The Oaklandside dug through the city’s last paving report and it’s official: two streets are tied for the worst. But trust us, the competition was stiff.
Author Archives: Esther Kaplan
Esther Kaplan was most recently the investigations editor at Business Insider. Before that, she was executive editor at Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, where she oversaw a reporting team that led investigations for a national podcast, and editor-in-chief at the New York City nonprofit Type Investigations. She launched the Ida B. Wells Fellowship, a program dedicated to diversifying the field of investigative reporting.
Posted inCommunity
They’re losing health care, even in the Bay Area. Now trans youth and their families are getting organized
As the Trump Administration ratchets up pressure on hospitals to halt gender affirming care, Rainbow Families Action notches a win. Plus: what hospital systems told us they will and won’t offer now.
Posted inCity Hall
Flying OAK this holiday season? TSA might be sharing your name with ICE
The New York Times reported that airport security officials around the country are sharing passenger data with federal immigration authorities. Oakland airport is in the dark about whether that’s happening here.
Posted inArts & Community
A gift guide for book lovers, from indie Oakland booksellers
We asked Oakland’s independent bookstores what titles should be on your gift list — and they delivered. From graphic novels to gothic fantasy to a must-have cookbook, this list is quirky, cool, and very Oakland.
Posted inPublic Safety
Suspects in Skyline High School shooting had ‘ghost guns,’ police say
Oakland police said two suspects have been charged in Wednesday’s shooting and both were armed. Skyline’s principal has announced enhanced security measures.
Posted inArts & Community
John Beam, legendary Oakland football coach shot at Laney College, has died
The ‘mentor and father figure’ led championship teams at Laney College and Skyline High School for decades. He was shot on the Laney campus on Thursday.
Posted inPublic Safety
Teen shot at Skyline High School
Police expect the young person to survive. Students at the Oakland public school describe the harrowing ordeal.
Posted inArts & Community
Newsom: CalFresh payments will flow in California
A federal appeals court left an order in place Friday that requires the Trump administration to provide full SNAP food assistance for November. Many payments went out — and then the Supreme Court issued a stay.
Posted inPublic Safety
OAK, SFO flight cancellations will begin at 6 a.m. Friday
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an emergency order requiring 40 airports to phase in a 10% reduction in flights starting Friday, Nov. 7. SFO and OAK are on the final list; San Jose is not.
Posted inPublic Safety
FAA will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 ‘high-volume’ markets
OAK has not yet been informed if the airport will be affected. The Federal Aviation Administration will release the list of impacted airports on Thursday; the slowdown starts Friday.
Posted inCity Hall
Polls open until 8 p.m. for Prop 50 vote
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s congressional redistricting plan faces its final test at the ballot box today. It’s one of several closely watched contests across the nation.
Posted inArts & Community
On being Palestinian in Oakland during the war
Lujain Al-Saleh speaks about living and breathing the war on Gaza from Oakland, how the protests inspired her, and what it’s like to learn your relatives have been killed on the family WhatsApp group.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Healthcare enrollment starts Nov. 1 in California — with big rate hikes
Congressional Republicans killed health exchange subsidies, which now expire at the end of 2025. Program administrators “expect many people to go uninsured” in the Bay Area if they aren’t restored.
Posted inPublic Safety
A federal agent shot a pastor in the face with a chemical weapon. What can California do about it?
A violent response to an Oakland protest raises the same legal questions other states are grappling with as Trump’s immigration crackdown intensifies.
Posted inPublic Safety
Oakland airport appears to show federal shutdown strains
Yesterday morning a two-hour disruption caused delays for flights between OAK and Los Angeles. Air traffic controllers will receive their first $0 paycheck on Tuesday.
Posted inCity Hall
How and when to cast a vote on Prop 50
Early voting begins Saturday for California’s Nov. 4 special election on a ballot measure to redraw Congressional district maps. Gov. Newsom pitched Prop 50 in response to partisan Republican redistricting in Texas.
Posted inCity Hall
Last day to register to vote on Prop 50
California’s Nov. 4 special election has one focus: a proposal to redraw Congressional district maps in response to an unusual mid-decade Republican redistricting in Texas. Voters who miss the deadline can do a same-day conditional registration at their polling site.
Posted inArts & Community
Oakland turns out for ‘No Kings’ protest against Trump
“We will not bow,” Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee told the thousands of East Bay residents who marched.
Posted inArts & Community
The East Bay ‘resistance’: A guide to local activism
From No Kings Day to defending day laborers, a broad range of Oakland and Bay Area groups are pushing back on creeping authoritarianism — and preparing in case the National Guard arrives.
Posted inCity Hall
Oakland airport joins at least eight others in declining to air Kristi Noem video
The Department of Homeland Security video blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown. Many airport officials say screening the partisan message at checkpoints would risk violating federal law.
