San Francisco voters to revisit Great Highway closure with Proposition G
Nearly two years after San Francisco voters approved closing a two-mile stretch of the Great Highway to vehicle traffic, residents are being asked to reconsider that decision.
Watch CBS News
When Kenny Choi jumped into the backseat, he never thought he would be introducing his ride-share driver to National Public Radio. The hour-long ride to the airport turned into a conversation that included politics, the economic divide, and the cultural differences between the East Coast and the West Coast.
"The driver who usually listened to music said he felt more informed because of the news we heard and then discussed," remembered Choi. "It seemed like a transformative moment for him and that made me proud to be a journalist."
Kenny is committed to being an engaging and credible source for news.
"It's important to me that people get good information and that's what I strive to do every day at work," he says.
Kenny was raised in New Haven, Conn. His parents, who are teachers, moved around a lot so he got to discover various communities.
In high school, he performed in a barbershop quartet and sang bass in a highly competitive a cappella group. He also enjoyed playing all sports. "I like being outdoors and I've always been the type that gets involved in various activities. Basketball, surfing, cycling, tennis. It's just my way of being active and appreciating nature."
When it was time to attend college he sought a warmer climate and headed to Los Angeles.
While majoring in Communication Studies at UCLA, Kenny worked for the Daily Bruin newspaper and for The Bruin News, the local news station for the UCLA community.
He continued to meld his love of sports with his passion for writing. He got a sports internship at KCAL 9 where he was able to interview top sports figures like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, and Phil Jackson.
His career started as a passion for sports before he pivoted to news. "Whether it's sports or news, I'm always looking for that compelling angle," he says.
Kenny's journalism career included stints at Fox23 News in Tulsa, Oklahoma, KTBZ-1430 Radio, and KVEW-TV in Kennewick, Washington.
He eventually took a job at Sports Net New York as an anchor and reporter.
In 2010, Kenny joined KITV in Honolulu, first as part of the morning news before becoming a primary anchor for the 6pm and 10pm newscasts.
Kenny has always been involved with his community. He worked with the Special Olympics, the Boys and Girls Club, and other organizations. He served on the American Lung Association of Hawaii's Council and is also a member of the Asian American Journalists Association.
Kenny joined KPIX 5 in April 2016 as morning and noon co-anchor. He tries to be asleep by 8pm so that he can be at the station by 3:30am to prepare for the 4:30am newscast.
"I love my job because I have the opportunity to learn something every day and to share that information," he says. "There are countless news sources now and it's imperative to provide Bay Area viewers with what they need to know to get their day started."
He also hosts Bay Sunday, a locally produced public affairs show that airs Sunday mornings on KPIX 5 and KBCW, 44 cable 12.
In his spare time, Kenny enjoys surfing at Ocean Beach, cycling in the Marin Headlands and hiking in Yosemite. He's also eager to discover new and unusual foods around the Bay Area.
He and his family live in San Francisco.
Nearly two years after San Francisco voters approved closing a two-mile stretch of the Great Highway to vehicle traffic, residents are being asked to reconsider that decision.
After nearly three decades in Congress, Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson is facing an unusual reelection challenge from a fellow Democrat four decades his junior, in a race that has become a battle over experience, generational change and the influence of money in politics.
Some low-lying areas of Marin County experienced tidal flooding on Monday, as coastal parts of the Bay Area are under a flood advisory.
The town has a long history of damaging floods, and while officials say they have taken steps to reduce the risk, business owners remain concerned about what could happen if heavy rains send water rushing through the downtown area.
The Marin Community Foundation is providing a $724,500 grant to support residents at Golden Gate Village in Marin City. Approximately $147,000 will go toward unpaid rent for 64 households, averaging about $2,300 per household.
California homeowners are facing another financial blow as insurance rates under the state's FAIR Plan increase by an average of 29.1% starting Thursday.
State Sen. Ben Allen, a Santa Monica Democrat running for insurance commissioner, says his priority is making insurance more accessible and affordable while strengthening oversight of the industry.
Former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim, a Democrat, said incremental changes are not enough to address rising premiums, canceled policies, coverage gaps and disputes over claims.
Nine years after the deadly 2017 Tubbs Fire tore through Santa Rosa, the financial recovery remains unfinished for some wildfire survivors.
As thousands of people prepare to head to San Francisco's waterfront and onto the Bay for Fleet Week, the U.S. Coast Guard is reminding boaters that the celebration comes with serious safety risks.
The San Francisco-Marin Food Bank said it is now spending about $29,000 a month on diesel fuel, roughly $10,000 more than usual as the cost of fueling its delivery trucks surges.
A California Assembly bill that compels homeowners associations to set aside more money for future repairs could also sharply increase monthly HOA fees.
From the fields of California's Central Valley, José Hernández spent much of his life pursuing goals that once seemed out of reach.
More than a month after a fire destroyed dozens of units at a Foster City condominium complex, some families are still struggling to rebuild their lives.
San Francisco International Airport passengers are facing more delays than officials initially expected as crews continue a major runway repaving project.