San Francisco, CA

SFUSD, teachers continue talks as parents prepare for possible strike

Published

5 months ago

February 8, 2026

SFUSD, teachers continue talks as parents prepare for possible strike

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – San Francisco Unified School district officials and union leaders returned to the negotiating table Saturday in hopes of averting a looming teacher strike, as the clock ticked down to a Monday deadline.

The district has already taken the step of canceling classes for Monday, as the families of 50,000 students across the city try to figure out a game plan.

SF parents worry about childcare, learning loss

“It would be tough,” said SFUSD parent Tanya Lavelle. “I think a lot of parents are trying to have backup plans.”

The big obstacle for many is finding childcare.

What they’re saying:

“Grandparents, thankfully, they’re with us in the city,” said Marianel Varguez. “Grandparents have their lives too. If not, I’m going to have to ask work if I can bring along my two kids for a bit.”

Lavelle has a six-year-old at Alvarado Elementary School in Noe Valley.

“Me and my husband are trying to figure out a working from home type of situation,” said Lavelle. “My friends, most people have about 2 or 3 days of childcare that they can work out. After that, then we’ll see.”

Varguez, who has a five- and a seven-year-old at Redding Elementary in Lower Nob Hill, is worried about the impact on her young kids’ education.

“They’re used to the routine, and used to their friends. And them asking what’s going on and why can’t we go to school. It’s a little hard to describe what’s going on at their age,” said Varguez.

District, union leaders hold weekend negotiations

As parents tried to figure out a game plan, talks between the two sides continued on Saturday, with negotiations stretching into the evening.

SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Maria Su and union leaders met Saturday afternoon at the War Memorial Veterans Building. At issue are teacher pay, health care, special education resources and programs for immigrant and homeless students.

The last time SFUSD teachers went on strike was nearly 50 years ago, in 1979. That strike lasted seven weeks.

“We should take care of our teachers,” said Lavelle.

While the back-and-forth is adding plenty of stress for parents, many are also voicing their support for teachers.

“They deserve a lot, and they do so much for our kids in general – in schools and the after-school program. I’m not happy, but I’m glad they’re actually standing up for them,” said Varguez.

What’s next:

While SFUSD has canceled classes for Monday in anticipation of a strike, a district spokesperson said Saturday it will notify parents right away if there are any updates to that.

The Source: Interviews by KTVU reporter John Krinjak

San FranciscoEducation

Source link

Related Topics:CA education Featured news San Francisco us

Click to comment

San Francisco, CA

1 dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes near Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay

Published

8 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Press Room

1 dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes near Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay

One person is dead and two others are missing near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay after a boat with 19 people aboard capsized Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

A vessel was reported to be on fire around 600 yards off Alcatraz around 3:35 p.m., and police found a capsized three-deck pontoon boat, San Francisco Fire Chief Dean Crispen said.

The incident was initially reported as a fire, but no first responders reported witnessing a blaze, Crispen said.

Everyone on the boat is believed to have been adults, Crispen said. A dog was also on board and is dead, he said.

Thirteen people were safely rescued, and another three were transported to hospitals, Crispen said.

Firefighters are “in full rescue mode,” with 11 boats and divers as part of the response, Crispen said.

“We are going to continue for hours to make sure that we find these two missing people, if possible,” Crispen said.

“It seemed like a recreational-type vessel, but that’s all we know at this point,” Crispen told reporters.

The vessel reportedly launched from a yacht club, and investigators were still gathering information, he said.

Helicopter footage from NBC Bay Area showed responding rescue boats and debris floating in the water. Video from the station appeared to show some of the rescued with blankets on shore.

Local police departments and private vessels also responded to the incident, Crispen said.

“This is an all-hands-on-deck search and hopefully rescue,” San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said.

When first responders arrived, some people were in the water, others were on the sinking boat, and others were falling into the water, Crispen said.

Alcatraz Island is the site of the famous prison located in San Francisco Bay, around 1 mile offshore. It was closed as a federal prison in 1963 and is now a National Park.

Crispen said the search would be extensive.

“Our standard operating procedure is to continue to search, as long as it’s safe enough for us to search,” he said.

He said divers were in the water, helicopters were above, and officials were searching areas where survivors in the water would tend to move to.

“This search will go on for some time,” Crispen said.

Source link

San Francisco, CA

Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All) | KQED

Published

21 hours ago

July 14, 2026

Press Room

Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All) | KQED

Everything you need to know about the 2026 San Francisco Marathon weekend on July 25-26, including the route, the road closures and whether it’s too late to sign up.

If you still want to sign up for the SF Marathon, you still have time. (AN Studio/Getty)

Keep reading for the 2026 SF Marathon route, which streets will be closed, where to find public transit changes and how to watch from the sidelines if you’re a spectator.

We’ll also give an overview of all the weekend’s events and races themselves if you’re feeling spontaneously athletic (or want to meet people) and decide to sign up for a race at short notice.

And important to flag — several of these races now allow dogs.

Jump straight to:

What is the SF Marathon route, and when are the races?

The 26.2-mile main event — the full SF Marathon — is on Sunday, July 26. The full marathon starts at 5:15 a.m. on Embarcadero Street at Market Street and finishes on Embarcadero Street at Howard Street.

You can check out a map of the entire course on SF Marathon’s Strava account, which also includes elevation levels and first aid/water stops.

An image of several people's legs photographed in a running motion. — Be aware of street closures and changes to Muni this weekend because of the SF Marathon. (Elena Popova/Getty Images)

Is it really too late to sign up for the full marathon and 1st half marathon?

Yes, the full marathon — and the popular 1st half marathon over the Golden Gate Bridge — are both sold out.

According to officials, the spots went out “faster than ever” this year. But you can still join the waitlist and hope for the best.

“Spots do open up,” the website reads. “Plans change, runners defer, and entries become available again. When they do, the right wait list is the best way to secure yours.”

What are my other options for races around the SF Marathon that weekend?

Your other options for races during the SF Marathon weekend that are still accepting sign-ups include:

The City Half Marathon (Sunday)

This is the race where you get to run through San Francisco’s neighborhoods. It’s 13.1 miles with a 3.5-hour time limit and starts at 8:30 a.m. from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park to Embarcadero at Howard.

Race fee:$303.74

The Alexi Pappas SFM 10K (Sunday)

This race is named after the Bay Area’s own Olympian Pappas and is a flat 6.2 miles that starts at 7 a.m. from The Embarcadero at Market Street to the Embarcadero near Washington Street. Dogs are now welcome for this race.

Race fee: $164.04

And if you are a runner who wants to take on the SF Marathon challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. (RichVintage/Getty Images)

5K race (Saturday option)

This 5k allows your dog to run with you along the Embarcadero waterfront. Starting at 8 a.m, this is a 3.1-mile course with an hour limit.

Race fee: $120.04

5K race (Sunday option)

Dogs are also allowed at this Embarcadero waterfront race, but the race isn’t a loop like the Saturday option, instead starting at The Embarcadero at Market St. and ending at Embarcadero at Washington Street. This 3.1-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and has an hour limit.

Race fee: $118.94

Looking for something more family-friendly and chill? There is Sebastian’s 1K Mad Dash on Saturday, which is a little under a mile. It starts at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Embarcadero and Washington. The race fee is $28.75.

If you can’t make it to San Francisco, you can join the race virtually by registering on the SF Marathon’s app. It’s $110.15 to join, and you’ll need to download the SF Marathon tracking app to follow your progress.

Which streets will be closed to cars and public transit for the SF Marathon?

The SF Marathon website breaks down which city streets will be closed for races at what time, along with some recommended detours.

There will be closures along The Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and in the Marina District. However, rest assured that vehicle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is on the route, will remain open in both directions throughout the marathon.

A map of traffic advisories during the 2026 San Francisco Marathon. (Courtesy of the San Francisco Marathon)

A lot of SF Muni lines will also be rerouted due to marathon weekend events.

SFMTA has not yet updated its guidance for this year, but you can peek at the 2025 list of route alterations, changes and closures to get a sense of what’s to come.

Where can I cheer the SF Marathon runners on?

Are you a good friend cheering on a runner? Make sure you know which race they are running in, and then look at the above section to check out the times and routes.

You can also track a runner’s progress using the SF Marathon app using a bib number.

Where can I find my pictures and results after the race?

Participants will have their pictures emailed to them a few days after the event — or on the race results and photos page on the SF Marathon website.

I need to bail. Can I defer my SF Marathon registration until next year?

Bailing? The people on the waitlist will thank you!

You can defer your registration to next year for a $39 fee, and the last day to do so is July 24. (That’s also the last day to convert your in-person race into a virtual one, if your plans have unexpectedly changed.)

Keep in mind that registration is nontransferable, and you cannot give or sell your bib to someone else.

What will the weather be like in San Francisco for the marathon?

Check the weather forecast again before you head out, as San Francisco weather can turn on a dime — and keep in mind that the National Weather Service forecasts the weather a week out.

Historically, the temperature around the courses is usually around 64°F, according to the SF Marathon website.

Whether you’re planning to participate in a race or just spectate, be sure to drink plenty of water well before going out.

The 49th Annual San Francisco Marathon returns July 25-26, 2026, offering distances from a 5K, 10K and half-marathon, to the full marathon and an ultramarathon. (Jason Doiy/Getty Images)

You can also be strategic about how to combat heat by cooling your body’s pulse points, such as your neck, inside your elbows, and behind your knees, to bring quick relief. In case things get toasty, KQED has a thorough guide on how to stay safe during a heat wave.

The full marathon has 14 hydration stations, which include water, electrolytes, medical assistance, and toilets. The SF Marathon encourages runners to bring refillable water bottles that are 50 gallons or less.

What’s the best way of traveling to the SF Marathon starting line that morning?

If you’re trying to get to the race for the full marathon’s 5:15 a.m. start time on Sunday, remember: BART service does not start early enough to get you there, and you’ll miss your race.

Instead, the SF Marathon will have shuttles from six BART stations to get you to the starting line. There is free parking at BART stations, and buses will run very early in the morning. Times are subject to change, but the list of BART stations with shuttles is currently:

Bay Fair (San Leandro) at 3:50 a.m.
Daly City at 4:05 a.m.
El Cerrito Plaza at 4:05 a.m.
MacArthur at 4:05 a.m.
Millbrae at 4:05 a.m.
Walnut Creek at 3:55 a.m.

Buses aim to arrive by 4:30 a.m. at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero. You’ll need to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time, though.

Source link