Tara Hills man who lost three bids for Maine Legislature hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. John Garamendi
Aaron Rowden, a former Richmond parks and rec commissioner, is among three candidates trying to unseat the longtime 8th Congressional District representative in the June 2 primary election.

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Latest News
Cheese Park, cops, community: Richmond’s District 4 candidates pitch their priorities
District 4 incumbent Soheila Bana defended her track record, Keycha Gallon wants grassroots collaboration, and Jamin Pursell wants a closer police station.
Mexican and Thai Lao restaurants shutter in Uptown Oakland
A running list of restaurants that have recently closed in Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, and beyond.
10 things to do in Richmond this week
Highlights include: A classic car show and makers market; women’s roller derby playoffs; and an electric vehicle event in downtown Richmond.
City
City’s lean staffing leaves workers scrambling to get their work done, they say
A preview of Richmond’s $275 million budget shows personnel costs expected to increase more than 37% from 2021.
Community
5 things to know this week โ Anti-Chevron Day, voter registration deadline, art center director retiring
Also: Help shape the future of the city’s largest park; Contra Costa high schoolers may have scholarship money waiting for them; Richmond Art Center searches for a new leader.

This โChoppedโ winner is back in Oakland with some of the Bayโs best smoked brisket and ribs
Not yet fully open, the word is out about Rashad Armstead’s Saints Smokehouse, where lines form early.
election news
Watch the Richmond City Council D4 election forum
Get prepared to vote in Richmond’s June 2 primary by watching the District 4 city council candidate forum and community Q&A.
SCHOOLS
300 WCCUSD jobs could be cut, but school board might spare some beloved programs
While dozens of employees are likely to be laid off or have their hours reduced, district officials aim to save elementary band, Kennedy High electives and De Anzaโs JROTC program.
Public safety
Police investigating suspected murder-suicide in East Richmond
Richmond police found a pair of people dead inside a home during a wellness check on Friday morning, marking the second homicide investigation in as many days.
How Richmond works
How we work
Want to know whatโs happening at WCCUSD schools? Sign up for TEXTbook
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Richmondside’s Alejandra Armstrong recognized as โunsung heroโ by SPJ NorCal
As audience engagement editor, Armstrong ensures reaching and serving readers is always top of mind โ from social media posts to headlines, public events and our email newsletters.
Richmondsideโs free newsletter is going dailyย ย
Fans of our weekly newsletter told us they want to see information and news about their city more frequently. So, starting now, we’ll send the Richmondside Report to your inbox Monday through Friday.

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