The Port of Oakland's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to change the name of Oakland Airport to "San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport," sparking a legal battle with San Francisco, which has threatened a trademark lawsuit. The proposed name change aims to raise awareness of the airport's proximity to the Bay Area, but San Francisco argues it will cause confusion and infringe on its trademark. The Port of Oakland is standing firm, but faces opposition from environmental groups and skepticism about the potential impact on airport traffic.
Pro-Palestinian protesters blocked a U.S. military supply ship, loaded with weapons and military equipment bound for Israel, from departing the Port of Oakland. The protesters, organized by the Arab Resource Organizing Center, locked themselves to the vessel and demanded an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. The protest lasted for several hours and ended peacefully, with no arrests reported. Three protesters who climbed onto the ship were detained by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Protesters gathered at the Port of Oakland to demonstrate against a US government ship, the Cape Orlando, which they believe is carrying weapons and military equipment destined for Israel. The group called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressed concern over the loss of innocent lives.
A fire in a debris pile at a recycling plant near the Port of Oakland has caused a significant plume of smoke, leading to warnings about diminished air quality in the area. The fire, which is contained but expected to burn for a while, has prompted an air quality advisory for parts of the Bay Area. The smoke is expected to impact Oakland, San Leandro, Fremont, and Alameda, with potential impacts as far south as San Jose. The Oakland Fire Department and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District are closely monitoring the situation.
A massive fire at Schnitzer Steel near the Port of Oakland has raised concerns about air quality in the surrounding areas, with an air quality advisory remaining in effect for nearby communities. Despite the pungent odor and haze caused by the smoke, fire officials have stated that there is no immediate threat to public safety. The Environmental Protection Agency has conducted air monitoring and confirmed that current air quality levels are within normal limits. This is the third fire at Schnitzer Steel since 2018, and the facility had previously reached a settlement for illegally releasing hazardous waste and harmful emissions. The origin of the recent fire is under investigation.
A large fire broke out at a scrap metal recycling facility near the Port of Oakland, producing a massive cloud of black smoke. The incident is contained but not yet under control, and it will likely take several more hours to extinguish completely. The impact of the smoke on air quality in Oakland and nearby communities is currently unknown.
The Port of Oakland was shut down on Friday due to organized disruptions by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). The ILWU is negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) that would cover over 22,000 longshore workers at 29 U.S. West Coast ports. The previous contract expired on July 1, 2022. The ILWU is committed to bargaining a contract that is fair and equitable, including wages and benefits that reflect the dedication of the ILWU workforce and its contributions to the shipping industry’s success.
The Oakland A's have won a significant legal victory for their Howard Terminal Ballpark project, as a San Francisco appellate court ruled in their favor regarding the city's environmental review of the project. The ruling is a setback for the coalition of port workers, truckers, and cargo terminal operators that filed a lawsuit last year, claiming the city did not adequately study the project's adverse impact. The A's celebrated the decision, saying it affirms the significant and thorough work completed on their environmentally sound visionary waterfront ballpark project.
