Your trusted source for local Oakland, CA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Volunteers can join the Oakland Ballers and two nonprofit organizations to plant 18 trees at Raimondi Park in West Oakland this Sunday. The initiative aims to enhance the community's green space and improve air quality, with the Ballers committing to care for the trees long-term.
President Trump issued an executive order targeting sanctuary cities, demanding a list of jurisdictions he claims violate federal immigration laws. Local leaders, such as Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, criticize the order as a scare tactic and emphasize the constitutional validity of sanctuary policies. The move threatens federal funding essential for local services in Oakland and Alameda County.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced the formation of a transition committee to implement her 100-day plan focusing on public safety, homelessness, and governance. The committee includes 15 members from various sectors, including labor, business, and community organizations. Lee emphasized collaboration with these leaders to deliver results for Oakland residents.
Oakland’s Finance Director Erin Roseman resigns effective June 15, shortly before the interim mayor's proposed budget unveiling. Roseman has been pivotal in addressing an $89 million shortfall and a projected $265 million deficit, prompting significant cuts to city services.
A new report claims AC Transit’s Tempo bus rapid transit service increased traffic casualties by 30% and displaced many businesses along International Boulevard. Researchers argue that the project's top-down planning approach neglected community input, contributing to gentrification and traffic violence. The full report will be presented in May.
Church's Chicken closed its Oakland location following a failed health inspection by the Alameda County Department of Environmental Health. A notice on the door indicates the closure is temporary, while the restaurant's website confirms the status. The establishment was situated at 4155 Telegraph Avenue.
Pastor James Polk and community leaders launched Millsmont Mondays, a monthly food event in East Oakland, to revitalize the neighborhood. The initiative, which began after a successful block party in summer 2024, features food trucks and aims to foster community engagement. The event runs on the first Monday of each month through October.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced cuts of $811 million in grants, affecting violence prevention and intervention programs in Oakland and Alameda County. Local organizations like the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform and Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency face significant funding losses, jeopardizing their public safety initiatives.
The Oakland Education Association (OEA) called off its planned strike for May 1 after reaching a tentative agreement with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). The union had previously alleged that the district was withholding financial information necessary for negotiations. OEA President Kampala Taiz-Rancifer urged the district to include the union as a partner in future decisions affecting schools.
Five whales, including four gray whales and a minke whale, have died in San Francisco Bay over the past month, prompting investigations by marine scientists. Necropsies revealed one whale likely died from a vessel strike, while the causes of the others remain undetermined. The recent mortality raises concerns amid ongoing recovery efforts from a previous unusual mortality event affecting gray whales.