KTVU's Tom Vacar to receive NATAS Governor's Award
For decades, KTVU's Tom Vacar has been on the streets of the Bay Area covering the stories that matter to us most. From the silly to the serious, Tom is always must-see TV, because you never know what you are going to learn in a Vacar piece. The long-time reporter is set to receive a big award this weekend at the 53rd Annual Northern California Emmy Awards in San Francisco; the Governor's Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. KTVU's Alex Savidge and Heather Holmes are joined live in studio by Tom Vacar himself for a brief look at his expansive, colorful career on TV.
Analyst dig into privacy implications of new, "Apple Intelligence" features
Among a variety of new features, Apple says it will use the power of ChatGPT to make its virtual assistant Siri more responsive and helpful. During this week's announcement, Apple executives focused on the company's efforts to build strong privacy connections around its AI technology. But industry analysts still have apprehensions about the new features, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. KTVU's Heather Holmes and Alex Savidge discuss the data privacy concerns with Check Point Software's Tony Sabaj.
New research sheds light on health effects of wildfire smoke
A new UCLA study found that more people that previously counted die each year in California from long-term wildfire smoke exposure. The research, published in the journal Science Advances, found that inhaling fine particulate matter from wildfires contributed to as many as 55,700 deaths between 2008-2018. KTVU's Heather Holmes and Alex Savidge discuss the findings with UCLA professor of environmental health sciences and senior author of the study, Michael Jerrett.
Forever-Home Friday: Sweet Pea the Bunny
Many animal shelters around the Bay Area are over-crowded and struggling to keep pace with an influx of adoptable pets, but it's not just cats and dogs. In this Forever-Home Friday, several dozen bunnies hope to hop their way into your heart and into your home for good. KTVU's Alex Savidge and Heather Holmes are joined by Dorothy Ko from Oakland Animal Services and Sweet Pea, live in studio.
Expanding mental health practices for LGBTQ+
Beyond the celebrations, Pride Month is also a time to raise awareness about mental health issues in the LGBTQ community. KTVU's Alex Savidge and Heather Holmes speak with Joy Alafia, Executive Director of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists for more on the progress being made to expand mental health practices in the LGBTQ+ community.
Study finds growing number of gamers in the U.S.
As students wrap up the school year, some could be looking to video games for entertainment, stimulation and social connection. The According to the Entertainment Software Association, 190.6 million people play video games for at least one hour per week in the U.S., and it's not just kids. In 2004, the average video game player was 29 years old. KTVU's Greg Lee discusses the latest numbers with Aubrey Quinn, ESA's Senior Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs.
Apple unveils "Apple Intelligence" features at WWDC
Apple revealed its next chapter this week, including a partnership with ChatGPT made by San Francisco-based OpenAI. Apple announced a new, artificial intelligence feature called "Apple Intelligence", which the company says will its most widely-used products more useful. KTVU's Heather Holmes breaks down the announcement with technology expert and San Jose State University Professor Ahmed Banafa.
Wildfire threats peak in Santa Rosa with hot, dry conditions
According to the Santa Rosa fire department, conditions have been met to officially declare the beginning of wildfire season. The threat of wildfire is currently at its peak, between hot weather days in the North Bay and recent fires around the Bay Area, the department is on high alert. KTVU's Greg Lee and Heather Holmes speak with Paul Lowenthal, Santa Rosa Fire Department Division Chief for more.
Apple says new A.I. features will be added to its products in the fall
Apple says it’ll call its A.I. technology ‘Apple Intelligence’, according to the Associated Press.
Theatre company loses everything in fire, just as they prepare new show
A local theatre company is asking for help after a fire destroyed their warehouse containing more than 40 years-worth of their props, costumes, sets, and historical records, just four days before their next performance.
Powell Street upgrade includes dramatic lighting, wider sidewalks
Powell Street is one of San Francisco's most recognized thoroughfares.
Majority of employment growth since COVID-19 goes to immigrants, report finds
A report finds that immigrants accounted for most of U.S. job growth since 2019, while employment growth for U.S.-born workers declined.
World's 1st drone delivery trials achieved on Mount Everest, Chinese tech firm says
DJI Technology, a Chinese-based tech company, announced the successful completion of the world's first delivery drone trials on Mount Everest.
SF Downtown First Thursdays returns for round two
A popular San Francisco block party returns tonight for a much anticipated encore. Last month, 20,000 people turned out for the debut of Downtown First Thursdays in San Francisco's SOMA neighborhood; featuring a live DJ set by Aluna, an outdoor art gallery and food vendors filling 2nd Street between Market and Folsom. It's all part of an effort to breathe life back into parts of the city still struggling to recover from the pandemic and tonight the June block party kicks off with an emphasis on Pride. KTVU's Alex Savidge speaks with Manny Yekutiel, co-founder of the Civic Joy Fund, the organization funding and co-presenting Downtown First Thursdays, about what we can expect tonight.
San Francisco 2nd annual Juneteenth parade & festival
This weekend, San Francisco will host the city's 2nd annual Juneteenth parade and festival. KTVU's Heather Holmes speaks with Sheryl Davis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission about the big plans for this Saturday's celebration.
Surfrider issues 2023 clean water report
Volunteers hit the beaches in several states to take water samples and test the health of ocean waters, and now the 2023 results are in. KTVU's Heather Holmes discusses the findings with Mara Dias, Senior Manager of the Surfrider Foundation's Clean Water Initiative.
Feds launch antitrust investigations into AI giants
Federal authorities are launching antitrust investigations into some of the biggest players in the AI boom, including two Bay Area tech giants. KTVU's Alex Savidge discusses the DOJ and FTC antitrust probes into Nvidia, Microsoft and OpenAI with Electronic Frontier Foundation Litigation Director Mitch Stoltz.
California home to most Fortune 500 companies, beats out Texas and New York
For the first time in a decade, California is home to the most Fortune 500 companies in the U.S., with a majority of the firms on the state’s list headquartered here in the Bay Area.
Round-the-clock preparations are underway as SF is set to host massive, sold-out surprise rave concert
Excitement was building on Friday night in San Francisco in anticipation of a huge, sold-out rave concert at Civic Center Plaza. Crews worked round the clock to set the stage for Saturday's massive event. Fred Again, a DJ and artist from the U.K., is headlining the concert with Scrillex.
Salesforce stock value plummets, company loses nearly $50B in value in one day
San Francisco-based tech company Salesforce lost tens of billions in valuation this week, all after the company showed less-than-impressive growth in a quarterly financial report.