Can comics help democracy? This Berkeley expert on campaign financing hopes so
In a new graphic novel, ‘Unrig: How to Fix Our Broken Democracy,’ Daniel Newman, founder of Maplight, says people can be the change.
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Frances Dinkelspiel
Frances Dinkelspiel (co-founder) is a journalist and author. Her first book, Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California, published in November 2008, was a San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. Her second book, Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder, Obsession and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California was published in October 2015 and was both a New York Times and San Francisco Chronicle bestseller. Frances is a former staff reporter for the Syracuse Newspapers and the San Jose Mercury News. Her freelance work has appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, People Magazine, Daily Beast, the San Francisco Chronicle, and elsewhere.
Articles by Frances
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Emergency COVID-19 tenant protection laws cause confusion in Berkeley
One major landlord appears to have been misinterpreting emergency laws intended to protect tenants. The City Council added some clarifying language to the law.
Renters rally against UC Berkeley’s possible attempt to evict them from rent-controlled building
Cal is buying 1921 Walnut St. and may tear it down to make way for a student housing complex that can hold 850 to 1,000 students.
Berkeley neighborhood group wins right to sue UC Berkeley over increased enrollment
A state appeals court overturned a lower court ruling tossing out the case. UC Berkeley says it will appeal to the California Supreme Court.
Monsanto to pay Berkeley $1M for PCB contamination in the bay, part of $650M settlement
The payment is part of a class-action lawsuit that Berkeley took a lead on.
To reach vulnerable populations, Berkeley goes on the road to offer COVID-19 testing
Public health workers are going to senior living and skilled nursing facilities.
Rent board may increase its legal fees budget from $7,500 to $360,000
The bulk of the proposed expenditure will go for an “internal personnel issue.”The rent board is examining alleged harassment of an employee, although officials have not confirmed the detail
A 46-year-old Berkeley bookstore closes, another COVID-19 casualty
University Press Books has struggled financially for years despite trying many different approaches to stay in business.
Cityside launches The Oaklandside, sister site to Berkeleyside, built on a foundation of listening
The Oaklandside is the first launch for Cityside, the newly formed nonprofit that is also parent to Berkeleyside.
Marchers in Berkeley demand resignation of police chief
They are angered and disturbed by Police Chief Andy Greenwood’s comment that if police had no more access to tear gas, they might have to use firearms to respond to violent protesters.
Denied business interruption insurance, Berkeley business files suit
After suffering severe financial losses because of COVID-19 shutdowns, The Gardener filed a claim for business interruption insurance. It was denied. Now the company is suing.
Anyone in Berkeley can now get a free COVID-19 test
Berkeley lags behind other cities in the number of people getting tested. Officials say the new site will help change that.
Thousands take to the streets of Berkeley in peaceful demonstrations against police killings of Black Americans
There were at least five separate rallies Saturday in Berkeley, coming in the wake of a few last week. More are slated to happen over the next few days.
Berkeley tightens mask rules but says people can ‘socialize in stable groups outside their households’
Groups of up to 12 people must collectively agree to limit their social activities to only each other for at least three weeks.
Tenants get financial help in latest distribution from the Berkeley Relief Fund
The fund has paid for rent from March through June for about 214 people. Most of the payments went directly to Berkeley landlords.
Berkeley City Council to decide if voters should place ADUs, golden duplexes under rent control
The Rent Board wants voters to adopt those and other changes to the rent control ordinance. The City Council must decide whether to put the changes on the Nov. 3 ballot.
