Darwin BondGraham
@darwinbondgraham.bsky.social
Journalist, writer, historian; peripatetic, skeptic; fisherman, amateur pomologist, admirer of wildflowers, mushrooms; worshiper of forests, swamps, deserts, and mountains.
This was hardly the first major law enforcement operation targeting members of Oakland's Ghost Town gang. Groups of mostly young men involved in violent crime have affiliated with one another under the moniker “Ghost Town” since at least the early 1990s.
oaklandside.org/2026/02/10/9...
oaklandside.org/2026/02/10/9...
9 Oakland ‘Ghost Town’ gang members sentenced for 2022 robbery spree
Federal prosecutors say they took down one of the networks “responsible for the majority of group-driven violence” in Oakland. Defense attorneys point to traumatic childhoods and PTSD as drivers of cr...
oaklandside.org
February 10, 2026 at 9:51 PM
This was hardly the first major law enforcement operation targeting members of Oakland's Ghost Town gang. Groups of mostly young men involved in violent crime have affiliated with one another under the moniker “Ghost Town” since at least the early 1990s.
oaklandside.org/2026/02/10/9...
oaklandside.org/2026/02/10/9...
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
Some activists say the City Council is improperly micromanaging police oversight appointments. But councilmembers say these are “conspiracy theories.”
Another police oversight shake-up, this time on the panel that picks Oakland’s police commissioners
Some activists say the City Council is improperly micromanaging police oversight appointments. But councilmembers say these are “conspiracy theories.”
oaklandside.org
February 7, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Some activists say the City Council is improperly micromanaging police oversight appointments. But councilmembers say these are “conspiracy theories.”
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
A wildlife biologist with the park system has been working for nearly 30 years, with 8,000 volunteers, to create nesting habitats in Oakland and Hayward for the California least tern and other threatened shorebirds.
An endangered seabird gets help from the East Bay Parks — and a small army of volunteers
'Doc Quack' has been working for 30 years, with 8,000 volunteers, to create nesting habitats for the California least tern and other threatened shorebirds.
oaklandside.org
February 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM
A wildlife biologist with the park system has been working for nearly 30 years, with 8,000 volunteers, to create nesting habitats in Oakland and Hayward for the California least tern and other threatened shorebirds.
It's bonkers that the Christian conservatives' halftime show headlined a guy who once sang about justifying statutory rape on an island....
Kid Rock's 2001 song "Cool, Daddy Cool."
Kid Rock's 2001 song "Cool, Daddy Cool."
February 9, 2026 at 6:27 PM
It's bonkers that the Christian conservatives' halftime show headlined a guy who once sang about justifying statutory rape on an island....
Kid Rock's 2001 song "Cool, Daddy Cool."
Kid Rock's 2001 song "Cool, Daddy Cool."
In 1924, a racist mob of Piedmont residents forced a Black family to flee their home.
Sidney and Iréne Dearing were Piedmont's first Black home owners. A new lawsuit by their descendants alleges that city officials fraudulently took steps to push them out.
oaklandside.org/2026/02/04/p...
Sidney and Iréne Dearing were Piedmont's first Black home owners. A new lawsuit by their descendants alleges that city officials fraudulently took steps to push them out.
oaklandside.org/2026/02/04/p...
February 4, 2026 at 6:18 PM
In 1924, a racist mob of Piedmont residents forced a Black family to flee their home.
Sidney and Iréne Dearing were Piedmont's first Black home owners. A new lawsuit by their descendants alleges that city officials fraudulently took steps to push them out.
oaklandside.org/2026/02/04/p...
Sidney and Iréne Dearing were Piedmont's first Black home owners. A new lawsuit by their descendants alleges that city officials fraudulently took steps to push them out.
oaklandside.org/2026/02/04/p...
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
Corporate money used to pay for Janani Ramachandran’s Diwali party last October raises questions about conflicts of interest.
Oakland councilmember asked city contractor to fund her nonprofit
Corporate money used to pay for Janani Ramachandran’s Diwali party last October raises questions about conflicts of interest.
oaklandside.org
February 3, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Corporate money used to pay for Janani Ramachandran’s Diwali party last October raises questions about conflicts of interest.
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
The measure would allow for transit systems to spend federal crime prevention dollars on outreach workers and reduce the use of police in nonviolent situations.
Rep. Simon introduces a bill to nationalize BART’s ambassador program
The measure would allow for transit systems to spend federal crime prevention dollars on outreach workers and reduce the use of police in nonviolent situations.
oaklandside.org
February 3, 2026 at 11:44 PM
The measure would allow for transit systems to spend federal crime prevention dollars on outreach workers and reduce the use of police in nonviolent situations.
Oakland pastor attacked by federal agent takes first step toward lawsuit.
Rev. Jorge Bautista was shot in the face with a chemical weapon projectile while protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Coast Guard Island.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/30/o...
Rev. Jorge Bautista was shot in the face with a chemical weapon projectile while protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Coast Guard Island.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/30/o...
Oakland pastor attacked by federal agent takes first step to sue
Rev. Jorge Bautista was hit in the face by a projectile device while protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Coast Guard Island. He’s seeking $5 million in damages.
oaklandside.org
January 30, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Oakland pastor attacked by federal agent takes first step toward lawsuit.
Rev. Jorge Bautista was shot in the face with a chemical weapon projectile while protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Coast Guard Island.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/30/o...
Rev. Jorge Bautista was shot in the face with a chemical weapon projectile while protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement at Coast Guard Island.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/30/o...
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
“East Bay Times” is a cathartic exploration of loss, grief, and what the Town means to him.
Rapper Philip Bank$ on Hyphy kids, cops, and growing up Black in Oakland
“East Bay Times” is a cathartic exploration of loss, grief, and what the Town means to him.
oaklandside.org
January 29, 2026 at 9:28 PM
“East Bay Times” is a cathartic exploration of loss, grief, and what the Town means to him.
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...
ICE’s excuse for wearing masks has never actually manifested
There have been incidents of harassment and threats. But there are no apparent incidents in which identified ICE officers have been assaulted off-duty.
www.pbump.net
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
Overtime is a significant factor in the city’s budget crisis. But the department still can't effectively track officers' OT activities.
One Oakland police officer made $490,000 in overtime. The city can’t find records detailing much of what he did
One OPD officer logged 5,242 total working hours, racking up $490,000 in overtime pay. If he worked more than half of the time in a calendar year, why can't the city tell us what he did?
oaklandside.org
January 29, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Overtime is a significant factor in the city’s budget crisis. But the department still can't effectively track officers' OT activities.
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
If advocates gather 186,000 signatures across the Bay Area, a half-cent sales tax proposal will appear on the November ballot. Passage would mean an infusion of cash for BART, AC Transit, and other mass transit agencies.
Signature gathering begins in Oakland for multi-billion-dollar transit measure
If advocates gather 186,000 signatures across the Bay Area, a half-cent sales tax proposal will appear on the November ballot. Passage would mean an infusion of cash for BART, AC Transit, and other mass transit agencies.
oaklandside.org
January 29, 2026 at 1:11 AM
If advocates gather 186,000 signatures across the Bay Area, a half-cent sales tax proposal will appear on the November ballot. Passage would mean an infusion of cash for BART, AC Transit, and other mass transit agencies.
One Oakland police officer made $490,000 in overtime in 2024. The city can’t find records detailing much of what he did.
Reporter Beck Klein examines OPD's overtime use through 1 officer's astonishing schedule, revealing multiple problems and raising big questions.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/29/o...
Reporter Beck Klein examines OPD's overtime use through 1 officer's astonishing schedule, revealing multiple problems and raising big questions.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/29/o...
One Oakland police officer made $490,000 in overtime. The city can’t find records detailing much of what he did
One OPD officer logged 5,242 total working hours, racking up $490,000 in overtime pay. If he worked more than half of the time in a calendar year, why can't the city tell us what he did?
oaklandside.org
January 29, 2026 at 5:06 PM
One Oakland police officer made $490,000 in overtime in 2024. The city can’t find records detailing much of what he did.
Reporter Beck Klein examines OPD's overtime use through 1 officer's astonishing schedule, revealing multiple problems and raising big questions.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/29/o...
Reporter Beck Klein examines OPD's overtime use through 1 officer's astonishing schedule, revealing multiple problems and raising big questions.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/29/o...
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
East Bay leaders are calling for an end to the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement operations while locals are protesting.
Oakland reacts to ICE and Border Patrol shootings
East Bay leaders are calling for an end to the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement operations while locals are protesting.
oaklandside.org
January 27, 2026 at 11:42 PM
East Bay leaders are calling for an end to the Trump administration’s aggressive enforcement operations while locals are protesting.
Status of Oakland Coliseum deal will be aired out at joint city-county meeting.
City Council President Kevin Jenkins said it’s “imperative that there be an open and public conversation” about the complicated land deal.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/27/o...
City Council President Kevin Jenkins said it’s “imperative that there be an open and public conversation” about the complicated land deal.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/27/o...
Status of Oakland Coliseum deal will be aired out at joint city-county meeting
City Council President Kevin Jenkins said it's "imperative that there be an open and public conversation" about the complicated land deal.
oaklandside.org
January 27, 2026 at 11:54 PM
Status of Oakland Coliseum deal will be aired out at joint city-county meeting.
City Council President Kevin Jenkins said it’s “imperative that there be an open and public conversation” about the complicated land deal.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/27/o...
City Council President Kevin Jenkins said it’s “imperative that there be an open and public conversation” about the complicated land deal.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/27/o...
A 100-foot tunnel, secret bunker and weapons stash found at MAGA activist’s Northern California home.
www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/01/27/a...
www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/01/27/a...
January 27, 2026 at 11:54 PM
A 100-foot tunnel, secret bunker and weapons stash found at MAGA activist’s Northern California home.
www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/01/27/a...
www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/01/27/a...
Some Republicans are starting to peel away from supporting Operation Metro Surge.
www.startribune.com/it-needs-to-...
www.startribune.com/it-needs-to-...
Some Republicans break from Trump on immigration surge after latest shooting
While only a handful, some suburban Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature say ICE’s Minnesota operation should be pulled back.
www.startribune.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:18 AM
Some Republicans are starting to peel away from supporting Operation Metro Surge.
www.startribune.com/it-needs-to-...
www.startribune.com/it-needs-to-...
Happy I subscribed to the @startribune.com. The coverage has been crucial, cutting through the bullshit on social media with facts and voices on the ground in Minnesota.
January 26, 2026 at 2:03 AM
Happy I subscribed to the @startribune.com. The coverage has been crucial, cutting through the bullshit on social media with facts and voices on the ground in Minnesota.
The state prosecutor is correct, ICE agents do not have absolute immunity.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
January 23, 2026 at 11:07 PM
The state prosecutor is correct, ICE agents do not have absolute immunity.
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
www.startribune.com/ice-raids-mi...
Warrantless searches were literally one of the main reasons Americans revolted against the British and founded the United States. It's the Fourth Amendment to the nation's founding document.
bsky.app/profile/apne...
bsky.app/profile/apne...
BREAKING: Immigration officers are asserting sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, a memo obtained by AP says.
Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge's warrant, memo says
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press reveals that the agency allows immigration officers to forcibly enter homes to make arrests without a judicial warrant.
bit.ly
January 22, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Warrantless searches were literally one of the main reasons Americans revolted against the British and founded the United States. It's the Fourth Amendment to the nation's founding document.
bsky.app/profile/apne...
bsky.app/profile/apne...
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
Calling all teen poets who have pride in their city. Applications are due Feb. 1.
Who will be Oakland's next youth poet laureate?
Calling all teen poets who have pride in their city. Applications are due Feb. 1.
oaklandside.org
January 19, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Calling all teen poets who have pride in their city. Applications are due Feb. 1.
Not a lot of seats left. RSVP for this event next week. I'll be talking about the state of journalism in Oakland, what it's like covering City Hall and the OPD, The Oaklandside's success in a changing news landscape, what the future holds, and more.
oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69278...
oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69278...
Meet the Author: Darwin BondGraham, the Oaklandside's News Editor - The Riders Come out at Night
Darwin BondGraham is the News Editor at The Oaklandside. He is also the co-author, with Ali Winston, of the 2023 book, The Riders Come Out at Night, which examines the Oakland Police Department's hist...
oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:32 PM
A fire 🔥 broke out this morning in the former Oaksterdam University building in downtown Oakland (1770 Broadway).
The top 4 floors are residential apartments. Three people were injured and hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/19/f...
The top 4 floors are residential apartments. Three people were injured and hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/19/f...
Fire injures 3 in downtown Oakland residential building
50 firefighters extinguished a blaze in a multi-story building. Three people were hospitalized with smoke-related injuries.
oaklandside.org
January 19, 2026 at 6:21 PM
A fire 🔥 broke out this morning in the former Oaksterdam University building in downtown Oakland (1770 Broadway).
The top 4 floors are residential apartments. Three people were injured and hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/19/f...
The top 4 floors are residential apartments. Three people were injured and hospitalized due to smoke inhalation.
oaklandside.org/2026/01/19/f...
Not a lot of seats left. RSVP for this event next week. I'll be talking about the state of journalism in Oakland, what it's like covering City Hall and the OPD, The Oaklandside's success in a changing news landscape, what the future holds, and more.
oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69278...
oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69278...
Meet the Author: Darwin BondGraham, the Oaklandside's News Editor - The Riders Come out at Night
Darwin BondGraham is the News Editor at The Oaklandside. He is also the co-author, with Ali Winston, of the 2023 book, The Riders Come Out at Night, which examines the Oakland Police Department's hist...
oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Not a lot of seats left. RSVP for this event next week. I'll be talking about the state of journalism in Oakland, what it's like covering City Hall and the OPD, The Oaklandside's success in a changing news landscape, what the future holds, and more.
oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69278...
oaklandlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/69278...
Reposted by Darwin BondGraham
"Johnny 5 is alive!"
Don't Oakland's new speed enforcement cameras look like Johnny 5, the AI robot from the 1980s sci-fi film "Short Circuit"?
January 16, 2026 at 5:51 PM
"Johnny 5 is alive!"