Author: Staff Reports

San José Spotlight hosted an exclusive conversation with Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan in the final installment of our San Jose Speaks series, which features interactive conversations with South Bay leaders, influencers and decision makers. Dewan discussed how schools are recovering from COVID-19, bringing children back safely to campuses, policing in...

In the wake of a mass shooting in San Jose that killed nine VTA workers, our exclusive panel brought together elected leaders, victims of gun violence, Second Amendment advocates and community leaders for a thoughtful discussion on gun policy and common sense solutions. The Aug. 26 discussion, which included audience questions, was moderated by San...

San José Spotlight hosted an exclusive conversation with Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna in the latest San Jose Speaks series, which features interactive conversations with South Bay leaders, influencers and decision makers. Khanna discussed federal gun control policy in the wake of a mass shooting at a VTA rail yard, universal health care, the housing crisis,...

San José Spotlight hosted an exclusive conversation with newly-appointed San Jose Police Chief Anthony Mata in its latest San Jose Speaks series, which features interactive conversations with South Bay leaders, influencers and decision makers. Mata discussed his vision and future plans for the San Jose Police Department, efforts to “defund” the police, resident complaints about...

The Silicon Valley Pain Index, conducted by the San Jose State University Human Rights Institute, is an annual report focusing on racial discrimination and income inequality in the region. The report was inspired by an index compiled about New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Human Rights Institute released its findings this week. Here is the...

This week will forever be engrained in the minds of San Joseans. What started as an ordinary day Wednesday ended with nine families saying goodbye to their husbands, fathers, brothers, and best friends. Nine men were gunned down at a VTA rail yard after a disgruntled employee opened fire following a union meeting. The shooter,...

Santa Clara County’s medical examiner reported late Wednesday another VTA employee died of his injuries in an area hospital after Wednesday’s mass shooting at the agency’s light rail yard. Alex Ward Fritch, 49, was taken to the hospital earlier in the day with critical injuries. He died Wednesday evening, bringing the death toll from the...

San José Spotlight has received the Northern California Chapter’s Society of Professional Journalists’ prestigious James Madison Freedom of Information Award for its “regular and inventive use” of public records in covering local government in Santa Clara County. “This honor is a testament to the great work produced by our talented team of journalists,” said Ramona...