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Explainers and GuidesExplainers and Guides

Clear, practical stories from KQED News to help you navigate life in the Bay Area. (Particularly when it’s expensive.)

Today’s Top Story

Applying for a Green Card or a Visa? What to Know About the New Public Charge Rule
The change will not impact all immigrants. But federal officers can now consider whether a green card or visa applicant received unemployment benefits, housing vouchers, Medi-Cal and even free school lunches.
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Travel and Outdoors
Another Mountain Lion Seen in San Francisco? What to Do If You Encounter One
Another Mountain Lion Seen in San Francisco? What to Do If You Encounter One
Reminder: Highway 101 Through SF Is Closed (Again) This Weekend
Reminder: Highway 101 Through SF Is Closed (Again) This Weekend
Yes, Bay Area Bats Have Rabies. How Real Are Your Risks?
Yes, Bay Area Bats Have Rabies. How Real Are Your Risks?
Things to Do in the Bay
‘Melkam Enkutatash!’ San José Welcomes the Ethiopian New Year
‘Melkam Enkutatash!’ San José Welcomes the Ethiopian New Year
Going to Portola Music Festival 2026? What to Know: From Bag Policy to Parking
Going to Portola Music Festival 2026? What to Know: From Bag Policy to Parking
Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area
Where to Support Professional Women’s Hockey, Soccer and Rugby in the Bay Area
Your Rights
Applying for a Green Card or a Visa? What to Know About the New Public Charge Rule
Applying for a Green Card or a Visa? What to Know About the New Public Charge Rule
Even in a Hot Rental Market, What Renters Shouldn’t Settle on When Looking for a New Home
Even in a Hot Rental Market, What Renters Shouldn’t Settle on When Looking for a New Home
Midterms 2026: How to Register to Vote (or Make Sure You’re Already Correctly Registered)
Midterms 2026: How to Register to Vote (or Make Sure You’re Already Correctly Registered)
Work and Money
A purple-toned, dark illustration depicting panels of human faces overlaid with a bright green Wi-Fi symbol with a pink question mark in the middle.
Over Half a Million Californians Have Signed Up to Delete Their Info From Data Brokers. Here’s How You Can, Too
Over Half a Million Californians Have Signed Up to Delete Their Info From Data Brokers. Here’s How You Can, Too
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Have You Been Hit With One of These Bay Area Phone Scams? How to Spot the Red Flags
Have You Been Hit With One of These Bay Area Phone Scams? How to Spot the Red Flags
A collage of images including three figures in suits with surveillance cameras for heads, overlaid on a double exposure image of a red fuel pump nozzle, a gas station, grocery store fruit and a dollar bill. The text "Close All Tabs" appears in the upper right corner.
Surveillance Pricing Is Making Life More Expensive. Here’s How It Works and What You Can Do
Surveillance Pricing Is Making Life More Expensive. Here’s How It Works and What You Can Do
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Your Health
Yes, Bay Area Bats Have Rabies. How Real Are Your Risks?
Yes, Bay Area Bats Have Rabies. How Real Are Your Risks?
A New COVID Vaccine Is Here (Without Much Fanfare). When Should You Get It?
A New COVID Vaccine Is Here (Without Much Fanfare). When Should You Get It?
A healthcare worker wears a face shield, a blue surgical mask and goggles, and holds a needle full of vaccine up.
Who Should Get an Mpox Vaccine Before San Francisco’s Fall Party Season Begins?
Who Should Get an Mpox Vaccine Before San Francisco’s Fall Party Season Begins?
Safety and Disasters
Yes, Bay Area Bats Have Rabies. How Real Are Your Risks?
Yes, Bay Area Bats Have Rabies. How Real Are Your Risks?
Have You Been Hit With One of These Bay Area Phone Scams? How to Spot the Red Flags
Have You Been Hit With One of These Bay Area Phone Scams? How to Spot the Red Flags
Pacifica Planning Commissioner Among 2 Canoeing Victims in Tomales Bay
Pacifica Planning Commissioner Among 2 Canoeing Victims in Tomales Bay
Wildfires
Highway 1 Closes Again as Big Sur Wildfires Grow, Tourists Urged to Stay Away
Highway 1 Closes Again as Big Sur Wildfires Grow, Tourists Urged to Stay Away
Going Camping During Fire Season? Here’s What to Know
Going Camping During Fire Season? Here’s What to Know
Visitors Urged to Stay Away From Big Sur as Timber Fire Grows
Visitors Urged to Stay Away From Big Sur as Timber Fire Grows
In Spanish
¿Cuáles son sus derechos si ve a ICE en el aeropuerto?
¿Cuáles son sus derechos si ve a ICE en el aeropuerto?
Una mujer con una amplia gabardina beige está sentada a una mesa escribiendo en un portapapeles.
Dónde encontrar ayuda gratuita para presentar sus impuestos de 2026 y cómo prepararse para su cita
Dónde encontrar ayuda gratuita para presentar sus impuestos de 2026 y cómo prepararse para su cita
¿El IRS sigue compartiendo datos con ICE? Si tiene ITIN, qué saber antes de presentar sus impuestos
¿El IRS sigue compartiendo datos con ICE? Si tiene ITIN, qué saber antes de presentar sus impuestos
COVID
A New COVID Vaccine Is Here (Without Much Fanfare). When Should You Get It?
A New COVID Vaccine Is Here (Without Much Fanfare). When Should You Get It?
Yes, That ‘Summer Cold’ Really Might Be COVID (Again). What to Know About Bay Area Viral Levels
Yes, That ‘Summer Cold’ Really Might Be COVID (Again). What to Know About Bay Area Viral Levels
An illustration shows a pair of hands holding a plate with silverware over a table. Wind rushes in and out of two open windows, and bright pink COVID symbols waft in the wind.
How to Improve Indoor Airflow at Your Holiday Gathering
How to Improve Indoor Airflow at Your Holiday Gathering
All Explainers and Guides

Applying for a Green Card or a Visa? What to Know About the New Public Charge Rule

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Another Mountain Lion Seen in San Francisco? What to Do If You Encounter One

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Even in a Hot Rental Market, What Renters Shouldn’t Settle on When Looking for a New Home

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Reminder: Highway 101 Through SF Is Closed (Again) This Weekend

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Midterms 2026: How to Register to Vote (or Make Sure You’re Already Correctly Registered)

Save Article
A purple-toned, dark illustration depicting panels of human faces overlaid with a bright green Wi-Fi symbol with a pink question mark in the middle.

Over Half a Million Californians Have Signed Up to Delete Their Info From Data Brokers. Here’s How You Can, Too

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‘Melkam Enkutatash!’ San José Welcomes the Ethiopian New Year

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Yes, Bay Area Bats Have Rabies. How Real Are Your Risks?

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Have You Been Hit With One of These Bay Area Phone Scams? How to Spot the Red Flags

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A New COVID Vaccine Is Here (Without Much Fanfare). When Should You Get It?

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