You can now report crimes by federal agents in California
California unveiled an online portal to report potentially illegal activity by federal law enforcement, including ICE agents, to the state Department of Justice.
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Oaklandside 510
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city hall
The FBI’s Oakland corruption case relies heavily on the word of one man with a ‘checkered past’
Mario Juarez appears to be “Co-conspirator 1,” a key informant in the federal criminal case against Sheng Thao. For decades he’s been at the center of bitter legal disputes — and the subject of criminal investigations — all while maintaining high-level political connections.
Feud between Oakland councilmember and city staffer escalates into ethics complaints
Transportation and Public Works chief Josh Rowan has accused Councilmember Ken Houston of trying to “rig” a city contract. Houston says Rowan defamed him.
Oakland might not owe coal company hundreds of millions after new court ruling
A federal judge in Kentucky ruled a bankruptcy court’s judgment, which could have put the city on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars, was improper.
Oakland council committee rejects Flock surveillance camera expansion
Scores of people voiced concerns about growing police surveillance, while others support more cameras to fight crime.
Oakland police hit with lawsuit for sharing license plate camera data with feds
A former member of Oakland’s privacy commission wants OPD to shut down its automated license plate reader system, saying its data is vulnerable to federal immigration and anti-abortion enforcement actions.…
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At the East Bay’s best wine bar, the bathroom wins as much praise as the French vibes and vintages
A newcomer on the scene, La Loulou crushed the competition and elicited effusive praise from Nosh voters.
Former pandemic pop-up rises to claim East Bay’s best bakery title
Joyce Tang has built Bake Sum into a nationally acclaimed pastry powerhouse in the five years since it opened. Nosh readers voted it the best bakery of 2025.
Giving trees: East Bay backyard orchards are a mutual aid lifeline
Oakland Gleaners and Alameda’s Project Pick have had record years, redistributing a combined 11 tons of fruit to those in need.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Oakland will get 18 speed cameras over the next six weeks
Speeding vehicles will receive fines of $50 to $500 depending on how fast they’re going. Data on the city’s most dangerous roadways guided their placement.
Education equity
Oakland schools have stemmed principal turnover
OUSD has made substantial gains in principal retention this year, which means stability for schools and students. But principals worry that looming budget cuts could undermine that progress.
Teen shot at Skyline High School
Police expect the young person to survive. Students at the Oakland public school describe the harrowing ordeal.
A literacy intervention for kids in the juvenile justice system
Many students in Alameda County’s youth facility, Butler Academic Center, read below the third grade level. An innovative program is now offering one-on-one support.
Arts & Community
An avant-garde drag show is coming to Oakland for one night only
“The Last 7 Days of Obsidienne Obsurd” fuses a personal story of gender transition with classical music, intricate costumes, visuals, dance and music.
Housing & Homelessness
Fruitvale renters sue landlord over immigration threats, eviction attempts
The East Oakland tenants claim Darrick Chavis bought their buildings earlier this year and immediately tried to push them out illegally.
Shelter for survivors of violence and trafficking opens at old Lake Merritt Lodge
Restorative Pathways took over the regal property this year and plans to house 120 people at a time.
See where Oakland’s building affordable housing in new interactive maps
There are nearly 11,000 low-income homes in the city. Construction has picked up in recent years.
Once-flooded East Oakland building, now in financial distress, could get new owner
Coliseum Connections faced troubles from the start. Now, with tenants and owner both behind on rent, government agencies are hatching a plan to stabilize it.
Health & Environment
East Bay regional parks are free on ‘Green Friday’ after Thanksgiving
The East Bay Regional Park District is waiving fees and organizing group hikes.
Healthcare enrollment starts Nov. 1 in California — with big rate hikes
Congressional Republicans killed health exchange subsidies, which now expire at the end of 2025. Program administrators “expect many people to go uninsured” in the Bay Area if they aren’t restored.
Oakland’s ‘tortious interference’ bankrupted a coal company. Now the city could owe millions.
Yesterday’s decision, by a federal bankruptcy judge in Kentucky, is a massive legal blow against the city’s long-running effort to stop construction of a coal export terminal in West Oakland.
Business
Oakland gift guide: Where to shop in Fruitvale
Whether you need spices for the cook on your list, or unique gifts for the home, this immigrant enclave has it all.
Oakland gift guide: Where to shop in the Laurel district
A stretch of family businesses offer beautiful items for the home — and the workbench. Plus, take a break at one of Oakland’s best beer gardens.
Small businesses could get a big tax break under Oakland plan
Three city officials are promoting a ballot measure that would also temporarily cut taxes for new Oakland businesses of any size.
About The Oaklandside
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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
Oaklandside’s Alejandra Armstrong, Roselyn Romero, Darwin BondGraham receive journalism honors
All three are being honored tonight by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Armstrong will receive the Unsung Hero Award.
The Oaklandside is launching a reporting fellowship for high schoolers
The program will pay 12 OUSD high school students to collaborate with the newsroom and help shape our education coverage. Students must apply by Nov. 30.
Uptown parking ticket scam, Prescott Market’s new vendors, East Oakland improvements: on the podcast
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