Oaklandside 510

The Oaklandside
  • 5.0 (68)
  • 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. 55M AGO

    Speed cameras are real now: What the data tells us

    Oakland's 60-day warning period ended March 15th. Road safety reporter Jose Fermoso breaks down what 140,000 warnings revealed about where speeding is worst in Oakland — and what comes next. And later in this episode, I’ll tell you about more recent news: thousands of Oaklanders joined the nationwide No Kings march, a strong-mayor proposal gets a cool reception at City Hall, three homeless shelters close as the city grapples with a shelter shortfall, Oakland schools are nearly lead-free, the city wants your input on its first General Plan update since 1998, Oakland sports news, and new restaurant openings. Stories we cover in this episode: Transportation Which Oakland streets saw the most speed camera warnings? New Oakland speed cameras send 70K warnings in first month18 speed cameras just went up in Oakland. See where Politics and government 'Strong mayor' for Oakland? City Council gets its first look — and some aren't sold Housing and homelessness As 3 Oakland homeless shelters close, city and residents question outcomes Education OUSD lead crisis: Almost all drinking water sources are now safe Community and civic engagement Thousands turn out for Oakland No Kings march Planning the physical future of Oakland Food For 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.

    21 min

  2. MAR 27

    Is your Oakland City Council member showing up?

    City Hall reporters Eli Wolfe and Natalie Orenstein tracked every Oakland City Council vote in 2025 — all 138 of them at full council meetings, plus 519 more at committee meetings — to find out how your representative is doing the most basic part of the job. Plus: a deeply sad update on the mass shooting at a downtown Oakland nightclub, one in five funded city jobs sitting vacant, a push to raise Oakland's minimum wage to $30 an hour, how license plate thieves are gaming the Flock camera system, ICE agents at airports across the country but not yet at OAK, and Oakland high schoolers are about to start publishing stories with our newsroom. Stories we cover in this episode: City Council voting records Which Oakland councilmember had the best voting record in 2025?Public safety Weekend mass shooting in Oakland: What we knowOakland nightclub shooting: Family of teacher says her story 'cannot be ignored'Did a modified gun make the Oakland nightclub mass shooting deadlier?City Hall Oakland is struggling to hire city workersEconomy and labor A $30 minimum wage for Oakland?Transportation and public safety Sheriff's deputies thought they'd stopped a criminal. But license plate cameras led them to the wrong personAre ICE agents coming to Oakland's airport?Education Oakland classrooms reached scorching temperatures last week. Parents are demanding actionWe're working with Oakland students to deepen our schools coverageFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    22 min

  3. MAR 20

    OPD overtime changes after Oaklandside's investigation

    After The Oaklandside's blockbuster investigation into runaway overtime spending at the Oakland Police Department, real policies were changed.  Investigative reporter Beck Klein and news editor Darwin BondGraham break it down.  Plus: Oakland's speed cameras start issuing real tickets, schools across California — including OUSD — hand out thousands of layoff notices, the City Council demands hospitals continue gender-affirming care, pro women's football comes to Oakland, and more. Stories we cover in this episode: OPD overtime OPD overtime: Superhuman hours, fat checks and sparse records6 takeaways from Oaklandside's investigation into OPD overtime Oakland police say they're investigating overtime issues revealed by Oaklandside Overtime at OPD is now much harder to greenlight, following investigation by OaklandsideTransportation Which Oakland streets saw the most speed camera warnings? New Oakland speed cameras send 70K warnings in first monthEducation California school districts issue thousands of pink slips OUSD board approves 421 staff layoffs Politics and government Gender-affirming care: Oakland demands hospitals continue services Lateefah Simon talks about repping Oakland in a GOP-dominated Congress Sports Women are bringing tackle football back to Oakland Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    23 min

  4. MAR 13

    Oakland schools in crisis

    Teachers nearly went on strike. More than 400 positions were cut. And the district still has $50 million in budget cuts left to find. Education reporter Ashley McBride breaks down everything happening in Oakland Unified right now — and what it means for students, educators, and the city. Plus: a mass shooting at a downtown nightclub leaves two dead, Oakland's speed cameras issue a stunning 70,000 warnings in their first month, thousands of immigrant truck drivers lose their licenses overnight, a new state bill aims to crack down on illegal dumping, the public defender makes a stand over a jury with no Black members, a vivid walking tour of Bruce Lee's Oakland, and your guide to all the Oakland sports teams to root for in 2026. Stories we cover in this episode: Education Oakland teachers avert strike, reach tentative deal with OUSDOUSD board approves 421 staff layoffsOUSD plans to slash two-thirds of the district's central office; $50M more in cuts loomOakland schools brace for staff layoffsA new contract for OUSD support staff raises the district's lowest salariesFunding for violence prevention in schools at riskPublic safety Weekend mass shooting in Oakland: What we knowAlameda County public defender challenges judge over lack of Black jurorsTransportation and immigration New Oakland speed cameras send 70K warnings in first month13K immigrant truck drivers lose California licensesGovernment accountability Illegal dumpers face big fines in Oakland, but they rarely have to payCulture and sports Walking Bruce Lee's Oakland with Jeff ChangAn Oakland sports fan's guide to the 2026 seasonFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    21 min

  5. MAR 6

    Black Joy Parade

    Tens of thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Oakland on February 22nd for the city's ninth annual Black Joy Parade. We took our microphones out to meet some of the people who showed up and heard what the parade means to them — and what they want the world to know about Oakland. Plus: a federal arrest near the Port of Oakland puts immigrant communities further on edge, Mayor Lee's office releases a draft plan to cut unsheltered homelessness by 50%, Oakland's struggle to collect illegal dumping fines, the search for the city's next police chief, a new West Oakland outpost from FOB Kitchen chef Janice Dulce, and a new mural honoring Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu. Stories in this episode: Black Joy Parade Black Joy Parade enlivens downtown OaklandFirst Amendment Award Oaklandside's Ashley McBride, Callie Rhoades receive First Amendment awardICE arrest near Port of Oakland Did ICE arrest a truck driver in Oakland?Homelessness plan Cut homelessness by 50% in Oakland? A new plan says it's possibleIllegal dumping fines Illegal dumpers face big fines in Oakland, but they rarely have to payPolice chief search Oakland police chief search: you can weigh inNosh FOB West soft opens at Prescott MarketAlysa Liu mural Major mural of Oakland Olympic champ Alysa Liu goes up in Temescal

    21 min

  6. FEB 27

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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Trailer

5
out of 5
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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
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Oaklandside 510
  • Show Website
    Oaklandside 510

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