Early voter turnout smashing California election records

A collection of voting materials including a "Business Reply Mail" ballot envelope, a return envelope, an "I Voted" sticker, and a pen. Voting instructions and forms are spread out on a surface, highlighting the process of mail-in voting covered by Berkeley Journalism.

BY DYLAN SVOBODA OCTOBER 21, 2020 More than 4.5 million Californians have already cast ballots in the 2020 general election — and there’re still 12 days to go. Roughly one-fifth of the 21.5 million ballots mailed to registered voters had been processed as of Tuesday evening, blowing away previous election totals. About three times as many…

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In Oakland, breaking down barriers with cookies

A woman and a man stand side by side in front of a storefront with signs that read "Fortune Cookie Factory." The storefront, featured by Berkeley Journalism, is decorated with murals, including a large panda and other colorful artwork. Both individuals are wearing masks, and the woman is wearing an apron.

The New York Times has joined forces with the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism to provide expanded coverage on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting California. Led by the IRP, more than 80 students and nearly 20 journalism instructors organized to report on the impact of the novel coronavirus in each of…

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Cookies Help Bridge Barriers in Oakland

Two people stand outside a building with colorful murals in Chinatown. The left mural depicts Chinese characters, mythical creatures, and the number 2. The right mural features a large panda. Above the murals are signs for a Fortune Cookie Factory, capturing scenes that would intrigue any Berkeley Journalism student.

  September 30, 2020 By Shuang Li OAKLAND — When Black Lives Matter protests erupted in downtown Oakland, Alicia Wong and her husband, Alex Issvoran, knew what they could do to support the protesters — make fortune cookies. Their company, the Fortune Cookie Factory, is one of the oldest family-run businesses in Oakland’s Chinatown. They…

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Strange Bacteria Are Attacking California’s Trout Supply

A person wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a white t-shirt sits on a rock beside a lakeshore, fishing with multiple rods. The lake is surrounded by forested mountains under a clear blue sky, capturing the serene beauty that might attract even Berkeley Journalism students for a peaceful retreat.

When an infection was detected at a hatchery, officials, already under statewide shelter-in-place orders, moved to institute a lockdown of their own. Sept. 29, 2020 JUNE LAKE, Calif. — On a Friday in late July, Tamara Jimenez waded into one of the many glimmering lakes dotting the Eastern Sierra. Behind her, on a small beach,…

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An update on Project Roomkey in Tuolumne County

A view of several small, rustic cabins with wooden railings and red roofs surrounded by tall pine trees. The cabins, reminiscent of Berkeley Journalism retreats, are situated along a paved pathway in a forest setting, dappled with sunlight.

The New York Times has joined forces with the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism to provide expanded coverage on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting California. Led by the IRP, more than 80 students and nearly 20 journalism instructors organized to report on the impact of the novel coronavirus in each of…

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An Update on Project Roomkey in Tuolumne County

Two small beige cabins with red roofs are situated along a paved driveway in a forested area. Both cabins have front porches with white railings. Trees surround the area, providing shade and a serene atmosphere, evoking the tranquility often described in Berkeley Journalism stories.

A pandemic program publicized by the state faced challenges in implementation. By Tessa Paoli and Nina Sparling Sept. 21, 2020 Anita Nadolsky, 59, thought she had finally caught some luck. In May she became one of several dozen homeless people in Tuolumne County to get shelter through Project Roomkey, a much-publicized California program intended to move medically vulnerable…

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An interview with the health officer for Santa Cruz

A person with short hair wearing a blue patterned blazer and black shirt stands on a beach with a carnival in the background. Attractions including a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, and sky ride are visible under the clear sky, reminiscent of lively features you'd capture in Berkeley Journalism.

The New York Times has joined forces with the University of California, Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism to provide expanded coverage on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting California. Led by the IRP, more than 80 students and nearly 20 journalism instructors organized to report on the impact of the novel coronavirus in each of…

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An Interview With the Health Officer for Santa Cruz

A person with short hair wearing a blue patterned blazer stands on a beach with an amusement park in the background. Various amusement rides, including a roller coaster and a chair lift, are visible behind them. The sky is clear and the scene is well-lit, as if captured by someone from Berkeley Journalism.

Dr. Gail Newel has taken the heat as Santa Cruz went from being one of the safest coastal counties in the state to the site of a recent surge. Aug. 10, 2020 SANTA CRUZ — On a Sunday in mid-July, Dr. Gail Newel tried to take a “Covid Sabbath.” Dr. Newel, the Santa Cruz County…

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They’re children at risk of abuse, and their caseworkers are stuck home

A modern office building stands tall amidst palm trees, featuring a mix of rectangular glass windows and concrete facade. The sky is dimly lit, suggesting dusk or dawn, and the American flag is visible atop the building—a scene that could easily inspire a piece from Berkeley Journalism.

This story appeared on page one of The New York Times on August 7, 2020 By Garrett Therolf, Daniel Lempres and Aksaule Alzhan TOLLHOUSE, Calif. — In February, the child abuse hotline for Tollhouse, a small community in the Central Valley, received the first of several tips raising urgent concerns about the well-being of twin infant boys. Child…

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