San Francisco, CA
San Francisco ninth graders will now be measured by a controversial ‘Wheel of Power’ — so how would the city’s leaders fare? We put them to the test. – The Voice of San Francisco
The Voice was first to alert the public to controversial new ethnic studies programming with the San Francisco Unified School District’s (SFUSD) adoption of the “Voices: An Ethnic Studies Survey” curriculum. Friends of Lowell Foundation formally requested a meeting with Mayor Daniel Lurie and senior City Hall officials, citing alleged violations of the California Brown Act. As Liz Le reported, the request follows an earlier demand letter to the district and Board of Education, which preceded the abrupt departure of SFUSD’s legal director. On April 28, 2026, the Board of Education voted 6–1 to approve a roughly $7 million, five-year contract making Voices the district’s standardized, permanent high school ethnic studies curriculum.
The most controversial element of the program is in the textbook’s introductory section where ninth graders are presented with a “Power Wheel” diagram, adapted from Sylvia Duckworth’s Wheels of Power and Privilege. The wheel prompts students to classify where they stand across overlapping categories of identity, including race, sex, gender, religion, income, immigration status, and more. It explicitly frames characteristics such as White, European, cis-male, Christian, Settler, high-income, and citizen as conferring greater power and privilege, while positioning other identities as marginalized. That got me wondering how the city’s current leaders, who come from diverse backgrounds in most of those categories, would fare on the Wheel of Power. With the help of a data nerd friend, we asked our trusty analyzing pal Grok to familiarize itself with the Wheel of Power and Privilege from Sylvia Duckworth and it’s 12 categories and then compute a scoring system for each category and an overall score for the 11 current members of the San Francisco board of supervisors.
Grok began by pointing out something SFUSD should have considered before plopping the wheel into a textbook: Real lives have nuances and fluidity, as well as unlisted factors such as age, appearance, and family. As for San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, Grok added some fine print: details for public figures are “based on available bios” and “many aspects (disability, exact wealth, mental health) are private or inferred.”
The highest marginalization score was Jackie Fielder (22) driven by race (Latina/Indigenous), gender, sexuality (queer), mental health (publicized leave), plus immigration-related and class/housing roots. Second was Matt Dorsey (20) based on sexuality, ability (HIV+), neuro/mental health (substance abuse recovery).
The lowest marginalization scores were Stephen Sherrill and Rafael Mandelman (both 4). The Board average: ~12. All supervisors have high formal education and current elected-office power, which strongly pulls scores toward 0 in education, wealth, housing, and ability.
Grok explained how its scoring was calculated. For example, Language is a two for those with non-English primary/home language or immigrant background where relevant. Neurodiversity and Mental Health are scored separately; Fielder’s publicized breakdown and subsequent leave of absence raises her Mental Health score to five. Dorsey’s well-known substance abuse recovery and HIV+ status inform his scores.
All supervisors have high levels of formal education and current elected-office power, which strongly pull scores toward 0 in education, wealth, housing, and ability.
We also asked Grok to update the scores based on 2026 publicly available data regarding supervisors’ housing status (rent/own) and level of education. It struggled with the housing element — for example, stating that Shamann Walton was a “confirmed renter” when a Marina Times exposé proved his primary residence is in Vallejo. That’s one of those gray areas that the wheel can’t cope with, and neither could Grok. Higher education was easier to prove, and Grok listed the supervisors’ degrees as follows:
Rafael Mandelman (D8): B.A. (Yale), MPP (Harvard Kennedy School), J.D. (U.C. Berkeley) — multiple advanced/elite degrees.
Bilal Mahmood (D5): B.S. (Stanford), M. Phil. (King’s College, Cambridge) — advanced graduate degree.
Myrna Melgar (D7): B.A. (Excelsior College), M.S. (Columbia University).
Jackie Fielder (D9): B.A. and M.A. (Stanford; concurrent).
Alan Wong (D4): B.A. (U.C. San Diego), MPA (University of San Francisco).
Shamann Walton (D10): B.A. (Morris Brown College), MPA (San Francisco State University).
Chyanne Chen (D11): B.A. (UC Davis), M.A. (Cornell University); pursuing EdD.
BA/BS only (or primary):
Connie Chan (D1): B.A. (UC Davis).
Stephen Sherrill (D2): B.A. (Yale).
Matt Dorsey (D6): B.S. (Emerson College).
Danny Sauter (D3): B.S. (Miami University).
We asked Grok to update the housing data to include Walton’s home ownership and to add in levels of education, and the scores were updated once again, which we incorporated into our final Board of Supervisors Wheel of Power.
The lowest (most privileged) score on the matrix
We couldn’t assign the wheel’s power and privilege to city leaders without including Mayor Daniel Lurie. This likely comes as no surprise, but he had the lowest scores (all zeros), meaning he has the highest level of power and privilege on the entire matrix. According to Grok’s assessment: Race: Ashkenazi Jewish heritage but scored as White in U.S.-context wheel. Citizenship: U.S.-born, multigenerational American family. Education: B.A. (Duke), MPP (U.C. Berkeley). Wealth: Levi Strauss/Haas family heir (multimillionaire to potentially billionaire-adjacent net worth). Housing: Owns high-value home in Pacific Heights. All other categories: Cisgender man, heterosexual (married to Becca Prowda, two children), no noted disabilities, neuro/mental health issues, or language barriers.
Adding Mayor Lurie to the matrix highlights the pattern we saw with the Board of Supervisors: The Wheel of Power produces a stark contrast, with the city’s top elected official scoring maximum privilege across every axis. It underscores how electoral power in San Francisco still heavily favors high human capital, elite networks, wealth, and institutional access — even in a city that celebrates identity diversity. Lurie’s victory as a political newcomer (defeating incumbent London Breed) further illustrates that factors the Wheel downplays or ignores (family connections, philanthropic track record, personal wealth for self–funding, broad voter appeal on campaign promises to get tough on homelessness, drugs, and crime) often matter more than the “marginalization points” the framework emphasizes.
In Grok’s own words: “On this Wheel, Mayor Lurie sits at the absolute center of power and privilege, while the board shows more variation — yet all 12 individuals wield real institutional authority. The tool illustrates identity layers but struggles to explain why people with very different scores on the wheel can all reach the highest levels of local political power.”
Which brings us back to the Wheel of Power that SFUSD ninth graders will be exposed to, and whether they will see themselves as Jackie Fielder or Daniel Lurie. Despite ranking lowest and highest on the wheel respectively, both have managed to land jobs running a major city with a budget larger than 17 U.S. states and several countries. So, with that in mind, what exactly is SFUSD trying to teach these kids?
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San Francisco, CA
Multiple people lose eyes, hands in illegal fireworks-related injuries in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco emergency departments and first responders experienced a sharp increase in serious injuries over the Fourth of July weekend, with illegal fireworks and electric scooter crashes contributing to some of the busiest days in recent years.
At Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, medical teams treated a wave of patients suffering severe trauma. In one incident, bystanders rushed to help a person who was bleeding heavily after a hand injury. A 911 dispatcher described the call as “Extreme Trauma. Hand injury.”
Dr. Christopher Colwell, chief of emergency medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, said surgeons worked to treat patients with devastating injuries.
“We are able to do a lot with and sometimes save the function of the hand and eye. Unfortunately, there are injuries that exist every year where we are not able to do that even with the expertise that we have,” Colwell said.
MORE: SF police in riot gear crack down on 4th of July illegal fireworks shows: ‘It was crazy’
According to Dr. Colwell, four people lost eyes, five lost hands and at least 15 people suffered serious injuries related to electric scooters over the weekend.
“We saw a lot of electric scooter accidents. And I think part of it was that their traffic was such that that was a more efficient way of getting around town. But we also learned very clearly that the combination of electric scooters and how fast you can go in San Francisco, particularly going downhill along with not wearing a helmet and adding alcohol on board, is a really bad combination,” Colwell said.
ABC7’s data team reviewed San Francisco EMT data and found that medical incidents on July 4 and July 5 were about double the number reported during the same period in 2025.
Lt. Mariano Elias of the San Francisco Fire Department said emergency crews handled significantly more calls than usual.
“We had almost 200 more calls than we normally have so we had roughly 576 calls in a 24-hour period,” Elias said.
MORE: Over 400 people arrested during chaos at Newport Beach July 4th celebrations, police say
Illegal fireworks activity also sparked fires across the city. Firefighters responded to Telegraph Hill, where crews quickly contained a blaze.
“We did have two house fires that night on the 4th of July, due to fireworks activities,” Elias said.
City officials estimated that more than 100,000 people were in San Francisco to watch Fourth of July fireworks, creating traffic congestion that complicated ambulance response efforts.
“All the gridlock between, people coming and going from, the Golden Gate Bridge. The city was very impacted on the streets. So that was an issue. The one particular ambulance did, involve themselves in an accident. So, someone hit the ambulance. So that patient had to be transported and moved to a different ambulance,” Elias said.
First responders warned that illegal fireworks activity typically continues for days after the Fourth of July and urged the public not to take unnecessary risks.
Copyright © 2026 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
San Francisco, CA
Terrified passengers film Waymo autonomous vehicle driving into live fireworks in San Francisco
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Passengers in a Waymo vehicle were terrified as the car drove into lit fireworks in the middle of a San Francisco street during Independence Day celebrations over the weekend.
Video footage of the incident shows a group of passengers who were shocked as the driverless car seemingly approaches lit fireworks in the middle of a street as the explosives are about to launch.
As the car gets closer, someone on the street appears to warn the vehicle to stop by waving their hand.
DELTA FLIGHT STRUCK BY FIREWORKS WHILE LANDING IN CHICAGO ON FOURTH OF JULY, FAA INVESTIGATES
Passengers in a Waymo vehicle were terrified as the autonomous car drove into lit fireworks in the middle of a San Francisco street during Independence Day celebrations. (Rose Peterson via Storyful)
“No, no, no, don’t go, don’t go, don’t go,” one of the passengers is heard saying off-camera.
The autonomous vehicle then passes over the colorful flames and sparks.
“Our Waymo just drove into a firework,” a passenger says in the clip.
ZOOX ROBOTAXI REDESIGN BRINGS BIG RIDER UPGRADES
A Waymo vehicle sits idling at an intersection with no operating traffic lights due to power outages, in San Francisco, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (Jeff Chiu/AP Photo)
“Are we on fire, dude?” a fellow passenger asks.
A Waymo spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the company “is committed to keeping our riders safe and earning the trust of the communities where we operate.”
“We take situations like this seriously and are committed to evaluating and learning from these events,” the statement continued.
BROOKLYN BRIDGE CATCHES FIRE AMID NYC FIREWORKS DISPLAY AS TRUMP HAILS IT IN DC SPEECH
No injuries were reported to either the passengers or the vehicle, and the company reached out to the riders after their trip. The possession of fireworks, even “Safe and Sane” explosives, is illegal in San Francisco, the city’s fire department said.
One woman was killed and two other adults and a child were injured Saturday in a separate fireworks explosion, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Elsewhere in San Francisco, some Waymo vehicles were towed when their batteries died after vehicles became stuck in traffic for hours.
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“Our priority is keeping San Francisco moving safely, especially during major city celebrations,” the Waymo spokesperson said. “On the Fourth of July, extreme traffic congestion in northern San Francisco disrupted normal operations for several Waymo vehicles.”
“In coordination with local authorities and emergency services, our roadside assistance team worked quickly to clear our vehicles from the area,” the statement continued.
San Francisco, CA
A Locals-Approved Modern Guide to Fisherman’s Wharf: Seafood, Beer Gardens + Iconic Bay Views
Most locals wouldn’t come within a quarter mile of kitschy, over-touristed Fisherman’s Wharf if they didn’t have to.
But if the last time you visited the neighborhood was when family were in town, prepare to be surprised. There’s more to this waterfront neighborhood than meets the eye—and more to come, as the resurgence of the area, hit hard in the pandemic, picks up speed.
In our locals guide to Fisherman’s Wharf, we remove the wheat from the chaff, directing you only to the good stuff that’s hiding in plain sight—along with a neighborhood hotel recommendation for when those out-of-towners inevitably come to visit.
Where to Eat in Fisherman’s Wharf
Contemporary Filipino at Abacá
(Courtesy of @restaurantabaca)
Scoma’s (1965 Al Scoma Way) is one of the city’s best seafood spots, and not just because it’s located right where the city’s last working fishermen bring in their daily catch. The bayfront restaurant has been in business since 1965 and it has a classy, old-school vibe with a warren of small dining rooms with views, signed memorabilia on the walls, and a mid-century-style showpiece bar at its center. Their cioppino is legendary, along with their Dungeness crab cakes, Louie salads, and perfectly-spiced Bloody Marys. // A leader in San Francisco’s contemporary Filipino food boom, Abacá (2700 Jones St.) chef Francis Ang is known for his creative, California-influenced takes on traditional flavors and dishes. Inside an airy atrium on the ground floor of the Kimpton Alton, the bright and unintimidating restaurant has an extensive lineup of seasonal small plates, barbecued skewers, noodle and rice dishes (you must try the lobster noodles!), and mains like stuffed quail tinutungan with fava beans and morel mushrooms. Don’t skip the cocktails: they’re inventive, unexpected, and pair beautifully with the food. // Stop by Cafe de Casa (685 Beach St.) at breakfast and lunch for Brazilian cheese bread sandwiches, tapioca crepes, and escondidinho, along with a variety of espresso drinks. // A recent addition to the neighborhood is the Japanese-inspired grab-n’-go vegetarian eatery, coffee shop, and market, Bunny Cafe (1327 Columbus Ave.), so named for its lounge full of adorable, adoptable rabbits. They work with a different local rescue organization every quarter, helping to find needy bunnies new homes, and you can reserve a 30-minute spot to visit them whether you’re in the market for a rescue or not. // Korean restaurant Surisan (505 Beach St.) serves up a mix of American-style and K-breakfasts by morning (think jook, bulgogi fried rice, and benedicts) and Korean fried chicken, BBQ, and dishes like bibimbap for lunch and dinner in an inviting, industrial-accented space off the tourist track. // On the second level at the entrance to Pier 39 is Eagle Cafe (Pier 39, Floor 2, A-201), a Fisherman’s Wharf staple since 1928 serving up crowd-pleasing classic breakfasts and lunches like fish and chips and burgers. If the weather is cooperating, eat out on their balcony overlooking the water. // Fog Harbor Fish House is the best spot for dinner on Pier 39. You may be one of the few locals in the crowd but if you’re in the mood to crack into a whole Dungeness crab or take down some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, this family-owned restaurant specializing in responsibly-sourced, sustainable seafood is the place to do it (plus, you can’t beat the views).
Coming Soon
The second location of affordable, delicious Saigon Sandwich (333 Jefferson St., #125) is set to open in Fisherman’s Wharf later this summer, adding soju cocktails to the menu alongside its beloved banh mi. // Cult-favorite fast-foodery Raising Cane’s is also planning to open later this summer, bringing their famous chicken fingers and Texas toast to the neighborhood (211 Jefferson St.).
Where to Drink Coffee, Cocktails + Beer
Humble Sea opened a beer garden on Pier 39 in 2025.
(Courtesy of @humblesea.sf)
The Buena Vista (2765 Hyde St.) has built its reputation on Irish Coffee, which was allegedly invented by a bartender here in 1952. But the classic cafe with wide windows overlooking the bay next to the cable car turnaround has charmed many a local and visitor for decades (check out the behind-the-bar memorabilia from frequent patron, Hunter S. Thompson). It’s an ideal spot for a nostalgic cocktail—coffee-flavored or otherwise. // Humble Sea (Pier 39, Unit N-111-1) may be a fairly recent addition to Pier 39 but the whimsical, ocean-themed brewery has been making waves since it opened its first taproom in Santa Cruz in 2017. Its newest location has a beer garden on the wharf, and a colorful indoor bar with plenty of hoppy IPAs on tap. // Tiny Signal Coffee Roasters (2701 Leavenworth St.) will brighten up your morning with small-batch, house-roasted coffee drinks and beans, specialty bevvies, and in-house bakes.
Coming Soon
Later this summer, homegrown SF brewery Woods Beer & Wine Co. will open their new taproom in the nautical-themed remains of the historic former seafood spot, Fishermen’s Grotto No. 9 (2847 Taylor St.). The long-term pop-up is slated to have a full liquor license that will add barrel-aged and batched cocktails to their craft beer and wine offerings.
What to Do in Fisherman’s Wharf
A scene from one of the antique games at Musée Mécanique
(Courtesy of @museemecaniquesf)
If you’re not charmed by the Musee Mechanique (Pier 45), you’re dead inside. No, seriously: This place is an absolute gem, featuring more than 300 antique mechanical arcade games (one of the world’s largest private collections) kept lovingly in working order. Many originally came from Playland, the amusement park that operated on Ocean Beach from 1928 to 1972, (along with creepy Funhouse mascot Laffing Sal) and each machine costs just 25 to 50 cents to play. // You don’t have to be from away to want to spend some time with the sea lions at the Viewing Area at K Dock (Pier 39). The pinnipeds post up here by the dozens all year round, barking, sparring, and swimming in the bay, oblivious to the crowd of onlookers. Come in spring to see babies just old enough to climb onto the docks. // If you get a kick out of the more gruesome side of science, check out the Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye (645 Beach St.). On the ground floor of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it’s chock-full of interesting exhibits about eyeball anatomy, vision, perception, and medical innovation. // Despite its recent scandal, the Cartoon Art Museum (781 Beach St.), an institution endowed by comic god Charles Schulz, is worth a visit for its small but well-curated collection of cartoon and comic book art. // If you’re into naval history, step on board the S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien (Pier 35) or U.S.S. Pampanito (Pier 45), a restored naval ship and submarine from the World War II era.
Where to Stay in Fisherman’s Wharf
Guest rooms at Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf have just been completely renovated with an eye towards guest wellness and sustainability.
(Courtesy of Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco)
If you’ve got friends or family coming into town who’d rather avoid staying in the hustle of downtown, Fisherman’s Wharf is a good, transportation-connected alternative. While the Kimpton Alton (2700 Jones St.) is the most luxurious option in the neighborhood, the Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf (555 North Point St.) is an excellent, more affordable alternative that’s just been completely renovated with a special emphasis on sustainable design and guest wellness. The freshly redone guest rooms—some of the most spacious in town—have a modern look accented in responsibly harvested wood and natural materials free of toxic substances, bronzed lighting and mirrors, patterned wall coverings, and subtle nautical accents.
An outdoor sun deck framed by the hotel’s upper floors has a heated pool and hot tub, along with new loungers and cabanas, and the 24-hour fitness center is full of top notch equipment including treadmills, bikes, and free weights (in-room yoga classes are also available on demand). Brick & Beam, the hotel’s signature, brick-walled gastropub, is open all day, serving generous plates of brioche French toast and croissant sandwiches at breakfast, and a wide range of handhelds, flatbreads, and other crowd pleasers at lunch and dinner. Note the happy hour at the full bar (5:30pm to 7:30pm), where margaritas, beer, and wine are just $6—definitely among the lowest prices in town. A 24-hour market in the lobby also offers snacks and drinks to go. You can’t beat the location which is just two blocks back from the water and a short walk from Pier 39.
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