Mayor Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the groundbreaking Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance approved by the Board of Supervisors in a 10-1 vote last month into law at 1:30 p.m. today.

The ordinance, drafted by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, makes San Francisco the first city in the nation to outlaw the use of plastic checkout bags. The ordinance requires large supermarkets to discontinue use of the plastic bags within six months and large chain pharmacies within the next year.

An estimated 180 million plastic bags are distributed to customers every year in San Francisco and they are difficult to recycle, blamed for killing marine life and filling up landfills. Newsom will be joined by Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi to sign the plastic bag legislation at the International Room in City Hall.

Newsom stresses education, housing health care for kids

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With San Francisco Kids Month in full swing, Mayor Gavin Newsom spoke to a crowd of educators, nonprofit leaders and city officials on Thursday about education, housing, health care and safety, which have been major reasons for 30 years of “family flight.”

Newsom said The City invested $30 million in family-friendly housing this year, referring to 1,700 units in the pipeline to be built. He pledged to increase that amount to $43 million next year.

“I think we’re turning the corner,” Newsom said.

Grad ceremony to be held for paramedics

The San Francisco Fire Department will hold a graduation ceremony at its training facility on Treasure Island on Friday, at which 25 newly minted paramedics will be sworn in as members. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the facility at 600 Avenue M, Treasure Island.

Each day until voters go to the polls Nov. 6, The Examiner lays odds on local figures beating Mayor Gavin Newsom. Check out our exclusive blog: San Francisco's Next Mayor?