News For Reasonable People

Zara has officially closed its massive two-level store at San Francisco Centre, joining a wave of other major retailers like AG Jeans, Oak + Fort, and Steve Madden in a mass exodus from the struggling downtown mall. Once a thriving retail hub, the mall is now operating at just 20–30% capacity and faces a $625 million lien auction in July.Why are so many brands abandoning the Centre? From rising crime and safety concerns to a dramatic drop in foot traffic and economic shifts post-pandemic, we break down the collapse of this iconic retail space — and what’s next for downtown San Francisco.

Seattle just passed a groundbreaking law banning landlords from using algorithm-driven software like RealPage to set rental prices. Critics say these tools lead to price fixing and higher rents — and now, the City Council is taking action.

A high-stakes battle is brewing in New York City.Gristedes CEO and billionaire John Catsimatidis says he’ll close or sell his grocery stores if democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor. Why? Mamdani's bold proposal to launch city-owned grocery stores could disrupt the private food market—and it’s sparking major backlash.

Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle decided to help clean off graffiti left by rioters at the Federal Building in Seattle. Before long, she was told to stand down

Los Angeles librarians are sounding the alarm: they no longer feel safe in the very buildings meant to be sanctuaries of knowledge and community. 📚 From violent assaults to drug use and mental health emergencies, public libraries across LA are becoming frontline battlegrounds in the city’s homelessness and addiction crisis.In this video, we dive into real incidents, 911 call data, and powerful testimonies from library workers and city officials. Learn how a growing number of library branches are overwhelmed by violence, understaffed on security, and stretched far beyond their original mission.

The Department of Homeland Security has greenlit a bold and controversial new detention center in Florida—nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Located deep in the Everglades, this massive facility will use natural wildlife like alligators and pythons as a perimeter, housing up to 5,000 undocumented immigrants.Proposed by Florida AG James Uthmeier and backed by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, the $450 million-a-year site will be built with tents and trailers, funded in part by FEMA. Critics warn of serious environmental and human rights concerns—is this the future of immigration enforcement in America?

San Francisco tried to quietly push a controversial $100-per-year "driveway tax" on homeowners — and it didn’t go over well.City officials were exploring the idea of charging property owners simply for having a driveway connected to the public sidewalk (aka a “curb cut”) to help fill a $322 million budget gap in the public transit system. Critics called it “nonsense,” while transit advocates argued it was a fair use of public space.The backlash was swift, and now the city is walking it back. So… was this a reasonable funding idea or just another attack on car owners?

Seattle’s Denny Blaine Park—dubbed “Pervert Park” by critics—is now at the center of a major legal battle. A neighborhood group has filed a motion in King County Superior Court to temporarily shut down the park, citing daily incidents of public sex, drug use, and harassment.The plaintiffs, including LGBTQ+ residents and longtime neighbors, accuse the City and Mayor Bruce Harrell of ignoring repeated warnings and failing to enforce the law—despite promises made as early as 2022. New video evidence, declarations, and disturbing photos submitted to the court reveal the extent of the alleged illegal activity.Now, a judge must decide whether to close the park until the City produces a plan to restore safety. The court hearing is scheduled for July 11.

Just days after Memphis Mayor Paul Young declared that crime is dropping and the city is getting safer, a disturbing incident unfolded. A 25-year-old man, Trenton Abston, was arrested for allegedly attempting to kidnap the mayor outside his home. Authorities say Abston was caught with a TASER, rope, duct tape, and gloves — raising serious questions about his intentions and the mayor's security. The arrest happened just one day after Young responded to ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith's controversial comments about safety concerns in Memphis. What does this mean for the city’s leadership, its image, and public safety? We break down the full story, timeline, and reaction from officials and the community.

A dramatic high-speed chase through Milwaukie and Portland ended with 42-year-old Loony John Franklin Toon fleeing into Eastmoreland Golf Course after firing shots at police officers. 🚔💨The incident began around 2:45 AM when Milwaukie police attempted a traffic stop on a dark SUV. After evading spike strips and ramming a patrol car, Toon reached speeds up to 80 mph while allegedly shooting at officers. The pursuit ended on SE Tacoma St., where Toon fled on foot.

In a major move, haircare giant John Paul Mitchell Systems is relocating its global headquarters from California to Dallas, Texas! 🇺🇸The company behind popular brands like Paul Mitchell, Tea Tree, and Neuro joins a growing list of major corporations leaving California in favor of the Lone Star State. The move includes a new global distribution center, creating 80 new jobs and bringing $12 million in investment to Texas.

Chicago's City Council has passed a controversial ordinance giving police the power to impose temporary "snap" curfews in response to large or violent gatherings—especially downtown. Despite strong objections from Mayor Brandon Johnson and concerns over fairness, the measure narrowly passed and could soon be law.

California has placed all Level III and Level IV state prisons under a modified lockdown after a rise in violent incidents, drug overdoses, and contraband smuggling. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is conducting an in-depth investigation.

In a dramatic shift from just one year ago, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported zero illegal immigrants released into the U.S. during May 2025. This marks a 93% decrease in illegal border crossings compared to May 2024, when more than 62,000 were released under the previous administration.Acting CBP Commissioner Pete Flores credited the Trump administration's enforcement-first policies for the historic drop, calling it the "fastest improvement in border security of all time." Drug seizures also spiked, with 718 pounds of fentanyl and sharp increases in heroin and cocaine confiscations.Are we witnessing a turning point in U.S. border policy?

A massive $1.6 million cargo theft involving stolen electronics has revealed alarming loopholes in California’s Commercial Driver's License (CDL) process for non-citizens. One of the drivers arrested had a CDL listing their first name as “No Name Given” — raising serious questions about the identity verification standards used by the California DMV. Authorities traced the stolen load across multiple states, ultimately arresting three individuals — two of whom were in the U.S. illegally. This incident has reignited debate over California’s CDL policies, including the issuance of licenses without tracking immigration status and the acceptance of broad documentation types.

Oregon's iconic outdoor recreation industry is at a legal crossroads. House Bill 3140 could reshape the future of skiing, rafting, hiking, and more — by allowing businesses to avoid lawsuits for "ordinary negligence."Supporters say it's essential to keep recreation businesses alive amid skyrocketing insurance costs. Opponents — including those who’ve lost loved ones or suffered life-altering injuries — say it strips away public protections and justice.

The U.S. hospitality industry is facing a major crisis in 2025, and California is at the epicenter. Following a wave of airline bankruptcies—including the collapse of Silver Airways—hotels are now falling fast under the weight of rising debt and declining demand.

California's once-booming economy is now facing serious headwinds. According to a new UCLA Anderson Forecast, key sectors like manufacturing, entertainment, and logistics are struggling — leading to high unemployment and significant job losses.

Whole Foods Market is officially closing its Capitol Hill location at Madison and Broadway on June 20, 2025. The two-story, 40,000-square-foot store opened in October 2018, but the company cites limited performance and growth potential as reasons for the closure. Located at the base of the Danforth apartment building, the store had been a central part of the neighborhood's grocery options. A Whole Foods spokesperson confirmed that all employees will be transferred to other nearby locations. The company continues to operate four other stores within the City of Seattle.

California's housing market has reached a breaking point — where even six-figure earners now qualify for low-income housing. In this video, we break down why 41% of California households are considered cost-burdened, what it means to be “house poor,” and why some residents are rethinking the California dream.