Oaklandside 510

The Oaklandside
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  • 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

    Sheng Thao in the courtroom

    The federal corruption trial of former Mayor Sheng Thao is now underway. Oaklandside reporters Eli Wolfe and Natalie Orenstein join us to talk about who’s involved, what’s alleged, and what to watch for. Stories we cover in this episode: Sheng Thao trial Sheng Thao trial updatesThao trial opens with fiery allegations, strenuous disavowalsJury selected as Sheng Thao’s trial kicks off in OaklandOakland corruption trial: will Mario Juarez’s checkered past be put to the jury?City Hall Lee gives upbeat State of the City speech as unions increase pressure for dealRadisson Hotel owner will pay major wage theft settlement to Oakland workersData center moratorium approved by Oakland amid AI backlashOakland’s new fire boat  New fireboat makes debut in Oakland, will help safeguard the waterfrontNOSH Eli’s Mile High Club starts closure countdown, and Seniore’s Pizza shutters Berkeley branchOakland airport welcomes Trader Vic’s and new market, while Berkeley gets a new sub shopFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

  2. Oct 9

    How Oakland teachers are rethinking screen time

    This week, we're focusing on one story: Oakland schools' push to limit screens. Last month, the school board approved limits on how students can use school laptops during their free time. That follows the cellphone ban that started this school year. So what does all of this look like from inside the classroom? To find out, we sit down with two Oakland Unified teachers, Lara Trale from Oakland High School and Alicia Simba from Prescott Elementary, along with The Oaklandside's education reporter, Ashley McBride. Stories we cover in this episode: Tech restrictions in the classroom Oakland school board green lights more tech restrictions in the classroomOUSD reveals dismal academic achievement numbers, and students debate a new cell phone banBack to school in Oakland: cellphone ban, new construction, and early learning expansionOUSD takes up screen time rulesOUSD banned cellphones. Are Chromebooks next?No more phones? Students and educators weigh in on OUSD’s impending banBy Alicia Simba Schools are starting to limit screen time; parents can, too7 tips on reading to your child from a Berkeley librarian and an Oakland teacherBy Lara Trale I’m an Oakland high school teacher. I discourage my students from using AIFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

  3. Oct 2

    The problem with Oakland’s pools

    City Hall reporter Eli Wolfe joins us to talk about a scary accident that happened at Temescal Pool earlier this month, and why the city has no pool technicians on staff even though it has the money to hire them. It's part of a much bigger story about Oakland's struggle to fill city jobs. Link to donate to support The Oaklandside! Stories we cover in this episode: Temescal Pool Incident Were chemical injuries at Temescal Pool linked to Oakland’s failure to hire?Temescal Pool swimmers go to hospital with chemical injuriesOakland Police Department Oakland police released from federal oversight after 23 yearsCity Hall The highs and lows of Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s recordFlock’s Oakland cameras are tracking millions of trips. Are safeguards enforceable?New state law gives Oakland power to boot cars of illegal dumpersData Centers Data center moratorium clears key hurdle in OaklandPublic Transit AC Transit buses have become more unreliable this year, say riders and transit boardArts and Community A 34-foot Catrina has arrived at Fruitvale PlazaFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

  4. Sep 25

    Hyphy in Oakland, 20 years ago and now

    Twenty years ago, hyphy broke out of Oakland and the Bay Area and onto the national stage with its own slang, fashion, dance and car culture. This week, we revisit that moment with Eric K. Arnold, who has covered Bay Area hip-hop since the 1990s and chronicled hyphy's rise as it happened. We look back at the summer of 2006, what came after and the hyphy revival underway today, as a new generation of Bay Area artists reclaims the sound and people who lived through the era speak openly about what happened behind the music. Eric K Arnold's "Hyphy slaps knocks bumps and blaps" Playlist Stories we cover in this episode: The summer of hyphy, 20 years laterInside the hyphy revivalFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

  5. Sep 18

    Are data centers coming to Oakland?

    Data centers have gone from a quiet real estate story to one of the most contentious issues in Oakland. We talk with The Oaklandside’s news editor, Darwin BondGraham, about a downtown developer's proposal, two tech companies moving into West Oakland, an organized opposition campaign, and a city councilmember's push for a moratorium. Stories we cover in this episode: Data Centers A movement against data centers gains steam in OaklandData center moratorium sought by Oakland Councilmember Carroll FifeIs a data center coming to downtown Oakland?City Hall Police union's new contract approved by Oakland City CouncilHealth and Environment Temescal Pool swimmers go to hospital with chemical injuriesEducation Oakland's newest movie star is an old college campusA historically Black college in Oakland? A task force is dreamingElections In Oakland, 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in school board elections. Here's a guide for teen votersWant to meet the candidates running for the Oakland school board? Find a forum near youPublic Transportation Oakland low-income transit guide: How to get around for free or at a discountFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

  6. Sep 11

    Waymo cars, AI political ads, coal terminal, and other news around Oakland

    This week, we’re providing you with a round-up of recent reporting from our newsroom. A group of counties in Utah is stepping forward to help build Oakland's long-fought coal export terminal. AI-generated ads are showing up in Oakland's election season.  AC Transit's Tempo bus line is about to lose state funding, meanwhile, Waymo has the green light to launch in Oakland We also go over opportunities for you to get involved in big city decisions: there are open seats on OUSD committees, and the city's Cultural Affairs Commission wants new members. And we cover sports, including our Ultimate Frisbee team, the Oakland Spiders; and why the Ballers published an open letter apologizing to fans. In November, Oakland will have elections for city council and school board — in districts 2, 4, and 6.  We want to know: what are the one or two most pressing issues in your neighborhood or local schools? Tell us about the changes you’d like to see.  Give us a call at 510-279-6910.  Leave us a short voicemail and please include your name, your neighborhood, and your opinion. We might use what you share in an upcoming podcast or an article.  And remember, please keep your thoughts in under a minute. Stories we cover in this episode: City Hall AI-generated ads have come to Oakland politics. Accessible solution — or risky deception?Environment Utah’s interest in Oakland coal terminal reignitesRoads & Transit Oakland’s rapid Tempo line set to lose millions in cap-and-trade dollarsWaymo is poised for OaklandEducation Have ideas for how OUSD should spend money? Apply to join these committeesArts and Community Want to help shape Oakland’s arts and culture scene? Here’s howSports The Spiders are national ultimate champs and other Oakland sports newsFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

  7. Sep 4

    De-escalation lessons from Oakland's violence interrupters

    If you've ever seen a tense situation start to escalate on the street and wondered whether to step in, we're here to help. We talk with our public safety reporter, Roselyn Romero, and Ana-Marie Jones of Oakland Speaks, about how to de-escalate conflict yourself, according to Oakland violence prevention experts — and when it's best to just call for help. For a nonviolent situation, you can always call MACRO, Oakland's non-police civilian response line: 510-446-2276.  If there's a weapon involved or things feel like an emergency, dial 911. In November, Oakland will have elections for city council and school board — in districts 2, 4, and 6.  We want to know: what are the one or two most pressing issues in your neighborhood or local schools? Tell us about the changes you’d like to see.  Give us a call at 510-279-6910.  Leave us a short voicemail and please include your name, your neighborhood, and your opinion. We might use what you share in an upcoming podcast or an article.  And remember, please keep your thoughts in under a minute. Stories we cover in this episode: Conflict De-escalation How to de-escalate conflict, according to Oakland violence prevention expertsCity Hall Oakland police reach tentative deal for 14% pay raise over 5 yearsIllegal dumpers in Oakland could have their cars bootedPublic Safety Police and suspect exchanged fire during East Oakland manhuntArts and Community Closed for 24 years, East Oakland’s once-beloved Tyrone Carney Park will reopen on SaturdayFor Dorothy Lazard, the public library was ‘a forest of dreams and possibilities’Dog Hikes 14 dog-friendly hiking trails in the East BayNosh Egg Pals is trading pop-ups for a permanent home in OaklandFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

  8. Aug 28

    November election preview: What's on Oakland's ballot

    It's that time again: election season. Oakland's got a mayor's race, three city council seats, three competitive school board seats, and three city or regional ballot measures on the table.  To help you make sense of it all — and to tell you how we're covering it between now and November 3rd — we're joined by two of our editors: Darwin BondGraham, our news editor, who edits our city hall, housing, and public safety reporters; and Esther Kaplan, our deputy editor, who edits our education, transportation, and arts coverage. Stories we cover in this episode: Who qualified for Oakland’s November election?Are parents poised for a school board takeover?Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee launches campaign for re-electionForeclosure tax will appear on Oakland’s November ballotBART, AC Transit and Muni are all-in on a November sales tax. Will voters bite?Barbara Lee breaks tie, pushing ‘strong-mayor’ measure onto the ballotFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

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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
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Oaklandside 510
  • Show Website
    Oaklandside 510

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