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The Oaklandside

The Oaklandside

The Oaklandside. Journalism for Oakland.

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Oakland City Council's plan to tackle crime | Rift in local NAACP | Fired OPD chief feels 'vindicated' by new report | Broadway 'bulb-outs'

Author Archives: Iris Kwok

Iris Kwok covers the environment for Berkeleyside through a partnership with Report for America. A former music journalist, her work has appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, KQED, San Francisco Examiner and San Francisco Classical Voice, among other publications. In her spare time, you can find her petting street cats or playing cello. She joined Berkeleyside in June 2022.

Smoke obscures the East Bay hills.
Posted inHealth & Environment

Wildfire smoke turns Oakland air unhealthy and obscures the hills

by Iris Kwok September 19, 2023September 19, 2023

Smoke from wildfires in Oregon and far North California brought the smell of smoke to the East Bay Tuesday, with AQI readings topping 150, a level unhealthy for the general public.

Posted inHealth & Environment

Smoke from Oregon and Northern California fires turns East Bay skies hazy

by Iris Kwok August 30, 2023August 30, 2023

Unofficial sensors in many places in Oakland registered AQIs above 100 Wednesday.

Aerial shot of the Berkeley Marina. Streaks of darker, tea colored water are visible in the usually blue water.
Posted inHealth & Environment

Algae bloom that caused Lake Merritt fish kill is spotted along East Bay shoreline

by Iris Kwok August 1, 2023August 1, 2023

Streaks of the tea-colored algae were first reported at the Berkeley Marina.

Two smiling people wearing black, one in an apron and one holding a "We Support the Peet's Labor Union" sign, stand in front of Peet's. Planter boxes and the store's name are visible behind them.
Posted inNosh

Union drive brewing at 3 Peet’s Coffee locations in Berkeley and Oakland

by Iris Kwok June 12, 2023June 12, 2023

Workers at the Southside Berkeley, Temescal and Piedmont locations filed petitions for union elections on Friday.

Posted inHealth & Environment

Strong winds, heavy rain expected in East Bay Monday night

by Iris Kwok March 13, 2023March 13, 2023

A flood watch and high wind warning are in effect through Wednesday morning, with 1.3 inches of rain forecast.

Posted inHealth & Environment

EBMUD ends drought surcharge as storms refill reservoirs

by Iris Kwok March 3, 2023March 2, 2023

Conservation by East Bay residents played a role in alleviating the water shortage, according to EBMUD.

Posted inHealth & Environment

Snow in the East Bay hills?

by Iris Kwok February 22, 2023February 23, 2023

Elevations above 1,500 feet could get up to a few inches of snow — or maybe just a dusting.

Posted inArts & Community

Total lunar eclipse will be visible early Tuesday morning in Oakland, rain permitting

by Iris Kwok November 7, 2022November 7, 2022

Set your alarm clocks for 2 a.m. Tuesday and head to an open field if you can. The next total lunar eclipse won’t be until 2025.

Posted inCity Hall & Policing

Meet the 2 candidates running for the AC Transit board’s at-large seat

by Iris Kwok October 14, 2022October 14, 2022

Incumbent Joel Young and challenger Alfred Twu have diverging views on mask mandates, Line 80 and the bus agency’s financial challenges.

Posted inHealth & Environment

Parks throughout the East Bay hills will close Sunday, Monday due to fire risk

by Iris Kwok September 2, 2022September 2, 2022

The East Bay Regional Park District is closing 40 parks in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, including in Oakland, with high temperatures forecasted this weekend.

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