Enterprise & Investigations

Berkeley High knew for 15 years of allegations chemistry teacher sexually harassed students

After years of sexual misconduct complaints, the school district signed a gag order allowing Matthew Bissell to quietly resign.

Berkeleyside Nov. 23, 2021

After Berkeley High tragedy, students lobby for better mental health care

Following a classmate’s death, five students called on the City Council to prioritize funding student mental health programs. “We were converting our grief into something meaningful,” one said.

Berkeleyside July 15, 2022

Black and Latino students in Berkeley Unified are overrepresented in special ed

Twenty-eight percent of Black students are in special ed, compared to 7% of white students. Berkeleyside digs into BUSD’s plan to address the disparity.

Berkeleyside June 12, 2022

They Were Cleaning Up One Of America’s Most Polluted Neighborhoods. Then Came COVID-19.

Coronavirus lockdowns may have temporarily cleaned West Oakland’s air, but the pandemic also threatens to take away the funding to keep it that way.

Huffington Post June 6, 2020

How a Silicon Valley exec escaped Ukraine and became a digital soldier

In the middle of the night on Feb. 24, Gennady Galanter woke up to the ground shaking.

The San Francisco Chronicle March 7, 2022

Berkeley’s ‘prince of pools’ goes out with a splash

Yassir Chadly, raised in a family of Moroccan champion swimmers and known for his sage and silly storytelling, has retired after 30 years as an instructor at Berkeley’s pools.

Berkeleyside February 6, 2022

Berkeley High was once Cal’s biggest feeder school but not anymore

Until recently, Berkeley High students were admitted to Cal at above average rates — even with lower GPAs. That’s no longer the case.

Berkeleyside March 26, 2023

Fleeing war and homophobia in Ukraine, he found a haven in the Berkeley Hills

Andrew, a gay 22-year-old whose home was twice destroyed by Russian troops, has been welcomed by a community of older hills residents.

Berkeleyside June 22, 2023

National and International

Hacker Says He Printed Anti-Semitic and Racist Fliers at Colleges Across U.S.

A well-known computer hacker who goes by the name of “Weev” said he was behind a wave of anti-Semitic, racist fliers that appeared on printers at more than a dozen college campuses last week.

The New York Times March 28, 2016

Greek hospitality is put to a religious test

Abdul rose just before sundown on one of the last days of the holy month of Ramadan. The 17-year-old refugee from Afghanistan was keeping odd hours, eating breakfast in place of dinner and passing the day in slumber.

Religion News Service Nov 5, 2016

The world’s largest Christian university relaxes some of its rules

Change is in the air at Liberty University: couples can do more than hold hands in public, men can wear ponytails, and students can watch Rated R movies.

The Washington Post October 30, 2015

As more Ukrainians choose Kyiv Patriarchate, push intensifies for unified national Orthodox church

Kyiv Post June 23, 2016