Service workers in Oakland are part of a statewide campaign for better working conditions at fast food restaurants.
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.
Could Flex Streets be here to stay?
City policy director Warren Logan, who has overseen the outdoor dining program since its inception, speaks about its future.
‘We need to be leading by example’: Why this East Oakland pastor got vaccinated
Jacqueline Thompson, head pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church, got vaccinated for her congregation and 92-year-old mother.
Live show venues in Oakland can now apply for emergency funding
A new federal assistance program will provide over $16 billion in grants to entertainment venues that lost revenue during the pandemic.
Una trabajadora esencial de Fruitvale explica ‘cómo y por qué me vacune’
En esta nueva serie estamos hablando con personas como Itzel Díaz-Romo, quien vio a varios miembros de su familia contraer COVID-19. Nos contó por qué decidió vacunarse y cómo consiguió una cita.
Oakland has a new worker-owned supermarket
The DEEP Grocery Co-op was started to bring fresh and healthy food to deep East Oakland, a designated “food desert.” But their new online grocery service is open to all.
Oakland is stepping up enforcement of rules around Lake Merritt. How’d the first weekend go?
Our reporter and photographer visited the lake on Saturday and Sunday to see what impact a new push to enforce rules is having.
Oakland’s fitness centers can reopen, but is operating indoors worth it?
Resuming in-person business is a must for some gyms, while others have flourished online. We spoke with the owners of a boxing club, yoga studio, and dance center about the loosening COVID restrictions.
New rules for vending, music, parking, and more at Lake Merritt
The City Council approved regulations to balance neighbors’ concerns with visitors and vendors’ needs. Enforcement starts April 2.
Oakland closer to adopting regulations for vending and crowds at Lake Merritt
If adopted by the City Council, the new rules will allow vending to continue while addressing resident concerns about traffic and noise.
Oakland’s KONO businesses banded together to make it through COVID
The loss of First Fridays has been rough on Telegraph Avenue’s bars, restaurants, salons, and markets.
A Fruitvale essential worker explains “how and why I got vaccinated”
In our new series, we’re talking to people like Itzel Diaz-Romo, who watched several members of her family contract COVID-19, about how they decided to get the shot and how they got an appointment.
Small business owners now have extra time to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program loan
The Biden administration extended the deadline to March 9, and opened the program to people who didn’t qualify before.
Lost work during the pandemic? Oakland is offering free job-training courses online
Over 180 professional certifications can be obtained through the online learning platform.
‘We’re like a little family here’: Dimond District small biz owners lean on community to persevere
We spoke to several shop owners in the neighborhood to see how they’re faring nearly one year into the pandemic.
Oakland fortune tellers predict the future in an uncertain time
Local psychics are struggling due to COVID-19, but we spoke with two who’ve found success.
Los propietarios de peluquerías de Oakland están agradecidos de volver a trabajar
Las peluquerías y los salones de belleza han pasado por un sube y baja emocional desde el comienzo de la pandemia. Platicamos con dos estilistas del este de Oakland para ver cómo les está yendo.
‘Flex Streets’ has more Oakland businesses operating outdoors. Will it last?
We asked small business owners and city officials whether they think the COVID-19 business initiative will continue beyond the pandemic.
Oakland adopts new rules to help local small businesses compete for city contracts
A recent study found that Black-owned businesses are “under-utilized” by the city. New rules aim to change that.
Puerto Rican restaurant La Perla may not reopen because of building code issues
Health inspectors say La Perla’s owner, Jose Ortiz, needs to fix the kitchen floor. Ortiz says he doesn’t have the money to do it.