Latest News in Oakland, CA

Telling the untold Two students and their teacher document Oaklands Mam community

Two Skyline High School students, Lorena Mendoza and Miguel Ortiz, collaborated with their teacher Javier Armas to document the Mam culture of their community in Oakland. They created a book titled *Mam History: Oakland Notes on the History of the Mayan-Mam Language* to amplify the voices and stories of their ancestors. Their project highlights the challenges of researching their heritage and the importance of preserving Mam history.

Spanish Table in Berkeley is closing, citing tariff uncertainty

The Spanish Table grocery store in Berkeley will close after 24 years due to adverse business conditions stemming from a 15% tariff on European imports. Owner Bastian Schoell reports a price increase of about 35% due to the tariffs and a weakening dollar. The store's final day of operations is August 17, but Schoell plans to maintain the San Francisco location and online sales.

Advocates rally around Oakland Head Start in the face of federal threats

Advocates in Oakland rally to protect Head Start programs amidst threats of defunding and new federal directives targeting undocumented immigrants. The programs, crucial for low-income families, face potential instability as local officials consider budget cuts and changes in enrollment requirements. Families and advocates emphasize the importance of maintaining access to essential services for children.

Watering holes El Patio, Seawolf among July losses

El Patio, a popular West Berkeley restaurant, will close its doors on July 3 after years of serving Mexican and Venezuelan cuisine. Other notable closures include Seawolf Public House in Oakland and Las Brasas in Emeryville, with the latter now permanently closed. These closures reflect ongoing challenges in the local restaurant industry.

Oakland community leaders won't back down to Trump's threats of sending in National Guard

Oakland leaders, including Mayor Barbara Lee, condemned President Trump's suggestion of deploying the National Guard in the city, asserting it threatens local democracy. They highlighted a 29% reduction in violent crime as evidence of progress, countering Trump's narrative of a crisis. Community voices emphasize unity and resilience against federal overreach.

East Oaklands Argent Materials reaches a settlement over pollution violations

Argent Materials settled with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to address air quality violations at its East Oakland facilities. The company will install air quality monitoring systems and dismiss its appeal for a permit expansion after facing multiple violations for particulate matter emissions. Failure to comply with the settlement could result in fines of up to $500 per day.

Wanted Your ideas on making Oakland better for walking and biking

The Oakland Bicyclist & Pedestrian Advisory Commission seeks applicants for three open seats, with a deadline of September 11. The commission, which advises on walking and cycling initiatives, aims to diversify its membership by encouraging participation from underserved communities. Jason Patton, an engineer with the Oakland Department of Transportation, highlights the departing commissioners' valuable contributions.

I have people in line to give me money how Oakland councilmembers spent their officeholder funds

Oakland's City Council tripled fundraising limits for officeholder accounts, increasing district council members' caps from $25,000 to $75,000. Despite the increase, most officials have not utilized their accounts significantly, with early 2025 reports showing limited expenditures. Councilmember Janani Ramachandran faced scrutiny after spending nearly $18,000 on a company linked to her partner.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee rips Trump, says city will stand against threats

President Donald Trump's remarks about Oakland during a crime press conference prompted strong backlash from city officials, who accused him of fearmongering and distorting the truth. Mayor Barbara Lee and other leaders vowed to stand against Trump's threats, asserting their commitment to public safety and community support.

Concerns raised after increase in minors being petitioned for adult court in Alameda County

Alameda County Juvenile Justice commissioners express alarm over a rise in adult transfer petitions, with six pending cases compared to just three from 2014 to 2023. Vice Chair Elana Metz highlights the importance of rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system, noting that 10% of youth in custody are now facing adult court charges. District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson's office has not yet conducted any transfer hearings.