We’ve been running Oakland North for nearly five years now, and in that time our reporters have uncovered some amazing stories. Here are a few of our favorite longreads, magazine-length stories that take on complex issues or spin compelling tales. So grab a cool drink, find a comfortable seat, and enjoy!
As the economy sinks, homeless people move onto abandoned boats by Amina Waheed
Rehearsing your own death: not your typical night in Oakland by Becky Palmstrom
After the fire, Oakland’s love of tiki burns on by Teresa Chin
What is justice? Inside a death penalty trial by Sam Laird
How Oakland became ground zero for the legal cannabis argument by Dara Kerr
Legal at last, but strapped for cash, needle exchanges seek federal funding by Adam Grossberg
Bar loyalists bemoan the rise of the Internet jukebox by Mario Furloni
Oakland fireboat Sea-Wolf navigates a murky future by Abby Baird
Frank Snapp and the not-so-secret guerilla garden by Shannon Service
Community actors fighting the odds: West Oakland’s Playaz’ race toward opening night by Dylan Bergeson
EBMUD turns food scraps into electricity by Dara Kerr
Welcome to Hoodslam, the party with rock music, drama and a wrestling ring by Monica Cruz-Rosas
At storage unit auctions, bidders hope to strike treasure by Abby Baird and Shirley Lau
How will Jerry Brown’s time in Oakland influence him as governor? by Laura Hautala
Higher costs, plus anguish of sudden loss, push some black families to abandon traditional burial rituals by Tasion Kwamilele
America, Occupied: A nation-wide look at the Occupy camps and cities’ reactions by Brittany Schell and Adam Grossberg
Thanks Oakland North! It’s an honor.