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San Jose lawmaker floats ‘Good Doctor’ tax

ABC medical drama “The Good Doctor” is set in San Jose, but doesn’t actually film here. One city official jokingly said City Hall should capitalize on that. The television show stars an autistic savant aspiring surgeon played by English actor Freddie Highmore who does his residency at the prestigious—but fictional—San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. The...

Kansen Chu returns to his roots: The Berryessa school board

It’s Déjà vu for Kansen Chu. After nearly two decades, the former assemblyman is back on the Berryessa Union School District Board of Trustees. Without much fanfare, Chu was unanimously appointed to the school board in February. He beat out four other candidates. Chu, who lost his bid for county supervisor last fall, filled the...

Santa Clara County seeks redistricting advisory commission members

Fifteen county residents will soon help reshape Santa Clara County government’s political power. Santa Clara County supervisors are creating a new advisory commission to complete redistricting obligations by the end of the year, in light of census data delays. Every county is required to redraw its supervisorial boundaries in 2021 according to federal, state and...

Thomas Fallon statue headed for San Jose’s broom closet

After nearly a year of heated debate, the controversial Thomas Fallon statue in downtown San Jose may have found its new home: A storage locker. The city’s five-member Public Art Committee, which advises the Arts Commission on the acquisition, placement and conservation of public art, voted Tuesday to remove the statue as recommended by Mayor Sam...

San Francisco 49ers won’t meet with city official after ‘tirade’ and threats

The San Francisco 49ers are refusing to meet with Santa Clara’s city attorney after his “wild” tirade during a recent meeting. The tense exchange—which unfolded over a recent Zoom call—ended with Santa Clara City Attorney Brian Doyle saying the team wanted him to “sleep with the fishes” and questioning the “thugs” team officials work for....

It’s official: San Jose Councilman Raul Peralez is running for mayor

Nearly a year after telling San José Spotlight he’s eyeing a run for mayor, downtown Councilmember Raul Peralez on Wednesday publicly kicked off his campaign. And he’s already staked out his campaign platform: Affordable housing, equity and boosting disadvantaged communities and local businesses. “I didn’t grow up in a wealthy or a politically connected family,...

Santa Clara’s latest fight: Lawmakers turning on a Zoom camera

Santa Clara councilmembers have a new battle on their hands: Whether officials should have their video cameras on during online public meetings. The argument stemmed from a petition by San Jose resident and Santa Clara business owner Kirk Vartan, who asked the council to discuss adopting an on-screen requirement at the next City Council meeting....