![Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland for the Bay Area News Group](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Shomik-Mukherjee.jpeg?w=85)
Oakland Reporter
Shomik Mukherjee
Shomik Mukherjee covers Oakland, with a focus on local politics, developments and activism. He previously reported in Contra Costa County and before joining the Bay Area News Group he worked in Eureka and Santa Barbara. Find him taking walks around town; he is always looking for story tips.
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![North Light offers the kind of sophisticated, hip-but-not-hipster atmosphere that has taken off as bars enter a post-pandemic chapter of catering social experiences. North Light offers the kind of sophisticated, hip-but-not-hipster atmosphere that has taken off as bars enter a post-pandemic chapter of catering social experiences.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SJM-L-NORTHLIGHT-0514-9.jpg?w=132)
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At Oakland’s North Light, books, music and diverse identities have a home
North Light offers the kind of sophisticated, hip-but-not-hipster atmosphere that has taken off as bars enter a post-pandemic chapter of catering social experiences.
![A larger, nationalized movement aims its frustrations with the SAT not at the the test's availability but toward the notion that it needs to be administered at all. A larger, nationalized movement aims its frustrations with the SAT not at the the test's availability but toward the notion that it needs to be administered at all.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SJM-L-SATSTRUGGLE-06XX-7.jpg?w=125)
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Widespread unavailability of SAT leaves some wondering: Is it time to say goodbye to standardized tests?
A larger, nationalized movement aims its frustrations with the SAT not at the the test's availability but toward the notion that it needs to be administered at all.
![As elite schools like Stanford, Caltech, Harvard and Yale are reversing their test-optional policies, Bay Area students attempting to take the SAT before college applications are due this winter might have to travel several hours away or even out of state to nab a coveted spot. As elite schools like Stanford, Caltech, Harvard and Yale are reversing their test-optional policies, Bay Area students attempting to take the SAT before college applications are due this winter might have to travel several hours away or even out of state to nab a coveted spot.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SJM-L-SATSTRUGGLE-06XX-9.jpg?w=132)
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Bay Area students struggle to find SAT slots as schools reverse test-optional policies
As elite schools like Stanford, Caltech, Harvard and Yale are reversing their test-optional policies, Bay Area students attempting to take the SAT before college applications are due this winter might...
![Oakland joins other communities deemed by the PUC to be "underserved," including San Francisco, Fremont and Plumas County. Oakland joins other communities deemed by the PUC to be "underserved," including San Francisco, Fremont and Plumas County.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/cnn-L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2ltYWdlL2luc3RhbmNlcy9jbHloeXIyZHowMDA2MzU2a3N2dml0ZWpt-L19jb21wb25lbnRzL2FydGljbGUvaW5zdGFuY2VzL2NseWh5cWxraDAwMG5uZHFnNmNsbjN5cHo.jpg?w=132)
Over Comcast and AT&T objections, Oakland gets millions to improve internet speed
Oakland joins other communities deemed by the PUC to be "underserved," including San Francisco, Fremont and Plumas County.
![The city attorney's office was expected to begin handing over records to the federal authorities on Thursday morning. The city attorney's office was expected to begin handing over records to the federal authorities on Thursday morning.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/EBT-L-OAKDRONE-04XX-2_c31dee.jpg?w=140)
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The feds sent Oakland a subpoena. Here’s what you need to know about it
The city attorney's office was expected to begin handing over records to the federal authorities on Thursday morning.
![The federal grand jury's subpoena comes in the wake of FBI raids that also targeted the city's recycling contractor. The federal grand jury's subpoena comes in the wake of FBI raids that also targeted the city's recycling contractor.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SJM-L-MAYORFOLO-0624-07.jpg?w=132)
Oakland FBI raids: City ordered to hand over records in subpoena naming Mayor Sheng Thao’s partner
The federal grand jury's subpoena comes in the wake of FBI raids that also targeted the city's recycling contractor.
![The hikers became stuck near Westline Drive, a walking path near Mussel Rock Park that overlooks the Pacific Ocean. The hikers became stuck near Westline Drive, a walking path near Mussel Rock Park that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/MAG-L-WILDESSAY-06XX-9A.jpg?w=132)
Rescuers save hikers who became trapped on Daly City cliff
The hikers became stuck near Westline Drive, a walking path near Mussel Rock Park that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
![Police found the victim wounded on a largely residential block of Pittsburg with a small grocery market. Police found the victim wounded on a largely residential block of Pittsburg with a small grocery market.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/crime-scene-tape-generic-1-1-2-1-1-1-4-1.jpg?w=127)
Pittsburg: Victim dies from several gunshot wounds on Fourth of July
Police found the victim wounded on a largely residential block of Pittsburg with a small grocery market.
![The forecast calls for the heat to let up starting Sunday, though not by much. "If it goes from 115 to 110 ... can you really tell?" one meteorologist asked. The forecast calls for the heat to let up starting Sunday, though not by much. "If it goes from 115 to 110 ... can you really tell?" one meteorologist asked.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-OROVILLEFIRE-17.jpg?w=132)
Bay Area braces for 76-year high temperatures, fire danger in scorching heat wave
The forecast calls for the heat to let up starting Sunday, though not by much. "If it goes from 115 to 110 ... can you really tell?" one meteorologist asked.
![The new budget relies on Oakland completing a deal with the African-American Sports and Entertainment Group that will start to yield millions of dollars by September. The new budget relies on Oakland completing a deal with the African-American Sports and Entertainment Group that will start to yield millions of dollars by September.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/SJM-L-GENERICS-0000-915.jpg?w=140)
Facing drastic cuts, Oakland approves budget that bets on Coliseum sale
The new budget relies on Oakland completing a deal with the African-American Sports and Entertainment Group that will start to yield millions of dollars by September.