A civil rights attorney and the son of Chinese immigrants, Oliver Ma is running for the post of Lieutenant Governor. He spoke to us here in Alameda about his platform promoting the basic needs of Californians for housing, health care and relief from the predations of the fascist Trump regime -- as well as his aim of tackling policies responsible for the wealth disparities that have made life in California so precarious for so many.

Podcast host: Laura Thomas

Last fall, the venerable Alameda Food Bank, founded by concerned citizens in 1977, moved into a new facility on West Ranger Avenue at Alameda Point and opened a free grocery store called the Island Community Market. Director Teale Harden tells us about how it differs from other food bank operations while serving 12 percent of Alamedans and how it's preparing to do so much more.

Podcast host: Laura Thomas

Alameda will be electing a new mayor this fall as Marilyn Ashcraft finishes her second term in office. City council member Tracy Jensen, who is finishing her first term, has decided to run for the job. She spoke to Island City Beat recently about the issues that concern us: housing, food security, police surveillance, the threat of federal invasion, climate change and more.

In the coming weeks, we will put similar questions to other candidates for mayor, which may include current council member Tony Daysog and former member Malia Vella. Stay tuned!