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SF's Chinese NY Parade and Festival kicks off; Joan Chen, Carrie Ann Inaba named Grand Marshals

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SF's Chinese NY Parade and Festival kicks off; Joan Chen, Carrie Ann Inaba named Grand Marshals


SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — The Year of the Snake kicks off one week from now! The animal symbolizes transformation and renewal, fitting traits now that ABC7 is the proud broadcast sponsor for San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade. The parade and celebrations for the year ahead are expected to be bigger and better than ever.

Beneath the iconic red lanterns of Chinatown’s Grant Avenue, anticipation is palpable. Thousands are gearing up for the event, which draws more than 200,000 visitors from around the globe making it the largest Chinese New Year parade outside of Asia.

“Oh my God, it’s a REALLY exciting time for us,” said Brenda Ly of Oakland. “As a Chinese American, we’re always looking forward to sharing our culture with the world.”

MORE: ABC7 proud new home of San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade

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Mark your calendars, the largest Lunar New Year Celebration outside of Asia is coming to ABC7 this February.

Visitors like Elizabeth Peterson, who traveled from Minnesota, echo the excitement. “We really relish the chances we have to experience other cultures,” Peterson said. “Minnesota has some diversity, but there’s certainly not as much as in San Francisco. It’s just a great opportunity.”

The Year of the Snake is also being celebrated by small businesses like Eastern Bakery in Chinatown, which marked its centennial last year. Donald Luu, president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the economic importance of the festivities.

“For some businesses, it generates as much as a third of their annual revenue,” Luu said.

Orlando Kuan of Eastern Bakery shared his enthusiasm: “We’re very excited for that!”

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MORE: Huaxing Arts Group aims to take center stage at 2025 SF Chinese New Year Parade opening ceremony

This year’s parade features an impressive lineup.

Legendary actress and longtime San Francisco resident Joan Chen will ignite the festivities by lighting the ceremonial firecrackers as the parade’s grand marshal.

Veteran “Dancing With the Stars” judge Carrie Ann Inaba will close out the event as ABC7’s grand marshal.

Joan Chen attends the Academy Women’s Luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles / Carrie Ann Inaba attends the Disney 2024 Upfront on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in New York.

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AP Photo/Chris Pizzello / Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Additionally, Daniel Lurie, the first San Francisco mayor to hold his inauguration celebrations in Chinatown, will serve as the honorary grand marshal.

“It’s also an opportunity for San Francisco,” said Tony Lau, a parade organizer. “Our partnership with ABC7 will bring us to new platforms and showcase the best of San Francisco and Chinatown.”

MORE: San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie brings historic plans to Chinatown for inauguration day

Beyond the traditional floats and dragon dances, this year’s festivities will feature a new highlight-a drone show at Pier 32. “It’ll symbolize the snake and the dragon together,” Lau explained. “It’s going to be an awesome show!”

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The celebrations extend far beyond the parade, with Chinese New Year events taking place citywide through early March. From the iconic Flower Fair to the “Snakes on Parade” outside Chase Center and in Union Square, there is something for everyone.

The parade route begins at 2nd and Market Streets, travels along Kearny Street, and ends near Columbus Avenue and Washington Street. Full details about the route and events can be found at ChineseParade.com.

MORE: San Francisco set for blockbuster weekend in February with influx of visitors expected

As the city prepares for this vibrant celebration, visitors and locals alike reflect on the community spirit the event inspires.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing for everyone to come together, celebrate, and be with family,” said Pam Underdahl Boyle, who traveled from San Luis Obispo.

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As the parade approaches, the message in Chinatown is clear: “Gong hay fat choy!”

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San Francisco, CA

Are the San Francisco 49ers playing today? NFL Week 14 schedule, matchups, teams on a bye

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Are the San Francisco 49ers playing today? NFL Week 14 schedule, matchups, teams on a bye


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The San Francisco 49ers do not play on Sunday in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season.

Norman High alum George Kittle and San Francisco are on a three-game winning streak.

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Up next for the 9-4 49ers is a road game against the Tennessee Titans at 3:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14.

Here’s everything to know about the 49ers’ schedule:

No. The 49ers are off on Sunday.

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There are four teams on a bye in Week 14, the final bye week of the season. The 49ers, Giants, Panthers and Patriots are on a bye this week.

All times are Central Standard Time

Record: 9-4

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  • AFC EAST: Buffalo Bills schedule, Miami Dolphins schedule, New England Patriots schedule, New York Jets schedule
  • AFC NORTH: Baltimore Ravens schedule, Cincinnati Bengals schedule, Cleveland Browns schedule, Pittsburgh Steelers schedule
  • AFC SOUTH: Houston Texans schedule, Indianapolis Colts schedule, Jacksonville Jaguars schedule, Tennessee Titans schedule
  • AFC WEST: Denver Broncos schedule, Kansas City Chiefs schedule, Los Angeles Chargers schedule, Las Vegas Raiders schedule
  • NFC EAST: Dallas Cowboys schedule, New York Giants schedule, Philadelphia Eagles schedule, Washington Commanders schedule
  • NFC NORTH: Chicago Bears schedule, Detroit Lions schedule, Green Bay Packers schedule, Minnesota Vikings schedule
  • NFC SOUTH: Atlanta Falcons schedule, Carolina Panthers schedule, New Orleans Saints schedule, Tampa Bay Buccaneers schedule
  • NFC WEST: Arizona Cardinals schedule, Los Angeles Rams schedule, San Francisco 49ers schedule, Seattle Seahawks schedule

Complete NFL regular-season schedule 2025



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San Francisco labor unions push Overpaid CEO Act to close budget gap

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San Francisco labor unions push Overpaid CEO Act to close budget gap


San Francisco could soon see a new tax targeting the city’s largest corporations, as a coalition of labor unions launched a signature-gathering drive to qualify the so-called Overpaid CEO Act for next year’s June primary.

Supporters said the measure could help prevent major cuts to city services by adding a small tax on the most profitable companies. Opponents warn it could drive businesses out of the city.

Organizers said the act is designed to take from the ultra-wealthy to help residents in need. Supporters pointed to people like Lester Bruens and his caregiver partner, Julie Fisher, as examples of San Franciscans who could benefit.

“There’s a lot of fear and worry over what might happen if this doesn’t pass and if we do have to face reduced income,” Fisher said.

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Fisher is an In-Home Support Services (IHSS) caregiver for Bruens, who suffered a brain aneurysm in 2017. Medicaid currently covers his care, but some fear federal funding could be cut, placing a heavier financial burden on the city.

San Francisco is already projected to face an $800 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

“The uncertainty — not knowing how bad it might get —  casts a shadow over the day,” Fisher said.

Many community groups, unions, and elected leaders argue the only way to protect vital city services is to increase tax revenue. Volunteers are now collecting signatures to get the Overpaid CEO Act on the ballot.

“This is a very, very small percentage — actually, as a percentage, much smaller than what we’re asking them than what we’re asking regular San Franciscans who are going to be maybe paying a little more in a parcel tax or sales taxes,” said State Assemblymember Matt Haney.

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Haney said the tax would apply only to corporations where top executives earn more than 100 times the median worker’s pay. It would target companies with over 1,000 employees and more than $1 billion in revenue. Organizers estimate the tax could generate over $200 million a year for San Francisco’s general fund.

“It is not on companies that are headquartered here. It’s not targeted at San Francisco-based companies. These are large companies that do business here, and will continue to do business here, maybe a company like Amazon that’s delivering you packages,” Haney said.

While the measure would affect only the largest corporations, opponents worry it could deter businesses and cost the city future jobs.

“This bill is about fairness, it’s not about just scaring our corporations away,” said Supervisor Chyanne Chen of District 11, who supports the measure.

“Being able to put this measure on the ballot would actually help the community, but also public services that are under attack,” said Sarah Perez, the San Francisco vice president of IFPTE Local 21.

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For Bruens and Fisher, the tax represents a potential lifeline for some of San Francisco’s most vulnerable residents.

“I survived a brain aneurysm, and I’m doing all I can to keep moving forward the way things are. And when you take that away, it scares me,” Bruens said.

“If it passes, then all of us will be feeling a little bit relieved. It’s not going to solve everything, but it will get us over the current financial hump,” Fisher added.

Organizers need approximately 10,500 signatures to qualify the measure for the June primary ballot. They plan to collect signatures over the next two months and aim to submit them by the end of January.

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FIFA World Cup 2026 match-ups for San Francisco Bay Area games announced

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FIFA World Cup 2026 match-ups for San Francisco Bay Area games announced



The FIFA World Cup 2026 match-ups that will be played at Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area were revealed on Saturday.

The Bay Area will be hosting six matches at Levi’s Stadium, which will be known as the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium during the World Cup. Five of the games will be group-stage matches, and one of them will be a Round 32 knockout match.

FIFA World Cup 2026 San Francisco Bay Area schedule

  • Match 8: Qatar vs. Switzerland on Saturday, June 13, 12 p.m. PST
  • Match 20: Australia vs. Jordan on Tuesday, June 16, 9 p.m. PST
  • Match 31: TBD (Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo) vs. Paraguay on Friday, June 19, 9 p.m. PST
  • Match 44: Jordan vs. Algeria on Monday, June 22, 8 p.m. PST
  • Match 60: Paraguay vs. Australia Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m. PST
  • Match 81, Round of 32 Knockout Game: First in Group D vs. TBD (Third from Group B, E, F, I or J) on Wednesday, July 1, 7 p.m. PST

FIFA announced the full schedule, and the Bay Area will be hosting six matches, including one knock-out game.

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FIFA World Cup 2026


When does the World Cup start? 

The World Cup will begin on June 1 at 12 p.m. in Mexico City, and the final match will be played at MetLife Stadium on July 19.



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