Oaklandside 510

The Oaklandside
  • 5.0 (65)
  • 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. 3D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 12/19/2025

    Big school budget cuts, OAK and ICE, Costco plan, and more

    Oakland Unified School District faces brutal $102 million in budget cuts that will impact every school. Education reporter Ashley McBride breaks down what's getting cut, why the district is in crisis, and what happens next. Plus: Oakland airport's new guest pass program raises concerns about TSA sharing passenger data with ICE, the ethics commission dismisses Ken Houston's complaint against a city official, Mills College Children's School finds a new home, the West Oakland Costco proposal moves forward, new restaurants open, and Oakland Tech unveils a stunning $1.4 million auditorium renovation. Stories we cover in this episode: OUSD budget crisis OUSD has $100M in cuts to make. School sites won't be exempt — Interim superintendent Denise Saddler proposes $32 million in cuts from school site budgets as part of a broader $100 million deficit reduction plan that may include school closures and mergers. Ashley McBride explains the full scope of cuts, from custodial services to technology to special education.Airport and immigration enforcement Flying OAK this holiday season? TSA might be sharing your name with ICE — The New York Times reported that airport security officials around the country are sharing passenger data with federal immigration authorities. Oakland airport officials say they're in the dark about whether this is happening here.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 immigration enforcement.City Hall Oakland watchdog dismisses Ken Houston's complaint against senior city staffer — The ethics commission found no evidence of violations in Houston's complaint against Josh Rowan. However, Rowan's complaint against Houston, claiming he interfered with city contracting, is still under investigation.Education Once slated to close, Mills College Children's School will merge with Rockridge's Aurora School — The nearly 100-year-old preschool will live on through a partnership with Aurora School, preserving its hands-on learning environment and emphasis on outdoor play.Oakland Tech unveils $1.4M auditorium update, reviving performing arts program — Over 20 years, a dedicated parent committee fundraised $1.4 million to upgrade the auditorium with new seats and professional sound and lighting systems. Oakland Tech invites the community to see the space in action with a student production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" in January and February.Business and development West Oakland Costco plan inches forward, to enthusiasm and dismay — City Council committee members expressed support for bringing the bulk goods store to the old Army base, while some West Oakland residents pushed back on pollution concerns.Restaurant news Sandwich shop lands in Old Town, and a new Temescal pickleball social club offers breakfast and

    24 min

  8. 12/12/2025

    Best restaurant in Oakland, best bar, coffeeshop, and more: the Nosh awards

    The Nosh food awards are in! Hear about Oakland’s Best New Restaurant (Lucuma), Best Bar Overall (Tallboy), Best Coffee Shop (Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar), and much more.  See all the Nosh winners in 2025. Also in this episode: Oakland finally sells $285 million in Measure U bonds for roads and housing after years of delays, OUSD's school board faces tough decisions on $100 million in cuts, the city attempts to reform its notoriously difficult permitting system, and we round up holiday markets across The Town. Stories in this episode: $285M for roads, parks, and housing finally a go in Oakland — After 16 months of pressure from OakDOT and years of deferred maintenance, Oakland successfully sold bonds that will fund street repairs, affordable housing, libraries, senior centers, and stormwater projects. OUSD has $100M in cuts to make. School sites won't be exempt — Interim superintendent Denise Saddler proposes $32 million in cuts from school site budgets as part of a broader $100 million deficit reduction plan that may include school closures and mergers. Getting a permit to build in Oakland has been hellish. Will reform work? — Mayor Barbara Lee makes permit reform a cornerstone of her first year, with new one-stop digital applications, expanded counter hours, and same-day permits for smaller projects. But builders say it'll take more than tweaks to fix the system. 24 Oakland holiday markets for gifts and winter cheer — From the BlackOut Holiday Market to Children's Fairyland's winter market, over 20 holiday markets across Oakland offer unique gifts while supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. 5 Oakland events from December 10 to the 16 — Including Bay Area Film Night at the Grand Lake Theatre, Street Spirit's winter fundraiser, and the announcement of Rosalía's Lux Tour coming to Oakland Arena in 2026.

    18 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
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Oaklandside 510
  • Show Website
    Oaklandside 510

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