San Francisco, CA
Holiday weekend vandalism leads to needed repairs at SF Union Square
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Snow was falling around Union Square, thanks to a snow making machine and kids were loving it. San Francisco was decking the halls and getting festive.
“It’s just amazing. The whole atmosphere, it’s great. Christmas time, love it,” said tourist Varnika Mena.
Public Works crews spent part of their Christmas Eve repairing damage from weekend vandalism. Police say a group of pro-Palestinian protesters took over Union Square Saturday. Police arrested four people, one for felony vandalism after climbing up the Christmas tree, planting flyers and a Palestinian flag.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters march in downtown SF, calling for end to Israel-Hamas war
“We were staying at the Grand Hyatt. We noticed lights were totally off for the rest of the evening,” said Cindy Shieh.
Shieh’s family was disappointed to see the vandalism, which disabled the tree lights on Saturday night.
“Hopefully they can demonstrate their feelings in a different way. We support all types of feelings and emotions but damaging city property is not the way to go,” Shieh said.
In a statement, the Union Square Alliance told ABC7 News: “The ability to protest is a sacred American right. Sadly, because of the actions of a few, many will be denied the chance to enjoy the beauty of Macy’s great tree in Union Square for the remainder of the holiday weekend.”
MORE: Last-minute holiday shoppers in San Francisco tackle Super Saturday
The Union Square Alliance said repairs to the tree could take days, but by Sunday afternoon, it appeared the lights were working again.
Meantime, the Christmas clock is ticking down, with shoppers in the square looking for deals.
“I just got a deal on a Christian McCaffrey jersey, yes. Online, it’s $200 dollars, and I got a good deal on it,” said Kamia Langley from San Francisco.
For Christmas Eve in the city, shoppers were hoping to make it merry and bright.
“Merry Christmas. Happy holidays,” Langley said.
If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
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San Francisco, CA
San Francisco psychologist advocates for ketamine therapy
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San Francisco, CA
Former San Francisco Giants Slugger Signs Deal With Chicago White Sox
When former top prospect Heliot Ramos finally emerged for the San Francisco Giants this year, their outfield became fairly crowded during the season and when looking ahead towards the future.
Despite Jung Hoo Lee being sidelined with a shoulder injury that ended his rookie campaign, the everyday addition of Ramos alongside Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski, Austin Slater and a rotating cast of minor leaguers because of injuries created a logjam.
Because of that, the Giants decided to ship Slater out to the Cincinnati Reds on July 7 in exchange for pitcher Alex Young.
That ended his eight-and-a-half-year tenure in San Francisco after he was taken in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB draft before becoming a top prospect ahead of his Major League debut in 2017.
But despite a few good seasons during his time with the Giants, namely in 2020 with a 151 OPS+ and in 2022 with a 121 OPS+ across his 125 games, they viewed him as expendable and shipped him out of town.
Slater’s tenure with the Reds was short, only playing in eight games before they sent him to the Baltimore Orioles ahead of the trade deadline.
Upon the season ending, the veteran outfielder elected to hit free agency, and according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, he has now signed a Major League deal with the Chicago White Sox, although the terms have not been revealed.
The White Sox are coming off a historically poor campaign last year, so with them looking to turn the corner by getting established MLB talent into the mix, there’s a chance Slater gets a good amount of playing time.
San Francisco, CA
SF Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie's new transition team includes OpenAI co-founder, former fire chief
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie announced his new transition team on Monday nearly two weeks after he was elected as mayor.
The team consists of co-chairs and advisors. Some include Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO OpenAI, and former San Francisco Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White.
MORE: Daniel Lurie delivers first remarks as San Francisco Mayor-elect, shares vision for city
“I’m excited to introduce this talented and diverse team who will help guide our transition and lay the groundwork for the change San Franciscans demand,” Lurie said in a press release to ABC7.
“Every one of these incredible leaders brings a track record of shaking up the status quo to deliver results. My transition co-chairs share my commitment to building an accountable, effective government to tackle the many challenges confronting our great city.”
Lurie says the co-chairs will be providing counsel to him and his advisors.
Daniel Lurie’s transition team, co-chairs:
- Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI
- Joanne Hayes-White, former SFFD Fire Chief
- José A. Quiñonez, founding CEO of Mission Asset Fund
- Ned Sega, Co-Chair of the Daniel Lurie for Mayor campaign
- Michael Tubbs, former Mayor of Stockton
- Nancy Tung, Chief of the Vulnerable Victims Unit and Community Partnerships at the SF DA’s Office
- Paul Yep, SFPD Commander in the Chief of Staff’s Office
Daniel Lurie delivers first remarks as San Francisco Mayor-elect, shares vision for city
Daniel Lurie made his first public announcement since becoming San Francisco’s mayor-elect after Mayor London Breed conceded the race.
Advisors
- Sara Fenske Bahat– Transition Director
- Ann O’Leary – Transition Counsel
- Ben Rosenfield – Senior Advisor
Lurie is succeeding incumbent Mayor London Breed, who conceded to Lurie on Nov. 7, after election results showed Lurie receiving more first-place ranked-choice votes than Breed.
It is the first time since 1991 that an incumbent mayor has been unseated.
VIDEO: SF Mayor London Breed gives concession speech for mayoral race
San Francisco Mayor London Breed conceded to challenger Daniel Lurie on Thursday and said she called to congratulate the Levi Strauss heir.
Lurie said he would declare a fentanyl state of emergency on his first day in office, without offering further details about what that would entail.
Lurie is an heir to the Levi Strauss estate, a father of two and a San Francisco native.
He founded and served as the CEO of the nonprofit organization Tipping Point Community in 2005 to focus on anti-poverty initiatives such as housing, education and job training.
Lurie will be sworn in as San Francisco’s 46th mayor on Jan. 8.
Bay City News contributed to this report
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