The newsroom earned the James Madison Freedom of Information award for exposing systematic violations of open records laws by city officials and challenging Alameda County’s sideshow spectator ban.

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.