City finance staff presented new details about Oakland’s dire budget situation, and suggested cuts.
Author Archives: Darwin BondGraham
Before joining The Oaklandside as News Editor, Darwin BondGraham worked with The Appeal, where he was an investigative reporter covering police and prosecutorial misconduct. He has reported on gun violence for The Guardian, and was an enterprise reporter for the East Bay Express. BondGraham's work has also appeared with KQED, ProPublica and other leading national and local outlets. He holds a doctorate in sociology from UC Santa Barbara and was the co-recipient of the George Polk Award for local reporting in 2017.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Unbudgeted police spending is biggest portion of Oakland’s budget shortfall
City staff warn the city faces “severe financial stress” if budget adjustments aren’t made, but some are skeptical of dire claims.
Posted inArts & Community
Pilot program for Lake Merritt vendors market comes to an end
City officials will collect feedback to see whether the market met vendors’ needs, defused conflicts along Lakeshore Avenue, and was COVID-safe.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland voters overwhelmingly back police oversight measure
For the second time in four years, a supermajority of Oaklanders voted to give a civilian police commission vast authority.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Hear from the four finalists hoping to become Oakland’s next police chief
The Police Commission and Mayor Libby Schaaf held a virtual forum open to the public.
Posted inOaklandside
Federal judge eases restrictions on law enforcement agencies to use crowd control weapons in Oakland
The decision was made after OPD warned of possible election-related unrest.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Spending by independent groups soars in Oakland City Council, school board elections
Wealthy individuals, business groups, and unions have poured over $2 million into local races to influence voters.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Oakland city attorney election: incumbent Barbara Parker faces Eli Ferran
Ferran, who used to work for Parker, says the City Attorney’s Office is unfocused and has made big mistakes. Parker says she’s far more experienced and capable of managing the city’s team of lawyers.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
Looking for Oakland voter guides? Here’s a partial list
As a nonprofit newsroom, The Oaklandside doesn’t make endorsements. Here are a few voter guides compiled by informed locals.
Posted inHow We Work
How we’re covering the 2020 election in Oakland
Our ‘citizen’s agenda’ approach: start by asking Oakland residents about what’s working, and what’s not, in their neighborhoods and schools. Go from there.