West

'Green' federal building once ridiculed by Trump being dedicated to Nancy Pelosi

Published

1 year ago

December 4, 2024

'Green' federal building once ridiculed by Trump being dedicated to Nancy Pelosi

An 18-story government building in California – once referred to as “one of the ugliest structures” in San Francisco by President-elect Trump – will be formally dedicated to former House Speaker Nanci Pelosi next week.

The San Francisco Federal Building, a 234-foot-tall building located in the city’s South of Market neighborhood, had its name changed to “Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building” last year and the high ranking Democrat will be on hand to unveil new signage at a ceremony on Monday, according to Bay City News. The building was named after Pelosi in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill.

The energy efficient “green” building opened in 2007 at a cost of $144 million and consists of stainless steel panels V-shaped panels at the top that fold over its broad concrete frame. It is designed to consume one-third the energy of a typical California office building, use natural light to illuminate 80% of the building and create a healthy environment for workers.

DEMOCRATS PRIVATELY GRIPE ABOUT PELOSI’S ‘DAMAGING’ POST-ELECTION COMMENTS: ‘SHE NEEDS TO TAKE A SEAT’

The Speaker Nancy Pelosi Federal Building seen from street view. (Google Maps)

It was the first U.S. federal building to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified. It is a globally recognized rating system that measures the sustainability of a building.

The building houses offices for Pelosi along with the Social Security Administration, Department of Transportation, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture, according to the General Services Administration (GSA) which operates the building.

“The building’s shape and orientation maximize natural airflow for cooling and ventilation and take advantage of natural daylight for the majority of office interiors,” per the GSA website.

Although praised for its energy efficiency, its gray and dull exterior has divided opinions, particularly as it sits across from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, a Beaux-Arts masterpiece on Seventh Street.

‘ANYBODY COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN:’ PELOSI INSISTS HARRIS WON DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION IN AN ‘OPEN PROCESS’

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will unveil the new signage at a ceremony on Monday. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

In 2020, then-President Trump issued an executive order, dubbed “make federal buildings beautiful again,” promoting beautiful federal civic architecture, which mentioned the building as being an unsatisfactory design.

“GSA selected an architect to design the San Francisco Federal Building who describes his designs as ‘art-for-art’s-sake’ architecture, intended primarily for architects to appreciate. While elite architects praised the resulting building, many San Franciscans consider it one of the ugliest structures in their city,” the executive order reads.

The executive order was revoked by President Biden in February 2021.

Last year, workers raised safety concerns about entering and leaving the building due to the proliferation of drug dealers and homeless people congregating outside the building, the San Francisco Standard reported last year.

President-elect Trump said in 2020 that many San Franciscans consider the building to be “one of the ugliest structures in their city.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The publication cited an Aug. 4, 2023 memo, written by the Department of Health and Human Services leader, that said the security issues had gotten so bad that workers were urged to consider working from home. The block where the building sits recorded 525 drug-related incidents in a 12-month period, the publication writes, citing city data.

Pelosi was elected to Congress in 1987 and is one of the most senior Democratic Party leaders and the only woman to serve as Speaker of the House. She represents California’s 12th congressional district, encompassing most of the city of San Francisco. Under her second term as Speaker, the House impeached President-elect Trump twice, but he was acquitted both times by the Senate.

Deep blue San Francisco saw a 7-point swing to Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.

You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.

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San Francisco, CA

SF pet store owners prepare to fight as city plots ban on sale of live animals

Published

1 hour ago

May 16, 2026

Press Room

SF pet store owners prepare to fight as city plots ban on sale of live animals

Animal rights activists could soon get their way if officials in San Francisco decide to ban pet stores from selling live animals.

Dozens and dozens of animal rights activists this week called on the SF Animal Commission to vote on a Retail Animal Sales Ban that would prohibit stores in the city from selling any live pets.

During the commission meeting on Thursday, city leaders heard from proponents who said the ban would stop the “breeding mills” and “wild catching” of animals, like reptiles.

The proponents also claim that the ban would stop the neglect of animals, “invasive species,” and would solve the problem of overcrowded shelters and rescues.

Animal and human rights activist Kitty Jones told the commission that there’s a ton of support for the ban locally, noting more than 60 organizations have signed on to a letter calling for it.

Activists pointed out that there are 29 pet stores in the city that only offer services such as grooming, boarding, supplies and adoptions.

Only nine of the city’s pet stores still sell animals, according to officials.

Those included several Petco’s, the Animal Connection, Pet Central SF, the Animal company and Ocean Aquarium.

Pet shop owners in the city are not happy about the ban, and are willing to fight.

“This is our livelihood,” one worker at Pet Central SF told the San Francisco Chronicle. “This is a business, this is what we rely on.”

The longtime owner of the Animal Company, Rick French, said it would just be another terrible policy from the city that makes it harder for business owners to operate.

“Yet another footstep in San Francisco making it too difficult to run a business.”

“They’re just overreaching. It’s overboard,” he added. “I think there is going to be a lot of pushback on it. We are certainly going to organize and fight this as hard as we can.”

Julia Baran, the owner of the Animal Connection, said that banning the sale of live animals isn’t going to stop people from wanting to get them.

“It won’t stop people from getting the animal that they want,” Baran said. “They might just go to Craigslist or go online and get it shipped from across the country.”

The Post reached out to several pet stores in San Francisco for further comment.

The commission ended up agreeing to send a recommendation to SF Mayor Daniel Lurie and the Board of Supervisor to approve the ban.

Existing state laws already prohibit the retail sale of cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, gerbils, hedgehogs, and sugarglides (a little nocturnal furry animal), officials noted.

The only animals sold in California stores these days are amphibians, fish, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, and reptiles.

In another post on on Facebook, Jones noted that the city of Albany, in the East Bay area of Alameda county, had recently “unanimously voted in support of a retail animal sales ban.”

“The city will draft an ordinance and vote on that in a few weeks.”

Last year, West Hollywood became the first city in LA county to ban pet stores, per the Los Angeles Times. The ban became official May 1, 2026. The report noted that animals at shelters and rescues can still be sold.

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Denver, CO

Forget Denver, Retire To An Underrated Utah City Near Gorgeous Canyons Instead (And It’s Affordable) – Islands

Published

2 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Press Room

Forget Denver, Retire To An Underrated Utah City Near Gorgeous Canyons Instead (And It’s Affordable) – Islands

Denistangneyjr/Getty Images

If you’ve ever made the scenic drive from Las Vegas to the popular Zion National Park, home to one of the five most beautiful canyons in the American West, you’ve likely passed through the city of St. George, Utah, even if you didn’t realize it at the time. For many travelers, St. George is little more than a smattering of gas stations and fast-food joints visible from Interstate 15. Look closer, though, and you’ll find that tucked into the area’s striking red cliffs is an underrated and historic destination, southern Utah’s largest city, and one of America’s top retirement destinations.

Retirees drawn to Denver’s outdoorsy vibe may want to instead consider the canyon views of St. George. Located near several state and national parks, it offers a smaller and generally more affordable alternative to the Mile High City. Plus, while both St. George and Denver get a lot of sunshine — averaging more than 250 sunny days annually — winters in southern Utah are typically milder than in central Colorado.

What makes St. George such a desirable place for retirees? And how is it more affordable than Denver? Let’s look at that and more in this guide to one of Utah’s most gorgeous yet underrated cities.

Retirees can explore mountains and canyons in St. George

Snow Canyon State Park near St. George, Utah

Zrfphoto/Getty Images

St. George is famous for the red sandstone-ridged cliffs that hug the city’s edges and glow bright fire red at sunset. Outdoor lovers can explore the city’s stunning landscape through the numerous hiking and cycling trails, with nearby Snow Canyon State Park (pictured above) being a popular local spot for adventure. Sometimes called Zion’s “little sibling,” Snow Canyon State Park has soaring sandstone cliffs and 18 hiking trails that wind through black basalt, lava tubes, and a slot canyon. It also has four picnic areas, a campground, and a 4.3-mile scenic drive for those wishing to see the sights without having to hike. Whiptail Trail is paved and fairly level, making it a good choice for those unsteady on their feet or in a wheelchair. Snow Canyon State Park is only a 15-minute drive from St. George, and entrance to the park is affordably priced, costing just $10 per vehicle for Utah residents 65 and older.

St. George offers a number of paved and well-maintained walking and biking trails accessible to those with mobility issues. The 5.2-mile loop trail, Mayor’s Loop, tops AllTrails’ list of wheelchair-friendly trails in St. George. And “Nice paved trail, mostly flat. Great for birding,” one reviewer on AllTrails wrote about the 5.3-mile Virgin River Loop, which links to Mayor’s Loop.

In all, St. George boasts over 72 miles of paved trails, allowing retirees to easily partake in a range of outdoor recreational activities — from walking and jogging to cycling and birdwatching. With 14 golf courses located in and around it, this sunny southern Utah city is also becoming well known among golfers as an affordable year-round golf vacation destination.

A variety of affordable activities and a charming, walkable downtown

A woman standing in front of antique store in downtown St. George

Todd Bigelow/Shutterstock

While St. George may be a city of more than 100,000 residents, its walkable downtown feels charmingly small-town. From the park fountain and old-timey carousel to the Mormon temple and quaint antique shops, St. George has the vintage shine of a bygone era. However, its location less than two hours from Las Vegas and just 30 minutes from Zion National Park means that, small-town vibe or not, St. George is far from isolated.

The community also offers plenty of free and low-cost activities. The Red Hills Desert Garden has trails that wind through more than 5,000 plants and trees, Town Square Park offers free movie nights and an annual art festival, and the St. George Active Life Center provides seniors with more than 100 activities each month, many of which require only a small donation. Moreover, St. George and the surrounding area have several budget-friendly museums, including the free McQuarrie Memorial Pioneer Museum and the Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum, which charges seniors $6.

Whether you’re looking to live in southern Utah year-round or just visit for a vacation, life in St. George is generally more affordable than in cities like Denver. Expenses are about 15% lower in St. George than in Denver, including things like food costs and public transportation. For example, a 10-ride bus card costs $5 for seniors in St. George and $13.50 in Denver.

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Seattle, WA

Sounders vs. Galaxy, livestream: Kickoff, lineups, updates

Published

2 hours ago

May 16, 2026

Press Room

Sounders vs. Galaxy, livestream: Kickoff, lineups, updates

The Seattle Sounders will play their last home game until after the World Cup break when they host the LA Galaxy today. The Galaxy have started the season in uneven form, going 4–5–4. That includes a 3–1 loss to Sporting KC on Wednesday.

The Sounders, meanwhile, come into this game riding a nine-game unbeaten run that is their longest since starting the 2021 season on a 13-game unbeaten run.

This will be the Galaxy’s third consecutive away game and they’ve been on the road for a full week, having gone from LA to Atlanta to Kansas City to Seattle. The Sounders are playing their third game this week, all of which have been at home.

The Sounders have never lost at home to the LA Galaxy during Brian Schmetzer’s tenure as head coach, holding a 6–0–5 record at Lumen Field.
The Sounders are second in MLS with five goals from substitutes, including goals from Osaze De Rosario and Danny Musovski in the last two games.
The Sounders tied a franchise record by extending their home unbeaten streak in league play to 14 games. They also have a 22-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.
Andrew Thomas has stopped 87% of the shots he’s faced this year, the best mark in MLS.