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.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
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
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
Just now: Nikki Fortunato Bas, prez of Oakland City Council, said she’ll resign early so the city can find permanent replacements for both her + Mayor Sheng Thao on the same special-election ballot next April.

Bas officially won race last night to be Alameda County supervisor.
December 4, 2024 at 7:27 PM
shomik.bsky.social
statement (following this story's publication) from the Oakland Roots, the local soccer franchise that currently leases the former Raiders facility and wants to remain a tenant under the property's next owner:
statement (following this story's publication) from the Oakland Roots, the local soccer franchise that currently leases the former Raiders facility and wants to remain a tenant under the property's next owner: "Oakland, CA – On Monday, November 18th, Oakland Roots and Soul SC were informed by Prologis, a large real estate investment firm, that the company would no longer pursue the transactions related to the Club’s training facility. These transactions were expected to close two weeks ago and would have resulted in the sale of the training facility to Prologis, along with an agreement to lease the facility to Roots and Soul. For over nine months, Roots and Soul, alongside Prologis, worked with the City of Oakland and the County of Alameda to complete due diligence and finalize the purchase of the facility. The goal was to provide a long-term home for the Men’s, Women’s, and development teams. This unexpected and disappointing decision by Prologis has prompted the Club, the City of Oakland and County of Alameda to come together and work toward a solution that would achieve the same goal of retaining the facility as Roots and Soul’s long term home. The Club has proposed to step in as the designated buyer as it finds a new financial partner for the transaction. We remain committed to finding a solution that supports our teams, supports the financial future of the City and the County, and reflects the values of Oakland first, always."
December 2, 2024 at 11:22 PM
shomik.bsky.social
Nine days after the election, Oakland's Nikki Fortunato Bas is now leading Emeryville's John Bauters in the race for an Alameda County supervisor seat by just 106 votes.

Bas had trailed after every set of new results since the earliest returns on Nov. 5.
November 17, 2024 at 7:59 PM