Joe Burn

San Francisco

Local Democracy Content Editor at MyLondon

News Editor at The San Francisco Standard

News editor @sfstandard. Mancunian. Appears in BBC News/Mirror, etc. #LDReporter Alum.

Articles

Crypto bro buys storied Lower Haight beer bar. Will launch ‘ToronadoCash’ coin

2 months ago | sfstandard.com | Sam Mondros |Joe Burn

A prospective buyer who was beaten out said the sale to a techie felt like, “bringing a Tesla to a hot rod meet.”A legendary Lower Haight beer bar has been bought by a crypto investor whose plans include launching something that sounds a lot like a meme coin and developing the bar into a global brand, a la Blue Bottle.
You can finally ride Waymo in Silicon Valley

2 months ago | flipboard.com | Joe Burn

You can finally ride Waymo in Silicon ValleyThe service will operate across Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and parts of Sunnyvale.
You can finally ride Waymo in Silicon Valley

2 months ago | sfstandard.com | Joe Burn

The service will operate across Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and parts of Sunnyvale. Waymo on Tuesday will begin offering around-the-clock autonomous rides in several Silicon Valley cities, marking a significant expansion of the company’s service. The service will operate across a 27-square-mile area encompassing Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and parts of Sunnyvale. Initially, select Waymo One riders living within the service area will have access to the expanded offerings.
San Francisco DA rages as Walgreens shoplifting suspect released

Mar 3, 2025 | sfstandard.com | Joe Burn

"Organized retail theft is a major driver of crime and public safety concern for our neighborhoods and businesses," Jenkins said. A man accused of organized retail theft of more than $16,000 in goods from a Noe Valley Walgreens has been released by the court — a move that enraged San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. Marcos Smith-Pequeno, 28, pleaded not guilty Feb.
One dead, 7 injured after car hits multiple vehicles, including Waymo

Jan 20, 2025 | sfstandard.com | Joe Burn

One person and a dog were killed Sunday in a multiple-vehicle crash in San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood that may be linked to earlier hit-and-run collisions on Interstate 280, police said. Seven people were injured, a fire department spokesperson said. The crash occurred about 6:08 p.m. at Sixth and Harrison streets when a line of cars, including a Waymo, were waiting at a light and were hit from behind by a speeding vehicle. Police found at least six damaged vehicles.
Anonymous donor behind $100M artist housing project is wealthy tech widow

Dec 18, 2024 | sfstandard.com | Joe Burn |Garrett Leahy |Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez

Nicola Miner said in an email last month that she and her husband, Robert Mailer Anderson, are not involved with the artist housing effort. However, both chair the Miner Anderson Family Foundation, an arts and social justice nonprofit that gave $250,000 to the San Francisco Opera Association, $105,000 to the Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center, and $25,000 to SFJAZZ in 2022. Randall Kline, executive director of Artist Hub on Market, a nonprofit leading the housing project, declined to comment.
Cruise robotaxis are dead

Dec 10, 2024 | sfstandard.com | Joe Burn

General Motors said Tuesday it will retreat from the robotaxi business and stop funding its money-losing Cruise autonomous vehicle unit. Instead the Detroit automaker will focus on development of partially automated driver-assist systems like its Super Cruise, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel.
SF Waldorf School opponent forfeits girls' volleyball game over transgender suspicions

Nov 19, 2024 | sfstandard.com | Stephanie Baer |Joe Burn

A Christian school in the Central Valley forfeited a girls volleyball playoff game to San Francisco's Waldorf High School due to suspicions that a player on the local team is transgender. Julie Fagundes, academic dean at Stone Ridge Christian School in Merced, told families that the decision to withdraw from Saturday's California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) NorCal Division VI volleyball match was based on "God's Word," according to the Los Angeles Times.
Sam Altman tapped for Lurie's transition team

Nov 18, 2024 | sfstandard.com | Joe Burn

San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie on Sunday named OpenAI boss Sam Altman to his transition team Monday, pledging to build a government rooted in accountability and change. "I'm excited to introduce this talented and diverse team who will help guide our transition and lay the groundwork for the change San Franciscans demand," Lurie said.
Sam Altman tapped for Lurie's transition team

Nov 18, 2024 | sfstandard.com | Joe Burn |Gabe Greschler |Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez

San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie on Monday named OpenAI boss Sam Altman to his transition team, pledging to build a government rooted in accountability and change. "I'm excited to introduce this talented and diverse team who will help guide our transition and lay the groundwork for the change San Franciscans demand," Lurie said.