News Pix: The Biggest and Most Photogenic Moments of 2014

Thousands of people filled the streets of San Francisco and Oakland on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014, to protest police brutality and the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of white police officers. The Bay Area protest were part of the "Millions March" coordinated action in cities around the country. (Jeremy Raff/KQED)

Black Lives Matter protests got rowdy several times, with protesters taking over freeways and police working to keep them away. Here a woman waves a sign, in reference to Eric Garner's death in New York, moments before being shoved off a dividing wall on Interstate 880 in Oakland on Dec. 5. (Alex Emslie/KQED)

Rain pounded the Bay Area several times in December, causing severe flooding in parts of Marin and Sonoma counties. The moisture was welcome, but experts say California still desperately needs more rain to make up for three years of drought. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A massive blaze damaged several buildings in Mission Bay in March. Fire inspectors reported the blaze was started by unattended sparks from "hot work" on a building under construction. One of the companies working as a subcontractor on the building was fined for failing to follow fire safety regulations. The blaze prompted the San Francisco Fire Department to announce it will be taking a more proactive stance toward citations in the future to prevent negligence. (Mark Andrew Boyer/KQED)

The San Francisco Giants won the World Series in a seven-game series against the Kansas City Royals this year. This was the third time in five years the baseball team took home the trophy. Here, Buster Posey #28 and Madison Bumgarner #40 celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Royals by a score of 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium on Oct. 29, 2014, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Elsa/Getty Images)

The Giants win prompted fans to celebrate in the streets. While most of the revelry was peaceful and in good fun, police reported some people got out of hand, lighting fires in the streets and throwing beer bottles that injured several officers. (James Tensuan/KQED)

Several hundred UC Berkeley students staged a walkout and march on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, to protest a series of tuition increases approved by the University of California Board of Regents. The average UC student now leaves school $20,500 in debt and the average CSU student is $18,460 in debt, according to analyses conducted by both systems. (James Tensuan/KQED)

After a long legal battle, retail operations at Drakes Bay Oyster Co. came to an end this summer. The federal government allowed the company to continue wholesale operations, mainly selling oysters to local restaurants for a few more months, but customers can no longer visit the now-closed Oyster Shack in order to purchase, grill and shuck oysters on the beach of Drakes Estero. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A 6.0 earthquake rolled through the Bay Area at 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, lasting 44 seconds. The quake caused extensive damage in Napa and reminded all Bay Area residents about the importance of earthquake preparedness. (Josh Edelson/Getty Images)

Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir in the State Water Project, is pictured on Jan. 18, 2014, the day it hit its lowest point during the current drought. Despite recent rains, experts say the state is not out of the drought and residents should continue to practice water conservation. (Dan Brekke/KQED)

Northern California vintners braced themselves for the impacts of prolonged drought. Napa growers aggressively pruned back vines, which will concentrate precious water and nutrients on a smaller number of grape clusters. But fewer grapes mean lower profits. (Craig Miller/KQED)

City crews dismantled San Jose's massive homeless encampment known as "The Jungle" on Dec. 4, 2014. The city says the camp must be cleared because of increased violence, wet weather and unsanitary conditions that are polluting nearby Coyote Creek. (James Tensuan/KQED)

Thought to be the largest homeless encampment in the United States, the 75-acre camp was home to about 300 people. Most "Jungle" residents lived in tents, shacks and tree houses amid piles of trash. People packed up their belongings and moved out amid a rare bout of rain. (James Tensuan/KQED)

Concerns about the construction and stability of the Bay Bridge's east span have some commuters worried. Questions remain around the massive steel bolts holding the bridge together and whether Caltrans kept concerns about the bridge secret. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The city of San Francisco legalized home rental services like Airbnb this year. The issue has polarized citizens concerned about housing affordability and individuals' ability to stay in the city. Regulation of these home-sharing services may make it to the state Legislature this year. (Mark Andrew Boyer/KQED)

Californians had big hopes that the horse named California Chrome could win the Triple Crown this year. He did win the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes, but fell short with fourth place in the final Belmont Stakes competition. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Very dry conditions made this a tough year for wildfires in California. Fires started by lightning often erupted in very remote, mountainous parts of the state, far from any roads. Sometimes the only way to get fire crews to them was to have them jump out of planes. (Adam Grossberg/KQED)

City College of San Francisco student Otto Pippenger was detained by San Francisco police officers outside an administration building. Students and teachers protested decisions by Special Trustee Robert Agrella on Thursday, March 13, 2014. The accrediting commission revoked the school's accreditation, but the action is currently being appealed in court. The judge is expected to issue his verdict in January 2015. (Alex Emslie/KQED)