We’ve been running Oakland North for nearly five years now, and in that time our reporters have uncovered some amazing stories. Here are a few of our favorite longreads, magazine-length stories that take on complex issues or spin compelling tales. So grab a cool drink, find a comfortable seat, and enjoy!

As the economy sinks, homeless people move onto abandoned boats by Amina Waheed

Rehearsing your own death: not your typical night in Oakland by Becky Palmstrom

After the fire, Oakland’s love of tiki burns on by Teresa Chin

What is justice? Inside a death penalty trial by Sam Laird

How Oakland became ground zero for the legal cannabis argument by Dara Kerr

Legal at last, but strapped for cash, needle exchanges seek federal funding by Adam Grossberg

Bar loyalists bemoan the rise of the Internet jukebox by Mario Furloni

Oakland fireboat Sea-Wolf navigates a murky future by Abby Baird

Frank Snapp and the not-so-secret guerilla garden by Shannon Service

Community actors fighting the odds: West Oakland’s Playaz’ race toward opening night by Dylan Bergeson

EBMUD turns food scraps into electricity by Dara Kerr

Welcome to Hoodslam, the party with rock music, drama and a wrestling ring by Monica Cruz-Rosas

At storage unit auctions, bidders hope to strike treasure by Abby Baird and Shirley Lau

How will Jerry Brown’s time in Oakland influence him as governor? by Laura Hautala

Higher costs, plus anguish of sudden loss, push some black families to abandon traditional burial rituals by Tasion Kwamilele