Google Steps Up with $20 Million to Strengthen Local Newsrooms Statewide

Google Steps Up with $20 Million to Strengthen Local Newsrooms Statewide

On July 14th, Governor Newsom announced $20 million in state funding to support local journalism across California, matched dollar-for-dollar by Google through the California Civic Media Program, a public-private partnership between the state and Google.

The initiative will help sustain original, fact-based reporting and strengthen community news outlets, particularly in underserved areas, over the next two years. Newsom specifically thanked Google for stepping up to match the state’s investment, calling it a boost to journalists who keep Californians informed, connected, and engaged. Shout-out to Google for this significant contribution!

CCSF, Google, and Business Groups Team Up to Help Small Businesses ‘Make AI Work for You’

City College of San Francisco’s Chinatown-North Beach Center hosted a free “Make AI Work for You” workshop on June 23rd, organized by CCSF, Grow with Google, Main Street Launch, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and SFDDC.

Led by a Grow with Google coach, the interactive session introduced local small business owners to approachable AI tools to help save time, streamline operations, and strengthen their online presence. The event reflects Google’s continued investment in hands-on digital skills training for San Francisco’s small business community.

Upcoming Event: Balancing Public Safety and Civil Liberties in the Age of Innovation

The Commonwealth Club will host a conversation on Wednesday, August 12th at 12 PM to examine how San Francisco is balancing public safety technology with civil liberties, as the city expands its use of new technology and surveillance tools. The panel will bring together SFPD Chief Derrick Lew, NYU law professor and Policing Project founder Barry Friedman, and Union Square Alliance CEO Marisa Rodriguez to discuss oversight, transparency, and what responsible innovation looks like in practice, and will be moderated by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Megan Cassidy. You can learn more about this timely discussion here. Light bites, refreshments, and networking will follow the discussion.

Two candidates Vying to be California’s next governor.

Xavier Becerra (D) finished at the top of the crowded primary field after gaining late momentum, with a notable boost from Eric Swalwell’s exit from the race. A former 12-term congressman, California Attorney General and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Biden, Becerra is running on expanding Medi-Cal, cracking down on price gouging and utility rate hikes, protecting abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, and regulating harmful uses of AI. He is endorsed by the California Democratic Party.

If you’d like to learn more about Becerra and his campaign platform, visit his website.

Steve Hilton (R) maintained his lead amongst a large primary field that included Republican Chad Bianco and Democrats Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer and Katie Porter. A former strategy advisor to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Fox News contributor, Hilton is running on tax cuts, deregulation, expanded charter schools and school choice, stricter enforcement on crime and homelessness, and rolling back California’s climate initiatives in favor of expanded domestic oil production. He has been endorsed by President Trump.

If you’d like to learn more about Hilton and his campaign platform, visit his website.

sf.citi news & Updates

• SF office market starting to rebound, thanks to AI boom (SF Examiner)
• Google Releases Three New A.I. Models (NYT)
• U.S. Lifts Restrictions on Anthropic’s Most Powerful A.I. Models (NYT)
• UCSF Health launches AI incubator to develop health-care tools (SF Examiner)
• Lime, the scooter company that took over SF, goes public (SF Standard)