Richmond’s Open Air Coffee shutters
The coffee trailer that featured beans from Mother Tongue Coffee officially closed on Dec. 13.
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Oaklandside 510
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city hall
The Ken Houston middle finger seen ‘round the world
An Oakland councilmember’s in-your-face approach to politics has turned into a national story.
Barbara Lee is still fighting in court to hold Donald Trump accountable for Jan. 6
Many other cases against Trump — criminal and civil — have failed, but following a Washington D.C. court hearing, Lee and others said they believe they can win.
Oakland leaders reluctantly extend security contract again
Councilmembers held their noses and agreed to pay several million more dollars to ABC Security, a firm tied to a central figure in the FBI corruption probe.
Oakland airport’s new guest program may risk feeding information to ICE
The airport launched its OAK Guest Pass to fanfare on Monday. But visitors must send sensitive information to the TSA – where it could end up in the hands of…
Oakland watchdog dismisses Ken Houston’s complaint against senior city staffer
That staffer, Josh Rowan, who directs public works and transportation, still has an active complaint against Houston, claiming he interfered with city contracting.
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Berkeley Food Pantry set to close after merger with Berkeley Food Network collapses
After nearly six decades of feeding Bay Area residents facing food insecurity, the pantry will close its doors in January 2026.
The Good Hop calls it quits after 11 years in Oakland
After a change in ownership in 2024, the Uptown Oakland bar and bottle shop is set to close at the end of 2025.
It’s panettone season. Where to get a taste of Italy in the East Bay
There are several options for enjoying the Italian holiday treat, including Starter Bakery’s in-house version and Donato & Co., which is the only U.S. importer of Infermentum panettone.
PUBLIC SAFETY
International Boulevard’s makeover ended pedestrian deaths this year
A new bus-only lane was criticized for years for a design that encouraged illegal speeding. But simple interventions, including bollards, have drastically reduced fatalities.
Education equity
After school shooting, Skyline community explores new safety ideas
With Oakland Unified School District facing steep budget cuts, students and parents worry that reducing investments in security and safety could cause families to leave.
Oakland Tech unveils $1.4M auditorium update, reviving performing arts program
Over 20 years, a parent committee fundraised $1.4 million to upgrade the auditorium with new seats and a professional sound and lighting system.
Oakland school board approves plan to cut $102M
Schools could see their budgets reduced by up to 10% alongside deep cuts to district headquarters. Parents raised legal concerns about a proposed $12 million cut to special education.
Arts & Community
Oakland’s Black Arts Movement and Business District wins coveted state designation
Established in 2016, the downtown corridor is now a California Cultural District.
Housing & Homelessness
CARE Court was created to help California’s toughest homeless cases. Why that’s been so hard
CARE Court was supposed to be a new way to help homeless Californians in the grip of psychosis. But people are still falling through the cracks.
$285M for roads, parks, and housing finally a go in Oakland
Oakland issued the Measure U bonds last week after two years of delays over concerns about the city’s financial outlook. They all sold in less than a week.
Getting a permit to build in Oakland has been hellish. Will sweeping new reforms work?
Expanded hours, same-day permits, and easier applications could help tackle communication voids and excruciating delays.
Oakland homeless camp policy tabled again — but debate rages on
Councilmember Ken Houston’s controversial plan to loosen limits on Oakland encampment sweeps was pulled at the last minute after a state agency raised concerns.
Health & Environment
Sunken boats will get pulled from Oakland estuary
The City Council approved a $1.5 million contract for vessel removal, part of a big estuary clean-up effort supported by a federal grant.
Federal cuts are expected to carve a $100M hole in the Alameda Health System’s budget
Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” is forcing an unprecedented $1 trillion cut to Medicaid spending. At the East Bay’s safety-net healthcare provider, staff cuts are in motion.
Oakland might not owe coal company hundreds of millions after new court ruling
A federal judge in Kentucky ruled a bankruptcy court’s judgment, which could have put the city on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars, was improper.
Business
This grant keeps small businesses open, but more funds are needed
$2.5 million donated by Kaiser Permanente went to 170 Oakland businesses this year — but 500 applied.
Local builder Type Five makes it easier to build backyard homes
Clients can design the ADUs themselves using the company’s software.
West Oakland Costco plan inches forward, to enthusiasm and dismay
Councilmembers signaled early support for bringing the bulk goods store to the old Army base, while some residents pushed back.
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HOW WE WORK
Oaklandside’s Alejandra Armstrong, Roselyn Romero, Darwin BondGraham receive journalism honors
All three are being honored tonight by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Armstrong will receive the Unsung Hero Award.
The Oaklandside is launching a reporting fellowship for high schoolers
The program will pay 12 OUSD high school students to collaborate with the newsroom and help shape our education coverage. Students must apply by Nov. 30.
Uptown parking ticket scam, Prescott Market’s new vendors, East Oakland improvements: on the podcast
Catch up on Oakland news while walking the dog or cooking dinner.
Help us raise $15,000 to keep Oaklandside’s podcast going
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