In a reversal, the Richmond Progressive Alliance endorsed Claudia Jimenez as the group’s mayoral candidate for the city’s 2026 primary election.
Author Archives: Joel Umanzor
Joel Umanzor Richmondside's city reporter.
What I cover: I report on what happens in local government, including attending City Council meetings, analyzing the issues that are debated, shedding light on the elected officials who represent Richmond residents, and examining how legislation that is passed will impact Richmonders.
My background: I joined Richmondside in May 2024 as a reporter covering city government and public safety. Before that I was a breaking-news and general-assignment reporter for The San Francisco Standard, The Houston Chronicle and The San Francisco Chronicle. I grew up in Richmond and live locally.
Contact: joel@richmondside.org
Posted inPublic Safety
Video of 2025 police shooting shows man rushed at officers after being tased
Body camera footage shows police officers pleading with Jose Mendez to surrender. He was fatally shot after coming at them with what looked like a knife.
Posted inCommunity
Celebration of life for Betty Reid Soskin set for March 1 in Oakland
The beloved national park ranger and civil rights pioneer died in December at her Richmond home. She will be honored at the Kaiser Center for the Arts.
Posted in2026 Election
Candidate filing period opens for Richmond’s June primary election
A community college student and a sitting city council member plan to run in the city’s June primary election.
Posted inCity
Richmond police cleared in death of man who was restrained and forcibly sedated
A San Francisco jury on Monday issued a verdict rejecting a claim that excessive force played a role in Concord man’s death during a 2021 encounter with Richmond officers.
Posted inPublic Safety
I-80 shooting: DOJ identifies Richmond police detective who killed man
Brandon Hodges, a 13-year veteran of the Richmond Police Department, was the officer who shot and killed Luis Angel Torres Rivera last month.
Posted inPublic Safety
Son, 18, testifies he had to ‘raise himself’ after dad died in Richmond police custody
Richmond officers took the stand to defend their restraint tactics in a federal wrongful death civil trial expected to end Monday.
Posted inCity
City property could become ‘ICE-free’ this spring
Ordinance banning federal immigration enforcement on Richmond-owned property is being drafted. District 1 council member Jamelia Brown has concerns about scope.
Posted inRestrained and Sedated
Richmond police officer denies, in court, that ‘excessive’ force caused man’s death
One of the Richmond officers testifying in civil rights lawsuit breaks down in tears, insisting he only wanted to help Concord nurse Ivan Gutzalenko, who died in 2021 after being restrained and forcibly sedated.
Posted inPublic Safety
I-80 shooting: Man killed by Richmond detective identified
Luis Angel Torres Rivera, a father of two, was named by the state Department of Justice as the man who was killed on Jan. 22.
Posted inCity
Photos: Richmond swears in 21st police chief
On Thur. Jan. 29, 2026 the city swore in Timothy Simmons as its police chief. Simmons has been with the department for 17 years.
Posted inCity
ICE operations may soon be banned from city-owned property in Richmond
An ordinance, which hasn’t been drafted yet, would prohibit federal agents from using city property for immigration raids.
Posted inCity
$550M Chevron settlement: Consultant will ask residents how to spend it
After city staff say they are spread too thin to collect public input, the city council decides to spend up to $300,000 on a consultant.
Posted inPublic Safety
I-80 shooting: Richmond detective kills man who was reportedly threatening cars
Shooting on freeway in Hercules marks the third Richmond officer-involved fatal shooting within less than a year.
Posted inCity
Council accepts Richmond mayor’s atonement plan; censure put on hold
Mayor Eduardo Martinez has issued a formal apology for reposting “antisemitic tropes” on social media.
Posted inCity
Facing possible censure for ‘antisemitic conduct,’ Richmond mayor offers atonement plan
On Tuesday Mayor Eduardo Martinez will offer his own retribution plan for what some of his colleagues say was “antisemitic conduct.”
Posted inPublic Safety
Victim identified in San Pablo fatal shooting
Clarence Hughes Jr., 36, of Richmond was shot to death Dec. 29 on Rumrill Boulevard, police said.
Posted inCity
City’s plan to nurture ‘equitable’ cannabis businesses is failing, grant applicants say
After the city was forced to return $1.1 million in grant money in 2024, more than a dozen Black and brown equity applicants are in limbo, and the city’s promise to diversify its cannabis industry remains unfulfilled.
Posted inPublic Safety
Gun violence in Richmond surged at end of year despite record-low homicides
Acting Police Chief Tim Simmons told the police commission there was a 163% spike in shootings during the last 90 days of 2025.
Posted inCity
Richmond City Council refuses to put mayor’s censure on Tuesday agenda
The council majority “no” vote means it didn’t agree that the issue qualified as an emergency agenda item but it could be put on a future agenda.
