Half Price Books, the discount bookseller that has anchored the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Addison Street in Berkeley for 20 years, closed its doors on Sunday.

Find us across the street, at 677 W. Ranger Ave. Please enter from W. Midway Ave.

The California Academy of Sciences was mourning one of its most recognizable residents Tuesday after Claude, the rare albino alligator who charmed millions of visitors over nearly two decades, died at...

Text SIGN PGPZJY to 50409 — I am writing with deep concern about the Trump regime's rapid escalation toward a potentially catastrophic and unauthorized military conflict with Venezuela. Yesterday, President Trump declared on social media that “THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA” is “CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” a sweeping assertion of power far beyond any lawful authority. The Venezuelan government denounced this as a “colonialist threat,” and they are correct to view it as a violation of international law and national sovereignty. This declaration is not happening in isolation. It follows months of U.S. military buildup in the region, covert CIA operations authorized by the president, and a series of lethal strikes on alleged drug boats—at least 21 actions resulting in at least 83 deaths since September. Now the president is telling U.S. service members that “very soon” land operations will begin. That is a de facto announcement of a ground invasion without congressional approval. The Trump regime's moves have already caused immediate disruption. Venezuela has now suspended all migrant deportation flights in response to Trump’s announcement. The FAA has issued a warning about a “worsening security situation” and “heightened military activity.” Commercial airlines have paused operations; Venezuela has revoked operating rights for six major international airlines. And in the midst of all this, the U.S. Department of Defense refuses comment while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is already under scrutiny for allegedly issuing illegal kill orders in the September 2 boat strike. This pattern is unmistakable: the administration is manufacturing a crisis to justify a conflict. Trump’s accusations that President Nicolás Maduro is a drug trafficker—charges Maduro denies—mirror the kind of pretext-building we have seen before in other misguided wars. And the assembled U.S. firepower far exceeds what would be needed for narrow counter-narcotics operations. The American people see through this. Polling shows that 70% oppose military action against Venezuela. Congress cannot allow the president to unilaterally declare foreign airspace “closed,” launch land operations, or escalate into war without authorization. You must act immediately. I urge you to: 1. Publicly reject any unauthorized military action against Venezuela, including land operations. 2. Hold emergency hearings on the administration’s actions in Venezuelan airspace and maritime zones. 3. Demand full transparency from the Department of Defense and CIA regarding operations already under way. 4. Reassert Congress’s exclusive authority to authorize war under Article I of the Constitution. 5. Ensure protections for migrants whose deportation flights were abruptly suspended due to this unilateral escalation. The United States cannot stumble into yet another unnecessary, unlawful conflict—especially one being driven by political weakness rather than national security. Congress must put a stop to this before it spirals into a regional war. Please act with urgency.

Far-right school board officials are finding out the hard way that the political pendulum has swung