Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jul 16

Last month I wrote about the private nonprofit's strained relationship with the city-run San Francisco Animal Care and Control

www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/a...

Why San Francisco is euthanizing more stray dogs

Shelter records are full of heartbreak in San Francisco. Last year, such cases propelled Animal Care and Control to the highest rate of euthanasia since 2013 — and it’s on track to worsen this...

www.sfchronicle.com

Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jul 16

The San Francisco SPCA said the difficult economic climate is the reason for biggest layoffs in many years. www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

San Francisco SPCA announces layoffs of animal hospital and shelter staff

San Francisco’s largest animal shelter and veterinary hospital, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, announced the layoffs of 11% of staff.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by Tara Duggan

Megan Fan Munce @meganmunce.bsky.social · Jul 2

Beryllium has been used to craft nuclear weapons and shield astronauts from the heat of reentry. It's also known to cause cancer or chronic respiratory disease.

This is the first time anyone's ever found it in a home after a wildfire.

W/ @susien.bsky.social!

www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

Toxic metal found in L.A. air after fires. No one knows where it’s coming from

A little-known and highly dangerous earth metal used to craft spaceships has been found in wildfire-ravaged homes and in the air in Los Angeles. Experts are shocked — and alarmed.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jul 2

Over a year after I published an investigation into employee concerns about animal welfare and worker safety at SF Zoo, the director has given notice.
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/z...

San Francisco Zoo CEO resigns after months of controversy, and nudge from Lurie

Tanya Peterson, the San Francisco Zoo’s longtime CEO, has resigned following controversies that raised questions about her leadership. She faced pressure from Mayor Daniel Lurie and others.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jul 1

Marin County released its most comprehensive report addressing sea level rise in a coastal city, but one critic asks -- 'Should we spend $1.3 billion to adapt an area that is walking the plank?'

Stinson Beach gets first price tag for coping with sea level rise, and it's huge

A new report spells out the price of adapting to major storms, rising tides and other risks that threaten to swamp most homes in the coming decades.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jun 24

New - gray whales migrating north showing signs of stress from climate change. From @noaa.gov
www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...

West Coast whale population plunges to lowest level since 1970s

The number of gray whales that migrated past Central California is the smallest since federal protections began.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jun 21

My latest enterprise story is a difficult one, but the shelter community is working hard to try to find homes for these pups.

www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/a...

Why San Francisco is euthanizing more stray dogs

Shelter records are full of heartbreak in San Francisco. Last year, such cases propelled Animal Care and Control to the highest rate of euthanasia since 2013 — and it’s on track to worsen this...

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jun 10

New: The remaining 23 board members of the SF Zoological Society haven't spoken up about the latest controversies at the city-owned zoo, and a city official just called for their removal from the lease.

Here’s what we know about the S.F. Zoo board that continues to support embattled CEO

As city scrutiny of the San Francisco Zoo ramps up, the board of the nonprofit that runs it is under the spotlight — and several of its members have resigned.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jun 3

Breaking new: S.F. office conducting audit of the San Francisco Zoo said CEO initially refused to comply and has provided financials that contract public tax documents, among other things.
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

San Francisco auditors blast ‘uncooperative’ zoo in withering letter

The San Francisco Zoo, dogged by controversy, is being audited by the city. The audit office says the zoo is failing to provide key documents.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jun 2

Having recently dined at Base Camp Eatery can't say I'm shocked - from @kurtisalexander.bsky.social

www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Yosemite contractor slammed for failings, like rodents at Ahwahnee bar

Yosemite National Park’s major contractor, Aramark, received unusually poor performance grades in a newly available report from the park service.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Jun 2

My latest update on the S.F. Zoo.

www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/z...

‘Complete embarrassment:’ S.F. officials decry leadership turmoil at zoo

A San Francisco supervisor accused the zoo of not complying with a city audit, even as the zoo still hopes to get giant pandas from China.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by Tara Duggan

Rachael Myrow @rachaelmyrow.bsky.social · May 30

The tiny native oysters of San Francisco Bay managed to outlive the Gold Rush, bay-shore development and decades of punishing pollution. New research shows they have a fighting chance to survive global warming as well. www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti... via @taraduggan.bsky.social

These native California creatures are unusually well adapted for climate change

California’s native Olympia oysters survived the Gold Rush, pollution and more. They also appear unusually hardy in the face of global warming.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by Tara Duggan

Heather Knight @heatherknightsf.bsky.social · May 30

I got lots of questions from readers asking how photographer Loren Elliott got his incredible images of coyotes in San Francisco. Here’s how!
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/29/i...

How We Photographed Coyotes in San Francisco

www.nytimes.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · May 30

Also new: from me and @michaelbarba.bsky.social

www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s...

S.F. Zoo CEO remains in power as leader of attempted ouster resigns

A top San Francisco Zoo official who backed a plan to remove its controversial CEO resigned Tuesday, along with three board members this week.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · May 30

Happy story alert

www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...

These native California creatures are unusually well adapted for climate change

California’s native Olympia oysters survived the Gold Rush, pollution and more. They also appear unusually hardy in the face of global warming.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · May 28

This story has one of the sadder ledes I've ever written. It's disturbing because gray whales are more at risk of getting hit by a ship or ferry in the bay, and it could be a sign that climate change is impacting their food source in the Arctic.
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · May 23

Also, from last night: The Federal Bureau of Prisons appears to be taking seriously the idea of reinstating Alcatraz as a prison. Or acting as if.

www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/a...

Federal prison officials visited Alcatraz last week and plan to return

Alcatraz is a prime San Francisco tourist site. But after President Trump ordered it to become a prison again, the Federal Bureau of Prisons is scoping it out.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · May 23

New: the battle over leadership of the San Francisco Zoo continues. With @michaelbarba.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

San Francisco Zoo board member resigns over lack of action on CEO

San Francisco Zoo board member resigns over lack of action on CEO Tanya Peterson

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by Tara Duggan

St. John Barned-Smith @stjbs.bsky.social · May 22

BREAKING: Feds arrest embattled Sonoma developer suspected of ‘Ponzi scheme’ that cost investors millions www.sfchronicle.com/crime/articl...

Feds arrest embattled Sonoma developer suspected of ‘Ponzi scheme’ that cost investors millions

Federal prosecutors accused Sonoma real estate developer Kenneth Mattson of operating a sprawling Ponzi scheme.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by Tara Duggan

San Francisco Chronicle @sfchronicle.com · May 5

The San Francisco Chronicle was named a finalist Monday for two Pulitzer Prizes for investigations it published into different aspects of law enforcement.

Chronicle named Pulitzer Prize finalist for a pair of investigations

The Chronicle was honored for uncovering the secret deals that hide police misconduct and documenting the deadly toll of police chases.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · May 1

Update: the Republican bill to remove ESA protections for longfin smelt in San Francisco Bay passed the House

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · May 1

New: an attempt to undo the endangered species status of a tiny fish in San Francisco Bay is “undemocratic" according to @earthjustice.org. Other supporters of longfin smelt include @sfbaykeeper.bsky.social and @rephuffman.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/climate/arti...

Republicans may remove endangered species protection for tiny S.F. Bay fish

Opponents say the move could set a dangerous precedent and is part of an effort to undermine the Endangered Species Act.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Apr 29

Happy news at @presidiosf.bsky.social. A new story from me with lovely photos by @stephenlamphoto.bsky.social
www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/p...

Relative of extinct blue butterfly released in San Francisco’s Presidio

A group of scientists and volunteers released tiny Silvery blue butterflies in San Francisco’s Presidio in an effort to increase biodiversity.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Apr 28

New from me, in the not good news but still interesting and important department - a major earthquake could cause coastal areas to drop substantially and increase flood risk, according to a new study.

www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Major new risk from frightening Cascadia earthquake fault

A major earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone could increase flooding risk significantly in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, study says.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Tara Duggan @taraduggan.bsky.social · Apr 25

Trump's proposed cuts to NOAA could decimate vital ocean science in California and impact lifesaving missions, food safety, weather forecasting and climate research - by @edwardsanthonyb.bsky.social and @jackjlee.bsky.social

www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...

Surprise atmospheric rivers, toxic seafood: How NOAA cuts could impact California

California research institutions could lose access to millions of dollars, which could impact atmospheric river forecasts and Coast Guard rescues.

www.sfchronicle.com

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