A squatter removal cottage industry has grown out of California’s housing crisis, catering to property owners who don’t want to go to court.

Abandoned boats, corrosive chemicals, and mountains of trash clog the estuary's waters. And no one’s owning the cleanup.

The coffee trailer that featured beans from Mother Tongue Coffee officially closed on Dec. 13.

The Bay Area transit agency plans a 6.2% increase starting Jan. 1, marking the third consecutive year of rising fares.

Corruption charges, beloved teachers lost, scrappy baseball wins, and federal agents on Coast Guard Island. Yeah, it was a lot. Here's everything you need to know about Oakland's chaotic 2025.

I traveled all over Oakland to find its worst streets. The city paved 18.6 miles in 2025, so the searchable list of 3,304 road sections here, based on an independent survey of paving quality, is thorough. Find your road and paving score and post it here. oaklandside.org/2025/12/23/l...

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.

A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.

It was a flavorful year, with dinner parties, Michelin stars, ice cream revivals and breakfast comebacks.

East Bay hills have seen 2.5 inches of rain since Sunday, but a stronger system could bring damaging wind and flooding later this week.

From bald eagles to better sidewalks, there’s been plenty to cheer about in our spirited city this year.

Established in 2016, the downtown corridor is now a California Cultural District.

Betty Reid Soskin, one of the nation's most iconic park rangers, died peacefully at her home in Richmond on Sun., Dec. 21, 2025.

A new bus-only lane was criticized for years for a design that encouraged illegal speeding. But simple interventions, including bollards, have drastically reduced fatalities.

After nearly six decades of feeding Bay Area residents facing food insecurity, the pantry will close its doors in January 2026.

With Oakland Unified School District facing steep budget cuts, students and parents worry that reducing investments in security and safety could cause families to leave.

Clio’s Books, Lucy Blue, Mad Oak, Yoshi’s and Children’s Fairyland are among the places you can ring in 2026.

An Oakland councilmember’s in-your-face approach to politics has turned into a national story.

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.

Many other cases against Trump — criminal and civil — have failed, but following a Washington D.C. court hearing, Lee and others said they believe they can win.

Meters will charge from noon to 6 on Sundays, after a 30-day warning period. Meanwhile, the city's finance department may take over core parking functions.

After a change in ownership in 2024, the Uptown Oakland bar and bottle shop is set to close at the end of 2025.

Catch up on Oakland news while walking the dog or cooking dinner with Oaklandside 510.

Following failed mediation, the next step for Oakland Unified School District and the Oakland Education Association will be a fact-finding period.

CARE Court was supposed to be a new way to help homeless Californians in the grip of psychosis. But people are still falling through the cracks.

There are many options for enjoying the Italian holiday treat, including Starter Bakery's in-house version and Donato & Co., which is the only U.S. importer of Infermentum panettone.

The City Council approved a $1.5 million contract for vessel removal, part of a big estuary clean-up effort supported by a federal grant.

Councilmembers held their noses and agreed to pay several million more dollars to ABC Security, a firm tied to a central figure in the FBI corruption probe.

The dance company kicked off its anniversary with "Luna Mexicana" and is preparing to present the holiday classic "The Nutcracker."

The vote on Flock’s license plate readers capped months of whiplash, tensions, a 10-minute video, and discourse over a maybe-middle finger.

A running list of restaurants that have recently opened in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.

Other events include Carols on strings, Yalda night at OMCA, and Liam O’Donogue playing funky beats at Eli’s.

Lavender Seniors celebrated its 30th anniversary at a complex time for the queer community.

The airport launched its OAK Guest Pass to fanfare on Monday. But visitors must send sensitive information to the TSA – where it could end up in the hands of immigration enforcement.

That staffer, Josh Rowan, who directs public works and transportation, still has an active complaint against Houston, claiming he interfered with city contracting.

The move to close the nearly 100-year-old school had been heartbreaking to families who valued its hands-on learning environment and emphasis on outdoor play time.

Flora & Ferment, three.one four, and Red Bay's Fruitvale headquarters were also among the recent closures.

The New York Times reported that airport security officials around the country are sharing passenger data with federal immigration authorities. Oakland airport leaders haven’t been told if that’s happening here.

Recent restaurant openings include Kopi Bar & Cafe, Dough Zone, and the massive HL Peninsula.

Over 20 years, a parent committee fundraised $1.4 million to upgrade the auditorium with new seats and a professional sound and lighting system.

A running list of restaurants that have recently closed in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.

OPD wants Flock to keep operating hundreds of license plate readers across Oakland. Privacy advocates say the data can too easily fall into the wrong hands.

For the second year in a row, Bombera, Dominica Rice-Cisneros' Dimond District restaurant, takes home the Nosh Award for Best Restaurant Overall.

Eric Hernandez Garcia, charged with manslaughter in the death of the Castlemont High teacher, may be released from jail for mental health treatment if the court signs off.

Catch up on Oakland news while walking the dog or cooking dinner with Oaklandside 510.

In new court filings, Thao, her partner Andre Jones, and businessman Andy Duong accuse the feds of omitting a key informant’s history of alleged deceit and racial bias.

Schools could see their budgets reduced by up to 10% alongside deep cuts to district headquarters. Parents raised legal concerns about a proposed $12 million cut to special education.

After winning the 2024 Nosh Award for best new bar, Tallboy, the Temescal "martini dive bar," claims the overall award in 2025.

Henry Awayan, owner of Whisk Cake Creations and author of the new "The Ube Baking Book," shares his ube whipcream recipe and passion for cooking with the purple yam.

Garrett Morris and Renzo Roca opened Lucuma in Downtown Oakland with a mission to stand out from other Peruvian restaurants.