Oakland

Figure skater Alysa Liu returned to her hometown of Oakland, California, where fans and locals celebrated her Olympic gold medal win. The celebration drew community gatherings and media attention as the city honoured the skater's achievement at the Winter Olympics, marking a major milestone for the young American athlete and pride for the Bay Area.

Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong staged a free concert in his hometown of Oakland and surprised fans by bringing a rock legend on stage to perform with him. The San Francisco Chronicle covered the show, which drew attention for the unannounced guest appearance and Armstrong's decision to keep the hometown event free for attendees. Fans have been sharing clips and reactions to the surprise moment.

Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch has launched 'Beast Mode 510', a comic book set in his hometown of Oakland, California. The title draws on Lynch's 'Beast Mode' persona and the 510 area code, extending his brand beyond football and business ventures into publishing. The release has drawn attention from sports and pop culture outlets as the latest move by the retired star to celebrate and invest in his Oakland roots.

The University of Pittsburgh has launched a startup incubator in Oakland focused on health sciences. The initiative aims to support early-stage companies emerging from the university's medical and biosciences research, giving founders lab space and commercialization support. Local business press reported the launch, positioning Pittsburgh as a growing hub for university-backed health technology ventures.

Three companies are expanding their operations in Ingham, Kent and Oakland counties in Michigan, a move expected to create 127 new jobs. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced the expansions, which span the Lansing, Grand Rapids and Detroit metro areas. The announcement is being promoted as further evidence of business growth and investment across the state's regional economies.

The Athletics bounced back with a convincing win over the Houston Astros, and Sports Illustrated has broken down the main takeaways from the game. The result gives Oakland a statement victory against one of the American League's strongest sides, with attention on how the Athletics' pitching and lineup combined to shut down Houston.

Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch is featured as a detective in a new comic book set in Oakland, California. The retired Seattle Seahawks star, long associated with his hometown of Oakland, takes on a fictional sleuthing role in the story. The project pairs the famously private athlete's larger-than-life persona with the city that shaped him.

The Alameda County Office of Education says the Oakland Unified School District's finances are getting healthier and materially stronger. The assessment, reported by Black press outlets including the Post News Group and BlackPressUSA, signals that the district's fiscal recovery efforts under state and county oversight are showing results, a notable turn for a district long scrutinized for budget instability.