Sign up for our free newsletter
Free Oakland news, written by Oaklanders, delivered straight to your inbox three times a week.
This week in Oakland: Guided bird walks at Lakeside Park, clean-up day at Peralta Hacienda
Other events include a Children’s Fairyland writing workshop, Youth Beat film screening, and the ‘Town Landmarks’ exhibit at Camron-Stanford House.
‘Slow Streets’ to wind down in coming weeks, says OakDOT
Oakland’s pandemic-era program to reduce vehicle traffic in residential neighborhoods will likely end soon. But not everyone thinks it should.
28,000 PG&E customers lost power in Oakland over the weekend
Some residents, businesses reported being without electricity for more than 24 hours.
‘Get the shot,’ pleads Oakland minister and COVID survivor
As Omicron has surged and disinformation persists, service groups and churches are urging the Black community to get vaccinated.
Looking for a free COVID test?
You don’t need insurance or payment for any of these free Oakland COVID-19 testing sites. You may need to make an appointment ahead of time.
Oakland’s dangerous roadways
An investigative series looking into traffic and pedestrian safety in our city. Read more.
We produced six hours of video journalism to celebrate our one-year anniversary, touching on some of Oakland’s most pressing issues.
Watch it all here ➔
Arts & Community
This week in Oakland: a drag show on skates, and ‘Lockdown Comedy’
Other things to do include hiking at Huckleberry, walking at Mountain View Cemetery, and more skating at Mosswood.
city hall & policing
Local businesses push back on attempt to waive contracting rules
With $40 million in city paving contracts up for grabs, minority biz owners say dropping the rules now would make existing inequities worse.
A’s waterfront ballpark plan passes first environment review vote
The Oakland Planning Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to recommend the City Council certify the Howard Terminal project’s 3,500-page environmental impact report.
Deadline blown, Oakland’s Redistricting Commission hopes to adopt a final map soon
The commission meets Jan. 19 to weigh the pros and cons of changing City Council and school board district boundaries.
City Council this week: New cameras to stop illegal dumping and a ‘ghost gun’ ban
Councilmembers will also hear a report on whether the city can open more vaccination sites.
NOSH
How a mother and daughter reinvented Oakland’s 65-year-old Fortune Factory
Jiamin and Alicia Wong are changing people’s assumptions of what a fortune cookie looks and tastes like.
Education equity
After 4 days of boycott, Oakland students say COVID demands have not been met
The students pledge to continue their protest until OUSD provides better testing at all schools. The teachers union is also calling for improved safety measures.
Health & Environment
Business
Cult-fave tamale spot set to open in former Cosecha space
La Guerrera’s Kitchen opens this month with lunch, dinner and brunch service and an expanded menu of Guerrero-style dishes.
Oakland’s cannabis industry reeling from car caravan burglaries — again
The most recent wave of thefts in November caused an estimated $5 million in damages and lost inventory for one of Oakland’s most important industries.
This Queer Oakland cafe works to fight anti-immigrant sentiment
Cafe Gabriela serves up resistance and resilience alongside its menu of salads and sandwiches.
About The Oaklandside
Support our work
Your contribution makes a difference in providing quality local journalism free for all readers.
Built on a foundation of listening
How do we build an outlet for local journalism that is rooted in, representative of, and responsive to communities in a city as diverse, complex, and powerful as Oakland?
Hundreds of Oaklanders told us what they want from local journalism. Here’s what we learned.
HOW WE WORK
Values guiding our work
News organizations don’t always tell you–or know–what drives their decisions.