Hi reader,

Welcome to the August recap! The Scanner team just got home from the Independent News Sustainability Summit, held in San Diego this year. Consultant Joe Lanane and I were excited to share our top lessons learned as we've worked to break out of "solopreneurship" and establish more sustainable Scanner operations throughout the year. The session was a hit, especially when we teased new initiatives we've pursued with the extra bandwidth, including our monthly recap series. "I plan to put your advice into action," one publisher told us.

We also debuted Albany Scanner in August, in case you missed it!

With gratitude,

Emilie Raguso

Founder, The Berkeley Scanner

Photo of the month: Mural honoring immigrants defaced; restoration underway

Share your photos for a chance to be featured in the monthly recap.

A Berkeley mural highlighting the immigrant struggle was defaced in August, prompting neighbors to leave signs expressing solidarity beneath it. In recent weeks, restoration work has been underway. Barbara Judd shared this photo.

Reader comments: Judge rules city must hit the streets to find homeless tent sites

In mid-August, a federal judge ordered the city and Berkeley Homeless Union to spend a day walking local streets together as Berkeley prepares to clear the Harrison Street encampment. Readers had a lot to say about the ruling.

TBS

"Can anyone explain to me how a site approval by the city is *not* a sanctioned encampment?"

TBS

"Is it possible to recall a judge? This should be a national scandal."

X / Twitter

"How long before Berkeley has a designated encampment district that functions like a refugee zone?"

TBS

"... it's good to hear a Berkeley City attorney stand up to the judge for once."

TBS

"While attention remains fixed on Harrison, the encampment on Dwight Way next to Bayer keeps growing."

Facebook

"If it was just tents, it wouldn't be so disturbing. It's the piles of trash and the erratic behaving people/leash-less dogs."

Become a member and help us report the news first.

Yes! I want to chip in!

Last month's poll results

In response to recent headlines, we asked Scanner readers what they thought should happen at the Harrison Street encampment. The response was overwhelmingly lopsided.

Close it now, conditions are too dangerous
75%

Close it, but only after relocation sites are identified
24%

Keep it open, the city hasn't met the court's requirements
1%

Take our latest reader poll

This week, the City Council may amend local laws to let the Berkeley Police Department Special Response Team use tear gas when there is a significant risk of injury or death, maintaining the existing prohibition on tear gas for crowd control while lifting the ban on smoke and pepper spray. (See Item 21a for details.)

Do you support the proposed resolution to allow tear gas use in specific situations? Answer the reader poll and email us your feedback.

Take this month's poll

📛 The Scanner speaks at 2026 Independent News Sustainability Summit

TBS team members Joe Lanane (left), who supports Scanner operations, and publisher/founder Emilie Raguso spoke last week at the 2026 Independent News Sustainability Summit hosted in San Diego by LION Publishers, an online news association. We shared the story of The Berkeley Scanner's successful 2025 year-end campaign, prompting Joe's hire that enabled Emilie to delegate projects so she can stay focused on the news. Publishers seemed to appreciate the advice, especially our tip to "hire before you feel ready."

ICYMI: From Golden Gate Fields to the Dog & Pony Show 🐴🐶