Darwin BondGraham

OUSD lead crisis: Internal records reveal panic and confusion among school leaders Emails and memos circulating last summer expose a total communication breakdown, with principals left in the dark.

The way Oakland schools handled the discovery of lead contamination in drinking water was chaotic. Some principals were in the dark about the extent of the problem and risks to students and staff.

oaklandside.org/2025/07/28/o...

July 21st 1925 edition of the Oakland Tribune newspaper.

100 years ago: East Bay teachers say evolution should be taught, but only in colleges.

Local teachers reacted to the verdict in the Scopes "monkey trial."

Federal oversight drags on as Oakland police struggle with internal investigations Some critics accuse OPD leaders of resisting accountability, and the department has stumbled recently in its handling of police misconduct complaints.

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said she wants OPD’s reforms finished under her watch. Some critics accuse police leadership of resisting accountability.

oaklandside.org/2025/07/11/o...

Dan Siegel, renowned Bay Area civil rights lawyer and activist, dies at 79 The longtime Bay Area attorney and activist, known as a champion for social justice and worker rights, led the charge at People’s Park in Berkeley on Bloody Thursday in 1969.

Here's another in-depth obit for Dan - www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/arti...

Dan Siegel, ‘fearless’ civil rights attorney, dies at 79 Rocketed to fame for leading Berkeley’s People’s Park demonstrations, Siegel’s 52-year legal career was dedicated to fighting for workers, protesters, inmates, and the underdogs.

Dan Siegel, ‘fearless’ civil rights attorney, died last week at 79: Rocketed to fame for leading Berkeley’s People’s Park demonstrations, Siegel’s 52-year legal career was dedicated to fighting for workers, protesters, inmates, and the underdogs.

oaklandside.org/2025/07/09/d...

Utah Sen. Mike Lee Says Selling Off Public Lands Will Solve the West’s Housing Crisis. Past Sales Show Otherwise. Last month, Lee introduced a now-removed amendment to Trump’s policy megabill that mandated the sale of up to 3 million acres. It did little to address the challenges of building affordable housing…

NEW: After Utah Sen. Mike Lee’s proposal to sell public lands was removed from Trump’s megabill, advocates celebrated.

But the senator indicated he would revisit the issue, saying: “I continue to believe the federal government owns far too much land.”

By @abestreep.bsky.social

Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Bas calls the massive tax cut bill that slashes medical care spending and other safety nets a "fiscal and moral failure." Here's more of her statement just now:

The state of American men is — not so good A new report reveals men are struggling with isolation, economic pressure and toxic online influences. But redefining masculinity and valuing men as caregivers could point the way forward.

A new report reveals men are struggling with isolation, economic pressure and toxic online influences. But redefining masculinity and valuing men as caregivers could point the way forward.

A Courtland Creek restoration breathes new life into a community park Neighbors began the restoration nearly 30 years ago. The city of Oakland has wrapped it up, hauling out trash and installing mosaics, benches, and native plants.

Courtland Creek's restoration breathes new life into a community park.

Neighbors began the restoration nearly 30 years ago. The city of Oakland has wrapped it up, hauling out trash and installing mosaics, benches, and native plants.

oaklandside.org/2025/06/30/a...

Oakland police routinely overspend on overtime. Does the city’s new budget fix this? A record $72M was set aside for the next two years of police overtime. But the city hasn’t successfully implemented new spending controls.

Beck Klein's recent story gets into this problem in detail - oaklandside.org/2025/06/25/o...

Oakland police routinely blow past their budget when it comes to overtime.

Officers log so many extra hours that overspending is often bigger than the department's original OT budget.

How bad was the systematic sexual abuse of female inmates at FCI Dublin? This helpful table from the US DOJ shows convictions, guilty pleas, and charges to date.

California's powerful statewide law enforcement union, PORAC, comes out swinging against a bill that would make it illegal for police to wear masks.

Authored by Sens. Wiener and Arreguin, the "No Secret Police Act" would make it a misdemeanor for police to hide their identities.

Photos: the ‘No Kings’ rally in Oakland draws over 10,000 attendees The event was a peaceful “day of defiance” against the creeping authoritarianism exhibited by Donald Trump.

I think there were far more than 10k people in Oakland today for the #NoKings march. Here's some photos —

oaklandside.org/2025/06/14/p...

Tens of thousands marching in Oakland today for the #NoKings protest against the Trump's administration's authoritarianism abuses.

Video by @oaklandside.org

More here - oaklandside.org/2025/06/14/n...

‘No Kings’ protest in Oakland against Trump drawing thousands Nationwide rallies opposing anti-democratic moves by the Trump administration and immigration crackdowns coincide with an unusual military parade in D.C.

Thousand of people have already arrived at Oakland's Wilma Chan Park to march in the "No Kings" protest.

oaklandside.org/2025/06/14/n...

Why was a billboard van parked at Oakland’s Highland Hospital? A resident physician became the latest target of a D.C.- based group that has repeatedly doxxed pro-Palestinian activists.

Here's the full story - oaklandside.org/2025/06/13/w...

If you have to go to Highland Hospital in Oakland today, be aware that there is a group — "Accuracy in Media" — outside attempting to put people on camera with gotcha-style questions about a physician who has protested the war in Gaza.

Why is Alameda County’s new DA undoing death penalty case reviews? Attorneys accused Ursula Jones Dickson of trying to “erase the dirty history” of racist and antisemitic jury selection practices by the district attorney’s office.

During an extraordinary hearing in Alameda County Superior Court on Tuesday, the motives of the county’s new district attorney, Ursula Jones Dickson, were effectively put on trial.

oaklandside.org/2025/06/05/d...

Marvin Boomer’s loved ones share their grief — girlfriend slams CHP for deadly Oakland chase Boomer’s family will hold a church service for the beloved Castlemont teacher at Acts Full Gospel Church on Friday.

Marvin Boomer’s loved ones share their grief — girlfriend slams CHP for deadly Oakland police chase.

oaklandside.org/2025/06/06/m...

Marvin Boomer’s family to hold public open-casket service Friday in East Oakland Friends, family, colleagues, and political leaders are expected to attend the Castlemont teacher’s service.

The family of Marvin Boomer, the Castlemont teacher who died in a collision last week, will hold a special visitation Friday, June 6 at Acts Full Gospel Church near the Oakland Coliseum.

oaklandside.org/2025/06/05/m...

Why is Alameda County’s new DA undoing death penalty case reviews? Attorneys accused Ursula Jones Dickson of trying to “erase the dirty history” of racist and antisemitic jury selection practices by the district attorney’s office.

During an extraordinary hearing in Alameda County Superior Court on Tuesday, the motives of the county’s new district attorney, Ursula Jones Dickson, were effectively put on trial.

oaklandside.org/2025/06/05/d...

Ex-Alameda County district attorney criticizes new top prosecutor Pamela Price, who was recalled in November, accused DA Ursula Jones Dickson of corruption and failing to protect Alameda County residents.

Former Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, who was recalled in November, accused newly appointed DA Ursula Jones Dickson of corruption and failing to protect Alameda County residents.

oaklandside.org/2025/06/04/p...

Gov. Newsom pushed for more police chases in Oakland. After bystander death, critics say he should ‘own it’ The governor and some city leaders have fiercely pushed for looser pursuit rules in Oakland. Critics say last week’s deadly crash demonstrates the danger to innocent bystanders.

Gov. Newsom pushed for more police chases in Oakland. After bystander death, critics say he should ‘own it.’

oaklandside.org/2025/06/03/o...

Alameda County’s recently appointed DA is focused on ‘lifting up victims of crime’ District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said she has strengthened her office and reversed many of her predecessor’s policies and practices.

District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said she has strengthened her office and reversed many of her predecessor’s policies and practices.

'Nightmares like you've never seen': Anger, grief, and petitions at site where Oakland teacher was killed A California Highway Patrol chase ended in Marvin Boomer’s death on an East Oakland pastor’s doorstep.

'Nightmares like you've never seen': Anger, grief, and petitions at site where Oakland teacher was killed Wednesday.

oaklandside.org/2025/05/30/n...

Man killed after Oakland CHP chase was beloved Castlemont teacher Marvin Boomer, who led the school’s Linked Learning program, was described by friends and colleagues as “loving and kind.”

Marvin Boomer was a respected educator at Castlemont High School. He was killed Wednesday by a driver who was fleeing the CHP in an East Oakland residential neighborhood.

oaklandside.org/2025/05/29/o...

Man killed after Oakland CHP chase was beloved Castlemont teacher Marvin Boomer, who led the school’s Linked Learning program, was described by friends and colleagues as “loving and kind.”

Marvin Boomer was a respected educator at Castlemont High School. He was killed Wednesday by a driver who was fleeing the CHP in an East Oakland residential neighborhood.

oaklandside.org/2025/05/29/o...

Pedestrian bystander killed following CHP chase in Oakland Two other people were injured after a suspect crashed their vehicle in a residential area after being pursued by Highway Patrol officers.

A pedestrian was killed on Wednesday when a vehicle fleeing the California Highway Patrol crashed in East Oakland. Two other people were injured.

oaklandside.org/2025/05/29/p...