Retired Longtime KCBS Radio Political Reporter Barbara Taylor Dies
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A longtime fixture on KCBS Radio, retired political reporter Barbara Taylor has died, according to reports.
KCBS Radio reports that the former San Francisco City Hall bureau chief died Monday from ongoing complications related to injuries she suffered in a car crash in the South Bay last year.
Beginning her broadcasting career in San Diego, Taylor arrived at KCBS Radio in San Francisco to work as an editor, eventually becoming an on-air reporter. She covered politics, elections and City Hall happenings for three decades as City Hall bureau chief.
She started covering the political beat in San Francisco during the '70s for a decades-long career that came to a close when Taylor retired in 2015.
Taylor covered some of San Francisco's biggest stories during her time with the station, including the assassinations of then-Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Her coverage of the shocking deaths was immortalized in the 2008 Academy Award-winning film "Milk."
Taylor began her broadcasting career in San Diego before coming to San Francisco as an editor at KCBS Radio, eventually moving to on-air work. She covered politics, elections and City Hall happenings for three decades as City Hall bureau chief.
Taylor covered some of San Francisco's biggest stories during her time with the station, including the assassinations of then-Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Her coverage of the shocking deaths was immortalized in the 2008 Academy Award-winning film "Milk."
In addition to tributes from colleagues, Taylor was memorialized by a number of political figures.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement on Taylor's passing, saying "Jennifer and I are heartbroken to hear of the passing of our friend and California treasure, Barbara Taylor. Barbara's friends and family will remember her for her tenacity and empathy. She embodied the best character traits of a journalist - she was inquisitive, bright, unrelenting, and caring."
Like so many of us, Gov @GavinNewsom is stunned to hear of the death of longtime @KCBSRadio fixture Barbara Taylor, and he's issued this statement: pic.twitter.com/pNjM4QIVRw
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) October 27, 2020
Sen. Dianne Feinstein also released a statement about Taylor, calling her "a straight shooter" who "set the standard for journalistic integrity as the dean of the City Hall press corps."
CA @SenFeinstein releases statement on the death of @KCBSRadio's longtime SF City Hall bureau chief Barbara Taylor pic.twitter.com/FEsPTAVNOm
— Doug Sovern (@SovernNation) October 28, 2020
San Francisco Mayor London Breed posted a tribute on Twitter.
"Barbara covered City Hall with integrity, wit, and warmth for decades. She was dedicated to telling the story of the City she lived in and loved, and she was respected by all. She will be missed," the post read.
Barbara covered City Hall with integrity, wit, and warmth for decades. She was dedicated to telling the story of the City she lived in and loved, and she was respected by all. She will be missed. https://t.co/20cNarr6n1
— London Breed (@LondonBreed) October 27, 2020
KPIX reporter Wilson Walker also posted about Taylor.
RIP to @KCBSRadio and San Francisco City Hall legend Barbara Taylor. I've missed seeing her around the building and the city in recent years. So many stories.
— Wilson Walker (@WilsonKPIX) October 27, 2020
Regular KPIX 5 political commentator Phil Matier also paid homage to Taylor with a Twitter post, calling her "one of the greats" and "the toughest & best reporter in the room."
Barbara Taylor was one of the greats. When I started in SF, she was already the toughest & best reporter in the room. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she never let anything or anyone stop her from asking the hardest questions & demanding truth. To the Queen of City Hall!
— Phil Matier (@philmatier) October 27, 2020
Taylor was 73 years old.