Shomik Mukherjee
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shomik.bsky.social
Shomik Mukherjee
@shomik.bsky.social
290 followers 74 following 80 posts
reporting on Oakland for the East Bay Times and Mercury News | hoping for a better algorithm here; otherwise, can email news to you: shomik@bayareanewsgroup.com
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Shomik Mukherjee @shomik.bsky.social · Feb 2
NEW: Spent the past few weeks trying to verify key details of some weighty allegations lodged by Oakland mayoral candidate Renia Webb against her former boss, Sheng Thao.

It's a strange story. And the facts don't seem to add up.

(free link, no paywall): www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/02/02/o...
Oakland mayoral candidate Renia Webb tells a story of corruption. The facts don’t always add up.
The veracity of Renia Webb’s claims is in question, including a meeting with an FBI agent who she says warned her about Sheng Thao.
www.eastbaytimes.com
shomik.bsky.social
Breaking: Coach John Beam, beloved staple of Oakland sports, dies from gunshot wound www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/14/j...
Coach John Beam, beloved staple of Oakland sports, dies from gunshot wound
It was a shocking loss for athletes, coaches and Oakland residents who had come to rely on the wisdom and dedication of a man known around town simply as Coach Beam.
www.mercurynews.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:23 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Ex-Oakland mayoral staffer prepares to file lawsuit alleging wrongful termination www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
Ex-Oakland mayoral staffer prepares to file lawsuit alleging wrongful termination
In separate legal filings, former chief of staff Leigh Hanson and junior staffer Brandon Harami take aim at the conduct of other city leaders.
www.eastbaytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Plea deal may be in works for San Leandro councilman charged in federal corruption case www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/05/p...
Plea deal may be in works for San Leandro councilman charged in federal corruption case
Word of a possible plea deal came as prosecutors publicly linked Bryan Azevedo’s case to a sprawling corruption case out of Oakland.
www.mercurynews.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:38 AM
shomik.bsky.social
Breaking: ICE, Border Patrol operations in East Bay are officially 'canceled, officials say

www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/24/i...
ICE, Border Patrol operations in East Bay are officially ‘canceled,’ officials say
It was not immediately clear whether federal agents had already left the region.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
shomik.bsky.social
Two injured after security personnel open fire on truck approaching site of East Bay immigration protests, reporting w/ Jakob Rodgers: www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/24/c...
Two injured after security personnel open fire on truck approaching Coast Guard Island, site of immigration protests
The shooting happened around 10 p.m. at the entrance to Coast Guard Island in East Oakland.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:35 AM
shomik.bsky.social
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said Thursday she had spoken to SF's Daniel Lurie about his call w/ the president.

Lee, however, appeared to come away with little clarity about whether Trump's promise to call off the Nat'l Guard would also mean a withdrawal of CBP from the East Bay.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee said Thursday she had spoken to SF's Daniel Lurie about his call w/ the president. Lee, however, appeared to come away with little clarity about whether Trump's promise to call off the Nat'l Guard would also mean a withdrawal of CBP from the East Bay.
October 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
shomik.bsky.social
Bay Area leaders, immigrant advocates react with alarm to reported federal immigration crackdown www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/22/b...
Bay Area leaders, immigrant advocates react with alarm to reported federal immigration crackdown
More than 100 federal agents — including some from U.S. Customs and Border Protection — prepared to arrive Thursday at Coast Guard Island.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:23 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Former NFL running back Doug Martin’s brain to be tested for CTE, authorities confirm to Jakob Rodgers www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/21/f...
Former NFL running back Doug Martin’s brain to be tested for CTE, authorities confirm
The condition, which can cause erratic behavior and severe mental illness, is associated with repeated head trauma and has been found in hundreds of former NFL players in recent years.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:48 PM
shomik.bsky.social
NEW: More details emerge about retired NFL star Doug Martin's final moments before his death in Oakland police custody.

+ Former coaches who witnessed Martin's ascent to an all-pro career recalled his determination & easygoing temperament. (w/ Jakob Rodgers) www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/20/i...
‘It’s really tragic’: Details emerge after former NFL star Doug Martin’s death in Oakland police custody
Martin’s death — after what police described as a “brief struggle” with officers — sent shockwaves through Oakland.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:08 AM
shomik.bsky.social
As my colleague Jakob Rodgers first reported last night, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Doug Martin died while in Oakland police custody

More on Martin’s life:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/19/e...
Ex-NFL running back Doug Martin dies in Oakland police custody, sources say
Born in Oakland, Martin spent seven seasons in the NFL.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM
shomik.bsky.social
How long will Oakland be stuck with a security company linked to key figure in federal corruption case? www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/16/o...
How long will Oakland be stuck with a security company linked to key figure in federal corruption case?
It may take three months or longer for a new contract to be prepared, officials estimated.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:48 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: G. Harold Duffey, the high-ranking Oakland official who said he gave the feds key evidence that led to criminal indictments against ex-Mayor Sheng Thao and others, is leaving the city.

He's making his way to Brentwood in eastern Contra Costa County: www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/15/o...
High-ranking Oakland official who spoke to feds about ex-mayor leaves for another East Bay city
Duffey is in line to be the new city manager in Brentwood, an eastern Contra Costa County city with about 67,000 residents — roughly six times smaller than Oakland’s population.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Shomik Mukherjee
mercurynews.com.web.brid.gy
Kristi Noem PSA blaming Democrats for shutdown not playing at Bay Area airports
San Jose International says it will use “airport-specific messaging” if there are operational impacts.
www.mercurynews.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:49 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Chief Floyd Mitchell grew tired of having to answer to “so many bosses” in Oakland, leading him to resign after just a year and a half

Now, those same “bosses” need to collaborate in hiring a new police chief. It hasn’t been easy in the past:

www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/12/h...
How will the search for yet another police chief tip the balance of power in Oakland?
Unlike several predecessors, Mitchell was not fired due to scandal, but simply appeared to grow weary of the various forces designed to hold the city’s police accountable.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Shomik Mukherjee
heatherknightsf.bsky.social
After he called me from his private plans, Marc Benioff called @eshugs.bsky.social. This is another great read as Dreamforce begins.

sfstandard.com/2025/10/13/p...
Marc Benioff has already left San Francisco behind
The Salesforce CEO now principally lives, works, and votes elsewhere, but as he argued in an interview with The Standard, “nobody has given more than my family.”
sfstandard.com
October 13, 2025 at 2:41 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Oakland issued checks to police officers, city workers who had personal info exposed in ransomware attack www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/07/o...
Oakland issued checks to police officers, city workers who had personal info exposed in ransomware attack
The data breach in 2023 led to reams of sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, being published on the dark web.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Oakland may allow its city attorney to arrange a legal defense for public officials facing criminal charges, w/o needing council's approval.

Sounds ominous, but it's really preparation for a scenario where the Trump admin accuses city workers of obstructing ICE/Nat'l Guard
Public agencies are required to offer employees a civil defense but not a criminal one, though in ordinary circumstances the council may take time to decide whether to protect workers against the latter type of charges. But the threat of the federal government coming to Oakland appears to have Richardson on high alert. If approved, the legislation would place him in the unusual position of deciding whether to represent city workers in criminal court, which likely would require outside counsel.
October 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Reposted by Shomik Mukherjee
kerryhowley.bsky.social
I spent some time wandering around SF with some kids who read minds, raise millions, and subsist on Celsius nymag.com/intelligence...
The AI Kids Take San Francisco
Brilliant, workaholic teenagers are flooding the city — and reshaping our future in their image.
nymag.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:57 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Running out of options, what new tax could Oakland ask voters to approve?

www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/09/30/o...
Running out of options, what new tax could Oakland ask voters to approve?
The city’s options are limited, but its leaders hope an expiring pension tax would offset a potential new increase.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Reposted by Shomik Mukherjee
phillewis.bsky.social
A message from Assata Shakur's daughter, Kakuya Shakur:
“At approximately 1:15 PM on September 25th, my mother, Assata Shakur, took her last earthly breath. Words cannot describe the depth of loss that I am feeling at this time,” Kakuya Shakur, her daughter, wrote on Facebook. “I want to thank you for your loving prayers that continue to anchor me in the strength that I need in this moment. My spirit is overflowing in unison with all of you who are grieving with me at this time.”
September 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
shomik.bsky.social
Alameda County DA Ursula Jones-Dickson is quietly dismissing cases against sheriff's deputies that her recalled predecessor, Pamela Price, had vowed to pursue.

Amid a quieter time for news coverage of local prosecutors, East Bay Times' Jakob Rodgers identifies a trend
September 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Civilian body that oversees Oakland police will consider a new proposal by Chief Floyd Mitchell to loosen restrictions on high-speed chases.

Community is still grieving Marvin Boomer, beloved Castlemont teacher killed in May by driver fleeing CHP
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/09/23/o...
Oakland police chief to again seek policy change for high-speed chases
The Oakland Police Commission, a volunteer civilian-oversight body, will consider the policy change at a meeting Thursday.
www.eastbaytimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 10:52 PM
shomik.bsky.social
Great way to become a morning person www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/22/e...
East Bay shaken awake by 4.3 earthquake centered near UC Berkeley campus
The temblor reported at 2:56 a.m. was felt all over the Bay Area, per the U.S. Geological Survey.
www.mercurynews.com
September 22, 2025 at 1:17 PM
shomik.bsky.social
New: Oakland Coliseum has been pumping groundwater into the bay for years — without a permit www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/09/19/o...
Oakland Coliseum has been pumping groundwater into the bay for years — without a permit
Coliseum officials said this week they “probably” need a permit to help manage discharge into Damon Slough.
www.eastbaytimes.com
September 20, 2025 at 9:20 PM
shomik.bsky.social
Diocese of Oakland seeks to pull plug on bankruptcy, send sex abuse cases back to court www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/11/o...
Diocese of Oakland seeks to pull plug on bankruptcy, send sex abuse cases back to court
The church’s latest $165 million settlement offer hardly drew a response from victims’ attorneys, who called it far too low.
www.mercurynews.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:15 PM