Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden chose Sen. Kamala Harris, an East Bay native, as his running mate. "I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked Kamala Harris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate," Biden tweeted on Tuesday … Continue reading Biden chooses Harris, a former Alameda County prosecutor, as his running mate
Berkeley school board member Judy Appel and her wife, Alison Bernstein, are improving after being struck by a car near their home early last Saturday morning, Berkeleyside reported Tuesday night. Appel, who ran for the 15th Assembly District last June, are in intensive care at Highland Hospital in Oakland and listed in critical condition after … Continue reading Berkeley school board member, wife improving after crash
Berkeley Councilmember Ben Bartlett, after being pulled over last July for running a red light, suggested to a Berkeley police officer that she give him preferential treatment because he had voted to give the city's police officers a raise recently during closed session negotiations with their union, Berkeleyside reported Thursday. Bartlett, who was a candidate … Continue reading Report: Berkeley councilman, during traffic stop, suggested officer let him go because he voted in favor of police raise
Kriss Worthington, Berkeley's first gay member of the city council, announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election to his District 7 seat. He made the declaration on the steps of Berkeley City Hall. A day earlier on Facebook, Worthington framed the event in terms of "will he" or "won't he" run for re-election. Worthington … Continue reading Worthington will not seek re-election in Berkeley
ELECTION 2018Ron DellumsDELLUMS ENDORSES PRICEThe East Bay's venerable liberal lion, former Rep. Ron Dellums, offered his endorsement of Pamela Price, the Alameda County District Attorney candidate seeking to unseat Nancy O'Malley next month. “I have always been proud of the long progressive tradition in Alameda County. But today, in Alameda County, there continues to exist … Continue reading ELECTIONLINE: 29 days until the primary – Dellums’ DA pick; Appel dual endorsement in AD15
THE WEEK OF MAR 30-APR 5--ALAMEDA-- Regular council meeting, Tuesday, April 3, 7 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]--HOUSING ELEMENT REPORT-- Alameda is on pace to satisfy the state's Regional Housing Needs Allocation for building 1,723 units of housing by 2023, says city staff. Ninety-three building permits were issued in 2017. The prior two years yielded 493 building permits. But … Continue reading EBC AGENDA | MAR 30-APR 5 | ALAMEDA on pace to meet state housing requirement; BERKELEY wants to thwart data vendors working with ICE; AD15 forum
THE WEEK OF MARCH 23-29--BERKELEY-- Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Mar. 27, 6 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]--COKE IS NOT IT-- Four years ago, Berkeley voters overwhelmingly approved a tax on sugary drinks sales. Now the Berkeley City Council may go further with an ordinance that prohibits the city from using taxpayers' money to purchase sugar-sweetened beverages. The proposed ordinance … Continue reading EBC AGENDA | MAR 23-29 | BERKELEY may prohibit use of city funds for sugary drinks; HAYWARD spends big $$ for mobile police vehicle; and more
THE WEEK OF MARCH 9-15--OAKLAND-- Regular council committee meetings, Tuesday, Mar. 13, starts at 9:30 a.m.➤Community & Economic Development Committee, 1:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]--OAKLAND ARMY BASE MID-TERM REVIEW-- "Initial City funding commitments, originally included projected net tax increment generated between 2011 through 2017 totaling approximately $10 million and was significantly impacted by AB 26 resulting in … Continue reading EBC AGENDA | MAR 9-15 | OAKLAND reviews Army Base development’s ‘loss of significant redevelopment dollars’; Cell tower appeal in FREMONT
THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2-8.--ALAMEDA COUNTY-- Regular council meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 10:30 a.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]--BALLOT MEASURE FOR CHILDREN-- The Board of Supervisor will approve placement on the June ballot of a countywide half-cent sales tax measure to fund child care and early childhood development programs. If approved by voters with a two-thirds majority, the half-cent sales … Continue reading EBC AGENDA | FEB 2-8 | ALAMEDA COUNTY 1/2-cent sales tax measure for child care coming this June; ALAMEDA PD wants 13 license-plate readers
The AD15 pre-endorsement scoreboardshowed no officials winners, but some candidates received surprises Saturday.ELECTION 2018—15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT—Next week, 15th Assembly District candidate Buffy Wicks is expected to release year-end finance reports that show a wide breadth of financial support for her campaign. That same support, however, is not yet translating to the local Democratic Party grassroots.Alameda and … Continue reading As expected, no Democratic endorsement in crowded AD15 race, but surprises nonetheless
THE WEEK OF JAN. 26-FEB. 1--ALAMEDA-- Special closed session council meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 3:30 p.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]--ALAMEDA'S CITY MANAGER SCANDAL?-- It's not clear what exactly the Alameda City Council might be discussing behind closed doors Tuesday afternoon. The agenda suggests the city or someone is possibly the plaintiff in a potential lawsuit. Furthermore, two hours were … Continue reading EBC AGENDA | JAN. 26-FEB. 1 | BERKELEY seeks surveillance use policy; ALAMEDA’s own city manager scandal heats up?; State Dem pre-endorsements
THE WEEK OF JANUARY 19-25--ALAMEDA COUNTY-- Regular board meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 10:45 a.m. [ENTIRE AGENDA HERE]--DA'S STINGRAY REPORT-- Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley is required to offer a "report" on law enforcement's use of cell-site simulators, also known as Stringrays. The device allows police to mimic a cell tower in the effort to coerce a suspect's cell phone … Continue reading EBC AGENDA | JAN 19-25 | Cell-site simulators deployed by East Bay law enforcement 3x last year; Highland needs $11m more for retrofit; ; Oakland’s racial disparity in traffic stops
ELECTION 2018Much will happen on the campaign trail this spring and fall leading to the June primary and November General Election. Someone will say something stupid, others won't utter a single interesting thought. However, surprises in the form of candidates who jumped into races (or out, for that matter) can't be known today. For all … Continue reading 2018 Predictions: With 99% certainty, here’s who will win East Bay races this year
2017 YEAR IN EAST BAY POLITICS>>>>The state legislature decides in January that a new portrait of Assemblymember Bill Quirk would be a good idea for his 20th District website. The resulting creation, though, inparts vampire-like features to Quirk's face. Funny thing, according to his district staff, is the web designers thought the new photo looked good. By … Continue reading 2017 Year in East Bay Politics: The wild and wacky: Let’s Taco About It and Bill Quirk ‘Jumps Around’
2017 YEAR IN EAST BAY POLITICSEast Bay residents didn't exactly head into the new year with hopes of prosperity and self-renewal. President-Elect Donald Trump's shadow was already darkening every door in the East Bay, especially those griped with fear in our large and diverse immigrants communities. In fact, Trump did not only overshadow every story … Continue reading 2017 Year in East Bay Politics: Jan-Mar: Battle of Berkeley
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