The Berkeley Public Library is hosting game watch parties and a virtual panel examining sportswashing and controversies in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Author Archives: Ricky Rodas
Ricky Rodas is a member of the 2020 graduating class of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Before joining The Oaklandside, he spent two years reporting on immigrant communities in the Bay Area as a reporter for the local news sites Oakland North, Mission Local, and Richmond Confidential. Rodas, who is Salvadoran American and bilingual, is on The Oaklandside team through a partnership with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities.
Fast food franchises have a tight grip on Eastmont. The city wants to change that
Oakland is hoping to persuade McDonald’s and Taco Bell to remove a deed restriction so the Black Cultural Zone’s market hall can succeed.
Where to watch the 2022 World Cup in the East Bay
Cheering on the USA, Mexico, Senegal, or South Korea? Here’s some gathering spots in Oakland and Berkeley for international soccer’s greatest competition.
Oakland City Council races: Janani Ramachandran declares victory in District 4
Nikki Fortunato Bas and Kevin Jenkins maintain comfortable leads in districts 2 and 6, respectively.
Who’s leading the Oakland City Council races?
Three candidates have established large leads, but a majority of ballots remain to be counted.
One of Fruitvale’s only optometry practices faithfully serves its patients
Payam and Genesta Zarehbin Irani run Fruitvale Optometry, a bilingual business that caters to the neighborhood’s Latino communities.
After fish die-off, life returns to Lake Merritt
Local volunteers are taking a survey of the lake’s wildlife , and you can help.
Oakland Chamber of Commerce wants City Hall reopened and more police and security patrols downtown
Business groups aren’t satisfied with the city’s current efforts to reduce crime and bring pre-pandemic vibrancy back to downtown.
Election 2022: Meet the 4 candidates running for Oakland City Council District 6
A Peralta trustee, a real estate agent, a tax consultant, and an IT consultant are running to fill the seat vacated by mayoral candidate Loren Taylor.
Here are two Oakland fundraisers for Puerto Rico hurricane relief
An Oakland-based Puerto Rican restaurant and a Bay Area DJ collective are raising money for Puerto Rican residents still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona.
Oakland wants a WNBA team
The women’s basketball league is expanding. The Oakland City Council officially called on the league to give The Town a team.
Umoja Health Fair returns to Oakland
The nonprofit will be providing on-site health screenings, vaccinations, and health care information for underserved communities.
Election 2022: D6 residents love their neighborhoods but say there’s much to fix
Voters in the sprawling East Oakland district will be choosing a new City Council member this November.
For Temescal’s only tailor, craft is culture
Bolivian-born Gabriel Escobar’s father, mother, and grandfather were expert tailors. He continues their legacy in his North Oakland shop.
‘It’s the worst I’ve seen’: Lake Merritt dead fish clean-up continues ahead of heat wave
Crews have removed over 1,200 pounds of dead fish from the lake, which has been hard-hit by a massive algae bloom.
‘With resources comes change’: Oakland families call for more action on gun violence
Organizers said they want to prevent locals from becoming desensitized to violence and for everyone to take action.
Owners of Rent-A-Relic, North Oakland’s quirky car rental agency, reflect on 30 years of business
With its iconic dinosaur mascot and niche market, the Temescal company has managed to outlast giant national competitors.
A Black and woman-owned screen printing shop opens in East Oakland
Rita Forte used to DJ in Oakland’s Hyphy scene. The East Oakland native now owns Olive Street Agency, a graphic design business.
Election 2022: Who’s running for Oakland City Council District 6?
4 candidates want to represent the East Oakland district, which includes the Coliseum, Mills College, Eastmont, and the hills.
How are Oakland’s Latino businesses doing?
Fruitvale is bustling, but Latino businesses still need help, says the president of the Oakland Latino Chamber of Commerce.