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Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Local Politics · Oakland, CA
Opening statements began Wednesday in the federal corruption trial of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who faces bribery, fraud, and corruption charges tied to an alleged scheme involving California Waste Solutions, a recycling company with city contracts. The trial, held in federal court in Oakland, also names her partner Andre Jones and CWS executives David Duong and Andy Duong as defendants. Prosecutors allege $300,000 was funneled to public officials after CWS secured a 2015 city recycling contract, with cellphone video allegedly capturing the discussion. Jury selection concluded Tuesday, and proceedings are expected to last approximately six weeks.
Local Politics · Hayward, CA
Hayward's November municipal elections are being shaped by opposition to the Stack data center on Eden Landing Road, policing priorities, and housing costs. Mayor Mark Salinas authored a referral for a temporary moratorium on new data center construction following community pushback at the Sept. 15 city council meeting, while challenger Tom Wong has called for an outright ban and revocation of existing permits. Council member George Syrop co-authored the moratorium referral and also advocates a future ban; his opponent Brian Schott has not made public statements on data centers. On policing, Salinas supports Flock cameras and drone-as-first-responder programs, while Syrop voted against drones and previously advocated police demilitarization. A 2025 Resident Satisfaction Survey found housing costs, freeway traffic congestion, and homelessness as residents' top concerns, with crime rated fourth.
Crime · Berkeley, CA
A Berkeley engineer spoke publicly after a judge on Oct. 12 expunged the felony conviction of her former coworker, David Xu, who pleaded guilty to poisoning her with cadmium in a 2019 plea deal that included two years of probation. The poisoning began in 2017; testing found cadmium levels 3.5 million times the federal limit in her water bottle, and Yuan and her parents all tested positive for cadmium exposure. Yuan requested $500,000 in restitution but received $7,000, and said she continues to experience ongoing health effects and works only part-time nearly a decade later. Prosecutors had objected to the expungement.
Housing & Development · Pleasanton, CA
Sterling United Properties, an affiliate of Florida-based Sterling Organization, purchased the 128,275-square-foot Pleasanton Gateway Shopping Center for $79.1 million, with documents filed Oct. 1 at the Alameda County Clerk-Recorder's Office. The sale price is approximately 16% below the center's $94 million assessed value as of July. The center, located near Interstate 680 at Valley and Bernal avenues, houses tenants including Safeway, CVS, Wells Fargo, Mike's Bikes, The Habit Burger Grill, Panda Express, and Starbucks.
Public Safety · Alameda County
The Grant Fire, which started at 12:59 p.m. on Oct. 12 at East Grant Line Road and Altamont in Alameda County, California, is now 100% contained. The fire scorched four acres of land before firefighters established a complete perimeter by Tuesday morning. Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit responded to the incident, though the cause remains under investigation. Full containment indicates the fire is stopped from spreading but may continue to burn within the controlled area.
Read the full Wednesday, October 14, 2026 edition →
About Your Local News in Alameda County
Every night we go through the news sites and public notices that cover Alameda County, CA. When several outlets report the same council vote, you read about it once.
The email goes out before 6am. Where the original article is free to read, we link to it.
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