Gasia Mikaelian

The “great outdoors” never closed during the pandemic: the East Bay Regional Park District saw a 30% jump in visitors last year, and interest is still going strong. Ira Bletz is a manager at Garin Regional Park in Hayward and he’s never seen interest like what he is seeing now during his 41 years with the park system.Many parks are “hidden away” in the east bay’s biggest cities, said Bletz, “right off Mission Boulevard, over the hill, you’re in the park.”<strong>SEE ALSO: </strong><a href=“ht…

<strong>Q: What’s your favorite go-to comfort food?</strong>A: Popcorn with real butter and a decent amount of salt – because it’s crunchy and salty (my two favorite things) and “real food.” <strong>Q: What’s your favorite dessert?</strong>A: I’m not a huge dessert person… but a fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookie is hard to beat! Crisp at the edges, gooey in the middle…plus cold milk, of course!<strong>Q: Potato chips or Corn chips?</strong>A: Potato chips without question… salt and vine…

Some early childhood development experts say they are concerned about the toll the COVID-19 pandemic may take on some of the youngest Californians.

“It’s bittersweet,” Rep. Jackie Speier told KTVU in a one-on-one interview shortly after she announced her decision first on Twitter. “But it’s time to pass the torch to another generation.”

Anisha Johnson says she chose to have a Black midwife, and a home birth for this pregnancy after a “traumatic” hospital experience with the birth of her first son.

After two high-profile mass shootings in San Francisco and harsh critiques regarding public safety from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Mayor London Breed responds to that criticism and lays out how the city is working to improve public safety ahead of this month’s Pride celebration.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visited San Francisco on Tuesday as part of his presidential campaign and had terse words for the City. San Francisco Mayor London Breed said DeSantis is using the “oldest playbook in politics to get attention.”

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said she would “declare a state of emergency” if a new police chief isn’t selected by the end of the year.

Way back when, presidential races would be called a couple hours after dinner and voters would have almost immediate gratification about who won which seats on Election Day. That's not the case anymore.

Oakland residents may not know immediately who will be leading their city following the special April 15 special mayoral election.