Editor-in-Chief Tasneem Raja sits down with Oaklandside's deputy editor Esther Kaplan and news editor Darwin BondGraham to take stock of the biggest stories of 2026 — crime, schools, road safety, Mayor Lee's first year, and the state of Oakland's arts and culture scene.

Plus: a major housing program for homeless families at Children's Hospital, a whistleblower shaking up the DA's office, a pothole settlement, a sideshow ordinance that's never been used, and OPD's ongoing transparency problems.

Stories we cover in this episode:

Crime and public safety

• Oakland ended 2025 with the fewest homicides since 1967
• Sideshow participants can be fined in Oakland. Why has the city never done this?
• Oakland police illegally keep information from those who request it, says attorney
• Deputy district attorney says she was retaliated against for whistleblowing

City Hall and politics

• Barbara Lee has yet to confirm she's running for mayor — but she's raised $31,000
• Barbara Lee is relying on big companies and foundations to raise millions for the city
• 'Strong mayor' for Oakland? City Council gets its first look — and some aren't sold

Education

• OUSD has agreed to tens of millions in new labor contracts. How will it cover the cost?
• OUSD lead crisis: Almost all drinking water sources are now safe

Roads and transportation

• 18 speed cameras just went up in Oakland. See where
• Which Oakland streets saw the most speed camera warnings?
• Injured cyclist gets $512,000 from Oakland in pothole settlement

Housing

• 50 homeless patients at Children's Hospital Oakland will get placed in housing

Arts and culture

• Another Alysa Liu mural in Oakland — this one with Kristi Yamaguchi
• This week in Oakland: a Prescott Circus Theatre showcase, and Fairyland's 'Mad Tea Party'

Find all these stories and more at oaklandside.org. Have feedback or story ideas? Email us at [email protected].