’re seeing things that we haven’t seen in the past.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087662\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A puddle left behind by receding king tides reflects homes along Golden Hind Passage in Corte Madera on June 15, 2026. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Marin County officials are paying close attention to the confluence of El Niño-driven elevated sea levels, seasonal king tides, and the potential for frequent storms that could hammer the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We don’t know if it’s going to rain, but we are going to \u003cem>plan \u003c/em>for it to rain a significant amount,” said Steven Torrence, director of emergency management for Marin County. “Water has to go somewhere, and if it can’t go to the bay, we want to be able to push it to locations where it actually will not impact our residents or people’s infrastructure.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Counties and cities are preparing by investing in temporary pumps, cleaning storm drains, working with partner agencies to ensure people aren’t on Bay Area roads during flooding and sending emergency alerts out swiftly when danger arises.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you want to know about significant traffic incidents, upcoming floods or significant storms, we will send out notifications once thresholds are hit,” Torrence said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Here’s what to know about how El Niño could affect your home and your safety this winter — not to panic you, but so you’re prepared for what might happen in a few months.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First off, what is El Niño — and what kind of weather could it bring exactly?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>El Niño forms when tropical \u003ca href=\"https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/k-12-education/atmosphere/what-are-trade-winds\">trade winds\u003c/a> weaken or reverse, allowing warm ocean water near Asia to slosh toward the Pacific Coast. That warming can reshape the jet stream and bring stormier weather across California while disrupting the ocean’s nutrient-rich \u003ca href=\"https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html\">upwelling\u003c/a>, heating coastal waters, raising sea levels and stressing marine life.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Exactly what the weather will look like this fall and winter is — quite literally — still up in the air. But similar events in past El Niño years have brought torrential downpours, coastal flooding, mudslides, power outages and giant waves.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Climate Prediction Center suggests that much of California will experience \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html\">above-normal temperatures this fall \u003cem>and \u003c/em>precipitation\u003c/a> this winter. Earlier in the fall, forecasters expect warm and wet weather in Southern California, the Central Coast, and in the South and East Bays. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068729\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cars drive on Highway 101 flooded by the “King Tides” on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And come December, there’s potential for above-normal precipitation throughout Northern California. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office, said the Bay Area sits in this interesting transition zone with “drier conditions to the north and wetter conditions to the south.” As a result, the Bay Area could “go either way.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kennedy said, “It is getting more likely that we will see a rainy winter, but we will need to keep an eye on it. Exactly how much it’s going to be above normal, we don’t really know.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“But the fact that the CPC has started indicating leaning above normal for precipitation is a good sign that we are trending towards a wetter winter,” she said\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Could where I live be at risk of flooding from El Niño?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The effects of El Niño — \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/severe-storms\">severe rainstorms\u003c/a> that flood homes and roadways, strong winds toppling trees, temporarily higher seas and giant waves eroding bluffs — have the potential to directly affect Bay Area homes from Pacifica to San Francisco to San Rafael.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kennedy said most of the flooding would likely come from \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1935067/rivers-in-the-sky-what-you-need-to-know-about-atmospheric-river-storms\">atmospheric rivers\u003c/a> that can fuel storms, but also from rising seas, which will be even higher during extra-high \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1955598/king-tides-are-here-why-they-happen-and-what-they-teach-us\">king tides\u003c/a> right around Thanksgiving and Christmas.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you live in an area close to a river or just a more flood-prone area, make sure you are staying up to date on the forecast,” Kennedy said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Carroll said it’s important to take stock of where you live and the flood potential of your home. Are you on a hill? Near a river or the bay? Near a highway that floods? Are there big trees near your home that could fall over in or after a storm? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She suggests looking up flood maps of your home and neighborhood as a starting place to understand your home and family’s flood risk, like this \u003ca href=\"https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/9b14420bdefc427981b1c244f0113328#\">map of San Francisco’s storm and flood hazards\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All this is making me worried about my home during El Niño. Should I be doing any preparation?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Prevention is the number one thing emergency preparedness experts say homeowners should act on in the months before the rainy season. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This includes everything from clearing out gutters, patching up roofs and trimming trees to ensure low-lying areas, such as creeks or roads, are free of debris — so they don’t get backed up during a storm or high tide.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Make sure those are cleared out, because the moment there’s a tree that’s in the wrong location, water starts flowing everywhere,” Torrence said. “We really wanna make sure that everyone is looking at preventative maintenance as something that they can do today, long before it starts raining\u003cem>.”\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087668\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Plastic sheeting and sandbags are placed outside a home along Golden Hind Passage, as residents prepare for potential king tide flooding, in Corte Madera, on June 15, 2026. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Torrence said homeowners in areas that can or routinely flood should also invest in sandbags or flood barriers to protect their assets. Your county may be making these tools available: The County of Marin has \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/find-emergency-sandbags\">32 sites\u003c/a> already offering sandbags, and the San Francisco Department of Public Works offers \u003ca href=\"https://sfpublicworks.org/services/sandbags\">10 free sandbags\u003c/a> per household.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Carroll, in \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/severe-storms\">San Francisco\u003c/a>, also said residents should be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11778663/how-to-prepare-for-potential-pge-power-shutoffs\">ready for power outages \u003c/a>by purchasing backup batteries, flashlights, and nonperishable food. It’s also important to develop a plan — “on a good day,” she stressed — with your family and neighbors in case disaster strikes. As part of this, you should make sure all your important documentation — passports, birth certificates, etc. — is in a safe place, ideally even in a container you can easily grab when evacuating.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Anyone who gets evacuated will tell you they have no idea why they grabbed the things they did,” Carroll said. “I have a list on my refrigerator to remind me of what to take if I had to get out quickly.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When it comes to your neighborhood, residents should also make sure storm drains are clear of debris to reduce the risk of a water backup that could flood your street. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco has an \u003ca href=\"https://adoptadrain.sfwater.org/\">Adopt-A-Drain\u003c/a> program where people can name their drain and are responsible for helping the city clear leaves, trash, and other debris from it. Around KQED’s offices, for example, \u003ca href=\"https://adoptadrain.sfwater.org/#scl\">named drains\u003c/a> include ‘Drain Me Baby One More Time,’ Singin’ in the Drain and ‘No Pain No Drain’.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Since storms can occur during holidays, Torrence said it is important to build relationships with neighbors who can check on your home or alert you if damage occurs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I’m a renter. Do I have any responsibility for El Niño preparations — or liability if the worst happens? \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Carroll said yes, renters should follow a similar plan to prepare for the potential consequences of downpours, power outages, flooding, and falling trees (see above). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But, she said, landlords are usually responsible for the upkeep of their property. And renters should ask questions like: Should we be worried about this area that ponds water? What if the power goes out? Or it flooded last year in my apartment or the basement; has that been mitigated?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Torrence, with the County of Marin, said renters should review their lease agreement to understand their burden here versus their landlord’s, because not all leases are the same. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068651\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People paddle through a street flooded by the “King Tides,” occurring when the sun, moon and Earth align, causing a stronger gravitational pull on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If there are things that are on the property owner, please let them know, things like looking at trees and landscaping,” Torrence said. “We definitely encourage people to have those conversations with property owners \u003cem>early\u003c/em>.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bringing up issues with landlords before the storm season starts is important, Torrence said, because property owners often travel for the winter or are on holiday during the period with the greatest impacts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Make sure you bring issues up to your property owners’ attention by saying what’s happened when it’s windy and rainy,” Torrence said. “That way they can advance those mitigation measures.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Torrence also said it’s important to check what is covered in your renters insurance. If you live in a flood-prone area, purchasing a plan could prove beneficial if the worst happens. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Double-check what [your] renters insurance policy is and have a conversation with your property owner to figure out what they cover?” Torrence said. “Because when we have these incidents, that is too late to be looking at your insurance policy.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How could El Niño affect my travel plans this winter?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two other areas to pay attention to when the skies darken and the sea rises: travel on highways and flights from local airports.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you are traveling either on the road or flying during a storm, the roadways are going to be wet, and you’re likely going to encounter difficulties in visibility, particularly if you experience moderate to heavy rainfall,” Kennedy said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/GettyImages-2252559644-scaled-e1766441297618.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068282\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Heavy rains cause flooding in the streets of San Francisco, California, on Dec. 22, 2025, as a storm system pummels Northern California. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She also said to expect flooded roadways at times and gusty winds. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you feel unsafe while driving, make sure to pull off the road, or if you feel safe enough to continue, make sure you are driving slowly and leaving extra time to reach your destination,” Kennedy said. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more#driving\">Read our guide to driving during very wet weather.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you’re on a flight during a storm, be prepared for travel delays due to turbulence, she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can I make sure I’m aware of El Niño-related emergencies and extreme weather in my area? \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first stop experts suggest Bay Area residents should check for information during a flood event or storm is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/mtr/\">National Weather Service\u003c/a>. Check out the service’s website to find out where and when the storm will hit your area. Forecasters regularly update the site with warnings and provide a detailed daily \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=mtr&issuedby=MTR&product=AFD\">forecast discussion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Secondly, Bay Area residents can sign up for emergency alerts from their city or county. Marin County runs a \u003ca href=\"http://emergency.marincounty.gov\">public emergency portal\u003c/a> 24/7, as does \u003ca href=\"https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612609/login\">San Francisco\u003c/a>. Often, city, county, or fire department Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) pages post evacuation orders, flood updates, or virtual town halls. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12017037\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A sign stating “slippery when wet subject to flooding and water surge” at the Embarcadero’s seawall between the bustling city and water in San Francisco, California, on May 1, 2018. (Lauren Hanussak/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Don’t necessarily expect your phone’s maps app to have the latest information during extreme weather. “We encourage people to look at that website, especially during major flooding incidents because oftentimes we have the information before it shows up on Google Maps or Apple Maps,” Torrence said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Marin County residents can also sign up for emergency alerts through \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/sign-alertmarin\">Alert Marin\u003c/a>. The county will send out alerts once two inches of rain fall in an hour or three inches in 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to sign up for Bay Area emergency alerts to be ready for El Niño \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bay Area county alerts\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Alameda County: \u003ca href=\"https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612570/notif\">ACAlerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Contra Costa County: \u003ca href=\"https://cwsalerts.com/\">Community Warning System\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Marin County: \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/sign-alertmarin\">Alert Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Napa County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.readynapacounty.gov/214/ALERT-Napa-County\">Alert Napa County\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>San Francisco: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/information--be-know-official-emergency-alerts\">Alert SF\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/readysf\">Ready SF \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>San Mateo County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/dem/smc-alert\">SMC Alert\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Santa Clara County: \u003ca href=\"https://oem.santaclaracounty.gov/sign-up-for-alerts\">Alert SCC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Solano County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.gov/government/office-emergency-services/alert-solano\">Alert Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Sonoma County: \u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/emergency-management/resources/soco-alert\">SoCo Alert\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11993195\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A train approaches the San Leandro BART station on March 13, 2024. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bay Area transit alerts\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Bay Area Highways: \u003ca href=\"https://511.org/realtime/emergencies\">511Alert\u003c/a> (text 511Alert to 888-777)\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/schedules/advisories?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">BART Service Alerts\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/alerts?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Caltrain Alerts\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.vta.gov/go/service-alerts?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">VTA Service Alerts / VTAlerts\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/muni-alerts\">SFMTA/Muni Alerts\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.actransit.org/service-alerts\">AC Transit Alerts\u003c/a>: Bus delays, detours, cancellations and service disruptions in the East Bay\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://b\">SamTrans Alerts\u003c/a>: Bus disruptions and service changes in San Mateo County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.goldengate.org/alert_signup/\">Golden Gate Transit/Ferry Alerts\u003c/a>: Bus and ferry cancellations, delays, and service changes affecting Marin, Sonoma and San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/real-time-text-and-email-alerts-now-available-for-san-francisco-bay-ferry-riders/\">San Francisco Bay Ferry Alerts\u003c/a>: Ferry cancellations, delays and service changes\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://sonomamarintrain.org/transitapp\">SMART Alerts\u003c/a>: Train disruptions and service changes in Marin and Sonoma counties\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://countyconnection.com/alerts/\">County Connection Alerts\u003c/a>: Contra Costa bus service\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://trideltatransit.com/e-alerts/\">Tri Delta Transit Alerts\u003c/a>: Eastern Contra Costa County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.westcat.org/textalerts\">WestCAT Alerts\u003c/a>: Western Contra Costa County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wheelsbus.com/alerts/\">Wheels Alerts\u003c/a>: Tri-Valley/Alameda County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.soltrans.org/alerts\">SolTrans Alerts\u003c/a>: Solano County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fasttransit.org/\">FAST Alerts\u003c/a>: Fairfield/Suisun Transit\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://vinetransit.com/\">Napa VINE Alerts\u003c/a>: Napa County transit\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2001688/strong-el-nino-may-bring-record-sea-level-and-coastal-flooding-to-bay-area\">Higher seas\u003c/a>. Back-to-back storms. Mudslides. Flooded homes and highways. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2001688/strong-el-nino-may-bring-record-sea-level-and-coastal-flooding-to-bay-area\">Higher seas\u003c/a>. Back-to-back storms. Mudslides. Flooded homes and highways. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The mere mention of El Niño — and the headlines you’re seeing — can be anxiety-provoking. But how real should your worry be? And what can you do to protect your home, business, or property in advance?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The mere mention of El Niño — and the headlines you’re seeing — can be anxiety-provoking. But how real should your worry be? And what can you do to protect your home, business, or property in advance?\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First, the outlook: Federal forecasters report there’s a \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html\">90% chance of a “very strong” El Niño\u003c/a> this fall and winter, and a nearly 70% chance that the strength of El Niño could exceed the strength of any similar event seen since 1950.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>First, the outlook: Federal forecasters report there’s a \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html\">90% chance of a “very strong” El Niño\u003c/a> this fall and winter, and a nearly 70% chance that the strength of El Niño could exceed the strength of any similar event seen since 1950.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bay Area cities and counties prone to flooding from the sky and the bay, like San Francisco and Marin, are already taking the El Niño threat seriously and preparing for the worst: deluges that could combine with high tides and temporarily elevated sea levels to potentially swamp whole neighborhoods and roadways, including Highway 101.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Bay Area cities and counties prone to flooding from the sky and the bay, like San Francisco and Marin, are already taking the El Niño threat seriously and preparing for the worst: deluges that could combine with high tides and temporarily elevated sea levels to potentially swamp whole neighborhoods and roadways, including Highway 101.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We’ve had situations in the past where we’ve had to evacuate blocks,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management. “We’re having much more severe weather situations, and we’re seeing things that we haven’t seen in the past.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We’ve had situations in the past where we’ve had to evacuate blocks,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management. “We’re having much more severe weather situations, and we’re seeing things that we haven’t seen in the past.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087662\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A puddle left behind by receding king tides reflects homes along Golden Hind Passage in Corte Madera on June 15, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087662\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A puddle left behind by receding king tides reflects homes along Golden Hind Passage in Corte Madera on June 15, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Marin County officials are paying close attention to the confluence of El Niño-driven elevated sea levels, seasonal king tides, and the potential for frequent storms that could hammer the region. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Marin County officials are paying close attention to the confluence of El Niño-driven elevated sea levels, seasonal king tides, and the potential for frequent storms that could hammer the region. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We don’t know if it’s going to rain, but we are going to \u003cem>plan \u003c/em>for it to rain a significant amount,” said Steven Torrence, director of emergency management for Marin County. “Water has to go somewhere, and if it can’t go to the bay, we want to be able to push it to locations where it actually will not impact our residents or people’s infrastructure.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We don’t know if it’s going to rain, but we are going to \u003cem>plan \u003c/em>for it to rain a significant amount,” said Steven Torrence, director of emergency management for Marin County. “Water has to go somewhere, and if it can’t go to the bay, we want to be able to push it to locations where it actually will not impact our residents or people’s infrastructure.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Counties and cities are preparing by investing in temporary pumps, cleaning storm drains, working with partner agencies to ensure people aren’t on Bay Area roads during flooding and sending emergency alerts out swiftly when danger arises.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Counties and cities are preparing by investing in temporary pumps, cleaning storm drains, working with partner agencies to ensure people aren’t on Bay Area roads during flooding and sending emergency alerts out swiftly when danger arises.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you want to know about significant traffic incidents, upcoming floods or significant storms, we will send out notifications once thresholds are hit,” Torrence said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“If you want to know about significant traffic incidents, upcoming floods or significant storms, we will send out notifications once thresholds are hit,” Torrence said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Here’s what to know about how El Niño could affect your home and your safety this winter — not to panic you, but so you’re prepared for what might happen in a few months.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Here’s what to know about how El Niño could affect your home and your safety this winter — not to panic you, but so you’re prepared for what might happen in a few months.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "First off, what is El Niño — and what kind of weather could it bring exactly?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First off, what is El Niño — and what kind of weather could it bring exactly?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>El Niño forms when tropical \u003ca href=\"https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/k-12-education/atmosphere/what-are-trade-winds\">trade winds\u003c/a> weaken or reverse, allowing warm ocean water near Asia to slosh toward the Pacific Coast. That warming can reshape the jet stream and bring stormier weather across California while disrupting the ocean’s nutrient-rich \u003ca href=\"https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html\">upwelling\u003c/a>, heating coastal waters, raising sea levels and stressing marine life.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>El Niño forms when tropical \u003ca href=\"https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/k-12-education/atmosphere/what-are-trade-winds\">trade winds\u003c/a> weaken or reverse, allowing warm ocean water near Asia to slosh toward the Pacific Coast. That warming can reshape the jet stream and bring stormier weather across California while disrupting the ocean’s nutrient-rich \u003ca href=\"https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html\">upwelling\u003c/a>, heating coastal waters, raising sea levels and stressing marine life.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Exactly what the weather will look like this fall and winter is — quite literally — still up in the air. But similar events in past El Niño years have brought torrential downpours, coastal flooding, mudslides, power outages and giant waves.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Exactly what the weather will look like this fall and winter is — quite literally — still up in the air. But similar events in past El Niño years have brought torrential downpours, coastal flooding, mudslides, power outages and giant waves.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Climate Prediction Center suggests that much of California will experience \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html\">above-normal temperatures this fall \u003cem>and \u003c/em>precipitation\u003c/a> this winter. Earlier in the fall, forecasters expect warm and wet weather in Southern California, the Central Coast, and in the South and East Bays. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Climate Prediction Center suggests that much of California will experience \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html\">above-normal temperatures this fall \u003cem>and \u003c/em>precipitation\u003c/a> this winter. Earlier in the fall, forecasters expect warm and wet weather in Southern California, the Central Coast, and in the South and East Bays. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068729\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cars drive on Highway 101 flooded by the “King Tides” on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068729\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cars drive on Highway 101 flooded by the “King Tides” on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And come December, there’s potential for above-normal precipitation throughout Northern California. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And come December, there’s potential for above-normal precipitation throughout Northern California. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office, said the Bay Area sits in this interesting transition zone with “drier conditions to the north and wetter conditions to the south.” As a result, the Bay Area could “go either way.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office, said the Bay Area sits in this interesting transition zone with “drier conditions to the north and wetter conditions to the south.” As a result, the Bay Area could “go either way.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Kennedy said, “It is getting more likely that we will see a rainy winter, but we will need to keep an eye on it. Exactly how much it’s going to be above normal, we don’t really know.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Kennedy said, “It is getting more likely that we will see a rainy winter, but we will need to keep an eye on it. Exactly how much it’s going to be above normal, we don’t really know.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“But the fact that the CPC has started indicating leaning above normal for precipitation is a good sign that we are trending towards a wetter winter,” she said\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“But the fact that the CPC has started indicating leaning above normal for precipitation is a good sign that we are trending towards a wetter winter,” she said\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
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"text": "Could where I live be at risk of flooding from El Niño?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Could where I live be at risk of flooding from El Niño?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The effects of El Niño — \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/severe-storms\">severe rainstorms\u003c/a> that flood homes and roadways, strong winds toppling trees, temporarily higher seas and giant waves eroding bluffs — have the potential to directly affect Bay Area homes from Pacifica to San Francisco to San Rafael.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The effects of El Niño — \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/severe-storms\">severe rainstorms\u003c/a> that flood homes and roadways, strong winds toppling trees, temporarily higher seas and giant waves eroding bluffs — have the potential to directly affect Bay Area homes from Pacifica to San Francisco to San Rafael.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Kennedy said most of the flooding would likely come from \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1935067/rivers-in-the-sky-what-you-need-to-know-about-atmospheric-river-storms\">atmospheric rivers\u003c/a> that can fuel storms, but also from rising seas, which will be even higher during extra-high \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1955598/king-tides-are-here-why-they-happen-and-what-they-teach-us\">king tides\u003c/a> right around Thanksgiving and Christmas.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Kennedy said most of the flooding would likely come from \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1935067/rivers-in-the-sky-what-you-need-to-know-about-atmospheric-river-storms\">atmospheric rivers\u003c/a> that can fuel storms, but also from rising seas, which will be even higher during extra-high \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1955598/king-tides-are-here-why-they-happen-and-what-they-teach-us\">king tides\u003c/a> right around Thanksgiving and Christmas.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you live in an area close to a river or just a more flood-prone area, make sure you are staying up to date on the forecast,” Kennedy said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“If you live in an area close to a river or just a more flood-prone area, make sure you are staying up to date on the forecast,” Kennedy said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Carroll said it’s important to take stock of where you live and the flood potential of your home. Are you on a hill? Near a river or the bay? Near a highway that floods? Are there big trees near your home that could fall over in or after a storm? \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Carroll said it’s important to take stock of where you live and the flood potential of your home. Are you on a hill? Near a river or the bay? Near a highway that floods? Are there big trees near your home that could fall over in or after a storm? \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>She suggests looking up flood maps of your home and neighborhood as a starting place to understand your home and family’s flood risk, like this \u003ca href=\"https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/9b14420bdefc427981b1c244f0113328#\">map of San Francisco’s storm and flood hazards\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>She suggests looking up flood maps of your home and neighborhood as a starting place to understand your home and family’s flood risk, like this \u003ca href=\"https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/9b14420bdefc427981b1c244f0113328#\">map of San Francisco’s storm and flood hazards\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "All this is making me worried about my home during El Niño. Should I be doing any preparation?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All this is making me worried about my home during El Niño. Should I be doing any preparation?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All this is making me worried about my home during El Niño. Should I be doing any preparation?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Prevention is the number one thing emergency preparedness experts say homeowners should act on in the months before the rainy season. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Prevention is the number one thing emergency preparedness experts say homeowners should act on in the months before the rainy season. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This includes everything from clearing out gutters, patching up roofs and trimming trees to ensure low-lying areas, such as creeks or roads, are free of debris — so they don’t get backed up during a storm or high tide.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>This includes everything from clearing out gutters, patching up roofs and trimming trees to ensure low-lying areas, such as creeks or roads, are free of debris — so they don’t get backed up during a storm or high tide.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Make sure those are cleared out, because the moment there’s a tree that’s in the wrong location, water starts flowing everywhere,” Torrence said. “We really wanna make sure that everyone is looking at preventative maintenance as something that they can do today, long before it starts raining\u003cem>.”\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Make sure those are cleared out, because the moment there’s a tree that’s in the wrong location, water starts flowing everywhere,” Torrence said. “We really wanna make sure that everyone is looking at preventative maintenance as something that they can do today, long before it starts raining\u003cem>.”\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087668\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Plastic sheeting and sandbags are placed outside a home along Golden Hind Passage, as residents prepare for potential king tide flooding, in Corte Madera, on June 15, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087668\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Plastic sheeting and sandbags are placed outside a home along Golden Hind Passage, as residents prepare for potential king tide flooding, in Corte Madera, on June 15, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Torrence said homeowners in areas that can or routinely flood should also invest in sandbags or flood barriers to protect their assets. Your county may be making these tools available: The County of Marin has \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/find-emergency-sandbags\">32 sites\u003c/a> already offering sandbags, and the San Francisco Department of Public Works offers \u003ca href=\"https://sfpublicworks.org/services/sandbags\">10 free sandbags\u003c/a> per household.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Torrence said homeowners in areas that can or routinely flood should also invest in sandbags or flood barriers to protect their assets. Your county may be making these tools available: The County of Marin has \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/find-emergency-sandbags\">32 sites\u003c/a> already offering sandbags, and the San Francisco Department of Public Works offers \u003ca href=\"https://sfpublicworks.org/services/sandbags\">10 free sandbags\u003c/a> per household.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Carroll, in \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/severe-storms\">San Francisco\u003c/a>, also said residents should be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11778663/how-to-prepare-for-potential-pge-power-shutoffs\">ready for power outages \u003c/a>by purchasing backup batteries, flashlights, and nonperishable food. It’s also important to develop a plan — “on a good day,” she stressed — with your family and neighbors in case disaster strikes. As part of this, you should make sure all your important documentation — passports, birth certificates, etc. — is in a safe place, ideally even in a container you can easily grab when evacuating.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Carroll, in \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/severe-storms\">San Francisco\u003c/a>, also said residents should be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11778663/how-to-prepare-for-potential-pge-power-shutoffs\">ready for power outages \u003c/a>by purchasing backup batteries, flashlights, and nonperishable food. It’s also important to develop a plan — “on a good day,” she stressed — with your family and neighbors in case disaster strikes. As part of this, you should make sure all your important documentation — passports, birth certificates, etc. — is in a safe place, ideally even in a container you can easily grab when evacuating.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Anyone who gets evacuated will tell you they have no idea why they grabbed the things they did,” Carroll said. “I have a list on my refrigerator to remind me of what to take if I had to get out quickly.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Anyone who gets evacuated will tell you they have no idea why they grabbed the things they did,” Carroll said. “I have a list on my refrigerator to remind me of what to take if I had to get out quickly.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When it comes to your neighborhood, residents should also make sure storm drains are clear of debris to reduce the risk of a water backup that could flood your street. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>When it comes to your neighborhood, residents should also make sure storm drains are clear of debris to reduce the risk of a water backup that could flood your street. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>San Francisco has an \u003ca href=\"https://adoptadrain.sfwater.org/\">Adopt-A-Drain\u003c/a> program where people can name their drain and are responsible for helping the city clear leaves, trash, and other debris from it. Around KQED’s offices, for example, \u003ca href=\"https://adoptadrain.sfwater.org/#scl\">named drains\u003c/a> include ‘Drain Me Baby One More Time,’ Singin’ in the Drain and ‘No Pain No Drain’.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>San Francisco has an \u003ca href=\"https://adoptadrain.sfwater.org/\">Adopt-A-Drain\u003c/a> program where people can name their drain and are responsible for helping the city clear leaves, trash, and other debris from it. Around KQED’s offices, for example, \u003ca href=\"https://adoptadrain.sfwater.org/#scl\">named drains\u003c/a> include ‘Drain Me Baby One More Time,’ Singin’ in the Drain and ‘No Pain No Drain’.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Since storms can occur during holidays, Torrence said it is important to build relationships with neighbors who can check on your home or alert you if damage occurs. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Since storms can occur during holidays, Torrence said it is important to build relationships with neighbors who can check on your home or alert you if damage occurs. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "I’m a renter. Do I have any responsibility for El Niño preparations — or liability if the worst happens? ",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I’m a renter. Do I have any responsibility for El Niño preparations — or liability if the worst happens? \u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Carroll said yes, renters should follow a similar plan to prepare for the potential consequences of downpours, power outages, flooding, and falling trees (see above). \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Carroll said yes, renters should follow a similar plan to prepare for the potential consequences of downpours, power outages, flooding, and falling trees (see above). \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But, she said, landlords are usually responsible for the upkeep of their property. And renters should ask questions like: Should we be worried about this area that ponds water? What if the power goes out? Or it flooded last year in my apartment or the basement; has that been mitigated?\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But, she said, landlords are usually responsible for the upkeep of their property. And renters should ask questions like: Should we be worried about this area that ponds water? What if the power goes out? Or it flooded last year in my apartment or the basement; has that been mitigated?\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Torrence, with the County of Marin, said renters should review their lease agreement to understand their burden here versus their landlord’s, because not all leases are the same. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Torrence, with the County of Marin, said renters should review their lease agreement to understand their burden here versus their landlord’s, because not all leases are the same. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068651\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People paddle through a street flooded by the “King Tides,” occurring when the sun, moon and Earth align, causing a stronger gravitational pull on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068651\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People paddle through a street flooded by the “King Tides,” occurring when the sun, moon and Earth align, causing a stronger gravitational pull on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If there are things that are on the property owner, please let them know, things like looking at trees and landscaping,” Torrence said. “We definitely encourage people to have those conversations with property owners \u003cem>early\u003c/em>.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“If there are things that are on the property owner, please let them know, things like looking at trees and landscaping,” Torrence said. “We definitely encourage people to have those conversations with property owners \u003cem>early\u003c/em>.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bringing up issues with landlords before the storm season starts is important, Torrence said, because property owners often travel for the winter or are on holiday during the period with the greatest impacts. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Bringing up issues with landlords before the storm season starts is important, Torrence said, because property owners often travel for the winter or are on holiday during the period with the greatest impacts. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Make sure you bring issues up to your property owners’ attention by saying what’s happened when it’s windy and rainy,” Torrence said. “That way they can advance those mitigation measures.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Make sure you bring issues up to your property owners’ attention by saying what’s happened when it’s windy and rainy,” Torrence said. “That way they can advance those mitigation measures.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Torrence also said it’s important to check what is covered in your renters insurance. If you live in a flood-prone area, purchasing a plan could prove beneficial if the worst happens. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Torrence also said it’s important to check what is covered in your renters insurance. If you live in a flood-prone area, purchasing a plan could prove beneficial if the worst happens. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Double-check what [your] renters insurance policy is and have a conversation with your property owner to figure out what they cover?” Torrence said. “Because when we have these incidents, that is too late to be looking at your insurance policy.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Double-check what [your] renters insurance policy is and have a conversation with your property owner to figure out what they cover?” Torrence said. “Because when we have these incidents, that is too late to be looking at your insurance policy.”\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "How could El Niño affect my travel plans this winter?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How could El Niño affect my travel plans this winter?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Two other areas to pay attention to when the skies darken and the sea rises: travel on highways and flights from local airports.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Two other areas to pay attention to when the skies darken and the sea rises: travel on highways and flights from local airports.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you are traveling either on the road or flying during a storm, the roadways are going to be wet, and you’re likely going to encounter difficulties in visibility, particularly if you experience moderate to heavy rainfall,” Kennedy said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“If you are traveling either on the road or flying during a storm, the roadways are going to be wet, and you’re likely going to encounter difficulties in visibility, particularly if you experience moderate to heavy rainfall,” Kennedy said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/GettyImages-2252559644-scaled-e1766441297618.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068282\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Heavy rains cause flooding in the streets of San Francisco, California, on Dec. 22, 2025, as a storm system pummels Northern California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/GettyImages-2252559644-scaled-e1766441297618.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068282\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Heavy rains cause flooding in the streets of San Francisco, California, on Dec. 22, 2025, as a storm system pummels Northern California. \u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>She also said to expect flooded roadways at times and gusty winds. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>She also said to expect flooded roadways at times and gusty winds. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you feel unsafe while driving, make sure to pull off the road, or if you feel safe enough to continue, make sure you are driving slowly and leaving extra time to reach your destination,” Kennedy said. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more#driving\">Read our guide to driving during very wet weather.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“If you feel unsafe while driving, make sure to pull off the road, or if you feel safe enough to continue, make sure you are driving slowly and leaving extra time to reach your destination,” Kennedy said. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more#driving\">Read our guide to driving during very wet weather.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And if you’re on a flight during a storm, be prepared for travel delays due to turbulence, she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And if you’re on a flight during a storm, be prepared for travel delays due to turbulence, she said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "How can I make sure I’m aware of El Niño-related emergencies and extreme weather in my area? ",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can I make sure I’m aware of El Niño-related emergencies and extreme weather in my area? \u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The first stop experts suggest Bay Area residents should check for information during a flood event or storm is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/mtr/\">National Weather Service\u003c/a>. Check out the service’s website to find out where and when the storm will hit your area. Forecasters regularly update the site with warnings and provide a detailed daily \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=mtr&issuedby=MTR&product=AFD\">forecast discussion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The first stop experts suggest Bay Area residents should check for information during a flood event or storm is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/mtr/\">National Weather Service\u003c/a>. Check out the service’s website to find out where and when the storm will hit your area. Forecasters regularly update the site with warnings and provide a detailed daily \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=mtr&issuedby=MTR&product=AFD\">forecast discussion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Secondly, Bay Area residents can sign up for emergency alerts from their city or county. Marin County runs a \u003ca href=\"http://emergency.marincounty.gov\">public emergency portal\u003c/a> 24/7, as does \u003ca href=\"https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612609/login\">San Francisco\u003c/a>. Often, city, county, or fire department Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) pages post evacuation orders, flood updates, or virtual town halls. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Secondly, Bay Area residents can sign up for emergency alerts from their city or county. Marin County runs a \u003ca href=\"http://emergency.marincounty.gov\">public emergency portal\u003c/a> 24/7, as does \u003ca href=\"https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612609/login\">San Francisco\u003c/a>. Often, city, county, or fire department Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) pages post evacuation orders, flood updates, or virtual town halls. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12017037\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A sign stating “slippery when wet subject to flooding and water surge” at the Embarcadero’s seawall between the bustling city and water in San Francisco, California, on May 1, 2018.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Lauren Hanussak/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12017037\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A sign stating “slippery when wet subject to flooding and water surge” at the Embarcadero’s seawall between the bustling city and water in San Francisco, California, on May 1, 2018.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Lauren Hanussak/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Don’t necessarily expect your phone’s maps app to have the latest information during extreme weather. “We encourage people to look at that website, especially during major flooding incidents because oftentimes we have the information before it shows up on Google Maps or Apple Maps,” Torrence said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Don’t necessarily expect your phone’s maps app to have the latest information during extreme weather. “We encourage people to look at that website, especially during major flooding incidents because oftentimes we have the information before it shows up on Google Maps or Apple Maps,” Torrence said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Marin County residents can also sign up for emergency alerts through \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/sign-alertmarin\">Alert Marin\u003c/a>. The county will send out alerts once two inches of rain fall in an hour or three inches in 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Marin County residents can also sign up for emergency alerts through \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/sign-alertmarin\">Alert Marin\u003c/a>. The county will send out alerts once two inches of rain fall in an hour or three inches in 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Where to sign up for Bay Area emergency alerts to be ready for El Niño ",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to sign up for Bay Area emergency alerts to be ready for El Niño \u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to sign up for Bay Area emergency alerts to be ready for El Niño \u003c/h2>\n"
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"text": "Bay Area county alerts"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bay Area county alerts\u003c/h3>\n",
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"Alameda County: ACAlerts",
"Contra Costa County: Community Warning System",
"Marin County: Alert Marin",
"Napa County: Alert Napa County ",
"San Francisco: Alert SF, Ready SF ",
"San Mateo County: SMC Alert",
"Santa Clara County: Alert SCC",
"Solano County: Alert Solano",
"Sonoma County: SoCo Alert"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Alameda County: \u003ca href=\"https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612570/notif\">ACAlerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Alameda County: \u003ca href=\"https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612570/notif\">ACAlerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Contra Costa County: \u003ca href=\"https://cwsalerts.com/\">Community Warning System\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Contra Costa County: \u003ca href=\"https://cwsalerts.com/\">Community Warning System\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Marin County: \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/sign-alertmarin\">Alert Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Marin County: \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/sign-alertmarin\">Alert Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Napa County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.readynapacounty.gov/214/ALERT-Napa-County\">Alert Napa County\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Napa County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.readynapacounty.gov/214/ALERT-Napa-County\">Alert Napa County\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>San Francisco: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/information--be-know-official-emergency-alerts\">Alert SF\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/readysf\">Ready SF \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>San Francisco: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/information--be-know-official-emergency-alerts\">Alert SF\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/readysf\">Ready SF \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
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{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>San Mateo County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/dem/smc-alert\">SMC Alert\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>San Mateo County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/dem/smc-alert\">SMC Alert\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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},
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Santa Clara County: \u003ca href=\"https://oem.santaclaracounty.gov/sign-up-for-alerts\">Alert SCC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Santa Clara County: \u003ca href=\"https://oem.santaclaracounty.gov/sign-up-for-alerts\">Alert SCC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Solano County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.gov/government/office-emergency-services/alert-solano\">Alert Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Solano County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.gov/government/office-emergency-services/alert-solano\">Alert Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Sonoma County: \u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/emergency-management/resources/soco-alert\">SoCo Alert\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Sonoma County: \u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/emergency-management/resources/soco-alert\">SoCo Alert\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n"
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"excerpt": "A powerful El Niño could bring flooding, high tides, and fierce storms. Here’s how Bay Area residents can prepare.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/2001688/strong-el-nino-may-bring-record-sea-level-and-coastal-flooding-to-bay-area\">Higher seas\u003c/a>. Back-to-back storms. Mudslides. Flooded homes and highways. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The mere mention of El Niño — and the headlines you’re seeing — can be anxiety-provoking. But how real should your worry be? And what can you do to protect your home, business, or property in advance?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First, the outlook: Federal forecasters report there’s a \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html\">90% chance of a “very strong” El Niño\u003c/a> this fall and winter, and a nearly 70% chance that the strength of El Niño could exceed the strength of any similar event seen since 1950.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bay Area cities and counties prone to flooding from the sky and the bay, like San Francisco and Marin, are already taking the El Niño threat seriously and preparing for the worst: deluges that could combine with high tides and temporarily elevated sea levels to potentially swamp whole neighborhoods and roadways, including Highway 101.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We’ve had situations in the past where we’ve had to evacuate blocks,” said Mary Ellen Carroll, executive director of San Francisco’s Department of Emergency Management. “We’re having much more severe weather situations, and we’re seeing things that we haven’t seen in the past.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087662\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_001-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A puddle left behind by receding king tides reflects homes along Golden Hind Passage in Corte Madera on June 15, 2026. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Marin County officials are paying close attention to the confluence of El Niño-driven elevated sea levels, seasonal king tides, and the potential for frequent storms that could hammer the region. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We don’t know if it’s going to rain, but we are going to \u003cem>plan \u003c/em>for it to rain a significant amount,” said Steven Torrence, director of emergency management for Marin County. “Water has to go somewhere, and if it can’t go to the bay, we want to be able to push it to locations where it actually will not impact our residents or people’s infrastructure.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Counties and cities are preparing by investing in temporary pumps, cleaning storm drains, working with partner agencies to ensure people aren’t on Bay Area roads during flooding and sending emergency alerts out swiftly when danger arises.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you want to know about significant traffic incidents, upcoming floods or significant storms, we will send out notifications once thresholds are hit,” Torrence said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Here’s what to know about how El Niño could affect your home and your safety this winter — not to panic you, but so you’re prepared for what might happen in a few months.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">First off, what is El Niño — and what kind of weather could it bring exactly?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>El Niño forms when tropical \u003ca href=\"https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/k-12-education/atmosphere/what-are-trade-winds\">trade winds\u003c/a> weaken or reverse, allowing warm ocean water near Asia to slosh toward the Pacific Coast. That warming can reshape the jet stream and bring stormier weather across California while disrupting the ocean’s nutrient-rich \u003ca href=\"https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/upwelling.html\">upwelling\u003c/a>, heating coastal waters, raising sea levels and stressing marine life.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Exactly what the weather will look like this fall and winter is — quite literally — still up in the air. But similar events in past El Niño years have brought torrential downpours, coastal flooding, mudslides, power outages and giant waves.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Climate Prediction Center suggests that much of California will experience \u003ca href=\"https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.html\">above-normal temperatures this fall \u003cem>and \u003c/em>precipitation\u003c/a> this winter. Earlier in the fall, forecasters expect warm and wet weather in Southern California, the Central Coast, and in the South and East Bays. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068729\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/FloodingMarinCountyAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cars drive on Highway 101 flooded by the “King Tides” on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And come December, there’s potential for above-normal precipitation throughout Northern California. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Rachel Kennedy, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Bay Area office, said the Bay Area sits in this interesting transition zone with “drier conditions to the north and wetter conditions to the south.” As a result, the Bay Area could “go either way.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kennedy said, “It is getting more likely that we will see a rainy winter, but we will need to keep an eye on it. Exactly how much it’s going to be above normal, we don’t really know.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“But the fact that the CPC has started indicating leaning above normal for precipitation is a good sign that we are trending towards a wetter winter,” she said\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Could where I live be at risk of flooding from El Niño?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The effects of El Niño — \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/severe-storms\">severe rainstorms\u003c/a> that flood homes and roadways, strong winds toppling trees, temporarily higher seas and giant waves eroding bluffs — have the potential to directly affect Bay Area homes from Pacifica to San Francisco to San Rafael.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kennedy said most of the flooding would likely come from \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1935067/rivers-in-the-sky-what-you-need-to-know-about-atmospheric-river-storms\">atmospheric rivers\u003c/a> that can fuel storms, but also from rising seas, which will be even higher during extra-high \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/science/1955598/king-tides-are-here-why-they-happen-and-what-they-teach-us\">king tides\u003c/a> right around Thanksgiving and Christmas.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you live in an area close to a river or just a more flood-prone area, make sure you are staying up to date on the forecast,” Kennedy said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Carroll said it’s important to take stock of where you live and the flood potential of your home. Are you on a hill? Near a river or the bay? Near a highway that floods? Are there big trees near your home that could fall over in or after a storm? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She suggests looking up flood maps of your home and neighborhood as a starting place to understand your home and family’s flood risk, like this \u003ca href=\"https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/9b14420bdefc427981b1c244f0113328#\">map of San Francisco’s storm and flood hazards\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All this is making me worried about my home during El Niño. Should I be doing any preparation?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Prevention is the number one thing emergency preparedness experts say homeowners should act on in the months before the rainy season. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This includes everything from clearing out gutters, patching up roofs and trimming trees to ensure low-lying areas, such as creeks or roads, are free of debris — so they don’t get backed up during a storm or high tide.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Make sure those are cleared out, because the moment there’s a tree that’s in the wrong location, water starts flowing everywhere,” Torrence said. “We really wanna make sure that everyone is looking at preventative maintenance as something that they can do today, long before it starts raining\u003cem>.”\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12087668\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/061526Flooding_GH_011-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Plastic sheeting and sandbags are placed outside a home along Golden Hind Passage, as residents prepare for potential king tide flooding, in Corte Madera, on June 15, 2026. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Torrence said homeowners in areas that can or routinely flood should also invest in sandbags or flood barriers to protect their assets. Your county may be making these tools available: The County of Marin has \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/find-emergency-sandbags\">32 sites\u003c/a> already offering sandbags, and the San Francisco Department of Public Works offers \u003ca href=\"https://sfpublicworks.org/services/sandbags\">10 free sandbags\u003c/a> per household.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Carroll, in \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/severe-storms\">San Francisco\u003c/a>, also said residents should be \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11778663/how-to-prepare-for-potential-pge-power-shutoffs\">ready for power outages \u003c/a>by purchasing backup batteries, flashlights, and nonperishable food. It’s also important to develop a plan — “on a good day,” she stressed — with your family and neighbors in case disaster strikes. As part of this, you should make sure all your important documentation — passports, birth certificates, etc. — is in a safe place, ideally even in a container you can easily grab when evacuating.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Anyone who gets evacuated will tell you they have no idea why they grabbed the things they did,” Carroll said. “I have a list on my refrigerator to remind me of what to take if I had to get out quickly.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When it comes to your neighborhood, residents should also make sure storm drains are clear of debris to reduce the risk of a water backup that could flood your street. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco has an \u003ca href=\"https://adoptadrain.sfwater.org/\">Adopt-A-Drain\u003c/a> program where people can name their drain and are responsible for helping the city clear leaves, trash, and other debris from it. Around KQED’s offices, for example, \u003ca href=\"https://adoptadrain.sfwater.org/#scl\">named drains\u003c/a> include ‘Drain Me Baby One More Time,’ Singin’ in the Drain and ‘No Pain No Drain’.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Since storms can occur during holidays, Torrence said it is important to build relationships with neighbors who can check on your home or alert you if damage occurs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I’m a renter. Do I have any responsibility for El Niño preparations — or liability if the worst happens? \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Carroll said yes, renters should follow a similar plan to prepare for the potential consequences of downpours, power outages, flooding, and falling trees (see above). \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But, she said, landlords are usually responsible for the upkeep of their property. And renters should ask questions like: Should we be worried about this area that ponds water? What if the power goes out? Or it flooded last year in my apartment or the basement; has that been mitigated?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Torrence, with the County of Marin, said renters should review their lease agreement to understand their burden here versus their landlord’s, because not all leases are the same. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068651\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/MarinCountyFloodingAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People paddle through a street flooded by the “King Tides,” occurring when the sun, moon and Earth align, causing a stronger gravitational pull on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, near Corte Madera in Marin County, California. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If there are things that are on the property owner, please let them know, things like looking at trees and landscaping,” Torrence said. “We definitely encourage people to have those conversations with property owners \u003cem>early\u003c/em>.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bringing up issues with landlords before the storm season starts is important, Torrence said, because property owners often travel for the winter or are on holiday during the period with the greatest impacts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Make sure you bring issues up to your property owners’ attention by saying what’s happened when it’s windy and rainy,” Torrence said. “That way they can advance those mitigation measures.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Torrence also said it’s important to check what is covered in your renters insurance. If you live in a flood-prone area, purchasing a plan could prove beneficial if the worst happens. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Double-check what [your] renters insurance policy is and have a conversation with your property owner to figure out what they cover?” Torrence said. “Because when we have these incidents, that is too late to be looking at your insurance policy.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How could El Niño affect my travel plans this winter?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Two other areas to pay attention to when the skies darken and the sea rises: travel on highways and flights from local airports.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you are traveling either on the road or flying during a storm, the roadways are going to be wet, and you’re likely going to encounter difficulties in visibility, particularly if you experience moderate to heavy rainfall,” Kennedy said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/GettyImages-2252559644-scaled-e1766441297618.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12068282\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Heavy rains cause flooding in the streets of San Francisco, California, on Dec. 22, 2025, as a storm system pummels Northern California. (Jessica Christian/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>She also said to expect flooded roadways at times and gusty winds. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you feel unsafe while driving, make sure to pull off the road, or if you feel safe enough to continue, make sure you are driving slowly and leaving extra time to reach your destination,” Kennedy said. \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11936674/how-to-prepare-for-this-weeks-atmospheric-river-storm-sandbags-emergency-kits-and-more#driving\">Read our guide to driving during very wet weather.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if you’re on a flight during a storm, be prepared for travel delays due to turbulence, she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can I make sure I’m aware of El Niño-related emergencies and extreme weather in my area? \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first stop experts suggest Bay Area residents should check for information during a flood event or storm is the \u003ca href=\"https://www.weather.gov/mtr/\">National Weather Service\u003c/a>. Check out the service’s website to find out where and when the storm will hit your area. Forecasters regularly update the site with warnings and provide a detailed daily \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=mtr&issuedby=MTR&product=AFD\">forecast discussion\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Secondly, Bay Area residents can sign up for emergency alerts from their city or county. Marin County runs a \u003ca href=\"http://emergency.marincounty.gov\">public emergency portal\u003c/a> 24/7, as does \u003ca href=\"https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612609/login\">San Francisco\u003c/a>. Often, city, county, or fire department Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) pages post evacuation orders, flood updates, or virtual town halls. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12017037\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/SeaLevel_005_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A sign stating “slippery when wet subject to flooding and water surge” at the Embarcadero’s seawall between the bustling city and water in San Francisco, California, on May 1, 2018. (Lauren Hanussak/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Don’t necessarily expect your phone’s maps app to have the latest information during extreme weather. “We encourage people to look at that website, especially during major flooding incidents because oftentimes we have the information before it shows up on Google Maps or Apple Maps,” Torrence said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Marin County residents can also sign up for emergency alerts through \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/sign-alertmarin\">Alert Marin\u003c/a>. The county will send out alerts once two inches of rain fall in an hour or three inches in 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where to sign up for Bay Area emergency alerts to be ready for El Niño \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bay Area county alerts\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Alameda County: \u003ca href=\"https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612570/notif\">ACAlerts\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Contra Costa County: \u003ca href=\"https://cwsalerts.com/\">Community Warning System\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Marin County: \u003ca href=\"https://emergency.marincounty.gov/sign-alertmarin\">Alert Marin\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Napa County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.readynapacounty.gov/214/ALERT-Napa-County\">Alert Napa County\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>San Francisco: \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/information--be-know-official-emergency-alerts\">Alert SF\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sf.gov/readysf\">Ready SF \u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>San Mateo County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.smcgov.org/dem/smc-alert\">SMC Alert\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Santa Clara County: \u003ca href=\"https://oem.santaclaracounty.gov/sign-up-for-alerts\">Alert SCC\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Solano County: \u003ca href=\"https://www.solanocounty.gov/government/office-emergency-services/alert-solano\">Alert Solano\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Sonoma County: \u003ca href=\"https://sonomacounty.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/emergency-management/resources/soco-alert\">SoCo Alert\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11993195\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240313-BART-CRISIS-INTERVENTION-UNIT-MD-16_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A train approaches the San Leandro BART station on March 13, 2024. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bay Area transit alerts\u003c/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Bay Area Highways: \u003ca href=\"https://511.org/realtime/emergencies\">511Alert\u003c/a> (text 511Alert to 888-777)\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.bart.gov/schedules/advisories?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">BART Service Alerts\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.caltrain.com/alerts?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Caltrain Alerts\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.vta.gov/go/service-alerts?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">VTA Service Alerts / VTAlerts\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/getting-around/muni/muni-alerts\">SFMTA/Muni Alerts\u003c/a> \u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.actransit.org/service-alerts\">AC Transit Alerts\u003c/a>: Bus delays, detours, cancellations and service disruptions in the East Bay\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://b\">SamTrans Alerts\u003c/a>: Bus disruptions and service changes in San Mateo County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.goldengate.org/alert_signup/\">Golden Gate Transit/Ferry Alerts\u003c/a>: Bus and ferry cancellations, delays, and service changes affecting Marin, Sonoma and San Francisco\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/real-time-text-and-email-alerts-now-available-for-san-francisco-bay-ferry-riders/\">San Francisco Bay Ferry Alerts\u003c/a>: Ferry cancellations, delays and service changes\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://sonomamarintrain.org/transitapp\">SMART Alerts\u003c/a>: Train disruptions and service changes in Marin and Sonoma counties\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://countyconnection.com/alerts/\">County Connection Alerts\u003c/a>: Contra Costa bus service\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://trideltatransit.com/e-alerts/\">Tri Delta Transit Alerts\u003c/a>: Eastern Contra Costa County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.westcat.org/textalerts\">WestCAT Alerts\u003c/a>: Western Contra Costa County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.wheelsbus.com/alerts/\">Wheels Alerts\u003c/a>: Tri-Valley/Alameda County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.soltrans.org/alerts\">SolTrans Alerts\u003c/a>: Solano County\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://fasttransit.org/\">FAST Alerts\u003c/a>: Fairfield/Suisun Transit\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://vinetransit.com/\">Napa VINE Alerts\u003c/a>: Napa County transit\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "time-capsules-huge-san-francisco-archive-of-kids-books-traces-long-history-of-lgbtq-families",
"title": "‘Time Capsules’: Huge San Francisco Archive of Kids' Books Traces Long History of LGBTQ Families",
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"headTitle": "‘Time Capsules’: Huge San Francisco Archive of Kids’ Books Traces Long History of LGBTQ Families | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp class=\"wp-block-kqed-v2-dropcap-paragraph dropcap-paragraph\">\u003cspan class=\"dropcap\">A\u003c/span>s a book collector in the early 2000s, Randall Tarpey-Schwed and his husband read bedtime stories endlessly to their children.\u003cbr>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We read all kinds of children’s books to our kids,” Tarpey-Schwed of Mill Valley said. “But I wanted to make sure that some of those showed \u003cem>their \u003c/em>kind of family.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tarpey-Schwed’s passion had taught him to go searching for deep cuts like these: specifically, books for young people that featured LGBTQ families and characters. He began scouring used book websites and other corners of the internet for titles to bring back to his family — something that he said took “a lot of persistence.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But his efforts paid off when these books became an instant hit with his daughters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’d ask them, ‘What do you want to read tonight?’” he said. “Sometimes they would say, ‘Oh, I want a Papa and Daddy book.’”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095736\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A person reads a newspaper at the Mechanics’ Institute Library in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Exploring his growing collection, Tarpey-Schwed saw how the genre evolved — especially when looking at the earlier titles from as early as the 1960s. While some of the books were undoubtedly dated, they still communicated the values he and his husband felt were important: acceptance, community and love.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over the years, he eventually amassed over 200 books, magazines and other printed materials that featured queer characters, themes and other diverse representations of families. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As his daughters grew up, Tarpey-Schwed carefully packed the books away. But he always wanted to find a home for them. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Then, through the bibliophile circles of San Francisco, Myles Cooper, a library manager at the Mechanics’ Institute — a beautiful \u003ca href=\"https://www.vogue.com/article/what-is-beaux-arts-architecture\">Beaux-Arts-style\u003c/a> historical library in downtown San Francisco — found out about Tarpey-Schwed’s archive of books. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Which is how Tarpey-Schwed handed off his yearslong work in November last year — and how the Mechanics Institute became the new, public home of what they call one of the most thorough catalogs of early LGBTQ children’s literature in the United States, dating from 1969. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Scores of books which for years were stored in Tarpey-Schwed’s home can now be viewed in person by appointment or \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/\">online\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The Mechanics’ Institute was willing to make a commitment to preserve it as a collection, rather than, say, putting all the books into circulation,” Tarpey-Schwed said. “I felt this was more important to keep it together. Because, in its whole, it shows the history of the genre.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘It’s adorable — and it’s true’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Mechanics’ Institute dates back to the 19th century, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/the-mechanics-institute-san-francisco-s-first-tech-incubator/article_644e6ace-b579-52eb-bbb2-6aec5a9534f5.html\">years before\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://sfpl.org/about-us/history-san-francisco-public-library\">the first branch of the San Francisco Public Library\u003c/a> opened its doors. During \u003ca href=\"https://www.milibrary.org/about-us/history-and-mission/\">its initial years\u003c/a>, the center served as a place for people to learn vocational skills at the tail end of the Gold Rush. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Now, the Mechanics’ Institute is a home for the Bay Area’s chess players, cultural events and \u003ca href=\"https://www.milibrary.org/research-and-resources/special-collections/\">special collections\u003c/a> for researchers to dive into. And a major reason, Cooper said, why the Mechanics’ Institute took in Tarpey-Schwed’s “wonderful addition” was to “widen, broaden and tell more stories that relate to people here and that are important to people today.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection has some contemporary examples, what makes it unique are the earlier titles Tarpey-Schwed discovered — many of which came from small independent presses, are out of print or were self-published.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095738\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist, is photographed at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Like \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-146/heather-has-two-mommies\">“Heather Has Two Mommies”\u003c/a> by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Diana Souza, self-published in 1989 before being picked up a year earlier by \u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20131103212823/http://www.glbtq.com/sfeatures/interviewsalyson.html\">Alyson Wonderland\u003c/a> — a then-brand-new LGBTQ children’s fiction publisher. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The collection, while telling the story of LGBTQ families, “also tells the stories of publishing,” Cooper said. “Publishers that dared to print some of those first stories that had representation of alternative families.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tarpey-Schwed’s collection traces how the genre was also impacted by real-life events, like legal developments around marriage equality and family law — or the lack of them. For instance, some of the earlier works Tarpey-Schwed found written before \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12016010/reflecting-on-the-fight-for-marriage-equality\">marriage equality\u003c/a> tried to grapple with what to \u003cem>call \u003c/em>the union of two parents, or a new partner of a parent. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So, it could be ‘roommate’ — which I think is a hilarious euphemism,” he said. “There’s one story in which a little girl is portrayed as living with her mother and her godmother. But when you look at the iconography of the image, it’s clearly a lesbian couple.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A title that became dear to Tarpey-Schwed’s own family is \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-137/in-our-mothers-house\">“In Our Mother’s House,”\u003c/a> by Patricia Polacco, which follows two moms throwing a block party in Berkeley. At one point in the book, a neighbor storms in and snaps at the family, scaring the kids.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“And then — this is going to choke me up talking about it — what happens is that every one of the neighbors, one by one, comes up and gives the family a hug,” Tarpey-Schwed said. “Even though it’s a complicated and nuanced story, at the end, it cuts right through to: ‘But your family is loved.’”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095737\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-79-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095737\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-79-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-79-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-79-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist, is photographed at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095722\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-8-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095722\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-8-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-8-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-8-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through a box of books from the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There’s maybe an assumption out there that writing a children’s book is like writing a dumbed-down version of an adult book, and that’s completely wrong,” he said. “Children’s books are a genre of their own, and a really good children’s book is a good book, period.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For Cooper, \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-139/and-tango-makes-three\">“And Tango Makes Three”\u003c/a> has a special place in his heart, bringing back memories of reading it to elementary-school students upon its first release in 2005. Written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell and illustrated by Henry Cole, the famous book is based on \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/08/usa.gayrights\">a true story\u003c/a> of two penguins in a New York zoo who raise a baby chick named Tango after zoo keepers notice their desire for a family — evidenced by their attempts to “hatch” a rock.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“How can you argue with that?” Cooper said. “It’s adorable, and it’s true.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘A broad censorship effect’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Nonetheless, “And Tango Makes Three” — like many of the books in the Tarpey-Schwed collection — has been a target of \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">coordinated campaigns nationwide\u003c/a> that aim to pull diverse books off the shelves of public libraries and schools. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This is a very fragile area of collections,” Cooper said. “They’re being banned, \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/politics/capitol/2024/08/book-bans-california-libraries/\">even in public libraries in California\u003c/a>. It really is an area that we need to collect and keep and maintain just for our own history.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2016, the American Library Association \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">tracked 208 unique titles\u003c/a> that were challenged in public schools and libraries in the United States. In 2025, that number shot up to over 4,200 titles — and nearly 40% of those titles featured LGBTQ characters or characters of color. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095731\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through Asha’s Mums, a book published in 1990, which is part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The ALA also found that almost all book challenges in 2025 were initiated \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">by pressure groups, government officials and decision-makers\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Along with these challenges, \u003ca href=\"https://lawlibguides.sandiego.edu/c.php?g=1421168&p=10542274\">various laws and policies\u003c/a> — some carrying serious consequences for offenders — can be found across the country that are attempting to restrict materials based on broad definitions like being \u003ca href=\"https://arktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Filed-Complaint-Fayetteville-Public-Library-et-al.-v.-Crawford-County-et-al.pdf\">“harmful to minors.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The wave of censorship seen in the 2020s arose after the initial stages of the pandemic, often involving the same people involved with the anti-masking movement, like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101904708/conservative-mothers-as-a-political-force-in-california\">Moms for Liberty\u003c/a>, said Sarah Lamdan, the executive director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“A lot of the emphasis on book bans and censorship attacks has been around the concept of ‘protecting children,’” Lamdan said. But “anyone who’s willing to say that “And Tango Makes Three” could be harmful to anyone isn’t being honest with themselves or the community that they’re addressing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as the book challenges increase across the country, “the fatigue around fighting it has definitely set in at the same time,” said Jonathan Friedman, the Sy Syms managing director of U.S. free expression programs at PEN America. “It’s just normalized; it’s not news.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco authors and married duo Sarah and Ian Hoffman are very familiar with that fatigue. They are the authors of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sarahandianhoffman.com/books/\">the “Jacob” picture book series\u003c/a>, which includes installments like “Jacob’s New Dress”.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first time one of their books was banned was in 2017, in a North Carolina school district. Bans at the time were rare enough, Sarah Hoffman said, that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/us/north-carolina-school-jacobs-new-dress-book.html\">\u003cem>New York Times \u003c/em>was interested in the story\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We got all these love notes from people in North Carolina saying things like, ‘We’re so sorry, we are not all like that, we don’t want to ban your book, your book is wonderful.’ So it was actually kind of a great experience,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But now, “the book banners are so well organized … It’s impossible for anyone to keep up with,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095735\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Mechanics’ Institute Library in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>California does have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101893478/california-pushes-back-on-the-book-banning-movement\">some protections against these campaigns\u003c/a>. In 2024, the state adopted a \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1825\">Freedom to Read Act\u003c/a>, which states that public libraries cannot exclude materials from their shelves based on content like race, gender and sexual orientation.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s not a cure-all. It doesn’t mean that, ‘Okay, there’s no more censorship in California,’” the American Library Association’s Lamdan said. Rather, “there’s a tool to push back on censorship attempts,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But in many other parts of the country, the book banning movement has only strengthened — especially after the Supreme Court’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-297\">\u003cem>Mahmoud v. Taylor\u003c/em>\u003c/a> ruling in 2025 that a group of parents’ freedom of religion was violated when they couldn’t opt their children out of a class that included LGBTQ storybooks.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“What is so stunning about that decision is that it has this potential to have such a broad censorship effect on the very books that we know can have such a powerful positive impact for many young children,” Friedman said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Able to see themselves’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Libraries are intended to meet the needs of their communities, Lamdan said — and are supposed to have an array of books that touch every person.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For her, the Mechanics’ Institute’s motives for acquiring Tarpey-Schwed’s collection show “exactly why censorship in libraries is so harmful.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Everybody deserves to see themselves reflected in stories and to see themselves reflected in library collections,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Making sure children feel seen is a major motivating factor for the works written by Half Moon Bay author Cynthia Chin-Lee — compounded by her experience as an Asian American growing up in the 60s with little to no representation in the stories around her.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095727\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095727\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of The Generous Jefferson Bartleby Jones, a book published in 1991, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095730\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095730\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through Asha’s Mums, a book published in 1990, which is part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Her picture book \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-020/operation-marriage\">“Operation Marriage”\u003c/a>, which features in the Mechanics’ Institute Tarpey-Schwed collection, follows Alex and her younger brother Nicky, who are trying to convince their moms to get married before \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11981023/a-queer-journalist-reflects-on-the-legacy-of-the-propostion-8-trial-tapes\">the passage of Proposition 8\u003c/a> — the California law that banned same-sex marriage in 2008, which was ultimately struck down a few years later.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Chin-Lee said it’s based on a true story about a family who attended her church in Palo Alto. In fact, the making of the picture book was a community effort: People from the church even posed for pictures, which local artist Lea Lyon then illustrated, she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But in 2023 — well after the legalization of gay marriage nationwide — “Operation Marriage” was challenged by \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1am1vKU3MR1209AanJVqySFtRYe3IiB1k/edit?gid=479202673#gid=479202673\">a Midland, Texas, county commissioner\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.mrt.com/news/article/midland-county-releases-full-list-redesignated-18342965.php\">a group of volunteers\u003c/a> who wanted to remove it from the shelves of the children’s section of a public library and into the adults’ section.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We have freedom of speech, freedom of writing, and the kids that are LGBTQ especially need our support,” she said. “They need to be able to see themselves in books.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>These books also play a role for parents. The Hoffmans’ first book about Jacob — “Jacob’s New Dress” — depicted a little boy who wants to wear a dress. It was based on their son Sam, who, as a kid, “liked all things that were pink and girly and sparkly” and asked to wear a dress to school when he was four, Sarah Hoffman said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That was when we faced our first issue as parents, because we wanted to let Sam be himself,” she said. “And clearly this was coming from \u003cem>him\u003c/em>, because nothing around him said little boys should like these things.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095728\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of Daddy’s Roommate, a book published in 1990, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While they were the only parents in Sam’s school navigating this, they connected with other parents online all over the world who also had \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/loveyouforyou\">gender nonconforming kids\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Everyone felt alone until they found this group, and suddenly we had community,” Hoffman said. “We realized that we all face the same kinds of issues.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The collection is already acting as a historical reference — and source of inspiration — for the field’s writers too. Like San Francisco children’s book author Marcus Ewert, the writer of “\u003ca href=\"https://www.sevenstories.com/books/2795-10-000-dresses\">10,000 Dresses\u003c/a>,” about a young trans girl named Bailey. For Ewert, the archive functions as a trove of the genre’s pioneers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Oh my God, I wanna spend hours and hours and hours just looking at all these things,” he said. “As little time capsules, as little pieces of history.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Profound effects’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Along with being a resource for early examples of LGBTQ children’s literature, Tarpey-Schwed said he hoped that more titles and examples will continue to be added to the collection.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The children’s publishing world in the past few years has seen a major wave of inclusive literature, partly thanks to industry-wide initiatives like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.diversebooks.org/\">We Need Diverse Books campaign\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was hugely successful in getting all these stories out there that weren’t being told,” Ian Hoffman said. But the backlash to the campaign was also swift — and he admitted the last few years have felt “bleak.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095724\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095724\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The authors of the 1979 children’s book When Megan Went Away dedicate the book to children of lesbian mothers. The book is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095726\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095726\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of a 1989 self-published version Heather Has Two Mommies, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But his wife, Sarah Hoffman, had some optimism. “We can temporarily go back, but you can’t change the fact that these books have existed,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For Mechanics’ Institute archivist Cooper, the collection has been an exciting opportunity to learn more about children’s literature. Most people in his 40s like him, or older, have never experienced queer picture books.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“[We] didn’t grow up with these kinds of stories,” he said. “I think that really does affect children … When they’re thinking about their life, what’s it going to be like? ‘I never pictured having a family, because I didn’t see that reflected in literature.’” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This can really have profound effects on children today,” Cooper said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We read all kinds of children’s books to our kids,” Tarpey-Schwed of Mill Valley said. “But I wanted to make sure that some of those showed \u003cem>their \u003c/em>kind of family.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tarpey-Schwed’s passion had taught him to go searching for deep cuts like these: specifically, books for young people that featured LGBTQ families and characters. He began scouring used book websites and other corners of the internet for titles to bring back to his family — something that he said took “a lot of persistence.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095736\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A person reads a newspaper at the Mechanics’ Institute Library in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Exploring his growing collection, Tarpey-Schwed saw how the genre evolved — especially when looking at the earlier titles from as early as the 1960s. While some of the books were undoubtedly dated, they still communicated the values he and his husband felt were important: acceptance, community and love.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As his daughters grew up, Tarpey-Schwed carefully packed the books away. But he always wanted to find a home for them. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Then, through the bibliophile circles of San Francisco, Myles Cooper, a library manager at the Mechanics’ Institute — a beautiful \u003ca href=\"https://www.vogue.com/article/what-is-beaux-arts-architecture\">Beaux-Arts-style\u003c/a> historical library in downtown San Francisco — found out about Tarpey-Schwed’s archive of books. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Which is how Tarpey-Schwed handed off his yearslong work in November last year — and how the Mechanics Institute became the new, public home of what they call one of the most thorough catalogs of early LGBTQ children’s literature in the United States, dating from 1969. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Scores of books which for years were stored in Tarpey-Schwed’s home can now be viewed in person by appointment or \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/\">online\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The Mechanics’ Institute was willing to make a commitment to preserve it as a collection, rather than, say, putting all the books into circulation,” Tarpey-Schwed said. “I felt this was more important to keep it together. Because, in its whole, it shows the history of the genre.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Mechanics’ Institute dates back to the 19th century, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/the-mechanics-institute-san-francisco-s-first-tech-incubator/article_644e6ace-b579-52eb-bbb2-6aec5a9534f5.html\">years before\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://sfpl.org/about-us/history-san-francisco-public-library\">the first branch of the San Francisco Public Library\u003c/a> opened its doors. During \u003ca href=\"https://www.milibrary.org/about-us/history-and-mission/\">its initial years\u003c/a>, the center served as a place for people to learn vocational skills at the tail end of the Gold Rush. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Mechanics’ Institute dates back to the 19th century, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/the-mechanics-institute-san-francisco-s-first-tech-incubator/article_644e6ace-b579-52eb-bbb2-6aec5a9534f5.html\">years before\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://sfpl.org/about-us/history-san-francisco-public-library\">the first branch of the San Francisco Public Library\u003c/a> opened its doors. During \u003ca href=\"https://www.milibrary.org/about-us/history-and-mission/\">its initial years\u003c/a>, the center served as a place for people to learn vocational skills at the tail end of the Gold Rush. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Now, the Mechanics’ Institute is a home for the Bay Area’s chess players, cultural events and \u003ca href=\"https://www.milibrary.org/research-and-resources/special-collections/\">special collections\u003c/a> for researchers to dive into. And a major reason, Cooper said, why the Mechanics’ Institute took in Tarpey-Schwed’s “wonderful addition” was to “widen, broaden and tell more stories that relate to people here and that are important to people today.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Now, the Mechanics’ Institute is a home for the Bay Area’s chess players, cultural events and \u003ca href=\"https://www.milibrary.org/research-and-resources/special-collections/\">special collections\u003c/a> for researchers to dive into. And a major reason, Cooper said, why the Mechanics’ Institute took in Tarpey-Schwed’s “wonderful addition” was to “widen, broaden and tell more stories that relate to people here and that are important to people today.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While the Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection has some contemporary examples, what makes it unique are the earlier titles Tarpey-Schwed discovered — many of which came from small independent presses, are out of print or were self-published.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While the Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection has some contemporary examples, what makes it unique are the earlier titles Tarpey-Schwed discovered — many of which came from small independent presses, are out of print or were self-published.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095738\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist, is photographed at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095738\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist, is photographed at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Like \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-146/heather-has-two-mommies\">“Heather Has Two Mommies”\u003c/a> by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Diana Souza, self-published in 1989 before being picked up a year earlier by \u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20131103212823/http://www.glbtq.com/sfeatures/interviewsalyson.html\">Alyson Wonderland\u003c/a> — a then-brand-new LGBTQ children’s fiction publisher. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Like \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-146/heather-has-two-mommies\">“Heather Has Two Mommies”\u003c/a> by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Diana Souza, self-published in 1989 before being picked up a year earlier by \u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20131103212823/http://www.glbtq.com/sfeatures/interviewsalyson.html\">Alyson Wonderland\u003c/a> — a then-brand-new LGBTQ children’s fiction publisher. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Tarpey-Schwed’s collection traces how the genre was also impacted by real-life events, like legal developments around marriage equality and family law — or the lack of them. For instance, some of the earlier works Tarpey-Schwed found written before \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12016010/reflecting-on-the-fight-for-marriage-equality\">marriage equality\u003c/a> tried to grapple with what to \u003cem>call \u003c/em>the union of two parents, or a new partner of a parent. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“So, it could be ‘roommate’ — which I think is a hilarious euphemism,” he said. “There’s one story in which a little girl is portrayed as living with her mother and her godmother. But when you look at the iconography of the image, it’s clearly a lesbian couple.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A title that became dear to Tarpey-Schwed’s own family is \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-137/in-our-mothers-house\">“In Our Mother’s House,”\u003c/a> by Patricia Polacco, which follows two moms throwing a block party in Berkeley. At one point in the book, a neighbor storms in and snaps at the family, scaring the kids.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“And then — this is going to choke me up talking about it — what happens is that every one of the neighbors, one by one, comes up and gives the family a hug,” Tarpey-Schwed said. “Even though it’s a complicated and nuanced story, at the end, it cuts right through to: ‘But your family is loved.’”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There’s maybe an assumption out there that writing a children’s book is like writing a dumbed-down version of an adult book, and that’s completely wrong,” he said. “Children’s books are a genre of their own, and a really good children’s book is a good book, period.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For Cooper, \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-139/and-tango-makes-three\">“And Tango Makes Three”\u003c/a> has a special place in his heart, bringing back memories of reading it to elementary-school students upon its first release in 2005. Written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell and illustrated by Henry Cole, the famous book is based on \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/08/usa.gayrights\">a true story\u003c/a> of two penguins in a New York zoo who raise a baby chick named Tango after zoo keepers notice their desire for a family — evidenced by their attempts to “hatch” a rock.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Nonetheless, “And Tango Makes Three” — like many of the books in the Tarpey-Schwed collection — has been a target of \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">coordinated campaigns nationwide\u003c/a> that aim to pull diverse books off the shelves of public libraries and schools. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“This is a very fragile area of collections,” Cooper said. “They’re being banned, \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/politics/capitol/2024/08/book-bans-california-libraries/\">even in public libraries in California\u003c/a>. It really is an area that we need to collect and keep and maintain just for our own history.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“This is a very fragile area of collections,” Cooper said. “They’re being banned, \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/politics/capitol/2024/08/book-bans-california-libraries/\">even in public libraries in California\u003c/a>. It really is an area that we need to collect and keep and maintain just for our own history.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In 2016, the American Library Association \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">tracked 208 unique titles\u003c/a> that were challenged in public schools and libraries in the United States. In 2025, that number shot up to over 4,200 titles — and nearly 40% of those titles featured LGBTQ characters or characters of color. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In 2016, the American Library Association \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">tracked 208 unique titles\u003c/a> that were challenged in public schools and libraries in the United States. In 2025, that number shot up to over 4,200 titles — and nearly 40% of those titles featured LGBTQ characters or characters of color. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095731\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through Asha’s Mums, a book published in 1990, which is part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095731\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through Asha’s Mums, a book published in 1990, which is part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The ALA also found that almost all book challenges in 2025 were initiated \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">by pressure groups, government officials and decision-makers\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Along with these challenges, \u003ca href=\"https://lawlibguides.sandiego.edu/c.php?g=1421168&p=10542274\">various laws and policies\u003c/a> — some carrying serious consequences for offenders — can be found across the country that are attempting to restrict materials based on broad definitions like being \u003ca href=\"https://arktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Filed-Complaint-Fayetteville-Public-Library-et-al.-v.-Crawford-County-et-al.pdf\">“harmful to minors.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The wave of censorship seen in the 2020s arose after the initial stages of the pandemic, often involving the same people involved with the anti-masking movement, like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101904708/conservative-mothers-as-a-political-force-in-california\">Moms for Liberty\u003c/a>, said Sarah Lamdan, the executive director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“A lot of the emphasis on book bans and censorship attacks has been around the concept of ‘protecting children,’” Lamdan said. But “anyone who’s willing to say that “And Tango Makes Three” could be harmful to anyone isn’t being honest with themselves or the community that they’re addressing.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And as the book challenges increase across the country, “the fatigue around fighting it has definitely set in at the same time,” said Jonathan Friedman, the Sy Syms managing director of U.S. free expression programs at PEN America. “It’s just normalized; it’s not news.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And as the book challenges increase across the country, “the fatigue around fighting it has definitely set in at the same time,” said Jonathan Friedman, the Sy Syms managing director of U.S. free expression programs at PEN America. “It’s just normalized; it’s not news.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>San Francisco authors and married duo Sarah and Ian Hoffman are very familiar with that fatigue. They are the authors of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sarahandianhoffman.com/books/\">the “Jacob” picture book series\u003c/a>, which includes installments like “Jacob’s New Dress”.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>San Francisco authors and married duo Sarah and Ian Hoffman are very familiar with that fatigue. They are the authors of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sarahandianhoffman.com/books/\">the “Jacob” picture book series\u003c/a>, which includes installments like “Jacob’s New Dress”.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The first time one of their books was banned was in 2017, in a North Carolina school district. Bans at the time were rare enough, Sarah Hoffman said, that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/us/north-carolina-school-jacobs-new-dress-book.html\">\u003cem>New York Times \u003c/em>was interested in the story\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The first time one of their books was banned was in 2017, in a North Carolina school district. Bans at the time were rare enough, Sarah Hoffman said, that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/us/north-carolina-school-jacobs-new-dress-book.html\">\u003cem>New York Times \u003c/em>was interested in the story\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We got all these love notes from people in North Carolina saying things like, ‘We’re so sorry, we are not all like that, we don’t want to ban your book, your book is wonderful.’ So it was actually kind of a great experience,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We got all these love notes from people in North Carolina saying things like, ‘We’re so sorry, we are not all like that, we don’t want to ban your book, your book is wonderful.’ So it was actually kind of a great experience,” she said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But now, “the book banners are so well organized … It’s impossible for anyone to keep up with,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095735\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Mechanics’ Institute Library in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095735\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Mechanics’ Institute Library in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>California does have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101893478/california-pushes-back-on-the-book-banning-movement\">some protections against these campaigns\u003c/a>. In 2024, the state adopted a \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1825\">Freedom to Read Act\u003c/a>, which states that public libraries cannot exclude materials from their shelves based on content like race, gender and sexual orientation.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>California does have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101893478/california-pushes-back-on-the-book-banning-movement\">some protections against these campaigns\u003c/a>. In 2024, the state adopted a \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1825\">Freedom to Read Act\u003c/a>, which states that public libraries cannot exclude materials from their shelves based on content like race, gender and sexual orientation.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s not a cure-all. It doesn’t mean that, ‘Okay, there’s no more censorship in California,’” the American Library Association’s Lamdan said. Rather, “there’s a tool to push back on censorship attempts,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s not a cure-all. It doesn’t mean that, ‘Okay, there’s no more censorship in California,’” the American Library Association’s Lamdan said. Rather, “there’s a tool to push back on censorship attempts,” she said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But in many other parts of the country, the book banning movement has only strengthened — especially after the Supreme Court’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-297\">\u003cem>Mahmoud v. Taylor\u003c/em>\u003c/a> ruling in 2025 that a group of parents’ freedom of religion was violated when they couldn’t opt their children out of a class that included LGBTQ storybooks.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But in many other parts of the country, the book banning movement has only strengthened — especially after the Supreme Court’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-297\">\u003cem>Mahmoud v. Taylor\u003c/em>\u003c/a> ruling in 2025 that a group of parents’ freedom of religion was violated when they couldn’t opt their children out of a class that included LGBTQ storybooks.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“What is so stunning about that decision is that it has this potential to have such a broad censorship effect on the very books that we know can have such a powerful positive impact for many young children,” Friedman said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“What is so stunning about that decision is that it has this potential to have such a broad censorship effect on the very books that we know can have such a powerful positive impact for many young children,” Friedman said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "‘Able to see themselves’",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Libraries are intended to meet the needs of their communities, Lamdan said — and are supposed to have an array of books that touch every person.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For her, the Mechanics’ Institute’s motives for acquiring Tarpey-Schwed’s collection show “exactly why censorship in libraries is so harmful.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Everybody deserves to see themselves reflected in stories and to see themselves reflected in library collections,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Making sure children feel seen is a major motivating factor for the works written by Half Moon Bay author Cynthia Chin-Lee — compounded by her experience as an Asian American growing up in the 60s with little to no representation in the stories around her.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Making sure children feel seen is a major motivating factor for the works written by Half Moon Bay author Cynthia Chin-Lee — compounded by her experience as an Asian American growing up in the 60s with little to no representation in the stories around her.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095727\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of The Generous Jefferson Bartleby Jones, a book published in 1991, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095727\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of The Generous Jefferson Bartleby Jones, a book published in 1991, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095730\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through Asha’s Mums, a book published in 1990, which is part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095730\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through Asha’s Mums, a book published in 1990, which is part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Her picture book \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-020/operation-marriage\">“Operation Marriage”\u003c/a>, which features in the Mechanics’ Institute Tarpey-Schwed collection, follows Alex and her younger brother Nicky, who are trying to convince their moms to get married before \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11981023/a-queer-journalist-reflects-on-the-legacy-of-the-propostion-8-trial-tapes\">the passage of Proposition 8\u003c/a> — the California law that banned same-sex marriage in 2008, which was ultimately struck down a few years later.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Her picture book \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-020/operation-marriage\">“Operation Marriage”\u003c/a>, which features in the Mechanics’ Institute Tarpey-Schwed collection, follows Alex and her younger brother Nicky, who are trying to convince their moms to get married before \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11981023/a-queer-journalist-reflects-on-the-legacy-of-the-propostion-8-trial-tapes\">the passage of Proposition 8\u003c/a> — the California law that banned same-sex marriage in 2008, which was ultimately struck down a few years later.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Chin-Lee said it’s based on a true story about a family who attended her church in Palo Alto. In fact, the making of the picture book was a community effort: People from the church even posed for pictures, which local artist Lea Lyon then illustrated, she said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Chin-Lee said it’s based on a true story about a family who attended her church in Palo Alto. In fact, the making of the picture book was a community effort: People from the church even posed for pictures, which local artist Lea Lyon then illustrated, she said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But in 2023 — well after the legalization of gay marriage nationwide — “Operation Marriage” was challenged by \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1am1vKU3MR1209AanJVqySFtRYe3IiB1k/edit?gid=479202673#gid=479202673\">a Midland, Texas, county commissioner\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.mrt.com/news/article/midland-county-releases-full-list-redesignated-18342965.php\">a group of volunteers\u003c/a> who wanted to remove it from the shelves of the children’s section of a public library and into the adults’ section.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But in 2023 — well after the legalization of gay marriage nationwide — “Operation Marriage” was challenged by \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1am1vKU3MR1209AanJVqySFtRYe3IiB1k/edit?gid=479202673#gid=479202673\">a Midland, Texas, county commissioner\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.mrt.com/news/article/midland-county-releases-full-list-redesignated-18342965.php\">a group of volunteers\u003c/a> who wanted to remove it from the shelves of the children’s section of a public library and into the adults’ section.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We have freedom of speech, freedom of writing, and the kids that are LGBTQ especially need our support,” she said. “They need to be able to see themselves in books.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We have freedom of speech, freedom of writing, and the kids that are LGBTQ especially need our support,” she said. “They need to be able to see themselves in books.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>These books also play a role for parents. The Hoffmans’ first book about Jacob — “Jacob’s New Dress” — depicted a little boy who wants to wear a dress. It was based on their son Sam, who, as a kid, “liked all things that were pink and girly and sparkly” and asked to wear a dress to school when he was four, Sarah Hoffman said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>These books also play a role for parents. The Hoffmans’ first book about Jacob — “Jacob’s New Dress” — depicted a little boy who wants to wear a dress. It was based on their son Sam, who, as a kid, “liked all things that were pink and girly and sparkly” and asked to wear a dress to school when he was four, Sarah Hoffman said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“That was when we faced our first issue as parents, because we wanted to let Sam be himself,” she said. “And clearly this was coming from \u003cem>him\u003c/em>, because nothing around him said little boys should like these things.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“That was when we faced our first issue as parents, because we wanted to let Sam be himself,” she said. “And clearly this was coming from \u003cem>him\u003c/em>, because nothing around him said little boys should like these things.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095728\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of Daddy’s Roommate, a book published in 1990, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095728\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of Daddy’s Roommate, a book published in 1990, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While they were the only parents in Sam’s school navigating this, they connected with other parents online all over the world who also had \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/loveyouforyou\">gender nonconforming kids\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While they were the only parents in Sam’s school navigating this, they connected with other parents online all over the world who also had \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/loveyouforyou\">gender nonconforming kids\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Everyone felt alone until they found this group, and suddenly we had community,” Hoffman said. “We realized that we all face the same kinds of issues.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The collection is already acting as a historical reference — and source of inspiration — for the field’s writers too. Like San Francisco children’s book author Marcus Ewert, the writer of “\u003ca href=\"https://www.sevenstories.com/books/2795-10-000-dresses\">10,000 Dresses\u003c/a>,” about a young trans girl named Bailey. For Ewert, the archive functions as a trove of the genre’s pioneers.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The collection is already acting as a historical reference — and source of inspiration — for the field’s writers too. Like San Francisco children’s book author Marcus Ewert, the writer of “\u003ca href=\"https://www.sevenstories.com/books/2795-10-000-dresses\">10,000 Dresses\u003c/a>,” about a young trans girl named Bailey. For Ewert, the archive functions as a trove of the genre’s pioneers.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Oh my God, I wanna spend hours and hours and hours just looking at all these things,” he said. “As little time capsules, as little pieces of history.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Along with being a resource for early examples of LGBTQ children’s literature, Tarpey-Schwed said he hoped that more titles and examples will continue to be added to the collection.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The children’s publishing world in the past few years has seen a major wave of inclusive literature, partly thanks to industry-wide initiatives like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.diversebooks.org/\">We Need Diverse Books campaign\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It was hugely successful in getting all these stories out there that weren’t being told,” Ian Hoffman said. But the backlash to the campaign was also swift — and he admitted the last few years have felt “bleak.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It was hugely successful in getting all these stories out there that weren’t being told,” Ian Hoffman said. But the backlash to the campaign was also swift — and he admitted the last few years have felt “bleak.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095724\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The authors of the 1979 children’s book When Megan Went Away dedicate the book to children of lesbian mothers. The book is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095726\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of a 1989 self-published version Heather Has Two Mommies, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But his wife, Sarah Hoffman, had some optimism. “We can temporarily go back, but you can’t change the fact that these books have existed,” she said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“[We] didn’t grow up with these kinds of stories,” he said. “I think that really does affect children … When they’re thinking about their life, what’s it going to be like? ‘I never pictured having a family, because I didn’t see that reflected in literature.’” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“[We] didn’t grow up with these kinds of stories,” he said. “I think that really does affect children … When they’re thinking about their life, what’s it going to be like? ‘I never pictured having a family, because I didn’t see that reflected in literature.’” \u003c/p>\n"
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"excerpt": "Amid book bans, how one collector's quest to find books for his children that reflected their own family created a public archive at the Mechanics’ Institute.",
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"title": "‘Time Capsules’: Huge San Francisco Archive of Kids' Books Traces Long History of LGBTQ Families | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp class=\"wp-block-kqed-v2-dropcap-paragraph dropcap-paragraph\">\u003cspan class=\"dropcap\">A\u003c/span>s a book collector in the early 2000s, Randall Tarpey-Schwed and his husband read bedtime stories endlessly to their children.\u003cbr>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We read all kinds of children’s books to our kids,” Tarpey-Schwed of Mill Valley said. “But I wanted to make sure that some of those showed \u003cem>their \u003c/em>kind of family.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tarpey-Schwed’s passion had taught him to go searching for deep cuts like these: specifically, books for young people that featured LGBTQ families and characters. He began scouring used book websites and other corners of the internet for titles to bring back to his family — something that he said took “a lot of persistence.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But his efforts paid off when these books became an instant hit with his daughters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’d ask them, ‘What do you want to read tonight?’” he said. “Sometimes they would say, ‘Oh, I want a Papa and Daddy book.’”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095736\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-71-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A person reads a newspaper at the Mechanics’ Institute Library in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Exploring his growing collection, Tarpey-Schwed saw how the genre evolved — especially when looking at the earlier titles from as early as the 1960s. While some of the books were undoubtedly dated, they still communicated the values he and his husband felt were important: acceptance, community and love.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Over the years, he eventually amassed over 200 books, magazines and other printed materials that featured queer characters, themes and other diverse representations of families. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As his daughters grew up, Tarpey-Schwed carefully packed the books away. But he always wanted to find a home for them. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Then, through the bibliophile circles of San Francisco, Myles Cooper, a library manager at the Mechanics’ Institute — a beautiful \u003ca href=\"https://www.vogue.com/article/what-is-beaux-arts-architecture\">Beaux-Arts-style\u003c/a> historical library in downtown San Francisco — found out about Tarpey-Schwed’s archive of books. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Which is how Tarpey-Schwed handed off his yearslong work in November last year — and how the Mechanics Institute became the new, public home of what they call one of the most thorough catalogs of early LGBTQ children’s literature in the United States, dating from 1969. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Scores of books which for years were stored in Tarpey-Schwed’s home can now be viewed in person by appointment or \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/\">online\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The Mechanics’ Institute was willing to make a commitment to preserve it as a collection, rather than, say, putting all the books into circulation,” Tarpey-Schwed said. “I felt this was more important to keep it together. Because, in its whole, it shows the history of the genre.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘It’s adorable — and it’s true’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Mechanics’ Institute dates back to the 19th century, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfexaminer.com/archives/the-mechanics-institute-san-francisco-s-first-tech-incubator/article_644e6ace-b579-52eb-bbb2-6aec5a9534f5.html\">years before\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"https://sfpl.org/about-us/history-san-francisco-public-library\">the first branch of the San Francisco Public Library\u003c/a> opened its doors. During \u003ca href=\"https://www.milibrary.org/about-us/history-and-mission/\">its initial years\u003c/a>, the center served as a place for people to learn vocational skills at the tail end of the Gold Rush. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Now, the Mechanics’ Institute is a home for the Bay Area’s chess players, cultural events and \u003ca href=\"https://www.milibrary.org/research-and-resources/special-collections/\">special collections\u003c/a> for researchers to dive into. And a major reason, Cooper said, why the Mechanics’ Institute took in Tarpey-Schwed’s “wonderful addition” was to “widen, broaden and tell more stories that relate to people here and that are important to people today.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection has some contemporary examples, what makes it unique are the earlier titles Tarpey-Schwed discovered — many of which came from small independent presses, are out of print or were self-published.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095738\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-81-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist, is photographed at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Like \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-146/heather-has-two-mommies\">“Heather Has Two Mommies”\u003c/a> by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Diana Souza, self-published in 1989 before being picked up a year earlier by \u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20131103212823/http://www.glbtq.com/sfeatures/interviewsalyson.html\">Alyson Wonderland\u003c/a> — a then-brand-new LGBTQ children’s fiction publisher. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The collection, while telling the story of LGBTQ families, “also tells the stories of publishing,” Cooper said. “Publishers that dared to print some of those first stories that had representation of alternative families.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Tarpey-Schwed’s collection traces how the genre was also impacted by real-life events, like legal developments around marriage equality and family law — or the lack of them. For instance, some of the earlier works Tarpey-Schwed found written before \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12016010/reflecting-on-the-fight-for-marriage-equality\">marriage equality\u003c/a> tried to grapple with what to \u003cem>call \u003c/em>the union of two parents, or a new partner of a parent. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So, it could be ‘roommate’ — which I think is a hilarious euphemism,” he said. “There’s one story in which a little girl is portrayed as living with her mother and her godmother. But when you look at the iconography of the image, it’s clearly a lesbian couple.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>A title that became dear to Tarpey-Schwed’s own family is \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-137/in-our-mothers-house\">“In Our Mother’s House,”\u003c/a> by Patricia Polacco, which follows two moms throwing a block party in Berkeley. At one point in the book, a neighbor storms in and snaps at the family, scaring the kids.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“And then — this is going to choke me up talking about it — what happens is that every one of the neighbors, one by one, comes up and gives the family a hug,” Tarpey-Schwed said. “Even though it’s a complicated and nuanced story, at the end, it cuts right through to: ‘But your family is loved.’”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095737\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-79-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095737\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-79-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-79-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-79-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist, is photographed at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095722\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-8-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095722\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-8-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-8-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-8-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through a box of books from the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There’s maybe an assumption out there that writing a children’s book is like writing a dumbed-down version of an adult book, and that’s completely wrong,” he said. “Children’s books are a genre of their own, and a really good children’s book is a good book, period.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For Cooper, \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-139/and-tango-makes-three\">“And Tango Makes Three”\u003c/a> has a special place in his heart, bringing back memories of reading it to elementary-school students upon its first release in 2005. Written by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell and illustrated by Henry Cole, the famous book is based on \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/feb/08/usa.gayrights\">a true story\u003c/a> of two penguins in a New York zoo who raise a baby chick named Tango after zoo keepers notice their desire for a family — evidenced by their attempts to “hatch” a rock.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“How can you argue with that?” Cooper said. “It’s adorable, and it’s true.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘A broad censorship effect’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Nonetheless, “And Tango Makes Three” — like many of the books in the Tarpey-Schwed collection — has been a target of \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">coordinated campaigns nationwide\u003c/a> that aim to pull diverse books off the shelves of public libraries and schools. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This is a very fragile area of collections,” Cooper said. “They’re being banned, \u003ca href=\"https://calmatters.org/politics/capitol/2024/08/book-bans-california-libraries/\">even in public libraries in California\u003c/a>. It really is an area that we need to collect and keep and maintain just for our own history.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In 2016, the American Library Association \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">tracked 208 unique titles\u003c/a> that were challenged in public schools and libraries in the United States. In 2025, that number shot up to over 4,200 titles — and nearly 40% of those titles featured LGBTQ characters or characters of color. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095731\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-44-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through Asha’s Mums, a book published in 1990, which is part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The ALA also found that almost all book challenges in 2025 were initiated \u003ca href=\"https://www.ala.org/bbooks/book-ban-data\">by pressure groups, government officials and decision-makers\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Along with these challenges, \u003ca href=\"https://lawlibguides.sandiego.edu/c.php?g=1421168&p=10542274\">various laws and policies\u003c/a> — some carrying serious consequences for offenders — can be found across the country that are attempting to restrict materials based on broad definitions like being \u003ca href=\"https://arktimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Filed-Complaint-Fayetteville-Public-Library-et-al.-v.-Crawford-County-et-al.pdf\">“harmful to minors.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The wave of censorship seen in the 2020s arose after the initial stages of the pandemic, often involving the same people involved with the anti-masking movement, like \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101904708/conservative-mothers-as-a-political-force-in-california\">Moms for Liberty\u003c/a>, said Sarah Lamdan, the executive director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“A lot of the emphasis on book bans and censorship attacks has been around the concept of ‘protecting children,’” Lamdan said. But “anyone who’s willing to say that “And Tango Makes Three” could be harmful to anyone isn’t being honest with themselves or the community that they’re addressing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as the book challenges increase across the country, “the fatigue around fighting it has definitely set in at the same time,” said Jonathan Friedman, the Sy Syms managing director of U.S. free expression programs at PEN America. “It’s just normalized; it’s not news.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>San Francisco authors and married duo Sarah and Ian Hoffman are very familiar with that fatigue. They are the authors of \u003ca href=\"https://www.sarahandianhoffman.com/books/\">the “Jacob” picture book series\u003c/a>, which includes installments like “Jacob’s New Dress”.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first time one of their books was banned was in 2017, in a North Carolina school district. Bans at the time were rare enough, Sarah Hoffman said, that the \u003ca href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/us/north-carolina-school-jacobs-new-dress-book.html\">\u003cem>New York Times \u003c/em>was interested in the story\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We got all these love notes from people in North Carolina saying things like, ‘We’re so sorry, we are not all like that, we don’t want to ban your book, your book is wonderful.’ So it was actually kind of a great experience,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But now, “the book banners are so well organized … It’s impossible for anyone to keep up with,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095735\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-67-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Mechanics’ Institute Library in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>California does have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101893478/california-pushes-back-on-the-book-banning-movement\">some protections against these campaigns\u003c/a>. In 2024, the state adopted a \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB1825\">Freedom to Read Act\u003c/a>, which states that public libraries cannot exclude materials from their shelves based on content like race, gender and sexual orientation.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s not a cure-all. It doesn’t mean that, ‘Okay, there’s no more censorship in California,’” the American Library Association’s Lamdan said. Rather, “there’s a tool to push back on censorship attempts,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But in many other parts of the country, the book banning movement has only strengthened — especially after the Supreme Court’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.oyez.org/cases/2024/24-297\">\u003cem>Mahmoud v. Taylor\u003c/em>\u003c/a> ruling in 2025 that a group of parents’ freedom of religion was violated when they couldn’t opt their children out of a class that included LGBTQ storybooks.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“What is so stunning about that decision is that it has this potential to have such a broad censorship effect on the very books that we know can have such a powerful positive impact for many young children,” Friedman said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Able to see themselves’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Libraries are intended to meet the needs of their communities, Lamdan said — and are supposed to have an array of books that touch every person.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For her, the Mechanics’ Institute’s motives for acquiring Tarpey-Schwed’s collection show “exactly why censorship in libraries is so harmful.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Everybody deserves to see themselves reflected in stories and to see themselves reflected in library collections,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Making sure children feel seen is a major motivating factor for the works written by Half Moon Bay author Cynthia Chin-Lee — compounded by her experience as an Asian American growing up in the 60s with little to no representation in the stories around her.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095727\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095727\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-25-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of The Generous Jefferson Bartleby Jones, a book published in 1991, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095730\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095730\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-41-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through Asha’s Mums, a book published in 1990, which is part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Her picture book \u003ca href=\"https://tarpey-schwed-special-collection.vercel.app/items/KB-020/operation-marriage\">“Operation Marriage”\u003c/a>, which features in the Mechanics’ Institute Tarpey-Schwed collection, follows Alex and her younger brother Nicky, who are trying to convince their moms to get married before \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11981023/a-queer-journalist-reflects-on-the-legacy-of-the-propostion-8-trial-tapes\">the passage of Proposition 8\u003c/a> — the California law that banned same-sex marriage in 2008, which was ultimately struck down a few years later.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Chin-Lee said it’s based on a true story about a family who attended her church in Palo Alto. In fact, the making of the picture book was a community effort: People from the church even posed for pictures, which local artist Lea Lyon then illustrated, she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But in 2023 — well after the legalization of gay marriage nationwide — “Operation Marriage” was challenged by \u003ca href=\"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1am1vKU3MR1209AanJVqySFtRYe3IiB1k/edit?gid=479202673#gid=479202673\">a Midland, Texas, county commissioner\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.mrt.com/news/article/midland-county-releases-full-list-redesignated-18342965.php\">a group of volunteers\u003c/a> who wanted to remove it from the shelves of the children’s section of a public library and into the adults’ section.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We have freedom of speech, freedom of writing, and the kids that are LGBTQ especially need our support,” she said. “They need to be able to see themselves in books.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>These books also play a role for parents. The Hoffmans’ first book about Jacob — “Jacob’s New Dress” — depicted a little boy who wants to wear a dress. It was based on their son Sam, who, as a kid, “liked all things that were pink and girly and sparkly” and asked to wear a dress to school when he was four, Sarah Hoffman said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That was when we faced our first issue as parents, because we wanted to let Sam be himself,” she said. “And clearly this was coming from \u003cem>him\u003c/em>, because nothing around him said little boys should like these things.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095728\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-31-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of Daddy’s Roommate, a book published in 1990, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While they were the only parents in Sam’s school navigating this, they connected with other parents online all over the world who also had \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/loveyouforyou\">gender nonconforming kids\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Everyone felt alone until they found this group, and suddenly we had community,” Hoffman said. “We realized that we all face the same kinds of issues.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The collection is already acting as a historical reference — and source of inspiration — for the field’s writers too. Like San Francisco children’s book author Marcus Ewert, the writer of “\u003ca href=\"https://www.sevenstories.com/books/2795-10-000-dresses\">10,000 Dresses\u003c/a>,” about a young trans girl named Bailey. For Ewert, the archive functions as a trove of the genre’s pioneers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Oh my God, I wanna spend hours and hours and hours just looking at all these things,” he said. “As little time capsules, as little pieces of history.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">‘Profound effects’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Along with being a resource for early examples of LGBTQ children’s literature, Tarpey-Schwed said he hoped that more titles and examples will continue to be added to the collection.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The children’s publishing world in the past few years has seen a major wave of inclusive literature, partly thanks to industry-wide initiatives like the \u003ca href=\"https://www.diversebooks.org/\">We Need Diverse Books campaign\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It was hugely successful in getting all these stories out there that weren’t being told,” Ian Hoffman said. But the backlash to the campaign was also swift — and he admitted the last few years have felt “bleak.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095724\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095724\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-12-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The authors of the 1979 children’s book When Megan Went Away dedicate the book to children of lesbian mothers. The book is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" data-id=\"12095726\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12095726\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/08/260814-LGBTBookArchive-NG-18-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Myles Cooper, library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute, flips through the pages of a 1989 self-published version Heather Has Two Mommies, which is a part of the institute’s Tarpey-Schwed LGBT Families Children’s Book Collection, at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco on Aug. 14, 2026. (Nina Glick/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But his wife, Sarah Hoffman, had some optimism. “We can temporarily go back, but you can’t change the fact that these books have existed,” she said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For Mechanics’ Institute archivist Cooper, the collection has been an exciting opportunity to learn more about children’s literature. Most people in his 40s like him, or older, have never experienced queer picture books.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“[We] didn’t grow up with these kinds of stories,” he said. “I think that really does affect children … When they’re thinking about their life, what’s it going to be like? ‘I never pictured having a family, because I didn’t see that reflected in literature.’” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This can really have profound effects on children today,” Cooper said.\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "trump-administration-reportedly-considers-development-of-private-road-in-yosemite",
"title": "Trump Administration Considers Development of Private Road in Yosemite",
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"headTitle": "Trump Administration Considers Development of Private Road in Yosemite | KQED",
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"content": "\n\u003cp>The Trump administration is considering a deal to allow a private developer to take control of a strip of land in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/yosemite-national-park\">Yosemite National Park\u003c/a> and build an access road, the company said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Nevada-based real estate developer Kingsbarn Realty Capital wants to build a short road connecting an 83-acre plot, known as Hazel Green Ranch, just outside the park to Yosemite’s main attractions, first \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">reported\u003c/a> by the publication \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em>. The deal, if it goes through, would exchange property of equal value owned by the developer for the property that is part of the park, according to documents reviewed by KQED.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Attorney Lanny J. Davis, who is representing Kingsbarn in talks with the National Park Service, confirmed the developer’s intent to build the access road and argued the more direct access route is “supportive of environmental values, since it will reduce air pollution from the longer, less safe route.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Over the last six months, Kingsbarn Realty Capital and I have been working directly and cooperating with National Park Service staff at Yosemite National Park in California to provide safe access from the Hazel Green property to the park entrance,” Davis wrote Friday.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The proposal would revive a bid dating back to the early 2000s, when a prior owner pushed to build the private road. That attempt failed under the Bush and Obama administrations and \u003ca href=\"https://earthjustice.org/press/2012/new-roads-into-yosemite-valley-rejected-by-federal-court\">lost in court\u003c/a>. When the land changed hands to Kingsbarn in 2024, the \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em> investigation found that the new owners tried to reopen the issue — this time with more interest from the Trump administration. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/GettyImages-1846156476-scaled-e1759449061670.jpg\" alt=\"state parks\" class=\"wp-image-11970738\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A welcome sign is seen at Yosemite National Park on Dec. 13, 2023. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The National Parks Conservation Association’s Senior Pacific Regional Director Neal Desai told KQED by email that his organization has verified the administration’s communications to Congress cited in the \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em> article. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Our national parks right now are in crisis, and Yosemite National Park is in chaos,” he said. “The public expects the parks service to be protecting our national parks, not sitting through meetings with developers and scheming up ways to sell Yosemite. This is absurd to the highest levels.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In an email to KQED, the Department of the Interior denied the framing of \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em>’ report.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This story relies on anonymous allegations to manufacture a political narrative that simply is not true,” the department wrote. “There has been no political pressure to reach a predetermined outcome, and claims suggesting the Department is secretly working to hand over National Park Service land to a private developer are false.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The department went on to say that “any land exchange or access proposal involving National Park Service lands would be subject to all applicable federal laws, regulations and Departmental policies, including required environmental review and public notification processes,” and that if a proposal for the easement advances, the department will follow all federal law. “Anonymous speculation does not change those facts.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“No final decisions have been made,” the department said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In his email to KQED, Davis said the proposal was “consistent” with his “pro-environment and progressive values and life history.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Without a direct access route, every trip from the Hazel Green area requires a significantly longer drive — twice as long, at a minimum — on unpaved forest roads and thus more air pollution,” he wrote. “The new access road would be safer for drivers and generate substantially less vehicle emissions.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advocates worry proposal could set a dangerous precedent\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Former Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher called this latest attempt to carve a private road through the park “ridiculous.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s another nightmare for the National Park Service and Yosemite specifically,” Neubacher told KQED. Under his leadership, he said, “We said we didn’t have the authority, and we thought it would be illegal to give it an easement. Now all of a sudden the Trump administration is really pushing this.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Neubacher pushed back against the DOI’s characterization of the deal.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1124\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074148\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Pope Army Airfield, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, en route to Palm Beach, Florida. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“As far as I can tell, that story is 100% accurate,” he said. “And they’re covering up their actions on this. They were hoping, I think, that it would just slide through in a sort of a secret way.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Neubacher said that in 2012, during his tenure at Yosemite, his office did a legal review of this very land exchange and concluded the Park Service didn’t have the authority to go through with it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There was no legal right for this developer to have access into the Yosemite National Park,” he said. “The only thing that’s changed is you have a new administration that just seems to be pro-development.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mark Rose, senior Sierra Nevada program manager for National Parks Conservation Association, called the move “an attack on the American people that own this national park,” in a statement to KQED.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle America’s conservation legacy are now taking aim at Yosemite with this secretive, backroom deal that would turn over Park Service land to a private developer,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Neubacher said he believes it would take an act of Congress to go through with the exchange — or it’s likely to fail in court again. Earlier this year, Congress was informed that the Park Service was considering the land exchange, but declined to include the project on a list they endorsed for a federal funding pot, \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">\u003cem>NOTUS \u003c/em>reported\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When you do a land exchange, you have to demonstrate it’s in the best interests of the government,” Neubacher said. “I don’t see how anybody can claim that.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Yosemite NPS employees union released a statement on Friday criticizing the proposed deal.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“As stewards of Yosemite, the ceding of public lands for private interests is antithetical to what we stand for as employees of the National Park Service,” representatives of the National Federation of Federal Employees Local 465 wrote. “We are dismayed that the administration is choosing to prioritize this deal while dismissing and further exacerbating the issues that negatively impact NPS employees at Yosemite.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1298\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12058519\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1536x997.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Visitors look up at El Capitan from El Capitan Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, on May 20, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Jesse Chakrin, director of the philanthropic group, Fund for People in Parks, said he was surprised to hear the particular area, along the drive from Hodgdon Meadow toward Crane Flat, would potentially be up for sale.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s a beloved area,” he said. “It is a beautiful spot that has the best dogwood in the park, probably. It has amazing and wonderful flowers in the spring and fall colors in the fall.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But his biggest shock, Chakrin said, is what the Trump administration’s approach to the deal could mean for the future of parks. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“What it indicates to me is that there is no boundary on what they are considering as far as maximizing the benefit to a small number of very wealthy individuals,” he said. “And that’s not what National Parks are for.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Nevada-based real estate developer Kingsbarn Realty Capital wants to build a short road connecting an 83-acre plot, known as Hazel Green Ranch, just outside the park to Yosemite’s main attractions, first \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">reported\u003c/a> by the publication \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em>. The deal, if it goes through, would exchange property of equal value owned by the developer for the property that is part of the park, according to documents reviewed by KQED.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Nevada-based real estate developer Kingsbarn Realty Capital wants to build a short road connecting an 83-acre plot, known as Hazel Green Ranch, just outside the park to Yosemite’s main attractions, first \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">reported\u003c/a> by the publication \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em>. The deal, if it goes through, would exchange property of equal value owned by the developer for the property that is part of the park, according to documents reviewed by KQED.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Attorney Lanny J. Davis, who is representing Kingsbarn in talks with the National Park Service, confirmed the developer’s intent to build the access road and argued the more direct access route is “supportive of environmental values, since it will reduce air pollution from the longer, less safe route.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Attorney Lanny J. Davis, who is representing Kingsbarn in talks with the National Park Service, confirmed the developer’s intent to build the access road and argued the more direct access route is “supportive of environmental values, since it will reduce air pollution from the longer, less safe route.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Over the last six months, Kingsbarn Realty Capital and I have been working directly and cooperating with National Park Service staff at Yosemite National Park in California to provide safe access from the Hazel Green property to the park entrance,” Davis wrote Friday.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Over the last six months, Kingsbarn Realty Capital and I have been working directly and cooperating with National Park Service staff at Yosemite National Park in California to provide safe access from the Hazel Green property to the park entrance,” Davis wrote Friday.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The proposal would revive a bid dating back to the early 2000s, when a prior owner pushed to build the private road. That attempt failed under the Bush and Obama administrations and \u003ca href=\"https://earthjustice.org/press/2012/new-roads-into-yosemite-valley-rejected-by-federal-court\">lost in court\u003c/a>. When the land changed hands to Kingsbarn in 2024, the \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em> investigation found that the new owners tried to reopen the issue — this time with more interest from the Trump administration. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The proposal would revive a bid dating back to the early 2000s, when a prior owner pushed to build the private road. That attempt failed under the Bush and Obama administrations and \u003ca href=\"https://earthjustice.org/press/2012/new-roads-into-yosemite-valley-rejected-by-federal-court\">lost in court\u003c/a>. When the land changed hands to Kingsbarn in 2024, the \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em> investigation found that the new owners tried to reopen the issue — this time with more interest from the Trump administration. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/GettyImages-1846156476-scaled-e1759449061670.jpg\" alt=\"state parks\" class=\"wp-image-11970738\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A welcome sign is seen at Yosemite National Park on Dec. 13, 2023.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/GettyImages-1846156476-scaled-e1759449061670.jpg\" alt=\"state parks\" class=\"wp-image-11970738\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A welcome sign is seen at Yosemite National Park on Dec. 13, 2023.\u003ccite class=\"wp-inline-image-credit\"> (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The National Parks Conservation Association’s Senior Pacific Regional Director Neal Desai told KQED by email that his organization has verified the administration’s communications to Congress cited in the \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em> article. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The National Parks Conservation Association’s Senior Pacific Regional Director Neal Desai told KQED by email that his organization has verified the administration’s communications to Congress cited in the \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em> article. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Our national parks right now are in crisis, and Yosemite National Park is in chaos,” he said. “The public expects the parks service to be protecting our national parks, not sitting through meetings with developers and scheming up ways to sell Yosemite. This is absurd to the highest levels.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Our national parks right now are in crisis, and Yosemite National Park is in chaos,” he said. “The public expects the parks service to be protecting our national parks, not sitting through meetings with developers and scheming up ways to sell Yosemite. This is absurd to the highest levels.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In an email to KQED, the Department of the Interior denied the framing of \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em>’ report.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“This story relies on anonymous allegations to manufacture a political narrative that simply is not true,” the department wrote. “There has been no political pressure to reach a predetermined outcome, and claims suggesting the Department is secretly working to hand over National Park Service land to a private developer are false.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“This story relies on anonymous allegations to manufacture a political narrative that simply is not true,” the department wrote. “There has been no political pressure to reach a predetermined outcome, and claims suggesting the Department is secretly working to hand over National Park Service land to a private developer are false.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The department went on to say that “any land exchange or access proposal involving National Park Service lands would be subject to all applicable federal laws, regulations and Departmental policies, including required environmental review and public notification processes,” and that if a proposal for the easement advances, the department will follow all federal law. “Anonymous speculation does not change those facts.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“No final decisions have been made,” the department said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In his email to KQED, Davis said the proposal was “consistent” with his “pro-environment and progressive values and life history.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Without a direct access route, every trip from the Hazel Green area requires a significantly longer drive — twice as long, at a minimum — on unpaved forest roads and thus more air pollution,” he wrote. “The new access road would be safer for drivers and generate substantially less vehicle emissions.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Without a direct access route, every trip from the Hazel Green area requires a significantly longer drive — twice as long, at a minimum — on unpaved forest roads and thus more air pollution,” he wrote. “The new access road would be safer for drivers and generate substantially less vehicle emissions.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Former Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher called this latest attempt to carve a private road through the park “ridiculous.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s another nightmare for the National Park Service and Yosemite specifically,” Neubacher told KQED. Under his leadership, he said, “We said we didn’t have the authority, and we thought it would be illegal to give it an easement. Now all of a sudden the Trump administration is really pushing this.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“As far as I can tell, that story is 100% accurate,” he said. “And they’re covering up their actions on this. They were hoping, I think, that it would just slide through in a sort of a secret way.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Neubacher said that in 2012, during his tenure at Yosemite, his office did a legal review of this very land exchange and concluded the Park Service didn’t have the authority to go through with it.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Neubacher said that in 2012, during his tenure at Yosemite, his office did a legal review of this very land exchange and concluded the Park Service didn’t have the authority to go through with it.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There was no legal right for this developer to have access into the Yosemite National Park,” he said. “The only thing that’s changed is you have a new administration that just seems to be pro-development.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Mark Rose, senior Sierra Nevada program manager for National Parks Conservation Association, called the move “an attack on the American people that own this national park,” in a statement to KQED.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle America’s conservation legacy are now taking aim at Yosemite with this secretive, backroom deal that would turn over Park Service land to a private developer,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Neubacher said he believes it would take an act of Congress to go through with the exchange — or it’s likely to fail in court again. Earlier this year, Congress was informed that the Park Service was considering the land exchange, but declined to include the project on a list they endorsed for a federal funding pot, \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">\u003cem>NOTUS \u003c/em>reported\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Neubacher said he believes it would take an act of Congress to go through with the exchange — or it’s likely to fail in court again. Earlier this year, Congress was informed that the Park Service was considering the land exchange, but declined to include the project on a list they endorsed for a federal funding pot, \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">\u003cem>NOTUS \u003c/em>reported\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“When you do a land exchange, you have to demonstrate it’s in the best interests of the government,” Neubacher said. “I don’t see how anybody can claim that.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“When you do a land exchange, you have to demonstrate it’s in the best interests of the government,” Neubacher said. “I don’t see how anybody can claim that.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Yosemite NPS employees union released a statement on Friday criticizing the proposed deal.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“As stewards of Yosemite, the ceding of public lands for private interests is antithetical to what we stand for as employees of the National Park Service,” representatives of the National Federation of Federal Employees Local 465 wrote. “We are dismayed that the administration is choosing to prioritize this deal while dismissing and further exacerbating the issues that negatively impact NPS employees at Yosemite.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Jesse Chakrin, director of the philanthropic group, Fund for People in Parks, said he was surprised to hear the particular area, along the drive from Hodgdon Meadow toward Crane Flat, would potentially be up for sale.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s a beloved area,” he said. “It is a beautiful spot that has the best dogwood in the park, probably. It has amazing and wonderful flowers in the spring and fall colors in the fall.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But his biggest shock, Chakrin said, is what the Trump administration’s approach to the deal could mean for the future of parks. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“What it indicates to me is that there is no boundary on what they are considering as far as maximizing the benefit to a small number of very wealthy individuals,” he said. “And that’s not what National Parks are for.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "A Nevada-based landowner is behind an effort to cut a private road through the park.",
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"title": "Trump Administration Considers Development of Private Road in Yosemite | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\n\u003cp>The Trump administration is considering a deal to allow a private developer to take control of a strip of land in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/yosemite-national-park\">Yosemite National Park\u003c/a> and build an access road, the company said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Nevada-based real estate developer Kingsbarn Realty Capital wants to build a short road connecting an 83-acre plot, known as Hazel Green Ranch, just outside the park to Yosemite’s main attractions, first \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">reported\u003c/a> by the publication \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em>. The deal, if it goes through, would exchange property of equal value owned by the developer for the property that is part of the park, according to documents reviewed by KQED.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Attorney Lanny J. Davis, who is representing Kingsbarn in talks with the National Park Service, confirmed the developer’s intent to build the access road and argued the more direct access route is “supportive of environmental values, since it will reduce air pollution from the longer, less safe route.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Over the last six months, Kingsbarn Realty Capital and I have been working directly and cooperating with National Park Service staff at Yosemite National Park in California to provide safe access from the Hazel Green property to the park entrance,” Davis wrote Friday.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The proposal would revive a bid dating back to the early 2000s, when a prior owner pushed to build the private road. That attempt failed under the Bush and Obama administrations and \u003ca href=\"https://earthjustice.org/press/2012/new-roads-into-yosemite-valley-rejected-by-federal-court\">lost in court\u003c/a>. When the land changed hands to Kingsbarn in 2024, the \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em> investigation found that the new owners tried to reopen the issue — this time with more interest from the Trump administration. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/GettyImages-1846156476-scaled-e1759449061670.jpg\" alt=\"state parks\" class=\"wp-image-11970738\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A welcome sign is seen at Yosemite National Park on Dec. 13, 2023. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The National Parks Conservation Association’s Senior Pacific Regional Director Neal Desai told KQED by email that his organization has verified the administration’s communications to Congress cited in the \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em> article. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Our national parks right now are in crisis, and Yosemite National Park is in chaos,” he said. “The public expects the parks service to be protecting our national parks, not sitting through meetings with developers and scheming up ways to sell Yosemite. This is absurd to the highest levels.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In an email to KQED, the Department of the Interior denied the framing of \u003cem>NOTUS\u003c/em>’ report.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“This story relies on anonymous allegations to manufacture a political narrative that simply is not true,” the department wrote. “There has been no political pressure to reach a predetermined outcome, and claims suggesting the Department is secretly working to hand over National Park Service land to a private developer are false.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The department went on to say that “any land exchange or access proposal involving National Park Service lands would be subject to all applicable federal laws, regulations and Departmental policies, including required environmental review and public notification processes,” and that if a proposal for the easement advances, the department will follow all federal law. “Anonymous speculation does not change those facts.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“No final decisions have been made,” the department said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In his email to KQED, Davis said the proposal was “consistent” with his “pro-environment and progressive values and life history.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Without a direct access route, every trip from the Hazel Green area requires a significantly longer drive — twice as long, at a minimum — on unpaved forest roads and thus more air pollution,” he wrote. “The new access road would be safer for drivers and generate substantially less vehicle emissions.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advocates worry proposal could set a dangerous precedent\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Former Yosemite Superintendent Don Neubacher called this latest attempt to carve a private road through the park “ridiculous.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s another nightmare for the National Park Service and Yosemite specifically,” Neubacher told KQED. Under his leadership, he said, “We said we didn’t have the authority, and we thought it would be illegal to give it an easement. Now all of a sudden the Trump administration is really pushing this.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Neubacher pushed back against the DOI’s characterization of the deal.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1124\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12074148\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/DonaldTrumpTariffsAP-1200x675.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Pope Army Airfield, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, en route to Palm Beach, Florida. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“As far as I can tell, that story is 100% accurate,” he said. “And they’re covering up their actions on this. They were hoping, I think, that it would just slide through in a sort of a secret way.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Neubacher said that in 2012, during his tenure at Yosemite, his office did a legal review of this very land exchange and concluded the Park Service didn’t have the authority to go through with it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There was no legal right for this developer to have access into the Yosemite National Park,” he said. “The only thing that’s changed is you have a new administration that just seems to be pro-development.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Mark Rose, senior Sierra Nevada program manager for National Parks Conservation Association, called the move “an attack on the American people that own this national park,” in a statement to KQED.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle America’s conservation legacy are now taking aim at Yosemite with this secretive, backroom deal that would turn over Park Service land to a private developer,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Neubacher said he believes it would take an act of Congress to go through with the exchange — or it’s likely to fail in court again. Earlier this year, Congress was informed that the Park Service was considering the land exchange, but declined to include the project on a list they endorsed for a federal funding pot, \u003ca href=\"https://www.notus.org/agencies/trump-administration-yosemite-private-developer-deal\">\u003cem>NOTUS \u003c/em>reported\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When you do a land exchange, you have to demonstrate it’s in the best interests of the government,” Neubacher said. “I don’t see how anybody can claim that.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Yosemite NPS employees union released a statement on Friday criticizing the proposed deal.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“As stewards of Yosemite, the ceding of public lands for private interests is antithetical to what we stand for as employees of the National Park Service,” representatives of the National Federation of Federal Employees Local 465 wrote. “We are dismayed that the administration is choosing to prioritize this deal while dismissing and further exacerbating the issues that negatively impact NPS employees at Yosemite.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1298\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12058519\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/YosemiteGetty-1536x997.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Visitors look up at El Capitan from El Capitan Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, on May 20, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Jesse Chakrin, director of the philanthropic group, Fund for People in Parks, said he was surprised to hear the particular area, along the drive from Hodgdon Meadow toward Crane Flat, would potentially be up for sale.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s a beloved area,” he said. “It is a beautiful spot that has the best dogwood in the park, probably. It has amazing and wonderful flowers in the spring and fall colors in the fall.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But his biggest shock, Chakrin said, is what the Trump administration’s approach to the deal could mean for the future of parks. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“What it indicates to me is that there is no boundary on what they are considering as far as maximizing the benefit to a small number of very wealthy individuals,” he said. “And that’s not what National Parks are for.”\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"airtime": "SUN 1pm-2pm, TUE 10pm, WED 1am",
"meta": {
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"source": "City Arts & Lectures"
},
"link": "https://www.cityarts.net",
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},
"closealltabs": {
"id": "closealltabs",
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"order": 1
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"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
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"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
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"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
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"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
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"order": 9
},
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"id": "freakonomics-radio",
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"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
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},
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"id": "fresh-air",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
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"hidden-brain": {
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"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
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"how-i-built-this": {
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"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
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"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
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"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
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"order": 15
},
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},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
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"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
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},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
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},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
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"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
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},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
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"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
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"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
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}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
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"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
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},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
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"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
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},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
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"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
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},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
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}
}
