Oakland in 2026: The biggest stories so far

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.

Illegal dumping in Oakland is a mess. Why?

Today: illegal dumping in Oakland. Why it keeps getting worse, what the city has tried, and what might actually work. Reporter Eli Wolfe joins us to sort out the mess. And, we’ll talk about Boots Riley’s new film that debuted in Oakland, how the search for OUSD’s next leader got delayed again, who’s paint-bombing Flock cameras, and what you need to know before you vote in the primary election on June 2nd. Stories we cover in this episode: Illegal Dumping * Oakland’s illegal dumping strategy isn’t working. A new report explains why [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/23/oakland-illegal-dumping-audit-2026-waste-management/] * AI drones to spot illegal dumping? Oakland is considering a pilot project [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/10/drones-illegal-dumping-oakland-aerbits/] * Illegal dumping fines could go up a lot in Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/03/16/illegal-dumping-fines-could-go-up-a-lot-in-oakland/] * Illegal trash dumpers could have vehicle registration blocked under proposed law [https://oaklandside.org/2026/03/09/illegal-dumping-oakland-dmv-vehicle-registration-fines-jesse-arreguin/] * Illegal dumpers face big fines in Oakland, but they rarely have to pay [https://oaklandside.org/2026/03/02/oakland-illegal-dumpers-fines-barbara-lee/] Arts & Community * 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/] * A fight for transgender inclusion in high school sports comes to Oakland [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/27/fight-for-transgender-inclusion-high-school-sports-cif-oakland/] Education * OUSD postpones superintendent search [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/23/oakland-superintendent-search-denise-saddler-budget/] Business * It’s official: The ‘Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport’ name stays [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/28/its-official-the-oakland-san-francisco-bay-airport-name-stays/] Public Safety * Who is paint bombing Oakland’s Flock cameras? [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/24/who-is-paint-bombing-oaklands-flock-cameras/] City Hall and Politics * 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/] Nature and the City * Dozens of trees were red-tagged for removal in West Oakland. Now the plan is on hold [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/24/west-oakland-bart-tree-removal-red-tag-mandela-station-housing/] * Tour stunning native plant gardens in East Bay backyards [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/29/tour-stunning-native-plant-gardens-east-bay-backyards/] Food * The Lodge (including deer heads) is back, but some things have changed [https://oaklandside.org/2026/04/24/the-lodge-piedmont-ave-reopens/] * For the latest restaurant openings and closings in Oakland, visit oaklandside.org [http://oaklandside.org]. Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org [https://oaklandside.org]. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.