Zack Haber
@zackhaber.bsky.social
I report on the Bay Area, mostly Richmond and Vallejo these days for Richmondside and The Vallejo Sun. I post about Oakland too and might editorialize a bit about the town. I live there. Feel free to reach out: [email protected]
Pinned
Zack Haber
@zackhaber.bsky.social
· Nov 7
Hundreds of immigration cases in San Francisco have been closed for years, even decades, often b/c they are not an enforcement priority.
Many involve victims of crime & abuse.
This summer, Trump attorneys tried to bring them back.
missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-i...
Many involve victims of crime & abuse.
This summer, Trump attorneys tried to bring them back.
missionlocal.org/2025/11/sf-i...
Hundreds of S.F. immigration cases were paused for decades. Trump tried to revive them.
Federal attorneys tried reviving some 2,000 deportation cases in San Francisco, many involving alleged victims of crime and abuse.
missionlocal.org
Of note, several local immigration attorneys said DHS lawyers broke the law while implementing this initiative.
My latest for Mission Local...
My latest for Mission Local...
Pretty horrible that this happened, and pretty wild this hasn't been bigger news.
Undocumented adults (except pregnant ones) can no longer enroll in Medi-Cal.
Newsom's idea, approved by California lawmakers...
t.co/YXVGSAgAjF
Undocumented adults (except pregnant ones) can no longer enroll in Medi-Cal.
Newsom's idea, approved by California lawmakers...
t.co/YXVGSAgAjF
https://www.cmadocs.org/newsroom/news/view/ArticleId/51075/Important-Update-Medi-Cal-coverage-changes-for-adult-immigrants
t.co
January 5, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Pretty horrible that this happened, and pretty wild this hasn't been bigger news.
Undocumented adults (except pregnant ones) can no longer enroll in Medi-Cal.
Newsom's idea, approved by California lawmakers...
t.co/YXVGSAgAjF
Undocumented adults (except pregnant ones) can no longer enroll in Medi-Cal.
Newsom's idea, approved by California lawmakers...
t.co/YXVGSAgAjF
Watched over 120 films last year and reviewed almost all of them on my Letterboxd account --
letterboxd.com/undercherryb...
These were my favs:
letterboxd.com/undercherryb...
These were my favs:
January 1, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Watched over 120 films last year and reviewed almost all of them on my Letterboxd account --
letterboxd.com/undercherryb...
These were my favs:
letterboxd.com/undercherryb...
These were my favs:
Read 35 books last year, some short ones, a few long ones. I liked most of them, was indifferent to a few, and hated one of them. Reviewed most of them on my goodreads...
goodreads.com/user/show/48...
goodreads.com/user/show/48...
January 1, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Read 35 books last year, some short ones, a few long ones. I liked most of them, was indifferent to a few, and hated one of them. Reviewed most of them on my goodreads...
goodreads.com/user/show/48...
goodreads.com/user/show/48...
Found a cauliflower mushroom with Avery yesterday when we were visiting family in Santa Cruz County.
They’re pretty rare and delicious.
This is only the second time I’ve found one. Same spot as the first time…
They’re pretty rare and delicious.
This is only the second time I’ve found one. Same spot as the first time…
December 27, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Found a cauliflower mushroom with Avery yesterday when we were visiting family in Santa Cruz County.
They’re pretty rare and delicious.
This is only the second time I’ve found one. Same spot as the first time…
They’re pretty rare and delicious.
This is only the second time I’ve found one. Same spot as the first time…
Newly released records show a state agency fined Buck Kamphausen this fall for allegedly mismanaging 2 funeral homes
Same agency seized $50M from his 4 cemeteries earlier this year due to his alleged misuse of their funds
My latest for @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-busi...
Same agency seized $50M from his 4 cemeteries earlier this year due to his alleged misuse of their funds
My latest for @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-busi...
Vallejo businessman faces new fines for funeral home businesses
California’s Cemetery and Funeral Bureau levied $1,000 in fines against two of Buck Kamphausen’s funeral home businesses.
www.vallejosun.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Newly released records show a state agency fined Buck Kamphausen this fall for allegedly mismanaging 2 funeral homes
Same agency seized $50M from his 4 cemeteries earlier this year due to his alleged misuse of their funds
My latest for @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-busi...
Same agency seized $50M from his 4 cemeteries earlier this year due to his alleged misuse of their funds
My latest for @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-busi...
A new all ages concert and performing arts venue called The Planetarium is opening in the new year in Richmond!
Some new good news from me in Richmondside... richmondside.org/2025/12/22/p...
Some new good news from me in Richmondside... richmondside.org/2025/12/22/p...
New all-ages music venue to feature bands you maybe haven't heard of — yet
See bands including Brand New Companion, Tony Horses, The Secretary, and John Turkey’s Nightmare at new all-ages Richmond music venue.
richmondside.org
December 22, 2025 at 7:19 PM
A new all ages concert and performing arts venue called The Planetarium is opening in the new year in Richmond!
Some new good news from me in Richmondside... richmondside.org/2025/12/22/p...
Some new good news from me in Richmondside... richmondside.org/2025/12/22/p...
Well that escalated quickly…power outage hit my place and some neighbors in West Oakland, now they’re saying they hope to have it fixed by noon *tomorrow* 😬…
December 22, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Well that escalated quickly…power outage hit my place and some neighbors in West Oakland, now they’re saying they hope to have it fixed by noon *tomorrow* 😬…
Vallejo school board voted last night to close three schools, cut 120 full time staff positions.
That likely means far more than 120 people losing their jobs, as some of he positions are part time.
My latest for @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-scho...
That likely means far more than 120 people losing their jobs, as some of he positions are part time.
My latest for @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-scho...
Vallejo school board votes to close 3 schools, cut 120 staff positions
Highland, Pennycook, and Lincoln elementary schools will close at the end of this school year.
www.vallejosun.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Vallejo school board voted last night to close three schools, cut 120 full time staff positions.
That likely means far more than 120 people losing their jobs, as some of he positions are part time.
My latest for @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-scho...
That likely means far more than 120 people losing their jobs, as some of he positions are part time.
My latest for @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejo-scho...
After a solid month of air that has been really smokey, the rain has improved the air quality for much of the Bay Area, a huge relief for those of us who are sensitive to it…
December 17, 2025 at 7:34 PM
After a solid month of air that has been really smokey, the rain has improved the air quality for much of the Bay Area, a huge relief for those of us who are sensitive to it…
Rare I publicly call out another reporter, but @jilltucker.bsky.social of the @sfchronicle.com recent piece about Vallejo's school district, which I refuse to link to, has forced me.
It's full of misleading claims and omissions due to what I suspect is just lazy ideologically driven reporting...
It's full of misleading claims and omissions due to what I suspect is just lazy ideologically driven reporting...
December 16, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Rare I publicly call out another reporter, but @jilltucker.bsky.social of the @sfchronicle.com recent piece about Vallejo's school district, which I refuse to link to, has forced me.
It's full of misleading claims and omissions due to what I suspect is just lazy ideologically driven reporting...
It's full of misleading claims and omissions due to what I suspect is just lazy ideologically driven reporting...
A lawsuit alleges that negligence from owners of La Tapatia, a grocery store and restaurant in Vallejo, lead to carbon monoxide death of two workers.
Harrowing report from Gretchen Smail of @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-la-...
Harrowing report from Gretchen Smail of @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-la-...
Vallejo’s La Tapatia Market sued over carbon monoxide deaths
A lawsuit accuses La Tapatia's owners of ignoring carbon monoxide issues and labor violations.
www.vallejosun.com
December 13, 2025 at 7:51 PM
A lawsuit alleges that negligence from owners of La Tapatia, a grocery store and restaurant in Vallejo, lead to carbon monoxide death of two workers.
Harrowing report from Gretchen Smail of @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-la-...
Harrowing report from Gretchen Smail of @vallejosun.bsky.social...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-la-...
Reposted by Zack Haber
Workers from La Tapatia Market in Vallejo are suing the owners for negligence and labor violations, alleging that two employees died from exposure to carbon monoxide while inside the store.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-la-...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-la-...
Vallejo’s La Tapatia Market sued over carbon monoxide deaths
A lawsuit accuses La Tapatia's owners of ignoring carbon monoxide issues and labor violations.
www.vallejosun.com
December 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Workers from La Tapatia Market in Vallejo are suing the owners for negligence and labor violations, alleging that two employees died from exposure to carbon monoxide while inside the store.
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-la-...
www.vallejosun.com/vallejos-la-...
Reposted by Zack Haber
As Trump drags us into an Iraq-style war in Venezuela, 312 members of the House — including 115 Democrats — just voted to authorize over $900 billion in military spending.
December 10, 2025 at 10:39 PM
As Trump drags us into an Iraq-style war in Venezuela, 312 members of the House — including 115 Democrats — just voted to authorize over $900 billion in military spending.
...but honestly I also think stuff like this is just a band aid on a gapping wound. I think it's going to take California overturning Prop 13 to adequately fund schools so teachers, and even more so, other staff at schools, are paid even close to fairly.
Pretty easy to argue the strike benefited educators with United Teachers of Richmond.
District had proposed a 0% raise. State moderator proposed 6%. They finally settled on 8% after the strike. 100% fully paid family health benefits starting in 2027 as well!
richmondside.org/2025/12/10/w...
District had proposed a 0% raise. State moderator proposed 6%. They finally settled on 8% after the strike. 100% fully paid family health benefits starting in 2027 as well!
richmondside.org/2025/12/10/w...
WCCUSD strike: Tentative agreement reached. School to resume Thursday
Teachers will be back at work today and students can return to school Thursday, according to United Teachers of Richmond.
richmondside.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:02 PM
...but honestly I also think stuff like this is just a band aid on a gapping wound. I think it's going to take California overturning Prop 13 to adequately fund schools so teachers, and even more so, other staff at schools, are paid even close to fairly.
Pretty easy to argue the strike benefited educators with United Teachers of Richmond.
District had proposed a 0% raise. State moderator proposed 6%. They finally settled on 8% after the strike. 100% fully paid family health benefits starting in 2027 as well!
richmondside.org/2025/12/10/w...
District had proposed a 0% raise. State moderator proposed 6%. They finally settled on 8% after the strike. 100% fully paid family health benefits starting in 2027 as well!
richmondside.org/2025/12/10/w...
WCCUSD strike: Tentative agreement reached. School to resume Thursday
Teachers will be back at work today and students can return to school Thursday, according to United Teachers of Richmond.
richmondside.org
December 10, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Pretty easy to argue the strike benefited educators with United Teachers of Richmond.
District had proposed a 0% raise. State moderator proposed 6%. They finally settled on 8% after the strike. 100% fully paid family health benefits starting in 2027 as well!
richmondside.org/2025/12/10/w...
District had proposed a 0% raise. State moderator proposed 6%. They finally settled on 8% after the strike. 100% fully paid family health benefits starting in 2027 as well!
richmondside.org/2025/12/10/w...
Doesn't make sense that One Battle After Another is nominated in the comedy section for the Golden Globes.
December 9, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Doesn't make sense that One Battle After Another is nominated in the comedy section for the Golden Globes.
Bay Area people, have you been having more headaches, body aches, foggy thinking, or trouble breathing than usual
Could be because for almost the last two weeks the air has been smoky.
Could be because for almost the last two weeks the air has been smoky.
December 8, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Bay Area people, have you been having more headaches, body aches, foggy thinking, or trouble breathing than usual
Could be because for almost the last two weeks the air has been smoky.
Could be because for almost the last two weeks the air has been smoky.
The statement here from Empower Oakland in its newsletter today that says Oakland Education Association is comprised in part of retired educators is false.
You can't be in OEA if you are retired from Oakland's school district.
You can't be in OEA if you are retired from Oakland's school district.
December 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The statement here from Empower Oakland in its newsletter today that says Oakland Education Association is comprised in part of retired educators is false.
You can't be in OEA if you are retired from Oakland's school district.
You can't be in OEA if you are retired from Oakland's school district.
Depressing question for the public for a story I'm working on:
What small music venues in the East Bay have closed down in the last few years? One I can think of is The Golden Bull.
What small music venues are still open? There's Stay Gold, Little Hill, Thee Stork Club...
What small music venues in the East Bay have closed down in the last few years? One I can think of is The Golden Bull.
What small music venues are still open? There's Stay Gold, Little Hill, Thee Stork Club...
December 5, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Depressing question for the public for a story I'm working on:
What small music venues in the East Bay have closed down in the last few years? One I can think of is The Golden Bull.
What small music venues are still open? There's Stay Gold, Little Hill, Thee Stork Club...
What small music venues in the East Bay have closed down in the last few years? One I can think of is The Golden Bull.
What small music venues are still open? There's Stay Gold, Little Hill, Thee Stork Club...
Quick pickling is so good and an easy google. First one is purple carrots, golden beets, jalapeño, witches butter (<—easily foraged mushroom you can eat raw!), a little bit of garlic clove.
Second one is golden beets, onion and celery.
Second one is golden beets, onion and celery.
December 5, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Quick pickling is so good and an easy google. First one is purple carrots, golden beets, jalapeño, witches butter (<—easily foraged mushroom you can eat raw!), a little bit of garlic clove.
Second one is golden beets, onion and celery.
Second one is golden beets, onion and celery.
Educators at the school district serving Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Pinole, and Hercules are going on strike tomorrow...
richmondside.org/2025/12/01/w...
richmondside.org/2025/12/01/w...
WCCUSD teachers strike to begin Thursday
United Teachers of Richmond announced via email Monday night that teachers will be on picket lines 45 minutes before the first bell.
richmondside.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Educators at the school district serving Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Pinole, and Hercules are going on strike tomorrow...
richmondside.org/2025/12/01/w...
richmondside.org/2025/12/01/w...
Reposted by Zack Haber
New Yorkers BLOCK ICE from leaving their parking garage ahead of a flopped mass raid attempt on Canal Street
November 29, 2025 at 4:39 PM
New Yorkers BLOCK ICE from leaving their parking garage ahead of a flopped mass raid attempt on Canal Street
The 19 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
US will reexamine all green cards issued to people from 19 countries as Trump administration ramps up immigration crackdown | CNN Politics
The US will reexamine all green cards issued to people from 19 countries “of concern” at President Donald Trump’s direction, as the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown following...
www.cnn.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The 19 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/27/p...
Bad air in they Bay Area on Thanksgiving morning 😞...
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Bad air in they Bay Area on Thanksgiving morning 😞...