Oaklandside 510

The Oaklandside
  • 5.0 (76)
  • 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

    Why is Oakland always in a budget crisis?

    Fiscal cliff. Structural deficit. Unanticipated emergency. If you've lived in Oakland for any length of time, you've heard the warnings — firehouses closing, academies canceled, the biggest deficit ever — and then watched the city keep running anyway. So what's actually going on? City Hall reporter Eli Wolfe and housing and City Hall reporter Natalie Orenstein help untangle why Oakland lurches from one budget crisis to the next, why it never quite goes over the edge, and who absorbs the damage when it doesn't. Stories we reference in this episode: The structural deficit Oakland's big budget crisis: what you need to knowIn her first budget as mayor, Thao stares down Oakland's biggest deficit everPolice and fire cuts may be needed to fix Oakland's longterm budget problemsThe "b" word Oakland accidentally published a report saying the city could face bankruptcyWhere the cuts land Oakland budget cuts finalized on eve of big leadership changesOakland to cut $2.6M for youth, Meals on Wheels, and violence preventionBudget cuts devastated an Oakland public safety program. Now neighbors are scraping byThe current moment 'Nobody's Happy Budget': Oakland adopts $4.2 billion spending planAt vague preview of Oakland budget, officials pledge no layoffs or service cutsHow is Mayor Lee balancing Oakland's budget?Crime, the economy, and revenue New report links crime to Oakland's budget crisisOakland made a big financial mistake failing to collect business taxes, audit findsFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    27 min

  2. Jun 19

    Oakland First Fridays fights for its future

    For 20 years, Oakland First Fridays has turned a stretch of Telegraph Avenue into a monthly street festival. Now organizers say a false media narrative, one that ties off-site, late-night violence to the event, has driven away sponsors and put the festival's future in doubt.  Arts and community reporter Azucena Rasilla and public safety reporter Roselyn Romero join us to explain what's happening, why the blame is misplaced, and what it would take to keep First Fridays going. Plus:  Oakland's new "nobody's crazy budget"a private foundation's $9 million to fight illegal dumpingOakland Unified's remaining budget gap and a commitment to keep violence-intervention teams in schoolsMia Bonta's pushback on a Trump-funded coal terminal; a rare occult book collection that needs a new homea ride-along with Oakland Animal Controlan Oakland nonprofit's James Beard-honored work on prison foodand your guide to celebrating Juneteenth.Stories we cover in this episode: First Fridays First Fridays at risk as sponsors pull out amid false links to violenceFalse media narratives threaten Oakland's First Fridays, say organizersCity Hall 'Nobody's crazy budget' avoids layoffs and includes film incentives, shelter beds, and illegal dumping crewsSF tech investor pours $9M into illegal dumping fight in OaklandEducation OUSD cut its deficit by two-thirds, but a $38M gap remainsOUSD commits to violence intervention in Oakland schools next yearHealth and environment Mia Bonta wants a planned coal terminal in West Oakland to face more environmental scrutinyHousing and homelessness 13,000 rare occult books for sale: Inside the home of a bookseller facing eviction in OaklandArts and community A day with Oakland Animal Control is as wild as the animals they helpNosh How an Oakland organization became a national force for better prison mealsThings to do How to celebrate Juneteenth in OaklandFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    23 min

  3. Jun 12

    Oakland's World Cup moment — and the Mount Rushmore of Oakland sports

    The Australian men's national soccer team — the Socceroos — are calling Oakland home for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, training at the Oakland Roots and Soul facility in Alameda. Oaklandside freelance sports reporter Anne Marks tells us what that means for the city, how Oakland is welcoming fans from around the world, and what local restaurants are doing to celebrate. Then: who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Oakland sports? Anne asked mayors, coaches, journalists, team executives, and historians — and got some great answers and some great arguments. Plus: Barbara Lee launches her re-election campaign, new data on Oakland's Flock surveillance cameras, a deadly crash in Fruitvale, turmoil at a homeless services nonprofit, Oakland Carnival, and new food openings. Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    22 min

  4. Jun 5

    Measure E looks set to fail. What that means for Oakland politics

    Oakland voters appear to have rejected Measure E, the $192 parcel tax that city leaders and unions had counted on to fund police, fire, homelessness services, and illegal dumping cleanup.  We break down what happened, what it means for the city budget, and what it signals heading into the November election.  Plus: Remembering Wilson Riles Jr., the 580 truck ban, cell phones and girls sports in OUSD, Sable Lounge opens, and more. News editor Darwin BondGraham joins host Tasneem Raja. Stories we cover in this episode: Measure E Measure E looks set to fail. What does that mean for Oakland politics? Measure E: Oakland voters are being asked to approve a new parcel taxOakland Measure E: Early results show voters skeptical of parcel tax Other stories in this episode: Community Wilson Riles Jr., Oakland councilmember and activist, dies at 79Education Oakland Unified moves toward districtwide cell phone banHow Oakland Unified's girls sports programs came back from the brinkTransportation Caltrans studies lifting decades-old big rig ban on I-580Health Rep. Lateefah Simon secures $1 million for pediatric cancer research at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital OaklandNosh Sable Lounge opens in Grand LakeUpcoming events and sports games we discuss: Oakland Carnival: the 12th annual celebration of the African diaspora, with drummers, dancers, live music, and foodOakland Spiders, Saturday, June 6 at Fremont High SchoolFree Prince tribute DJ set, Saturday night at Moonglow on Telegraph Avenue.Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

    33 min

  5. May 29

    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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Oaklandside 510
  • Show Website
    Oaklandside 510

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