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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 12/05/2025

    Who is Mario Juarez?

    In this week’s episode, we catch you up on speed cameras coming to Oakland's most dangerous roads, share some good news about Oakland’s costly coal terminal lawsuit, and tell you about a City Hall clash between a city council member and a high-up city staffer accusing each other of ethics violations. Plus, holiday gift guides to help you shop local in three Oakland neighborhoods. But first, a deep dive into one of the most important stories we've published all year — a major investigation into Mario Juarez, the man who appears to be the FBI's key informant in the federal corruption case against former Mayor Sheng Thao. Heads up: The Oaklandside’s most important fundraising drive of the year is happening right now. Our reporting is free for everyone in Oakland because residents like you pitch in to make sure Oakland has the high-quality coverage our beautiful city deserves. Our year-end fundraising drive is on until Dec. 31 and we hope you will be part of it. You can donate here—and thank you.

    33 min

  4. 11/21/2025

    Coach Beam is gone, Skyline walkout, police chief news, and Cabaret

    This week, Oakland is mourning a legend. John Beam, Laney College's beloved athletic director and football coach, was shot and killed on Thursday morning in the school's field house. Host Tasneem Raja talks with Oaklandside reporters Azucena Rasilla and Roselyn Romero about Beam's extraordinary legacy, the circumstances of his death, and what we know about the suspect who's been arrested. Then we catch you up on some other stories The Oaklandside reported this week. There was a student walkout at Skyline High School after last week's on-campus shooting, which involved a ghost gun.  Mayor Barbara Lee has named Oakland's interim police chief.  OPD is facing a new lawsuit over license plate reader cameras.  Red Bay Coffee is closing its Fruitvale flagship.  And there's a production of Cabaret opening in Oakland this weekend that feels especially timely right now.

    22 min

  5. 11/14/2025

    Parking ban at Lake Merritt, coal terminal, explaining the Oakland Police Commission

    In today's episode:  Oakland faces a potentially massive legal judgment over its efforts to block a coal terminal in West Oakland.  The state finds Oakland Unified discriminated against Jewish students.  A popular Lake Merritt hangout spot is getting new parking restrictions after gun violence.  The old Lake Merritt Lodge is reopening as a shelter for survivors of domestic violence and trafficking. What it's been like for one Palestinian American woman living in Oakland during the war in Gaza. And, I’ll explain what the Oakland Police Commission actually does and why it matters.  Finally: Oaklandside is accepting applications from Oakland high school students for a new reporting fellowship.

    17 min

  6. 11/07/2025

    Crime is dropping, affordable housing is booming, and more good Oakland news

    Oakland’s surprising affordable housing boom, dropping crime rates, a new health center for East Oakland youth, huge fixes coming for Oakland sidewalks, and much more good news in this week’s episode.  We spend a lot of time on this podcast covering Oakland's challenges — budget crises, crime statistics, political turmoil. That's important.  But it’s not the full story of what's happening in this city.  When we launched this newsroom, we made a commitment to reporting that reflects the value of Oakland. Along with our accountability and watchdog journalism, we share real news about real change that’s making Oakland better.  Today’s episode rounds up some of our latest reporting on good news in Oakland.  Also: Vote in the 2025 Nosh Awards! STORIES IN THIS EPISODE Education and youth support Samuel Merritt University’s $240M campus to bring 2,000 students to downtown OaklandEnrollment is up in OUSD for the first time in 8 years. Can it be sustained? Health center for East Oakland youth breaks groundCrime decrease and violence prevention Trump claims Oakland crime is out of control. But crime has fallen this yearA violence interruption academy is coming to OaklandBetter sidewalks Nicole Brown-Booker sued Oakland over its busted sidewalks — and won Music communities RIC Bar in Rockridge is hosting private shows to cure musicians’ bluesJazz quintet finds fans in Oakland retirement communities, playing music ‘from their era’Affordable housing boom and food assistance  Affordable housing construction is taking off in OaklandAlameda County announces another $1.5 million in emergency food assistanceGood restaurant news:  Reems returns, Cenaduria Elvira finds a new home, Saba Grocers expandsFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    28 min

  7. 10/31/2025

    What happened at Coast Guard Island?

    Last week, federal agents arrived in the East Bay for what was expected to be a major immigration and law enforcement operation. Then President Trump called it off—for now. But the impact on Oakland students, families, businesses, and protestors was stark. In this episode, we walk you through everything that happened that Wednesday and Thursday, from Coast Guard Island to Fruitvale Village to Oakland schools with large immigrant populations. You’ll get a sense of where things stand now. And you’ll understand what we should all take away from this experience. Plus, reporting on developments in Oakland's ongoing debates over police oversight, some good news about enrollment in Oakland schools, and a longtime Lakeshore institution that's closing its doors. Links to Oaklandside stories we cover in this episode: On Thursday, Fruitvale was empty  With threats of a federal 'surge,' absences spiked among Oakland's immigrant students  A federal agent shot a pastor in the face with a chemical weapon. What can California do about it? Oakland mayor, sheriff say CBP ‘surge’ operation canceled for East Bay The East Bay ‘resistance’: A guide to local activism Enrollment is up in OUSD for the first time in 8 years. Can it be sustained?  After OPD chief’s resignation, Oakland City Council deals a blow to police oversight Oakland to lose a longtime Lakeshore institution Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    20 min

  8. 10/24/2025

    Oakland City Council is blatantly breaking transparency laws

    Note: this episode was recorded Wednesday, before Thursday’s whirlwind news of a Bay Area “surge” in federal enforcement that didn’t materialize—for now. We’ll talk about it in next week’s episode. This week on Oaklandside 510, our investigation into how Oakland City Council members routinely ignore public records laws, good news on lead contamination progress in Oakland schools, a guide to local “resistance” activism, and new cafes and restaurants around the Town. Oaklandside reporting in this episode: Oakland officials have flagrantly violated transparency law  Drinking water at most Oakland schools now meets safety thresholds  Oakland turns out for 'No Kings' protest against Trump  The East Bay 'resistance': A guide to local activism  New restaurants and cafe openings: Eve's Waterfront reopens, Alleyway Cafe in Temescal Alley, Olivia Coffee and Flower, Leo's Diner, Marin's Kitchen & Coffee, Payakk in Montclair Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    25 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
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Oaklandside 510
  • Show Website
    Oaklandside 510

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