Description

News editor Darwin BondGraham reflects on what’s happening in Minneapolis—where federal immigration agents have killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti—and what it means for Oakland, where ICE has already injured residents, chased people near our schools, and taken people from our courthouses.

Plus: Housing reporter Natalie Orenstein reports on a devastating fire at a downtown Oakland apartment building that displaced 50 residents, and the landlord’s controversial response of immediately terminating their leases.

Also in this episode: Oakland hires a new cultural affairs manager, Oakland Airport sees troubling passenger decline, hot dogs return to an iconic Temescal building, and thousands of Kaiser nurses go on strike.

Stories we cover in this episode:

Immigration enforcement

• Reflections on Minneapolis and Oakland: Federal immigration agents have killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis while approximately 3,000 agents occupy the Twin Cities. ICE has already injured people in Oakland, entered our courthouses, and chased people near schools. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted to ban ICE from county-owned properties.

Housing

• Fire at downtown Oakland apartment building displaces 50+ residents — A three-alarm fire at Broadway and 19th Street destroyed units and businesses, including Dope Era, owned by Mistah F.A.B. The landlord immediately sent termination notices to displaced tenants, which the city attorney says is illegal.

Culture and Nosh

• Oakland hires new cultural affairs manager — Lyz Luke, former director of Living Jazz, will focus on raising funds for artists and helping run the city’s Cultural Affairs Commission.
• Winky Dinky Dogs opens in iconic Temescal building — Hot dogs return to the triangular building that once housed Original Kasper’s Hot Dogs, bringing the space back to life after more than 20 years vacant.
• It’s All Good Bakery closes after 30 years — The family-owned bakery located at the site of the Black Panthers’ first Oakland headquarters has closed.

Transportation

• Oakland Airport sees nearly 12% drop in passenger volume — November travel declined to just over 704,000 passengers versus nearly 800,000 the year before. Airport officials are adding new flights and amenities to turn things around.

Police oversight

• Oakland leaders say OPD ready to exit federal oversight — The city says the police department is “on the best possible path,” though civil rights attorneys say OPD still isn’t in compliance with three key reforms.

Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at editors@oaklandside.org.