Darwin BondGraham
@darwinbondgraham.bsky.social
Journalist, writer, historian; peripatetic, skeptic; fisherman, amateur pomologist, admirer of wildflowers, mushrooms; worshiper of forests, swamps, deserts, and mountains.
A walkout by IFPTE Local 21, the city’s second-biggest union, would be the first strike in nearly a decade.
Oakland city workers will strike Nov. 5 if no deal is reached
A walkout by IFPTE Local 21, the city’s second-biggest union, would be the first strike in nearly a decade.
oaklandside.org
The Oakland resident, a pastor with the United Church of Christ, was struck outside Coast Guard Island during a protest last October of a planned ICE deployment.
Pastor shot in the face with chemicals by federal agent sues U.S. government
The Oakland resident, a pastor with the United Church of Christ, was struck outside Coast Guard Island during a protest last October of a planned ICE deployment.
oaklandside.org
Update: Oakland's 911 call system has been restored after "The City and AT&T crews worked through the night to perform repairs to the damaged AT&T infrastructure." oaklandside.org/2026/10/22/o...
Wire theft knocked out Oakland’s 911 system, says OPD
Damage to fiber-optic and copper phone lines is being investigated. Police say they are only responding to high-priority calls Thursday after OPD’s dispatch system “froze.”
oaklandside.org
Police say they are only responding to high-priority calls Thursday after OPD’s dispatch system “froze.” The cause of the outage isn’t clear.
Oakland’s 911 system is down
Police say they are only responding to high-priority calls Thursday after OPD’s dispatch system “froze.” The cause of the outage isn’t clear.
oaklandside.org
A chamber of commerce survey found Oaklanders are feeling safer, approve of the mayor and their councilmembers — but disapprove of OUSD.
Oakland residents are increasingly optimistic about the city’s future, according to a new poll
A chamber of commerce survey found Oaklanders are feeling safer, approve of the mayor and their councilmembers — but disapprove of OUSD.
oaklandside.org
Districts 2, 4 and 6 each have tightly contested races this year. At our recent school board election forum, all eight candidates got into revealing debates.
OUSD board candidates sound off on academic priorities
Districts 2, 4 and 6 each have tightly contested races this year. At our recent school board election forum, the candidates got into revealing debates.
oaklandside.org
The City Council boosted penalties for repeat nuisance violations, in hopes of deterring graffiti, trash, and weeds.
Blighted property owners now face $10K daily fines in Oakland
The City Council boosted penalties for repeat nuisance violations, in hopes of deterring graffiti, trash, and weeds.
oaklandside.org
Kathryn Camp, Mike Hutchinson and Sylvia Williams answered questions from The Oaklandside and their constituents at a forum at Oakland High School.
District 4 school board candidates talk literacy, transparency and rightsizing the district
Kathryn Camp, Mike Hutchinson and Sylvia Williams answered questions from The Oaklandside and their constituents at a forum at Oakland High School.
oaklandside.org
A fire broke out in the Berkeley-Oakland hills at 11:45 today. It's between 0.5 and 3 acres in size and has already damaged at least one home. Authorities are warning the public to avoid the area as Cal Fire drops water and firefighters work lines. oaklandside.org/2026/10/20/f...
Firefighters are battling a fire in the Oakland-Berkeley hills
Crews from multiple fire agencies have responded, and Cal Fire is dropping water from the sky as wary residents watch from across the East Bay.
oaklandside.org
Immigration advocates accused federal agents of "excessive force" as protesters confronted police outside Highland Hospital. Federal officials say one man resisted arrest and attempted to assault officers.
2 ICE arrests in Oakland and Emeryville Friday result in hospitalization
Immigration advocates accused federal agents of "excessive force" as protesters confronted police outside Highland Hospital. Federal officials say one man resisted arrest and attempted to assault officers.
oaklandside.org
During court testimony, an FBI agent revealed the chain of events that caused the government to look into Mario Juarez, the Duong family, and more.
How mysterious political attack ads landed Sheng Thao on trial 4 years later
During court testimony, an FBI agent revealed the chain of events that caused the government to look into Mario Juarez, the Duong family, and more.
oaklandside.org
Leigh Hanson was questioned on the stand about clashing with her boss, former Mayor Sheng Thao, and Andre Jones’ shadow role in City Hall.
‘I hate that f— playboy’: Thao’s former chief of staff recounts Vietnam trip fallout
Leigh Hanson was questioned on the stand about clashing with her boss, former Mayor Sheng Thao, and Andre Jones’ shadow role in City Hall.
oaklandside.org
During the first days of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's trial in Oakland on corruption charges, there was one person in the audience with a unique perspective on the case.... oaklandside.org/2026/10/16/l...
Thwarted in 2022’s mayoral election, Loren Taylor watches Thao in the hot seat
Taylor observed the federal corruption trial of his former political opponent and three men accused of orchestrating political attack ads against him.
oaklandside.org
Twelve people will decide whether the former mayor, Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong conspired to commit bribery.
Jury selected as Sheng Thao’s trial kicks off in Oakland
Twelve people will decide whether the former mayor, Andre Jones, and David and Andy Duong conspired to commit bribery.
oaklandside.org
The hotel agreed to pay workers $600,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the city.
Radisson Hotel owner will pay major wage theft settlement to Oakland workers
The hotel agreed to pay workers $600,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the city.
oaklandside.org
Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao's trial began in Oakland today. Thao, and three others, are accused of conspiracy and bribery. They've pleaded not guilty. Jury selection is finished. We're covering every day of the trial. Bookmark this page. oaklandside.org/oakland-corr...
Sheng Thao trial updates
Former Mayor Sheng Thao, city contractors David and Andy Duong, and Andre Jones stand accused of a bribery scheme. Get the latest news.
oaklandside.org
Activists say FedEx transports fighter jet parts to the Israeli military, with many components passing through OAK.
Hundreds protest in Oakland to demand FedEx stop shipping arms to Israel
Activists say FedEx transports fighter jet parts to the Israeli military, with many components passing through OAK.
oaklandside.org
OUSD used $3.5 million in parcel tax reserves to trim its deficit, and says this was a legal, long-planned move. A citizens oversight commission says the district broke the rules — and wants the money back.
OUSD and an oversight committee are dueling over how funding for college and career programs was spent
OUSD used $3.5 million in parcel tax reserves to trim its deficit, and says this was a legal, long-planned move. A citizens oversight commission says the district broke the rules — and wants the money back.
oaklandside.org
Hundreds of people are outside of FedEx's massive warehouse in Oakland today. They say FedEx is shipping F-35 fighter jet parts from OAK to Israel and they want the company and airport to stop.
Charlene Wang is trying to set up a survivor support fund while fining buyers. Nate Adams wants to focus on prevention and services.
Sex trafficking has victimized people in Oakland’s District 2 for decades. What can the next councilmember do?
Charlene Wang is trying to set up a survivor support fund while fining buyers. Nate Adams wants to focus on prevention and services.
oaklandside.org
Oakland is the latest city to pass a temporary moratorium on data centers. Residents who spoke in support of the pause at yesterday's council meeting railed against the AI industry, saying they don't trust the goals of its leaders. oaklandside.org/2026/10/07/o...
Data center moratorium approved by Oakland
Some residents railed against the AI industry at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, where the 45-day pause was unanimously approved.
oaklandside.org
As usual, great job by @boltsmag.org assembling a massive array of elections information into a concise and smart package. boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
Your Cheat Sheet to the 2026 General Elections - Bolts
Congressional races will take center stage on Nov. 3, but they’re just the tip of what to watch. Prosecutors and governors, attorneys general and sheriffs, school boards and mayors, utility... Read Mo...
boltsmag.org
In light of the recent crackdowns on weekend street vendors by Lake Merritt, Rocky Rivera writes about what makes that scene so special—including the Guyanese jerk oxtails! www.kqed.org/arts/1399451...
Why Lake Merritt’s Street Food Scene Is Worth Saving | KQED
Oakland's Jerk'n It, a Guyanese oxtail specialist, is one of the informal market's many success stories.
kqed.org
We sent candidates a list of questions on Oakland's most urgent topics. Read their answers, unedited in their own words.
Where do Oakland mayor and City Council candidates stand on Flock, AI, and homelessness?
We sent candidates a list of questions on Oakland's most urgent topics. Read their answers, unedited in their own words.
oaklandside.org
The Oaklandside doesn't make endorsements. But lots of local political and advocacy groups do, and their informed opinions can help you fill in your ballot.
A guide to Oakland voter guides for the 2026 election
The Oaklandside doesn't make endorsements. But lots of local political and advocacy groups do, and their informed opinions can help you fill in your ballot.
oaklandside.org
TODAY is your LAST CHANCE to speak up to protect the Roadless Rule. The public comment period closes TODAY, Oct. 6. This is just a small glimpse of who these roadless wild areas protect — from colorful candy darters to mighty grizzly bears. These species all deserve a safe place to call home.
The corner of 17th Street and Lakeside Drive, where the fatality took place, had been redesigned with pedestrian and cyclist protections. But construction was postponed.
Pedestrian is killed in hit-and-run by Lake Merritt after postponed road improvements
The corner of 17th Street and Lakeside Drive, where the fatality took place, had been redesigned with pedestrian and cyclist protections. But construction was postponed.
oaklandside.org
During her 14-year career as a police officer, Holly Joshi saw how violence was rooted in trauma. Now, she’s helping build an innovative public safety system that focuses on prevention.
The woman who’s transformed how Oakland fights crime
During her 14-year career as a police officer, Holly Joshi saw how violence was rooted in trauma. Now, she’s helping build an innovative public safety system that focuses on prevention.
oaklandside.org
Trying to figure out how to vote in Oakland's city council and mayoral election, and on local ballot measures? Oaklandside doesn't do endorsements. But we do round up as many local voter guides as we can each election season. Here's the big list for 2026. oaklandside.org/2026/10/05/o...
A guide to Oakland voter guides for the 2026 election
The Oaklandside doesn't make endorsements. But lots of local political and advocacy groups do, and their informed opinions can help you fill in your ballot.
oaklandside.org
Big breaking news: A federal judge has released OPD from its 23-year-old federal court oversight program. City leaders now take back full control of OPD. They've promised the judge that constitutional police reforms will stick. oaklandside.org/2026/09/29/o...
Oakland police released from federal oversight after 23 years
The Riders case exposed brutal beatings and corruption. After many setbacks and new scandals, a federal judge ruled the city can finally take back full control of OPD.
oaklandside.org