With a twin $1.56 million each from the American Journalism Project (as part of its first grantees) and the Google News Initiative, 10-year-old independent news site Berkeleyside is growing from “seven people in one room” to a nonprofit network of local news sites in the Bay Area.
The Berkeley Public Library Foundation has selected Cityside — the nonprofit publisher of Berkeleyside and its sister sites, The Oaklandside and Richmondside — as the recipient of its 2026 Fred & Pat Cody Award, in recognition of its “outstanding work illuminating our literary and civic landscape.”
Berkeleyside is delighted to welcome Felicia Mello, a skilled reporter with a track record doing accountability work that drives statewide change, into our newsroom to cover this challenging new beat. Her first day was Nov. 17.
All three are being honored tonight by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Armstrong will receive the “Unsung Hero” award.
