Sincerely,
Natalie Orenstein, senior reporter

April 15 special election

Campaign finance report: Mayoral candidates?former Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Councilmember Loren Taylor?have raised $293,000 and $253,000, respectively.?The other seven candidates have raised next to nothing. .?

And in the race for the D2 City Council seat,?Charlene Wang has raised approximately $75,000 while Kara Murray-Badal has received $62,000. Murray-Badal is also getting a big lift from a labor-backed independent expenditure committee that is buying thousands of dollars of online ads. .

The debate about the debate:?Tuesday’s mayoral debate was hosted by Empower Oakland and a new group called Black Action Alliance. A few other groups were also advertised as co-sponsors, including Black Women Organized for Political Action?and the Brotherhood of Elders Network.?But in the runup to and after the event, several co-sponsors voiced complaints about how the debate was organized and raised questions about the Black Action Alliance. .

Candidate questionnaires:?To help voters get to know those running for mayor and the D2 city council seat, The Oaklandside created a form that asks?candidates to spell out their plans for homelessness, city finances and public safety. Read their answers, in their own words.??|?.

City hall

Coliseum sale drags?on:?The transfer of the property to the African American Sports Entertainment Group would unlock millions of dollars for Oakland but a deal is?still yet to be?inked.?.

Public safety and road safety

Recalled DA Pamela Price's new podcast: We?sat down with Price to ask her what she aims to accomplish with her new podcast —?“Pamela Price Unfiltered” —?her reflections on the recall election, and her hopes for the new Alameda County District Attorney.?.

20% bus fare hike: The AC Transit Board of Directors voted Wednesday to approve the rise of fares this summer. The new price for cash fares will be $2.75 starting July 1 with an expected additional raise to $3 on July 1, 2026.?.

Arts and community

Oakland?events this weekend:

• Temescal Bar Crawl?—?Saturday, March 15, 6 p.m., 21 and up, for a list of all participating bars
• Premiere Screening: ‘The Class’ Feat. Daveed Diggs, filmmaker, and other guests?—?Sunday, March 16, 11 a.m.,?, The Grand Lake Theatre, 3200 Grand Ave.?
• A Creative Sunday Afternoon at Gold Palm?—?Sunday, March 16, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.,??donation scale, 1900 Telegraph Ave.

Check out the??of things to do by Arts and Community reporter?Azucena Rasilla for more?details.

Education equity

Mills campus police department:?Northeastern University leaders are distancing the school from a plan circulated last month by a university employee and a group of Oakland residents advocating for a new police department in East Oakland.?.

County throws charter school?a lifeline:?In an unusual move, the Alameda County Board of Education declined to stop the closure of American Indian Public Charter School II, or AIMS K-8, but trustees will reconsider their decision if the school can come to an agreement with the county by June to address concerns they have raised.?.

Power outages at East Oakland schools:?Oakland Academy of Knowledge, Elmhurst United, Brookfield Elementary, and Madison Park Primary?lost power Friday morning due to high winds.?Power was restored so the school district didn't?send?students home early.?.

Nosh

New restaurants:?Known for its BBQ, latkes and, of course, eccentric cheesecakes, local pop-up and farmers market staple Crazy Block Cheesecakes is opening in a new brick and mortar?on?Lakeshore Ave.?.

Restaurant closures:?Prima Materia’s Temescal Alley tasting room is closing on March 16.?.

A look back at February openings and closings:?Last month delivered new to the East Bay food scene but Monkey King, Sweet July and C Casa were among notable closures.?.

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