Oakland

Housing

How the remote work revolution could change California’s housing crisis

A huge number of people have been working from home for the better part of the year. The long-term implications for housing will likely benefit higher-earning workers and hurt lower income Californians.

By Matt Levin • December 21, 2020

Economy

California mayors share how the pandemic shapes their cities

In the latest installment of the “Future of Work” series, California mayors explain their cities’ most pressing issues.

By Elizabeth Castillo • November 16, 2020

Elections

In the Bay Area, hope and anxiety

As President Trump and his supporters moved to stop the counting of mail-in votes in key battleground states yesterday, local activist groups greenlighted rallies in several Bay Area cities. Their message was simple: count every vote. Anxious, scared, but cautiously optimistic, hundreds of protesters peacefully gathered in parks and plazas in the aftermath of an […]

By Brian Howey and Steven Rascón • November 5, 2020

Commentary

The affordable housing crisis is about to get worse; here’s a policy that will help renters

Berkeley and Oakland are working on a policy to preserve affordable housing that would be the first of its kind in California.

By Guest Commentary • October 26, 2020

WhatMatters

Another record: Fires burn more than 4 million acres

California surpassed a staggering milestone Sunday: More than 4 million acres have now burned in a record-defying fire season still far from over. That’s four Rhode Islands, three-and-a-half Grand Canyon National Parks, and a little more than one Connecticut. It’s also more than double the 1.98 million acres burned in 2018, California’s previous modern-day record. […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 5, 2020

Environment

Shape up or ship out: California requires ships, trucks to eliminate thousands of tons of pollution

Diesel trucks, oil tankers and other ships must comply with two new rules that are the state’s most ambitious strike against smog in a decade. The cost could reach nearly $7 billion.

By Rachel Becker • August 27, 2020

WhatMatters

California stereotypes in national spotlight

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, August 13. How will Harris respond? As the first California Democrat to land on the national ticket, Kamala Harris will bring the Golden State — and all of its stereotypes — into the spotlight with her.  California has long been a Republican shorthand for homelessness, crime, radicalism and Democratic mismanagement. […]

By Emily Hoeven • August 13, 2020

Commentary

A white kid’s experience from the back of the bus and what he learned along the route

I look back on my days in the back of an express bus to high school and remember the Black worker who stood up for me. Now it’s my turn to stand up for Black people.

By Guest Commentary • August 2, 2020

WhatMatters

Protests escalate across California

Good morning, California. It’s Monday, July 27. Government buildings targeted Peaceful protests against racism, police brutality and the intervention of federal agents in Portland, Ore. splintered over the weekend into destruction, vandalism and violence. Protests in Oakland, Los Angeles and Sacramento resulted in numerous arrests and hospitalizations, further inflaming tension between law enforcement and demonstrators. […]

By Emily Hoeven • July 27, 2020

WhatMatters

Inside California’s Black exodus

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, July 16. From cities to suburbs — and other states Brentwood’s Black population shot up more than 6,200% over the past three decades. In Elk Grove, it increased by more than 5,100%. In Antioch, nearly 2,000%. Meanwhile, the Black populations of Berkeley, San Francisco and Oakland declined by 49%, 43% […]

By Emily Hoeven • July 16, 2020