Oaklandside 510

The Oaklandside

An Oakland news podcast from the journalists at Oaklandside, Oakland’s independent nonprofit newsroom. Each week we’ll catch you up on the biggest news in Oakland, go behind the scenes with Oaklandside reporters for context and analysis you won’t find anywhere else, and tell you about cool events around the Town.

  1. 22H AGO

    What’s going on in Oakland City Hall?

    How is Mayor Barbara Lee handling homelessness, crime, housing, and other issues? Can private funds make up for the city’s budget shortfall? How are local leaders preparing to respond if there’s another federal immigration surge in the East Bay? And who’s going to run for mayor this year? City Hall reporter Eli Wolfe and news editor Darwin BondGraham on recent City Hall and politics reporting. Plus: Oakland Pride has a new home and new date, filtering the air in West Oakland with walls of vegetation, a look at one year of lobbying shaping city policies, an end to the Kaiser nurses strike, and a potential Oakland teachers strike. Stories we cover in this episode: City Hall Barbara Lee is relying on big companies and foundations to raise millions for the city — Lee hasn’t proven quite as prolific a fundraiser as former Mayor Libby Schaaf. But she is leveraging the city’s corporate citizens and philanthropists.Oakland’s most influential lobbyists — 70% of lobbying in the city last year was done by just 10 people. Here’s what they did.Barbara Lee has yet to confirm she’s running for mayor — but she’s raised $31,000 — Plus: two councilmembers running unopposed have raked in tens of thousands, and Pamela Price is gearing up for another shot at DA.Oakland should become a ‘strong mayor’ city, says Mayor Lee’s task force — A new report on charter reform describes a more powerful executive and City Council. Voters could decide on the changes. Who stole Barbara Lee’s car? — A city-owned vehicle used by the mayor of Oakland was stolen over the holiday weekend after a break-in at her City Hall office.ICE agents can’t use city property, decrees Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee — The executive orders mirror Alameda County’s “ICE-free zones” and response plans.Community Oakland Pride, long on shaky ground, gets a new home and a new date — The nonprofit that organized Oakland Pride is dissolving — but the festival has found a new home within the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center and the festival will now be in August.Health and environment Dense tree barriers to cut air pollution are coming to West Oakland — A pilot project that breaks ground in March will feature dense rows of trees and shrubs along Frontage Road in West Oakland. The vegetation is designed to clean the air, hopefully reducing health risks.Kaiser strike to end after 4 weeks without a deal — The large, open-ended strike had led to frustrations by some patients over delayed care as well as difficulties for workers who went weeks without a paycheck.Education Oakland teachers vote to authorize strike — If teachers walk out, it would be the third open-ended strike since 2019. The decision to go out would require 48 hours notice. Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org.

    27 min

  2. FEB 20

    Sex trafficking in Oakland: what's changing

    Preventing sex trafficking, supporting survivors Sex trafficking has been a problem in Oakland for decades, but new legislation, a new mobile clinic, and a growing chorus of young survivors are reshaping how the city responds. Public safety reporter Roselyn Romero breaks it all down.  Plus: Oakland's oldest queer bar becomes a site of immigrant resistance, Mayor Lee's philanthropic fundraising strategy, a West Oakland street safety project, new food spots, and a tribute to Betty Reid Soskin. Stories we cover in this episode: Sex trafficking Sex trafficking survivors would get financial support under new Oakland proposalOakland has a sex trafficking problem. Young people have ideas to solve itA mobile clinic for sex-trafficked youth opens in OaklandThis Oakland nonprofit supports young survivors of sex traffickingQ&A: How Oakland schools educate youth about the dangers of human traffickingFunding for violence prevention in schools at riskImmigration and community The White Horse's 'Caballo Blanco' drag show confronts Trump with defiance and celebrationCity Hall Barbara Lee is relying on big companies and foundations to raise millions for the cityStreet safety 18th St. is one of Oakland's most dangerous. Here's how the city is fixing itFood Grand Opening Bakery debuts with Lunar New Year specialties, and a new Berkeley provisions shop is almost readyCommunity Celebration of life for Betty Reid Soskin set for March 1 in OaklandFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    25 min

  3. FEB 13

    Falling in love in the Town, and Valentine's Day ideas

    Oakland couples share how they found love in real life — at protests, festivals, schools, and house parties. Plus, where to eat and what to order this Valentine's Day, whether you're single, coupled up, or celebrating with friends. Arts and community reporter Azucena Rasilla profiled couples whose relationships are deeply rooted in Oakland, and Nosh editor Tovin Lapan guides us through Valentine's desserts, singles spots, and dining recommendations for every relationship status. Plus: Ghost Town gang members sentenced, BART warns of potential shutdown, Cenaduria Elvira opens its first brick-and-mortar, OUSD layoffs threaten attendance staff, support workers win living wage contract, volunteers build islands for endangered terns, and weekend events celebrating art, Black history, and Black Joy. Headlines: Nine Ghost Town gang members sentenced to combined 60 years in federal prisonBART releases doomsday scenario: potential shutdown by 2028 without new sales taxCenaduria Elvira opens brick-and-mortar location near Jack London Square on February 21stOUSD principals notify parents of staff layoffs as district faces $100 million deficitSchool support staff win 16% raise and $25 minimum wage after 10 months of bargainingVolunteers spend 30 years building nesting islands for endangered California least ternsWeekend events: Trash Falcons art exhibit, Black Liberation Walking Tour, Black Joy Parade documentary screeningFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    26 min

  4. FEB 6

    One Oakland police officer made $500k in overtime. Where are the records?

    This week, investigative journalist Beck Klein and news editor Darwin BondGraham walk us through Oaklandside's blockbuster investigation into OPD's runaway overtime spending, a story that has nearly 300,000 readers. Plus: A councilmember's conflict-of-interest questions, the latest on Ken Houston's controversial encampment policy, students walk out to protest ICE violence, Mayor Lee's strong mayor proposal, and where to watch the Super Bowl and Bad Bunny's halftime show around Oakland. Stories we cover in this episode: OPD overtime investigation One Oakland police officer made $490,000 in overtime. The city can't find records detailing much of what he didCity Hall Councilmember Janani Ramachandran solicited donations from city contractor and lobbyistsKen Houston's controversial encampment policy clears state hurdle Mayor Lee's task force recommends "strong mayor" system for Oakland Immigration enforcement and protests Pastor Jorge Bautista files claim to sue U.S. government for $5 million after being shot by federal agentOakland students walk out to protest ICE violence as part of national day of action Community Sex trafficking town hall brings together Oakland youth and city leaders Oakland rapper Philip Bank$ gets deeply personal on debut album "East Bay Times"Food and fun Nosh Valentine's Day dining guide for every relationship status Where to watch Super Bowl LX and Bad Bunny's halftime show around Oakland Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    30 min

  5. JAN 30

    What Minneapolis means for Oakland, and a devastating downtown fire

    News editor Darwin BondGraham reflects on what’s happening in Minneapolis—where federal immigration agents have killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti—and what it means for Oakland, where ICE has already injured residents, chased people near our schools, and taken people from our courthouses. Plus: Housing reporter Natalie Orenstein reports on a devastating fire at a downtown Oakland apartment building that displaced 50 residents, and the landlord’s controversial response of immediately terminating their leases. Also in this episode: Oakland hires a new cultural affairs manager, Oakland Airport sees troubling passenger decline, hot dogs return to an iconic Temescal building, and thousands of Kaiser nurses go on strike. Stories we cover in this episode: Immigration enforcement Reflections on Minneapolis and Oakland: Federal immigration agents have killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis while approximately 3,000 agents occupy the Twin Cities. ICE has already injured people in Oakland, entered our courthouses, and chased people near schools. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to ban ICE from county-owned properties.Housing Fire at downtown Oakland apartment building displaces 50+ residents — A three-alarm fire at Broadway and 19th Street destroyed units and businesses, including Dope Era, owned by Mistah F.A.B. The landlord immediately sent termination notices to displaced tenants, which the city attorney says is illegal.Culture and Nosh Oakland hires new cultural affairs manager — Lyz Luke, former director of Living Jazz, will focus on raising funds for artists and helping run the city’s Cultural Affairs Commission.Winky Dinky Dogs opens in iconic Temescal building — Hot dogs return to the triangular building that once housed Original Kasper’s Hot Dogs, bringing the space back to life after more than 20 years vacant.It’s All Good Bakery closes after 30 years — The family-owned bakery located at the site of the Black Panthers’ first Oakland headquarters has closed.Transportation Oakland Airport sees nearly 12% drop in passenger volume — November travel declined to just over 704,000 passengers versus nearly 800,000 the year before. Airport officials are adding new flights and amenities to turn things around.Police oversight Oakland leaders say OPD ready to exit federal oversight — The city says the police department is “on the best possible path,” though civil rights attorneys say OPD still isn’t in compliance with three key reforms.Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    27 min

  6. JAN 23

    Crime drops in Oakland, privacy debates rise

    Oakland saw a historic drop in homicides in 2025—the fewest since 1967. But even as violent crime falls citywide, debates intensify over surveillance technology, federal immigration enforcement, and civilian oversight of police.  Public safety reporter Roselyn Romero and news editor Darwin BondGraham help us make sense of Oakland's public safety moment. Plus: AC Transit tweaks its bus schedule, OUSD enrollment exceeds projections while newcomer students plummet, Vanderbilt buys the old CCA campus, the Oakland Roots compete for Howard Terminal, Teni East Kitchen finds a bigger space, and Oakland hosts the Bay Area's only official Super Bowl watch party. Stories we cover in this episode: Public safety Oakland ended 2025 with the fewest homicides since 1967 Oakland police surveillance expansion What does Oakland's Police Commission actually do? Former Police Chief Floyd Mitchell never sat down with the press Education Oakland Unified saw uptick in transitional kindergarten, drastic decline in newcomer enrollment this year — Enrollment exceeded projections by more than 500 students, but first-year newcomer students dropped from about 180 to about 20.Transit More AC Transit bus schedule changes starting Feb. 1 — Five months after implementing its Realign plan, the agency is making adjustments including more stops at Skyline High School.Real estate and development Vanderbilt University buys old CCA campus in Rockridge — The purchase raises questions about a stalled housing project that's been proposed for the site since 2017.Oakland Roots soccer reportedly picked as a finalist with a chance to redevelop Howard Terminal — The Port of Oakland selected the Roots and Industrial Realty Group to compete for the 55-acre waterfront property.Food Teni East Kitchen, moving a half mile, sees new, tasty possibilities with larger space — The acclaimed Burmese restaurant is relocating to the old Pomella space on Piedmont Avenue in March.Sports Oakland sports calendar: Super Bowl LX, Spiders tryouts, volunteer with the Ballers — Your guide to what's coming up in Oakland sports this winter, including the Bay Area's only official Super Bowl watch party on February 8.Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    30 min

  7. JAN 16

    Oakland roads: progress and peril

    Oakland's roads are in crisis—871 stretches have zero years of remaining life left. But there's also progress: bond money is finally flowing, bollards on International Boulevard have eliminated pedestrian deaths, and speed cameras are coming online.  Oaklandside road safety reporter Jose Fermoso takes us deep into the data, the success stories, and what's next for Oakland's streets. Also in this episode: Oakland needs 200 more volunteers for the homelessness count, MetWest High School's impressive academic gains, the city's failure to publish transparency reports, Floyd Mitchell's refusal to talk to the press, new cafes and bookshops, and Sunday's protest against ICE raids. Stories we cover in this episode Main story: Oakland's roads Oakland's road conditions investigationOakland finally sells $285M in bonds for roads and housingInternational Boulevard safety improvementsOakland is getting speed camerasMarvin Boomer's family files lawsuit Waymo in OaklandHomelessness Oakland calls for 500 volunteers for homeless countEducation How one Oakland high school made gains in reading and mathCity Hall transparency and government accountability Oakland fails again to publish contract transparency reportsFormer OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell refused to sit down with the pressImmigration enforcement Photos: Oakland protests ICE raids and killing of Renee GoodFood & culture Uptown gets new bookstore: Nomadic BookshopFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    34 min

  8. JAN 9

    What to expect in Oakland in 2026

    Deputy editor Esther Kaplan and news editor Darwin BondGraham join host Tasneem Raja to preview the biggest stories The Oaklandside will be covering in 2026—from OUSD's superintendent search and brutal budget cuts, to the mayoral and DA races, the FBI corruption trial, Oakland's budget crisis, and whether the city's historic drop in crime will continue. Stories we cover in this episode: OUSD superintendent search and budget crisis Who will be OUSD's next superintendent? The search starts soon — The district is hoping to hire a permanent superintendent by mid-April.Oakland school board chooses superintendent search firm — Hazard, Young will lead a national search with candidates presented in January and February.OUSD has $100M in cuts to make. School sites won't be exempt — School site budgets will be reduced by up to 10% as part of a broader $100 million deficit reduction plan.Oakland school board approves plan to cut $102M — Schools could see their budgets reduced by up to 10% alongside deep cuts to district headquarters.2026 elections: mayor and district attorney Barbara Lee declares victory in Oakland mayor's race — Lee takes the helm of Oakland for a short term with a tall list of problems to tackle. Her term lasts through the end of 2026.Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee on ICE agents, illegal dumping, and her first 100 days — Lee has created a committee to raise money for a 2026 reelection campaign.Pamela Price, recalled by voters in 2024, says she'll run again for DA — At a campaign launch event, Price said she wants to take a stand against billionaires, corporations, and Trump.FBI corruption case What's next in the Oakland FBI corruption case? And more questions answered — Trial is set for October 2026, over two years after the June 2024 raids.Who is Mario Juarez, the man the FBI relies on in Oakland corruption case? — Mario Juarez appears to be "Co-conspirator 1," a key informant in the case. For decades he's been at the center of bitter legal disputes.Sheng Thao joins motion to toss evidence from Oakland FBI raids — Former Mayor Thao and two others seek to suppress evidence, accusing the FBI of ignoring a key informant's "lifelong history of criminal arrests, fraud and deceit."Oakland's budget and federal funding cuts 'Nobody's Happy Budget': Oakland adopts $4.2 billion spending plan — The budget closes a $265 million deficit and keeps all 25 firehouses open while funding 678 police officers.Looming in 2026: Cuts in federal funds deal blow to Oakland's deficit-laden budget — Oakland is bracin

    23 min
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Trailer

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About

An Oakland news podcast from the journalists at Oaklandside, Oakland’s independent nonprofit newsroom. Each week we’ll catch you up on the biggest news in Oakland, go behind the scenes with Oaklandside reporters for context and analysis you won’t find anywhere else, and tell you about cool events around the Town.

Information

  • Creator
    The Oaklandside
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Oaklandside 510
  • Show Website
    Oaklandside 510

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