In this year's bustling election cycle, it's been easy to plow forward and lose sight of who we are and what we value. Below, philosophy professors from UCSB and USF invite us to slow down—flip through books both present-day and as ancient as philosophy itself. Their Opp Now exclusive recommendations (below) explore how AI makes us rethink our humanity, if Daosim informs effective governance, and more.
Read MoreThe data re: the impact of the State's and Silicon Valley's increased minimum wage for fast food workers is in, and it's grim: jobs are down a net 5,400 this year, and employees have actually lost earnings amounting to $37 million. 93% of employers say they'll need to further raise their prices in the next year. Nat'l Review reports.
Read MoreAt Opp Now, we enjoy daylighting (and treating respectfully) alternate viewpoints traditional media ignores. But lest we wear rose-colored glasses about “free speech,” City Journal reminds, below, of its challenging implications. Though diverse self-expression can't create a *perfect* society, the alternative (speech-restrictionism) makes for far worse: a culture that's “morally inferior,” conflict-avoidant, and biased towards privileged elites.
Read MoreSan Francisco Mayor London Breed recently celebrated new data showing that the number of people living in tents in the city has hit its lowest point in six years. This comes after Breed—in response to SCOTUS' Grants Pass decision—began more vigorous encampment amelioration. KCBS reports on the latest numbers.
Read MoreSee all those empty office buildings in downtown SJ and SF? Ever think: hmmm, why can't we turn them into much-needed housing? The answer is—we can, but it will require substantial zoning and code changes. Pew Charitable explores.
Read MoreSan Jose State University, as part of NCAA, allows certain athletes who are biologically male to compete on female sports teams. Recently, SJSU women's volleyball coach Melissa Batie-Smoose filed a Title IX complaint against the college alleging “favoritism” toward a transgender player—and was suddenly, indefinitely put on suspension. Outkick reports below.
Read MoreMany of Bay Area's colleges and cough gov'ts silence viewpoints they dislike using the “hate speech” moniker—while, at the same time, conveniently ignoring their own supporters' offensive speech. In this Opp Now exclusive op-ed, Housing Commissioner Roberta Moore argues (citing recent local events) that “hate speech” bans are frequently and unjustly weaponized by Council, and alternative viewpoints should instead be welcomed—and protected—under the First Amendment.
Read MoreWhat happens when crime, urban blight, and over-regulation run wild in big CA cities? Businesses leave. SF Examiner reports the grim news from the fair suburb to the north.
Read MoreFed prosecutors claim an Orange County supervisor redirected more than half-a-million cool ones to himself and his family, before he was outed. NYT reports.
Read MoreThe Bakersfield Californian discusses how the city has moved 600 people off their streets since 2020. This city's approach pairs removing the unsafe encampments and quickly building affordable housing.
Read MoreSF's Dream Keeper initiative—which took over $120 million from the San Francisco Police Department and “redistributed” it in the form of grants—is found to be a hotbed for large-scale grift, according to the exceptional Voice of SF.
Read MoreThis November, hundreds of state and local measures seek to raise property taxes across California. HJTA’s Jon Coupal recommends homeowners look at the Voted Indebtedness category of their tax bill—yearly charges that skirt Prop 13 protections. The historic safeguard of a two-thirds voter approval requirement for these tax hikes was already repealed to 55% for school bonds. Now Prop 5 seeks to do the same, adding billions more in tax burdens for CA property owners.
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