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TBS Today, Aug. 13

The Harrison Street corridor encampment in northwest Berkeley, Aug. 3, 2026. Ariel Nava Photo

Today's federal court hearing on the Harrison encampment just ended. We watched remotely.

After spirited arguments from attorneys and heated remarks from Judge Edward Chen, he ordered the Berkeley Homeless Union to give the city a list of the 23 campers still seeking disability accommodations, along with their preferred tent sizes, within the next week.

He told the city to have staff spend at least a day going around Berkeley with perhaps 10 people at a time to try to pre-approve new tent sites for them. Chen said he didn't see why it was much to ask.

The city argued that this was an "incredible burden" and beyond the scope of Chen's prior order. The judge disagreed.

He called his suggestion "simple" and said he wants to see how it goes.

Chen did not expressly prohibit Berkeley from moving forward with preparations to clear the Harrison encampment, but he said he wants to see both sides work together to begin to identify relocation sites for the group of 23 — at least to start.

There are now approximately 80 people in the encampment, up from about 37 earlier this year, the city said. It will provide all of them with tents, sleeping bags and clothing, by request, an expansion of an earlier ruling from Chen that ordered survival gear to be given to encampment residents needing ADA accommodations.

The city said it had gone "door to door" offering services for months — with few takers.

We have a more detailed story in the works. Stay tuned.

Also: A magnitude 3.8 earthquake in Oakland shook Berkeley on Thursday morning,

In other news: New arts & culture column

Albany Scanner will publish The Culture Circuit, a new weekly guide from veteran arts writer Andrew Gilbert, focused on Albany, Berkeley and nearby.

This week, his column highlights Bobby McFerrin at The Freight, Buck Owens-inspired twang at the Ivy Room, genealogy in Albany, jazz stories, DJs at Down Home Music and more. Lots of Berkeley options! And he'd love your suggestions. Details in the story below.