Local News and Opinion from The Berkeley Daily Planet

News

Rosa Parks Welcomes New Families

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday September 01, 2006

For 6-year-old Eli Lebowitz, going to school on Monday evening was exciting because he got to attend a barbecue, meet all his friends before starting school on Wednesday and even receive a brand new backpack full of school supplies. -more-

Katrina Refugees Settle in East Bay

By Judith Scherr

Friday September 01, 2006

When Jackie Tolbert sang “Amazing Grace” at the corner of Twelfth Street and Broadway in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, tears welled in the eyes of several of the listeners from her hometown—New Orleans. -more-

Bail Release Granted For Video Journalist

Bay City News

Friday September 01, 2006

A freelance journalist who has spent a month in prison was granted release on bail by a federal appeals court in San Francisco today while he appeals a subpoena requiring him to give a videotape of a demonstration to a U.S. grand jury. -more-

Labor Collective Fights KPFA Ban

By Judith Scherr

Friday September 01, 2006

The name of its parent foundation is Pacifica. Nonetheless, during the more-than-half-century of progressive radio programming, KPFA has often been home to interpersonal tensions that periodically boil over into public view. -more-

Oakland Schools Test Scores on the Rise, Some Drop

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Friday September 01, 2006

Total Academic Performance Index (API) scores for the Oakland Unified School District rose 19 points from 634 to 653 in scores released this week by the California Department of Education. -more-

SUV Collides with Berkeley School Bus, Minor Injuries

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday September 01, 2006

Condo Conversion Language Goes Before Judge

By Judith Scherr

Friday September 01, 2006

DAPAC Forms Group to Study Hotel Plan

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday September 01, 2006

‘Green Machines’ Arrive to Clean-Up Telegraph

By Riya Bhattacharjee

Friday September 01, 2006

First Person: Lamenting the Loss of The Telegraph of Old

By Phil McArdle

Friday September 01, 2006

Back to Berkeley: The Independent Bookstore Scene Is Alive and Well

By Joe Eaton, Special to the Planet

Friday September 01, 2006

Back to Berkeley: A Guide to Bay Area Outdoor Theater Festivals

By Ken Bullock, Special to the Planet

Friday September 01, 2006

Superintendent Michele Lawrence introduces herself to new first-grade parent Lucia Sayre while first-grader Henry Sayre examines his new backpack. Photgraph by Mark Coplan.

Editorials

Possible Extension for OUSD Land Sale Talks

By J. Douglas Allen-Taylor

Friday September 01, 2006

With Oakland Unified School District officials confirming a report that an extension is being considered on a deadline to reach a contract agreement over the sale of OUSD downtown properties, local activists continue to escalate activities to stop the sale altogether. -more-