Education Reporter

Elissa Miolene

Elissa Miolene is a Bay Area News Group education reporter for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. She previously wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, and other media outlets, where she focused on migration and equity issues. Before shifting to journalism, Elissa led communications for humanitarian and United Nations agencies in the United States, East Africa, and South Asia, where she wrote about child protection, global health and humanitarian crisis. Elissa holds master’s degrees in journalism and policy from Stanford University and Lehigh University respectively, along with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and global studies from Lehigh.

"These difficult times should bring us together -- not create division and stoke anxiety and fear," the owners of the cafe said. "We can and must do better -- and this starts with creating a safe space for anyone who patronizes our coffeehouse."

Oakland coffeeshop apologizes after workers bar customer from a bathroom with anti-Israel graffiti

December 10, 2023 at 2:35 p.m.

"These difficult times should bring us together -- not create division and stoke anxiety and fear," the owners of the cafe said. "We can and must do better -- and...

Bay Area companies engage in substantial trade with APEC members: The San Jose metropolitan area exported $15 billion in goods to APEC countries last year, and the San Francisco metropolitan area exported $21 billion.

Business |
Thousands rally and march in San Francisco in protest against APEC and corporate power

November 12, 2023 at 6:19 p.m.

Bay Area companies engage in substantial trade with APEC members: The San Jose metropolitan area exported $15 billion in goods to APEC countries last year, and the San Francisco metropolitan...

Helen Pierce, the San Jose-based design director of architectural firm LPA, shares her insight about why buildings of the future must consider impacts on natural resources.

Education |
Q&A: Designer Helen Pierce on what makes a school “green” — and why it matters

November 11, 2023 at 4:18 p.m.

Helen Pierce, the San Jose-based design director of architectural firm LPA, shares her insight about why buildings of the future must consider impacts on natural resources.

After 10 months of negotiations, a judge has given preliminary approval of a $1.25 million settlement for former students at Oakland’s Mills College, which merged with Boston’s Northeastern University last year.

Education |
Mills College agrees to $1.25 million settlement with former students over Northeastern takeover

November 10, 2023 at 4:25 a.m.

After 10 months of negotiations, a judge has given preliminary approval of a $1.25 million settlement for former students at Oakland’s Mills College, which merged with Boston’s Northeastern University last...

Gov. Gavin Newsom has finished off this year’s legislative session, signing 890 bills -- and rejecting 156 others -- over the last several weeks.

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What did Newsom sign — and veto — this legislative season?

October 16, 2023 at 4:22 a.m.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has finished off this year’s legislative session, signing 890 bills -- and rejecting 156 others -- over the last several weeks.

Days after President Joe Biden joined a picket line of autoworkers in Michigan, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill giving unemployment benefits to strikers in California -- a blow to organized labor in a state typically in support of it.

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Newsom vetoes bill to give striking workers unemployment benefits

October 3, 2023 at 9:07 a.m.

Days after President Joe Biden joined a picket line of autoworkers in Michigan, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill giving unemployment benefits to strikers in California -- a blow to...

Communities around the Martinez refinery could see and hear flaring on Friday night, which often occurs when a refinery needs to burn off flammable gas due to pressure or other issues.

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Flaring at the Martinez refinery Friday night

September 25, 2023 at 3:48 a.m.

Communities around the Martinez refinery could see and hear flaring on Friday night, which often occurs when a refinery needs to burn off flammable gas due to pressure or other...

In response to complaints, Google is extending the lifespan of Chromebooks -- the low-cost laptops used by school districts across the country -- after years of limited software support sent thousands of those devices to the trash.

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Education |
Google extends lifespan of Chromebooks — a change that could save school districts millions

September 21, 2023 at 5:34 a.m.

In response to complaints, Google is extending the lifespan of Chromebooks -- the low-cost laptops used by school districts across the country -- after years of limited software support sent...

Despite recommendations from a California task force to make reparations a reality, residents of the Golden State still oppose doing so by two-to-one margin, according to a new poll from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies.

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Nearly 60% of California voters oppose reparation payments for Black residents

September 11, 2023 at 2:16 p.m.

Despite recommendations from a California task force to make reparations a reality, residents of the Golden State still oppose doing so by two-to-one margin, according to a new poll from...

The repayment plan drives down the cost of monthly repayments based on a borrower’s income and provides a pathway to eventual loan forgiveness for those with low student debt balances.

Education |
With full student loan forgiveness blocked, Biden administration offers low-wage debt relief program

September 6, 2023 at 5:02 p.m.

The repayment plan drives down the cost of monthly repayments based on a borrower’s income and provides a pathway to eventual loan forgiveness for those with low student debt balances.

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