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CBS News
14-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
San Francisco unveils new "ReadySF" emergency preparedness portal
SAN FRANCISCO — In a move officials say will make the city more resilient in the face of mounting climate threats and overdue disasters, Mayor Daniel Lurie and the Department of Emergency Management are launching "ReadySF," a revamped emergency preparedness portal built to help San Franciscans — and anyone visiting or working in the city — get ready before the next big emergency hits. The new portal, went live Wednesday morning, replacing the decade-old It's the digital centerpiece of a broader campaign to equip residents with real-time data about emergencies and climate hazards. CBS News Bay Area obtained an exclusive first look ahead of the official release. "We are, very many people say, overdue for an earthquake," Department of Emergency Management Executive Director Mary Ellen Carroll tells CBS News Bay Area. "We live in a seismically risky area of the country, as we know and we are encountering a lot more risks based on climate change and extreme weather so and we know that statistically, we are seeing that we didn't used to need a heat plan, and now we do." The update comes on the heels of climate-induced shifts that have made the city rethink its readiness for a range of modern threats. From deadly heat waves and wildfire smoke to tsunami warnings and aging infrastructure, San Francisco's risk profile has changed dramatically in the last decade. "A safe San Francisco needs a reliable, secure, and effective emergency preparedness system," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "While our first responders are always ready to respond to a crisis, ReadySF will give San Franciscans the tools to prepare and keep themselves and their families safe." Carroll says no one likes to think about the next disaster but spending the time to prepare now can save pain later. "We really want to make it so that it's super helpful and that they feel a place that they can feel good about, that's easy to navigate, gives them the tools that they need so that they'll be more prepared and resilient when an emergency happens," she explained. The new site includes a five-step preparedness plan: Sign up for alerts, make a disaster plan, gather supplies, connect with neighbors, and get trained. It also provides access to interactive hazard maps showing the current data on areas at risk for heatwave, flood, storm, and tsunami. The maps show everything from power outages and cooling centers to sandbag distribution points and air quality data. Though designed for San Francisco's unique geography and demographics, Carroll says ReadySF is a resource that could help anyone living in earthquake and climate-prone regions. "Over the last 10 years, we actually have new kinds of emergencies that we're dealing with in San Francisco and California, including heat emergencies, including air quality from the fires that we've seen over the last few years, we've had a couple of tsunami scares, and so we've learned a lot from that," said Carroll. "We've taken the time worked with all of our partners, to come up with a step-by-step guide for how to get prepared, and it is for San Franciscans, but honestly, it would be helpful to anybody who wants to make sure that they're ready when an emergency happens." The urgency for the new site comes in part by public confusion after a tsunami warning in December sent people across coastal Bay Area cities scrambling. Though the threat was minor, the alert sowed panic across the region and sounded a wake-up call for officials. "I think one of the events for me that just resonated about how clearly, people are not thinking about the average person is not thinking about emergencies, is the tsunami warning that we had in which the National Weather Service set out a WEA that went really broadly throughout the region and caused a lot of panic, including from the majority of people that didn't need to be they weren't close to the water anyway," said Carroll. "That was one of the things that I was just like, you know, we have to try to push out more information and make it easily available to the public before the event happens." To get prepared, visit or sign up for alerts by texting your ZIP code to 888-777.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Golden State Valkyries take over the Bay Area ahead of their home opener
The Golden State Valkyries are getting ready to take the court for the first regular season game in franchise history. The team will go head to head with the Los Angles Sparks on Friday, May 16 at Chase Center. It will be a rematch of their first preseason game where the Valkyries lost to the Sparks 82-83. The team is building excitement all week long for Friday's game. They will be installing 90 violet nets at 45 basketball courts throughout Oakland. Players will also be riding the Kaiser Permanente Hoopbus to multiple schools. Golden State Valkyries events leading up to their home opener Tuesday, May 13 Violet Nets - All Day Installations Across Public Parks in Oakland Afternoon Hoopbus Takeover presented by Kaiser Permanente at Rudsdale Continuation High School Wednesday, May 14 Violet Nets – All Day Installations Across Public Parks in Oakland Morning Hoopbus Takeover presented by Kaiser Permanente: West Oakland Middle School Flag Raising Ceremony: Noon - Oakland City Hall Thursday, May 15 Violet Nets – All Day Installations Across Public Parks in Oakland Flag Raising Ceremony: 2:30 p.m. - San Francisco City Hall See the Valkyries Play Tickets are still available for Friday's home opener. The Valkyries have sold more than 10,000 season tickets setting a record for the WNBA. Watch the Valkyries season on CBS News Bay Area CBS News Bay Area is the official broadcast partner of the Golden State Valkyries. Fans will be able to watch 37 games across KPIX and PIX+ channel 44 cable 12. See the full broadcast schedule.
CBS News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
How to watch the Golden State Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury
Golden State Valkyries getting ready for their first game on the road Golden State Valkyries getting ready for their first game on the road Golden State Valkyries getting ready for their first game on the road The Golden State Valkyries are playing the first away game in franchise history on Sunday. The team is playing a preseason game agains the Phoenix Mercury. How to watch the Golden State Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury on PIX+ Pre-game with Vern Glenn and analyst Zena Keita Tipoff: 3pm Post game analysis with Vern Glenn and analyst Zena Keita The pre-game and post game shows will also be available streaming on CBS News Bay Area. CBS News Bay Area is the official broadcast partner of the Golden State Valkyries. Fans will be able to watch 37 games across KPIX and PIX+ channel 44 cable 12. See the full broadcast schedule.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Time of India
Death Metal guitarist shot dead by police after violent clash over tree dispute with neighbour
A death metal guitarist was fatally shot by police in San Francisco following a violent altercation with a neighbour, reportedly sparked by a dispute over a tree. Brian Montana , guitarist for the band Possessed , was shot and killed by police on Monday evening after allegedly opening fire on officers responding to reports of a man brandishing a weapon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to the South San Francisco Police Department , officers responded to a call on Arroyo Drive at 5:55 p.m. and quickly requested backup after discovering the suspect was firing into an occupied home. The shooter was later identified as 60-year-old Brian Montana. Montana then moved to a neighboring driveway, where he took cover behind parked cars while armed with a handgun, a shotgun, and a rifle. According to police, a 25-minute gunfight followed, during which Montana fired at officers from various positions, using vehicles and nearby landscaping for cover. 'Officers took cover behind their vehicles as they came under heavy gunfire and managed to return fire,' the South San Francisco Police Department said in a statement. 'They were eventually able to hit the suspect, stopping him from continuing to shoot at officers and surrounding homes.' After confirming that the gunman no longer posed a threat, officers approached and found him unresponsive. Despite efforts to revive him and the arrival of medical personnel, the suspect died at the scene from his injuries. A resident from the house Montana had fired at was transported to a nearby trauma center with injuries that were not life-threatening. Police also conducted checks on surrounding homes to ensure no one else was harmed. Fortunately, no officers sustained any injuries during the incident, according to authorities. According to police, the dispute stemmed from tree debris in Montana's neighbor's yard. Local resident Cory David explained to CBS News Bay Area that the altercation began over a tree hanging into Montana's yard, with one party trimming it back. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now David described the situation as senseless, noting that the disagreement escalated when one individual resorted to violence. Montana was an early member of Possessed, a pioneering death metal band that originated in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1980s. Known for helping shape the death metal genre , Possessed gained recognition for their influential sound. Another guitarist from the band, Larry LaLonde, later joined the iconic rock band Primus. Possessed's official Instagram page confirmed the tragic news of Brian Montana's death, sharing an early photo of the band with the caption: 'Rest in Peace Brian Montana.' The official Possessed Instagram account shared a heartfelt tribute to Brian Montana, highlighting his kind nature. The post read: 'I just feel like people should know that Brian Montana was a very nice guy. He was jovial and a gentleman. He was nothing like what I'm seeing written about him. He was obviously going through some struggles, and I think this is the time to be respectful towards the Montana family and friends, as this is a tragic time for them. I know that I still feel this is a great loss, and I'm deeply saddened.' The South San Francisco Police Department confirmed that the two officers who discharged their weapons during the incident have been placed on administrative leave, as per standard protocol. An investigation into the events is currently underway. The department added that in the coming weeks, they plan to release further details, including audio and video recordings related to the incident.
CBS News
03-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Uncertainty looms over Oakland Head Start program after abrupt leadership firings
OAKLAND — Parents and educators in Oakland are expressing deep concern over the future of the city's Head Start program following the sudden dismissal of its two top leaders. The federally funded early education initiative, which has served low-income and homeless families in Oakland for over five decades, is now facing what supporters fear could be an existential crisis. The City of Oakland recently terminated Head Start Director Diveena Cooppan and Assistant to the Director Martina Bouey without explanation, a move that supporters said threatens the stability of the 54-year-old program. "It honestly saved my life," said Eunique Hawkins, a Head Start parent, while picking up her daughter at the 85th Avenue program site on Friday. "I was really going to have to quit [my job]. I didn't have no one that was able to watch them while I was at work." Hawkins' four-year-old daughter, Savanna, has been enrolled in Head Start for three years. She credits the teachers for helping her daughter develop critical speech and social skills. "She walks in and she talks to her teachers. She talks to her friends. She's more open. She's completely changed to a different baby," Hawkins said. Her oldest daughter also went through Head Start and saw lasting benefits. "She went to kindergarten and thrived and excelled because of everything that she learned at Head Start. So they really do set the kids up for success," she added. The Head Start program currently serves around 430 children across 14 locations, primarily in East Oakland. It provides childcare, preschool, and other support services for children from birth to age five living in poverty. The abrupt firings have left many in the community shocked and anxious about what lies ahead. "There was no indication that [I would be fired]. When I was released, they just said that the city is taking the department in a different direction," said Bouey. When asked what that direction might be, she replied, "I don't know. I honestly don't know what that means. They did not share any of their plans with me." Bouey described the dismissal of both her and Cooppan as "a big shock," especially given the staff's praise for their leadership. An internal email from Assistant City Administrator LaTonda Simmons, obtained by CBS News Bay Area, announced that the firings would be effective Friday, May 2. The email stated that both administrators had been placed on administrative leave on April 25. It added: "At this critical time in the City's review of structural and fiscal conditions, the Office of the City Administrator is focused on stabilization of the Human Services Department." While the firings appear to be part of a cost-saving measure amid Oakland's mounting budget deficit, it's unclear how much financial impact the decision will actually have. The majority of Head Start's funding comes from federal and state sources, with only a small portion provided by the city. "With such abrupt leadership change, there was no time or no opportunity to do a hand-off, to transition," Bouey said. She warned that the program's complex regulatory requirements make leadership transitions especially difficult. Longtime Oakland educator Dr. Ida Oberman echoed those concerns. "I'm extremely worried that the program will shrink, even risk being eliminated in this time while it's serving so many children," she said. The charter school she founded in East Oakland enrolls many former Head Start students. "Any budget is a moral document as we know," Dr. Oberman added. "And we should realize that making the cuts on the backs of the most vulnerable is not a smart move if we know that the most vulnerable are also the future of Oakland. We want students to stay and thrive and grow so that Oakland can thrive and grow." In a statement, city spokesman Sean Maher said, "The City Administrator's Office executive team is engaging with the Head Start team now to support next steps for the program. We will provide updates to the program participants as needed." According to the internal email, Human Services Manager Robin Love has been appointed as interim leader of the Head Start program. Although Hawkins' youngest child will begin kindergarten in a few months, she says the stakes remain high for other families who depend on the program. "Keep Head Start. It's very crucial to the city. It's very crucial to the kids. It's crucial to the parents. We really need it," she urged. Supporters of the program are now encouraging Oakland residents to contact their city council members and advocate for its preservation.
