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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

Test Your Nerves at These Immersive Halloween Attractions Around the Bay Area
The Bay Area has plenty of haunted houses, tours and productions that are taking Halloween to the next level this year.
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Travel and Outdoors
A Kelvin Wave on Top of El Niño? What Bay Area Hikers, Bikers, Swimmers and Campers Should Know This Winter
A Kelvin Wave on Top of El Niño? What Bay Area Hikers, Bikers, Swimmers and Campers Should Know This Winter
‘Cautiously Optimistic’: The Latest on El Niño and Tahoe’s Ski Season
‘Cautiously Optimistic’: The Latest on El Niño and Tahoe’s Ski Season
Mark Your Calendar: The Final Muir Woods Night Tour of the Year Goes on Sale Soon
Mark Your Calendar: The Final Muir Woods Night Tour of the Year Goes on Sale Soon
Things to Do in the Bay
Test Your Nerves at These Immersive Halloween Attractions Around the Bay Area
Test Your Nerves at These Immersive Halloween Attractions Around the Bay Area
50 Years on, Anne Rice’s ‘Interview With the Vampire’ Remains Immortal in San Francisco
50 Years on, Anne Rice’s ‘Interview With the Vampire’ Remains Immortal in San Francisco
Everyone Wants to See the Half Moon Bay Pumpkins. Here’s How to Visit Without Getting Stuck in Traffic
Everyone Wants to See the Half Moon Bay Pumpkins. Here’s How to Visit Without Getting Stuck in Traffic
Your Rights
SF Voters: Did Your Midterm Ballot Arrive Torn? Here’s What to Do
SF Voters: Did Your Midterm Ballot Arrive Torn? Here’s What to Do
Should You Use USPS to Mail Your Midterm Ballot? Here’s What California Election Officials Say
Should You Use USPS to Mail Your Midterm Ballot? Here’s What California Election Officials Say
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
Work and Money
As of Oct. 1, There Are New Rules for Buying a Car in California
As of Oct. 1, There Are New Rules for Buying a Car in California
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
Download
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
Your Health
Flu Season Has Arrived in the Bay Area Early This Year — Time to Get Your Flu Shot
Flu Season Has Arrived in the Bay Area Early This Year — Time to Get Your Flu Shot
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?
Safety and Disasters
A Kelvin Wave on Top of El Niño? What Bay Area Hikers, Bikers, Swimmers and Campers Should Know This Winter
A Kelvin Wave on Top of El Niño? What Bay Area Hikers, Bikers, Swimmers and Campers Should Know This Winter
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
Wildfires
Yosemite’s Dome Fire Was Caused by An Abandoned Campfire. Here’s What to Know About Camping During Fire Season
Yosemite’s Dome Fire Was Caused by An Abandoned Campfire. Here’s What to Know About Camping During Fire Season
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
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

Test Your Nerves at These Immersive Halloween Attractions Around the Bay Area

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Flu Season Has Arrived in the Bay Area Early This Year — Time to Get Your Flu Shot

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Election 2026: Where Can I Drop Off My Midterm Ballot — or Vote Early?

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50 Years on, Anne Rice’s ‘Interview With the Vampire’ Remains Immortal in San Francisco

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A Kelvin Wave on Top of El Niño? What Bay Area Hikers, Bikers, Swimmers and Campers Should Know This Winter

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SF Voters: Did Your Midterm Ballot Arrive Torn? Here’s What to Do

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Everyone Wants to See the Half Moon Bay Pumpkins. Here’s How to Visit Without Getting Stuck in Traffic

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Midterms 2026: Read This Before You Fill Out Your California Ballot (or Need to Correct a Mistake)

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‘Cautiously Optimistic’: The Latest on El Niño and Tahoe’s Ski Season

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Mark Your Calendar: The Final Muir Woods Night Tour of the Year Goes on Sale Soon

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