The Oaklandside

An FBI informant named Mario Juarez has pleaded guilty in a corruption case involving Sheng Thao. Juarez will testify at Thao’s October trial, detailing allegations including videos, a fight, and bribes.

Flora Russ supported Berkeley students and staff for 50 years by helping them graduate and find jobs. She founded the Computer Academy, now known as AMPS.

Chantal Morales Rojas, an Oakland woman, was taken by ICE at Denver airport. Her lawyers claim the arrest was illegal, while ICE states she lacked permission to remain in the U.S.

The public criticized AC Transit's report on meeting changes as undemocratic. A consulting group proposed modifications to the transit agency's meetings, but the response was overwhelmingly negative.

Tenants at Oakland Station in East Oakland are suing over issues including roaches, broken elevators, and fraud allegations. The lawsuit targets the affordable housing complex initially designed for seniors.

Oak-Dar, Pour Manners, and Kathiew House have closed or paused operations following an assault on a family member. The closures are part of a running list of restaurant closures in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and other areas.

A 'Son of Oakland' billboard over I-880 in Oakland has drawn attention. District 7 councilmember Ken Houston paid for the ad out of pocket and previously voted to approve city contracts with the billboard company.

Mistah F.A.B., rapper and activist, was charged for possession of illegal fireworks. Oakland police recovered fireworks and two guns following a three-week investigation.

Berkeley Bagels, with a 50-year-old recipe, is expanding for the first time. The Westbrae bagel shop, known for its New York-style bagels, is opening a second location on University Avenue.

Sankofa Kings, through the Kingmakers of Oakland program, trains Black boys and young men to create AI rather than just consume it. Projects developed by the program will be unveiled at the Kapor Center.

Oakland Councilmember Rowena Brown reported being assaulted and robbed. Oakland Police Department confirmed an arrest and ongoing investigation.

Oakland's new innovative traffic safety program has completed only 3 projects in 2 years. The community-led pilot is experiencing delays due to OakDOT's backlog of work, despite neighbors submitting proposals for road safety infrastructure.

ICE detained an Oakland resident at Denver airport. Chantal Morales Rojas, a 27-year-old software engineer, is being held in a detention center experiencing a tuberculosis outbreak. Friends are attempting to secure her release.

Evergreen Cafe plans to expand to Westbrae following its successful first year. Co-owners Sara Rahimian and Stacie Frederick, who transitioned from tech careers, took over the Bartavelle space in 2025 and are opening a second cafe.

Nine abandoned properties in Oakland could be converted into affordable housing after the county used a legal process to sell a vacant lot to a nonprofit. Officials are considering additional properties for similar conversions.

Deportation orders in the Bay Area increased for immigrants who missed Trump administration's mega-hearings at Concord Immigration Court in July. Most absent individuals received deportation orders, and a former immigration judge described the process as a 'trap.'

Medi-Cal expansion reduced California's uninsured rate by half, but federal cuts under the Trump administration will eliminate key services, increasing the number of uninsured. East Bay immigrants are particularly affected by these changes.

Safety improvements at a deadly East Oakland intersection are delayed, despite the recent fatal collision of Keith Barnes, 37, by a dump truck on Coliseum Way. The city acknowledges the intersection's danger, but planned upgrades have not yet begun.

A shokupan pop-up transitions to a permanent storefront, Gregory’s expands eastward, and a new Colombian restaurant opens in Emeryville. The article lists recent restaurant openings in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and surrounding areas.

California school districts, including L.A. Unified, are suing social media companies like Meta, Google, and TikTok over platforms they claim are addictive for children. The lawsuit seeks changes to these apps to address concerns about their impact on young users.