Federal shutdown shutters Bay Area parks, slows travel
Government & Economy
The first day of the federal government shutdown rippled through the region Wednesday, grounding some park programs, trimming airport staff and sending thousands of federal employees home without pay. Popular sites such as Muir Woods and Fort Point were closed, while the Presidio and Alcatraz remained open with limited services, according to the latest park status update.
At Bay Area airports, security lines lengthened slightly as agencies activated contingency plans; travelers described the scene as “eerily quiet,” NBC Bay Area reported. Analysts say the local economy should weather the shutdown better than Washington-centric regions because only about 1% of the Bay Area workforce is federal, a point underscored in a new KQED brief. Still, experts warn that a prolonged stalemate could stall infrastructure grants and research funding already in the pipeline, including millions earmarked for airport upgrades highlighted earlier this week (story).
Emergency managers urged visitors to check park and agency websites before heading out; a running list of closures and reduced services is being updated by the Mercury News.
State & Local Politics
With Governor Gavin Newsom’s term winding down, the field to replace him remains fluid. Long-time legislator Toni Atkins exited the race Tuesday, citing lackluster polling that showed former Congresswoman Katie Porter leading a scattered pack at just 17%, according to earlier CalMatters analysis. Attention now turns to whether U.S. Senator Alex Padilla or billionaire developer Rick Caruso will jump in as filing deadlines approach.
Closer to home, health-care advocate Gary McCoy — backed by former Speaker Nancy Pelosi — launched his bid for San Francisco’s District 8 supervisor seat, promising to tackle housing and public health challenges.
CalMattersHousing & Homelessness
Debate over how cities respond to homelessness intensified as lawmakers sent SB 634 to the governor. The bill would bar local ordinances that criminalize delivery of outreach or supportive services to unhoused residents — a direct response to proposals in Fremont and other cities.
Meanwhile, the broader housing picture remains mixed. A new projection suggests Bay Area home prices may “soften or grow very slowly” through 2026, rather than crash, according to a two-year forecast. In a bright spot for the rental market, a 300-plus-unit complex in South San Jose changed hands for $100 million, signalling “renewed investor confidence,” real-estate analysts told the Mercury News.
CalMattersPublic Safety & Transportation
San Francisco police are investigating a shooting at 16th and Mission that left one man injured Tuesday night. Residents were urged to avoid the area as detectives canvassed nearby businesses for surveillance footage.
In San Jose, officials unveiled the city’s first four red-light cameras at high-injury intersections — part of a one-year pilot aimed at curbing traffic fatalities that now outpace homicides. The program follows a rash of reckless-driving incidents, including a fatal e-bike collision detailed by Oaklandside.
Autonomous vehicles are under fresh scrutiny after a driverless Waymo made an illegal U-turn in San Bruno right in front of police. Officers pulled the car over, but with no human behind the wheel, issued the citation remotely through the company.
Business, Food & Culture
After 25 years in the Haight, beloved Texas-style joint Memphis Minnie’s Bar-B-Q has closed its doors “for now,” joining a growing list of recent restaurant exits across the city. Food watchers note that rising costs and slower foot traffic have squeezed several longstanding eateries.
On the arts beat, free-admission Saturdays continue this month at major San Francisco museums, featuring manga exhibits at the de Young and contemporary clay at the Asian Art Museum.
Across the bay, Oakland teens are turning plantain peels and sugar into avant-garde fashion under a chef-inspired project spotlighted by KQED, while volunteers race to capture oral histories celebrating the Fruitvale’s Latino roots (story).
Bay Area Forecast
Today: Early sprinkles tapering off, afternoon clearing — highs around 68°F.
Tonight: Partly cloudy and cooler, dipping to the upper 50s.
Looking ahead: Sunshine returns Friday and sticks around. Expect mild coastal highs in the upper 60s, warming slightly into the low 70s for inland neighborhoods over the weekend and early next week. No significant rain on the horizon after today’s showers.