AltWeeklies Wire
Does Don Perata Really 'Believe in Oakland' -- Or In San Jose?new

Oakland A's co-owner Lew Wolff, who wants to move the team to San Jose, donates $10,000 to a Perata group after the ex-senator says Oakland can't retain the team.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
10-27-2010 |
Sports
The Baffling Mayoral Bid of Marcie Hodgenew

Former state senator Don Perata helped her run for Oakland City Council in 2006. Is her run for mayor in 2010 designed to return the favor?
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
09-29-2010 |
Politics
Tags: Oakland, Marcie Hodge
Will Oakland's Giant Pot Farms Be Green?new

The massive indoor medical cannabis grows will consume huge amounts of electricity. But will the city make sure they don't add to greenhouse-gas emissions?
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
07-29-2010 |
Environment
Do Americans Understand Arizona's New Law?new
Americans have a long history of scapegoating immigrants during tough economic times, but it’s also not clear whether most whites understand the true ramifications of Arizona’s new law.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
05-13-2010 |
Immigration
Recent Court Ruling Could Produce More Suburban Tract Developmentsnew

The ruling by Superior Court Judge Frank Roesch to overturn the housing cap will require Pleasanton to finally allow homes to be built for low-income workers. But Roesch's decision will also force the leafy town to accommodate more market-rate housing.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
03-24-2010 |
Environment
A Prosecutor Lets Berkeley's Infamous Torture Professor off the Hooknew
In a long-awaited report released late last week, a career prosecutor in the US Department of Justice said UC Berkeley law professor John Yoo should not be held liable for authorizing torture and warrantless wiretaps while working for the Bush administration.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
02-24-2010 |
Politics
Democrat John Perez is About to Become Califoria's First Openly Gay Speakernew
John Perez, a political newcomer, should have plenty of time to solidify his power base and build influence. His tenure also promises to increase the influence of the Assembly and help advance the cause of gay rights.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
12-09-2009 |
Politics
Greenwashing the Milknew

Despite a downturn, two giants of the organic milk industry are going strong. And the secret to their success appears to be a loophole in federal law that lets them market their milk as "organic" while raising their herds in a manner that critics say mocks the term.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
11-25-2009 |
Food+Drink
How ACORN Foresaw the Foreclosure Crisis in 2001new

The grassroots group helped Oakland pass a tough anti-predatory lending law that would have halted the housing crisis before it started. Then subprime lenders started making campaign contributions in Sacramento.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
09-30-2009 |
Economy
Van Jones and the Right-Wing Attack Machinenew
The Oakland activist and Obama adviser resigned after critics tied him to an impolitic 9/11 petition. The affair again exposed the weakness of Democrats.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
09-09-2009 |
Commentary
An Oakland Think Tank Says the Federal Climate Bill Will Do More Harm Than Goodnew
The Breakthrough Institute, which has become one of the most vocal opponents of the climate bill sponsored by Democratic congressmen Henry Waxman and Edward Markey, argues that the legislation fails to generate enough investment in green energy because it offers too many corporate giveaways.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
07-15-2009 |
Environment
You're Not an Environmentalist If You're Also a NIMBYnew
As both Berkeley and Oakland debate their downtown plans, there is growing recognition that the fight against global warming requires greater urban density.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
07-02-2009 |
Environment
The Battle Over Biofuelsnew

As plant-based fuels are increasingly criticized from both left and right, UC Berkeley's Chris Somerville is leading the effort to perfect them.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
06-17-2009 |
Environment
California's Indie Booksellers Take On Amazon.comnew
Berkeley Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner wants the giant online retailers to stop cheating both California and independent booksellers.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
03-04-2009 |
Books
Taking on Amazon.comnew
Berkeley Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner wants the giant online retailers to stop cheating both California and independent booksellers.
East Bay Express |
Robert Gammon |
03-04-2009 |
Business & Labor