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When former President Donald J. Trump stated at a press convention this month that he as soon as nearly died on a helicopter experience with Willie Brown, the previous mayor of San Francisco, Heather Knight instantly picked up the cellphone and dialed Mr. Brown.
“Thankfully, he answered the primary name,” Ms. Knight, the San Francisco bureau chief for The New York Instances, stated in an interview. “He stated, ‘No, I am 90. I by no means rode in a helicopter with Donald Trump.’ And I undoubtedly nearly did not die. Do not you assume you’d have heard of it?’
The dialog with the previous mayor — and received article on Mr. Trump’s startling story — provide a glimpse into Ms. Knight’s expansive function. She joined The Instances in September 2023 from The San Francisco Chronicle, the place she spent 24 years writing about points affecting the town, together with homelessness and the fentanyl epidemic.
Regardless of its repute for post-pandemic workplace vacancies and homeless tent camps, San Francisco is not all doom and gloom.
“It is essentially the most stunning metropolis in America, in my view,” stated Ms. Knight, who has known as the bayside metropolis her house for the previous 25 years. “It has the perfect meals, nice tradition, variety. We will not neglect about that whereas the town struggles to resolve larger issues.
In a phone dialog from her house in San Francisco’s Glen Park neighborhood, Ms. Knight mentioned the challenges of writing a couple of remodeling metropolis and the suggestions she receives from readers. These are edited excerpts.
What was your earliest journalism expertise?
I used to be writing for my highschool newspaper, The Hub, in Davis. I used to be undoubtedly higher at writing than reporting. I used to be extraordinarily shy rising up and had a tough time asking questions, not to mention robust ones. I bought over that. At my wedding ceremony, my father stated throughout his toast that he could not imagine that I repeatedly harassed the mayor of San Francisco as a journalist.
What’s the most shocking a part of working for The Instances?
The Instances’ viewers is big. I used to be additionally shocked that I can write about actually many issues. I’ve coated arduous information, breaking information, politics; enjoyable and critical stuff. I make an effort to indicate a variety of tales about San Francisco. Town has suffered tremendously and I do know San Franciscans are devastated. So I am glad to have the ability to present not solely the cruel realities – equivalent to homelessness, the drug disaster and the acute price of housing – but in addition the intense facet.
I not too long ago wrote about 2,000 sea lions come to Pier 39all time report. i writes about Grace Cathedralthis previous Gothic cathedral that draws folks with concert events, yoga and sound baths.
What sort of suggestions do you get from readers?
I get a variety of e-mails from San Franciscans saying, “I am so glad you are at The Instances and sharing the ups and downs of our metropolis with a nationwide viewers.” I additionally get a variety of e-mails from individuals who used to dwell in San Francisco. It is a type of cities the place folks prefer to dwell of their 20s and 30s after which transfer after they have youngsters or discover a new job. Many individuals get pleasure from studying about San Francisco, even when they’re now not there. I believe it is a metropolis that captures folks’s creativeness and stays with you.
Why do you assume that’s?
It is actually stunning. Individuals love to come back right here to experience the gondola, take the ferry on the bay, eat at well-known eating places, have a drink at High of the Mark. However the politics right here make him an easy goal for the conservative media. So I believe individuals who care concerning the metropolis are glad to see nationwide protection that does not painting it as some form of hellscape or apocalyptic zombieland.
For those who might select one other beat, what wouldn’t it be?
I do not need one other beat.
why not
As a result of San Francisco is so fascinating. The journalism gods have blessed me with an countless checklist of tales. Humorous, critical, tragic, loopy – it is all right here.
What does an ideal day in San Francisco seem like to you?
I’d take the Muni bus to Golden Gate Park, with a cease at Internal Sundown for breakfast and occasional. Then I’d stroll down John F. Kennedy Avenue. One constructive facet of the pandemic was that a number of streets – together with this one – remained car-free in San Francisco. Then I’d stroll to the ocean and spend a while on the seashore with my youngsters. Within the afternoon I’d store within the Mission and have lunch at one of many well-known taquerias. I’d find yourself assembly buddies and going to a drag present on the Oasis.
Sounds enjoyable. What’s Oasis?
It is a cabaret owned by D’Arcy Drollinger, who’s the town’s drag laureate. That is additionally on my story checklist. Each Christmas, 4 drag queens play the Golden Ladies and reenact Christmas episodes, with D’Arcy enjoying Rose. My birthday is simply earlier than Christmas so it has develop into a convention.
