Crime · Oakland, CA
Mackayla Paige, 29, known as "Kash" on Now That's TV reality shows including "Young & Reckless," was shot and killed near 14th and Harrison streets in downtown Oakland shortly after 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Oakland police arrested another Richmond woman in connection with the shooting but have not released her identity, charges, or a motive. The victim, also from Richmond, was taken to a hospital where she died despite lifesaving efforts. Police have not confirmed whether the two women knew each other; anyone with information is asked to contact the Oakland Police Department's Homicide Section at 510-238-3821.
Crime · Berkeley, CA
A Berkeley engineer, Rong Yuan, is speaking publicly after a judge on October 12 expunged the felony conviction of her former co-worker, David Xu, despite prosecutors' objections. Xu pleaded guilty in a plea agreement to poisoning Yuan with cadmium—a toxic chemical found at 3.5 million times the federal level in her water bottle—and received two years of probation after being charged with premeditated attempted murder in 2019. Yuan and her parents tested positive for cadmium poisoning, and she says she continues to experience health effects nearly a decade later, working only part-time. Yuan requested $500,000 in restitution but received $7,000.
Education · Livermore, CA
The Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District board will vote Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. on raises for more than 30 positions across two employee groups, including principals, directors, athletic trainers, and child nutrition coordinators. If approved, qualifying employees would receive a 3% raise retroactive to July 1, 2026, followed by 1.5% increases effective Jan. 1 and July 1, with an ongoing annual cost of about $1.1 million. Trustees will also consider first-reading updates to board bylaws clarifying conflict-of-interest and campaign-contribution rules for trustees and the superintendent, reflecting recent changes to the Political Reform Act and Brown Act. The agenda includes presentations on state and local student assessments, the Math Placement Act report showing 99% of sixth-graders appropriately placed, and a 2026-27 enrollment figure of 12,824 students.
Public Safety · Alameda County
The California Highway Patrol continues investigating a fatal broadside collision between a big-rig truck and a Honda Civic that occurred just after noon on Sept. 25 on Mountain House Road in unincorporated Alameda County, near the San Joaquin County border. A passenger of the Honda, identified by the Alameda County Coroner's Bureau as Trezur Leighane Destyne Williams, 17, of Tracy and a senior at Mountain House High School, was killed. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor, and both drivers cooperated with investigators at the scene. CHP-Dublin officials say no additional witnesses or information have come forward, noting the road had few homes and limited traffic at the time, and are asking anyone with information to call 925-828-0466.
Public Safety · Alameda County
The Grant Fire started at 12:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 12, at East Grant Line Road and Altamont in Alameda County, California. By 2:50 p.m., the fire had scorched four acres of land, an increase from two acres in a prior update. Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit crews reported 90% containment as of Monday afternoon, with the cause still undetermined. The article notes that containment refers to the percentage of the fire perimeter enclosed by control lines and does not mean the fire is fully extinguished.
Public Safety · Alameda County
A wildfire named the Sheridan Fire was first discovered at 10:21 a.m. on October 12, 2026, burning on private land in Alameda County, California. As of the report's publication, no containment data was available and the cause had not been determined. The information was sourced from the National Interagency Fire Center.
