Parishioners protest Oakland's Bishop Barber's White House visit

An Oakland bishop facing fallout from his appearance in a White House video that shows him praying with President Trump and other Catholic bishops just weeks before the elections. KTVU's Jana Katsuyama spoke with some East Bay Catholics who are upset by the bishop's appearance. She joins us now live from the diocese offices in Oakland, where a protest was held earlier today. Jana. Yes, Heather and Alex, right here on the steps outside the offices. And just to be clear, these protesters say they don't object to the bishop having an open dialogue with President Trump about his policies. They say the problem they see is that the meeting appears to have been politicized and implying that the bishops support President Trump and his policies. And they feel that the Oakland bishop doesn't seem to care that this was hurtful to his East Bay parishioners. Outside the Oakland Diocese office of Bishop Michael Barber, about a dozen Catholics from East Bay Parishes protested. After church on Sunday, everybody was talking about how dismayed they were to see the photo op. And that our own bishop was involved in that. Their outrage comes from Bishop Barber's appearance in a video posted by the White House on October 22nd. Barber and 11 other Catholic leaders met with President Trump in the Oval Office. I feel our bishop was manipulated by the Trump administration to imply... that the administration is supported by the Catholic Church. Bishop Barber is our leader and I think in a lot of ways we want to make sure that the bishop is speaking for all of us here in the diocese and going to the White House just looked like a political kind of gimmick. Two attendees posted public apologies. The Archbishop of Milwaukee said he was told it would be a private discussion with Trump and he regrets attending. Another bishop of Cedar Rapids also posted an apology. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers responded to the apologies, telling Fox News Digital, quote, there has never been a greater president for Catholic Americans than President Trump, and his strong record proves it. Oakland's Bishop Barber declined to talk and instead sent a link to a statement that says in part, quote, After meeting with President of Spain, Pope Leo XIV stressed the need to foster constructive dialogue between the local church and public authorities based on mutual respect and aimed at promoting the common good. That is why I went to Washington. He continues, I was grateful to be invited to the White House and meet the President of the United States. I hope the opportunity to share our faith and values will contribute to the betterment of our country and society. The protesters say the timing just weeks before the midterm election felt wrong. He has posted as of October 27th on the diocesan website. He doesn't get it, and that's why he's wrong. He just doesn't get what he did. The protesters say, although there are only about a dozen of them who can make it out here on a Thursday afternoon, many more people are upset. And from here on, they plan to write letters both to the Oakland Bishop as well as Pope Leo. Reporting from Oakland, Jana Katsuyama, KTVU, Fox 2 News. Tana, thank you. Well, with less than a week to go to the midterm election, state and county election officials are really taking steps to try to speed up California's ballot count. California Voter Foundation, or CVF, and election officials holding a webinar today. They discussed how they're working to speed up the vote count while also upholding election security and voter access. According to CVF, more than 80 percent of the state's voters Voters typically vote by mail. And mail ballots, will they take more time to process? County registrars say a key to speeding up the count is shifting behaviors to get voters to turn in their ballots earlier. If we can get a lot of people, it doesn't have to be everybody, but a lot of people to be able to cast their ballot before the polls close at 8 p.m. on Election Day, we're just going to have a lot more certainty in our vote. We're going to have fewer ballots to have to count after Election Day. Now, state law requires counties to count most ballots within 13 days. According to CVF, in the June primary, almost 93 percent of California ballots were counted within seven days of the election. That's up from 72 percent in 2022. Well, President Trump's midterm blitz has him in South Carolina this afternoon as he looks to energize his base and ease voters' minds about the economy. Fox's Rebecca Castor tells us this comes as new numbers out just today show inflation is still red hot. Each week prices go up 10, 15 cents. I have three jobs right now because the economy is really hard. I think gas prices are huge. The cost of living is top of mind for voters this election season and new data from the Commerce Department backs up concerns. Inflation is still rising, up half a percent in September and 3.6 percent from last year. You go out to buy a hamburger or something and you're almost buying a cow. Before you go out and vote. You have to check your 401ks. They're so up in history, you've never had anything like it. Income for hardworking Americans is soared to the highest level ever recorded. President Trump has spent the last month crisscrossing the country to ensure voters know what he has done to help the economy. But Democrats say the numbers don't lie. If you thought everything cost too much before, guess what? Everything is more expensive now. Despite rising inflation, commerce data also shows the economy is still growing faster than expected, with GDP up 3.4 percent in the third quarter and consumer spending is holding steady. The economy is growing, which is phenomenal. Like, that's what we all want. But at the end of the day, consumers, voters, they can't spend GDP. All they really care about is whether or not they have money left in their checking account at the end of the month. These numbers come after the Fed took no action on interest rates Wednesday, but inflation keeps a rate hike on the table for December. In Washington, Rebecca Castor, Fox News. Up next here on The Four this afternoon, a unique experience for film lovers to celebrate Halloween. After the break, we're talking live with the co-owners of Shapeshifter Cinema in Oakland about their upcoming scary movie film series. That's a little creepy, haunting, experimental films that just might be too eerie to watch by yourself. They are all part of a Halloween-themed program being presented tomorrow night at an event at Shapeshifters Cinema. The movie theater, tucked away in Oakland's Jacqueline Square, is a very intimate 40-seat venue that provides an outlet for contemporary filmmakers. All right, here with us now to talk more about this event is Kathleen Quillian, co-founder and programming director of Shapeshifter Cinema, and Gilbert Guerrero, who's the director of operations and brewing at Shapeshifter Cinema, because you have a brewery and a cafe right there in-house. We'll talk about that in a moment, but Kathleen, let me start with you on this lineup of films. What can fans who come out here for this Halloween event expect? Well, the program is... It's six films that are made by artists who really kind of embrace and work with the medium of film to kind of explore the shadowy sides of our subconscious and psyches. Thank you. And then we're also going to have a live music element with the final piece is going to be... A condensed version of a film that came out in 1922 called Hakusan, which is supposed to be, or it's essentially... Looking at the history of witchcraft through the ages, and it's a feature-length film, but we're going to show a condensed version, and then we have three musicians who will be doing a live sound along with it. You're going to score a live, wow. So that'll really add to that experience. Gilbert, tell us a little bit about this venue, because as I mentioned, it is intimate, just 40 seats. Thank you. How does that make those sort of when people come in to watch a film different from what you would typically get in a much larger space? So one thing is that we're located in a Victorian building. It's over 150 years old. We love that because the architecture really gives you this feeling of being inside of a place that's been there for a long time. There's a lot of history in that part of Oakland. And the building is on something called the Bret Hart Boardwalk. It was created to save those. Old Victorian buildings are all being demolished in that area, you know, as the railroads came in, then the Nimitz Freeway, all this. So the theater, very intimate, 40 seats. Kathleen and I are always there. We also have a co-director, Ellie Vanderlip, who helps with our educational programs. And this can be, you know, a full sort of night out for folks who want to be a part of this event, right? Because you have a cafe, you can get some food, you can get some drinks right there in-house. Yeah, that's always been part of our mission, to make the film viewing experience, or actually live performances and video art, we're introducing all these things to people in an environment where they can be comfortable, have a drink, bring their friends next time. Yeah, yeah. But Kathleen, the idea of watching a scary film in such an intimate setting like that, I mean, the audience is really immersed. Yeah. Yeah, I wouldn't call these films that we're showing scary films. They're more looking at sort of like dreamy, sort of like slightly spooky parts of our mind and other realms. Yeah. You know, that can only, or that are really best highlighted through the film medium, specifically the analog 16mm film. Thank you. So they were all created on film, and we'll be showing four of them on film itself. Thank you very much. And we really like to show films in their native format as much as we can. And so these filmmakers in particular... They really sort of lean into the medium itself and work with the sort of spooky, mystical things that are embedded in the film. Why is it so important that these films be shown on 16mm? I mean, how does that change the experience for the audience, you think? Especially with these particular films and the themes that they deal with. Yeah, it's just, it's a different experience. It's sort of the same thing, you know, people talk about the difference between CDs and records, vinyl records. There's just sort of like a soul embedded in analog material. Um, that really kind of, um, is more tangible, more visceral when you're in the same room with it. Um, yeah. And, and Gilbert, uh, tell folks at home about how they can take part in what you have planned for Halloween. Well, be it Shapeshifter Cinema, it's at 567 5th Street in Oakland. Do you need tickets? You can buy tickets online if you want to buy them ahead, which we would recommend doing. The show's probably going to sell out, and we're a tiny venue. Yeah. But, yeah, or you can buy tickets at the door, too. Okay, $15, and then bring some extra money for a bite to eat and a drink. Yeah, that's right. And you have a fun Halloween experience. Well, appreciate you both being here. Kathleen? Gilbert, thank you for the time. Yeah, thank you. Just right around the corner from the KTVU studios. Nice of you to be here. I appreciate it. I know you said they're not scary, but just that little clip we showed, it is creepy to me. It's really eerie, but perfect for Halloween. So thank you so much. Appreciate it. We're going to have much more coming up right after this quick break after Roberta. And Heather, it is certainly the talk of the town. Will there be rain on Halloween? The forecast next. I've looked outside our Oakland estuary on this Thursday afternoon. I'm sorry I'm laughing. It's sort of an inside joke. But anyway, let's turn things over now to our KTVU meteorologist, Roberta Gonzalez. Roberta, we'll bring you in on the joke after you finish your weather hit, okay? No, no, no, no, no, no. You can't stop there. We'll Hey, Heather and Alex, remember earlier we were talking about when is this advisory for the coast and the flood advisory? be When is it going to expire? We just got the update. It has now been extended until Sunday. right I was trying to change it on my map. Could not do it. I thought I was Speedy Gonzalez. Not happening today, but let's go ahead and get to it right now. The extension of the Coastal Flood Advisor. back. You can count on that until Sunday, 6 p.m. Look at the beautiful clouds scraping across the East Bay today. There you have Mount Diablo. The clouds were above the 3,600 feet. And where did they derive from? You can see the storm tracker right here. And you see a plume of moisture associated with it. I think this moisture is going to move in overnight around the central coast. We could see some Virga as a result, where the raindrops actually evaporate before it hits the landmass. But, boys, this is a swath of cloudiness out over the Pacific. Current temperatures with the cloud deck, 63 in Half Moon Bay, 69 Therafield, 70 to the north in Santa Rosa, 67 Monterey Bay, Watsonville, and Salinas. Tonight, with that blanket of clouds overhead, mostly cloudy, similar temperatures to last night. We've got 30s to the north. We have 40s and 50s to the south and smack in between mid-40s around the shoreline of the Central Bay. Breeze out there, but nothing has been ominous and will continue to subside after sunset tonight. Again, that coastal flood advisory, it was extended until Saturday. Now, Sunday at 6 p.m., tomorrow's high tide roughly runs. We'll be right back. We're getting smacked with heavy rainfall over the weekend, but we're in between, so we could see a wayward shower, but nothing as far as accumulation is concerned. Here is your Saturday night. I came up with this one, too. This is a future, Cass, and you see the heavy precipitation due east of the Bay Area. So overall, for your Halloween, just a chance of a shower or drizzle during the trick or treating under mostly cloudy skies. Bottom line, it will be cool. Tomorrow's temperature is close to seasonal. Clouds clear out after a morning gray sky, then sunshine, 60s through your 70s. Your extended forecast calls for a south fall back on Sunday. Remember to vote on Tuesday. No reason. Not to. No rain in the forecast for Tuesday. And then again on Sunday, it's fall back one full hour. So you get an extra hour on Halloween. But also, Heather and Alex, it's a great opportunity to change those batteries and the carbon monoxide devices and also in your fire detectors and the smoke detectors, too. Yeah, good. Yeah, great. Good time to do that. Absolutely. Great advice, Roberta. I appreciate that. Thank you for all that important information. Appreciate that. All right, here's some really important information. Scientists in the U.K. say they have figured out what makes a man look good on the dance floor. Now, they say these are the things they study. They say the results of their studies show that women prefer guys who move their neck, torso, and their right knee with lots of variety and energy, much like this person that you're seeing here. The winners kept it loose with smooth rhythm, good coordination, and expressive... upper body moves. So if you move your left knee, not attractive, I guess. No, no, that's maybe that's part of my problem. I've been doing the left knee. I should have been going with the right knee. You know, that's a lot to think about when you're dancing. I just like try to clear my mind when I'm dancing, not not overthink it. But I think that's what makes a guy attractive is when they actually do go out on the dance floor and give it a try versus sitting back and, you know, saying, oh, I'm not good at that or I feel silly like that. The dance floor is just a place. Just remember, get that right knee going. All right, fellas, there you go. All right, much more news coming up after this. Halloween is almost here and kids across the country are gearing up for all of the excitement of costumes and candy. Yeah, the candy, of course. Fox's Caroline Shively has some tips, though, that can help make trick-or-treating a hauntingly good time for everyone. Brace yourself. This weekend, little ghosts and goblins will flood your neighborhood in pursuit of one of life's greatest prizes, a big pile of candy. I just view it as a quintessential, you know, childhood experience. Before you head out the door, there are some things you can keep in mind to make sure everyone has a great time. Maybe the most important, do remember the magic words. We want to say trick or treat when someone answers the door. Saying thank you after the treat is given is even more important. A house having its lights on is usually a reliable indicator that they're giving out candy. Trick or treat! And if you're invited to help yourself, do it in moderation. Save that just one piece of candy. If you're on the other side of the candy transaction, do remember to compliment all the costumes you see. And don't be too judgy if someone you consider a bit too old for trick-or-treating knocks on your door. As long as they're being polite and responsible and have a costume on, it's not going to hurt to throw candy their way. Once the kids are back home with their treasure trove of sugar, Do feel free to let them go nuts for one night. No kid wants to come home from the fun of trick-or-treating only to face the disappointment of you can only have three pieces or something like that. And don't worry about the so-called sugar rush. Halloween is just... Really cool, really fun, and so they are probably going to be excited no matter what. It's really not the sugar itself that's doing that to kids. And do remember to stay safe. Stick to well-lit streets, wear bright material, and keep an eye on your little monsters, witches, and princesses. Caroline Shively, Fox News. KTVU Fox 2 News at 5 starts now. Multiple calls about hungry and neglected children and unlivable conditions in a South Bay home. The new report now outlining why those calls didn't save the life of an eight-year-old girl who lived there. Also, Catholics in Oakland protesting their bishop after his recent visit to the Oval Office. And an early day disappointment turning to excitement for the Valkyries and their fans with the team returning to the Bay to play in a first-ever Game 7 for the WNBA Championship. And no matter what happens on Saturday. History will be made. Okay, Bay Area, get ready. Game seven of the WNBA Finals is happening. Good evening. I'm Claudine Wong. And I'm Mike Maybach. The Atlantic Dream defeated the Valkyries today 80-69 to force that game seven, the first, as Claudine mentioned, in WNBA Finals history. Not letting the dream on a Thursday. Back to the city, Biden Bay, indeed. The series wraps up Saturday night at Chase Center. It is back to Valhalla. No matter what happens, it's going to be a historic night as Golden State and Atlanta both look in for their first title. All right, let's bring in Joe Fonzi to talk about this game. Certainly a disappointment, but there are some highlights in there of where the Valkyries did well, and coming back to Valhalla is not a bad thing. And some of those firsts that you guys mentioned as well. Good to see you guys again. Good to see you.