Remote Surveillance Trailer in Oakland, CA

AP

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Jury selection began Wednesday in Meta's federal trial over claims its platforms have harmed youth mental health and also track children in violation of federal law.

The trial scheduled to begin next week is expected to last six to eight weeks. Meta faces 29 states in the federal multidistrict lawsuit filed in 2023, but the Oakland trial will only include the first four - California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey.

Eight states, including Tennessee where a trial is ongoing, filed lawsuits in their own state courts.

The 2023 lawsuit, filed in federal court in Oakland, California, claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents' consent, in violation of federal law.

MORE: Meta collected children's data, refused to close under 13 Instagram accounts, court document alleges

"Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains, Meta has repeatedly misled the public about the substantial dangers of its social media platforms," the complaint says. "It has concealed the ways in which these platforms exploit and manipulate its most vulnerable consumers: teenagers and children."

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers asked prospective jurors about their own social media activity, knowledge about other lawsuits Meta faces, and any strong feelings they may have about social media companies and their role regarding the allegations.

The trial is the latest in an avalanche of lawsuits against Meta Platforms and other social media companies including Google's YouTube, TikTok and Snap, over claims their platforms harm young people, illegally collect their data and are deliberately designed to addict them.

Last week, a New Mexico court ordered Meta to pay $567 million to address harms to young people from its platforms in the second phase of a landmark trial.

MORE: New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety, violating state law

The penalty is in addition to the $375 million in civil penalties that jurors ordered against Meta in March after determining the company knowingly harmed children's mental health and concealed what it knew about child sexual exploitation on its platforms.

In the second phase, prosecutors asked the judge to impose fundamental changes at Meta aimed at reining in addictive features, improving age verification and preventing child sexual exploitation through default privacy settings and closer oversight.

The states are seeking heavy penalties and changes to the way Meta operates its platforms to make them safer for children. Meta has repeatedly said it has introduced dozens of features to do so. It is appealing the New Mexico decision.

"We strongly disagree with these allegations and are confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people," the Menlo Park, California, tech giant said in a statement. "We've listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most. We're proud of the progress we've made, and we're always working to do better."

OAKLAND, Calif. – Leaders from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District and Port of Oakland signed a milestone design agreement Aug. 27 paving the way for construction of the Oakland Harbor Turning Basins Widening Project.

The $642 million project aims to widen both the inner and outer harbor turning basins at the Oakland Seaport to better allow ships to turn around. Vessels routinely calling Oakland today are larger and longer and have transit restrictions resulting in inefficiencies, which can lead to delays and negative economic impacts. The improvements will allow the world’s largest and most environmentally advanced vessels to maneuver through the port’s waterways safely and efficiently for generations to come.

“Oakland Harbor is a critical node in our nation’s supply chain,” said Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, USACE Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations. “Today, we take the next step in ensuring it remains a powerhouse of American commerce for decades to come.”

The mid-morning signing ceremony took place aboard the historic USS Potomac, berthed at Oakland’s Jack London Square, and a waterside tour of port facilities and the two turning basins. Federal, state, and local leaders had the chance to reflect on the next phase of the project: Pre-Construction, Engineering and Design (PED) Phase.

“If we look back, it has really been an enormous lift by so many people moving us through the early stages of the planning process to a signed chief’s report in 2024 to today’s design agreement to the investment we will see for decades to come,” said USACE San Francisco District Commander Lt. Col. Virginia Brickner, who alongside Port of Oakland Executive Director Kristi McKenney, were the two signatories on the agreement. “We will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent delivering results rather than unnecessary process, something our Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Mr. Adam Telle has been championing through the Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork (BINP) initiative.”

One innovative BINP approach that the District and Port staff are pursuing is a design-build solution, as opposed to design-bid-build, to the Outer Harbor Turning Basin to accelerate contracting timelines and get dredgers onto the water faster.

Specifically, the project involves widening the Inner Harbor Turning Basin an additional 334 feet, from its current diameter of 1,500 feet to 1,834 feet. The Outer Harbor Turning Basin would be widened an additional 315 feet, from its current diameter of 1,650 feet to 1,965 feet. Beneficial use of suitable dredged material from the project will contribute to the creation of approximately 205 acres of wetlands.

“Investing in critical infrastructure today ensures Oakland remains a competitive port city for generations to come,” said McKenney. “Larger vessels and taller cranes are the lifeline to our regional economy, and we’re grateful our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers share our vision for a more prosperous, efficient, and safer future.”

The widening project comes on the heels of another big milestone celebrated by USACE and the Port in 2009 – the Oakland Harbor Minus 50-Foot Deepening Project. This massive $433 million project deepened the federal channels of the Oakland Harbor from -42 feet to -50 feet. More than 3.5 million cubic yards of dredged material from the project was used for wetland restoration at the former Hamilton Army Airfield in Novato, Calif.

For more information on the Oakland Turning Basins Widening Project, please visit: https://www.spn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Projects-and-Programs/Current-Projects/Oakland-Harbor-Turning-Basins-Widening/.

Source

Oakland, CA - Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, City leaders, and community partners gathered on August 29th to celebrate the grand reopening of the revitalized Brookfield Branch of the Oakland Public Library. This celebration marks an important milestone in the City’s commitment to providing welcoming, accessible, and resilient public spaces for youth, families, and neighbors.

"The Brookfield Branch has long been an important resource for the neighborhood," said Jamie Turbak, Director of Oakland Public Library. "We are thrilled to reopen our doors and welcome the community back to a refreshed space designed to better serve residents for years to come. The event celebrates not only the reopening of the building but also the Brookfield Branch's continuing role as a welcoming community gathering space for learning, discovery, and connection.”

Located in Ira Jinkins Park in Oakland’s Brookfield neighborhood, the Brookfield Branch has served as a trusted community resource, offering bilingual materials, a computer lab, and gathering spaces for residents. The branch shares its facilities with the East Oakland Senior Center, and the renovation includes shared electrical upgrades that strengthen long‑term reliability for both facilities and support the critical services they both offer.

The renewed Brookfield Branch now features modernized, energy‑efficient improvements designed to support a more sustainable future for East Oakland. The project included installation of a new electrical transformer and service upgrades that prepare the building for fully electric heating and cooling systems. These enhancements align with Oakland’s Energy and Climate Action Plan while ensuring the library remains a resilient and comfortable space for the community.

“Today’s libraries are essential community gathering spaces that offer accessible resources, a place to connect, and relief from the elements for all ages,” said Mayor Barbara Lee. “By reopening the renovated Brookfield Branch, we are delivering long-overdue investments directly to historically underserved neighborhoods like East Oakland.”

Inside, visitors will find updated floors, windows, lighting, flexible shelving, new furnishings, and a refreshed circulation desk. The renovation also expands inclusive and accessible features throughout the building, including single‑user, all‑gender restrooms, improved ADA parking, updated signage, and brighter exterior lighting.

A centerpiece of the project is the enhanced Children’s Area, which now includes a new outdoor programming space for storytimes, gardening, and family activities — creating more opportunities to learn and explore for Oakland’s youngest residents.

“From planning to construction, this project has a been true partnership.” said Liam Garland, Director of Oakland Public Works. “Our team is proud to unveil a modern space that supports learning, connection, and community.”

These improvements are part of a $3 million renovation funded through a 50/50 match between the California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program and Oakland Measure KK.

The Oakland Public Library opened the Brookfield Branch at 10:00 a.m. so residents could explore the newly updated library. City leaders participated in a ribbon‑cutting ceremony and tree-planting ceremony in the afternoon. Community members were invited to enjoy free, family‑friendly activities from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including children’s performances, face painting, crafts, treats, and a cooking class with Chef Terry. Also featured at the ribbon-cutting ceremony was Youth Poet Laureate Finalist Diego Aguilar-Rivera.

For more information about the celebration, visit the Brookfield Branch Grand Reopening event page. To learn more about the renovation, visit the project website: the Brookfield Branch Renovation Project page.

About Oakland Public Library (OPL)

Oakland Public Library, a department of the City of Oakland, has served the community since 1878. The library system includes 16 neighborhood branches, the Main Library and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland. Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect and grow.

About Oakland Public Works

Oakland Public Works is charged with building, maintaining, and improving the City’s infrastructure including public buildings, sanitary and storm sewers, lighting, and City-owned vehicles and equipment. Public Works provides or administers essential environmental services including solid waste and recycling services; illegal dumping abatement; street sweeping; maintenance of parks, trees, and medians; and watershed management.

KGO

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The family of a 32-year-old woman who was struck by a vehicle driven by two young boys in Oakland last week says she is showing signs of progress as she remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Kiara Bowling is fighting for her life at Highland Hospital a week after the crash caused by 7-year-old and 4-year-old brothers, but her family says she is beginning to show encouraging signs of recovery.

Her brother, Donny Blackmon, says faith has helped sustain the family through the ordeal.

"We are hoping for a miracle every day because of the severity of the injuries, there still can be life-changing decisions that have occurred," Blackmon said.

Blackmon remained at his sister's bedside, talking to her in hopes she can hear him. He said the family witnessed a breakthrough within the last 24 hours.

RELATED: 7 and 4-year-old brothers take parents' car, critically injure woman walking dog in Oakland crash

Asked whether Bowling had shown signs she was listening, Blackmon said, "Yes there have been signs and movement and she is able to hear us and recognize voices speaking to her. She shed a tear when my grandmother spoke with her and she was able to move her hands and feet when I spoke to her, too."

The signs of progress come after Bowling was hit by a vehicle driven by the two young boys who had taken the car while their parents were sleeping. Bowling was walking her best friend's dog in Oakland when she was struck.

Blackmon said he first learned of the incident through reports about the crash, before discovering the victim was his sister.

"I'm praying for that person and then I got a call right after reading it, from my grandmother and my sister and knowing that they were confirming that as my sister, my older sister Kiara. And from that point it was just hard to fathom the reality of it," he said. "It's unfortunate how it happened. I understand these are kids in this incident as well but at the end of the day she didn't do anything wrong and I just hope she gets the proper justice."

Bowling remains in critical condition and has undergone multiple surgeries involving her brain, face and shoulder, according to her family.

VIDEO: Victim critically injured in Oakland crash involving young brothers is fighting for her life: family

Family members describe Bowling as a trailblazer. She was recently named Miss California Regency International 2026 and had just completed a summer program at Harvard for her J.D. degree. Her goal is to become a lawyer, and her family is asking for prayers and donations to help support her rehabilitation.

"She can still hear us. So, she's able to understand who's talking to her. And that was a blessing to know that she is still holding us to us," Blackmon said.

Bowling's family said her medical team is preparing to remove her breathing tube to determine whether she can breathe on her own. If she cannot, she will need a permanent breathing device. Despite that possibility, her family says they remain hopeful.

Kiara's family is encouraged by her continued signs of improvement, pointing to her now breathing 90% on her own. Despite this, her doctors told her family Kiara Bowling's injuries are serious calling it a Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury.

"It's unknown if she'll be physically disabled after this, it's still unknown if she'll be able to go to a rehab program and get back to her feet as independently as she was. So, we are keeping that in prayers, but we do know it's a long process but want to make sure she has what she needs," said Blackmon.

To donate to Kiara Bowling's GoFundMe, click here.