Sydney Johnson
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sydneyfjohnson.bsky.social
Sydney Johnson
@sydneyfjohnson.bsky.social
Reporter at KQED 💫
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
“We have safe consumption sites all over the place, they’re just not necessarily sanctioned. It is things like neighbors looking out for each other. That is not a new concept.”

Really thorough piece on SF’s shifting position on harm rediction from @sydneyfjohnson.bsky.social
How San Francisco's Harm Reduction Strategies Are Changing Under Mayor Lurie | KQED
San Francisco is expanding a harm reduction program inside permanent supportive housing while cutting back on street-level safe supply distribution.
www.kqed.org
September 30, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
WED at 9AM:

Professor Keith Humphreys, @dr-tyler-termeer.bsky.social and reporter @sydneyfjohnson.bsky.social join to talk about how San Francisco's scaling back of its harm reduction policy might impact drug use in the city.

❓ What do you think about SF's new harm reduction policy?
As Overdoses Climb, Lurie Orders Scaling Back Harm Reduction Programs | KQED
San Francisco officials are leaning into law enforcement to target outdoor drug markets despite concerns from harm reduction advocates.
buff.ly
April 9, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
The study places doubt on former Mayor London Breed’s claim last November that law enforcement actions contributed to the 22% reduction in overdoses from 2023 to 2024. Instead, it seems more likely that the drop could be attributed to the city’s increase in naloxone distribution.
NEW for @sfchronicle.com: A study dropped today showing that in San Francisco, overdoses increase in areas where police have seized drugs. We're seeing this in real time: As law enforcement efforts have ramped up in recent months, fatal overdoses have risen. That's not a coincidence. (gift link)
S.F.’s response to drug dealing could lead to more overdoses
A new study suggests drug seizures lead to more overdoses. Should this change SF’s approach to the crisis on our streets?
www.sfchronicle.com
March 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
San Francisco supervisors hope to use Mayor Daniel Lurie’s recent expansion of executive powers in a new push to combat drug dealing — one that would bring an outside expert’s approach despite a looming $840 million budget deficit. @sydneyfjohnson.bsky.social

www.kqed.org/news/1202778...
SF Supervisors Call for Outside Expert to Lead Drug Market Crackdown | KQED
Bilal Mahmood and Matt Dorsey are hoping to put San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s recent expansion of executive powers to use.
www.kqed.org
February 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Mayor Lurie's new triage center was closed all last weekend due to staffing shortages, according to the mayor's spokesperson, and police have not used the site for any arrest processing (a stated goal of the site). Many questions remain.
@kqednews.kqed.org www.kqed.org/news/1202657...
A New Triage Center Opened in San Francisco, but Questions Remain | KQED
Skepticism surrounds Mayor Daniel Lurie’s pilot triage sites, which aim to create drop-off points for police while also connecting voluntary walk-ins with health and social services.
www.kqed.org
February 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
As one of the city’s remaining nursing homes prepares to close in April, nearly 250 beds are currently sitting empty in San Francisco’s largest public skilled nursing facility. Why?

Latest for @kqednews.kqed.org www.kqed.org/news/1202666...
Why Are More Than 200 Beds Empty at This San Francisco Nursing Home? | KQED
San Francisco’s largest skilled nursing facility, Laguna Honda, has hundreds of beds available as the city scrambles to open various health care beds across the city.
www.kqed.org
February 12, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
Lots of reports of illegal rent-gouging as thousands of Angelenos scramble to find housing in the wake of the fires: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Signs of rent gouging rise across region in fires' wake, bringing calls for enforcement
Tenant advocates — and even some landlord groups — are calling for authorities to crack down on rent gouging in the wake of devastating fires. Some property owners, however, appear unfazed.
www.latimes.com
January 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
The reporters of @edsource.org are excited to announce the formation of the #EdSourceGuild.
January 17, 2025 at 5:13 PM
In his inaugural address on Wednesday, SF Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a package of emergency ordinances to address the overdose crisis. More from
@katiedebe.bsky.social www.kqed.org/news/1202084...
Now SF Mayor, Lurie Unveils Emergency Plans to Tackle Drug, Homelessness Crises | KQED
In his inaugural address, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a package of fentanyl emergency ordinances and efforts to expedite City Hall functions.
www.kqed.org
January 9, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Inauguration festivities for San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie are in full swing
January 8, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
Barbara Lee files papers to run for Oakland mayor.

A spokesperson for Lee told The Oaklandside she'll be making an announcement later this week.

oaklandside.org/2025/01/06/b...
Barbara Lee files papers to run for Oakland mayor
After weeks of speculation, the retiring congresswoman sent the strongest signal yet that she’s interested in the job.
oaklandside.org
January 6, 2025 at 10:41 PM
January 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM
NEW: Kevin Ortiz is resuming his role as President of the SF Latinx Democratic Club.

Ortiz was temporarily removed last year after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct, setting off tough conversations and policy changes in the local Democratic Party.

Story coming.
January 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
ICYMI: San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie is assembling the top brass for his incoming administration, announcing today that retired Police Department commander Paul Yep will oversee public safety efforts in the mayor’s office. @kqednews.bsky.social www.kqed.org/news/1202011...
Lurie Names SF’s First Chief of Public Safety, Tapping Former Police Commander | KQED
San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie chose SFPD veteran Paul Yep to direct policy dealing with police, fire and emergency management — filling one of four new policy director roles.
www.kqed.org
January 2, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
Louisiana forbids public health workers from promoting COVID, flu and mpox shots
Louisiana forbids public health workers from promoting COVID, flu and mpox shots
An NPR investigation found Louisiana health officials told staff to stop promoting vaccines for COVID, flu and mpox, holding flu shot events or otherwise encouraging the public to get those vaccines.
www.npr.org
December 20, 2024 at 7:30 PM
NEW: Mayor London Breed will appoint Stephen Sherrill for D2 Supervisor, replacing Catherine Stefani, who left the seat for the CA State Assembly in November. Sherrill most recently served as the Director of the Mayor’s Office of Innovation. @kqednews.bsky.social
December 18, 2024 at 5:49 PM
ICYMI: SF Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie taps ex-Twitter executive Ned Segal as chief of housing and economic development, a new position Lurie created in his attempt to rework City Hall. @kqednews.bsky.social www.kqed.org/news/1201861...
Lurie Taps Ex-Twitter Exec to Tackle SF’s Housing Shortage and Economic Rebound | KQED
Ned Segal, who, like Lurie, has no government experience, was among a group of top executives that Elon Musk ousted shortly after purchasing the social media website in 2022.
www.kqed.org
December 17, 2024 at 8:15 PM
A San Francisco jury on Tuesday found Nima Momeni guilty of second-degree murder for the killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee. By @katiedebe.bsky.social @kqednews.bsky.social www.kqed.org/news/1201860...
SF Jury Convicts Nima Momeni of 2nd-Degree Murder in Killing of Tech Founder Bob Lee | KQED
The killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee in downtown San Francisco drew national media attention throughout a six-week trial.
www.kqed.org
December 17, 2024 at 6:31 PM
December 13, 2024 at 3:07 AM
NEW: SF MTA boss @jeffreytumlin.bsky.social plans to step down by the end of the year. Story coming.
December 13, 2024 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by Sydney Johnson
A disproportionate number of Black people are dying in police pursuits across the country, @susien.bsky.social and @jennifergollan.bsky.social found in the latest installment of their investigation into fatal police chases: www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...
A young Black man’s death reflects a shocking racial disparity in police pursuits
Across the country, police chases claim nearly 700 lives a year. Black people are far more likely to die from them.
www.sfchronicle.com
December 12, 2024 at 5:38 PM