A list of nearly 40 people competing to fill two San Jose City Council seats is down to just 11. The top contenders were named late Friday after current councilmembers voted for their top choices. The two seats are open in Districts 8 and 10 after two former councilmembers won their bids for higher office...
Author: Staff Reports
Meet the candidates for Los Gatos Town Council
There’s a lot at stake in Los Gatos this election season. The West Valley town is facing contentious plans for growth, meeting its housing production goals and scrambling to become more affordable. It’s become ground zero for political fights over growth, with one group taking to the ballot to suspend aspects of the town’s general...
Full transcript: San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo’s 2022 State of the City
Editor’s Note: This is a transcript of Mayor Sam Liccardo’s full 2022 State of the City address. Friends, good evening. In my tenure, I’ve had the blessing of serving a wonderful community, beside an incredible team of people. I’ve also been blessed by a wife who has been my confidante, honest critic, sage advisor, and sympathetic ear. Thank...
San Jose mayor’s race: Attack ad goes after NRA support
With three months left to Election Day, the San Jose mayor’s race is taking an ugly turn. The top two candidates, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez and San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan, have taken jabs at each other all year. Chavez questioned the political newcomer’s stance on abortion and women’s rights. Mahan challenged the...
Silicon Valley labor leaders endorse some, snub others
Silicon Valley’s powerful labor lobby has unveiled its 2022 endorsements—and there are a few surprises and notable snubs. The South Bay Labor Council, which comprises more than 100 unions across the valley, announced a sole endorsement Tuesday for Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez in the San Jose mayor’s race. The group didn’t back Councilmember...
San José Spotlight receives half-million grant from American Journalism Project
San José Spotlight has received a $500,000 grant from the American Journalism Project, the nation’s largest venture philanthropy dedicated to local news. The grant will allow the South Bay’s only nonprofit newsroom to hire a revenue development professional and audience growth specialist to expand its reach—both topically and geographically. The American Journalism Project (AJP) announced four new...
Full transcript: San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo’s 2021 State of the City
Editor’s Note: This is a transcript of Mayor Sam Liccardo’s full 2021 State of the City address. Good evening. As I fulfill the mandate of our city charter to articulate an annual state of the city address, I reflect on the pain that so many in our city have experienced over the last year. The...
San José Spotlight wins award for coverage of VTA mass shooting
San José Spotlight this month won a national award for its breaking news coverage of a mass shooting in May at a VTA light rail yard that killed nine transit workers. The award from the Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers recognizes our nonprofit newsroom among the top news publications in the country. LION Publishers is...
San Jose Speaks: A conversation with Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan
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...
San Jose leaders, advocates and victims talk gun policy
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...