48 Hills | Independent daily San Francisco news + culture

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

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

Big Week Marke B. - July 2, 2026

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

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

Movies Dennis Harvey - July 1, 2026

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

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

Elections Tim Redmond - July 2, 2026

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

Stage Review

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

Charles Lewis III - July 1, 2026

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

Transportation

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

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.

Music

Percussion wizard Carlos Niño feels a sparkling transition

John-Paul Shiver - June 30, 2026

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

News + Politics

Politicized federal funding rule could spell disaster for California aid programs

Bruce Mirken - June 30, 2026

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

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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?

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

The Agenda Tim Redmond - June 29, 2026

... Plus: Why is an attack on affordable housing happening the day before the July 4 weekend—and the Giants players and Sen. Hawley need to go back to Bible School. That's The Agenda for June 28-July 5

Supes reject $28 million in Lurie budget cuts

City Hall Tim Redmond - June 26, 2026

Agreement restores funding for critical services—but why was this so hard?

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

Music Marke B. - June 26, 2026

Now in Grass Valley, the 34-year-old family-friendly blast boasts a stellar lineup for full immersion or just a daytime dip.

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

Music John-Paul Shiver - June 26, 2026

Plus: TEED's clever pre-game, Panic Shack go tits out, Karen Nyame KG's UK Funky swing, Facta's no flimflam, more music

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

Movie Reviews Dennis Harvey - June 25, 2026

The 'eccentric personality' who sued Trump and won. Plus: vivid 'Maddie's Secret,' poppy 'Peter Asher,' retro 'Rose of Nevada'

Flock’s panopticon: sight, sound, and search

Police Ian Firstenberg - June 25, 2026

Flock Safety’s myriad devices and integrated network keep us all under surveillance, regardless of criminality

Drama Masks: A Golden Thread wending from war to Bard

Stage Review Charles Lewis III - June 25, 2026

Very queer 'As You Like It,' taut and intimate 'Arab Spring,' and protest-minded 'I C U (I See You)' all had one thing in common.

Ultimate Pride Guide 2026: No strikes, all homies

LGBTQ Marke B. - June 25, 2026

30+ choice events that will send you over the rainbow, into the streets, and onto the dance floors—nothing foul about it.

After hours of heart-wrenching public testimony, supes may save some programs

City Hall Tim Redmond - June 24, 2026

Budget deal will include millions in add-backs—but not enough to prevent the loss of critical services as police budget approaches $1 billion

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Movies

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

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

Movies Dennis Harvey - July 1, 2026

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

‘Girls Like Girls’ like Hayley Kiyoko

Music

Percussion wizard Carlos Niño feels a sparkling transition

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

Music John-Paul Shiver - June 30, 2026

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

Melodramatic and defiantly eclectic, Oakland’s AroMa whips up sonic tornadoes

Under the Stars: A house music master takes us back to Zanzibar

Art

Esteban Samayoa’s art reflects deep love for—and survival of—East Bay community

'I’ll do all I can to create work that inspires a message of togetherness,' says airbrush and charcoal artist.

Art Mary Corbin - June 22, 2026

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

De Young celebrates lowrider culture—right on its front lawn

In a different light: How Venice fixed Monet

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Housing

Planning Commission sides with mayor on cutting fees for affordable housing

The vote, of course, was 4-2. But Lurie has backed down on charging more for arguments in the ballot handbook.

Housing Tim Redmond - June 18, 2026

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

Cutting fees for developers has not encouraged much new housing

Politics

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

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

Elections Tim Redmond - July 2, 2026

Supes reject $28 million in Lurie budget cuts

After hours of heart-wrenching public testimony, supes may save some programs

SF public bank plan moves toward November ballot

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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