Berkeley Unified has reduced special education services during distance learning. Some parents say this violates federal law.
Ally Markovich
Ally Markovich, who covers the school beat for Berkeleyside, is a former high school English teacher. Her work has appeared in The Oaklandside, The New York Times, Huffington Post and Washington Post, among other publications. You can spot her running on the trails in Tilden Park.
Posted inNosh
Berkeley diners, restaurant workers react to the latest outdoor dining ban
Alameda County restaurants have been ordered to close outdoor dining for the third time this year. Diners and restaurant workers are frustrated, resigned, but also understanding.
Posted inSchools
Enrollment is down 5% at Berkeley Unified as some parents make other plans
Fed up with distance learning, a few families are finding alternative ways to educate their children.
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley’s next hyper-local news outlet is here, and it’s made by kids
These kids are delivering good news and fostering community in the “DelCalMcGee” neighborhood just when people need it most.
Posted inCommunity
‘It was very sudden’: Berkeley locals talk about losing their jobs due to COVID-19
Young and old, from all walks of life, nine people — including a rabbi, a sound engineer and a student — share how they are coping since being made unemployed.
Posted inBusiness
South Berkeley creative studio has become a community hub and protest sign-making machine
RogueMark Studios’ Abby VanMuijen hopes gatherings that grew organically signal a new era for the business, one that’s driven by relationships with Berkeley neighbors.
Posted inOakland
East Oakland industrial arts incubator m0xy has started mass-producing PPE
A warehouse that makes massive sculptures for Burning Man is now turning out protective gear for hospitals.
Posted inHousing & Development
‘An induced coma’: How COVID-19 is impacting the buying and selling of homes in the East Bay
While the local housing market slumbers, some buyers will try to land a better deal. But the whole process of buying, and selling, has been transformed.
Posted inArts
Need money? Exasperated by the pace of government help? Person-to-person mutual aid funds fill a gap in Berkeley
Individuals and communities are raising money to give directly to those struggling because of COVID-19.
Posted inCity
You probably can’t get tested for COVID-19. But here’s how it works
Hospitals have strict procedures on who should be tested.
Posted inCity
Berkeley prepares to hunker down… this time by loading up on library books
As the library prepared to close for an indefinite amount of time, people rushed to stock up. Some walked out with a tower of books