Become a paid member to listen to this article As 2025 comes to a close, we take a look back at our top 10 stories that got the most attention this past year. Our most popular articles span the topics you care about most-from transit and art to historic preservation, film locations, and the hidden secrets of NYC. Enjoy our countdown and let us know what your favorite story was this year!
Early-season snow is likely to fall in the Sierra next week as a storm system takes aim at California in the middle of next week. This system is likely to bring more rain to the Bay Area than the mini system that came through Wednesday. [Chronicle] A person was hit by a BART train at 12th Street/City Center Station in Oakland Wednesday evening, but was removed from the trackway alive.
New York just scored the silver medal on the global stage, coming in as the number two city in the world in Resonance Consultancy's 2026 World's Best Cities ranking. Yes, London hung onto the crown again, but New York City isn't exactly sulking in the corner. Our racked up praise for its cultural might, airport power moves and the kind of urban glow-up only New York can pull off, from shiny towers to subway upgrades that, miraculously, appear to be happening in real life.
A man walking past a group of strangers near Van Ness Avenue and California Street in SF was hit by stray bullets Friday night around 11:50 pm. The group, who may have been arguing at the time, fled the scene, and the victim was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. A trial will proceed against David Pokorny, 45, of El Cerrito who is suspected of threatening to torture and kill Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee.
Operator Damian Moody was recognized for his commendable efforts during a potentially life-threatening situation. After noticing a young passenger unresponsive on his bus, Damian made repeated attempts to wake the individual and promptly alerted his manager. When the young man still did not respond, Damian calmly contacted 911, providing precise information to emergency dispatch.
"It's great," Daniel Macias said. "I don't drive because of my knee situation, medical. But, if I didn't have the transit, I wouldn't be able to get around as much."
"You just have to do it," Caltrain spokesperson Dan Lieberman told SFGATE about the massive investment in electric trains, a project that cost nearly $2.5 billion. "When you deliver a better service, you start seeing the results we have right now. People can't get enough of it."
