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
• Oakland city officials privately cheered Supreme Court ruling on homeless encampments

Public safety

• Three killed in East Oakland crash at International Boulevard and 85th Avenue

Arts and culture

• Oakland First Fridays faces funding crisis 

Education

• AI in Oakland schools: a policy in progress, a "Wild West" in classrooms

Transit

• AC Transit sees first sustained ridership increase this decade as gas prices top $6

Housing and development

• Oakland Planning Commission keeps canceling meetings — and that may signal progress

Food

• Saints Smokehouse brings smoked brisket and serious buzz to downtown Oakland

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