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Joel Rosenblatt

Joel covers the forces in San Francisco — money, business, personalities, local law, and politics — that bind the city and pull it apart. He most recently worked for Bloomberg News reporting on state and federal courts.

Previously, he covered the crime beat for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and was a freelancer in New York City. Before that, he served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, studied public policy at Occidental College in Los Angeles, and has a Masters degree from Columbia Journalism School.

San Francisco is the best Christmas town — because everyone leaves

From breakfast to tennis, everything is easier and better here around the holidays

December 25, 2024

Will Mayor-elect Lurie find real solutions to homelessness — or more ways to hide the problem?

A troubling encounter on 6th Street, the newest hotspot in the encampment shuffle

December 18, 2024

Despite staffing shortages, SFUSD board has approved a plan for layoffs and buyouts

Tuesday night’s vote included a preliminary early retirement offer for older (and better-paid) teachers

December 11, 2024

‘For the love of soccer,’ teens head to City Hall with Brandi Chastain to push for new fields

Approval for Bay FC’s Treasure Island facility is a done deal, according to Supervisor Aaron Peskin (and project ‘champion’ Mayor Breed)

December 5, 2024

Mayor-elect Lurie is cashing in on outsider status to build insider cred

Despite his campaign promises, Lurie’s transition team is chock full of City Hall lifers

November 27, 2024

Trump’s threat of funding cuts spark anxiety at SFUSD, already reeling from a financial crisis

Most at risk under the upcoming administration? Support for low-income and disabled students

November 22, 2024

Peskin clings to mayoral hopes, despite long odds

Spending Election Night with one of SF's most controversial politicians

November 7, 2024

What’s San Francisco’s plan for security on Election Day?

After multiple reports of fires and threats around the country, the sheriff’s office maintains a watchful eye on drop boxes and polling places

November 1, 2024

What would happen if the state took over SFUSD?

Officials claim a takeover won’t happen. But CA’s DOE has taken over nine other districts under similar circumstances — and SF remains very much at risk

October 23, 2024

Punching up: Iconic comedy venue has sharpened the chops of legends like Patton Oswalt and Margaret Cho

At Punch Line’s S.F. Comedy Showcase, aspiring comedians (and professionals) can feel free to fail

October 10, 2024