San Francisco city officials are ramping up pressure on Tesla as the Lombard Street Supercharger lot continues to create noise, traffic and sanitation problems. Despite the electric vehicle giant implementing some recent fixes, like adding signs and GPS routing changes, neighbors report that these changes haven't addressed the core issues. Now, they say, drivers are also dumping urine and peeing on nearby buildings while their vehicles charge.

The troubles began several months ago, when after a year of construction, Tesla opened a 16-stall, 24-hour Supercharger lot between Lombard and Moulton streets, a narrow alley in Cow Hollow. Overnight, a once-quiet corner of the neighborhood became a nighttime hot spot, with drivers enticed by lower evening charging rates. Cars blaring bass, causing traffic snarls and blocking residential garages became commonplace. Then other issues arose.

"Looking out my kitchen window I have seen people below pissing on the wall," said resident Laurel Calsoni in an email to SFGATE.

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District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, who represents the neighborhood, said he met with Tesla representatives last week and assembled all city departments involved to work out a solution.

"The behavior at this charging lot has been ridiculous and unacceptable - there's just no reason a vehicle charging lot should be this disruptive," Sherrill said in an email to SFGATE.

Like the residents, the supervisor isn't satisfied with Tesla's contributions.

"We spent Friday afternoon with Tesla," Sherrill said. "... Let's just say we're not done yet."

A staffer from Sherrill's office confirmed that Tesla has made some minor improvements - road markings instructing drivers not to enter on Moulton Street, app routing changes encouraging people to enter and exit on Lombard Street, a sign telling drivers to respect neighbors and a planned security camera. But officials acknowledged the measures aren't working.

Calsoni, who has emerged as the voice for the affected residents, said the weekend following Tesla's intervention was among the worst yet. "When I go to bed at night, it's pounding. Four in the morning, it's pounding, and there's no one out there," she said during a phone call. "There's no oversight to provide any help with this."

She described watching drivers sitting directly beneath the posted no-noise signs while ignoring the rule entirely. "They're shocked" when confronted, she said, recounting responses from drivers that included, "I'm outside, I don't care," and "I don't hear any bass."

Beyond the noise, she said, sanitation remains a serious and unresolved problem, with other residents also reporting drivers emptying containers of urine in the street and using the surrounding buildings as a restroom. Calsoni said she has also called the police on multiple occasions, though she doesn't feel like it's a sustainable solution.

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"The police have better things to do than to monitor Tesla's lot," she said. "Tesla needs to monitor and supervise their own lot."

In an email to residents, Sherrill wrote, "There is nothing more important than feeling safe and comfortable in your homes - you deserve better, and I am committed to getting a solution as quickly as possible."

Calsoni, for her part, said Tesla has "no regard for the neighborhood."

"This is Corporate America at its finest and why corporations are detested," she wrote.

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This article originally published at Neighbors say SF Tesla lot has become urine dumping ground.

A Georgia couple living 400 yards away from a Meta data center built to support AI explained to More Perfect Union just what it is costing them to stay in their home.

More Perfect Union shared a video on its YouTube channel featuring an interview with the couple, Beverly and Jeff Morris.

In the interview, the couple demonstrates how low their water pressure is now and shows off the many jugs they have to fill up to store water.

The Morrises also show the interviewer sediment originating from the data center that has made its way into their water and explain that they've had to replace everything from pipes to washing machines to address it.

Additionally, the couple's electric bill went from around $250 to $400.

"It's overwhelming because you really feel like you are up against this huge wall that you can't penetrate. There's nothing that you can do. And they don't care," Beverly said.

The 2-million-square-foot data center is just one of many that have sprung up across the U.S. in recent years. According to Statista, in 2025, the U.S. had a total of 4,165 data centers, with the U.K. in second place with 499.

Georgia, in particular, has seen an influx of these centers, partially because industrial electricity rates in the state are 42% lower than the national average and partly because of massive tax breaks.

However, as the Morrises' story demonstrates, the costs of these centers on local communities can be astronomical, especially when it comes to electric bills.

Data centers use up massive amounts of electricity, but that energy usage is set to double or even triple over the next few years. That pushes up the cost of electricity for everyone else in the area, though, which is why the Morrises electric bill nearly doubled. It can also strain local grids and cause blackouts in local communities.

These centers draw on immense amounts of water to keep equipment cool, too, which could be part of the reason the couple's water pressure was so low.

That's not to say AI might not have its uses, as it may help optimize clean energy systems, and some companies are already using it to do things like help produce green hydrogen.

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However, the pollution these centers create has a serious impact on the people living nearby, which is both unhealthy and costly.

As one YouTuber commented, "Put these data centers next to the elite homes and golf courses see how they like it."

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Elon Musk just lit a match under Washington, and the whole internet is watching the fireworks. On March 13, the Tesla and SpaceX boss fired off a single line on X that has everyone from lawmakers to regular folks arguing nonstop.

His exact words? Failing to pass SAVE is an act of high treason against the people of America. The post exploded fast with hundreds of thousands of likes and tens of millions of views in days. Now the fight over one voting bill has turned into full-blown drama in the Senate.

Elon Drops a Bombshell on X

Musk did not hold back. He posted the strong statement right in the middle of growing tension on Capitol Hill. Earlier that week, he had already tweeted simple calls like Pass the SAVE act and Pass SAVE.

But this one hit different. It came as House members ramped up pressure on the upper chamber. The message spread rapidly across X Facebook and Instagram. Supporters cheered it as a straight talk wake-up call, while others called the treason label way over the top.

Musk, who has been vocal about government issues lately, used his huge platform to spotlight what he sees as a must-fix for the country. The timing lined up perfectly with fresh ultimatums flying between Republican groups in Congress.

Breaking Down the SAVE Act Everyone Is Talking About

The SAVE Act stands for Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. In plain terms, it would make people show official proof of U.S. citizenship, like a passport or birth certificate before they can sign up to vote in federal elections.

Backers say this step locks down election rules so only citizens decide outcomes and stops any chance of non citizen votes even if those are already against the law. They point to public polls showing most Americans across parties like the idea of solid ID checks.

Opponents argue the extra paperwork could make it harder for some citizens to register and that real cases of non citizen voting stay very low based on past checks.

The bill cleared the House in earlier tries but keeps hitting walls in the Senate where rules let a minority block votes. Musk and others treat it as basic protection while critics worry it changes access without enough need.

House Republicans Are Not Playing Around With the Senate

Things got real when House Republicans started issuing direct warnings to their Senate colleagues. Representative Anna Paulina Luna went on Fox News and laid it out clear.

The House would hold up other Senate bills until the chamber actually debates and votes on the SAVE Act. That kind of standoff puts Senate Majority Leader John Thune right in the hot seat as he weighs filibuster fights.

President Trump added fuel too by telling Republicans he will not sign other laws until this one moves forward calling it a way to lock in fair midterms ahead.

The push comes after years of the same bill stalling and now the 2026 election cycle makes every delay feel bigger. House members sound fed up with slow motion in the Senate and they are using leverage on must pass items to force action.

The Internet and Experts Are Split Big Time

Reactions poured in from every side the second Musk hit post. Conservative voices and voter groups hailed the comment as bold truth telling on election trust. They shared stories of past close races and said blocking the bill hurts everyday Americans who expect secure votes.

On the flip side, progressive outlets and voting rights organizations pushed back hard calling the treason charge dramatic and warning the Act could limit eligible voters who lack easy documents. News sites like Newsweek and Politico covered the gridlock with headlines on Republican infighting while social media filled with memes debates and calls to contact senators.

Even some independents jumped in asking why something that polls well keeps getting stuck. The whole episode shows how one tech leader statement can turn a policy fight into national conversation with millions tracking every update.

This back and forth has Capitol Hill buzzing and regular people checking their feeds for the next twist. Musk turned up the volume on an issue many already cared about and now senators face real choices on timing and votes.

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Whether the SAVE Act finally breaks through or stays locked in debate one thing stands out. The conversation about who gets to vote and how stays front and center with no signs of quieting down soon. America watches as the clock ticks on this session and the stakes feel personal for voters on all sides.

What do you think?

Residents in a Hollywood neighborhood woke up Sunday morning to find Wilcox Avenue, which is usually packed with cars, empty after tow trucks swept through the neighborhood ahead of Academy Awards preparations.

“I left the house to go to the grocery store at 7 a.m. and when I got back at 7:30 all the cars on the street were gone,” said Mitchell Crispi, who lives on Wilcox Avenue near Hollywood Boulevard.

In a video posted on Instagram, Crispi shows Wilcox Avenue devoid of vehicles.

The video captures a car hooked up to a tow truck and what appears to be its owner running toward their vehicle.

“There were five tow trucks, maybe more, actively towing cars,” they said.

Wilcox Avenue fell within a mile-square security perimeter established around the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars were being held. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation did not comment on why the parking restrictions occurred as far as a mile from the venue location. But amid the growing war in the Middle East, following attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, security around the awards show was tight.

The L.A. Police Department said in a statement before the event that its preparations included "layered security perimeters" and "traffic management plans ... throughout the Hollywood area."

This meant temporary tow-away signs warning drivers to "not stop" from 6 a.m. to midnight Sunday, according to signage photographed in the area.

Transportation officials said such signs are posted at least 48 hours in advance. But residents The Times spoke with said they did not notice the signs before leaving their vehicles parked overnight, then awoke to the nasty surprise of an empty street.

According to Crispi, street parking is heavily relied on in the neighborhood because many apartment buildings do not have enough parking for tenants.

“Everyone around here parks on the street,” they said. “There’s just not enough parking for everyone.”

Weekend parking habits may have contributed to the number of cars towed, Crispi added: “It’s the weekend, so a lot of people around here just park their cars in the same spot for the weekend and leave them there.”

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On the Hollywood resident's Instagram post, social media users were divided in their opinions, with some saying the city of Los Angeles should provide free alternate parking options for affected residents and others saying that Hollywood residents should have anticipated such restrictions given their proximity to events such as the Oscars.

After their roommate’s car was towed, Crispi accompanied her to retrieve it from Hollywood Tow Service, where they said the lot appeared unusually busy.

“They said they haven’t seen that many people there in one day,” they said.

A rate board posted at Hollywood Tow Service shows a $220 towing fee for vehicles in the city of Los Angeles, along with a $115 city vehicle release fee, plus daily storage costs of $18 to $94 depending on vehicle type.

Hollywood Tow provides impound services on behalf of the city of Los Angeles.

"Decisions regarding parking restrictions, enforcement activity, and which vehicles are impounded for special events are made by the City," a spokesperson for Hollywood Tow said in a statement to The Times.

Crispi said they believed many residents were unaware their cars were at risk of being towed.

“I knew people in this area didn’t know they were going to get towed because this lot was empty,” they said, pointing to a nearby parking lot on Wilcox. “If people knew beforehand, they would’ve parked their cars here."

Another resident, Chris Bott, questioned why the streets farther from the main Oscars venue were included in the enforcement area.

“We’re blocks from the Dolby Theatre,” Bott said. “Why is it happening here?”

Bott said he saw similar towing activity at the Hollywood Farmers Market on Sunday morning.

“We saw someone's car actively get pulled from the side of the street,” he said.

The office of City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, whose district includes Hollywood, said it could not comment but was looking into the matter.

The city Department of Transportation said in a statement that temporary parking restrictions were posted in advance as part of preparations for the Academy Awards.

“The City issues permits for major events that require road closures and LADOT posts temporary no parking signs a minimum of 48 hours in advance,” LADOT said. “For the 2026 Academy Awards, LADOT posted signs to restrict parking on certain days to facilitate both event setup and for the awards ceremony,”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Cincinnati had a visitor problem this weekend... And no, it wasn't bad traffic on I-75. Well, actually, it kind of was.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Cincinnati Police found themselves playing a very expensive game of cat and mouse after a large group — tipped off to be primarily from Columbus — descended on the Queen City with the apparent goal of staging a street takeover. You know the kind: spinning donuts, drifting through intersections, recording everything for social media clout, and generally turning public roads into a personal stunt show while the rest of us are just trying to get home.

It didn't go great for them.

From I-75 to a High School Parking Lot: The World's Worst Road Trip

Officers first spotted the group near Paddock Road and I-75, where the reckless driving was already in full swing. One arrest was made on the spot, and police recovered a firearm; because apparently some people treat street takeovers like a full loadout situation.

The group then did what groups like this always do: scattered. They regrouped near 4343 Kellogg Ave., presumably thinking they'd outfoxed the authorities. They had not. Police, acting on intelligence about the group's movements, deployed officers there too.

The convoy moved again — this time to the Clifton neighborhood — and eventually landed in the parking lot of Woodward High School on Reading Road. Nothing says "we're serious street racing enthusiasts" quite like ending up in a school parking lot on a Sunday morning.

By the time it was all over, 39 people had been arrested and 65 vehicles had been towed. That's a lot of cars, and presumably a lot of very awkward phone calls home.

"It Was All Over Social Media"

Cincinnati Fraternal Order of Police President Ken Kober confirmed what many suspected: this wasn't a spontaneous gathering of car lovers who happened to find the same intersection at 2 a.m. The event had been openly advertised on social media, with Columbus participants apparently coordinating their trip down I-71 like it was a group vacation — just with considerably more tire smoke.

"It was all over social media that there was an intent to — primarily folks from Columbus were going to come to Cincinnati and do a street takeover," Kober said.

To be fair to the participants, they were very committed to their hobby. To be unfair to them, their hobby involved blocking public streets, endangering bystanders, and somehow being shocked when police showed up.

Here's the Part That Might Surprise You

Ohio law doesn't require you to actually be behind a wheel to get charged. Under the Ohio Revised Code, simply being present — cheering from the sidelines, filming for your Instagram Stories, or just vibing in the crowd — is enough to land you the same charge as the person doing donuts. Street racing, stunt driving, and street takeovers are currently classified as a first-degree misdemeanor in the state.

Kober has been pushing city council to go further, proposing a significant financial penalty on top of existing charges; similar to measures already in place in Louisville. The logic is straightforward: if the risk of arrest isn't enough of a deterrent, perhaps the prospect of losing a few thousand dollars will make the drive from Columbus feel less worth it.

The Bottom Line

Look, nobody's saying car culture isn't a real thing. Plenty of people have a genuine, deep, and completely legal passion for performance vehicles. There are tracks for that. There are car shows for that. There are entire weekends dedicated to people who want to watch someone else parallel park a Mustang into a crowd — wait, no, scratch that last one.

The issue isn't loving cars. The issue is deciding that a random Cincinnati intersection at 2 a.m. is the appropriate venue for expressing that love, with zero regard for everyone else who happens to share the road, the neighborhood, or the general zip code.

Sixty-five towed cars later, the message from Cincinnati is pretty clear: come for the chili, not the street takeover.