Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 29m

I'll say it again and again and again:

STATE LAW GETS THE GOODS

Thank you @scottwiener.bsky.social for passing bills like SB 423 so that proposals like this one can actually move forward and get built and not get bogged down in reams of red tape:
sfstandard.com/2025/10/08/n...

Torched Verdi Building in North Breach targeted for dense housing

A torched Verdi Building has remained vacant for years. The owners hope new state laws could transform it.

sfstandard.com

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

Jane Natoli 🥑🚲🍍 @wafoli.bsky.social · 1h

Dropped my ballot off at City Hall yesterday, already got the message it’s been received and counted. Don’t forget to turn in those ballots and vote yes on 50. It’s literally the only question, let’s get this done

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 57m

San Francisco's anti-housing elected officials:

a cartoon says we 've tried nothing and were all out of ideas

ALT: a cartoon says we 've tried nothing and were all out of ideas

media.tenor.com

Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 19h

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

Chris Murphy @chrismurphyct.bsky.social · 22h

This has nothing to do with crime. This is an attempt to crush political dissent.

Never before, in our entire 250 year history, has the military or immigration agents been used like this. It's dystopian, illegal, and it should stop.

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

Jane Natoli 🥑🚲🍍 @wafoli.bsky.social · 1d

Our rents are spiking because it turns out people leaving during COVID was not a durable strategy for long-term affordability. Who knew? If we want our rents to stay flat (or, dare to dream, fall), we need to build more homes www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...

S.F. rent surge is outpacing every big U.S. city. Here’s what’s driving the increase

San Francisco rentals are leasing faster and pricing higher than they have at any point since the pandemic.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

California Democrats @cademocrats.bsky.social · 20h

Ballot drop-off locations are now open. You don’t have to wait until November to vote!

If you’re voting by mail, we recommend returning your ballot before October 31st to ensure it is postmarked by Election Day, November 4, 2025.

Bottom line: VOTE EARLY!

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

Cyrus Hall @cyrushall.bsky.social · 21h

I am pretty convinced that the way we fund many things in the US is largely broken. Non-profits, affordable housing, transit projects, and numerous other social goods rely on deeply fragmented funding, where each funding source comes with its own strings. Funding is always on the edge.

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 1d

and join me and my fellow Richmond District residents for a happy hour this Thursday at Lost Marbles:
actionnetwork.org/events/grow-...

Grow the Richmond Happy Hour - 7:30 PM at Lost Marbles

Very casual Grow the Richmond (a chapter of YIMBY Action) happy hour at Lost Marbles at 823 Clement Street. A chance to reconvene after the (successful!) vote at the SF Planning Commission for the Fam...

actionnetwork.org

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 1d

If you think we need to reform the rules that prevent San Francisco from actually building more homes to keep these rent increases in check then join my friends in @sfyimby.bsky.social in pushing for the Family Zoning Plan to get passed!:
actionnetwork.org/events/fzp-a...

Support Family Zoning at Land Use!

On September 11, the San Francisco Planning Commission passed the Family Zoning Plan ("FZP") 4-3 after many hours of public comment and debate. This is a huge step forward for our City in an effort to...

actionnetwork.org

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 1d

"...since San Francisco has added little housing since the pandemic began, the city seems to be exemplifying a common warning of housing advocates: when demand comes back, so do the prices."
www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/a...

I'm shocked. This is my shocked face: 🤦🏽‍♂️

S.F. rent surge is outpacing every big U.S. city. Here’s what’s driving the increase

San Francisco rentals are leasing faster and pricing higher than they have at any point since the pandemic.

www.sfchronicle.com

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

Swing Left San Francisco @swingleftsf.bsky.social · 7d

Fantastic canvass for #YesOnProp50 last weekend with @sfdemocrats.org and many other labor & activist groups! We're knocking on doors in San Francisco every weekend morning through the election, join us and bring a friend. Sign up link in the comments.

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 8d

the president of the united states wants to use the american military to kill american citizens on american soil. that's the whole story!

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · 7d

Let’s be clear: Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans forced a government shutdown tonight.

Rather than address the health care crisis that they created just earlier this year, they refuse to come to the table and do their jobs.

What happened to the art of the deal?

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Senator Scott Wiener @scottwiener.bsky.social · 7d

This shutdown is happening because Trump & Congressional Republicans would rather close down the government than keep tens of millions of Americans on health care.

Democrats need to be clear that we won’t ever normalize Trump’s destruction of our health care system.

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 7d

I can’t believe I’m watching interviews of city mayors talking about how they are coordinating with other mayors to discuss how to protect their residents FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

I know we are “used to it” but it is absolutely insane

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 12d

Riding the SFMTA 8 bus line to get to an errand in North Beach and I’ve accrued my 60th trip for #TransitMonth2025

Here’s a selfie, Mission Housing sweater edition 🙌🏽

#NoHumanIsIllegal

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

San Francisco Democratic Party @sfdemocrats.org · 12d

Over the past eight months we’ve chartered two new Democratic Clubs and renewed the charter of a longstanding existing club for a new term!

Everyone welcome to the SFDems chartered Club family: District 2 Dem Club, Portola Dem Club, and Fenix Dem Club

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 12d

I’m starting to think I might have an addiction

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 12d

New post. Made a typo:
bsky.app/profile/boba...

Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 12d

"You shouldn't need a special handshake deal with Aaron Peskin to open up a business in North Beach"

- My man @ira.bsky.social giving 🔥🔥 public comment just now in support of @dannysauter.bsky.social legislative package to eliminate layers and layers of corruption from our planning code

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 12d

"You shouldn't need a special handshake deal with Aaron Peskin to open up a business in North Beach"

- My man @ira.bsky.social giving 🔥🔥 public comment just now in support of @dannysauter.bsky.social legislative package to eliminate layers and layers of corruption from our planning code

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

United Democratic Club @uniteddemclubsf.bsky.social · 13d

United Democratic Club is joining LiUNA to mobilize for Yes on Prop 50 this Saturday. Prop 50 protects working people and strengthens our democracy. Join us on Sat. Sept. 27, 9AM at LiUNA Local 261 details in link: bit.ly/prop50rally

Yes on Prop 50: Mega Mobilization w/ Labor Partners and San Francisco's Democratic Clubs · California Democratic Party

Please join us for a mega mobilization in support of Proposition 50. We'll be canvassing neighborhoods throughout San Francisco, spreading the word and talking to our neighbors about the upcoming No...

bit.ly

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Reposted by Bobak Esfandiari

YIMBY Action @yimbyaction.bsky.social · 14d

#YIMBYWin 🥳

Our @sfyimby.bsky.social is celebrating a major milestone for a massive rezoning that could unlock tens of thousands of new homes across San Francisco 👏

The plan has several more milestones to hit before it becomes law, but we know YIMBYs will continue to show up to support! 🔥

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Bobak Esfandiari @bobakesfandiari.com · 15d

Meanwhile, in @sftru.bsky.social #RideContest news, I’m making steady progress towards breaking into the top 100, and I’m keeping @myrnamelgard7.bsky.social and @peterhartlaub.bsky.social at bay 😅

I’ve also put sufficient distance between myself and my friends @raynell.bsky.social and Emma Hare 😝

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