Oaklandside 510

The Oaklandside
  • 5.0 (74)
  • News

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. 2d ago

    Oakland goes to the movies

    Mayor Barbara Lee's proposed budget includes restoring a $250,000 film rebate program — a small but meaningful step toward making Oakland a filmmaking hub.  Arts reporter Azucena Rasilla explains what it would take to get more films made in Oakland, and why local filmmakers are cautiously optimistic. Plus: Oakland's speed cameras have issued 82,000 fines in their first 40 days, San Francisco police smash down the door of Elaine Brown's West Oakland building, rescue dogs sent from Oakland to a Humboldt County shelter were allegedly killed, and Art Murmur celebrates its 20th anniversary. Stories we cover in this episode: Film Why more filmmakers could soon be eyeing OaklandBoots Riley's raucous 'I Love Boosters' premieres in Oakland3 Oakland artists picked for this year's Rainin Arts FellowshipOakland Paramount Theatre's classic movie screenings are back!Road safety Oakland speed cameras: 82,000 fines in 40 daysPublic safety SFPD smashes down door of Elaine Brown's West Oakland building in robbery searchCity Hall Rescue dogs from Oakland allegedly killed at shelter in Humboldt CountySports and food The Athletic Club is back with a new team betting on OaklandUpcoming events Art Murmur 20th AnniversaryFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org

    18 min

  2. May 22

    Oakland's city administrator resigns after Oaklandside reporting on his texts

    Oaklandside's reporting directly led to a major shake-up at City Hall: the resignation of Oakland's city administrator, one of the most powerful figures in the city. City Hall reporters Eli Wolfe and Natalie Orenstein explain who Jestin Johnson is, what the city administrator does, how The Oaklandside obtained the text messages that forced his resignation, and what this means for Oakland. Plus: three people are killed in a devastating East Oakland crash, First Fridays faces a funding crisis, AI use in Oakland schools is a "Wild West," AC Transit ridership rises as gas prices spike, Oakland's Planning Commission keeps canceling meetings (and why that might be a good thing), and a new barbecue spot is drawing lines before it even opens. Stories we cover in this episode: City Hall City administrator Jestin Johnson resigns after Oaklandside reports on troubling textsOakland city officials privately cheered Supreme Court ruling on homeless encampmentsPublic safety Three killed in East Oakland crash at International Boulevard and 85th AvenueArts and culture Oakland First Fridays faces funding crisis Education AI in Oakland schools: a policy in progress, a "Wild West" in classroomsTransit AC Transit sees first sustained ridership increase this decade as gas prices top $6Housing and development Oakland Planning Commission keeps canceling meetings — and that may signal progressFood Saints Smokehouse brings smoked brisket and serious buzz to downtown OaklandFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    29 min

  3. May 15

    Oakland’s June 2 primary election: Measure E, Measure C, district attorney’s race

    The June 2 primary is coming up fast. We help Oakland voters get oriented: the Alameda County DA's race, two Oakland ballot measures, and everything you need to know about how and where to vote. Come to our student journalism event at the New Parkway, May 20. Tickets here! Stories we cover in this episode: District Attorney race Alameda County DA's race: Supporters weigh in on the candidatesJones Dickson's fundraising in Alameda County DA race outpaces Price and KrishanWatch: Alameda County district attorney candidates forumBallot measures Measure E: Oakland voters are being asked to approve a new parcel taxMeasure C: Oakland business tax relief, explainedVoters will decide on a new Oakland parcel tax in JuneVoter guide What Oakland voters should know about the June 2 primary electionJune 2 primary election information and resources for Oakland votersFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    32 min

  4. May 8

    Trees, towers, and tents: recent Oakland housing stories

    What happens when Oakland's tree protection laws are broken — and does the city have the will to enforce them? What does a proposal to replace the Rockridge Trader Joe's with senior housing towers say about Oakland's development moment? And can the city make a real dent in homelessness when two competing plans are pulling in different directions? Housing reporter Natalie Orenstein joins editor Tasneem Raja to work through all of it. Plus: Dan Fontes, Oakland's giraffe muralist, has died. Several Oakland Catholic churches are closing. The DA race heats up financially. And Mosswood Recreation Center is back after nearly a decade. Stories we cover in this episode: Housing and development Landowners who cut 38 trees in Oakland hills hit with $915,000 fineRockridge Trader Joe's could be replaced by 415-unit senior housing towersHomelessness Ken Houston's homeless encampment policy passes in OaklandCut homelessness by 50% in Oakland? A new plan says it's possibleArts and community Oakland muralist Dan Fontes, known for his giraffes, dies at 67Religion Oakland Diocese closes seven Oakland churchesArts and culture Check out the new Mosswood Rec Center this weekend in OaklandFood For the latest restaurant openings and closings in Oakland, visit NoshFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    27 min

  5. May 1

    Illegal dumping in Oakland is a mess. Why?

    Today: illegal dumping in Oakland. Why it keeps getting worse, what the city has tried, and what might actually work. Reporter Eli Wolfe joins us to sort out the mess. And, we’ll talk about Boots Riley’s new film that debuted in Oakland, how the search for OUSD’s next leader got delayed again, who’s paint-bombing Flock cameras, and what you need to know before you vote in the primary election on June 2nd. Stories we cover in this episode: Illegal Dumping Oakland’s illegal dumping strategy isn’t working. A new report explains whyAI drones to spot illegal dumping? Oakland is considering a pilot projectIllegal dumping fines could go up a lot in OaklandIllegal trash dumpers could have vehicle registration blocked under proposed lawIllegal dumpers face big fines in Oakland, but they rarely have to payArts & Community Boots Riley’s raucous ‘I Love Boosters’ premieres in Oakland3 Oakland artists picked for this year’s Rainin Arts FellowshipA fight for transgender inclusion in high school sports comes to OaklandEducation OUSD postpones superintendent searchBusiness It’s official: The ‘Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport’ name staysPublic Safety Who is paint bombing Oakland’s Flock cameras?City Hall and Politics What Oakland voters should know about the June 2 primary electionNature and the City Dozens of trees were red-tagged for removal in West Oakland. Now the plan is on holdTour stunning native plant gardens in East Bay backyardsFood The Lodge (including deer heads) is back, but some things have changedFor the latest restaurant openings and closings in Oakland, visit oaklandside.org.Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    23 min

  6. Apr 24

    Oakland in 2026: The biggest stories so far

    Editor-in-Chief Tasneem Raja sits down with Oaklandside's deputy editor Esther Kaplan and news editor Darwin BondGraham to take stock of the biggest stories of 2026 — crime, schools, road safety, Mayor Lee's first year, and the state of Oakland's arts and culture scene. Plus: a major housing program for homeless families at Children's Hospital, a whistleblower shaking up the DA's office, a pothole settlement, a sideshow ordinance that's never been used, and OPD's ongoing transparency problems. Stories we cover in this episode: Crime and public safety Oakland ended 2025 with the fewest homicides since 1967Sideshow participants can be fined in Oakland. Why has the city never done this?Oakland police illegally keep information from those who request it, says attorneyDeputy district attorney says she was retaliated against for whistleblowingCity Hall and politics Barbara Lee has yet to confirm she's running for mayor — but she's raised $31,000Barbara Lee is relying on big companies and foundations to raise millions for the city'Strong mayor' for Oakland? City Council gets its first look — and some aren't soldEducation OUSD has agreed to tens of millions in new labor contracts. How will it cover the cost?OUSD lead crisis: Almost all drinking water sources are now safeRoads and transportation 18 speed cameras just went up in Oakland. See whereWhich Oakland streets saw the most speed camera warnings?Injured cyclist gets $512,000 from Oakland in pothole settlementHousing 50 homeless patients at Children's Hospital Oakland will get placed in housingArts and culture Another Alysa Liu mural in Oakland — this one with Kristi YamaguchiThis week in Oakland: a Prescott Circus Theatre showcase, and Fairyland's 'Mad Tea Party'Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    34 min

  7. Apr 17

    Encampment changes, EZ's Lounge warnings, airport expansion fight

    The City Council passed a new encampment policy giving Oakland more power to tow RVs and close camps. Our public safety reporter found that neighbors had been warning the city for years about the operator of EZ's Lounge before last month's mass shooting. And environmental groups are in court challenging plans to expand Oakland's airport. Plus: the I-980 reimagining project enters its next phase, the city considers AI drones to fight illegal dumping, Sunday parking tickets are here, former Mayor Libby Schaaf takes over the Bay Area Council, restaurant closings, and Prince tributes around town. Stories we cover in this episode: Housing and homelessness Ken Houston's homeless camp policy passes, after months of debate Public safety Before the EZ's Lounge mass shooting, warnings surfaced at another nightclub with the same owner Health and environment Judge hears environmental lawsuits against Oakland airport over expansion Infrastructure and transit Vision I-980: architects and engineers compete to design the future of the highway AI drones to spot illegal dumping? Oakland is considering a pilot project Sunday parking is no longer free in Oakland. Tickets starting at $64 begin this weekend Politics Bay Area Council hires former Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf as new leader Food Millennium announces May closure; plus Crepe Pan shutters and Sweet Fingers on the move Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    11 min

  8. Apr 10

    Fire at Camron-Stanford, charter reform guide, renaming César E. Chávez library

    This week, we're keeping things short and sweet, with a round-up of recent reporting from our newsroom. A fire damaged one of Oakland's most beloved historic landmarks. Oakland voters may get to decide in November how their city government is structured.  Environmental justice advocates’ decade-long fight to stop a coal terminal enters a new phase.  A nonprofit bought a building to make it permanently affordable housing for Oakland teachers. A Fruitvale library may be getting a new name.  And Earth Day is coming up, with some great options for getting outside.  Stories we cover in this episode: Camron-Stanford House fire Fire damages Oakland’s historic Camron-Stanford HouseCharter reform A quick guide to the Oakland charter reform debateNo Coal movement After 10 years of fighting, ‘No Coal’ activists gear up for new battleTeacher housing Affordable teacher housing is scarce. This group is trying an innovative solution in OaklandFruitvale Library renaming Oakland library commission takes first step in renaming César E. Chávez BranchEarth Day Oakland Earth Day celebrations will focus on cleanups and community funA trip to the Oakland estuary shines light on a hidden, dirty problemWildflowers Wildflower season has arrived: here’s where to enjoy the blooms in the East Bay and beyondFood Tanzie's duo open new restaurant, Bad Decision takes over A Capella, and what's come to Phở Vy's old spotFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    11 min
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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
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Oaklandside 510
  • Show Website
    Oaklandside 510

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