As 3 Oakland homeless shelters close, city and residents question outcomes
A West Oakland “community cabin” site and 71st Avenue RV lot are shutting down. A hotel is undergoing a planned conversion to affordable housing.
Recent news
PUBLIC SAFETY
Oakland’s interim police chief has long-term plans
James Beere says he has ideas to bring in more officers and hopes to be appointed to lead the Oakland Police Department.
Hear the latest episode
city hall
‘Strong mayor’ for Oakland? City Council gets its first look — and some aren’t sold
But a poll shared by Mayor Barbara Lee’s charter reform task force found that a majority of voters support the idea.
Education equity
She’s 42, a mom, and unemployed. Oakland’s community colleges could change her life
Merritt College and other community colleges get far less state funding than Universities of California or Cal States. Yet as the story of Marquitta Eddings shows, they’re powerful engines of economic mobility.
roads & transit
AC Transit plans healthcare cost cut — and unions push back
The agency relented as bus drivers, mechanics, and other transit workers showed up in force to oppose a change to their health plans they fear will drive up co-pays.
Arts & Community
Another Alysa Liu mural in Oakland — this one with Kristi Yamaguchi
Muralist Julie Engelmann began work on the Oakland Ice Center project last week. It celebrates the East Bay’s two Asian American gold medalists — who have both practiced at the rink.
Cheese Board announces partial temporary closing, and Las Delicias departs
A running list of restaurants that have recently closed in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.
Features & Guides
Housing & Homelessness
Toxic lead paint will be abated at 50 Oakland homes with $4M grant
The city also plans to help more local contractors get certified to deal with lead contamination.
Health & Environment
Gender-affirming care: Oakland demands hospitals continue services
As the Trump administration rolls back healthcare for trans people, the Oakland City Council says it supports these services and hospitals must offer them as long as they’re legal.
Business
A $30 minimum wage for Oakland?
Labor and community organizers are aiming high. Some business groups are expected to campaign against a wage hike. Voter approval would be required in November.
About The Oaklandside
How we work
Oaklandside’s Ashley McBride, Callie Rhoades receive First Amendment award
The pair are being honored by the First Amendment Coalition with its Free Speech and Open Government Award for their reporting last year on the lead crisis in Oakland public schools.
The Oaklandside wins prestigious award for advancing press freedom and government transparency
The newsroom earned the James Madison Freedom of Information award for exposing systematic violations of open records laws by city officials and challenging Alameda County’s sideshow spectator ban.
Values guiding our work
News organizations don’t always tell you–or know–what drives their decisions.