The problem with Oakland’s pools

This week, we’re providing you with another round-up of recent reporting from our newsroom.Mayor Lee claims a mandate as Measure EE expands her powers, and top city officials are out. Plus: gym bags of cash in the Thao trial, the county tells ICE to stop using Santa Rita Jail, the Golden State Valkyries win their first title, and Oaklanders share who they’re remembering this Día de los Muertos.Stories we cover in this episode:City HallMayor Lee claims mandate and hails passage of ‘strong mayor’ reformsWhich politicians allegedly got bags of cash from the Duong family? We might get namesAlameda County restricted media coverage at 2026 voting sitesICE and ImmigrationAlameda County issues cease-and-desist letter to stop ICE activity at jailICE agents arrested 4 people in Oakland on SaturdayTransit & Road SafetyJosh Rowan, who helped transform Oakland, is out as city transportation headFamily of man killed in Lake Merritt hit-and-run didn’t learn of his death for 2 weeksArts & CommunityCheryl Dunye’s ‘The Watermelon Woman’ remains a queer masterpiece, 30 years laterNew Parish space will be a hub for live music once againSportsOakland sports in November: Valkyries fly high; Skates step onto the iceDia de los MuertosA 34-foot Catrina has arrived at Fruitvale PlazaUna Catrina de 34 pies ha llegado a Fruitvale PlazaFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

We're releasing our weekly 510 episode a day early to go over the latest results from Tuesday’s election.A mayor who looks set for a full term. A measure that would give that mayor much more power. A regional transit tax that is ahead in all five counties. And school board races where challengers lead all three seats.Reporters Eli Wolfe, Natalie Orenstein, Jose Fermoso, and Ashley McBride join me to talk about what the results tell us so far and what they could mean for Oakland. Counting is still underway, so everything you’ll hear in this episode reflects results as of Wednesday morning. The next batch of results will come out on Friday.Stories we cover in this episode:Election night overviewOakland election results: Mayor Lee and Measure EE going strong, challengers lead in 3 school board racesLive updates: Mayor Lee says ‘I’m ready,’ D2 Councilmember Wang celebrates leadMayor’s raceBarbara Lee seeks four years as mayor. That job could be very different next yearSheng Thao trial updatesMeasure EEOakland looks set to adopt ‘strong mayor’ system of governmentIncumbents dominate fundraising in Oakland elections this yearCity CouncilCharlene Wang leads Nate Adams in Oakland District 2 City Council raceOakland residents are increasingly optimistic about the city’s future, according to a new pollWhy are so few people running for office in Oakland this year?Regional Transit MeasureRegional Transit Measure sailing to victoryAC Transit buses have become more unreliable this year, say riders and transit boardSchool boardChallengers surge in Oakland school board racesOakland school leaders earn less than those at almost any nearby district, data showsFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

This week, we’re providing you with a round-up of recent reporting from our newsroom.Oakland city workers set a Nov. 5 strike deadline as firefighters reach a tentative deal. Plus: wire theft takes down 911, airport janitors’ overtime under scrutiny, a violent ICE arrest near San Antonio Park, and more.Stories we cover in this episode:Election coverage2026 Oakland voter guideWhat to know about the November electionA guide to Oakland voter guides for the 2026 electionWhen Cynthia Cornejo took over county elections, a voting rights battle loomedWho’s spending on Oakland school board races this year?Oakland residents are increasingly optimistic about the city’s future, according to a new pollDistrict 2 school board candidates discuss school closures and finding a superintendentDistrict 4 school board candidates talk literacy, transparency and rightsizing the districtDistrict 6 candidates debate bullying, charter schools and teacher retentionCity Hall and laborOakland city workers will strike Nov. 5 if no deal is reachedOakland firefighters union reaches tentative contract with cityAllegations of favoritism and kickbacks at Oakland airport sparked investigationPublic safetyWire theft knocked out Oakland’s 911 system, says OPD93 people have died in domestic violence incidents in Alameda County since 2016ICE and immigrationICE agents ‘violently’ pulled man out of his car near Oakland’s San Antonio ParkPastor shot in the face with chemicals by federal agent sues U.S. governmentTransportationNew protected bikeway connects Lake Merritt to 19th St. BARTNOSHNew Grocery Outlet opens in Oakland’s Eastlake neighborhoodFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

If you haven't turned in your ballot yet, this one's for you. We're going to take a quick tour of almost everything that's on an Oakland ballot, from the mayor's race to the state propositions, then zoom in on the big local decisions. We'll also point you to a guide that rounds up what lots of local groups are recommending, since The Oaklandside doesn't tell you who or what to vote for. And we'll finish with the practical stuff: how and where to get your ballot in.Stories we cover in this episode:2026 Oakland voter guideWhat to know about the November electionA guide to Oakland voter guides for the 2026 electionWhere do Oakland mayor and City Council candidates stand on Flock, AI, and homelessness?Why are so few people running for office in Oakland this year?The highs and lows of Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s recordWho are the Oakland candidates challenging Mayor Barbara Lee?AI-generated ads have come to Oakland politics. Accessible solution — or risky deception?ICE arrests in Oakland2 ICE arrests in Oakland and Emeryville Friday result in hospitalizationICE agents ‘violently’ pulled man out of his car near Oakland’s San Antonio ParkPublic safetyAn Oakland police officer allegedly let a suspected drunk driver go. Shortly after, the driver killed someoneSheng Thao trialHow mysterious political attack ads landed Sheng Thao on trial 4 years laterTemescal PoolTemescal Pool incident could lead to legal trouble for OaklandE-bikesE-bikes have been allowed on East Bay trails for three years. How’s it going?Black Panthers historyBlack Panther Party history is all over Oakland. Here’s where to lookHalloween and Day of the Dead eventsYour Oakland guide to Halloween and Day of the DeadFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

The federal corruption trial of former Mayor Sheng Thao is now underway. Oaklandside reporters Eli Wolfe and Natalie Orenstein join us to talk about who’s involved, what’s alleged, and what to watch for.Stories we cover in this episode:Sheng Thao trialSheng Thao trial updatesThao trial opens with fiery allegations, strenuous disavowalsJury selected as Sheng Thao’s trial kicks off in OaklandOakland corruption trial: will Mario Juarez’s checkered past be put to the jury?City HallLee gives upbeat State of the City speech as unions increase pressure for dealRadisson Hotel owner will pay major wage theft settlement to Oakland workersData center moratorium approved by Oakland amid AI backlashOakland’s new fire boat New fireboat makes debut in Oakland, will help safeguard the waterfrontNOSHEli’s Mile High Club starts closure countdown, and Seniore’s Pizza shutters Berkeley branchOakland airport welcomes Trader Vic’s and new market, while Berkeley gets a new sub shopFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

This week, we're focusing on one story: Oakland schools' push to limit screens.Last month, the school board approved limits on how students can use school laptops during their free time. That follows the cellphone ban that started this school year.So what does all of this look like from inside the classroom?To find out, we sit down with two Oakland Unified teachers, Lara Trale from Oakland High School and Alicia Simba from Prescott Elementary, along with The Oaklandside's education reporter, Ashley McBride.Stories we cover in this episode:Tech restrictions in the classroomOakland school board green lights more tech restrictions in the classroomOUSD reveals dismal academic achievement numbers, and students debate a new cell phone banBack to school in Oakland: cellphone ban, new construction, and early learning expansionOUSD takes up screen time rulesOUSD banned cellphones. Are Chromebooks next?No more phones? Students and educators weigh in on OUSD’s impending banBy Alicia SimbaSchools are starting to limit screen time; parents can, too7 tips on reading to your child from a Berkeley librarian and an Oakland teacherBy Lara TraleI’m an Oakland high school teacher. I discourage my students from using AIFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

City Hall reporter Eli Wolfe joins us to talk about a scary accident that happened at Temescal Pool earlier this month, and why the city has no pool technicians on staff even though it has the money to hire them. It's part of a much bigger story about Oakland's struggle to fill city jobs.Link to donate to support The Oaklandside!Stories we cover in this episode:Temescal Pool IncidentWere chemical injuries at Temescal Pool linked to Oakland’s failure to hire?Temescal Pool swimmers go to hospital with chemical injuriesOakland Police DepartmentOakland police released from federal oversight after 23 yearsCity HallThe highs and lows of Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s recordFlock’s Oakland cameras are tracking millions of trips. Are safeguards enforceable?New state law gives Oakland power to boot cars of illegal dumpersData CentersData center moratorium clears key hurdle in OaklandPublic TransitAC Transit buses have become more unreliable this year, say riders and transit boardArts and CommunityA 34-foot Catrina has arrived at Fruitvale PlazaFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Twenty years ago, hyphy broke out of Oakland and the Bay Area and onto the national stage with its own slang, fashion, dance and car culture. This week, we revisit that moment with Eric K. Arnold, who has covered Bay Area hip-hop since the 1990s and chronicled hyphy's rise as it happened. We look back at the summer of 2006, what came after and the hyphy revival underway today, as a new generation of Bay Area artists reclaims the sound and people who lived through the era speak openly about what happened behind the music.Eric K Arnold's "Hyphy slaps knocks bumps and blaps" PlaylistStories we cover in this episode:The summer of hyphy, 20 years laterInside the hyphy revivalFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Data centers have gone from a quiet real estate story to one of the most contentious issues in Oakland. We talk with The Oaklandside’s news editor, Darwin BondGraham, about a downtown developer's proposal, two tech companies moving into West Oakland, an organized opposition campaign, and a city councilmember's push for a moratorium.Stories we cover in this episode:Data CentersA movement against data centers gains steam in OaklandData center moratorium sought by Oakland Councilmember Carroll FifeIs a data center coming to downtown Oakland?City HallPolice union's new contract approved by Oakland City CouncilHealth and EnvironmentTemescal Pool swimmers go to hospital with chemical injuriesEducationOakland's newest movie star is an old college campusA historically Black college in Oakland? A task force is dreamingElectionsIn Oakland, 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in school board elections. Here's a guide for teen votersWant to meet the candidates running for the Oakland school board? Find a forum near youPublic TransportationOakland low-income transit guide: How to get around for free or at a discountFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].

This week, we’re providing you with a round-up of recent reporting from our newsroom.A group of counties in Utah is stepping forward to help build Oakland's long-fought coal export terminal.AI-generated ads are showing up in Oakland's election season. AC Transit's Tempo bus line is about to lose state funding, meanwhile, Waymo has the green light to launch in OaklandWe also go over opportunities for you to get involved in big city decisions: there are open seats on OUSD committees, and the city's Cultural Affairs Commission wants new members.And we cover sports, including our Ultimate Frisbee team, the Oakland Spiders; and why the Ballers published an open letter apologizing to fans.In November, Oakland will have elections for city council and school board — in districts 2, 4, and 6. We want to know: what are the one or two most pressing issues in your neighborhood or local schools? Tell us about the changes you’d like to see. Give us a call at 510-279-6910. Leave us a short voicemail and please include your name, your neighborhood, and your opinion. We might use what you share in an upcoming podcast or an article. And remember, please keep your thoughts in under a minute.Stories we cover in this episode:City HallAI-generated ads have come to Oakland politics. Accessible solution — or risky deception?EnvironmentUtah’s interest in Oakland coal terminal reignitesRoads & TransitOakland’s rapid Tempo line set to lose millions in cap-and-trade dollarsWaymo is poised for OaklandEducationHave ideas for how OUSD should spend money? Apply to join these committeesArts and CommunityWant to help shape Oakland’s arts and culture scene? Here’s howSportsThe Spiders are national ultimate champs and other Oakland sports newsFind all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].