Sierra Lopez
@sierralopez.bsky.social
Richmond/Berkeley reporter for the East Bay Times and Mercury News • Formerly with the San Mateo Daily Journal • She/Her • Send tips to [email protected]
“You open your doors and hope people come and like what you have to show,” Rialto Cinema Direct Ky J. Boyd recently told me.
We recently took a look inside what it takes to run three small Bay Area arthouses in a time when so many have closed due to skyrocketing rents and growing competition.
We recently took a look inside what it takes to run three small Bay Area arthouses in a time when so many have closed due to skyrocketing rents and growing competition.
As others disappear, this independent theater still thrives in the Bay trib.al/1ThWI4P
As others disappear, this independent theater still thrives in the Bay
Change is inevitable, but a love for the work, the crowds, the creation of third places, keeps Boyd in the game.
trib.al
November 24, 2025 at 11:09 PM
“You open your doors and hope people come and like what you have to show,” Rialto Cinema Direct Ky J. Boyd recently told me.
We recently took a look inside what it takes to run three small Bay Area arthouses in a time when so many have closed due to skyrocketing rents and growing competition.
We recently took a look inside what it takes to run three small Bay Area arthouses in a time when so many have closed due to skyrocketing rents and growing competition.
A lot has changed at Berkeley's Peoples Park over the last year.
The bones of what will eventually be home for more than 1,100 students now stand where the storied hub for activism once was, a hard new reality for those who fought to save the park.
My latest:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/16/u...
The bones of what will eventually be home for more than 1,100 students now stand where the storied hub for activism once was, a hard new reality for those who fought to save the park.
My latest:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/16/u...
Progress on housing at Berkeley’s People’s Park elicits mixed feelings
Coming to terms with the rapid changes at People’s Park has been challenging for those who tirelessly fought for the park to remain undeveloped.
www.eastbaytimes.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:06 PM
A lot has changed at Berkeley's Peoples Park over the last year.
The bones of what will eventually be home for more than 1,100 students now stand where the storied hub for activism once was, a hard new reality for those who fought to save the park.
My latest:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/16/u...
The bones of what will eventually be home for more than 1,100 students now stand where the storied hub for activism once was, a hard new reality for those who fought to save the park.
My latest:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/10/16/u...
Reposted by Sierra Lopez
How Oakland’s tight mayoral race may reach the finish line -->
Everything we know about the Loren Taylor-Barbara Lee showdown on Wednesday:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/04/16/h...
Everything we know about the Loren Taylor-Barbara Lee showdown on Wednesday:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/04/16/h...
How Oakland’s tight mayoral race may reach the finish line
The special election has politically divided the city, including on clear geographic lines.
www.eastbaytimes.com
April 16, 2025 at 11:38 PM
How Oakland’s tight mayoral race may reach the finish line -->
Everything we know about the Loren Taylor-Barbara Lee showdown on Wednesday:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/04/16/h...
Everything we know about the Loren Taylor-Barbara Lee showdown on Wednesday:
www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/04/16/h...
Reposted by Sierra Lopez
Ex-Assemblymember Evan Low is being fined $106,000 for violating state campaign finance laws. The FPPC says Low used his tech nonprofit to pay Alec Baldwin ~$227,000 to appear at an event for the group & a fundraiser for Low, which he tried to conceal.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/31/e...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/31/e...
Evan Low fined $106,000 for campaign finance violations including “intent to conceal” payment to Alec Baldwin
California’s political watchdog organization is slapping former Assemblymember Evan Low with a $106,000 fine for 23 counts of violating state campaign finance laws — allegations that in…
www.mercurynews.com
March 31, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Ex-Assemblymember Evan Low is being fined $106,000 for violating state campaign finance laws. The FPPC says Low used his tech nonprofit to pay Alec Baldwin ~$227,000 to appear at an event for the group & a fundraiser for Low, which he tried to conceal.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/31/e...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/31/e...
Reposted by Sierra Lopez
I'm a photographer, but sometimes I have a shared byline, like on this story where horseracing workers, mostly Latinos, are losing their jobs, and some will be unhoused and/or families torn apart. Check it out.
End of NorCal horse racing forces ‘back side’ families out of tack room shelters, RVs and Pleasanton schools
‘Back side’ workers, who groom, exercise and care for the horses, must choose between separating from their families to follow their jobs to other tracks or leave their jobs altogether …
www.mercurynews.com
March 18, 2025 at 10:26 PM
I'm a photographer, but sometimes I have a shared byline, like on this story where horseracing workers, mostly Latinos, are losing their jobs, and some will be unhoused and/or families torn apart. Check it out.
Reposted by Sierra Lopez
Man charged with shooting up home of potential FBI informant in sprawling East Bay corruption probe: www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/03/17/m...
Man charged with shooting up house of potential Oakland corruption probe witness, but why remains unclear
The 25-year-old suspect reportedly confessed to police, but the investigation remains shrouded in secrecy.
www.eastbaytimes.com
March 17, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Man charged with shooting up home of potential FBI informant in sprawling East Bay corruption probe: www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/03/17/m...
Reposted by Sierra Lopez
Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody, who led the local COVID-19 pandemic response, is retiring after 26 years. Her last day will be April 11.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/11/s...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/11/s...
Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody, who led pandemic response, to retire after 26 years
Five years after the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic, Dr. Sara Cody — the Santa Clara County public health officer who led the Bay Area’s regi…
www.mercurynews.com
March 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody, who led the local COVID-19 pandemic response, is retiring after 26 years. Her last day will be April 11.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/11/s...
www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/11/s...
Elevated levels of radiation were found at the Albany Bulb, a frequently visited park built on a former dump just north of Berkeley.
Experts say the public has little to worry about with one calling media hype "misleading."
www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/18/a...
Experts say the public has little to worry about with one calling media hype "misleading."
www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/18/a...
Despite media hype, experts unfazed by elevated radiation at Albany Bulb
Nuclear engineer says claims that any exposure can kill someone are ‘misleading’ and ‘irresponsible.’
www.mercurynews.com
December 18, 2024 at 6:25 PM
Elevated levels of radiation were found at the Albany Bulb, a frequently visited park built on a former dump just north of Berkeley.
Experts say the public has little to worry about with one calling media hype "misleading."
www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/18/a...
Experts say the public has little to worry about with one calling media hype "misleading."
www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/18/a...
Reposted by Sierra Lopez
NEW:
Oakland corruption probe: Duong family supported Sheng Thao to rake in taxpayer funds, prosecutors say
Bombshell motion says mayor’s partner got $7,500 after pro-Thao mailers
www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/09/o...
Oakland corruption probe: Duong family supported Sheng Thao to rake in taxpayer funds, prosecutors say
Bombshell motion says mayor’s partner got $7,500 after pro-Thao mailers
www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/09/o...
Oakland corruption probe: Duong family supported Sheng Thao to rake in taxpayer funds, prosecutors say
The explosive new court filing accuses the Duong family — under FBI investigation for months — of supporting outgoing Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao to “preserve and enhance” acce…
www.mercurynews.com
December 10, 2024 at 2:58 AM
NEW:
Oakland corruption probe: Duong family supported Sheng Thao to rake in taxpayer funds, prosecutors say
Bombshell motion says mayor’s partner got $7,500 after pro-Thao mailers
www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/09/o...
Oakland corruption probe: Duong family supported Sheng Thao to rake in taxpayer funds, prosecutors say
Bombshell motion says mayor’s partner got $7,500 after pro-Thao mailers
www.mercurynews.com/2024/12/09/o...
Reposted by Sierra Lopez
I'm easily charmed, but bluesky automatically debugging the updated thumbnail image in this story -- something the other app no longer even allows to do manually -- is winning me over
The election has left Oakland's leadership positions on a carousel that, for now, mostly features new arrivals, relatively young incumbents and sudden vacancies.
When the dust settles, here's who will represent the town in 2025: www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/11/26/w...
When the dust settles, here's who will represent the town in 2025: www.eastbaytimes.com/2024/11/26/w...
After a dramatic Nov. 5 election, who will serve on the Oakland City Council in 2025?
Rapid turnover is expected in both the mayor’s office and the City Council.
www.eastbaytimes.com
November 27, 2024 at 6:32 PM
I'm easily charmed, but bluesky automatically debugging the updated thumbnail image in this story -- something the other app no longer even allows to do manually -- is winning me over
Reposted by Sierra Lopez
Mercury News and East Bay Times reporters are on Bluesky and we have a starter pack! Find us here for all things Bay Area news👇
go.bsky.app/GkNNPDx
go.bsky.app/GkNNPDx
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November 21, 2024 at 7:33 PM
Mercury News and East Bay Times reporters are on Bluesky and we have a starter pack! Find us here for all things Bay Area news👇
go.bsky.app/GkNNPDx
go.bsky.app/GkNNPDx