The casket of Senator Dianne Feinstein inside City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in San Francisco, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Under the gilded dome of San Francisco City Hall, Bay Area residents paid their respects Wednesday to Dianne Feinstein, the longest-tenured female U.S. Senator and a towering figure in the city’s politics, having served as mayor through one of its most turbulent decades.

Feinstein, who died last week at the age of 90, lay in state as hundreds of mourners lined up throughout the day to view the closed casket draped in an American flag. A public funeral service is set for Thursday at City Hall and is expected to be attended by Feinstein’s close friend and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.

At Wednesday’s viewing, longtime San Francisco resident Florence Bryant remembered Feinstein as a steadying presence as San Francisco’s first female mayor. She credited Feinstein with helping the city heal after fellow Supervisor and gay rights icon Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone were gunned down at City Hall almost 45 years ago.

“She was tough,” Bryant said. “In those days, there weren’t many women in office.”

Bryant said she also admired the San Francisco native, credited with guiding the city through the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, for championing LGBTQ causes.

“When you would see her on TV, she always seemed genuine,” Bryant said. “And I’ve always liked what she stood for.”

During her time as senator representing California, Feinstein continued to push for LGBTQ rights, including casting one of the few votes against the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which banned federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

“She represented a very smart, powerful example of leadership in the United States government,” said Cooper Dawson, 32. “And especially for me, I’m married, and she’s one of the reasons why I can be married to my husband now.”

A visitor takes a photograph at the casket of Senator Dianne Feinstein inside City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in San Francisco, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group) 

On Wednesday, officials, including Pelosi and State Sen. Scott Weiner, also came to pay their respects. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who worked closely with Feinstein during the AIDS crisis, made a brief appearance accompanied by Mayor London Breed, as the sound of solemn classical music filled the hall.

San Francisco resident Shu Lee Ong made the trip with her 23-year-old daughter Olivia, together writing down their memories of Feinstein in a funeral guest book adorned with bouquets of lilies and red roses.

“I was moving, and I came across the country to San Francisco to visit a friend,” Ong said. “It was two weeks after Harvey Milk and George Moscone had been killed, and the city was just in mourning and shock, and she just stepped forward. I’ve now lived here for 30 years, and just to see how much she has contributed and what she gave — she was unshakable. I just love her to pieces.”

Ong said she was hopeful that Feinstein’s replacement, Laphonza Butler, the nation’s third Black female senator, whom Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed this week, might be able to add a modicum of stability to Congress, which has been mired in political infighting in recent days over a deal to keep the federal government funded. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to oust Kevin McCarthy from Speaker after a handful of Republican lawmakers revolted over the deal.

Ong’s daughter, meanwhile, said that while she doesn’t follow politics all that closely, she greatly admired Feinstein’s career of public service.

“Her position as a woman is very inspirational for any young woman or girl growing up and wanting to pursue anything in politics,” she said, “and not to be afraid to take on a role that’s predominantly male-oriented.”

Thursday’s public funeral service is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on the steps of City Hall.

Harris, Schumer and Pelosi are scheduled to speak, and President Joe Biden plans to deliver a recorded message. Newsom and Butler, along with fellow California Sen. Alex Padilla, are also expected to attend.

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SAN FRANCISCO — CBS News Bay Area will air a special hour Wednesday morning honoring the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein as her body arrives at San Francisco’s City Hall for a day of public viewing.

On Wednesday, the public is invited to pay their respects and sign a condolence book between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. inside the rotunda of City Hall, where Feinstein became San Francisco’s first woman mayor and first woman president of the city’s Board of Supervisors before moving on to become the longest-serving woman senator in U.S. history.

ALSO READ: Sen. Dianne Feinstein and her legacy

Polk Street will close to traffic in front of City Hall from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday while Feinstein lies in state.

At 8 a.m., the morning news on KPIX+ will focus on Sen. Feinstein’s arrival at SF City Hall to lie in state. It will will also be available to livestream on cellphones, tablets and other devices on this page or via the player on the CBSSF.com home page. 

• What: Sen. Dianne Feinstein arrives at San Francisco City Hall to lie in stage for public viewing  

• Date: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023

• Time: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

• Location: San Francisco City Hall Rotunda

• On TV: KPIX+ 44 Cable 12

• Online stream: Live on the CBSSF.com home page and on your mobile or streaming device.

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SAN FRANCISCO — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned Saturday to her hometown for the final time when a military jet carrying the late Democratic senator’s body landed at San Francisco International Airport.

The long-serving senator and political trailblazer died Thursday at her home in Washington, D.C., after a series of illnesses. At 90, she was the oldest member of Congress after first being elected to the Senate in 1992.

The arrival of her body was not open to the public. No details have been shared about services.

The former San Francisco mayor was a passionate advocate for priorities important to her state, including environmental protection, reproductive rights and gun control. But she also was known as a pragmatic, centrist lawmaker who reached out to Republicans and sought middle ground.

Her death was followed by a stream of tributes from around the nation, including from President Joe Biden, who served with Feinstein for years in the Senate and called her “a pioneering American” and a “cherished friend.”

California’s junior senator, Democrat Alex Padilla, called her “a towering figure — not just in modern California history, but in the history of our state and our nation.”

Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters said Feinstein “spent her entire career breaking glass ceilings and opening doors into areas that had been perpetually dominated by men.”

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to soon appoint a replacement for the vacant Senate seat.

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An armed forces color guard carries a casket containing the body of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., at San Francisco International Airport, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein returned Saturday to her hometown for the final time when a military jet carrying the late Democratic senator’s body landed at San Francisco International Airport.

The long-serving senator and political trailblazer died Thursday at her home in Washington, D.C., after a series of illnesses. At 90, she was the oldest member of Congress after first being elected to the Senate in 1992.

The arrival of her body was not open to the public. No details have been shared about services.

The former San Francisco mayor was a passionate advocate for priorities important to her state, including environmental protection, reproductive rights and gun control. But she also was known as a pragmatic, centrist lawmaker who reached out to Republicans and sought middle ground.

Her death was followed by a stream of tributes from around the nation, including from President Joe Biden, who served with Feinstein for years in the Senate and called her “a pioneering American” and a “cherished friend.”

California’s junior senator, Democrat Alex Padilla, called her “a towering figure — not just in modern California history, but in the history of our state and our nation.”

Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters said Feinstein “spent her entire career breaking glass ceilings and opening doors into areas that had been perpetually dominated by men.”

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to soon appoint a replacement for the vacant Senate seat.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s groundbreaking career in politics was documented in photos from the moment she was sworn in as San Francisco mayor in the aftermath of tragedy to her long-awaited return to the U.S. Senate after illness earlier this year.

The pictures start in black and white, showing a young Feinstein as she leads an estimated 15,000 marchers in memory of slain Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. She became the city’s first female mayor after their assassination in 1978 and held the office for nearly a decade.

As mayor, she helped secure millions of dollars from the federal government to refurbish the city’s iconic cable cars and took a celebratory ride with Tony Bennett, who famously crooned of leaving his heart in San Francisco.

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The photos turn into color as Feinstein broke more barriers. She won a U.S. Senate race in 1992 to become one of California’s first two female senators. She was the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first woman to serve as the Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat.

She was the longest-tenured female senator in U.S. history and oldest sitting senator when she died Thursday at age 90 at her Washington, D.C., home.

Along the way, a playful Feinstein flexed a bicep in support of California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $9 billion water bond for the state and linked arms with GOP President George W. Bush as they toured wildfire damage in San Diego. The centrist Democrat valued working with Republicans across the aisle.

One of her most significant legislative accomplishments came at the start of her career when the Senate approved her amendment to ban the manufacturing and sale of certain types of semi-automatic guns. The legislation expired a decade later, in 2014, and was never revived despite efforts by gun control advocates.

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During debate on the ban, Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig suggested Feinstein study up on the issue of guns. ″Senator, I know something about what firearms can do,” she replied.

Feinstein’s lengthy career was marred by illness and frustration among fellow Democrats over her health. She returned to Capitol Hill in May after more than two months out while recovering from the shingles virus.

Tributes poured in Friday for Feinstein.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s groundbreaking career in politics was documented in photos from the moment she was sworn in as San Francisco mayor in the aftermath of tragedy to her long-awaited return to the U.S. Senate after illness earlier this year.

The pictures start in black and white, showing a young Feinstein as she leads an estimated 15,000 marchers in memory of slain Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. She became the city’s first female mayor after their assassination in 1978 and held the office for nearly a decade.

As mayor, she helped secure millions of dollars from the federal government to refurbish the city’s iconic cable cars and took a celebratory ride with Tony Bennett, who famously crooned of leaving his heart in San Francisco.

The photos turn into color as Feinstein broke more barriers. She won a U.S. Senate race in 1992 to become one of California’s first two female senators. She was the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first woman to serve as the Judiciary Committee’s top Democrat.

She was the longest-tenured female senator in U.S. history and oldest sitting senator when she died Thursday at age 90 at her Washington, D.C., home.

Along the way, a playful Feinstein flexed a bicep in support of California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s $9 billion water bond for the state and linked arms with GOP President George W. Bush as they toured wildfire damage in San Diego. The centrist Democrat valued working with Republicans across the aisle.

One of her most significant legislative accomplishments came at the start of her career when the Senate approved her amendment to ban the manufacturing and sale of certain types of semi-automatic guns. The legislation expired a decade later, in 2014, and was never revived despite efforts by gun control advocates.

During debate on the ban, Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig suggested Feinstein study up on the issue of guns. ″Senator, I know something about what firearms can do,” she replied.

Feinstein’s lengthy career was marred by illness and frustration among fellow Democrats over her health. She returned to Capitol Hill in May after more than two months out while recovering from the shingles virus.

Tributes poured in Friday for Feinstein.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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WASHINGTION (BCN) – After the U.S. Senate passed an infrastructure bill this week, California is poised to receive billions of federal dollars, Senator Alex Padilla said on Wednesday.

However, the $ 1 trillion bipartisan legislative package has yet to be approved by the House of Representatives before the money goes into the state.

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Padilla, who was attended by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria for a press conference Wednesday, said he was excited about what the funding could do.

“With the package that has already been approved, California will receive tens of billions of dollars to modernize its physical infrastructure, improve public transport and ensure safe drinking water,” said Padilla. “California knows all too well that these investments cannot come soon enough.”

For Californians, Padilla said the priorities are health care – as the COVID-19 delta variant spreads – economic recovery and climate change as the state faces another drought and forest fires.

Padilla specifically pointed out a new federal program aimed at electrifying the country’s school bus fleets in order to make the switch from diesel to zero-emission buses.

“This is great for the environment, great for public health, and great for academic achievement because healthy children learn better,” he said.

The Senator also highlighted grants cities can apply to weather critical infrastructure and be better prepared for drought and forest fires.

For San Jose and the Bay Area, Liccardo said these grants are critical.

“Of course, like so many others, we are aware that investments in the railways, in the water infrastructure, in the resilience of the networks and in the climate mean jobs,” said Liccardo. “And for us that is the way to a just economic recovery.”

He said his South Bay city could apply for grants and secure funding from the $ 5 billion that will harden the power grid to offset forest fire threats and $ 8 billion for water infrastructure.

The mayor said that if he received the money, it would quadruple the amount of recycled groundwater San Jose produces, which is currently 8 million gallons a day.

“Groundwater replenishment could be a great way for us to recycle water to expand our supply and to do so in an environmentally friendly way,” said Liccardo.

“And it couldn’t come at a better time,” Liccardo said as Santa Clara County and much of the state grapple with shockingly low reservoir levels and a severe drought.

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Funding the infrastructure bill could also ensure San Jose receives enough cash for the BART expansion, which would bring more than 100,000 passengers from the city’s Diridon Station to San Francisco, Oakland, and the rest of the BART system.

“Diridon Station (would) ultimately become the busiest multimodal facility in the area with seven different transit lines,” Liccardo said, emphasizing that BART expansions could also connect San Jose-based employees with more affordable housing in the Central Valley.

In line with the bill’s traffic-focused goals, San Jose could also receive funding from the $ 5 billion allocated to Vision Zero projects that aim to stop pedestrian and automobile deaths by installing flashing pedestrian lights and protected bike lanes and signal upgrades, among others.

Another important aspect of the infrastructure law for Liccardo is the funding to close the digital divide.

He cited federal and local funding over the past two years that has enabled San Jose to support more than 100,000 residents – many of whom are low-income – and connect them to free community Wi-Fi in their own homes.

“We plan to expand this to more than 300,000 San Jose residents by next year,” Liccardo said. “And this investment in funding from the federal government will be of decisive help.”

So with infrastructure bills funding, 27 percent of Californians – more than 10 million people – are eligible for the affordable connectivity program, which offers discounts of up to $ 50 per month on broadband bills.

“And that’s so important because we know that cost is the main obstacle,” said Liccardo.

The Affordable Connectivity Benefits Program is also just one of many programs listed in the Broadband Services and Access Improvement Bill, for which the Senate has allocated more than $ 100 billion.

For Padilla, the unifying thread in the infrastructure law and its focus on justice, he said.

“Far too often, the communities most impacted by the environment invest the least in or see fewer opportunities when it comes to major infrastructure investments,” said Padilla.

It is unclear when parliament will vote on the bipartisan infrastructure law.

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State Senator Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, presented a bill on Thursday to decriminalize the use and possession of some psychedelics.

Senate Bill 519 would legalize psilocybin – the main ingredient in magic mushrooms – psilocyn, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, and mescaline with the exception of peyote.

It would also clear the criminal records of people convicted of having or using these psychedelics.

The bill would also create a commission that would make recommendations to California lawmakers on how to further regulate the substances.

The bill does not include peyote as it is classified as an endangered species.

Most of the drugs that would be decriminalized by the bill are those that the federal government believes are the most dangerous type of substances due to their high potential for abuse. Marijuana, which is legal in California, and heroin are also List I drugs.

The bill was co-authored by Congregation members Evan Low, D-San Jose, Sydney Kamlager, D-Los Angeles, and Bill Quirk, D-Hayward.

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