Oakland's city administrator resigns after Oaklandside reporting on his texts

Measure E looks set to fail. What that means for Oakland politics

Oakland voters appear to have rejected Measure E, the $192 parcel tax that city leaders and unions had counted on to fund police, fire, homelessness services, and illegal dumping cleanup.  We break down what happened, what it means for the city budget, and what it signals heading into the November election.  Plus: Remembering Wilson Riles Jr., the 580 truck ban, cell phones and girls sports in OUSD, Sable Lounge opens, and more. News editor Darwin BondGraham joins host Tasneem Raja. Stories we cover in this episode: Measure E * Measure E looks set to fail. What does that mean for Oakland politics? [https://oaklandside.org/2026/06/03/measure-e-looks-set-to-fail-what-does-that-mean-for-oakland-politics/]  * Measure E: Oakland voters are being asked to approve a new parcel tax [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/27/measure-e-oakland-parcel-tax-public-safety/] * Oakland Measure E: Early results show voters skeptical of parcel tax [https://oaklandside.org/2026/06/02/primary-election-results-oakland-ballot-measures/]  Other stories in this episode: Community * Wilson Riles Jr., Oakland councilmember and activist, dies at 79 [https://oaklandside.org/2026/06/01/obituary-wilson-riles-jr/] Education * Oakland Unified moves toward districtwide cell phone ban [https://oaklandside.org/2026/06/01/oakland-public-schools-phone-ban-july-1/] * How Oakland Unified's girls sports programs came back from the brink [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/29/more-girls-are-playing-sports-at-ousd-than-ever-it-took-a-title-ix-fight-to-get-here/] Transportation * Caltrans studies lifting decades-old big rig ban on I-580 [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/29/truck-ban-i-580-could-end-oakland-caltrans-opposition/] Health * Rep. Lateefah Simon secures $1 million for pediatric cancer research at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/06/03/lateefah-simon-ucsf-1-million-dollars-federal-funds-cancer-research/] Nosh * Sable Lounge opens in Grand Lake [https://oaklandside.org/2026/06/03/sable-lounge-grand-lake-merritt/] Upcoming events [https://oaklandside.org/2026/06/02/oakland-events-things-to-do-june-3-to-7/] and sports games [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/29/28-sports-events-to-catch-in-june-oakland-calendar/] we discuss: * Oakland Carnival: the 12th annual celebration of the African diaspora, with drummers, dancers, live music, and food * Oakland Spiders, Saturday, June 6 at Fremont High School * Free Prince tribute DJ set, Saturday night at Moonglow on Telegraph Avenue. Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org [https://oaklandside.org]. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org [editors@oaklandside.org].

Oakland goes to the movies

Mayor Barbara Lee's proposed budget includes restoring a $250,000 film rebate program — a small but meaningful step toward making Oakland a filmmaking hub.  Arts reporter Azucena Rasilla explains what it would take to get more films made in Oakland, and why local filmmakers are cautiously optimistic. Plus: Oakland's speed cameras have issued 82,000 fines in their first 40 days, San Francisco police smash down the door of Elaine Brown's West Oakland building, rescue dogs sent from Oakland to a Humboldt County shelter were allegedly killed, and Art Murmur celebrates its 20th anniversary. Stories we cover in this episode: Film * Why more filmmakers could soon be eyeing Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/27/tax-incentives-for-oakland-filmmakers-mayor-proposed-budget/] * Boots Riley's raucous 'I Love Boosters' premieres in Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/29/oakland-i-love-boosters-boots-riley-grand-lake-movie-premiere/] * 3 Oakland artists picked for this year's Rainin Arts Fellowship [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/27/rainin-foundation-grants-oakland-artists/] * Oakland Paramount Theatre's classic movie screenings are back! [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/08/oakland-paramount-theatre-classic-movie-screenings/] Road safety * Oakland speed cameras: 82,000 fines in 40 days [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/26/oakland-speed-cameras-82000-fines-in-40-days/] Public safety * SFPD smashes down door of Elaine Brown's West Oakland building in robbery search [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/22/sfpd-elaine-brown-black-panther-west-oakland/] City Hall * Rescue dogs from Oakland allegedly killed at shelter in Humboldt County [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/22/mirandas-rescue-shelter-humboldt-county-investigation-oakland-dogs-killed/] Sports and food * The Athletic Club is back with a new team betting on Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/27/athletic-club-sports-bar-uptown-new-ownership/] Upcoming events * Art Murmur 20th Anniversary [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/26/oakland-events-things-to-do-may-28-to-31-2/] Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org [http://oaklandside.org]. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org

Oakland's city administrator resigns after Oaklandside reporting on his texts

Oaklandside's reporting directly led to a major shake-up at City Hall: the resignation of Oakland's city administrator, one of the most powerful figures in the city. City Hall reporters Eli Wolfe and Natalie Orenstein explain who Jestin Johnson is, what the city administrator does, how The Oaklandside obtained the text messages that forced his resignation, and what this means for Oakland. Plus: three people are killed in a devastating East Oakland crash, First Fridays faces a funding crisis, AI use in Oakland schools is a "Wild West," AC Transit ridership rises as gas prices spike, Oakland's Planning Commission keeps canceling meetings (and why that might be a good thing), and a new barbecue spot is drawing lines before it even opens. Stories we cover in this episode: City Hall * City administrator Jestin Johnson resigns after Oaklandside reports on troubling texts [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/17/jestin-johnson-resigns-oakland-texts/] * Oakland city officials privately cheered Supreme Court ruling on homeless encampments [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/18/grants-pass-oakland-text-messages-marshawn-lynch/] Public safety * Three killed in East Oakland crash at International Boulevard and 85th Avenue [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/18/east-oakland-fatal-crash-international-boulevard/] Arts and culture * Oakland First Fridays faces funding crisis  [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/15/oakland-first-fridays-uncertain-future-lack-of-funding/] Education * AI in Oakland schools: a policy in progress, a "Wild West" in classrooms [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/18/oakland-ousd-artificial-intelligence-policy/] Transit * AC Transit sees first sustained ridership increase this decade as gas prices top $6 [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/18/oaklanders-are-flocking-to-hybrids-and-buses-are-gas-prices-driving-a-shift/] Housing and development * Oakland Planning Commission keeps canceling meetings — and that may signal progress [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/19/oakland-planning-commission-canceled-housing-streamlining/] Food * Saints Smokehouse brings smoked brisket and serious buzz to downtown Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/13/saints-smokehouse-bbq-rashad-armstead-chopped/] Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org [http://oaklandside.org]. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org [editors@oaklandside.org].

Oakland’s June 2 primary election: Measure E, Measure C, district attorney’s race

The June 2 primary is coming up fast. We help Oakland voters get oriented: the Alameda County DA's race, two Oakland ballot measures, and everything you need to know about how and where to vote. Come to our student journalism event at the New Parkway, May 20. Tickets here! [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-student-lens-reporting-inside-oakland-schools-tickets-1988504386148] Stories we cover in this episode: District Attorney race * Alameda County DA's race: Supporters weigh in on the candidates [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/12/alameda-county-district-attorney-2026-election-supporters/] * Jones Dickson's fundraising in Alameda County DA race outpaces Price and Krishan [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/04/ursula-jones-dickson-pamela-price-fundraising-district-attorney-election/] * Watch: Alameda County district attorney candidates forum [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/30/alameda-county-district-attorney-election-candidates-debate/] Ballot measures * Measure E: Oakland voters are being asked to approve a new parcel tax [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/27/measure-e-oakland-parcel-tax-public-safety/] * Measure C: Oakland business tax relief, explained [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/27/oakland-measure-c-explained-june-primary-election-business-tax/] * Voters will decide on a new Oakland parcel tax in June [https://oaklandside.org/2026/03/09/voters-will-decide-on-a-new-oakland-parcel-tax-in-june/] Voter guide * What Oakland voters should know about the June 2 primary election [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/28/california-june-2-primary-election-oakland-alameda-county-how-to-vote/] * June 2 primary election information and resources for Oakland voters [https://oaklandside.org/oakland-voter-guide-2026-election/] Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org [http://oaklandside.org]. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.

Trees, towers, and tents: recent Oakland housing stories

What happens when Oakland's tree protection laws are broken — and does the city have the will to enforce them? What does a proposal to replace the Rockridge Trader Joe's with senior housing towers say about Oakland's development moment? And can the city make a real dent in homelessness when two competing plans are pulling in different directions? Housing reporter Natalie Orenstein joins editor Tasneem Raja to work through all of it. Plus: Dan Fontes, Oakland's giraffe muralist, has died. Several Oakland Catholic churches are closing. The DA race heats up financially. And Mosswood Recreation Center is back after nearly a decade. Stories we cover in this episode: Housing and development * Landowners who cut 38 trees in Oakland hills hit with $915,000 fine [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/05/trees-illegally-cut-fine-oakland/] * Rockridge Trader Joe's could be replaced by 415-unit senior housing towers [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/22/rockridge-trader-joes-senior-housing-towers-align-real-estate/] Homelessness * Ken Houston's homeless encampment policy passes in Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/14/ken-houston-encampment-abatement-policy-passes-oakland/] * Cut homelessness by 50% in Oakland? A new plan says it's possible [https://oaklandside.org/2026/03/04/homeless-action-plan-oakland-barbara-lee-prevention/] Arts and community * Oakland muralist Dan Fontes, known for his giraffes, dies at 67 [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/30/dan-fontes-oakland-muralist-giraffes-obituary/] Religion * Oakland Diocese closes seven Oakland churches [https://oaklandside.org/2026/05/01/oakland-diocese-closing-13-churches/] Arts and culture * Check out the new Mosswood Rec Center this weekend in Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/30/mosswood-park-recreation-center-opening-oakland/] Food * For the latest restaurant openings and closings in Oakland, visit https://oaklandside.orgNosh [https://oaklandside.org/nosh/] Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org [https://oaklandside.org]. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.