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While most San Jose public school campuses will remain closed at least until January, Catholic schools are starting to welcome back students with sanitizing stations and wellness checks in place. “It’s been a real boost for faculty to see kids on campus,” said Principal Kristina Luscher of Bellarmine College Preparatory, which opened Sept. 23. “Overall,...
San Jose lawmaker makes case for racial equity in criminal courts
As a public defender, Ash Kalra said he experienced firsthand the impact racism has had on communities of color in the court system, including jury selection, the use of racially discriminatory language and disparities in charging and sentencing. The San Jose assemblymember said his answer was to author Assembly Bill 2542, the California Racial Justice...
Census workers push on in Santa Clara County despite challenges
A hearing by a federal judge in San Jose on when the U.S. Census count will end was met with another delay. Due to COVID-19 and other challenges, only four states reported 99% of housing enumerations completed, according to testimony at a hearing Sept. 22 before U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in San Jose. Concerned...
Why San Jose schools aren’t opening for the rest of the year
Saying they are ill equipped to take on the burden of testing students for COVID-19, San Jose officials extended distance learning through the end of December — and may not reopen classes until 2021. San Jose Unified School District Superintendent Nancy Albarrán said there are now more COVID-19 cases than in March when schools first closed, especially...
New developer fee to fund art in San Jose? District 6 candidates answer in face-off
District 6 City Council candidates took on art — specifically making it more culturally equitable and charging developers a fee to fund it — in a debate hosted by the collaborative San José Arts Advocates. The online discussion between incumbent Dev Davis and challenger Jake Tonkel took on importance given the city has seen a...
New state bills aim to expand mental health coverage as cries for help rise in South Bay and beyond
Feeling depressed and suicidal, a girl called the crisis line of Uplift Family Services, a nonprofit with several Bay Area locations that helps children. The girl said she felt like killing herself and was admitted for an immediate psychiatric evaluation and care. In another case, the nonprofit received a call from a teacher who was...
Coffee shop dream becoming reality for San Jose sisters, despite obstacles
Coffee shops abound but not many are owned by two Black women who happen to be sisters. Jeronica Macey and Be’Anka Ashaolu are cofounders of Nirvana Soul, which is opening in downtown San Jose later this month. Macey said she always wanted to open a coffee shop and now, thanks to her sister’s unwavering support,...
San Jose creates immigrant-inclusive COVID-19 relief measures
A study highlighting the roles of immigrants in San Jose and the struggles they’ve faced during COVID-19 is leading the city to create more inclusive relief measures. New American Economy (NAE), a national nonprofit immigration research and advocacy organization which last month released the study “New Americans in San Jose Metro Area,” examined the role...
Waivers pave way for some Santa Clara County schools to open
Although distance learning is the new educational normal for Santa Clara County, some public schools and one private school have received waivers for in-person learning. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered distance learning for counties on the state’s COVID-19 watch list but schools could resume in-person learning if their county had been off the watch list for...
San Jose rubber bullet ban heading back to council
At the height of Black Lives Matter protests this spring, Breanna Contreras was marching among the crowds in downtown San Jose when chaos suddenly broke out. People scattered and started running past her in the opposite direction, many with eyes streaming from tear gas. A moment later, Contreras heard “Pop! Pop! Pop!” and felt something...