Preventing fights in Oakland schools

The Oakland Unified School District has replaced its disbanded police force with violence interrupters to enhance safety in schools. Carla Ashford, a violence interrupter at Skyline High School, collaborates with students to mediate conflicts, contributing to a notable decrease in fights and suspensions. Host Darwin BondGraham interviews schools reporter Ashley McBride about the program's effectiveness and Ashford’s philosophy of conflict resolution. Concerns loom over the potential loss of funding for violence interruption initiatives, which have proven successful in reducing violence. Other significant local headlines include accountability for the police chief's exit, a refusal to screen a partisan video, and the recognition of local author Tommy Orange with a genius award.

The discussion also touches on the city’s financial challenges and the lack of representation of homegrown talent in the WNBA. The community's support has been vital in continuing the podcast, which aims to deliver hyperlocal news. This initiative highlights a shift in how schools approach safety and conflict resolution.