48 Hills | Independent daily San Francisco news + culture

What happened to SF’s privacy culture?

In just a few years, this city has moved from a leader in surveillance guardrails to a place where we are spied on everywhere, even in gay bars

Police Ian Firstenberg - July 7, 2026

Sculptor Stephanie Robison’s tactile wonders call out ‘squeeze me’

Provocatively melding stone and soft materials into playful polymorphs, the Oakland artist hopes to spark 'the ability to think differently'

Art Mary Corbin - July 7, 2026

Public bank moves forward

Supes, 9-2, put measure before the voters. What is up with Sup. Alan Wong?

City Hall Tim Redmond - July 7, 2026

48 Hills wins 9 California Journalism Awards

Continuing our Division 7 streak with first place nods in Fine Arts Writing and Video Journalism, plus Health Reporting, Music Writing wins, more

Culture Marke B. - July 7, 2026

Music

Live Shots: Metric rode the indie sleaze revival to a triumphant return

D.A. Mission - July 6, 2026

Old World underground, here we are now: nostalgic anthems, smudged mascara, black tights from Canadian synth stalwarts.

Housing

The Chron discovers, sort of, that Wiener’s housing bills are a con

Zelda Bronstein - July 6, 2026

Finally, a story that mentions the real issue: Cities can't force developers to build

Movies

Screen Grabs: Famous artists choose their favorite flick (and you can watch)

Dennis Harvey - July 6, 2026

Fraenkel Film Fest links visual arts. Plus: sexy-synthy 'Onda Nova,' poet Mary Oliver doc, Turkish mystery 'Burning Days,' more movies

The Agenda

In a surreal hearing, supes move to cut affordable housing requirements

Tim Redmond - July 5, 2026

Plus: A key vote on public power at a diminished Planning Commission, and a dramatic change to 'housing first' policy ... That's The Agenda for July 5-12

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Under the Stars: Oakland’s Satya hits hard and deep with Kodachrome debut ‘Yellow House’

Music John-Paul Shiver - July 5, 2026

Plus: Jared Mattson and Ruban Nielson bring liminal sounds to Cafe du Nord, Wewantsounds heralds Hadley Caliman, RIP James Blood Ulmer, more.

Why are socialists winning in NYC—but not in ‘progressive’ SF?

Elections Tim Redmond - July 2, 2026

We may not have a Mamdani—yet—but there are hints of change in recent political developments.

BIG WEEK: SF Mime Troupe, Fillmore Jazz Fest, Future of Us, Destiny Muhammad…

Big Week Marke B. - July 2, 2026

UGHmerica the Beautiful, World Cup at the Chapel, Sweater Funk, Limitless Film Series, Ralph's Coffee, Todd Terje, more to do!

Screen Grabs: On America’s birthday, a scathing oligarch slapdown returns

Movies Dennis Harvey - July 1, 2026

'Citizen Kane' rides again. Plus: Julie Carmen's colorful career, hilarious 'She's the He,' a Studio Ghibli legend, more movies

In Cuba, blackouts and resilience

Opinion Mark Ginsburg - July 1, 2026

Trump's blockade is taking a terrible toll, but Cubans continue to resist. A report from the Building Relations with Cuban Labor delegation visit.

Drama Masks: Send in the clowns, they’re already here

Stage Review Charles Lewis III - July 1, 2026

Circus Bella sticks to thrilling formula while adding new tricks, making a statement without flipping into politics.

All aboard the ‘Goal Rush’: SFMTA hops on World Cup fever with local watch parties

Transportation Alan Chazaro - July 1, 2026

Catch soccer with the sea lions or grab a brew at a local pub—for prizes—as public transport whisks you from game to game.

Percussion wizard Carlos Niño feels a sparkling transition

Music John-Paul Shiver - June 30, 2026

Improvisational player-composer has been everywhere lately, holding 'space' as a visionary jazz wave pushes through.

Politicized federal funding rule could spell disaster for California aid programs

News + Politics Bruce Mirken - June 30, 2026

OMB's breathtakingly broad proposal would subject disaster recovery, medical research, healthcare, more to ideological review.

Again, Jenkins takes dubious case to trial—and loses. It’s a disturbing pattern

Crime Tim Redmond - June 29, 2026

A felony charge over $54 worth of underpants (that weren't even stolen). This is what the current DA is doing to clog the courts

Good Taste: Summer’s delicious coming attractions

Good Taste Tamara Palmer - June 29, 2026

Turkish delights, fresh food halls, exciting expansions—and some old favorites return to the scene.

Politicians know they’ll get booed at Trans March; harassment from cops is real issue

Opinion Gabriel Haaland - June 29, 2026

Officials like Wiener are always confronted at radical event. But why did SFPD show overwhelming force at march and party?

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Movies

Screen Grabs: Famous artists choose their favorite flick (and you can watch)

Fraenkel Film Fest links visual arts. Plus: sexy-synthy 'Onda Nova,' poet Mary Oliver doc, Turkish mystery 'Burning Days,' more movies

Movies Dennis Harvey - July 6, 2026

Screen Grabs: Need a bracing dose of gumption? ‘Ask E. Jean’

Who is she? Comedian John Early holds the key to ‘Maddie’s Secret’

Win a ticket to the ‘Hunky Jesus’ doc at Frameline this Friday

Music

Live Shots: Metric rode the indie sleaze revival to a triumphant return

Old World underground, here we are now: nostalgic anthems, smudged mascara, black tights from Canadian synth stalwarts.

Music D.A. Mission - July 6, 2026

Percussion wizard Carlos Niño feels a sparkling transition

High Sierra Music Fest still grooves, now moves within easier reach of the Bay

Under the Stars: Oakland post-punks Marbled Eye grip with ‘Forever’

Art

Sculptor Stephanie Robison’s tactile wonders call out ‘squeeze me’

Provocatively melding stone and soft materials into playful polymorphs, the Oakland artist hopes to spark 'the ability to think differently'

Art Mary Corbin - July 7, 2026

Space Program makes room for local artists to blast off (no jerks, please)

Memories of us: Puerto Rican diasporic photography inspires Norma I. Quintana

De Young celebrates lowrider culture—right on its front lawn

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Housing

The Chron discovers, sort of, that Wiener’s housing bills are a con

Finally, a story that mentions the real issue: Cities can't force developers to build

Housing Zelda Bronstein - July 6, 2026

Lurie and four supes move to cut affordable housing fees for luxury developers

New Melgar-Lurie plan for affordable housing is great; cutting other funding is not

The complete failure of Lurie’s tax cuts for developers on full display at hearing

Politics

Public bank moves forward

Supes, 9-2, put measure before the voters. What is up with Sup. Alan Wong?

City Hall Tim Redmond - July 7, 2026

Why are socialists winning in NYC—but not in ‘progressive’ SF?

A Friday police riot and a glorious peaceful Sunday for Pride…

Supes reject $28 million in Lurie budget cuts

Opinion

In Cuba, blackouts and resilience

Trump's blockade is taking a terrible toll, but Cubans continue to resist. A report from the Building Relations with Cuban Labor delegation visit.

Opinion Mark Ginsburg - July 1, 2026

Should SF offer sanctuary for the Statue of Liberty?

OPINION: Commissions are about engagement. Abolishing them is a bad idea

Hey Elon: SF has lots more tech oligarchs you can go ahead and sue

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Performance

Drama Masks: Send in the clowns, they’re already here

Circus Bella sticks to thrilling formula while adding new tricks, making a statement without flipping into politics.

Stage Review Charles Lewis III - July 1, 2026

48 hillsIndependent San Francisco News + Culture

48 hillsIndependent San Francisco News + Culture

48 Hills is community-supported journalism

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