Stories from San Francisco · United States

Uber has spent its entire 2026 budget on AI tokens due to the high cost of using AI programming tools. The company is encouraging employees to maximize their use of artificial intelligence. Swan AI's CEO reported his company's AI expenses reached $100-130,000 with a four-person staff. Swan AI is developing the first autonomous business. Uber has allocated its 2026 budget for Artificial Intelligence initiatives towards the purchase of tokens. Emma Grede, co-founder and CEO of Good American, stated that AI is an element consuming budgets faster than providing returns. Companies are implementing AI tools without clear boundaries between reasonable investments and unjustified spending for the sake of trends. The lack of necessary returns is a common complaint among many corporations. Other corporations are also facing high implementation costs for AI technology.

Diablo successfully repaired a fiber optic line within two days of its discovery. The specific nature of the line or the discovery was not detailed.

Nearly half of California's 186,000 private security guards are low-wage workers, earning below a basic living standard. The median hourly wage for a security guard in the Bay Area is $23.97, significantly lower than the overall median wage of $42.71. Limited access to benefits like health insurance contributes to high turnover in the profession.

Disabled journalist Sarah Kovac shares life hacks for individuals who are injured or aging. She believes that disabled people are adept at finding solutions and offering perspective. KQED reporter Azul Dahlstra-Meckman contributed to a series on affordability.

The process of creating a book involves immense work and resources, from paper and ink to strategic decisions about printing, distribution, and marketing. Each book is considered a 'tiny miracle' due to the complexity and effort involved in bringing it to readers.

Sleuths have identified a young murder victim, known as 'Buckskin Girl', using DNA analysis after nearly 37 years. The blood sample, which remained liquid in a heparinized tube, was initially dismissed as unusable for identification. The DNA Doe Project successfully identified the victim and reunited her with her family.

The decades-long disappearance of Robert Ivan Nichols has been resolved. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance are linked to the 'OmniPod' phenomenon, which has also been associated with other rare deaths and disappearances. Over the history of this phenomenon, dozens of names could be added to a long-term pattern.

Investigators have made a breakthrough in the Zodiac Killer case using DNA analysis. The US Marshals had previously learned the suspect had been diagnosed with colon cancer. The case had gone cold after the suspect's body was cremated, leaving little hope for DNA evidence. New analysis of DNA and skeletons is contributing to a better understanding of diseases. This scientific approach is helping researchers identify patterns and causes of past and present illnesses. The findings contribute to medical knowledge. Analysis of DNA and skeletal remains is proving instrumental in advancing the understanding of diseases. This interdisciplinary approach combines genetic information with physical evidence from past populations. Researchers are using these methods to uncover new insights into disease progression and evolution.

Features were added after President Reagan was shot outside of the hotel. The incident occurred in San Francisco. Further details regarding the President's condition and the assailant are not yet available. The event was disrupted by a gunman.

A gunman was tackled before reaching a ballroom during a presidential event attended by 2,600 people.