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A 66-year-old man, Robert Samuel James, drowned while attending the Reggae on the River festival in Mendocino County. His body was discovered on August 2, upstream from the festival area, by a snorkeler from CalTrout. An autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death.
BART allows riders to tap credit and debit cards directly for fares starting August 20, ending the need for Clipper Cards. This feature will initially be available only on BART, with plans for expansion to other Bay Area transit systems. Officials anticipate potential technical issues, prompting a cautious rollout.
A shooting on eastbound Highway 84 in Newark, attributed to road rage between two Tesla drivers, resulted in one driver sustaining injuries. San Mateo County supervisors plan to ban nitrous oxide canisters, known as Whip-Its, amid growing concerns. Former SF city official Harlan Kelly is appealing his corruption conviction, citing racial bias in jury selection.
National Guard troops rehearsed a show of force in Los Angeles against undocumented immigrants and protesters of the Trump administration's immigration policies, a general testified. This operation, initially set for Father's Day, was postponed due to concerns about crowd size. The deployment, now under legal scrutiny, involved 4,700 troops and raised questions about potential violations of the Posse Comitatus Act.
San Francisco's office visits have increased, with a 21.6% year-over-year rise in foot traffic for July 2025, although visits still lag 34.2% behind 2019 levels. Many workers are returning to the office, with some employers encouraging in-person collaboration. As the city aims for a full recovery, Mayor Daniel Lurie's directive for city workers to return four days a week is set to begin soon.
Richmond police officers fatally shot 27-year-old military veteran Angel Montano during a mental health crisis on August 4. Officers responded to a 911 call indicating Montano was armed with knives and threatening family members but did not deploy less-lethal options. Montano died at the scene after advancing toward police with knives.
San Mateo County supervisors moved to ban nitrous oxide sales in unincorporated areas, citing public health risks. Board President David Canepa emphasized the rising recreational use among youth and its associated dangers, including neurological damage. The ordinance is scheduled for a vote on August 26.
The Bay Area Air District reached an agreement with Argent Materials to address air quality violations at its East Oakland recycling facility. Argent will install air quality monitors and track emissions in real-time for the next three years, facing potential financial penalties for non-compliance.
San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office hosted a gun buyback event in Belmont, resulting in nearly 250 firearms surrendered. Participants received between $50 and $200 per firearm, contributing to over 3,000 firearms collected since the program's inception in 2018. The initiative aims to promote gun safety and reduce firearm-related incidents in the community.
Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco hosted several nonprofits promoting civic engagement, including HeadCount, which registered 172 voters during the event. The festival's 2025 theme focused on activism, attracting organizations like Run For Something Civics and Amnesty International. Their presence engaged thousands of young attendees in discussions about democracy and social issues.